Holiday Heart (2000) Movie Script

When days are dark

and cloudy are my skies

-I hold on and learn to...

-Stretch out

Yeah

Keep on believing

Keep on praying

-Hold on and learn to...

-Stretch out

Now the race

isn't given to the swift

And neither is it

given to the strong

But to them

that endureth to the end

Stretch out

Oh, stretch out

When days are dark

and cloudy are my skies

-I hold on and learn to...

-Stretch out

You got to keep

on believing Keep on praying

-Hold on and learn to...

-Stretch out

Oh, when Satan

gets on my track

And tries to

turn me back

I don't worry

I don't fret

I just stretch out

Whoa!

When I am lost

when I am sad

-Jesus is there

-He'll make me glad

You know

The Lord won't deceive you

The Lord, He won't leave you

-Stretch out

-Oh, Jesus

-Stretch out

-Oh, my Jesus

Stretch out

Oh, stretch out

stretch out

Stretch out

Ladies and gentlemen,

welcome to the Penthouse.

You are going up...

Up... Up...

Ding, ding, ding!

You are at the top floor.

A warm hand, please,

for the Penthouse girls.

Alexandra.

Antoinette.

Athena.

Vonya Teasya.

Wild Orchid.

Roxanne.

And, of course,

there's Mark.

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.

Welcome to the Penthouse.

You've reached the top floor.

...right here

at the Penthouse. You're going up.

You're going up.

Ding, ding, ding! You're here.

You have arrived at the Penthouse.

Nothing up here is a drag.

So won't you give a warm welcome,

if you please

to the Penthouse's oldest treasure,

Holiday Heart.

Holiday. Holiday.

We love you, Holiday.

Ooh!

Baby love, my baby love

I need you

Oh, how I need you

But all you do

is treat me bad

Break my heart

and leave me sad

Tell me

what did I do wrong

To make you

stay away so long

I love you, Holiday.

My baby love

Been missing ya, miss kissing ya

Baby love, my baby love

Why must we

separate, my love

All of my whole

life through

I never love

no one but you

Why you do me

like you do

I get this need

Ooh! Ooh!

We love you, Holiday.

Need to hold you

once again, my love

Feel your warm

embrace, my love

Don't throw our love away

Please don't do me this way

So deep in love with you

Baby, baby, ooh

Save me, save me

Oh, baby, baby love

Don't throw our love away

All right, baby, we're almost there.

Keep your eyes closed.

You're not playing with me, are you?

I'm gonna

make sure you got your eyes closed.

All right, you ready?

-I bought it.

-Oh!

For you, baby.

Oh, yeah.

It's ours, baby.

We can tell people

you live on one side, I live on the other.

You know, we play the game.

Between me and you,

we just got ourselves a big ass place, baby.

You better carry me

over the threshold.

I'm sorry we had to meet

on such an occasion.

I would have liked

to have met you all before now.

But judging from

the temperature drop at my entrance,

baby, you did right

by keeping me in the corner crack

of your closet.

Don't touch me.

I've heard enough of this.

Okay, baby.

Per your request.

Oh, my baby love

I need you

But all you do

Is treat me bad

I've heard enough of this in my church.

Deacon Johnson,

Deacon Booker.

Break my heart

and leave me sad

Give me the mic.

-Give me the microphone.

-Tell me, what did I do wrong?

Give me the microphone.

Tell me what...

No! No! No! No!

The wine.

Paris is magnificent

in the spring.

Now, you try.

End of side four.

Plan on starting my New Year there.

New beginnings.

Well, Paris is the place.

Two tickets?

No, just one.

Well...

If you're looking,

Paris is the place.

People are so real, man.

Race, who you fuck,

it doesn't matter.

I met my lover there.

Maybe you will get lucky, too.

-Hello?

-Miss Holiday, girl.

Where are you?

Where are you...

Blue, I'm on my way.

Look, now I know we're not taking

that broke down car of yours.

Yes, I'm taking my car,

and it's not going to break down, okay?

-Bye, fool.

-Don't you hang up on me, girl.

Miss Holiday, I told you

to sell that piece of car.

I don't care if it was Fisher's.

Now look at us.

Just stuck out here

in the middle of nowhere.

God, you're like a sissy

with his legs stuck in midair.

Ready, but nothing's happening.

Over here we got

Holiday before Fisher's death.

And over here, well, this is where Fisher is

going to be reincarnated in France.

And what do you have right here

in the middle staring you in your face?

Blue, you giving me

a headache, girl.

No, missy, everything

gives you a headache.

Your big head hurts

'cause your little head ain't getting enough.

Somebody, please help me!

Please just help me!

He's beating on my mom, please!

Help.

Help me. Please.

He's beating up on my mama, hurry.

Holiday? What you doing?

Miss Holiday?

Get back over here, girl!

She might have an Uzi!

Holiday!

Taxi!

I typically have to whip

your ass, all right.

It's gonna be the last

ass you whip!

I ain't playing with you!

You know what,

I'm gonna kill you!

Mom!

Shit! I don't want to hurt you, man.

-But I'll go ahead.

-Hey, asshole!

What's the matter?

You can't find a man to beat up on?

Get your hands off me.

Now, come on.

Yeah, throw another punch.

I want the undertaker

to earn his fee,

'cause he gonna be picking up pieces of

your ass all over this damn building.

Now come on, macho man. Trick or treat?

Just what I thought. Little bitch!

You okay, girl?

Come on, we gonna

get you out of here.

Stupid ass faggot friends out here.

Run a knife on me?

Huh? Lookie here, Wanda.

Oh, no! LT, not my stories!

-Not my stories!

-Now, please. Not my mama's stories.

You ain't never gonna be shit.

You ignorant junkie!

You can't read.

You don't know if I can write.

You sissy.

We gonna get your mom out of here.

That's my place over there.

Oh, I was going to get that fixed,

but I thought until somebody

moved in, why bother.

People just ain't raising their kids

to value anything anymore.

Does this work?

Last time I looked, Miss Niki.

Now, I usually only rent

to the old and infirmed.

Well, I ain't old,

but I guess I'm infirmed.

Well, baby, we all got a story to tell.

Don't worry.

I wasn't about to tell you anything.

Mama, I got my own bedroom!

My own bedroom!

But, baby, there ain't

even a bed in there.

So I know. I'll just make me

a pallet on the floor.

That's what I usually do.

Well, maybe we can see

about finding you a bed.

I may have something downstairs

in the storage or in my other building.

Now I'm only helping

you out for a month or so.

I'm planning a big trip overseas.

I can't pay you much

'cause he took my last check.

Don't worry about that.

We'll talk about that in the morning.

I think Miss Niki here

needs her beauty sleep.

Now, tomorrow

we go over house rules.

I called out your name

In a mystic dream last night

Saw that old smile that I miss

It was a beautiful smile

Now, baby, I don't know

what you and God cooking up,

but I'm only taking them

in for a few days.

I ain't letting nothing

get in the way of Paris.

Each time I...

Knowing that you're not here

But what can I do

Hello?

Miss Holiday, girl,

what happened to you?

I've been looking for you

all night long, honey.

Blue, Blue, stop screaming.

I'm still alive.

Hey!

May I come in?

I'm sorry about tonight.

I thought he was going

to stay clean this time.

You shouldn't have

thrown his stuff in the toilet, though.

You knew that was

gonna make him mad.

We're not going back, are we?

No.

No, Niki.

No, ma'am.

You know, I made you a promise.

I am not gonna be

around drugs anymore.

No, ma'am.

Not in this life.

You know what?

You know what I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna start writing.

I'm gonna start

my writing again.

Yeah, that's what I'm gonna do.

I can get some of

my poetry together.

You know how they

have in the back of Essence?

How they have

the poetry and sisters

sending their stuff

from all over the country?

I could get my stuff

in the back of Essence.

Hey,

I will not stop working

on my life story

'cause that's the bestseller.

You know, writers...

Good writers have

to go through a whole lot of stuff.

I've been through this.

I just gotta write it down.

Thanks.

Child, where'd you learn to eat? The army?

Okay, this is the story.

I'm gonna make you a deal.

And I've already prayed on it.

You need to let us stay here.

See, my mother needs

to stay away from men for a while.

I don't mean you.

I just mean men

that ain't no good.

See, men are her weakness.

She's a writer.

She writes poetry and short stories.

And she's been working on this book about

her life when she used to do drugs.

But don't worry, now she's clean.

She's been rehabbing

for six months.

LT, you know, the one

with no vocabulary?

He was rehabbing too.

But now he's back on the re-habit,

if you know what I mean.

See, I'm trying to keep

my mother from doing the same thing.

And I think if she becomes a famous writer

like Terry McMillan or somebody,

she'll never use drugs again.

You feel me?

Oh, I feel you.

Look, Holiday, if you let us stay,

I'll do anything you want.

That's the deal.

It's too early for Blue.

Hello?

Holiday,

the toilet done overflown.

Lorenzo gone in there.

Please help me out.

Okay, Miss Mason.

Don't use it till I get there.

Bye-bye.

You ever fix a toilet?

Man, you must really

be rich to own two places.

But you really need

to fix your places up.

Or, are you supposed

to be a slum landlord?

Now, child, you could have kept

that last comment to yourself.

I can always take this bed

and put it back in the basement.

You are so cool!

Who would have thought

you like rap?

And you like it loud,

just like I do.

Yeah, who would have thought.

Where have you been?

I was worried sick, Niki.

I left you a note.

I went with Holiday.

We had so much fun.

He bought us all this food

and he bought us a bed.

Take your little womanish

self in the house.

Why are you being

so good to us?

You know, just so you know,

I don't do fags.

Oh, good.

And just so you know,

I don't do no-talent evil bitches

who sleep all day instead of taking

care of their damn children.

Okay?

What a friend we have

in Jesus

All our sins and griefs to bear!

Yes!

It's Niki.

I made you some Kool-Aid.

I made you some dinner.

Don't expect me

to beg you to eat it.

Well, come on in Laurel and Hardy.

See, Mama, look.

See, it ain't portable.

"Isn't portable."

I'm trying to get her

to use correct grammar.

Oh, that's very nice.

Well, I hope I say this

with correct grammar,

but sister girl, this food

sure don't look appetizing.

It's all beige, isn't it?

Well, let's just put it this way,

Holiday can burn.

So from here on out,

let's say I do all the cooking. Okay?

What is it anyway?

I don't know.

Oh, you look beautiful, darling.

Yes.

I don't have to go to

church to fellowship with the Lord.

That's what every sinner

says on Sunday.

Now you need to mingle

to be an example for your daughter.

I rebuke this nicotine

in the name of Jesus.

Darling, you look fab.

-Yeah?

-Just go in there and be yourself.

Wish I had a cigarette.

No.

Okay, I just wish I had one.

Not a lot of work history.

I told Brother Holiday

at church that we was really looking

for someone

with some experience.

Cool. Thank you very much.

Hey, now just hold on a minute.

Lady, I do not have a minute.

I just gave you 20.

I have a 12-year-old daughter

who's starting not to believe in me again.

And I need a job.

But I am not about to beg you

or anybody else to work in here.

And for the record.

In my opinion,

you got a nice little shop here,

but you'd sell

a lot more stuff if you liven it up.

Oh, Jesus, please.

Wanda, don't talk too much, girl.

Brother Holiday is

one of our most loyal church members.

I guess if he can

give you a chance,

I can, too.

Yes!

The bible tells me so

"They used to be

young and firm

"Quick to part

and slow to learn

"But my thighs

are mine to keep"

When you gonna write about something

that doesn't involve your body parts?

You know what, remind me never to

show anything to you again.

And you're lucky

I don't show you my Sally right now.

-Your what?

-My Sally.

My sugar bowl.

-Please, darling.

-Oh, yes!

Happy birthday, Holiday!

-It's my birthday.

-It's your birthday.

Okay, if these young'uns

have a gun, you drop, all right?

Yeah, I know, I know.

Principal Reed,

I'm having a real problem

with you-know-who.

-Not again.

-Excuse me.

-Are you the principal?

-Yes.

Excuse me.

Okay, I'm Wanda Dean.

This is Niki Dean.

This is my daughter.

Hi, Niki.

Niki Dean.

Remember her name now.

She is brilliant.

Now I'm delivering her

to you as a happy straight "A" student

with an imagination.

And I expect you

to return her to me the same way.

Otherwise I can be

a nightmare bitch.

So if she as much

gets a hangnail,

you let me know, okay?

-I promise you. I understand.

-Okay.

We'll take good care

of your daughter.

Have a good day, Nicole.

"A nightmare bitch"?

I'm just keeping it real.

Where are we going?

Hey.

Happy birthday, Niki!

Oh, my God!

That's why you spent

the whole week at my house.

Your mother was up

all day and night doing this.

And I almost finished.

Wait, look here.

See, these are

the goddesses, Nicolette...

Nicolette and Wandesia.

And they discovered

their secret powers

and they go on

to encounter infinite possibilities

in their new kingdom.

Just like us, girl.

Thanks, Mom.

You're the best mother

in the whole wide world.

I love you so much.

Stand back!

-But it's my mother.

-Stand back.

I'm telling you,

I just don't get how she could

deny her mother like that.

I mean, her mother

was so good to her.

Everybody has a story to tell, child.

So when are you

gonna tell us yours?

About the time you publish

your first book and looking for a second.

Oh, God!

In all directions

under the midnight sun,

the junkiest feast ever,

has just begun.

To the wind. Sail!

Okay.

I don't know.

I mean, I usually have a list of wishes,

but we got everything!

We got a place, you're happy...

And we got a family, finally!

You, me and Holiday.

So, I don't know, you go.

Okay.

I wish...

I wish that I could stop wishing.

With my Jesus

With Jesus

He is my Lord

Walking with my Jesus

He's around

Oh, with my Jesus

Can't go on

He walks with me

All day long

I've been walking

Walking with Jesus

He is our Lord

He is

He is our Lord

Oh, yeah

Yeah, man,

how much you want?

Wanda?

What's up, baby?

Don't get shot, LT.

-What's up, girl?

-What do you think is up?

Hey, give me some love, baby.

Come on, man.

Come on! Come on!

I'm at church!

Get off me! Damn!

You've been

my good luck charm.

It ain't gonna work this time, LT.

-Is that right?

-That's right!

-Huh?

-Yeah!

Come on now.

What?

For you, baby.

If you want more where that came

from, you know where to find me.

Yes.

Niki! What's happening?

How you doin'?

Come here! It's me, baby!

You know, he is ignorant. Here.

Wanda, look here,

keep working them stories, right?

-All right.

-Just like I was talking about.

Warrior women! Woo!

Sorry about that, fellas.

Cool. Cool.

LT...

Oh, Niki, I'm okay.

I'm okay.

It's all right.

Mommy's okay. Come here.

Come here.

Sweetie, I'm all right.

I was just talking to LT.

I'm scared, Niki.

I was thinking about

maybe putting off my trip a little bit.

Paris is prettier

in the spring anyway.

Lord knows somebody

got to keep y'all out of trouble.

I can't breathe!

I love you!

I love you too!

Girl, you gonna make

my makeup run.

And now, you can all

fight for your soul

-because Holiday is here!

-Holiday!

I need love, love

to ease my mind

I need to find, find

someone to call mine

But Momma said

Can't hurry love

You'll just have to wait

She said love

don't come easy

It's a game of give and take

I can't hurry love

No, you'll just have to wait

You gotta just give it time

No matter how long it takes

But how many heartaches

must I stand

Not many, darling.

Not many.

Before I find a love

To let me live again

Right now the only thing

That keeps me hanging on

When I feel my strength

Yet, it's almost gone

I remember Momma said

No, you'll just have to wait

She said

love don't come easy

It's a game of give and take

Can't hurry love

Oh, you'll just have to wait

She said just give it time

No matter how long it takes

Gotta wait

No love, love

don't come easy

But I keep on waiting

What's a fine woman like you

doing in a place with all these fags, baby?

That's my friend.

What you doin' here?

Looking for you.

Not here, please.

To hold me tight

Oh! Oh!

But it ain't easy

Oh! Wait a minute!

There's a show going on!

Tell me about it.

She said just give it time

No matter

how long it takes

It's times like this

I really miss getting high.

Holiday,

if anything ever happens to me,

will you look after Niki?

Girl, just 'cause I wrap my legs around

you don't mean you're gonna die!

Damn!

I'm serious!

Wanda, I would lay down

my life and die for Niki.

You know that, girl.

I know.

Thank you.

I love you, Holiday.

Now, you entered

this talent show, so we're in it to win it.

So, no half stepping.

Now, you win this show,

and you keep on winning

and then one day,

all of that winning is

going to take care of Holiday in his old age.

Yeah, I'm gonna

take care of you too.

You can come live with me,

my husband and our five kids.

Child, you better

hush your fast mouth!

Ain't nothing ever

coming out of you but Malindy Sings.

Now, let's hear it.

"Fu' real

"melojous music."

Ooh! Holiday,

my favorite cereal. Please!

You gonna learn

Malindy Sings?

Yeah, I'll learn it.

And this cereal really helps me think.

Okay!

Thank you so much.

"Fu' real melojous..."

Wanda, open up

the damn door!

Mama! Mama, open the door!

-Mama!

-Hang on. Hang on.

Go on and take your bath, girl,

you look like you need one.

How about some

smothered chicken tonight,

corn bread, mashed potatoes?

My favorite.

Yeah, mine too.

How long has

this been going on?

Honey, I was up and down Michigan

Avenue picking up this and that for you,

Niki.

So this one has money.

Yipee.

So, when does he move in?

Or do we go

shack up with him?

Or does he even have a shack?

Maybe he just lives

and deals in his limo.

So you don't have to go

anywhere out of the car.

You can just go in his briefcase

and grab what you call,

"Your little glass dick."

Gee, Niki!

Shit is not worth it.

This is bullshit!

He never has our money when

he's supposed to have it, Miss Holiday.

That's why I'm leaving

this tired ass club.

Girl, if you had any sense,

you'd do the same damn thing!

I mean, look at this trap. He said...

Excuse me.

Hey, I need to talk to you, Holiday.

Negro, we ain't

got shit to talk about!

-Hey, man, I'm talking to you.

-You're fucking...

What?

Man, don't ever pull

away from me when I'm talking to you!

You understand?

So what, you don't like me?

You better get over that shit.

'Cause come tomorrow, man,

we're gonna be neighbors.

And all of them dinners

and them little outings,

there ain't gonna be

no more of that shit.

It's Niki, it's Wanda and me.

We're family now.

Man, I just gotta

start taking my fatherly duties seriously,

'cause I can't have

my little girl being influenced

by a man who wears a dress.

Now, can I?

No.

This is the first month's rent

and a little something

extra for you, man.

Stay away.

Just stay away.

Have a good show.

You okay?

He didn't hurt you, did he?

He didn't hurt you, did he? All right.

You're gonna be okay.

You'll be fine.

Niki, what are you

doing in the hallway?

Mama said I couldn't

go to your house anymore.

Don't worry, baby,

I'm not gonna let anyone

take my Niki away from me.

I promise.

Come on.

Is Niki...

Niki, get up and go to your bed.

Can I talk to you?

You look good for

this time of morning.

You're gonna make

this hard, aren't you?

I wouldn't be me if I didn't.

I've been thinking

that me and Niki,

we've become too

dependent on you.

And you call yourself a writer,

now, can't you do

better than that?

Okay, I love him.

All right? You satisfied?

I wanna have something

that I thought I never would.

A real family.

Holiday, all my life

I've been trying to get into the loop.

I just...

I'm so tired of being different.

I wanted to be in a family

that I could be proud of.

Like a man, a wife and a child.

You act like God picked you

and only you, to give a hard life to.

Well, look around, baby,

because it's a big world out there.

And believe me,

it's turning mostly on misery.

The only thing saving

any of us is the good Lord's mercy.

I am trying to talk to you.

I don't want one of your religious lectures.

And I don't want

your bullshit, how's that?

We're on the same page?

Poor little orphan girl,

she got passed around at foster homes.

Well, try being passed around

between 20 men in a jail cell.

A place a 16-year-old should

never have laid eyes on,

let alone spend 10 years in.

But he does, because

he killed a man for beating up his mama.

Who then, the grateful bitch,

begged the authorities

to lock him up and

throw away the key.

So don't you tell me

about being in some goddamn family loop!

-Oh...

-No!

No!

I don't want sympathy.

And I ain't offering any.

I like how God made me.

I've always had

a switch in my walk

and music in my talk.

And if I go tomorrow,

Holiday will go happy.

You know why?

'Cause I got out of this world

what you're supposed to,

to like yourself,

and to love some damn body

just because you goddamn can!

And the good Lord,

He gave me back something extra,

somebody loved me back.

Fisher loved me.

And that child

in there loves me.

And I thought

you loved me, Wanda.

I thought you loved me.

I do.

I'm sorry, Holiday.

I am truly sorry.

But, I know what

my daughter needs.

And you know

she deserves a father!

You call Mac Daddy

in there a father?

You don't know him!

His heart is as big as yours.

Oh, no, what's bigger,

is his pocketbook.

Or is it his dick?

I just don't know which one, the one in his

pants or the one in his briefcase.

Fuck you! Fuck you!

You and your damn child

already did that.

"Fu' real melojous music,

Dat jes' strikes yo' hea't and clings,

"all dem things,

Heish dey moufs an' hides dey faces

"When Malindy sings."

The end.

Oh, man!

Hey!

My mom painted my room

and it was so beautiful. She had all...

Oh, I thought I heard somebody.

I just wanted to know

about the talent show.

-Hey, Holiday.

-Hi, Wanda.

Oh, Niki, you have a friend.

Yeah, this is my new cousin.

Silas' niece.

Are you wearing makeup?

Are you the fag?

-Sarah!

-Baby, he is a fag.

She won second place.

That's wonderful, Niki,

I knew you could do it.

I got something for you.

Oh, Holiday...

No, I thought they would match the

necklace that I got you for your birthday.

You're not wearing it.

I took it off.

They're beautiful, Holiday, thanks.

Thank you.

Can I go in now?

Oh, sure,

I didn't mean to keep.

I just wanted to

say congratulations, girl.

Hey, hey,

it's been a long time.

So how you doin'?

Child, I just been so busy,

I can't even keep up with myself.

You look good.

Thank you. I stopped

over at the shop,

they said you aren't

working there anymore.

No, I quit because I'm writing.

I just wanted to really concentrate.

I think that's the key,

I just wanted to focus

totally on the writing.

You can't be a part-time writer.

And then Silas bought me

a new computer and I'm busting out pages.

Wanda, I know you, girl.

Things ain't all bliss, are they?

You know what? See, that's why

I can't deal with you, Holiday.

Why you always

trying to make something out of nothing?

I'm fine. I'm fine, honey,

Niki's fine, we are fine.

Oh!

Well, Mr. Heart,

your ticket's all together.

You send me a postcard.

Holiday Heart's been

performing at the Penthouse

for 20 plus years.

And I must say,

the plus feels almost as long as the 20.

Yes, Holiday is moving

on to bigger,

and I do mean bigger, things.

Have any of y'all ever

been to gay Paris?

Oui!

Do y'all think I'll have a problem

finding anything that will fit?

But, you know what I miss

and you know what I love.

Whoo!

I love the nightlife

I got to boogie

On the disco round

oh, yeah

Oh, I love the night life

I got to boogie

On the disco round

oh, yeah

Miss Holiday, I want you to

meet my baby.

This is Joe.

Who actually happens to

like my new look. Huh?

What do you think, baby?

It's different, right?

He goes by Joe, but guess what, baby?

I calls him Farmer.

Girl, he got himself

40 acres and a mill. Ouch!

-Girl!

-So yeehaw, baby!

See ya, girl,

Blue's gonna be a farmer!

Blue, you were right.

I'm so glad to be getting out of here.

I'm so happy that you are

finally getting away

from them

me-myself-and-I bitches.

Especially that pipe-sucking

bitch, Miss Wanda.

Oh, yeah! I saw her.

Copping right behind my building.

Damn! There I go.

And there you go,

in that red cape.

Look, she ain't Lois Lane and,

Holiday, you're not Superman.

Wanda don't wanna be saved, baby.

She's one of them microwave bitches.

She want everything quick.

You and I both know change

don't happen like that.

Now, look, if I who ain't got

a single Christian bone in my body,

can still get somebody.

You know that your

Prince Charming is

just waiting to drop out

of heaven for you.

Look, you'll go to Paris,

you'll fall in love again

and get fatter!

Oh!

I'm gonna miss you.

I'm gonna miss you too.

-That's bullshit! Fuck this shit!

-How do you know?

Look, Wanda, stop that shit, okay?

You better watch

your mother-fucking mouth.

You're supposed

to be an example for Niki

and I'm working

to get us a house

and you can't keep

your end of the deal

and leave that damn shit alone!

You don't know what

you're talking about!

-You better get your shit together!

-I have my shit together!

Oh, that's great!

Tear the fucking house up!

Wanda, don't walk away

from me when I'm talking to you!

You don't know what

kind of shit you've got going here!

'Cause I ain't a drug dealer!

Look I told you, I sell it, okay? I don't use it

and I don't lay down

with anybody who does.

Holiday!

Come on, man!

-What?

-Hey, Miss, can I come in?

No!

If you're lost that's

your apartment over there,

the one you paid good

money to keep me out of.

Look, man, I gotta go

out of town on business, all right?

Wanda and I,

we just need a little break.

Oh, Jesus! This fool

must think I really care!

I got my own itinerary, baby,

I don't need yours!

Look, man, all right?

Come on, man,

this ain't easy for me.

Now they need you.

Wanda's in trouble.

Then call Johnnie Cochran,

they tell me he's a miracle worker.

Look, man,

you better step up.

Wanda has got us all

in some damn trouble.

Now I gotta go talk

to some people.

First, it was just a little bit of shit

missing from my case but now it's...

I'm worried about Niki.

Oh, now you're worried?

You didn't worry when you

stepped up in here buying them everything

with that damn pharmacy

briefcase of yours!

I thought that was you

and Wanda's second child.

Look, man, I know

you think I ain't shit.

No, you're worse than that.

Shit stinks for a reason,

you, just plain unnecessary.

You tell Wanda

I'll be back in a couple of weeks or so.

Now, I'm banking

on you, man.

I'm banking on you

loving them more than you hate me.

Holiday!

Wake up! Come on!

Come and open the door!

Who the fuck is it now?

It's Wanda.

Come, open the door. I wanna talk to you.

I got something to tell you.

Just open the door, please?

I need to talk to you.

Wanda, why don't you

call a damn therapist?

Yeah.

Oh, yeah!

Wanda, go home. Go to sleep.

I'm trying!

Holiday, I'm trying hard to...

I'm trying...

Oh, me too, Wanda!

I'm trying hard

to live my own life

instead of being

your sugar teat all the time!

So why don't you just

leave me to my own goddamn madness?

Wanda.

Au revoir!

The number you have

reached is not in use.

What? Shit! Shit!

And it's different

with every hand I got

I'm lending, you knew when you know

I flew and I flow

I wanna know

what's on your mind

Niki? Hey!

It's Mama! Hey!

You know, I have to get

my head together so, uh...

That's what I'm doing,

I'm getting my head together.

And, do you know what?

I'm gonna call you.

I'm calling you like...

I ain't worried because

I know that Holiday

and Silas are

taking good care of...

We're the warrior women, Niki.

We are warrior women!

You remind Holiday of

what he's promised me.

You know I love you.

We're warrior women!

Turn that fucking music down!

Light me up!

Get this shit up and light me up!

Niki?

Now I know you're in here.

Wanda?

Holiday.

You okay?

Where's your mother?

She's gone.

She's been gone for two days.

Why didn't you tell me, Niki?

Because I thought

you were mad at me.

I mean, the way we treated you.

I'm so sorry, Holiday.

Oh, baby.

You ain't got nothing

to be sorry about.

You comfortable?

Say your prayers?

I can't pray.

Sing to me, Holiday.

Okay, baby.

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch

Like me

I once was lost

But now I am found

Was blind

Lord Jesus...

But now...

...I pray that you come back

into this child's life.

Amazing grace

How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch

Like me

Let this child be baptized. Hallelujah!

Hallelujah!

But now I am found

Was blind

But now I see

And now, we will hear from

Nicole Dean who graduates with honors.

Nicole's poem won

the school-wide poetry competition.

She will now come forward

and read her poem.

Nicole?

That's my girl!

That's my Niki!

The name of my poem is called

"Finding the Blessing."

"Where do you find the blessing

"When the trees stop whispering

"And the ocean stops roaring

"When the pen can't write

"And everything around you

is one big fight

"Where do you find the blessing

"When everything is still

"And yet your heart

can no longer feel

"When all the music stops playing

"And a poor child

won't even try praying

"Where do you find the blessing

"When a smile can't be found

"And your own voice

you can't bear to hear the sound

"When a fist, a slap and whipping

"Is supposed to say,

'I love you, my child,'

"But all it does is make you want to go

out and do something wild

"Where do you find the blessing

"Somebody, please tell me the score

"Because I want to

feel joy just once more

"But my mama always said

"Weeping might

endure for a night

"But joy comes in the morning

"If you wait"

Joy. Joy.

"So I wait"

How y'all doing?

"And I try not to hate"

What you looking at?

"So I put my ear to the earth

"And I wait

"I listen, oh, so quietly

"And I put my eyes to the sky

"And I wait

"And I try to see if blessings..."

Bless her! Bless her!

"Are really free..."

Bless her!

"But this I know

"That when we are the most still"

Here you go, Wanda.

"That's when God

really lets you feel his blessings

"Flowing through you

"And through me"

Thank you, Jesus.

Thank you, Lord.

Jesus.

Thank you.

To high school.

I mean,

junior high school, Miss Thang.

To our future together

and to the Lord's blessings.

Would you ever lie to me, Holiday?

No.

No, no, child,

whatever you getting ready to ask me,

please, don't let it

give me indigestion before I even eat.

Especially at these prices.

Do you really sleep with men?

Yes, I sleep with men.

Do you feel bad about it?

No.

Do you feel bad

about me sleeping with men?

I'm not sure

'cause Silas said Mama act like

something was wrong with it.

Yeah, well,

a lot of people feel that way.

I, myself believe

that when it comes to matters of the heart,

the only sin

is turning your back on love

because of what other people think.

Yeah.

People think I shouldn't love my mother

because she used to do drugs

and, you know...

But I do.

Oh, darling, I know.

You ain't gotta tell Holiday.

Well, so are you and me

gonna march in the gay parade?

Oh, no, baby.

I'm from the old school.

I marched with King.

I ain't about

to start marching with the queens.

I leave all that carryin'

on to the younger folks.

Holiday done got

too old to change now.

So you stay in the closet.

Girl, where you get that from?

The library.

I've been reading up on it.

Yeah, well,

you ain't been reading close enough.

A closet means somewhere

where the door is closed.

I ain't secret,

and I ain't never been closed.

I'm just choosy about

who I invite in.

You feel me?

See, in my day,

we believed in privacy.

In your day,

it's about letting it all hang out.

Now, the truth

probably lies somewhere in between.

Anyway, girl, enough about parades

and closets and things, okay?

Okay.

Well, I love you

just the way you are.

So let's toast

to letting it all hang out, privately.

She's back!

I knew she'd come back.

Mama?

Hey.

Niki, let her breathe.

Hey!

I came to give you a card.

I made it. I wrote this.

I've been doing some writing.

That's yours.

And I got you some flowers.

They didn't hold up.

But they almost match your dress.

Sit down, Wanda.

You hungry? I'll fix you something.

Oh, no, I ate. I ate.

But just popped by.

Just wanted to say "Hey"

and check on my little gal.

God, I am so proud of you.

No, I'm just staying

with some friends for a little bit.

Can I go with you? Please?

Who'd be with Holiday?

No, you can't go with me.

I...

They don't have much space

and I gotta get myself together

in that space.

Oh, come here.

Baby girl.

Mama!

Where's that necklace that Silas gave

you with the diamonds, Niki?

Wanda, shit!

Get the hell out of here!

No! You don't tell me!

Get the hell out of here!

Your child doesn't need to

see you like this, Wanda!

This is my house! Holiday!

-Get your hands off me!

-Holiday! Stop!

Just take it.

Thank you,

my daughter,

for helping me.

I love you.

And I'm gonna

make that up to you.

Wanda! Come on!

Wanda, leave that!

Hey, this is my stuff.

That belongs to you and Niki!

Silas gave me this!

Go next door!

He always getting me going.

I just got to rectify a few things

and then I'm gonna...

I'll be back, I won't...

Okay, bye.

And don't come back here

until you have yourself straight.

Look at you. Drop it!

I'm okay, I'm fine!

Do you think I wanted

her to see me like this?

What's she doing home? Shit!

Wanda!

There you go.

There you go, you're punishing me.

You want to punish me.

No, Wanda. Wanda, please.

Please, Wanda, let me help you.

Holiday, relax!

Let me take you to the hospital.

I'm... I'm fine.

Let me take you

to the hospital, please!

Wanda, let me take

you to the hospital.

Just...

-Let's go!

-Come on.

-It's okay.

-No. Holiday. Holiday.

Take care of her.

I know you will.

She stole the diamond earrings

you gave me.

And the little heart necklace.

The first thing she ever stole from me

was a bike the shelter

gave me one Christmas.

A real pretty red bike.

You know with

the red and silver streamers

hanging out of the handlebars?

When she thought I was asleep,

she took it somewhere

and got money for it.

She told me some boy

at the shelter stole it.

But I knew better.

I just didn't say anything

because she already felt so bad.

Do you think if people

stop giving me things,

then maybe she'd

stop stealing from me?

Come on, let's go night-night.

Your mother's problems

have nothing to do with you, Niki.

You know, she used to be

the best mother, Holiday.

Really.

I mean, we never

had a lot of money,

but she was always

finding free things for us to do.

You know, sometimes, we would spend

the whole day in the library.

No.

Then we'd have a picnic somewhere.

I mean, she couldn't cook.

But we'd have a junk food fest.

At least that's what

she used to call it.

Then when I was around seven

she met this man.

And he was into drugs.

And he got her into it.

Then it seemed like after that,

we never really had a home again.

Well, you have a home now.

And whatever mistakes

your mother made,

she always

tried to make sure that you were safe

-and feeling loved.

-By leaving me?

Baby, sometimes leaving

is the only way left

to show someone

how much you really do love them.

Especially if they can't

give you what you need.

Now you get some sleep.

I'm gonna have

a little talk with Johnny Walker Red.

'Cause this motherhood thing

drive us all to drink.

Yo! Yo!

I'm always looking for a good rhyme

Searching my soul

for fiction and fact

And my right hand man

And my boys on the street

with my new rap band

-What's up, Holiday?

-What you doing here?

Just came to see Niki.

Surprised to see me?

I thought you were in jail!

Silas!

Oh, my God!

Oh, my God, I missed you!

I have so much to tell you.

Come on! You missed out.

What's all this?

What's it look like?

A robbery.

What a friend we have

in Jesus

Whoo!

Our sins and grief to bear!

What a privilege to carry

Everything to God in prayer

That doesn't count!

Do you know

I'm trying to prepare for service tomorrow?

Oh, sorry, Holiday.

But this game is the bomb.

Why don't you come play?

Yeah, yeah,

Holiday, why don't you,

-come play with us, man?

-Come on.

No, I've never been

good at things like this

and I'm sure you two wanna

spend some time together.

-No, no, no. It's cool. Really.

-Here.

Really? Okay.

So how do we play this?

Why don't you tell him, Silas?

The green button, jump.

Ooh.

Ooh, that little white man

jumped over that big, black ball.

Ooh!

Yeah, I mean, she'd tick me off.

And then she'd make me laugh,

that's what I loved about her.

I mean, she said she always wanted

a house so I bought her one.

You know,

I stayed down there, fixed it up.

Then I get back here and I find out

she's been working the streets.

Shit!

So I left again, man.

Just couldn't deal with that.

You don't have to tell me.

You don't owe me any explanation.

No, no.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, I do.

I mean, shit, I don't know why,

I just want you to understand.

-No, I do.

-Hey, man, what's up?

Oh, please!

On a good day, slim,

you wouldn't be my type.

Oh, please.

Man, don't even go there.

Is that a gun in your pants?

Or you just happy to see me?

It's a gun.

Holiday, wake up. Wake up, wake up.

-What?

-Holiday, wake up.

I got my period.

How?

Silas! Silas!

The girl done become a woman.

She got her period.

How?

I don't know.

Would y'all stop asking me how

and take me somewhere

to get something, please?

Man, we don't all

have to go do that, do we?

Oh, yes, we do, Mac Daddy.

Let me get my face on.

Condoms over there.

Thank you.

You know, this is junior high.

I mean, dang,

y'all act like I'm going to preschool.

I don't need escorts.

I love you.

Bye.

Yeah, well, I guess

we should go home.

Yeah, I've been meaning

to talk to you about that.

Specifically,

when are you going home?

Because you're wearing my couch out.

Shut up, man. I know you like having

me around there for protection.

Protection from whom, negro?

Oh, y'all macho men

always underestimating us pretty ones.

You know, I was thinking I might as well

just rent that apartment out.

Now, don't you fucking do that.

Not... Not yet.

-All right?

-All right.

You still paying rent,

so what can I say.

Now, if we're going, let's get to it.

Tonight, you cook.

Oh, and by the way,

I think I'll sit in the back.

I've never been

properly chauffeured.

Man, you better get

your ass in the car.

Oh, no, you didn't.

No, you didn't!

I didn't mean it.

Mama, do you hear me?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Mama.

Mama, I did love you.

Man, this is some heavy shit.

I used to think that, too.

But now I get

how you could hate your mother.

Hey!

Hey, baby.

I picked you up today 'cause I got

somethin' I wanna talk to you about.

See, I gotta do a little run.

I mean, I shouldn't be gone too long.

You know, two weeks,

three at the most.

And then, you know,

we can go down to Florida.

And see that house.

I mean, Holiday... I mean, I'm sure

he wants to go to Paris, you know.

Take his little trip.

He didn't say that, but...

Hey, I'm gonna drop you at home.

Go handle this little business.

And then maybe we can

go out to dinner tonight.

Huh?

I just wanna ride.

I'll wait for you in the car

while you make your delivery.

Hey, I'll just be a minute.

You can listen

to the radio if you want to.

Lock the doors.

Yeah, nobody going to

bother you around here.

All right? They know me.

Oh, that's Silas right there.

You want some?

Hey, little girl.

You wanna make some money?

I lost...

Speak up, I can barely hear you.

I said I lost Niki, Holiday.

I left her in the car,

I came back, she was gone.

I can't believe

you put my child in harm's way like that!

I told you I didn't! All right?

She said she wanted

to stay in the car.

I said, "Cool. Lock the doors.

Stay in the car, Niki."

I come back, she's gone, man.

You the damn adult!

Now, why didn't you just say, "No"?

My girl could be anywhere.

I know that, Holiday. All right?

Just...

Hold on, man.

My pager's goin' on.

No! Get rid of that

goddamn beeper, Silas! Get rid of it!

-Shut up!

-Silas!

Go on, get out of here!

Come back...

What did I tell you?

Man, what did I tell you? You see?

I ain't goin' in there no more.

I ain't getting high no more.

Look here, brother,

this is an economic principle.

I can't give you nothin'

if you got nothin' on you.

What you bought was...

Like little Jack Horner

True OG

Never stop to ask questions

One step ahead 'cause

you know I'm the best in the land

I can drop a bomb

like a man on a mission

Oh, yeah, shake that thing.

Mama!

Oh! Niki?

Hey! Whoa...

Mama, please. Come home.

You always get better

when I take care of you.

We can be a family again.

Just the two of us.

Who this little mama?

Get away from her. Ricky!

You get away from her.

Hey, man, come back. Hey, man!

She gonna do her thing!

Mama, please. Come on!

"Mama"?

You just... You better

leave her alone.

I thought you called me.

Mama, please.

My bad.

It's...

I am good for it.

-Come on.

-No.

-Come on.

-No, no, no, baby.

I rather break

this sweet, young thing.

What? No, wait a minute.

This?

This... This is...

This is my baby.

I'm begging you.

I'm begging you, 'cause...

Niki...

Oh, he just...

He just wanna kiss you.

You're a big girl. Come on.

He's just gonna kiss you.

He's your friend.

Give me a kiss, little girl.

Oh, shit!

Oh!

This is how

you teach your little girl?

You abusing me?

You was just testing me?

The police found Niki.

I'm on the way

to the station to pick her up now.

Holiday, would you take this?

Please, Silas, don't go.

My temper sometimes

speaks before I can catch up with it.

That's why Wanda's

in the situation that she's in.

If I only had

opened up the door that night...

No, no, man.

That wouldn't have even made a difference.

People like Wanda, people like me,

we expect anything good

to be a surprise.

And anything bad

to just come like clockwork.

Man, I'm trying

to stay in the race.

Wanda dropped out

a long time ago.

Well, stay in the race with Niki.

She needs you.

Look, man, I almost

got her killed last night.

She don't need me.

I ain't even in a business

where people can need me.

Well, get out the damn business

then because I need you.

Yeah, but Niki

would do better with one of you

than a hundred of me.

Later.

Silas...

Look, Silas...

Ta-da!

The bomb!

I like it and all, but...

You can't afford this.

What's wrong with the duplex?

We needed a new start, girl.

Now, come on, let's take a look.

It's 10:00.

Where's Niki?

Get the hell off my baby!

If you ever touch her again,

I'll be pissing on your grave,

you motherfuckin' cradle robber!

"Trust me, Holiday,

I'm just going skating."

And your little fast ass

is laid up with some boy.

Rather some man.

I wasn't laid up with him.

Look, if your feet

wasn't flat on the floor,

then your ass was

more prone than it needed to be.

I can't believe this!

I'm home slavin',

tryin' to fuckin' pack up my life

to give you a better life.

But I didn't ask you

for a better life.

I'm sorry, Niki.

Jesus.

Have I gone psycho?

What am I apologizing for?

I ain't Father Knows Best.

And you ain't Leave It to Beaver.

You lucky I ain't

kicking your little behind

all up and down this apartment.

Lying to me, and I'm trying to take

care of your trifling butt.

No! I am the one owed an apology.

And unless I get one right now,

you gonna really see me

act the queenly fool

and it won't be nothin' pretty.

I'm sorry.

I can't hear you.

I'm sorry.

No, I want everybody

out in the damn street to hear you.

I'm sorry, Holiday.

Good. Now, go to your damn room.

You're grounded.

Blue, I don't know

what would have happened

if I wouldn't have gotten there.

I say the baby girl

is just testing you, that's all.

Just keep talking to her.

Hell, I mean,

if she's anythin' like you say she is,

she's just scared, that's all.

Look, poor baby is just scared

that she's going to turn out to be like

that mom of hers, that's all.

She just don't know

how to stop it.

Yeah, you're right.

I never thought about it like that.

Hold on. Farmer! Milking this cow is

not working, baby. Okay?

We're gonna have

to have some honey with that tea.

Girl, he got me milking a cow.

-What?

-Honey,

happiness

in this fresh air done lifted me

to the other side

of brilliant, baby!

Okay, girl.

I'll talk to you soon.

All right. Love you.

I love you too, Blue.

Bye-bye now.

Farmer, honey,

we need a new cow, baby.

This one is out of milk.

Okay?

Now, I'm about to

go to the supermarket.

See you later.

Damn chickens!

I have a surprise for you.

It's the most

important thing in the world.

Look.

I said look.

You're not her.

I want you to be able

to look in the mirror,

and see Niki.

Not your mother,

not your circumstances,

not anyone else.

And every day it's your job,

it's your God-given duty

to tell that person staring at you

that you love her.

It's okay. It's okay, baby.

You've been holding it in

for a long time.

That's right, let it out. Just let it out.

Your Holiday's here for you.

O, Christmas Tree

You stand in verdant beauty

O, Christmas Tree

You stand in verdant beauty

Your boughs are green

in summer's glow

And do not fade

in winter's snow

O, Christmas Tree

You stand in verdant beauty

I ordered a red racing bike

with red and silver streamers

in the handle bars.

Look, we don't have your bike.

No, now, you really

need to arrest that attitude,

go back in the warehouse and get my damn

bike by the time I get there,

or I'm gonna raise

all kind of holy hell

and that wouldn't be nice

at Christmas.

Whatever, pal,

we don't need your business.

Oh, you really tryin'

to block my salvation, aren't you?

What?

Oh, you don't know me. I will preach

heaven and beat the hell out of you.

O, Christmas Tree

You stand in verdant beauty

It's Christmas time.

I ain't never been

away from her at Christmas time.

You know what?

At one time she...

She had a bike

and it was kinda like this.

Oh, no...

I probably messed it up.

But I'm gonna

make it up to her because...

You know, all I ever really

wanted was to make her happy.

That's true.

I just...

Do you know what I'm gonna do?

I'm gonna get in a program.

I'm gonna love the program.

Twelve steps.

Well, is it just...

It's just the steps.

I'm gonna do all the steps.

You know what?

I just need to...

I need to come home.

I just... Holiday,

please let me come home.

Yes. Yes, Wanda, yes.

That's what

I've been praying for all this time.

And Niki, she misses you so much.

I need to take a shower.

I don't want...

I know I have no presents.

Never mind that.

I'm gonna tell Niki

that this bike is from you.

I got this bike?

Yes, you brought this bike.

Now, I'm gonna

go get my check and I'll be right back.

Ooh...

I got the bike.

Actually this one

is a mountain bike.

That's good.

See, I never

let these whores get the upper hand.

You know what I'm saying?

You gotta keep them in check.

It's also a boy bike.

Peep, your girl...

It's got these gears. It's good.

-What's up, Wanda?

-Oh!

How you doin', girl?

Holiday!

Cowboy, come get this bike.

Let's get out of here, man.

I want my bike.

I said I want my damn bike.

I'm gonna knock

your bitch-ass out.

Come on, pussy.

Get him, Holiday.

You motherfucker!

Oh, Jesus.

-Come on, Wanda.

-Let me get the bike.

Wanda, hurry up.

Asshole!

Wanda, come on!

Wanda, hurry up.

We buried you next to Fisher.

So, I hope he's taking

good care of you now.

Silas says the dead

are one big happy family anyways.

He's back in Florida now.

I won another poetry contest

writing about you.

This year went by so fast.

Well, I guess that's all for now.

It's just so hard

when you don't get to say goodbye.

Look, come on now,

you've been rearranging these flowers

for the past two hours,

and your spring break is ticking away.

And here, tell,

Paris is calling for a pretty little black girl

and an ageless

pretty black man.

Is that right?

Silas!

So, how's my little Niki doin'?

-I'm good. I missed you.

-Yeah.

You called him, didn't you?

Well...

Now Mama can really

rest in peace.

How's that?

Because now she knows

the both of you are gonna take care of me.

She's always wanted

two parents for me.

Yeah, well, listen.

When you guys get back from Paris,

give me a call

'cause I got a surprise for you.

Holiday Heart (2000) - full transcript