Idlewild (2006) - full transcript

A musical set in the Prohibition-era American South, where a speakeasy performer and club manager Rooster must contend with gangsters who have their eyes on the club while his piano player and partner Percival must choose between his love, Angel or his obligations to his father.

Percival:
All the world's a stage,

and all the men and women
merely players.

They have their exits
and their entrances,

all with
a specific role to play.

Even at a funeral.

I was searching
for my role in life.

You get one shot.

Can't go back
and change anything.

Strange, all these people
showing up to see a dead guy.

Folks from small towns
are always up for a show.

Even at a funeral.



I know because I spent most
of my life in this very room.

Different faces, but always
the same characters.

Some full of regret,
feeling trapped,

in need of something
outside this small town.

That was the day
me and rooster met.

It was the first time rooster
had ever seen a real dead guy,

and the first time
I'd ever touched one.

Touched one...

Of course
rooster put me up to it.

It was
his uncle Eddie's funeral.

He was like a father to rooster.

He was a classy gangster.

And so was his partner, spats.

Son,



this was your uncle's.

Don't never lose it. I won't.

Flask: How you doing? Are you ready?
We about to have a ball.

I'm your best friend.

Percival: They were
high rollers with fast cash...

Go on, take a whiff.
Don't be shy.

And faster ladies.

Stinky.

And, man, talk about the ladies.

Talk about the ladies.

Man, talk about the ladies.

See? Pink satin,
just like I told you.

You owe me five cents. Pay up.

Them some sexy drawers!

Percival: My father said
rooster was trouble,

and didn't want me
playing with him

or anybody else,
for that matter.

I pretty much lived
my life inside,

except for the days
I visited my mother.

My auntie belle made me
keep up with my lessons.

Percival.
Pay attention, percival.

It's right in front of you.
B flat.

Robber: Hey, baby.

Stop! Police! Freeze!

Come and get me, copper. Whoo!

Percival: Piano was my thing.

Rooster preferred
singing and gambling.

Praise Jesus. Today is
my lucky day, fellows.

Y'all owe me some money. Pay up.

Collect my money,
if you know what I mean.

Percival: But my auntie belle
didn't approve.

Let's get out of here!

That didn't matter
much to rooster.

He never listened
to anybody anyway.

Eventually, my father started preparing
me to take over the family business.

Percy: Thing is, make the deceased
look like they're at peace.

Go on. Go on. Go.

Peaceful.

Not happy.

Percival: I learned my family
business, and rooster learned his.

Seventy-five bottles this month.

Bootlegging.

That's $48. $46.50.

Seventy-five bottles
at 62 cents each is...

$46.50.

Boy's too smart
for his own britches.

Spats: Good looking out, man.

How the hell am I going to
make it to biloxi by sundown?

I got an idea.

Rooster: We can hide
the bottles in here.

Ohl

shit. Think he heard us?
I don't know.

Let's go check it out. Come on.

He'll be awake by 8:00.

Percival: We were from two totally
different sides of the track,

with one common ground...

You got to get it back by 8:00.

I'll have it back. I promise.

Percival: Music.

Here.

God don't make no mistakes.

Ain't nothing slick
to a can of oil.

Percival: The records got old.

So did me and rooster.

Photographer: All right,
now that's perfect. Okay, now.

Give me a big smile. One, two...

One more time. And cheese.

That's perfect.

Man, rooster.
You got a big family now.

Come on, rooster, you can
smile better than that.

Ain't y'all pretty?

Man, take the picture.

One, two... cheese.

Percival: Rooster had to
take care of his family,

and I had to take care of mine.

10:00 A.M. damn shame.

One, two, three.

Ain't y'all finished yet?

Percival: By day, I helped my
father work in the mortuary.

Percy: Get that
carnation right, now.

Yes, sir.

But by night,
rooster got me a part-time gig

playing at a local juke joint
where he worked,

church.

That's what we called the place,
but it was anything but that.

Taffy: How y'all
feelin' tonight?

Man: Depends on
what you're doing.

I don't give a damn.

Man 2: I'd be your bra
right now!

Man 3: She ain't nothing.

Yo, yo, fix me another drink.

Renee, take your brother.

Well, hush.

Zora: I'm fed up
with this, rooster.

And it's starting to take
a toll on me and the kids.

And we ain't just gonna sit at home while
you romp around every night in this...

Cover them ears.

Whorehouse.

Zora, for the last time, this
is a respectable business,

and I make good money. Now, you
know I got responsibilities.

Responsibilities?

That's bullshit.

When was the last time you been
to a real church, rooster?

You can't even remember, huh?
It's been so long.

I got... you need the
spirit in your life.

You need to start spending
some time with the kids.

Tell you what.

Why don't I take you shopping
in the morning?

You and the kids.
Would you like that?

Barbecue.
That is barbecue right there.

Taffy: What the hell you looking at?
I wish you'd get that song right.

Always drunk.
I should set her ass on fire.

Girl, now what you mad at?
You did good.

Percival: That's monk.
He works backstage,

but no one knows what he does
besides borrow money.

Taffy, you sho' nuff gorgeous.
Love the hair.

Loan me a nickel note, dime
note, two cents, whatever.

Go on, monk. You still
owe me from last week.

You better pay me.

And that's Ace. Ace owns church.

He liked to be
called sunshine Ace,

but most folks
just called him Ace.

Goddamn rooster!

Unless they wanted something.

Sunshine Ace! Just the
man I'm looking for.

Listen to me,
you son of a big jackass,

you ain't gonna get nothing
from me but the what for.

The what for?

Yeah, when I put my foot in your ass,
you gonna say, "what for? What for?"

Now move. You're $85 in the hole!
Come on, sawed-off.

All: Rooster! Rooster!

Man: Come on, man.

Director: Man, I hope they don't
start throwing bottles again.

Holy moly!

Rooster's late again.

Y'all jackasses,
play something quick.

Like what?
He ain't even here yet, man.

I don't care what you play.

All I know is I got
a house full of angry people,

and ain't none of these niggers
getting their money back.

All right, baby blue,
you're on, man.

Jackass!

One, two, three, four.

Percival: Suddenly, I was
forced into the hot seal.

I hated the spotlight.

It always gave me the jitters.

Man 1: Somebody
owe us something.

Man 2: Now I done
paid my damn money!

Music note: I told you
to bring the good songs.

You better come
harder than that, sweetie!

This ain't no mortuary!

Man: Keep your hand
on the keys, man.

Music note: Now,
y'all gonna throw up.

Look at the keys.

Jackass gonna get my club
torn to pieces.

Hi, daddy. Hey.

Security!

Rooster: Kids,
y'all be good tonight.

Mind your mother. You want
to go shopping tomorrow?

Kids: Yes. Okay. Go on
and give me a kiss.

Girl 1: Bye, daddy.
Girl 2: Bye, daddy.

Muah. Love you.

How's my tie?

Perfect.

I'll see you in the morning.

Zora: I'll be glad when the police
come and bust this place up, rooster.

And don't you come calling me
to bail you out.

Girl, bye.
Here comes the family man.

Shit. Family man?
More like bow tie pimp.

Late again, as usual.

Man: Keep them hands
on the goddamn...

Oh, hell, man.
He's going to throw up again?

Ohl

woman: I'm in herel

no, oh, man. No.

Oh. Watch out, ladies.
He gonna blow.

Ladies and gentlemen,
boys and girls,

give it up for
the amazing rooster!

Evening, ladies. Hey.

Sho' nuff looking right tonight.
Thanks.

Just gotta do one thing.
What's that, baby?

Don't show so much so soon.

You got to give a man
something to dream about.

That's right. Okay, rooster.

Okay, my ass.

Bye, daddy. Rooster.

Ain't he fine?

Flask: Riding so smooth, baby.

Oh, smooth as
a baby's bottom is.

No, he didn't.

That's disgusting!

Thanks for holding it
down for me, boy.

No problem.

Monk: In the groove. Too smooth.

Don't you mess with me.

Showtime.

Chorus: Crocodile on my feet

fox fur on my back

bow tie round my neck

that's why they call me
the gangsta mack

in the Cadillac

nasty noompsy nightingale

fresh in that tuxedo

cummerbund with no suspenders
my torpedo, your libido

need to chat chorus: Chip,
chop it up shoot the breeze

I'm your r-o-l-a-i-d-s

release the squeeze
or release the keys

to the shackles on her wrist

she can tackle some of this

smack on smack
on some of this, dick Tracy

arrest her, book her
fingerprint your hooker

you took her to the club and
now her body's full of liquor

off that butterscotch schnapps
and baileys Irish cream

she's a damsel in distress

impressed with stylish things

what you mean? Chorus: Chip,
chop it up shoot the breeze

in the parking lot we primp

crooked Booty
to the scene where we...

Chorus: Crocodile on my feet

fox fur on my back

bow tie round my neck

that's why they call me
the gangsta mack

in the Cadillac, yeah

whoo-hoo!

Oh, lord how could it be so hard

to put on a pair of panties much
less a pair of jeans or leotards

I got to start
by complimenting you

on your physique

you unique, you best believe

I'm gonna skeet once I speak

spoke, spit, spatter spat and
I macked her just like that

but it'd take
years of perseverance

and experience to get that cat

so why don't I chase this
hennessy down with some of that?

On your back like a cheerleader
missing the final stack

chorus: As we strut
skip the line

through the glass window glance

we look fine, right on time

as we step in the place

the nursery's crunk
we've come to play

oh, everybody's watching

'cause them furs
just hit the dirt

while them gators creeping

crawling
oh-so-wicked across that floor

to the vip where we proceed
to give you what you need

throw your hands up
if you feel me

throw your hands up
if you feel me

woman 1: Heffa.
Woman 2: Go, daddy!

'Cause you're well-designed
bow tie!

Like the finest wine bow tie!

Feel good to be fly bow tie!

So don't you ask me why bow tie!

I got the ladies in line
bow tie!

Come on over here.
Welcome to the church.

So raise your hands to the sky

come on, pull up a chair. Just in
time to see your boy do his thing.

Got my eye on business

don't jive with me jive with me

got my eye on business

don't jive with me
jive with me, sucker

Whoo!

Got my eye on business

don't jive with me jive with me

got my eye on business

don't jive with me
jive with me, sucker

got my eye on business

don't jive with me jive with me

got my eye on business

don't jive with me
jive with me, sucker

All: Rooster! Rooster! Rooster!

Hey, boy.

Hey, hey. Good show there, rooster.
Glad you liked it.

Rooster, y'all cut a fool tonight!
Damn, girl.

Mmm-hmm. Hi.

Ace. You almost got my
goddamn place torn up!

Hey, Rose. Gorgeous dress.

Thanks for noticing, sweetie.

Ace: Hey, uh...

Why don't you go, uh, chase a couple of
drinks while me and the boys chew the fat?

Sure, daddy.

Anything for you, rooster.

Taste like chitlins.

Looking dapper as ever.

How you been, spats?

Never bad, son. Never bad.

Got you a little present.

And I appreciate this already.

Ace: Hey, trumpy!

I guess they let anybody
into the church.

Ace.

Oh, you taught him how to speak.

Nice. But the name
is sunshine Ace, nigger.

Business look good.
I'm impressed.

We got the prettiest girls for
more than 100 square miles.

We're selling more hot sauce than
anybody this side of the Mason-Dixon.

Ain't that right, sweetheart?

It's been like that for the
past three months, every night.

This shit here
sells like canned pussy.

I bet you thought I was gonna
say "hotcakes," didn't you?

Bravo, bravo!

Baby blue,
you have done it again.

Monk, not right now.

You scared
all the women away from me.

Honey bun and China!

Don't you know I've been working on
them two broads for three weeks?

And you go and heave right in front
of them, and blew the whole night.

"I don't know, monk.
He kind of strange."

"No, girls,
you got him all wrong.

"He's a little incentric.

"Classy!" oh.

You're a sad case, man.

Maybe you right.
The word is "eccentric."

I know the word.

What make you think I want
any of one of these floozies?

Don't you want
somebody worth having?

Ain't nobody talking
about getting hitched!

I just wanna have a good time.

I know one thing
for sure, Percy.

Better get on
one of these old girls,

'cause nothing will just
drop out the sky! Damn fool.

Two. Mmm. Three.

That's what I'm talking about.

Man: Lord. Monk: Good gracious.

Lord, lord, lord. Mmm!

Fellows, would you
look at that there?

Have you ever...

Gentlemen.

Mmm. Good lord god almighty.

You look like the man
I'm here to see.

No, I'm sorry, ma'am,
I'm just a piano player.

Well, listen, piano player, I just traveled
19 hours from St. Louis in a coach seat,

and angel Davenport
don't ride coach.

Angel Davenport?

The angel Davenport?

In the flesh, honey.

May I make your acquaintance?

Monk s. Dubois.
The "s" stands for sherman.

What brings you to town, spats?

I wanted you both
to hear it from me.

I'm getting out the business.

Come on, man.
What's the play, man?

This ain't no play, Ace.

I'm tired.

If I don't get out now,
I never will.

Business is doing so good,

I can retire, give everybody
a piece of the rock.

For the right price.

Good lord, girl,
you finer than all outdoors!

Shit, girl, you... you a star!

Of course we weren't expecting
you till next week.

Well, my show in St. Louis finally
came to an end.

Three months of back-to-back shows
in that city would wear anybody out.

Now I told my agent, Nathan,
I needed a change of scenery.

He said, "why not head on
down to idlewild early?"

Thought I'd come and see what the big
fuss in idlewild, Georgia, is all about.

I must admit,

so far I'm not impressed.

Twenty-five thousand?

Plus the $1,250 you owe me
from the last shipment.

That's a heavy load, spats.

Twenty-five large buy you
a direct line to my supplier

and my entire clientele.

Now, if I can't find me a buyer,

then I gotta turn my operation
over to someone I can trust,

in which case,
I become a stockholder

and collect my dividends.

You always been good
with numbers, rooster.

How about it?

Hmm.

Know what?
Maybe you right, spats.

I am good with numbers.

I'm going to mull that over.

Ace: Like hell you will!

I've got your 25 large.

And I got a big plan that's going to
bring more people in here than ever.

So, if you allow me, I'd
like to make a toast to you.

To fast women, fast money,

and new beginnings.

The hell with that. To 25 large.

Where is this Mr. sunshine Ace?

He sent me a coach ticket. That
was not part of our agreement.

A lady has standards
to maintain, you know.

Well, I'm sure that it... it
says right here in the telegram,

"first class."

Don't say nothing about no coach.
What does it say?

Uh, first class. That's right. First class.
Right there in bold writing.

So how the hell did I get coach?

Well, look at
miss goody two-shoes.

She look better in the
pictures, if you ask me.

Excuse me.

Do I know you?

Hell, no. But if you
fix yourself up a little...

Taffy!

Miss angel Davenport. Lord.

Don't try it, man.

I just traveled 19 hours
on a stinking train

from St. Louis
in a lousy coach seat.

I deeply regret that.

Some jackass
didn't follow my orders!

I did exactly what you...

But now that you're here, sunshine
Ace will take real good care of you.

Just as soon as we take care
of the legal paperwork.

Now, I just so happen
to have your contract.

Them just the details. Sign
by the "x." Give me a pen.

Here. Right there.

Yup.

Now that the legal stuff is out the
way, you can have anything you want.

Anything?
Anything. Just you name it.

Hmm. Mmm.

White carnations. White carnations!
You heard the lady.

Got you.

And my own dressing room.

Ace: And her own dressing room.

Taffy, come here. The rest of
you niggers, get back to work.

Come on, sawed-off.

Monk: Follow me, miss Davenport.

Ladies!

Monk: Look at this shit. I don't even
like you, girl.

Get your ass up out of here!
Monk?

You know, we can do this
another time.

Get your stinky ass up out of here.
You too. What... no, stop!

You didn't even want to loan me no money?
Get your ass out, too.

What the hell is this, huh?

What the hell is this?

I'm sorry, just... right
after you, miss Davenport.

Thank you, monk. You welcome.

Angel: Bye, monk. Bye.

Oh, rooster.

Baby, why you make me
act so bad?

Who, me?

Yes, you.

Oh, you bad boy.

Guess I kind of inherited it
from my uncle Eddie.

Got a weakness for fine women
such as yourself.

Ooh.

And that perfume
don't help, either.

One second. One second.

Mmm-mmm-mmm.

Bad boy. Ah!

Let's head over to the garage.

Hey, Ace. Excuse me, man.
I want to, uh... what?

I want to talk to you
about the piano.

Some of the notes are
still sticking, and I...

Don't you touch that damn piano.

That piano is
a bona fide antique.

Jelly roll Morton brought the
house down with that piano!

If it's good enough
for jelly roll,

it's good enough for a mortician
nigger like yourself.

It just needs a little tuning. I mean,
I hit a couple of bad notes, but...

Let me tell you something.

The only reason
why you even here,

because rooster said, "please,

"please let my mortician friend
come play the piano at your club."

That's the only reason
why you here.

Watch your conduct, nigger!

Jackass!

Ace: I still got girls!
Women: Bye, Percy!

Idiot.

Hmm.

Never heard of this one before.

No one has.

So you play piano
and write songs.

Yeah, I play a little bit,
just to pass the time.

That's a creepy car.

Yeah, I wouldn't want to be
caught dead in that one.

That's funny.

You're cute, piano player.

Thank you.

You got a name?

Percival.

Percival Jenkins.

Well, see you around,
percival Jenkins.

Hey, percival. Why don't you take that
phony broad back to the mortuary?

Taffy: Maybe you'll
get you some!

Let me ask you something.
Ooh, baby.

Why are all the good ones taken?

Shit! Goddamn! Oh!

The big man. Here, take this out of here.
What he doing here?

Get my panties. Where you going?

Watch yourself, spats.

Yeah, yeah. Come on, man.

Rose: Get my panties. Ace: Yeah.

You know, I got big plans shaking
from out them trees out there.

That's the only way today's negro
going to make it in today's society.

It's like
something my mama used to tell me,

well, not my birth mama,
but the lady that raised me.

Bitch, what you doing in here?

I just wanted to
finish up the receipts so...

So me and you could spend some quality
time together tonight, daddy.

Receipts.

Right. Right.

I'll tell you what. You go upstairs,
keep the bed warm for me.

Take this with you.

I didn't know
you was gonna bring company.

See you later, fellows.

Lord, lord, lord, lord.

Pussy and money.

If god created anything better,
he kept it to himself.

Amen.

I've been waiting
on this day, spats.

Oh, I've been dreaming about it.

I didn't know
it was gonna come so soon,

but I ain't about to
let you talk me out of it.

A big man's got to
have big plans.

And this is my big plan.

In a year's time, I can run for
mayor of this goddamn town.

Hell, I just might.

The way I see things,

you work for me now.

You get your
greasy-ass hands off of me.

Relax, son.
He ain't mean nothing by it.

I'm not going to tell you again.

Say, slick,
what's your fucking problem?

You talking to sunshine Ace. Watch
your conduct around me, nigger.

Trumpy: Nigger, I don't
give a damn who you are.

I would never work for some stinking,
fat, whore-loving trick like you.

Now, get the fuck...

Spats. Spats.

You know I'm not trying to
disrespect your business, spats,

and I don't believe in violence,
but I will cut this motherfucker!

Watch your conduct!

Put it away, trumpy.

Put it away, trumpy.
You, too, Ace.

No, don't worry, spats.

Sunshine Ace ain't
cutting nobody today.

Trembling like a little bitch.

I told you to put it away, trumpy.
We're here on business.

Ace: Trumpy.

Son, you beginning
to forget your place.

Ace: Spats, come get
this half-breed.

Do you hear me, trumpy?

Yeah, I hear you.

Ace: Nigger, you crazy.

And the problem is, I've heard you
loud and clear for six years.

Six long years I've been out
there busting my goddamn conk

for you to keep
your hands clean. And why?

So a piece of shit
like this can get rich?

Put the damn gun down now,
trumpy.

What? This slimy pig
mean something to you?

You really are senile, old man.
Ace: You're talking to spats.

Boy, you about to
get your ass whipped.

You done lost your natural mind.
Ace: That's right, spats.

No, it's quite the opposite, sir.
That's right.

You see, I've watched you
for a long time, spats.

And you taught me that
when opportunity knocks,

you said the smart man answers.

A. Ce: Spats! Spats! Son! I

see, that was some
really good advice.

Trumpy. Hey, what was
that that you told me?

Trumpy.

Trumpy. No, trumpy.
What was it? Was it, like,

never...

I'm gonna put
the knife down, trumpy.

Will you shut the fuck up for a second?
I'm trying to think.

Never... I'm going to put
the knife down, trumpy.

Oh, oh. Oh, I got it. Never bring
a knife to a gunfight, mother...

Whoo!

A fool and his money...

So this your big plan, huh?
Angel Davenport? A singer?

Hey, fat man,

where is the money?

Let's see.

Fuck you, trumpy.

Shit.

The fear of clocks

the fear of time

How's the cost of living?

Ain't got much time left

[I've got to funk you now

I take what I've been given

ain't got much time left

[I've got to funk you now

pastor say, "be strong”

ain't got much time left

[I've got to funk you now

[ ain't got time

leave me alone

ain't got much time left

[I've got to funk you now

y'all know
what I'm talking about

chronomentrophobia

chronomentrophobia

chronomentrophobia

chronomentrophobia

chronomentrophobia

chronomentrophobia

Percival: Morning.

No! Go on. Going on, now.
What you hitting me for?

You ain't got no business being
out all hours of the night.

That's the devil's hour.

Here we go. Zora, don't start.

I had a rough night last night.

Know what? It's Saturday.

Remember you said you was gonna
take me and the kids downtown?

That's just what you gonna do.

Now get your lying, cheating
ass up out this bed. Come on!

Give me the damn cover.
I ain't going nowhere.

Looks like it was over money.
Probably.

That was nice, wasn't it?

Come on. Come on, now.

Look at all them
pretty ladies right there.

Zora: You ain't
off the hook yet.

Let me help you
with that, my friend.

What you doing here, trumpy?

Driving by. Noticed you was out
doing the little family thing.

Thought it'd be rude if 1
didn't stop by and say hello.

What do you want with me?

Last night, old man spats and
Ace got into a little scuffle.

Tragic.

See, the way I figure, you are
naturally next in line to run church,

seeing as how you was
Ace's flunky and all.

And since you naturally inherit the club,
you also naturally inherit its debt.

So?

Well, Ace was a month
behind in paying spats.

So you now owe me

$1,250.

Now, who told you
you was in charge?

Who's going to tell me I'm not?

I mean, you're a smart man.
Zora: Hands.

You got a lot to lose.

Afternoon, zora.

Mighty nice hat.

Here's $150.

That's all I got.

$1,100 short.

And, by the way, the price of hooch
just went up to $2 a bottle.

$2 a bottle?
That's double the price.

Inflation.

Ain't you heard? I mean,
times are hard everywhere.

Yeah, well,
I ain't coming on that tab.

You know, funny thing.

Settle down.

I tripped over these last night.

Seen Rose lately?

Don't get any bright ideas.

Zora: What was that all about?

Rooster: Spats got
gunned down last night.

Him, Ace,
both of them stretched out.

Zora: Oh, my god.

What you gonna do?

Pull over right here.

I need to
take care of something.

Rooster, wait.

Do you remember how it used to
be in the beginning, me and you?

Before we was married.

When you took me out
to that peach orchard?

We said we was gonna get us
our own orchard one day.

Grow us some peaches.
Raise us some kids.

And look at you.
You're so smart.

You could make
a business doing anything.

We could get out
of town right now.

Take our babies and start
over and start it right.

Zora, I just need
for you to trust me.

Just until I sort things out.
That's all.

Be careful.

Everything will be okay.

Percy: Percival. Percival.

Percival, will you stop banging
on that piano and get down here?

Percival. Percival.

We got two bodies down here.
Busy day. Come on.

Put him over there. Yeah.

Percival: Afternoon, fellows.

Mr. fat man.

Finally got stretched out, huh?

Ooh, they got you good.

They weren't playing, were they?

But it serves you well.

You shouldn't have been trying to put
me on the spot and embarrass me.

I am that mortician nigger.

But you know what that means?

That means that

before you leave this place,
you have to come see me.

So now who's the jackass?

What?

Man, I ought to wash
your mouth out with soap.

Does your mother know
you talk like that?

I didn't think so.

Guess it don't matter
too much now.

But you can tell me
how in the hell

am I going to get
your fat ass in this casket?

You think this is play time?

No, sir.

You gotta learn to have
more respect for the dead.

Take your job more seriously.

Where's your pride?

Your pride is in your work.

I apologize.
I don't want your apologies.

Just do your job.

Now get this man cleaned up.

And stop playing.

Business is business.

Jackass.

Hello?

Rose.

Hey, hey, Rose.
It's me, rooster.

I see who you is.

What you doing here, man?

Put the goddamn frying pan down.

I ain't putting shit down
till you tell me why you here.

Is you trying to kill me,
rooster?

Hell, no.

Now put the goddamn
frying pan down.

It's me. It's rooster, baby.

Boo!

Hi, piano player.

Hi.

So you really do work
with dead people.

Now that would
give me the creeps.

You get used to it after a while.
Doesn't bother me naught.

What are you doing here?

Well, I'm doing
a little investigating.

There's a rumor that sunshine Ace
got stretched out last night.

Guess you heard, huh?

What you look at me
like that for?

I ain't buying nobody's horseshit
story they shot each other.

Since I'm the only one that can
pin trumpy to that damn garage,

it ain't going to be too long
before he after me.

So I'm getting out of here, and there
ain't nothing you can do to stop me.

I ain't come to stop you.
I came to say goodbye.

Damn, rooster. As soon as I get myself
caught in the middle of some shit,

you just gonna up
and leave me like that?

It's gotta be different now.

Oh, now it's gotta be different.

You know
it's gotta be different.

Just my luck.

So is he here?

Okay, okay. Cover him up.

Damn.

Just my luck.
Dead as a doorknob.

Now what am I going to do?

I'm stuck in this cow town and it's gonna
cost me $107 for a ticket out of here.

You owe me $107, fat man!

Did you check his pocket?

Oh, I know you ain't gonna skip out
without paying my goddamn rent.

Don't talk that jive to him,
you old battle-ax.

Rose, I'm really sorry
about everything.

Don't you say that to me.

Don't you ever say that to me.

Well, hey, maybe
you should talk to rooster.

I think he's going to be
running the club from now on,

and he may have
something for you.

Thanks for your help.

I'll see you around,

percival.

Trumpy: Well, well.

What happened?

I followed rooster

over to this

spot over there on...

Bobo: Come on.

Come on, Sonny. Spit it out.

Baker Street. Baker?

It was Rose's place.
Rose's place.

See, I told you that fool was
going to lead us right to her.

He sure did, trumpy.

Trumpy: And?

And then she got into

a cab

with all kind of...

Bobo: Come on. Spit it out.
Luggage and shit.

Where the hell did she go?

I... I don't know
where she went.

But I followed rooster
back here.

You must have a peanut for a brain.
Bobo: Mmm-hmm.

I specifically remember
telling you to follow Rose.

Bobo: Follow Rose.

I ain't need you to follow rooster.
Not rooster.

What am I going to do with you?

Let me see your gun, Sonny.

Bobo: Come on, Sonny.
Give him the gun.

Thank you.

Spats once told me...

He said in every relationship,

the person least interested in maintaining
the relationship is going to dominate,

because they won't compromise.

See, Sonny... no compromise.

In this relationship right here,

uh...

I can't afford to compromise.

Bobo: Now take it like a man.
Stand still.

Take it like a man, Sonny.
Come on.

Pissed him off now.

Percival:
All the world's a stage,

and all the men and women
merely players.

They have their exits
and their entrances,

all with
a specific role to play.

Even at a funeral.

Sometimes in a show, a lead
actor's contract expires.

When that happens, an understudy
has to step in and perform,

whether he's ready or not.

Sorry about what happened
with spats, man.

Sure going to miss him.

Yeah, me, too.

Now I got to run the club,

pay everybody
and sing on top of that.

You'll figure it out.
You always do.

I don't know.
If I don't get killed first,

zora gonna leave me
for real this time.

Percival: She always says that.

You know
she ain't going nowhere.

Trumpy raising
the price of hooch.

He's sucking up all the profit.

I ain't making a dime.

No, it's all right.

What if you go around trumpy?

Like you always tell me,
can't find a way, make one.

I need a favor. Yeah.

I need to borrow the hearse.

Bring it back by 8:00.

God don't make no mistakes.

You ain't said nothing
slick to a can of oil.

Meet you at the house.

Ain't life a bitch?

How you holding up, rooster?
Never bad, never bad.

That's what spats used to say.

I can float you for a while, but
you're gonna have to pay me.

And you gonna
have to keep this quiet.

Rooster: Yeah

somebody done told you wrong

thought I was gonna lay it off
like that there, huh?

If trumpy get wind of it... trumpy
ain't gonna hear about this.

Just give me a little time.

Too motherfucking hot

I'm motherfucking cool

give me a back horn

okay, I started out alone

'cause my baby mama left me

now there's nobody at home

beginning to feel like
Ms. Jackson done got cloned

well, it's some real shit and
I'm living it through this song

a moving vehicle took my family

as I slept out on the sofa
in the boom boom room

I woke up very upset

I throw the covers back and
peek out through the draperies

my daughter, my baby
my baby mama all escaping me

like a candle in the wind
she was my friend

she was my passion, never lied

therefore we tried
and tried again

but in the end you pay
attention to the pluses

but the minuses behind it make
it seem like you can't win

throw your neck out
throw your back out

throw your neck out
throw your back out

rooster: Oh, hell, no!

All right, I told you not to do that to...
Give me a sec.

Okay.

What you doing, cap?

You got one more time, cap.
One more time.

Throw your back out

round two, a single parent
what is big to do?

Throw a party? Not hardly, I'm
trying to stay up out of that womb

or that p-u-s-s USS, I say USS

Luther vandross couldn't make a home
out of this house that we smooshed

smashed, pushed to the limit
smash and turned it timid

and everyone was suffering
the house was feeling wicked

what is this, the break room? Get
y'all ass back out there on stage!

Woman 1: I'm sorry.
Woman 2: Oh, god.

Now let's fight for it

you build it up to break it
down and take it from the start

repeatedly leading a path
that only ends in the clash

of two stubborn minds
grown folks blind to the sign

throw your neck out

whoa, whoa, whoa.
I will cut your ass.

I will cut your ass.
Wait now, wait now.

Come on, brother.
Put that chair down, brother.

Put that down, now. Come on, look.
Okay, work this out. Okay?

Throw your neck out
throw your back out

why not come here
and do your job, too?

Man, I got this. You owe me $74...
Oh, damn.

Ko, knocked out by technicality

the love has kissed the canvas

now the whole family
gets mad at me

my daughter don't want me
at her pta meetings

and then my son he can't talk
when I change him he's peeing

and I think he's pissed

I can't dismiss the matter of the
fact because he saw me and you argue

now the energy is coming back

set an example a positive
pattern keep life on track

but I'm married to the music and
committed to the wax taste and tea

baby, please
you make me wanna scream

you're on the team starting first
string so why are we arguing?

Wax, taste and tea

baby, please...

How you gonna leave me without
paying me my goddamn money?

Get him! You cheap
son of a bitch! Get him!

Get him! What?

Get back here. Get him, rooster!

Throw your neck out
throw your back out

throw your neck out
throw your back out

whoo!

Throw your neck out
throw your back out

throw your neck out
throw your back out

taste and tea baby, please
you make me wanna scream

you're on my team starting first
string so why are we arguing?

Director: Party up in here!

Stirring it up!

Ladies and gentlemen, rooster!

What's the line?
What's the line?

What's the line, Sonny?
You get to lose.

Put it on the line,
you stuttering son of a bitch.

Get up. Sonny: Fuck you.

Oh, my, my.

Damn. God damn.

Give me my damn money.
You took all my money,

you stuttering idiot.
Give me my damn money.

Monkey mouth!

Hey, roo,
you don't look so good.

Oh, you came here
to tell me that?

Well, uh... no, I came here
to borrow some bread.

You know, I owe Ace $85,

but now that he's dead, my debt is clear.
Yeah!

Boy, I feel so good he gone.
Excuse me, but I'm free.

I'm free, baby. I know it.
Your debt ain't clear.

It says so right in the books. $85.
It's right here in the book.

You got one week to pay up.
Let me see.

Man, get off my desk.

'Cause I want my money
and the money you owe Ace.

I won't forget it.

Me, I will not forget. Where
you going with that hooch?

Give me a second.
I'll be right back.

Man: Oh, I don't see a problem.

Woman: Well, why don't you
buy me a drink first?

Rooster: The answer's no,
so don't waste your breath.

Excuse me.

May I have a word with you?

Thank you.

As you may or may not know,
Ace and I had a contract.

And if you take a close look
at this contract,

you are obliged to provide me one first
class ticket to my next destination,

which is St. Louis, Missouri.

Mmm-hmm.

And seeing as how you're now the
manager of this establishment,

the responsibility of honoring
this contract falls upon you.

You know, it don't make no
difference if Ace is dead or not.

Says so right there in the fine print.
Let me see that.

I'll have you know that's a legally-binding
obligation signed by both parties.

You know what?

You're right.
It obliges you to sing.

And it's your first week.

You... you still
want me to sing?

You ain't got no choice. It
says so right here at the top.

"Club owner hereby engages artist
for a period of four weeks."

In fine print.

As you pointed out, this is a
legally-binding obligation.

Yeah. Well, of course it'll take
me a little while to prepare.

Don't worry about that.
You on tomorrow night, sugar.

Tomorrow?
Tomorrow night, you on.

Tomorrow? 9:00 sharp.

Why, I need at least a week
to get my band together.

Oh, sugar, you look so good.
Rooster, please, have a heart.

I'm not ready.
Come on. Don't be late.

Money in the bank.

Trumpy: No, no, no. I asked you,

is gw actually connected to
Capone's people out of Chicago?

Bobo: It would appear so.

This music is killing me, man.
Hey, Percy, Jr. Percy, Jr.

What's that you playing?

Working on something new.

Sound like some bullshit.

I mean, you really think the
audience is gonna appreciate that?

Well, rooster said that I could play
whatever I wanted to play, so...

No, no. Never mind anything

that rooster say. Bobo:
Rooster said, rooster said.

You need to play stuff I like, okay?
Well, what do you like?

Trumpy: I don't like that.
Excuse me.

Bobo: Nobody likes that.

Can the artists get
a little space around here?

Bobo: Mmm-mmm.

Please?

Much better.

Proceed.

Thank you.

Mmm-mmm-mmm.

Trumpy: My apologies, maestro.

Hi, angel. Hey, percival.

What's up? I'm on tomorrow.

Oh, that's great. Great?

I haven't rehearsed. I don't
even know these musicians.

It's all right. I'll help you.
I have a great song for you.

I think it fits you perfect.
Check it out.

I don't have a title just yet,
but I think it fits.

Check it out. Here we go.

I've been cool, moving cool

you got it.

Moving cool, moving cool

hey, hey

I can make a stone-cold
blind man see my way

but when I'm around you

you don't have much fo say
you don't have much to say

that's right.

La, la, la, la, la
la, la, la, la, la

Yeah.

What's wrong?

You know, percival,

you got real talent.

I don't know why you want to waste it
in a silly little town like idlewild.

Don't you want to see
the bright lights?

I mean, there's a whole
movement going on in Harlem,

and you're down here
watching the seasons pass by.

I'm waiting on a telegram
from Chicago as we speak.

Then I'm gonna hop on over
to New York City.

Honey, I am going
to travel the world!

What about you, huh?

What are you doing working
in a stiff place like this?

Percival: That, that's my aunt.

And this is uncle George.

Who's she?

It's my mother.

She's beautiful.

She was so young.

She was a singer.

Died when I was four.

My father dressed her
for the funeral.

Took him nearly 14 hours
on hair and makeup alone.

Flew in Polish from
St. Louis for her nails.

Spent everything he had

on her dress and her coffin.

So how would I look
laid out on the table, huh?

Come on, tell me. I don't know.

Well,

you wouldn't take much. Yeah?

You're beautiful.

You really think so?

About the most beautiful thing
I've seen in idlewild.

But then you're not
from idlewild.

What did I tell you about bringing
strangers into this house?

This is my house!

Give me that book.
Give it to me.

I was just trying to show her...

I don't give a damn
what you were trying.

You keep that behavior
down at that club!

Mr. Jenkins,
I think you should just...

Now you take this floozy
out of here right now.

Get her out!

Now! Get her out!

Well, I think I'll be going.

Excuse me.

What is wrong with you,
percival?

And you bring her in here?

Angel: I'll see you tonight,
9:00 sharp.

Showtime. All right.

Come on, girl. You're late!

I'm sick.
Rooster: Sick? Sick, my ass.

Get off the phone. Bye.

Hey, I'll talk to her.
Man, she need to come on...

Let me handle it. I'll talk to her.
Need to get her out here now.

Percival: Angel?
Angel, open up. It's me.

Rooster: Angel, what the
hell is going on? Angel?

Rooster: I'll come in there. We
got a contract. Remember that.

Hi. Woman: Nathan, you
tell those people

I'm not stepping
a goddamn foot on that stage

until they give me
my goddamn white carnations!

Uh, miss Davenport?
Yes, of course, angel.

These people sent you
a ticket, coach class.

Coach? A lady has
standards to maintain.

I've been working too hard
to start backpedaling now.

Yes, angel. Get it right.

Excuse me, miss Davenport?
And who are you, missy?

Well, I'm...

Speak up.

Uh-huh?

Miss Davenport? Hurry up, child.
I ain't got time.

I just came to tell you
I am such a big fan of yours.

See, I'm actually a...

Oh, Nathan, didn't I tell you to
keep this riffraff away from me?

Yes, angel.
Now, you do it right now.

Get this heffa out of here, or
I'm gonna kick your fat ass.

I'm not that fat.

Get your ass out of here
before you get me fired.

Yes, sir.

Nathan. Coming, angel.

I'm actually a singer myself.

Percival: Angel. Monk: Rooster.

They want their money back!

Open up, it's me.
I ain't giving shit back!

Angel: It's open.
Man, get your girl out here.

Come on,
you're going to be great.

Look, percival,

I'm not great.

There's something I need to tell you.
Listen.

I'm not... I'm not...

The first time...

The first time I saw you, you came
in here and lit up this joint.

Just like you're gonna do
on that stage tonight.

Come on.

You can do it.

Man 1: Come on, now.
Let's hear it, baby doll!

Man 2: Come on, sing, girl. Taffy:
Look out, she's scared! You're scared!

Ah...

Cool

Taffy: That ain't
no singing. You flat! You flat, girl!

Percival: Cool, moving cool

moving cool moving cool

Taffy:
That dress is too sparkly!

Boo! Get off the stage, girl!

Taffy: They don't care
if you cry.

Man 3: Go back to St. Louis!
Woman: Boo!

Man 4: Boo! Man 5: Bool!

Man 6: Boo!

Man, she is killing me
right now.

You ain't never lie. She killing you, boss.
Killing you.

That ain't gonna
work down here in idlewild!

So far I'm not impressed!

Percival:
Angel, don't look at them.

Look at me.

Never mind them.

It's just me and you.
Nobody else.

Sing to me.

And one, two, three...

Man 7: Not again. Come on!

Man 8: Here she go again.
Here she go.

Ah.

Cool, moving cool

Taffy: Oh,
we got to hear this again?

Man 9: She's trying to sing.

Cool, moving cool

moving cool moving cool

moving cool oh, yeah

Taffy: How many times you
going to say "moving cool"?

Hey, hey

all right now.

I can make a stone-cold
blind man see my way

but when I'm around you
but when I'm around you

you don't have much to say
you don't have much to say

come on, how.

La, la, la, la, la
la, la, la, la, la

ooh, ooh

percival: Oh, yeah. Yeah.

'Cause baby, I am chorus: I am

the opening act

chorus: The headliner
the headliner

percival: The after party oh!

After party

after party

after party

after party

I am

all that you'll ever need

I laugh about how everybody
sees what I am but you

you

I thought you would be brave
enough to taste my bitch's brew

percival: Yeah

I thought I was
dealing with a man

but you're a boy

you're a boy, you're a boy

I can give you everything you
want I can't be your toy

come on, how.

Oh, no, I am

now that's what
I'm talking about.

Monk: Go, angel!

Oh!

After party

I am

I am

yes, yes.

The headliner

after party

after party

after party

after party

I'm all you'll ever need

Baby, I am

the opening act

the headliner

the after party

after party

after party

'cause baby, I am

the opening act

oh, shit, man. Go buy you a piece tonight.
Keep on singing, girl.

Oh!

After party

after party

after party

after party

I'm all you'll ever need

$1,100.

And some change.

I'm feeling generous.

That's a whole lot of profit.

Especially seeing you haven't
purchased that much hooch.

At least from me, you haven't.

The deal was $1,250.

Plus twenty-five large.
Twenty-five large?

You trying to pinch me?
Pinch you?

If you recollect, on the night
of their unfortunate demise,

old man spats
had a deal with Ace

for twenty-five large.

That was Ace's deal. I'm square.

You're square

when I say you square.

And so far I haven't
said so, have I?

Look, you inherit the club,
you also inherit its debt.

I guess we have to
see about that.

Won't we?

Telegram.

Sally b. Shelly?

You know her?

Anybody heard of
Sally b. Shelly?

Anybody heard of
Sally b. Shelly?

Sawed-off,
you heard of Sally b. Shelly?

Woman: That's nice. Ladies,
you heard of Sally b. Shelly?

Anybody heard of
Sally b. Shelly?

You heard of Sally b. Shelly?

Ain't no damn Shelly in here.
Never mind.

You heard of Sally b. Shelly?

Nobody heard of Sally b. Shelly?
Anybody heard of her?

Monk, monk.

Yes, angel. Who you looking for?

I have a telegram here for Sally b.
Shelly. I'll get it to her.

Thank you, monk.

Thank you, miss Davenport.

Rooster: Now, what am I supposed to do now?
What we gonna do now?

Okay, unscrew the flask.
Yep, yep, just like that.

Okay, okay, now turn it up.
Just like that.

Let's drink and we gonna party.

Yeah. Thanks a lot.

See, you feel better already.
Now, I'm your boy...

Ow! Now, come on, now.
Please, I take care of you.

Angel: Percival.

Percival, I got it. I got it.

What? I got it.

What? What? The job in Chicago.

They want me in Chicago.

Oh, that's great.

Well, they want me to leave in two
days, and I got so much to do.

I gotta pack, I gotta
get my music together.

Great.

You're happy for me, right?
Of course.

Well, we gotta celebrate, huh?

Well, it's... it's getting late.

I think I better
I better get home.

Whoo!

You trying to leave here
without us?

No? I'm tired.

Bobo: Here comes our rooster,
trumpy, just like you said.

Got to go this way.
Got to go this way.

I want that...
It's square, right?

Then give me a sample first.
I wanna kill that snake.

Keep your ass
away from my husband.

Rooster: I can take it
from here, ladies.

Y'all done a good deed tonight,

and the lord sho' nuff gonna
bless you in due time.

Now, excuse me
while I tend to my wife.

How the hell I keep
getting myself into this?

There goes my ticket
out of here.

Zora, I know. But it
ain't what it look like.

You must think
I'm some kind of damn fool.

Well, I'm fed up.

I know that.

Zora: I've half a mind to come over
there and smash her right in the face.

Women: Dishrag!

Woman 1: Come on, girl,
let's go.

Woman 1: You got any reefers on you?
Woman 2: Girl...

I know so, heffa.

What you need... did you
see his hand come up?

Angel: Hey, percival.
Hey, angel.

Huh? Wow.

I didn't realize
it was getting so late.

I'm glad you came.

Yeah.

You got a lot of records. Yeah, I've
been collecting since I was eight.

Rooster got me started.

I love this one. Cab Cal?

That's one of my favorites.

That is one hep cat.
Hair always fried.

Hmm. Hmm.

Wearing the sharpest vines
in the city.

One day he's gonna come to idlewild,
and I'm gonna play for him.

Angel: You knew.

You knew all along, didn't you?

You must think I'm some kind of fool, huh?
No, no. No.

That's great. Angel, you got it all wrong.
I can explain.

Percival: Shit.

Zora, wait!

I was gonna have that cleaned.

I can explain! I'm listening.

Okay, it's hard to explain.
Wait!

Look.

Hey.

I know we've been through a lot.

And I ain't perfect, but I swear
to you, I'm a changed man.

You asked me
to trust you, rooster.

And that's exactly what I did.

And look at
what I got in return.

I can't do this no more.

It's time for me to start
thinking about me and the kids.

You keep messing around at that club,
and you're gonna get yourself laid out.

And we don't want
to be around to see that.

Y'all say goodbye to your daddy.

I don't want to go, daddy.

Eula Mae, y'all go on
with your mama.

You'll be all right.
Come on, babe.

Come on.

So where y'all going?

Over to my mama's.

I'll just meet y'all
over there when I get settled.

Well, I pray they don't
send you over in a box.

Take care, rooster.

Girl: Bye, daddy.

Zora, no need to be like that. Come
on, now, we got a little baby.

Just had a baby. Come on, zora.

How am I supposed
to get to work?

I didn't think
she'd miss anything.

Train tickets and a telegram
were lying on the floor.

So I snatched a few items
and never looked back.

No one saw you?

I guess they were too busy
looking for white carnations.

I auditioned for a talent scout
two weeks before I came here.

I never thought in a million
years I'd get the gig.

Well, you know you got to go, right?
I don't know.

Come on. What do you
mean, you don't know?

I don't know.

You gotta get out there
and make a name for yourself.

And, by the way,
what is your name?

Sally.

Sally b. Shelly.

Just a name. Not much.

Sally b. Shelly.

I like it.

And soon enough, the rest of
the world's going to love it.

Starting with Chicago.

You really think so?

No doubt in my mind.

Come with me.

They didn't invite me.
I'm inviting you.

We're a team. I sing best
when I sing for you.

I don't know.

I have so much to do
around here.

I have to
take care of my father.

Percival,

if you don't mind my saying so, I
think it's the other way around.

You need him as an excuse

so you can blame him
for not following your dreams.

Look, I checked the trains.

There's a 9:00
to Chicago tonight.

I'm buying us two tickets.
Now, hold on, angel.

It's Sally, remember? Sally.

We can do this.

I got my whole life here.

Look, tonight's my last show.
We could leave from the club.

What do you say, piano player?

I'm gonna take that as a yes.

Flask: Well, you know,
as the old saying goes,

what goes around, comes around.

What you know? You ain't nothing
but a stupid-ass flask, anyway.

Stupid? Well, you're the
one talking to a flask.

I got to stop
drinking this shit.

Flask: What goes around, comes
around what goes around, comes around

come on, sing it with me, man.

It's called Karma.
What the hell?

Flask: Ain't no going around that one.
Ain't no going around that.

You'll have to get out
and tell them to move the car.

What seems to be
the problem, ma'am?

Did y'all run out of gas?

No, sir.

Not at all.

These are my grandchildren.

I see. Couple of months ago,

my daughter run off to Detroit
and left them with me.

We ran out of money
a while back.

We've been sleeping in this car.

This morning...

This morning, the good lord
sent me a message.

He told me to drive

and keep on driving until he
told me to stop. And I did that.

And then the good lord told me
to turn down this here dirt road

and to stop right here.

And then?

Then he told me
to cut the car off

and to wait.

And that's what I've been doing.

We've been waiting
for almost seven hours.

Waiting for what?

I don't know.

I don't know.

But then you...

Take this.

Waiting for you.

You.

You're the angel that god
told me to wait here for.

I doubt that
very seriously, ma'am.

Thank you, Jesus.

Yes.

Emery.

Emery, look.

God sent this. Wait.

Here.

Go on. It's okay.

Carry that with you.

Always.

You're my blessing.

You're my blessing.

You're my blessing.
Y'all be safe.

Thank you.

Wake up, babies.

Percy: You look so pretty.

Like the belle of the ball.

Yes, you are.

Yes, you are.

Music notes: Save us, percival.
He's gone mad.

I'm burning up. Save us.

Jump. Jump! Save Mel

Percival: Drunk old fool.

You think for one minute
that this girl loves you?

Huh?

She's trash.

You hear me? Trash!

You don't know her.

I know she's going to leave you,
just like your mother left me.

Ma did not leave you.
She left me. She left me.

She died.

She died.

I'm leaving.

This ain't no place for me.

I gotta get away from here.

I gotta try something new.

Let's just sit down. Let's... let's
talk about this. Now, come on.

Talk about what?

What do we have to talk about?

We never talk.

No, no, no.

Wait. Listen to me.

Listen, percival.
I don't want you hurt.

You're all I got in the world.

And I need you.

I'm leaving.

Percival.

Percival.
Percival, wait a minute.

Percival, wait a minute.
Percival, percival, percival.

Percival!

Man: All passengers,
next train boarding...

I'd like two tickets
for the 9:00 train to Chicago.

Attention, all passengers, train's
a-boarding. Now boarding.

Make those first class.

Fifteen minutes. Y'all got
15 minutes to get my hooch.

I ain't got time to listen
to no boxing match.

Walter! Gw!

Walter.

Gw? Walter?

Announcer: Three, four,

five, six,
Jack on his knees, seven...

Come on, man,
I got to get my sauce.

Joe Louis charges
across the ring.

He lands a terrific left to Louis' body.
Hits sharkey with a right.

Jack is waiting,
takes a left to the chin,

a left to the chin, a right
to the head, and he's down!

You high on your own supply.

Three, four...

Good cigar. Five.

Jack's on one knee,
hanging on the ropes.

Louis from the neutral corner
charges across.

Bobo: Yeah, cliff, that's right.
Show him how to do it.

Cliff: Damn, bobo, I never thought I'd
get tired of whipping old gw's ass.

Bobo: A right cross.

Bobo: Give him a right.

Announcer: A left to the face. A
left to the eye. A bent right.

A straight left to the face. And
there's the bell!

Ain't nothing like
ringside seats, huh?

I think my friend has something
he wants to say.

Put this out for me.

Bobo: Thanks for the money, gw.

I done known you
for 20 years, wilbert.

Six of them you
spent with a great man.

And you're still a stupid little thief.

Boo.

Trumpy: I gotta
hand it to you, gw.

You sure got a lot of heart.

But who's the stupid one now,
huh?

Bobo: Yeah,
who's the stupid one now?

Trumpy: You never cease
to amaze me.

Sonny: Cock-a-doodle-doo!

Bobo: Lookie here, lookie here.

Well, well, well.

Good old rooster. Nice of you to join us.
Bobo: Mmm-hmm.

Late as always, just like
I predicted, huh, guys?

Bobo: That's right.
What y'all doing, trumpy?

What are we doing?
Bobo: We're having a party.

Hey, fellas, rooster want
to know what we doing.

What we doing? What we doing?

Ain't you supposed
to be the smart one?

I mean, that's what
old man spats always said.

Shit!

Goddamn, man.
This is starting to get fun.

Trumpy: You know something? Bobo:
Yeah, that's a lot of fun. I like it.

I had a vision, man.
Started seeing the future.

Bobo: Mmm-hmm.

The funny thing,

you wasn't in it.

To think you had the audacity
to try to shortstop me.

So you just gonna shoot me?
Just like that? Wilbert?

What type of man do you think I am, man?
We old friends.

Hey, Sonny.

Hmm. Do me a favor.

Shoot him.

Bobo: Get him, man, get him.

Pull him in here. Yeah.

Trumpy: Where you going?
Bobo: That's right.

Come on, Sonny. Cliff, come on.

I got him. Trumpy: Go, rooster.

Mmm-mmm.

Trumpy: Hey, Bo, that hurt?

You finished, rooster?

Hold it, hold it, hold it!

Should we end this, boss?

It's over, rooster. Wake him up.

Trumpy: Whoo!

Trumpy: That's the shit
I'm talking about.

Immediate response to a command.

Bobo: Hot dang, gentlemen!

Cliff: Damn.
Trumpy: Bad boy, right here.

Man: All the dead
all in the world...

You cannot do evil things...

Cliff: Oh, hell, no!

Trumpy: Where he at?

Shoot him!

Damn!

Sometimes life can keep you down

with your face all in the dirt

now if you feel
that left behind...

Oh, come on!

Need to get up and go to church

chorus: Hallelujah

hallelujah

big, slide into the mode
time to drop a load

my life is going downhill like
some cardboard in the show

my bank account is frozen I don't
think that I can get out this hole

feel like
the figure-four leglock

like the jury went away and
then they came back deadlocked

I can't move, I can't eat
I can't even breathe

can't even buy a decent sack
without the stems and the seed

no trees, no p's, to ease
the stress of everyday living

but homeless people gotta suck
it up wherever they living

the unforgiven or the unwilling
live a life of sinning...

Hey, rooster!

As an infant in the beginning

but what about repenting?

What about the tension?

What about you eating dinner
in the devil's kitchen?

Flask: What about repenting?

What about committing
the same sin

over and over again and again?

Chorus: Why are we here?

Please tell me

what are we here for?

Rooster: Life is nothing but a
dream so peaceful and serene

unless you're being evil then
you're on the devil's team

well, I receive
what you want to believe

but soon you'll have to sow
those bad seeds

please, any man can ask
to get a pass

or a cleansing of sins
to Grant another chance

perhaps another glance of the
light at the end of the tunnel

talk to the coach
and break out the huddle

whatever should you fumble
your rebuttal should be subtle

because he who lives in the
upper room is never gullible

as you survey the syllables
ahd sentences

the question that I'm merely trying
to pose is as simple as me saying

what about repenting?

What about the tension?

What about you eating dinner
in the devil's kitchen?

What about repenting?

What about committing
the same sin

over and over again and again?

Shit!

Chorus: Why are we here?

Please tell me

cliff: Trumpy!

Chorus: What are we here for?

Trumpy, get in.

Trumpy!

Whoo!

Rooster: Get the door.

What happened to you, rooster?

Wait here a sec.

Okay.

Chorus: Why are we here?

Please tell me

what are we here for?

Watch the back.

Don't let him get away.
Easy, daddy-o. Have fun.

I'll be right back.

Hey, brown, you seen rooster?
No.

Cliff: Where's rooster?

Back your ass up! Back up!

Shit.

Y'all seen percival? No.

Hey, where's rooster?

Taffy!

Damn. Stupid ass.

Hey, where's rooster?
I ain't seen him.

Y'all seen rooster? Up there.

What's going on?

All: Rooster!
Rooster! Rooster...

Man: Rooster! Where are you?

Wait a minute. Rooster! Rooster!

Taffy: Trumpy!
Hey, where you been?

I'll tell you later.

Just let me know if you see
trumpy around here anywhere

shit.

Y'all just step back.

Trumpy's right there.

Ohl

woman 1: Stop it!
Somebody stop it!

Woman 2: That's right,
rooster, get him!

That's right,
you get him, rooster!

Whoa, whoa, whoa!

Monk: Go get him, rooster!

Man: Oh, he's got a gun!

Rooster: Whoa, hold on.

That what you want
right here, right?

Give it here.

Hand me my money. Put it here.

What, you gonna shoot me
again, wilbert? Hmm?

You think I'm playing with you?
Woman: Don't you do it!

Put my shit right here.
I'm putting it in your hand.

Y'all gonna let him shoot me?
All: No.

Hey, trumpy, don't shoot him!
Shut up!

What did I say? Money.

Here. Percival! Percival!

Trumpy: Drop that shit!
Drop my shit right now!

What the fuck's wrong with you?
Put my money down!

Drop my shit.

Man: Rooster!

Woman: What's happening?

Rooster!

Rooster: Trumpy.

Come on, wilbert.

Come on.

Sally: Percival.

Monk: Somebody call a doctor!

Woman 1: Rooster.

Woman 2: I'm out of here, fellas.
Are you okay?

Trumpy?

I'm gonna be okay.

You're okay.

Gonna go to Chicago,

see those bright lights.

We'll get out of here.

Got a new song.

I got a new song.
You gonna love it.

She stays alone

never sheds a single tear

She stays in the coolest moods

clearly woman of the year

she and all her girlfriends

they go out dressed to win

she comes back
to the cooler side of town

but she lives in my lap

she lives in my lap

she lives in my lap

oh, she lives in my lap

chorus: Forever my fiancee

she lives in my lap

chorus: Don't need no chain

she lives in my lap

I'll get the courage one day

make me want you

make me miss you

make me wonder where you are

then forget you

girl remind me

just who we are

we're oh-so-close

but yet so far

she lives in my lap

I'll get the courage one day

Sally b. Shelly.

I'm a star, remember?

Then I'm gonna hop on over
to New York City.

Honey, I am going
to travel the world!

Well, see you around,
percival Jenkins.

Percival, it's rooster.

I got something
for you from angel.

It's rooster.

Percival.

Percival, open the door.

Open the door. Percival.

It's rooster.

Chorus: Every
boy and girl woman to man

percival.

When you feel you've done
about the best you can

the wagon come join the band

vibrate

percival.

Vibrate higher

I found these at church.

Come on, man, you gotta go.

You got songs the whole world need to hear.
She would want that for you.

What about you? Man, I
gotta get my family back.

I see you dressed mighty nice.

Just right for Chicago.

Look at you.

Chicago.

God don't make no mistakes.

You ain't said nothing
slick to a can of oil.

Come on.

Come on, let's go.

Percival:
All the world's a stage,

and all the men and women
merely players.

They all have
their exits and entrances,

each with
a specific role to play.

Chorus: Can't survive
right in the Nick of time

it's always there funny,
didn't it blow your mind?

Ooh-o0h

powerful, magnificent
and so divine

it's always there
funny, it'll blow your mind

ooh-o0h

percival: Angel made her exit.

And I made mine.

Once you're stretched out
in that speakerbox,

it's over.

Can't go back
and change anything.

You got one shot in this life.

What you all doing,
pretty girls?

See, dad done went and bought
a new Cadillac. Mmm-hmm.

Peaches and cream, peaches and cream.
Y'all like it?

Girl 1: Hi, dad. Girl 2: Yeah.

Come on, give me a hug.
Let's go tell your mama.

Something smells good.
What's for dinner?

Percival: When it's your turn
under the spotlight,

you've got to give it your best.

Once you do that, you never
know, life might surprise you.

Martin, you are so fussy.
Here, take your brother.

What is that?
Daddy got a new record.

Oh, he did. Girl, look at you.

Lord have mercy. Mmm-mmm-mmm.

Hey.

Percival: Mmm-hmm.

Well, all right.

How y'all doing?

Yes, ma'am.

Looking mighty fine.

I've been around the world

seen so many pretty girls

but I still get overwhelmed

when I look in your eyes

been from Maine to Spain

but everything seems the same

I only feel a change

when I look in your eyes

I know you're upper-class

I know you've got pizzazz

every man wanna kiss your...

And I do, too

flask: Rooster!

Hey, you know what? I'm so
happy to see you. Muah!

Well, it was fun
while it lasted.

Flask: Hold on. What you doing?
Don't leave me here!

Tell me what's a man to do
to get close to you

I'm just a lonely fool

when I look in your eyes

don't tell me no this time

if you do, it'll blow my mind

have you ever seen
a grown man cry?

It's an awful thing

I guess it's time to say goodbye

but I gotta give it one more try

I'm only satisfied

when I look in your eyes

ooh, please come home with me

oh, don't you wanna marry me?

I'm even gonna love your feet

when they stink

chorus: How can I?
How can I let you down?

I guess I'm always
gonna be around

I'm simply astounded

when I look in your eyes

Ain't nobody

like my style

yeah

I light my fire, yeah

chorus: I light my fire
I light my fire

they blow it out, yeah

they blow it out
they blow it out

and don't nobody

gonna feel like that

no

Monkey's on my back, bro

now, watch them all fall

go on, fall look out!

Nobody wanted to dance

when I had a lot of
time on my hands

now I got a lot of
hands on my time

and everybody wanna be
a friend of mine

whoa, whoa
I wouldn't mind a friend

the fellas back home
all trying to win

moon keeps shining
on bootleg bottles

cops in the street
keep your feet on the throttle

selling what they got
I can't afford a model

yelling "go, pj, go”

ain't nothing idle

everything is wild, yeah

you can be here, now, yeah

soon as you turn around

be in the ground, yeah

four, five six feet underground

and ain't no Bible

at this here church, no

you won't find god, no

might meet him first, oh

oh, god, look out!

Nobody wanted to leave

house so packed
that we couldn't even breathe

and ain't no better place
to fall in love

angel sent from heaven above

swing down
and come change your life

you might make a baby
might meet your wife

but watch your thing
that you're gonna say

deep down south
there's a little old place

they're mighty wild cats
and they don't play

don't make me send a telegram
to rooster, he'll shoot you

Say, whoa, mammy

whoa, mammy

say, whoa, pappy

whoa

everybody get up

no, no, no, no, get down

everybody get up

no, no, no, no, get down

everybody get up

no, no, no, no, get down

everybody get up

no, no, no, no, get down