Alma's Rainbow (1994) - full transcript

-Ma?
-What is it, girl?

-Did you ever--?
-Girl,

don't ask me
anything I cannot answer.

What's in those books?

Get through school
in one piece,

have a pot to piss in,
a window to throw it out of,

and something left over
when it's all said and done.

Life goes on
with or without you.

Ma, did you stop having fun
when you were my age

or older?

(mellow jazz music)



I'm going, Ma.

You're almost late again.

You certainly don't
take after me.

(smooth jazz music)

(rattling)

(indistinct remarks)

(footsteps)

(paper rustling)

Again, Rainbow?

My dear, this is
the third time this week.

Feisty little devil, isn't she?

I think her mother
will be interested in

just how feisty
Ms. Rainbow Gold is.

Anyway, I hope
we don't end up in the book,



and frankly I am sick
of all of these women

leaving the convent,

writing books
that tell everything.

I mean, who cares?

Have a nice day, Sister.

Same to you.

(upbeat hip-hop music)

-New Black music
-Blast

Black music

-Black music
-Blast

Black music

-New Black music
-Blast

Sound came before me

James Brown,
Jimmy (indistinct)

(indistinct)
up in my sound system

-Blast
-Black music

Music on another plane

We can't be bought,
can't be sold

Can't be bought,
the music where the power is

So take my axe,
throw it up in the mix

This ain't no game,
music on another plane

-This is serious
-Black music

Blast

Black music

-Black music
-Blast

New Black music

Music (indistinct)
you feel the groove

(indistinct lyrics)

Hyper tone, harmelodics,
supersonic tone

Freakified from the rhythm
that'll rock your dome

The rhythmic dream

The freshest sound
you ever felt or seen

So take this new sound,
put it in your pocket and walk

'Cause it can't be taught

Freakified from the rhythm
that'll rock your dome

Hey yo, this is nothing.

Wait, you don't get none,
Pepper.

You almost messed us up again,
you and your size-27 feet.

Hey yo, why don't you
get off my back, Rain.

-Ain't you gotta go?
-Listen, all I'm saying

is you're not
using your feet right.

I mean,
don't you remember anything?

Huh, maybe we need
some new outfits or something

'cause this T-shirt
sure don't fit right no more.

Look, you know what,
we need some new moves.

So my moves
ain't good enough for you?

So you take a few dance classes,

so what, you want a medal
or a chest to pin it on?

Listen, I do deserve a medal
much as I save your ass.

Anyway, Breeze,
you up to new moves, right?

Hey yo, you keep this up,
you ain't coming to my party.

I don't wanna go to your party.

I have to sit up there
the whole night

and listen to you talk
about girls' body parts

and how you're gonna turn 'em
every which way but loose.

Okay, so the next girl I see,

I'll ask if I can
feel on her brain.

-Hey, Pepper.
-Hi, Sea Breeze.

Ms. Cynthia, Ms. Nzingha,
my, my, my.

Hey yo, Rain, square business,

how come you ain't got
no titties yet?

Hey yo, my brother, let's go,
the thoroughbreds have arrived.

Girl, you're looking good.

Yo, Breeze, man,
we need new moves.

Okay, Rainbow.

-Black music
-Blast

Black music

I thought you weren't going to
have your hair straightened

with a hot comb no more, Rita.

That's what I thought,
but the perm takes my hair out.

Not in my shop it doesn't.

Ms. Rita went to one of them
high-price hair care centers.

What on Earth for?

To pull a man.

-Did not.
-Claims to be a hairdresser.

You wearing a wig
to the party tonight?

We're gonna have
a photographer there, you know?

Y'all wouldn't be so hard on me

if you could at least
see the man.

Lord.

Oh, give me strength.

He is drop-dead fine.

Good, 'cause he doesn't know
a thing about hair.

Him left half of yours
upon the floor.

(laughing)

I hear you have a cricketer
who can't control them balls.

Doesn't have to.

He's a batsman.

Better to be a batsman
than a bowler

any day of the week.

Hopefully he can control
him stick.

(laughing)

Uh, excuse me,

I was just
delivering to Ms. Gold.

Lapis White,

otherwise known as Blue.

(mellow jazz music)

Hi there, ladies.

(globe clattering)

(indistinct) just right.

I wanted to catch you
(indistinct).

Funny, they don't
make them no more.

Fixed a new piece myself.

(chuckling)

Yep, can't tell the difference.

It was supposed
to be here a week ago.

Well, there's no extra charge.

(footsteps)

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

(globe rattling)

Excuse me.

(clattering)

(footsteps)

Good day, ladies.

Good day.

Good day.

(laughing)

(water streaming, vocalizing)

You're not in yet?

That your party dress?

Look like you're
going out door to door

to ask for money for a church.

(water sloshing)

Why do people say
I look like a tomboy?

A lot of people
ought to mind their own business

and pray their own children
grow up in one piece.

-I mean other kids, Ma.
-Who?

The ones pregnant or unemployed?

Better smart than pretty.

Can't you be both?

Girl, get into the tub
before you make me late.

I need some privacy.

(snickering)

You hardly have anything
to be private about.

(purse snaps closed)

Okay, everybody,
raise your glasses high

for our dear friend Alma Gold

who turned this into a place

where the women can rest
them feet and regroup

before having to
deal with the rest of you.

(laughing)

(cheering and clapping)

(upbeat music)

(mellow music)

Smile, Alma Gold.

(photo snapping)

What exactly do you do,
Mr. Lapis White?

Handyman.

Thank you.

And how's my little girl?

Quite grown, thank you.

William B. Underdo III,
mortician.

My family has served
this community

for over 50 years.

Oh, I--I see,
you got new pictures.

You are?

(overlapping remarks)

-Stop.
-Come on and sing,

come on, girl.

(overlapping remarks)

Go on and sing, girl.

(clearing throat)

(sighing)

You make us feel so beautiful

Thank you, Alma Gold

For being you

Oh, that was nice.

That was great.

Goose.

Alma, that handyman
would do you good.

He's not my type.

With due respect, my love,
nobody ever is.

What am I gonna do
with a handyman, Babs?

I know what I'd do.

Let me count the ways.

Alma Gold,
you is a good-looking woman.

Time to move on.

For once I would like to have
a doctor, a lawyer, a mayor,

or just an independently
wealthy somebody.

Child, that don't say nothing.

Half of them so stiff
them can't even get down.

You take their money,
catch a cab,

and go look for the handyman.

I'm talking
about security, Babs.

Security, you want security?

Feel your heartbeat.

You not had a piece
in such a long time.

You wouldn't know your type
if it walked through the door.

I beg your pardon, Miss.

You ready?

(upbeat music)

(dishes clattering)

(overlapping remarks)

You don't remember me?

Of course.

You look--

You look different, Miles.

Hm.

And you look...

...different, too.

(chuckles)

Hello, Miles.

-Hi.
-I have no interest

in seeing my grandchildren now.

Is that clear?

Yes, ma'am.

(sighs)

(car radio playing pop music)

(footsteps)

Come on now,
everybody smile now.

(overlapping remarks)

Uh, excuse me, um,
what's your name?

William Barrymore Underdo III.

Right, uh,
could you change places

with this lady right--?

No, uh, ma'am,
you in the orange scarf,

could you take his place?

And could you step forward,
please?

That's right, and--and, uh,

could you step back
a little bit?

A little bit farther.

-A little bit farther.
-Again?

A little bit farther.

Little bit farther.

That's right, come on, y'all.

This is it.

(singing in French)

(humming)

Happy anniversary, sis.

After all these years,
I finally get plane sick.

Can you believe it?

Wouldn't care
if I see another cloud

for as long as I live.

Don't go on rearranging
on account of me.

I'm only gonna be here
for a little bit,

just to do a little show,
nothing big.

I've done bigger,
but when my manager

presented me with the offer,

I said, "Well, why not?"

I really would love
seeing the old place again,

not to mention
my one and only sister.

Mhm.

Oh, it really feels like home,

it really feels like home.

You know,
I would've come sooner,

but it was just
one thing after another.

You know me.

Hope you don't
hold it against me.

Hold what?

I'm just glad
to see you're all right.

10 years is a long time.

You didn't say much
on your postcards.

Why wouldn't I be all right?

(speaking French)

Oh, look at what you've done
with this place.

Mama and Daddy's old furniture
makes it all look so beautiful.

Oh, God, I miss them.

(sighs)

The house was left
to both of us.

Ruby.

I wasn't really sure
if you were coming this time,

so the place
is not ready for company.

Company?

Since when am I company?

Hey (indistinct)!

Look at you, all grown up.

Ain't seen you
since dog was a pup.

-You remember me?
-Mhm.

No, you don't.

I gave you your name, you know?

-I know some French.
-You do not.

Voulez-vous coucher
avec moi c'est soir?

(laughing)

Voulez-vous coucher
avec moi c'est soir?

Oh!

Oh yeah.

I got something for you, lady.

Here.

Oh, thank you.

(garments rustling)

-Ma.
-Oh, wow.

Happy anniversary.

This one's yours, too.

Thanks, Aunt Ruby,
this is great.

Mm.

(paper rustling)

(giggling)

Ruby.

(chuckling)

(paper crinkling)

You got anybody to wear it for?

Nope.

(chuckling)

Oh, Aunt Ruby!

(gasps)

Oh, this is beautiful.

Try on these old earrings.

They were a gift
from one of my suitors.

Oh, but you--

You need to
get your ears pierced.

-Are these real?
-Better be,

as hard as I worked to get 'em.

(chuckling)

You got any boyfriends yet, huh?

I'm trying to get her
through school

in one piece, Ruby.

Well, uh,

they might help her
with her studies, huh?

(giggling)

Oh, it's great to be home,
ma chère.

I love it, I love it, I love it.

I love you, Aunt Ruby.

Mwah!

(giggling)

(solemn music)

(mellow music)

Paradise

Oh yes

(alarm blaring)

I don't know
how you work for that man.

It's honest money
and it helps to pay the bills.

Called that cab company
three times, where are they?

I've got to get to rehearsals.

Uh, where's the number
for the limousine service?

Bonjour, madame.

It's been three weeks.

You know the routine.

The cab came and went.

I called you three times.

I told you you had to
be ready to go when he honks,

just like I do every morning

when you have to
go to rehearsal.

I'm just not used to
running outside

just because I hear a honk.

Let me call these people
and tell them to ring the bell.

À bientôt, madame.

(footsteps)

(sighs)

(doorbell jingles)

Kiss my neck.

(mellow music
with rhythmic vocalizations)

(car whirring)

(speaking French)

(speaking French)

(handle rattling)

(door closes)

(upbeat radio music)

(speaking French)

(speaking French)

(footsteps)

I enjoy your company.

I think you know that.

Do you still paint your toenails

in that color I like?

William B. Underdo,

I send you a check
on time every month

with interest.

Your idea.

I would have given you
that money for your business.

But no,
you had to make it alone.

(sighs)

(footsteps)

You are a fine hairdresser.

Cosmetologist.

I've been waiting,

hoping to see you at church.

I do my own praying
in my own way.

Now would you excuse me, please?

You got what you wanted,

and however brief,

I did get what I wanted.

Long enough
to make me want it again.

(footsteps)

(door creaking)

Girl, be glad you're dead.

(energetic jazz music)

(speaking French)

Hand up on the jeté.

Again.

Rainbow, you're late again.

You better
get your act together.

Did you see the notice
on the board?

You should try out for it.

That's if you can be on time.

Now get yourself together
or I'm not gonna let you back

into my class.

And out, all right,
(indistinct).

Around, uh-huh, and slide.

Mama mia.

Uh, madame.

S'il vous plaît,

do you know
where there's a phone?

Payphone, any kind of phone
around here, huh?

Do you know I live in Brooklyn?

I ride the train every day.

Hey, say he live in the Bronx.

You come and you ask me
for this tie,

you should be like,
"Let me hold that tie.

Something to remember you by."

You know why?

'Cause when you put a tie
on your head

nobody will talk to you, nobody.

And then you scare 'em,

you take off
your own clothes, yes.

(pensive music)

American (indistinct).

(footsteps)

I beg your pardon.

For your information...

(grunts)

...before I blow your ass
out of the water

and slap all the French
out of your mouth!

(phone slams)

(mellow music)

(car whirring)

When are you going to
change in those francs?

Daddy.

(door thuds closed)

...light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine

Let it shine

I was dreamin'

about how we used
to play in Daddy's garden,

and all the picnics
he used to do for us.

Where did all these flowers
come from?

Oh, some friends of mine
heard I was in town.

Where's Mama?

Mama?

Honey, she's been dead a while.

The jar on the mantle,
where is it?

You put Mama in that jar?

Dinner is served.

(vocalizing)

I'm gonna let it shine

This little light of mine,
I'm gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine,
let it shine

Forgive her, Mama.

You know she was always
the crazy one.

Ugh!

(laughing)

Girl, we'd hang
till 5:00 in the morning,

singing and dancing

with these fine
blue-black Cubanos.

Merengue, mambo, cha-cha,
Latin, you name it.

Your mama had it down.

And there was always
some fine, young thing

wanted to take her
off to a hotel

so that he could be
more suavecito.

-Ruby.
-Did you go, Ma?

(indistinct singing)

(laughing)

(indistinct singing)

How's rehearsal?

Seems like you've been
rehearsing for some time.

I haven't read anything
about it in the paper.

Boy, can I tell you
about Americans.

It is so great having
someone special in the family.

(tense music)

You still playing Josephine?

Alabama.

I haven't performed Josephine
in many years.

Well, who's Josephine?

Josephine Baker
was the toast of Paris.

Died broke.

Lived a full and exciting life.

Was loved all around the world.

Died broke.

Aunt Ruby,

do you think I could
win an audition?

You wanna die broke, too?

Audition?

You too good to audition.

You could be traveling
all over the world.

Just snatch it if you want it.

Conviction, perseverance,
attitude,

and a whole lot of style
is all you need.

(grunts)

(indistinct vocalizing)

(singing in Spanish)

(fast-paced vocalizing)

(solemn music)

Can I come to the club with you?

I'd stay real quiet, I promise.

You ain't got
to stay quiet for nobody.

Mm-mm.

But no, you can't.

Golden rule: Don't let nobody
see you rehearse.

Are you my real mother?

(chuckling)

I don't take after Alabama,
she even says so.

I wanna get out of here,
get to see some places,

be like you.

Well, it ain't all champagne,
you know, and the can-can,

but I get by.

Just remember:

Don't take second best
from nobody.

You hear me?

Always, always claim your space.

Cross my heart and hope to die.

Huh, don't be so quick
to die either.

(chuckling)

The name of the game
is survival.

-So are you?
-No, I'm not.

You got a real mother
right downstairs

and I wouldn't trade her
for the world.

It's a good thing, too.

Oh, I'd just snatch you right up
and take you off with me.

(laughing)

Oh, you got any talent?

You serious or you just
watching a lot of TV?

Oh, I'm serious.

Serious enough
to wanna go with you

and learn how to be
a real star like you.

Hm.

(pleasant music)

Wish my hands
were as soft as yours.

Frankly I like a man with
a little rough to his hands,

Mr. Blue.

Makes me think
he's been working.

Did you always
have a gold tooth?

Absolutely, it's a true sign
of good luck.

Perhaps you could wear gloves.

Not on this gold tooth.

No, on your hands.

Well, part of knowing
if something is right or wrong

is feeling it.

Feeling has gotten many people
into trouble, Mr. Blue.

Never.

Being afraid
to take the next step,

now that's where
you get into trouble, Alma Gold.

Hey, what's that?

Come on, Alma, now you know
that's not my style.

Thought you were just gonna
scrub me up a little bit.

Well, it's just
going to protect them

and make them shine.

I'll just do one

and if you don't like it, fine.

Oh, God.

Hardly looks like
anything is there.

(chuckling)

(footsteps)

How do you do?

(footsteps)

Are you ready?

-It is so.
-It is not!

-Come on, man, you blind.
-All right,

so let's see
who could hit the wall.

(urine trickling)

See, I told you.

What you need to do is,
like, do some push-ups

and eat some health food.

It'll make you stronger,

and what's more important,
bigger.

And what do you need, Pepper?

Oh, shit.

Hey yo, man, how'd she know
where to find us?

You told her?

Me, I--I need an agent.

Listen, I thought
we had practice.

Hey yo, she just mad
'cause she--

I'm mad 'cause you got
a bad attitude and no style.

We only get one chance
at this audition, y'all,

-just one.
-Hey yo,

as the leader of the A-Tracks,

I was thinking
we need a new act.

You know,
something the girls like,

something they'll respect,

something that'll make 'em
drop their drawers.

Man, I ain't join the army
for no girl.

Hey yo, man, I'm talking about
something where we could

-be around to collect.
-Collect what, Pepper?

-Da panties.
-Oh, I get it.

I get it,
that's what you crawling up

after Cynthia and Nzingha for
instead of coming to practice,

-right?
-I'm sick of you, you know that?

Yeah, you are sick,
you know that?

But I don't need you no way.

You can just keep
pissing your brains out.

-Come on, y'all, drag out.
-Yeah.

Oh, so you think
you're so tough and strong?

Uh-huh, yes, I do.

Pick that up, sweetheart.

(grunts)

I'm gonna hurt you, girl.

Yeah, but I ain't
the one bleeding, now am I?

Yeah, you on your own
'cause I quit.

-Come on, Rain.
-Oh,

"Come on, Rain,
come on, Rain."

Go double-click on it,
all right, Sea Breeze?

I ought to hit you, too!

Hey yo, I'm gonna deck her, man.

Always telling me point my feet.

I'm a man, I don't
point my feet for nobody!

Damn tomboy,
ain't even got no titties.

(thudding punch)

(soft music)

(birds chirping)

(soft, tense music)

(papers rustling)

(papers slam)

(footsteps)

Here I am slaving
and sacrificing my life

and here you are trying to
dig yourself into a hole!

Where the hell have you been?

In all of my born days
I've never seen you like this!

(urn clattering)

(urn shatters)

(gasps)

Mama.

(solemn jazz music)

Rainbow is my baby,

and I want you to stop
filling my child's head

with air pie and breeze cake
that you and I both know

won't do her a damn bit of good
in the real world.

When are you gonna
pay me back the money, madame?

She's talented
and you can't stop that.

Talent doesn't work
for most people,

and you have no right
to make her think it does.

You really gave up too soon.

I was hoping and praying
right along with you, Ruby.

Maybe it could be real.

Maybe girls like us
could make the dream real.

Then you steal the money
and flat leave me

and I'm left holding the bag.

Rainbow, she's just like you

and that's what's
really scaring you,

isn't it?

You might get
a second chance.

And for the record,

I didn't want the parlor,
you did,

as your backup
or your out, I should say.

So you turned
the Fabulous Flamingo Sisters

into a Fabulous Flamingo Parlor.

How the hell was I going to
up and go on one-night stands

with a baby?

You have lost your mind.

And you have lost your heart.

Go to hell and stay there.

Don't put the blame
on your daughter!

You have no place to go.

There's no show.

What have you been doing
these last ten years

since the Fabulous
Flamingo Sisters?

Soloing was never your style.

Don't be so scared.

(shimmering noise)

Get out.

Get out of my house now.

(shimmering noise)

Hey, yo girl, you bleedin'.

(upbeat music)

(music stops)

Yo!

I said you bleedin'!

(laughter)

(contemplative music)

(water running)

Don't lie on your back,

don't drink milk,

and stay away from boys.

Rain, honey,
if I was you,

I wouldn't do it.

I wouldn't do it
with anybody.

It hurt.

It really hurt.

Don't take hot baths,

don't play sports,

and don't sleep
on your stomach.

And stay away from boys.

You are a woman now.

This is a sacred time for you.

A time of renewal,

a time of empowerment.

When your time come,

it's just God and nature
prepare you for life.

Stay away from boys.

(water gurgles)

Keep your pants up
and your dress down.

And when you feel hot,
take a cold shower.

(sighs)

Problem, W.B.?

I am not your chauffeur.

And it is not
a chauffeur you need.

(she speaks French)

I've been an undertaker
for a long time, Ruby Gold.

I know the living
and I know the dead,

and I know the difference
between the two.

What do you do all day?

(sighs)

Watch.

(mellow music)

Try and figure out
when things changed.

I look around for my footprints
in this place,

gone.

Clubs, the folks,
the music I remember.

(sultry music)

Life is one big memory,
ain't it, sugar?

(sultry music)

(doorbell jingles)

Blows be,
kiss me neck,

Ruby Gold in concert?

No

Please take me
to this resting place

Oh, Lord,

please take me
to this resting place

Oh, Lord, please take me
to this resting place

Ruby, are you
out of your mind?

Absolutely. This body is
holdin' up my show.

Now, you promised me
a limousine.

It never came.

Technically speaking,

both of you are making me
late for my fitting.

Now, I move on time
and in style.

W.B., are you on my side
or in my way?

What is it?

Yes!

I'd like to say
a few words.

(she exhales deeply)

I knew him...

(W.B. clears throat)

Oh yes, I remember her
very well.

And I'm sure
all of you know

that she liked things
short and to the point.

-Yes.
-Yes she did.

Now, she was a good woman.

-Lord knows she was.
-She was.

Didn't talk much.

Loved herself some sushi.

-Mm-hm.
-Yes, she loved sushi, mm.

Now, she was born,
she died,

and now she should be
buried quickly.

I think she'd like it
that way.

-Amen.
-Yes, she would.

(lively jazz music)

Oh my God.

Ruby's performing
in the funeral parlor.

(lively jazz music)

I'm gonna take pictures too.

You need a tripod?

Real men don't use tripods.

(footsteps)

(speaking French)

There's a beautiful
blackness in the sky

I'm standin', runnin'

Streaked heavens
with a rainbow,

give me light

Sunny day walks
on foreign travel roads

Suddenly, the clouds
start changin'

The wind can claim you
anytime she please

So you must appease

The wind can maim you
anytime at ease

Drive you to your knees

Give you her disease

I don't always know
to where my soul agrees

But I do know why

'Cause this woman
I sing to

and laugh for
and cry to the sky

to the blackened sky

Dance the blackened sky

The beautiful blackness
in the sky

The beautiful
blackness in the sky

You know, Alma,

good friend better
than pocket money.

(melancholic music)

(humming)

If I meet one more person
who says,

"My ancestors came in
on the Mayflower,"

I'll drop--

All I can say is,

that was sure
one crowded boat.

You're glowing.

The good-luck man
must be good for you.

-Aren't you ever shy?
-Nope.

Not enough reward in it.

We should go on a vacation
together.

-Ruby, I--
-Sis...

no--no hard-luck blues tunes
now, okay?

It's not always great books
and heartfelt jazz.

I don't care
what they say.

But I keep on keepin' on

because
that's what I do best.

(purse snaps shut)

Boo.

I thought this was nudies
of you and that good-luck man.

(chuckling)

It, um, came special delivery
a while ago.

I, uh--
all the way from France.

Lotta money.

I was hoping...

you'd stay home.

People like me
don't have a home.

Just a--a place
where we can hang the hat.

We should take that vacation.

You can still get to see
what you missed.

Or you could write
one of those one-woman shows.

You know, the kind that tells
about trials and tribulations

of your life?

They seem to do very well.

Of course, you better not
tell everything,

especially if it involves me.

Well, where should we go?

I'm not going anyplace

where I can't understand
what people are saying.

Trying to get directions
from people

who can't understand
what I'm saying

to eat food
that I can't name.

I am going to stay home
in my bed,

put my feet up,
and watch my television.

(laughter)

By the way,
I meant to ask you,

where the heck is Ouagadougou?

And Tortola--I mean,
where the heck is Tortola?

Oh...

Ruby, what are you doing?

-Reflexology.
-What?

You see, all the nerve endings
are in the foot.

You got a gas pocket.

-Ruby...
-Big one!

Hold still, I can get it.

Just gimme my foot--Ruby!

Gimme my foot back!

(screaming, laughing)

It is mine,
and I will keep it, thank you!

Have to get it!

(laughing)

Oh!

(screaming, laughing)

(singer vocalizes)

I wanna stay right here
with you

Get up, sugar.

Wake up.

Let me see you walk.

Walk, girl.

How you gonna walk

when you get into
that audition?

Sugar! In all my born days,

I ain't never seen nothing
as sad as that.

You gotta hold your head up
and walk.

Got nothing to do
with who you know,

who you don't.

Money, looks,
who you sleeping with

and who you ain't.

-You sleepin' with anybody?
-No!

Just asking.

Makes a lot of girls
feel important, needed.

You are very loved
and very needed.

Now, all it is is a walk,

but you can tell a lot
about a person

by the way they walk.

Now, this here is somebody
who don't know nothin'.

(giggling)

And this is somebody
pretendin' they know,

and they don't.

Like some of them horn players,

their faces all scrunched up,
knotted up,

like they playin' something
real deep.

And they ain't.

And this is "I know who I am
and where I'm going,

so move out my way,
I'm comin' through."

Now, lemme see you walk.

I know, I know,
I am somebody.

Shoot, I know that,

but who
is the goddamned question.

If you don't know it,
invent it, make it up.

Well, just when I think
that everything's gonna be okay,

the clouds start changing.

I hate being a woman.

You ain't no woman yet,
Rainbow.

What you're feeling now
is the easy part.

Always remember,

do the best you can
with what you got,

and that way,

you don't owe anybody
explanation or apology,

you hear me?

Now, go to sleep.

'Night, Aunt Ruby.

I'm glad you're home.

Oh, tomorrow, I'mma show you
what I can do.

I've been working on an act.

(clock chiming)

(doorbell jingles,
door closes)

Good morning, Miss Babs.

(squeaking, clattering)

Mom's upstairs resting.

You don't have to worry
about anything.

Everything--everything is done.

Mwah!

What don't happen in a year
happen in a day, dem say.

I said my name is Ruby Gold

and I am here
to entertain you tonight

Mm!

I said my name is Ruby Gold

and I am here
to entertain you tonight

Woo!

Uh-huh

But I am one tough cookie

that will make everything
all right

I said my name is Ruby Gold

and I am here
to entertain you tonight

Oh yeah

'Cause I am one tough cookie

that will make
everything all right

(melancholic music)

(inaudible)

(melancholic music)

(crinkling)

(melancholic music)

How could she?

Honey...

people...

people like your Aunt Ruby,

they just have
to keep moving.

Then why didn't you tell me?

What are you doing
over there, Rainbow?

Waitin' for the subway.

So, Rainbow, um...

-do you like--
-Yes, I like school;

no, I don't have a boyfriend

and I don't know what I wanna
be when I grow up.

Well, I hear you like music.

(hums a melody)

Bet you can't dance.

Bet you can't fly!

(footsteps)

(funky music)

I know you're somebody,
Rainbow, but who?

If you don't know,
then invent yourself.

Keep your pants up,
your dress down,

and when you feel hot,
take a cold shower.

(sultry music)

I don't wanna go to your party!

I have to sit up there
the whole night

and listen to you talk
about girls' body parts

and how you gonna turn them
every which way but loose.

(sultry music)

I like you, Alma Gold.

I like you a lot.

I said I like you,

but I'll be hot damn
if I like everything about you.

-Excuse me?
-I said--

Yeah, well, let's just
get it out.

That's just fine.

Mr. Wrapped-Up-in-a-Gold-Tooth,

no show-going,
can't keep his eyes open,

and another thing.

That lock you fixed
on my record player

is not better than new.

(dance music)

(shouting, laughter)

You gotta stand
in this spot,

and don't you embarrass me,
either.

Don't embarrass yourself!

For so long,
I've been trying

Trying to stop
these nights a-flying

What I need
is a love so true

Tell me, baby,
will it come from you

Lapis, I hate that tooth.

And I hate that
we have to go to the theater

in this truck.

And if you think that I'm gonna
put my heart on my sleeve

so that you can
run away with it,

you got another thing comin'.

Well, my memories are
important too, Alma.

Now, I'm a hard-working,
responsible,

good-for-something man,

and it ain't always easy for me
either.

Seems like there's
always somebody trying

to twist me into
somebody else.

I like me.

And I like you.

(dance music)

(indistinct lyrics)

And right up
to the stars above

And wish that I could be
showered with love

But I know that
I must be strong

And that's the reason...

(soft, sultry music)

Soon, we'll not have to explain

The truth the rest have said

We're no longer ashamed

As the children laugh and play

We too must let ecstasy
sweep us away

Hidden secrets are not
enough for us to hide behind

The mystic beauty
we possess inside

As violets feel the rain

They know to grow and grow

in a brand-new day

(sultry music)

Just like we should

Just like we should

Just like we should

Just like we should

Mm-mm...

Feeling's just too strong
to hold back

So we'll cast away our fears,

throw them to the air

Old dreams drift off to sea

Bringing transformation in

Original reality

Takes many tears to cry

and learn the ways of life

To protect our tender soul

-Let's do it.
-What?

Like a flicker to a flame

Rainbow, wait!

Rainbow!

Just stop it, come on!

-Let's do it.
-What?

Come on, let's do it,

and then we can
get it over with

and do other things.

No dreams, no secrets,

maybe even get
to be friends again.

Undo that!

(soft music plays faintly)

Okay.

All right.

(she grunts)

All right.

Is this it?

No.

What about this?

Gimme that thing!

Ow!

Let go!
You're hurtin' me!

Something's not right.

Where are those things
you're supposed to wear?

What things?

You know, those things
that you're supposed

to carry around in your wallet
for tender moments like these.

Where is it?

Oh, those things.

I don't have one.

You don't have one?

(she scoffs)

God. When is life
gonna be perfect?

Here we are
just the two of us

Graven image of desire

I never thought
I could feel this way

Here with you is where
I want to stay

Never let me go

I always want
to be yours

And I want to feel this way
forevermore

Always love me, baby

Ma.

Ma!

Ma!

Ma-aa!

'Cause I'm in heaven
when I'm in your arms

What is she doing outside?

It's heaven

I'm in heaven
when I'm in your arms

Ooh, baby, tonight

So glad this happens
once in a lifetime

I could go on like this forever

Inside your arms

Matching your magic charms

Let's always stay...

Howdy, Rainbow.

(bright, mellow music)

(laughter)

Thanks, Ma.

What happens
if you don't get it?

Now, why wouldn't I get it?

-Rainbow...
-Ma...

Life goes on
with or without you.

Well, you need
a good breakfast--

-and a pot to piss in...
-and a pot to piss in,

and a window
to throw it out of.

Bye, Ma.

Oh--wish me luck.

(doorbell jingles,
door closes)

(scatting)

Kiss me neck.

(bright, funky music)

(singers vocalizing)

Here we are, you and I

Waiting for that magic moment
to arrive

Though passions come
and passions go

To me, the love
still lingers on

through the night

Will it happen by itself
if we let it

If it wasn't meant to be,
just forget it

Where is love...

Where is love

Seasons change and so do I

Something is missing
and I am left wondering why

Why

I'm with a crowd
but by myself

I'm feeling I'm needing
some lovin'

from somebody else

If it happened to me,
how would I know it

If it happened to me,
how would I show it

Where is love

Where is love, oh

I wanna find a place
where love is

I wanna find
a place where love is

I wanna find a place
where love is always

Always...

Always

In a crowd,
I find myself

Feeling I'm needing
some loving

from somebody else

Somebody else, baby

Ooh, somebody, somebody

If it happened to me,
how would I know it

If it happened to me,
how would I show it

Where is love...

Where is love

Ooh, yeah

Got to find a place, baby

Go ahead

Got to find a place, baby

We can do it, baby

I got to find a place, baby

Just take my hand

Gotta find a place

Just take my hand

Yeah, how

Got to find a place, baby

We can do it, baby

Got to find a place,
baby, baby...

You and I,

you and I

Hey, yeah, oh

I wanna find a place, baby

Ooh, I believe, I believe

I believe in doing,

I believe

A place, a place, a place,
now baby

Oh

Oh, baby

Take my hand

Come on, come on,
come on, come, come on,

come on, come on,
come on, baby

Hey

Come on, baby...

Yeah, it's gonna happen yet

Gonna find a world, now baby

It's gonna happen

Can't find a girl now, baby

Oh, oh, oh baby

Oh, oh yeah, oh

I gotta find a place, baby

I gotta find
a place, baby

There's no place like home

No, my baby, hey hey

(vocalizing)

I think we're gettin'
kinda close, baby

Yeah, yeah, yeah

Come up on me, girl

We're almost there

I wanna feel ya

Feel ya, feel ya,

feel your love, girl

(vocalizing)

I'm gonna, I'm gonna

I'm gonna love you, girl,
hey, now, now, yeah