FADE IN:

INT. CABIN - NIGHT

A passionate ORCHESTRAL SCORE (THE HILL MAIN THEME) plays on a variation of the ROOTS THEME.

One by one, SKETCHES are torn out of aged BOOKS and tossed into a FLAMING FIREPLACE. As each sketch is completely burned, another sketch is torn from a book and tossed into the fireplace.

SERIES OF SKETCHES

Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden.

The Tower of Babel is destroyed in Babylon.

Imhotep constructs the first pyramid for the Pharaoh Zoser.

The Pharaoh's daughter takes in baby Moses.

Greek philosophers study at the Library of Carthage.

Jesus is crucified on the cross.

The Pope hangs a painting of Black Madonna in his office.

Olmec Heads are constructed in South America.

The Moors invade Spain.

The Moorish Empire falls during the crusades.

Slaves are shipped to America on the "Good Ship Jesus."

Afrika is colonized.

CUT TO BLACK:

BLACK SCREEN

Pages are torn from a calendar which dial back the year. The years dial back from A.D. to B.C. until there is nothing left but darkness. These words appear where the calendar was:

IN THE BEGINNING...

CUT TO:

BLACK SCREEN

There are three carved holes at the bottom of the screen:  triangle, circle, square. A challenged HAND forces a SQUARE PEG into a round hole. Once the hand is removed from the square peg, it reveals the word:

ORIENTATION

CUT TO:

INT. BOXING RING - NIGHT

All of the KEY PLAYERS IN THE MOVIE - whom you're yet to meet - are spread out across the screen, eyes directed forward: the Pre-Alumni Association members in power suits, the Chapel Assistants in clergy collars, and the Disciples of ANKH in Afrikan robes. The Pre-Alumni Members, the Chapel Assistants, and Disciples of ANKH all wear BOXING GLOVES.

The floor of the boxing ring is covered with a FLAT MAP OF THE WORLD.

Meet ADAM (17), he's all that's American - baseball, Cracker Jacks, and apple pie. Adam wears a GOLD PINKY RING on his right-hand engraved with the initials "A.L.E." beneath a small DIAMOND.

Adam stands in the center of the screen. He wears a LETTERMAN SWEATER, which reads: "THE HILL."  He stares directly at the camera.

Now, say hello to CHANCELLOR DIX (58). He's light skinned and full of pretentious honor and overplayed grandeur.

Chancellor Dix sits at the judges' table garbed in a GENERAL'S MILITARY DRESS.

Adjacent to Chancellor Dix, garbed in a complimenting ADMIRAL'S MILITARY DRESS, is DEAN RICHARDS (52). He would be better placed as a Baptist Television evangelist instead of aging in academia.

LIESL, dressed as a ring card girl, walks into the center of the ring and holds up a RING CARD which reads:

(EVERY MAN 4 HIMSELF)

Adam smacks the gloves of the two students closest to him. As all the students bump gloves together with a fighter form an opposing camp, a BELL RINGS.

CUT TO:

EXT. GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

College age Afrikan-American men squeeze through the doors of a rustic gym. The MARQUEE reads:

1991-1992 Hillfield University Freshman Orientation Week

ADAM (V.O.)

August 28th, 1990. Freshmen Week at Hillfield University, or "The Hill" as they like to call it. It's where boyhood ends and manhood begins. The Hill is a microcosm of the real world. What you experience here, you will experience in the world, but tenfold.

INT. GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

All of the freshmen sit on the floor of the gym.

Adam crouches next to T.J. and WINSTON. T.J. (18), dark skinned, is a pure blood bumpkin equipped with a homemade Jheri curl. Winston (17), light skinned, could be the spokesperson for "Snobs-R-Us".

TWELVE UPPERCLASSMEN DISCIPLES OF ANKH stand at attention underneath a basketball hoop in a straight line. They are all dark-skinned Afrikan-Americans. Each Disciple wears matching combat boots in addition to an array of traditional style "Back to Afrika" garb - robes, beads, and ankh necklaces. Each Disciple's head is evenly partitioned with sprouting dreadlock twists.

At the end of the row of Twelve Disciples stands a thirteenth Disciple, KAREEM (21), Assistant Ra of ANKH. He wears a different robe and his locks are long and flowing.

OSIRIS parades amidst the freshmen in a baggy cotton traditional Afrikan gown while he clutches a STAFF forged of hardened root. Osiris (22), is a light skinned, green eyed Afrikan-American man with a deep resounding commanding voice, long flowing locks, and lengthy bushy beard.

OSIRIS

My brothers, there are...

(raises staff)

Three things...

The Disciples snap to parade-rest and each present THREE FINGERS.

DISCIPLES

Three!

OSIRIS (CONT'D)

That I must leave you with before you go tonight.

Osiris lowers his STAFF.

The Disciples return to attention.

OSIRIS

Number One. Be on time!  A Hillfield Man is always on time. To be on time, means to be fifteen minutes early.

While you rush to get to work, in just enough time, to be late as hell, the white devils have been there for three hours.

They've read the paper, had breakfast together, and talked about you. Be on time!

The freshmen CHUCKLE.

T.J.

(during the silence)

Oh lawd, who the fuck is this guy?

OSIRIS

(shouts)

Who am I?

Osiris POUNDS HIS STAFF TWICE on the floor.

Kareem marches out of formation next to Osiris.

KAREEM

Sir, your name is Osiris, sir!

(roars)

Ra, of ANKH, sir!

Kareem marches back into formation and snaps to attention.

The freshmen LAUGH.

T.J.

Ra?

WINSTON

It's equivalent to basileus, but in lieu of being a Greek Frat, it's Afrikan.

T.J.

Basileus?

OSIRIS

Number Two.

Raises STAFF.

The Disciples snap to parade rest and each present TWO FINGERS.

DISCIPLES

Two!

ADAM

(to T.J.)

Shhh. He's moving on to number two.

Winston and T.J. look at Adam, and both ROLL THEIR EYES.

OSIRIS (CONT'D)

A Hillfield Man always has a pen.

Osiris removes a PEN from his gown.

The Disciples snap to attention. They flex INK PENS.

FRESHMEN VOICE

That's to write down the numbers of our Springfield Sisters.

OSIRIS

The key to a good memory is writing it down. You can always tell a Hillfield Man. But, you can never tell him much.

LAUGHS.

A few of the freshmen wave PENS.

OSIRIS

And my brothers, Number Three.

The Disciples snap to attention.

DISCIPLES

Three!

Osiris stands next to T.J.

OSIRIS

A Hillfield Man, never, never, ever, has a Jheri curl.

PANDEMONIUM.

The freshmen lift T.J. up above their heads. They bounce him around like a beach ball.

DISCIPLES

The Hill!

It's catchy. Freshmen repeat it at random.

Osiris POUNDS HIS STAFF TWICE on the gymnasium floor and outstretches his arms, gown draping, like Moses at the Red Sea.

The Disciples march in place.

Kareem leads the marching disciples through the sea of freshmen.

KAREEM

(chants)

RAIN...

DISCIPLES

(chants)

CAN'T STOP THE HILL!

KAREEM

SLEET...

DISCIPLES

(chants)

CAN'T STOP THE HILL!

KAREEM

(chants, imitating a girl)

SPRINGFIELD...

DISCIPLES

(chants)

MAY SHOCK THE HILL!

ALL

(chants)

BUT, NO ONE STOPS THE HILL!

Freshmen quickly pick up the tune and all CHANT in unison ad nauseam.

Osiris boldly points his staff at HOSEA JOHNSON (23), Chancellor of the Chapel Assistants. A clergy collar hugs Hosea's throat and a SCOFIELD BIBLE bound in a LEATHER CASE is perched under his arm. Hosea is accompanied by SEVEN CHAPEL ASSISTANTS each with matching collars and LEATHER BIBLE CASES.

Among the Chapel Assistants are MORGAN and EVERS. Morgan (20), would be better named as "Malcolm Machiavelli."  Evers (22), Vice Chancellor of the Chapel Assistants, is a portly, jolly fellow who is far too nice to completely trust.

Hosea coldly locks EYES with Osiris.

Hosea removes a CIGAR from his coat pocket. He holds it erect, for a beat, next to his head, then bites the tip off, and spits it out in Osiris' direction.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. GYMNASIUM - NIGHT

T.J. attempts to cross Osiris' path in order to talk to some of the fellas, but is met with the strong arming PALM of DISCIPLE JONAS (21), an over zealous follower.

DISCIPLE JONAS

Stand back, my brother. Osiris is coming through.

Osiris tunnels between two rows of marching ANKH Disciples. His gown flows behind him like the train of an Emperor returning home from a long day's conquest. Disciple Jonas leans over and whispers into Osiris' ear.

DISCIPLE JONAS

You will be the next Hillfield University Student Government President.

Kareem steps out of line and puts his arm around T.J.

KAREEM

(whispers)

I used to have a Jheri curl, too. You can look a brother up if you want. I'm the R.A. on the first floor of Anderson Hall.

Winks.

CUT TO:

EXT. CHAPEL - NIGHT

A lone STATUE of Frederick E. Hillfield towers in front of the barren walk of an ominous chapel.

INT. CHAPEL - STAGE - NIGHT

Hosea stands on a DIMLY LIT stage encapsulated by a VINTAGE PIPE ORGAN. Hosea is positioned in front of a podium upon which rests his Scofield Bible encapsulated in a soft leather case. The Chapel Assistants stand by close in a row of solidarity. Morgan is on Hosea's right-hand side and Evers is on Hosea's left-hand side.

HOSEA

In the words and the wisdom of the old Chinese proverb, it is better to light a lantern in the night than it is to curse the darkness.

The house lights go down. A SILHOUETTED FIGURE OF REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. raises and LIGHTS A LANTERN. His back is to the audience.

[EXCERPT FROM THE REV. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S "I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH"  DELIVERED ON THE STEPS OF THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL IN WASHINGTON D.C. ON AUGUST 28, 1963]

MALE CHORALERS, dressed in all black, slowly walk up the aisles from the front of the chapel towards the back of the chapel. Each choraler carries a single LANTERN, which illuminates his own face. They sing the WENDELL P. WHALUM ARRANGEMENT OF "LIFT EVERY VOICE AND SING (THE NEGRO NATIONAL ANTHEM)."

KING SILHOUETTE

I have a dream,

That one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."...

MALE CHORUS

(SINGS)

LIFT EVERY VOICE

AND SING

TILL EARTH AND

HEAVEN RING,

RING WITH THE HARMONIES...

MALE CHORUS

(SINGS)

LIFT EVERY VOICE

AND SING

TILL EARTH AND

HEAVEN RING,

RING WITH THE HARMONIES...

INT. CHAPEL - SEATS - NIGHT

Winston YAWNS.

WINSTON

I'm going to the block party.

Winston leaves.

T.J.

(to Adam)

Coming?

ADAM

I'll catch up with you guys later.

INT. CHAPEL - STAGE - NIGHT

The Chapel Assistants join arms with Hosea, Morgan, and Evers.

The King Silhouette BLOWS OUT his LANTERN.

CUT TO:

INT. CHAPEL - BACKSTAGE - NIGHT

JOHN MASON makes eye contact from the wing with Hosea who is still on stage. Hosea raises a LANTERN to his face and smiles.

John Mason (22), is the self-proclaimed despot and Premiere of the Pre-Alumni Association.

John is accompanied by five officers from the Pre-Alumni Association. They all wear power costumes: blue suits, white shirts, and red ties. Among the officers are TERRELL and LAWRENCE.

Terrell (21), Associate Premiere of the Pre-Alumni Association, is a dark skinned cavalier born leader.

Lawrence (21), is a wryly passive aggressive with the weight of the world in his electromagnetic glasses.

John whips out a CIGAR and LIGHTS it. Without breaking eye contact, he flicks ASHES onto the stage, then walks away.

TIME CUT TO:

INT. CHAPEL - NIGHT

It's post performance hour. Hosea is well guarded by his posse of preachers - the Chapel Assistants.

RONALD ROLLINS (30), slick and clean-cut, the Resident Director of Packard Hall, warmly wraps one arm around Hosea and clasps Hosea's hand with the other. Ronald wears a CLERGY COLLAR.

Hosea inconspicuously slides an ENVELOP into Ronald's hand.

RONALD

Looks like you might be the next Hillfield University Student Government President.

HOSEA

No doubt.

As Hosea and Ronald separate hands, Ronald slips the envelop into his pocket.

RONALD

(winks)

Be sure to give me the list for your floor in the morning.

HOSEA

(winks back)

Already done.

Ronald disappears into the crowd.

Adam scurries to the front of the stage to greet Hosea.

ADAM

Hosea, I thought your message was-

Adam is sideswiped by Morgan.

MORGAN

Hosea needs time for prayer.

Morgan turns his back to Adam. Morgan covers Hosea, drenched with SWEAT, with a CAPE. Hosea, Morgan, and the Chapel Assistants walk away. Evers grabs Adam by the HAND. Firmly shakes it.

EVERS

Come to Chapel. Or if you just want to kick it, I'm the R.A. on the second floor of Packard Hall.

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET CORNER - NIGHT

Several men from The Hill and sisters from Springfield congregate on the street corner. They sip on ORANGE JUICE and VODKA from PLASTIC CUPS. Several sisters wear tight BIKER SHORTS revealing every nook and cranny while other sisters let it all hang out from DAISY DUKES and BIKINI TOPS. A BUFF DRUNK BROTHER with no shirt on SPRAYS a scantily clad sister with CHAMPAGNE. Wet T-shirt time.

A NIGERIAN MERCHANT has set up a table where he's peddling INCENSE, HAND BAGS, SCENTED OILS, HANDMADE JEWELRY, AND BOOTLEG COMPACT DISCS.

Adam approaches Winston and T.J. who are in the midst of a conversation with two Springfield Sisters: LIESL (18), and KANEISHA JACKSON-WASHINGTON (18). Liesl and Kaneisha lean against a CONVERTIBLE JAGUAR XJS. Kaneisha is an around-the-way girl trying to make good, while Liesl is everything that Adam desires and doesn't possess.

T.J., topsy-turvy and quite tipsy, slings his arm around Adam and sloshes screwdriver on Winston's shirt.

T.J.

Bro', this is Liesl and Kaneisha. They go to Springfield.

Winston ROLLS HIS EYES at T.J. and fans the stench of T.J.'s breath.

Adam touches Liesl's hand. Smiles. There is chemistry.

EVERS watches Adam from afar.

CLAUDE DUBOSE (25), a high-yellow, wavy-haired, fifth year senior, steps in front of Winston, T.J., and Adam. Claude whips out a KEY CHAIN and BEEPS an ALARM on the Jag.

CLAUDE DUBOSE

(to the girls)

I'm making a liquor run. Wanna' roll?

Liesl and Kaneisha giggle with approval.

CUT TO:

INT. ADAM'S DORM ROOM - NIGHT

An ALARM CLOCK reads: "4:00 A.M."

EXT. THE QUAD - NIGHT

Four buildings face each other from four corners of a vast grassy court. Three are dormitories and one is the Administration Building (Hillfield Hall).

John Mason stands in the center of the Quad while Terrell stands on his right-hand side and Lawrence stands on his left hand side.

John dons an indulgent OVERCOAT with baggy shoulders and a tale that just misses touching the ground. It's complimented by a coordinated paisley SILK SCARF, ASCOT, and pair of sleek LEATHER GLOVES clasp in his hands.

John raises his right hand for a beat, then lets it fall to his side.

SLAM CUT TO:

INT. ADAM'S DORMITORY - NIGHT

Adam, Winston, and T.J. rest nestled in their individual beds of a comfy triplex dorm room until they are rudely awakened by the sound of a FIRE ALARM BUZZ. A Pre-Alumni Association member (PETE) BURSTS into the room.

PRE-ALUMNI PETE

Get your ass up, niggaz!  There's a fire!

Adam, Winston, and T.J. leap out of bed. Adam tries to put on his pants. T.J. doesn't move. Winston reaches for his robe.

Pete pushes T.J. out of the bed. He falls on the floor and moans.

T.J.

Not now honey, I have a headache.

Adam helps T.J. stand.

PETE

Move!!!

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

One thousand Afrikan-American Hillfield freshmen jog down a street in the heart of the ghetto. Some are in PAJAMAS, some are in HOUSE SHOES, and some are in UNDERWEAR. Others don't have on shirts, others are run while half asleep, and others are confused and frightened. Adam, Winston, and T.J. are among them. T.J. is miserably hung over.

Several Pre-Alumni Association Members in OVERLY STARCHED MATCHING JOGGING SUITS lead the pack.

The impoverished PEOPLE FROM THE PROJECTS line the streets as spectators.

Several AFRIKAN-AMERICAN POLICE keep the crowd safely on the sidewalk behind POLICE BARRICADES.

INT. EXOTIC CONVERTIBLE - NIGHT

John Mason schleps along in the back seat of an exotic convertible. Terrell faithfully serves as John Mason's driver and Lawrence John Mason's valet.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

HOMELESS HENRY (44), eyes John Mason.

Homeless Henry slips underneath a BARRICADE and starts jogging with the students. He waves to crowd. Henry catches up with the convertible and touches John Mason on the shoulder.

HOMELESS HENRY

Say, brother man, how about some spare change?

INT. EXOTIC CONVERTIBLE - NIGHT

John Mason indignantly frowns at Homeless Henry. POLICE OFFICER BLACK tackles Homeless Henry and drags him away from the convertible.

HOMELESS HENRY

Fuck y'all Hill Niggaz, then.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

T.J. ceases to run.

T.J.

(to Adam)

Ah, shit. I'm about to hurl.

T.J. turns and hurls his breakfast, lunch, and dinner in John Mason's direction.

INT. EXOTIC CONVERTIBLE - NIGHT

Lawrence whips out a HANDKERCHIEF, and quickly brushes off the spot on John Mason's overcoat that Homeless Henry touched.

THEN:

Mini chunks of T.J.'s upchuck land on John Mason's coat in the same spot where Lawrence wiped.

EXT. STREET - NIGHT

Adam puts his arm around T.J.

ADAM

Can't stop now. Keep going. You can do it.

CUT TO:

EXT. GRAVEYARD - NIGHT

The freshmen, soiled and sweaty, pant as John Mason glides on foot between them. Terrell and Lawrence trail close behind.

John Mason interrupts his gait when he arrives at a MAUSOLEUM. He stares at the sky for a beat, then turns to face the freshmen.

JOHN MASON

The tomb of our founder-the Rev. Dr. Frederick E. Hillfield.

(beat)

As far back as my family lineage lays, the men in my family have always been Hillfield Men and the women Springfield Women.

Winston nods affirmatively.

JOHN MASON

Hillfield University has a long, proud, rich history of tradition. And I will not allow myself or anyone else to dishonor my Hillfield family's name.

A single TEAR crawls down John Mason's cheek.

JOHN MASON

You will not bring dishonor upon this Hill.

John Mason reaches down on the ground and picks up a CROWN. As he raises the crown above his head, the SUN RISES above the Tomb of Frederick E. Hillfield, and shines rays of light through the center of the crown.

JOHN MASON

Hillfield University places a crown above all of our heads, and it's up to each and every one of us to aspire to it.

Winston is moved.

JOHN MASON

Let's take a moment of silent meditation as we prepare to hear from the 1991 - 1992 Hillfield University Student Government President, Quincy Collins.

TEARS stream down John Mason's face. As he turns around to face QUINCY COLLINS, and the rest of the Pre-Alumni Association, his composure is bipolar and emotionless.

Quincy Collins' (21), personality amazingly falls just a few steps short of a pet rock. Quincy wears glasses equally as un-amazing as his charisma. John Mason pokes a finger into QUINCY COLLINS' chest.

JOHN MASON

(to Quincy)

I've got them. Try not to lose them.

John Mason outstretches his arms. Lawrence slips on John Mason's overcoat.

Lawrence gently touches John Mason on the HAND.

LAWRENCE

Your speech really moved me.

John Mason SMILES devilishly. Touches Lawrence softly on the hand.

JOHN MASON

As it should. Next year, the gimp will be gone, and I will be the Hillfield University Student Government President.

John Mason whips out a CIGAR from his coat pocket. He passionately sniffs it as he stares at Quincy, then stuffs it back into his pocket.

Quincy fumbles through a pile of NOTE-CARDS.

John Mason rolls his eyes at Quincy.

QUINCY

(reads)

Be may that every year Freshmen Orientation exposes you to Hillfield traditions - Spirit Night, Chapel, the Block Party, and the Run - I encourage all of you to be not a number, but a member of an organization.

The first day of class begins in two hours. Remember, a Hillfield Man must always-

ALL FRESHMEN

(patronizes)

Be on time.

QUINCY

And to be on time means-

ALL FRESHMEN

(lackadaisical)

To be fifteen minutes early.

QUINCY

This concludes Orientation. Thank you very much. God bless. Goodnight.

TIME CUT TO:

EXT. GRAVEYARD - DAY

Winston slyly approaches John Mason.

WINSTON

John Mason

(offers his hand)

Winston Chamberlain. We became acquainted this summer at Oak Bluffs.

Winks.

John Mason sucks his teeth.

JOHN MASON

Yes, I remember. Come to the first Pre-Alumni Association meeting and I'll introduce you to some of the family. Or you can drop by my room sometime. I'm the R.A. on the third floor of Smith Hall.