MONA is in her room talking on the phone to her sister MIYA.
MIYA - You are an idiot! That's why you always get your way!
MONA - See, what you have to learn, my young misguided sister, is how to work Mom. She can be worked.
MIYA - I see.
(MONA laughs.)
MONA - You'll see. Keep hangin' with me and you'll go places.
MIYA - Yeah right! Shut up!
(MONA laughs.)
MONA - And you bout to be in trouble with Mommy anyway if you go Zeta! Are you crazy or sometihng?
MIYA - Whatever! Z Phi B is better than your stinky AKA!
MONA - Whatever! Speaking of AKA and me getting over on Mommy, let me tell you what just...
(There is a knock on the door.)
MONA - Somebody is here. Hold on/
MIYA - Aight.
(MONA keeps the phone on her ear as she goes to open the door.)
MONA - Hi!
MIKE - Hey, what's up?
(MIKE walks in and hugs MONA.)
MONA - Mike is here so I'm gonna holla at you later.
MIYA - Okay. Tell me what happened in the AKA meeting when I talk to you later.
MONA - Okay, I'll give you the scoop.
MIYA - Raving reporter Mona Ferguson huh?
MONA - Yep! That's me!
(They both laugh until they hang up.)
MONA - Hey. What's goin' on?
MIKE - Nothing much. I called you earlier but the call went straight to voicemail.
MONA - Oh yeah, I was in the chapter meeting and I couldn't get outside to answer it.
MIKE - Oh cool. Hey, business before pleasure I always say. How was the meeting?
MONA - Drama!
(MIKE laughs.)
MIKE - I know thats right! I love it! That's the way its supposed to be! Challenge one another and argue.
MONA- Well you would've loved me today babe! Me against the world and I won!
MIKE - Good for you!
(MONA smiles.)
MIKE - What were yall arguing over?
MONA - Oh let me tell you what went down! You know I aint got no problem with puting the business in the street!
(MONA laughs.)
MONA - Okay this is exactly what happened...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR. COLIN MWATSUMI walks into the office of the president of Ahpla University, PRESIDENT BRYCE.
DR. MWATSUMI - Hi Sharon.
SHARON - Hello Doctor. Here to see the man?
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes I am. Is he tied up at the moment?
SHARON - Uh...
(The president's receptionist checks a calendar in front of her.)
SHARON - ...looks like you came at just the right time. And what's that you got smellin' so good?
DR. MWATSUMI - I whipped up some curry goat and I got some for President Bryce. Would you like some?
SHARON - Smells good but I have to pass. I'm a vegetarian.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh. Well you don't want any of this then!
(They both laugh.)
SHARON - Let me call in and tell him that you are here.
(She dials. DR. MWATSUMI checks his watch.)
SHARON - Okay Doctor, you can go ahead in.
DR. MWATSUMI - Thanks Sharon. Next time I'll prepare some curry veggies for you okay?
SHARON - Now you're talking!
(She smiles as he walks past with his brown bag. He pushes the huge door leading into the president's office.)
DR. MWATSUMI - President Bryce! How are you sir? Hope you're hungry.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Hungry? You brought food in here?
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes sir. I just did a little curry cooking and I wanted to share some with you. You haven't gone to lunch yet have you?
PRESIDENT BRYCE - No I haven't but you know I don't like to have food in these quarters. Colin you know that.
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes sir but live a little. Have a little curry from my homemade recipe. I made it just for you.
(The president sighs.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - It does smell good. Oh okay.
DR. MWATSUMI - Allow me sir.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Thanks Colin. I appreciate it.
(DR. MWATSUMI starts to take plates and utensils out of his bag.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - This is indeed very nice of you.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh my pleasure. You know I love to cook.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Really? I didn't know that.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh yeah. Cooking is one of my hobbies.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Well great. Let's see what ya got. You know I don't have a lot of time.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh I know you are a very busy man sir. Just thought I'd treat you to a home cooked lunch.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Well thank you.
(DR. MWATSUMI pulls out a pot and starts dishing it up.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - So how have you been Colin?
DR. MWATSUMI - Very well sir. I just had to meet with my young fraternity brothers on campus. They need such guidance.
(DR. MWATSUMI giggles.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Don't I know it. I think the Sigmas behave only because I am president and they don't want to cross me.
(They both laugh.)
DR. MWATSUMI - Well my frat brothers needed me to make an executive decision for them.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Oh yeah?
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes. We had a student going through the membership intake process. He starteed to show qualities of dishonesty and other elements unbecoming of an Iota man.
(They start to eat.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Really?
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes. The chapter didn't know what to do. I make it real simple for them.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Oh yeah?
DR. MWATSUMI - Indeed. I told them. If he is acting this way then he has to go. So I voted that student out of the process and now he is gone.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONA is telling MIKE what happeded at the AKA meeting that she went to.
MONA - Oh let me tell you what went down! You know I aint got no problem with puting the business in the street!
(MONA laughs.)
MONA - Okay this is exactly what happened...
MIKE - Wait, putting the business in the street? I aint asking about no secret stuff, you can't tell me that.
MONA - Oh I don't mind. See, I have to tell it all for you to get the full laugh of the story.
MIKE - Mona, you can't do that.
MONA - Why not? I don't mind.
MIKE - Youuuuuuuuu should.
MONA - IIIIIIIIIIIII don't. And if I don't care, why should you?
MIKE - Because I care so much about Phi Nu Pi that I got enough love to cover you too. You aint supposed to be telling me stuff that happens in your chapter meetings. You know better than that. Didn't your big sister in charge of information or whatever tell you that?
MONA - My who?
MIKE - I don't know what they call it for you guys, but someone should've told you what is in house stays in house. Didn't you get that on line?
MONA - Uh nope.
(MIKE laughs.)
MIKE - God, well what did you get online?
MONA - Nothin'.
(MIKE busts out laughing.)
MIKE - You stupid. Naw, stop playing.
MONA - I'm serious. Line for me wasn't even like that. I didn't go through all that mess.
MIKE - Huh? What mess?
MONA - You know, all that pledgin mess. That shit is for the birds.
MIKE - Huh?
MONA - I wasn't bout to go through all that bull. Dear old Mommy stepped in a vanished all that! Thanks goodness!
MIKE - What? Wait a minute, I'm confused.
MONA - What? Why you acting so weird?
MIKE - I don't know Mona, you got me confused now. You sound like you... like you didn't pledge.
(MONA smiles.)
MONA - Technically babe, I didn't.
(MONA chuckles.)
MONA - I got my letters the new fashion way...
(She throws her pinky up.)
MONA - Legacy clause! In full affect!
MIKE - Legacy clause?
MONA - Yeah, that's where if your mother or auntie...
MIKE - I know what the clause is Mona, but you used that to get in?
MONA - Well yeah, with my mother being a soror and all.
MIKE - So you didn't pledge at all?
MONA - Heck no! What for?
(silence)
MIKE - You're joking right?
MONA - Uh no.
(MONA gets up and starts to walk toward the kitchen.)
MONA - You want something to drink?
(MIKE is looking very confused.)
MIKE - No, no I don't want anything to drink! I'm trying to understand if you're serious or not.
MONA - Mike, what is the big deal?
(He follows her into the kitchen.)
MIKE - The big deal is that you skated. You didn't do any work to get into AKA.
MONA - That doesn't matter. Its what you do once your in that matters. How you come in is unimportant.
MIKE - What! That's crazy!
MONA - No it isn't. Think about it, how many of your frat brothers pledged hard as hell, got their ass beat, or whatever, spent all their money up trying to be in the frat, and they aint active now?
MIKE - Yeah but its worse when you have people that don't do any work to get in because they don't appreciate what they have. They didn't have to work hard to earn it, so they don't treat it with any kind of respect. Case in point, you bout to tell me bout what happened in your chapter meeting. That shit aint my business and if you had pledged, you would know that.
MONA - Oh well. I guess you can teach me Being Greek 101.
(MONA laughs as they walk back from the kitchen.)
MONA - Anyway, what you wanna... hey, where you going?
MIKE - I gotta go.
MONA - Go? But you just got here?
MIKE - Yeah I know. But I just have a problem with Greeks that don't do shit to get in, skate easily in, then treat their org like shit once they're in. I need to take a walk or some shit.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The ladies of Zeta Phi Beta are in a sorority meeting and are having a heated debate about the interested ladies in Zeta.
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.)
SALEEMA - Wait! Hold up! Sharonda, sit down!
(SHARONDA stops.)
SALEEMA - I said sit down!
(Surprisingly, SHARONDA slowly walks back and sits down.)
SALEEMA - Now look, we're not gonna sit here and argue over silly matters on whether or not we can combine intake. That has already been decided. We are going to do this together so let's just cut through all this nonsense and keep it moving.
SHARONDA - Yeah but how do we get past what we're discussing now? Its still up and unresolved.
SALEEMA - We vote. Once we do that, that will end that. She'll either make it or not make it. Period.
LEAH - Fine, move on.
SHARONDA - Fine.
(SHARONDA crosses her arms as they continue.)
SALEEMA - Okay who's next?
ASHLEY - Last but not least there's Tammi.
LEAH thinks - Oh God!
KIM - I like Tammi a lot. She is real sweet and real down to earth.
ASHLEY - Yeah she's cool. I told her to make an attempt to speak with some of you sorors. Did she?
TONYA - She called me a few times and left messages but I never spoke with her.
SHARONDA - I did talk to her. She knows her stuff. I don't know if she had the history book open in front of her when we were on the phone but gosh she does know all her stuff. She seems like a history buff or something.
LEAH - I hate to be the odd person out since it seems like everyone is on Tammi's tip.
SHARONDA - Hold up, aint nobody on nobody's tip.
LEAH - I'm just sayin', yall got a tendency to be goin' on and on about somebody, I mean gosh.
SHARONDA - And you just seem to have an attitude with everyone. Sorors and interests.
LEAH - It aint about having an attitude. I just know what I want and who I don't want. Simple as that. If I choose to keep Zeta close to heart and keep it selective, so be it. We aint gotta have everybody on campus and I don't get a good vibe from Tammi at all.
KIM - And it aint because she's Rob's girl?
LEAH - I don't care who's girl she is. That aint got nothing to do with nothing.
KIM - Yeah right, ha ha ha ha!
LEAH - I'm serious!
SHARONDA - No you aint. I knew there was something. just can't ever be happy. Always got some drama.
LEAH - Girl please, you the one!
ASLEY - Leah, you can't tell me that the fact that Tammi is with Robbie that that has nothing to do with you not liking her.
LEAH - Yes I can!
ASHLEY - No you can't.
KIM - Hell no you can't.
LEAH - Yes I can!
DENICE - Damn sorors! What the hell! Yall are getting on my damn nerves! Why can't we just get together and vote on something without yall getting into a stupid arguement and going off!
(Everyone stops as they are surprised DENICE is yelling.)
DENICE - This is ridiculous!
(DENICE gets up.)
DENICE - This is so stupid! I'm out! Yall call me when you get your act together!
TONYA - Wait D, don't leave.
DENICE - Whatever! I aint sitting through this stupidness!
(DENICE is yelling even louder.)
SALEEMA - Okay Denice calm dow...
DENICE - Don't tell me to calm down alright! I've been sitting here listening to this mess for over an hour and its stupid!
(DENICE is screaming.)
TONYA - Denice...
DENICE - This is stupid!
(She forcefully grabs her bag and storms out. She opens the door so hard it slams against the wall.)
TONYA - Denice!
(TONYA gets up to follow DENICE out.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DR. MWATSUMI tells PRESIDENT BRYCE that he voted DWAYNE off the Iota line.
DR. MWATSUMI - I told the brotherhood., if he is acting this way then he has to go. So I voted that student out of the process and now he is gone.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - I totally understand. Sometimes those decisions are hard to make but its for the greater good of the organization. And sometimes young brothers don't realize that.
DR. MWATSUMI - I know what you mean. I take it you see the same thing in Phi Beta Sigma?
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Oh I think it is pretty much across the board. There is a definite communication gap between undergrad and graduate chapters.
DR. MWATSUMI - Indeed.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - And see brothers like us know best because we both pledged undergrad but now participate on the graduate level. So we understand both worlds.
DR. MWATSUMI - Exactly sir. Pledging is definitely an eye opening experience. I'm glad I crossed undergrad.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Yes. Colin, this curry is wonderful.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh thank you sir.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - You must share this recipe with my wife.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh no, its a secret!
(They both laugh and the president starts to eat again.)
DR. MWATSUMI - You know sir, you mentioned the good of the organization.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Mmmm hmmm.
DR. MWATSUMI - I'm glad you mentioned that. That concept interests me and I think can pertain to several aspects, not just fraternal life.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - True.
DR. MWATSUMI - And I think when we understand the concepts like these, we are more apt to make better decisions and think for the masses instead of the individual.
(PRESIDENT BRYCE takes a sip of the birch beer that DR. MWATSUMI has given him.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Colin, what exactly are you getting at?
(DR. MWATSUMI pauses.)
DR. MWATSUMI - It's no secret to the elite sir that you are considering a career change.
(The president smiles but doesn't speak. He continues eating.)
DR. MWATSUMI - And with that, I wanted to express to you first my desire and interest to occupy your vacant seat.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Really now?
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh yes sir. As you well know, I've climbed the educational ladder from student to career student to faculty, to advisor, to proffessor. From there to board mem...
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Colin, you don't have to sell me. I know your accolades.
DR. MWATSUMI - Indeed.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - And I hope this terrific meal was not a ploy to sway my campaign support.
DR. MWATSUMI - Oh no no no sir. I would never violate our business relationship or friendship.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Good.
(The president continues eating.)
DR. MWATSUMI - Sir, I do have one... very small... request.
PRESIDENT BRYCE thinks - I knew it.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - What is it Colin?
DR. MWATSUMI - Well... I was just wondering...
(silence)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Doctor, wondering what?
DR. MWATSUMI - Well... I was just wondering... if I were to make an active pursuit toward being the new president of Ahpla University... do you know if I would have any type of... competition?
(The president stops eating and looks at DR. MWATSUMI.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Now Colin, you know good and well I can't disclose...
DR. MWATSUMI - I would never ask you to disclose sir... but how about a hint.
(silence)
DR. MWATSUMI - Between friends.
(PRESIDENT BRYCE puts his fork down.)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Between friends?
DR. MWATSUMI - Sir.
(silence)
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Let me say this Colin, between friends.
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes sir.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - If... and I stress if you did have competition, the individual or individuals would probably have advantages over you.
DR. MWATSUMI - They would? How so?
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Let's just say being an Ahpla University alumnus is a great advantage. And you're not an alum of this institution.
DR. MWATSUMI - Yes but I've worked here for years, I've put in my due.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - So have a lot of other people Colin.
DR. MWATSUMI - But look at the committment level that I put into this university. Look at the time and energy. Look at my track record.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - You're not the only one with a track record.
DR. MWATSUMI - Yeah but I bring an international curriculum idea as well as a strong background in African American studies. I have the energy and vitality of a young person through my Greek obligations, as you did sir. I feel that is extremely important. To stay in touch with our youth, students, fraternities and sororities. And that sir, I definitely have.
PRESIDENT BRYCE - Fraternities and soro... Colin, stop trying to persuade me. You have just as much of a chance to become president as Melinda Fergu... I mean... any other candidate.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TONYA - Denice! Denice wait!
(DENICE stops and turns around to address TONYA.)
TONYA - Are you okay?
DENICE - No I am not okay Tonya. I'm hurting real bad.
TONYA - Brandon?
DENICE - Yes Brandon! I hate him because I'm hurting so much!
TONYA - It just takes time to get over. Give it time.
(DENICE leans against the wall and bends over as if her stomach was hurting. She puts her hands on her knees.)
TONYA - You alright?
DENICE - Tonya, I can't eat or sleep. I cry all night. I'm like totally devastated. Sorors making jokes and thinking this is funny. I am totally heart broken.
TONYA - But I thought you said you were okay and you weren't really into him that much. Like when yall first broke up.
DENICE - I thought everything was okay then I saw him with Breanna. Ever since then, I've been sick. I can't believe he got with somebody else already.
TONYA - That's how niggas are. Ya know?
DENICE - Tonya, I can't get the image out of my head. I get up in the morning seeing them together. I try to go to sleep and I see them together. I know he's fuckin' her, damn Delta! Dammit!
(DENICE slams her fists against her legs and starts to pace the hall. She starts to cry.)
TONYA - Come here sands.
(TONYA opens her arms to DENICE. DENICE starts crying as she walks into TONYA's arms and begins crying on her shoulder.)
TONYA - Its gonna be okay girl. You're gonna get over him and find someone who deserves all of your love. And it won't matter who he's with or whatever He's gonna regret letting you go because you're the best thing that ever happened to him.
DENICE - Thank you soror.
(They hug each other.)
DENICE - I need to go.
TONYA - Are you gonna be okay?
(They let go of each other but still hold hands.)
DENICE - Yeah, I just need to walk.
TONYA - Okay. Call me if you need me. If you can't sleep or whatever, call me. No matter what time. You know I love you.
DENICE - I love you too.
(They hug again. DENICE turns away and wipes her eyes as she walks away.)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BRANDON - Yes! I know he started! I know what line looks like and I bet he started!
BREANNA - Wow! Well how do you feel? Are you okay with it?
BRANDON - It pisses me off. I mean, its one thing that he decided to go ahead and do it without me. But damn, he didn't even tell me that he got a phone call or whatever. Next thing I know, he's gone all the time, he's crazy hungry and sleepy, that looks like line to me.
BREANNA - Why don't you call one of the KKPsi brothers and ask them if their line has started?
BRANDON - Because niggas are all hush hush. And they know I wanted to be down so its gonna look whack if I start calling up.
BREANNA - Yeah, I see what you mean.
(silence)
BREANNA - Are you okay?
BRANDON - I mean, I'll be alright, but I'm kinda mad at my brother. I can't lie.
BREANNA - I understand and I see where you're coming from. Brothers need to talk to one another.
BRANDON - That's all I'm sayin'. All he has to do is talk. Nigga talks about everything else. Nigga talks about all these girls that be wantin' him.
(BREANNA laughs.)
BREANNA - They don't want you too?
BRANDON - Naw, you know it aint like that.
BREANNA - How not? You just as fine as Brendon, yall identical.
BRANDON - First of all, he's just as fine as me. I came out first.
(BREANNA laughs.)
BRANDON - But we have different mentalities which gives us different kinds of attractions. You know?
BREANNA - Oh yeah, you guys don't sound alike at all, as far as the things you all say.
BRANDON - And you like the things I say, don't ya?
(They both laugh.)
BREANNA - I mean, you aight.
(BRANDON laughs harder.)
BRANDON - Oh okay okay, its like that huh?
BREANNA - Naw I'm just playin'. You cool, you cool.
BRANDON - Uh huh.
(There is a knock on BRANDON's door.)
BRANDON - Hey somebody's at my door. Its probably Miri. Hold on okay?
BREANNA - Well just call me later. Spend some time with your line brother.
BRANDON - Okay, I'll call ya later.
BREANNA - Bye bye.
BRANDON - Bye.
(BRANDON hangs up and opens the door.)
BRANDON - Hi.
DENICE - Hi, you busy?
BRANDON - Uh no.
DENICE - Do you have company?
BRANDON - No no, come in.
(DENICE walks in.)
DENICE - I just wanted to know if we could talk.
BRANDON - Sure, sure. We can always talk.
DENICE - Oh yeah? We can always talk huh? Or can we only talk now because you don't have your girlfriend here?
BRANDON - Girlfriend?
(DENICE crosses her arms.)
(silence)
DENICE - Hmph! Silence speaks volumes Brandon. Silence speaks volumes.
BRANDON - Denice, what do you want to talk about?
DENICE - I just want to find out what is going through your mind. You didn't even deny that she's your girlfriend!
BRANDON - I don't have a girlfriend.
DENICE - Yeah right! How can you do this to me?
BRANDON - Do what to you? I'm not doing anything.
DENICE - Not doing anything? I can't even sleep and here you are already seeing...
(She bends over like her stomach is hurting.)
BRANDON - Already what? Are you okay?
DENICE - No I am not okay Brandon! Do you know how much I love you! How can you do this to me?
BRANDON - Denice we don't get along, we don't see eye to eye. You can't see that? We just need to be friends and that's all.
DENICE - How can we just be friends? After all we've been through? I mean, unlike you Brandon, my love was real and lasting.
BRANDON - My love was real too Den...
(She stands up and points into his face.)
DENICE - Don't you dare even go there! Don't you dare! You have no idea what the concept of love is even about!
BRANDON - See what I mean? We can't even talk! You're screaming at me and getting all upset. We can't be together.
DENICE - So you take it upon yourself to just go and get something else started? Like I meant nothing! Did I mean nothing to you at all?
BRANDON - Of course you did?
DENICE - No I didn't! Brandon... Braaaaaandon...
(DENICE is crying.)
BRANDON - Denice...
DENICE - Braaaaaandon... I love you, how can you do this to me!
(DENICE starts to cry harder and she bends over again.)
BRANDON- Hey look, are you okay? Maybe you should...
(BRANDON puts his hand on DENICE's shoulder. She pops up immediately.)
DENICE - Don't touch me! I hate you I hate you!
(DENICE starts to swing her fists widly at BRANDON.)
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