Episode 4

RENEE is in the Twenty Four Seven Diner. MONA has just left and RENEE has called her soror PJ.

PJ - Hello?

RENEE - Peej, we gotta talk man. Mona is not half as bad as you say she is.

PJ - What?

RENEE - I just sat down and talked to Mona, and I can honestly say that she's not half as bad as you think she is.

(silence)

PJ -Hold on.

RENEE - Okay.

(PJ clicks to her other line.)

(silence)

PJ - Hello?

RENEE - Yeah, I'm here.

PJ - Okay. Now what were you sayin'? Some bullcrap about Mona?

(RENEE laughs.)

RENEE - See, that's what I'm sayin' PJ. You always talk so bad about the girl but dag, I don't think she's all that bad.

PJ - Nay, listen to me very carefully. You cannot trust a Ferguson as far as you can throw a Ferguson. Believe me when I tell you that Mona Ferguson is a conniving little piece of work and you are totally underestimating her. Totally. Why did you meet with her in the first place?

RENEE - I wanted to apologize to her.We got into it at the Amgis fight and I hit her.

PJ - You what!

RENEE - More than once. I kicked her ass actually.

PJ - Damn, I didn't have my camera!

(They both laugh.)

RENEE - Girl, I'm serious. I felt horrible about it so I called her to apologize. She met me at the diner, accepted my apology, explained her side of the story, and even paid for my food!

PJ - Something is up. She's never that nice!

(RENEE laughs.)

RENEE - I think you're overexaggerating just a bit Peej.

PJ - Mark my words. As sure as I am breathing, I am so sure about this. She is up to...

(There is a knock on PJ's door.)

PJ - Hold on Renee, somebody is at my door. But in the meantime, wash your hands and arms and use Visine or something in your eyes since you looked at Mona.

(RENEE laughs hard.)

RENEE - Shut up!

(PJ giggles as she places the phone down.)

PJ thinks - That girl is in for a rude awakening!

(PJ opens the door.)

PJ - What the...

(silence)

PJ - What in the world are you doin' here?

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DERRICK - What are you gonna need to be okay? If there's anything that I can do, you name it. I'll do anything within my power to help you get through this.

CANDACE - Yeah uh... I'm glad you said that actually. Because there is something.

DERRICK - Name it. Anything.

(CANDACE pauses.)

CANDACE - I want you to arrange a meeting between me and Caryn.

DERRICK - You want me to what?

CANDACE - I need to talk to Caryn.

DERRICK - Candace, is that such a good idea?

CANDACE - I need peace of mind or I'm gonna lose my mind. I need some questions answered.

DERRICK - Candace, I hear what you're sayin' but...

CANDACE - You told me that you would do anything.

(silence)

CANDACE - Didn't you?

DERRICK - Well yeah, but I didn't know you were gonna...

(CANDACE's other line rings.)

(silence)

DERRICK - Go ahead and answer that, it may be important.

CANDACE - Okay. Hold on.

(She clicks over.)

CANDACE - Hello.

KEN - Candace this is Ken. I need to talk to you! I just heard what happened and I think this is some bullshit and I think we really need to get to the bottom of this shit!

CANDACE - Thank you but I need to call you back Ken. Derrick just called and he's out of state. I promise to call you back though.

KEN - Okay please do because we need to talk about this!

CANDACE - Okay.

KEN - Stay strong.

(She clicks back over.)

CANDACE - Hello?

DERRICK - Yeah.

(silence)

DERRICK - Candace, you know how Caryn is. I really doubt she's gonna let you walk up in her spot and just answer all questions you have to enable you to get a good night's sleep.

CANDACE - I don't care. I need to talk to her.

DERRICK - Plus with your emotions the way they are, you may go up in there and kick her ass or something. Not saying she doesn't deserve a good ass kickin' every now and again, but...

(DERRICK tries to lighten the mood to try and talk CANDACE out of meeting CARYN.)

CANDACE - My mind is made up Derrick. I need to talk to Caryn. Now either you're gonna give me her number or I'm gonna find it on my own.

(silence)

DERRICK - Okay okay you win. Her number is seven seven nine three.

CANDACE - Thank you.

DERRICK - Don't mentiont it. Just don't beat her too bad okay?

CANDACE - It isn't even like that. I mean, my reaction in the doctor's office was one thing. I had just found out and reacted. But I'm a lady. Always. And I conduct myself as such. It isn't even like I wanna get down like that.

DERRICK - I hear ya and that's true. You are someting special.

(CANDACE smiles.)

CANDACE - Thanks.

DERRICK - Well look, I gotta go okay? I'm bout to be late for warm ups.

CANDACE - Okay. I'll tell ya how it goes.

DERRICK - Okay Can.

(silence)

CANDACE - I'll talk to you lat...

DERRICK - I love you.

(silence)

CANDACE - Uh...

DERRICK - You don't have to say anything. Handle your business. Just... just know.

CANDACE - O... okay.

DERRICK - Bye.

(CANDACE pauses.)

CANDACE - Bye.

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(PJ opens the door.)

PJ - What the...

(silence)

PJ - What in the world are you doin' here?

GREGG - Hey! You busy? I wanted to know if we could talk.

PJ - Uh... yeah. That's cool. I guess. Um, come on in.

GREGG - Thanks.

PJ thinks - What the hell?

PJ - Give me a second to hang up this call, you can sit down though.

GREGG - Okay, thanks.

(GREGG starts looking at pictures of APRIL and her family on the shelf. PJ picks the phone back up.)

PJ - Renee let me go.

RENEE - Okay girl.

PJ - But remember what I said. Fergusons equal demon spawn. It's in the bible!

(RENEE laughs hard.)

RENEE - Yeah okay. We'll see! Later!

PJ - Bye.

(PJ hangs up.)

PJ - So. What's up Gregory? What brings you past these parts?

GREGG - Just chillin PJ, how you?

PJ - Cool cool. I can't complain.

GREGG - I hear ya.

(silence)

GREGG - I'm sure your curious as to what I wanna talk about.

(PJ smiles as if to sarcastically say yes. GREGG smiles.)

GREGG - Okay, well you know I aint the one for a lot of words or drawing things out all long so I'm gonna get right down to it.

PJ - Okay.

GREGG - Basically Peej, I wanna start hangin' out with you again.

PJ - What?

GREGG - I miss what we had and I wanna start to chill with you again.

PJ - What we had? Gregg, what we had was a lie.

(PJ's phone rings.)

(silence)

PJ - Hold on a second.

(PJ answers.)

PJ - Hello.

TY - Hey PJ, it's Ty.

PJ - Uh hey. Listen, can I hit you back?

TY - Yeah sure. No problem.

PJ - Thanks.

(She hangs up and turns back to GREGG.)

GREGG - You seein' somebody now?

PJ - Slow your roll there Columbo. This aint fifty questions. That's none of your business.

GREGG - True true.

PJ - Now what the hell are you sayin'?

(GREGG pauses before he begins.)

GREGG - Peanut, the time we were together was like the best. And I know I wasn't honest with you and I didn't tell you that I had a girl,and I know that wound up messing you up for AKA, but you have to admit, that was your best time here at Ahpla.

PJ - That's a stretch to say the least Gregg. And what in the world makes you think I'd be even receptive to this conversation? You got some big balls dude.

GREGG - Yes I do. And that's one of the things you like about me. You always said that.

(silence)

PJ - Why in the hell would I want to... what about Shareesa? What do you think she would say?

GREGG - Shareesa has moved on. I don't care what she thinks.

PJ - Wait a minute, because this is just startin' to sink in...

(PJ stares at GREGG with a very serious look.)

PJ - ...let me get this straight. You actually wanna start to... hang out... date me again? You wanna hook up with me... now?

GREGG - Yeah. I honestly do.

(silence)

PJ - Boy are you crazy!

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WILLIE is in Pearl Library studying with APRIL. They have a class together and have an exam coming up.

WILLIE - I'm missing a day in my notes. I know I am because this right here isn't making any sense.

APRIL - Let me see.

(WILLIE shows her some papers.)

APRIL - You are missing something. Hold on, I think I have that.

(APRIL pages through some of her notes and grabs something. She gives it to WILLIE.)

APRIL - This should be it right here.

WILLIE - Thanks girl. You better be on point!

APRIL - Please! I am so not on point! I am not the studious person girl, I tell ya.

WILLIE - Really?

APRIL - I'm a lot better with my hands believe it or not. When I was growing up, my dad would ask my brother to help him figure out math problems. Like what percent something was or what the tip should be when we were out to eat. But when we bought new furniture that needed to be assembled, he called me.

WILLIE - Ha ha ha, tomboy huh?

APRIL - Up until high school. Then I got prissy and pretty in college.

WILLIE - Oh God!

(WILLIE acts like she is gagging herself with her finger.)

APRIL - Don't hate girl, don't hate!

(They both laugh.)

WILLIE - Well if you need some help on the exam, look my way. I'm acing this class so it shouldn't be a problem.

APRIL - Cool!

(APRIL goes back to reading and WILLIE starts to copy her notes.)

APRIL - So how's Jason doin'?

(silence)

WILLIE - Uh... me and Jason aren't together anymore.

(APRIL looks up.)

APRIL - What!

STUDENT - Shhhhhhh!

APRIL whispers - Ooooops! Sorry!

(She turns back to WILLIE.)

APRIL - You and J broke up? When girl?

WILLIE - Like real recent. I haven't even told a lot of my sorors yet.

APRIL - Oh I'm sorry girl.

WILLIE - Thanks.

APRIL - You okay?

WILLIE - I guess. It's still so new.

APRIL - I see. Well I'm sorry.

WILLIE - It's okay.

(There is an uncomfortable silence as they both continue to study.)

APRIL - So what happened?

(WILLIE smiles as she looks up from her notes. She doesn't respond.)

APRIL - I'm being nosey huh? I'm sorry. I know I am and sorors say that I get in people's business too much. I'm sorry. Forget I asked.

WILLIE - It's okay.

(silence)

WILLIE - Actually, if you wouldn't mind...

(WILLIE pauses.)

WILLIE - ...I'd like to talk to someone about it. You wanna talk?

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CARYN walks into GREGG's room without knocking.

NINO - Uh... hello?

CARYN - Hey Nino. Gregg here?

NINO - Did you read the sign on the door that says knock first?

(They both laugh.)

CARYN - You guys never lock your door and I know I got open door priviledges.

(They both laugh again. CARYN plops down on the couch next to NINO.)

NINO - G's not here.

CARYN - Oh he isn't? Where's his shady ass at?

NINO - You actually just missed him. I'm surprised you didn't see him in the hall or at the elevator.

CARYN - Naw, must have missed him. What you in here doin'?

NINO - This is a tape of the step show from last year. We're about to put together a new show for homecoming so I wanted to see some of the things we did last year and make a few changes. You know, see what we should keep and see what we should drop.

CARYN - Cool. You guys are really good steppers.

NINO - Thanks. We try.

CARYN - I thought about pledging a sorority. Especially when I saw stepping because its so close to cheering and I find that second nature.

NINO - You'd probably make a great stepper because you have that cheer background.

CARYN - That's what I'm sayin'. But I aint tryin' to be in no damn sorority. Fuck that.

(NINO laughs.)

NINO - Why not?

CARYN - Shit, I aint gonna have no other female hittin' me with a paddle or throwing a pie in my face or making me drink a keg of beer! I'd be like hell no!

(NINO laughs again.)

NINO - Girl, they don't do that stuff. You watchin' too much twenty twenty or sixty minutes or something.

(CARYN smiles. NINO starts to rewind the tape.)

CARYN - Where exactly did Gregg go?

NINO - He had to meet with a professor. He has to get one of his grades changed or something.

CARYN - Oh. So he's gonna be gone for a while huh?

NINO - Yeah. I guess. You want me to just tell him you came by?

(silence)

CARYN - Actually Nino...

(CARYN puts her hand on NINO's leg and rubs it.)

CARYN - I could just chill here for a while. You know... with you.

(NINO quickly slides away.)

NINO - Ha ha ha, you know I don't get down like that girl. You know I got a girl.

CARYN - I heard. Doesn't she go to school somewhere else?

NINO - Yeah. Southern University.

CARYN - Oh yeah, Gregg did tell me that. How often do yall see each other.

NINO - She visits every now and then. But mostly when I go home for holidays.

CARYN - You don't get lonely? I know I would.

NINO - I keep myself busy.

CARYN - Well I don't think it's anything wrong...

(She scoots next to him again.)

CARYN - With a little loneliness medicine.

(NINO laughs again.)

NINO - A little what?

CARYN - Let me show you.

(CARYN leans in and tries to kiss NINO. He leans his head back.)

NINO - Caryn, I can't do this.

CARYN - Shhhhhh.

(She keeps coming.)

NINO - What are you...

CARYN - Shhh.

(Her lips touch his. He tries to pull away. She starts to kiss him and he tries to speak.)

NINO - I shouldn't be doin'...

(He closes his eyes as her tongue enters his mouth.)

CARYN thinks - Ooooh... nice.

(CARYN closes her eyes. CANDACE opens hers.)

(silence)

(silence)

(silence)

(CANDACE grabs her key and turns it. Her car starts and she starts to drive toward CARYN's place.)

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WILLIE and APRIL are talking in the library about WILLIE's recent breakup.

WILLIE - ...I'd like to talk to someone about it. You wanna talk?

(APRIL quickly puts her pen down.)

APRIL - Only if it'll help.

(APRIL smiles.)

APRIL - I'm all ears!

(WILLIE smiles a little.)

WILLIE - Well, as you know, Jason is a great guy.

APRIL - Mmmmm hmmmm.

WILLIE - And I really do love him.

APRIL - So why the break up?

WILLIE - I don't know. There's just something missing. I can't really put my finger on what that is. I really can't. I've tried, and I prayed, and I even thought it was maybe my ex.

APRIL - None of those things?

WILLIE - No. None of those things. But definitely something.

APRIL - Well is it something about him maybe?

(WILLIE looks up as if she is thinking.)

WILLIE - Well, there are some things about Jason that I don't like. I can admit that. But none so serious that I can't work through it. I know he must have tons of things he doesn't like about me but he was willing to stick it out.

APRIL - From the sound of it, you don't need to be separated.

WILLIE - But that's the thing. I do think that this is the right thing. Because until I find that missing puzzle piece, I can't give him all of me. Ya know? I just feel like I need to find out that one thing or so that I am looking for. And then I can give Jason all of me. Which is much better for me and for us.

(silence)

WILLIE - What do you think?

APRIL - Honestly, I think you're making a mistake.

WILLIE - How so?

APRIL - Let me tell you my story. Did you know I'm with Xavier now?

WILLIE - What!

STUDENT - Shhhhhh!

WILLIE whispers - Sorry!

WILLIE - You go with Xavier now?

APRIL - Yes. And let me tell you, you sound exactly like him. Looking for that one thing that would make me perfect. I was like, Xavier, I can't be a perfect one hundred. I can give you all of me and be all that you need. But if you're looking for perfection, then you won't find that in me or in anyone else.

WILLIE - Yeah.

APRIL - And he realized that and that's when he let me in. Up until that point though, he sounded just like you do now.

WILLIE - Wow.

APRIL - So I tell you that to give you some advice. Don't look to correct something that's not broken. You know Jason is a good guy, I konw it too. No he's not perfect. But he is a great catch.

WILLIE - Yeah, he is.

APRIL - And you sound like you truly love him. So don't get hurt by letting him go and letting somebody else snatch him up. Call him and tell him you wanna talk. Tell him you've rethought a few things. Ya know? That's my advice.

WILLIE - And you know what?

(WILLIE grabs her bag.)

WILLIE - It's great advice. I'm gonna call him right now!

(WILLIE pulls her cell phone out of her bag.)

WILLIE - I'll be right back. I'm gonna call him from the lobby.

APRIL - Good luck girl.

WILLIE - Thanks! And April...

(APRIL smiles.)

WILLIE - ....thanks for the info.

APRIL - Sure thing.

(WILLIE smiles as she walks away. She goes through the double doors and enters the lobby. She quickly dials.)

CHRISTIAN - Hello?

WILLIE - You need to have a conversation real fast with your man because April just told me that she's his woman!