A Thousand and One (2023) - full transcript

After unapologetic and fiercely loyal Inez kidnaps her son Terry from the foster care system, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability, in a rapidly changing New York City.

All right, mama.

You look well.

-Okay.

-I do?

Yeah, you do. You look nice.

-It's a lot.

-It is a lot.

Your back is gonna

start to hurt.

You gon' get bigger.

This ain't nothing yet.

Let me tell you right now,

this ain't nothing, right.

Your feet gon' swell.

-You like isolation, huh?

-They always do

this shit every fucking day!

I'm tired of it!

-You gotta talk

to your baby. -Yeah.

What, you want

a special invitation?

Get your ass in the line.

Let's go!

Oh, shut the fuck up

before I come over there!

Ain't no damn way

you coming back up in here.

-Why not?

-Back up.

I was wondering

why the hell you disappeared.

Rap sheet as long as

the goddamn sidewalk.

I'm-a call the cops,

you keep standing there.

All right, well, then

give me my two weeks back.

-From a year and a half ago?

-Then give me my job back.

You know what?

Here. Here-here you go.

That good enough for you?

Is that Inez?

How you doing, mama?

I thought you moved

to another shelter.

No, you know, I was in Rikers.

They had me in there

for boosting and shit.

Can't wait for you

to get at this hair, though.

If I go get the dye, will you

please do it for me next week?

I really missed you, girl.

Yeah, and apparently

these roots, too.

What you been doing?

-What she been doing?

-Nothing, nothing.

Yes, the roots missed you, too.

Come on, Terry, hurry up!

Hey-hey-hey-hey.

You ain't getting

nothing from the store

if you keep acting like that.

Inez, whatever

happened to that scammer nigga

you was fucking with?

You ever hear from him?

We missed you, yo.

Terry.

You don't hear me calling you?

You don't remember me now?

Just let me see your eyes, T,

so I know you're not mad at me.

He not gonna answer.

I'm back across

the street at the shelter.

And, look, I'm staying

out of trouble this time.

I'm-a be around here

for good now.

You hear that, T?

Just want to make sure

you're doing okay.

Here. Get you another Icee.

Look, y'all keep this

between us, a'ight?

Don't let nobody know

I came by here.

Okay.

-You're pretty.

-See y'all around.

Man, stop flirting with people.

Hey! Hey-hey-hey! None of that!

Get up. Get up. Okay, let's go!

Everybody,

if you don't know how to act,

then we not coming to the park!

Turn around. Let's go!

I got the perms,

the hairs, the weaves!

-Fuck out the street!

-Wash and dry!

I know you want

that hair done.

Next time, I'm-a hit you!

Hey-hey-hey, ma-ma-ma-ma-ma!

Excuse me, excuse me,

excuse me.

Hold on. Slow down.

Hey, hey, you know

you want me to do your hair.

Bitch, move!

What the fuck is wrong with you?

Thank you, baby.

Hey, come here.

How are you?

I want to take this French roll

out and put me some length in.

Yeah, you know,

I do braids for 75.

-Call me.

-All right, I will.

My number's right there,

right there.

A'ight.

I'm about to ask y'all

a serious question.

Who is y'all best player

of all time?

Bro, what?

Michael Jordan!

-Shawn.

-Huh? Oh. Oh, hi.

How's your friend doing?

I need to know he's okay.

Terry not here no more.

Stop asking.

Well, figure out

a better answer.

Now, if I tell you,

what are you gonna give me?

-Here.

-Thank you.

Now, what's up?

He at the hospital.

The hospital?

Why? Wh-What happened?

Running from our foster mother.

Fell out the window,

hit his head.

Let me see.

It hurt?

You know you could've died

doing something like that?

What's wrong with

the one I gave you?

It's corny.

All right, well, then buy

your own fucking toy, then.

What you like?

Power Rangers.

Tell me more about

your foster mother.

You like her?

She probably gone anyway.

When I was in foster care,

stuff like this happened

all the time.

My sister

used to look out for me.

But she ran away.

Where's she at now?

I don't know.

I can't find her.

My family's gone, boo.

You left me

on the street corner?

Who would tell you

something like that?

Why the fuck would they

tell you some shit like that?

Get that out your head.

Hey, yo, what's up, ma?

What you doing?

Pushing my way. Where you going?

Wow, really?

Hold up.

Hold up, hold up, hold up.

Want to split this?

Yeah.

Okay.

Um, T...

...I just wanted

to come say bye.

Just-just for a little while.

Um, I think they gonna move you.

I don't know where yet,

but I'll see you soon.

Save my beeper number,

just in case,

till I find you, okay?

When?

I don't know yet.

Why you keep leaving me?

Well, that means

you have bad luck,

because I'm about to do

a karate kick!

Pow! Pow!

Would it make you feel better

if you came to stay with me?

Just for a couple days?

Yeah.

♪ Oh, yeah, coming through

with my Shaolin crew... ♪

All right, we gonna go

to Harlem where I grew up at.

♪ Gimme St. Ides brew ♪

♪ In the midst of broken

bottles and crushed up cans ♪

♪ Meth Tical's in the jam,

oh, how dry I am ♪

♪ With St. Ides in my system ♪

♪ Crack another, I'm blessed,

let's go get the next one ♪

♪ And get over,

the object is to stay sober ♪

♪ Lay on the sofa ♪

♪ Better yet,

dial my chauffeur ♪

♪ Call me the Wallabee Champ,

stressed out ♪

♪ Could never be, son,

ricochet daily ♪

♪ Hit the deli for a cold one,

naturally blessed... ♪

Yo, look how big

this man's head is.

You want to see New York

turn into the suburbs?

-How's the pizza?

-Good.

Where's my dad at?

He's gone.

But you wouldn't have

liked him anyway.

I got somebody else in mind.

You miss your old friends?

They're not my friends.

Yeah.

Sometimes I feel like

I ain't got no friends either.

Except you.

Ugh.

How much longer?

How much longer?

We're sorry.

-How much... -Terry,

just give me a minute, please.

We gonna sleep out here?

-You want to?

-No.

All right, then shut

the fuck up and let me finish!

...and try your call again.

Sorry for cursing.

Damn, Terry!

Just go, go.

Go back to Brooklyn.

-Go back to Brooklyn!

-I don't want to go back!

I'll call your social workers

right now!

I want to stay with you!

Well, then stop crying

and look at me.

All you got is me. Okay?

I'll go to war for you,

you know that?

Do you understand that?

Against anybody.

Against this whole

fucked-up city.

They can try all they want.

They can try all they want,

but they not breaking us up

this time.

You want to find a new home?

Hmm?

Yes.

But I need to know

we in this thing together.

Tell me.

-We're in this together.

-Tell me!

We're in this together!

Hello?

Kim? Boo, it's Inez.

Oh, my God, thank God

you got the same number.

Listen, I'm uptown.

A'ight, y'all go sit

in the living room

while I talk to her real quick.

-Is that Ghetto Inez

in my living room? -Shh.

When did you start

hanging with her again?

She's with her son.

Please don't say anything.

She needs a place to stay.

Want to come say hi?

Girl, I'm tired.

For how long?

I don't know.

We'll deal with this tomorrow.

Good morning, sunshine.

If y'all are hungry,

I'm-a make breakfast downstairs.

Come on, dance with me.

Oh.

Look at you. Look at you.

You get your GED?

-Inside.

-Really?

Yo, that's fly.

Bruh, you get, like, excited

about the weirdest things.

I'm proud of you.

So what's your plan?

You up here for good or...?

I don't know.

I'm tired of

these catty-ass shops.

-Start your own.

-With what money?

What am I supposed to do

right now?

Me and my son need

something to eat right now.

Yeah.

You know, I've been meaning

to ask you about Terry.

So, you have him

with, uh, Lucky?

Me and Lucky were broken up

when I had T.

He still locked up?

Yeah.

I'll introduce them

when he gets out.

The city had him.

He's not supposed to be with me.

Yo, can't you get locked up

for some shit like that?

Not if you keep it to yourself.

It's safe with me.

Inez, we good.

Look at

the cute little dinosaurs.

-They look dumb.

-Okay, no, they don't.

Stop being mean.

She working?

I think she went

job hunting today.

You can't go to anybody's place

looking and talking like that.

And all that yakking.

Ma, she can borrow my stuff.

Terry, you like

the coloring books, baby?

Good.

You know, when I was your age,

my mother taught me how to read.

She spent a lot of time with me.

Well, let me get a, um,

a loosie, a Big Burst

and some sunflower seeds,

the nacho cheese ones.

...a six-year-old boy snatched.

Brookdale,

one of the city's most troubled

and underfunded hospitals,

reports the child was spending

one of his last mornings

in patient care.

Um, they talking about that kid

that got snatched in Brooklyn?

I don't know that story.

All right, um, matter of fact,

let me get a newspaper, too.

...information

to please call Crime Stoppers

at 800-577-1212.

-Jones residence.

-Yeah, Kim,

I need you to make sure

you keep Terry in your sight.

Don't let him out of your sight.

What?

Just keep him in the house.

-Inez, where are you?

-Just do it! Please, Kim!

I don't want nobody

asking questions.

-I got to handle some things.

-Of course.

-She say where she was at?

-Uh-uh.

Doesn't make no sense.

It doesn't take this long

to look for work.

You like to play games, Terry?

This is ridiculous.

So quiet.

Who's hiding in there?

Hmm?

I found work.

Come on, boo,

so you can try these on.

You like 'em?

They're too big.

You'll grow into them.

Why don't you take 'em upstairs.

♪ Even though ♪

♪ It's not my fault

that you're gone... ♪

Kim, check the stove

for me, please.

Okay.

♪ Pray for you, darlin' ♪

♪ Till you decide

to come home... ♪

Can you just at least act like

you see me here?

Exactly what do you expect

and want from me?

Showing up after being

God-knows-where...

Doing what I had to.

Like some kind of streetwalker.

What the fuck

did you just call me?

Shit.

Run that back again.

-Ma, Inez...

-You always treated me like

I'm not good enough

to be around your daughter.

Whatever you think of me,

just spit it out!

I don't think anything of you.

-What the-- Inez,

what's up with you?! -What?!

-What?!

-No! I'm fine.

Glass almost cut my foot.

Turning my house into

damn 125th Street.

-Ma.

-No, no.

♪ That love walks through

open doors... ♪

The hell are you teaching

that little boy up there?

22 years old,

acting like a child.

You want to be taken serious,

be from Harlem, not of Harlem.

So that's it?

You don't have

nothing else to say?

-I said I was...

-To me!

Was I wrong? Yes.

But what else

do you want me to say?

That I'm nothing?

A streetwalker?

You can't keep fighting

everyone you disagree with.

We got to grow up.

Okay, look, my mom's gonna be

who she's gonna be, but, like...

But, like, what?

When are you going to realize

that you are enough?

Who cares what she says?

Why even let

any of that shit get to you?

Sh...

She said I was a bad mother.

Come here. Come here.

She forgets you don't have one.

Hey, you.

You better get that chip

off your shoulder.

I know you hear me.

Come on.

All right, promise me

you're gonna be good for Mommy?

T, don't go up.

We don't really know

anybody here.

I lied.

Don't look at me like that.

Get off me.

-Why you being mean to me?

-'Cause you keep fucking up!

Ow!

Who said you could

talk to me like that?

-I liked them! -Okay, well,

yeah, what about me?

What about me, Terry?!

Some shit is more important

than some coloring books.

I didn't mean to hurt you.

Wait right here.

Hey, this is Wanda.

Leave a message after the beep,

and I'll call you back.

-Hello?

-Hi. This Cynthia?

-Who this?

-Listen, I need a favor.

-What? -Yeah, the building

that I'm living in,

it got asbestos,

and they cleared everybody out.

Inez, I'm sorry.

You can't stay here.

The number

you are calling is no longer

in service.

-Hello. -It's

your old hairdresser, Inez.

-You said who?

-Just give me the address,

-and we'll come by later.

Terry! -I did not say...

Terry, are you crazy?!

Where were you going?!

-Get off me! Get off me!

-Are you crazy?!

Our stuff was in there!--

I can't go back to that shelter.

How long you been

on the street?

Long enough.

Where are your people?

Gone.

Gone where?

You from up here?

I lost them.

Lost them how?

Yeah.

You and the rest of us.

My baby girl's still struggling.

Her son's about the same age

as your little boy.

Pea?

Pea?

You can take the little room

on the second floor.

Yes?

Clear your things from

Sadie's old room. Hmm?

-Okay?

-Okay.

And like I tell all my tenants,

try anything,

I keep a .44 ready.

Go show him where to go, baby.

Is this your house?

Ooh!

Mm. Mm-mm-mm-mm.

Mm. Girl.

It's nothing.

Does that mean

I don't have to pay you?

Well...

Girl, I feel like something.

-Thank you, sweetie.

-Mm-hmm.

I can't even get it this time.

Where does the rent go?

That-- No.

Just leave it right there.

Got him.

Yeah.

Oh, no, wait.

-You ever see her?

-Who? Oh, Crystal?

Yeah, your daughter.

She, um...

She's cleaned up a few times.

That's a battle I can't fight.

She'll come home for good

when she's ready.

By the way, if you're still

looking for better money,

uh, a friend of mine

might have a job for you.

Really? Where at?

Cleaning staff for a

nursing home on Jamaica Avenue.

-In Queens?

-Yes, Queens.

That's, like,

a two-hour train ride.

Well, do what you want.

Just don't waste any more time

feeling sorry for yourself.

Your generation don't know

just how good you have it.

Jaywalking

is a fact of life here.

No more, says Mayor Giuliani.

He plans to crack down

on pedestrians who cross

where and when

they're not supposed to.

I'll walk where I want

to walk! Motherfucker...

Plan with me

to make the realistic changes

that will actually

make people's lives

better than they are right now,

and work hard with me

to apply these plans

to improve our city.

Improve these nuts!

GIULIANI

Dream, believe,

plan and work.

This is the foundation

for the process of change.

Say, "Hi, Mommy."

-Hey.

-Hi.

Tell Mommy

what books we read today.

Hey, girl.

The dash is missing.

Huh?

Never mind.

Yo, how much they charge you?

-350.

-Okay.

You did good, babe.

How you like the job?

I miss doing hair.

He back in school yet?

Hand me a screw.

Got to get a copy of his

birth certificate and all that.

I, um, started applying, too.

I'm going to Clark Atlanta

in the fall.

You leaving us?

I wouldn't say it like that.

I'm happy for you.

You could go back, too.

Even if it's, like, part-time

or something like that.

Yeah, someday.

All right, baby.

You got cereal and milk.

Leftovers is in the fridge.

And don't heat it up

for over 60 seconds,

'cause if you do,

your mouth will get burnt.

And do not answer the door

for anybody.

If the phone rings,

wait for the answering machine

to come on to see if it's me.

Okay?

I'll be back from work

around 6:00.

Okay?

Be good, boo.

Today, the streets are

even more dangerous

than you think.

You like flying?

I got something

that'll really make you fly.

So talk to your kids

about drugs, or...

Quincy Jones

has made his mark in music

as a composer,

conductor and arranger

during a time

when it was almost unheard of

for a Black composer

to do a Hollywood movie.

The imagination's always been

a comfort zone,

safety zone really,

because it's something

that you run to

and make it anything you want...

This house look...

Everything okay?

Why nobody looking for me?

Because we made it

too hard for them.

That was the whole point,

remember?

Come here.

Hey.

Look.

I don't know

what the fuck to tell you, T.

But there's more to life

than fucked-up beginnings.

You're not holding it right.

Hey, talk to me nice.

I got this.

You ready?

You ready-ready?

Yeah!

You did it! You did it!

You did it!

You gonna throw it

all the way over...

Throw that thing

better than that.

Now you just being lazy.

You ready?

-Yeah.

-Mm-hmm.

Mm.

Oh! Okay, yeah, you did it.

I never had my own room

growing up.

You want to try?

Who lived here before us?

I don't know.

A bunch of immigrants.

-And before them?

-I don't know, baby.

We can go to the library

and look it up.

Down and up. Down...

Who's that?

This is me.

When I was first coming out

of the group home.

Cute little thing.

My body was a playground

for a thousand niggas

-before you came along.

-That's nasty.

Hey, I got more of us,

but things get lost

when we moving around so much.

-Yo. Open up.

-Hold on, hold on.

It's Rudy.

-Hello.

-Hey.

Don't be mad I'm late.

Some of the papers

took longer to get.

What if he needs

to go to the doctor?

Just show up and say he's sick.

-And I got this from the city

so it looks legit. -Okay.

Hotbox, numbers.

-Whatever you need, hit me up.

-Okay.

-Okay?

-Okay.

Okay, I went with Daryl,

last name Raymond.

We just moved in from Jersey.

Your middle name is Terry.

I don't like it.

Hey, Kim.

Daryl Raymond.

Three, two, one. Now!

That's him?

Why you standing there

looking scared?

Neighbor down the hall walks

him home for me after school.

Terry, I want you to meet Lucky.

Hey, Lucky.

What's up, little man?

Lucky's gonna be

moving in with us.

For how long?

Damn.

Little nigga trying

to kick me out already.

Come here.

What's this cut on your face?

Let me get one

for good luck, babe.

Let me get one for good luck.

Mm, mm-mm-mm.

You can get a shot.

You want a shot?

Come on, you can get a shot.

Go ahead. Take a shot.

Terry! Terry!

Yeah, get it, Pea!

-Pea, out! Pea, out!

-Not in my kitchen!

-Not in my kitchen!

-Look at the D.

Look at the D!

Good job, Pea.

-Shoot!

-I'll... I'll take it.

-Let me get another.

-No.

Pass it.

Want to go again?

What's wrong?

Where was he before?

How many times

you gonna ask me that?

Till I get an answer.

He belongs with his mother.

Nobody's even looking for him.

Course they're not

looking for him

because they're looking for me.

And every other nigga round here

with a target on they back.

Hey, how many times I been

locked up for you, Lucky?

I just got out, man!

Trying to move on

from all that shit.

Do you remember

what it felt like

to grow up without a father?

I just want us to be a family.

That's all.

That's not my fucking kid.

I just wanted you.

But you fucked-up in the head.

Yeah, nuts for thinking

you would fucking understand.

I didn't sign up for this shit.

"You are not a cow.

You are not a boat

or a plane or a snore."

-"Snort."

-"Snort."

Stop.

"You are not a boat."

-"Or-or..."

-"Or a plane

-or a snort."

-"Snort."

"You are a... bird?

And you are my mother."

Yeah.

"And you are my mother.

And you are my mother.

And you are..."

I literally saw you

look at her with my own eyes.

Is it 'cause

she lighter than me?

-'Cause her hair's nicer?

-You're too sensitive.

Well, then just be sensitive

to my sensitivity.

Where'd you stay

this whole time?

Was posted up with Mike.

-That bike not hot, is it?

-No.

One.

All right,

I need another can of broth.

Come on, let me do that

after the game.

No. Can you go now?

And why don't you take

Terry with you?

How you doing, Lucky?

I'm good, 'Licia.

How you doing, shorty?

You should call me.

Do me a favor.

Walk on this side of me.

It's for your protection.

You always this quiet?

Sometimes.

And what you thinking about?

Well, it sounds like a lot.

How did you get that name Lucky?

Made a few mistakes, that's all.

That's a story for another time.

-And I'm a mistake, too?

-Who told you that?

It's why you don't

want me around.

That's not true.

You're a blessing.

For your mom especially.

Everything is just...

...just complicated.

A'ight? Come on.

How'd you get that one?

Guy cut me with a knife.

Why?

He wanted something I took.

You see this one right here?

See it?

On the East Side,

everybody hide

they box cutters right here.

It hurt?

Yeah, a little bit.

Everything's changing.

A couple of years from now,

we're not gonna have to worry

about this at all.

What do two crooks know

about raising a family?

Yeah!

Let me get a picture.

Girl, he holding you

like he love you, okay?

Terry, now!

And we on the block

right now celebrating.

Shout-out to the newlyweds,

-Lucky and Inez.

-Yes, girl, show me the ring!

Okay! All right!

What the ring like?

That's exactly what

we bringing here to the block.

Right here, right now.

Come get a plate.

Come get a cup.

Come get whatever you need,

and come rock out with your boy.

Come here.

You look good, ma.

You look good.

T...

...your mother's my wife now.

But I want you to know

from the bottom of my heart

that I'm here

for the both of you.

We blood now.

You scared I'm-a take her

away from you?

No.

Nobody's going anywhere

from this point on.

I promise to protect you

and your mother.

You understand?

Yes.

We're gonna give you

the life that we never had.

A'ight?

You hear me? Hmm?

Come here.

Up-up-up.

There we go. There we go.

Girl, you got you

a family now.

King of the world!

We got to get this.

Hold on. Hold on.

Here we go. Here we go.

-Oh, wait, wait, wait.

-Look at the camera, T.

-Look at the camera.

-Ready?

Say, "Family!"

Family.

I'm so happy for y'all.

Let me see.

What you want to hear?

That one.

If federal court

lets new zoning laws

take effect, starting today,

42nd Street will have to take

on a different look or else.

According to the mayor,

the crackdown

on low-level offenses

is a quality-of-life issue.

If you change, in fact,

the true nature

of the establishment,

then you probably have

a defense under the law.

-Yo, yo, turn it up!

-Today, at 11:00,

the police officer said

he sodomized Abner Louima

in the presence

of another officer,

although he did not implicate

any of the four

-other officers...

-On the streets here,

there are serious questions

about police practice and race.

-Shit's fucked-up!

-A young African immigrant died

when four plainclothes cops

shot him 19 times,

firing 41 bullets...

The shockwaves

are still being felt

in New York City tonight

following the acquittals

in the controversial trial.

An officer is

allowed to stop, question you.

If he develops any more

suspicions, he can frisk you.

So, really,

it should be described as

stop-question-frisk.

Yer.

What up, T?

Yer.

How you been?

I'm not starting freshman year

without no pussy, B.

Light skin, fatty, exotic,

hair down to the ass,

no medium to hot breath...

Nigga, them shorties

don't want you.

No, nigga, that's standards.

Don't fault me

for caring about my heart.

Go get that.

Nah, nah.

-I'm good.

-"Nah." Keep not listening.

I am listening!

See how they respond

to that nice shit, man?

-What's good with that?

-I just got my own style.

Since when is

"bum nigga" a style?

Hey, hey. You, you. Now.

Up against the wall, right now.

Yeah, just put

your hands where I can see 'em.

-Don't make any

sudden move. -Damn, bro.

Thought you looked older.

Daryl can be

a little aloof sometimes.

He daydreams a lot.

But overall

he's a very bright kid.

I was surprised to see

that you were his mother.

Most of our students here

aren't as articulate.

Oh, is that so?

To be honest,

Mrs. Raymond, um...

...I don't think

Daryl belongs here.

Have you thought about

applying to

the specialized high schools?

No.

I'd like you to meet Ms. Tucker.

Hi.

She's a counselor at

Tech, Science and Leadership.

I also run an outreach program

on the side

to get more students like Daryl

to take the test.

Would you be open

to that, Daryl?

If they got girls.

A lot of the kids

go on to MIT, Harvard.

It might take

some getting used to.

There wouldn't be

as many minorities.

Ma, you know

the Laundromat shut down?

Yeah, they sold the building.

So, where we supposed to go?

Go down to Ramirez.

What's a couple of blocks?

I don't like going over there.

Well...

We got stopped

by the cops again.

Um, were they looking

for someone?

I don't know.

Did they take your name?

No.

I'm just calling it out

so you know it ain't me.

Girl, and then he talk

about he want to move in.

I'm like, "Are you paying

half the rent?"

-Hey, girl. How you doing?

-Hey, girl, what's up?

Hello.

Girl, so, you know,

like, I'm a woman.

I shouldn't be paying rent

if a man stay here.

-You know what I'm saying?

-What's going on over there?

Girl, you know

they bought the building.

But anyway, girl, what you

think I should do, though?

You think I should,

like, split the rent?

Girl, I don't know.

Right,

'cause I ain't doing that.

-Ah!

-Scared me half to death.

-Here, let me get that.

-Any-Anything else?

Mom, I'm hungry.

Well, then go to the store.

With what money?

I gave you money

earlier this week, Terry.

Come on.

Look, I only got

ten dollars to my name.

I'm giving you five.

Here.

You thought any more

about what she said?

-Who said?

-Your teacher.

Why does everything good mean

I got to go somewhere else?

Well...

You'll probably fit right in.

As soft as you are,

I'd rather that

than you chasing after Pea.

Speaking of him, I'm switching

to the night shift

so I can be here after school.

Make sure you're not

just running around.

What's up with you and Luck?

Excuse me?

Y'all not talking or something?

Stop trying

to change the subject.

Listen.

I'm not saying you got to go.

But at least think about it.

I'll buy you

a new pair of Jordans.

In each portion,

you will have approximately

ten minutes per section...

Ooh.

What, you want me to pull up

there with you or something?

'Cause you acting

mad pussy right now.

Anything else?

Yeah, where can I call you?

Simone, quit playing.

A'ight, give me

your name on AOL.

"Unavailable222."

Wow, so I can't even

get to know you?

Yeah, get her, T.

Listen, there's nothing else

I need to know about you

or your little dirty-ass,

smelly-ass friend.

Stop acting like we ain't

doing you a favor, Midnight.

-Nappy-head-ass.

-Next customer.

Knew you wasn't getting that.

I ain't trippin' on her.

'Cause I already tried

four times.

-Got to be a dyke!

-Shut the hell up, Pea.

That's why I want one

of them Indian-looking girls.

Shoot, they fire.

Let me see. Let me see it.

Oh, my...

You got into Tech?

I don't see the big deal.

Thought all I had to do

was prove that I can get in.

I changed my mind.

Well, I didn't! I ain't going!

Boy, you know how hard

I'm busting my ass

to get you chances I never had?

You make me feel like

a damn fool.

-Be a fool, then.

-Boy!

I need you to talk some sense

into him.

Please.

Saying what, exactly?

That he should go

to a better school.

He doesn't want

to be controlled.

Who gives a fuck about

what he wants?

What does he need?

I don't know.

Matter of fact, I do.

It's you.

Like how?

You're too tough.

Okay. What else?

I'm listening.

Maybe if you quiet down some...

...he would actually hear

what you have to say.

Okay.

I don't even remember the

last time I raised my voice.

He'd do good at any school.

You used to like

when I got spicy.

"Try and be quiet."

"You should try and be quiet."

Right?

Quiet like when

you went missing for weeks

and I sat here and said nothing?

And never mind who you was with.

-See, there it go.

-If I get any more quieter,

I won't even have

a fucking voice at all.

You know, I'm not about

to sit here and argue with you.

That's real easy for you to say

'cause you get to be

the saint, right?!

You get to be the saint

while I'm stuck here

fighting these wars

all by myself!

-See how loud you're getting?

-What...

-Well, then fucking show up

for me, Lucky. -Fuck this shit.

Show up for me!

I wonder what'd happen

if I leave, too.

You scared.

Something's gonna happen.

I can feel it.

I can feel it.

Did he tell you he got stopped

by the cops again?

A few times.

Then let him use his other name.

He doesn't have an I.D.

That's not

the fucking point, Lucky!

Shit. I don't know, a'ight?

Day's bound to come

any-fucking-way.

Take care of your moms, T!

Where Luck going?

And you--

I'm-a say this one time.

You look at me when

I'm fucking talking to you.

It's either

you go to that school

or you find

somewhere else to live.

You hear me?

...where to push

and where not to push.

But I'm-a take but so much,

and she gon' take but so much,

so we compromise.

It works out for you guys.

So, you gonna get married or...?

-Uh... -All

right, all right, all right.

--That-That's

a whole nother show.

I'm sorry.

You had a comment. Yes?

You say you do it

for the attention.

There are other ways

of getting attention.

Don't-- doesn't it cost you

a lot of friendships

and relationships,

being a bitch?

Well, it has cost me

a lot of friendships

and a lot of relationships,

but I find in life

that sometimes

having a friend in yourself

is better than having--

worrying about

having people as your friends,

'cause no one's gonna

look out for you but you,

and I've learned that in life.

I've looked out for people,

you know, but...

You seem to make some sense.

I mean, I'm saying,

I-I have friends now.

They're bitchy like me,

so we get along.

We-- I'm serious.

We understand each other.

And, like, I'm-I'm generous...

-They got

a little dog pound. -Right.

And I help, I help out

some of my family members

as well as they help me.

But they also know

where to push my buttons

and where to go also,

as Paul said.

Okay, yes?

I know

I like to get what I want,

but I think there are

other ways to do that.

That only makes people...

Come shoot some hoops with me.

I'm about to go to the store.

Come here.

You need some money?

-Ma gave me some.

-Here.

Take it anyway.

A man should always have

some money in his pocket.

So, um, where you been at?

I needed some time

to clear my head.

Feels like it's been a lot

longer than that this time.

Y'all breaking up or something?

Want to shoot?

Your mother ever tell you

how we met?

No.

She used to work

at this coffee shop

that closed down

a few years ago.

I used to get my hair cut

right across the street.

I'd go in, I'd order me

a bagel or whatever,

but I'm still not sure

how I'm-a kick it to her.

And ended up

telling her the truth.

That she was

the most beautiful woman...

...that I ever seen.

Were you nervous?

I just felt like

she should know.

But something told me

to go back, right?

This is when I had

my other bike.

A few days later, I said,

"Let me take you for a ride."

We been rocking ever since.

T...

...don't get caught up

in none of this shit

that you see around here.

Have I ever?

Took me too long to learn that.

I don't want

to see you fall into

the same traps

as me and your mother.

I want you to make

better choices than me.

When it comes to her.

When it comes to everything.

I, uh...

I got into

the specialized high school.

Oh, yeah?

-So what you gon' do?

-I don't know.

What you think?

It's not up to me, T.

You getting older now.

Time for you to start

thinking for yourself.

What?

I love you.

You hear me?

Yeah.

Check up.

Oh, got it.

Psst, psst.

Ayo, ma!

What are you doing here?

I can't walk with my lady?

How was work?

Good.

Good morning.

Yo, you remember what it's like

when we were coming up?

I remember.

You should be proud

of yourself, Inez.

We made it.

You don't seem happy.

Think Terry resents me?

Teenagers hate everybody.

But I do sense

a little void in him.

First couple years of his life,

he ain't have nobody.

Kid's still walking around here

with a broken heart.

Maybe it's time for y'all

to have that conversation.

Give him some of the answers

that he been looking for.

Yeah, I'll know

when the time's right.

Um...

I was thinking,

when Terry goes off to school,

maybe I'll get

to doing hair again.

Maybe open up a shop.

Can't wait.

Thank you.

Citizens, I am honored

and humbled to serve

as the 108th mayor

of the City of New York.

As Toni Morrison has said,

"New York is

the last true city."

And it is the vitality

of our neighborhoods

that define us.

In the next four years,

I will devote myself

to building a better New York--

safe, strong

and ready to lead the world

in the 21st century.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I, Michael R. Bloomberg,

mayor of the City of New York.

Do solemnly swear.

-Do solemnly swear.

-That I will...

So, um...

so, which one you, uh...

which one you want to hear?

Let me hear that one.

It's mad old, though.

Old?

The fuck is The Delfonics, B?

Why don't you pass me

that one right there.

-Yeah, who?

-Yeah.

What does it say?

The sample.

Wasn't too old for the Fugees.

Oh, come on.

You don't even know

your own taste.

Yo, these shits is, like,

mad random, though, like...

Yo, you deadass a old head.

Like, what are you

talking about?

Cassettes in here.

What's going on?

Come on.

T.

Hey, I want you

to hang on to that.

That way, you can take your time

flipping through everything.

So, which college

you decided on?

I don't know yet.

You should be more excited.

Nah.

-I am.

-A'ight.

Well, go somewhere far.

You know, my era...

...we ain't get

those kind of shots.

Yeah.

Maybe.

Go on and show off

that legacy of Harlem.

Hi. I'm Jerry.

Uh, I'm your new landlord.

The lady across the hall said

that your husband has cancer.

Really sorry to hear that.

It's all right.

So you own those buildings

across the street, too?

Yeah. Yeah.

Everything working okay?

Heat coming up?

Hot water? All that?

I actually just realized

that, um,

I got a few loose tiles

around my shower area.

Oh, yeah. Let's go look at it.

Uh-oh.

Something happen here?

Yeah.

We tried to fix it a few times,

but it keeps falling off.

-Oh, I can fix this for you.

-Really?

Yeah. This is no problem at all.

Um... wow.

Maybe some new cabinets, too,

because these have to be

at least 20 years old.

-Have you met Javier?

-Who?

-Uh, the new super.

-No.

Okay, let me see

when I can get my guys in here

to take care of all of this,

and then also your...

also your tiles, okay?

-Thank you.

-Yeah. You got it. No problem.

Hey.

Anybody else come by?

How you feeling?

We talked about his schools.

♪ Oh, just to feel

your heated body ♪

♪ Pressing next to mine ♪

♪ Ooh, sweet delight... ♪

Simone?

Can you wipe down 84 and 83?

Try not to look so pitiful.

♪ Melt me down

in your deliciousness ♪

♪ Sugarcoat me, baby ♪

♪ With every touch ♪

♪ Keep the feeling coming... ♪

We're here for the repairs.

Thank you.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Uh, where at?

-Over there to the right.

Ah, I see.

-See that one right there?

-There.

♪ Might live on a distant star ♪

♪ But no matter where you are ♪

-♪ Music ♪

-♪ There's music ♪

♪ Music ♪

♪ Sweet, sweet music ♪

♪ Music ♪

♪ Mm-hmm ♪

-♪ Music ♪

-♪ Music ♪

♪ Music, music ♪

-♪ We like all kinds of music ♪

-♪ Music ♪

♪ Music ♪

♪ When things get bad ♪

♪ A simple song

will make you glad... ♪

Manna's. Simone speaking.

Oh, uh... S-Simone?

Yes?

Oh, um... yeah, I just, um...

Yeah, I-I just wanted

to let you know

I think you're the most, uh...

...well, you're the most,

uh, b-beautiful girl,

you know, uh,

or whatever, you know.

I was just trying

to see if you...

Would you please

stop fucking calling here?

I'm working.

Well, call me tonight, then.

Fine.

To stay or to go?

Look. The whole sink is gone.

Look at the hole by the shower.

It wasn't so big at first,

but more fell down this morning.

All we got left is

the kitchen sink.

Yeah, I know. I know. I know.

Let me show you the kitchen.

No, no, uh, I already,

I already saw it.

Um...

Inez, this, this is my...

this is my mistake.

The guys, they thought

this was a full flip,

like some of the other units,

so I'm happy to have them

come back in and finish up,

and I won't charge you

anything or...

Okay, yeah,

just let me know the day.

I can stay home from work

or Terry could be here

if it's after school.

Well, we'd actually need you to,

uh, to clear out

of the apartment.

'Cause there's-there's

just too much damage.

I mean,

everything's got to get lifted.

Like how long?

I-I mean, as long as it t--

you know, until it's done.

A couple months.

What are we supposed to do

in the meantime?

-Calm down.

-Don't tell me to calm down.

Like two adults, okay?

There's no reason here

to get loud.

We have no bathroom,

no shower, Jerry.

We have no stove, Jerry.

Is-- there's not, like,

a family member

or a friend you could stay with?

Well, this building is too old.

I come in and fix something,

I got to come back a couple

months later and do it again.

You know, this way,

we come in here,

we replace everything

all at once.

There's got to be

another option.

Or you-you could leave.

My hands are tied.

Give me a call.

Let me know what you decide.

Yo, why you ain't fight him

on that?

♪ Yo, Cass, what up, son? ♪

♪ What's going on, playboy? ♪

♪ How's it looking over there? ♪

♪ Yo, I got me a good one

and all that ♪

-♪ Oh, okay, okay ♪

-♪ What's up with you? ♪

♪ You know I got me

something lovely, too ♪

-♪ You know how we do it ♪

-♪ You know how we like 'em ♪

♪ Man, super official, right? ♪

♪ All day,

if it ain't official ♪

♪ I ain't fucking with her ♪

-♪ That's right, son ♪

-♪ Ha-ha, yeah ♪

♪ It's usually the beauty

that attract me ♪

♪ But perhaps she was

the right person ♪

♪ Her personality

made me happy... ♪

Hey, yo, um...

Can you walk

on the other side of me?

Hmm?

It's for your protection.

♪ And I can charm a computer,

for us to conversate ♪

-Come on.

-♪ All it take ♪

♪ To make an impression,

like a teacher lecturing ♪

♪ When I'm speaking,

she taking lessons ♪

♪ But every time

we argue and fight ♪

♪ I feel like I'm dying... ♪

Think you put enough?

You know you want one.

Why you always acting all stank

whenever we come around?

That's not a act.

Your friends are dumb as fuck,

especially Pea.

"What you gon' do

about that kitchen?"

"Damn, when you gonna eat

some more meals?"

-"Wow! What up, Midnight?"

-A'ight, a'ight.

I get it. I get it.

I'm sorry.

I know those are your friends.

Is that how you are, too?

You see me here, right?

I'm not here for anybody

trying to make me hate myself.

So how'd you miss

a year of school

and still end up at Tech?

You like it?

It's okay.

Okay? And? What else?

What don't you like about it?

I don't know.

Just don't.

There's nothing wrong

with being smart, you know.

We could use a few more

engineers around here.

I just don't care about

none of that, though.

Okay, so what you want to do?

Uh, I mean, I like

a lot of things, you know.

Uh...

Right now, I'm...

I'm into music.

You want to rap?

Nah. Like...

Like, uh...

You-you ever seen The Wiz?

Yeah.

Yeah, like, stuff like that.

Um, this Black dude,

uh, Quincy Jones,

he, uh, did the whole score

for the movie, you know.

Did some other movies, too.

Like a composer.

Yeah. Yeah.

PS, I know who Quincy Jones is.

You should be

in some art school.

You could go to Juilliard.

I can help you figure out

what it takes.

No.

Kids trying to get in there

have been training for years.

Well, where'd Quincy Jones go?

He didn't go to school.

I want to see you again.

I should be honest with you.

Um... I'm moving

in a couple weeks.

To my uncle's in Florida.

This white guy was trying

to help us save the house

but took the deed or something.

But we can

keep in touch, though.

I'm gonna miss Harlem.

What's her name?

I don't know

what you talking 'bout.

So who's the girl

I saw you hanging out with?

Just a girl, Ma.

Well, is she your girlfriend?

What...

Come on. You know I like

Spanish girls, Ma.

Pardon me?

What, she look too much like

you for you to take seriously?

You know what, little boy?

I love you.

I really do.

But I'm starting

not to like you anymore.

Now, what's this all about?

Showing up late,

not handing in your work.

Something's on your mind.

I said I'm fine.

What's going on with college?

You make a decision yet?

Daryl?

-Not yet.

-And why's that?

You discuss it with your mother?

Yeah.

A little.

You know this is a safe place.

How have things been at home

since your father got worse?

They, uh... they don't think

he's gonna come home.

I'm sorry to hear that.

I think the landlord's trying

to push us out or something.

Do you want to come work

with me at CCA?

I run the after-school program.

Part-time, a few hours.

How much it pay?

Enough to help.

You do good, we'll work on

something better this summer.

I don't need

working papers from you

since you're turning 18 soon.

Just ask your mother

for your birth certificate

and Social, okay?

Um...

Thank you, Ms. Tucker.

I'm happy to help.

Yo, Ma?

Hey, hey, hey. Hey, hey.

Okay, breathe.

Okay, okay. Okay.

Maybe you should try

and eat some food.

Yeah?

-I'm not hungry.

-Okay.

Why do you love me?

The same reason everybody does.

That's not an answer.

I want to know why.

You should...

You should probably stop talking

and get some rest, okay?

I never really knew

where it came from.

Or whether or not...

...whether or not I deserved it.

Maybe that's why I never...

...I never fully gave it back.

Now I wonder...

...I wonder if it's too late.

Damaged people don't know

how to love each other.

That's all.

T, sit down.

I need to talk to you

about a few things.

Um...

Before Lucky got sick,

we wanted to have a

conversation with you about...

I don't want to talk to you

about Lucky.

It's not about him.

Yo, I don't want to talk to you

about anything!

Yeah?

Only thing I ever wanted

more than a mother

was a fucking father!

Maybe...

Maybe if you,

if you weren't so hard on him,

walking around here

so miserable all the time,

he'd still fucking be here.

You don't mean that.

♪ Every now and then ♪

♪ I'm so high ♪

♪ Knowing there's a chance

I'll see you ♪

♪ Feel like I could fly ♪

♪ 'Cause tonight

I will be near you ♪

♪ We'll be one ♪

♪ We'll be alone... ♪

Yo, Ma.

-Ma.

-What?

This lady over there,

she keep looking over here.

Who is that?

That's Lucky's daughter

and her mother.

Make 'em a plate.

She's what?

We'll talk about it later.

♪ And let me enjoy you ♪

♪ I know it's time

you were leaving... ♪

Fuck!

Terry!

Ma, what happened?

Come move this stuff!

One of the pipes!

I g-- I got it.

Ma! Yo.

Come on, come on.

Sweetheart.

You seen Javier?

-Who?

-The-the super.

Oh, um, not since yesterday.

Sorry.

Daryl, we need to talk.

Your paperwork was denied.

What?

The Social Security number

you gave me isn't valid.

I'm glad I caught it

before somebody else did.

I-I forgot.

It-it expired.

That's not how it works.

So, then wh-- that mean, like,

I don't get the job or...

Well, before I can even

look into any of that,

we need to sort out how

you ended up with phony papers.

Did you really ask your mom?

Sh-She don't,

she don't have 'em.

You're from here, right?

-Wh-What you mean?

-Born in the States.

Uh, y-yeah.

Nah, yeah, yeah.

Well... this could mean

a lot of hell for you.

To get a job, to-to do anything.

I mean, it's still probably,

you know, like, with the city.

Fr-From when

I was in foster care.

Hmm.

Oh, I have a friend down in

Social Services who can help.

No, no, it's cool,

it's cool, it's cool.

It's-it's all good.

It's all good.

We just-- It's all good.

Hey, Janice.

Listen, I need a favor.

I have a student here

-whose paperwork is...

-Hey, no, no.

Hey, yo-yo, Ms. Tucker, come on!

It's all, it's all good.

Um...

Uh, they don't, they don't know

I'm-I'm with my mother.

-You know?

-And why is that?

Who are you supposed to be with?

Um...

Have you told anyone else

about this?

-Nah.

-Is Daryl your real name?

If you lied on your college

applications, it's a felony.

It's Terry!

It's-it's T--

it's Terry Wallace.

How long ago did this happen?

When-when I was little.

I was a social worker for years.

If the city

didn't want to give you back,

it's likely because

something happened.

Regardless of what, you are

still a ward of the state.

By law, I have to report this.

Oh, do-do... do any of that

even matter, though?

Um, you know, I'm finna be 18

in a few weeks, you know, so...

I can't keep this to myself.

I have to speak with

your mother.

Can-can I talk to you?

It'd be nicer if you could help.

What happened?

What does it look like, Terry?

Called the super ten times

since yesterday.

It's about the job

with Ms. Tucker.

Sh-She, um, sh-she want

my birth certificate

and my Social.

The real one.

What do you mean, the real one?

Um, the papers I found in your

room, they-they didn't work.

What do you mean, the papers

you found in my room?

You went through my stuff?

Why wouldn't you ask me?

I didn't know I had to!

She want to come by tomorrow

evening and talk to you.

For what?

Well, I-I mean, I don't know.

What was I supposed to say?

I don't know how the hell

we gonna get ahold of those.

Come with me outside. I...

I need to smoke.

Starting to smell in here.

You wanted to leave me.

No.

No, Ma.

Why would you say

something like that?

Forget it.

What time

your teacher coming tomorrow?

Around 6:00 or something.

I think.

T, you should probably see

if you can, um,

stay with Pea and Miss Annie

a little while,

till they finish

working on the apartment.

Where you gonna go?

I'll figure it out.

I'll go to your school tomorrow

and get everything

straightened out with, um,

Ms. What's-Her-Face.

Yo, Ma?

Yo, hey, Titi. What's up?

Um...

Yeah, you, um, you heard

from my mother yet?

Nah, y-- I been, um, I-I been

trying to call her all morning.

No, she, um...

Yeah, just, um...

Yeah, just give me

a-a call back when-when you do.

H-Hey, y-yeah.

Yeah, Aunt Kim. H-Hold on.

Let me, uh...

hey, no, let me, uh,

let me give you a call back.

Hi, Terrance.

Is your mother home?

Um...

Uh, n-no.

She left for work already?

Yeah, uh... I think so.

Do you mind if we come in

and talk for a bit?

Uh...

Y-Yeah.

I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah.

-Okay.

-Thank you.

-Uh, this is Anne.

-Hey.

And this is Officer Philips,

Officer Russo.

May we have a seat?

How long ago did she leave?

Yesterday evening.

What was

the last thing she said to you?

Did she say anything

out of the ordinary?

Anything unusual?

W-Well...

not that I remember.

Uh, everything seemed fine.

Excuse me, sir,

could you, could you,

could y'all, you know,

not go through all our stuff?

Terrance, we really need

your cooperation on this.

Uh, she-she, like, gonna

get in trouble or something?

You know, 'cause, I mean, you

know, why does it even matter?

I mean, you know,

I'm almost 18, you know, so...

Um...

Well, about that.

It's difficult for me to say

what I have to say right now.

Inez...

is not your biological mother.

Uh...

Like some joke or something?

No, it's not.

This is the woman

who abducted you.

Whatever story she told you was

just a lie that she cooked up.

I am so sorry

you have to find out like this.

Are you sure

you don't know where she is?

Any ideas at all?

Give him some room, please.

For now, we need to focus on

what's best for Terry

moving forward.

What's best for me?

He doesn't have any known

relatives that we can trust.

That's all right.

We can place him at Sheltering

Arms for the time being.

It's a family services program.

It's...

I know what it is.

Just for a couple of weeks,

until we can navigate

next steps.

If that's all right with you.

I don't know if your parents

are still on the street,

but we can work on that.

Everything was

such a mess back then.

In my office, the only record

you had on some kids was...

...just an index card.

Hello?

Terry, is that you?

Yeah. Y-- Titi.

I stopped by the group home,

but nobody seems to know

where you are.

I'm-I'm at, I'm at a pay phone.

I-I can't stay there.

You want to meet me back here?

I want you to come stay with me.

-Yeah.

-Okay.

I think you should

stop by the house first,

pick up any last things you

might want to take with you.

Yeah.

I'll see you soon, baby.

Okay.

Okay.

Ma?

Hey, Terry.

What you, what you,

what you doing?

I left some things.

Look, don't stand over there

looking over me.

I'm sure they already got to

you, so feel free to run along.

Can we, can we talk, though?

Talk about what?

You serious right now?

Fine.

You want to talk, let's talk.

Fetch me my Newports.

-You was just over there...

-Over on the stand.

What you want me to say?

That I fucked up?

Yeah, T, I fucked up.

But life goes on. So what?

Well, as long as

it's your call, right?

Who was the one

who made the choice,

standing in that hospital?

Was it you or me?

Thinking you was

my fucking mother!

Lower your fucking tone!

You better watch

how the fuck you talking to me.

Did Lucky know?

Yes, he knew.

He didn't agree with it,

but he knew.

Why? Why you do it?

I don't know why I did it, T.

It was something small that

turned into something else.

And that's supposed to make it

right or something?

Who made you the chief

of right or wrong?

You don't think

I have feelings, too?!

After all those years

I took care of you,

who the fuck was there

to take care of me?!

I stood up for everybody else!

What the fuck was it for?!

Every chance you had,

every chance you had,

you turned your back on me!

-That's not true.

-Oh, please.

Nobody else give a shit

about Black women

except for other Black women,

and even that shit get messy.

Who heard me when I was hurt?

It wasn't you.

And it damn sure wasn't Lucky.

But you were my mother!

Hmm?

Now, how am I supposed to feel?

I need to know what was real.

I never left you on that corner.

I was the one that found you.

Little two-year-old running

around outside the shelter.

I waited outside on that block

for hours with you.

Waiting for anybody to show up.

I saw so much of myself.

I just... I just wanted

to look out for you.

I didn't want you

getting chewed up like I was.

I seen somebody who needed me.

But...

But maybe I'm the one

who needed you.

And, T, for that, I'm sorry.

I'm-I'm sorry.

I tried to change.

But I don't, I don't want it.

I don't want this.

Not if...

not if it's built on a lie.

Not if being loved by you

or anybody else

means not loving myself.

They not gonna let you

get away with it.

I ain't going to jail.

I already know what the fuck

they gonna say anyway.

Already know.

And guess what.

I don't give a fuck.

Because I still won.

I won.

Because I know you gonna

grow up to be somebody.

I wish I didn't know.

I wish, I wish

you could've did a better job

of keeping that lie to yourself.

I wish it could've continued

so that we could've continued,

and I...

...I wish I knew

how to be better to you

so you didn't feel like

you had to leave me alone.

'Cause I'm scared.

I'm scared that

I won't have no home no more.

And one day I'm gonna show up

and it's gonna feel like

we ain't never happened.

Ma!

Like this wasn't

our living room?

Our home?

I miss my bed, Ma.

The one that you made for me.

Where's home for me now?

This isn't goodbye.

I promise.

This isn't goodbye, T.

I promise.

I love you, Ma.

I love you.

I think you should go.

Okay, miss. Where to?