Burning an Illusion (1981) - full transcript

♪ JUDY MOWATT: Slave Queen ♪

♪ Remove the shackles from your mind ♪

♪ Slave queen ♪

♪ Remove the shackles and unwind ♪

♪ I too was blind ♪

But now I see

♪ I have relinquished slavery mentality ♪

♪ Now when it's time
for all we to go home ♪

♪ You're fashioning other nations, ♪
you don't seem to care

♪ Your blackness red ♪

♪ Your eyes paint blue ♪



♪ You don't know yourself ♪

♪ And that's not true ♪

♪ Oh, slave queen... ♪

(Music and chatter)

WOMAN: I was 22,

Not doing too bad.

I had my own flat, a steady job.
But that wasn't enough.

I wanted to settle down.

Somehow, though, I never seemed to
meet anybody I could really feel for

You know what I mean?

You too lie! (Laughs)

- Hey, don't bother get too fresh. -
Wha' happen? Me just free up meself, man.

Free yourself up on your
girlfriend, not on me.

See, I don't have a girlfriend. That's
why me have to free up meself. See it?



See it? See what? I don't see anything.

- This one here happy.
- Yeah, man!

Little girls like you two
should be in bed now, you know.

Do you mind? I is a big woman,
with experience behind me.

Me know all about the birds and bees.

The proof of the pudding
is the eating. (Laughs)

So how about me and you next Saturday?

PAT: Next Saturday?
Sorry, love. I'm otherwise engaged.

Stop lyin', Pat! She's
only pulling your leg.

Why you not stop jester?
You don't see I wan' take you out?

- I like you, man.
- Mm! That's nice.

Don't give de star no pressure now.

After him just pay so
much attention to you.

You wan' free up yourself!

Is wha' happen to dis woman, man?

- Drink turn dem fools.
- (Girl giggles)

You have any chocolate a you yard?

Yes, amongst other things.

M mm!

- Me have to sample it
- Sorry, love. I don't drink chocolate.

Besides, I don't even know you.

I mean, you can't trust
any Tom, Dick or Harry.

Especially that Tom Dick!

- Which way now?
PAT: Straight on and turn left.

All right.

TV: OK. All right
- I've got a reputation.

Now let's... let's look at another
area in which you seem to be different

You! What me tell you about
them dishes? You goin' make
them stand there all night? Out!

M um, I was coming in a minute. I'm just
waiting for the programme to finish.

Out!

Angela!

TV: How different are you from...

(Phone rings)

Hello?

Who is this?

Who?

Del? Del who?

Yes. But what are you to my daughter?

A friend?

Is whey you know her from?

I see. Well, why you want her for?

Yeah, she's here. Wait a minute.

Pat, it's one of your concubines them.

Sorry, Mum.

Hello?

A you mother that?

Bwoy, talk about interrogation.

A so she stay all the time?

She does if she doesn't know you.
So how did you get my number, then?

I saw your friend Sonia
earlier in the week.

She give me your number.
I thought you said you live by yourself?

I do, I'm just visiting here, that's all.
Wait until I get hold of that Sonia.

- Wha' happen? You don't want me to phone?
- No, it's not that

But I hardly know you. I don't
give this number to anybody I meet.

So wha' - I'm anybody?

- No, but you know what I mean.
- All right

Yeah. How was your day at work?

Same as usual. Can't complain.

So are you coming out with me tomorrow
as we planned?

I didn't make any promises.

You start that again?
You goin' come or you nah come?

Where?

♪ SAMANTHA ROSE: ♪
I Can't Believe I'm Losing You

♪ I can't believe I'm losing you... ♪

Do you always eat with your spoon?

♪ You should have told me ♪

♪ Then maybe I'd understand... ♪

So how long you been living by yourself?

Three years now.

Wha' happen? The old man kick you out?

No.

I just wanted to be on me own.

Nice. Nice. Did you want anything else?

- Wine, please.
- Yes.

Hm. All right.

It's not a bad place, this, is it?

Ask me that after I see the bill.

WAITER: It's a nice wine you chose.
- Hm.

- It's nice.
- Yes.

- Sorry!
- It's all right.

Thank you.

DEL: So tell me about your work.
Is typing what you wanted to do?

Oh, no. You must be joking.

I always wanted to be a beautician.

I've always liked playing around with
make-up. You know, putting it on people.

- So wha' happen? - Well, things
didn't work out. What about you?

Draughtsman was what I wanted to do.

But I couldn't get through
qualifications-wise, you know.

At the same time, the careers officer
show me an apprenticeship as a toolmaker,

and that was it.

So how's your friend?

- Oh, you mean Sonia?
- Mm.

She's all right. She really likes
your friend Chamberlain. She
can't stop talking about him.

Him like her too, you know.

- Looks like the two of them
really hit it off. - Yeah.

Have some more wine, man.

I don't really like it, you know?

Nor do I.

My father, he was a chivalrous man.

Me a chivalrous man, just like me father.

That's how him capture my mother.

Because you opened the taxi door for me,
so you're chivalrous?

- So which floor you live pon?
- 27th.

What? They put you up far - 27!

Wicked. Wicked, man.
The things him do to me.

My dad's an engineer, you know.

Yeah? Nice.

Well, when I was young I used to play
knockdown Ginger in these flats.

What's that? Oh, I know what that is!
You knock at the door and you run away.

- Well, of course!
- You was a naughty little boy, Del.

- How is that?
- Yes, you were!

- Bwoy, so you enjoy the evening?
- M m! Great. I had a really nice time.

We goin' do it more often?

- I don't know.
- Yeah, man, we do it more often.

This is where I live.

So are you goin' invite me in?

Well...thanks for the nice evening, right?
It's a bit late, innit?

You mean after I take you out
to the best black restaurant in town,

all expenses paid, bring you home
in a black cab, this is all I get?

Thanks for the nice evening.
It's just a bit late.

Well, you different. All right.

Sleep tight.
Don't let the bedbugs bite, you hear?

Give us a ring.

All right.

(Laughs to himself)

When I first went to school

They taught me all I know...

Lovers rock

FATHER: So, what do you do for a living?

DEL: I make tools.
- Tools?

What kind of tools?

Ah, any kind of tools. Machine tools.

- For cars and things?
- Yeah.

FATHER:
What does your father do, the same thing?

No, he's an inspector
for London Transport.

A man of ambitions.

What about you?

Well, I hope to get promotion in my job.

I suppose your pay will be doubled.

Well, you'll need it.

- Your food's very nice, Mrs...
- Williams.

MOTHER: Thank you.

You go in the shop. I'm not coming.

I'll wash up all the dishes.

Come on.

All right, just one picture. Just one.

(Giggles) No, don't.

Pat? What do you think?

Hm! Chamberlain would kill you.

- What do you think of this?
- That looks nice.

M mm...

- Anyway, it's nice.
- Yeah, just cos you want to be different.

Harrods, man. Harrods.
You see me walk into Harrods?

Hey! Come here!

- Do you know him?
- No, I don't

Hey, give me a chance, you know.

- Hey! We can make music, you know.
- Not wit' me, darling.

And is which instrument you play?
Leave her. Mek we go away together.

- Can give you anything you want...
- Come on, Pat.

Me put on a bet this
morning. it just come in.

It's luxury me a deal with.

Just see what's on the cheap stall.

A down a Mayfair me a go, you know.

How much is the Ultra Sheen?

- Pardon?
- Me don't dress too right now,

but it cos me a lax, you know.

Just get lost, right!

We're going to meet our boyfriends.

All right!

(Mutters)

Sonia, you've bought enough, haven't you?

Oh, this won't matter.
It's only a little shirt, anyway.

It'll look lovely with his green trousers.

- Will you come in there with me, Pat?
- Uh-uh.

Oh, please, Pat.
Come on, please come in there with me.

Come on.

(Sings to herself)

Oh, no!

(Doorbell rings)

What's all this, then?

You moving in?

I've nowhere to stay.

Oh, no.

You and your father have another argument?

Bwoy, de man so ignorant!

It's only through respect for
my mother, you know, else me
and him woulda trade blows.

Want a drink?

Yeah, do you have any orange?

(Siren blares in distance)

So wha' happen?

I was sitting in my room, cool, you know,
relaxing and smoking my herb,

and the man come into the room.

Whey you goin' do that for?

So wha' happen? Me live in a prison?
Anyway, we start this big argument.

Him start say dis and dat.

So me say, "Cha, man, if I
reach a stage where I goin'
fight him, better step, man."

- Cos it don't make no sense.
- Was your mum there?

No, man, she was working.
Bwoy, I feel a way about it, you know.

Cos I don't do the man nothin',
and him a bug me all the while.

Anyway, you know how him stay already.

Do you want something to eat?

No, I eat already, man.

Good. Cos I haven't cooked,
and I don't feel like cooking.

So how you feel? If you don't wanna
keep me till I find a place...

You know I didn't mean that!

Where else you going?

We're supposed to lean on each other,
aren't we?

As long as you know when the bills come
in, it's two of us live here, not one.

Pat, don't bother with them skank,
you hear me?

- You know better than that
- Relax, relax.

Del, you're so moody sometimes.

Del?

Want to try this on?

- You want it?
- What do you think?

PAT: A year later,
we were still making a life together

We had a lot of good times.

But still, there were some ways about him
I just couldn't change.

(Alarm clock rings)

Del!

Del, wake up!

It's seven o'clock. Get up.

(Del groans)

I'm not waking you up again, you know.

RADIO: The Mike Smith Breakfast Show
with you on Capital...

Why you never wake me up, man?

- I did. - You've got to
wake me up earlier than that.

I woke you up at seven o'clock.

What's the time now?

The clock's next to you.

♪ Capital Radio jingle ♪

How are you, all right?

(Clanking of machinery)

(Phone rings)

Hello.

Oh, hi.

So you eating something?

M m-hm.

Enjoying a mango bought this morning.
You want some?

(Kisses teeth)

What's wrong with you?

Just this foreman at
work upset me, you know.

Every minute the man watch me
like me is pappyshow.

You mean the new one
you were telling me about?

I can see the man don't check a black man.

Every minute the man inspect how I work
to find fault.

He don't look pon de white bwoy dem.

Look, just ignore him, Del.
Don't let him get to you.

Ignore him? (Kisses teeth)

Next time de man do that,
I goin' cuss out him blooho.

Look, Del, forget it.

Don't let him get to you.

Look, a gone, man.

- What, already?
- I don't feel like talking.

All right.

You meeting me this evening?

Yeah, a goin' see you later.

Right, bye.

SONIA: He knows I'm here
and he still does it

CYNTHIA: If me was she,
I wouldn't sit and watch him.

I'd go over there and clout him,
because that is slackness!

SONIA: if he has to do it,
he can at least do it behind my back.

PAT: Sonia, why put up with it at all?

- Yeah, but what can I do?
- What do you mean?

Him is the only man about the place?

Yeah, but...

Honestly, Sonia, there's no point.

The amount of times you go out of your way
to give him money -

buy him this, buy him that -
and in the end, what do you get?

It's true, cos I'm really
fed up of everything.

You always say that.
You never do anything about it.

Dat's why me no bother fe talk to her
because she no listen.

From the first time you tell me
him mess wit' one of your friends,

and when you ask him about it,
him wanna lick you?

You should have left him.
You have to take some of the blame.

He couldn't gwan with dem slackness
if you never did make him.

Look, Sonia...

You can't afford to have any man
mess you about

when you're trying to get what you want
out of life.

All that kind of rubbish
just holds you back.

Yeah, it's right, I should leave him.

The only time I see him
is when he wants something.

I'm the one that gets all the worries
and depression, not him.

What are you going to do?

CHAMBERLAIN: All right, then, Pat?

Cynthia, she looking as happy as ever.

Sonia, come now, I wan' talk to you.

PAT: You want nothing to do with him.

Come here, I wan' talk to you!

Don't walk away from me now, man.

All right, go on! Go on!

I don't wanna see you.

Bwoy, them have some nice gal in America,
you know.

Turn off the lights now.

I say it's time for milk and honey.

Oh, Del, I don't feel like it.

Stop being silly! No.

Stop messing about, Pat, man.

I'm not messing about.

I just don't feel like it and that's it.

So wha' happen?

I told you.

Oh, cha.

Del...

Don't talk to me, man.

There's something I want to discuss.

I don't want to discuss with
you. I do my discussing already
and you don't want to know.

Come on, let's talk.

(Del groans)

Yeah. Come mek we talk dem now.

When are we going to settle down, Del?

Wha' you mean, settle down?
We not settled down?

Yeah, but I mean properly.

Wha' you mean, properly?

You know what I mean.

The answer is, no, I'm
not ready for it yet, man.

Why not?

Everything is cool as it is.
Why you wanna change things?

You didn't hear what the man say?
You shouldn't change a winning game.

It's not a game, Del.

All my friends think we should.

And if you really think a lot of me,
you should want to.

It's not that, but
everything is cool, man.

We can't go on like this for ever.

All right, Pat, but in good time.

When?

Let me sleep, man.
You carry on this thinking.

Well, let's break, then.

Go on, take your clothes and leave.

There's no point in me being with you
if you don't take our future seriously.

- I said I'll think about it, didn't I?
- No!

We've been together for long enough.
You shouldn't have to think about it.

Either you do or you don't.

We talk about it in five
or six months' time.

You really mean that, Del?

I said so, didn't I?

Del?

Del!

You all right?

Yeah, man, me all right.
I'm just resting up the body, you know.

So when did you get home, then?

I see you, or somebody cooked.

It's not a woman cook it. it's me cook it.

I thought I'd surprise you, that's all.

So why you leave work early, then,
if you're not sick?

Cos the man them sack me, that's why.

I told you, didn't I?

Told me what? You don't even know
wha' happen and you a run up your mouth.

All right, I'm sorry, What happened?

(Kisses teeth) Just rest me, Pat.

I've said I'm sorry.

Just tell me what happened.

Was it something to do
with you going in late?

Something like that.
(Urinates)

What did the foreman say to you?

It was the way him say it, like him
own the place and him a do me a favour.

I knew from the time the man come there,
something was goin' happen.

De way him a watch me like him a dog.

So me just tell the man to dig up.

Cos me no deal with man like that.
And me just walk out, man.

(Toilet flushes)

Bwoy, when I think of how long
I've been working there - from school!

And this man only been working there a
month, and come talk to me like me a bwoy!

All them years don't count for nothing.

Them use you, abuse you
and then forget about you.

- I should thump him down!
- What good would that do?

It would only bring more trouble.

Anyway, it's not his
fault, it's your own fault.

- So you going start pon me too?
- No, but it's your own fault

(Clattering)

I wonder about you, you know.
Wha' you mean, it's my fault?

It's my fault the man come talk to me
and insult me,

and come talk to me like me a bwoy?

- I'm supposed to just take it?
- That's it, twist everything I say.

- I know a few times I come in late...
- A few times?

- See what I mean?
- I told you this'd happen.

Rest the matter, you understand nothing.

"I've been working there too long,
they can't sack me."

- Shut up, right?
- That's it.

- Take it out on me.
- Just leave me alone, then.

Trust you to do something
stupid like that.

So tell me...where you goin' get another
job when so much people can't find work?

Pat, just rest me.

That's all we need, innit?

We're supposed to go on holiday
next year. How are we going to do that?

- I'll go and get another job.
- Right, as easy as that?

We're supposed to be getting a new carpet
and colour TV.

How are we going to do that?

We just can't. it's not the end of
the world, it's only material things.

Yeah, but I just like material things.

Anyway, you can't talk.

All you spend your money on is stupid
records, and look how you treat them!

So, Pat, I gwan so stupid
because me lose my job?

All this because I lose my job?

You want me to lose my dignity
as a black man too?

Fe what?

Look...don't bother talk to me
for the rest of the night.

So you can go and buy expensive
carpet, your brand-new this
and brand-new that, eh?

Well, my dignity come first

Here!

Here, Pat!

Pat!

Here, wha' happen to you?

Nothing.

Wha' you mean, nothing?

I'm just tired from work,
which is more than I can say for you.

I know what you're thinking. I
did go to the Job Agency this
morning and they had nothing.

That's what you tell me. Anyway, it's your
life, Del. if you want to be a layabout...

I tell you already, I went
there, they had nothing.

Wha' more you want me fe do?

I don't know what you're panicking for.
Relax yourself, everything goin' work out.

That's what you say. But it's me who
has to carry the responsibilities.

Wha' more do you want
me fe do? I'm trying.

Yeah, I can see how hard you're trying.

Cha, you so stupid.

You see things one way and then
you close your mind to everything else.

That's right.

Cha.

You a go run to Chambers.

Run? I look like an athlete to you?

See you a pound, nuh.

You gwan like you a bad man.

- What have we got?
BOTH: Chamberlain.

I'm goin' have to see you now.

I'll see you two pound, yeah?

SCOTTY:
An you a gwan like you have big hand.

CHAMBERLAIN: I'll make you cry.
You want to see something pretty?

- Want to see it?
- Gwan nuh.

See it deh.

Cha!

Here, you want something to drink?

- Orange?
- Yeah.

Hey, Pat, go and fix some orange
for the bwoy dem nuh?

Deal out the card now.

(Kisses teeth)

if it was her friends, it
would be a different story.

Bwoy, the orange done, you nuh.

We only buy orange yesterday, you nuh.

We? We buy anything?

Wha' up wit' you?

We only have water, you nuh.

That's all right, man, bring it come.

All right, now. I'll show you a pretty
shot. You want to see it? Watch this.

- You see it deh?
- You call that pretty?

Go on, take a shot.

Cha! Wha' kind of shot is that?

Don't mess with life, bwoy.
Don't mess with me.

Put it away, man.
There's Chamberlain over there.

Chambers!

Watch this shot.

Me goin' jump ball into there, into
there off the cushion. Want to see it?

Do it, youth.

Watch de youth do the shot now.

Cha, let's give this man a game.

Who, him?

Mek we go outside, man.

I come now.

Come on.

All right, see you later.

(Door unlocks)

PAT: So you finally come?

(Snoring)

I don't mind you going out,
but you could at least tell
me when you're coming in late.

(Snores)

- Wha' you do that for?
- Where you been?

I've been out with my brethren.

Why didn't you tell me?

I was worried.
I thought something had happened.

So wha' happen, man? So you is me mother?

Questioning me,
where have I been, what have I done?

Look, just rest me,
man, cos I wanna sleep.

Cha.

I see.

I just feel I'm being used.

I know how you feel.

I went through the same thing
with Tony, but then me just
have to tell him how me feel.

I've tried to talk to him, right,

but he just dismiss everything I say.

Cynthia, he thinks I'm too possessive.

They always say that, Pat.

But if you don't show them say you care,
them no like it.

No, me sure as if it was you going out and
coming in late, Del would not like that.

Look, I've told him that,
but he just doesn't take any notice.

It's up to you.

You'll have to give him a
taste of his own medicine. Talk
to him again, see how it go.

If things don't change, Pat,
you have to put your foot down.

Otherwise...done with him.

That's what me think, anyway.

(Del sings)

Going out?

Wha' it look like?

- You no want the food?
- I'll deal with it when I come in later.

You see Sonia and Chamberlain lately?

Yeah, man, them cool.

- You going down...
- Weatherman say it goin' rain today

I wonder where my hat deh?

What?

Del, we got to sit down
and talk, you know.

Talk about what?

You don't care about me any more, do you?

Wha' you mean, I don't care for you?

- You don't live here any more.
- I'm here all the time.

You only eat and sleep here.

Wha' happen is a next argument
you want to start?

Wha' happen to you, woman?
Man wants to be free.

Every time I go out with me spars you
complain say me no have no time for you.

You're selfish.

Not a man you want, it's a slave
to run round your batty like a fool.

Right now, I is a man
and I want to be free.

I don't want no rope tie round my neck.

I'm not trying to tie you down.
I'm just trying to make you
stay here sometime, that's all.

See the problem wit' you,
you too possessive, man.

(Scraping)

(Door shuts)

Wha' de woman a do pon my side of de bed?

Cha. She can't find
somewhere else to sleep?

(Kisses teeth)

Bwoy, me hungry.

Oh, Lord, me hungry

Me hungry

And me 'tarving

Me 'tarving

Me want me rice and peas

I beg you please

Give me the rice and peas

it's in the kitchen

Wake up, Pat. Wake up, man.

Why you dash 'way me dinner?

- Leave me alone.
- Wha' do you mean?

- Why you dash 'way me food? - Stop this
noise. Other people trying to sleep.

I don't give a fart 'bout other people.
I talk as loud as I want in my house.

Your house? You live here?

- Look, man, me starving.
- Leave me alone.

I have to go to work tomorrow,
unlike some people.

All I want to know is
why you dash 'way me food?

Look, it is my food. I
buy it with my money,

- I cook it and I do what I like with it.
- You do what?

- Del, if you want food, go and work...
- Just shut your mouth.

You come into my flat, you leave your job
and you talk to me about dignity.

How much dignity you have now?

Just shut up!

Trust me to have a woman like you.

Why you can't be like Sonia? Why you
can't be like Sonia and Chamberlain?

You don't see all them cool.

Why you have to get cheeky
and give me problems?

So tell me now.

You dash 'way the beefburgers them too?

Next time you do a thing like that,
just see what's goin' happen to you.

(Door shuts)

One thing is for sure.

If he thinks he's going to
come push me around, he's not
going to get away with it.

You're right, because once a man start
to put him hand pon you, them can't stop.

Just look at Sonia and Chamberlain.

Any excuse, him getting ready fe lick her.

You know what he said to me last night?

Why couldn't I be like Sonia?
She don't give Chamberlain no problems.

Del said that?

- You're joking!
- I couldn't believe it.

Just goes to show these nowadays man.

Sometimes you wonder
if it's worth bothering with them at all.

(Laughter)

Gwan, Natty.

Cards Nat West reject
mek Nat West de best.

And right now,
I feel a little emptiness in me chest.

See it deh. Me a follow
you all the way, man.

You still there with me?
You're goin' run me out of this game now.

A fifty!

Chamberlain, I'm going to see you fifty!

Wha' happen, Pat?

And another 50p!

Wha' happen, Pat?

Out. Get out.

Me have to raise you up to a pound.

See you a pound. (Laughs)

- Aeee...
- Del?

I think it's best if you find
somewhere else to live, cos
I can't take no more of this.

And these people - where them come from?
Don't they live anywhere?

I want all of them out.

- Just relax yourself, Pat.
- Don't tell me to relax.

You hear what I said.
Find somewhere to live.

Take your layabout friends.
I want everybody out.

- Wha' happen to her?
- What's wrong with you?

- You gone crazy or what?
- I don't want to hear. Just get out!

Cha, look, I done with the game here.

Come, Scotty, collect your money and go.

Look, I sorry about this, guys.

Come, Scotty. Let's go.

- Sorry about this.
- Sorry?

Talk to the chick.
Put her under control, man.

Is manners she want. Don't let her
talk to you like that, all right?

- Take it easy, yeah.
- Cool that chick of yours.

Pat, don't ever do that again
in front of my friends, you hear.

If you didn't bring them here,
I wouldn't have to.

Del, go and make your precious friends
look after you. I've had enough.

Just shut your mouth, man.

Let me rest in peace, done the subject.

Look, this is my flat. I want you
to take your things and get out.

Del, this is it. We're finished.

Just rest your noise, man.

Me live here now. Wha' happen to you?

Just shut your mouth before I
thump you down. (Kisses teeth)

I mean what I say.

Wha' you think you're doing?

Get out.

So you pull a knife on me now?

I don't want to stay
in this place, anyway.

It's only through problems with my father
you find me in this dump.

Me a tell you.

(Clattering) - Woman like you,
all you good for is trouble.

All you was to me was just a convenience,
that's all.

Where's me grey trousers?

And me shoes?

See, woman like you,
me know all about you now.

If I had money, it would
be a different story.

But through me down and out,

you want get cheeky with me.

Look.

Here's your stinking key, then.

I'm coming back tomorrow for
the rest of my things - my
records, my stereo, my clothes.

You'd better have everything ready for me,
and open the door.

I'll have them packed and waiting for you.

♪ RAS ANGELS & RAS MESSENGERS: ♪
Tribulation

♪ What did you say? ♪

♪ Tribulation ♪

♪ What did you say? ♪

♪ Tribulation ♪

♪ Is on us ♪

♪ We have been through ♪
a whole heap of suffering

♪ In a dis ya time ♪

♪ Also a lot of bad fighting ♪

♪ But there's one thing we must be now ♪

♪ And that is to be strong-minded ♪

♪ Strong-minded ♪

♪ So, watch now, tribulation ♪

♪ Is on us ♪

It seemed really strange being alone
after being with somebody for so long.

But after the things Del put me through,

I was determined to break out of it
and start life afresh.

(Doorbell)

- Pat, can I borrow a bit of perfume?
- Yeah, go on.

It's goin' be like the old times tonight.

Remember we used to be
the last one to dress all the time. God!

- Where's Cynthia?
- She's downstairs waiting in the car.

- Come on. Aren't you ready yet?
- All right, all right.

That looks nice.

- You think so?
- It's all right.

- What about my hair?
- Wha' you dress up for?

Come on, man.

Hang on.

Powder... Better take
the lot in case I sweat.

- Come on, Pat.
- Hang on, Sonia. Don't rush me.

Right.

- How's Tony?
- He's all right, you know.

Still the same - bit dull.

Oh, come on, Cynthia.
Always moaning at him.

I'm all right, man,
but sometime I want some excitement.

Careful.

You'll have enough excitement.

- You have a baby coming.
- Mm-hm.

- You have a nice house.
- Mm-hm.

Need some furniture, though.

What more do you want?

So what you been doing otherwise, Pat?

No, nothing, really.

Cynthia was lucky

She had everything I wanted.

My life seemed empty

All I was doing was changing at my flat,
buying clothes and seeing friends.

As usual, Cynthia had something
to say about my life.

She said I should get
involved with something.

You know, come to her political meetings.

But I wanted other things out of life.

(Phone rings)

Hello. Who is it?

Oh, Del, hello. How are you?

I'm fine, thank you.

Yes.

No, that was last week.

Yeah, that's right.

Del!

(Mouths)

No, I'm sorry.
She left this firm about three weeks ago.

Yeah, that's right.

OK. I will.

Yeah. Bye.

- Thanks, Chris.
- What was all that about?

- Nothing.
- You can tell me, you know.

OK.

Hey, wha' happen?

It's a long time, innit?

I just want to talk to you for a minute.

Pat, I just wan' talk to you for a minute.

- Why are you following me?
- I wan' reason with you, that's all.

(Kisses teeth)

I've thought about it a lot. And I
realise that most of it was my fault.

It's true. I did take you for granted.

I'm wiser now.
I feel say it can work out this time.

I know I shouldn't have involve myself
with my friends all the time.

And you're more important than friends.

I didn't check out what was happening.

I just figured you was
jealous and possessive.

First, when I lose my
job, first it hurt me.

After a while I was glad, cos I could
do anything - do what I want, when I want.

I was free.

Yeah, but you weren't working.

That started most of our problems.

Are you working now?

To tell you the truth, on and off.

Look, I don't wan' make no excuses,

but it's kind of hard to find work
as a toolmaker nowadays.

I'm doing some temporary agency work.

It's kinda hard to stick
them slavery jobs down.

I'll hold it till I get a decent job.

- Where are you staying?
- I'm staying at my parents' house.

I've been looking for a flat,
but it's hard to find a flat.

If you think finding work is hard...

Yeah.

It's torture with the old man.

I only eat and sleep there.

Would you like anything else to drink?

Could I have some wine, please?

Wine?

- Just pineapple juice.
- OK.

So, Pat, wha' you say about me and you?

Del, I don't know.

I'll have to think about it.

What would you have done
if I'd said I wasn't interested?

- Try again, innit.
- If I still said no?

Give up. (Laughs)

You laugh and then what?

Wha' you think? Find myself another woman.

I saw you with one after we broke up.

What woman?

Don't play innocent with me, Del.

I never touched any woman from the time
I started going out with you until now.

That's not what I hear.

- Wha' you hear? - Like you don't
know what I'm talking about.

Look, Del, if you going to start
lying to me, let me finish now.

Who you talking about?

I'm talking about a certain girl
I remember you telling me you didn't like.

- Who?
- Marcia.

Hold on, hold on. Hold this.

Me and her never had nothing, she too lie.

I know everything you're up to, you know.
I ncluding this one - Margaret.

God, but that was only a
little thing, you know.

A snack between meals kind of thing.

You are me main course.

Bitch, you take that.

What you do that for, man?

Next time, it'll be hot water
if you don't behave yourself, Delroy.

Me show you already
there's nothing to worry about.

Just letting you know,
things are going to be different now.

Tonight is my night
I'm going to shine so bright

I'm going to stand beneath the light

I put on my baggy trouser

- Oh, you know it?
- Yeah.

Bwoy! I give myself ten out often...
fe star appeal.

- And ten out often fe style.
- Style!

And ten out often fe murderous.

Wha' you think?

- Take your shirt collar out.
it don't look so nice. - No,
man. You too old-fashioned.

- I'm stylin' done with that already.
- Mm-hm.

Hurry up, man. Chamberlain soon come.

I've got to make myself look nice, Del.

You've been at it for an hour now.
You nah go look no better.

- Thank you very much.
- No charge.

(Doorbell)

A dem dat, you nuh.

Here, Pat. One minute, you nuh.

Hurry up, man.
You know how Chamberlain stay already.

Come on. I'm not all
dressing for Chamberlain.

Which you said to me

That you would never ever let me go free

You wanted me to be a bride

And always be right by your side

Imagine a thing like that

Oooh

Right back in my face you spat

As soon as I turned my back

Just imagine a thing like that

But I found you out

I n time, in time

Yes, I found you out

Big time

You led me on to believe

Thatl would always be your queen

What happened to those happy days?

When we laughed a lot, played silly games

Imagine a thing like that

Oooh

Right back in my face you spat

As soon as I turned my back

Just imagine a thing like that

But I found you out

In time, in time

Yes, I found you out

Big time

Yeah!

Hey! Hello.

How you doing?

- It's been ages.
- I know. I'll see you in a minute.

- Both changed.
- We're grown up. I'm a big woman now.

- Got kids?
- What about you? You have any pickney?

- Not yet.
- What do you mean, not yet?

I'm sure you have a couple round town.

I'll see you later. Take care.

- .. Me myself.
- What about yourself?

Are you married?

Hello. Look at all this chain.

Getting rich.

- Give me a break, please.
- Come here.

Come here.

Come here!

Sonia.

(Applause and cheering)

MAN:
Thank you very much. Thank you very much.

Five minutes I leave you. Five minutes.

What you mean, five minutes?

You were talking to that girl for an hour
and you tell me five minutes.

- Who was that guy you was talking to?
- A friend.

- Where you know him from?
- From school.

Me don't like you talking to nobody.

Look, I talk to who I like when I like.

If you don't like it,
you know what you can do about it.

I'm going back upstairs
cos I was having a good time.

- Me not finished with you.
- Let me go!

- Come here. Don't talk to me like that.
- You call yourself Mr Supercool?

- You're going home.
- Going home where?

- You're going home!
- What's wrong with you?

Chambers, stop it! Stop it, man!

(Sonia screams)

What's wrong with you?
What's wrong with you?

Rest yourself.

OK. I'm done, I'm done.

- Easy. Easy.
- Chamberlain, stop it, man!

- Easy.
- All right. I'm done I tell you.

Deal with that woman.

- You can't do them things outside a club.
- Simmer down.

- Del, hold him.
- Easy, man. Easy.

- Stop it!
- (Knife clicks out)

Just leave me. Just stay out of it, right.

- You turn bad man. - Just stay
out of my way It's my business.

You pull out knife pon a friend.

- Stop it now, man. This is stupidness.
- Me ready.

Rest yourself, right. Move out of my way.

- If you feels a bad man, come through me
now. - Move out the way! it's my fight!

(Siren)

Look, man, the bull are
coming. Stop it, man.

(Tyres screech)

Where do you think you're going?
You come here.

(Second siren)

Let go of me, man.

(Confused shouting)

Just leave him.

Don't be silly. Take it easy.

(Shouting)

(Sirens blare)

(Screams)

Del!

Yes?

I was told that Delroy Bennett was here.

Oh, yes. He's here all right.

And his mate Scott.

What's it got to do with you?

- L-I'm just a friend.
- What sort of friend?

- His girlfriend.
- Girlfriend, eh?

Well, your boyfriend's in bad trouble.

Scott's already been charged,
but Bennett's got to wait.

Can I see him?

Not until we get a medical report
on that police officer your
boyfriend tried to carve up.

- Shall I stay?
- Suit yourself.

Can't you tell me what's happening?

Look, miss, we don't even know
what's happening ourselves.

It might even be Monday before we know
how bad that lad of yours is in trouble.

So why don't you just go home?

Or you can wait here. Suit yourself.

Want to come to a party, sweetheart?

Talking to you, love. Here!

Here, love.

(Speeds off)

So, wha' happen after that?

I went to the police station.

When I got there
they said he was in there with Scotty.

How long they goin' keep him there?

Did babylon say if they charge him yet?

They said they haven't charged him yet.

It would be serious
cos one of the police is in hospital.

More than serious.
Wha' happen to the other breda?

They said he was charged with assault.

All right. I'll go and get a lawyer
to go down to the police station with me.

Del name Bennett, innit? And Scotty?

Newham Scott.

All right. I will see you later, yeah?

- All right.
(Picks up keys)

I just don't understand what's happening.

You will in time.

Long time I don't see you.

Wha' happen, you nah talk to me?

Hey, I just cut a tune, you know.

I just come back from studio. Wha' happen?

Wha' happen? You nah talk?

Hey, me nah bite you.
Let me hum this tune for you. it go:

La la-la la la-la la lah

Leave me alone.

All right.

By the time you hear this tune
you goin' wan' know me.

(Horn toots)

Been waiting a long time?

Del got four years.

I couldn't believe it

My whole life was falling down round me.

I was really grateful to Cynthia, though,

cos without her
I don't know what I would have done.

Going to prison was
another bad experience.

Imagine me going to a prison.

If my father had found out,
he would have disowned me.

I just wanted to hide away

Hi.

The barrister think
you'll only get two years.

For what?

So they can take 'way my freedom
cos I defended myself?

What was I supposed to do?

Let them beat me? Am I a dog?

No, man. Them days are done.

And hear the judge
'bout de policeman get scarred for life.

Look pon this. That's wha' them do to me.

And it's me who get four years.

- All right, Del.
- All right, wha'?

Them babylon beasts worse still for them.

Stop it. Don't go over this again,
cos I'm leaving.

Why don't you just go?

Cynthia says hello.

She wants to see you next time
so write your name in the visitor's...

- Del, are you listening?
- I hear you, man.

Why you never answer
the letter I write you?

I only got it two days ago.

And I was coming to see you.

I'll probably write to
you tonight or tomorrow.

Del, can't you write about nothing else?

It's the truth, man!

Wha' you want me to write about?
How lovely this place is?

Don't be silly.

Right now is only one thing pon my mind.
And it's vengeance!

It's vengeance I want,
it's vengeance I goin' get.

If you don't like it,
just gwan about your business.

It's not worth going all over this again.

Is it all right to smoke?

Since when you start smoking?

Cynthia and Tony are waiting outside.

Cynthia's a good friend, you know.

I know.

So, you finally turn up.
Where you been all this time?

Pat, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. (Sniffs)

- Sorry about what?
- About the incident, about the court.

Not turning up. I can't
tell you how bad I feel,

cos I know it's all my fault.

It's not your fault.

It is! it is! And I know it is.

And I'm sorry.

Oh, come on, Sonia.

It's not your fault.

Besides, everything happened already.
Nothing you can do about it.

How can you blame yourself
for what happened that night?

It's not you, it's Chamberlain.

Pat, I know you must really hate me now.

I'm sorry.

Come on, Sonia. Pull yourself together.

You'll only start me thinking about things
I'm trying to forget.

When was the last time
you saw Chamberlain?

I haven't seen him for a while.

I don't know where he is and I don't care.

Got myself a new boyfriend now.

How long you been going
out with this bwoy?

Three weeks now. He's nothing like
Chamberlain, he's really nice.

He buys me this and he buys me that

- Treats me like a real lady.
- Yes, they always do in the beginning.

Gwan like dem can't mash ants.

You do remember Mr Chamberlain, innit,
how him did so sweet?

I remember,
but people learn from their mistakes.

Let's hope you do.

Butl'm sure Tyrone's genuine.

Pat, I was just telling Cynthia
about Tyrone, how nice he is.

He's a bit like Del.

Have you decided what you're going to do,
if you're going to stick with him?

Four years is a long time.
I don't know if I could wait that long.

Something the matter?

Being in there with all that bad company..

Will you shut your mouth?

You be careful before you have the baby
pon the stairs.

Wha' you been doing with yourself?

Nothing much.

You?

Getting into rules and regulations
and slave existence.

Imagine that.
We're supposed to have come a long way.

Cynthia and Sonia say hello.

Give them mine.

There's a whole heap of black man
in here, you nuh.

All man me hear gone America
is here me find them.

That bwoy that used to pester you,
I sight him in here. He look well gone.

What's wrong with you?
You have something to tell me?

Yeah.

I'm listening.

Well, I've been thinking...

Four years is a long time.

It was two years, now it's four.

Del, listen.

I know I've got to think about you.

So whey you a say now,
you want done everything?

I dunno.

Well, gwan now. Done it
Go and live your life.

Cos all I hear from you is your friends
say this, your friends say that.

Yeah, you been through some tribulations,

but you a gwan like is my fault.

Is my fault me locked up in a this dump.

You know what it's like to be locked up?

Every morning when I wake up is walls.

And next man a share
with you, day in day out

You can't even sit down and think.

Call man and scream,

"Nigger, nigger, for a fight"

Yeah, them's the tribulations me have to
face and is now you a turn you back on me.

What was I to do?

I knew only I could decide.

Being at the Carnival, I hoped I
could forget everything for the day

♪ Steel band ♪

♪ Reggae ♪

But I couldn't get Del out of my mind.

I kept thinking of him locked away

I realised how much I felt for him.

I just want to know
if there's going to be any kind of...

future for me. Us.

So whey you think?

You think after you wait and wait I just
goin' come out and dig up and leave you?

You should know me better than
that, man. It's not like we
just met each other, is it?

You should know within yourself.

All right.

I'll wait.

Besides, it's good news.

My appeal should come up soon
and the judge might reduce my sentence.

PAT: Del asked me to send him
a few books to read.

At first it was just a few,
but then he wanted more and more.

It surprised me,
cos he didn't read much before.

What was funny was his interest in books
was rubbing off on me.

Scotty!

- You all right?
- Yeah.

- A long time I don't see you.
- Long time I don't see you.

- How"s Del?
- He's all right.

Why you not come and see him?
You never even write.

The first chance I get, I'll come and see
him, I promise. You must tell him that.

- Yeah.
- I just work down the corner, you know.

- What, down there?
- Yeah.

- From last week.
- You're just by me.

- You work down there, too?
- Yeah. We should meet.

- Where's Chamberlain? See him?
- He got stabbed up by a gal.

- What?
- A gal stabbed him up.

Serve him right. Serve him right.

Hearing that made my day cos Chamberlain
had that coming to him a long time.

More good news.
Cynthia's had a little girl.

She's calling her lfe.
It's Yoruba for "love".

You know the book I've been reading?

It's opened my eyes to some of the things
about black people's conditions

I didn't think about before.

We're not alone, Del.

I'm going now.

Take care and love.

PS - enclose a £5 postal order

- Hello.
- Hello.

How are you?

- Welcome.
- Cynthia, congratulations.

Oh, isn't she sweet?

- How much she weigh?
- Six pounds.

Big woman already.

- I can see she have your mouth.
- Oh, no.

Everyone says that but me no think that.
Shut up.

Oh, yes, I think so.

I feel sorry for the poor
little girl, you know?

- What a handicap.
- Thanks a lot!

- All right. Just find the door. Cha.
- No, she's really cute.

Oh, I've got something for you.

Some flowers.

Thanks a lot. They're lovely.

And some fruits.

- By the way, this is Lorna.
Lorna, that's Pat. - Hi.

Hi.

Don't I know your face from somewhere
before?

I don't think so.

- I can't remember you.
- Probably not

it's just me. Every time I see someone,
I think I know them.

I do the same thing.

Lorna's the same as you.
Her boyfriend in prison.

Two years now.

How long's he in for?

He's got two more years to serve.
They gave him five years. And yours?

Wait, now. Wait, wait.

Me introduced the two of you
and now nobody don't want to talk to me.

- (All laugh)
LORNA: Yes.

- Where were we?
PAT: Sorry,

LORNA: Prison can be a lonely place,

especially when you don't have anyone
to communicate with outside.

How did you take it
when Chucky went to prison?

I kind of half expected it in a way,
cos Chucky wanted to do things in life.

When he couldn't find what he wanted
and when I had the baby,

it put more pressure on him.

- How did your family take it?
- My family?

Cos my mum...well, she didn't mind too
much, by my dad, he was something else.

With me, it was the other way around.

My father still sticks by me.

But my mother...

Bwoy, from the time I get pregnant,
she threw me out of the house.

You know, with her,
"Lord God, after all me do for you,

you come bring shame upon me house."

PAT: I felt close to Lorna.

She was involved in a prisoners'
organisation which struggled for
the rights of black prisoners.

She invited me along.

WOMAN: ..for somebody to collect them.
- I'll be there.

They can come as early
as they want, really.

- Could I suggest, Richard...
- Yes?

...that you come up with some transport
and pick up the placards.

I've actually got some transport. I've
got some. I can collect it tomorrow.

WOMAN: How much is that going to cost us?
RICHARD: They'll be charging £15.

Plus we supply petrol.

I've got to pick it up
tomorrow at three o'clock.

WOMAN: Steve will go with you.
- Yeah, I'll go down with you as well.

WOMAN: All right I have contacted
other groups who are willing to give out,

hand out, our publicity material...
and also attend the picket

Yes, I would like to hear some suggestions
which can go onto these placards,

from the rest of the people.

- "Don't drug the prisoners."
- Yeah, things about drugs in prison.

♪ RAS ANGELS & RAS MESSENGERS: ♪
Righteous Warriors

♪ The righteous warriors a come ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Righteous warriors a come ♪

♪ Them a come, them a come, ♪
them a come

♪ The righteous warriors a come ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Warriors coming from the East ♪

♪ Warriors coming from the West ♪

♪ Them coming from the North and South ♪

♪ Them coming from all about ♪

♪ Say them a come fe centralise ♪

♪ In a dis ya iration rise ♪

♪ Fe go march down the enemy ♪

♪ And set them people free ♪

♪ Righteous warriors a come ♪

♪ Them a come, them a come, ♪
them a come

♪ The righteous warriors a come ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Them coming, yeah ♪

♪ Yeah, yeah... ♪

SONIA: Isn't Cynthia's baby girl sweet?
- Yeah.

She's got a really beautiful name - lfe.

- Do you like it?
- Yeah. it's really nice.

I don't think so. it's awful.

Why? What's wrong with it?

- Well, lfe is a funny name, innit?
- No. Tell me what's wrong with it?

It's African, innit.

So what's wrong with that?
It's Africa we come from, isn't it?

- Yeah, but...
- Yeah, but what?

Sonia, you go on so stupid sometimes.

I see you've changed up your room.

This is nice.

Where'd you get it from?

Community bookshop.

What are you reading?

What - Malcolm X? Don't tell me
you're getting into this black thing.

(Pat laughs)

What are you going on with now, Sonia?

Pat, I can't keep it any longer. I've got
to tell you the good news. Guess what.

- What?
- Go on, guess.

I'm getting married, Pat
Innit great? Innit fantastic?

- Congratulations.
- Thank you.

I can't tell you how happy I feel.

You know how long I've waited for this
and it was so romantic.

When Tyrone proposed to me,
it was in this Indian restaurant.

Candlelights, wine and everything.

When he put it to me,
I was so overcome I was speechless.

And when I did get my voice back,
I couldn't say yes fast enough.

This is going to be the most soulful
a all wedding.

- When is it?
- Three months' time.

I'm getting cards specially printed
to invite all my friends.

I just can't wait to see their faces
when I walk down the aisle

in my beautiful snow-white dress.

Just think, I'm going to be the first one
out of all of us.

Then after the ceremony the reception's at
Tyrone's parents' place - my new in-laws.

They're really nice people.
You can tell they like me.

Pat!

- Are you listening?
- Yeah.

Have you got Marcia's phone number?
I had it but I can't find it.

- I want to tell her the good news.
- I have it.

- Great What about Mona and Antoinette?
- I'll give that to you before you go.

Pat..

I want you to be my chief bridesmaid and
help me organise everything. All right?

Yeah, all right.

Well, don't sound too enthusiastic.
You still got the hump against me for Del?

- Don't be so stupid.
- What's wrong, then?

Nothing, Sonia.

DEL: You look really
nice, you know. Natural.

So me like you.

Wha' you been doing with yourself?

I've been helping out
on the scheme I was telling you about.

I'm really glad, you know.
That is something constructive.

Me tell a whole heap of men in here about
it. And them really happy, you know.

Cos them feel so cut off
Them don't have nobody to write to.

So for them it's a cool thing.

And me happy to say,
"Is my woman involved in a dis thing."

Them all want to meet you.

Yeah?

- So, it's true Sonia really
has settled down? - Mm-hm.

She come round the other night
and she couldn't stop.

All she's interested in is
getting a ring put on her finger
to show off to her friends.

Everything is for show.

She want me for be chief bridesmaid.

- So are you going to do it?
- Yeah.

If I didn't, she'd get upset Plus
she'll think it's something to
do with what happened to you.

It's up to you, but if it was me,
she wouldn't dare come near me, you nuh.

You know, mek she gwan.

- How's Cynthia and she youth?
- Fine.

Them all gone home now.

I'm glad she give it a irie cultural name.

- She and Tony was always...you know.
- It's true, you know.

Now is different, you know.

Cos...

I never really used to check her.

I used to check her as kind
of a weird gal, you know.

But now me know her, she all right.

Tony cool, too.

- So you tell them about the appeal?
- Me tell everybody.

I know only half of them
goin' turn up on the day.

You're probably right

You know...

I know them man nah go free me,

but I hope them reduce my sentence.

Cos this place really a get to me now,
you nuh.

Especially now me eyes are open wider.

See what's happening around me,
both in ya and out deh.

This place is pure madness, man.

It'll be all right. it'll be all right.

The longer I stay in this
dump, the more chance I goin'
end up in a serious conflict.

(Thump on seat reverberates)

Could the defendant stand, please?

JUDGE: We have listened to
your counsel's argument in this case,

and although some might argue
that the trial judge acted rather harshly,

considering this is your first of fence,

we do not share this view.

We think it quite right that
heavy sentences be meted
out to those who have...

little regard for law and
order, as a deterrent against
vicious hooligan behaviour

The sentence stands.

What kind of justice you call this?

(Rings doorbell)

Whey you want?

Me no know you.

You'd better go 'way
before me dash water pon you.

Gwan, then, if you're bad. (Laughs)

- Wha' happen?
- Hello, Miss Scarce.

- Me no see you for a long time.
- M.

- How's little lfe?
- She's all right. She gone to bed.

Probably gone for the
rest of the night now.

- This is for her.
- Oh...ta.

Go sit down. Me soon come.

Just give me a second, yeah?

All right.

- So, how's Tony?
- He's all right.

He's on late shift tonight.

Mmm.

Is a long time since I taste this.

But now you done, tell me this, right...

Me see Lorna Tuesday
and she say she can't see you no whey.

I saw her this evening.

I was coming out of the laundrette,
I hear this voice behind me.

"So wha' happen?
You no come see me no more."

You know the way she go on?

And what?

- Nothing.
- What you mean "nothing"?

Cynthia, don't you start.
I get enough interrogation from her.

But you lose interest?

Yeah.

Kind of, you know.

I just don't seem to have the enthusiasm.

I do understand, you know, Pat.

I mean, I went through
that just before I had lfe.

It's just a phase, though.
You soon come outta it, man. Cha!

Listen to this.

♪ BIG YOUTH: Tippertone Rock ♪

- You remember this, gal?
- Mm-hm.

Me remember.

You remember this?

You is a liar.

Me want shame you cos me know say
you couldn't remember such a tune.

You was just a gal when dis a lick.

That was exactly why you put it on.

Me know exactly why you put it on.

- Come dance. No, man, get up and dance.
- No.

- Come dance.
- No, just leave me.

Old woman, come dance. Come on.

No, don't call me "old woman".

I might as well sit down, then,
since you is old woman.

- Me is old woman, too.
- Is whey you moaning for?

I put on me music fe you dance
and you nuh want to get up and dance.

- I don't want to dance.
- You can't dance pon you batty.

Me tired, Cynthia. Me tired.

- You see.
- Me has a reformed buttocks.

A reformed buttocks.

I have to go now. it's getting late.

No, wait till Tony come.
Him will drop you when him come.

It's all right. Me live around the corner.
Besides, it's nice and warm.

No, man, wait till Tony come.
It's no problem.

- It's all right
- You sure? Because it late.

It's not safe to walk on the street
this time of night

Look, I can look after myself.

This is my protection.

Excuse me. All right, then. I'll come
with you to the end of the road anyway.

No, stay. lfe may wake up.

Ife's all right. You no want me fe come?

I'm going to get my coat.

- Go to sleep now.
- All right, Cynthia. See you. Right?

All right. Take care. Mind how you go.

- M m-hm. Give my love to Tony.
- And Del.

- See you.
- Goodbye.

MAN: Yeah?

(Low conversation)

(Vehicle approaches)

MAN: Go home, you filthy black!
- Kill the bastard!

(Gunshots)

No!

(Siren wails)

CYNTHIA: Don't think
about it any more, Pat

Me just glad say you still alive.

LORNA: It could have been much worse.

At least it's just your leg.

I say I can't get over dis, you nuh.

Them coulda kill me.

Take my life.

I know how you feel, yeah?
Cos right now, I could just...

Tony, don't you start.

What do you mean, don't start?
You don't see what them do to her?

You want to listen,
make everybody hear her.

Look, we a go show dem
dat we too nah jester.

We can't just let them come into our
community attacking innocent people.

Since is war dem a deal with,
mek we gi' dem some war

till we get some justice
in this rasclat place.

Pat, dem nah get 'way wit' it, you hear.

Is what me do to them?

Answer dat.

LORNA: All right, Pat

Just try and relax your mind.
I bring you something to read.

OK.?

Thank you, Lorna.

But right now, is experience too.

No, you'l still need this.

I'll leave it.

Here come my parents.

We'll go now, all right?

OK?

Tony.

I have this letter I
want you to get to Del.

OK. Look, stay strong, yeah?

Remember, we come too far already.

DEL: Pat, if I was out there,
somebody's blood woulda run

as me waged war upon them with no terms.

And nobody nah stop them.

Well, it have to stop...because
we've been victims too long.

It's time black people gather themselves,
resist them and fight back.

Pat, as you know,
my commitment to you is as always -

one of love and struggle.

So, strength, my African woman,
because it dread in a dis time.

(Repeated phrase on mouth organ)

Wha' happen?

The music, you nuh?

(Coins jangle)

You don't remember me, then?

I remember you from a long, long time ago,
you know?

Look...

Here's a little organisation, yeah?

It can help you.

Del, though we are apart,
your letters bring me closer to you.

Through them, I can share and
feel your thoughts, your moods,

when you're high, low,
militant and loving.

Thinking back, we've come a long
way together in three years.

So many things have happened.

Who would have thought we would have
survived all those hard times

and come through stronger than ever?

I never believed that my life and dreams
could have changed so much.

Now, like others, I am part of the
struggle for equal rights and justice.

(Group singing)

Physical

You say you gonna do our works

You say you gonna see it through

You shoulda wait on I one

You shoulda get your portion done

I tell you, it's time to do your work

All these words a go change our history

These words a go change
the way we feel

Words a go change our suffering

Right now it's time for militancy

Cos these words
a go change our history

These words a go change
the way we feel

And these words a go change
our suffering

Right now it's time for militancy

Militancy

Militancy

Militancy

Militancy

Militancy

Militancy

Yes I...