Unseen (2023) s01e03 Episode Script

1
[ominous music playing]
[people speaking indistinctly]
Zenzi.
Lufuno.
What are you doing here?
I'm doing a story on construction.
Are you okay?
What happened?
Sorry. I'm looking for Mrs. Mwale.
Zenzi Mwale.
Yes?
Could you please come with me
to the police station?
What is this about?
I think it's best if we talk in my office.
[dramatic music playing]
[music continues]
- Cupido.
- Detective.
Get interrogation room four
ready for me please.
Sure.
Um, what is this about, Detective?
- Have you found my husband?
- It's just routine questions, Mrs. Mwale.
Wait here, please.
I'll come get you shortly.
Of course.
Excuse me.
Where do I go to find somebody
who was brought in for questioning?
[in Afrikaans] Please.
[in English] I'm on my break.
Just join the queue.
[line ringing]
Hi, this is Naledi.
Don't leave a voicemail.
[phone disconnects]
[in Afrikaans] Hmm?
I don't know what time I'll be home.
There's still a lot of people here.
I can't wait to get out of this fuckshow
and work at a new station.
[breathes shakily]
[woman] How can I help, sir?
I'm looking for somebody
that was brought in today.
An hour or so ago, in fact.
- Name?
- Zenzi.
Um
Zenzi
- I know it starts with an M.
- Sir, that really doesn't help me.
Did she take your money and not deliver?
What do you mean?
I'm asking if she's a working girl, sir.
How do you know her, seeing that you only
know each other on a first-name basis?
I know this sounds implausible,
but I promise you, she is here somewhere.
[sighs in frustration]
- Sorry. I, uh I just needed the bathroom.
- Of course. Good.
Sergeant! Sergeant! She's here.
You're gonna have to come back
when you have more information
or even a photograph.
No, no, no. I'm sorry. I'm not quite done.
Look, I hate to do this.
I'm a journalist, a good one.
And if you don't at least help me
try and find my friend,
I'll be forced to write an article
about the South African police force
and how they hold
innocent women against their will.
Okay, Weekend Argus, calm down.
I've never been in the paper before,
and I wanted to make sure
you spelled my name right in your article.
Next.
It's just upstairs, if you don't mind.
Oh! Let me get that for you.
[chuckles] Oh, it's heavy.
We should search this too.
[woman] I tried to stop him, sir.
I sincerely hope
you aren't questioning my client
without a lawyer present, Detective.
[judge] You have pled guilty
to the culpable homicide
of one Yazid Noordien.
As a result,
this court hereby sentences you
to ten years' imprisonment.
Your Worship,
my client is a first-time offender,
was acting in self-defense,
fearing his own life was at stake.
This sentence seems harsh
under the circumstances.
Yes, Mr. Theron, you may lodge your appeal
in due course. For now, my ruling stands.
Court is adjourned.
[Theron] Why was my client
brought in, Detective?
[Lyners] We brought Mrs. Mwale in
because we believe
she might be withholding
pertinent information.
- What information?
- [shushes]
No, no. It's It's okay, Mr. Theron.
They brought me in.
They have not told me anything.
I want to know what you're talking about.
We received information you went
to see Jackson Thom the day he was killed.
Is there a question in there, Detective?
[Morkel] Did someone send you?
Raymond Hendricks?
Did you have to collect
or drop off something on his behalf?
And while you were there,
did you see anything?
If you did, you have to tell us.
No, my client doesn't have to tell you
anything, Detective.
Now, it's obvious to me,
if not to you two geniuses
here at the police forces,
that Zenzi, who works
as a cleaning lady for Mr. Hendricks,
went to go and see Mr. Thom with regards
to further employment opportunities.
[Morkel] Mrs. Mwale, is this true?
Yes.
Why didn't you say so
the last time we questioned you?
Because you didn't ask.
Well, we're asking now.
Did you see anything?
[sniffs]
Mr. Thom couldn't help me, so
I left.
[Theron] There you have it.
My client has cooperated.
Unless you have any other
trumped-up reasons to keep her here,
I think we'll be going.
- Uh, we're not
- Let her go.
He's right.
We can't keep her here any longer.
You have gone out of your way
to find who's killed Jackson Thom,
a man who is feared in this community.
I just wish you would have done
the same for my son,
a sweet, gentle boy,
who wouldn't hurt anyone even if he tried,
or my husband
who is still missing.
So, who sent you, Mr. Theron?
Just be grateful to your,
let's call it, guardian angel.
I just accept the checks as they come in
and try not to ask questions myself,
advice you should probably take as well.
So you're Max's wife, eh?
Did Max send you?
That's not why I was asking. I just
I didn't think Max would be married
to someone like you. That's all.
[Max] I keep talking to you, Vince.
You're not listening.
- I apologize.
- This is the last time, Vince.
I told you.
You're never allowed to touch the girls.
- [Vince] Okay, all right. I'm sorry.
- [Max] Go. Go.
Zen.
[in Tswana] Why are you here?
This part of town isn't safe
for you to be coming here alone.
I missed you.
[in English] With you always at the club
[in Tswana]and my new night-shift
cleaning job,
I feel like we never see each other.
[in English] Yes, Zen, I know. I know.
[in Tswana] But we need the money.
What would you prefer?
Me at home, but no food on the table?
I know you have to work.
- [woman] Max?
- [in English] Yes?
- Are you okay?
- No, it's okay, Chyna, girl.
Listen, why don't you go back inside
before they miss you?
I'll be right back.
- [in Tswana] Who's she?
- Zen Zen
She still looks very young.
What goes on inside that place?
[in English] Can you just Just go home.
I don't wanna talk about this right now.
And I'm sure
[in Tswana]Esulu is probably wondering
where you are.
Esulu misses you.
[in English] I miss you.
Mr. Ngesi?
Zenzi!
[sighs with relief]
I'm sorry. I I've just been looking
for you for hours with no luck
in this cesspool of incompetence.
[sighs] I'm just glad that you're safe.
What are you doing here?
What, you didn't think
I wouldn't follow you,
after seeing you get taken
by those blackguards?
Oh no.
[in Portuguese] The struggle continues!
[in English] My car's over here.
You must be exhausted. I'll take you home.
I've told you a million times,
you must stop with the Mr. Ngesi stuff.
You're making me feel old.
I don't look that old, do I?
What happened in there?
[in Tswana] They were asking about Max.
[in English] Some follow-up questions
about his disappearance.
Maybe he wants to be a ghost.
Maybe the thought of coming back to me
has made running away more appealing.
Are you sure
you want to go back to Alice's tonight?
She just buried her husband.
It could be a rough night.
If you'd like,
my spare room's available.
I'll make us some tea.
[computer beeps]
Sorry. I didn't mean to snoop.
Zenzi, please.
You've been cleaning my house
for the past five years.
I think you probably know
everything about me.
[in Tswana] Thank you.
[in English] Please.
That's actually what gave me
the title for my book.
You know, the one I told you about?
Unseen.
You see, we open our homes and our houses
to men and women like you all the time.
You know everything about us,
our best moments, our worst,
and yet, we know nothing about you.
Or we choose not to know, not to see.
[sighs] I'm just as guilty
as the next person.
[in Tswana] Maybe it's better
that you don't know
what happens in our lives.
You might be shocked to
[in English] discover some of the things
that we are capable of.
[in Tswana] You know
[in English]somebody once told me that
my invisibility was an asset.
And lately, I've been using it
to do bad things
terrible things
- [Ernie screams]
- [train horn blows]
things that I will,
one day, have to pay for.
Having blood on your hands is
something that you can never escape.
I just stood there.
[Zenzi gasps]
I stood there, and I watched
the life disappear from his eyes.
[inhales shakily]
[in Tswana] And to know that I was the one.
[in English] I did it.
[cries softly]
It's a feeling that I can never explain.
Zenzi
I wish you'd told me sooner
that you blame yourself for Esulu's death.
But it's not your fault, my dear.
You do not have
your son's blood on your hands.
The only one to blame
is the one that pulled the trigger.
You did everything you could
to protect that boy.
[inhales deeply]
Uh, I'm keeping you up,
forcing you to revisit things
you want to forget.
[sniffles]
[Ngesi] You finish your tea.
The room's ready for you.
[breathes shakily]
[sniffles]
[sighs]
Sorry to disturb, Detectives.
I'm just following up
on the Enrico Booysen case.
I'm sorry, man. We've been swamped
with the Jackson Thom case.
Um, if you have the report,
I can run through it quickly
and then sign off on it.
It's the accident
at the construction site, right?
[man] The insurance company
keeps on pestering me for the report.
I think his wife is in for a solid payday.
Where did you say Zenzi Mwale lived again?
[Morkel] Uh, Portland Road, Lavender Hill.
- What am I looking at?
- Check out Enrico Booysen's address.
It's the exact same place I picked her up.
She must have known Booysen.
First, Jackson. Now, Enrico.
This is more than a coincidence, right?
I think we need to have another talk
with Ms. Mwale.
[exhales deeply]
[Zenzi giggles]
- Almost there. Almost there.
- Okay.
Just Watch it. Watch it for a second.
All right.
All right.
- Oh.
- [chuckles softly]
This is so fancy.
Okay.
[in Tswana] Where is everyone else?
[in English] Well, there's your seat
over there.
[in Tswana] I decided
to close for the night.
Thank you.
[in English] You're welcome.
I did not want to share you with anyone
on our first date.
- That is nice.
- [Max chuckles] Yeah.
But how are you going to pay
for all of this?
[in Tswana] I don't want you
to spend your money on me.
[in English] Zen, I would spend
my last cent on you
if it would make you happy.
- But you just met me.
- [Max] Yeah.
When you know, you know.
Well, this is the most beautiful thing
that I have ever seen.
Me too.
[in Xhosa] Max, dinner service starts
in an hour.
[in English] You better clear this up
before the boss gets here.
I'm not sharing my tips with you tonight.
[Max] Yeah, sure, sure.
I guess that's me, busted. [sighs]
[laughs]
It fits.
Gloria is
was the same size as you.
I'm sorry.
I'm sure it can't be easy
seeing somebody else wearing her clothes.
[Ngesi] I've put out some of her clothes
for you upstairs.
[inhales] Uh, it's been a long night
Or a long day. I'm just going to try
and get some rest.
Of course.
Of course.
Thank you again for everything, Mr. Ngesi.
[sighs]
[Zenzi] I mean
Lufuno.
[soft music playing]
- [phone ringing]
- [gasps]
[reporter on TV]
Police say they are still no closer
to identifying the man
pushed in front of a train
at Cape Town Train Station two days ago.
A department spokesperson
has also confirmed
that only one CCTV camera
was functioning on the day
the incident took place,
raising questions about public safety.
A representative for the department
of public transport has yet to comment.
Police are urging anyone with information
on the woman seen pushing
the unidentified man
on the station's CCTV
[Naledi in Tswana] What's going on?
You're all over the place.
I was horrified coming out of the spa.
[in English] Seven missed calls.
[in Tswana] I thought something bad
must have happened.
I'm sorry for making you think
something bad had happened.
[in English] But it was just
a big misunderstanding with the police.
[in Tswana] Police?
It was nothing. It's been sorted out.
- It's something to do with Max again.
- Let it go, Naledi.
[in English] Like I said,
it has been sorted.
[boy laughing]
[in Tswana] You know what?
[in English] Max could never
be affectionate like that with Esulu.
He used to always say it makes boys soft
to be hugged and kissed.
He even once said that
it was my fault
that Esulu was the way that he was.
[in Tswana] All families are different,
do things differently.
[in English] You'll drive yourself crazy
with the what-ifs.
"What-ifs."
Like, what if our family
had been different?
- [in Tswana] Please don't start this again.
- Start what?
[in English] Because all I was saying is
that I wonder how things would have been
if we stuck together
like we said we would.
Just like when we were kids.
You were like my shadow.
I couldn't turn around
without bumping into you.
Then you ran away.
To the city.
[in Tswana] I didn't see you for years.
[Naledi in English] Times change.
[Zenzi] Mama never recovered.
[in Tswana] She just got sicker.
And Dad
[in English] he kept
taking out his anger on her.
He would get drunk, come home,
and blame her.
Because you ran away.
[in Tswana] Why are you doing this to me?
[in English] What is this?
Family guilt hour?
God, this is water under the bridge.
Why do you have to rehash this
after so long?
I don't understand. It's beyond me.
[in Tswana] Pull yourself together.
You're making a scene.
[Zenzi in English] I'm sorry.
[in Tswana] I thought talking about it
may help us.
I don't need help.
[in English] You're a tough woman
to get alone.
Have you been following me the whole day?
Maybe.
Who was that woman
you were talking to just now?
No one. Eh
It was just someone
who was trying to sell me something.
Sure. Whatever you say.
Enough chit-chat.
Raymond wants to see you.
Come.
[Joseph] All right, it's up that way.
What are we doing here?
I want to make sure that you don't run.
You have a knack
of disappearing into a crowd.
Joseph and I went to visit you
at your home earlier.
Imagine our surprise when we found
your poor old landlord being laid to rest.
- It was an accident.
- I don't really care about old Enrico.
But it does confirm to me, yet again,
that you are indeed the right person
to help me get rid of Blessing.
I still don't understand
why you need me to kill him.
What does Blessing care
about Jackson Thom being dead anyway?
Blessing doesn't care
about anybody other than himself.
But he has rules.
One of those rules is,
you can't take anyone out of his team
without consulting him.
And if he thinks that I went rogue
and killed Jackson Thom
without his permission
Well, let's just say
that he'll have to take action, you know?
So this is no longer
a fucking negotiation.
We're gonna stick to the plan,
and you're gonna get rid
of Blessing tonight.
Otherwise, I'll deliver you
to the big boss myself.
I'm not going down for your crimes.
Is this why you got the lawyer?
To get me away from the police
so I can kill Blessing?
What lawyer? Cops?
What are you talking about? Stop stalling.
No, I'm not. I'm telling the truth.
I was taken in for questioning today.
Some witness came through and said
that I saw Jackson Thom
the day that he died.
The lawyer, who was it?
It was the same lawyer
that helped Max when he pled guilty,
Mr. Theron.
Maybe Blessing sent him.
Why would Blessing
send a lawyer to help me?
Oh, Zenzi
When it comes to Blessing, Yazid,
Max, even me
there's so much you don't know.
Please, Raymond,
there has to be another way.
I don't think I can do it.
Tell me, is Sea Point in that direction?
I'm not sure.
Oh, I thought maybe you'd know.
'Cause isn't that where Naledi lives?
It's time to make a choice, Zenzi.
[dramatic music playing]
[door opens, closes]
[people speaking indistinctly]
Hey, man. I got a meeting
with Mr. Jali tonight.
[breathing shakily]
Clear.
Our valet will park the car
around the back.
[dance music playing loudly]
Hey.
Put this on. Hurry up.
[dance music playing loudly]
Don't stare so hard.
I'm gonna head up
and pay my respects to the boss.
I will then whisper in his ear
about something,
a surprise in his office.
Okay? Now, his office
is that door there on the right.
Take the package, put it on the desk.
Once he comes in,
pretend to be working or something, okay?
- Make sure he takes at least two lines
- Yes, yes, okay.
And then take the rest of it
and get out of there.
Leave no evidence behind.
Yes. You're a fast learner.
I'll be your lookout from up top.
Once you're done, we'll meet at the back.
- Got it?
- Okay.
[ominous music plays]
Sisi? Actually, this is perfect,
because some asshole
just spilled red wine all over my dress.
So can you come help me take it off,
please, man?
Come, sisi!
My zipper's stuck.
[sighs]
[exhales heavily]
[zipper unzipping]
You better leave
before Blessing gets here.
Why are you cleaning so late anyway? Oof!
[sighs] This room is spinning.
Hey. I can help you get out of here.
Hey. Wake up.
Come on, wake up.
Wake up.
Hey.
Wake up.
What the fuck is going on here?
Why the fuck is a cleaner
in my office this late?
Get out!
[sighs exasperatedly] Fuck.
Chyna! Chyna!
Wake up! Wake up!
Chyna! Chyna, wake up.
Wake up, Chyna!
- Chyna! Chyna, come on!
- [Chyna whimpers]
Why do you get so fucked?
I had to change my dress.
Are you still here?
Get the fuck out.
Uh, just
Just clean yourself up, okay?
Okay.
[sighs]
Joseph, Joseph, Joseph.
Thank you, my man.
[Blessing inhales sharply]
Oh yeah.
[chuckles]
[chopping drugs]
Is that bitch getting ready?
[chuckles wryly] Fuck.
Jesus Christ.
[sniffs]
[sniffs, grunts]
[sighs]
[in Tswana] What?
You don't know how to speak?
[in English] I heard you talking earlier.
[laughs]
[in Afrikaans]
Maybe you're like a farmworker
Stupid, stupid, stupid.
[chopping drugs]
[in Tswana] I hear you.
[grunts]
[sniffs]
[in English] Then why
did you not answer me?
I'm asking you.
Is that bloody bitch getting ready?
I'm first gonna have to get some answers
from you.
[laughs]
[in Afrikaans] Who are you?
Huh?
[in English] You're not
the usual auntie that cleans here.
I am Max Mwale's wife.
[in Tswana] I don't know
who you're talking about.
[in English] Oh, really?
But he went to prison for you.
[in Tswana] Now he's disappeared.
[in English] And you probably
have something to do with it.
Just tell me where he is,
and I'll leave you alone.
I don't care if you're coming or going.
I owe you nothing.
Oh, you owe me everything.
You took everything from me.
Hey, bitch!
Fuck you!
You know what?
I suggest you get out of here
before I lose my sense of humor.
Or else
I'll blow your brains out!
And then maybe
you can join your beloved Max.
Max is dead?
[laughing]
Jeez. Jeez.
Fuck.
Raymond
sent you, na?
Get out! Get out!
[laughing] Sisi, I told you to leave
before he came.
Blessing
Don't kill the maid. [laughs]
Who's gonna clean it up?
Ooh.
Can I have some?
No! Fuck!
Shit.
You bitch.
[Chyna whimpering]
[Blessing] Look what you've done.
[grunting]
- Come here. Come here.
- No, please.
[both grunting]
I'm sorry.
Hey!
[Blessing falls to floor]
[Chyna panting]
- No.
- Come.
- No, he's gonna kill me.
- We have to go.
- No, sisi.
- Come. Hurry up, Chyna. Quickly.
[Blessing grunting]
Hey! Hey! Hey!
[Chyna screams]
[Zenzi grunts]
Fucking bitch.
Hey, I told you to leave.
Fucking
Fuck.
Shit!
[Blessing and Zenzi grunting]
[music intensifying]
[Chyna] Stop!
[all panting]
Chyna, please. Come on.
Just drop the gun.
Look I'll make it up to you.
Whatever you want.
Anything. Please, come on.
Put the gun
[wheezing, coughing]
[gasping]
Baby! Baby! Baby! No!
Oh my God. Baby.
Just breathe. Just breathe. Just breathe.
[crying] What are we gonna do?
We have to help him.
He looks like he's dying.
Men like him don't deserve to live.
We can't just let him die!
[Zenzi] This man has abused you.
He has gotten you hooked.
And if he dies, you can be free.
[Blessing gasping]
Free?
Chyna, we don't have much time.
We've got to get out of here.
Just go get your stuff.
Hurry up.
Chyna, quickly.
- Come on. Hurry up.
- [Blessing coughing]
[wheezing, coughing]
[gasping]
This is for Max.
[Blessing coughs weakly]
- [choking]
- [somber music playing]
[Blessing gasping]
[whimpering weakly]
[gasps, breathing stops]
[breathing shakily]
[gasps softly]
[dance music playing loudly]
You know that they got rid of Yazid?
I know.
But why? What did Yazid have on them?
I'm sorry. I don't know.
But just like Yazid,
I know that a lot of people want Max dead.
Tell Blessing I'm here.
[Chyna] I heard Blessing say earlier that
that he'd pay double the price
if someone brought him Max.
Made me think that maybe Max is alive.
[knocking on door]
[Chyna gasps]
[dance music playing loudly]
[Chyna sobbing]
No, I just I just came in,
and then I saw him like this.
He was already dead.
I found him like this, I promise.
[spluttering] I don't know.
I think he OD'd or something.
[Chyna sobbing]
[suspenseful music playing]
[sobbing continues]
[sobbing continues]
[suspenseful music intensifies]
[music continues]