BRANDON thinks - Oh shoot!
(DENICE smiles as she looks BRANDON directly in his face.)
BREANNA thinks - No she didn't!
(BRANDON turns his stare from DENICE and looks at BREANNA who is sitting next to him. He searches her face for an answer.)
BREANNA - Uh no Denice. This seat isn't taken. You can have it.
DENICE - Thanks.
(DENICE smiles as she starts to walk into the pew in front of BRANDON.)
BRANDON - No wait, I was just um... getting up.
DENICE - Oh okay.
(BRANDON starts to stand up and step into the aisle.)
BRANDON - So I'll talk to you later.
BREANNA - Okay.
(BRANDON kinda shrugs as if to say he has no idea what DENICE is doing. He then turns around and steps aside for DENICE to pass by him.)
DENICE - Thanks.
BRANDON - Um... you're welcome.
(DENICE smiles as she passes by him and sits down next to BREANNA. BRANDON is still very surprised as he walks toward the front of the church.)
DENICE - Beautiful decorations huh?
BREANNA - Yes. Very nice.
(silence)
DENICE - I still can't believe Miri is getting married. Its so nice.
BREANNA - Yeah.
DENICE - I tell ya. Its weird seeing people grow up ya know? Like, I met Miri while he was on line and he was a scared little somebody.
(DENICE laughs and BREANNA smiles.)
DENICE - But to see him now as a family man, its real nice.
BREANNA - It is nice. I don't really know him that well. But he is a real nice guy and Gina is a nice person too. They're perfect for each other.
DENICE - Yeah, they are. And its good that they are like a family. Ya know? With the baby and all.
BREANNA - Oh yeah. He's precious.
DENICE - Yeah.
(silence)
DENICE - So Breanna, do you believe that family is important?
(BREANNA turns toward DENICE.)
BREANNA - Huh?
SHARONDA - Hey girl! Scoot over!
(DENICE looks up and sees her sorors in the aisle.)
DENICE - Hey sorors! Come on and have a seat!
(She turns to BREANNA.)
DENICE - Scoot on down Bree. My sorors want to sit down.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUCK is upstairs in the Que house. He is looking into the mirror and checking out what he has on.
(There is a knock on the door.)
BUCK - Come in.
(The door opens and KENNY walks in.)
KENNY - Wassup dog.
BUCK - Bruh, what's up?
KENNY - Hey, what you doin' in here? People are coming in and its gettin' pretty live downstairs.
BUCK - I know. I had to change shirts. Dumb ass Ronnie spilled his beer on my other shirt.
(KENNY laughs.)
KENNY - You know how the bruhs get bruh.
BUCK - Yeah. I aint mad.
KENNY - No doubt.
(KENNY throws a couple of jackets on the bed.)
KENNY - Aight dog, you comin'?
BUCK - Yeah. I'll be right down.
KENNY - Aight dog, happy birthday bruh!
BUCK - Thanks dog.
KENNY - Yo, I got my wood for you so after the party, you can get these birthday strokes!
(KENNY laughs.)
BUCK - Nigga I aint scared of you! You aint got no stroke!
(They both laugh as KENNY is closing the door.)
KENNY - Aight! I been practicing!
(KENNY closes the door.)
(silence)
(BUCK sits on the bed and pulls his cell phone out. He looks at it in his hand.)
(silence)
(BUCK dials.)
(silence)
(BUCK hangs up.)
(silence)
(BUCK stands up and puts his phone into his pocket. He checks his shirt and opens the door to go downstairs.)
BUCK thinks - Damn! A lot of people came in since I been upstairs!
(BUCK sees one of his teammates dancing with a girl. He nods to him.)
CHELSEA - Hi Buck! Happy birthday!
(BUCK turns around and hugs his friend CHELSEA.)
BUCK - Thanks! Thanks for coming!
CHELSEA - Oh you know I wouldn't miss this!
BUCK - Thanks! You having a good...
QUES - A tit! A tit! Aaaaaaaah bullshit! I like my titties! Yeah! Like sandwhich spread! Yeah!
My dick is the meat! Yeah! And her titties the bread! Aaaaaaaah tit...
CHELSEA - They playing your song!
(CHELSEA laughs as BUCK does too. BUCK throws up his hands in the Omega sign and starts to bark.)
BUCK - Yep! I'll be right back!
(BUCK joins his frat brothers.)
QUES - I like my titties! Yeah! In crimson and cream! Yeah!
So when I lick them... Oooo-oop is what they scream! Aaaaaaaah tit! A tit! Aaaaaaaah bullshit!
RONNIE - Happy birthday nigga! Roo! Roo! Roo! Roo!
QUES - I like my titties!
BUCK - Thanks dog!
QUES - In pink and green! Yeah!
So when I squeeze them... Skeewee is what they scream! Aaaaaaaah tit! A tit!
(BUCK feels a tap on his shoulder as he is stepping and he turns around.)
GINGER - Hi.
BUCK - Hey babe. What's up?
GINGER - Sorry to interrupt you but I want to bring your cake out now. Is that okay?
BUCK - Yeah that's cool.
GINGER - Can I get you to help me with it? Its heavy.
BUCK - Right now Gin? I mean...
(He points at his frat brothers who are still stepping.)
GINGER - Yeah, I need you right now. It'll only take a second. In the kitchen.
(She turns and starts to walk toward the kitchen, assuming BUCK is walking behind her.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BAILIFF - All rise! The Honorable Judge Reeves' court in session! Govern yourselves and come to order!
(ERIC stands up. He looks across the court room at JESSICA. She is dressed in a sharp blue dress suit, white shirt opened at the top and she has her hair done. Standing next to her is VAL EDWARDS who looks very professional and like a person who is straight forward and down to business.)
REPORTER - Case of Jessica Alicia Camlin versus Eric Robinson! Attorney for the plaintiff!
VAL EDWARDS - Valerie Edwards your honor.
REPORTER - Attorney for defendent!
MR. NELSON - Richard Nelson your honor for defense.
JUDGE REEVES - I see case number one one one one nine oh six, case of sexual assault and assault. Attorney Edwards.
VAL EDWARDS - Thank you your honor.
(She stands up and turns toward the jury.)
VAL EDWARDS - Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen.
(She strategically pauses.)
VAL EDWARDS - Unfortunately, we have assembled here today to talk about a subject that too often gets brushed under the rug. Not the subject of rape or sexual assault, or the subject of guilt or innocence. No. The subject that we rarely discuss is the aftermath.
(She walks back to her table and points at JESSICA.)
VAL EDWARDS - Ladies and gentlemen, what you see before you is a college student. A young person in the prime years of her life. A person with endless potential, right at the cusp of something incredibly big. One of the first in her family to earn a degree. A smart young lady. Articulate. Punctual. Professional. Vibrant and full of life.
(She turns around and faces the jury again.)
VAL EDWARDS - And one more adjective to describe this young lady... victim. A victim of sexual assault at the hands of another. A young woman forced to do something past her will, past her plea for help... past no. How will that affect her now? How does it leave her to handle interactions with men? Other students? Her peers? Other women? What is the aftermath of this event?
(She slows down as she walks back toward her seat.)
VAL EDWARDS - Only you can answer this question ladies and gentlemen. At the least, all we want is justice. That way, maybe we can all move on and sleep better at night. Knowing with all certainty that the culprit of this vicous act is in a place where he can no longer enforce this on anyone else... again.
(silence)
JUDGE REEVES - Attorney Nelson.
MR. NELSON - Eric Robinson. Honor roll student. Eric Robinson. Daughter of Attorney Robinson of Robinson and Hall. Eric Robinson. Clean record, not even a driving incident. Eric Robinson, devoted boyfriend. Eric Robinson. Active member and president of local chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
(He steps from behind his table.)
MR. NELSON - None of these sound like the picture that will be painted of this young man. But what I describe is the truth and the real picture of Eric Robinson. You will see for yourself that the accusations against my client are nothing more than that. Accusations of spite and jealousy. Accusations of anger. Vicious accusations lacking one essential element...
(He sits.)
MR. NELSON - ...truth.
(silence)
JUDGE REEVES - Mrs. Edwards, your first witness.
VAL EDWARDS - Thank you your honor. Prosecution calls Jessica Camlin to the stand.
JUDGE REEVES - Very well.
(JESSICA stands up and looks back in the courtroom. She sees AKINA and shows no expression as she walks to be sworn in.)
BAILIFF - Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?
JESSICA - Yes.
(She takes the seat in the witness booth.)
VAL EDWARDS - Please state your full name for the record.
JESSICA - Jessica Alicia Camlin.
VAL EDWARDS - Thank you. You nervous?
JESSICA- Very!
VAL EDWARDS - That's okay. Take a deep breath okay?
(JESSICA inhales and exhales slowly.)
VAL EDWARDS - Jessica, what is your relationship to the defendent?
JESSICA - Former friend. We do attend the same college. Amgis.
(VAL EDWARDS pauses and walks back toward her desk.)
VAL EDWARDS - Jessica, let's talk about the day in question.
(She picks up a paper.)
VAL EDWARDS - You state that you had received information that the defendent, a friend of yours was hospitalized?
JESSICA - Yes. I heard that he got sick and was in the hospital. I went to visit.
VAL EDWARDS - And what happened when you got there?
JESSICA - Well, I found out what room he was in, I went to see him. We spoke for a few minutes and the next thing you know...
(She pauses.)
VAL EDWARDS - Its okay. Take your time.
JESSICA - I'm... I'm sorry. I thought I would be okay up here.
VAL EDWARDS - Its okay. Tell us what happened.
JESSICA - He um... got up. And he stood over me. He asked me for a kiss and I told him that I didn't think that was a good idea.
(ERIC shifts in his seat.)
JESSICA - But he was insistent. He grabbed my arm and it hurt. And I told him it was hurting me. And then...
(Her voice is cracking.)
JESSICA - ...he pinned me down to the bed by my wrists and he wouldn't get up off me. He was trying to kiss me.
VAL EDWARDS - Then what happened?
JESSICA - It seems like just as fast as it started, it stopped. And people were pulling him off me. And I was crying and my wrists were bruised.
VAL EDWARDS - Anything else happen?
JESSICA - He tore my shirt because he grabbed at my chest.
VAL EDWARDS - Anything else?
JESSICA - He grabbed me down below also. At first. That's when I swatted his hand away.
VAL EDWARDS - Okay. So he made several advances toward you, pinned you down, tore your shirt and tried to kiss you.
JESSICA - Yes. Just like that.
(VALERIE pauses.)
VAL EDWARDS - No further questions.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The little chapel is almost full. Lots of students and family are in the chapel to observe the marriage vows of MIRI and GINA. Everyone is talking quietly but the buzz of chatter quickly dies down as REV. BEAUFORD, MIRI and MIRI's brother and best man RALEN walk from the back and take their place. MIRI's groomsmen follow them.
OCTAVIA - Wow, what a nice tuxedo. That's different.
APRIL - Yeah, African inspired.
(APRIL looks back in the chapel.)
APRIL - Where the hell is PJ?
KATRICE - How you gonna say hell in church?
APRIL - Ooops, sorry Lord. Where the heck is PJ?
(Everyone turns around as the first bridesmaid comes to the door. Soft music is played as she enters in smiling. Cameras are going off. SETH steps out of line and walks down the aisle toward her. He meets her half way and hands her an African violet. He then takes her arm to walk her into place.)
SHARONDA - Wow that's nice. Go head frat wit yo bad self!
KIM whispers - Sharonda! Stop bein' so ghetto! Shhhhh!
SHARONDA whispers - Ooops my bad!
(Every groomsmen follows suit from BRANDON to AHMAD to CALVIN to MIRI's younger brother SHAREEF. The matron of honor, GINA's sister JACKIE comes down the aisle by herself.)
APRIL whispers - Wow, beautiful dress.
KATRICE whispers - Yeah, beautiful girl.
(The AKAs turn and look at KATRICE.)
KATRICE whispers - What?
(JACKIE's little daughter ZARRIA comes down the aisle as the flower girl but she doesn't drop any flowers, she just hurries to stand next to her mother at the front. Everyone laughs as JACKIE takes her hand and goes back to put some flowers in the aisle.)
KIM whispers - Aww, hot cute.
SHARONDA whispers - Yeah!
(SHARONDA leans over to DENICE.)
SHARONDA whispers - Hey, why is she sitting next to us?
(Everyone stands as the doors to the church open and the music fades to silence. MIRI steps forward.)
APRIL whispers - I wonder what song they're gonna play.
OCTAVIA whispers - Oh you didn't hear? They aren't using music right here in the ceremony. Miri is gonna do a poem instead.
(The doors open and GINA is standing in her wedding gown with her father, arm and arm. MIRI has a microphone attached to his vest. He speaks loud and clearly.)
MIRI - If I could sing to you in the summertime, I`d give you June and July in a box.
I`d serve you August on a tray
along with a bouquet
I picked in May.
Every December I`d remember...
the way your eyes danced and ears rejoiced
at the sweet sound of my tender voice.
And if I could remember anything...
I know we did this every spring.
We`d walk through the roses like the florists do,
holding hands as if the world consisted of only us two.
Our love is our air, we need it to breathe.
When my spirit touches your spirit, we set spirits free.
Whether summer, spring, winter or fall.
Every morning, your name will be the first thing I call.
You gaze into my eyes and question if you`re even awake,
then I'll pray the Lord my soul to take.
Because heaven will be lying right here before my eyes.
My winter wonderland... My summer surprise....
More than a spring thing... More than a autumn breeze...
You`re my funny valentine who makes me believe....
Believe in what I would forever want...
(MIRI pauses as he chokes up a little.)
MIRI - ...a heart full of seasons with you through every month.
(He takes a deep breath.)
MIRI - Gina... my darling... my love for you will grow with every year
but not just for the seasons quoted here.
But my love for you will increase in every month and every week...
every hour and every minute we speak!
My feelings grow and multiply, they increase more and more...
I love you this second more than the second you and your father walked in the door!
SHARONDA - Dag!
(GINA is now standing directly in front of MIRI. She has tears in her eyes. Her father is smiling.)
MIRI - If I'm your deja vu...
then you're my dream come true.
You compliment me best...
my female version... so call me poetess...
for without you I'm poemless.
With you we can conquer the world...
with my handsome baby boy...
and you... my beautiful baby girl.
(silence)
MIRI - I love you way more than words, or this poem, or this gathering of beautiful friends could ever say.
You make me the happiest man... the most complete Miri... the finished puzzle... the deja vu poet...
every second, minute and hour of every day.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
MR. NELSON stands to address JESSICA.
MR. NELSON - Miss Camlin. What is the nature of your friendship with Mr. Robinson?
JESSICA - Friend.
MR. NELSON - Friend or ex boyfriend?
JESSICA - We dated.
MR. NELSON - You dated. I see. Approximately how long did you date Mr. Robinson?
JESSICA - Oh I don't know. Quite some time.
MR. NELSON - Twenty nine months to be exact. Two years and... some time. With that sort of time invested, its easy to see how one could develop serious feelings toward another person.
VAL EDWARDS - Your honor, leading the witness.
JUDGE REEVES - Denied. Continue.
MR. NELSON - Who broke up with whom when yall separated?
JESSICA - It was mutual.
MR. NELSON - Really? That's not what you stated earlier Miss Camlin. Let me remind you. You said that Eric dumped you. So he broke it off with you. Correct?
JESSICA - Um...
MR. NELSON - Are you upset by the fact that he has a girlfriend now that he cares about?
VAL EDWARDS - Irrelevant!
JUDGE REEVES - Sustained. Get to your points counsel.
MR. NELSON - You mentioned that your wrists were bruised.
JESSICA - Yes.
MR. NELSON - Well... that's weird because the hospital report doesn't say anything about you being treatment for a wrist ailment.
JESSICA - Well, I wasn't exactly treated for it.
MR. NELSON - You weren't treated for it? Why not? Didn't it hurt and bruise and bother you some?
JESSICA - Well... yeah.
MR. NELSON - And you didn't tell a doctor?
JESSICA - Well yeah... I mean no... well they didn't treat it.
MR. NELSON - Nor did they write it down.
JESSICA - Um...
MR. NELSON - You said that you had heard that Eric was in the hospital and you were coming to see him.
JESSICA - Uh yeah.
MR. NELSON - Hmmm. That's weird too. Eric was there for tests. He had not been admitted. So how did you know what room he was in?
JESSICA - I asked at the front desk.
MR. NELSON - The front desk doesn't log in people having tests done Miss Camlin. They log in patients who check in. How did you know what room he was in?
JESSICA - Uh... I don't reme...
MR. NELSON - Well how did you hear that he was even in the hospital? He was there for tests. Does word travel that fast on the campus nowadays?
JESSICA - Well... I just heard he was there.
MR. NELSON - Mmm hmm. You said Eric tried to kiss you. Right?
JESSICA - Yes but I said no and he got mad.
MR. NELSON - But didn't you send him an email asking him to break up with his current girlfriend and get back together with you? And he said no. Do you remember that?
JESSICA - That was a long time ago. I don't care about him that way anymore. We really no longer have any kind of communication.
MR. NELSON - But you rush to the hospital to see him, find him and go into his room... before he is even admitted.
JESSICA - Well...
MR. NELSON - That's all Miss Camlin. You can step down.
JESSICA - But I don't care about Eric! I could care less!
JUDGE REEVES - Maam, you can step down now.
(JESSICA turns toward the judge.)
JESSICA - I don't care about him!
JUDGE REEVES - Please step down. Mrs. Ewards please advise your client and call your next witness.
VAL EDWARDS - Yes sir. If it please the court, I would like to call Mr. Henry Johnson.
(A man from the back gets up and walks toward the front. He takes the oath and sits down.)
VAL EDWARDS - Please state your name and title.
HENRY - My name is Henry Johnson and I work security at the hospital.
VAL EDWARDS - Thank you. Can you describe what you saw that day at the hospital?
HENRY - I heard a loud scream and I couldn't tell at first what room it came from. But I saw a nurse run that way so I took the lead. Once I got to the door, I looked inside and saw Mr. Robinson on top of Miss Camlin. She was twisting and screaming and he was pinning her down.
VAL EDWARDS - What happened next?
HENRY - I was the first to run inside the room and I tackled him to the floor. He was yelling at me and talking about she had attacked him. Of course I didn't believe that.
MR. NELSON - Objection. Ban that last statement from the record. Not relevant to the question.
JUDGE REEVES - Sustained.
VAL EDWARDS - So you saw this man...
(She points at ERIC.)
VAL EDWARDS - ...pinning down Miss Camlin by her writsts, on the bed, and himself on top of her. Is that correct sir?
HENRY - Yes, that is correct.
VAL EDWARDS - Thank you sir... your witness counsel.
(Attorney NELSON pops to his feet.)
MR. NELSON - Mr. Johnson, how long did you take to question Mr. Robinson on the day in question?
HENRY - Question him?
MR. NELSON - Yes sir. Question him. How long did it take for you to run down the list of questions that you asked him about the incident?
HENRY - Uh... I didn't ask him any questions.
MR. NELSON - You didn't ask him... any... questions? Why not?
HENRY - Uh, I couldn't. It happened so fast, I had to get the cuffs on him.
MR. NELSON - So after you cuffed him, you weren't concerned with his side of the story?
HENRY - I didn't have to hear his side of the story. I saw it for myself.
MR. NELSON - Oh I get it! So you saw it and made it your side of the story. Is that it?
HENRY - No...it wasn't my side of the story, it was simple and plain.
MR. NELSON - Plain and simple. We clearly have two sides of a story here sir and you didn't even bother to ask pertinent questions to the person in question. Instead you assumed you knew the situation and made a jugdement call on... your own. Your own! No questions huh...
(MR. NELSON laughs as he pauses. He rubs his head.)
MR. NELSON - ...thank you sir. That's all I have for this witness your honor.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
REV. BEAUFORD - Who gives this woman to be wed to this man?
DENICE whispers - Wow! That poem was awesome huh?
BREANNA whispers - Mmmmm hmmmmm.
(BREANNA rolls her eyes and focuses on the front again. MIRI takes GINA's hand as her father kisses her and takes his seat.)
REV. BEAUFORD - Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today in the presence of Almighty God and this assembly to join this man...
(He gestures toward MIRI, then toward GINA.)
REV. BEAUFORD - ...and this woman, in the holy estate of matrimony.
SHARONDA - Well!
KIM - Shhhhhh!
REV. BEAUFORD - The sacrament of marriage is a serious ordained calling, instituted by God and one that should not be taken lightly.
(He getstures to the couple again.)
REV. BEAUFORD - Miri and Gina have expressed to me and to their family and friends of their desire to wed and for their deep love for one another. So we happily salute them on this day and pray that their strength be renewed in the Lord. Saints, let us pray.
(Everyone bows their heads.)
REV. BEAUFORD - Dear God, we thank you for your everlasting presence and for your faithfulness. We thank you our father for the lives of these two young people... Miri and Gina. We ask you oh God to bless them and keep them. To gird them in your word. We ask you to annoint them for when times get hard and allow them to remember you during times of smooth sailing. But God overall, bless them to be a family in the true sense of the word. Bless them to see each other the way you see them... in love always and at all times. These blessings we ask in the mighty name of your son Jesus, amen.
Everyone - Amen.
(The Reverend takes a moment to get his thoughts together.)
REV. BEAUFORD - I'm sorry yall, I thought I was about to preach up in here today! God is good!
(Everyone laughs which breaks the silence. GINA laughs and wipes her eyes, trying not to blot her make up.)
REV. BEAUFORD - Yall gonna mess around and get an early sermon!
(Everyone chuckles again.)
REV. BEAUFORD - Okay... what was I saying? Oh yeah. Here we go.
(MIRI squeezes GINA's hand and smiles at her. She smiles lovingly back at him.)
REV. BEAUFORD - If any man or woman has any just reason why these two should not be wed on this day, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.
(silence)
REV. BEAUFORD - Now we...
(The door to the church swings open and a loud cry is heard from a man coming in.)
FASAKALA - Wait! I denounce this wedding!
(Everyone turns around and gasps. MIRI and GINA spin around.)
FASAKALA - These two should not be wed! My name is King Fasakala Ndulu Jefe Swingali and I represent here for my wife, the queen Nzingha Swingali.
(Several men enter the church with this man while he is speaking.)
REV. BEAUFORD - Sir! What right do you have to interrupt this ceremony!
FASAKALA - This man and this woman have committed a crime against me and my household!
(Everyone gasps loudly.)
GINA - What!
MIRI - What? I don't even know you!
FASAKALA - They have seized my most prized possession and taken it for their own! Good people, my son Prince Mubwesi Semela Swingali has been abducted by this couple and taken as their own son!
(The king points directly at MIRI.)
FASAKALA - You have taken my son! And I am here to claim him back and we will not leave without him!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
BUCK walks into the kitchen after GINGER.
BUCK - Why do we have to do thi...
(BUCK looks on the table at the cake. GINGER is smiling.)
BUCK - Oh shit! How in the...
(BUCK slowly approaches the table and looks down at the massive cake.)
GINGER - This is the cake that I ordered for you from the cake place. I hope you like it!
BUCK - Like it? Its... its off the hook!
(The cake is in the shape of the Greek letter Omega and there is a basketball at the bottom of the letter. The purple and gold colors are correct.)
GINGER - I can't take the credit for all of this. I had your frat brothers help me and I wanted you to see it. It actually just got here.
BUCK - Just got here?
GINGER - I had the delivery person meet me in the back. I didn't want it to come in the front door and have people see the box. Plus your frat brothers acting all crazy, might knock it over.
BUCK - Yeah.
(BUCK is still looking at it.)
BUCK - What kind is it?
GINGER - What else? Chocolate your favorite.
(BUCK laughs.)
GINGER - So you like it? Did I do good?
(BUCK smiles and walks up to her.)
BUCK - Yeah. You did real good. This is off the hook.
(He opens his arms to give her a hug.)
BUCK - Thank you.
GINGER - You don't have to tell me that.
BUCK - I appreciate it.
GINGER - Awwww. Of course. What are friends for right?
BUCK - Absolutely. What are friends for!
(She smiles as he bends toward her. They kiss.)
GINGER - You ready to take it out?
BUCK - Yeah. Sure. Do we got any candles?
GINGER - Yep! Got em right here. Ty told me to put the candles all around here.
(She starts to place them all along the perimeter of the Omega symbol.)
BUCK - Cool.
GINGER - So let me put the rest of the candles in and you grab those plates over there and those forks.
BUCK - Okay.
(BUCK grabs the stuff.)
GINGER - Okay, give me that and you carry the cake. Let me light the candles.
(She starts to light the candles as RENEE walks into the kitchen.)
RENEE - Hey, oh wow! What a cake!
GINGER - You like the way it looks?
RENEE - I've never seen a cake like that.
BUCK - Ginger ordered it for me.
RENEE thinks - Whatever.
RENEE - How nice.
(GINGER smiles as she lights the last candle.)
BUCK - Come on so you can be with us when I cut it.
RENEE thinks - God!
RENEE - Okay.
(RENEE follows GINGER who walks out first and holds the door for BUCK to walk out with the cake.)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JUDGE REEVES - Mrs. Edwards, your next witness.
VAL EDWARDS - Thank you sir. Prosecution calls Eric Robinson to the stand.
(ERIC stands up and looks back into the audience. He gets a thumbs up from his frat brother JAY. His other chapter brothers are there as well.)
BAILIFF - Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth so help you God?
ERIC - I do.
(ERIC takes a seat. He glances at his mother in the audience, then turns his attention to the prosecuting attorney.)
VAL EDWARDS - Mr. Robinson, you say in your statement that Jessica attacked you and that you were fighting her off.
ERIC - Yes maam.
VAL EDWARDS - But you were caught on top of her. How do you explain that?
ERIC - Because I pinned her down and started to yell. I was the one yelling, not her. If I was trying ot rape her or assault her, why was I then calling for help?
VAL EDWARDS - I'll ask the questions okay?
(silence)
VAL EDWARDS - Tell me Mr. Robinson, you say my client overpowered you that day. That although it looked like you were in control, you say that she was in control.
ERIC - Yes.
VAL EDWARDS - How much do you weigh?
ERIC - About one hundred and forty pounds.
VAL EDWARDS - That's what I thought. So you, a one hundred and forty pound male was overtaken by a female... a female that weights one hundred and sixteen pounds?
ERIC - Yes. That's exactly right. That's what happened. I never asked her to kiss me!
VAL EDWARDS - You were just... overpowered... by... her.
(She points at JESSICA.)
ERIC - Yes.
(MRS. EDWARDS takes a long pause and simply stares at ERIC.)
(silence)
VAL EDWARDS - And you were on top... of her... being overpowered.
ERIC - Yes!
(silence)
VAL EDWARDS - No further questions your honor.
(She never takes her eyes off ERIC even as she returns to her seat.)
JUDGE REEVES - Mr. Nelson.
(MR. NELSON stands up again.)
MR. NELSON - Eric, why did you and Jessica break up?
ERIC - I felt like she was becoming too possessive. Too overbearing.
MR. NELSON - How was she obsessive?
ERIC - She was very aggressive with me and all my friends. She really didn't want me to have friends and she wasn't in favor of me pledging a fraternity. I guess she thought that that would do nothing more than get me more friends. I don't know. But she would follow me, blow up my phone, email me like crazy, show up at places, all kinds of weird stuff.
MR. NELSON - And how long did this behavior go on for?
ERIC - A long time. From the time that we broke up until like now.
MR. NELSON - Has Jessica ever gotten over you?
ERIC - No.
MR. NELSON - Is Jessica jealous of your current girlfriend?
VAL EDWARDS - I object! Leading the witness!
JUDGE REEVES - Sustained!
MR. NELSON - Eric, you were the one who was yelling that day. Not her correct?
ERIC - Right.
MR. NELSON - And why were you yelling?
ERIC - Because I wanted security or somebody to come in and help me. But when they came in, they grabbed me and helped her. I know it must have looked bad but believe me, I didn't assault her.
MR. NELSON - No further questions your honor.
JUDGE REEVES - Thank you Mr. Robinson. You may step down.
(ERIC steps down and takes his seat.)
JUDGE REEVES - Mrs. Edwards?
VAL EDWARDS - Rest your honor.
JUDGE REEVES - Very well. Mr. Nelson, do you have further witnesses?
MR. NELSON - Uh no your honor. Cross examination is sufficient.
JUDGE REEVES - Very well.
(He turns to face the jury.)
JUDGE REEVES - Members of the jury, you now have the task of viewing the evidence in this case and rendering a verdict. We will recess until verdict is reached. All parties please retire to your chambers until notified.
(He slams down his gavel. Everyone stands as he rises and walks out. ERIC then follows MR. NELSON into a small room.)
ERIC - How do you think we did?
MR. NELSON - I think we did fine.
MRS. ROBINSON - Yes, it went well. We'll just have to wait and see what the jury feels.
(AKINA takes ERIC's hand.)
JAY - I thought it was hot. You're good sir.
MR. NELSON - Thank you but Mrs. Edwards is good too. She knows what she's doing. She played to them in everything she did.
MRS. ROBINSON - Yes she did.
(ERIC sighs heavily.)
AKINA - Don't worry baby. This nightmare is almost over.
ERIC - Yeah.
JAY - Anybody want something to drink or something? Some coffee?
MRS. ROBINSON - Yes, you could get me a cup of coffee. Thank you Jay.
JAY - No problem.
(JAY leaves the room.)
ERIC - I just can't believe she can sit there and follow through with this lie. And not even blink about it. This is still so crazy to me.
AKINA - I told you she was crazy when she kept popping up everywhere.
ERIC - I know. I should've listened to you then.
MRS. ROBINSON - I just hope she gets some help when this is over with. I hope she can get herself healed.
MR. NELSON - That is going to be my recommendation actually.
MRS. ROBINSON - Good.
(JAY comes back in the room with someone assigned from the court.)
JAY - Hey, they're saying that the jury is finished already and we can go back in.
ERIC - Already? Is that good?
MR. NELSON - That could be very good. See, this is probably open shut.
(ERIC's heart is racing. They leave the little room and re-enter the court room.)
BAILIFF - All rise!
(Everyone stands as JUDGE REEVES comes in and sits down. Everyone now sits.)
JUDGE REEVES - Have you come to a unanimous decision on this case?
JURY MEMBER -Yes your honor.
(The lady from the jury stands.)
JUDGE REEVES - Would the defense please rise for the reading of the verdict?
(ERIC stands with MR. NELSON. MR. NELSON has his hand on ERIC's shoulder.)
JUDGE REEVES - Guests of the court, please refrain from any loud outbursts at the reading of the verdict. Parties, govern yourselves accordingly.
(The judge looks toward the jury.)
JUDGE REEVES - Members of the jury what say ye?
JURY MEMBER - We the members of the jury, in the case of Camlin versus Robinson...
(ERIC's heart is beating to the point where he thinks people in the court room can hear it. He is sweating.)
JURY MEMBER - ...find the defendent Eric Robinson...
(ERIC closes his eyes.)
(silence)
JURY MEMBER - ...guilty for the charge of sexual assault...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The music stops and everyone starts to join in and singing.
EVERYONE - Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!
Happy birthday dear Buck...
Happy birthday to you!
How old are you now?
(Some people start to laugh.)
RONNIE - Yeah old head! How old are you?
(BUCK laughs as he puts the cake down.)
EVERYONE - Happy birthday to ya!
(Everyone starts to sing the Stevie Wonder version of the song. They start clapping and dancing to their own song.)
EVERYONE - Happy birthday to ya! Happy biiiiiiiiiiirthday!
(BUCK laughs and starts to dance along.)
EVERYONE - Haaaaaaaaaaaa... pyyyyyyy... biiiiiirthdaaaaaaaaaaaay!
(Everyone laughs. BUCK bends over and starts to blow out his candles. As the last candle goes out, everyone cheers and claps. BUCK stands up to say a few words.)
BUCK - First of all, I want to thank everyone for coming. It really means a lot to have you all here. Thanks to the bruhs for settin' it out as usual! Roo!
(All the Omegas throw up the sign and start barking.)
BUCK - Thanks to my teammates! I really appreciate you guys having my back and especially playin' for me and pickin' up the slack when I was hurt! I couldn't have asked for a better team to play on. Maybe I'll get to see you guys play in the bigs one day. But good luck to all yall negroes!
(BUCK smiles at RENEE.)
BUCK - I want to thank Renee personally for all the work that she did with inviting you all here, helping me plan this, with the food and all. I love you girl and I'm gonna miss you when I'm out of this place.
(RENEE points at BUCK with both hands. He points back with both hands. A few of her sorors Skee Wee to her.)
BUCK - I thought I would never say this, but I really am gonna miss going to Amgis. I look forward to my future, with some uncertainty of course, but I am going to miss this place.
(He turns to GINGER who is smiling at him. He waits a second.)
BUCK - And last but not...
JUNE - Will you marry me!
(Everyone turns around to see where JUNE's voice came from. She is standing way in the back in the crowd. BUCK can't even see her until she starts to walk forward.)
JUNE - Will you marry me? That's what you asked me Buck. Do you remember?
RENEE thinks - Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!
JUNE - Do you remember? You told me that you loved me and wanted to be with me. You said that you would always love me and that our love was real. You said all those things, do you remember?
GINGER - What are you doing here!
(JUNE ignores her.)
JUNE - You told me that for better or for worse, you wanted to be my man and I would be your woman. Well these last few weeks have been the worst. They have been the worst times I have ever had in my life... because my life is you Buck. I still love you! I love you with all my heart!
(People have backed out of JUNE's way as she walks toward the table with the cake. She is now standing in front of the table, looking across the cake at BUCK and GINGER.)
JUNE - At the end of the day Buck, it doesn't matter who was right or wrong or whatever. At the end of the day, is love. And that is all that I have left to cling to. All I have is you. All I need is you. All I want is you.
GINGER - He doesn't want you anymore. He is happy.
(JUNE looks at GINGER.)
JUNE - Buck is a grown man and can answer for himself.
(GINGER looks up at BUCK for his reply.)
JUNE - Do you remember this?
(JUNE holds out her hand and shows off the engagement ring that she has on.)
JUNE - What did you say when you gave this to me? What did you feel when you put this ring on my finger?
(BUCK looks at the ring as it sparkles on her finger.)
JUNE - Come back to me baby. Please.
(silence)
(silence)
RONNIE - What you gonna do dog?
RENEE thinks - Come on! Come on!
(silence)
(BUCK looks at GINGER. He smiles then looks away. He looks at JUNE and smiles.)
(silence)
(BUCK walks from the other side of the table toward JUNE and hugs her. Everyone in the party starts to clap.)
RENEE - Yes! Thank you Jesus!
BUCK whispers - I love you baby and I'm sorry!
JUNE - I love you too! Welcome home!
