Episode 35

Two of the brothers of Kappa Kappa Psi band fraternity, MARK and KAI, are in the band room waiting on the pledgees.

KAI - I know one thing... them two negroes better get here with all that stuff! Or they gonna be loading the bus for the rest of the damn season!

MARK - This wasa mistake man. There's no way two guys are gonna get all that stuff done. We should've given them a few of the assignments and then had the brothers do the rest.

KAI - Well its too late now.

MARK - Prof is gonna have our ass!

KAI - No he won't. He shouldn't be given us a million things to do anyway.

MARK - Yeah well...

(The door opens and the pledgees, JOHN, TONY and BRENDON bust through the door carrying three large bags.)

KAI - What the...

MARK - Well well welll... if it isn't Sticks. You back with us all of a sudden huh?

BRENDON - Yes Big Brother Organized Noise!

KAI - Hold up... I thought you left Sticks! I wrote you off in my book!

BRENDON - Big brother, if my line brothers will accept me back, I beg the brotherhood to consider taking me back as well.

(silence)

MARK - Did yall get the stuff?

TONY - Yes Big Brother Organized Noise. We... were able to get everything.

MARK - Empty it all out.

(The pledgees start to empty the bags out.)

KAI - How did yall get all this shit done?

BRENDON - Well... uh... Big Brother Kai Kai Psi... when we split the responsibilities between the three of us... you know, I did a few things, and each of my... line brothers... did a few things... well it was much easier.

KAI - Yeah, I bet. You probably didn't do any of this huh Sticks? You're always shammin' you know that? Your line brothers carry you again?

TONY - Actually big brother, Brendon did most of this. He wanted us to know that he was in this for life. So he organized a lot of this stuff and pulled it off in a big way.

MARK - Yeah right. That's the pledge response.

TONY - Big brother, no disrespect... that;s the truth.

(silence)

KAI - Nevermind how they did it. Let's get it upstairs to Prof so he can stop trippin'.

(MARK starts to put the stuff back in the three bags.)

KAI - Bruh, what are you doin'? Let these fools package it up.

MARK - Oh yeah, ha ha ha ha! I almost forgot. Get this stuff packed up Notes!

(The pledgees start to place all the things back into the bags.)

MARK - And follow us upstairs so we can deliver this stuff to your big brother Professor.

PLEDGEES - Yes Big Brother Organized Noise!

KAI - Hold up fellas...

(Everyone stops.)

KAI - Mark, go head up without us. Me and Sticks are gonna stay behind. We'll meet you up there.

MARK - Okay but hurry up. I don't want Prof to start trippin' again.

KAI - This is only gonna take a second.

MARK - Okay. Come on you two.

(JOHN and TONY start to follow MARK out the room.)

MARK - Trouble Cleff...

JOHN - Yes Big Brother Organized Noise?

MARK - Start reciting the KKPsi history as we march upstairs. And don't miss a beat!

(The door closes as TONY and JOHN follow MARK out the room.)

(silence)

KAI - So you're back Brendon? You're really back?

BRENDON - Yes Big Brother Kai Kai Psi.

KAI - Don't call me that. Right now I'm Kai and you're Bren. Two dudes on the drumline. You aint a part of this just yet because I still don't trust you.

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MIRI is on the phone with his mother, discussing his options in reclaiming his adopted son.

MIRI - Yeah, some of the international adoption laws are very different.

MRS. BAKHAN - My goodness. What are you going to have to do next?

MIRI - Well, Gina and I have an appointment with a new lawyer on tomorrow.

MRS. BAKHAN - That's good. How is she holding up?

MIRI - As best as she can I guess. She's so strong but she's so attached to the baby.

MRS. BAKHAN - Yes. This can be awful for a young mother.

MIRI - I'm trying my best to be a support.

MRS. BAKHAN - That's good Miri. You do that. Where is she now?

MIRI - She went to a rally with some of her sorority sisters. I thought she needed to get out so I told her she should go.

MRS. BAKHAN - That's good.

MIRI - In the meantime, I'm going to see a child psychologist today.

MRS. BAKHAN - Oh you are? Without Gina?

MIRI - Well, I wanted to go check him out first. Plus if I told G, she would want to come. And I think its better for her right now to get out of the house and hang out with her sorors. If this guy has some good stuff to tell me, then I'll have the next meeting with both me and Gina.

MRS. BAKHAN - Okay. I see what you mean. What time is your appointment with this doctor?

MIRI - I'm sitting in the car in the parking lot right now.

MRS. BAKHAN - Oh, am I keeping you?

MIRI - Well I got here a little early so I had a few minutes to kill. That's why I called you. But I'm about to go inside.

MRS. BAKHAN - How did you find this pychologist?

MIRI - He used to teach at Ahpla. Then he went into private practice. I found him in a directory on campus.

MRS. BAKHAN - Oh okay. Must be pretty good if he taught at the university.

MIRI - That's what I'm thinking. So I went ahead and set up the appointment.

MRS. BAKHAN - Good luck son. Let me know what happens.

MIRI - Okay. Love you mom.

MRS. BAKHAN - Love you too. Bye.

MIRI - Bye.

(They hang up and MIRI shuts his car off. He walks into the small brick office building and looks at the directory next to the elevator.)

MIRI thinks - Second floor.

(He gets into the elevator and goes up.)

MIRI thinks - I hope this helps! I need all the help I can get. Migiri is being put through so much right now.

(MIRI looks down the hall at the different office doors. The office that he is going to is at the end of the hall.)

MIRI thinks - Oh, there it is.

(He opens the door and goes inside. He approaches the receptionist.)

MIRI thinks - She's cute.

(She smiles.)

RECEPTIONIST - Hi, may I help you?

MIRI - Yes, hi. My name is Miri Bakhan and I have an appointment with the child specialist.

RECEPTIONIST - Which one? This is a shared office between three practitioners.

MIRI - Oh. Dr. Alex Jefferson.

RECEPTIONSIT - Okay Mr. Bakhan, I will let Dr. Jefferson know that you're here. Have a seat and he'll be right with you.

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KAI and BRENDON are talking.

KAI - I don't trust your ass as far as I can throw you. You're flaky Brendon. Much too flaky for me.

BRENDON - Kai, let's get down to what this really is about.

KAI - And what's that Brendon?

BRENDON - You're jealous of me and you've always been.

(KAI busts out laughing.)

KAI - What! Me... of you? What in the world do I have to be jealous of you about?

BRENDON - You know you can't play like I can.

KAI - Whatever. If you are the best drummer which you keep claiming to be, then why aren't you captain of the line?

BRENDON - The only reason I'm not captain is because Brandon was on the line too and we're twins. Its more of a marketing ploy to have the identical twins on the line togehter, not one out front and one behind. But that's about to change cuz Bran aint marching no more.

KAI - So you tryin' to take my spot Brendon?

BRENDON - Consider it taken.

(KAI walks to the other side of the room laughing to himself. He turns and faces BRENDON again.)

KAI - I gotta give you one thing, you're confident in yourself. Misguided... but very confident.

(BRENDON doesn't respond.)

KAI - Let me say this...

(KAI gets more serious.)

KAI - I'm hard on you for a reason Brendon. You are a good drummer. Much better than your brother. But when I say that you're not as good as me, it has nothing to do with your skills. It has to do with your attitude.

BRENDON - My attitude?

KAI - Your attitude. I'm just as confident as you are. But I'm not cocky. There is a big difference. And the reason you will never be drumline captain on my watch is because you won't ever get the other guys to follow you.

(silence)

KAI - Now I don't know how you got back in good with Tony and John and I really don't care. But you're not in good with me. Fix your attitude. You're on probation until such a time that I decide to let you off.

BRENDON - That's fair.

KAI - I didn't ask... Sticks.

BRENDON - Yes Big Brother Kai Kai Psi.

KAI - Look Sticks. Go upstairs to Prof's office. Tell your big brother Noise that I'll be right up.

BRENDON - Yes Big Brother Kai Kai Psi.

(BRENDON hurries out of the room. He looks back as the door closes. KAI is looking at some sheet music.)

BRENDON thinks - Hater.

(He starts to go upstairs. As BRENDON turns the corner he almost knocks someone over.)

BRENDON - Ooops, I'm sorry!

NIKKI - Hey... uh... Brendon?

(BRENDON looks up and recognizes KAI's girlfriend.)

BRENDON - Nikki... hey...

NIKKI - Where you off to in such a hurry?

BRENDON - Um... I gotta go upstairs and see Prof. I gotta hurry.

(NIKKI smiles and brushes her hair out of her face.)

NIKKI - Oh, okay. Kai is downstairs?

BRENDON - Um, yeah.

NIKKI - Thanks.

BRENDON - Okay um, see ya later.

NIKKI - Yeah, see ya...

(BRENDON walks past her.)

NIKKI - ...cutie.

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RONNIE and TY are getting off the bus at Ahpla University. They are coming back from being with their frat brothers at Amgis College.

TY - I don't know dog. How does this usually go down?

RONNIE - Same way the bruhs came through for you dog. Same thing, nothing changes.

TY - And its never any kind of issue?

RONNIE - Naw dog. Bruhs aint cat like that. You aint gotta worry about it. Once shit kicks off, you can be out.

TY - What about having a position with their boys.

RONNIE - You want to do something official with their Lamps?

TY - I don't know, I think it would be cool.

RONNIE - I don't know about that bruh. I mean, they do some things different then how we do. Ya know? Each chapter kinda has their own way of doing the same thing.

TY - Really?

RONNIE - Oh yeah. They got some shit that makes me be like what?

TY - Oh yeah? Like what?

RONNIE - Like...

(RONNIE thinks for a second.)

RONNIE - Oh, good example. The rabbit thing that they do. I didn't know what that shit was til Tamon and Bruce told me.

TY - Oh, okay. We should do that here.

RONNIE - Naw bruh, can't bite. That's their shit.

TY - I hear ya dog.

RONNIE - But don't worry, we'll be able to represent with their boys, just like they do with us. You remember.

TY - Hell yeah I remember. Them bruhs came and got with me!

(RONNIE laughs.)

RONNIE - Bruhs just wanna make sure you made right and you aint no cat nigga up in the frat. You know?

TY - Oh yeah, I aint complainin' now but I sure was complainin' then! Shit!

(RONNIE laughs again. He pulls out his cell phone as they walk across the yard together. He dials.)

DRE - Wassup dog.

RONNIE - Wassup dog.

DRE - How did it go with the bruhs?

RONNIE - It was real cool man. QUEmmunity joint went off well.

DRE - Good. Rooo! Roooo!

RONNIE - You still studying?

DRE - Yeah dog. I'm hemmed up in this shit.

RONNIE - DO your thing dog. Iaint mad at ya.

DRE - When yall headed back?

RONNIE - Me and Ty are back already. We on the yard.

DRE - Oh okay cool. Well let mehit you back, I gotta get back to this. Senior comprehensives are no joke.

RONNIE - Aight dog. Be out.

DRE - Later.

(They hang up.)

TY - He still in the grind?

RONNIE - Yeah dog. He tryin' to get out of this place.

TY - Yeah, true. Ay dog, let me go take a piss. I'll be right back.

RONNIE - Aight bruh, I'll meet you right here.

(TY walks off and RONNIE waits a second. He then pulls out his cell phone again.)

PJ - Hey, I need to hit you back. I'm caught up in some mess right now.

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MIRI sits down and starts to look through a magazine.

MIRI thinks - I wonder how Gina is doing.

RECEPTIONIST - Mr. Bakhan, Dr. Jefferson will see you now.

MIRI - Thanks!

(MIRI gets up and walks past her desk and into ALEX JEFFERSON's office. ALEX is sitting behind his desk and he stands up when MIRI enters his office.)

ALEX - Miri Bakhan?

MIRI - Yes sir.

(They shake hands. ALEX then motions for MIRI to have a seat.)

ALEX - Please sit down. I read your profile. Very interesting case you have here..

MIRI - Yeah. I really want to make sure I'm doing th eright thing and taking care of him as best I can. He's been moved around so much, I know its hard on him. Its hard on us.

ALEX - I understand.

MIRI - Can I ask you a question before we get started?

ALEX - Sure.

MIRI - This whole thing is new to me. I just want to ask you your background as it relates to children. I know you taught at Ahpla.

ALEX - Sure.

(ALEX folds his arms and leans back in his chair.)

ALEX - Well Miri, I can easily tell you about my credentials and what I taught at Ahpla. But that really won't help you. What will help you is the fact that I am a dad and I love my little girls. I have twin babies.

MIRI - Oh really?

ALEX - Yeah. They are my life. See Miri, its important to keep family first. That's what makes me perfect for this job.I couldn't evaluate issues and problems in the home if I didn't know how to deal with them through personal experience.

MIRI - Okay. That sounds great.

ALEX - After reading your profile, I'm happy to be able to assist. What's most important in a case like this is your son...

(He looks at the paper.)

ALEX - Migiri.

MIRI - Yes.

ALEX - You want to keep him first. Being tossed around between families at a young age can be trematic for a youngster. Just keep that in mind.

MIRI - I will.

ALEX - So tell me how this happened. Your profile doesn't really explain how this whole thing started.

MIRI - Well, my fiancee and I were studying abroad in Africa.

(ALEX starts to take notes.)

MIRI - We had planned on getting married and we wanted to start a family right away. We had talked about adopting but not until much later on.

ALEX - Uh huh.

MIRI - We had no plans to adopt right away. Then we went on a rural village tour and we stayed for three weeks. And while there we met all sorts of children. Most of them with underpriviledged living conditions.

ALEX - Uh huh.

MIRI - So one in particular took to us like parents. Apparantly he was up for adoption. There is an agency where we were. They had just listed him on file.

ALEX - Okay.

MIRI - So we asked. And the fact that he was just going to go on the list, we were able to move quickly and get him.

ALEX - So when did problems come in?

(silence)

(ALEX looks up from his notes when he doesn't hear a response from MIRI.)

ALEX - Are you okay?

MIRI - Uh yeah. I'm sorry.

ALEX - Miri, you can be straight with me. If you want me to help you, I'm going to have to know what happened.

MIRI - Yeah, I know. Um... I signed a document.

(MIRI reaches into his portfolio case and pulls out a piece of paper. He hands it to ALEX.)

MIRI - This is where the problem is. This entire situation is focused around this sheet of paper.

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(TY walks off and RONNIE waits a second. He then pulls out his cell phone again.)

PJ - Hey, I need to hit you back. I'm caught up in some mess right now.

RONNIE - Some mess? What's wrong?

PJ - Some chick talkin' about my girl. I just gotta question her real quick.

(RONNIE laughs.)

RONNIE - Damn PJ, you always up in some shit.

PJ - Naw man, this one aint me. Its somebody else. I'm just in the bathroom minding my business and... look let me call you later.

RONNIE - Aight. When you call back, let me know what you doin' on Sunday. I wanted to watch the Super Bowl with you.

PJ - Cool.

(They hang up just as TY is coming back. RONNIE quickly puts his phone away.)

RONNIE - Damn dog, that was quick.

TY - Shut up.

(They start to walk.)

TY - Man, did you see the look in that dude Rashim's eyes when that old man called him out at the QUEmmunity service project?

RONNIE - That's the same way you looked when you was trying to make line.

TY - Naw dog, I wasn't that bad. Ha ha ha ha ha!

RONNIE - Yes you was!

(They both laugh.)

TY - That's good shit though, he seems like a good dude.

RONNIE - I don't know. The bruhs have their reservations with that one. Its the other one they lookin' at.

TY - Oh yeah, that's right.

(silence)

RONNIE - What you gettin' ready to do dog?

TY - I was just gonna go to the crib? Wassup?

RONNIE - You hungry?

TY - Nigga we just ate when we was at Amgis!

RONNIE - That was like three hours ago. What you sayin'?

(TY laughs.)

TY - Man, I'm so not hungry.

RONNIE - I feel you. Let me call Dex and see if he wants to grab something to eat.

TY - I'll call him. I gotta ask him something actually.

RONNIE - Good! Save my daytime minutes.

TY - Nigga!

(TY pulls out his phone and the battery dies.)

TY - Shit! Hey dog my battery died. Give me your's.

RONNIE - Damn man! Make it quick!

TY - Shut up Ronnie.

(TY dials.)

DEXTER - Rooooo!

TY - Wassup man, it's Big T.

DEXTER - Wassup dog.

TY - What you doin'?

DEXTER - Chillin'.

TY - Meet us over in the caf. Ronnie is hungry and I'm just hanging out.

DEXTER - Okay cool. I'll meet yall there.

TY - Cool dog.

(They hang up and TY quickly dials another number.)

DEXTER - Bruh!

TY - Come on bruh, this is gonna be quick!

DEXTER - I'm gonna kick your ass!

(It rings twice, TY waits.)

PJ - I thought I just told you I needed to call you back! Sunday is cool to hook up okay. Now let me call you back.

TY - Uh... this is Ty.

PJ - Oh... um... hey Ty. Let me um... hit you back okay?

TY - Yeah...

(PJ quickly hangs up. TY hands the phone back to RONNIE.)

(silence)

TY - Dog...

RONNIE - Yeah?

TY - You just called PJ and set something up with her for Sunday?