Episode 16

BRENDON is in his room. He just got out the shower and is getting dressed. His phone rings.

(BRENDON looks on the cell phone display.)

BRENDON thinks - Oh shit.

BRENDON - Hello.

DONNA - Hey.

BRENDON - Hey... um wassup?

DONNA - Busy?

BRENDON - Just got out the shower and can't be late for this meeting that I have.

DONNA - Want me to come dry you off?

(They both laugh.)

BRENDON - Any other time... hell yeah!

DONNA - Okay, I just needed your advise on something. I can talk to you later though.

BRENDON - Well hold on.

(BRENDON puts DONNA on speaker phone and places the phone on his bed.)

BRENDON - Hello?

DONNA - Yeah.

BRENDON - Okay go ahead.

DONNA - You got me on speaker phone?

BRENDON - Yeah, so I can get dressed while you ask your question or whatever.

DONNA - Naw man, I don't like that. Take me off that.

BRENDON - It's just me in the room, damn.

(silence)

DONNA - Well, okay. But this is between me and you right?

BRENDON - Of course. Go ahead.

DONNA - Okay, I know you know all about the pledging stuff and I got a question about that.

BRENDON - You do?

(BRENDON is being sarcastic.)

DONNA - Don't trip, just answer my question.

(He laughs.)

BRENDON - Okay, go head.

DONNA - Okay, if you want to pledge something... maybe... and if you find out something real shady that happened to one of your potential big brothers or big sisters or whatever, would you tell that person?

BRENDON - Wait, so I hear something about one of my big brothers that...

DONNA - Potential big brothers.

BRENDON - ... potential... and something shady was done to him?

DONNA - And he doesn't even know it.

BRENDON - Hell yeah I'd tell!

DONNA - But what if the person that did it is a friend of yours?

BRENDON - Don't matter. This nigga is about to be my big brother, my frat brother. How am I gonna hold a secret back from him? And then what if it comes out later that I knew all along? Man, friends come and go but frat is frat for life.

DONNA - Oh. I hear you.

BRENDON - That's all I'm sayin'.

(silence)

BRENDON - You okay?

DONNA - Yeah, I'm cool. Hey, let me run. Please keep that question between me and you okay?

BRENDON - Everything alright?

DONNA - Yeah, everything is fine. Just promise that you'll forget I even asked you that.

BRENDON - Sure D. That's cool.

DONNA - Thanks. I'll talk to you later okay?

BRENDON - Okay. Later.

(BRENDON picks the phone up and turns it off.)

BRANDON - I wonder what that was about.

BRENDON - Who knows. Donna is always talkin' some shit. Yo, throw me that tie right there.

(BRANDON grabs a tie that is hanging across a chair and throws it to his brother.)

BRANDON - Where you goin' anyway?

BRENDON - My interview is tonight.

BRANDON - Your interview?

BRENDON - Yeah, with KKPsi.

BRANDON - What! You're still going?

BRENDON - Still going? Yeah I'm going. Why wouldn't I?

(BRANDON is putting his tie on.)

BRANDON - Prof is serious! He's not gonna let me pledge which is fucked up!

BRENDON - Damn! Are you serious? Did you write him that letter like I told you to?

BRANDON - Yeah, he aint havin' it! He got something personal against me man!

BRENDON - Naw dude, that was your fault. You fucked that shit up.

(BRENDON looks at himself in the mirror.)

BRANDON - So you're not still going are you?

BRENDON - Hell yeah I'm going. What you want me to sit around here and mope with you cuz you aint gonna make it?

BRANDON - Bren, the whole point was for us to do it together! Take the yard by storm!

BRENDON - Well that changed when you couldn't do it.

BRANDON - What the hell man! I wouldn't do that shit without you!

(BRENDON looks at BRANDON's arm which is exposed because it is healing. BRANDON just got a Phi Beta Sigma brand.)

BRENDON - You already did something without me... brother.

(BRENDON grabs his keys and walks out.)

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DERRICK is in the airport about to get on a flight and he receives an unusual phone call.

DERRICK - Hello?

BUCK - Derrick this is Buck. I really need to talk to you, its an emergency!

DERRICK - Buck?

BUCK - Yeah man, you busy?

DERRICK thinks - Am I busy?

DERRICK - Um...

(DERRICK looks over his shoulder. His flight is getting ready to board.)

DERRICK - ...um, I'm getting on a flight. I have to go soon but I got a few minutes. What are you calling me for?

BUCK - Dude, this is real important. Otherwise I wouldn't be callin'. Now I know you and I have had our beefs both on and off the court, and that is some real shit. But this is big to me man...

(He pauses.)

BUCK - ...real big. And... I need your help?

DERRICK thinks - What!

DERRICK - Okay...

BUCK - Look. I really didn't know who else to turn to with this.

DERRICK - Buck, what is it?

BUCK - Its June.

DERRICK - What's wrong with her!

BUCK - Nothing man, nothing. She's fine. Its just that... I'm losing her. I don't understand her. I thought nobody knew her better than me. But obviously I'm way off. I don't want to lose her man. And...

(silence)

BUCK - ...and I love her so much that I'm willing to talk to you about it. I need your help.

DERRICK - Let me get this straight... you need my help... to help you understand June?

BUCK - I just can't lose her man.

(DERRICK looks back at the gate. The line of passengers is growing shorter.)

DERRICK thinks - Shit!

DERRICK - Okay, tell me what happened. But quick, I gotta get on this flight.

BUCK - Okay. Basically, I have this friend named Ginger. She's the one who sold me the engagement ring for June. She's mad cool. So I was talking to her and I guess I must've told her a little too much about me and June but June got pissed to all pisstivity!

DERRICK - Well why the hell are you talking to some other chick about your girl?

BUCK - I wasn't talkin' abou June per say, just talkin'. Moreso venting because I was mad at my coach and one of my teammates.

DERRICK - Buck, you never vent to another chick about shit. That's shit you talk to your girl about. Girls are real serious about what you share with them and what you share with other people. June wants to be there for you. You don't lean on another girl.

BUCK - I didn't know it was that serious.

DERRICK - Man, serious as a heart attack. Listen, if you're gonna be with June, then you gotta make her feel comfortable at all times. If she don't like this Ginger chick, then cut Ginger's ass off! Is it better to lose Ginger or lose June?

BUCK - Damn man, you're right.

DERRICK - Nigga I'm always right! I schooled your ass on the court and I'll school your ass in life!

BUCK - Oh whatever!

(They both kinda laugh.)

BUCK - Well look man, I know you got a flight to catch and I really didn't get to ask you all that I wanted to ask, but I really appreciate you talking to me. I know you didn't have to. You know, based on the subject matter and our history.

(DERRICK hands the airline employee his ticket.)

FLIGHT ATTENDANT - Do you play in the NBA?

DERRICK - Uh... yeah, I play for Portland.

FLIGHT ATTENDANT - I thought so! Can I have an autograph?

DERRICK - Uh... sure... hey Buck...

BUCK - Yeah man.

DERRICK - Its no problem with me helping you out.

(DERRICK is switching the phone to his other shoulder so he can sign the autograph.)

DERRICK - Let me just leave you with two things.

BUCK - Okay.

DERRICK - First, go see June. Now! Don't let her sit on her anger. Go see her. Apologize or whatever and be sincere. But go see her now.

BUCK - Okay!

(BUCK grabs his jacket from the back of the chair.)

BUCK - And what's the second thing?

DERRICK - Second, now you get to help me.

BUCK - Help you? How?

DERRICK - What kind of information can you get me about graduate membership into Omega Psi Phi Fraternity? I've been researching with some other players in the league and I want to pursue it for real this time.

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BRENDON gets to the meeting place for his appointment for membership into Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity.

BRENDON thinks - Brandon must be out of his fuckin' blue mind if he thinks I'm gonna miss this shit. Fuck that!

(As BRENDON approaches the door, he sees MARK talking with someone.)

MARK - Okay man, thanks for coming. We'll be in touch.

TONY - Okay. Thanks.

(BRENDON walks up.)

BRENDON - Hey Big Tone, what's up man?

TONY - Hey uh... Brandon or Brendon?

BRENDON - Bren... the good lookin' one.

TONY - Ah nigga whatever!

(They both laugh as they shake hands.)

TONY - Good luck dude.

BRENDON - No doubt, thanks. How did yours go?

TONY - It was cool.

BRENDON - Cool. Aight man.

(BRENDON walks up and shakes MARK's hand.)

MARK - Hey.

BRENDON - What's up man. My interview should be next.

MARK - Okay, wait right here. I'll come out and grab you in a second.

BRENDON - Okay.

(MARK goes inside and closes the door. BRENDON turns his cell phone to vibrate and goes over the history he has been studying about KKPsi.)

BRENDON thinks - Okay I remember the founding date, I remember the...

(BRENDON's cell phone rings. He looks down and sees that it is BRANDON calling. He turns it off.)

BRENDON thinks - Okay, I remember the mission and purpose... and the year the chapter here at Ahpla was started... and...

(The door opens and MARK leans out.)

MARK - You can come in now.

BRENDON - Okay.

BRENDON thinks - Okay, here we go!

(BRENDON walks in. He sees many of his band members, brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi seated around the room. There is a chair in the middle of the room. He sits in it.)

STEVE - And this is Brendon right?

BRENDON - Yes.

(BRENDON is nervous.)

STEVE - Okay, thanks for coming. We're going to ask you a few questions. Anyone in the room may ask you. Just answer appropriately.

BRENDON thinks - Kappa Kappa Psi Fraternity was found...

KAI - What makes you think you have what it takes to become a member of this beloved brotherhood?

BRENDON thinks - Huh?

BRENDON - I am a dedicated member of this band and I take playing very seriously. I've wanted to become a part of the brotherhood for a while now.

KAI - So why didn't you try out before?

BRENDON - I was getting my grades together and...

KAI - And chasing women?

BRENDON - Uh no...

KAI - Pursuing another fraternity maybe?

BRENDON - Um...

KAI - You want to be a member of Kappa Alpha Psi don't you?

BRENDON thinks - How did he know that?

BRENDON - Well, I had thought about pursuing...

KAI - Nevermind that. That isn't important. Let me ask you this...

(silence)

KAI - Who's the best drummer on the line?

BRENDON thinks - What!

BRENDON - I am.

(Everyone in the room laughs.)

KAI - You think you're the best drummer we got? What about Brandon?

BRENDON - Brandon doesn't pick up as fast as I do. Sometimes when we're home, I go over things with him that he didn't get in practice.

KAI - I see I see.

(silence)

KAI - So you think you drum better than me?

(KAI smiles.)

BRENDON - No.

(silence)

BRENDON - I know I drum better than you.

(MARK laughs. KAI looks over at him and MARK stops.)

KAI - Really. Hmmm, interesting.

(KAI writes something down on a pad that he is holding.)

KAI - O...kay Brendon my man, little drummer boy, that's all. Thanks for coming.

BRENDON thinks - What!

BRENDON - That's it?

STEVE - Yeah. Thanks for coming out Brendon. We'll be in touch.

(BRENDON looks around the room at all the brothers assembled. He sees his band director sitting there quietly.)

BRENDON thinks - Prof... do something!

STEVE - Thanks for coming.

(BRENDON slowly stands up.)

BRENDON - Um... it was my pleasure.

(MARK gets up to show BRENDON out.)

BRENDON - Uh, I really want this guys. Deep down.

STEVE - I'm sure you do. Thanks.

MARK - We'll call you.

BRENDON - Oh. Okay.

(MARK walks BRENDON to the door.)

BRENDON - Is that really all man?

MARK - That's really all.

(silence)

BRENDON - Okay... thanks.

MARK - You're welcome.

(MARK slowly closes the door as BRENDON steps outside.)

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The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha are getting together for a meeting.

SYLVIA - This meeting is gonna be a mess. I know it is.

OCTAVIA - Well don't claim it outright.

SYLVIA - There's too much drama goin' on right now.

(SYLVIA and OCTAVIA are placing meeting agendas on the desks.)

OCTAVIA - You'll be okay. Let's just get through it.

SYLVIA - Yeah but I heard what happened to PJ. That's some shit. Then I heard what's goin' on with April.

OCTAVIA - Oh girl, April is so through with that loser. I feel so bad for her.

SYLVIA - What actually happened? He seems like such a nice guy.

OCTAVIA - Yeah whatever. He's hiding behind that pseudo Christian mask just like these other fake dudes when really...

(The door opens and APRIL, KATRICE and PJ walk in.)

PJ - Hey wassup.

SYLVIA - Hey sorors.

KATRICE - Hey, what's goin' on?

(Everyone hugs each other as they start to take seats.)

SYLVIA - Okay look, I understand that a lot is going on in the chapter right now and we can address all of that. But there are a few things on this agenda that I want to really get through. Some real important things and I want to see if we can get through them without any interruptions or distractions.

(Everyone looks at the agenda that is placed before them.)

SYLVIA - If you look down the list at the first three things alone, I mean with chapter elections, this is clearly an important meeting.

KATRICE - Yeah.

SYLVIA - So let's just knock this stuff out, then if we want to socialize and talk about...

(There is a knock on the door.)

OCTAVIA - That's probably June.

(OCTAVIA gets up and opens the door.)

OCTAVIA - Oh my goodness!

(OCTAVIA hugs GINA as she enters the room. GINA is pushing her son in a baby carriage.)

KATRICE - Gina!

GINA - Hi sorors!

APRIL - Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! Look at the baby!

(Everyone gets up and runs toward GINA and the baby.)

SYLVIA - Oh well, distraction number one. Ha ha ha ha ha.

(APRIL picks the baby up and the baby starts to cry.)

APRIL - Awwww!

GINA - He's sleepy! We've been showing him off!

APRIL - What's his name?

GINA - This is our son Migiri.

APRIL - Oh how cute!

PJ - Wait a minute... when did yall leave? How you have a baby already?

KATRICE - Yeah, I was just thinking that too!

(GINA laughs.)

GINA - We adopted our angel.

OCTAVIA - Wow! Really?

GINA - Yes. He needed us and God blessed us with him.

OCTAVIA - That is so awesome!

SYLVIA - Sorors, I hate to break up this beautiful moment, but let's get back.

GINA - Oh I'm sorry yall.

SYLVIA - Oh no, its no problem Gina. We're glad to have you and your beautiful little man back with us. Glad to know you got back safely.

GINA - Thanks.

(Everyone starts to sit back down.)

SYLVIA - Okay. Um... dag what was I saying yall?

(Everyone laughs.)

GINA - I'm sorry yall, I just messed the meeting all up.

SYLVIA - No its cool. Oh yeah, I was talking about the things on the agenda.

KATRICE - Yeah, you were saying for us to get through it with no distractions.

(Everyone laughs. GINA blushes as she quiets the baby.)

SYLVIA - Okay. Everyone look at item number one before we get down to the elections. Now first of all...

(The door swings open.)

PJ - What the...

MONA - What's up my sorors! Sorry I'm late.

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REGGIE is in his room with MATT.

REGGIE - You aint finished yet?

MATT - I was just putting the mustard on your sandwich oh great brother... I mean big dean... uh... I mean big brother!

REGGIE thinks - God help me before I kill this boy!

REGGIE - Matt, I told you, you are not on line. I am not your big brother, small brother or anything else! Stop calling me that!

MATT - Well my boy Brendon told me that sometimes the frat brothers just tell you that to...

REGGIE - Matt, I am not joking with you. I don't joke like that. Nor do we as a group. We don't fool around with people like that. I'm really sorry about the mix up or whatever and I still don't know who told you that.

(MATT puts the sandwich stuff down.)

MATT - You're actually serious aren't you?

REGGIE - Matt, I apologize for what you were told. I'm really sorry man. But I'm graduating. I aint got time to play games with people.

MATT - Well why would someone tell me that if it wasn't true?

REGGIE - Dude I really don't know but I'm gonna get to the bottom of it. Tonight.

MATT - Damn man, that's fucked up. Playing with people's emotions like that.

REGGIE - I agree Matt. That's why I'm so pissed off. This aint never happened before.

MATT - Well why did you have me making you sandwiches and shit?

REGGIE - I didn't have you making sandwiches. I asked you if you were hungry and I told you to go in the fridge and help yourself. Next thing I know, you caling me all kinds of stupid ass names.

MATT - Well damn.

(silence)

REGGIE - Like I said, I will get to the bottom of this and find out what went down. That's all I can do man.

(silence)

(MATT turns and closes the fridge then opens REGGIE's door.)

MATT- Thanks... for nothing.

(MATT walks out and closes the door.)

REGGIE thinks - Whatever.

(REGGIE picks his phone up.)

QUINTON - Dean.

REGGIE - Wassup. We at your house?

QUINTON - Yeah. Bros are on their way. What the hell is goin' on?

REGGIE - I'll explain when I get there. Just know that we got some issues!

QUINTON - Damn now what?

REGGIE - I'll be there in a few.

QUINTON - Okay.

(They hang up and REGGIE heads out.)

REGGIE thinks - This shit is ridiculous!

(He rushes out toward the elevator. He presses the down button.)

REGGIE thinks - Looks like my last official act in the chapter will be to kick someone's ass!

(The elevator stops in the lobby. As REGGIE is walking off, JUNE is walking on.)

REGGIE - Hey... you bout to knock me... Hey, what's wrong?

(JUNE steps on the elevator and is crying.)

REGGIE - What's wrong What's the matter?

(JUNE is crying into her hands as the elevator doors close.)

REGGIE - June, what's the matter?

JUNE - Bu... Buc...

(The elevator doors open on the second floor. Two students are about to step on until they see JUNE crying. They step back and nod at REGGIE. The doors close.)

REGGIE - You're going to your room?

JUNE - Uh huh.

REGGIE - Okay come on.

(The elevator stops at JUNE's floor and REGGIE gets off with her.)

REGGIE - I just wanna make sure you get in okay... is that alright? June, is that alright.

JUNE - Yes.

(She is still crying pretty badly.)

REGGIE - Okay cool.

REGGIE thinks - Damn, what the hell happened? I hope nobody died?

(JUNE pulls out her keys and opens the door.)

REGGIE - Are you gonna be okay?

(As soon as JUNE walks into the room, she bursts out crying.)

REGGIE - Damn June, what's wrong?

(Through her crying she manages to speak.)

JUNE - I'll be... I'll be okay... thanks for... gosh I hate for you to... see me like... this.

(She turns and walks into the bathroom.)

REGGIE thinks - Uh... should I leave or...

REGGIE - Are you gonna be okay?

(He hears the water turn on but doesn't hear a response from JUNE.)

REGGIE - Um... I'm gonna go ahead and go I guess. If you're okay.

(silence)

REGGIE - June?

(The water stops. JUNE comes out wiping her face with a hand towel.)

REGGIE - Oh okay. Um, are you gonna be alright?

JUNE - Yeah. I'll be fine. I appreciate you walking me up here.

REGGIE - No problem. Just wanted to make sure you were okay before I head out to my meeting.

JUNE - Oh shoot! I have a chapter meeting right now! Dag I completely forgot!

REGGIE - Maybe you shouldn't go. I mean, you're eyes are all read and puffy.

JUNE - Gee whiz! I gotta get my face together. Well thanks again.

REGGIE - Hey listen, anytime. I'll just let myself out.

JUNE - Okay.

(REGGIE smiles at her as he turns toward the door.)

REGGIE thinks - Shit, I wonder who died for her to be crying like that. I don't want to ask. If she wanted to tell me, she would've.

(REGGIE reaches for the door and a key turns the knob from the other side. The door opens and BUCK enters and stops when he sees REGGIE.)

(silence)

REGGIE - Hey man.

BUCK - Uh.... hey.

REGGIE - Buck right?

BUCK - Yeah.

(BUCK looks back as if to say, ...and you are?)

REGGIE - Reg.

(They shake hands.)

BUCK - Oh okay.

REGGIE - I'm gone but June seems pretty upset. So just letting you know.

BUCK - Okay. Thanks.

(BUCK steps aside and REGGIE walks out. BUCK closes the door after him.)

BUCK thinks - Okay hold up...

BUCK - June.

(The bathroom door opens and JUNE walks out. She is surprised to see BUCK.)

JUNE - What are you doing here? I thought I told you that...

BUCK - Wait, hold up, I thought you said we weren't gonna be tellin' other people our business and shit? Nevermind what I'm doing here, what was he doing here?

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MONA - What's up my sorors! Sorry I'm late.

(silence)

PJ - Oh hell no.

MONA - Oh Gina... I didn't know you were back in America... and look, you have a baby now! Congrats!

GINA - Uh, thanks Mona. Thanks a lot.

(MONA walks over to the baby.)

MONA - What's her name?

GINA - His... name is Migiri.

MONA - Oh how cute, yall mixed your names.

MONA thinks - Typical.

GINA - Yeah, thanks.

SYLVIA - Uh Mona, if you could take a seat, we can continue.

PJ - Take a seat? You're gonna let her stay!

MONA - I mean, this is a meeting for sorors isn't it?

(silence)

SYLVIA - Just sit over there Mona. There's an agenda on that desk over there.

MONA - Thanks pres.

(MONA goes to sit down.)

PJ - Okay wait a damn minute! I know you aint gonna let Mona Ferguson sit up in on the meeting!

KATRICE - PJ...

PJ - No, hell no! You've got to be kidding me!

SYLVIA - PJ! We are moving on with this meeting.

MONA - Yeah PJ we are moving on with this meeting.

SYLVIA - We won't have any outbursts Mona. Nothing at all.

MONA - You got it pres lady.

SYLVIA - And do not call me pres lady. My name is Sylvia.

MONA - Gotcha.

PJ - I aint got nothin' to say. Just know that now.

KATRICE - Oh PJ calm down.

MONA - Yeah, it aint like I'm the one who beat your ass.

PJ - What!

APRIL thinks - Oh shit!

SYLVIA - Sorors! I'm not having this childishness! Now everyone be quiet!

(PJ is fighting the urge to get up.)

SYLVIA - Now everyone pick up their agenda and let's discuss item one I have there!

(silence)

(MONA raises her hand.)

SYLVIA thinks - God!

SYLVIA - Yes Mona.

MONA - You mispelled elections on here. You left out the o.

SYLVIA - Thank you Mona. I think we all get the point of what I meant. I was typing in a hurry.

MONA - Just doin' my part.

(silence)

SYLVIA - Item number one... we need someone to head the project that we have with the girl scouts. Octavia?

OCTAVIA - Yeah. Sorors, this project was my baby. It actually was started through a soror who is a troop leader. It is a great program and I loved doing it. I take this one very seriously. A lot of girls that are now in high school are volunteers in the program but they started out in the troop. I have all the information to pass on to whatever soror wants to take this.

KATRICE - How often do you meet?

OCTAVIA - You, as the coordinator, have to meet twice a month. But the chapter goes once a month.

KATRICE - I think I want to do this. I loved going.

(Immediately MONA raises her hand. SYLVIA ignores her. MONA starts to shake her hand in the air.)

OCTAVIA - You want to say something Mona?

SYLVIA - Go ahead Mona.

MONA - Uh yeah. I don't want to start no trouble or nothing... but I think I would be a lot better at this project.

KATRICE - A lot better?

MONA - Well yeah. I get along with kids great.

KATRICE - So do I.

MONA - And I used to be a girl scout.

KATRICE - So was I. That's why I wanted to do this.

MONA - Well...

(MONA pauses.)

KATRICE - Well what?

MONA - ...well I don't like to kiss women. You do. That may be a bad influence on some of the younger girls in the group.