Season 1 - Episode 33

The year is 2006. It is move in day at Ahpla University. There are many familiar faces, as well as several new faces on campus. President Melinda Ferguson is running around to each dormitory to meet the new students and to greet the parents.

Jovan: Hi Dr. Ferguson!

Melinda: Oh hello, Jovan! I can't believe that it's been an entire year since you were moving in! I'm glad to see you over here, trying to help some of the incoming freshman to get settled.

Jovan: Thank you, Dr. Ferguson.

Melinda: Oh Jovan, I would like for you to...

Melinda stops mid-sentence and seems to be staring off into the distance.

Jovan: Uh...Dr. Ferguson?

Melinda: Yes, Jovan?

Jovan: You were saying?

Melinda: Oh yes, I'm sorry. I thought I saw someone I knew. But like I was saying....please stop by my office this week if you can. I have a committee I'd like to see you be a part of.

Jovan: Oh great!

Melinda: Wonderful. Just call Romona and have her set you up with an appointment.

Jovan: Dr. Ferguson, are you sure that you are okay?

Melinda: I'm fine, Jovan. Thank you for asking.

Melinda continues to walk throughout the building greeting parents and meeting the incoming freshman. She spots a short, thin girl with long dark brown hair. She has hazel eyes and although she has never met this girl, something about her face seems familiar. She approaches the girl to introduce herself.

Melinda: Hello!

Sheena: Hi!

Melinda: I'm Dr. Ferguson, the University President.

Sheena: Oh wow! Hi Dr. Ferguson! My name is Sheena. I didn't even recognize you from the brochures!

Melinda: Oh that's quite alright, dear. I'm just walking around, trying to introduce myself to people as they are moving in. Well anyway, it's nice to meet you, Sheena.

Sheena: I didn't think a President of a college would do that!

Melinda: Well it's something that I like to do. It helps me to feel more connected to the students. I'm a graduate of Ahpla myself, you know?

Sheena: Really?

Melinda: That's right!

Sheena: My mom and dad went to Ahpla, too! Maybe you know them!

Melinda: Well, maybe. What are their names?

Sheena: Joseph and Carsen Davenport.

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We resume in present day Ahpla, where Karissa has just had a fight with her boyfriend, Shakir. Karissa hangs up the phone on Shakir and begins to cry out of anger and frustration.  She picks the phone up again and dials another number.

Kyle: Hello?

Karissa: Kyle……….it’s me, Karissa.

Kyle: Are you okay? It sounds like you are cryin’!

Karissa: Are you alone? Can I come over?

Kyle: Um, yeah, I guess so.

Karissa: Okay, I'm on my way.

Karissa drives over to the Omega Psi Phi house. When she arrives, Kyle is already standing at the door.

Kyle: Hey girl, what's wrong?

Karissa runs up the stairs and collapses into Kyle's arms and begins to sob.

Kyle: Hey........what is it? Look, why don't you just come in and tell me what is goin' on.

Kyle leads Karissa into the house and sits her down on the couch.

Kyle: Karissa, what is it? Oh my gosh! Did something happen to Stasha?

Karissa: No! No! Nothin' like that. I had a fight with Shakir.

Kyle (sighing in relief): Oh thank goodness! I mean, not that you and Shakir are fighting, but that Stasha is okay.

Silence

Kyle: So what happened?

Karissa: It's a long story.

Kyle: Well......I thought you wanted to talk. That's why you called me, right?

Karissa: Yeah. Just give me a few minutes.

Kyle: Sure. Listen, I was actually in the middle of something, so I'm goin' up to my room real quick. I'll be back in a few. If you want something to eat or drink, just help yourself.

Karissa: Thanks, Kyle.

Kyle: No problem.

Kyle hands Karissa a tissue before heading upstairs towards his bedroom....

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Scene 1 Continued

Sheena: My mom and dad went to Ahpla, too! Maybe you know them!

Melinda: Well, maybe. What are their names?

Sheena: Joseph and Carsen Davenport.

Melinda's face looks as if all of the color has been drained and she begins to feel very anxious.

Melinda: Oh, Carsen and Joseph........yes, I....I know.......I knew them. Are they helping you move in?

Sheena: Yeah, they just went to move the car. They should be comin' back pretty soon, if you have a few minutes. I'm sure they'd love to get caught up with you.

Melinda: Oh.....you know actually, I need to get back to my office. I have so many meetings today! But it was lovely to meet you, Sheena. Please come by my office if you ever need anything.

Melinda turns to leave and almost runs right into Carsen.

Carsen: Well.........Melinda Ferguson....I was wondering if I'd get a chance to see you today.

Melinda: Carsen.

Carsen: It's been a long time, Melinda.

Melinda: Why yes, it has. I didn't realize that your daughter was starting Ahpla this year.

Carsen: Yep. They do grow up quickly, don't they?

Melinda: Yes, they do. I had two daughters to graduate from Ahpla myself.

Melinda looks up and sees Joseph walking towards them. She has not seen or heard from him in over 15 years. She feels her heart slightly flutter at the sight of him.

Joseph: Melinda! Melinda Ferguson! How are you? It's so great to see you!

Carsen looks over at Joseph and rolls her eyes.

Melinda: Joseph! It's great to see you as well. I was just telling Carsen here that your daughter, Sheena is absolutely lovely.

Joseph: Thank you! So......big time President, huh?

Melinda: Yeah! Who would have ever thought? But uh listen, I really have to run. It was great seeing you two. And um......hopefully I'll see you on Parent's weekend in a few months.

Carsen: Oh you'll be seeing us quite a bit more than that!

Melinda: Oh?

Carsen: That's right.......Joseph just accepted a position here in town at Baldwin Memorial.

Melinda: Wow! Joseph, that's wonderful!

Joseph: Thank you.

Melinda smiles at Joseph and lingers in her stare with him just a few seconds too long. Carsen notices this and begins to cough, which startles Melinda back to reality.

Melinda: And Carsen, what will you be doing?

Carsen: Oh you haven't heard? I put my name in to be nominated the President of the Parent's Council. You and I are going to be working a lot closer together than you thought.

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Over in the Student Activities building, the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority are holding a rush. Laray has just gotten up to lead the group in an icebreaker, when the door swings open and two police officers are standing in the doorway with Mona behind them.

Keisha: Excuse me, but we’re having a private meeting.

Officer: I’m looking for Laray Holloway.

Laray: Uh…that’s me…

Officer: Laray, could we speak to you out in the hallway, please?

Laray looks over at Krystalyn and then quickly moves toward the door.  Krystalyn and Keisha gets up to come out with her.

Laray: Officers, what is this about?

Mona: Don’t play that role, Laray. You know exactly what it’s about.

Officer (to Mona): Ma’am, we can handle this, thank you.

Laray: Handle what? I don’t understand!

Officer: Laray Holloway, I have a warrant here for your arrest for theft in the amount of $3,000….

Laray begins to cry.

Keisha: What? Officers, what is this about?

Officer: Ma'am, I'm not at liberty to answer those questions right now. If you would like to meet us down at the station, you are more than welcome, but we do have a warrant, so we will have to proceed with the arrest.

Krystalyn: Who would file to have you arrested, Laray?

Mona: I did! She's a thief and I can prove it!

Officer: Ma'am, please. Ms. Holloway, you can either come with us quietly or we'll have to put you into handcuffs and take you into custody. It's your call.

Laray (still crying): I'll go with you. Krystalyn, please call Nate and tell him what's goin' on.

Krystalyn begins to cry as well.

Krystalyn: No problem, soror. I love you. I'll be right down there.

Keisha: Officer, would it be alright for me to ride over with Laray in the car?

Officer: No ma'am, but you can follow us over there.

Keisha: Okay, great.

The officers and Laray begin to walk outside towards the car, followed by Mona.

Keisha: Krystalyn, you and Sy'Mone give out the information about the packets to all the young ladies and end the informational. We have the food for the reception, so if you wanna stay and mingle a bit or let them fix something to take with them, that's fine.

Krystalyn: No, Laray is my best friend! I have to go with you!

Keisha: Krystalyn, listen to me. You are the president of the chapter and I need you to be strong now. We can't fall apart now. Go back and assure everyone that we have it all under control, give them the information about the packets and end this thing as quickly as possible. Do you have your cell phone with you?

Krystalyn: Yes.

Keisha: Okay, well I will call you as soon as I know something. As soon as you two can get everyone out and get this room cleaned up, come over then. But right now, I need you here. Do you understand?

Krystalyn: Of course, Soror Parker.

Keisha: Okay. I'll see you a little bit later.

Krystalyn leans in to hug Keisha. She cries on Keisha's shoulder a little bit and then wipes her face and straightens up before going back inside to end the informational. Keisha heads out towards her car to drive over the station.

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Scene 2 Continued..

Kyle: Sure. Listen, I was actually in the middle of something, so I'm goin' up to my room real quick. I'll be back in a few. If you want something to eat or drink, just help yourself.

Karissa: Thanks, Kyle.

Kyle: No problem.

Kyle hands Karissa a tissue before heading upstairs towards his bedroom....

Karissa sits on the couch and cries for a few minutes. She gets up and walks into the kitchen to see if she can find some bottled water before heading upstairs. She walks upstairs and stops in the doorway of Kyle's room. She sees him laying across his bed with his eyes closed.

Karissa: I thought you were in the middle of something!

Kyle jumps up, startled by Karissa's voice.

Kyle: I was. I was just takin' a break. I have a headache.

Karissa: Aww that sucks! I'm sorry. Did you take anything?

Kyle: Nah. Not yet.

Silence

Karissa: Today was long.

Kyle: Yeah it was. You ready to tell me what's goin' on?

Karissa goes over and sits on the edge of Kyle's bed.

Karissa: I don't know, Kyle. Shakir.......he...just.......(sighs).......he just doesn't get me.

Kyle: What do you mean?

Karissa: I tried to talk to him today about all the stuff he's doin'..........he can't even be man enough to admit it, Kyle. He just.........lies all the time!

Kyle: Karissa, why do you let him do this to you? You know he's cheatin', so why don't you just break up with him?

Karissa: Because I love him. I mean I know it's dumb but I can't help it, Kyle. I do. And I guess a part of me keeps hopin' that one day, he'll change.

Kyle: Shakir ain't goin' to change until he is ready. Who knows when that will happen.

Karissa: Yeah, I know. For now, I guess I just have to suffer through.

Kyle: You don't have to do anything! If you ain't happy, move on. I'm sure there are plenty of guys that would love to holla at you.

Karissa: Oh really? Like who?

Kyle: I don't know who! But I'm sure somebody.

Karissa: And how can you be so sure?

Kyle: Cause I mean.........you smart, funny, pretty.....

Karissa: You think I'm pretty?

Kyle: Yeah. Of course.

Karissa: I never knew that....

Silence

Karissa: So how's the headache?

Kyle: Still bad.

Karissa: Well uh.......why don't you turn over and let me see if I can do somethin' about that? A massage might do just the trick.

Kyle: Hmm. Well I guess it's worth a try.

Kyle takes off his shirt and lays face down on the bed, while Karissa climbs on top of his back and begins to massage him.

Kyle: Mmmm.........that feels good.

Karissa continues to massage Kyle and then bends over and kisses him lightly on the neck.

Karissa: Did that feel good too?

Kyle: Yeah......

Karissa: What about this?

Karissa gives Kyle another kiss on his back. Kyle lets out a soft moan and nods his head back and forth.

Karissa: Do you want me to stop?

Kyle: No.....

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Scene 3 Continued

Krystalyn gets herself together, and then turns to go back into the informational. The entire room is silent and waiting to find out what has occurred with Laray.

Krystalyn: Ladies, I do apologize for the interruption. We have had a slight alteration in our plans, so unfortunately, we will have to end our informational a bit early. However, our graduate advisor has instructed me to let you know the application packets will be available for pick up on Monday morning. You have until the end of the day to pick them up and then after that, you will have until Friday at 5:00 p.m. to turn them back in. Your packet must be complete. It must contain each item that is required, or it will not even be considered. After that, if you are selected, further instruction will be sent to you individually. Are there any questions?

Silence

Krystalyn: Okay then. We do have a light reception prepared for you. Please help yourself and mingle amongst yourselves. Sy'Mone and I are goin' to try to mingle as much as possible, but we're also goin' to start cleanin' up so if you have any questions that you remember, please feel free to stop us. On behalf of the ladies of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Ahpla Chapter I would like to thank all of you for your interest. Best of luck to you all.

The attendee's begin to move over towards the reception table. Sy'Mone makes her way over to Krystalyn.

Sy'Mone: Krystalyn, what is goin' on with Laray?

Krystalyn: She was arrested, Sy'Mone.

Sy'Mone: I know that! What for? What is goin' on?

Krystalyn: They had a warrant for her arrest for theft.

Sy'Mone: What? Did Laray still some money from the school?

Krystalyn: Well......not exactly.

Sy'Mone: What do you mean? Did you know about this?

Krystalyn: Um.....

Joi: Excuse me, Krystalyn?

Krystalyn: Oh Joi! Hi! How are you? I'm so glad you were able to make it today.

Joi: Thanks. I'm glad, too. I just wanted to stop on my way out and say hello to you, personally. I don't know what happened with Laray, but I'm sure you are really upset and worried. Is there anything I can do?

Krystalyn: No, not really, Joi. But thanks for asking. Wow, girl.....you are gettin' big too! I'm sure Jovan is gettin' excited!

Joi just smiles and looks away.

Joi: Well, I guess I better get goin'. I'm sure I'll see you around and if there is anything I can do, please let me know.

Krystalyn: Great. Thanks a lot, Joi.

Joi says goodbye to the other young ladies before exiting the room.

Krystalyn: Sy'Mone, let's try to wrap this reception up as quickly as we can.

Sy'Mone: Okay, yeah, cause we need to get over there to the station.

Krystalyn: Yeah, we do. But we have a stop we need to make first.

Sy'Mone: We do? Where?

Krystalyn: The Student Assembly Office. There's somethin' very important there that I need to get out immediately. Trust me, Sy'Mone....if Mona or the police find this, Laray will be in a lot more trouble than she is now...and so will I......

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