Episode 9

BRANDON switched with his brother BRENDON while HAYDEN wasn't looking. He has now rejoined his line brothers and the Big Brothers of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity.

BRANDON thinks - Thank God I made it here in time!

(MIRI whispers to BRANDON.)

MIRI whispers - Brandon, I'm glad you made it back man! We weren't going to cross without you! All for one and one for all!

BRANDON whispers - Thanks!

CURT - Pledgees!

CRESCENTS - Yes Dean of Pledgees!

(Everyone grows quiet as CURT gets ready to address the line.)

CURT - I have held you all by the hand and led you as far as I can lead you. The rest you must do on your own. You have come this far through faith, adversity, tears, turmoil, stress and strain. All in the name of Phi Beta!

(He pauses.)

CURT - Now you must pass your final test. Your test or worthiness to the brotherhood. You can no longer lean on me, you must now lean on each other.

(CURT turns so the CRESCENTS can see what is behind him.)

CURT - And you must go through them.

(He points to all the brothers of Phi Beta Sigma that have lined up behind him.)

CURT - Remember how far you've come! Remember how much you deserve to wear your letters! Remember how hard you worked for Sigma! Remember the Most Honorable Founders!

CRESCENT SETH thinks - Yes!

CURT - Remember all of your greetings and the words that you said!

CRESCENT AHMAD thinks - Yeah!

CURT - Remember your day in court! Remember you took an oath in front of the judge and swore loyalty to one another in the name of Phi Beta Sigma!

CRESCENT MIRI thinks - Yes I did!

CRESCENT CALVIN thinks - Yes!

(CRESCENT MIRI and CRESCENT CALVIN grabs hands.)

CURT - Remember the car accident! Think about how that could have driven you all farther apart but it drew you closer together! Think about Crescent Brandon who was in the hospital and how you all sat with him day in and day out!

CRESCENT DALE thinks - Yes!

CRESCENT BRANDON thinks - Yes!

CURT - Remember your big sisters! Remember how they have been a constant arm to lean on and source of encouragement!

CRESCENT BRANDON thinks - I have to be strong! I have to be strong for Denice my love!

CURT - Do we have any quitters?

CRESCENTS - Hell no Dean of Pledgees!

CURT - Will you turn back now?

CRESCENTS - Hell no Dean of Pledgees!

CURT - Do you want this?

CRESCENTS - Yes Dean of Pledgees!

CURT - Are you sure you want this!

(The CRESCENTS scream at the top of their lungs.)

CRESCENTS - Yes Dean of Pledgees!

HAYDEN - Blue phi!

SIGMAS - You know!

CURT - Okay then!

(Everyone grows quiet.)

CURT - Brothers, let's do this!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JUNE is in her room and is on the phone with OCTAVIA.

JUNE - I really messed up with him. He was very upset, but moreso hurt.

OCTAVIA - Dag. Really?

JUNE - Yeah. And he made a really valid point. When the flowers came, why did I automatically assume they were from Derrick? I should've known they were from Buck. I am so stupid!

OCTAVIA - Don't beat yourself up over it.

JUNE - Spec, when I spoke to him at the court, I didn't even know it was him. I mean, I have never seen him that hurt. I've seen Buck mad before. And I've seen him with his game face on when he's playing basketball. But never like this.

OCTAVIA - That just proves that he really likes you June.

JUNE - Or really loves me.

OCTAVIA - You think he loves you already?

(JUNE thinks before she answers.)

JUNE - Honestly, I don't know, but I think I am falling in love with him.

OCTAVIA - Oh my God! Are you serious?

JUNE - Yeah.

OCTAVIA - How can you be sure? You think you got Derrick all out of your system?

JUNE - Girl, I got Derrick out of my system a long time ago! I mean, look at all the stuff that Derrick has put me through. He didn't want me to pledge and instead of being there for me while I was on line, he dated April...my big sister!

OCTAVIA - Yeah, that was foul.

JUNE - Then has the nerve to think he got the biggest ho on campus pregnant...Caryn!

OCTAVIA - Yeah, true.

JUNE - Then to top it all off, finds out that it isn't his baby, but decides to keep paying for it like it is! Allowing Bobby to be totally irresponsible when it comes to his son! I mean, how stupid is that?

OCTAVIA - I hear ya.

JUNE - And now he's trying this lame attempt to get me back. If he knew me at all, he would know that I'm not into expensive gifts or fancy things. He could be a starving artist for all I care if I love him..

OCTAVIA - Right.

JUNE - But he thinks that because he is a basketball player and now has money that I'm gonna run back to him! I don't think so!

(OCTAVIA laughs.)

OCTAVIA - But what are you gonna do about Buck?

JUNE - I don't know. Any suggestions?

OCTAVIA - Hmmm. So you haven't spoken to him since you saw him at practice?

JUNE - Well he just walked away from me at practice. I started to cry so I rushed out. I didn't want anyone to see me. They may think that he did something bad to me and made me cry when in fact, I was crying over how stupid I was. I called him to apologize.

OCTAVIA - How did he sound.

JUNE - Well he didn't hang up. Is that a good sign?

OCTAVIA - Actually it is. Guys always try and be hardcore. Like they don't have feelings or emotions. If he didn't want to hear your voice, he would've hung up on you. Point blank.

JUNE - Yeah.

OCTAVIA - So you gotta keep trying June. He's hurt right now, but you can get through to him if you keep trying. Just show him that you really really care and are truly sorry. Make it up to him.

JUNE - But how?

(silence)

OCTAVIA - Okay I got an idea. Listen to this!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The CRESCENTS have lined up for the last time. They are tired and about to fall over. They are each leaning on one another just to remain standing. They seem to gain a new burst of energy however as CURT addresses them.

CURT - Brothers...it is my honor and deep pleasure...

(MIRI starts to smile. So does AHMAD.)

CURT - ...to congratulate you five on a job well done! You have completed all required tasks, past all tests, and proven yourselves more than worthy! Gentlemen...brothers...welcome to Phi Beta Sigma!

HAYDEN - Blue phi!

SIGMAS - You know!

(All the Sigmas start to jump up and down as the new brothers begin to cry and hung each other.)

MIRI - I can't believe it! I can't believe it! I can't believe it!

DALE - Blue blue blue blue phi!

SIGMAS - You you you you know!

(BRANDON falls to his knees and hangs his head. His face is in his hands and he is sobbing.)

BRANDON thinks - Thank you Jesus!

(CALVIN rushes to BRANDON and almost tackles him with a hug. Other line brothers follow and soon there is a pile of brothers on the ground screaming congratulations to one another. HAYDEN and CURT watch and laugh.)

HAYDEN - Hey man, congratulations. You did a good job with these boys.

CURT - Thanks man, I couldn't have done it without you though.

(They hug.)

MIRI - I can't believe I'm a Sigma! I'm a Sigma man!

CALVIN - Believe it frat! Blue phi!

(CALVIN and MIRI hug each other while they jump up and down.)

MIRI - I love you man!

CALVIN - Back at cha bro!

VICTOR - Hey, congratulations Seth! I'm proud of you man!

SETH - Thanks Big Brother Blue Tang Clan!

VICTOR - Ha ha ha ha ha, you can call me Vic now. It's okay.

SETH - It may take some getting used to! But I'm happy!

(Sigmas are stepping and hugging all over the place. HAYDEN notices BRANDON still on the ground though...sitting.)

HAYDEN - Brandon, are you okay man?

(BRANDON looks up with tears on his face. HAYDEN sits down next to him.)

BRANDON - I have waited for this moment for so long...and I almost missed it.

(HAYDEN smiles.)

HAYDEN - Well the good thing is that you didn't. We didn't feel comfortable with the decision to go on without you. But we almost had no choice.

BRANDON - I totally understand Hayden. And in fact, I would've told you to go forward, for the sake of the other guys.

HAYDEN - I know you would've. But hey, you're a Sigma now. You're frat! Come on man, let's celebrate.

(BRANDON smiles and HAYDEN helps him up and gives him a hug.)

HAYDEN - Brothers old and new! The sorors are preparing a nice congratulations set for all of us!

BRANDON thinks - Denice! I was so caught up in my own excitement that I forgot about my baby!

HAYDEN - So if yall are finished steppin' and hollerin' we can go over there and enjoy!

(It takes another ten minutes to round everyone up from the stepping, hugging, crying and congratulating going on. Afterwhich they all drive to Amgis College to the Phi Beta Sigma frat house.)

CALVIN - I still get a chill seeing the house! Damn!

CURT - Oh that will last a minute, but you'll get over it.

(Everyone enters the house and there are gifts everywhere. Paddles, t shirts, license plates, hats, and several smaller items.)

MIRI - Oh my God!

SALEEMA - Hey frat!

(SALEEMA starts to hug the guys and DENICE immediately looks for BRANDON.)

DENICE - Brandon!

BRANDON - Hey...soror!

(They run into each other's arms and hug.)

DENICE - Congratulations Brandon! You did it!

BRANDON - I wouldn't be a Sigma if it weren't for you! Thank you Denice! I love you!

DENICE thinks - Oh my gosh!

DENICE - Hey, we got a lot of food in the kitchen and I need to start bringing it out. So I'll be right back okay?

BRANDON - Okay hon.

(She smiles and walks back into the kitchen. BRANDON sees TONYA talking with AHMAD and walks over to hug her when SHARONDA taps him on the shoulder.)

SHARONDA - Hey man...congratulations!

(BRANDON turns around, looks at SHARONDA but doesn't speak.)

SHARONDA - You're so happy you're speechless huh? Ha ha ha ha.

BRANDON - No Sharonda, actually, I have nothing to say to you.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DERRICK is playing with his adopted son, Lil DERRICK.

DERRICK - Here, let dad show you how to do it.

(DERRICK hands the baby a small basketball.)

DERRICK - Now look, you bounce it like this. See?

(The baby laughs and hits the top of the ball.)

DERRICK - Yeah...that's how you do it! You're gonna be a star!

(DERRICK picks the baby up and kisses his cheek.)

DERRICK - Little boy, you are so cute! You look just like your...

(DERRICK stops.)

DERRICK - Well anyway, you're cute!

(There is a knock on the door.)

DERRICK thinks - Damn, it's about time!

DERRICK - Sit right here big man. I'll be right back.

(DERRICK puts the baby in his playpen and answers the door.)

CARYN - Wassup.

DERRICK - Hey. Come in.

(CARYN comes in.)

CARYN - Hey boo boo!

(CARYN runs to Lil DERRICK and picks him up and kisses his face.)

CARYN - Ain't you cute!

(She kisses him again then puts him down.)

CARYN - So what's up Derrick? What's the big urgency? Where's the fire?

DERRICK - Girl calm down and sit down somewhere. I told you I need to talk to you.

(CARYN sits down.)

CARYN - What's up?

DERRICK - Caryn, you and I...well, you and I have been close friends since you had the baby right?

CARYN - Right.

DERRICK - And I feel like we can talk about just about anything. Right?

CARYN - Yeah. So?

DERRICK - So, there is something that's been on my mind that I need to talk to someone about. I need a girl's opinion, and you are the closest thing to a girl I have right now.

CARYN - Ha ha, very funny.

(DERRICK laughs.)

DERRICK - Just kidding. But when you hear the subject matter, I don't know how you're gonna take it.

CARYN - Nigga just spit it out. You know how I roll...straight gangsta with mine.

DERRICK - Alright.

(DERRICK pauses.)

DERRICK - I think I still love June and I really want to get back with her.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

JUNE thinks - I really hope this works and Buck wants to get back with me!

(JUNE parks her car in BUCK's apartment complex.)

JUNE thinks - I think this is a cute idea...

(She gets out of her car.)

JUNE thinks - ...I just don't know if it's gonna work!

(She walks up to his apartment, takes a deep breath and knocks on the door.)

JUNE thinks - Thank you Octavia for this!

(The door opens and BUCK looks JUNE up and down.)

BUCK - What...what are you doing?

JUNE - What does it look like I'm dressed for?

(BUCK is mad but he can't help but to giggle.)

BUCK - You look like...well you look like a person wearing a basketball jersey two sizes too big.

JUNE - So they didn't have my size...sue me.

BUCK - Whose jersey are you wearing?

JUNE - Chamiqua Holdsclaw. She plays for the Washington Mystics. She's a soror. But what's more important is why I'm here. Me and you...one on one...on the court...right now.

BUCK - What?

JUNE - We play a one on one. If you win, I leave you alone, you can sulk, be mad, break up with me, whatever.

BUCK - And if you win?

JUNE - If I win, you at least hear me out and listen to me say...

(JUNE pauses.)

JUNE - ...I'm sorry.

(BUCK smiles to himself.)

BUCK - You been watchin' love and basketball or somethin'?

JUNE - Kinda.

BUCK - Well explain this, how in the world do you plan to beat me in basketball? You don't expect me to take it easy on you do you?

JUNE - Of course not. But you get a handicap.

BUCK - A handicap? What?

JUNE - First of all, you have to keep one hand behind your back at all times.

BUCK - Fair enough.

JUNE - That's not all...you don't think I'm dumb do ya? I know how good you shoot with one hand.

BUCK - I'm listenin'.

JUNE - Also, as you play, you have to read what's in this envelope out loud.

BUCK - What? What is it?

JUNE - You'll find out if you accept my challenge and go to the court.

(BUCK thinks about it.)

JUNE - Of course if you're scared, we can do something els...

BUCK - Scared? Girl please! Let me put my sneakers on!

(JUNE smiles to herself.)

JUNE thinks - Men are so easy!

(BUCK laces up his sneakers and walks out.)

BUCK - Hey wait, it's rainging.

JUNE - So?

BUCK - Oh you hardcore like that? Cool. Let's do this!

(They walk together silent to the outdoor court behind BUCK's apartment complex.)

BUCK - We play to eleven points?

JUNE - Cool.

BUCK - Now look, once I score my eleven, I am going back in my place to sulk. I don't feel like talking tonight, I don't feel like hearing an apology. I'm just being honest and real with you.

JUNE - And after I score my eleven points, I am going to your apartment and tell you what is on my heart and mind. I am being honest and real with you because Buck...

BUCK - Yeah?

JUNE - It's game time baby!

(JUNE takes a jump shot that miraculously goes in.)

JUNE - One zip.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DERRICK has just admitted to CARYN that he still has strong feelings for JUNE and wants to get back with her.

DERRICK - I think I still love June and I really want to get back with her.

CARYN - What?

DERRICK - I said I thi...

CARYN - No, I heard what you said. But what are you saying?

DERRICK - What I'm saying is that I miss her, and it hurts. And I want to be her man again. I messed up big time by letting her get away from me. For real. So I am trying to right that wrong and bring things back to the way they used to be and should be.

CARYN - That's bullshit Derrick and you know it!

DERRICK - Huh?

CARYN - You're hurting because she's with Buck and she's happy. Your ego is bruised.

DERRICK - Ya know, I thought about that. I thought long and hard about that. But to be honest, I think it's more a matter of me growing up. Taking care of a son will make an adult out of someone real quick. And now I can look back and see just how immature I was, and how I let her get away from me like that.

(silence)

CARYN - So where does that leave us?

DERRICK - What do you mean?

CARYN - What do I mean? I have a lifestyle to maintain now. I've been all over campus in the Mercedes truck. I can go back to riding the shuttle bus now with the common folk.

DERRICK - You'll get over it.

CARYN - But what about the baby?

DERRICK - Oh I'll always take care of Lil Derrick. He might not be mine biologically, but he's still my little man. And will always be.

(CARYN stands up and walks toward DERRICK.)

CARYN - You know Derrick...

(She walks slowly and pauses.)

CARYN - ...it's hard to admit this, but I really admire you for what you are doing.

DERRICK - You do?

CARYN - Mmmmm hmmmm. I know it must be difficult to pour out your feelings about someone you once loved and now love again...especially to someone like me.

(CARYN stands in front of where DERRICK is sitting.)

DERRICK - What do you mean someone like you?

CARYN - Well, it' no secret that I have started to have feelings for you, ever since you took on the role of baby daddy for my son. It is a good quality in a black man to step up to the plate and handle his business, especially if it isn't really his business.

DERRICK - Oh. Yeah.

CARYN - And I have admired that in you...and find it attractive in a man.

(She sits on his lap.)

CARYN - Actually, I find it quite sexy.

(CARYN plays with DERRICK's ear.)

DERRICK - Well thank you Caryn.

CARYN - You know D, sometimes I wish things could be different between us. Ya know?

DERRICK - How so?

CARYN - Well, you take care of Lil Derrick, no question. I even named him after you.

DERRICK - Yeah.

CARYN - But we both know that he isn't yours. So the things you do, you don't have to do.

DERRICK - Yeah, but I want to.

CARYN - I know, but what if one day you woke up and didn't want to anymore. Then I'd have to go find Bobby and you know how he is!

(DERRICK laughs.)

CARYN - I just always think that things would be different if Lil Derrick was your real son. Like if you and I really had a child, if things would be different.

DERRICK - I'm not trying to be like my father. So yes, things would be different.

(CARYN smiles seductively.)

CARYN - I knew it! You are the perfect gentleman! Thank you.

(CARYN kisses DERRICK on his cheek...slowly.)

CARYN - You are a wonderful man Derrick.

(CARYN hugs him around his neck, but begins to kiss his neck and whisper in his ear.)

CARYN whispers - And I wish you all the best. Good luck in what you're trying to do. Now can you do me one favor?

DERRICK - Sure...what do you need?

CARYN whispers - You! I need you...just one more time Derrick. Please?

DERRICK - You wanna have sex with me?

(CARYN licks DERRICK's ear.)

CARYN - Yeah baby...I mean, since I'm not gonna be able to have you anymore, can a sista get one last ride? Hee hee.

(DERRICK smiles.)

DERRICK - You better not wake the baby with all that screamin' and hollerin' you usually do! Come on!

CARYN - Yay!

(CARYN pops off of DERRICK's lap and he walks toward the bedroom.)

CARYN - Let me grab a condom out of my purse okay?

DERRICK - Yeah, do that.

(DERRICK goes into the bedroom and CARYN finds a condom. She turns around to see if he is looking, then uses a hair pin to poke a tiny hole in the condom, through the package.)

DERRICK - Hey, what's taking you so long?

CARYN - Just wanted to make sure I had a condom. I found one.

CARYN thinks - And I just wanted to make sure you never leave me...daddy!