Episode 5

GREGG is in PJ's room. He is talking to her about the possibility of dating again.

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! Have you lost your damn mind!

GREGG - What?

PJ - OK, can you please erase the word fool off my forehead? Ha ha ha ha, nigga please! Ha ha ha ha!

GREGG - PJ, I'm serious.

PJ - You can't be.

GREGG - I am.

PJ - Nigga, I've never known you to be serious. About anything. Oh wait, I take that back. You're serious about yourself... oh, and uh, about Kappa. But since you are Kappa and Kappa is you, that brings me back to you being serious about you right?

GREGG - You're making jokes and I'm serious.

PJ - How am I supposed to take you seriously Gregg? Words don't mean shit to me. Especially your words.

GREGG - Why it gotta be like that PJ?

PJ - Because you made it like that Gregg. Your words are empty to me. You don't back up shit. So why the hell should I believe you? Words don't mean anything, actions do. And your words never line up with your actions.

GREGG - That's my point. Give me a chance to show you different. Give me an opportunity to prove myself. Let my actions for once speak for me.

PJ - No.

GREGG - No? Why not?

PJ - Because that's not what I want.

GREGG - Its not what you want? You don't want to give me another chance?

PJ - I don't want to be let down again. If you mess me over once, I blame you. If you mess me over twice, I blame me. And Presjina aint blamin' Presjina for shit!

GREGG - PJ, I promise. I won't mess you over. Give me a chance to do you right.

PJ - No.

GREGG - PJ please. I'm serious.

(silence)

(PJ starts to walk toward her kitchen. She opens the fridge.)

GREGG - I'm serious!

PJ - Mmmm hmmmm. Hey, you want something to drink?

(GREGG walks over and closes PJ's fridge.)

GREGG - PJ, I swear. I swear on my Grandmother's grave... and on Phi Nu Pi, since you think that's all that I'm about... I swear that I'm serious and I want a chance to do you right. Now will you believe me or...

(There is a knock on the door.)

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DEXTER is in his room getting to go out with RONNIE, TRINA and her cousin TRACINA.

DEXTER thinks - Why do I let Ronnie get me into these situations!

(DEXTER puts on cologne.)

DEXTER thinks - What the hell is wrong with this chick anyway? She's probaby butt ass uglly or some shit.

(DEXTER checks the mirror and fixes his sweater.)

DEXTER thinks - Damn I can think of a million other things to do with my time tonight.

(He sits down and checks his watch. Then turns the tv on.)

DEXTER thinks - I thought that nigga said eight o'clock. It's already eight fifteen.

(silence)

(The phone rings.)

DEXTER thinks - Late ass. Damn.

DEXTER - Hello?

TY - Wassup dog. What you up to?

DEXTER - Man, nothin' dog.

TY - What you gettin' into? You tryin' to go over to Amgis?

DEXTER - Amgis? For what?

TY - Bruhs might have a set over there after the basketball game. You know, for Buck. I couldn't go to the game but I might go to the set. Buck probably kicked our ass in the game.

DEXTER - Bruhs havin' a set? Dammit!

TY - What?

DEXTER - I got talked into double datin' with Trina's cousin. I'm waitin' on Ronnie's late ass now.

TY - Is she cute?

DEXTER - Hell if I know! I aint never met her.

TY - You let Ronnie hook you up on a blind date? Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

DEXTER - Shut up dog!

TY - Oh shit! She's probably a hound dog!

DEXTER - I know! He tried to warn me about her but never told me what was wrong with her!

TY - Oh God! Well let me know how it goes! Ha ha ha!

DEXTER - I may try and see if they wanna flow through Amgis to the set.

TY - Naw nigga, don't be bringin' no ugly hos to the set! Ha ha ha!

DEXTER - Shut up dog!

TY - Aight team! I'm out!

DEXTER - Be out dog.

(They hang up and almost immediately DEXTER's phone rings again.)

DEXTER thinks - The ring of death!

DEXTER - Hello.

RONNIE - Wassup team. You ready?

DEXTER - Hell yeah nigga, you the one late.

RONNIE - Waitin' on these chicks man! You know how that is!

TRINA - Shut up Ronnie!

(DEXTER can hear TRINA in the background.)

RONNIE - Well come down now. We're pulling around the corner.

DEXTER - Yo dog, is Tracina ugly?

(silence)

RONNIE - Just come down.

DEXTER - Just say yes or n... hello? Ronnie! Damn!

(click)

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GREGG - PJ, I swear. I swear on my Grandmother's grave... and on Phi Nu Pi, since you that's that's all that I'm about... I swear that I'm serious and I want a chance to do you right. Now will you believe me or...

(There is a knock on the door.)

PJ - Why don't you go ahead and hold that thought okay?

GREGG - PJ wait, before you open the door.

(PJ stops.)

GREGG - I know its none of my business if you're seeing somebody, but if you are, and if this is him, just realize that I am...

(He pulls a piece of paper out of his pocket that's folded. He places it on her desk.)

GREGG - ...I'm very serious. Just read this... when you're alone.

(PJ smirks and returns to opening the door.)

PJ thinks - What the hell is that about?

(She opens the door.)

PJ - Hey, what's up. Come on in.

JAHANNA - Thanks.

(JAHANNA walks in behind PJ.)

PJ - You remember Gregg right?

JAHANNA - Sure, what's up?

GREGG - Hey, how you doin'?

JAHANNA - Good and you?

GREGG - Great.

PJ - Gregg I was expecting Jahanna and we need to talk so um...

GREGG - That's cool, I need to run. But think about what I said okay?

(PJ smiles.)

PJ - Yeah, sure.

(GREGG smiles back to be polite. But he doesn't like the way he's not taken seriously.)

GREGG - See ya later Peanut.

PJ - Yeah. See ya later.

GREGG - Take care Jahanna.

JAHANNA - You too.

(PJ walks GREGG out and closes the door behind him.)

PJ thinks - Lord!

(She comes back smiling.)

JAHANNA - What's up with that?

PJ - What?

JAHANNA - Gregg here to see you? And you smiling all big? What's up? Him calling you Peanut? Talk girl! Spill it!

PJ - Don't get it twisted sister. He's all about games. He's always been.

JAHANNA - Uh huh.

PJ - What?

(They're both smiling.)

JAHANNA - And Peanut?

PJ - He's been calling me that since we met. Actually he says peanut butter and jelly. You know... p and j.

JAHANNA - Uh huh.

(JAHANNA is smiling sarcastically.)

PJ - Girl whatever, I aint thinkin' bout that boy, or you!

(They both laugh.)

PJ - I wish you had come sooner, so I didn't have to listen to his bullshit.

JAHANNA - Oh sorry. I got here as fast as I could after you called.

PJ - I know, that's cool. Thanks for coming too, we need to talk.

JAHANNA - Yeah, we do. I got some things to tell you.

PJ - Good, and I got some good news for you.

JAHANNA - Good news?

PJ - I think you should try out for AKA again.

JAHANNA - What?

PJ - I think you should try out again.

JAHANNA - At Amgis?

PJ - No. Here at Ahpla. Some things have changed and I know you met some of the sorors at Amgis and they seem to like you, its too much red tape to do that and I won't have much of a hand in your process and I know you wanted me to participate.

(JAHANNA's smile is gone.)

JAHANNA - PJ...

PJ - Wait let me finish.

JAHANNA - No PJ wait...

PJ - Let me finish.

JAHANNA - But I got something to tell you.

PJ - You still want to be an AKA right?

JAHANNA - Well, yeah. Sure I do. Of course.

PJ - Then shut up and let me finish.

(PJ laughs. JAHANNA doesn't.)

JAHANNA - PJ, this conversation is futile though. It doesn't matter anymore.

PJ - Huh? What do you mean it doesn't matter. You've got a much better chance of making line this time. We found the root of the problem against you and took care of it. I want you to be a part of my sorority J. You deserve it.

JAHANNA - Thanks PJ, thanks a lot. For your advice, your friendship and all you've tried to do for me. I can't tell you how much I appreciate you. But what I wanted to tell you is...

(She pauses.)

JAHANNA - ...I won't be trying out for Alpha Kappa Alpha at Ahpla. I'm transferring out and leaving at the end of the semester.

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XAVIER is taking notes in his Philosophy Class.

XAVIER thinks - This has got to be the most boring class in the history of all classes!

(He looks up at the clock on the wall.)

XAVIER thinks - Dag! I still got forty minutes! How in the world do they make these classes two hours long!

(He looks around the classroom. A student in the back is asleep. Actually, a few students in the back are asleep. He sees SHARONDA in the classroom taking notes and LARRY taking notes as well.)

XAVIER thinks - God help me get through this class!

(The instructor is talking extremely slow.)

XAVIER thinks - Besides, who ever heard of a stupid night class! Half the free world is at the basketball game over at Amgis! I should be there covering it! But oh no! I gotta sit up in here and take notes for some stupid exam coming up!

(He looks at the clock again. He has thirty nine minutes.)

XAVIER thinks - Dag! Dag!

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...system is one way to look at it. Another way to view it is through science and nature. If you loook at science and nature, nature and science. Look at it this way...

(The professor writes on the blackboard. SCIENCE and NATURE.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - What exactly are the differences? What are the similarities? Hmmmm. What an interesting topic of discussion, debate, and conversation. Science and nature, nature and science. Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Science and...

XAVIER thinks - God!

(XAVIER looks up at the clock. Thirty eight minutes.)

XAVIER thinks - What? Is the clock broke?

(He checks the clock on his cell phone. He has thirty eight minutes left.)

XAVIER thinks - Okay this is ridiculous!

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...and nature. I mean, what is science and what is nature? What is nature and what is science? Hmmmmmmm.

(silence)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - If we break down science, it stands for...

(He turns to write on the blackboard again. STRATEGIC CALCULATION IS NEVER COMPLICATED EQUATIONS.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Ha ha ha ha, I made that up myself. Ha ha ha ha ha ha!

(No one in the class laughs.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...ha ha ha ha ha. Hmmmmmmm.

(science)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Now if we break down each word of science, what is strategic? What is science and what is strategic? Hmmmmmmm. Well the s stands for...

XAVIER thinks - Oh heck no! I can't take this anymore!

(XAVIER looks up at the clock. Thirty five minutes left of class. He leans over to his friend NATE who is sitting next to him.)

XAVIER whispers - Hey Nate...

NATE whispers - What's up Z.

XAVIER whispers - I gotta get out of here man. This mess is nuts.

NATE whispers - I know but he counts these notes for the exam and attendance.

XAVIER whispers - Can you sign me out man? And pass me the notes tomorrow? I gotta cover the basketball game for the paper. I probably missed the first half already.

NATE whispers - I got you man. No problem. Just try and sneak out when he turns around. He'll probably spell out stupid or something.

(XAVIER laughs as he packs up his bag. He lowers his head and waits for the professor to turn back around.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...and science with nature. Nature with science. Hmmmmmm. Hmmmmmm.

(silence)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Now nature...

(He turns around to spell out nature and XAVIER makes his move.)

XAVIER whispers - Thanks man, I owe ya one. I'll call ya tomorrow.

NATE whispers - No problem Z. I'll sign myself out, then get back in line to sign you out. No sweat.

(XAVIER smiles as he slowly emerges from his chair and starts to tip toe out, keeping his eyes fixed on PROFESSOR BULLOCK's back.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - I had some trouble figuring out what the u should stand for in nature, but I thought unveil. Ha ha ha. Hmmmmmmmmm.

(XAVIER tip toes toward the door.)

(silence)

LARRY - Hey Xavier! You going somewhere?

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DEXTER hangs up the phone with RONNIE.

DEXTER thinks - Dammit!

(He turns the tv off.)

DEXTER thinks - I'm gonna kick his ass if she's ugly as ass!

(DEXTER makes sure he has his wallet, then he leaves to go to the elevator.)

DEXTER thinks - Okay dog, its just one night. We can go out to eat, come back home, and I can head over to Amgis. I aint takin' no ugly chick to Amgis though. Hell nah!

(DEXTER goes downstairs and walks outside. He looks for TRINA's car but doesn't see it. He sits on the wall out front.)

DEXTER thinks - Their ass is still late!

(He looks in both directions, then he sees TRIN's car turn the corner. RONNIE is driving.)

DEXTER thinks - OK, here we go!

(He stands up and approaches the car as it slows down. TRINA is in the passenger seat and she leans out the window.)

TRINA - Hey Dex!

DEXTER - Wassup girl.

(They slap high fives as DEXTER opens the back seat door. TRINA is smiling a big smile.)

TRINA - Dexter, this is my cousin Tracina. Tracina, this is Dexter, Ronnie's frat brother.

(DEXTER gets in and looks at TRACINA without being obvious. She is smiling at him as she extends her hand. She is very cute.)

TRACINA - Hi Dexter.

DEXTER - Hey, nice to meet you.

(They shake hands.)

DEXTER thinks - Wow, she's a cutie! What the fuck was Ronnie talkin' about?

RONNIE - Wassup dog.

DEXTER - Chillin' dog. What's up with you player?

RONNIE - Nothin' dog. You know how it is.

(They pull off as TRINA turns around in her seat. She is smiling at DEXTER.)

TRINA - So Dex, isn't my cousin cute?

TRACINA - Bitch! Don't be tryin' to embarass my ass! Didn't I tell your ass not to do that shit!

TRINA - Aw girl, I'm just playin'. Shit!

(TRINA turns back around as they both laugh. TRACINA leans over to DEXTER.)

TRACINA - Funky ass bitch always tryin' ta embrass somebody know what I'm sayin'?

DEXTER - Uh... yeah.

TRACINA - Triflin' ho! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!

(silence)

TRACINA - Dexter you one of them Que dogs too?

DEXTER - Uh yeah.

TRACINA - That's that hype shit! I saw the Que dogs in the step show in shit! Them niggas took off their clothes and shit and one nigga... got damn he was fine then a motherfucker! Kinda like you Dexter.

DEXTER thinks - Okay, was that a compliment?

TRACINA - Them motherfuckers was sexy as hell and they tore that shit down! Too bad they didn't win. They got robbed know what I'm sayin'?

(silence)

DEXTER - Uh... Ronnie... um... any word on the score of the game? Did you call any of the Amgis bruhs?

(silence)

DEXTER - Ronnie.

(RONNIE is laughing so hard to himself that he can't answer.)

DEXTER thinks - I'm gonna kick his ass for this!

TRACINA - Trina where the fuck we goin' tonight anyway? I hope we aint goin' to lame ass Fridays! I hate that place! Plus my ex works there and his ass be on my fuckin' nerves and shit.

(TRINA turns around in her chair.)

TRINA - Who girl?

TRACINA - That nigga Bullet.

TRINA - Bullet got a job? Bullet works at Fridays?

TRACINA - Yeah girl, that nigga had to get a real job or he would be violatin' his probation.

TRINA - I thought his probation was over.

TRACINA - Shit, it would've been til he saw my ass at the mall with that guy I had liked and Bullet kicked his ass in the Foot Locker. He got locked back up for that shit. He was mad as a motherfucker to see me with somebody else know what I'm sayin.

DEXTER thinks - Uh...

TRACINA - But if yall wanna go to Fridays... its cool. I aint trippin.

DEXTER - Let's not... go to Fridays.

RONNIE - Naw dog...

(RONNIE is trying to not laugh as he speaks.)

RONNIE - We goin' somewhere else.

DEXTER thinks - Good!

RONNIE - Then we can head over to Amgis for the frat after party.

DEXTER - What!

TRACINA - Aw hell yeah! After the show is the after party in shit! It's gonna be on tonight! Aint it Dex? Know what I'm sayin'? Shit!

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PROFESSOR BULLOCK turns around. Everyone in the classroom is staring at XAVIER.

(LARRY laughs to himself.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Hmmmmm. Xavier, do you need to be leaving us early?

(The professor looks at his watch.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Seems like you have thirty three more minutes or so. Yeah, thirty three.

XAVIER - Uh... sorry sir. I uh... I uh... have to use the restroom.

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Oh... okay. Hurry back because I don't want you to miss my nature break down.

XAVIER - Okay... sure.

(XAVIER glances back at LARRY as he walks out the door.)

XAVIER thinks - Damn! Oooops, excuse me Lord. Dag!

(XAVIER walks to the bathroom.)

XAVIER thinks - That was messed up! Why did Larry sell me out like that! Why in the world did he...

(silence)

XAVIER thinks - ...wait a minute! He's mad about my article! Dag I should've known! Dam... I mean daggon Alphas!

(XAVIER slowly returns to his class. He takes a deep breath and walks in.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Welcome back Xavier. Let me share with you what I just told the class.

(XAVIER stares at LARRY as he takes his seat.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Nature. Hmmmmm yeah. Nature. Natural atmosphere that unveils real emotions. What that means... Xavier... is...

(XAVIER glances at the clock. Twenty nine minutes left. PROFESSOR BULLOCK turns back toward the board to explain.)

NATE whispers - Tough luck man. What's up with dude sellin' you out?

XAVIER whispers - He's an Alpha so he's mad about the story I just wrote. My frat brothers beat them up at Amgis and I told what happened.

NATE whispers - No shit? I didn't even read that.

XAVIER whispers - Yeah, check last week's Sands.

NATE whispers - Pay back is a bitch aint it?

(NATE giggles, XAVIER sighs.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...unveils. What does it really mean? Hmmmmmmmm. In nature...

XAVIER thinks - I should kick Larry's butt! I should punch him in his face!

(XAVIER looks at the clock.)

XAVIER thinks - This is some bull!

(He looks back at LARRY who winks at him.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...and that is...unveil. Real. What is real? Science? Nature? Is this a question? Is this a... good... question? Let's sit and talk about real for a minute shall we?

(XAVIER looks at the clock and has fourteen minutes remaining.)

XAVIER thinks - Why the heck did I say I was going to the bathroom? I should've said I was sick! Sick of this dumb class! Why is this old dude still teaching anyway? Why is this required for journalism? What sense does this make?

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Real. I mean... really real...

NATE whispers - Man, I should've left when you tried to leave! Shit!

XAVIER whispers - Bruh.

NATE whispers - Man, I'd kick that nigga's ass if I were you. I'm sayin'.

XAVIER whispers - Oh don't worry, I got a few words for Larry as soon as this boring lecture is over.

NATE whispers - I hear ya dude.

(XAVIER starts to write down his outline for his next story assignment in an attempt to make the last few minutes go by.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Okay class, I think that's enough for this evening.

(Everyone starts to pack their notebooks and textbooks away.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - Next class, we'll discuss the philosophical difference...

(He pauses.)

PROFESSOR BULLOCK - ...between science... and nature.

XAVIER thinks - Oh God!

(XAVIER looks back for LARRY but he isn't in his seat. Students are walking out the door so XAVIER hurries.)

XAVIER thinks - You're not getting away that easily!

(XAVIER pushes through a few people and gets to the hallway. He sees LARRY down the hall talking with SHARONDA.)

XAVIER - Hey!

(XAVIER quickly gets to LARRY down the hall.)

XAVIER - Hey man! What's up with you! Why you tryin' to play me!

LARRY - What!

(XAVIER pushes LARRY.)

XAVIER - I don't care if you don't like the story! That's the way it went down and that's what I wrote!

LARRY - Story? What story!

(LARRY pushes XAVIER back.)

LARRY - This aint got nuthin' to do with no story and you know it!