(An hour goes by and CENTAUR SEAN has really retrieved some good information. He is putting it all together when the door to the study room opens.)
STUDENT - Excuse me...I don't mean to bother you but...
(SEAN turns around to face the student.)
STUDENT - ...by any chance is that Dr. Mwatsumi on the floor?
CENTAUR SEAN thinks - Oh shoot!
CENTAUR SEAN - Uh...uh...
STUDENT - Oh my God, is he okay?
CENTAUR SEAN - Uh, yeah, he's fine...he's just...
(The student nudges DR. MWATSUMI.)
CENTAUR COLIN - Huh?
STUDENT - Dr. It's me Jill. Are you okay? I was walking by and saw you...and...are you okay?
(CENTAUR COLIN tries to adjust his eyes to the light and make sense of what is going on.)
CENTAUR COLIN - Jill...oh uh...I am only resting momentarily. Rest assured, I am fine.
JILL - Oh...well...okay then. Sorry to bother you.
CENTAUR COLIN - No no, it's fine. Thank you for your concern.
(JILL smiles and leaves the room closing the door. CENTAUR COLIN slowly rises to his feet.)
(silence)
CENTAUR COLIN - Sean, this is affecting my career. I deeply apologize. But I cannot continue with this process any longer.
CENTAUR SEAN - What? Doctor you can't quit now. We're right in the thick of everything. You can make it, I can carry your weight.
CENTAUR COLIN - I appreciate your effort line brother. But it will be of no use. When these activities begin to affect my career here as a professor, a
decision has to be made on my part.
CENTAUR SEAN - But you're not in this alone. If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't even be as far along as I am. I can't do this without you Dr. Mwatsumi.
CENTAUR COLIN - You're going to have to Sean.
(silence)
CENTAUR COLIN - Sean, you are a strong individual. You have strength that you don't even realize that you have. You stood up to your father and I know that was difficult for you. You have changed your opinions on fraternities and now you are studying well and embracing Iota the way that you should.
(He pauses.)
CENTAUR COLIN - Me on the other hand am an old man. Older than all of you at least. It was silly for me to believe that I could handle the schedule of a
college student at my age and with my responsibilities.
CENTAUR SEAN - But Dr...
CENTAUR COLIN - Sean, I have made up my mind. You can't talk me out of this.
CENTAUR SEAN - Just hear me out then.
CENTAUR COLIN - It will be to no use Sean.
(SEAN starts to get emotional.)
CENTAUR SEAN - Why not?
CENTAUR COLIN - Because we're not discussing my desire to want to be a man of Iota Phi Theta. I am not stopping because I am scared. Or because I no longer want to be a part of the Iota movement. I am stopping because it is interfering with my career. I worked long and hard to attain my bachelors, masters, and Ph.D. I take teaching very very seriously Sean. I cannot risk that.
(SEAN drops his head and then turns away.)
CENTAUR COLIN - Sean...
(SEAN doesn't look back.)
CENTAUR COLIN - Sean. Know that I have grown to love you like a brother...more than a son. You will do fine with the rest of the process. And
I am sure the big brothers...the Iotas will understand my position. I need for you to as well.
(silence)
CENTAUR COLIN - Okay Sean?
(silence)
CENTAUR COLIN - Sean?
(SEAN looks at DR. MWATSUMI with teary eyes.)
CENTAUR SEAN - Okay Colin. I will go back and let the big brothers know...of your decision.
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TY is delivering a speech on the history of Omega Psi Phi fraternity at the interest meeting at Amgis College. As he speaks, we revisit the campus of
Howard University, 1911.
TY - The founders, as well as the new charter members went to work quickly. They posted information on Omega Psi Phi everywhere on Howard's yard. They especially posted index cards where administration would see them in clear view. Just like they thought, this generated a lot of talk on Howard's campus among many of the students. There was no denying that there was a new fraternity in town and that new fraternity was Omega Psi Phi.
(The student body audience starts to clap which indicates the program beginning. OSCAR hurries back to his seat with the Omegas.)
OSCAR - Did I miss anything?
ERNEST - No. President Thirkfield was just introduced and he's starting now.
OSCAR - I ran into Frederick Miller downstairs. The Alpha Phi Alpha president. He made a funny remark to me about Omega. I don't know what he
meant though.
(Clapping begins again and everyone turns their attention to the podium on the stage as DR. THIRKFIELD takes his place. DR. THIRKFIELD raises both hands to quiet the crowd. He begins.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - To the board of trustees, faculty, administration, professors, and students of Howard University, I greet with you a warm
salutation. It is a great time in the life of our great university. Howard University is ahead in the areas of research and education. We have made
great strides with the university hospital and additions to educational facilities on campus. We continue to embark upon our quest to create an
archive at Founder's Library. In all areas of campus life, Howard is progressing and leading the way.
(The president pauses and then looks directly at the student audience.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - As we continue to move forward, we as an administration and as a university will not tolerate unwarranted publicity stunts by any student or group. Specifically...
(He pauses.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - ...the Omega Psi Phi fraternity does not exist!
(OSCAR and FRANK look at one another, both visibly surprised.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - This fraternity never has existed, doesn't exist now, and will not exist!
(Several students that are friends of the Omegas turn around and look at the section of seats that the Omegas are sitting in.)
OSCAR - Did the president just say what I think he said?
FRANK - I can't believe he...he just said that Omega Psi Phi doesn't...
EDGAR - What do yo think we should do next?
(DR. JUST is contemplating.)
ERNEST - Let's talk about it after this program concludes.
(PRESIDENT THIRKFIELD concludes his speech. He doesn't speak on Omega Psi Phi, or any other organizations in his speech again. The students clap and begin to file out of the auditorium.)
ERNEST - Frank, let's gather everyone and meet for lunch. We can discuss our
next strategy then.
FRANK - Good idea.
ERNEST - This won't deter us. We will still get through to the administration and we will still press forward with our goals!
(Everyone gets up and starts to leave the auditiorium.)
OSCAR - I can't believe he said that.
EDGAR - Well I guess we got his attention. He had to have seen the index cards on campus.
FRANK - Definitely.
ERNEST - And we should leave them up. Don't take any of them down.
OSCAR - Good idea.
(They walk to the cafeteria to get something to eat.)
FRANK - What should we do next?
ERNEST - We need to meet with the administration one on one. We need to express to them our needs, what we want, and that we are not just going to go away. We have a serious mission in mind and we are going to see it through.
OSCAR - So we need to sit down with the president.
FRANK - Yes, we need an audience with the president.
EDGAR - Can you arrange that?
ERNEST - I am sure I can.
OSCAR - Good, then let's do that. Let's sit down with President Thirkfield and make our position clear.
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The brothers of Iota Phi Theta fraternity have arranged for the Centaurs to meet them at the Project Harvest can food drive that they have set up for
needy families during Thanksgiving. CENTAUR SEAN returns.
RICHARD - I tell ya man. Doing this project has always been bitter sweet for me.
SAIFA - What do you mean?
RICHARD - I mean, I'm happy that we are helping needy families. But then I am sad when I think about their situations. I mean, look at that lady over
there. Yeah she's eating now, but what about next week? We only do things like this once a month for our community service. But what about tomorrrow? People need to eat every day.
SAIFA - I know man. It's tough. That's why we have to stay committed to doing our part.
RICHARD - But do you ever think our part is just too little?
(CENTAUR SEAN walks up.)
CENTAUR SEAN - Greetings big bro...
RICHARD - Shhhhh! Shut up man! We're in public! Shit!
CENTAUR SEAN - Oh...sorry.
(SAIFA laughs to himself.)
RICHARD - Hey, where's Dr. Centaur?
CENTAUR SEAN - Um...I need to talk to you about that. I mean, about him.
SAIFA - Is he okay?
CENTAUR SEAN - Well...yes he's fine but...
SAIFA - Follow me. Richard, grab Sam and meet me out back.
RICHARD - Okay.
(SEAN follows SAIFA outside and to the back of the building. RICHARD and SAM walk out as well.)
SAIFA - Okay what happened Sean?
CENTAUR SEAN - Big Brother The Man wi...
SAIFA - Call me Saifa Sean. Just tell me what happened with Dr. Mwatsumi.
CENTAUR SEAN - Well, we went to the library to get the information on Medgar Evers. So I told him to take a nap and that I would gather all the
information. Because I could see how tired he was.
SAIFA - Uh huh.
CENTAUR SEAN - So he goes to sleep and then one of his students recognizes him.
SAM - Oh shit!
SAIFA - How did a student recognize him if he had his head down?
CENTAUR SEAN - He was laying on the floor.
(SAIFA puts his hand on his head and closes his eyes.)
RICHARD - Oh God!
SAIFA - Sean, what else happened?
CENTAUR SEAN - The student thinks that the doctor is sick so she asks. Dr. Mwatsumi wakes up and tells that student that he is okay and she leaves. But then he says that he can't continue with the process any longer because it's affecting his career. So he is stopping.
(silence)
SAIFA thinks - Oh God.
SAIFA - Rich, give me your cell phone.
(RICHARD hands SAIFA his cell phone. SAIFA takes it and walks away dialing.)
SAM - Didn't you try and talk him out of it Sean?
CENTAUR SEAN - Yes Big Brother Goldfinger. But it was no use. He had made up his mind to stop. It isn't because of his lack of desire for Iota Phi Theta
fraternity incorporated. But it's his profession on campus. He can't put that in jeopardy.
RICHARD - Damn!
SAM - Well I'm sure that Saifa is calling him now and talking to him about it. Saifa and the doctor are pretty close. He can probably change his mind.
RICHARD - Yeah because he can't stop now. He's already too far.
(SEAN is just standing there listening to RICHARD and SAM.)
SAM - Yeah.
RICHARD - And you know next week is...
SAM - Shhh man!
(SAM motions toward CENTAUR SEAN who is standing there quietly.)
RICHARD - Oh. My bad!
SAM - Like I said, hopefully Saifa can speak some good words into the doctor centaur.
(SAIFA comes back and hands the phone to RICHARD.)
SAM - What happened? Is he back with us?
SAIFA - No, he's gone. He can't do the process with us and frankly, that's the best thing.
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STACIE has hurried out because of an emergency with her twin babies. But before she leaves, she re-enters the room to make an announcement to her sorors about CHRISTIAN.
(The door opens again and STACIE quickly pops her head in.)
STACIE - Sorors, just so yall will know what my issues are and that I'm not crazy, Chris here slept with my husband. So yall can discuss that until I get
back.
(STACIE leaves, slamming the door behind her.)
(silence)
CHRISTIAN thinks - Oh shoot!
(ROBIN and WILLIE are speechless. They stare at one another, and then both turn to CHRISTIAN.)
ROBIN - Chris...is that...true?
WILLIE - Christian, tell me you didn't sleep with Alex Jefferson!
(CHRISTIAN opens her mouth but nothing comes out.)
WILLIE - Oh my God! You did!
CHRISTIAN - Wait, Willie, let me explain...
ROBIN - Explain? Explain what!
(WILLIE slowly sits down and holds her head in her hands.)
WILLIE - I don't believe this!
ROBIN - When did this happen! When!
CHRISTIAN - Happen? Happen? Robin, this kind of thing is happening! Yall are turning all the attention on me like this is my fault! When the real blame
needs to go on Alex Jefferson! Not me! To Alex!
ROBIN - What!
CHRISTIAN - He is doing this to a lot of women! Not just me and not just Breanna! Alex Jefferson is a ho and a dog!
ROBIN - What the hell does that have to do with anything!
CHRISTIAN - A lot Robin! I'm not the one to take all the blame here! What about him?
ROBIN - What about how this makes our chapter look! Huh! What about how this makes our sorority look to the outside world! Did you ever consider that when you were screwing our soror's husband!
(ROBIN is yelling and pointing at CHRISTIAN.)
ROBIN - This won't look like Christian slept with Stacie's husband! This will look like those damn Deltas sleep with each other's men! How could you do
such a thing!
CHRISTIAN - I didn't mean to...I mean, it sort of just happened! Alex is very sly and conniving and he enticed me to believe what he was saying to me!
WILLIE - Oh so you're not an adult? You can't think for yourself?
CHRISTIAN - I didn't say that?
WILLIE - Why didn't you tell any of us when he made advances toward you Chris?
CHRISTIAN - Because yall wouldn't have believed me and would've believed that I was pursuing him!
ROBIN - Bullshit!
(CHRISTIAN and WILLIE are surprised at ROBIN's language and tone.)
ROBIN - You should've come to us! So instead of coming to us first, you sleep with the man? What the hell is the matter with you!
CHRISTIAN - Robin I...
ROBIN - You have nothing more to say to me Christian! You have committed the ultimate unsisterly act! I have no more words for you!
CHRISTIAN - Wait Robin, just...
WILLIE - Chris.
(CHRISTIAN turns to face WILLIE.)
WILLIE - Chris I am very disappointed in what you've done. I'm shocked, hurt, and disappointed.
(CHRISTIAN remains quiet.)
WILLIE - Becuase of what you have done, you leave me no choice.
CHRISTIAN - Willie no! Wait!
(WILLIE looks CHRISTIAN directly in the eyes.)
WILLIE - I'm removing you from dean of this year's intake process.
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TY - The founders decided that their next move needed to be a sit down meeting with the administration. And that meant to meet with President
Thirkfield face to face. Dr. Just was able to arrange the meeting.
SECRETARY - What can I do for you genteman?
FRANK - We have an appointment with the president.
SECRETARY - Have a seat and he will be right with you.
FRANK - Thank you.
(They have a seat in the lobby of the president's office while the secretary calls inside to him.)
SECRETARY - President Thirkfield will see you now.
ERNEST - Thank you.
(They enter the president's office. He stands up from behind his desk and extends his hand toward DR. JUST. He smiles to greet him.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - Dr. Just! How are you? Come in, come in. Please, everyone have a seat.
ERNEST - Thank you sir.
(Everyone sits down.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - What can I do for you today?
ERNEST - We came here sir to discuss the formation of our fraternity Omega Psi Phi. We filed the necessary paperwork weeks ago and never got a response from administration.
DR. THIRKFIELD - So instead you plaster the campus with index cards? That was an unappreciated stunt that you pulled and those types of activities will not be tolerated.
FRANK - President Thirkfield no disrespect, but I would think that Howard University would be honored to have a fraternity founded on its campus.
DR. THIRKFIELD - Do you understand what type of liabilities a fraternity can bring? Do you know the amount of mischief and mayhem go on with fraternities?
OSCAR - But sir, that is not what we are about. Did you read the information that we sent to your office?
DR. THIRKFIELD - Yes I read it and we're not interested in another fraternity being here. We already have Alpha Phi Alpha here. One fraternity is enough.
ERNEST - Dr. Thirkfield, I challenge you to your own words. You said in your speech that Howard is leading the way in all areas of academic endeavors. We should also lead the way in all areas of collegiate social endeavors. With the founding of Omega Psi Phi here on Howard's campus, the university will stand out among all universities and shine forth as the leader that it is.
OSCAR - The impact that the founding of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity will have will be outstanding.
DR. THIRKFIELD - Or nothing but trouble!
EDGAR - Sir, how do we convince you that we are not causing trouble. But creating something outstanding and powerful for young Black men?
DR. THIRKFIELD - The first thing you can do is take all those information cards off campus.
EDGAR - And if we do that, will you see our formation through?
(PRESIDENT THIRKFIELD rubs his chin in his hand.)
DR. THIRKFIELD - You take the cards down. And I do mean all of them. After you do that, come back and see me and I will read through your paperwork more closely and have my decision by then.
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BREANNA and THERESA have decided to go to BREANNA's room to wait for their next instructions.
BREANNA - What do you think is gonna happen next?
THERESA - I have no earthly idea. I really don't. They seem real confused about something.
BREANNA - Yeah. Stacie still scares me because of...well you know.
THERESA - Actually I don't know. What exactly happened with that?
BREANNA - You don't know?
THERESA - Well I know...but I don't know.
BREANNA - Well, I fell in love with Alex Jefferson. I had no idea he was married. Let alone to a Delta. That's it in a nutshell.
THERESA - Damn.
BREANNA - It's messed up because I know that Stacie hates me because of it. Eventhough I didn't no he was married. He never wore a wedding ring, he never told me he was married.
THERESA - So you never wanted to stop trying out for DST after it came out?
BREANNA - Never.
THERESA - Why not?
BREANNA - Because Delta Sigma Theta is in my heart. I love Delta and love never dies. Never.
(silence)
THERESA - I don't know Bree. I mean, I understand what you're saying. But that's deep what happend. Ya know?
BREANNA - Yeah, I think about it every day. Everytime I look at the sorority history when I study, or talk to a big sister, I get reminded of it. All the
time. But I just want to cross and then confront Stacie. I want to be a good soror to her. You understand?
THERESA - Yeah, I see what you mean.
BREANNA - I want to sit her down and not even mention Alex. But to say that I am her sister and I love her. And I hope that these things can be put in the past and she can walk with me in Delta love from now on.
THERESA - What a beautiful picture.
BREANNA - You don't think that's possible?
THERESA - Hate to burst your bubble, but no.
BREANNA - Why not?
THERESA - Think about it Breanna. This goes outside the realm of Delta. Her husband cheated on her while he has two small babies in the house. This ain't got nothin' to do with Delta. She may be your soror, but she won't be your friend. Eventhough it wasn't your fault.
(BREANNA looks sad.)
BREANNA - Maybe you're right.
THERESA - But don't take it hard Breanna. Life isn't fair sometimes. Just do what you gotta do to be fair to you.
(BREANNA is fighting back tears. THERESA places her arm around BREANNA.)
THERESA - Don't worry girl. Your life as a Delta will be great. You're coming in for the right reasons and you will be rewarded.
BREANNA - Thank you.
THERESA - Your welcome line sister. You know I love you girl.
THERESA thinks - Did I just say that?
BREANNA - And I love you too Theresa!
(They hug.)
THERESA thinks - I just said I love you! What in the world?
BREANNA - I probably owe you an apology.
THERESA - Why?
BREANNA - Well first of all, I got your shoulder wet with my tears when we just hugged! Hee hee hee.
(THERESA looks at her shoulder.)
THERESA - Oh girl, don't worry about that.
BREANNA - But I owe you an apology for all the drama I've caused since this process has started. Because of what happened with me, they could've decided to not have a line this year. And where would that leave you in your quest
for Delta?
THERESA - Don't worry about me Bree. I always get what I want. And right now I want Delta, so I'll get it.
BREANNA - How bad you want it?
THERESA - Surprisingly, more than you know. It even surprises me.
BREANNA - Good. That's the way it's supposed to be.
(There is a knock on the door.)
BREANNA - Ooooh, maybe it's the big sisters! Let's straighten up!
THERESA - Yeah, wipe your face off!
(THERESA wipes BREANNA's face for her.)
BREANNA - Thanks.
(BREANNA checks THERESA's face as well.)
THERESA - You ready?
BREANNA - Yeah.
(BREANNA opens the door.)
PYRAMIDS - Greetin...
CHRISTIAN - Stop. Stop.
(CHRISTIAN comes in and closes the door.)
CHRISTIAN - Sit down so we can talk.
(THERESA and BREANNA sit down.)
CHRISTIAN - Look, here's the deal. I love you two but some changes are going to be made in your intake process. I have brought you as far as I can bring you. But before I get into that, I need both of you to do me a really, really big favor!
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