Pledgee Sticks alias BRENDON is learning how to play the trombone. This is not his instrument, but he and his line brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi are being punished because BRENDON missed the last assignment.
BRENDON - Man, I don't know how to play this shit!
JOHN - Well we wouldn't be playing these if you had come with us!
TONY thinks - Yeah dammit!
BRENDON - I told yall, there was no way I could leave those fliers...
TONY - Yeah yeah, we heard it all before.
JOHN - What's the right chord for this again?
BRENDON - Um... I don't know.
TONY - Man, this is nuts!
JOHN - And its really getting on my nerves!
BRENDON thinks - Damn... now even J hates me!
TONY - We sound like shit!
BRENDON - These are not our instruments.
TONY - I know dummy! I know!
BRENDON - Well how are we supposed to sound!
JOHN - If we don't learn this piece, we gonna sound like some niggas doin' some push ups! All because of your ass again Sticks!
BRENDON - Alright man! Alright! I said I was sorry!
JOHN - Well sorry aint good enough! I know for one I'm damn sure nuff tired of hearing you say that shit!
BRENDON - What?
JOHN - For real Brendon. I mean, you my man and all, but got damn bruh. You aint progressing through this process one bit.
TONY - Hold up hold up. What's got into you?
(TONY puts his instrument down.)
JOHN - I'm just sayin' man. Damn.
BRENDON - Say what you gotta say John.
JOHN - Man...
(JOHN thinks about it.)
JOHN - Man nevermind.
BRENDON - Naw, go head.
TONY - Yeah, I gotta hear this.
JOHN - You gonna hear worse than this is Organized Noise or Kai Kai Psi come back in here and we aint got this song down pat.
BRENDON - Forget them. Say what you gotta say.
JOHN - See, that's my point! You can't say forget them. Because everytime you do that, you might as well say forget us. When you disregard our big brothers, they take that shit out on us, not you! Maybe if you got punished for your own shit, then you wouldn't make these dumb ass mistakes any more.
(silence)
(JOHN starts to practice again.)
TONY - Well damn. I sure didn't expect you to say the exact thing that I was thinking.
JOHN - I'm just tired man.
BRENDON - So you feel the same way T?
TONY - You know me bruh.
BRENDON - Okay so its like that?
TONY - Aint none of us come in here hating on you. When you started to fuck up, thats when we got upset. And you don't show the kind of remorse that makes us think that you care. So why should we?
(silence)
BRENDON - Fine. You guys have made your point.
(BRENDON puts the trombone down.)
BRENDON - And made it well.
(He starts to leave.)
JOHN - Where are you going?
BRENDON - I don't want to be a burden to you guys. Maybe this whole thing is out of my league. Fuck it. I aint tryin' to ruin yall's chances of getting in. I'm out. Good luck fellas.
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The ladies of Alpha Kappa Alpha are talking and have asked KATRICE about her sexual orientation.
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?
APRIL - Huh?
KATRICE - Oh cut the bullshit!
APRIL - What... are... you... talking... about?
(APRIL looks at KATRICE with a look of terror. KATRICE looks pissed.)
PJ thinks - Oh shit!
KATRICE - You know damn well what I'm talking about! I'm sick and tired of you trying to play me!
APRIL - I'm not tryin' to...
KATRICE - Yes you are and you know it!
OCTAVIA - Sorors... sorors, what's going on?
KATRICE - I'm gonna tell you exactly what's goin'
APRIL - No no wait!
(APRIL gets up and tries to put her hand over KATRICE's mouth to shut her up.)
KATRICE - Oh now you wanna shut me up? Get off me! Get off me!
APRIL - Katrice!
KATRICE - What's wrong? You don't want nobody to know that we slept with each other?
OCTAVIA - What!
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BRENDON turns to leave the practice room.
BRENDON - So good luck fellas.
JOHN - Wait hold up. How you just gonna up and leave now? So you a quitter now?
BRENDON - Whatever. What do you care? Without me, your life will be a lot easier.
JOHN - Aint nobody said all that and stop trying to lay a guilt trip. Get back in here and learn your shit.
TONY - Naw man, let him go.
(JOHN turns to TONY.)
JOHN - What?
TONY - He's right. Maybe this aint for him and its showing through this process. We still gonna be boys. We still gonna be in the band. Its still all good. But maybe this shit just aint for him and I can respect him making a decision like that. I know it must be difficult but this is the first time you put someone else before yourself. Besides your brother.
(JOHN turns to BRENDON.)
TONY - So good luck to you too.
(TONY extends his hand toward BRENDON. BRENDON takes it and they come together for a hug.)
BRENDON - Thanks.
JOHN - You're really gonna leave? I don't think this is good. Bren, you can do this shit, just start using your head.
BRENDON - Naw man, I'm out.
(BRENDON extends his hand toward JOHN. JOHN reluctantly takes it and they hug as well.)
BRENDON - Peace fellas. I'll call Kai and straighten it out with him and the other brothers.
(The next two sounds that BRENDON hears are the door closing behind him and an awful trombone noise being played from inside the room.)
BRENDON thinks - They aint even gonna run after me and try and stop me again. Shit.
(BRENDON walks upstairs in the Fine Arts building and looks around. Nobody is in the hall. The place is unusually quiet. He checks his watch.)
BRENDON thinks - Weird. Whatever.
(He walks outside onto the yard. There are people walking around. He pulls out his cell phone to call KAI but thinks twice and puts it back.)
BRENDON - Man, this shit is crazy! Am I doing the right thing?
(He walks to a bench and sits down. A girl passing by speaks.)
PATRICE - Hi Brandon.
(BRENDON looks up.)
BRENDON - Oh... hey.
(She smiles as she continues walking.)
BRENDON thinks - Whatever.
(He looks back at the Fine Arts building, almost hoping to see either TONY or JOHN coming after him. He doesn't.)
BRENDON thinks - So much for teamwork.
(He pulls out his cell phone again. He dials.)
BRANDON - Hey.
BRENDON - Wassup man, where you at?
BRANDON - Just got out of class but bout to go to lab. Where you?
BRENDON - Yard.
BRANDON - Oh cool. Wassup?
BRENDON - Nothing, nevermind. Just call me when you get out.
BRANDON - You need something now? Cuz my lab is four hours.
BRENDON - Naw, its cool. Hit me later.
BRANDON - Aight.
BRENDON - Later.
(They hang up.)
(silence)
(BRENDON gets up and starts to walk toward the shuttle bus stop.)
BRENDON thinks - This is all for the better. Pledging obviously is just not my thing. Its Brandon's thing. But clearly not mine.
(BRENDON's spirit feels down and it shows in the way he walks. He is very good at hiding emotion however, and continues to walk in silence.)
BRENDON thinks - Damn... to fail twice.
(As he turns the corner, he sees a familiar face.)
BRENDON thinks - Oh Lord.
(He stops walking.)
MIKE - Brendon!
BRENDON - Big Mike. What's up player.
MIKE - Just the cat I need to talk to! Where you headed?
BRENDON - Um... I was headed to class.
(MIKE looks BRENDON up and down.)
MIKE - Nigga stop lying. You aint got no books and you almost at the shuttle.
(BRENDON smiles, eventhough he doesn't want to.)
MIKE - Follow me, I need to talk to you.
(BRENDON does. They make small talk as they approach the Callis Student Union. They go into the lounge and find a secluded area and sit down.)
BRENDON thinks - Damn, it would be just my fuckin' luck have Kai's ass see me in here chillin' with Mike.
MIKE - Yo, lets get down to business shall we?
BRENDON - Business? What are you talking about?
(MIKE smiles.)
MIKE - How is your pursuit of Kappa coming?
(BRENDON sits up straight.)
BRENDON - Excuse me?
MIKE - You know, that other Kappa. KKPsi. How's it going?
BRENDON - How did you know about that?
MIKE - I have my ways. Listen. I know things aren't going well for you over there with them.
BRENDON thinks - What!
BRENDON - How do you...
MIKE - Nevermind how I know. Just know that I check up on my peeps. And you cool with me Bren, so I got a watchful eye out for you.
BRENDON - For what? And where is this going?
MIKE - For this...
(MIKE looks around, then back at BRENDON.)
MIKE - We're back baby! The Nupes are back! We can have intake now and I want you in! I got one other guy down already and with you, we'd have the perfect combination! I know shit was shady back in the day, but this time its for real! I know you still want KAPsi and we want you!
(BRENDON is sitting in a silent shock.)
MIKE - So what you say man? You up for the challenge or what?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DONNA and CANDACE are in front of Pearl Library. DONNA is trying to tell CANDACE something.
DONNA - Candace, forget all that! There's something real important that I need to tell you!
CANDACE - Alright alright, what could possibly be so...
(CANDACE stops.)
CANDACE thinks - Oh God, she's pregnant!
CANDACE - Ooooh, um... lets sit down over here okay?
DONNA - Yeah, sure.
(They walk to a bench next to the library. CANDACE is walking gingerly and looking at DONNA's body.)
CANDACE thinks - She doesn't look pregnant just yet. Maybe she just found out.
(They sit and DONNA immediately turns to CANDACE.)
DONNA - Candace, I should've told you this a long time ago.
CANDACE - Its okay. Whatever it is.
DONNA - No its not okay.
CANDACE - No really... it is.
(CANDACE puts her arm on DONNA's shoulder.)
CANDACE - And if you ever need to talk... I mean really talk about anything...
(DONNA brushes CANDACE's arm away.)
DONNA - Will you stop being so fucking nice all the time?
(CANDACE jumps back.)
DONNA - Just shut the hell up and listen!
(CANDACE is quiet. DONNA takes a deep breath.)
DONNA - I should've told you this a long time ago and I am so sorry I didn't. I just didn't know what to do or how to handle it.
(CANDACE is still quiet.)
DONNA - Well anyway, here goes.
(DONNA looks CANDACE straight into her eyes.)
DONNA - Candace, Caryn has been lying to you. Althought Lil Derrick's is Nino's biological son, she never slept with him.
(silence)
CANDACE - What?
DONNA - She got pregnant by...
(DONNA pauses at the mere thought.)
DONNA - ...by using a condom on herself. She was trying to hook Gregg and she... well she hooked Nino by accident.
(They are both staring at each other.)
(silence)
DONNA - Are you okay?
CANDACE - Oh I'm fine. Just peachy.
(DONNA is taken aback by CANDACE's tone.)
DONNA - Huh?
(CANDACE turns her head away, then turns back toward DONNA with an angry tone.)
CANDACE - Donna, haven't I been nothing but nice to you? Haven't I looked out for you all this time and tried to help you in what you're trying to do?
DONNA - Yes! Yes you have and I am so sorry that I didn't tell you this sooner!
CANDACE - Tell me sooner? What the hell are you talking about? How you gonna pose like you're being my friend and getting all this info about my sorority out of me, then turn around and tell me some bold face lie about my deceased fiance!
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OCTAVIA - What!
APRIL - Ha ha ha ha! No I didn't! Ha... stop playing!
KATRICE - Yes you did!
APRIL - Girl stop playing!
(GINA is simply staring in shock.)
KATRICE - Oh yeah? You don't want to admit it?
(KATRICE turns.)
KATRICE - PJ...
(Everyone stops and looks at PJ. PJ laughs.)
PJ - Ha ha ha ha, oh you gonna put me on the spot?
KATRICE - Tell em Peej.
(silence)
PJ - Yeah, its true. I walked in on em. Sorry Appie.
APRIL - PJ!
GINA - Yall messed around with each other?
KATRICE - Yes we did! And its not about calling April out and shit. I wasn't even gonna say shit but she's sitting here trying to play me.
APRIL - No I wasn't! Shit!
PJ - Yes you were April. Come on now, stop trippin'.
GINA - Oh my God you messed around with each other! Oh my God!
KATRICE - It really wasn't that big of a deal. I thought April was cute when I met her. I pushed up on her.
GINA - But... but...
KATRICE - And its not like April is into that lifestyle or anything. Its just that me approaching her was different. And probably somewhat interesting. I really wasn't gonna say anything.
GINA - April why were you acting the way you were?
PJ - Yeah man, you was trippin'.
APRIL - Because I was scared and embarrassed alright! Damn!
PJ - Well that's what you get. Next time keep your mouth shut.
APRIL - Shut up PJ!
(PJ laughs.)
PJ - Hey, don't get mad at me! Ha ha ha ha!
KATRICE - Just don't disrespect me April. That's really not cool.
GINA - I am in shock. My goodness.
PJ - How you think I felt when I walked in the room! Ha ha ha ha!
GINA - God!
KATRICE - Oh it isn't that big a deal.
APRIL - Maybe not for you but imagine for someone that's straight, like me.
GINA - Yeah, I feel you.
(silence)
APRIL - But it only happened once! And that's the truth.
KATRICE - Yeah, that's true.
(silence)
APRIL - Sands... what's the matter?
(APRIL looks at OCTAVIA who has been very quiet.)
APRIL - You okay?
(silence)
(OCTAVIA gets up and grabs her bag.)
OCTAVIA - Yeah.... I gotta go.
APRIL - Wait, where you goin'?
OCTAVIA - I just gotta go.
(APRIL gets up and grabs OCTAVIA's bag by the strap.)
APRIL - Wait, what's the matter? Are you upset or something?
OCTAVIA - I don't wanna talk about it.
APRIL - Talk about what?
OCTAVIA - Let go of my bag.
APRIL - No, talk to me.
OCTAVIA - I don't want to talk to you. Give me my bag!
(OCTAVIA snatches her bag and turns to leave.)
PJ - Wait wait, hold up. Its okay if Katrice is a lesbian but not if April is? Is that what you sayin'?
APRIL - I'm not a lesbian!
PJ - Shut up, you know what I mean!
(OCTAVIA has stopped because PJ is standing in front of her.)
OCTAVIA - Move PJ.
PJ - What? You big sister NAACP again? Girl please, what's your problem?
OCTAVIA - Okay fine!
(OCTAVIA turns around and faces APRIL.)
OCTAVIA - Fine! I'll admit it! I'm pissed off and hurt! Yeah I was concerned about Katrice, but it hits home for me when its my line sister and yall can brush it off all day long but I'm not! Now get out of my way!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DONNA has just told CANDACE about CARYN's lie. CANDACE doesn't seem to believe her.
DONNA - Yes! Yes you have and I am so sorry that I didn't tell you this sooner!
CANDACE - Tell me sooner? What the hell are you talking about? How you gonna pose like you're being my friend and getting all this info about my sorority out of me, then turn around and tell me some bold face lie about my deceased fiance!
DONNA - Bold face lie? Candace I'm telling the truth! Why would I make something like this up!
CANDACE - I don't know and I don't care! I buried Nino a long time ago and I'm not going to let those feelings resurface again!
DONNA - Candace wait... wait I'm telling you the truth! I swear! Caryn hasn't told anyone but me because she trusts me but what she did was foul and messed up!
CANDACE - No, what you're doing now is foul and messed up!
(DONNA grabs both of CANDACE's arms forcefully.)
DONNA - Listen to me!
(CANDACE looks a bit surprised.)
DONNA - Wake up out of your little dream world okay! I know you got an NBA star who takes good care of you but come back down to earth with the rest of us! People are shady and people do shady things! I know, I used to. But I would never do anything to hurt you, not after all you've done for me.
(She lets go of CANDACE's arms.)
DONNA - Caryn is a triflin' ho! She's got some serious issues that I think stem from her childhood or something. But nonetheless, she told me that she wanted to get pregnant by Gregg, he wouldn't do it with her without a condom, so she took an old condom from his garbage can...
(She can't finish the story.)
CANDACE - But if it was in Gregg's garbage can, then how...
DONNA - That's what I'm saying. It was Gregg's garbage can in Gregg's bathroom. Gregg and Nino were roommates. So...
(silence)
DONNA - ...you do the math.
(silence)
CANDACE - So...
DONNA - So... yes that is Nino's son. You can probably tell that just from looking at him. But...
(silence)
DONNA - ...but Nino never cheated on you. Ever.
(silence)
DONNA - From what I hear about him, he couldn't. He didn't have it in him. All he had in him was a passion for you.
(silence)
(silence)
(silence)
(CANDACE looks away.)
(silence)
DONNA - Are you okay?
(silence)
(When CANDACE looks back she is teary eyed.)
CANDACE - Yeah... yeah I'm fine.
(DONNA reaches toward CANDACE and hugs her.)
DONNA - I'm sorry you had to go through all this.
(DONNA lets go and sits back up.)
CANDACE - Thanks...
(CANDACE's demeanor instantly changes as she wipes a tear away and starts to take her earrings off.)
CANDACE - ...but you're not half as sorry as Caryn is about to be!
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(PJ steps aside and OCTAVIA brushes past her.)
APRIL - Octavia wait!
KATRICE - Let her go! That's foul.
(APRIL rushes after OCTAVIA.)
PJ - Yall chicks are so full of drama its sick. Ha ha ha ha!
(APRIL catches up with OCTAVIA in the hall. She runs past her and stops in front of her, blocking her from going to the elevator.)
APRIL - What the hell is the matter with you!
OCTAVIA - What the hell is the matter with you! How dare you ask me that! I aint the one sleeping with other women!
APRIL - Octavia, I am not a lesbian, this thing happened once!
OCTAVIA - Oh okay... that makes it better!
APRIL - What? You got an issue with gay people or something?
OCTAVIA - No, I got an issue with you! When are you gonna get your damn act together? When are you gonna start acting responsible at all! You make me so mad sometimes because you are so smart and have so much potential but you waste it all on doing stupid stuff!
APRIL - Oh so just because I aint you, going to whatever medical school I want and driving a fat ass ride...
OCTAVIA - The only reason I'm going to med school is because I work hard and I deserve it! And I definitely aint gonna apologize for studying and for applying myself!
APRIL - But what about living life? Your nose is in a book, you missed out on all that going to a Black school has to offer!
OCTAVIA - April, I didn't come here to party. I came here to get a degree. I can party after I close my practice down for the week and ake a two week vacation in the islands! It aint time to celebrate now because I aint got it yet! And you need to get that!
(silence)
(OCTAVIA steps past APRIL and walks to the elevator. She pushes the button.)
OCTAVIA - You need to start making better decisions.
(silence)
(The elevator door opens and OCTAVIA steps on as XAVIER and REGGIE happen to be stepping off.)
REGGIE - Octavia, what's up girl.
OCTAVIA - Hey guys.
(REGGIE detects her tone.)
REGGIE thinks - What's wrong with her?
(The elevator door closes and XAVIER and REGGIE turn and see APRIL standing in the hall.)
REGGIE - Hey April.
APRIL - Hi Regg. Hi Xavier.
XAVIER - Hi? Hi?
(XAVIER walks toward APRIL. She looks confused.)
XAVIER - You know that was real foul what you said about me in that email April. I see how you roll. Its like that now? Cool. I'm totally through with you.
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