The Bachelor Night
Abiodun Emmanuel Udom
University College Dublin
Screenplay. 2025, Vol. 3(2): 122-138.
https://doi.org/10.65621/BWKA8545
ABSTRACT
The Bachelor Night is a short film screenplay that examines contemporary masculinity among young African men. Set on the eve of a wedding, the story follows five friends whose gathering subverts conventional portrayals of bachelor parties as spaces of excess, misogyny, and emotional avoidance. Through intimate conversation, humour, and moments of vulnerability, the narrative explores how dominant expectations of manhood, such as emotional stoicism, financial authority, sexual performance, and self-reliance, shape these men’s inner lives and relationships. Drawing on concepts of hegemonic and caring masculinity, the screenplay emphasizes alternative forms of masculine intimacy rooted in care, honesty, and mutual support. By portraying male friendship as a space for emotional transparency, The Bachelor Night challenges the assumption that vulnerability signifies weakness, presenting it instead as a foundation for authentic brotherhood within a contemporary African context.
KEY WORDS
masculinity, vulnerability, care, queer intimacy, African men
THE BACHELOR NIGHT
1. EXT / INT. EBUKA’S HOTEL ROOM – EVENING
1
FEMI (29, sharp dresser, confident swagger) stands outside holding a bottle of Hennessy and a bag from an adult store. He adjusts his designer shirt and knocks.
EBUKA (31, calm and collected), wearing a T-shirt and shorts, opens the door.
FEMI
(energetic)
Ebusky! The Man of the Hour! I hope you are ready for your last night as a free man?
Femi stops mid-sentence as Ebuka moves aside to reveal a cozy hotel room, with large floor cushions arranged in a circle.
Inside, BOMA (28, gym rat, smooth talker), DANIEL (33, mature but weary) and PLUTO (27, artsy and peculiar) are having a conversation.
On a table, there are bottles of water, plastic cups and some snacks.
FEMI
(confused)
Ebuka, did someone die?
EBUKA
(chuckles)
No, Femi. Nobody died.
FEMI
Then what is happening? Where is the party? Where are the girls, the drinks, the strippers?
They all look up and smile warmly at Femi.
DANIEL
(grinning)
This is the party, bro. Come in.
Femi enters slowly, looking around like he is on a new planet.
FEMI
I don’t understand, guys! What the hell is going on?
BOMA
You can put the Hennie down, bro. We’re not drinking tonight.
FEMI
(alarmed)
Not drinking? At a bachelor party??! Wait… Are you joking?
PLUTO
Didn’t you get my message? I sent you a text on WhatsApp.
Femi pulls out his phone and scrolls through it.
DANIEL
Femi, just sit down and relax. I will explain.
Femi reluctantly drops the Hennessy bottle and gift bag on the table and takes his seat. The other friends join him as Daniel addresses the group.
DANIEL
Welcome, guys. Thank you for coming. As we all know, our dear brother, Ebuka, is getting married tomorrow. And as his best man, it’s my job to plan his bachelor party. Now, instead of smoking weed, getting drunk, and partying into the night, like we usually do, I want us to try something different. Something intimate.
Femi shakes his head and chuckles nervously.
DANIEL
Tonight, I want us to talk. To open up and be honest with each other.* Let’s tell ourselves the truth. For real. No lies, no fronting. Just us.
FEMI
(under his breath)
Jesus Christ! This feels like group therapy.
PLUTO
(whispering to Femi)
Sorry, bro. I tried to warn you.
DANIEL
After Tunde committed suicide, I realized that we don’t really talk about what we are going through. He was struggling with his mental health, and none of us knew.
The room goes quiet. Daniel takes a breath.
DANIEL
Tunde needed our help, but we weren’t there for him. We failed him. And now he’s gone.
BOMA
(quietly)
Rest in peace, my guy.
DANIEL
I don’t want that to happen again. Not to any of us. So tonight, we go around the circle. Each person shares something true. Something you’ve been carrying. And we hold space for each other.* No judgment. Just… brotherhood.*
FEMI
(anxious laugh)
Daniel, nawa for you o! This is Ebuka’s last night as a single man. You really want us to waste it talking about our feelings like a bunch of women?* Can’t we watch football instead?*
EBUKA
Femi, just try it. If you hate it, you can leave. But I’m telling you… This is what I need tonight.
Femi looks around. All eyes are on him. He sighs.
FEMI
No wahala. Anything for you, bro. Tomorrow is your big day. Oya, Mr. “best man”, let’s talk.
Everyone laughs. The tension breaks slightly.
DANIEL
Alright. Since this was my idea, I’ll go first.
Continue Reading
2. INT. EBUKA’S HOTEL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
2
Daniel sits forward and takes a breath.
DANIEL
Since Bukola passed away, I’ve been raising Tobi by myself. He’s three now and looks just like her. But, I don’t get to spend time with him because I am always at work. He stays with my parents whenever I travel. And I keep thinking. I’m becoming my father.*
Everyone listens closely.
DANIEL
My dad was a police officer. Always posted somewhere else. Kaduna, Jos, Abuja. Anywhere but home. I barely saw him growing up. And when he was around, he was just… distant. Like he didn’t know how to be with us. One time, I scraped my knee playing ball, started crying, and he told me, “Men don’t cry over small things.”*
BOMA
That’s rough, bro.
DANIEL
Now I’m… I’m doing the same thing. Because of work, I only see Tobi once or twice a month. And when I’m with him, I feel like a stranger in his life. What if he grows up thinking his father abandoned him?* What if he remembers me the way I remember my dad?*
PLUTO
Have you thought about changing jobs?
DANIEL
I have. But this job pays for everything, his school, my parents’ house, Bukola’s medical bills from before. I’m stuck between being a provider and being present.* And I don’t know which one makes me a better father.*
EBUKA
Daniel… bro… you’re already ahead of your dad just by saying this out loud.
BOMA
Facts. My dad never talked like this. Ever.
DANIEL
(small smile)
I hope so. I really hope so.
He looks at Ebuka.
DANIEL
Alright. That’s me. Ebuka, your turn.
3. INT. EBUKA’S HOTEL ROOM – MOMENTS LATER
3
Ebuka shifts uncomfortably.
EBUKA
Okay. So… Chioma is amazing. Like, she is everything. Smart, beautiful, supportive. I love her.
FEMI
(grinning)
We know, guy. That’s why you’re marrying her tomorrow.
EBUKA
There’s just one problem… She makes more money than me. Like, three times more.
They look at him in shock.
EBUKA
She works in tech. Big salary. And I’m just… an accountant. I mean, I love what I do, but the pay is not much. And sometimes I wonder… what if she realizes she made a mistake? What if she meets someone richer? Someone who can actually take care of her the way a man should?*
DANIEL
Ebuka, she’s marrying you. You, not your bank account.
EBUKA
I know. But in my head, I feel… small.* Like I’m not man enough* because I’m not the breadwinner. What kind of husband allows his wife to pay the bills?
PLUTO
It’s not a competition, guy. Both of you are a team.
EBUKA
Yes. But it still gets to me. I am happy that Chioma is doing well, but what if she starts to boss me around? I hate that I don’t measure up to her financially. Talking about it now makes me sound insecure and pathetic.*
FEMI
It’s not pathetic, bro. You are just being honest.
The others nod in agreement.
DANIEL
And I guarantee Chioma would rather hear that than have you resent her for being successful.
Ebuka sits back, processing.
EBUKA
(quietly)
Yeah. You’re probably right.
He looks at Boma.
EBUKA
That’s enough about me. Who’s next?
4. INT. EBUKA’S HOTEL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
4
Boma cracks his knuckles nervously.
BOMA
My babe, Amara, is in Canada. Doing her Master’s. She’s been gone for eight months now.
DANIEL
Omo, long distance no be beans, bro.
BOMA
It’s not just hard. It’s… it’s killing me. We video call every day, but it’s not the same. And lately, I’ve been having these thoughts… what if she’s seeing someone else? What if she’s lying to me? I check her Instagram every day and I ask her where she’s going, who she’s with. I know I’m being crazy, but I can’t help it.
PLUTO
That’s trust issues, guy.
BOMA
And the worst part is… I’ve been tempted. Like, there are girls here who are interested. And sometimes I think, “If she’s doing it, why shouldn’t I?” But then I feel guilty for even thinking that. I love her. I really do. But this distance is making me paranoid and desperate.*
FEMI
Guy, you need to tell her how you feel.
BOMA
I can’t. If I tell her I don’t trust her, she’ll think I’m accusing her. And if I tell her I’m tempted to cheat, she’ll break up with me. I just feel stuck…
EBUKA
Bro, you can’t keep this inside. It’s going to destroy you. And the relationship.
BOMA
(sighs)
I know. I know. But what can I do?
He looks at Pluto.
BOMA
That is my dilemma. What about you, Pluto?
Pluto smiles sadly.
PLUTO
Okay, so… I’m different from you guys. Obviously.
FEMI
Different how?
PLUTO
I’m gay.
The room goes quiet. Femi looks shocked but the others already knew.
PLUTO
And before you ask, yes, my family knows. My dad barely speaks to me anymore. My mom prays for me every night. And my siblings… they love me, but they don’t understand.
DANIEL
Pluto, I’m sorry, bro.
PLUTO
It’s fine. I’ve made peace with it. But the hardest part isn’t even my family. It’s… it’s loneliness. You guys are sitting here talking about marriage, about relationships, about building families. And I’m just… I’m here. Watching. Envying*. Because I know I’ll never have that. Not in Nigeria.
EBUKA
Pluto…
PLUTO
Every guy I meet just wants sex. Nobody wants anything real. Nobody wants to build something meaningful. And I get it, it’s dangerous here. The laws, the stigma, the violence. But still… I want what you guys have. I want someone to come home to. I want someone to grow old with. But instead, I’m just hooking up with strangers and pretending I’m okay with it. The truth is I’m scared that I’m going to end up alone*.
Tears well up in his eyes.
PLUTO
I am jealous of you guys… You can get married. You can have kids. You can walk down the street holding your partner’s hand without being afraid. I’ll never have that. And it fucking hurts!
Boma reaches over and pulls Pluto into a hug. The others murmur support.
DANIEL
Pluto, you’re not alone. You have us.
PLUTO
(wiping eyes)
I know. Thank you.
5. INT. EBUKA’S HOTEL ROOM – CONTINUOUS
5
Femi has been quiet this whole time. The men stare at him.
FEMI
I don’t really have anything to say. You guys have said everything already.
DANIEL
C’mon, Femi. We all shared. Your turn.
FEMI
(defensive)
What do you want me to say? That I’m scared of commitment? That I use jokes to avoid real conversations? You already know that about me.
EBUKA
Femi, why did you bring a bag of sex toys and a bottle of Hennessy to my bachelor party?
FEMI
Because… that’s what we do. We party. We drink. We have fun! That’s how we roll.
BOMA
Yes, but why do YOU do it?
Femi’s jaw tightens. He looks down.
FEMI
Because… because if I stop partying, I’ll have to think. And I don’t want to think.
PLUTO
Think about what, bro?
Long pause. Femi’s hands are shaking.
FEMI
(voice breaking)
I’m HIV positive.
The room goes completely silent.
FEMI
I found out six months ago. I went for a random test and… it came back positive. And I haven’t told anyone. Not my family. Not my girlfriends. Not you guys.*
Tears stream down his face.
BOMA
Why?
FEMI
Because I’m ashamed. Look at me now, I’m damaged goods.* I’m the guy with the disease. The guy nobody wants. And I keep thinking… I’m never going to get married. I’m never going to have kids. So why not just… party and enjoy life*? Why not just drink and fuck and pretend everything is fine?
Ebuka moves closer and wraps his arms around Femi. Then Daniel. Then Boma. Then Pluto. They all hold him.
EBUKA
Femi, you’re not alone. We’re here.
DANIEL
And you’re not damaged goods. You’re our brother.
BOMA
We’re going to figure this out together.
PLUTO
You don’t have to carry this by yourself anymore.
They hold each other for a long moment and sit in the silence.*
6. INT. EBUKA’S HOTEL ROOM – LATER THAT NIGHT
6
The guys are still sitting in the circle, but the energy is lighter now. Femi wipes his face. He is embarrassed but smiling.
FEMI
Yo, if any of you post this on social media, I swear—
PLUTO
(laughing)
Relax, guy. What happens in the circle stays in the circle.
DANIEL
Facts. This is a safe space.*
EBUKA
So… how do you feel now, Femi?
FEMI
Lighter. Like… I didn’t realize how much I was carrying until I put it down.
BOMA
That’s the power of talking, bro. Of being honest*.
DANIEL
Real talk. We need to do this more often. Not just when someone’s getting married.
PLUTO
I agree. We can meet up once a month. And call it “The Circle” or something.
EBUKA
Yeah, I’m down.
BOMA
Me too. As long as there’s food sha.
FEMI
(grinning)
Yes! We can’t be vulnerable on an empty stomach.
Everyone laughs.
EBUKA
Deal. So we meet next month, at Boma’s place?
BOMA
Sure. I’ll make jollof rice.
PLUTO
And I’ll bring the fried chicken.
They all stand up, stretching, hugging each other goodbye.
EBUKA
Thank you for this party Daniel, I really needed this before walking down the aisle.
DANIEL
You are welcome, bro. And… real talk. You’re going to be a great husband. Chioma is lucky to have you.
FEMI
Yeah. And remember, money doesn’t make a man. Character does.
EBUKA
(smiling)
Thanks, bro.
DANIEL
And Femi… we’re going to find you a good doctor. Get you on treatment. You’re going to be okay.
FEMI
Thank you.
BOMA
And I’m going to talk to Amara tonight. I’ll open up and tell her how I feel.
PLUTO
That’s good, Boma. As for me, I will keep looking for love. Even if it’s hard. Even if it’s scary.
DANIEL
And I’m going to be the father my son deserves. I’m going to break the cycle*.
They all nod, a silent agreement.
FADE OUT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank Dr Ernesto Vasquez del Aguila for his support and teaching. He helped me develop my understanding of masculinity, and his guidance was very valuable to this work.
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©Udom, Abiodun Emmanuel 2025. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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