Closer to Home (1995) - full transcript
Dalisay struggles to journey from the Philippine countryside to New York City to marry Dean, a disillusioned ex-merchant marine. She's hoping to buy a cure for her dying sister and ultimately a future for her debt-ridden family, while he hopes to escape his disintegrating American family through love and a family of his own.
What exactly
are you looking for, Mr. Warren?
A pen pal?
No, I'm looking to get married,
start a family.
Well...
You came to the right place.
I can introduce you to
some beautiful Filipinas,
there are plenty of them
around here.
But you're looking
at the wrong book.
That only has photos of
girls from overseas.
That's what I want,
they make the best wives.
Were you married before
to a Filipina?
No, I was never married.
Cause you sound as if
you're talking from experience.
I spent 20 years
in the Merchant Marines.
I did a lot of traveling
through the Far East.
Do you have any other girls
I could look at?
Why?
You didn't see anyone you liked?
Some of them look like
bar girls to me.
Well, I think that's about it.
But let me look at
my other file.
Maybe I can find someone.
Or I could leave you my name,
and you could contact me.
You're in luck!
Take your pick.
These three look like
bar girls too.
Wow...
She's beautiful.
Her name is Dalisay Dimagiba.
She's 21 years old.
You know, "Dalisay" means "pure"
in Tagalog.
[speaking Tagalog]
So we're gonna tear down
this wall over here, right?
And then this is gonna be
the baby's room.
Well, you know,
when the time comes...
Then once
we're settled upstairs,
Nick is gonna start on
expanding the store.
And then once Uncle Ralph
moves to Florida,
we're going
to rent out his place.
You're not having
second thoughts about
selling your parents's place
to Nick, are you?
No, no, of course not.
The place is nothing but
bad memories for me.
The sooner, the better.
Come on,
it wasn't all that bad!
Uncle Ralph,
you lived above them,
I lived with them,
I should know.
It's not going to be
the same around here,
you're going to California,
and you moving down
to Florida.
Don't remind me!
Oh, come on!
No more noise,
no more pollution,
no more subway...
[Sound of a subway passing.]
Come on, peace and quiet.
A great place to die!
Oh come on,
don't be so dramatic!
I'm not being dramatic,
it's the truth!
You retire down there,
you die down there.
Now I don't know about you,
but if I'm gonna die,
I wanna die up here
with the family,
instead of down there all alone.
- He's talking about dying
again? - What else?
Alma, what did I tell you
about touching the blueprints?
What?
- Are your hands clean?
- Yes!
I had my arms on it,
I wasn't really touching it.
You gotta be very careful
with these things,
they're very expensive.
I know,
I was just showing it to Jan!
Where do you want this
furniture?
- What furniture?
- It's here!
- The furniture's here!
- The dining room set?
- You asked them to deliver it?
- Well, they called.
They're not supposed to bring it
until they finish upstairs,
they haven't even started yet!
But you're not listening,
they called and
said if they delivered it today,
they wouldn't charge me
for the delivery...
- Where we supposed to put it?
- We could find a place for it.
We're saving all that money,
and it came from North Carolina.
- How big is it?
- It's big.
It's big.
- Put it in back.
- You got it.
- Where the hell is your
brother? - I don't know...
Oh shit, it's late!
I gotta get out of here.
I gotta go pick up my kid.
[Sound of subway passing by.]
[Subway noise gets louder.]
What about your brother?
Ain't you gonna wait for him?
I can't wait for forever.
I got my own life to live.
But you promised.
You said you were going
to talk to him,
find out what's going on.
Look, I got stuff coming!
I'm starting to get worried.
So what are you worried about?
My brother said he'd sell you
the building, didn't he?
But I get this funny feeling
your brother plans on staying
in your parent's apartment.
Yeah, well, he better not!
Jan, your brother hasn't been
around this long in over 15
years.
Oh, it's only temporary,
where else was he supposed
to stay when he got back?
"Back" was supposed to be
for only a week.
He's here a month already!
I don't think he's even looking
for another place to live!
Jan, I gave a down payment
to the contractor,
I don't even have a start date.
What is the matter with you?
You couldn't wait until
everything was signed?
You, of all people,
you know my brother!
Please, do me a favor,
talk to your brother,
find out what's going on.
Forget about me
wanting to expand the store.
Do it for Alma.
That's all she talks about
is moving upstairs.
It'll break her heart
if this falls through.
[Sound of car
honking impatiently.]
Hey, where were you yesterday?
Couldn't make it.
That's all you got
to say for yourself?
I kept that super waiting
for an hour!
This is the last time!
I convinced that guy to hold
that place for a week
so you could see it, and you
don't even bother to show up?
Look, it's not
the only apartment in New York.
Oh yeah?
Then you find one yourself.
Don't expect anymore help from
me. You better find one quick.
As soon as these papers are
signed, I'm taking my kid,
we're going out to California,
permanently.
You better not
fuck up my plans!
Hey, Dean!
You wanna take a look
at these blueprints?
Some other time, I'm tired.
[speaking Tagalog]
You're Filipina?
That's right.
How did you know?
I spent a lot of time
traveling to the Far East.
Your wife?
Soon, I hope.
She's beautiful!
Trying to get her over,
so we can get married.
That sounds romantic.
Yeah, I know.
[Sound of door opening.]
The shit's gonna hit the fan
when they'll find out.
Look at it this way...
If I'm staying,
so are you.
Shit, it's no big deal
if I go down to Florida.
My life is almost over.
You're just starting out.
I know what this
place means to you.
The same as when
your parents built it,
it meant a lot to them too.
And now look at!
Sister...
So bitter, she can't wait
to sell the place off.
And you know you who's gonna
wind up with everything?
The whole kitten kaboodle?
Your cousin, Nick.
The errand boy!
Do they know about
the Philippine girl?
No, not yet.
Any news yet?
It's too early.
Uncle Ralph...
Go to the bathroom.
Shit, I gotta take some leak!
See you later.
[Apartment door closing.]
[speaking Tagalog]
It's been almost three weeks
since I received
your last letter.
I'm wondering why
I haven't heard from you.
I spoke to Miss Amador
at the agency,
and she told me that your visa papers should be processed soon.
I hope all is well with you.
Take care,
and say hello to your family.
I'm really looking
forward to seeing you.
Love...
[Sound of door opening.]
Hi!
Don't bother to knock,
just let yourselves in.
Take a guess
where we just came from?
Surprise me.
Our lawyer's office.
Where else?
Finally.
Let's get all of this over with.
Everything's down on paper,
just the way we discussed.
You're welcome to look
everything over.
Our lawyer looked it over,
everything's in order.
All we need is your signature.
I've changed my mind.
What are you talking about,
"change your mind"?
Change your mind about what?
I'm not gonna sign.
What do you mean
you're not gonna sign?
Exactly what I said.
I'm not signing.
I'm staying.
I want to keep this place.
I knew he was gonna pull shit
like this, I knew it!
You're signing.
I need this goddamn money!
Now you sign it!
I'm not signing.
I'll send you your half
when I get it.
Yeah, I don't believe you.
We all agreed on this
after you mother died.
I spent a lot of money already.
And what about Alma?
She's expecting to move
in here any day now.
I don't know what to tell you.
All I know is that I'm staying.
You selfish son-of-a-bitch,
you got one helluva nerve!
You are not gonna
fuck up my plans now,
you sign these goddamn papers!
Where the hell do you think
you're going?
- We're not through yet.
- Well, I am.
After everything I did
for your family,
you treat me this way!
- You son-of-a-bitch!
- Nick!
[Sound of subway passing.]
Make sure you close the door
when you're through.
Go on!
Go on! Disappear!
That's all you've done
your whole life!
Run away!
Run away,
and this time don't come back!
Hey Dean!
Look what came today!
Thanks, Uncle Ralph!
What's this shit?
[speaking Tagalog]
- Hey, Dick, how you doing
today? - Not bad, Dean!
Hey, Manny and Mo, let's go!
Let me get in the street
sometime this week!
Time is money!
Aye, aye, Captain!
[Sound of hood slamming shut.]
Hey, hey, Dino!
You looking for something?
That smells exotic!
Looking for these, Romeo?
Listen, what are you,
the Two Stooges?
Gimme the picture and
the fucking letters,
I don't have time
to jerk off, alright?
That's the best you can do?
Come on, where'd you
pick her up? Chinatown?
Wo Hop's? What happened?
Who is she?
I gotta get out in the street.
Give me the fucking letters!
Take it easy. We just
wanna know who she is.
- Wanna play that game?
- Whadya mean...?
[Sound of Dean gunning motor.]
Oh!
Take it easy. We're just
trying to have a few laughs.
What are you trying to do?
Kill us?
Come here.
No bullshit,
does she do your shirts?
Give me the fucking pictures
and the letter right now.
What if we don't want to
give them to you?
What if you don't?
These your tools?
Yeah, they're my tools.
I'm gonna toss 'em
in the East River,
that's what.
Don't do that, my Allen
wrenches are in there.
I don't give a fuck
if you got your sister in there.
Give me the fucking...
And the letters.
- You want your tools?
- Yeah, yeah.
Back up.
I wanna give them to you.
Back up.
Have a nice day, assholes!
[Screeching tires.]
[speaking Tagalog]
[Sound of rooster crowing.]
[Knocking sound on front door.]
Coming!
[More knocking.]
So, you bought a new lock?
I hope you spent your money
on a good one.
I'm impressed.
Remember these?
I want you
to tell me right now
why you won't sign these papers.
I'm gonna settle down.
I'm going to get married.
My brother getting married!
I guess that means you want
to start a family, too, right?
Yeah. Why?
Is anything wrong with that?
Yeah, I'll tell you what's
wrong with that.
You don't deserve a family!
What do you know about family?
What do you know
about this family?
How sweet?
I'm touched!
Are you trying to tell me
that you care for them now?
You're a real fucking hypocrite.
You didn't even have the decency
to visit them at the cemetery.
Look, don't walk away from me!
Isn't 20 years enough? Don't you
ever get tired of running away?
- What are you talking about?
- What about him?
It wasn't bad enough that he had
to drink himself to death,
you had to leave me
and Mom alone
while you were cruising
somewhere
on the other side
of the fucking world!
Jesus, you couldn't even
come home for his funeral!
By the time I found out,
it was too late.
Oh too late, my ass!
You were on some drunken binge
with one of your bimbo
girlfriends.
Why did you leave me
here all alone?
This place was fucking hell
taking care of
that sick miserable woman!
If it wasn't for Nick,
we would've been
out on the streets!
I tried...
I tried so hard
to keep this place,
but did you care?
No, you never even stayed
long enough to care!
No wonder Nick had to
take care of Mom's funeral!
Shit, you couldn't even
come home for that!
I don't want to be
part of your family.
No, I just want to leave.
I'm gonna take my kid,
and I'm gonna
forget all about this place.
[speaking Tagalog]
What do you mean you don't
know where Miss Amador is?
You're her secretary right?
Well, I'm gonna talk
to you anyway.
Look, Amador promised me this
girl'd be here 3 months ago,
she should be here by now.
She...
Yeah...
You don't understand...
Look, I heard about agencies,
you take people's money, they
never hear from you again...
Could you...?
Lady, is this the only phone
in New York, huh?
What?
Look, you'd better be telling
me, you don't understand.
I gave you every fuckin'
last penny I have...
Yeah, but you don't...
Hello?
Hello?
Hello!
Fuck!
Go on, knock yourselves out!
[Crowded bar noise.]
- Fuck you!
- Fuck you...
Shipmate...
Could you get another drink for
this girl, this guy, you, me,
on me, thank you.
Just save your money.
Don't waste it on me.
Don't worry about money.
I got plenty of money,
and this one's on me.
You could waste it on me?
Remember me?
No...
And I don't want to.
You wanna dance?
You know, you're a real asshole!
[speaking Tagalog]
[Car honking, excited voices.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
[Sound of motor revving up.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
[Sound of Jeepney roaring off.]
How do I look?
Don't worry, you look great!
Come on, tell me the truth.
She will love you.
I think, here she is.
[speaking Tagalog]
These are for you.
May I take your bag?
[Sounds of busy airport.]
She's what you call
"a real beauty."
I'd like to take
her home myself.
Dean Warren, this is Dalisay.
Oh, he knows Tagalog!
Is that right?
Fine. I'm fine.
You've been to the Philippines.
have you forgotten how to speak
to the ladies down there?
You have to say:
Don't forget to invite me
to the wedding!
Oh, you'll be there.
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
I just can't believe
you're sitting here next to me.
I mean, it's just like a dream.
I can't believe it!
Look at all the buildings.
[Sound of subway
passing overhead.]
Hi! You must be Dalisay.
Yes, Sir!
I'm Uncle Ralph.
Welcome to New York.
I don't believe this!
She's cute!
So I see you've met Uncle Ralph.
You're gonna enjoy it here.
- She's prettier than her
picture. - She sure is.
She sure is.
Come on,
you're embarrassing her.
I gotta get her inside
before she freezes to death.
[Sound of police car siren.]
Son-of-a-bitch!
Open your eyes.
What do you think?
- It's nice. Thank you very
much! - You're welcome very
much.
♪ [Dean humming
wedding march music.]
What?
It's an American tradition.
You know...
The threshold and...
Well, anyway...
Wow!
What do you got in this thing?
Would you like something to
drink?
- Water, please.
- I got plenty of water.
That's my mother and father.
That's their wedding photo
the day they were married.
Sit down. Relax.
And right over there,
that's my sister, Jan.
And believe it or not,
you see this one here?
That's me with my buddies
the first day
I was in the Merchant Marines,
we were on the dock, looking
at the ships, and stuff...
That woman who waved
to you outside, that's Alma.
She's married
to my cousin, Nick.
They run the deli downstairs.
Uncle Ralph, he lives upstairs
on the 3rd floor.
He's a nice old guy,
once you to get to know him.
Would you like to freshen up?
Maybe change your clothes?
Yes.
Good, because I got a big
surprise for you later.
Come on, I'll show you around.
After you.
The bathroom's over here,
That's the bedroom.
This is the kitchen.
When you wrote to me
about mangos,
I knew the party wouldn't be
complete without 'em.
Do you know how hard it is
trying to find a mango in NYC
in the middle of the winter?
Dalisay?
Dalisay?
Do you know who helped me
find them? Miss Amador,
the lady from the agency.
She knew exactly where to go.
Listen, try some of this crab.
It's incredible...
I'm sorry, I'm not hungry.
Oh, you don't like crab?
Maybe some shrimp?
Look at the size of them.
No, thank you.
I got some champagne!
The guy said it's imported,
I think it's from France.
A little toast here?
A little celebration here, okay?
I'm not too good at this,
let me see...
[Sound of cork popping.]
Just a little drink...
Maybe you'd rather
just go to bed?
♪ [Soft theme music comes up.]
[Train horn toots in distance.]
Dean?
[Sound of passing subway.]
Dean!
AAaahhhh!
[Sound of telephone ringing.]
[Telephone continues ringing.]
Hello?
Dean?
I'm okay.
Don't worry.
What note?
Uh-huh...
What time
your work will be finished?
Okay, okay.
Thank you.
Bye-bye.
Unh-unh...
[Speaking on telephone
in Tagalog.]
- Did you make all your calls?
- Yes!
I spoke to my cousin, Imelda,
at the factory.
She'll tell my parents
that I'm okay.
And I just called my cousin,
Tess.
Is that the one you told me
lives in the city?
Yes, I invited her.
She's coming over
tomorrow afternoon.
Is that alright?
Of course, it's alright.
I'm excited.
I just can't wait to see her.
She wants to meet you.
I want to meet her, too.
[Knocking on front door.]
Hi!
Remember me?
I'm Uncle Ralph!
- Do you like flowers?
- Yes!
I thought so.
My wife loved flowers.
She used to grow them in the
back. She had a garden there.
Thank you very much,
it's so beautiful.
And after she died last year,
I took over the garden.
The flowers help keep
her memory alive.
Oh, my wife made this and never
got a chance to use it.
I want you to have it.
Thank you.
But I can't.
Oh, you must!
I want you to have it!
Besides, it's gonna be cold in
this apartment in winter time,
you're gonna need it.
Thank you very much, Sir!
Sir?
Call me Uncle Ralph!
Okay.
Thank you, Mister Ralph.
Uncle Ralph.
Okay.
Thank you Uncle Ralph.
Now, that's better!
I think I'll go down
and see if Nick can use me.
I'll see you later.
Hey, shipmate!
The infamous Uncle Ralph.
[Sound of passing subway.]
Dalisay!
Dalisay!
Come here.
Sit down, over here.
Don't worry.
Come a little closer.
Alright, close your eyes...
Go on.
Don't worry.
Give me your hand.
I want you to feel something.
You bought this for me?
- You didn't have to do this.
- It's not real.
It's cubic zirconia.
But it's a sign
of things to come.
I'm gonna get you the real one
as soon as I can.
Thank you, it's beautiful.
Another one?
Go on, open it up.
Try it on.
It's gonna look incredible on
you.
We're not married yet.
No, but we're gonna be.
That's why I gave you the ring,
and that's why
I brought you over here.
I'm gonna marry you.
- When?
- As soon as I get the money.
We're gonna have
that wedding you want,
I'm gonna bring over
your mother and father.
I'll bring over your whole
freakin' family if I can.
As soon as I get it.
Come on, try it on.
Sorry, I can't...
Not until we're married.
Okay.
I'll wait.
But who's gonna sleep
on the bed? Me or you?
You!
No, no, no, I'll sleep
on the couch, you on the bed.
No, I'll sleep on the floor!
Well, I'd better start
getting used to the couch.
[Telephone ringing.]
Can you get that please?
Hello?
- Who's on the phone?
- A woman.
I think it's your sister.
She sounds angry.
Just hang up.
[Door bell ringing.]
Tess!
Dalisay!
Condom?
Fantasy?
No problema.
[Sound of subway
moving overhead.]
Your change.
- Okay. Bye-bye!
- Adios!
[speaking Tagalog]
Nick!
What's the matter?
I think there's another
one outside. Look.
What are you talking about,
another what?
Shit!
Now he's bringing the whole
goddamned family over!
I'm ready.
I feel great today!
- Hello!
- Hi!
What's so funny?
What's that?
What do you mean?
Dalisay said that you're...
Ah, if the boys could
see me now.
Can I ask you
a personal question?
Sure!
What do you wanna know?
Are you serious about
your intentions with my cousin?
About as serious as a heart
attack, that's pretty serious!
I don't believe that.
You hardly know each other!
Well, I'll see you at the
wedding.
To see is to believe.
Look!
It's so beautiful!
Your wish...
is my command.
Got it!
I got it!
Got it!
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
Dalisay!
- Come on!
- No!
So how come you never told me
about this before?
I was ashamed.
I wanted to tell you in person.
And how much is
your sister's heart operation?
100,000 pesos.
So that makes it...
$4,000 dollars.
That's why I have to work.
Dalisay, I didn't bring you
over here to work.
But I don't want to depend on
you for my family problems.
Why don't you let me be the one
to solve your problems?
I don't want you to work, okay?
Just do it my way and I'll take
care of everything, alright?
Don't worry.
Can I have my wallet please?
Thank you.
Twenty.
Forty.
Sixty.
Eighty.
One hundred.
Twenty, forty.
That's $140 dollars.
That's everything that
I have in the world.
It's for you.
That's it.
Come on, Phil, give me a break.
I nearly tore down my whole
apartment for a measly $600.
What do I look like?
A fucking bank?
I don't have $2,000 to lend you.
Yeah, but you don't understand.
My girlfriend's family's
in a jam in Philippines,
and it looks like
they're gonna lose everything.
I gotta do something cause
I'm the only one who can help.
Can you help me, please?
Ever since you come here,
it costs me nothing
but headaches.
You come in here 4 fucking
months ago, begging for a job,
I got out on a limb,
against my better judgment
and I hire you.
Look at your car!
Go ahead, look at it.
It's all banged to shit.
You're lucky
you got this fucking job!
Now do me a favor:
Don't bust
my fucking balls anymore!
If you need money,
you go outside,
and you bust somebody else's.
[Hard knocking on door.]
So you're the one my cousin
was telling me about.
Who are you?
Who am I?
Who the hell are you?
Who said
you could paint my apartment?
You got some nerve
hanging up on me.
- Where's my brother?
- I'm sorry he's not here.
I can't believe
you're asking me this.
You're not even supposed
to be down here.
I got nowhere else to go, Alma.
Nick would kill me!
Don't worry,
I'm gonna pay you back.
It's not the money,
I'm worried about, it's Nick.
Alma, please!
- Get out!
- But why?
You want to know why?
We had an agreement,
my brother broke it!
He's not supposed to be
living in this apartment,
and neither are you.
So get out!
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Don't worry, I'm not gonna
tell a soul, alright?
I'm gonna pay you back and...
[Bell ringing on shop door.]
- Cash, right?
- Yes...
What the hell is going on here?
Nick, I could explain...
- Okay? - You were gonna give
him $2,000?
- Why is my wife giving you
money? - Nick, let me explain!
This guy screws up all our
plans, and gonna give him money!
[Shop bell ringing.]
What are you doing?
What's going on?
What are you doing out here?
Just let me go.
- What are you talking about?
- Hey, you forgot this.
Stop it!
Son-of-a-bitch!
- I'm not gonna let you get
away! - What going on here?
Don't you ever set foot
inside this store again!
As far as I'm concerned,
we're not family anymore!
You'd better find yourself
a good lawyer!
Get back inside!
Take it easy!
Hey you!
Welcome to America.
Don't listen to her.
Come on upstairs and I'll
explain the whole thing to you.
[Sound of Jan's car
accelerating.]
[Metal door closing,
subway clanging overhead.]
What's wrong?
My parents want to know
when I'm going to
start sending them more money.
I thought we just
sent them money.
But that was over
three weeks ago.
I know,
but we sent them $1,000.
But that's not enough.
I know it's not enough,
but I'm doing the best I can.
I'm sending them every penny
I'm making.
I don't know what else to do.
I know.
I'm just afraid that by the time
you send them all the money,
it will be too late.
Too late?
Too late for what?
Can I talk to Tess?
Why do you want to talk to Tess?
She said she can help.
Am I not doing enough?
I don't understand why
you have to talk to Tess.
I'm doing all I can.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for giving you
all these problems.
You're not giving me
any problems...
They're little problems.
I'll make money, I'll get them
money.
and we'll get them
out of the way and...
My sister is in the hospital.
What does that mean?
My parents want to know
when I'm going to send them
more money for the operation.
I don't believe this.
What should I tell to them?
What should you tell to them?
You should tell them,
"One problem at a time."
I'm going out.
What should I tell my parents?
Well, Dalisay...
You can tell them that in
America,
money doesn't grow on trees.
So...
I'm gonna make some.
[Sound of door slamming.]
[Sound of bar door
slapping closed.]
[Sound of radio announcer
at sports event.]
Boo!
You gonna buy me that drink?
Go ahead.
Knock yourself out.
You look like you already have.
As a matter of fact,
I haven't.
Then you look like
you could use some company.
Where have you been?
I haven't seen you around.
Digging myself into a hole.
Ooooohh...
Get the heater on,
my ass is freezing!
Hang on, hang on.
I can't stand it,
I'm too fucking cold!
C'mon, warm me up!
- Please warm me up.
- Hold on, hold on!
Hold on! Be careful!
[Sound of tow truck.]
Just tell me one thing:
What the fuck were you thinking
about when this happened?
If I were you,
I'd get another job.
Because you ain't gonna drive
another taxi...
Not as long as I can help it!
[Dalisay speaking Tagalog
on phone.]
My parents called collect
from the hospital.
My sister's very sick.
I'll pay you
for the telephone calls
as soon as I get the money.
I got fired!
I don't have a job anymore.
I'm going to Tess tomorrow.
What for?
I'll start to work.
I don't want you
working in no bar.
I'm sorry...
I have to work.
I have to send money home.
You know, Dalisay,
I'm beginning to regret ever
having brought you over here.
[Sound of subway passing
outside.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
[Vibrant knocking
on front door.]
[More knocking.]
Where's Dalisay?
- And what are you doing?
- I don't know.
You don't know.
- Where's my coffee?
- I don't know.
OOoooh...
[Sound of subway
running overhead.]
Why'd you do that?
Cause I want to show you
what a goddamn mess
this apartment is.
Why don't you get up?
Come on! Get up!
I brought you some breakfast.
Oh Jesus,
look at the goddamn plant.
If your aunt could see what you
did to that goddam plant,
she'd have you shot!
[Sound of
Uncle Ralph's coughing.]
Come on!
Come on, you son-of-a-bitch,
get up!
Give me the blanket, I'm cold!
You gotta get something
in your stomach!
Give me the blanket.
What's come over you?
You gotta get yourself together.
You can't expect things to
change
just laying around here
on this couch!
If you're that crazy
about the girl,
why don't you just
go out and get her?
This isn't
one of those old movies
that you watch, Uncle Ralph.
Don't make a fool out of me,
I'm telling you the way it is
because I know
exactly what I'm talking about!
Oh yeah?
I'm all ears, Uncle Ralph.
Alright, here...
I withdrew that
out of the bank this morning.
I can't take this Uncle Ralph...
Look, I had my good days.
Now take the money
and go out get Dalisay!
You know you're crazy.
Hi!
Hi Dean.
Remember me?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I left you like that.
It's alright, I understand,
it's okay.
I feel so ashamed.
No, I'm the one who should
be apologizing to you.
You know, sometimes I can say
really stupid things.
Am I forgiven?
Open it up!
Gimme that, go on,
open it up, look inside.
I'm sorry, I can't, I'm working.
Open it up!
It's 14K.
I got both our names
engraved on it.
See?
There's yours and there's mine!
What do you think?
- It's nice.
- I knew you'd like it.
Brace yourself.
Our troubles are over.
Go on, look inside.
I can't. My cousin Tess has
taken care of everything.
That's why I'm working,
to repay them.
Wait a minute!
What are you talking about?
They took care of everything?
Thank you,
I have to go back to work.
Dalisay,
what are you talking about?
Look! Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!
Dalisay, I just want you
to come home...
- Please just go away!
- I just wanna talk to you...
Come on!
Take your fucking hands off me!
I just want to talk to my girl!
Cut it out!
[Sound of
crashing pots and pans.]
So what do you think I should
do?
You gotta help me.
What's the matter?
Cat's got your tongue?
I lose this girl...
I lose this girl
and this family is dead!
End of the line.
I'm down here beating
my brains in,
trying to keep it going,
and both of you up there,
not doing a fucking thing!
And that's just like you.
I'd like to come up there...
and just smash both
your fucking heads together.
Baaaaammmmmm!
[Rusty door squeaking.]
[Voices of
Spanish neighbors arguing.]
[Sound of whiskey bottle
dropping on floor.]
[Sound of subway passing.]
[Sound of Dean collapsing.]
[Sound of Uncle Ralph coughing.]
Let me get him on his feet...
Up, up, c'mon...
Alright, take it easy.
Easy.
[Sound of heavy breathing.]
Are you okay, Uncle Ralph?
Don't worry about me...
Take care of him.
I'm gonna leave you two alone.
I'm going upstairs, lay down.
You'll be alright?
Yes.
Are you sure you don't want me
to help you upstairs?
I'll be alright.
Just take care of him.
Thanks for coming home.
You won't leave me again,
will you?
You rest now.
I'm staying, don't worry.
I love you, Dalisay.
[Sound of police siren outside.]
Dalisay?
Where are you going?
I have to go.
Was I dreaming?
Or did you say
you were staying here?
Oh, it doesn't matter
as long as you're here.
I have to go.
Hold on!
Let's talk this thing out.
Sit down, okay?
Please.
Okay.
Thank you.
What's the problem?
Is it something I said?
Something I did?
My cousin, Tess,
must be worried by now.
She was expecting me
at work tonight.
What's this
with your cousin, Tess?
Everything is Tess this,
and Tess that.
Ever since your cousin got
involved,
the whole thing's fallen apart.
Why don't you just...
Why don't you just
take the money?
And give it
to your cousin, Tess,
and her Howdy Doody
son-of-a-bitch boyfriend,
and we'll be done with it.
I'm sorry.
I can't take the money.
It's too late.
There's nothing I can do now.
I have to work to pay them back.
Why don't you just take
the goddamn money
and pay them back?
I can't take the money.
I want to work.
Okay.
Okay, you can work.
And then you'll stay
here with me and
we can use the money
to get married.
I mean, it's not gonna be that
big wedding I promised you...
I'm probably not gonna be able
to bring your parents over
but...
But we can have
a nice, small affair.
There ain't nothing wrong
with small, right?
We can have a small, nice,
intimate affair.
And then, later on...
We can have the wedding you
want.
What do you say?
Your family doesn't want me
here.
Forget about my sister,
forget about my cousin,
forget about my family.
You're gonna be
living here with me.
Here?
Yeah. Where else?
But you're not even supposed
to be living here.
I already explained that to you.
Are you trying
to tell me something?
Can we just be friends?
What do you mean "friends"?
I just want to be your friend.
I have to go.
You're really gonna leave me.
[Sound of door slamming.]
Please, let me go.
My cousin, Tess,
must be worried by now.
Fuck Tess!
Sit down!
[Sound of a subway passing.]
You know I spent the last
twenty years of my life,
running away,
drifting around the world...
Being everywhere except where
I should have been.
And now what you see here
is all I have left.
It never meant anything to me,
but now it means so much.
So I decided to stay.
And I'm this far away,
this fucking far away...
from losing my home,
my family's gone,
my parents are gone,
my sister wants nothing
to do with me!
I'm hanging on to this place
by a thread.
And now,
and now,
you tell me that
you're gonna leave me?
I mean...
Was I stupid?
Was I stupid to think that
I could find my way back home?
Don't leave me.
Marry me.
I can't.
What do you mean you can't?
What are you talking about?
I don't love you.
Dalisay, you're all mixed up.
What about us?
What about our plans?
What about our dreams?
I brought you from the other
side of the world over here...
We've been having
a little bit of a rough time,
but we can work this all out.
I can't believe that
you could say that.
I want you to look in my eyes.
I want you to look in my eyes
and tell me
that you don't love me.
I'm sorry.
I don't love you.
Can I leave now?
My cousin, Tess,
must be worried by now.
[Sound of Dean kicking
Dalisay's bag.]
You know something?
I am beginning to get sick
and tired of your cousin, Tess.
Would you like me to show you
what I think of your
fucking cousin, Tess!
[Sound of a subway passing.]
[Sound of breaking vase.]
[Sound of more breaking things.]
[Sound of Dalisay sobbing.]
[Sound of breaking chair.]
[More sounds of chaos.]
[Sound of Dalisay sobbing.]
[Sound of Dalisay
sobbing louder.]
[Sound of quiet footsteps
on broken glass.]
[Sound of
cracking glass underfoot.]
[Sound of squeaky front door.]
[Sound of metal
front door closing.]
[Sound of iron curtain opening.]
[Sound of a dog barking
in distance.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
Ohh...
Dalisay?
Oh man...
Oh, shit...
[Sound of
cracking glass underfoot.]
Dalisay?
Dalisay?
[Echoes in hallway.]
Uncle Ralph?
[Sound of the door closing.]
Uncle Ralph?
Nick!
Come give me a hand
with these boxes!
Nick!
What are you staring at?
Come help me!
[Sound of Dean crying.]
[Sound of Dean sobbing.]
Com'on Dean, Dean...
Hon, what's the matter?
[Sound of a subway overhead.]
[Sound of subway passing by.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
are you looking for, Mr. Warren?
A pen pal?
No, I'm looking to get married,
start a family.
Well...
You came to the right place.
I can introduce you to
some beautiful Filipinas,
there are plenty of them
around here.
But you're looking
at the wrong book.
That only has photos of
girls from overseas.
That's what I want,
they make the best wives.
Were you married before
to a Filipina?
No, I was never married.
Cause you sound as if
you're talking from experience.
I spent 20 years
in the Merchant Marines.
I did a lot of traveling
through the Far East.
Do you have any other girls
I could look at?
Why?
You didn't see anyone you liked?
Some of them look like
bar girls to me.
Well, I think that's about it.
But let me look at
my other file.
Maybe I can find someone.
Or I could leave you my name,
and you could contact me.
You're in luck!
Take your pick.
These three look like
bar girls too.
Wow...
She's beautiful.
Her name is Dalisay Dimagiba.
She's 21 years old.
You know, "Dalisay" means "pure"
in Tagalog.
[speaking Tagalog]
So we're gonna tear down
this wall over here, right?
And then this is gonna be
the baby's room.
Well, you know,
when the time comes...
Then once
we're settled upstairs,
Nick is gonna start on
expanding the store.
And then once Uncle Ralph
moves to Florida,
we're going
to rent out his place.
You're not having
second thoughts about
selling your parents's place
to Nick, are you?
No, no, of course not.
The place is nothing but
bad memories for me.
The sooner, the better.
Come on,
it wasn't all that bad!
Uncle Ralph,
you lived above them,
I lived with them,
I should know.
It's not going to be
the same around here,
you're going to California,
and you moving down
to Florida.
Don't remind me!
Oh, come on!
No more noise,
no more pollution,
no more subway...
[Sound of a subway passing.]
Come on, peace and quiet.
A great place to die!
Oh come on,
don't be so dramatic!
I'm not being dramatic,
it's the truth!
You retire down there,
you die down there.
Now I don't know about you,
but if I'm gonna die,
I wanna die up here
with the family,
instead of down there all alone.
- He's talking about dying
again? - What else?
Alma, what did I tell you
about touching the blueprints?
What?
- Are your hands clean?
- Yes!
I had my arms on it,
I wasn't really touching it.
You gotta be very careful
with these things,
they're very expensive.
I know,
I was just showing it to Jan!
Where do you want this
furniture?
- What furniture?
- It's here!
- The furniture's here!
- The dining room set?
- You asked them to deliver it?
- Well, they called.
They're not supposed to bring it
until they finish upstairs,
they haven't even started yet!
But you're not listening,
they called and
said if they delivered it today,
they wouldn't charge me
for the delivery...
- Where we supposed to put it?
- We could find a place for it.
We're saving all that money,
and it came from North Carolina.
- How big is it?
- It's big.
It's big.
- Put it in back.
- You got it.
- Where the hell is your
brother? - I don't know...
Oh shit, it's late!
I gotta get out of here.
I gotta go pick up my kid.
[Sound of subway passing by.]
[Subway noise gets louder.]
What about your brother?
Ain't you gonna wait for him?
I can't wait for forever.
I got my own life to live.
But you promised.
You said you were going
to talk to him,
find out what's going on.
Look, I got stuff coming!
I'm starting to get worried.
So what are you worried about?
My brother said he'd sell you
the building, didn't he?
But I get this funny feeling
your brother plans on staying
in your parent's apartment.
Yeah, well, he better not!
Jan, your brother hasn't been
around this long in over 15
years.
Oh, it's only temporary,
where else was he supposed
to stay when he got back?
"Back" was supposed to be
for only a week.
He's here a month already!
I don't think he's even looking
for another place to live!
Jan, I gave a down payment
to the contractor,
I don't even have a start date.
What is the matter with you?
You couldn't wait until
everything was signed?
You, of all people,
you know my brother!
Please, do me a favor,
talk to your brother,
find out what's going on.
Forget about me
wanting to expand the store.
Do it for Alma.
That's all she talks about
is moving upstairs.
It'll break her heart
if this falls through.
[Sound of car
honking impatiently.]
Hey, where were you yesterday?
Couldn't make it.
That's all you got
to say for yourself?
I kept that super waiting
for an hour!
This is the last time!
I convinced that guy to hold
that place for a week
so you could see it, and you
don't even bother to show up?
Look, it's not
the only apartment in New York.
Oh yeah?
Then you find one yourself.
Don't expect anymore help from
me. You better find one quick.
As soon as these papers are
signed, I'm taking my kid,
we're going out to California,
permanently.
You better not
fuck up my plans!
Hey, Dean!
You wanna take a look
at these blueprints?
Some other time, I'm tired.
[speaking Tagalog]
You're Filipina?
That's right.
How did you know?
I spent a lot of time
traveling to the Far East.
Your wife?
Soon, I hope.
She's beautiful!
Trying to get her over,
so we can get married.
That sounds romantic.
Yeah, I know.
[Sound of door opening.]
The shit's gonna hit the fan
when they'll find out.
Look at it this way...
If I'm staying,
so are you.
Shit, it's no big deal
if I go down to Florida.
My life is almost over.
You're just starting out.
I know what this
place means to you.
The same as when
your parents built it,
it meant a lot to them too.
And now look at!
Sister...
So bitter, she can't wait
to sell the place off.
And you know you who's gonna
wind up with everything?
The whole kitten kaboodle?
Your cousin, Nick.
The errand boy!
Do they know about
the Philippine girl?
No, not yet.
Any news yet?
It's too early.
Uncle Ralph...
Go to the bathroom.
Shit, I gotta take some leak!
See you later.
[Apartment door closing.]
[speaking Tagalog]
It's been almost three weeks
since I received
your last letter.
I'm wondering why
I haven't heard from you.
I spoke to Miss Amador
at the agency,
and she told me that your visa papers should be processed soon.
I hope all is well with you.
Take care,
and say hello to your family.
I'm really looking
forward to seeing you.
Love...
[Sound of door opening.]
Hi!
Don't bother to knock,
just let yourselves in.
Take a guess
where we just came from?
Surprise me.
Our lawyer's office.
Where else?
Finally.
Let's get all of this over with.
Everything's down on paper,
just the way we discussed.
You're welcome to look
everything over.
Our lawyer looked it over,
everything's in order.
All we need is your signature.
I've changed my mind.
What are you talking about,
"change your mind"?
Change your mind about what?
I'm not gonna sign.
What do you mean
you're not gonna sign?
Exactly what I said.
I'm not signing.
I'm staying.
I want to keep this place.
I knew he was gonna pull shit
like this, I knew it!
You're signing.
I need this goddamn money!
Now you sign it!
I'm not signing.
I'll send you your half
when I get it.
Yeah, I don't believe you.
We all agreed on this
after you mother died.
I spent a lot of money already.
And what about Alma?
She's expecting to move
in here any day now.
I don't know what to tell you.
All I know is that I'm staying.
You selfish son-of-a-bitch,
you got one helluva nerve!
You are not gonna
fuck up my plans now,
you sign these goddamn papers!
Where the hell do you think
you're going?
- We're not through yet.
- Well, I am.
After everything I did
for your family,
you treat me this way!
- You son-of-a-bitch!
- Nick!
[Sound of subway passing.]
Make sure you close the door
when you're through.
Go on!
Go on! Disappear!
That's all you've done
your whole life!
Run away!
Run away,
and this time don't come back!
Hey Dean!
Look what came today!
Thanks, Uncle Ralph!
What's this shit?
[speaking Tagalog]
- Hey, Dick, how you doing
today? - Not bad, Dean!
Hey, Manny and Mo, let's go!
Let me get in the street
sometime this week!
Time is money!
Aye, aye, Captain!
[Sound of hood slamming shut.]
Hey, hey, Dino!
You looking for something?
That smells exotic!
Looking for these, Romeo?
Listen, what are you,
the Two Stooges?
Gimme the picture and
the fucking letters,
I don't have time
to jerk off, alright?
That's the best you can do?
Come on, where'd you
pick her up? Chinatown?
Wo Hop's? What happened?
Who is she?
I gotta get out in the street.
Give me the fucking letters!
Take it easy. We just
wanna know who she is.
- Wanna play that game?
- Whadya mean...?
[Sound of Dean gunning motor.]
Oh!
Take it easy. We're just
trying to have a few laughs.
What are you trying to do?
Kill us?
Come here.
No bullshit,
does she do your shirts?
Give me the fucking pictures
and the letter right now.
What if we don't want to
give them to you?
What if you don't?
These your tools?
Yeah, they're my tools.
I'm gonna toss 'em
in the East River,
that's what.
Don't do that, my Allen
wrenches are in there.
I don't give a fuck
if you got your sister in there.
Give me the fucking...
And the letters.
- You want your tools?
- Yeah, yeah.
Back up.
I wanna give them to you.
Back up.
Have a nice day, assholes!
[Screeching tires.]
[speaking Tagalog]
[Sound of rooster crowing.]
[Knocking sound on front door.]
Coming!
[More knocking.]
So, you bought a new lock?
I hope you spent your money
on a good one.
I'm impressed.
Remember these?
I want you
to tell me right now
why you won't sign these papers.
I'm gonna settle down.
I'm going to get married.
My brother getting married!
I guess that means you want
to start a family, too, right?
Yeah. Why?
Is anything wrong with that?
Yeah, I'll tell you what's
wrong with that.
You don't deserve a family!
What do you know about family?
What do you know
about this family?
How sweet?
I'm touched!
Are you trying to tell me
that you care for them now?
You're a real fucking hypocrite.
You didn't even have the decency
to visit them at the cemetery.
Look, don't walk away from me!
Isn't 20 years enough? Don't you
ever get tired of running away?
- What are you talking about?
- What about him?
It wasn't bad enough that he had
to drink himself to death,
you had to leave me
and Mom alone
while you were cruising
somewhere
on the other side
of the fucking world!
Jesus, you couldn't even
come home for his funeral!
By the time I found out,
it was too late.
Oh too late, my ass!
You were on some drunken binge
with one of your bimbo
girlfriends.
Why did you leave me
here all alone?
This place was fucking hell
taking care of
that sick miserable woman!
If it wasn't for Nick,
we would've been
out on the streets!
I tried...
I tried so hard
to keep this place,
but did you care?
No, you never even stayed
long enough to care!
No wonder Nick had to
take care of Mom's funeral!
Shit, you couldn't even
come home for that!
I don't want to be
part of your family.
No, I just want to leave.
I'm gonna take my kid,
and I'm gonna
forget all about this place.
[speaking Tagalog]
What do you mean you don't
know where Miss Amador is?
You're her secretary right?
Well, I'm gonna talk
to you anyway.
Look, Amador promised me this
girl'd be here 3 months ago,
she should be here by now.
She...
Yeah...
You don't understand...
Look, I heard about agencies,
you take people's money, they
never hear from you again...
Could you...?
Lady, is this the only phone
in New York, huh?
What?
Look, you'd better be telling
me, you don't understand.
I gave you every fuckin'
last penny I have...
Yeah, but you don't...
Hello?
Hello?
Hello!
Fuck!
Go on, knock yourselves out!
[Crowded bar noise.]
- Fuck you!
- Fuck you...
Shipmate...
Could you get another drink for
this girl, this guy, you, me,
on me, thank you.
Just save your money.
Don't waste it on me.
Don't worry about money.
I got plenty of money,
and this one's on me.
You could waste it on me?
Remember me?
No...
And I don't want to.
You wanna dance?
You know, you're a real asshole!
[speaking Tagalog]
[Car honking, excited voices.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
[Sound of motor revving up.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
[Sound of Jeepney roaring off.]
How do I look?
Don't worry, you look great!
Come on, tell me the truth.
She will love you.
I think, here she is.
[speaking Tagalog]
These are for you.
May I take your bag?
[Sounds of busy airport.]
She's what you call
"a real beauty."
I'd like to take
her home myself.
Dean Warren, this is Dalisay.
Oh, he knows Tagalog!
Is that right?
Fine. I'm fine.
You've been to the Philippines.
have you forgotten how to speak
to the ladies down there?
You have to say:
Don't forget to invite me
to the wedding!
Oh, you'll be there.
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
I just can't believe
you're sitting here next to me.
I mean, it's just like a dream.
I can't believe it!
Look at all the buildings.
[Sound of subway
passing overhead.]
Hi! You must be Dalisay.
Yes, Sir!
I'm Uncle Ralph.
Welcome to New York.
I don't believe this!
She's cute!
So I see you've met Uncle Ralph.
You're gonna enjoy it here.
- She's prettier than her
picture. - She sure is.
She sure is.
Come on,
you're embarrassing her.
I gotta get her inside
before she freezes to death.
[Sound of police car siren.]
Son-of-a-bitch!
Open your eyes.
What do you think?
- It's nice. Thank you very
much! - You're welcome very
much.
♪ [Dean humming
wedding march music.]
What?
It's an American tradition.
You know...
The threshold and...
Well, anyway...
Wow!
What do you got in this thing?
Would you like something to
drink?
- Water, please.
- I got plenty of water.
That's my mother and father.
That's their wedding photo
the day they were married.
Sit down. Relax.
And right over there,
that's my sister, Jan.
And believe it or not,
you see this one here?
That's me with my buddies
the first day
I was in the Merchant Marines,
we were on the dock, looking
at the ships, and stuff...
That woman who waved
to you outside, that's Alma.
She's married
to my cousin, Nick.
They run the deli downstairs.
Uncle Ralph, he lives upstairs
on the 3rd floor.
He's a nice old guy,
once you to get to know him.
Would you like to freshen up?
Maybe change your clothes?
Yes.
Good, because I got a big
surprise for you later.
Come on, I'll show you around.
After you.
The bathroom's over here,
That's the bedroom.
This is the kitchen.
When you wrote to me
about mangos,
I knew the party wouldn't be
complete without 'em.
Do you know how hard it is
trying to find a mango in NYC
in the middle of the winter?
Dalisay?
Dalisay?
Do you know who helped me
find them? Miss Amador,
the lady from the agency.
She knew exactly where to go.
Listen, try some of this crab.
It's incredible...
I'm sorry, I'm not hungry.
Oh, you don't like crab?
Maybe some shrimp?
Look at the size of them.
No, thank you.
I got some champagne!
The guy said it's imported,
I think it's from France.
A little toast here?
A little celebration here, okay?
I'm not too good at this,
let me see...
[Sound of cork popping.]
Just a little drink...
Maybe you'd rather
just go to bed?
♪ [Soft theme music comes up.]
[Train horn toots in distance.]
Dean?
[Sound of passing subway.]
Dean!
AAaahhhh!
[Sound of telephone ringing.]
[Telephone continues ringing.]
Hello?
Dean?
I'm okay.
Don't worry.
What note?
Uh-huh...
What time
your work will be finished?
Okay, okay.
Thank you.
Bye-bye.
Unh-unh...
[Speaking on telephone
in Tagalog.]
- Did you make all your calls?
- Yes!
I spoke to my cousin, Imelda,
at the factory.
She'll tell my parents
that I'm okay.
And I just called my cousin,
Tess.
Is that the one you told me
lives in the city?
Yes, I invited her.
She's coming over
tomorrow afternoon.
Is that alright?
Of course, it's alright.
I'm excited.
I just can't wait to see her.
She wants to meet you.
I want to meet her, too.
[Knocking on front door.]
Hi!
Remember me?
I'm Uncle Ralph!
- Do you like flowers?
- Yes!
I thought so.
My wife loved flowers.
She used to grow them in the
back. She had a garden there.
Thank you very much,
it's so beautiful.
And after she died last year,
I took over the garden.
The flowers help keep
her memory alive.
Oh, my wife made this and never
got a chance to use it.
I want you to have it.
Thank you.
But I can't.
Oh, you must!
I want you to have it!
Besides, it's gonna be cold in
this apartment in winter time,
you're gonna need it.
Thank you very much, Sir!
Sir?
Call me Uncle Ralph!
Okay.
Thank you, Mister Ralph.
Uncle Ralph.
Okay.
Thank you Uncle Ralph.
Now, that's better!
I think I'll go down
and see if Nick can use me.
I'll see you later.
Hey, shipmate!
The infamous Uncle Ralph.
[Sound of passing subway.]
Dalisay!
Dalisay!
Come here.
Sit down, over here.
Don't worry.
Come a little closer.
Alright, close your eyes...
Go on.
Don't worry.
Give me your hand.
I want you to feel something.
You bought this for me?
- You didn't have to do this.
- It's not real.
It's cubic zirconia.
But it's a sign
of things to come.
I'm gonna get you the real one
as soon as I can.
Thank you, it's beautiful.
Another one?
Go on, open it up.
Try it on.
It's gonna look incredible on
you.
We're not married yet.
No, but we're gonna be.
That's why I gave you the ring,
and that's why
I brought you over here.
I'm gonna marry you.
- When?
- As soon as I get the money.
We're gonna have
that wedding you want,
I'm gonna bring over
your mother and father.
I'll bring over your whole
freakin' family if I can.
As soon as I get it.
Come on, try it on.
Sorry, I can't...
Not until we're married.
Okay.
I'll wait.
But who's gonna sleep
on the bed? Me or you?
You!
No, no, no, I'll sleep
on the couch, you on the bed.
No, I'll sleep on the floor!
Well, I'd better start
getting used to the couch.
[Telephone ringing.]
Can you get that please?
Hello?
- Who's on the phone?
- A woman.
I think it's your sister.
She sounds angry.
Just hang up.
[Door bell ringing.]
Tess!
Dalisay!
Condom?
Fantasy?
No problema.
[Sound of subway
moving overhead.]
Your change.
- Okay. Bye-bye!
- Adios!
[speaking Tagalog]
Nick!
What's the matter?
I think there's another
one outside. Look.
What are you talking about,
another what?
Shit!
Now he's bringing the whole
goddamned family over!
I'm ready.
I feel great today!
- Hello!
- Hi!
What's so funny?
What's that?
What do you mean?
Dalisay said that you're...
Ah, if the boys could
see me now.
Can I ask you
a personal question?
Sure!
What do you wanna know?
Are you serious about
your intentions with my cousin?
About as serious as a heart
attack, that's pretty serious!
I don't believe that.
You hardly know each other!
Well, I'll see you at the
wedding.
To see is to believe.
Look!
It's so beautiful!
Your wish...
is my command.
Got it!
I got it!
Got it!
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
Dalisay!
- Come on!
- No!
So how come you never told me
about this before?
I was ashamed.
I wanted to tell you in person.
And how much is
your sister's heart operation?
100,000 pesos.
So that makes it...
$4,000 dollars.
That's why I have to work.
Dalisay, I didn't bring you
over here to work.
But I don't want to depend on
you for my family problems.
Why don't you let me be the one
to solve your problems?
I don't want you to work, okay?
Just do it my way and I'll take
care of everything, alright?
Don't worry.
Can I have my wallet please?
Thank you.
Twenty.
Forty.
Sixty.
Eighty.
One hundred.
Twenty, forty.
That's $140 dollars.
That's everything that
I have in the world.
It's for you.
That's it.
Come on, Phil, give me a break.
I nearly tore down my whole
apartment for a measly $600.
What do I look like?
A fucking bank?
I don't have $2,000 to lend you.
Yeah, but you don't understand.
My girlfriend's family's
in a jam in Philippines,
and it looks like
they're gonna lose everything.
I gotta do something cause
I'm the only one who can help.
Can you help me, please?
Ever since you come here,
it costs me nothing
but headaches.
You come in here 4 fucking
months ago, begging for a job,
I got out on a limb,
against my better judgment
and I hire you.
Look at your car!
Go ahead, look at it.
It's all banged to shit.
You're lucky
you got this fucking job!
Now do me a favor:
Don't bust
my fucking balls anymore!
If you need money,
you go outside,
and you bust somebody else's.
[Hard knocking on door.]
So you're the one my cousin
was telling me about.
Who are you?
Who am I?
Who the hell are you?
Who said
you could paint my apartment?
You got some nerve
hanging up on me.
- Where's my brother?
- I'm sorry he's not here.
I can't believe
you're asking me this.
You're not even supposed
to be down here.
I got nowhere else to go, Alma.
Nick would kill me!
Don't worry,
I'm gonna pay you back.
It's not the money,
I'm worried about, it's Nick.
Alma, please!
- Get out!
- But why?
You want to know why?
We had an agreement,
my brother broke it!
He's not supposed to be
living in this apartment,
and neither are you.
So get out!
I can't believe I'm doing this.
Don't worry, I'm not gonna
tell a soul, alright?
I'm gonna pay you back and...
[Bell ringing on shop door.]
- Cash, right?
- Yes...
What the hell is going on here?
Nick, I could explain...
- Okay? - You were gonna give
him $2,000?
- Why is my wife giving you
money? - Nick, let me explain!
This guy screws up all our
plans, and gonna give him money!
[Shop bell ringing.]
What are you doing?
What's going on?
What are you doing out here?
Just let me go.
- What are you talking about?
- Hey, you forgot this.
Stop it!
Son-of-a-bitch!
- I'm not gonna let you get
away! - What going on here?
Don't you ever set foot
inside this store again!
As far as I'm concerned,
we're not family anymore!
You'd better find yourself
a good lawyer!
Get back inside!
Take it easy!
Hey you!
Welcome to America.
Don't listen to her.
Come on upstairs and I'll
explain the whole thing to you.
[Sound of Jan's car
accelerating.]
[Metal door closing,
subway clanging overhead.]
What's wrong?
My parents want to know
when I'm going to
start sending them more money.
I thought we just
sent them money.
But that was over
three weeks ago.
I know,
but we sent them $1,000.
But that's not enough.
I know it's not enough,
but I'm doing the best I can.
I'm sending them every penny
I'm making.
I don't know what else to do.
I know.
I'm just afraid that by the time
you send them all the money,
it will be too late.
Too late?
Too late for what?
Can I talk to Tess?
Why do you want to talk to Tess?
She said she can help.
Am I not doing enough?
I don't understand why
you have to talk to Tess.
I'm doing all I can.
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for giving you
all these problems.
You're not giving me
any problems...
They're little problems.
I'll make money, I'll get them
money.
and we'll get them
out of the way and...
My sister is in the hospital.
What does that mean?
My parents want to know
when I'm going to send them
more money for the operation.
I don't believe this.
What should I tell to them?
What should you tell to them?
You should tell them,
"One problem at a time."
I'm going out.
What should I tell my parents?
Well, Dalisay...
You can tell them that in
America,
money doesn't grow on trees.
So...
I'm gonna make some.
[Sound of door slamming.]
[Sound of bar door
slapping closed.]
[Sound of radio announcer
at sports event.]
Boo!
You gonna buy me that drink?
Go ahead.
Knock yourself out.
You look like you already have.
As a matter of fact,
I haven't.
Then you look like
you could use some company.
Where have you been?
I haven't seen you around.
Digging myself into a hole.
Ooooohh...
Get the heater on,
my ass is freezing!
Hang on, hang on.
I can't stand it,
I'm too fucking cold!
C'mon, warm me up!
- Please warm me up.
- Hold on, hold on!
Hold on! Be careful!
[Sound of tow truck.]
Just tell me one thing:
What the fuck were you thinking
about when this happened?
If I were you,
I'd get another job.
Because you ain't gonna drive
another taxi...
Not as long as I can help it!
[Dalisay speaking Tagalog
on phone.]
My parents called collect
from the hospital.
My sister's very sick.
I'll pay you
for the telephone calls
as soon as I get the money.
I got fired!
I don't have a job anymore.
I'm going to Tess tomorrow.
What for?
I'll start to work.
I don't want you
working in no bar.
I'm sorry...
I have to work.
I have to send money home.
You know, Dalisay,
I'm beginning to regret ever
having brought you over here.
[Sound of subway passing
outside.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
[Vibrant knocking
on front door.]
[More knocking.]
Where's Dalisay?
- And what are you doing?
- I don't know.
You don't know.
- Where's my coffee?
- I don't know.
OOoooh...
[Sound of subway
running overhead.]
Why'd you do that?
Cause I want to show you
what a goddamn mess
this apartment is.
Why don't you get up?
Come on! Get up!
I brought you some breakfast.
Oh Jesus,
look at the goddamn plant.
If your aunt could see what you
did to that goddam plant,
she'd have you shot!
[Sound of
Uncle Ralph's coughing.]
Come on!
Come on, you son-of-a-bitch,
get up!
Give me the blanket, I'm cold!
You gotta get something
in your stomach!
Give me the blanket.
What's come over you?
You gotta get yourself together.
You can't expect things to
change
just laying around here
on this couch!
If you're that crazy
about the girl,
why don't you just
go out and get her?
This isn't
one of those old movies
that you watch, Uncle Ralph.
Don't make a fool out of me,
I'm telling you the way it is
because I know
exactly what I'm talking about!
Oh yeah?
I'm all ears, Uncle Ralph.
Alright, here...
I withdrew that
out of the bank this morning.
I can't take this Uncle Ralph...
Look, I had my good days.
Now take the money
and go out get Dalisay!
You know you're crazy.
Hi!
Hi Dean.
Remember me?
I'm sorry.
I'm sorry I left you like that.
It's alright, I understand,
it's okay.
I feel so ashamed.
No, I'm the one who should
be apologizing to you.
You know, sometimes I can say
really stupid things.
Am I forgiven?
Open it up!
Gimme that, go on,
open it up, look inside.
I'm sorry, I can't, I'm working.
Open it up!
It's 14K.
I got both our names
engraved on it.
See?
There's yours and there's mine!
What do you think?
- It's nice.
- I knew you'd like it.
Brace yourself.
Our troubles are over.
Go on, look inside.
I can't. My cousin Tess has
taken care of everything.
That's why I'm working,
to repay them.
Wait a minute!
What are you talking about?
They took care of everything?
Thank you,
I have to go back to work.
Dalisay,
what are you talking about?
Look! Wait a minute!
Wait a minute!
Dalisay, I just want you
to come home...
- Please just go away!
- I just wanna talk to you...
Come on!
Take your fucking hands off me!
I just want to talk to my girl!
Cut it out!
[Sound of
crashing pots and pans.]
So what do you think I should
do?
You gotta help me.
What's the matter?
Cat's got your tongue?
I lose this girl...
I lose this girl
and this family is dead!
End of the line.
I'm down here beating
my brains in,
trying to keep it going,
and both of you up there,
not doing a fucking thing!
And that's just like you.
I'd like to come up there...
and just smash both
your fucking heads together.
Baaaaammmmmm!
[Rusty door squeaking.]
[Voices of
Spanish neighbors arguing.]
[Sound of whiskey bottle
dropping on floor.]
[Sound of subway passing.]
[Sound of Dean collapsing.]
[Sound of Uncle Ralph coughing.]
Let me get him on his feet...
Up, up, c'mon...
Alright, take it easy.
Easy.
[Sound of heavy breathing.]
Are you okay, Uncle Ralph?
Don't worry about me...
Take care of him.
I'm gonna leave you two alone.
I'm going upstairs, lay down.
You'll be alright?
Yes.
Are you sure you don't want me
to help you upstairs?
I'll be alright.
Just take care of him.
Thanks for coming home.
You won't leave me again,
will you?
You rest now.
I'm staying, don't worry.
I love you, Dalisay.
[Sound of police siren outside.]
Dalisay?
Where are you going?
I have to go.
Was I dreaming?
Or did you say
you were staying here?
Oh, it doesn't matter
as long as you're here.
I have to go.
Hold on!
Let's talk this thing out.
Sit down, okay?
Please.
Okay.
Thank you.
What's the problem?
Is it something I said?
Something I did?
My cousin, Tess,
must be worried by now.
She was expecting me
at work tonight.
What's this
with your cousin, Tess?
Everything is Tess this,
and Tess that.
Ever since your cousin got
involved,
the whole thing's fallen apart.
Why don't you just...
Why don't you just
take the money?
And give it
to your cousin, Tess,
and her Howdy Doody
son-of-a-bitch boyfriend,
and we'll be done with it.
I'm sorry.
I can't take the money.
It's too late.
There's nothing I can do now.
I have to work to pay them back.
Why don't you just take
the goddamn money
and pay them back?
I can't take the money.
I want to work.
Okay.
Okay, you can work.
And then you'll stay
here with me and
we can use the money
to get married.
I mean, it's not gonna be that
big wedding I promised you...
I'm probably not gonna be able
to bring your parents over
but...
But we can have
a nice, small affair.
There ain't nothing wrong
with small, right?
We can have a small, nice,
intimate affair.
And then, later on...
We can have the wedding you
want.
What do you say?
Your family doesn't want me
here.
Forget about my sister,
forget about my cousin,
forget about my family.
You're gonna be
living here with me.
Here?
Yeah. Where else?
But you're not even supposed
to be living here.
I already explained that to you.
Are you trying
to tell me something?
Can we just be friends?
What do you mean "friends"?
I just want to be your friend.
I have to go.
You're really gonna leave me.
[Sound of door slamming.]
Please, let me go.
My cousin, Tess,
must be worried by now.
Fuck Tess!
Sit down!
[Sound of a subway passing.]
You know I spent the last
twenty years of my life,
running away,
drifting around the world...
Being everywhere except where
I should have been.
And now what you see here
is all I have left.
It never meant anything to me,
but now it means so much.
So I decided to stay.
And I'm this far away,
this fucking far away...
from losing my home,
my family's gone,
my parents are gone,
my sister wants nothing
to do with me!
I'm hanging on to this place
by a thread.
And now,
and now,
you tell me that
you're gonna leave me?
I mean...
Was I stupid?
Was I stupid to think that
I could find my way back home?
Don't leave me.
Marry me.
I can't.
What do you mean you can't?
What are you talking about?
I don't love you.
Dalisay, you're all mixed up.
What about us?
What about our plans?
What about our dreams?
I brought you from the other
side of the world over here...
We've been having
a little bit of a rough time,
but we can work this all out.
I can't believe that
you could say that.
I want you to look in my eyes.
I want you to look in my eyes
and tell me
that you don't love me.
I'm sorry.
I don't love you.
Can I leave now?
My cousin, Tess,
must be worried by now.
[Sound of Dean kicking
Dalisay's bag.]
You know something?
I am beginning to get sick
and tired of your cousin, Tess.
Would you like me to show you
what I think of your
fucking cousin, Tess!
[Sound of a subway passing.]
[Sound of breaking vase.]
[Sound of more breaking things.]
[Sound of Dalisay sobbing.]
[Sound of breaking chair.]
[More sounds of chaos.]
[Sound of Dalisay sobbing.]
[Sound of Dalisay
sobbing louder.]
[Sound of quiet footsteps
on broken glass.]
[Sound of
cracking glass underfoot.]
[Sound of squeaky front door.]
[Sound of metal
front door closing.]
[Sound of iron curtain opening.]
[Sound of a dog barking
in distance.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]
Ohh...
Dalisay?
Oh man...
Oh, shit...
[Sound of
cracking glass underfoot.]
Dalisay?
Dalisay?
[Echoes in hallway.]
Uncle Ralph?
[Sound of the door closing.]
Uncle Ralph?
Nick!
Come give me a hand
with these boxes!
Nick!
What are you staring at?
Come help me!
[Sound of Dean crying.]
[Sound of Dean sobbing.]
Com'on Dean, Dean...
Hon, what's the matter?
[Sound of a subway overhead.]
[Sound of subway passing by.]
♪ [Theme music comes up.]