Episode 23

XAVIER is in his room waiting for his fraternity brothers, GREGG and MIKE, to arrive. XAVIER and GREGG need to discuss how they are going to handle MIKE and his recent actions.

XAVIER thinks - Lord just keep me from killing him.

(XAVIER looks at his watch.)

XAVIER thinks - Can I hit him Lord? Can I just punch him in the face?

(XAVIER smiles to himself as there is a knock on the door.)

XAVIER thinks - I hope this is Gregg and not Mike yet!

(XAVIER gets up.)

XAVIER thinks - Because I swear I'm gonna hit Mike the minute he opens his mouth!

(XAVIER looks through his peephole and opens the door.)

XAVIER - Thank God.

GREGG - Are you always praying man? Sheesh!

XAVIER - I was thanking God that you got here before the idiot!

GREGG - What you talkin' about Z?

(GREGG walks in.)

XAVIER - Wait til I tell you what our neo did.

GREGG - What?

(GREGG opens the fridge, XAVIER follows him into the kitchen.)

XAVIER - Dude, I'm in here chillin, and I get a knock on the door. Guess who is coming to see me! GREGG - One of those cheerleader freaks? Ha ha ha ha!

XAVIER - Man I'm serious.

(GREGG closes the fridge.)

GREGG - My bad. Who came to see you Z?

XAVIER - Our new Scroller!

GREGG - Scroller? Mike?

XAVIER - No. I didn't say our new frat brother, or our neo But our new Scroller!

GREGG - Negro, what are you talking about?

XAVIER - G, I open the door and Brendon is giving me a greeting and acting like a Scoller because Mike told him that he could go on line for us now!

GREGG - What?

XAVIER - Brendon is giving me a greeting, in the hallway, calling me Little Red!

GREGG - You're bullshittin' me!

XAVIER - Gregg I'm not lying! Mike told Brendon that he could pledge Kappa right now! And started him off in our pledge process! Without speaking with me or you!

(silence)

GREGG - Where the fuck is Mike?

XAVIER - He should be here any minute from now.

Meanwhile in another dorm...

MONA - I don't wanna keep you from what you have to go to. You don't have to feel sorry for me and stay just to talk.

MIKE - Naw don't sweat it. What I was going to go to is gonna last all night. Trust me. So let's talk. What's on your mind Miss Mona?

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BOBBY is in his room. He is exhausted from restless nights, but can't fall asleep to take a nap.

BOBBY thinks - This is crazy! I can't even fall asleep!

(BOBBY rolls over and grabs his phone. He dials REGGIE.)

REGGIE - Hello?

BOBBY - Wassup bruh.

REGGIE - What up man.

BOBBY - Dude, I gotta get back with Paula.

REGGIE - She still ain't talkin' to you?

BOBBY - Hell no. Man, I fucked up big time.

REGGIE - What goes around comes around bruh.

BOBBY - I don't need the I told you so speech.

REGGIE - Ha ha ha, my bad.

BOBBY - I can't even sleep.

REGGIE - So you're really in love huh? Who would've thought. Bobby in love.

BOBBY - I've been in love before. Look at how long I was with Alexis.

REGGIE - Man that wasn't being in love. You were cheating on her with every girl on campus.

BOBBY - I guess.

REGGIE - I know what I'm talkin' about. You cared about Alexis. You may have even loved her. But you were definitely not in love with her. I think you are in love with Paula. Possibly. You feel really bad about what happened and I know you didn't want to hurt her. But if you were really in love with her, then you couldn't have cheated on her in the first place.

(silence)

BOBBY - Leave it to you to throw sense up in my face.

REGGIE - Well you know I'm gonna always do that and you call me anyway.

BOBBY - Yeah, I guess I should've known.

REGGIE - You know I don't pull any punches. Especially with my bros.

BOBBY - Yeah.

REGGIE - So if you know this already...

BOBBY - Okay, I get the point.

(REGGIE laughs.)

BOBBY - So if you know so much about relationships and shit, why aren't you in one?

(REGGIE laughs again.)

REGGIE - Who says I'm not in one?

BOBBY - What?

REGGIE - I don't tell yall nosey niggas everything. Ha ha ha ha!

BOBBY - Wait, you got a girl?

REGGIE - Yeah I got a girl?

BOBBY - You lying!

(REGGIE laughs.)

BOBBY - Yo, who is your...

(BOBBY's other line rings.)

BOBBY - Oh shit! Hold on man!

(BOBBY quickly clicks over, hoping it is PAULA calling him.)

BOBBY - Hello!

DERRICK - We need to talk.

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MIKE sits down with MONA in the lobby of the dorm. She smiles as she sits down with him.

MIKE - So what's botherin' you pretty Mona?

MONA - I messed up with my sorors. They're pissed off at me.

MIKE - What happened?

MONA - Well...

(MONA pauses.)

MONA - ...I want to increase my chapter. I just want to make AKA the best that it can be here at Ahpla. That's all.

MIKE - Well what's wrong with that? That's how I feel about Kappa.

MONA - I guess I have different ideas on how to go about that. I thought that if we had a few more confident members, it would show a difference on campus. So I had an interest meeting and met with a few young ladies that I know are interested in AKA.

(MIKE has a big smile on his face.)

MONA - What? Why are you laughing at me?

MIKE - You won't believe this! We have the exact same goals Mona! I just had my own interest meeting myself!

MONA - You did?

MIKE - Hell yeah! I know this one cat who is dying to be a Nupe. So I spoke to him and taught him a few early things. I sent him over to see my frat brothers. He's over there now. But the point is that there's nothing wrong with expanding our chapters. That's what our founders did. So it must be the way to go.

MONA - That's what I thought. Sorors have other ideas though.

MIKE - So they got mad at you for that?

MONA - Very mad.

MIKE - Well that's crazy.

MONA - I think so too.

MIKE - So what are you gonna do about it?

MONA - Do about it? What can I do?

MIKE - What can you do? Girl never give up. If you wanna increase your chapter and sorors got mad, you need to keep fighting until they understand how important your views are. Because they are important.

MONA - You think so?

MIKE - I know so. Like I said, I feel the same way that you do. I got your back.

MONA - I wish you had a vote up in my chapter! Ha ha ha ha ha! I would need someone like you beside me.

MIKE - I'd be happy to stand beside you now Mona.

(MONA smiles.)

MONA - That's real sweet of you Mike.

MIKE - I'm a sweet kind of guy.

(silence)

MONA - Mike, do you still have some time?

MIKE - Depends.

(MIKE smiles.)

MONA - I'm starvin'.

MIKE - Then I got time.

(MONA smiles back.)

MIKE - You wanna go to the...

(silence)

(MIKE is staring at someone who just walked into the dorm. MONA turns around to see who MIKE is looking at.)

MONA - What? Who are you looking at?

MIKE - That dude...

(MIKE starts to get up.)

MIKE - ...that dude right there!

MONA - Who? What about him?

MIKE - That dude is a new Sigma from Amgis College! My prophytes Xavier and Gregg told me that he was on line pledging Kappa here at Ahpla!

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The ladies of Sigma Gamma Rho are stunned at the comment made by their Aurora to CANDACE, her big sister.

JENNIFER - I know this Aurora isn't talking back to big sisters!

CANDACE - I know right! What the heck!

AURORA ALEXIS - I don't mean to be disŠ

CANDACE - Will you shut up! Don't talk back to me again!

AURORA ALEXIS - But you're supposed to be my friend.

CANDACE - No, you're supposed to be pledging!

(CANDACE gets in ALEXIS' face. ALEXIS is starting to visibly become emotional.)

CANDACE - Let me make something very clear! You are pledging Sigma Gamma Rho! None of us are here to baby sit you! Not me, and none of my sorors okay! Right now I am not your pal, I ain't your buddy, I ain't your girlfriend or boyfriend! So you betterŠ

AURORA ALEXIS - At least I have a boyfriend!

(The room suddenly becomes incredibly quiet.)

JENNIFER thinks - Oh my God.

(Everyone looks at CANDACE for her reaction.)

CANDACE thinks - Oh my God! Oh my God!

NINO - So what do ya say? I know it's a small diamond, but when I get a chance, I can get you a bigge...

CANDACE - Of course I'll marry you! I love you Nino!

NINO - You will?

(All the children start to jump up and down and scream. CANDACE leaps out of her chair and hugs NINO so tight he can't breathe.)

NINO - I love you too baby! You just made me the happiest man on earth... the happiest man on earth... the happiest man on earth...

(BOBBY is carrying NINO over his shoulder. NINO looks out into the crowd and sees CANDACE rushing toward him. As their eyes meet, NINO smiles, then loses consciousness.)

CANDACE - Nino... Nino please don't leave me! Please, you can't be gone!

(CANDACE gets out of her bed. She notices that it is four o'clock in the morning. She gets on her knees.)

CANDACE - God, I don't understand why you took Nino from me.

(Tears are running down CANDACE's face.)

CANDACE - He was your child. He was so special. There will never be another man who will touch me the way that Nino did. Why did you take him from me Lord? Please help me. Help me move on.

(silence)

CANDACE - Oh God please help me!

(CANDACE wipes her face but continues to cry. She gets up and stares at her alarm clock. It is 4:11 in the morning. She stands staring at the clock for two minutes. She picks up her phone and dials.)

XAVIER - Helllooooo.

CANDACE - Xavier, this is Candace.

XAVIER - Who?

CANDACE - It's Candace. I'm so sorry to call you so late but I need to talk to you.

XAVIER - Candace. Um, is everything okay?

CANDACE pray a lot. I don't undersand why Nino died and God isn't listening to me.

XAVIER - Wait, hold on.

(silence)

XAVIER - Hello?

CANDACE - Yes.

XAVIER - Okay I'm up. I'm up. Talk to me Candace.

(CANDACE is crying so hard she can barely get her words out.)

CANDACE - Xavier, I don't understand why Nino? All these brothers our here selling drugs, disrespecting women, whatever! Why did he die? I try and pray, I can't sleep, I'm dying!

XAVIER - Candace all things happen for a reason. I don't know all the answers. But I know that God has a plan and won't put on us more than we can bare.

CANDACE - I can't bare this Xavier! I just don't understand and I'm finding myself very upset with God right now! I lost the love of my life and I don't think I can ever love again! I lost the love of my life... the love of my life... the love... the love...

(silence)

AURORA ALEXIS - Oh Big Sister... I am so sor...

(CANDACE slaps AURORA ALEXIS in the face.)

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(BOBBY's other line rings.)

BOBBY - Oh shit! Hold on man!

(BOBBY quickly clicks over, hoping it is PAULA calling him.)

BOBBY - Hello!

DERRICK - We need to talk.

BOBBY - Who is this?

DERRICK - Nigga this is Derrick.

BOBBY - Derrick? What the hell do you want?

DERRICK - What's this I hear about you wanting to take care of Lil Derrick? Are you crazy?

BOBBY - What do you mean am I crazy? Caryn certainly ain't taking care of him the way that she should. And he is my son. Remember?

DERRICK - Oh now all of a sudden you wanna take ownership? You wanna be a father all of a sudden?

BOBBY - I am a father. You're the one that's not.

DERRICK - I'm ten times the father that you are!

BOBBY - No you aren't. You just got money. Don't get it twisted!

DERRICK - Let me tell yo...

BOBBY - No let me tell you something. Just because you're fuckin' Caryn don't make you my kid's father. And just because you play in the NBA and got loot don't make you a great dad. You're gone just as much as I was. But that bullshit is about to change.

DERRICK - Oh really? What court of law is gonna allow you to take Derrick from his mother? You don't even have a job! You don't even act responsible in your own life! How you gonna teach anybody how to be a man when you ain't even one yet!

BOBBY - How you gonna teach somebody to be a man when you ain't never around?

DERRICK - What?

BOBBY - What city were you in when Lil Derrick was choking to death?

(silence)

BOBBY - And what club was Caryn in?

DERRICK - Yo, I'm gonna tell you like this Bobby. You stay away from my son.

BOBBY - You have a son, and I'll stay away from him.

DERRICK - If you try and get Lil Derrick, you have to go through me first.

BOBBY - I won't have to. The day I go get him, you'll probably be playing against Kobe Bryant or somebody.

DERRICK - I'd give the NBA up for Lil Derrick!

BOBBY - And the minute you do, you can kiss Caryn and Lil Derrick goodbye. See how much Caryn loves you if you got a nine to five like the rest of us. You better wake up and smell the coffee.

DERRICK - No you better wake up! You ain't no father, you ain't never been a father, and you don't know how to be a father!

BOBBY - Whatever!

(click)

(BOBBY slams the phone down.)

BOBBY thinks - Whatever! If I want to take care of my son, I can and I will! Any reasonable judge will say that. He's my son. Not Derrick's!

(BOBBY plops back on the bed and folds his arms behind his head. He is staring up at the ceiling.)

BOBBY thinks - I can't believe he had the audacity to even call me! I wonder where his ass is! Boston? Chicago? Orlando?

(silence)

BOBBY thinks - Wait til I tell Reggie about...

BOBBY - Oh shit! Reggie!

(BOBBY quickly grabs the phone and dials REGGIE again.)

BOBBY thinks - Damn, I forgot I had that nigga on hold!

(REGGIE's phone rings.)

BOBBY thinks - He was about to tell me who he is seeing!

REGGIE's ANSWERING MACHINE - I'm not in. Leave me a message and I'll...

BOBBY - Dammit!

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ROSALIND - Oh shit! Candace!

(ROSALIND quickly grabs CANDACE's arm as AURORA ALEXIS grabs her face.)

CANDACE - You don't know what I've gone through since I lost Nino! Don't you ever...

(CANDACE looks at ALEXIS who is holding her face crying. CANDACE stops herself and turns toward the door.)

PAULA - Candace wait!

(CANDACE runs out the door and slams it behind her.)

ROSALIND - Candace!

PAULA - I'll get her!

(ROSALIND goes to AURORA ALEXIS as PAULA runs after CANDACE.)

PAULA - Candace wait! Wait!

(PAULA sees CANDACE turn the corner and she runs down the hall after her.)

PAULA - Candace!

(As PAULA turns the corner she almost trips over CANDACE who is sitting down crying into her hands.)

PAULA - Oh my God Candace, are you okay girl?

(PAULA kneels down and places her hand on CANDACE's shoulder. CANDACE doesn't respond.)

PAULA - Damn girl. I can't believe she went there!

(silence)

PAULA - I would've slapper her ass too!

CANDACE - No. I was wrong for that.

PAULA - Huh?

(CANDACE wipes her eyes and picks her head up.)

CANDACE - Technically she's right Paula. I've never moved on since Nino. Deep inside I don't want to.

PAULA - But look at what you went through. You lost the love of your life. I mean, I don't blame you.

CANDACE - But it has been a long time. I still have all of his pictures up. I still talk to him. I still want him to come back to me... somehow.

PAULA - You do?

CANDACE - Yeah.

(silence)

CANDACE - Maybe this was the slap in my face that I actually needed.

PAULA - Think so?

CANDACE - In a way, I know so. I've never closed the Nino chapter in my life.

(silence)

PAULA - So what do you do now?

(silence)

CANDACE - I know exactly what I have to do. I've thought about it for a long time. I just couldn't do it.

PAULA - What?

(CANDACE starts to stand up and clean her face up.)

CANDACE - I gotta go.

PAULA - Wait, where are you going?

CANDACE - I gotta take care of something.

PAULA - Do you need me to go with you?

CANDACE - No. You can't.

PAULA - Are you sure?

CANDACE - Very sure. But thank you Paula.

PAULA - You know I love you soror.

(They hug... long.)

PAULA - Call me when you're finished what you are doing.

CANDACE - Yeah.

(CANDACE turns to leave.)

CANDACE - And don't kill Alexis. I'll talk to her when I get back.

PAULA - Yeah. Okay.

(PAULA walks back toward the room. CANDACE pulls her cell phone out and dials.)

CANDACE - Hey dad.

MR. RICH - Hey Candace. How you doing sweetie.

CANDACE - I'm okay.

MR. RICH - What's the matter? Are you okay?

CANDACE - Daddy I need a big favor.

MR. RICH - Sure, what's wrong honey?

(CANDACE pauses.)

CANDACE - Daddy I need a ticket to fly home. I have to visit Nino's gravesite.