Good Fences (2003) - full transcript

[Children laughing,
chattering]

[Girl]
You're so slow.
Come on.

[Boy]
Man, go away.

Mom, tell Stormy to stop.

Come on. Hurry up.

[Man on radio]
WBLS.

107.5 New York.

Slow-going on
the Merrick Parkway

heading out of the city
this afternoon.

But don't let that spoil
the start of your weekend.

TGIF begins right now



with this new release
from Johnny Nash.

♪♪

[Boy]
You can't even ride
one of these.

Come on, fall.

Fall, fall.Go bother somebody else.

♪ I can see clearly now Oh, that's my song.

♪ The rain is gone

♪ I can see all obstacles Mom.

♪ In my way What's she trying to do?

[Girl]
This is so embarrassing.

[Boy]
It sure is. Come on.

Mom, just-- Mmm.

♪ It's gonna be a bright ♪ Bright

♪ Bright ♪ Bright



♪ Sunshiney day

[Boy]
What is she doing?

♪ It's gonna be a bright ♪ Bright

♪ Bright ♪ Bright

♪ Sunshiney day

♪ I think I can make it now

♪ The pain is gone

♪ All of the bad feelings I'm gonna get you.

♪ Have disappeared

Whoa!

[Stormy laughing]
Yeah!

[Boy]
Oh, Mom, did you see
what she just did?

[Mother]
Stormy, I need you to wipe
that table off now.

Getting ready to eat.

And, mister, you need
to put something on those knees,
ashy as they look.

Wait till your father sees them.

[car horn honking][Kids]
Daddy's home!

♪ Nothing but blue sky

♪ Look straight ahead

Tom, what did you do?

What does it look like I did?

I bought us a new car.

Does this mean
you got the promotion?

No.

This is how I'm gonna get it,
sweetheart.

What do you mean,
this is how you're
gonna get it, honey?

Can't you see?

This car shouts,

"I am not the sort of automobile
driven by a man

content to rot in the basement
doing legal research."

I was law review,
third in my class.

This sort of car
reminds them of that.

[engine starts, backfires]Oh! Oh!

Tom![engine revs]

Do all Italian cars
do that?

Maybe it's trying to talk to us
in smoke signals.

Now hop on in the car.

I'm taking the family
to Sizzler.

[both]
Yeah!

[laughing]
That tickles.

[Man]
You're the one
read it in Cosmo.

I know, but I didn't know
it was gonna tickle.

Here. Let me get
the baby toe right here, baby.Okay.

Let me get the one.
Let's see. Here.Get it.

[laughing][laughs]
I got it.

[blowing]

[laughter continues]

Whoo!Ooh.

You like that blowing,
don't you?I do.

Hey, did you ever hear
about that job
from the Urban League?

Oh, the nincompoops
gave it to some
boojy moron from Harvard.

What?Yeah.

I'm sorry.Ah, don't be.

Something else came up
that might...

I don't wanna say anything
about it right now,

but it just might
change everything.

What you mean,
you don't wanna say
nothing about it now?

Come on now.
You're being a spy.

Not a spy.You gonna be Tom the Spy?

What happened?No, no, baby girl.

Yesterday, Sullivan himself
came down to my dungeon.

[gasps]Yeah.

And he was hinting,
you know?

It's not ideal,

but, baby, it may be

the crack in the wall
we've been praying for.

Oh, Tom,
that's wonderful.

Now...Now what?

Now you know what.

Now you know what.
I just wanna--I'm not-- It's--

I know what you want.
I know what you want.I want that toe

to kick up and hit
that ceiling.

Well, you have to do
the both of them.

You make it hard for a man.Well, that's the idea.

Get on down there and do
the rest of my toes.All right.

Come on, baby.
Blend for Mama.

Hurry, ladies.
She's about to tell him.

Coming! [Man on TV]
Why the sudden formality?

Come on, come on, come on.Wait, wait, wait.
Hurry up.

I'm coming, I'm coming.
Oh. Oh.

[Woman]
That's exactly
my point, Doctor.

I don't love you anymore.

I love Dr. Quartermain,
and I'm keeping his baby.

[all laughing]

I tell you,
I didn't think she would do it.

I didn't think
she would do it.

As fine as Dr. Q is,
I would've told my trifling Ray

after the first kiss.

Oh, really?Yeah.

Hey, I'm home!

Hey-- Hey, baby.

Hey, I'm on television.

I'm on television.
I'm on television.

[Mother]
What do you mean,
on television?

I'm at the courthouse.
Me, Joe Klein,

of course Sullivan
and the rest of the partners.

All right. Here it is. [Man]
Our top story again tonight

is the Vickswell Avenue blaze.

Despite sworn statements
from three eyewitnesses,

Thomas Spader,
the attorney for the accused,
had this to say.

My client acted
in self-defense.

Just look at Joe Klein's face.

See it twist just because
some son of a bitch

wants to hear from a black man.

Son of a bitch.
[chuckling]Son of a bitch.

Stormy!
[Man]
Well, the accused arsonist,

Dr. Harold Silver,
a successful periodontist

and owner of several
low-income housing units,

has admitted
to setting the blaze

that sent two black teens
to the burn unit
at Yale-New Haven Hospital.

Doctors say those burns
are so extensive

that the risk of infection
is still very much a factor,

I'm starving. and the next 24 hours

will be critical.Who wants to eat?

[Kids] I do. The mothers of the two boys

and several neighbors have
set up a candlelight vigil.

[thinking]
Sweet Jesus,
keep me near the cross.

May I please
be excused?

Carol Burnett's
about to start.Absolutely.

Me, too.
May I please be excused, too?Yes. Yes.

Make sure you rinse
your plates off.

Thanks, Mom.

That guy on TV knew my name.

He called me Attorney Spader.

[applause on TV]

How about that?

Mmm.

[chuckles]What?

Come on.[patting leg]

[laughing][mouths word]

Come on.Stop. I'm too heavy.

You're light as a feather,
baby.

The kids are here.

They're looking
at Carol Burnett.

Come on. [laughter]

Tom.

Tom, Tom.

You know,
I just can't stop thinking
about those boys.

Mmm.Why they got you
doing this?

They ain't got me
doing anything.

I've been rotting
at that firm for nine years now,

watching all the Joe Kleins,

the Michael Ferraros,
the Ernest O'Connors

pack up their desks
and move upstairs.

Well, I'm goddamn good and tired
of holding my breath.

This is my job.

This is what I've
been trained to do.

Baby,

we've had to make
hard decisions like this

all the time in law school.

This is just another one
of those tests.

And putting my client in jail
is not gonna help
those boys heal.

This is the hand we were dealt.

And, little girl,
I swear to you,

before my family,

I'm gonna win with it.

Tommy-Two, you can go
over to Robbie's house
if you want to,

but if Mrs. Sanchez
starts asking you

any more questions
about your father's trial,

you tell her you don't know.

Yes, Mom.A lot of nerve asking
a child about this thing.

Come on, Stormy.

Mommy, why do the boys
at school

call Steve O'Dell
Little One Ball?

Is it 'cause he only has
one testicle?

Sometimes I understand

why animals eat their young.

Ow, ow, ow!
It stings, Mommy!

What stings, Stormy?

There's nothing but water
in your hair.

You're just acting.

[Woman]
Mabel?
Yeah.

He's on TV again.

Who is on TV again, Tina?

Tom.[TV clicks on]

[Man]
Yesterday's peaceful
demonstration

turned ugly
as darkness fell

and looters began making off
with thousands of dollars

worth of merchandise
before setting
a Caldor's on fire.

Attorney for
the accused arsonist
in this case

had this to say.

[Tom]
Hooligans are using the tragedyIt's Daddy.

of these misguided young men
to take what's not theirs.

Now, their actions
are just as childish
as my children,

and like children,
need an appropriate punishment.

Is it true you've even
received death threats
over this case?

Mabel, why didn't you tell me? Some crank calls

from a few desperate
and confused scoundrels.

That may be the case,
but we have learned

that two New Haven police
officers have been assigned
to guard your law office.

I'm wondering about
your family. How are they
holding up through this ordeal?

[Tom]
All the members of my family
are strong troopers.

We come from strong stock,

and we won't let
any trashy rascals

cow us
into bowing our heads.

That is Attorney Tom Spader.

He is the attorney
for the accused doctor

accused of arson
and now manslaughter

in this highly divisive
and contentious case.

[rain falling]

[car approaches]

Why didn't you tell me
about the death threats?

Don't worry, sweetheart.

The police tell me
there's always a couple

in a case like this.

Now go back to sleep.

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

Larry, did you find
the precedent?

[Man speaking, faint]

Better watch it.

I got my eye on you.

[continues, faint]

You listen to me,
you stupid son of a bitch.

You call here again,

and I will find you
and break you in half.

Our people--

Don't you dare tell me
about our people.

My people know the difference
between right and wrong

and are proud of the few of us
in a position of responsibility.

Your people are obviously
ignorant chimpanzees

still swinging from the trees!

[phone clangs loudly]

Mabel?

Oh.

Go back to bed,
sweetheart.

I'm fine.

How long, Tom?

Oh, I'll be up
an hour or two.

That's not what I meant.

Oh, well, you know,
the trial will start Monday.

It shouldn't last
more than a week.
Don't you worry.

All the fools are gonna
crawl back under the rocks
they came from.

Now, baby, get some sleep.

[scoffs]

[sighs]

I don't see
why we need to makeLet go.

this stupid table bigger.

It's not like
anybody else is coming.Stormy!

[gasps]

The leaf in the table
lets you know it's a holiday,

right?

Dear Lord, thank you
for this food
we are about to receive

on this Thanksgiving

for the nourishment
of our bodies and our souls.

Amen.

[Mabel, Kids]
Amen.

Stormy made the turkey.

She did?Mm-hmm.

[Woman]
The district manager--
he says he can see Joe

taking his place
in just a couple of years.

Mmm.

Joe-- has he been,
uh, working out?

[purrs]
I saw him washing
the car the other day,

[Tina] Oh, no....and it looked like
he was gonna

bust right out of his shirt,
but it stayed on.

Oh, I was really hot.

Luisa,
you need to watch her.

Oh, whatever.
You're having sex.

I haven't had any
in a couple years.

Let's talk
about something else.

I'm gonna say what I said
to you last year,

'cause I'm not good
at this hard sell, and--

Yeah, you're pretty bad
at that.

I use the products.
They're just as good
as the name-brand products.

They're not as expensive,
which is also a plus.

And, uh, if you decide

you wanna buy some this year,
wonderful.

If you decide you don't
wanna buy some this year,
that's fine, too.

I'm just very happy
to have you all here.

You know, with, uh...

Especially with
the trial, you know?

To Mabel.

Well, you can put me down
for that detergent.

I love the way
it makes my sheets smell.

Isn't that what Ray's
supposed to say about you?Don't worry about Ray.

Did you get
that yeast infection
taken care of?

Why do you have to bring it up
in front of ev--
What's wrong with you?

You were scratching.It was a minor rash.

[doorbell rings]I'll get it.

Hector. You looking
for your mommy?

Papi says, um,
come home now.

That bastard's got
that racist bastard off.

I'm sorry.
I'm so sorry, Mabel.

Joe, he--

What? He got off?Oh.

Why this restaurant?
And tonight of all nights?

I mean,
this is so public.

That's the point, my love.

We're here to celebrate.

[Tommy-Two]
Is Daddy a famous genius now?

[Tom]
Why, yes, Handsome Harry, he is.

Tommy-Two, slow down.

You're acting like you never
ate cake before.

[muffled] Never had cake
and my own steak before.Oh!

And your mouth is full.

Leave the boy in peace.
He's just excited.

Did you see
what was in his mouth?

Cake?

You know, Dr. Spock
never raised black children.

That's all I'm saying.

Check, please.

Oh, uh, the gentleman over there
took care of it.

Well, I'll be goddamned.

99 percent positive
that they'll start

a criminal division,
and I'm it, honey.

Yeah?Yeah.

In a year from now,
I'll be a partner.Ooh!

In three years from now,
I'll be a judge.Ooh!

You can go on and enroll
that boy in karate class.Oh!

Oh, Tom! Tom!Yeah.

Then go back down to Malley's
and get that purse, okay?The purse?

Which purse, Tom?
What purse, Tom?Oh, yeah!

Tell me which one!The alli--

Alligator!Yeah, get the alligator.

I want the alligator!
I want two!
[mumbles]

Two! Two purses![grunting]

I want two purse--
I want two purse--

Oh, get two.
Get two, baby.

I want two purses.Oh, baby.
Oh, little girl.

Tom?Shh. Yeah.

Tom?Yeah.

Honey?Oh, yeah, baby.

Can I get some shoes?

[Boy]
Quizzical.

Q-U-I-

Z-I-C-A-L.

Quizzical.

I'm sorry, Lyle,
but it's incorrect.

Your turn.

[clears throat]

Quizzical.

Q-U-I-

Z-Z-I-C-A-L.

Quizzical.Yes.

That is correct.

[gasps]

[panting]

Tom.

Tom, honey,
it's not real anymore.

Go on back to sleep.
I keep telling you,
it's not real anymore.

Go on back to sleep now.

Come on. Lay down.
All right.

[bell tolling]

[no audible dialogue]

[gasps]

[chuckles]

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

[gasps]
Hi, baby.

Hello, baby.
[laughs]

Oh, hi!

Open up for Mama.

Oh!

[dishes clattering]

[sniffing]

[Woman]
Yes, I've seen her
rosebuds blossom.

But they've been sticking out
like that for a year now.

Where you been?
And how many boys have come
sniffing around here?

You tall me that!
Dark and ashy as she is,

don't hold your breath
waiting for some man
to come around here

and take her out
of your hair anytime soon.

[Man]
Shut up, woman.

Plenty gals good
and married in this town

dealt a worse deck
than she was.

Ain't that Pea-Pie
always sniffing around her,
acting fool--

[chattering]

Get outta the way.

Okay, Pea-Pie.
There you go.

Thank you there, sir.
Aw, y'all see my money?

Don't forget
you owe me 2.50.Yee!

He owe me three.Pea-Pie owe me
two bits now.

There's my girl. Mabel!Oh, Pea-Pie,
that girl don't want you.

Mabel!

Hello, Pea-Pie.

Mabel, Mabel, that new
James Dean movie's in town.

Yeah. And it's playing
at the drive-in.

I mean, I know I ain't got
a car or nothing,

but we could sure sit
on my shoeshine box--[truck backfires]

[chickens clucking][backfires]

Who's that?

Mabel!

Hey, you!

Get him, Pea-Pie.Go on. Kick his butt, Pea-Pie.
Kick his butt.

[Pea-Pie]
I'm talking to you, boy.

You know he can't fight.

I got cousins who think
they tough like you,

and they ain't nothing neither.Get him, Pea-Pie!

I'm gonna knock you down
a peg, boy,Kick his butt.

and then I'm gonna hang you
from the nearest tree.

[Boys]
Oh!

[Boys yelling]

Any of the rest of you
so dumb as to follow him?

You fight like a woman.You can't fight.

[laughter, chatter]

[clatter][Movers chatting]

So, they put you in charge,
did they?

[chuckles]You must be praying they don't
break any of the lamps.

Well, it's kind of too late
for that now.

But I must tell you,

this move was not as bad
as I thought it would be.

I'm Mrs. Bonner.

I live in the house
next door.
This is Quentin.

I'm Mabel Spader.
Pleased to meet you.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

So, well,
this is Quentin.

Hi.

When do they arrive?

Who?The family.

Oh, they're already here.
They're unpacking.
They're inside.

[glass shatters]Oh.

[Mover]Oh, man!Damn it.

Will you excuse me?[Mover #2]
Doesn't sound good.

Just tell them
that Mrs. Jean Bonner

in the house next door
just can't wait to meet them.

Well, all right, then.[chuckles]

[chuckling]
Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.

[chuckles]
Bye-bye.

Bye.

[sighs]

Come on, Quentin.

It's just like
you're holding-- see--

two pencils
at the same time.

Daddy, I'm starving.Mmm.

Tom, you don't need
to teach him how
to use those now.

The boy's been helping me
unpack all day.

Angel, we're in
the big leagues now.

He's gonna have to learn
to do a lot more
than just use chopsticks.

Daddy.

[sighs]

Here.

There's no Luisa Rodriguez
around here.

There are hardly any Jews.

These are the Whitneys
and the Biddles,

the last names you see
on buildings.

Tom, I'm sure they put
their pants on

one leg at a time
just like us.

We all worship
the same God.

Sweet pea,
that reminds me.

He goes to the Episcopal church
right down the street.

We're Baptist.

Uh-uh. Darling,

the nearest Baptist church

is all the way over
in Bridgeport.

[thinking]
Sweet Jesus, keep me
near the cross.

And you said it yourself.
It's the same God.

Look, you know,
it's a great way

to get to know the neighbors.

Just try it.
If you don't like it,

we'll-- we'll attend
somewhere else, okay?

All right.

Mmm. Mmm.

[Man yelling, distant][clatter]

[Woman speaking, faint]

[yelling continues]

[clatter]Hey. Hey, babe.

What's happening?

What's going on?[blow lands]

It's that odd woman
from next door.

She came to say hello today.[Jean]
I'm sorry, all right? I'm sorry!

Tom, I think
he's trying to kill her.
We should call the police.

If calling the police
would help,

one of the other neighbors
would've done it years ago.

[sighing][yelling continues]

Come on back to bed, baby.

[Mr. Bonner]
Get your hands off me!No!

Don't you touch--

[sobbing]Get out! Go on!

[bell ringing]

You know
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar?

Yep.

Do you know
Walt Frazier?

Yep.

Flip Wilson?No.

Miss Jane Pittman?

Yeah.[Boys]
Wow!

Can I touch your hair?

I've got almost all
the David Cassidy
bubblegum cards.

[gasps]
Cool!Really?

Wow.

That's great.

[Eastern European accent]
I was six years with the Blakes.

Ten years with the Hamiltons.

[Spanish accent]
Six years with the Talbots.

I'll call them
and let you know.

Okay. Thank you.Thank you.

I'm not just talking
about college.

I'm talking law school,

and then law offices
all over the state.

Folks waving at me.

White folks
I don't even know waving

and smiling
and seeing my name.

Yes, sir,
Miss Mabel Johnson,

what you're looking at
is the man
who's gonna single-handedly

end the colored man's
losing streak.

I know you will, Tom.

I knew it the first time
I laid eyes on you.

You did?

Mm-hmm.You did?

I'm telling you, baby,

I'm a rocket,
and you're my fuel.

[Man on TV]
Our lives are not our own.

They're merely streams
that we step into

for the short while
that we breathe air

on this sweet earth.

I am not the brave hero

that I thought that
I would grow up to be.

I am just your average
cardiothoracic surgeon

at a medium-sized
teaching hospital

doing his damnedest
to try to save some lives.

Yet there is one thing--

Why didn't you tell me
our stories was on?

Shh. Dr. Peter's
about to propose.

That is you, Nurse Rebecca.

Will you marry me?

[Nurse Rebecca]
I will!

Ooh, I can't believe it!

I told you. I told you.
I knew it.

I don't know why
she said she would.

She know what she like.

She don't know about him.[laughing]

Say, listen, you know,
there's gonna be about

six of those women
from the PTA coming over here.

I don't know why he wants you
to start entertaining so soon.

You barely moved in here.

I think it's because
he wants us to show them

that we really care about
the education of our children.

And a cup of tea
is gonna do all of that?

Well, I don't know
about that.

But what's worrying me is,
what am I gonna feed them?

I mean, I don't know
what these people eat.

You know, they don't seem
like chip-'n-dip kind of gals.

I tell you what.
You get some white bread,

slap some mayonnaise on it,

put some cucumbers on it,

cut the crusts off
and cut it up real small.

They'll never
know the difference.

White bread, mayonnaise,
and cucumbers?

That's what
I'm talking about.

Mm-mm.

[chattering]

Aahhhhh!

[no audible dialogue]

[Butcher]
Mrs. Winslow,
what'll it be?

The usual. Two T-bones
and a pound of bacon.

I was--If Bucky doesn't
get his T-bone,

he's not a happy camper.

Hey, well, I got some
beautiful ones right here.

Look how nice and marbled.Oh, lovely.

Ma'am, this is a $5 bill.

[Women laughing][Woman]
I know.

[doorbell rings]

[laughing stops]

[laughing resumes]

Oh!Miss Spader's
expecting you.

[Women]
Oh!

Ladies.

Mrs. Spader.

Mabel.Oh.

M-Mabel. Of course.

I'm Binky Goodyear.

Becka Rainier.
[laughs]

Oh, we met last year
at the A.B.A. banquet.

I must say that husband of yours
is quite the rising star.

[laughs]Jean.

Oh, and of course
you know your neighbor,

Jean Bonner.

Yes. We met
my first day here.

You know, my maid Sylvia
is dying to get some time
with your maid.

Aren't you, Sylvia?

Well, why don't we go in?

[Women chattering, laughing]

Oh, now, that lamp
is just gorgeous.

You know, I was here once
for a mixer

when those Rothbergs
were still here.

Now, this is
much more sophisticated.

[laughs]

Why don't we all sit down?

Now, first we'll hear
from the refreshment

and then
the decorating chairladies.

[Women laughing]

Mmm!

Mmm!

Mmm!

Mmm!

[laughing continues]

[uproarious laughter]

Were any of you treated
to the sight of Chas's back
this summer at the club?

I have half a mind
to have him sheared.

I mean,
the man is a savage.

James says that he was named

the top young tax attorney
in the country.

That hardly qualifies him
as a s-s-savage.

Wrong, Binky.
That's exactly
what qualifies him.

Hmph!

[Woman chuckles]

[polite chuckle]

[polite chuckles]

Oh, goodness, Mabel.

I've had the most
delightful time this afternoon,

but I'm afraid I have
so many errands to run

before it's time
to pick up the children.

Oh. My Doris gets this rag.

[thinking]
Tom told me to cancel
that damn subscription

when we moved in, but no.

Oh!
[laughing]

Is that a bathing suit
or a potholder?

[Women laughing]

Who knows where they'd be
if they didn't spend their money
on such trash?

[Mabel thinking] No. No,
don't look at the address.
Don't look at the address!

75 cents won't break them,
and God knows

[whispering]
they work hard enough for it,
right?

Oh, aren't we the admirable
little liberal?

[sighs]

Tight ass.

[chatter on TV]

[Man]
...Acapulco
with Missy Cartwright.

I was really attending

a very importantSylvia?

professional conference.

No! Veronica,

Uh-uh! meet my twin brother,
Melvin.

Sylvia. Sylvia. [Nurse Rebecca]
But you let me--

you let me fall in love
with you.

There's still glasses
to be picked up.

Dr. Quartermain got a twin.

Sylvia.What?

Come on.
Get these glasses now.

[sighs][TV off]

And put your apron on.

[TV on]

[Melvin]
I do not have
a college education,

but I can give you something

that that man
could never give,

[dishes clattering] and it's this.

[Stormy]
Whoa! It's like Sounder.

[Tommy-Two]
Or The Waltons.

[Kids together]
Good night, John-Boy.
[laugh]

[Mabel]
Hush. I forgot that
you all were too little

to remember the last time
we saw my people.

[Tom]
Please, God,
let's not stay too long.

We still have to check
into our motel, okay?

[laughter, chatter]

Girl, how many bedrooms
y'all got?

I forgot.[sighs]

I told you, Mama.
It's five.

Lord have us mercy.

Redd Foxx also
got five bedrooms.

Read it in the Jet
last month.

Where's my husband at?
I wanna do the hucklebuck.

[sighs]

[laughing]

[chuckling]

[laughing continues]

Yeah.

Oh. Mm.

Excuse me.

♪♪

Mmm. Whoever heard
of a Volvo?

Is that one of
them Japanese things?

[Tommy-Two]
No, Grandpa. It's Swedish.

Look at that.

Why does Barnaby Jones'burglar
have to go and be colored?

Yeah.

[thinking]
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy.

Don't you ever change?

Hey, Tom.Oh--

Some neck bones
for you.

Tom, how dare you look down
on these folks.

Are you crazy?
You used to be too poor
to buy dirt,

and now you're
turning up your nose

at Aunt Sissy's neck bones?

Sweet Jesus,
keep me near the cross.

Whoo-hoo!
Mabel Agnes, girl!

Mabel Agnes!
[laughing]

Whoo-hoo-hoo!

A sight for sore eyes.

Who is this fool?

Did you hear?
The lord a-blessed me good,
Mabel. Mm-hmm.

So I intend to give back
to the motherland.

I'm gonna buy an airplane

to fly folks
back to Africa cheap.

Mm-hmm. And we're gonna have
our own control tower, too,

'cause the Lord knows the man
would let a whole planeload

of coloreds crash
right in the ocean, huh?

Pea-Pie, you telling
my baby girl
about your airplane?

Oh, yeah.
[chuckling]

This is the moron
Daddy wanted me to marry.

Now, pay no attention
to the crossed-out numbers
on the front.

I wrote the good one
on the back.

"Pork got a future."

Mail-order pork.

That's how we're gonna
finance our fleet.

Pyramid plan,
just like on 60 Minutes.

Everybody gonna be rich.Yes, we are.

How about that, baby?

You get in on this.
Oh, yeah.

Oh, Mabel,
Pea-Pie gonna lead y'all
to the promised land.

[laughter, chatter]

I gotta make a call
back to the office.

Show me to the phone,
sweet pea.

Okay, okay.

Where they going?

[chattering]

[Stormy]Wait.

You know,
you're a fake Diana Ross.

That's not even funny.Glamour girl.

Would you stop?
Would you stop?Glamour girl.

Mom!

Both of you stop.
Fix the table,

go upstairs and wash up.

And I mean now.[sighs]

[Mabel]
I saw that.

Rosie, give the bird
another 20 minutes,

and don't forget to put butter
on the green beans.

I gotta call Mr. Spader
and make sure he's not
gonna be late for supper.

Straight away, ma'am.

Dear Lord,

bless this food
which we are about to receive

this Thanksgiving Day

for the nourishment
of our body and our souls.

Amen.

Amen.Amen.

Amen.

Mmm.

You know,

on this day of giving thanks,

as I look around my table,
you know what I see?

What, turkey?

[chuckles]

Stormy.

As I look around this table,
I see promise,

I see unlimited horizons,

I see Princeton.

Well, I'm gonna study
a year abroad in Spain.

Spain? That's very far away,
isn't it, dear?

Well, that's the most sense
that girl has spoken in a while.

Paris, Spain, Moscow.

That's where all these
little white kids
will be studying.

Race, race, race.

Can we get through one meal
without you obsessing on it?

All that nasty stuff
just doesn't matter

like it did
back in your olden times.

It's Thanksgiving, everyone.

Though I did not appreciate
the tone, young lady,

I think we were actually
making the same point.

Opportunity, promise.

Those are the watchwords
of the day.

Too many of our people
are stuck in the olden times,

convinced that
the master's shackles
are still around their necks.

That's why I'm talking
about Princeton.

We don't have to just settle
for Negro colleges

like Morehouse or Howard.

The sky is the limit.[Mabel]Tom!

[bell ringing]

[laughing]

Fuck.

Oreo boojy motherfucker.

[laughing]

Fuck you.

I got boojy for your ass.

[bell ringing]

I'll give you
five extra minutes,

but if you'd done the reading,
this shouldn't have
been a hassle.

Go on and catch your bus,
and I'll just grade you on
the ones you already finished.

No. You--
You don't understand.

I-- I--I'm sure you did fine.

But I don't take the bus.

[Students chuckling]

♪♪

[Man] You are about
to witness a milestoneCome on now. It's starting.

in television entertainment.

Roots is the true storyI wanna sit there.

of celebrated author
Alex Haley's

13-year search
for his African ancestors.

Daddy, you took the last
of the double-fudge swirl.Mmm. Mm-mm-mm.

I want some.Young lady,
sit down.

Mommy, make him stop.Stormy!

Shh! ...the incredible story

of slavery
in the United States

and how one brave family
survived it.

From darkest Africa
to the land of Dixie,

from searing heartache
to soaring triumph.

After two years in production
and enormous expense,

the American
Broadcast Corporation

is proud to present one of
the most anticipated events

in the history of
television,Roots.

[whip cracking] [Man crying out]

[Man] James.

Your name is Toby.

I want to hear you say it.

Your name is Toby.

What's your name?

Kunta. Kunta Kinte.

[cries out]

I want to hear you
say your name.

Your name is Toby.

What's your name?

[breathing heavily]

Kunta.

[cries out]

[whip cracks]

[Man]
Who are you?
Say your name.

[cries out]

[cries out]

I've got too much to work
for this foolishness.

Dad!I'm sorely disappointed.

Hey, don't you kids
have homework?

Tom, it's important for them
to see this.

Who the hell
wants to rehash

all this-- this--
this mess anyway?

"What's past is prologue."
Shakespeare said that.

Tom!

And I want to hear it.

[whispers]
He's gone crazy.
[chuckling]

Again!

[whip cracks] [Kunta cries out]

[scoffs] I want to hear you
say your name.

How dare you.

Was your dad crazy
when he sent you to Ireland,

and you wanted to go
with your school glee club?

Couldn't wait
to get outta here.

How about you?
Walt Frazier Basketball Camp.

"I got to go."
Was your daddy crazy then?

Say it!

You have no idea Toby. Who are you?

what that man
has been through. Say your name.

[tires screeching]

[tires screech]

♪ Someone like you

Hey, keep mowing, Toby!

Whoo-hoo-hoo!

[Man]
The Equal Rights Amendment
for women.

Why is it having
such a hard time
being ratified?

Is it finally dead
in the water?

Is it unnecessary
as some critics charge?

Are women already equal?

And if not, what would
that equality look like?

Our guests today
both feel very passionately
about this subject,

so stay tuned for a lively,
vigorous debate.

[Woman]
It is made of
an amazing space-age polymer.

You'll be julienning
vegetables like--

Hi, Sam.

Hey, Mrs. S.

That rack of lamb--
did I lie?

Oh, it was like butter, Sam.

But right now
I need two fillets.

My dearest friend
is coming to see me,

and I want
to really treat her.

You got it.

How's that?

Wonderful.

[thinking] Why didn't he
wipe that sausage

off his hands
before he touched my meat?

Would he have done that
to a white woman?

Mabel, you're starting
to sound like Tom.

Hey.
[laughs]

Girl, you're a sight
for sore eyes.

Hey, can I have that?

Is that for me?
Thank you.

Let's go over here
and see your mommy.

You're early.

Hey, we just got here.

Hey.
[laughing]

Wow.

I forgot.
This is really not that far.

No, it's not far at all.

Now, look, let me put
the car away,Okay.

and we'll go in the front door
like real company.

Okay, okay. Come on, baby.Okay? You ready?

Oh!Hmm?

Can I try?Oh, yeah.

I saw one of these
on Dallas.

Well, hit it on
the right-hand side.

This right here?No, top.

Top. Okay, baby, come.
Let's do it together.

Right here.
I'm gonna push it.

[gasps]
Look at that!

I tell you,
there's nothing better

than when they go down
for a nap.

Yes, yes, yes, yes.

Tina, I'm so glad
you're here.
Mmm.

You know, we cannot let
this amount of time
go by ever again.

I mean,
it's simply criminal.

[chuckles]

I miss you, too.

The streets just ain't
the same without you.

What do you call
this cheese again?

It's called Brie.

It's spelled Bry,
but I don't know why.

Anyway, it's fabulous,
because all you have to do

is put it into the microwave
for about 30 seconds,

and it comes out
soft like butter.

We don't have a microwave.

Well, you don't have to
have a microwave.

I mean, it's-- I don't see
what the big deal is.

I'm just saying that you--

Rosie, can we get
those steaks, please?

[whispering]
Come here.

How much do you have to pay
to have a maid like that?

Child, you don't even
wanna know.

Hmm.

More Brie?

Bry.
[laughing]

You don't know
how much I've missed
the taste of meat.

Whenever I'm in the car
without Ray, I swear to God,

I slow to a crawl
in front of every McDonald's.

Get outta here.Yeah. Swear to God.

Let me tell you
how happy I am

to be with someone who
really appreciates good food.

Mmm.Because every time
I go to lunch

with these ladies,

they order cottage cheese
and Tab.

No!

Yes.

Well, that must be why
them white women

always going around with
their nose so squinched up.

Trying to block
them good food odors

from reminding them
what they're missing.

That must be the reason.

That must be the truth.
[laughing]

And what is this craziness
with Ray?

Telling people
that the Ethiopians

found a time warp
or something?

Craziness?

Well, yeah.
When you...

No--

Remember when
you called me, and...

I said he was trying
to educate his coworkers

to the amazing achievement
of the African--

things the white powers that be
hid from us for centuries--

when his nasty Irish boss,
in front of everybody,

told him to shut the fuck up.

What?

That's-- You know that's
what I'm talking about.

Because you just don't know

how these white people
are going to respond
to anything.

I'm telling you, you know,
I-- I think Ray was crazy--

you know, crazy
in those quotation marks--

to-- to even broach
the subject with him.

That's my Ray.

Say good-bye.
Say good-bye-bye.

She's gonna fall asleep
any second now.

It was so good to see you.It was great to see you.

Hey, wait up, faggot!Whoa!

Sorry, Mrs. Spader.

Tommy-Two?

Hey, Mrs. Johnson.Hi.

Getting even better-looking
than your daddy.

[chuckles]

[vehicle approaching]

Hi, Mrs. Johnson.

it shouldn't take us this long
to get together again.

It just doesn't
make any sense.

No, no sense at all.

And like you said, it's not,
uh, far to come at all.

No, it's not that far.

So I'll call you next week?We'll talk next week then.

All right.All right.

[phone ringing]

Hello. [Becka]
You-hoo!

[laughs]

It's me. Hi, Becka.

How was your weekend?

Oh!

Oh, it was glorious.

[inhales deeply]

Oh, where should I start?

Well, of course, Chas was away
at the Mayo Clinic

getting his spastic colon
checked on,

but still, I was so nervous.

I had to take a Fiorinal
just to get on the train.

[laughing]
And then...

Felipe met me in the city

in the most
unseemly neighborhood,

and the first thing we had to do
was go shopping

[laughing]

for undergarments for me!

You know, the kind
without any crotch.

I was so excited.

I said,
"Well, you have to let me
tell Mabel, 'cause she's"...

[continues rambling]

I bought red ones,
and pink ones,

and blue ones, and yellow ones,

and black ones.

Oh, they were so pretty!

And I bought you a present.

You are gonna be
so surprised.

But I'm not gonna
tell you what color.

[laughing]
You have to wait to see.

You are going
to just love them.

So, I told Felipe
about my fantasy.

You know-- You know,

the one where I sashay
into a smoky nightclub,

and then...
[inhales deeply]

a dark man
starts licking my armpits.

Oh!

[laughs]

And then, when we got back
to the hotel,

Felipe surprised me

with a squeeze bottle

of Okay Margarine.

Oh-kay!

[laughing]

[thinking]
That reminds me.

It's time
for an oil change.

Oh-- Oh--

Oh-- Oh--

Uh, listen, Mabel.

Now, I shouldn't even
be mentioning this...

[vacuum whirring]

[whirring continues]

Okay, I'm in the closet.
Can you still hear me?

Yes, Becka,
I can still hear you.

Ohhh!

Mabel, listen.

Tom's gonna be named
to the superior court.

What?

You know-- You know how
Chas's roommate at Andover

is the lieutenant governor?

And he says
it is a done deal.

Oh.

That's, uh-- That's--
That's wonderful news, Becka.

We are never
gonna have to pay for
another parking ticket again!

[laughing][fake chuckling]

Chas says we can
throw a party

for Tom.

And you know what?

Ah, don't you worry,

'cause I'm gonna make it
the event of the season.

[chattering]

And I said,

"I'll take you up
on that doubles match

if we can go head-to-head
on the back nine."

Pow!

[thinking]
This is like

some kind of weird movie

where they passed out scripts
to everybody but me.

They probably
decided to do that

at some buck-naked
PTA meeting

that I was not invited to.

[laughing]

Ooh, buck-naked!

[Woman, Tom chuckling]

Oh! Oh.

Excuse me.Yeah.

So your father tells me
you're thinking
about Princeton.

We're Class of '67.

Students come there
from every walk of life.

You know, black, white, green.
Doesn't matter.

Why, just last year,
the student body vice president

was a man named,
um, Leon Robinson.

He looked like
a young Sidney Poitier.

I love his movies.
Have you seen his movies?

Congratulations, dear.Yes. Lovely party.

Thank you.

Ooh!
[squeals]

There you are.

I've got someone

that I want
to introduce you to.

The best caterer in all
of Fairfield County,

Mr. Felipe Herrera.

[thinking]
Okay.

Excuse me.

[chattering continues]

[sighs]

All right.
You can think about it.

What? I...

Yeah, I want to.

It's true, although
I'm kind of late.

Yeah, maybe I--You don't want to miss out.

We're proud of Tom.Oh, yeah.

We're so happy.

[Tom]
Oh, here she is, Rob,

the belle of my ball.
[laughs]

Mabel, my love,

I would like to introduce you
to the next governor
of the state

of Connecticut.Oh, shh.

He's frightfully
superstitious.Shh.

I swear, if a black cat
were to infiltrate your party,

he'd leap out the window.

[chuckling]As always, my wife

is absolutely correct.
[chuckles]

Rob McInerney.

Mrs. Spader,

I'd heard
that you were ravishing,

but I was
completely unprepared.

Well, I'd heard you were
a big old liar,

and I was
completely unprepared.

Hang on to this one, Tom.
She's a keeper.

Superior court's
just the beginning.

Everybody says
that Chas's buddy,

the lieutenant governor,

is a shoo-in for the top spot
the next time.

So he'll be the one,

two years from now,

who will be nominating me

for the Supremes.

[chuckling]

The supreme court.
You get it?

[chuckles][chuckles]

Yeah.

We on our way up, baby.

On our way.

We are?Mm-hmm.

♪ We're movin' up

[chuckling][chuckles]

[dog barking]

[wind howling][brush rustling]

[Man on TV]
They don't have much,
so we don't charge much.

It's the only place they can go
and see a main group
for practically nothing.

Sam and I are the only ones
that can afford this place.

They thing is, I'm not sure
you're the right kind of group
for our club.

You mean because we're white? [Man #2]
No. Wow. No, no.

I mean, our people
like soul music, and I just
don't know if they'll turn out.

[Mrs. Partridge]
Well, we do have somewhat
of a reputation.

I think we could
bring some people in.

At least it'll prevent you
from closing down.[sighs]

Good night, Your Honor.

Mmm.

Mmm.Good night, baby.

Good night, Mommy.Good night.

Mmm.

I hope you've been studying
for the SAT.

Some folks
might not be expecting

as much from a black girl,

but, young lady,
I'm not one of them.

You put your mind to it,
and you do better

than any of those spoiled
little white girls, okay?

Yes, Daddy.
You're right.

That's why I'm going to bed now,
so I can get up early

and study for them
before school.

Mm-hmm. Good.

That's my girl.Good night.

No sweat, baby girl.

How much longer
before we go on?

[knock on door] Come in.

Hi.

[beeping]

[Tommy-Two]
Damn, I can't believe we're
playing a game on TV.

[beeping continues]

Tommy-Two,

I did not know
you're spending the night.

I told you, Mom.
Tomorrow's his birthday.

Oh. If I had known,
I would've gotten you present.

Oh, nah,
that's okay, Mrs. S.

[Woman] Remember, we only have
two weeks to raise the money,
and that means no dates.

[Woman #2]
Let's decide what
we're gonna do right now.

Damn, I can't wait
till we get cable.

[chattering]

And we can advertise
all the services.

I'm sorry.

I need your help.

What?Take your pants off.

No.

♪♪ [soft jazz playing]

♪♪ [continues]

You have nothing
to be ashamed of.

Your skin look...delicious.

You like that word,
"delicious"?Yeah.

I dig it.

[clears throat]

It's amazing how you're
already so much bigger

than most white grown men

and Japanese men.
[chuckles]

No contest.

Happy birthday, Tommy-Two.

[choir]
♪ Hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah

♪ For the Lord God
omnipotent reigneth ♪

♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah

♪ Hallelujah, hallelujah

Whoa, there.

Happy birthday, son.

Oh, thanks, Dad.
Um, I just need to take
a quick shower.

Hey, come on in.
I'm fixing you breakfast.

It's your day.

Hey.

Take a seat.

Yeah.

Yeah, you're 17.

[chuckling]

You're not a boy anymore.

You take after
your old man.

Excellent grades,

even though sometimes
that damn basketball

seems glued to your hand
as if it's your ticket

out of welfare.

But you're a rocket,

and the sky
is not even the limit.

And I'm proud of you.

[chuckles]Thanks, Dad.

Happy birthday, baby!

[laughs]

Happy birthday...

[sniffs]

Thanks. Um, I'm gonna
go take a shower.

Hurry back.
Don't want these cakes
to get cold.

That's my boy.
[chuckles]

Yeah, he's a rocket.

Heh-heh-heh.

What?

Huh?

What?[grunts]

Huh?

[Woman]
I have two questions,
and then sort of a statement.

To you, the woman in pink.

You knew what kind
of neighborhood it was
when you moved in,

so how can you be so surprised

if your daughter now
wants to date Puerto Ricans?

And how can you expect
to have any idea

what your daughter's up to
if you're off doing
your fancy job all day

so the poor thing comes home
to an empty house?

Which leads
me to my statement.

There is no finer,
more difficult job...

[tires screech]

[breathing heavily]

[phone ringing]

Hello. Spader residence.

Please, just tell me
she's just punch-drunk.

Tom?

Tell you who's punch-drunk?

What are you talking about?

Norm Bonner just called.

Jean just called him.

Did some-- some woman
just move next door to us?

Yes. And guess what?
She's--

I-- I-- I know what she is.
That's why I'm calling.

She won the second
largest jackpot

in the history
of the Florida State Lottery.

And of all the streets
in the entire United States,

she chooses to live on ours. It's wonderful.

I was just about to take
a bottle of wine over to her.

How much did she win? Mabel!

Darling--What?

Let me try to be
as clear as I can.

They'll assume
that we invited her.

Well, that's just
utterly ridiculous.

I mean, just because
we're the same color, Tom,

doesn't automatically mean
that we have to know her.

I mean, people won't make
that kind of assumption.

That-- That just
doesn't make sense.

Listen to me.
I work inside the machine.

And I'm telling you,
we're so close now.

The last thing we need
is for people to think

that we were the beachhead

for this--
this ghetto invasion.

But, Tom, she could be
a perfectly nice woman.

Whatever you do,
don't go over there.

But-- I'll explain everything
to you better

when I get home,
all right?

I love you. Bye.

[scoffs] [click, dial tone]

[thinking]
Unbelievable.

[Woman]
See, you're making me go up
on your ass.

You know I am not D. Poken

or Ann Thom-- whoever the hell
that's supposed to be.

I am Ruth Crisp.
I keep telling you that.

Every damn day you deliver
the mail to my mailbox,Ma'am--

you put in
the wrong shit.

[no audible dialogue]

Oh, hello.

Hello, Mrs. Crisp.

I'm Mabel Spader.
I live right next door.

Yeah?

I just wanted to say
welcome to the neighborhood.

I'm sorry
it's taken me so long.

Oh. Well, you ain't
the only one.

Well, everyone's busy
with the PTA

and all the fund-raising.

Did you get your invitation?

Girl, I don't get nothing
from nobody.

Well, I'm sure
they were mailed out

before you moved in.

In any case,
Mrs. Fontaine up the street

is having a fund-raiser
on Thursday

at the Garden Club
to raise money
for new street lamps.

Not just for our street,

but all the way down
to the ridge.

I hope we can
count on you coming.

Honey, I'm sorry,

but I got better things to do
with my money
than eat $100 chicken.

Besides, this street has got
enough light for me.

Nice meeting you,
Mrs. Spader.

[scoffs]
Don't come say hi to me

after you done been living here
a whole damn month.

Don't know what kind of shit
you trying to play.

Dear Lord,
thank you for the food[People chattering loudly]

we're about to receive
on this Thanksgiving

for the nourishment
of our bodies and souls.

Amen.

[Mabel, Kids]
Amen.

♪♪ [funk, loud][People whooping]

Everything looks wonderful.
Tommy-Two, that turkey
looks wonderful.

Thank you.

Someone else wasn't there.

[chattering continues] ♪♪ [continues]

I'm gonna start
with the carrots.

[Tom sighs]

[Man] Let the funk
in your heart, baby!

[sighs]
No, no.
Before we do that,

I'm gonna take you
to the bridge
and drop you off

into some funk!

[Man]
Whoo-hoo!

A barbecue on Thanksgiving?

Well...

[sighs]

♪♪ [continues]

Was this
Martin Luther King's dream?

What?

"Us don't worry about the vote.

Us just gotta have
the pig feet."

Tom!I've worked too hard.

I dedicate my life
distinguishing myself

from-- from--

[quietly]
from these niggers.

He didn't mean that.

[laughs]That's not what he means.

These niggers.

If you look,
in the nigger handbook

I swear to God,
you'll see her picture.

Barbecue?

[scoffs]

Barbecue.

Mommy, can I borrow that money
for those head shots
we talked about?

What, honey? What?

The head shots? Please?

Oh, now, Stormy, look,

I'm a little concerned
about this modeling.

I think it may interfere
with your scholarship.

U-Conn's so easy,
I made the dean's list

without even trying.

All right.

Thanks.
I'll go get your purse.

What-- Where you...

Uh, pass some
string beans, son.

Mom, may I be excused?Yeah.

Now, where you go--

[sighs]

What's wrong?

It might've been
the "nigger handbook."

♪♪ [continues][chattering continues]

Hey. Can you play?

Yeah, I play a little.

Then bring it on.

And Aunt Ruth--
she's got a whole mess

of apple cobbler
if you're hungry.

Well, all right.

Just come on around there.

[sighs]

I gotta go lay down.

Uh, "crean" up, miss?

[dishware, utensils clattering]

[grunting][siren wailing]

[siren stops,
car doors open, close]

She probably already ran through
all that lottery money,

so now she's trying
to pass bad checks.[People chattering]

[laughing]

[Officer]
I'm sorry, sir.
Just step back.

[police radio chatter]

[Woman on radio]
Caucasian female.

Suicide suspected.

[Officer]
Yeah, go ahead
and give them an ETA.

[chattering continues] [radio chatter continues]

[Norm sobbing]

I thought I heard something.
Oh, God!

Something--

Something told me
to ch-check the basement.

She looked so peaceful
just hanging there.

[sobbing continues]

[no audible dialogue]

[doorbell rings]

Hi.

Hi, Mrs. Spader.
Mabel.

I saw you were home,
and I thought
that we'd drop by.

Bad time?No, uh...

Regina.Regina.

Quong Duc,

can you heat this up
and bring us some coffee
in the living room?

Won't you come?Yes, ma'am.

[whispering]
Is she one of
those boat persons?

Yes.God bless you.

You know, it's criminal.
We live so close,

yet after all these years,
we hardly ever see each other.

Well, I don't know
if you've heard the news.

No.

Well, Norm's tag sale
should've tipped us off.

He's itching
to move out to California.

Poor dear.
Who can blame him?

The problem is,
he's so anxious,

desperate, what have you,

that he's about to accept
an offer below market.

Well, from whom?

[whispering]
Ruth...Crisp.

Ruth Crisp.

But she already has
a house on this street.

Exactly.

It's just the sneaky way
that Norm is going about this.

Oh, yeah. So sneaky.

Dumping the house for
ten percent below market value.

Huh!
Just so he can run off to

S-S-San Diego.

San Diego.
Who would've thought?

First, he drives poor Jean
to do that awful act.

And now this!

The fact is,

Norm's on some macho power trip
just like Chas.

Mm-hmm.

Just like that bastard, Felipe.

Mm-mm-mm.

Now, I give him two weeks
with that battleaxe
with the new boobs.

I mean, has she told you why,
in God's name,

she feels she needs two houses
on the same street?

No. No.

You know me--You know me--

You know me.
I am completely colorblind.

Oh...

It could be J. Paul--Getty.

Yeah.But the bottom line is,
nobody nee--

Nobody needs--Two houses.

Two houses.Two houses.

Two houses
on the same bla-- um--

Block.

Block.

[sighs]

Save me from
the crazy white people!

Quong Duc!

Do you know
what Ruth Crisp has done?

She has bought two houses

on the same block,

and scared the white people

out of their minds![phone ringing]

And I'm not answering
any calls right now!

Hah!
[chuckling]

Oh, God.

[ringing stops]

[sighs]

[knocking]Hello, miss?

Huh?

Your husband.Okay.

He says important.

Okay. Tell him
I'll be right there.

I going now, miss.

See you tomorrow.

Bye-bye.

Bye-bye.
See you tomorrow.

Guess who
the most popular woman

on the block is today.

How many of them dropped by?

How'd you know?

One of us on their block,
fine.

Two of us, maybe.
But three?

Three is the Apocalypse.

Everything we've worked for,

every step we've taken

has lead us to
this very moment in time.

Now, it's up to us
to choose sides.

I don't really see
what we can do about it, Tom.

I'm sorry.

But this time it's not we,
baby, it's you.

Wh-What?

Though I've spent
my whole life

getting us to the goal line,

it turns out that you're the one
who's gonna win the game for us.

What are you talking about?

Just stroll over there,
find out how she's doing,

then tell her nobody
pays cash for a house

no matter how much they have.

[laughing]

Tom, I haven't said

but two words to this woman.

Why on earth is she
gonna listen to me?

Tell her to go see Don Mahoney
at the bank.

Tell her that he'll get
her mortgage in a day or two.

That'll buy us enough time

to find another buyer.

I can't.

You can.

I can't. Listen to me.

We're not almost there,
we're there.

After all these years,

I need you to do this,
sweetheart.

For us.
For the children.

I love you.[chuckles]

[click, dial tone]

I can't go anywhere
looking like this.

♪♪

[Woman]
Good morning, Dr. Peters.

I'm Nurse Robinson.

Just transferred here
from Metro General.

[Dr. Peters]
Welcome aboard, Nurse!

Your references
are excellent.

I'm sure you'll
fit in perfectly,

but remember,
we run a tight ship here.

I don't know how
they did things
over at Metro...

[exhaling forcefully]

Uh! Uh!

Now, there we are.

There-- We finally--
Goddamn it!

Finally, finally on the TV.

Not playing a middle-aged
deliveryman like last week,

but actually
looking like a nurse.

Goddamn it!

[sighs]

Oh, my God.
[chuckles]

I've turned into my father.

Cussing at the TV
and scratching my behind.
[chuckles]

Better than ending up like
that so-and-so you married.

Mabel Agnes Turner,

you were the child
born with the least sense,

and I swear you'll go
to your grave

with the least sense.

Girl, you better
start explaining

'fore I find my switch.

Daddy,
who you gonna switch?

You can't switch me.
You're dead.

Dead, dead, dead.

Besides,
it's much too complicated
to go into.

How long has
that other colored lady

been living
on your street,

and you ain't been over
with a pot of beans?

Oh, come on now, Mama.

Have you seen her?

She stands out
in front of her house

sucking neck bones
in front of everybody.

She just--
[sucking]

Even Daddy didn't do that.

And what about all those people
in the house?

She got a hundred thousand
people in the house.

How many more niggers
we need in the neighborhood?

[scoffs]

It's too much.

Sweet Jesus,
keep me near the cross.

It's time for you
to come home, girl.

Oh, Mama,
too late for that.

Besides, as long as I...

trust in Tom, I'll be fine.

Everything will be fine
as long--

I just gotta trust in Tom.

Even, you know,

though he's...

I'm so tired.

I'm just tired, that's all.

I'm tired.

I'm just tired.

Mm...

[long, sustained buzz]

[door opens]

[TV clicks off]

[sniffs]

[Mabel]
I couldn't do it, honey.

I couldn't do it.Shh.

Don't you worry
about a thing, princess.

I don't want you to ever
worry about a thing.

[thinking]
They come to my courtroom
by the truckload,

letting public defenders

read their lives
off a rap sheet.

Nothing to say
for themselves but,

"Brother Judge,
I was freebasing,

I was dusted."

Every one of them--

eyes lower,

back more bent
than Stepin Fetchit.

A man must walk tall
when he wreaks havoc

or leave havoc alone.

That coon Lotto winner missed
the same point as my son--

the unshakeable complexity
of living a watched life.

We are outlined in red

on maps we'll never see,

circled in photos
for which we did not pose.

Some day that boy
will appreciate

my contributions to the race,

my sacrifice
as a life-long mole.

This is for my sweet Mabel.

And this is for my Stormy,

trying to convince herself
she's Farrah Fawcett.

And this is
for my seed bearer.

May he one day open his eyes.

Here's to those wild niggers
unlucky enough

to pass before my gavel.

And here's
to that Crisp woman,

herself,
and her extended family.

May their subsequent moves

in this black-and-white
chess game

be wiser.

[Men whooping, laughing]

[Men shouting]

[laughing, whooping continue]

[chattering]

[grunting]

Get out there!

No! Hey!
This is my nigger!

I'm running this show!

Avery, you can barely
run your own mouth.

Shut your trap
or else I'll shut it for you!

[chattering]

You stay right there,
boy, you hear?

This boy here--
he think just 'cause he win

some spell prize
that he better than the whites,

he better than my boy!

I don't care
how many books

he done got
in his mama's shack,

he ain't nothing but
a worthless turd on my shoe!

Same as the rest!

So the nigger's smarter
than your boy.

I don't give a shit.

Let's just hurry up
and do it.

Shut your hole about my boy![Men shouting]

[shouting continues]

[Man]
He didn't mean nothing by it!

[Tom panting]

Stop him! Stop him!
He's getting away!

Let's get him!Come on!

You see him out here?[Men shouting]

Down here!

[grunts]

We got him!Right there, right there!

Throw that 12-gauge over![gunshot]

Higher, higher![gunshot]

I got him!Hold it there, boy!

[shouting continues][gunfire continues]

I see him now!

[dogs barking]

[Men shouting]

Come on now, boy!
We gonna get you!

[barking continues]

I see him!

Which way?

[chickens clucking]

I see him!

Gonna get you, boy!

[shouting continues][barking continues]

[sirens wailing, distant]

[sirens approaching]

[dog barking]

[thinking]
Oh, no.

No, no, no, Tom.

No. What have you done?

Get that line set up!

We got a big one.
Get that hose, boy.

I'll go around back!

[Firemen shouting]

[sirens continue]

At least
nobody got hurt.

Could've been
a disaster.

[radio chatter]

Goddamn.

Go away, fireman.

Turn around
and leave us alone right now.

Go on, fireman.
Go away.

Go away, fireman.
Go on.

They need to lock
a whole lot of other folks up

before they get around
to you, Tom.

Did you ever mistake
the wife of a judge for a maid?

[moaning]

[moaning continues]

Mama...Come on now.

Let me sit you up.
Let me sit you up.

Come on, Tom.
Sit you up.[breathing heavily]

That's right.
That's right.

Okay, okay.

[moans]Okay, okay.
You know what I made?

I made chicken and stars.
Your favorite.

[moaning continues]

I just need you to eat
a little bit, okay?

Come on.
Here we go.

There you go.
There you go.

Just one more, okay?

Here we go.

That's good.
That's good.

That's good.
You're doing fine.

Doing fine.

Doing fine.

It's all right.

Miss-- Miss, I-- I clean.

I clean. I clean. I clean.I got it. I got it.

I have it!
I have it, thank you.
I have it. I have it.

It's okay. I have it.
Thank you.

[Tommy-Two]
Mom. Mom. Mom!

Yes?

I need you to talk to Daddy
when he gets home from court.

It's important.He didn't go to court today.

He's under the weather.
Talk to him tomorrow, okay?

I told you,
I need it for tomorrow!

Hmm?

What do you think
he's gonna say?

Don't worry.

[Woman on TV]
But those are just words,
Dr. Quartermain.

I'm sick of words.

You need to give
your heart to me
as I have given mine to you.

Tom?Mm-hmm?

Tommy-Two has received
his acceptance from school.

He needs you to sign it.What-- What--

Tom?

[Tom]
No. Don't trust her!

Don't trust her! [TV continues]

It's not even her child.
Not her child.

Tom,

Tommy-Two has received
his acceptance from school,

and he needs you
to sign it.

He is not
going to Princeton.

He is going to Morehouse. [Woman] Rebecca
was my best friend, too,

but that didn't stop you
from getting her pregnant.

If she hadn't tragically
miscarried while she--

Colored Morehouse?Mm-hmm.

[laughing]
He's going to Princeton.

Tom, are you deaf?

He doesn't want
to go to Princeton.

He wants to go to Morehouse.
That's what he wants to do.

He wants you to sign the papers.

I want you to sign the papers.

Sign the damn papers, Tom.

[Doctor]
We're both damaged goods,
Nurse Veronica.

Just maybe in this crazy
topsy-turvy world of ours--

Just maybe we'd grow
to love each other enoughDo you have a pen?

to heal all the hurt
we've inflicted
upon one another.

[Nurse Veronica]
Oh, Robert,

I promise you
you won't be sorry.

We'll make something
good and clean

out of what's left
of our lives together.

Just wait.
I'm going to cook more

and take better care
of myself, I swear.

I'll make you proud of me
if it's the last thing
I do on this earth.

[Robert]
I'm already proud of you.

You're the best damn nurse
I've ever had the pleasure
of working with.

Are you hungry, honey?

Well, if you get hungry,
you just let me know, all right?

Thank your father.[Tommy-Two]
Thanks, Dad.

See you Monday, miss.All right.

[dog barking]

Can I help you?

Oh.

I'm Inspector Wilkins,
Mrs. Spader.

I hope you don't mind
my cutting through your yard?

Well, we do have a pair
of vicious dogs.

I'd hate
to see you get hurt.

Occupational hazard.

While I've got you, uh,

could I ask if you saw anything
unusual the night of the fire?

No, I can't say that we did.

You know, the judge and I
are such homebodies,

we were probably asleep
before Carson started
his monologue.

Speaking of the judge,
could I talk to him?

Not today.
I know he wants
to talk to you

because you're both
in law enforcement,

but, uh, he's not feeling
particularly well.

He's got a spastic colon.

Well, then, uh,
when his health improves,

ask him to give me a call.

I certainly will.
I'm gonna get back
to my baking.

I'm making scones.
Bye-bye.

Mama?

Don't...

Don't leave me, Mama.

I feel scared, Mama.

[crying]

[moaning]

[moaning continues]

I can't do this by myself.

I can't--Mama?

I can't do this by myself.

Mama!I just--

I can't. I...

Mama...

I can't do this by myself.

Mama...

You gotta help me.

Please, you gotta--
you gotta help me.

Mama? What...

I can't do this by myself.

I can't.

[sighs]

Baby,

don't let me forget
to tell Sissy to--

to bring the files--

bring over the files
of the Dawson case.

I really--

I-- I really--

[sighs]

[chuckling]

Between this flu and--

and the holidays,

I've gotten
so far behind.

What's wrong, baby?

[crying]

You all right, sugar?

♪ Mmm

♪ My sugarplum

♪ I wants me some

♪ Of my sugar plum

♪ I loves me some Mabel

♪ I loves my princess

♪ I loves my princess Stop.

♪ You are

♪ So wonderful

You're just a fool.

♪ I'm a fool for you, baby

♪ I'm a fool for you, baby

♪ I'm a fool for you, baby

[chuckling]

[bell dings]

[Tom]
Hey, baby?
Huh?

Should I--
Should I put the leaf in?

Well, it's really just
the two of us, honey.

Dear Lord,

bless this food
we're about to receive

for the nourishment
of our bodies and our souls.

Amen.

Amen.

[line ringing]

[chuckling] [Man on TV]
But why didn't you tell me?

[laughter] [Woman crying]

[Man]
Oh, hey, hey, hey.

[crying continues] Oh, take it easy.

Hey, you know I'm not mad.
Crazy maybe--Mmm. Mmm. Mmm.

♪ Just for you [phone ringing]

♪ Just for you,
just for you ♪

♪ Just for you

[ringing continues]

♪♪ [vocalizing] ♪ Just for you

♪ Just for you,
just for you ♪

♪ Just for you

♪ Joy

[Woman]
Well, that's because...Mmm.

Mmm. [crying]

[Man]
Now what's wrong?Mmm.

Tommy-Two's probably out
running the streets
or something.

Mm-hmm.
[chuckling]
[Woman crying]

I'm gonna try Stormy again,
okay?

Mm-hmm.
[chuckles]

[Man]
Check the car...

[phone ringing]

[laughing] [Woman] I didn't do it
on purpose, you know.

[Man]
What? Wreck the car
or wreck my career?

[ringing continues]

[doorbell ringing]

Mrs. Crisp.

Mrs. Spader,
this a bad time?

Oh, no. It's--
Please.

What a pleasant surprise.
Come in.

Oh, you got marble floors
all in the front.

Two different colors.
You got some
nice shit in here.

The mirror
and the thing that match--
that is fabulous.

Thank you.
The two chairs
all up the front.

This is beautiful.
Two ways to get up
the damn steps.

I'm calling somebody,
telling about--

I like that thing
right there.
What thing?

Oh, girl! Oh!

I have been looking everywhere
for curtains this soft.

Oh!

Uh, those came
from Bloomingdale's.Really?

Yeah. Yeah.Oh, girl.

Listen, would you like
something to drink
or some coffee cake?

Coffee cake?

Girl, bite your tongue
and watch your mouth.

I've been fighting these thighs
my natural life.

[both chuckle]

Well, look,

I just spoke with
the fire inspector.

Now, he said it was
some sort of initiation.

These little white boys
trying to act ghetto.

[chuckles]
Please.

You and I know
that's a big lie.

[thinking]
Look, if you're gonna
say it, just say it.

Let's get it
out in the open.

I is from the deep South.

I know how they do.

But I'm almost glad about it,
really. Mm-hmm.

I was almost starting to think

here up north
they're gonna act different.

No, baby.
These uppity white folk--
they did me a favor.

Now, like my granddaddy
used to say,

it's better to set
your alarm off in the morning
than in the afternoon.

I don't know
what the hell it mean.
He was a drinker, girl.

[chuckles]
Well, anyway,

now, I know I ain't been
the friendliest of neighbors,

but I was wondering

if y'all could use
some of this stuff.

Now, this is real good
when you run out of bleach
to clean your toilets.

I thought you were
a millionaire.

I am, and I intend
on staying one.

See, plenty of colored folks
hit the number

but die in the poorhouse.

That ain't gonna be me.

No, it's not.

You know, I-- I used to love
how that made my sheets smell.

I can't remember
why I stopped using it.

Go on, girl.
Get yourself a whiff.

It's like old times.

[laughs]

Well, as long
as I got you here...
Mmm.

And this rat's nest--
this is the reason why
I didn't even

try to find
a Baptist church yesterday.

Now, where in the hell
can a speck

get her hair pressed
around here?

A speck can't get her hair
pressed around here.

We have to go all the way
to Bridgeport.

But you know what?
I found a marvelous girl.

I'll give you
her phone number.

Oh, well, I appreciate that,
Mrs. Spader.

Now, look, I'm gonna
get outta here.

I'm gonna leave
this order form with you.

Oh.Just fill it out.

Take your time.
No pressure at all.

All right.All right, girl.

You know,

this has really been nice
having you here, Ruth.

I was just about to say
the same thing, Mabel.Mmm.

Mm-hmm.You know,
I got a Aunt Sissy Ruth.

She makes the best neck bones
you ever tasted.

Ooh, I have not
had good neck bones
since I moved up here.

Well, then, you know
what I'm gonna do?
I'm gonna get the recipe.

I'm gonna hold you to it.All right.

All right now.

Um, I'm just about
to make some coffee.

You want to join me?

That's mighty nice of you.

Sure.

[Tom]
Hey, baby.Yeah?

[Tom]
Who was that?

Go on back to sleep, Tom.

I'll bring up
your lunch later.

I tell you, she made
the best neck bones.

Mm-hmm.
The kind that you suck
all the meat out of?

All the meat, all the marrow--And the juices
running down your arm?

Listen, you suck
that neck bone so bad,

its mama starts to cry.Oh, stop it.

You know what I mean?Yeah.

[conversation continues]