Episode 10

MONA is walking to her dorm.

MONA thinks - I cannot believe what I just saw!

(She is walking slowly as if she is daydreaming.)

MONA thinks - It can't be... but I saw it... with my own two little eyes!

(She pulls her cell phone off of her hip.)

MONA thinks - My line sister! Katrice?

(She begins to dial on her phone, then stops.)

MONA thinks - Wait a minute... if Katrice is... then...

(She stops walking.)

MONA thinks - ... what about the time when we were pledging and we had to change clothes in front of one another?

(silence)

MONA thinks - Oh wait, that never happened. That was on that movie I saw. Hee hee.

(She starts to dial as she walks.)

MONA thinks - But I bet she changed with June and PJ! They probably did all kinds of crazy stuff on line. Thank God I didn't have to go through all that stupid shit!

(As she walks into her dorm, TRINA's phone is ringing.)

TRINA - Hey!

MONA - Girl, what you doin'? I got some drama for your ass!

TRINA - Hello? Mona?

MONA - Hey! Can you hear me?

TRINA - Mona! Mona?

MONA thinks - Damn, the reception in this place!

MONA - Hey Trina, I'm gonna call you back when I get up to my room.

TRINA - I can't hear you but if you can hear me, call me back.

MONA - I just said that!

(MONA hangs up and hurries to the elevator.)

MONA - Now I'm itchin' to tell the story and she can't even hear me! Sheesh!

(She goes up to her room and rushes inside. She grabs her home phone and dials quickly.)

TRINA - Hello?

MONA - Hey, its me.

TRINA - Oh okay, I can hear you now.

MONA - What you doin'? I got some drama to tell you girl!

TRINA - Well I got some drama for you too! And its about your line sister!

MONA - What! Don't tell me you know!

TRINA - Oh yeah, I know! But its what she don't know that's gonna be the shit! She don't know who she's fuckin' with but she sure nuff bout to find out!

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The brothers of Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, SEAN, SAIFA, and DR. MWATSUMI are having lunch in DR. MWATSUMI's office.

SEAN - Thanks Colin, for the food and everything.

DR. MWATSUMI - Think nothing of it Sean.

SEAN - Well you know I'm a broke college student, so I appreciate any food!

(They all laugh.)

SAIFA - I remember those days, let me tell ya!

DR. MWATSUMI - Its always good to be in the company of Iota men. So please, eat up and let me know if you need anything else.

SEAN - I sure will!

DR. MWATSUMI - But I'm also glad you good brothers could join me today because there are a few things I would like to discuss with you.

(SEAN is chewing.)

SEAN - Oh yeah... what's up?

DR. MWATSUMI - I'm very concerned and interested in improving the image of I Phi here on campus. Through all endeavors. Student activities, community service as well as in the politics of the university itself.

SAIFA - What do you mean?

DR. MWATSUMI - There isn't any reason we couldn't get Sean elected to a student government position. And from there, begin to implement programs according to our agenda, making Iota more visible and viable for other eligible men.

SEAN - Student government?

DR. MWATSUMI - That way, more young brothers would find themselves interested in the fraternity. They would see the various things we are involved in, and ask questions about us. They would pursue us. We could hold monthly seminars and workshops. Do trainings. And with help from the Amgis brothers and Dwayne, we would have enough man power to pull these things off.

SAIFA - These are big tasks you're talking about Colin.

DR. MWATSUMI - I know. But the time is right for Iota men to do big things. And I hold a vital position in all of this, for several reasons.

SEAN - Yeah but student government? I mean, I appreciate the vote of encouragement but I can't be in student government. Who the hell would vote for me?

DR. MWATSUMI - Plenty of people Sean. You're a sharp, bright individual. You have lots of friends.

SEAN - No I don't. I don't even have a girlfriend.

DR. MWATSUMI - And we can change that too. All politicians needs to have a partner by their side. Looks good for the cameras.

(They all laugh.)

DR. MWATSUMI - But seriously Sean. You have to create strategic friendships. Friendships with people who you know, know a lot of other people. Friendships with people who talk a lot. Friendships with more female students. Female students put the word out faster than the New York Times. And that is a good thing.

(SAIFA laughs.)

SAIFA - You got that right.

DR. MWATSUMI - Once we secure you a little more on campus in the social setting, we can make our move.

SEAN - I don't know.

SAIFA - Colin, the things you're talking about sound great. And don't get me wrong, nothing would make me happier than to have Iota more visible at Ahpla and at Amgis. But I think we are biting a bit more off than we can chew by trying to institute so many things at once. I mean, to put together a student government bid takes a long time. And elections aren't that far away down the road.

SEAN - Yeah, I thought about that too.

(DR. MWATSUMI stands up and walks from behind his desk.)

DR. MWATSUMI - Guys, how do you think I got this position here at Ahpla? I'm not even from this country and for a long time, I had a problem with the language. Everyone here talks so fast. But I conquered my own fears and I forged ahead.

SEAN - Wow.

DR. MWATSUMI - I didn't let anyone or anything stop me from attaining my goal. I learned what I had to learn, I took the proper tests and exams, and I made sure Iwas fully qualified and able to fulfill the tasks of the positions that I wanted.

SAIFA - I hear ya.

DR. MWATSUMI - So its more than just knowing what you want my brothers. Its knowing what you want and seizing it! We have to start thinking that way, then train up other young men to think that was as well.

SAIFA - I see what you mean.

SEAN - Yeah, I see what you mean.

DR. MWATSUMI - And brothers, it goes for all of us. Not just Sean with the student government here on campus. But for me, here on campus as well.

SAIFA - What are you talking about?

(DR. MWATSUMI leans back onto his desk, folds his arms and smiles.)

DR. MWATSUMI - Brothers, I have an announcement to make.

SEAN - Well I'm all ears. What's up?

DR. MWATSUMI - You very well may be looking at the next president of Ahpla University!

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MONA is on the phone with TRINA.

MONA - I got some drama to tell you girl!

TRINA - Well I got some drama for you too! And its about your line sister!

MONA - What! Don't tell me you know!

TRINA - Oh yeah, I know! But its what she don't know that's gonna be the shit! She don't know who she's fuckin' with but she sure nuff bout to find out!

MONA - What! What you mean she don't know who she's fuckin' with? Seems to me she knows very well! Ha ha ha ha!

TRINA - Laugh if you want to, but shit is about to hit the fan. I hope you don't get your feelings hurt because that's your girl.

MONA - I don't care about them bitches. What's goin' down?

TRINA - Put it to you like this, bitch better not see me on the yard or anywhere else for that matter. She better go ahead and check herself into the witness protection program.

MONA - Huh?

TRINA - I'm serious Mona. I aint to be played with.

MONA - You? What's this got to do with you? What you got against Katrice?

TRINA - Who?

MONA - Katrice, my line sister.

TRINA - Who the hell is Katrice?

MONA - Wait a minute, what the hell are you talking about? You said you knew the drama about Katrice and Donna!

TRINA - Bitch stop talkin' crazy okay? What is you sayin'?

MONA - I was over at the union and I followed Katrice and Donna because I thought Donna was gonna try out for AKA. Her and Katrice was talking, so thats what I assumed.

TRINA - Yeah? So?

MONA - So I follow them out to the back of the building, and guess what I see when I peek through the glass to where they were?

TRINA - What?

MONA - Katrice's tongue down Donna's throat!

TRINA - What! No way!

MONA - I swear that's what I saw!

TRINA - Are you serious!

MONA - Hell yeah! I'm in shock!

TRINA - Oh shit! That's some shit!

MONA - Aint it though?

(silence)

TRINA - Damn!

(silence)

MONA - But wait, so if you didn't know that, then what were you talking about? About my line sister?

TRINA - Oh yeah, I was talking PJ's ass!

MONA - PJ? What about her?

TRINA - I'm gonna fuck her up! That's what about her!

MONA - What? Why?

TRINA - She disrespected my cousin at the Que party so she disrespected me!

MONA - Really? What happened?

TRINA - We up in the party and I'm with Ronnie and my cousin is with Dexter. We had set them up on a double date type joint for the evening.

MONA - Okay.

TRINA - So me and my cousin go to the kitchen to get up on some drinks, and we come back out two minutes later and your girl PJ is all over Dexter!

MONA - What!

TRINA - Girl, all over his ass! I mean, a nigga couldn't even breathe she was on him so much! So I'm like damn! We just left the brother like two minutes ago and already a bitch is tryin' to holla!

MONA - Well you know how PJ is. I'm not surprised.

TRINA - So my cousin steps to her right? Tryin' to see what's up?

MONA - Uh huh.

TRINA - But my cousin was cool with it. You know, she wasn't all crazy or nothin', but she was just like I'm sayin, what the fuck?

MONA - Right, right.

TRINA - Then without one word, PJ hits my cousin in the mouth!

MONA - What!

TRINA - Yep, that's just how it happened.

MONA - Dag! But yoy know, PJ has always been a hot head. One time when we were pledging right, we had to...

TRINA - Mona I don't give a damn about pledge stories.

MONA - Oh.

TRINA - All I know is, when I see PJ again, its on! Best believe her ass is gettin' kicked!

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QUINTON gets to ALEXIS's dorm. He walks into the lobby.

QUINTON thinks - Bros are idiots. If we don't uphold a higher standard, then what the hell are we here for?

(He goes up to ALEXIS' room.)

QUINTON thinks - Why the hell did we vote on Frank? He aint ready for this. I'm so against this.

(He knocks on the door. She opens.)

ALEXIS - Hey.

QUINTON - Hey.

(He kisses her as he walks in.)

ALEXIS - What's goin' on?

QUINTON - Nothin' much. What's up?

ALEXIS - Nothin'.

QUINTON - What you wanna do?

ALEXIS - I was thinking we could chill here. Check out what's on tv tonight. Ya know, a movie at home.

QUINTON - That's cool.

(He goes into her kitchen and she walks toward the television.)

ALEXIS - How did your meeting go?

QUINTON - Stupid!

ALEXIS - Stupid? What you talkin' about?

(QUINTON waits until he walks to where she is before he answers. He has a glass of orange juice with him.)

QUINTON - Bros get on my nerves, just making dumb ass decisions.

(He hands ALEXIS the remote control.)

ALEXIS - You're giving me the remote? Okay you must be real upset. You gave me the remote.

QUINTON - I'm just saying. I just hate it when niggas talk all out of order in meeting, show up late and shit, and then when it comes down to the important stuff, don't consider the consequences of our actions as Alphas. What the hell is that about?

ALEXIS - What are you talking about?

(He puts his glass down after taking a sip. He sits back next to her.)

QUINTON - I told you we were voting on our line tonight right?

ALEXIS - Oh yeah.

QUINTON - Well, we got this one dude named Frank that's trying out. Now this dude barely has the gpa. He had to get a grade changed just so he could be in the ballpark. So he's eligible now because he got the one grade changed. But I think its a disservice to him to put him down knowing that his grades are shaky like that.

ALEXIS - Wait, he has the gpa now or he's a little under?

QUINTON - No, he was under before. He has the requirement now.

ALEXIS - If he has the requirement now, then what's the problem with him pledging?

QUINTON - He barely has the requirement and Alpha is about excellence. We're about scholarship. Just because you barely make the cut, I'm supposed to put you down? What happens when you pledge and cross and then your grades suffer again because you're going through neo syndrome? I owe you more from one Black man to another. You know what I'm sayin'?

ALEXIS - But what's the point in setting a minimum level if you are gonna say a person's gpa still isn't high enough?

QUINTON - Its about us being selective. We don't have to just pick any old body. If we did that, we'd be just like everybody else.

ALEXIS - Oh, that wasn't nice.

QUINTON - I'm sayin' though.

ALEXIS - I think that if Frank or whoever has the grades now and if he worked real hard to get whatever grade changed then yall should take him. You don't have to be on the honor roll or have a four point oh gpa or something to pledge Alpha.

QUINTON - You should.

ALEXIS - If that were the case, half your chapter wouldn't be in. Especially Larry's silly butt.

QUINTON - I know.

ALEXIS - So you think half your chapter shouldn't be in your fraternity?

QUINTON - I think half my chapter would've tried a lot harder academically if our standards weren't so low.

ALEXIS - Oh come on babe, you're trippin'.

QUINTON - No I'm not Alexis. This Frank dude is ridiculous. We should've said to him, look dude, work on your grades just a little more. Study some. And next year, if you're still interested, come on back and try out again. What's the harm in that?

ALEXIS - How would you have felt if the brothers had told you to wait a whole year?

QUINTON - Its not about how anyone feels. Its about the good of the hood. And this is bad for the brotherhood.

ALEXIS - No its not, you're overexaggerating.

QUINTON - No I'm not.

ALEXIS - Yes you are, come on.

QUINTON - Alexis, no I'm not.

ALEXIS - Babe, if a person has the requirement, whether that is grades, community service requirement, mental requirement, physical requirement, whatever, then that person is votable. Point blank. Don't get all twisted because a vote didn't go your way. Gosh.

QUINTON - I'm not gettin' all twisted!

ALEXIS - Yes you are, you come in here with an attitude and you're pissed off at the world.

QUINTON - You don't understand. You just crossed fifteen minutes ago. And why you up in our business anyway?

ALEXIS - Because you came in here telling me the story! And what difference does it make when I crossed? The point is, I crossed and I know the rules and regulations. Oh, you think there's a certain time requirement on Greeks too? I'm not an eligible Sigma yet?

QUINTON - Look, just stay out our business alright?

ALEXIS - Wait a minute! You act like I started asking you questions about your process! You're the one that came in here talking to me about it! So if you don't want my opinion about petty Alpha stuff, then don't tell me!

QUINTON - Petty! Let me tell you someth...

(ALEXIS' phone rings. They both turn and look at it.)

ALEXIS - Saved by the bell.

(QUINTON plops back on the couch and watches tv. The phone rings again. ALEXIS picks it up with an attitude.)

ALEXIS - Hello?

PAULA - We got an emergency! We need to talk!

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DR. MWATSUMI - Brothers, I have an announcement to make.

SEAN - Well I'm all ears. What's up?

DR. MWATSUMI - You very well may be looking at the next president of Ahpla University!

SEAN - What!

SAIFA - Sir, are you serious!

DR. MWATSUMI - Well, here is the situation. Rumor has it that President Bryce may be stepping down from his position here at Ahpla.

SEAN - What? Why in the world would he want to do that?

DR. MWATSUMI - We hear that there is another position calling on him and he seems interested. We just don't know if that position is in higher education or an organization like the N.A.A.C.P. I don't know. But President Bryce is well groomed to direct any organization at any level.

SAIFA - Yeah, he's seems like it.

DR. MWATSUMI - So if indeed he does step down, I want to take a chance at being voted in.

SEAN - Damn! I can't believe that! My line brother would be a university president!

DR. MWATSUMI - I'm very friendly with all members of the board of trustees as well as the most influential alumni of Ahpla. And like I said, once I put my mind to something, I complete it.

SAIFA - Wow!

DR. MWATSUMI - And this ties in to what I was discussing earlier. The agenda of Iota has to manifest itself but it can only do that with positions of power. Imagine now if Sean was president of the student body and I was president of the university. How different would the view of Iota Phi Theta be then?

SEAN - Damn you got that right! We'd run the yard!

DR. MWATSUMI - Not only that, but we would be able to push through any legislation we wanted to. The entire call of Iota men would fall on our shoulders here at Ahpla. We would be responsible for building the largest movement of Iota in the history of this illustrious fraternity. Building a tradition gentlemen. Building a tradition.

SEAN - That is off the chains! I love it!

(DR. MWATSUMI smiles and walks back behind his desk. He sits down.)

SAIFA - President Mwatsumi. I like the sound of that.

(SEAN laughs.)

SEAN - It still seems so crazy.

DR. MWATSUMI - Don't consider it crazy Sean. Consider it a goal. A task. Consider it a project that the big brothers assigned you while you were a Centaur. Something to attack and gain. Something to seize.

SEAN - That makes the student government thing sound real easy.

DR. MWATSUMI - Well think about it. Its relative to you, as the university presidency is relative to me.

SEAN - Yeah.

DR. MWATSUMI - Just think about it. What if we instituted Iota day here at Ahpla.

SAIFA - Iota... day?

DR. MWATSUMI - Sure. Why not? Who would say we couldn't? If Sean put it on his agenda, I'd back it up.

SAIFA - Iota day?

DR. MWATSUMI - Yep Iota day.

SEAN - What other plans do you have Mr. President?

DR. MWATSUMI - Oh I have several. All in the name of the fraternity. The most meaningful would be the first thing I change as president.

SAIFA - What would that be?

DR. MWATSUMI - Changing the school colors from black and gold to brown and gold.

SAIFA - What!

DR. MWATSUMI - Wouldn't that be awesome brothers! A bold new Ahpla University!

(silence)

SEAN - I kind of like the school colors now. And the mascot and everything.

DR. MWATSUMI - But you have to think outside of the box Sean. Don't stay stagnant with what is today, but think futuristic with what can be tomorrow.

(SEAN's cell phone rings and he checks the display.)

SEAN - Hold on bros, this is frat from Amgis.

(He answers.)

SEAN - What's up frat! Ow! Ow!

SAIFA - Colin, you're serious about the school colors? That would be your first project in office?

DR. MWATSUMI - Most certainly Saifa. Most certainly.

SAIFA - What about the tradition here at Ahpla. I mean, the school colors have been black and gold since the school was founded.

DR. MWATSUMI - And that's my point! I'm not resting on that tradition, I'm building a new one.

SAIFA - Yeah, but I don't think you quite understand what...

SEAN - Bros we gotta go!

(SEAN jumps out of his chair.)

SAIFA - What? What's wrong?

SEAN - Malcolm may have hurt Dwayne over at Amgis!

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QUINTON and ALEXIS are arguing.

QUINTON - Look, just stay out our business alright?

ALEXIS - Wait a minute! You act like I started asking you questions about your process! You're the one that came in here talking to me about it! So if you don't want my opinion about petty Alpha stuff, then don't tell me!

QUINTON - Petty! Let me tell you someth...

(ALEXIS' phone rings. They both turn and look at it.)

ALEXIS - Saved by the bell.

(QUINTON plops back on the couch and watches tv. The phone rings again. ALEXIS picks it up with an attitude.)

ALEXIS - Hello?

PAULA - We got an emergency! We need to talk!

ALEXIS - Huh? What's wrong... wait hold on.

(She covers the phone and turns to QUINTON.)

ALEXIS - I'll be back, maybe you'll cool off by the time I get back. I hope I'm eligible enough to hear this conversation about my sorority.

QUINTON - Whatever Alexis. You aint gotta make fun of my position on things.

(ALEXIS turns and walks into her bedroom. She actually feels bad that she made a sarcastic joke.)

ALEXIS thinks - Sometimes he can be so stubborn!

ALEXIS - Hello Paula?

PAULA - Yeah, I'm here.

ALEXIS - Sorry bout that. In the middle of an arguement.

PAULA - Damn, everybody is arguin'! Who you arguing with?

ALEXIS - With Quinton!

PAULA - Quinton? Yall never argue.

ALEXIS - I know but he comes in here tonight talking about how the Alphas just voted on some guynamed Frank because they voted on their line tonight. So this Frank guy didn't have the grades but he got one professor to change his score, and now he's eligible. So the Alphas voted him on and Quinton thinks Frank still shouldn't be eligible because his grades aren't high enough.

PAULA - High enough?

ALEXIS - Yeah. But he is in the range, above the minimum gpa.

PAULA - Girl whatever. Yall can work that out. But let me tell you the emergency.

ALEXIS - Oh yeah, what's up?

PAULA - Sorors are calling an emergency meeting late tonight. I think something big is going down. They may try to impeach Andy!

ALEXIS - What!

PAULA - Sorors are pissed because something went down at a Que party or something. I don't have all the details but I guess I'll find out at the meeting.

ALEXIS - Oh my God! Impeach Andy?

PAULA - Girl, I heard she... oh wait, hold on. My other line is ringing.

(PAULA clicks over.)

(silence)

(silence)

(silence)

(silence)

(PAULA clicks back.)

PAULA - Hey, let me call you right back okay? This is Angelique and I'm gonna find out all the details on the meeting so I can let you know.

ALEXIS - Okay thanks!

(PAULA clicks over again.)

PAULA - Angelique?

ANGELIQUE - Yeah, I'm here.

PAULA - So what's the story?

ANGELIQUE - Well everything is on the hush right now because I don't know if sorors want Andy to come. Which sounds shady to me personally.

PAULA - Damn, is it that serious?

ANGELIQUE - We'll see I guess.

PAULA - Damn, Greek life is one big shady drama! God!

ANGELIQUE - Who you tellin'?

PAULA - Check this out, I just called Alexis to let her know right?

ANGELIQUE - Uh huh.

PAULA - And she said that her man comes over and they get to arguing because the Alphas voted on their line tonight and they took some dude... I think his name was Mark or something. So Mark didn't have the grades at first, but got a grade changed by his teacher or something.

ANGELIQUE - What?

PAULA - Yeah, so by changing that one grade, it puts him eligible now. So they voted him on line and Quinton is mad because the guy's gpa isn't high enough for his personal liking.

ANGELIQUE - Well how high does he want it to be?

PAULA - I don't know. You know how those nerdy dudes are. And Quinton is nerdy!

(ANGELIQUE laughs.)

ANGELIQUE - Don't say that!

PAULA - I'm just sayin'. Well look call me back when you get more details.

ANGELIQUE - Yeah, I will. Probably in about ten minutes.

PAULA - Okay.

(They hang up and ANGELIQUE is still laughing.)

JENNIFER - What are you laughing at?

ANGELIQUE - Paula's silly self. She just told me that she called Alexis to let her know about our emergency meeting and Alexis is arguing with her boyfriend.

JENNIFER - Really?

ANGELIQUE - Yeah, the Alphas just voted on their line tonight and one of their candidates named Matt didn't have the gpa.

JENNIFER - Wait, Matt from the baseball team? I know Matt!

ANGELIQUE - I guess. Well anyway, Matt gets his grades changed and now is eligible. But Quinton, being the nerd and bookworm that he is, still wants the guy to not make it because his gpa isn't...

(ANGELIQUE uses her fingers to make quotation marks.)

ANGELIQUE - ...high enough.

(JENNIFER laughs.)

JENNIFER - Why he gotta be a nerd though? Hee hee!

(ANGELIQUE's phone rings.)

ANGELIQUE - Oh wait, this is Ros.

(She turns to answer her phone, and JENNIFER pulls out her cell phone and dials.)

MATT - Hello.

JENNIFER - Hey Matt, this is Jennie!

MATT - Hey, wassup.

JENNIFER - Man, do I have some good news for you!