Dear White People Page #13

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75.

PRESIDENT FLETCHER

And I think you long for the days

where Blacks were hanging from

trees and denied actual rights.

Then you’d actually have something

to fight against.

A swell of emotion behind Sam’s steel eyes.

PRESIDENT FLETCHER (CONT’D)

You will be facing two hearings in

the coming weeks that could end in

either Probation or Suspension. One

on the merits of your show, the

other on your election to Head of

House.

Sam is truly scared by this.

PRESIDENT FLETCHER (CONT’D)

Your responsibilities to your house

are suspended. Your show is done

for. And another one of your

illegal “demonstrations” will only

make matters worse. This is a

critical time for this school.

SAM:

You damn right it is.

PRESIDENT FLETCHER

We don’t have an intolerance

problem here. Except for the one

I’m looking at.

72 INT. DEAN’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 72

Troy and his father are alone.

DEAN FAIRBANKS:

You didn’t tell me you and Sofia

had a misunderstanding.

TROY:

Who did?

DEAN FAIRBANKS:

Her father. She was very upset.

(off Troy’s silence)

Troy. What sort of vision do you

have for yourself?

76.

TROY:

Get my degree. Then Law School and

then -

DEAN FAIRBANKS:

--And what’s that got to do with

partying with Kurt? With smoking

weed and writing jokes?

Panic flashes over Troy.

DEAN FAIRBANKS (CONT’D)

Okay, so what? Is it the spotlight

Kurt gets? You want to be on...tv

or something? You know how many

Black men waste their lives to get

on TV? Be rappers and ball players?

TROY:

(wanting it to be true)

Dad no. I want what we always

talked about. Maybe have my own

firm someday? Run for office. Make

a difference. Wife. Kids. I want

all that. I really really do.

DEAN FAIRBANKS:

And the drugs? God damn it Troy I

taught you better than this. I have

been in academia a long time, I’ve

seen a lot of things. The men who

really run this world? You got no

idea what they see when they see

you. You are not going to be what

they all think you are. You will

not give them that satisfaction,

you hear me?

TROY:

Yes sir.

73 INT. PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS 73

Sam steps out of Fletcher’s office into the waiting room.

Kurt is there. He stands and the two silently stare the other

down as Kurt enters his father’s office.

A SECRETARY picks up a ringing phone - prompts her to exit

the room. Sam watches her sign for a delivery outside through

the window.

Sam slips behind the office door - quietly pushes it open and

listens in.

77.

PRESIDENT FLETCHER

I know about the party. You picked

a hell of a time.

KURT:

What party --

PRESIDENT FLETCHER

-- You’re cancelling Kurt. End of

story.

75 INT. BULLPEN - DAY 75

Lionel walks through the empty office - slows down as he over

hears...

GEORGE (O.S.)

Lionel’s story on the would-be

protest outside of Gillespie is

running tomorrow and I’m also

having Lionel work on a profile

piece of Armstrong/Parker like you

suggested. Really break down what’s

going on.

Lionel gingerly approaches the door to see George finish up a

phone call.

GEORGE (CONT’D)

Right. It’s almost like they

recycle so much from their past -

Music, food, fashion, and now

turbulence.

This leaves a bitter taste in Lionel’s mouth.

GEORGE (CONT’D)

Thank you so much. Okay, take care.

George can’t fight his grin as he looks to Annie.

ANNIE:

Well?

GEORGE:

That was our Times advisor. He said

it’s stories like these that get

editors recommendation letters.

Lionel knocks on the door. Annie and George are startled but

reassured when they see who it is.

78.

LIONEL:

The Negro at the door didn’t scare

you this time.

Annie smiles and heads for the door.

ANNIE:

Lionel please. You’re only

technically Black. G, going to

French. You want me to hold your

seat?

GEORGE:

Thanks.

Annie smiles and walks out.

LIONEL:

You need something? Saw your e-

mail.

GEORGE:

Yeah, I need someone to do the

Donor’s function on Saturday. Small

dinner for the school’s big givers.

Administration wants a little

coverage.

LIONEL:

That’s Halloween night.

GEORGE:

Right, which is why no one else

will take it.

LIONEL:

Ah. Thus the new guy.

George gathers his backpack and walks over to Lionel. Gets

close.

GEORGE:

On my way to class, but you can

stay and check out last year’s

piece. You’ll do fine.

LIONEL:

I don’t know. Are there going to be

any racially fueled outbursts at

this thing?

GEORGE:

Never know right?

79.

It’s clear Lionel wants to say something else. George too.

LIONEL:

Am I a good writer?

GEORGE:

You’ll get better. And we need you

right now.

LIONEL:

You’re just a big recommendation

away from landing the Times.

GEORGE:

God I hope so.

Lionel looks down. He is being used. Turns to go, just as -

GEORGE (CONT’D)

Hey.

-- George grabs Lionel unsure what he wants to say. So

instead he just kisses him.

GEORGE (CONT’D)

I’m glad we finally got that Bugle

on your chest.

Lionel’s all mixed up.

GEORGE (CONT’D)

There’s a big party the night of

the Donor’s event. Call me after,

maybe we can hang?

LIONEL:

Yeah. Sounds good.

George heads out - leaving Lionel perplexed.

76 INT. TROY’S APARTMENT - NIGHT 76

Troy stares at his reflection in a mirror as he lifts his durag

to reveal his perfectly curled finger waves. He’s getting

ready for something.

His phone buzzes with a notification: “Message from:

PASTICHE”

Troy nervously clicks it open. As he reads...

80.

KURT (V.O.)

Dear White People. Are you tired of

your hum drum, Wonderbread

existence of accidental racism and

wishing you could sip on Henny out

yo crunk cup without a B*tch giving

you the side-eye? Course you are.

MONTAGE:

As our subjects get ready for their evening.

Troy goes back to combing over his finger waves, finding and

correcting imperceptible imperfections.

KURT (V.O.)

For all those looking to unleash

their inner Negro from years of

bondage and oppression Pastiche

proudly presents “Dear White

People” our 89th annual Hallow’s

Eve Costume Party - tonight at 10

Pacific Time or 5 Colored People

Time. Sorry for the short notice,

but let’s keep it one hun-ed.

You’ve had us on your calendar for

weeks.

76A

Lionel stares into a mirror in an ill fitting suit 76A

combing out his unwieldy fro. He flinches in pain as he

fluffs out each section.

KURT (V.O.)

Dudes must rock FUBU, Ecko,

Rocawear, or Sean John. XXXL is the

smallest size T-Shirt you can wear,

preferably with a collage of Barack

Obama and Tupac on it. Stunner

Shades, chains, and Blue-Tooth

devices sticking out yo ears are

also encouraged.

76B

Coco pulls a blonde curly wig over her natural hair. She 76B

smooths her tendrils to frame her face, almost pale with

foundation. She begins on her eyes.

KURT (V.O.)

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