Mrs. Khoza is visiting the wizard, Nkomi. Her husband and stepdaughter’s pictures are placed on the floor.

NKOMI: Let’s see what we have here. (picks both pictures, brings them closer to his eyes) Father and daughter, right?

Mrs. KHOZA: Correct.

NKOMI: What do you want me to do?

Mrs. KHOZA: Destroy their bond and erase his daughter from his mind. Make him hate her gut!

NKOMI: Is that all?

Mrs. KHOZA: No. I want drugs to swallow her. Make her mind forget about family and die miserable in the streets!

NKOMI: Where is this hatred coming from? What has she done to you?

Mrs. KHOZA: Do you want to help me or not?

NKOMI: Yes, I do. It’s just that… There’s something about this girl.

Mrs. KHOZA (rolls her eyes): Are you serious now?

NKOMI: Yes, I see the…

Mrs. KHOZA (exasperated, she interrupts him): Tell me if you can’t help so I can leave.

NKOMI: I won’t be able to help.

Mrs. KHOZA (annoyed): Thank you for wasting my time!

NKOMI: Ma’am, I can only help you if you were wronged. I don’t go around poking sleeping bears.

Mrs. KHOZA: Whatever!

She leaves.

*****

Mrs. Khoza is visiting the witch, Mgari. We catch their conversation mid-stream.

MGARI (looking at Maria and Mr. Khoza’s pictures): Why do you want to destroy their relationship?

Mrs. KHOZA (infuriated): Why do you want to know?

MGARI: Ok. You don’t have to tell me. (placing a small bottle filled with baneful herb next to Mrs. Khoza) Once a week, sprinkle it on your husband’s shirt or trousers and say all your wishes.

Mrs. KHOZA: Alright.

MGARI (placing a big bottle filled with red baneful herb next to Mrs. Khoza): Firstly, light 6 black candles; place her picture in the middle then pour this over it and say all your wishes… (a sharp, intense pain strike Mgari in the stomach and she groans) Ah!

Mrs. KHOZA (panicking): Are you OK?

Groaning continues followed by a sudden, violent shaking of one bottle filled with red baneful herb on the shelve. In a blink of an eye, the bottle falls and break. Mgari starts speaking in foreign language; the pain subsides and she let out a sigh of relief.

Mrs. KHOZA: What’s going on? What does all this mean?

MGARI: We have to abort the mission.

Mrs. KHOZA: What?!

MGARI: That was a warning! I can’t help you. Please leave.

Scared for her life, Mrs. Khoza makes a quick exit.

*******

Mrs. Khoza is visiting the witch, Mpanzi. We catch their conversation mid-stream.

Mrs. KHOZA: Ok, I will double the payment for your services.

Mpanzi is silent.

Mrs. KHOZA: Are you going to help? Please, I am in desperate need of your help.

Mrs. Khoza opens her bag and take out stacks of money. Mpanzi’s eyes widen in surprise. The sight of money triggers a change in Mpanzi’s demeanor. After a tense moment of silence, her expression softens.

MPANZI: Um… I… I will help you.

Mrs. KHOZA (letting out a sigh of relief) Good. I love what I’m hearing.

MPANZI: Can we at least first discuss the potential risks and consequences that may arise–

Mrs. KHOZA (interrupts her): Spare me. I don’t have time for unnecessary details. Give me what I want.

MPANZI: Ok.

Mpanzi gives her everything she wants – baneful herbs, usage instructions, purpose of the herbs, duration of use, and schedule a follow-up session. They exchange numbers, then Mrs. Khoza pay and leave.