No Place Like Home (1989) - full transcript
A Pittsburgh apartment superintendent loses his job and home when the apartment building where he lives and works at is suddenly destroyed by fire. Daniel and his family moves in with his brother but that doesn't last for long due to the two families not getting along with each other. The family moves from rundown hotels to homeless shelters as Daniel searches work as a electrician while his wife takes waitress jobs to try to make ends meet.
**
**
[Bus traffic]
**
**
[Children playing]
**
[Children talking]
[Children talking]
Geez, no!
Mom, okay off the table.
Dad --
I'm home.
Daddy daddy!
Hey!
Alright come here.
Oh God, you smell good.
Daddy!
Eh eh eh.
Where did you get
those tennis shoes?
Babe, I want some tennis shoes
just like David's.
Daddy, they'd be too little for
you.
Honey, I'd get them for me in my
size.
[Kissing sounds]
My lady, they aren't coming
until 7 right?
Annie, come look what I brought
for the party.
Right!
[Children squealing]
Streamers!
No, they're coming there.
Nope, we are going there.
[Children making happy noises]
Why, why are we going there?
Because, your brother
has to work late.
No, no, I've got classes late.
Honey, I know, I'm sorry.
Did I tell ya, I told you this
morning?
Yes.
[children making horseplay]
Kids, no more horseplay.
Come on, that's it.
Sit down and watch Sesame
Street and let Dad get ready.
[Children asking
questions and squealing]
No, Sesame Street!
I'm not going.
Come on, of course you're going.
Come on!
No!
I mean it every time,
he does this.
When was the last
time he came here?
I know, I know, I know.
Hey, how was class?
Class; fine.
Let's just get ready.
Oh, 2B's shower drain is
backing up for Charlotte,
10:00 in the morning,
I wrote it down.
Oh and the guy up at 1B, he
wants you to build some shelves.
Yeah?
Yeah!
You know 1B could use
some of your time, Mr. Fix It.
Oh yeah?
Yeah, the leaky faucet, the
kids closet door I told you
about 2 months ago.
Stop by your place anytime,
baby, you just make sure that
old man you're married to
doesn't come by and catch us,
alright?
Fix you right up.
[Tickles lady]
No!
Oh God
I'm not teasing.
Sure you are.
[Man and woman kissing]
Saw a great living room suite
in Browns' window.
Uh uh no, don't want to
hear nothing about it.
Was it on sale?
I'll show it to you on the way
to my brother, what's his name?
Eddie!
Eddie.
Eddie.
Honey, which ear rings should I
wear with this dress?
The pink ones or my grandma's.
Um, pink.
Yeah!
Oh!
The class wasn't only fine; I
aced the last wiring exam.
Alright?
I mean perfecting it.
Come one, let's go.
Got the present?
Got the coat?
Got the keys, got the bus fare?
Yep, got 'em.
Where's the cat?
Uh, he's right there.
Bye Jonesy, okay goodbye.
Goodbye Jonesy, going to
grandmas.
Let's go, let's go.
Whoa whoa wait, let
me just get the light.
[Silverware tinkling on
the plates, people eating]
Can we have some cake?
Yeah!
Yeah, can we?
More?
You kids want more cake?
Yeah!
You kids are like garbage pails.
[Everyone laughing]
Mommy, give them some more cake.
Eddie, honey.
No no hey.
You piggy, [laughing]
How much longer will
you be at that school now?
10 weeks.
But when you finish,
you get your license right?
No, no, that takes a
little bit longer to get.
No!
What do you mean by no?
I mean no.
I thought you were supposed
to come out of there
a licensed electrician.
[Sigh]
I mean what kind of
school is this?
It's a good school.
Yeah!
Yeah, it's a good school.
But, if they don't give you a
license...
Guys, guys, I'm sorry, I hate to
eat and run, but uh, I have to
work a double shift tomorrow.
I'm sorry, honey do you mind.
No, no, sure sure.
Well, at least let Eddie drive
you all back across town.
Bunny, give me a break, I've
got to get up early tomorrow.
There and back?
We don't need a ride thanks.
Nah!
Kids, say good night to Grammy.
Goodnight Grammy, Happy Birthday
and thanks for the dollar.
Oh thank you both for the
powder.
Happy Birthday Grammy,
thanks for the dollar.
Oh goodbye you
little sweet heart.
[Hugging]
Oh bye sweet heart, come see me
again.
You come see me too, Grammy.
I will.
Know what?
I've got a new fence that
has horses on it.
Horses?
[Laughing]
Yeah!
Happy Birthday Ma!
[Kisses]
Goodnight.
70 more Opal.
Lord no,
[laughing]
Come everybody.
Thanks Bunny, it was very nice,
thank you very much.
Hey look, want me to give you a
ride, let me give you a ride.
Eddie!
Give me...
Eddie, alright, okay.
Next time your place.
Don't forget.
Okay.
[Lady waving out
the window goodbye]
[Bus is coming to a stop]
[Sirens are being heard]
Hey dad, when we get off,
I'll race you for a quarter.
Oh okay.
A quarter.
Well, we'll see you guys.
Alright, first one to the
corner wins, no cheating.
Get set, Go!
You guys go.
[Girl is screaming go go]
Go daddy.
[Sirens]
[Sirens are loud and near and
then they turn the corner
and the place is ablaze]
Mommy!
Oh my God.
Whoa whoa wait
you can't come here.
Are they going to get out?
[Firefighter is yelling
to his men to get a line
out there before the
whole block blows]
Hurry up put out the fire.
[Jonesy, Jonesy the kids yell.]
Whoa whoa, get back here kid,
stay here.
Keep him back!
Stay here.
David, David, we've got Jonesy,
he got out and we've got him.
Come on.
[Little girl crying]
So, I know, I know, but
we want to stay here in
the neighborhood Eddie.
Anna would have to change
jobs, and the kids want
to finish out their school.
Hang on.
David, you can't take
the cat to the motel.
No no, you can't take him.
[Back to talking on phone]
What, yep, yep, who the hell can
afford insurance Eddie?
Come on, I don't need
this right now.
Look I got to go, I've got to
get the kids back to, yeah,
tell mom we are okay.
I got to go, I got to go.
Bye.
[Hangs up phone]
David, David, look we'll get
him in a few days okay.
[Pats son on back]
[family watches their
apartment burn]
**
[opens case]
**
[Looks at earrings in box]
**
**
So the owner showed up and
I asked if he needed another
maintenance guy and I
don't have any tools anyway.
I did get some leads
on some day work.
You have your job and
we have our savings.
Sigh, yeah, I guess we'll
just stay here until we
find a new place to live.
Maybe even a place with a
back yard next time.
And then when we get settled,
we'll all get all new things.
Won't that be fun Bug?
Yeah, but I like my
old things, mommy.
I know honey, I know.
Things are just things,
we can replace them.
What if we were
in that big fire?
Ah, I know.
We would have gotten out honey.
Jones got out.
Yeah!
But what if was
asleep David, uh?
He would have woke us up.
Yeah!
He would have jumped up and down
on top of you and he would have
said, wake up Tina, wake up.
[Little girl squealing]
Wake up everybody.
We'd all wake up and
we'd all run outside
and we'd all be safe.
So listen, I haven't eaten
all day and I'm starving.
So what ya say, we
go anywhere you want.
We can take the bus downtown
or we can stay right here
in the neighborhood.
[Downtown squeals the little
girl and little boy,
Stay yells the mom.]
Wait!
Downtown!
John's Pizza downtown.
Yeah!!!!
Go wash up.
[Pizza pizza yells the kids]
We'll get through this Zen.
We will.
It will be fine.
All right, let's move it.
[Men unloading a
furniture truck]
We don't have all day.
Alright let's move it.
Looks good.
That wraps it.
[Man paying the dad]
Thanks.
It's just.
Um, the only problem
is, uh, the deposit.
No no, we can
certainly pay the first
and last month's rent.
It's not that, it's just,
well maybe we can pay
the deposit over time?
You know?
What do you think the
deposit's for lady?
It's for protection.
I know.
My protection.
I know, believe me, I know that
and I understand that, it's
just, well you know with the
fire, new clothes and things.
Look, Mr. Sledge, really,
we are very dependable
people and I promise.
Look, I was willing to
overlook the kids, uh?
But this is business.
First and last month's rent,
and one month's security
deposit in advance.
Uh?
Could you just please?
Standard, no exceptions, sorry.
[Writing out budget]
[door opens, you can
hear the cars honking]
[Mom covering up the
kids with blanket]
What's this?
Sweet rolls they were
going to throw out.
[Man throws bag across room]
They are perfectly alright Mike.
[Opening bag and
tasting sweet roll]
[Opening bag and
tasting sweet roll]
So how were the kids tonight?
Well, how do you think
the kids were tonight?
I don't know.
They were off the walls.
Mike, Mike, we've got
to get out of here.
Don't start.
If we could please, please
ask Eddie for enough money.
No!
No!
No!
I'm already in the hole to
Eddie, I owe him $1200 when
the plant closed down.
So what.
He's the one,
taking care of Ma.
I can't.
No, I can't Zinny.
I mean, he can't have that kind
of money anyways.
Alright, alright.
Let's at least accept his offer
to stay there, uh?
If I had family left, we'd go to
them.
If we went to Eddie's, how are
you going to get to your job?
Well the kids are going to be
out of school in a couple
of weeks, right?
One of us is going to have to
stay home with them anyway.
Zin, I can get us out of this
jut have a little bit of faith,
I'm working alright I'm
paying the bills.
Look look, together we are not
paying the bills Mike.
Looks $500 in our savings and
$212 in checking account and
there is not apartment in this
city that we can move into that
withoutt shelling out $1400,
now come on.
Face reality!
[Man hits desk with fist]
Don't you talk to me like that?
I don't talk to you like that,
don't you talk to me like that.
You are my reality I'm facing.
I'm facing you, every
day, every night,
those kids are my reality.
I'm doing what I think is...
I'm doing what I think is...
I found it the day I
went over to the...
I've carried them around.
I didn't know if you wanted your
grandma's ear rings.
I should have thrown them away.
Hundred times a day you
think, where did I put that,
then you remember where
you put it, safely away.
Neatly tucked away,
in its place.
[Lady crying]
Then it gets burned up.
[Crying]
[Man making soothing
noises and kisses lady]
I feel like we are standing on
this trap door you know.
Pretty soon someone is
going to pull the lever.
We are never going
to stop falling.
[Lady laughing, crying]
Nobody is going to fall.
There's a way out.
[Kisses and soothing noises]
I love you, I love you so much.
I love you so much too.
[Kisses]
[Hugging]
[Sighing]
Okay you're right you're right.
He's my brother.
They want to help us, they do.
What?
I'm moving you
off that trap door.
[Turning lights out]
[Kisses]
[Sitting at table eating
and drinking coffee]
Our clunker doing right by ya?
Yes, it's good.
Yes, it's a gas eater.
Hey, whoa!
[Kids laughing]
Thanks for letting
me use it, Eddie.
Can't find a job if you
don't have transportation.
Tina, don't gobble.
Tina, honey, eat with
your mouth closed.
Come on.
Now leave her alone.
My mother used to make dinner
time just miserable, with don't
do this, don't do that.
David, honey, don't kick the
table legs.
Mom, can we watch TV?
Yeah, ah?
Sure, why not?
David.
I'm going up to my room.
I'll come read to you.
Goodnight.
Thanks that would be good.
Thanks.
Tonight I'm going to do the
dishes.
Nope, I can't let you do it;
you've been at work all day.
That's alright.
I'm going to forget what my
kitchen looks like.
Mike, come on I have
something I want to show you.
Come on.
[Men go downstairs to basement]
For you.
Eddie!
I can't accept that.
What?
No no, hey.
What do you mean you
can't accept that?
What do you want to do, you want
to keep taking part time crap
that's' getting you nowhere?
I give you the tools, you get a
job, and you get your own place,
this way I get my TV back.
It's a bargain at half the
price.
[Sigh]
Hey, I didn't mean it that way.
Look come on.
[Slapping]
I didn't mean it; I just was
trying to help ya out Mikey,
that's all.
Are you going to thank me?
Thank you!
[Door slams]
[Hits walls]
Sorry Daddy.
Oh David, come here.
**
Come on hey, it's kind
of like Christmas.
That's a beaut right now.
Yeah, it's a real beaut.
**
**
You got it?
Did you get it?
I got it.
[Yelling happy]
Oh God, when do you start?
How much do you make, when
can we get out of here?
I start tomorrow, he's a really
great guy, it's a small crew,
so everybody does
everything you know.
But I can do a lot of
the wiring jobs myself,
because he's licensed
and he can check it.
Part time this month, well,
wait, part time?
I know I know.
It's going to go full time
next month.
Okay babe.
Full medical, workman's
comp, and then I can
go back to school.
I got it.
[Happy yells]
Best, best is we are on our
way out of here alright?
Come here.
[kissing]
Hey I'm so proud of you.
[Kissing]
Tell me something,
where is the kids.
At the pool with your mom,
Wait, your telling me that we
are alone in the big ole house.
[Kissing]
[Kissing]
Oh my...
if Bonnie could see us now.
Hey Eddie.
[Kids talking]
Food stamps, food stamps,
I've been carrying you,
and your family and this
is the way you pay me back.
You haven't been carrying me.
So no, you haven't
been carrying me,
so don't you get
started on that.
Do you know what I felt like?
Like, I wanted to curl up
and disappear.
I've been going into that
grocery for 12 years,
12 years and you know I
can't go back there ever.
Food stamps!
Your wife has been
using food stamps.
Now everyone will think I'm
some crummy welfare bum.
[Kids wondering
what's going on]
There's nothing wrong
with it Eddie.
Hell there isn't.
Don't you cuss in
my house either?
You don't do the shopping; you
don't know how much thing cost.
Your right.
He doesn't know anything.
If he knew something he wouldn't
come running for his life.
I didn't run to you,
you asked me.
So don't give me that.
What was gonna let you do?
Let you sleep in the street?
Maybe I should've this time.
When you lost the last job,
I lost nothing alright.
Me and 10,000 other
jerks, the plant closed,
they all lost their jobs.
I let you stay here last time.
Well, we paid you rent, I paid
you rent, and well this time
I've got the landlord
breathing down my neck on
how many are living here.
Well tell me.
You should have told me.
[Hits brother]
I'm telling you now.
Eddie.
I try to be nice to you.
Oh yeah!
I try, I try, but you use me,
you use me, you've been using
me since the day you were born.
Who's the one taking care of Ma?
Eddie, don't say things you
don't mean.
Don't talk to me!
I'm not the screw up
here; I'm not the screw
up with 2 kids and --
Guys, guys...
[Men scuffle]
[Door slams]
Good riddance.
Go.
Good riddance.
[Man hits fits on stove]
[Man hits fits on stove]
Zin, wait a minute, it's
all I've got in the house,
but I want you to take it.
[Give her money]
I can't take this.
Yes, you can.
Look I want to see you
guys back here tomorrow.
Take this back Bonnie.
You know that, here take it.
Thanks.
Where will you go?
We'll be okay.
We'll bring the car back later.
Keep it just keep it as
long as you need it.
[Raining]
**
**
Why did you do it?
I got them when we
were at the hotel.
We needed them.
No, No, we did not need them.
I don't care if he thinks
that I'm a screw up,
but I don't care.
I'm a worker; I've
always been a worker.
I've worked in that plant
for 12 years, 12 years.
It quit me, I didn't quit it.
I know, I know.
[Throwing rocks at plant,
yelling damn you]
I'm going to tell you something
else too, I'm not going to allow
him, not anybody, and nobody
is going to humiliate me
in front of my kids.
Nobody.
[Breathing hard]
[Breathing hard]
Where are we going
to go now Mike?
Motel.
We can't afford it,
fine we will sleep here.
**
**
[Kids screaming]
Get off my back, some place that
has a menu, burger heaven.
Stop it stop it.
I said stop it.
We've passed 3 restaraunts
in the last mile.
We have $389 left.
I told you I was going full
time.
But that's not helping us now.
We can't keep living in the car.
A week is enough.
[Screaming kids
aggravating each other]
Stop it right now.
Fine, you want to live in the
bus station?
How about that, let's move into
the bus station.
Mike, we need a place to live
and there's nobody we know
that can take us in, right?
Mom, I got to go.
Right!
Okay go by yourself.
Okay the city has these places.
Oh the city has these
places, and I'm not
going on welfare Zin.
I'm not doing it.
No.
Don't shame me.
You can pay them back.
Pay them back?
Well I don't know what else
to do Mike.
If you know, then tell me.
Come on tell me.
Come on tell me.
Well, it's cheap.
It ought to hold up.
Here, we don't need those.
Put that in the toolbox.
Bug, come here,
and try this out.
[little girl squeals
happy notes]
Dad, dad, the sign says we
can only stay here 10 days.
How you doing, do
you need any help.
No, no we don't need any help.
[Kids running]
Slow down.
[Kids laughing,
talking, playing]
[Kids laughing,
talking, playing]
See nothing down there.
No we come all through there.
Don't play near the fire.
9 months is getting old.
Having to pick up and
move every 10 days,
school's coming on again.
Tina?
Well wish you luck.
It's gotta get better,
can't get no worse.
Tina.
Kids, good luck to you.
Hold on to that job.
Listen to me.
Don't spend a winter out here,
don't put your kids through it.
My kids were sick the whole time
and couldn't afford a doctor.
Missy, don't.
I have to I have to,
they need to know.
We all need to know what
we are up against.
**
**
**
[Going into a shelter,
kids saying their ABC's,]
[babies crying, people coughing]
**
**
[Watching TV]
Keep an eye on your sister.
Why are you home so early?
They didn't need me.
Didn't need you?
Oh, great.
Listen, the social worker
stopped me on my way
in and they're going
to send us to a hotel.
A hotel?
When?
As soon as we are packed.
Thank God.
Zin, you've heard the same
stories as I have.
I don't care Mike, I don't care.
We will be settled in time
to get the kids started
in school some place.
Oh Mike, we'll have our own
room, to turn off the lights,
oh honey, honey we'll have
our own bathtub, bathtub.
[Teenagers in front of
motel, playing and talking]
[Teenagers in front of
motel, playing and talking]
Do you have any
drugs, any weapons?
No.
Please sign in, and drop
your keys here and see
the guard and he take you.
Thank you.
Just walk right on through.
Ma'am, we need to see
the purse, please.
Walk through here.
[loud chatter]
Zin, Zin, here.
Zin, Zin, here.
**
No cooking in the rooms, no
hotplates, nothing, no cooking.
How are we supposed to eat?
Eat out, eat sandwiches.
No visitors after 10 and
don't leave your kids alone
or we'll call the welfare.
We don't like any
trouble here, period.
Same here.
Hey, welcome.
Hey, welcome.
Mommy, I don't like it here.
Baby, it won't be for too long.
Look a rat trap.
Yuck!
Hey look Tina, bunk beds.
You can have the top.
Yeah thanks but I can't
even get up there.
What are you talking about?
There you go.
Oh my God.
Guys look, privacy.
Take them to the park, the
library.
Sure wish I was going along.
[kissing]
[kissing]
[knocking]
Mom, I got to go
to the bathroom.
[Knocking on bathroom door]
All right, no privacy.
Hi honey.
Hi honey.
[Man screaming in hall way]
Stay here?
Stay here?
Get back in bed.
[Men screaming and
fighting in hallway]
It's all over.
It's okay.
It's all right.
Do we need to call the police?
I'm not going out in that
hallway.
I'll do it.
David, the only time you
go outside this room
with me or your mother.
You got it?
I'm not ever going out.
Honey.
And the next time I tell you
something, you do it.
Do you understand?
And I don't want you playing
wiht these kids.
Don't scare them.
They should be scared.
When I'm not here, David, I
want you to stay in this room
and keep this door locked.
Honey, you want to sleep with
mommy?
That a girl.
[Yelling in hallway]
[Bell ringing]
I'm sorry.
Which way?
Take a right, down the stairs.
Over here?
That's right.
Down the stairs.
Oh, okay, thank you.
Mom you said I could
go to my old school.
I'm hating this place.
I know, sweetie.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Well, that was quick.
No, I still have to go to
the principal's office.
I used to have to
do that all the time.
Maybe it's because
they're new here.
I don't know.
Well don't let them
intimidate you.
He tries.
[Laughs]
I got so mad at him one time.
Gives us mothers a lecture on
our special responsibilities.
I got up and walked out
mid-sentence.
Hey don't you live on my floor.
No, they live on my floor.
[School bell rang]
I say you both live
on her floor.
It's like a work of art, uh?
It ought to be hanging
in a museum.
I'm not kidding I've seen
things like this in a museum,
yeah right.
Listen, I was wondering
if you knew when
I would be going full time.
Soon, soon, nice work, Michael.
We going to be starting on
that restaurant today?
[Kids running and playing]
Hey hey get in here.
Why can't we play in the hall?
Cause halls are not
a place to play.
Why don't you run on Jason?
Watch your tone of voice.
Thank your mom for the
invitation okay.
You set with your sister
on that school bus you hear me?
Bye Bye.
You don't ask me why.
You don't let me have friends.
You don't let me play; you
don't even let me have a cat.
You're mean!
David!
[Slams bathroom door]
Honey, Jason is a really nice
little kid, his mother is great.
His mom is on well fare.
Yeah, and so are we.
Damn you, they are
only paying our rent.
I'm working.
If you weren't around, I'd in
the exact same boat as her.
Is that what you want Zin?
Is that what you want?
You think you'd be
better off if I wasn't around?
No, all I was saying is there is
not much difference between us.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe we'd all be better off.
Daddy.
[girl cries]
I'm not a well fare bum,
and I've got a job.
I work hard; I'm
doing the best I can.
I'm not a wellfare bum.
[Slams door leaving]
mike!
Mike!
Mike!
Mike!
Mom, don't worry we'll be okay.
Please just go to sleep David.
Don't wake up the kids.
I'm okay, I'm okay.
I can't believe you threw
up all over yourself.
Don't be mad at me,
don't be mad.
Shh!
Mike.
[he mumbles]
Come on, oh Mike.
David goes to sleep now!
Now!
Oh God.
Oh, please God
[Lady crying]
You might have to give the
guards a little bit of what you
cook, let's eat, hot food is
soul food.
cook, let's eat, hot food is
soul food.
[Zin crying]
Now that meal don't
need no more salt.
Thank you.
This is so good.
So were you burned out
too, or what?
I got tired of my husband
using me for a punching bag.
Got tired of my face
getting cut.
My ribs cracked.
My fingers broke.
I lost my job, because I
couldn't find any day care.
Then I lost the apartment,
because I couldn't pay the rent.
I've been on the list for
city housing for so long,
I can't remember, but I don't
wake up black and blue
and nor do my kids,
and for that I'm grateful
every morning I wake up.
How long have you been here?
13 months.
Catch you later, be cool.
He's coming mom, he's
coming, and he's coming.
Oh okay sit over there and uh --
Surprise daddy,
surprise.
Hi.
Hey, bug, how are you?
Hhow was school?
Was it good?
It was good.
Wait a minute, what's that I
smell?
[Son acting likes a chicken]
[Laughing]
Chicken!
Chicken!
Don't be mad Mike.
A lot of people have them.
Fried chicken?
You don't really get in trouble
if you feed the guards.
Okay, its okay you know.
Doesn't matter, we're not
going to be in this place
much longer anyways.
Where we going to?
I talked to him, going to start
fulltime on Monday and we're
going to be out of this place
and into our own place
in 3 months.
Yeah!!!
Maybe sooner.
[Hugging]
[Kids running in
halls and talking]
[Kids running in
halls and talking]
[Kids running down the stairs]
Slow down slow down.
[Guard running after kids]
Stop, kids!
Woo!
[kids running and screaming]
You better watch your damn kid.
You better watch your
damn mouth.
[Dad pushes guard]
Come on come on come on.
Where you been?
Where you been?
Tell me where you been.
Nowhere.
Nowhere.
He's been nowhere.
I told you, you could play with
these kids, if you didn't
leave the hall, but you
left the hall didn't you?
Didn't ya?
No!
You're lying to me David.
So now what, you lie to me?
Now you lie, get inside.
Get inside.
I hate this damn place.
[School kids talking]
Hello, I want to see you in
my office at 2:00, Jose,
you know better, over here.
Hotel kids over here.
The rest of you quiet.
Alright feed this child
and get on with the rest
of the stuff to do today.
Hi.
[kisses girl]
Where's David.
He told me not to tell.
You tell me now, where's David.
He went home.
What do you mean?
Home, he went home.
Oh my God, Prude, can
you watch Tina?
Sure.
You stay with Prude and you mind
her okay.
Okay!
Anything you want me to do?
**
[Mom running down street]
**
[Boys talking on the stoop]
Sometimes we have room service,
what did you order?
What did you order?
Steak and lobster, I'll be glad
when my dad finishes our house.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi, Ms. Cooper.
Hi.
Your mom said to send you
home for supper.
Okay, you call when it's okay
to come visit.
Swim in the pool.
Yeah.
Bye Cooper.
Bye.
Tell Tina I said hi.
Yeah I will.
You scared me.
Look, look I'm shaking.
I can take care of myself.
Swimming pool huh
I couldn't tell them the truth.
Why?
When they know where you
live they don't want to
be your friend anymore.
Won't be much longer David,
just a few more weeks, okay.
Then we'll have enough saved.
Know what the kids at
school call us?
No, what?
Hotel rats.
**
What do you have in the bag?
Nothing.
Can I look?
No.
[Meow]
Sweetie, you can't.
I told you you couldn't take him
back.
I don't care what dad says,
I'm taking him back anyway.
Okay okay,
I'll square it with your dad.
Just don't scare me
like that again.
Deal?
Deal.
[Hugging]
Come on Jonesy.
[Kids talking
during lunch hour]
Quiet in here, I said quiet.
There are other kids in class.
Excuse me Mr. Somes.
Yes, who are you?
I'm David and Tina
Cooper's mother.
Ah I see.
Yeah!
I guess that makes a one of
those hotel rats too uh?
Hotel?
Hotel rats, yah!
Yeah!
Isn't that what the other kids
call them?
Well I certainly don't call them
that.
Well you don't have to do you.
All you have to do is set the
tone and they follow your lead.
Mrs. Cooper, this is not the
place to discuss this.
No!
This is not the place; this is a
public school Mr. Somes.
And if you don't stop separating
my kids from the rest of the
school, I promise you, I will
go to the school board,
anybody I have to.
But I will stop you.
There is no need to make this
an issue Mrs. Cooper.
That is completely up to
you Mr. Some's.
**
How are you tonight Mrs. Cooper?
Fine and you?
Hi, girlfriend.
Dang, how you doing?
How did it go with the school?
You wouldn't believe what that
guy has been doing.
Oh I bet I will.
Come on in.
You are going to be
so proud of me.
[laughing]
Mike, what are you doing home?
Just a sec, okay?
Sure.
Mike?
He let me go.
Said he is going to go off to
Florida for a couple of months.
He said we should
all take a vacation.
See that's the thing about
owning your own company,
you can just take a --
**
[Sigh]
It's not happening here Zin.
It's our home, I'm sorry,
it's not a home.
Shh shh look no more.
Buts.
You have new plants being built
every day.
More plants are being
south, companies are
coming from overseas.
They are going south.
But we can't just uproot the
kids again.
What am I to do Zin?
Am I going to stay here and keep
taking nothing jobs?
We're nowhere that way.
We knew so damn
much when we were 18.
We knew exactly how
things were going to go.
We knew.
A few surprises along the way.
But I didn't, not this.
But I didn't, not this.
Are you saying you want to
get away from this, from us,
are you saying you want out?
Are you saying you won't come?
I can't do that to them.
Don't go Mike, please.
I don't know what I'd do without
you.
[Crying]
Well, your mom and I want
you to stay in school
and it's still too
cold for everybody.
You guys are going to stay here
and I uh I'm going to get a job
and when I get enough money
together, I will send for you.
Okay.
Now, it could be awhile.
So you help out your mom.
Now don't give her any
trouble you here.
But I want to go with you daddy.
Bug I know you do,
come on be my big girl.
David, I want you to help out
your mom or I want to know why.
How he can make me feel.
I'll try to make him understand.
**
[Sigh]
I'm going to be
worried about you.
I wish you'd go to Eddie's.
No, I'll be alright.
We'll just wait for you
till you send for us.
Oh wait, here.
What's this?
Go ahead and take it,
you'll need it.
I hocked my engagement ring.
Go ahead you'll need the money.
Go ahead you'll need the money.
I'm going to call you on
this phone, every Sunday.
Okay, 9 a.m.
I love you guys.
I love you.
[crying]
Liar!
You liar!
Hey man.
What about my money?
You aren't getting any.
[Boys talking as they try
to wash car windows]
Come on, what's
your problem, huh?
Give me that dollar.
**
**
**
**
**
**
[Knocking on the door]
Who is it?
Prude!
Tina, hey.
Tina, hey.
Whatcha doing home
from school girlfriend?
TV?
Yeah paid the guy down the
hallway $20 for it.
Did Mike call yesterday?
Yeah!
Is he working?
Yeah just day jobs.
Nothing really.
Tina watch this baby for a
minute, we need to go outside.
[Mumbles]
Zin!
Look I see this happen to many
women in here.
They just slide into depression.
They say in dark rooms,
pretty soon you'll
be drinking rye whiskey.
Next thing you know,
someone says, hey girl.
Right and they give
you some crack.
You've been in here a week, you
got to get out and grab hold of
Zin, before I grab hold of you.
Come on!
That's my girl.
I can't believe it.
How long have you known.
This morning.
They told me this morning.
Wow.
Wow.
Wow.
I mean I'll be able to go
back to work, to get my life
back on track again.
Prude, it's so great.
When you moving out.
In about a week.
[Laughing]
[church bells]
it's not even fancy, it's in a
rough neighborhood.
Stop prude.
Don't make it try to
sound bad, okay.
I'm so glad for you.
You are getting out of here.
Oh baby, I was beginning to
think nobody ever did.
I know what you mean.
It seems like forever.
Down there where that pretty
lady is standing there.
Hey all I'm saying is be
friendly.
You got to have a friend since
everyone is running out on ya.
I'd like to go inside please.
Hey, you better leave my
momma alone.
**
That's where it is and we're
late, so you can't say nothing
and you got too quick about it.
Okay.
Hey man, is that him.
We got here just in time.
Don't tell him your name and
don't talk to quick.
He's okay he's with me.
I like to pick my own runners.
What's your name kid?
Da -- Henry.
You've got yourself a job.
You do it right you can keep it.
See you tomorrow.
Same time.
30 bucks.
[Knocks on door]
You can carry it if you want to.
I trust you.
No.
That's no good.
That's no good.
Ahh.
Frank you scared me.
[Laughs]
Sorry, I need to talk
to you in private.
[Closes door]
No its okay, sit down,
it's alright.
Hey I'm not going to hurt you.
I'm not like JJ.
I think you really
need to leave.
Okay.
Naw, I don't think you really
want me to do that.
Yes, yes I really do.
I'd like you to leave right now.
[Holds package up]
Do you know what this is?
No!
Sure you do, you've been around.
Where do you suppose I got this?
I don't care where you got it.
I want you to get out of here.
Well you better care.
[Pushes her]
Don't touch me.
I got it off Henry.
Do you know who Henry is?
No!
Your little Henry aka David.
See?
Yeah, I got it off him while he
was making his delivery rounds.
What are you talking about?
He gave it to me so I wouldn't
put him out of business.
Look I don't believe you.
Just get out of here.
Just leave.
I could call the cops.
Cops?
I should have called the
welfare.
The welfare would have come
in here and take those kids
away just like that.
[Snaps fingers]
[Sirens]
Welfare?
What are you talking about,
welfare?
It's alright.
It's okay.
It's alright, I didn't.
I didn't call them, alright?
You want me to call them.
No.
Then shake.
Come on come on.
[she shakes hand]
You know the rules,
you have to pay.
[She struggles with him]
[She screams]
Kids come in and see mom
struggle with man.
[Screams]
David.
Get him off of me.
Look at this, I'm bleeding.
I'm going to call welfare.
Then call.
Wait, wait, I'm sorry.
Give me the money.
What money?
You know what money.
I spent it.
Give it to me now, David.
Here.
No, it's our money.
Here take the money, please
don't call anybody.
I've got to call
welfare on your kids.
No no you are out of here.
Please don't.
Get packed.
Come on, hurry up.
Just stuff these things in here.
**
[Sirens]
[Raining and thundering]
[Raining and thundering]
Okay.
Hurry up.
Here we go.
[Ringing doorbell, knocking]
[Knocking on window]
Eddie, Bonnie.
They are not here, the car isn't
here.
Let's just break in.
**
I'm cold.
Tina hand David that rock.
Here, hold this.
Be careful sweetie.
Great great.
Come on honey.
Uncle Eddie is going to be mad.
Well he can be mad.
Let go up to bed.
You can wash you in the morning.
[Cop comes in
room with flashlight]
Come on lady, get up.
[Kids crying]
Hold it, hold your hands up.
It's okay, nice and slow.
Now get up off the bed.
What are you doing here?
Shh it's okay,
honey, that's good.
Now what are you doing here?
It's my brother in laws house.
Why would you break in
while he's out of town?
We've lost our keys.
Yeah right.
Right.
No, really.
[crying]
Shh honey its okay.
Um they would understand really.
We've stayed here before and I
think it would be okay with him.
So where are they?
If you are family, then
why don't you know?
Oh, right, they took Opal
to see her sister in Albany.
This is Opals room.
See that is our picture right
there.
That doesn't give you the right
to break in.
We'll pay for the window.
We're going to have
to take you in.
Please, Please.
You are not going to arrest this
woman.
You are going to let them stay
here.
Listen is there a place you can
go.
Yes we have a place.
It'll be all right.
They'll understand.
Come on
honey lets go.
Thanks very much.
Listen.
We can take you to an
emergency shelter.
[Bus drives off]
**
**
Hi how are you?
Hi hi.
Can I see your card?
Excuse me 'mam,
what is the card?
You don't have a card?
Then why are you in this line?
Just for lunch.
Lunch for the residents
of the Bucking Hotel.
Shut your mouth, Rosanne, she's
got hungry kids.
You're talking awful
big for someone who's
staying in the hotel.
Next.
4.
Here you go.
3 please.
Do you have your card?
No, this is my first
day and I didn't know
I had to bring the card.
I promse I'll
bring it tomorrow.
Okay for today.
Have to see your card tomorrow.
Thank you, thanks a lot.
**
We are closing now, you are
going to have to leave.
Oh thank you.
Sorry.
**
**
Get in here.
I'm not leaving you out there by
yourself.
Get out of those things.
But?
Just get out of them.
No.
I have to wash them.
They're not dirty, come on.
They are filthy.
They are not filthy!
David.
Put your arms up, help me out.
What about her?
Change into this.
[Running water]
Look, he's too old to be in
here, I got to pee.
We'll be outta here in a minute.
Just give us a chance.
I'm leaving.
Tina, wash your hands real quick
sweetie.
Excuse me, here
just dry over here.
Will you get her outta here?
Sweetie, its fine.
Excuse me please.
Go to hell.
David, don't you ever run
away again like that.
I got go in there.
[points to
men's room]
All right, hurry up.
Okay.
Are we going on a train,
momma, to find daddy?
No, honey, we just have to find
a place until we get your dad's
call tomorrow and then
it will be all right.
Mommy we need to go find daddy.
Yucky yucky...
Look mommy, why did
that man give us money.
Maybe he just dropped it.
Let's go.
[fighting]
Come on, kid, come on.
Let's go, David
grab your stuff.
**
[Raining]
[Raining]
**
Hey.
What, where'd you get it?
I got it.
Out of the garbage?
Nothing wrong with it.
Nothing wrong with it huh?
Fine, I don't care, I'll
feed it to Jonesy.
Here Jonesy.
Here honey.
Here want some food.
Here ya go.
[Bus stops]
[Bus stops]
**
**
I'm going back to look for him.
David you can't you have no
idea where to look for him.
David you can't you have no
idea where to look for him.
Where are we going?
Come on David, no arguments.
What we doing back here?
I'm not going any further until
you tell me where we are going.
Let's go.
Okay, we are going to our
neighbors, all right.
What neighbors?
We're going to the little girl's
mother that took care of Jonesy
when we went to the hotel.
Now let's go.
No!
Look!
David we can't stay in streets,
we can't go back to the shelter
cause they will take you away
from me, is that what you want?
Is that what you want David?
No!
You want you and your sister in
a foster home?
Now let's go.
I don't care if you are
embarrassed about your little
girlfriend because you lied
about where we lived.
Look, David it's all your fault.
You did this.
It's all because of you.
Yes you did, yes you did.
[Boy crying]
[Boy crying]
That was awful thing
to say to you,
it's not true, not any of it.
How could it be?
You're just a little boy.
Little boy shouldn't --
All I know Jonesy is all right.
He is a very smart
guy for a cat.
I know you hurt,
it hurts me too.
Now look.
Honey I got this idea.
About where we
can spend the night.
Just come with me one more time.
**
**
This old house, here.
Yea go ahead.
**
**
Tina give me your hand, careful.
**
Nobody lives here
anymore, we'll be safe.
Just stay close, nothing
to be scared of.
Watch your feet.
Hush honey.
That corner over there.
I don't like it.
We'll just move all this stuff.
Come on.
Come on.
Just lie down there.
No no no.
Tina, lie down there, come
here, come here.
Shhh.
Today is Sunday and
we'll get your daddy's call
and it will all be alright.
[Singing softly
and she rocks child]
[Singing softly
and she rocks child]
**
I'm sorry we're
late, please call.
Come on come on.
Hey Tomaso, don't tell
them you saw us Tomaso.
Hey, I'm not any snitch,
Ms. Cooper.
Hey, man, you got out
of ice the other night.
Please call please.
Where you all at now.
They had the welfare
out on you man.
Cops?
Sure cops.
Whata think?
Hey, how are you doing this
morning?
I think you need to
come live with us.
Come on Mike.
Nobody lives there.
It's abandoned.
When I make my money,
I'll come find you.
Okay we've got to get
out of here.
Don't tell anyone you saw us ok.
Let's go.
Hurry.
See ya man.
Bye Tomaso.
[Hauling old stuff
out of house]
1, 2, 3.
[sirens]
1, 2, 3.
1, 2, 3.
Oh that is great.
Oh my it's heavy.
Head down.
**
[Dogs barking]
[sirens]
Hide, hurry.
**
[footsteps]
Oh Mike.
Mike, Mike, Oh God.
Daddy!
David, David.
How'd you find us?
Tomaso, I went to the hotel.
Where were you on Sunday?
Where were you?
I was scared daddy.
I know you were Bug.
Oh God, Mike.
[Lady crying]
God I missed you.
It's okay.
Babe, it's no better out
there than it is here.
It's like no one wants
people like me no more.
I know what you mean.
It's too bad isn't it?
Cause we're just not
going to disappear.
I know.
It's got to stop I
can't take it everything.
Nope.
David.
I'll get him.
Look I know you are mad at me
and you think I've let you down.
When I taught you that summer I
said that would be something I'd
never do, you could count on me.
You ran off and left us.
No I didn't David,
I was doing --
look, I know I'm the dad and I'm
supposed to know everything,
but I don't know everything.
I'm still learning things too.
We don't need you anymore.
Yes, you do, you need me.
And I need you.
Let me tell you something,
I'm not going to let
you slip away from me.
I'm going to fight real
hard to get you back.
Let's go back in.
[dogs barking]
[Sigh]
[Sigh]
[Yelling]
[Bottles breaking]
[Yelling outside]
[Yelling outside]
Shhh shhh its okay.
Just stay here.
Someone comes, you scream.
Loud.
Mike.
Shh shh its okay.
[Men yelling]
[Men yelling]
Don't try to choke me,
you'll die, man.
Don't try to choke me,
you'll die, man.
Whoa whoa take it easy.
[yelling]
[Mike hitting men with bar]
Stay away from my house.
[Screaming]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[Breathing hard]
**
**
**
**
[Captions provided by
US Captioning Company]
**
[Bus traffic]
**
**
[Children playing]
**
[Children talking]
[Children talking]
Geez, no!
Mom, okay off the table.
Dad --
I'm home.
Daddy daddy!
Hey!
Alright come here.
Oh God, you smell good.
Daddy!
Eh eh eh.
Where did you get
those tennis shoes?
Babe, I want some tennis shoes
just like David's.
Daddy, they'd be too little for
you.
Honey, I'd get them for me in my
size.
[Kissing sounds]
My lady, they aren't coming
until 7 right?
Annie, come look what I brought
for the party.
Right!
[Children squealing]
Streamers!
No, they're coming there.
Nope, we are going there.
[Children making happy noises]
Why, why are we going there?
Because, your brother
has to work late.
No, no, I've got classes late.
Honey, I know, I'm sorry.
Did I tell ya, I told you this
morning?
Yes.
[children making horseplay]
Kids, no more horseplay.
Come on, that's it.
Sit down and watch Sesame
Street and let Dad get ready.
[Children asking
questions and squealing]
No, Sesame Street!
I'm not going.
Come on, of course you're going.
Come on!
No!
I mean it every time,
he does this.
When was the last
time he came here?
I know, I know, I know.
Hey, how was class?
Class; fine.
Let's just get ready.
Oh, 2B's shower drain is
backing up for Charlotte,
10:00 in the morning,
I wrote it down.
Oh and the guy up at 1B, he
wants you to build some shelves.
Yeah?
Yeah!
You know 1B could use
some of your time, Mr. Fix It.
Oh yeah?
Yeah, the leaky faucet, the
kids closet door I told you
about 2 months ago.
Stop by your place anytime,
baby, you just make sure that
old man you're married to
doesn't come by and catch us,
alright?
Fix you right up.
[Tickles lady]
No!
Oh God
I'm not teasing.
Sure you are.
[Man and woman kissing]
Saw a great living room suite
in Browns' window.
Uh uh no, don't want to
hear nothing about it.
Was it on sale?
I'll show it to you on the way
to my brother, what's his name?
Eddie!
Eddie.
Eddie.
Honey, which ear rings should I
wear with this dress?
The pink ones or my grandma's.
Um, pink.
Yeah!
Oh!
The class wasn't only fine; I
aced the last wiring exam.
Alright?
I mean perfecting it.
Come one, let's go.
Got the present?
Got the coat?
Got the keys, got the bus fare?
Yep, got 'em.
Where's the cat?
Uh, he's right there.
Bye Jonesy, okay goodbye.
Goodbye Jonesy, going to
grandmas.
Let's go, let's go.
Whoa whoa wait, let
me just get the light.
[Silverware tinkling on
the plates, people eating]
Can we have some cake?
Yeah!
Yeah, can we?
More?
You kids want more cake?
Yeah!
You kids are like garbage pails.
[Everyone laughing]
Mommy, give them some more cake.
Eddie, honey.
No no hey.
You piggy, [laughing]
How much longer will
you be at that school now?
10 weeks.
But when you finish,
you get your license right?
No, no, that takes a
little bit longer to get.
No!
What do you mean by no?
I mean no.
I thought you were supposed
to come out of there
a licensed electrician.
[Sigh]
I mean what kind of
school is this?
It's a good school.
Yeah!
Yeah, it's a good school.
But, if they don't give you a
license...
Guys, guys, I'm sorry, I hate to
eat and run, but uh, I have to
work a double shift tomorrow.
I'm sorry, honey do you mind.
No, no, sure sure.
Well, at least let Eddie drive
you all back across town.
Bunny, give me a break, I've
got to get up early tomorrow.
There and back?
We don't need a ride thanks.
Nah!
Kids, say good night to Grammy.
Goodnight Grammy, Happy Birthday
and thanks for the dollar.
Oh thank you both for the
powder.
Happy Birthday Grammy,
thanks for the dollar.
Oh goodbye you
little sweet heart.
[Hugging]
Oh bye sweet heart, come see me
again.
You come see me too, Grammy.
I will.
Know what?
I've got a new fence that
has horses on it.
Horses?
[Laughing]
Yeah!
Happy Birthday Ma!
[Kisses]
Goodnight.
70 more Opal.
Lord no,
[laughing]
Come everybody.
Thanks Bunny, it was very nice,
thank you very much.
Hey look, want me to give you a
ride, let me give you a ride.
Eddie!
Give me...
Eddie, alright, okay.
Next time your place.
Don't forget.
Okay.
[Lady waving out
the window goodbye]
[Bus is coming to a stop]
[Sirens are being heard]
Hey dad, when we get off,
I'll race you for a quarter.
Oh okay.
A quarter.
Well, we'll see you guys.
Alright, first one to the
corner wins, no cheating.
Get set, Go!
You guys go.
[Girl is screaming go go]
Go daddy.
[Sirens]
[Sirens are loud and near and
then they turn the corner
and the place is ablaze]
Mommy!
Oh my God.
Whoa whoa wait
you can't come here.
Are they going to get out?
[Firefighter is yelling
to his men to get a line
out there before the
whole block blows]
Hurry up put out the fire.
[Jonesy, Jonesy the kids yell.]
Whoa whoa, get back here kid,
stay here.
Keep him back!
Stay here.
David, David, we've got Jonesy,
he got out and we've got him.
Come on.
[Little girl crying]
So, I know, I know, but
we want to stay here in
the neighborhood Eddie.
Anna would have to change
jobs, and the kids want
to finish out their school.
Hang on.
David, you can't take
the cat to the motel.
No no, you can't take him.
[Back to talking on phone]
What, yep, yep, who the hell can
afford insurance Eddie?
Come on, I don't need
this right now.
Look I got to go, I've got to
get the kids back to, yeah,
tell mom we are okay.
I got to go, I got to go.
Bye.
[Hangs up phone]
David, David, look we'll get
him in a few days okay.
[Pats son on back]
[family watches their
apartment burn]
**
[opens case]
**
[Looks at earrings in box]
**
**
So the owner showed up and
I asked if he needed another
maintenance guy and I
don't have any tools anyway.
I did get some leads
on some day work.
You have your job and
we have our savings.
Sigh, yeah, I guess we'll
just stay here until we
find a new place to live.
Maybe even a place with a
back yard next time.
And then when we get settled,
we'll all get all new things.
Won't that be fun Bug?
Yeah, but I like my
old things, mommy.
I know honey, I know.
Things are just things,
we can replace them.
What if we were
in that big fire?
Ah, I know.
We would have gotten out honey.
Jones got out.
Yeah!
But what if was
asleep David, uh?
He would have woke us up.
Yeah!
He would have jumped up and down
on top of you and he would have
said, wake up Tina, wake up.
[Little girl squealing]
Wake up everybody.
We'd all wake up and
we'd all run outside
and we'd all be safe.
So listen, I haven't eaten
all day and I'm starving.
So what ya say, we
go anywhere you want.
We can take the bus downtown
or we can stay right here
in the neighborhood.
[Downtown squeals the little
girl and little boy,
Stay yells the mom.]
Wait!
Downtown!
John's Pizza downtown.
Yeah!!!!
Go wash up.
[Pizza pizza yells the kids]
We'll get through this Zen.
We will.
It will be fine.
All right, let's move it.
[Men unloading a
furniture truck]
We don't have all day.
Alright let's move it.
Looks good.
That wraps it.
[Man paying the dad]
Thanks.
It's just.
Um, the only problem
is, uh, the deposit.
No no, we can
certainly pay the first
and last month's rent.
It's not that, it's just,
well maybe we can pay
the deposit over time?
You know?
What do you think the
deposit's for lady?
It's for protection.
I know.
My protection.
I know, believe me, I know that
and I understand that, it's
just, well you know with the
fire, new clothes and things.
Look, Mr. Sledge, really,
we are very dependable
people and I promise.
Look, I was willing to
overlook the kids, uh?
But this is business.
First and last month's rent,
and one month's security
deposit in advance.
Uh?
Could you just please?
Standard, no exceptions, sorry.
[Writing out budget]
[door opens, you can
hear the cars honking]
[Mom covering up the
kids with blanket]
What's this?
Sweet rolls they were
going to throw out.
[Man throws bag across room]
They are perfectly alright Mike.
[Opening bag and
tasting sweet roll]
[Opening bag and
tasting sweet roll]
So how were the kids tonight?
Well, how do you think
the kids were tonight?
I don't know.
They were off the walls.
Mike, Mike, we've got
to get out of here.
Don't start.
If we could please, please
ask Eddie for enough money.
No!
No!
No!
I'm already in the hole to
Eddie, I owe him $1200 when
the plant closed down.
So what.
He's the one,
taking care of Ma.
I can't.
No, I can't Zinny.
I mean, he can't have that kind
of money anyways.
Alright, alright.
Let's at least accept his offer
to stay there, uh?
If I had family left, we'd go to
them.
If we went to Eddie's, how are
you going to get to your job?
Well the kids are going to be
out of school in a couple
of weeks, right?
One of us is going to have to
stay home with them anyway.
Zin, I can get us out of this
jut have a little bit of faith,
I'm working alright I'm
paying the bills.
Look look, together we are not
paying the bills Mike.
Looks $500 in our savings and
$212 in checking account and
there is not apartment in this
city that we can move into that
withoutt shelling out $1400,
now come on.
Face reality!
[Man hits desk with fist]
Don't you talk to me like that?
I don't talk to you like that,
don't you talk to me like that.
You are my reality I'm facing.
I'm facing you, every
day, every night,
those kids are my reality.
I'm doing what I think is...
I'm doing what I think is...
I found it the day I
went over to the...
I've carried them around.
I didn't know if you wanted your
grandma's ear rings.
I should have thrown them away.
Hundred times a day you
think, where did I put that,
then you remember where
you put it, safely away.
Neatly tucked away,
in its place.
[Lady crying]
Then it gets burned up.
[Crying]
[Man making soothing
noises and kisses lady]
I feel like we are standing on
this trap door you know.
Pretty soon someone is
going to pull the lever.
We are never going
to stop falling.
[Lady laughing, crying]
Nobody is going to fall.
There's a way out.
[Kisses and soothing noises]
I love you, I love you so much.
I love you so much too.
[Kisses]
[Hugging]
[Sighing]
Okay you're right you're right.
He's my brother.
They want to help us, they do.
What?
I'm moving you
off that trap door.
[Turning lights out]
[Kisses]
[Sitting at table eating
and drinking coffee]
Our clunker doing right by ya?
Yes, it's good.
Yes, it's a gas eater.
Hey, whoa!
[Kids laughing]
Thanks for letting
me use it, Eddie.
Can't find a job if you
don't have transportation.
Tina, don't gobble.
Tina, honey, eat with
your mouth closed.
Come on.
Now leave her alone.
My mother used to make dinner
time just miserable, with don't
do this, don't do that.
David, honey, don't kick the
table legs.
Mom, can we watch TV?
Yeah, ah?
Sure, why not?
David.
I'm going up to my room.
I'll come read to you.
Goodnight.
Thanks that would be good.
Thanks.
Tonight I'm going to do the
dishes.
Nope, I can't let you do it;
you've been at work all day.
That's alright.
I'm going to forget what my
kitchen looks like.
Mike, come on I have
something I want to show you.
Come on.
[Men go downstairs to basement]
For you.
Eddie!
I can't accept that.
What?
No no, hey.
What do you mean you
can't accept that?
What do you want to do, you want
to keep taking part time crap
that's' getting you nowhere?
I give you the tools, you get a
job, and you get your own place,
this way I get my TV back.
It's a bargain at half the
price.
[Sigh]
Hey, I didn't mean it that way.
Look come on.
[Slapping]
I didn't mean it; I just was
trying to help ya out Mikey,
that's all.
Are you going to thank me?
Thank you!
[Door slams]
[Hits walls]
Sorry Daddy.
Oh David, come here.
**
Come on hey, it's kind
of like Christmas.
That's a beaut right now.
Yeah, it's a real beaut.
**
**
You got it?
Did you get it?
I got it.
[Yelling happy]
Oh God, when do you start?
How much do you make, when
can we get out of here?
I start tomorrow, he's a really
great guy, it's a small crew,
so everybody does
everything you know.
But I can do a lot of
the wiring jobs myself,
because he's licensed
and he can check it.
Part time this month, well,
wait, part time?
I know I know.
It's going to go full time
next month.
Okay babe.
Full medical, workman's
comp, and then I can
go back to school.
I got it.
[Happy yells]
Best, best is we are on our
way out of here alright?
Come here.
[kissing]
Hey I'm so proud of you.
[Kissing]
Tell me something,
where is the kids.
At the pool with your mom,
Wait, your telling me that we
are alone in the big ole house.
[Kissing]
[Kissing]
Oh my...
if Bonnie could see us now.
Hey Eddie.
[Kids talking]
Food stamps, food stamps,
I've been carrying you,
and your family and this
is the way you pay me back.
You haven't been carrying me.
So no, you haven't
been carrying me,
so don't you get
started on that.
Do you know what I felt like?
Like, I wanted to curl up
and disappear.
I've been going into that
grocery for 12 years,
12 years and you know I
can't go back there ever.
Food stamps!
Your wife has been
using food stamps.
Now everyone will think I'm
some crummy welfare bum.
[Kids wondering
what's going on]
There's nothing wrong
with it Eddie.
Hell there isn't.
Don't you cuss in
my house either?
You don't do the shopping; you
don't know how much thing cost.
Your right.
He doesn't know anything.
If he knew something he wouldn't
come running for his life.
I didn't run to you,
you asked me.
So don't give me that.
What was gonna let you do?
Let you sleep in the street?
Maybe I should've this time.
When you lost the last job,
I lost nothing alright.
Me and 10,000 other
jerks, the plant closed,
they all lost their jobs.
I let you stay here last time.
Well, we paid you rent, I paid
you rent, and well this time
I've got the landlord
breathing down my neck on
how many are living here.
Well tell me.
You should have told me.
[Hits brother]
I'm telling you now.
Eddie.
I try to be nice to you.
Oh yeah!
I try, I try, but you use me,
you use me, you've been using
me since the day you were born.
Who's the one taking care of Ma?
Eddie, don't say things you
don't mean.
Don't talk to me!
I'm not the screw up
here; I'm not the screw
up with 2 kids and --
Guys, guys...
[Men scuffle]
[Door slams]
Good riddance.
Go.
Good riddance.
[Man hits fits on stove]
[Man hits fits on stove]
Zin, wait a minute, it's
all I've got in the house,
but I want you to take it.
[Give her money]
I can't take this.
Yes, you can.
Look I want to see you
guys back here tomorrow.
Take this back Bonnie.
You know that, here take it.
Thanks.
Where will you go?
We'll be okay.
We'll bring the car back later.
Keep it just keep it as
long as you need it.
[Raining]
**
**
Why did you do it?
I got them when we
were at the hotel.
We needed them.
No, No, we did not need them.
I don't care if he thinks
that I'm a screw up,
but I don't care.
I'm a worker; I've
always been a worker.
I've worked in that plant
for 12 years, 12 years.
It quit me, I didn't quit it.
I know, I know.
[Throwing rocks at plant,
yelling damn you]
I'm going to tell you something
else too, I'm not going to allow
him, not anybody, and nobody
is going to humiliate me
in front of my kids.
Nobody.
[Breathing hard]
[Breathing hard]
Where are we going
to go now Mike?
Motel.
We can't afford it,
fine we will sleep here.
**
**
[Kids screaming]
Get off my back, some place that
has a menu, burger heaven.
Stop it stop it.
I said stop it.
We've passed 3 restaraunts
in the last mile.
We have $389 left.
I told you I was going full
time.
But that's not helping us now.
We can't keep living in the car.
A week is enough.
[Screaming kids
aggravating each other]
Stop it right now.
Fine, you want to live in the
bus station?
How about that, let's move into
the bus station.
Mike, we need a place to live
and there's nobody we know
that can take us in, right?
Mom, I got to go.
Right!
Okay go by yourself.
Okay the city has these places.
Oh the city has these
places, and I'm not
going on welfare Zin.
I'm not doing it.
No.
Don't shame me.
You can pay them back.
Pay them back?
Well I don't know what else
to do Mike.
If you know, then tell me.
Come on tell me.
Come on tell me.
Well, it's cheap.
It ought to hold up.
Here, we don't need those.
Put that in the toolbox.
Bug, come here,
and try this out.
[little girl squeals
happy notes]
Dad, dad, the sign says we
can only stay here 10 days.
How you doing, do
you need any help.
No, no we don't need any help.
[Kids running]
Slow down.
[Kids laughing,
talking, playing]
[Kids laughing,
talking, playing]
See nothing down there.
No we come all through there.
Don't play near the fire.
9 months is getting old.
Having to pick up and
move every 10 days,
school's coming on again.
Tina?
Well wish you luck.
It's gotta get better,
can't get no worse.
Tina.
Kids, good luck to you.
Hold on to that job.
Listen to me.
Don't spend a winter out here,
don't put your kids through it.
My kids were sick the whole time
and couldn't afford a doctor.
Missy, don't.
I have to I have to,
they need to know.
We all need to know what
we are up against.
**
**
**
[Going into a shelter,
kids saying their ABC's,]
[babies crying, people coughing]
**
**
[Watching TV]
Keep an eye on your sister.
Why are you home so early?
They didn't need me.
Didn't need you?
Oh, great.
Listen, the social worker
stopped me on my way
in and they're going
to send us to a hotel.
A hotel?
When?
As soon as we are packed.
Thank God.
Zin, you've heard the same
stories as I have.
I don't care Mike, I don't care.
We will be settled in time
to get the kids started
in school some place.
Oh Mike, we'll have our own
room, to turn off the lights,
oh honey, honey we'll have
our own bathtub, bathtub.
[Teenagers in front of
motel, playing and talking]
[Teenagers in front of
motel, playing and talking]
Do you have any
drugs, any weapons?
No.
Please sign in, and drop
your keys here and see
the guard and he take you.
Thank you.
Just walk right on through.
Ma'am, we need to see
the purse, please.
Walk through here.
[loud chatter]
Zin, Zin, here.
Zin, Zin, here.
**
No cooking in the rooms, no
hotplates, nothing, no cooking.
How are we supposed to eat?
Eat out, eat sandwiches.
No visitors after 10 and
don't leave your kids alone
or we'll call the welfare.
We don't like any
trouble here, period.
Same here.
Hey, welcome.
Hey, welcome.
Mommy, I don't like it here.
Baby, it won't be for too long.
Look a rat trap.
Yuck!
Hey look Tina, bunk beds.
You can have the top.
Yeah thanks but I can't
even get up there.
What are you talking about?
There you go.
Oh my God.
Guys look, privacy.
Take them to the park, the
library.
Sure wish I was going along.
[kissing]
[kissing]
[knocking]
Mom, I got to go
to the bathroom.
[Knocking on bathroom door]
All right, no privacy.
Hi honey.
Hi honey.
[Man screaming in hall way]
Stay here?
Stay here?
Get back in bed.
[Men screaming and
fighting in hallway]
It's all over.
It's okay.
It's all right.
Do we need to call the police?
I'm not going out in that
hallway.
I'll do it.
David, the only time you
go outside this room
with me or your mother.
You got it?
I'm not ever going out.
Honey.
And the next time I tell you
something, you do it.
Do you understand?
And I don't want you playing
wiht these kids.
Don't scare them.
They should be scared.
When I'm not here, David, I
want you to stay in this room
and keep this door locked.
Honey, you want to sleep with
mommy?
That a girl.
[Yelling in hallway]
[Bell ringing]
I'm sorry.
Which way?
Take a right, down the stairs.
Over here?
That's right.
Down the stairs.
Oh, okay, thank you.
Mom you said I could
go to my old school.
I'm hating this place.
I know, sweetie.
I'm sorry, I'm sorry.
Well, that was quick.
No, I still have to go to
the principal's office.
I used to have to
do that all the time.
Maybe it's because
they're new here.
I don't know.
Well don't let them
intimidate you.
He tries.
[Laughs]
I got so mad at him one time.
Gives us mothers a lecture on
our special responsibilities.
I got up and walked out
mid-sentence.
Hey don't you live on my floor.
No, they live on my floor.
[School bell rang]
I say you both live
on her floor.
It's like a work of art, uh?
It ought to be hanging
in a museum.
I'm not kidding I've seen
things like this in a museum,
yeah right.
Listen, I was wondering
if you knew when
I would be going full time.
Soon, soon, nice work, Michael.
We going to be starting on
that restaurant today?
[Kids running and playing]
Hey hey get in here.
Why can't we play in the hall?
Cause halls are not
a place to play.
Why don't you run on Jason?
Watch your tone of voice.
Thank your mom for the
invitation okay.
You set with your sister
on that school bus you hear me?
Bye Bye.
You don't ask me why.
You don't let me have friends.
You don't let me play; you
don't even let me have a cat.
You're mean!
David!
[Slams bathroom door]
Honey, Jason is a really nice
little kid, his mother is great.
His mom is on well fare.
Yeah, and so are we.
Damn you, they are
only paying our rent.
I'm working.
If you weren't around, I'd in
the exact same boat as her.
Is that what you want Zin?
Is that what you want?
You think you'd be
better off if I wasn't around?
No, all I was saying is there is
not much difference between us.
Maybe you're right.
Maybe we'd all be better off.
Daddy.
[girl cries]
I'm not a well fare bum,
and I've got a job.
I work hard; I'm
doing the best I can.
I'm not a wellfare bum.
[Slams door leaving]
mike!
Mike!
Mike!
Mike!
Mom, don't worry we'll be okay.
Please just go to sleep David.
Don't wake up the kids.
I'm okay, I'm okay.
I can't believe you threw
up all over yourself.
Don't be mad at me,
don't be mad.
Shh!
Mike.
[he mumbles]
Come on, oh Mike.
David goes to sleep now!
Now!
Oh God.
Oh, please God
[Lady crying]
You might have to give the
guards a little bit of what you
cook, let's eat, hot food is
soul food.
cook, let's eat, hot food is
soul food.
[Zin crying]
Now that meal don't
need no more salt.
Thank you.
This is so good.
So were you burned out
too, or what?
I got tired of my husband
using me for a punching bag.
Got tired of my face
getting cut.
My ribs cracked.
My fingers broke.
I lost my job, because I
couldn't find any day care.
Then I lost the apartment,
because I couldn't pay the rent.
I've been on the list for
city housing for so long,
I can't remember, but I don't
wake up black and blue
and nor do my kids,
and for that I'm grateful
every morning I wake up.
How long have you been here?
13 months.
Catch you later, be cool.
He's coming mom, he's
coming, and he's coming.
Oh okay sit over there and uh --
Surprise daddy,
surprise.
Hi.
Hey, bug, how are you?
Hhow was school?
Was it good?
It was good.
Wait a minute, what's that I
smell?
[Son acting likes a chicken]
[Laughing]
Chicken!
Chicken!
Don't be mad Mike.
A lot of people have them.
Fried chicken?
You don't really get in trouble
if you feed the guards.
Okay, its okay you know.
Doesn't matter, we're not
going to be in this place
much longer anyways.
Where we going to?
I talked to him, going to start
fulltime on Monday and we're
going to be out of this place
and into our own place
in 3 months.
Yeah!!!
Maybe sooner.
[Hugging]
[Kids running in
halls and talking]
[Kids running in
halls and talking]
[Kids running down the stairs]
Slow down slow down.
[Guard running after kids]
Stop, kids!
Woo!
[kids running and screaming]
You better watch your damn kid.
You better watch your
damn mouth.
[Dad pushes guard]
Come on come on come on.
Where you been?
Where you been?
Tell me where you been.
Nowhere.
Nowhere.
He's been nowhere.
I told you, you could play with
these kids, if you didn't
leave the hall, but you
left the hall didn't you?
Didn't ya?
No!
You're lying to me David.
So now what, you lie to me?
Now you lie, get inside.
Get inside.
I hate this damn place.
[School kids talking]
Hello, I want to see you in
my office at 2:00, Jose,
you know better, over here.
Hotel kids over here.
The rest of you quiet.
Alright feed this child
and get on with the rest
of the stuff to do today.
Hi.
[kisses girl]
Where's David.
He told me not to tell.
You tell me now, where's David.
He went home.
What do you mean?
Home, he went home.
Oh my God, Prude, can
you watch Tina?
Sure.
You stay with Prude and you mind
her okay.
Okay!
Anything you want me to do?
**
[Mom running down street]
**
[Boys talking on the stoop]
Sometimes we have room service,
what did you order?
What did you order?
Steak and lobster, I'll be glad
when my dad finishes our house.
Hi.
Hi.
Hi, Ms. Cooper.
Hi.
Your mom said to send you
home for supper.
Okay, you call when it's okay
to come visit.
Swim in the pool.
Yeah.
Bye Cooper.
Bye.
Tell Tina I said hi.
Yeah I will.
You scared me.
Look, look I'm shaking.
I can take care of myself.
Swimming pool huh
I couldn't tell them the truth.
Why?
When they know where you
live they don't want to
be your friend anymore.
Won't be much longer David,
just a few more weeks, okay.
Then we'll have enough saved.
Know what the kids at
school call us?
No, what?
Hotel rats.
**
What do you have in the bag?
Nothing.
Can I look?
No.
[Meow]
Sweetie, you can't.
I told you you couldn't take him
back.
I don't care what dad says,
I'm taking him back anyway.
Okay okay,
I'll square it with your dad.
Just don't scare me
like that again.
Deal?
Deal.
[Hugging]
Come on Jonesy.
[Kids talking
during lunch hour]
Quiet in here, I said quiet.
There are other kids in class.
Excuse me Mr. Somes.
Yes, who are you?
I'm David and Tina
Cooper's mother.
Ah I see.
Yeah!
I guess that makes a one of
those hotel rats too uh?
Hotel?
Hotel rats, yah!
Yeah!
Isn't that what the other kids
call them?
Well I certainly don't call them
that.
Well you don't have to do you.
All you have to do is set the
tone and they follow your lead.
Mrs. Cooper, this is not the
place to discuss this.
No!
This is not the place; this is a
public school Mr. Somes.
And if you don't stop separating
my kids from the rest of the
school, I promise you, I will
go to the school board,
anybody I have to.
But I will stop you.
There is no need to make this
an issue Mrs. Cooper.
That is completely up to
you Mr. Some's.
**
How are you tonight Mrs. Cooper?
Fine and you?
Hi, girlfriend.
Dang, how you doing?
How did it go with the school?
You wouldn't believe what that
guy has been doing.
Oh I bet I will.
Come on in.
You are going to be
so proud of me.
[laughing]
Mike, what are you doing home?
Just a sec, okay?
Sure.
Mike?
He let me go.
Said he is going to go off to
Florida for a couple of months.
He said we should
all take a vacation.
See that's the thing about
owning your own company,
you can just take a --
**
[Sigh]
It's not happening here Zin.
It's our home, I'm sorry,
it's not a home.
Shh shh look no more.
Buts.
You have new plants being built
every day.
More plants are being
south, companies are
coming from overseas.
They are going south.
But we can't just uproot the
kids again.
What am I to do Zin?
Am I going to stay here and keep
taking nothing jobs?
We're nowhere that way.
We knew so damn
much when we were 18.
We knew exactly how
things were going to go.
We knew.
A few surprises along the way.
But I didn't, not this.
But I didn't, not this.
Are you saying you want to
get away from this, from us,
are you saying you want out?
Are you saying you won't come?
I can't do that to them.
Don't go Mike, please.
I don't know what I'd do without
you.
[Crying]
Well, your mom and I want
you to stay in school
and it's still too
cold for everybody.
You guys are going to stay here
and I uh I'm going to get a job
and when I get enough money
together, I will send for you.
Okay.
Now, it could be awhile.
So you help out your mom.
Now don't give her any
trouble you here.
But I want to go with you daddy.
Bug I know you do,
come on be my big girl.
David, I want you to help out
your mom or I want to know why.
How he can make me feel.
I'll try to make him understand.
**
[Sigh]
I'm going to be
worried about you.
I wish you'd go to Eddie's.
No, I'll be alright.
We'll just wait for you
till you send for us.
Oh wait, here.
What's this?
Go ahead and take it,
you'll need it.
I hocked my engagement ring.
Go ahead you'll need the money.
Go ahead you'll need the money.
I'm going to call you on
this phone, every Sunday.
Okay, 9 a.m.
I love you guys.
I love you.
[crying]
Liar!
You liar!
Hey man.
What about my money?
You aren't getting any.
[Boys talking as they try
to wash car windows]
Come on, what's
your problem, huh?
Give me that dollar.
**
**
**
**
**
**
[Knocking on the door]
Who is it?
Prude!
Tina, hey.
Tina, hey.
Whatcha doing home
from school girlfriend?
TV?
Yeah paid the guy down the
hallway $20 for it.
Did Mike call yesterday?
Yeah!
Is he working?
Yeah just day jobs.
Nothing really.
Tina watch this baby for a
minute, we need to go outside.
[Mumbles]
Zin!
Look I see this happen to many
women in here.
They just slide into depression.
They say in dark rooms,
pretty soon you'll
be drinking rye whiskey.
Next thing you know,
someone says, hey girl.
Right and they give
you some crack.
You've been in here a week, you
got to get out and grab hold of
Zin, before I grab hold of you.
Come on!
That's my girl.
I can't believe it.
How long have you known.
This morning.
They told me this morning.
Wow.
Wow.
Wow.
I mean I'll be able to go
back to work, to get my life
back on track again.
Prude, it's so great.
When you moving out.
In about a week.
[Laughing]
[church bells]
it's not even fancy, it's in a
rough neighborhood.
Stop prude.
Don't make it try to
sound bad, okay.
I'm so glad for you.
You are getting out of here.
Oh baby, I was beginning to
think nobody ever did.
I know what you mean.
It seems like forever.
Down there where that pretty
lady is standing there.
Hey all I'm saying is be
friendly.
You got to have a friend since
everyone is running out on ya.
I'd like to go inside please.
Hey, you better leave my
momma alone.
**
That's where it is and we're
late, so you can't say nothing
and you got too quick about it.
Okay.
Hey man, is that him.
We got here just in time.
Don't tell him your name and
don't talk to quick.
He's okay he's with me.
I like to pick my own runners.
What's your name kid?
Da -- Henry.
You've got yourself a job.
You do it right you can keep it.
See you tomorrow.
Same time.
30 bucks.
[Knocks on door]
You can carry it if you want to.
I trust you.
No.
That's no good.
That's no good.
Ahh.
Frank you scared me.
[Laughs]
Sorry, I need to talk
to you in private.
[Closes door]
No its okay, sit down,
it's alright.
Hey I'm not going to hurt you.
I'm not like JJ.
I think you really
need to leave.
Okay.
Naw, I don't think you really
want me to do that.
Yes, yes I really do.
I'd like you to leave right now.
[Holds package up]
Do you know what this is?
No!
Sure you do, you've been around.
Where do you suppose I got this?
I don't care where you got it.
I want you to get out of here.
Well you better care.
[Pushes her]
Don't touch me.
I got it off Henry.
Do you know who Henry is?
No!
Your little Henry aka David.
See?
Yeah, I got it off him while he
was making his delivery rounds.
What are you talking about?
He gave it to me so I wouldn't
put him out of business.
Look I don't believe you.
Just get out of here.
Just leave.
I could call the cops.
Cops?
I should have called the
welfare.
The welfare would have come
in here and take those kids
away just like that.
[Snaps fingers]
[Sirens]
Welfare?
What are you talking about,
welfare?
It's alright.
It's okay.
It's alright, I didn't.
I didn't call them, alright?
You want me to call them.
No.
Then shake.
Come on come on.
[she shakes hand]
You know the rules,
you have to pay.
[She struggles with him]
[She screams]
Kids come in and see mom
struggle with man.
[Screams]
David.
Get him off of me.
Look at this, I'm bleeding.
I'm going to call welfare.
Then call.
Wait, wait, I'm sorry.
Give me the money.
What money?
You know what money.
I spent it.
Give it to me now, David.
Here.
No, it's our money.
Here take the money, please
don't call anybody.
I've got to call
welfare on your kids.
No no you are out of here.
Please don't.
Get packed.
Come on, hurry up.
Just stuff these things in here.
**
[Sirens]
[Raining and thundering]
[Raining and thundering]
Okay.
Hurry up.
Here we go.
[Ringing doorbell, knocking]
[Knocking on window]
Eddie, Bonnie.
They are not here, the car isn't
here.
Let's just break in.
**
I'm cold.
Tina hand David that rock.
Here, hold this.
Be careful sweetie.
Great great.
Come on honey.
Uncle Eddie is going to be mad.
Well he can be mad.
Let go up to bed.
You can wash you in the morning.
[Cop comes in
room with flashlight]
Come on lady, get up.
[Kids crying]
Hold it, hold your hands up.
It's okay, nice and slow.
Now get up off the bed.
What are you doing here?
Shh it's okay,
honey, that's good.
Now what are you doing here?
It's my brother in laws house.
Why would you break in
while he's out of town?
We've lost our keys.
Yeah right.
Right.
No, really.
[crying]
Shh honey its okay.
Um they would understand really.
We've stayed here before and I
think it would be okay with him.
So where are they?
If you are family, then
why don't you know?
Oh, right, they took Opal
to see her sister in Albany.
This is Opals room.
See that is our picture right
there.
That doesn't give you the right
to break in.
We'll pay for the window.
We're going to have
to take you in.
Please, Please.
You are not going to arrest this
woman.
You are going to let them stay
here.
Listen is there a place you can
go.
Yes we have a place.
It'll be all right.
They'll understand.
Come on
honey lets go.
Thanks very much.
Listen.
We can take you to an
emergency shelter.
[Bus drives off]
**
**
Hi how are you?
Hi hi.
Can I see your card?
Excuse me 'mam,
what is the card?
You don't have a card?
Then why are you in this line?
Just for lunch.
Lunch for the residents
of the Bucking Hotel.
Shut your mouth, Rosanne, she's
got hungry kids.
You're talking awful
big for someone who's
staying in the hotel.
Next.
4.
Here you go.
3 please.
Do you have your card?
No, this is my first
day and I didn't know
I had to bring the card.
I promse I'll
bring it tomorrow.
Okay for today.
Have to see your card tomorrow.
Thank you, thanks a lot.
**
We are closing now, you are
going to have to leave.
Oh thank you.
Sorry.
**
**
Get in here.
I'm not leaving you out there by
yourself.
Get out of those things.
But?
Just get out of them.
No.
I have to wash them.
They're not dirty, come on.
They are filthy.
They are not filthy!
David.
Put your arms up, help me out.
What about her?
Change into this.
[Running water]
Look, he's too old to be in
here, I got to pee.
We'll be outta here in a minute.
Just give us a chance.
I'm leaving.
Tina, wash your hands real quick
sweetie.
Excuse me, here
just dry over here.
Will you get her outta here?
Sweetie, its fine.
Excuse me please.
Go to hell.
David, don't you ever run
away again like that.
I got go in there.
[points to
men's room]
All right, hurry up.
Okay.
Are we going on a train,
momma, to find daddy?
No, honey, we just have to find
a place until we get your dad's
call tomorrow and then
it will be all right.
Mommy we need to go find daddy.
Yucky yucky...
Look mommy, why did
that man give us money.
Maybe he just dropped it.
Let's go.
[fighting]
Come on, kid, come on.
Let's go, David
grab your stuff.
**
[Raining]
[Raining]
**
Hey.
What, where'd you get it?
I got it.
Out of the garbage?
Nothing wrong with it.
Nothing wrong with it huh?
Fine, I don't care, I'll
feed it to Jonesy.
Here Jonesy.
Here honey.
Here want some food.
Here ya go.
[Bus stops]
[Bus stops]
**
**
I'm going back to look for him.
David you can't you have no
idea where to look for him.
David you can't you have no
idea where to look for him.
Where are we going?
Come on David, no arguments.
What we doing back here?
I'm not going any further until
you tell me where we are going.
Let's go.
Okay, we are going to our
neighbors, all right.
What neighbors?
We're going to the little girl's
mother that took care of Jonesy
when we went to the hotel.
Now let's go.
No!
Look!
David we can't stay in streets,
we can't go back to the shelter
cause they will take you away
from me, is that what you want?
Is that what you want David?
No!
You want you and your sister in
a foster home?
Now let's go.
I don't care if you are
embarrassed about your little
girlfriend because you lied
about where we lived.
Look, David it's all your fault.
You did this.
It's all because of you.
Yes you did, yes you did.
[Boy crying]
[Boy crying]
That was awful thing
to say to you,
it's not true, not any of it.
How could it be?
You're just a little boy.
Little boy shouldn't --
All I know Jonesy is all right.
He is a very smart
guy for a cat.
I know you hurt,
it hurts me too.
Now look.
Honey I got this idea.
About where we
can spend the night.
Just come with me one more time.
**
**
This old house, here.
Yea go ahead.
**
**
Tina give me your hand, careful.
**
Nobody lives here
anymore, we'll be safe.
Just stay close, nothing
to be scared of.
Watch your feet.
Hush honey.
That corner over there.
I don't like it.
We'll just move all this stuff.
Come on.
Come on.
Just lie down there.
No no no.
Tina, lie down there, come
here, come here.
Shhh.
Today is Sunday and
we'll get your daddy's call
and it will all be alright.
[Singing softly
and she rocks child]
[Singing softly
and she rocks child]
**
I'm sorry we're
late, please call.
Come on come on.
Hey Tomaso, don't tell
them you saw us Tomaso.
Hey, I'm not any snitch,
Ms. Cooper.
Hey, man, you got out
of ice the other night.
Please call please.
Where you all at now.
They had the welfare
out on you man.
Cops?
Sure cops.
Whata think?
Hey, how are you doing this
morning?
I think you need to
come live with us.
Come on Mike.
Nobody lives there.
It's abandoned.
When I make my money,
I'll come find you.
Okay we've got to get
out of here.
Don't tell anyone you saw us ok.
Let's go.
Hurry.
See ya man.
Bye Tomaso.
[Hauling old stuff
out of house]
1, 2, 3.
[sirens]
1, 2, 3.
1, 2, 3.
Oh that is great.
Oh my it's heavy.
Head down.
**
[Dogs barking]
[sirens]
Hide, hurry.
**
[footsteps]
Oh Mike.
Mike, Mike, Oh God.
Daddy!
David, David.
How'd you find us?
Tomaso, I went to the hotel.
Where were you on Sunday?
Where were you?
I was scared daddy.
I know you were Bug.
Oh God, Mike.
[Lady crying]
God I missed you.
It's okay.
Babe, it's no better out
there than it is here.
It's like no one wants
people like me no more.
I know what you mean.
It's too bad isn't it?
Cause we're just not
going to disappear.
I know.
It's got to stop I
can't take it everything.
Nope.
David.
I'll get him.
Look I know you are mad at me
and you think I've let you down.
When I taught you that summer I
said that would be something I'd
never do, you could count on me.
You ran off and left us.
No I didn't David,
I was doing --
look, I know I'm the dad and I'm
supposed to know everything,
but I don't know everything.
I'm still learning things too.
We don't need you anymore.
Yes, you do, you need me.
And I need you.
Let me tell you something,
I'm not going to let
you slip away from me.
I'm going to fight real
hard to get you back.
Let's go back in.
[dogs barking]
[Sigh]
[Sigh]
[Yelling]
[Bottles breaking]
[Yelling outside]
[Yelling outside]
Shhh shhh its okay.
Just stay here.
Someone comes, you scream.
Loud.
Mike.
Shh shh its okay.
[Men yelling]
[Men yelling]
Don't try to choke me,
you'll die, man.
Don't try to choke me,
you'll die, man.
Whoa whoa take it easy.
[yelling]
[Mike hitting men with bar]
Stay away from my house.
[Screaming]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[screaming]
[Breathing hard]
**
**
**
**
[Captions provided by
US Captioning Company]