Episode 17

The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta are having an important meeting. All Zetas are present, SALEEMA, SHARONDA, DENICE, TONYA, ASHLEY, LEAH, and KIM.

SALEEMA - I appreciate everyone being here and being on time.

KIM - Girl please, we know no other way.

SALEEMA - True true. Well lets get down to business shall we? First let me say its good to have all the Amgis sorors here, welcome ladies. Everyone might not know this but I have been talking a lot to Ashley about merging our chapters to bring this line in as one unit.

DENICE thinks - What?

SALEEMA - That is why we were all together for the interest meeting, and why most of the young ladies attending were dispersed between both campuses. Its an idea that we can talk about later, but we got the important stuff to talk about first.

SHARONDA - That's right dammit!

SALEEMA - Calm down Rhonda. We all know you have a vested interest in this meeting.

(Everyone laughs including SHARONDA at SALEEMA's sarcasm.)

SALEEMA - Okay. We're obviously here to pick our new girls and I know you all are as excited as I am with this. So without any further prolong, lets get to it!

SHARONDA - Yep! Let's get to it!

SALEEMA - Okay yall, let's do this alphabetically. So that means that Ada is first. Who was trying to sponosor Ada?

(TONYA raises her hand.)

SALEEMA - Tonya, was it you?

(SALEEMA looks confused and grabs a piece of paper and looks for TONYA's name.)

TONYA - Actually its Denice but she's still crying over bitch ass Brandon so she had me step up to the plate and sponsor Ada for her.

DENICE - Tonya!

TONYA - Well its the truth girl! I hate to see you all heartbroken over that triflin' twin. Screw him!

SALEEMA - Can we get back to the point?

TONYA - Well anyway, I will be sponsoring Ada on Denice's behalf but I want some input and help from you on this D. Don't sit back and cry all in your soup and miss out on bringing in a great girl.

DENICE - I'll be fine Tonya!

(DENICE is mad that TONYA played her in front of sorors.)

TONYA - Anyway, Ada is real sweet. She is cute as a button.

LEAH - Cute as a button? Good God this aint Miss Teen USA!

(Everyone laughs.)

TONYA - Okay she's hardcore rugged and raw. Is that better?

(Everyone laughs again.)

TONYA - She's a good person and is very talented.

ASHLEY - Talented how?

TONYA - She plays piano and sings. The girl can sang yall!

SHARONDA - What is this American Idol now or something?

TONYA - She can sing the hymm probably better than you!

SALEEMA - Ooooh!

KIM - Touche Sharonda!

SHARONDA - Yeah but can she step!

(Everyone laughs because they know that SHARONDA can't step at all.)

TONYA - But seriously, she is very thorough. Very tight young lady. Very tight. She comes highly recommended.

SALEEMA - Thank you Tonya.

(TONYA smiles.)

SALEEMA - Um... and Denice. Okay, next we have Laurel and that would be me as her sponsor. I chose to sponsor Laurel because I love the way she approached me. She came to me sincerely and honestly and told me her story.

LEAH - What's her story? I saw her transcript and her grades do look good.

SALEEMA - Check this out, you're not gonna believe her background though! First of all, she's from...

(There is a knock on the door. Everyone looks at one another.)

DENICE - Who the heck could that be? Frat?

(SHARONDA gets up to open the door.)

SHARONDA - I have no idea. Who knows we're here?

(She opens the door.)

MIYA - Hi Rhonda, I was just wondering if you and your sorors had finished voting yet and if I got selected!

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QUINTON and LARRY are waiting for their other frat brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha to show up for the emergency meeting.

LARRY - Dude, what is this emergency meeting about? We meet more than the president!

QUINTON - I don't know. Just sounds urgent.

LARRY - What the heck could it be? Bobby got somebody pregnant for real this time?

(QUINTON laughs.)

QUINTON - Man, I don't know.

LARRY - Bruh, I'm pissed! I was about to get some and I got pulled away over this shit.

QUINTON - Get some? From who?

LARRY - Don't worry about that bruh.

QUINTON - You wasn't about to get none!

(QUINTON starts to laugh.)

LARRY - What! Aw man, I was about to knock it out! I was about to hit it from the back!

QUINTON - Yeah right. Ladies man! Ha ha ha ha ha!

LARRY - Whatever bruh! I get mine!

QUINTON - Uh huh, so who is it?

LARRY - If I tell you, I'd have to shoot you.

QUINTON - Uh huh, right.

LARRY - I'm serious! You can't handle the truth.

QUINTON - Mmmm hmmmm. Right.

LARRY - Okay, you asked for it...

(silence)

LARRY - Q, I'm bonin' Alexis. She said you wasn't handlin' your business so I stepped up to the plate!

(QUINTON busts out laughing as BOBBY walks into the room.)

BOBBY - What's so funny?

LARRY - We was just talking about your current presidency.

BOBBY - Shut up nigga!

QUINTON - Ha ha ha ha, whassup Bobby have you heard from J?

LARRY - Yeah, where's he at?

BOBBY - Naw, Reggie called me about this meeting. What's this all about?

QUINTON - I aint got a clue.

BOBBY - Damn man I got shit to do, I aint got time for this bullshit.

LARRY - That's what I was just telling Q! I aint got time for this either!

QUINTON - Shut the hell up Larry.

(The door opens and REGGIE walks in.)

REGGIE - Hey.

QUINTON - Dean, what's up.

REGGIE - Is Jason here?

LARRY - Naw, not yet.

REGGIE - Dag, we can't start without him.

LARRY - Why not?

REGGIE - Because this is his program and he needs to be here to hear this.

LARRY - Well call him on his cell and see how far away he is.

(QUINTON pulls out his cell phone as the door opens.)

BANE - Wassup bros.

(silence)

LARRY - Hey cat, what's goin' on?

(LARRY gives BANE the fraternal handshake.)

REGGIE - Hey Bane, did you come through for the meeting?

BANE - Yeah, Larry hit me up so I shot right over.

REGGIE - Um... we appreciate you coming through but this is a closed chapter meeting. Can we hook up with you after?

LARRY - A closed chapter meeting? Bane is frat.

REGGIE - I know he's frat but we got some in house issues to discuss.

QUINTON - Yeah, I agree. I was kinda surprised to see you here B.

BANE - I mean damn, it's like that?

REGGIE - Nothing personal man, we just got some issues to discuss. Chapter business.

QUINTON - Yeah man, nothing personal.

LARRY - Wait hold up hold up. How we gonna have a frat meeting and then you ask frat to leave the room? What sense does that make?

BANE - Exactly! Bruh, I came all the way over here from Amgis and I don't think I should have to go anywhere!

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SHARONDA whispers - Are you crazy girl! What are you doing here!

MIYA - I just wanted to know if yall selected me!

(MIYA is smiling very big and very anxiously.)

SHARONDA whispers - Take your butt home before I beat your ass like you stole something! You're not supposed to be here!

SALEEMA - Sharonda?

SHARONDA whispers - Get out of here!

MIYA whispers - Oh Okay! Top secret!

(MIYA giggles as she tiptoes back down the hall quietly.)

SALEEMA - Who was it?

(SHARONDA comes back in and closes the door.)

SHARONDA - Oh um... it was a lost student. Freshman. Looking for the multicultural office. I was like, dag kid, you in the wrong building!

SALEEMA - Oh.Anyway, I was talking about Laurel. She's had it rough yall. Growing up without a mother, just her dad. Talk about a daddy's girl.

LEAH - But she aint no soft frilly girl. She seems like she grew up in the hood or something.

SALEEMA - She's a little rough, I'll admit. But she has so much potential and she is passionate about Zeta. See her gpa? Its so high because she has her mind set on making her dad proud. So if she puts her mind to something, she completes it wholeheartedly. She's no joke yall.

TONYA - Good. I like her too.

ASHLEY - Sounds like a winner.

KIM - Yeah, I met her too. She's Zeta material.

SHARONDA - Nobody is Zeta material! We have to mold her and shape her first!

KIM - Well you know what I mean!

(Everyone laughs.)

SALEEMA - Who's next? Oh Marqueta.

LEAH - Sorors, I was to sponsor her and I really cannot put my name behind her any longer.

SALEEMA - You can't?

DENICE - Why not?

LEAH - She doesn't follow through. She was supposed to call me back a few times. She either doesn't call back at all or she calls me late. She always always always has excuses. Before I even say anything to her about calling me late or anything, she comes out with an excuse. Its like damn, I didn't even say nothing yet.

TONYA - You know, now that I think about it, she didn't call me back either.

LEAH - She's not ready so I'm withdrawing my sponsorship. Vote how you will, but my vote is no.

SHARONDA - Wow.

TONYA - And that's coming from her sponsor!

SALEEMA - Okay, thanks Leah. Next we got...

(SHARONDA is smiling and bouncing in her chair.)

SALEEMA - Go ahead Sharonda.

TONYA - Oh brother!

SHARONDA - Hello my beautiful sorors! It is my honor and priviledge to present to you Miya Ferguson, the newest additon to the Greek family at...

LEAH - No! Hell no! I am not interested in bringing in some high school chick to our chapter. She isn't mature enough and not ready.

DENICE thinks - Whoa!

SHARONDA - How you gonna say that? You don't even know her.

LEAH - I don't have to know her. She's in high school Sharonda.

SHARONDA - She's coming to school here, she's got enough credits to almost be a sophomore. She's more mature than these other silly freshman running around and she's got family in organizations that help guide her and steer her in the right direction.

LEAH - But you know what she doesn't have?

SHARONDA - What Leah?

LEAH - A damn high school diploma! That's what!

SALEEMA - Okay calm down calm do...

DENICE - Well actually, I was with Miya and her sister last week and she was truly getting on my nerves. She wouldn't shut up and let me talk, she kept cutting me off...

SHARONDA - So she's a little outspoken. I am too.

DENICE - I'm just saying.

SALEEMA - Well thanks Sharonda. We can decide from the information that you presented and from what Leah has presented about Miya as well.

SHARONDA - Wait...

SALEEMA - Yeah?

SHARONDA - I need to say this and get this off.

(SHARONDA turns to LEAH.)

SHARONDA - Leah, I spoke to you about Miya before and I came at you sisterly and with respect and all you did was shoot it down without even hearing me.

LEAH - No I didn't. If I think its a bad idea, I think its a bad...

SHARONDA - No, listen! You never listen but you're gonna listen to me now!

LEAH - I tell you what, I won't be yelled at! This is our line, not yours.

TONYA - What?

SHARONDA - What!

LEAH - Both Ada and Laurel are Amgis students! So we don't need to do this with anybody else and you can pledge your little cousin yourself!

SALEEMA - Sorors please!

SHARONDA - Fine! I aint trippin'! Maybe this whole thing is a bad idea so forget it! Just forget it!

(SHARONDA grabs her bag and turns to storm out.)

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GREGG leaves XAVIER's office at The Sands, the school newspaper and sees a flier posted in the hallway.

(GREGG starts to walk down the stairs and he notices a flier on the bulletin board.)

GREGG thinks - What's that?

(He gets to the bottom of the stairs and goes over and reads it.)

GREGG thinks - Zeta week. Cool! Oh shoot! They got a program called What About Zeta? They must be gettin' ready to...

(GREGG feels a tap on his shoulder and turns around.)

GREGG - Hey girl, wassup!

JAHANNA - Hi Gregg, how are you?

GREGG - I'm chillin' I'm chillin'.

(GREGG opens his arms to hug her. She steps toward him and gives him a big hug.)

GREGG - What's goin' on girl?

JAHANNA - Nothin' much, what's goin' on with you?

GREGG - I was hanging out with Z and Big Mike and I just stepped out. I was looking at this flier.

(GREGG nods toward the bulletin board.)

JAHANNA - Oh, Zeta week?

GREGG - Yeah, you goin' right?

(GREGG laughs.)

JAHANNA - Negro please! They should be so lucky!

(They both laugh.)

GREGG - Where you headed to?

JAHANNA - I'm supposed to be meeting some people to get together for a study group.

GREGG - Oh cool, well don't let me hold you up.

JAHANNA - Oh no, you're not. I'm early. They aint even there yet.

JAHANNA thinks - Yeah right, I'm mad late!

GREGG - Oh cool. So check it, you still trying to be down with the pink and green? Is your day coming this semester?

JAHANNA - Naw man, I had to let that dream fly away.

GREGG - You did? Why?

JAHANNA thinks - Dammit!

JAHANNA - Its just not in my heart no more. I don't feel it.

GREGG - You don't feel it? Girl I remember when that was all you used to talk about. Especially when I used to see you hanging with PJ. You used to be all over her like her little side kick! Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

JAHANNA - Yeah, I know. Those days are over man. No more Robin for her Batman.

GREGG - I see ya, ya got a new attitude huh?

JAHANNA - Yeah, oh yeah.

(JAHANNA shakes her hips to exaggerate her point. She laughs, GREGG does too.)

GREGG - Well okay! Let me find out the new you is fine and on time!

JAHANNA - Oh baby, I've always been fine! You just been blind!

(They both laugh again.)

GREGG - You a trip. But I'm mad you won't be going skeewee no more. I always pictured you doin' your thing as an AKA. Aren't they doing something real soon? I mean, you should still be down.

(She pauses.)

JAHANNA thinks - Say something! Say something!

JAHANNA - Actually, I may not be here on campus anymore, so I couldn't if I wanted to.

JAHANNA thinks - No not that! Why did I say...

GREGG - Not be on campus? Where you going?

(silence)

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BANE has shown up for the Alpha meeting. REGGIE and QUINTON are asking him to leave.

REGGIE - Nothing personal man, we just got some issues to discuss. Chapter business.

QUINTON - Yeah man, nothing personal.

LARRY - Wait hold up hold up. How we gonna have a frat meeting and then you ask frat to leave the room? What sense does that make?

BANE - Exactly! Bruh, I came all the way over here from Amgis and I don't think I should have to go anywhere!

(The door opens and JASON walks in.)

JASON - Hey, wassup bros.

LARRY - The man of the hour.

BOBBY - J, did you call this meeting?

JASON - Naw, Reg called me.

REGGIE - I called it but first we need to resolve this issue with Bane.

JASON - What issue?

REGGIE - This is a closed chapter meeting. I got some things I need to put down and this is in house only.

JASON - Oh okay.

REGGIE - And its dealing with your department Jason.

JASON - Oh! Oh okay, I gotcha.

(JASON turns to BANE.)

JASON - B, can you step out for a few? We kinda gotta talk about some things.

(BANE looks pissed.)

JASON - Only for a few man. We can hook up right after.

BANE - Aight, that's cool.

REGGIE - This shouldn't take too long bruh.

(Clearly BANE is not cool with this idea.)

BANE - Its whatever man.

(BANE walks out and closes the door.)

QUINTON - Dag, he's pissed.

LARRY - Yeah.

BOBBY - Fuck him. What's the big emergency?

REGGIE - Check this out bros. We got some loose lips up in here or some shit but the other day, I was on the yard and...

(LARRY's cell phone vibrates. He looks at the display.)

LARRY thinks - April. I'll call her back.

REGGIE - ...so then Matt says to me some shit about being on line for Alpha and what he needs to call me as his big brother!

BOBBY - What!

QUINTON - Who is Matt?

REGGIE - You know, skinny ass Matt from the baseball team?

QUINTON - Matt? Matt?

BOBBY - You probably don't even know him.

(LARRY's cell phone vibrates again. He looks at the display.)

LARRY thinks - Grandma! Dag, I'm gonna have to call her back too! I hope Grandpa is okay. He's been sick lately.

REGGIE - ...the hell does this dude think he is on line for Alpha Phi Alpha?

JASON - Okay wait a minute. You mean to tell me that Matt actually thought he was on line?

REGGIE - Yes!

JASON - Well that's his fault, not ours. Obviously none of us went and told him that.

REGGIE - But you're missing my point. He left my place pissed off! So no telling what he's out there saying about the frat now. He could be spreading all kinds of shit about us. Its important that we know this stuff so if the shit hits the fan and one of us is on the yard, we are prepared and know what's up.

BOBBY - That's a good point!

QUINTON - I see what you're saying.

REGGIE - So what we need to do is...

(LARRY cell phone vibrates again.)

LARRY thinks - Shit! Hotline!

(He looks at the display.)

LARRY thinks - Oh shit!

(LARRY gets up.)

BOBBY - Where the hell you going?

LARRY - I gotta take this call. I'll be right back.

BOBBY - In the middle of an emergency meeting?

LARRY - I said I'd be right back. Damn!

(LARRY hurries out into the hall and answers his phone.)

LARRY - Hello.

MAX - Larry... I don't know if I want to be an Alpha no more man. That Bane guy and Rob... I can't do this man!

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GREGG - You're not gonna be on campus anymore? Well where are you going?

JAHANNA thinks - Shit I am so stupid!

JAHANNA - Um... nowhere... I mean... um...

(silence)

GREGG - You're leaving Ahpla?

JAHANNA - Um... yeah. I think so.

GREGG - What! Why?

JAHANNA - Well...

(She sighs.)

JAHANNA - Believe it or not, I'm having issues here.

GREGG - Issues?

JAHANNA - Yeah. I don't really want to be here no more.

GREGG - Why not? You're in your junior year right? You're past the half way point. Won't you lose credits if you leave?

JAHANNA - Well... yeah.

GREGG - What the hell? So why are you leaving?

(silence)

JAHANNA - I'd rather not talk about it.

GREGG - Oh... my bad.

(silence)

GREGG - So why you leaving Ahpla?

(JAHANNA laughs.)

JAHANNA - Damn man!

GREGG - Come on, this is G you're talkin' to. You can't get off that easy.

JAHANNA - I see!

GREGG - So what's the deal?

JAHANNA - I just don't want to be here no more. I mean, if it aint being in PJ's shadow, it's being in Dexter's shadow. I got my heart broken by AKA, probably becuause of Katrice, I mean, I just got drama.

GREGG - Yeah but that aint no reason to leave a good university. You're here for an education. All the stuff you talkin' about is extracurricular drama. Some old soap opera shit. Are your grades good?

JAHANNA - Yeah, I'm straight.

GREGG - Then girl please, don't break out over that nonsense. I'd hate to see you go.

JAHANNA - You would?

GREGG - Sure.

(JAHANNA smiles.)

GREGG - You're like a little sis to me.

(JAHANNA loses her smile.)

JAHANNA - Yeah. Uh huh.

GREGG - Well look, let me hit this bathroom and I don't wanna hold you up either.

JAHANNA - Yeah.

GREGG - So I'll catch ya later.

JAHANNA - Yeah.

(GREGG smiles as they start to walk in opposite directions.)

GREGG - Hey J...

(JAHANNA turns around.)

GREGG - Aint no party like an AU party...

JAHANNA - Yeah.

GREGG - Man, you was supposed to say cuz an AU party don't quit!

JAHANNA - Oh. Uh huh.

(She turns and walks away.)

GREGG thinks - Sheesh, what's her problem?

(GREGG walks into the bathroom. There is another guy in there.)

GREGG sings - Aint no Nupe like an AU Nupe cuz an AU nupe is so cute!

(GREGG starts to use the bathroom.)

GREGG thinks - I can't believe Jahanna is leaving. It won't be the same here without her. I wonder if PJ know, she didn't mention it to me.

(GREGG finishes and turns to wash his hands. The other guy is walking out.)

GREGG - Wassup man.

TERRANCE - Hi.

(TERRANCE walks out. GREGG washes his hands.)

GREGG sings - Aint no Nupe like an AU Nupe cuz an...

(The door opens and DEXTER walks in.)

GREGG - What up player? What's the deal?

(GREGG shakes his hands and reaches for the paper towel dispenser.)

DEXTER - Just the nigga I need to holla at! What the fuck is up with you man!

GREGG - Huh? What you talkin' bout?

DEXTER - You know exactly what I'm talkin' bout! What's up with you and my sister!

(DEXTER steps toward GREGG.)

GREGG - Your sister? Jahanna?

DEXTER - Motherfucker how many sisters I got! Yeah Jahanna!

GREGG - Whoa whoa Dex, what's wrong with you man?

DEXTER - Don't play dumb!

(DEXTER gets in GREGG's face. GREGG backs up.)

DEXTER - I aint stupid and I see through your player shit Gregg!

GREGG - Dexter I don't know what you're talking about! I just saw Jahanna outside two minutes ago! What the fuck are you talking about!

DEXTER - Yeah right! Let me tell you something, you stay your slimy ass away from Jahanna! Don't let me see you talking to her again!

GREGG - Nigga you can't tell me that! She's a grown woman!

DEXTER - Oh yeah? I can tell you whatever the hell I want because...

(DEXTER tries to grab GREGG's shirt just as GREGG remembers that he has MIKE's cane in his back pocket.)