The Ahpla University pan hellenic council is meeting in DEXTER's room. DEXTER is in the meeting but his mind seems to be elsewhere.
DEXTER thinks - Yeah, me and Willie need to have a serious conversation. This shit aint cool. I aint tryin to get back into what the hell I was trying to get out of! Fo sho! So that shit is out and I just need to be out! Because...
KATRICE - Dexter!
(DEXTER is startled and jumps in his chair.)
KATRICE - What's wrong with you man? Are you here with us or not?
DEXTER - My bad yall. I just got some things on my mind.
(DEXTER glances at WILLIE who looks away but KATRICE catches both their glances.)
(silence)
KATRICE - Excuse me yall.
(KATRICE stands up.)
KATRICE - Dexter, can I speak to you alone for a few minutes?
DEXTER - Uh...yeah. Sure. No problem.
KATRICE - Z, take over the meeting for about five minutes okay?
XAVIER - Okay cool.
(DEXTER steps aside to let KATRICE pass first toward his bedroom.)
KATRICE - We'll be right back everyone.
JASON - No problem. So Xavier, what do you think about...
(DEXTER closes his bedroom door behind himself. He turns to face KATRICE who is staring him directly in his face.)
DEXTER - What's up?
KATRICE - I need to be asking you that.
DEXTER - What you mean?
KATRICE - Don't play dumb Dexter. You know I aint the one to mess with.
DEXTER - What the hell are you talking about Katrice?
(silence)
(KATRICE has her arms folded across her chest and is staring directly into DEXTER's eyes.)
KATRICE - Are you fuckin' with Willie again?
DEXTER thinks - Oh shit!
DEXTER - What!
KATRICE - I didn't stutter.
DEXTER - What? I mean...uh...what you...um...see what happened...see...
(KATRICE jumps at DEXTER and starts to tongue kiss him passionately.)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SHARONDA is saying goodbye to her Zeta sorors from Amgis College. The meet and greet session is now over and everyone is leaving.
SHARONDA - Leah call me.
LEAH - For sure.
SHARONDA - No seriously, call me.
LEAH - O...kay!
SHARONDA - Girl, you don't ever call me back! Forget I asked.
(LEAH laughs.)
LEAH - Okay okay! I promise to call!
SHARONDA - On the shield?
LEAH - Yes girl, I promise!
SHARONDA - Aight then.
(SHARONDA and LEAH hug.)
SHARONDA - Yall travel safely back to Amgis.
LEAH - Thanks. And uh...get your cousin.
SHARONDA - Don't start okay? I got that already.
LEAH - Yeah...okay.
(LEAH turns to leave and SHARONDA turns toward MIYA who is alone and has been patiently waiting on the side.)
SHARONDA - You ready.
MIYA - Uh huh.
(MIYA is very quiet and has her head down.)
SHARONDA - How you feelin'?
MIYA - I'm okay.
SHARONDA - No seriously Miya. How you feelin'?
(MIYA looks up as they walk.)
MIYA - Embarassed.
SHARONDA - Yeah. Well you didn't know.
MIYA - But for that girl to go off the way she did.
SHARONDA - Who Saleema? She didn't go off. But you shouldn't have made that poem up. Saleema was right to embarrass you like that.
MIYA - I still don't see what was wrong with it.
SHARONDA - Miya, being in a sorority is great. It's a wonderful experience. But it doesn't take away from the fact that you are a proud Black woman first. All of us who have become members of sororities were sisters first, before we ever wore colors. You have to have a mutual respect for that.
MIYA - You do? But I see yall argue all the time. And I see them dissin' yall at stepshows and all kinds of stuff.
SHARONDA - Miya, most of that is in fun. But its also for Greeks to do. Its kind of like you can talk bad about your mom, and Mona can talk bad about you rmom, but don't let anyone else talk bad about your mom.
MIYA - Oh.
SHARONDA - Eventhough I think the Deltas here at Ahpla are whack as hell...
(MIYA laughs.)
SHARONDA - And the AKAs are some stuck up primadonnas, all of em...
(MIYA laughs again.)
SHARONDA - I still have to respect their organization.
MIYA - Oh.
SHARONDA - So you need to think about the things that Saleema said to you and really evaluate why you want to be a part of something like this. Feel me?
MIYA - Yeah, I feel ya cuz.
SHARONDA - And remember, I joke around but on the real I respect Black women first. I don't care if she's an AKA or an SGRho. If she's a Black woman and handling her business, then she gets respect.
MIYA - Okay.
SHARONDA - And don't let anyone belittle any organization. We're all here to uplift our community. We may have different ways of going about it, but mature men and women can embrace our differences and work together for the common good. Understand?
MIYA - Definitely.
SHARONDA - Well look, here comes your bus so get home safe okay and I'll talk to ya later.
MIYA - Thanks for inviting me to this.
SHARONDA - Sure, and tell Aunt Mel I still love her.
MIYA - Okay.
(MIYA smiles as she hugs her cousin. She then gets on the bus. She finds an empty seat in the back and pulls out her cell phone.)
SOROR FERGUSON - Hello.
MIYA - Hi Mommy.
SOROR FERGUSON - Hi Miya. Where are ya?
MIYA - I'm on my way home now Mommy. I should be home in a few. But I was wondering if we could talk about something right now.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KATRICE jumps at DEXTER and starts to kiss him passionately.
DEXTER - What the...
(DEXTER feels KATRICE's tongue all over the inside of his mouth.)
DEXTER thinks - Oh...shi...
(KATRICE stops immediately and licks her lips. She backs away.)
DEXTER - What...the fuc...
KATRICE - So you aren't still diggin' Willie huh?
DEXTER - What? Huh?
KATRICE - I can tell you've been kissing her.
DEXTER - What!
KATRICE - I said I can tell you two have been kissin'.
DEXTER - What? How!
(KATRICE licks her lips again.)
KATRICE - Trust me Dexter, I can tell.
(silence)
DEXTER - Uh...
KATRICE - So what's it gonna be? Are you gonna be with Willie or what?
DEXTER - Willie has a man, thank you very much.
(DEXTER is wiping his mouth.)
KATRICE - If Willie has a man, why is her tongue all up in your mouth?
(silence)
KATRICE - Whenever you decide to make up your mind, you let me know. But for now...
(KATRICE turns to leave the room.)
KATRICE - ...focus on the meeting.
DEXTER thinks - Damn!
(KATRICE rejoins the Greeks in the other room and DEXTER follows close behind.)
JASON - Oh hey Katrice, we were just finishing up and we wanted to discuss the last thing. Remember what you and I spoke about last week?
(DEXTER glances at WILLIE as he takes his seat, then he looks at JASON.)
KATRICE - Oh yeah, I remember. We just wanted to quickly mention an idea that Jason had that I thought was good if planned properly. Basically a joint informational. What if we were all on the yard one day and each of us had tables out with all of our organization's information? We would all were para and be out there talking about our organization yet showing unity.
XAVIER - I like that.
WILLIE - Me too!
(KATRICE looks at WILLIE, licks her lips, and smiles.)
JASON - Cool. We just wanted to put the idea out there to yall now so yall can think about it and we'll come with more information next meeting at Xavier's place. So thanks everyone for coming and look to hear from us by next week.
(Everyone stands up to leave and DEXTER quickly makes his way to the door to open it for everyone.)
DEXTER thinks - I need to get everybody out so I can sit and think! Damn!
(DEXTER's phone rings as he is saying goodbye to XAVIER.)
DEXTER - Hey, can somebody grab that for me?
KATRICE - I got it.
(KATRICE picks the phone up.)
KATRICE - Hello, Dexter's place.
(silence)
KATRICE - Hello? Anybody there?
(silence)
KATRICE - Hello!
JAHANNA - Katrice let me speak to my brother.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BOBBY has arrived in court for his case with CARYN for custody of Lil Derrick. He is sitting next to ALEX JEFFERSON who is helping him with his case.
(BOBBY checks his watch.)
BOBBY - I don't think she's gonna show up. I know she's not gonna show up.
ALEX - Then this is easier than we thought. We'll show that she isn't even fit to stand in court for her baby.
BOBBY - Cool!
(BOBBY checks his watch again as the judge addresses BOBBY.)
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr. Jefferson, your client's case is still up and the defendant hasn't shown.
(ALEX stands up.)
ALEX - Yes maam.
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr. Jefferson you are acting legal council aren't you?
ALEX - Yes your honor. But moreso in support. I don't have a law degree.
JUDGE GODFREY- Very well, well in the event that...
CARYN - Wait!
(The door flies open and CARYN bursts in.)
CARYN - Wait!
DONNA - Yeah hold up! Hold up!
JUDGE GODFREY - Order! Order in this court! Are you uh...uh...
(The judge is looking down at her notes for CARYN's name. CARYN sticks her tongue out at BOBBY.)
JUDGE GODFREY - Are you Caryn?
CARYN - Yes maam I am. I'm Caryn and this is my friend Donna.
DONNA - Oooh, you look like Judge Judy!
(silence)
JUDGE GODFREY - Is...Donna you're legal representation for this case?
(BOBBY laughs as he whispers to ALEX.)
BOBBY - Oh God this is gonna be good!
VALERIE - Your honor, Valerie Edwards attorney at law. Here to represent Caryn in this case.
(BOBBY turns around to see a very well dressed woman walk into the court room.)
BOBBY thinks - Oh shit!
ALEX - Isn't that...
VALERIE - We apologize for our tardiness your honor, but we have all of our documents in order and are ready to proceed with the case.
ALEX - Hey, that's Coach Edward's wife!
JUDGE GODFREY - Very well. Let's begin.
(VALERIE, CARYN, and DONNA sit down. ALEX starts shuffling through a bunch of papers. His briefcase falls on the floor.)
JUDGE GODFREY - Okay this states that the child, Derrick, is currently in custody with Caryn and Bobby wants to seek custody. Is that full custody?
(ALEX is shuffling paperwork.)
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr. Jefferson?
ALEX - Uh...
(silence)
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr. Jefferson...
(silence)
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr Jefferson!
ALEX - Yes your honor. We're here to show Bobby's stability and his capacity to not only be a good parent, but a better guardian then Caryn.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MIYA calls her mother, SOROR FERGUSON from the bus.
MIYA - I'm on my way home now Mommy. I should be home in a few. But I was wondering if we could talk about something right now.
SOROR FERGUSON - Sure Miya. What's on your mind?
MIYA - Well...
(MIYA pauses.)
MIYA - ...well Mommy, can you tell me something about sororities Mom? Um...like, why AKA over another sorority? Aren't we all sisters in the beginning anyway? I mean, if we're all proud Black women, what difference does it make what color we wear?
SOROR FERGUSON - It makes a huge difference Miya baby. A huge difference. Let me explain.
MIYA - Okay.
SOROR FERGUSON - See honey, AKA was first.
MIYA - Uh huh.
SOROR FERGUSON - AKA set the standard for sorority life. We set the precedent for others to follow.
MIYA - Uh huh.
SOROR FERGUSON - Nobody has ever been able to duplicate what we have. No one has ever even come close. There is no organization anywhere in the world quite like what we have. So that sets us up already to be the best.
MIYA - Oh.
SOROR FERGUSON - Then the Deltas came around but were a bad imitation of perfection.
MIYA - A bad imitation?
SOROR FERGUSON - Yes indeed. And if you ask any Delta, they'll even admit this. They are a real bad carbon copy. You understand so far?
MIYA - I think so.
SOROR FERGUSON - Good. Now Zeta Phi Beta, your...cousin's....sorority...
(SOROR FERGUSON pauses.)
SOROR FERGUSON - ...Zeta Phi Beta should really be a fraternity. I mean, they're nothing more than an extension of a fraternity. And you see how your cousin acts! Gosh! So you see Miya, AKA is the only way to go.
MIYA - But Mom, what about Sigma Gamma Rho sorority?
SOROR FERGUSON - Who?
MIYA - Sigma Gamma Rho.
SOROR FERGUSON - Who?
MIYA - Sigma Gam...
SOROR FERGUSON - Who? Who? Who?
(SOROR FERGUSON laughs.)
SOROR FERGUSON - So as I was saying Miya, Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority is the only way to go. It was the only way to go when I was a student. It was the only way to go for Mona and it should be the only way to go for you. Now what do you have to say about that?
(silence)
MIYA - You've helped out a lot Mom. Thanks.
SOROR FERGUSON - Good! So you've changed your mind and now want to be an AKA like me and your sister?
MIYA - Heck no! Because both you and Mona are shallow and I want to be a Zeta now more than ever!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr. Jefferson...
(silence)
JUDGE GODFREY - Mr Jefferson!
ALEX - Yes your honor. We're here to show Bobby's stability and his capacity to not only be a good parent, but a better guardian then Caryn.
JUDGE GODFREY - Thank you Mr. Jefferson. Ms. Edwards.
VALERIE - Your honor, Caryn is the only guardian who's been there for the child. Caryn juggles being a mother, being a student and stilll not neglecting her responsibilities as a student athlete with the cheerleading squad. She is more than capable to care for this cihld. Full custody for Bobby is out of the question your honor. Bobby doesn't have steady income and has never shown interest in the well being of his son.
DONNA - That's right dammit!
JUDGE GODFREY - Order!
(VALERIE turns toward CARYN and DONNA.)
VALERIE - Shhhh, let me handle this ladies okay?
DONNA - Yeah...good idea. You handle it.
ALEX - Your honor, Bobby has a job and will have a steady income after graduation. He hasn't had the opportunity to be a father because Caryn has let someone take on that responsibilty.
VALERIE - Nobody prevented Bobby from being a father. If he wanted to spend quality time with his son, he could've. Caryn has never asked Bobby for anything. She has never asked him for any financial support which he is rightfully supposed to pay.
ALEX - But what about the fact that she is letting Derrick play daddy?
VALERIE - Derrick is irrelevant your honor. One has nothing to do with the other.
ALEX - Well what about the fact that Caryn is never home and always out partying?
VALERIE - Your honor, these receipts show the child care that Caryn pays for without Bobby's help. She has never left the baby alone, never placed the baby in harm, never endangered the child and always considers the welfare of her baby first.
(The judge is handed the receipts. She takes a moment to look at them.)
JUDGE GODFREY - Bobby, you are gainfully employed now?
BOBBY - Uh...yes your honor.
JUDGE GODFREY - What is it that you do?
(The judge is looking through papers in BOBBY's folder.)
ALEX - He works in the Psychology department at Ahpla University.
(JUDGE GODFREY looks over her thin rimmed glasses.)
JUDGE GODFREY - I asked him Mr. Jefferson.
ALEX - Uh...yes maam.
BOBBY - Uh...I work in the...um...Psychology department at Ahpla University. And when I graduate, I'm guaranteed a permanent position while I attend graduate school.
JUDGE GODFREY - Uh huh. So what you have now is more of an internship...moreso than a job?
BOBBY - Well no, I work.
JUDGE GODFREY - I didn't ask you if you worked. I asked you if you had a job.
BOBBY - Well I...
JUDGE GODFREY - Never mind Bobby.
(The judge takes a moment to write a few things down.)
JUDGE GODFREY -And Caryn you're a cheerleader. Is that correct?
CARYN - Yes I am.
JUDGE GODFREY - And do you travel with the basketball or football team when they have away games?
CARYN - Well uh, yes.
JUDGE GODFREY - And how often is that?
CARYN - Uh well, it depends on the season. I guess. Last year the basketball team made the tournament, so we were gone for a while.
DONNA - Yeah girl! Remember that! That trip was of the hizzle! Ha ha ha ha!
(silence)
JUDGE GODFREY - One more outburst, and I will have you escorted out of my courtroom young lady. Do you understand? Fo shizzle?
(The bailiff laughs.)
JUDGE GODFREY - I have a young daughter. I know the lingo too. Well anyway, both of you listen up. It seems like both of you have some real growing up to do and fast. Neither of you is really ready for parenthood or even adulthood. Bobby you don't have a real job and Caryn you're probably doing too much. It's totally out of the question for Bobby to get full custody. Yet it's his right as a father to see the child and play a part in his upbringing. So this is my decision.
(Both BOBBY and CARYN lean forward to listen.)
JUDGE GODFREY - Baby Derrick will stay with Caryn. Bobby can get the child every other weekend. And Bobby since you think you have a job, I think you should start paying child support.
BOBBY thinks - Damn!
JUDGE GODFREY - That is the order of this court. Case denied, that is all.
CARYN - Thank you Jesus! Thank you Mrs. Edwards! Thank you so much!
VALERIE - Okay Caryn, calm down. We didn't win anything today. This isn't win or lose. It's what is best for your son that matters.
ALEX - Excuse me Mrs. Edwards?
(VALERIE turns around.)
ALEX - I don't know if you remember me, but I'm faculty at Ahpla. I teach in the Psychology department and I know your husband well.
VALERIE - Oh okay. What was your name again?
ALEX - Alex Jefferson.
VALERIE - Oh okay Alex. I'm Val Edwards.
ALEX - You did a great job today. Congratulations.
VALERIE - Thank you.
(They shake hands.)
ALEX - You know Val, I was wondering...
(ALEX pauses and lowers his voice.)
ALEX - I have a case pending against a student who hit me. Could you represent me against her?
No comments:
Post a Comment