The brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha are with FRANK and MARTIN, the two guys interested in pledging.
JASON - Gentlemen, you both have expressed an interest in this great fraternity and the brothers have honored your requests.
FRANK thinks - Yes!
MARTIN thinks - Oh my God!
(The Alphas, BOBBY, LARRY, REGGIE and even DONTE are standing behind JASON. QUINTON is not back yet.)
JASON - You two are the only two worthy of the arduous journey to pursue Alpha Phi Alpha. You two are the only ones we place the mantle of this chapter on for our future. You two are the means of growth for both this chapter and this fraternity. Do not take this task lightly.
FRANK - I won't.
JASON - Speak only when spoken to and told to speak.
(FRANK shuts up.)
JASON - Do not ask me about a third. Ever.
(silence)
REGGIE - Brothers, if I may...
(JASON steps aside.)
REGGIE - I had the opportunity to be dean of the last line that came through this chapter. I brought in three good brothers that have worked hard, extremely hard to uphold the mandates of Alpha and to increase brotherhood throughout. I am very proud of these men. It will be your goal to supercede what they have done and even what I have done in bringing them in.
(REGGIE steps back.)
JASON - There's a lot, a whole lot resting on the next few weeks with you gentlemen. A problem could mean disaster on many levels. There are individuals serving prison time for mistakes within pledge processes. There are individuals kicked out of higher education for mistakes in pledge processes. And unfortunately there are too many young men and women that have lost their lives because of tragic mistakes in pledge processes. None of that will happen here.
(silence)
JASON - Tonight gentlemen, you begin your test. Your awesome test and although tests can be brutal, everyone you see standing here has done them. We have done them and gotten through. So should your thought process be.
(silence)
(silence)
JASON - Both of you, turn around.
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GINA is in APRIL and PJ's room. They are discussing wedding plans. KATRICE and OCTAVIA are there as well.
OCTAVIA - Its so funny how one person can be thinking about marriage and all ready and the next person be like hells naw! I know for myself I aint ready.
APRIL - I don't think thats true. I think you're more than ready. You'd make someone a great wife.
OCTAVIA - I don't know. I think I'm a little too independent. That's why me and Donte didn't work. I gotta do my own thing and most men have a problem with that.
KATRICE - Think so?
OCTAVIA - Oh yeah. Men say they want a woman who knows what she wants and aint afraid to take it there. But then when they meet one, they all intimidated by the fact that I'll probably make ten times more than they do as a surgeon. But whats the big deal?
KATRICE - What's the big deal? The big deal is that they are men and you're hitting them where it hurts. Right in their egos.
PJ - Yep! They some bitches!
(Everyone laughs.)
GINA - Well luckily for me, I aint gotta go through all that. I found the sweetest man in the whole world.
PJ - Aw don't front. Miri was rough around the edges at first. It took you softening him up a bit.
GINA - I mean yeah, but once I got my hooks in him, he was puddy in my hand!
(They all laugh again.)
APRIL - Yeah right, let me hear him tell it.
GINA - Oh he'll admit it. He was a ship without a sail without me. Just off course!
PJ - Then his ass will turn around and say the same thing about Phi Beta Sigma.
(PJ talks like a man.)
PJ - If it wasn't for my lb's, I'd be a ship without a sail!
(They laugh again.)
PJ - Oh wait... hold up, we talkin' about Miri right... let me rephrase that... If it wasn't for my brothers... I'd be a ship without no rutters!
(They laugh even harder.)
GINA - Shut up! Ha ha ha ha! Leave my baby alone!
APRIL - Speaking of babies, how in the world are you gonna handle a new baby and a new husband and finish school?
GINA - Well I'm doin' it now. Me and Miri aint gonna change, we just making it official. Right now, either I have Migiri or he has him. Like now, he is over at his frat house at Amgis but he has the baby. He loves to spend father son time with him. He's such a good baby.
APRIL - Aww, that's good.
OCTAVIA - Yeah.
KATRICE - So yall will be the official big happy family on campus/
GINA - Yep, we will be.
(silence)
APRIL - Well anyway, what was we saying? Oh yeah, why did you pick this dress for your bridesmaids? Its so simple.
GINA - Well I wanted simple... easy and fast. The wedding is coming up, we didn't want to waste any time so its like right on us already. I didn't have a lot of time for my girls to be all caught up in the dress. Just slap this on and get up here!
OCTAVIA - I hear ya girl.
(silence)
GINA - But you know...
(She pauses.)
PJ - What?
GINA - I don't know if I should ask this, or go here.
APRIL - Huh? Girl you among sorors. Say your piece.
GINA - Well, I just had a question... for Katrice.
(KATRICE looks surprised.)
KATRICE - For me?
GINA - Yeah. And I hope I don't offend you by this. Its just... well I just wanted to know. Um... since that one meeting and with Mona's outburst... well... is what she said about you true? Are you a lesbian?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Both FRANK and MARTIN turn around.
JASON - Close your eyes.
(They do.)
JASON - Do not open your eyes. From this moment on, be guided by the sound of my voice. If you make a wrong turn, it will be your fault. I will never be far from you. I will protect you. But you have to listen to me and do as I say. Do you both understand?
FRANK & MARTIN - Yes.
JASON - Good. Trust is essential here. If you don't trust me, we cannot move forward. Now follow my voice and your personal leader.
(LARRY grabs FRANK's hand. BOBBY grabs MARTIN's hand.)
BOBBY thinks - Where the hell is Quinton! I'm too old for this shit!
JASON - Now follow the sound of my voice.
(JASON starts to walk with LARRY behind him leading a closed eyed FRANK and BOBBY leading a closed eyed MARTIN.)
JASON - Follow my voice and do not open your eyes.
(He leads them upstairs which takes a few minutes because they are trying to walk without looking. Once upstairs, they walk around the room for a while then start to go back downstairs to the basement.)
JASON - Continue to follow the sound of my voice. Continue to follow the sound of my voice. Continue to follow...
(Suddenly JASON stops talking.)
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
LARRY whispers - Keep your damn eyes shut! You listen to me now...
BOBBY whispers - Don't you dare open your fuckin' eyes motherfucker!
(LARRY lets go of FRANK's hand... BOBBY lets go of MARTIN's hand.)
LARRY whispers - Frank you better not move from this spot! Don't move from this damn spot until you hear Jason's voice. You move when you hear Jason! You speak when you hear Jason! You better not...
BOBBY whispers - Stay right here! Stay right the fuck here! Don't open your eyes, don't say shit! When you hear Jason, you move! When you hear Jason, you speak! You got that? Do you understand me?
(MARTIN doesn't answer.)
BOBBY whispers - Good! You're learning.
LARRY whispers - Now look, right now we're gonna take Martin and put him through some tests and some interview type questions. You just wait here. We'll be back to get you.
BOBBY whispers - Martin... we gotta take Frank. We'll be back for you. He has some tests he has to pass in order to prove to the brotherhood that he is ready. You're next. So get your mind right. We'll be back to get you.
(silence)
(silence)
(JASON checks his watch.)
8:27 pm
(The brothers quietly walk up the stairs and turn off the lights.)
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The brothers of Omega Psi Phi, RONNIE, TY, DEX, and DRE are sitting in the frat house talking.
DRE - You know what I just realized?
DEXTER - What?
DRE - None of us have steady women. What the fuck?
RONNIE - Well I did. We just broke up like a minute ago.
DRE - I'm just sayin'.
TY - Well it aint like we aint fuckin' with people.
RONNIE - Yeah, true. I'm bout to start fuckin' with PJ.
TY - What!
DEXTER - Stop your lying ass!
RONNIE - I am. PJ is fine as shit!
TY - Are you serious? You been talking to her?
RONNIE - Yeah.
DEXTER - No he aint neo. Trust me. This nigga aint fuckin' with no PJ.
RONNIE - How you know?
DEXTER - Okay, you serious? You messin' with her?
(silence)
RONNIE - I mean I plan to. I just aint put it on her yet.
(They all laugh.)
DEXTER - I knew this bruh was lying!
RONNIE - I'm sayin' though.
TY thinks - Damn I thought she was playin' me!
RONNIE - Damn bruh, how you gonna call a bruh a liar?
DEXTER - I'm just sayin'. I hate when cats lie on their dick.
RONNIE - What!
DEXTER - Just man up! You know good and well you aint down with PJ like that and if I didn't push it, you would've let us ride thinking that shit was true.
RONNIE - What's your problem?
(DEXTER had raised his voice.)
DEXTER - I'm just sayin' man! I hate when cats do that shit! You don't see me lying about shit I did with Willie you know what I'm sayin'? I had her, I fucked up, end of story.
(Everyone is looking at DEXTER in silence.)
(silence)
RONNIE - Hey dog, I got a laxative up in the medicine cabinet. Why don't you upstairs and take it.
(Everyone laughs loudly.)
RONNIE - Ha ha ha ha ha cuz you full of shit!
DEXTER - Whatever man. At least I aint lying.
DRE - Naw naw, maybe Dex got a point yall. You know what I'm sayin'? Hear the man out.
TY - Dex, what is you sayin' bruh?
DEXTER - All I'm sayin' is...
(He pauses.)
DEXTER - ...all I'm sayin' is I'm kinda pissed because some nigga is doin' this same shit to my sister and its pissin' me off!
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9:03 pm
MARTIN thinks - Okay I gotta focus! This is it! As soon as Frank gets back I gotta be ready for my test!
FRANK thinks - I hope I do well! I hope I do well! I know Martin will... he's so on point! I know he's gonna pass his test with flying colors!
(silence)
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - I'm tired of standing here but I gotta stay strong! This is the moment I've been waiting on all my life. This is it. I've wanted to be an Alpha all my life and this is finally it!
FRANK thinks - I can't bend over or squat down because the brothers are probably right here. And I sure as hell can't open my eyes. Damn!
(silence)
FRANK thinks - I better just stand as still as I can. Whatever brother that was in my ear is probably standing right in front of me.
MARTIN thinks - This is a test, I know it is. This is nothing more than a test....this is a test, I know its only a test...
FRANK thinks - What kind of tests are the putting Martin through? And why is it taking so long? I know I've been standing here at least an hour.
9:17 pm
FRANK thinks - I hope I do as good as Martin. That nigga knows his stuff plus he got his dad behind him. I wonder if his father is here.
MARTIN thinks - Frank is probably holdin' it down! I know he got it in him! He can make it through, I know he can. He has to stay strong. Stay strong through the storm, thats all.
FRANK thinks - It's just so quiet.
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - I wonder what time it is but I can't look at my watch. There's so many brothers around right now, who was that one guy anyway?
FRANK thinks - If they are putting Martin through tests, did we make line already?
(silence)
FRANK thinks - Did we already become pledgees or Sphinxmen or something? I guess I find out in the tests.
MARTIN thinks - Damn, they got Frank a long time. I hope he's passing his test! What the hell kind of test is it? I don't even hear anything from upstairs.
FRANK thinks - I wonder what my line name is gonna be? How are they gonna see me?
MARTIN thinks - Did dad know this was starting tonight? I bet they got in contact with him! Damn, he's probably here!
FRANK thinks - How do the come up with those crazy names anyway? I couldn't even pronounce Jason's. I gotta stop being so stupid! I almost got my ass kicked that night!
MARTIN thinks - I know he'll be here when I cross, but when the hell will that be? When is six weeks from now?
(silence)
(silence)
FRANK thinks - I need to bend over, my back hurts.
10:46 pm
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - This can't go on too much longer becau... oh wait, what was that?
(silence)
FRANK thinks - If I bend over to stretch my back, someone will see me. I gotta stand tall. I'll be alright because they should be coming to get me in a few minutes. I've been standing here forever.
MARTIN thinks - Thought I heard something. Guess not. But they should be done with Frank soon. I hope he's okay and he remembers his stuff.
FRANK thinks - I can't move! Come on! You can do this! It can't be too much longer!
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GINA gets right to the point with KATRICE.
GINA - So are you a lesbian?
APRIL thinks - Oh shit!
PJ thinks - Oh shit!
OCTAVIA - Don't you think thats getting a little too personal?
GINA - Well... I did't think so. We're amongst sorors... sisters.
KATRICE - No its all good. I'll answer it.
(The room gets quiet.)
KATRICE - Yes. Yes I am a lesbian.
OCTAVIA - You are? I thought Mona was just talking trash!
KATRICE - No. She was right. I deal with women.
GINA - Dag, I thought she was just talking mess too. Wow, I really didn't think you were gonna say yes.
KATRICE - Well yeah... I said yes. I've dealt with women for a while now and I'm content. I don't like to be judged or whatever.
(silence)
APRIL - Well if that's your thing... then I guess its your thing. No judging.
(KATRICE shoots a glance at APRIL.)
KATRICE - Yeah April... that's my thing.
GINA - Have you ever spoken about it before? I mean, are you in the closet?
KATRICE - I didn't want to bring it up when I was trying out for the hood. I know people have funny ideas about my lifestyle and whenever a person is gay or lesbian, straight folk think we checkin' them out all of a sudden. Trust me when I tell you, I don't want none of you hos!
(Everyone laughs.)
APRIL thinks - Yeah right!
KATRICE - But seriously, it isn't that I hate men or didn't enjoy dating men when I did. It isn't that I want to be a dude or butch or something.
OCTAVIA - Clearly because you definitely are ladylike and womanly.
KATRICE - Its just my style and this is my preference. I prefer this over something else.
APRIL - But what I don't understand is why? You know? Like what made you first try that in the first place?
(KATRICE pauses before she answers, she seems to be getting tired of APRIL.)
KATRICE - Well its a long story. If yall want to hear it, I can tell it. Its up to you.
GINA - I don't mind. We just hanging out talking and we don't have to babysit. So let's talk.
PJ - Yeah girl, spill it.
(KATRICE smiles.)
KATRICE - Well, like I said, I've always dated men all my life. Never even thought of anything else. And then there was this one girl that was different to me. Different in the sense of... well I don't know. Its kinda hard to explain but let's just say she fascinated me. She wasn't lesbian or anything.
GINA - Oh she wasn't?
KATRICE - Not this one. But I used to stare at her a lot. I loved to talk to her. I tried to be around her all the time. She wasn't all that pretty or whatever. She was just her and I just liked her. This was back in high school, right before I graduated and came here.
GINA - Oh okay. Back then.
OCTAVIA - So at this point you hadn't been with a woman yet?
KATRICE - No. Not yet. I had a little boyfriend in high school or whatever. Went to my prom and all.
PJ - Lord, let me see the prom pictures!
(They all laugh.)
KATRICE - I burned them in my coming out party.
(They laugh again.)
KATRICE - So that was that but with this girl, her name was Kendall, she was fascinating. I wanted to be in her classes, I wanted to hang out with her after school, just be her friend. She was stunning to me, but not gorgeous to everyone else. Ya know? She had a hidden beauty that drew me hard. I used to write poems about her and to her that I never let anyone read.
PJ - Sands I didn't know you wrote poems!
APRIL - You didn't know she was a lesbian either! Yall's line aint deep! Yall don't know each other! Ha ha ha ha ha!
(KATRICE doesn't laugh with everyone else. PJ only half smiles.)
KATRICE - Anyway, by the time I got here to school, my focus had changed. The world just seemed different once I got out of daddy and mommy's house. Very different.
GINA - Do your parents know?
KATRICE - My mother does.
GINA - And she is okay with it?
KATRICE - She doesn't have a choice.
APRIL - Dag! My folks would flip.
OCTAVIA - My dad would too. He's been trying to set me up with some boy from down the street since we were eleven! I hate that boy!
(Everyone laughs.)
KATRICE - Well yall know when I got here I used to date Dexter.
GINA - Dexter?
KATRICE - He's a Que.
GINA - I don't think I know him.
KATRICE - Well yeah. I used to go with Dex and that was cool. But I met someone else and I actually stepped out on Dex and did my thing with her. It was my first experience with the lifestyle.
GINA - Wow!
APRIL - See, that's my question. The first time. I don't seem to get it. Like, what would make you... I mean what would lead you to... I mean...
(silence)
(KATRICE stares at APRIL.)
KATRICE - You know what April, I'm about tired of your bullshit. Why are you acting like you don't know about first experiences?
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12:06 am
FRANK thinks - Gotta keep standing! Gotta keep my eyes shut!
MARTIN thinks - What the hell happened to Frank? I been standing here forever and have barely heard a peep!
(silence)
(silence)
FRANK thinks - Maybe if I peek...
MARTIN thinks - I knew Frank was weak! Damn! We just needed a little more time together to get him down with his history! Maybe he cracked under the pressure! What the hell is goin' on this year? What the hell happened to Max?
FRANK thinks - No... don't be stupid! If its a bro standing right here, I can't risk that!
MARTIN thinks - Max is my boy and he was down! He wanted this bad! Why isn't he here?
FRANK thinks - Okay okay... I can do this. I can do this. My time is coming... no my time is here! This is the beginning of my process and I can do this... just be strong, be strong!
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - Maybe they got Max goin' through a test too... but what about what Bobby was saying?
FRANK thinks - Okay, I need to get my mind off my back and legs. Let me count or something... ninety nine bottles of beer on the wall, ninety nine bottles of beer, if one of those bottles should happen to fall, ninety eight bottles of beer on the wall... ninety eight bottles of...
MARTIN thinks - Bobby said something about gay but... naw. Well anyway, I need to worry about Frank right now. They've had him forever and he is still being tested? What kind of test is this?
(silence)
FRANK thinks - ...sixty nine bottles of beer on the wall, sixty nine bottles of...
12:43 am
MARTIN thinks - Okay this is ridiculous!
(silence)
(silence)
FRANK thinks - Oh... I just heard...
(silence)
FRANK thinks - Damn. sixty seven bottles of beer on the wall, sixty seven bottles of...
MARTIN thinks - Dad never told me about any tests that would take hours like this. And I'm just standing here waiting forever for my chance! If it takes this long with me too, I'm gonna fall asleep!
FRANK thinks - Enough with this stupid countin'! I need to stretch, my knees are about to buckle!
(silence)
(silence)
FRANK thinks - Maybe I can rub my knee somehow...
(FRANK wants to bend down and rub his knee, but he is afraid to since he doesn't know where the Alphas are in the room.)
FRANK thinks - Oh wait...
(FRANK uses his left knee to semi massage his right knee. It provides a temporary comfort.)
MARTIN thinks - Oh God! I gotta pee!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MONA is in her room. She picks up her phone and dials.
MIKE - Hello.
MONA - Hi Michael.
MIKE - Hey.
MONA - You busy?
MIKE - Kinda.
MONA - Busy doing what?
MIKE - I'm talking to a possible candidate about the frat.
MONA - Oh yeah?
MIKE - Yeah.
MONA - I miss you and I want to see you.
MIKE - I don't know Mona, I mean... well let me hit you back when I'm done.
MONA - No.
MIKE - No?
MONA - No, I need to see you now.
(MIKE laughs.)
MIKE - Oh really?
MONA - Really. Come on over.
MIKE - I just said that I was...
MONA - I heard what you said.
(silence)
MIKE - And like I said, I will call you...
MONA - You're talking to an interested dude?
MIKE - Yeah, I already said that?
MONA - How are you doing that when your chapter is suspended?
(MIKE loses his smile.)
MIKE - How did you know that?
MONA - I know a lot. I know why yall are suspended, I know the approximate length of time, I know who is named in the case and I know that right now it isn't even a full suspension becuase it hasn't been signed off yet.
(MIKE sits up in his chair.)
MIKE - Mona, how do you know all this!
MONA - You coming to see me or not?
(silence)
MIKE - I'll be right there.
(CLICK)
(MONA hangs up and smiles. She continues to clean her room. She picks up a picture of MIKE and smiles. She places it back down. She dials again.)
MIYA's voice mail - Hiya this is Miya! Leave me a message and I'll hit ya back! Biya! Please leave your message after the tone. Press five to send a numeric page.
(BEEP)
MONA - Girl where you at? I gotta tell you something. Hit me back.
MIYA's voice mail - To send this message now press pound... your message has been sent. Thank you.
(CLICK)
MONA thinks - Where is that chick at?
(She dials again.)
SHARONDA - Hey wassup.
MONA - Nothing. You seen Miya?
(silence)
SHARONDA - Naw.
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1:20 am
FRANK thinks - I can't do this... I can't take this another minute...
(Tears start to well up in FRANK's eyes but he keeps them shut tight.)
FRANK thinks - Is this simple thing gonna break me? I haven't even gone for my test yet but I'm dying!
MARTIN thinks - Maybe they sent Frank home! God I hope not!
FRANK thinks - ...I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable sould! In the fell clutch of...
MARTIN thinks - I wonder if I can make a sound, so then I can ask one of them if I can use the bathroom. One of the Alphas will probably come to me if I make a sound.
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - Oh but wait... I can't do that!
FRANK thinks - Out of the night that covers me! Black as the pit from pole to pole! I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul!
MARTIN thinks - Jason specifically said to not make any sounds... plus whoever was in my ear said... damn! Damn!
FRANK thinks - God! I can't keep doing this!
MARTIN thinks - Okay let me think back to what they said... think clearly... maybe there was something I was supposed to catch or something... think man! Think!
(silence)
(As tight as FRANK has his eyes closed, a tear makes its way through. He doesn't even want to move to wipe his face.)
FRANK thinks - God help me! My back is killing me!
1:46 am
(silence)
FRANK thinks - I'm cracking! I can't take much more of this standing here!
MARTIN thinks - Okay, I need a serious plan here. I need to think clearly, not get sleepy and figure this out.
(silence)
FRANK thinks - God, this is what I want! I knew it would be hard! Don't start actin' like a pussy now! Man up! Man up!
MARTIN thinks - I can't move... I can't say anything, and I can't open my eyes. But if I take a peek... I can at least assess my situation better because right now I just don't know what the hell is goin' on.
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - I gotta peek.
FRANK thinks - I can't even feel my damn knees anymore!
MARTIN thinks - I gotta make it quick... just an open and shut, then I can figure out where I am, how many brothers are here... what time it is or something! I can't even believe some brothers are still nearby me. After all this time, how long have I been standing here.
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - I need to count down from ten. If nobody says anything to me at all, I'm gonna peek. Okay cool. That's what I'm gonna do. Peek at one. Okay, ten... nine... eight...
FRANK thinks - Why would Martin take hours and hours for testing or something? As thorough as he is and his dad is an Alpha! If they break him, then I aint got a damn chance in hell!
MARTIN thinks - ...five... four... three...
FRANK thinks - I can't feel my legs and my foot is like asleep. Its getting hard to even stand here dammit! What the fuck!
MARTIN thinks - ...one!
(silence)
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - If I count down from ten one more time, this time I'll open my eyes for real. Okay ten... nine... eight...
FRANK thinks - I keep hearing somebody breathing... I know I aint alone! How the hell did they stay with me this whole time?
MARTIN thinks - ...six... five... four...
(silence)
MARTIN - ...two... one...
(MARTIN opens his eyes quickly.)
2:21 am
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DEXTER - ...all I'm sayin' is I'm kinda pissed because some nigga is doin' this same shit to my sister and its pissin' me off!
TY - What?
RONNIE - Yo hold up hold up! Somebody fuckin' with baby girl? Fo sho?
DEXTER - Yeah man.
DRE - Who?
DEXTER - This nigga Gregg.
RONNIE - Gregg?
DEXTER - Yeah, that nigga got her all twisted up. No tellin' what he sayin' on the yard or tellin' his boys.
RONNIE - What! We should fuck that cat ass dude up!
DEXTER - I don't need your help for that. I can kick his ass myself.
DRE - Well what you doin' about it?
DEXTER - First of all, I went to J. She be gettin' on my nerves too though because all she do is defend a nigga and she don't see what he's probably doin' behind the scenes.
DRE - True true.
TY - Yeah, cats will talk.
DEXTER - I'm sayin'. But she don't like hearin' shit from me though.
RONNIE - But that's your sister so you gotta look out.
DEXTER - Oh no doubt. But I'm sayin' she be frustratin' a bruh.
DRE - I can imagine.
TY - Yeah.
DEXTER - Then, I stepped to that cat and he acted like he didn't know the deal. Playing dumb.
RONNIE - You should've clocked his ass!
DEXTER - I would've but there some other dude in the room. So we both bounced but the shit aint done. You can't mess with my sister and get away with it.
RONNIE - I'm sayin'! We should step up and end this shit here and now!
DRE - Oh God, don't you get to plottin'!
DEXTER - Actually, I did have a plan. Its stupid though.
RONNIE - Well what is it?
TY - Yeah, I gotta hear this! Ha ha ha ha!
DEXTER - Well, remember Gregg used to fuck with PJ. That's what made me think of Gregg in the first place with Ronnie's lyin ass.
RONNIE - Shut up!
DEXTER - Well, if I could somehow get PJ to take that nigga back.
TY thinks - What?
DEXTER - Plus, let J see how foul it is for Gregg to be up on her and he used to be messin' with PJ and they like best friends. But its a stupid idea.
RONNIE - No no, that's a good idea! That's a real good idea!
(RONNIE sits forward on the couch.)
RONNIE - I think I got an idea to make that happen dog!
DEXTER - You do?
DRE - Oh God!
RONNIE - Dog, this is a good one and I can see it working! But we all gotta help. You too Ty, get over here youngin'! Check this out!
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(MARTIN opens his eyes quickly.)
2:21 am
(MARTIN sees absolutely nothing. The room is pitch black to where you cannot see your hand in front of your face and MARTIN's eyes never adjusted regardless.)
MARTIN thinks - God! What in the world is this! They locked me in the basement or something! Is this some kind of practical joke?
FRANK thinks - My face is wet and I need to wipe my cheeks... but damn! My nose is running!
MARTIN thinks - This is crazy as hell! Its pitch black! I need to take another look.
(silence)
(silence)
(MARTIN opens his right eye a little. Then his left.)
(silence)
(MARTIN holds his hand in front of his face. He cannot see it.)
MARTIN thinks - What the hell?
FRANK thinks - If I wipe my eyes will they notice? If I fall out on the floor from exhaustion and sleepiness, will they notice? Shit!
(MARTIN slowly turns to his right and to his left. He sees absolutely nothing. He closes his eyes.)
MARTIN thinks - What the hell! What time is it and what is goin' on!
2:30 am
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There is a knock on MONA's door. She smiles.
MONA thinks - I got that brother wrapped around my little...
(She opens the door.)
MONA - Hi Michael. Um... who's he?
(MIKE walks past MONA.)
MIKE - This is Terrance. Terrance say hi to Mona.
TERRANCE - Hi nice to meet you.
MONA - Uh yeah. Um... Mike, I didn't know you were bringing your guest.
MIKE - I wasn't finished with him and you rushed me up here. So...
(silence)
MONA - Um... Terrance, make yourself at home. Mike, let me talk to you in the bedroom.
MIKE - Cool. Terrance I'll be back.
TERRANCE - Okay, take your time.
(MONA looks at TERRANCE as he sits down. She then grabs her purse and takes it with her.)
MONA - Why didn't you tell me you were bringing him!
MIKE - How do you know all that shit?
(MONA smiles.)
MONA - I don't get a hug no more?
MIKE - Mona.
(MONA opens her arms. MIKE hugs her, MONA holds on and extends it.)
MIKE - Okay, now how do you know all that information about us?
MONA - Sit down.
(MIKE sits.)
MONA - Okay, check this out. I got some things to share with you but before I do that, I just want to ask you one personal question.
MIKE - Yeah.
MONA - Are you breaking up with me?
(MIKE doesn't answer at first.)
MIKE - I just need to think about some things. Why? Does that decipher whether or not you tell me?
MONA - Of course it does.
MIKE - I knew it!
(MONA laughs.)
MONA - Naw, I'm just playin'. But for real Michael, I do miss you and I miss hanging out with you and laughing with you. And if you're gonna break up with me over something like that... over a difference of opinion... I mean damn.
MIKE - Well honestly Mona I miss you too. I miss starting trouble with you.
(MONA laughs but look innocent.)
MONA - Starting trouble? Who me?
(MIKE laughs.)
(silence)
(MONA leans in and kisses MIKE softly. He kisses her back.)
MONA - Welcome back.
MIKE - Thank you.
MONA - Don't ever leave again negro.
MIKE - Then watch yourself.
(MONA smiles as she leans back.)
MONA - Okay, now let's talk business.
MIKE - Hit me.
MONA - What I am about to share with you cannot leave this room. This aint news yet but its big, so promise me you won't tell anyone yet.
MIKE - I won't.
MONA - Not Xavier or Gregg.
MIKE - That's easy, no problem.
MONA - Nor Dell.
MIKE - Dell, how do you know Dell?
(MONA smiles.)
MONA - You promise?
MIKE - Damn girl, you good! Hell yeah I promise. Now how you know all this shit?
MONA - Okay. President Bryce is resigning from his position here at Ahpla. He got another offer at another university and he is moving on.
MIKE - What!
MONA - Yeah. He's about t be out. And my mother will probably be the next president of the university.
MIKE - What! Are you serious!
MONA - As cancer!
MIKE - Oh shit!
MONA - So my mom is starting to get access to things. Paperwork, files, all kinds of stuff. And me being the little roving reporter that I am...
MIKE - You saw some of our documents.
MONA - Right. Did you know that yall aren't officially suspended yet?
MIKE - We aren't?
MONA - Not officially. Bryce never signed off on it. Without his signature, it can't go through.
MIKE - Shit! I didn't know!
MONA - Dell aint gonna tell you that. And if my mom is president...
MIKE - She'll never sign it.
MONA - Not only that, but guess who is gonna be appointed the new undergraduate director of student life and activities?
MIKE - You?
MONA - Damn right!
MIKE - Shit! That puts you in charge of all campus Greeks!
MONA - Right!
MIKE - So technically, you could tear that suspension notice up and never approve it!
MONA - Technically I could! As long as...
MIKE - As long as?
(She turns to him and leans in again.)
MONA - As long as the kisses keep coming!
(MIKE and MONA start to passionately kiss.)
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4:15 am
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - I don't know...
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - ...
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - I don't know if I can do this...
(silence)
MARTIN thinks - ...
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
(MARTIN hears a click but it doesn't register. He is so sleepy, he doesn't know what it is.)
(silence)
(JASON quietly and slowly makes his way downstairs. Once he is almost at the bottom of the stairs, he looks into the basement.)
JASON thinks - Oh my God!
(He laughs to himself as he sees FRANK rolled up in the fetal position on the floor sleeping and MARTIN bent over with his hands on his knees supporting himself about to fall over. JASON smiles.)
JASON thinks - Welcome to the pledge process little brothers!
4:30 am
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