Queen of the Morning Calm (2019) - full transcript
A film about a young immigrant sex worker, her little girl and their journey of self-empowerment and love.
(match striking)
Did I ever tell you the story
of when Daddy and I first met?
MONA: Tell me.
When I was a little girl
my mother took me
to see a fortune teller.
He told me that my destiny
was to travel over great water
to find the love of my life.
(ethereal music)
DEBRA: As soon as I saw him,
I knew.
My true love.
(buzzing off and on)
(mischievious score)
(elevator dings)
(elevator doors open)
DEBRA: Mona! Breakfast!
Where'd you get those glasses?
A friend.
Your friend
doesn't need them?
When's Dad coming home?
He's working.
He's coming
for my birthday, right?
Mm-hm.
Can you text him?
- Later.
- No, now!
I don't know
if he'll answer.
Please, Mom!
Please text him!
(cell phone buttons clicking)
(Debra sighs)
Happy?
- Did he answer?
- Mona, give him space!
(light chimes)
Come on. We're late.
Let's go.
Come on.
SAM: Debra!
DEBRA: Shit! Here, go!
Debra, the rent!
DEBRA: Go! Go, go,
go, go, go!
(school bell ringing)
SR. AGNES: Late again, Mona!
(class titters)
Go.
(passing traffic)
DEALER: 25 to call.
All in.
250 to call.
Full house.
Straight takes it.
SARGE: It's bullshit.
Chico, can I talk to you
for one second?
This army watch?
I'd, ah, give it to you for 200.
CHICO: No.
C'mon, you know
I can make that back.
No.
Chico.
you know that I'm
good for it, yeah?
I'll take the wings.
What?
Have a grandkid.
I'll lend you 50 for the wings.
It's for my kid's birthday.
Forget it then.
(passing car horn)
Hi.
IAN: Good morning.
You off to study?
- Yeah.
- How many more courses?
- Oh, just one.
- Ah, you're going to do great.
Thanks.
So, this is for you?
No. It's for my
daughter's tenth birthday.
Well, I'll give you
my best price.
Um...
Can I give it to you tomorrow?
Ah, you just... Just take
it and pay me when you can.
Thank you!
(knocking on door)
TAMMI: Come in, girl.
DEBRA: Thanks for
lending me your laptop.
Mm-hm.
Thanks for doing my taxes.
Well, we have to file now.
It's late.
Yeah, yeah.
No, seriously.
I got you a refund.
- Really?
- Mm-hm.
How much?
$300.
- Shut up, bitch!
- Yeah!
Okay! Well, shit,
we gotta celebrate.
Oh! Derek?
He brought me some
amazing weed...
- Ah...
- We gotta try.
I have my last exam
before my certificate.
C'mon, it's Sativa.
It's not going to mess you up.
- I don't know.
- C'mon, please?
Come on, come on.
Come party with me.
Come play, come play,
come play.
Okay, fine.
- All right. Let's go.
- Go, go, go.
(mischievous score)
MINDY: Psst!
(score ends)
MINDY (piercing whisper):
Mona's not a virgin!
(class laughs)
SR. AGNES: Quiet!
DEBRA: Just one
more class and I'm done.
Mm-hm.
You're leaving me.
No.
You can visit me.
Here.
- You be you visiting.
- Mm-hm.
And I'll be me
in my new office.
Okay.
Yo! Where Debra Choi at?
The new accounting bitch.
(laughing)
Oh.
I'll get a suit
and I'll look so awesome.
- Yeah, you will.
- Mm.
So what you gonna do
for your birthday?
(sigh)
Fuck it.
Nothing.
Why?
You know why.
Bitch, you look great, okay?
You could be dancing
for the next 10 years.
No. I'm out.
- Remember Sue?
- Yeah.
- She went to college?
- Mm-hm.
- I'm going to be like her.
- Yeah.
Right.
- You just wait.
- Mm. Okay.
Okay. I gotta go,
feed Mona and get ready.
Okay.
Um...
(zips up boot)
You got the 20 bucks?
For the taxes?
Sarge went out
to a game and
I gotta pay for Mona's
birthday present.
Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
(car horn)
(door opens)
FREDDY: Hey! Mona.
Pssst!
Stop!
Stop following me.
- Psst.
- Stop.
Come on!
No!
(door opens)
Hey! Wait up!
(gentle score)
(crows cawing in distance)
(dog barking in distance)
(score ends)
Mona! Go to bed.
You look pretty, mom.
Not pretty, but striking.
- You got glamour.
- Really?
Glamour's worth more
than pretty.
Makes more money
at the club.
(phone incoming message ding)
Fuck!
Fuck, where is she?
MRS. CONNOR (VOICE MAIL):
I'm really sorry, Debra.
I can't babysit tonight.
Not again.
Mom? Can I go with you?
(police siren in distance)
- Get dressed.
- What?
Yeah, you could
come with me.
- What should I wear?
- Dress warm!
- But it's not cold.
- I don't care. Dress warm!
Oi.
LYRICS: If you want my company,
my company don't come cheap,
Company don't come cheap,
My company don't come cheap
Uh-uh, no...
Uh-uh, no.
Uh-uh, no.
(whistling)
CEECEE: Why am I
supposed to write tips?
TAMMI: Bitch, just do it.
Debra, what is Mona doing here!
Sit.
My fucking sitter bailed.
Can you watch her for me?
TAMMI: Watch her?
Better not have Gus find out.
CEECEE: I still don't get it.
You excited about
your birthday tomorrow?
- MONA: Yeah.
- TAMMI: Yeah?
All your friends gonna come?
My Daddy.
Your daddy? That's cute.
Oh, what time should we
come tomorrow, Debra?
DEBRA: Early.
Is that okay, CeeCee?
CEECEE: Sure. You can
help me with my taxes.
CEECEE: Bitch, I better
be busy tonight.
I'm trying to make some money.
- GUS: Debra!
- DEBRA: Coming!
GUS: Debra! Let's go!
Coming!
Shit. Okay.
TAMMI: Want to do
a makeover?
Yeah.
Okay.
Close.
GUS: She's going to be
your thing. Trust me.
You're going to love this.
I'm not going to
let you down, right?
Hey! Ah, listen:
a couple buddies of mine, okay?
You show 'em a good time
and I'll throw a little bonus
in on your next pay, uh?
All right. Guys...
This is Aysha,
flower of the Orient.
Huh?
(slow, sexy song plays)
WOMAN (SINGING): I been
searching all my life
For someone who's
going to treat me right
And I wouldn't
be alone tonight
if I just had you
Do you like what you see?
'Cause I've been so lonely,
baby
And I think if only
Every little thing would be okay
okay
Every little thing
would be okay
That's another 40, honey.
It's my friend's
birthday today.
And he wants a blow job.
Keep it between us?
MAN (SINGING): When I'm with you
I just lose my breath
(moan)
STEVE: Happy birthday,
motherfucker.
Hey, Mona!
What are you doing out here?
You left me!
I left you?
GUS: Hey!
What the fuck? You trying
to get my license revoked?
She's not mine!
She's Debra's!
Stupid fucking bitch!
Get her out of here.
Go! Go, go!
God damn.
GUS: You know
what you did tonight?
DEBRA: I'm sorry.
My sitter bailed...
No, I don't care about your
fuckin' sitter, you get that?
I'm running
a fucking business here.
Not a goddamn day care.
I think we're done here.
Mom?
Let's go.
Let's go!
Mom?
Go to bed, Mona.
(police siren in distance)
(gentle score)
SARGE: Wake up, babe.
- Sarge?
- Hey. I was working.
Did you make?
Yeah.
There's enough for rent?
Two months?
Almost.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.
Who's got ya?
You do.
Can I give it to Sam tomorrow?
Ah, no, no. Not yet.
- Why?
- Not yet!
Baby.
Sarge, something
happened at the club.
MONA: Daddy!
Daddy, Daddy, you're home!
Hey.
Daddy! You're home!
- Yeah.
- Where's my present?
- Present?
- DEBRA: Wait for your birthday.
Oh! Birthday?
Well, what are you turning,
uh... 40?
- No! I'm 10.
- Oh.
You have a boyfriend?
Ew, yuck. No.
Is it because
you're too pretty?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- That's what I thought!
Nobody bothering you?
Mm. I can handle him.
Oh. Still my girl?
- Yeah.
- I'm your guy?
Yes!
DEBRA: Babe, I need
to talk to you...
- SARGE: It'll wait.
- DEBRA: Babe.
SARGE: It'll wait.
I'm going to make us
some of my famous pancakes!
MONA: Yay!
SARGE: What
kind do you want?
- MONA: Um...
- SARGE: Do you want...
Smarties pancakes?
Do you want chocolate chip
Smarties pancakes?
MONA: Yeah.
SARGE: Do you want chocolate
chip Smarties caramel pancakes?
MONA: No.
I don't like caramel.
SARGE: Do you want
chocolate chips, Smarties...
(banging on door)
SAM: Debra!
(tense score)
Debra!
DEBRA: Sh.
Crazy people.
(Debra sighs)
(score fades out)
Gus, I wanted to apologize
for yesterday.
Really could have
fucked me there.
Gus, please.
I need this job.
I'll do whatever
you want me to do.
Whatever.
Come on.
Just give me a second here.
Just... Ah!
Give me a second. Give me a sec.
Oh, come on!
(sighing)
Come on.
Gus.
Are you...?
- Get out!
- Sorry...
No! Fuck! Get out! Get out!
Get out! Get the fuck out!
(gentle score)
MINDY: So, Mona, I heard
your mother's a stripper.
She's not.
Hm. But I heard she is.
I heard she works at Filmore's.
You heard wrong.
I heard she's a stripper
and she blows men for money.
(screech)
SR. AGNES: Hey, hey, hey!
What is going on here?
MINDY: Mona started it!
Mona started it!
SR. AGNES: Mona,
get back here!
(dog barking in distance)
DEBRA: Excuse me.
The Diverse Women
at Work Initiative?
SARAH: What kind of work
are you looking for?
I just, uh... or I almost
completed my first online
bookkeeping course.
There's some brochures
at the front.
I just got 100%
on my last test.
I have one more course
to go and I'm done.
So come back when you
finish your course.
Have a look
through the brochure.
Thanks.
(indistinct conversation
in background)
I'm-I'm so sorry.
I need something now.
I just lost my job.
I have a daughter.
She's 10 and I...
I need something now.
Okay.
An internship
at an accounting firm.
Yeah.
Can you make it there
for tomorrow at 11:30?
Absolutely.
You need to create a CV
and bring it with you.
I don't have a printer.
Email it to me and I'll
forward it to them. Your name?
Debra. Debra Choi. C-H-O-I.
Thanks.
MONA: Step on a crack,
break your mother's back.
Step on a line,
break your father's spine.
(grunt)
(cell phone chimes
and buzzes)
FREDDY: So, your birthday
today, huh?
Your dad coming?
He'll be here.
Sure.
He will! My Dad is
coming home for my birthday.
That's what mine said.
- DEBRA: Mona!
- MONA: Mom!
DEBRA: Mona, why is
your school calling me?
MONA: Mom, stop!
SAM: Debra!
DEBRA: Hi, Mr. Sam.
SAM: I need my money.
Could you wait
a couple of weeks?
The owners are coming.
Sarge is bringing
the rest of the money.
I-I need a little bit more time.
SAM: I could put them off
for one more day, but, uh...
Tomorrow you-you
just have to.
Yeah. Absolutely.
Okay, I promise.
What's that?
Nothing.
(cupboard closing)
Why are you doing that?
None of your business.
Wanna help me bake your cake?
Okay.
TAMMI: So, where's
the other kids?
DEBRA: Here.
It's for you.
Open it.
(gasp)
Do you like it?
It's from me and daddy.
- SARGE: Royal flush.
- DEREK: Fuck.
SARGE: Cash me out, Chico!
(chips down on table)
In your face, Derek!
DEALER: Keep it civil,
gentlemen.
DEREK: You fuckin...
Yo, Chico. You see this?
CHICO: Are you cheatin'
in my house?
(groaning)
My wings!
Motherfucking kill you!
(tense score)
(gentle score)
MONA (whispering):
Birthday girl.
(thud!)
SARGE: God damn it!
Babe.
Baby!
Hey, wake up! Wake up!
I got the best news ever!
Sarge, where were you?
Baby, something really...
something really great
has just happened.
Mona's present, no?
Did you got the rest
of the rent money?
No, no...
Fuck that shit.
I got something even better.
I got this new opportunity.
And it is going to be fucking...
(kissing Debra's hands)
Sam asked
for the money tomorrow.
Don't! Don't...
Don't you fucking start with me!
Sarge...
Don't. No. Don't you-you...
Don't you fucking...
Sarge we waited for you.
Mona made cake!
Oh, my... I'm busting
my balls here...
trying to take care of you
and Mona and...
and all you do is-is-is
bitch and complain
and try to undermine me!
We waited for you!
Mona waited for you!
I'm-I'm here, aren't I?
Jeez.
(exertions)
- SARGE: No, Babe.
- DEBRA: No.
No, no. Babe, babe. Debra.
Deb. Babe, it's okay.
- No.
- It's-it's, oh... It's okay.
No.
It's okay. It's okay. Right?
Stop. Stop.
Hey. Hey. Hey.
Don't do this.
Stop.
Hey. Hey.
I love you.
I love you.
(heavy breaths)
Yeah.
You love me.
I love you.
Yeah. Yeah.
(moaning)
Who's your man, huh?
You are.
Who's got you?
You do.
Who saved you?
(moaning)
You did.
(loud moaning)
(loud electronic noise)
(gentle score)
(birds chirping)
Hey, Princess.
Where are you going?
Like your present?
Hey.
Hey. Give us a kiss.
Come on! Give us a kiss!
There.
You wanna see my muscle?
(grunts)
It's Grade A premium beef.
Go on, touch it.
(growl)
Where are you going?
I
am going
on a secret mission.
It's top secret,
so you can't tell Mom.
Why not?
She'd blow my cover.
They're broken.
Eh?
The wings. They're broken.
For fuck sake.
You-you nag and nag
and nag and...
Just like your mom, huh?
I'll fix 'em
when I'm back, okay?
Come on: get ready for school.
Mona.
(sighs)
You know I love you most.
(door opening)
(door closing)
What do you think?
I don't know.
It's not right. Hm?
Yeah.
Maybe...
Better.
Thanks.
Come here.
What are you doing here?
You're in so much trouble!
Whatever.
You got a light?
(distant traffic)
(typewriter keys clacking)
Sarge. No, no.
No, no.
Fuck! Fuck!
Tammi!
Tammi!
What?
Tammi, I need your help.
Look, I can't even be seen
talking to you right now.
- Derek's gonna kill me.
- What?
Sarge tole a bunch
of money from some friends.
What?
Look, I can't.
You better go. I'm sorry.
(tense score)
Sarge!
Have you seen him? The Sarge?
Have you seen the Sarge?
IAN: No.
Oh my God. Okay.
Do you want to come in?
(cell phone chimes
and buzzes)
Sarge?
Mona?
Right now?
Okay, I'm coming.
I'm coming. I'm coming.
(gentle score)
(deep sigh)
- Mona!
- PRINCIPAL: Miss Choi?
What happened? Sorry.
(score fades out)
PRINCIPAL: Miss Choi,
do you know where Mona might
have access to cigarettes?
No, I don't know.
Ow!
PRINCIPAL: Because we
caught her with cigarettes
trying to smoke and, uh,
the other girls...
They're a bad influence.
They make her do something like
this, but that's not Mona.
Well, actually,
they all said that it was Mona
who had the cigarettes.
(office phone rings)
No!
And Mona tells me
that you are a smoker.
(exhale)
I'm a social smoker.
She's been getting into fights
and telling the other girls
that she's not a virgin.
(Debra stammers)
Again, the other girls,
they make her do stuff like this
but it's not true.
I'm afraid I need to
suspend Mona for one week.
Mona, will you give me a moment
with your mother?
(door closes)
This has been happening
repeatedly with Mona this year.
Uh, I've tried calling you to
discuss this and the, um...
virginity thing.
The next time she's down here,
I'm going to have to call
Children's Services.
No! I'll punish her
when I get home!
I mean, you can even
punish her more if you want.
I've also been made aware
about your choice of work.
It might actually be the most
Christian decision for her.
- You took the money!
- Stop!
Then where is it?
You told him where it was.
MONA: I don't know what you're
talking about, you crazy!
And now I have
to take you with me.
Great.
(traffic)
(car horns)
(dog barking)
Okay.
Hands.
Ah! Hot!
Hold still.
Your hands are dirty!
Ah! Okay, enough!
Okay, relax!
Lock it.
(lock engages)
(bathroom door opens)
(sigh)
(busy office sounds)
(gentle score)
TRACY: Harriet?
TRACY: Debra?
TOBY: Interesting.
NANCY: Yeah.
Oh.
TOBY: Hello,
you must be Debra.
Hi. I'm so happy
to be here!
TOBY: Well, we're happy
to meet you.
I'm Toby and this is Nancy.
We're thrilled to support
the Diverse Women
At Work Initiative.
We'd love to hear why you think
you're the best candidate
for the job?
(office phone rings)
This is my dream
to be an office intern.
I'm really good
with numbers.
Oh, that's great to hear!
(giggling)
Ah!
Ah!
TOBY: Ah, seriously,
we'd like to hear why
you're the best candidate.
Yes.
I practice typing every day.
I'm typing 80 words
per minute now.
NANCY: Good.
I'm also a team player and
I know Quickbooks.
I'm just one course away
from getting my degree in
bookkeeping.
We have programs
that will assist you
in getting your diploma.
I'm so excited to be here.
TOBY: That's fantastic.
NANCY: So when would you
be able to start
if you were
to get the job?
TOBY: We'd like you to
start right away, if possible.
NANCY: Yeah.
DEBRA: Of course.
I can start right away.
- TOBY: Oh, that's fantastic.
- NANCY: Great.
TRACY: So sorry to interrupt
but this child
says she belongs to you?
Um... yes, Mona.
She's my daughter.
TRACY: She was in the
bathroom, by herself.
She flooded the toilet.
MONA: She abandoned me.
No, I told her to wait!
Why isn't this child
in school?
I can explain!
I was suspended.
I didn't have anyone! I don't
know where my husband is.
MONA: It's because
I'm not a virgin.
TOBY: Uh, okay. Thank you
for coming in. Um...
Someone will be in touch.
I just left her
for a little bit.
I mean, she's already ten.
MONA: I'm nine.
NANCY: Thank you
for coming in!
DEBRA: Will
you let me know?
TOBY: Thank you.
(office phone rings)
NANCY: Okay.
Okay, who's next?
SAM: I'm sorry, Debra.
They want me to
padlock the door.
Oh, please...
There's nothing
I can do about it.
I can give you a minute
to gather your stuff.
Can we go back
to your apartment?
We can talk about it.
I'll figure something out.
I can't.
Debra, I'm just a super.
(deep sigh)
(dog barking in distance)
(phone ringing)
(phone ringing)
(phone hangup tones)
(deep sigh)
SAM: You have to hurry.
(Mona makes whirring noise
with fake lip toy)
DEBRA: Stop it, Mona.
Stop it, Mona.
(louder whirring noises)
Stop!
Stop it. Stop it.
Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it!!
(heavy breaths)
(repeated loud whirring sounds)
DEBRA: Stop it!
Stop.
Stop it.
Stop it!
Stop it!
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it. Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it!!!
Hey!
(gentle score)
You okay?
Come on.
Come inside.
Come on. Come.
Here you go.
It's nothing special,
but it's clean.
Just let me know
if you need anything else.
Hey.
Morning.
I hope sunny side up is okay?
It's perfect.
Thank you.
So, I was thinking of
looking for an apartment
and a job today.
Do you know anyone who
would be able to watch Mona?
The Sarge...
IAN: I could use some help
in the shop.
I know you're looking
for some kind of office work.
I can't pay more than
minimum wage, but I
figure that maybe then the stay
here could be part of the pay.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Okay.
(gentle score)
Right here:
you forgot the tax.
Right. So, um...
What happens is I just try
and figure out the tax later.
You kinda need it.
It's important.
I could do this
for you if-if you want.
- Could you?
- Yeah.
MONA: Hey.
FREDDY: What are you
doing here?
We got kicked
out of our apartment.
You staying with Ian,
that weirdo?
Hi, Principal Fisher.
This is Debra Choi,
Mona's Mommy.
I'm just calling to let you know
that I just got a job
as an accountant-bookkeeper
at a store so
you don't have to call
Children's Services,
or anything like that and I just
wanted to let you know.
Okay. Bye.
FREDDY: You can't
stay with that guy.
I heard he killed somebody.
- MONA: What?
- FREDDY: Yeah.
He killed some guy in a fight.
I know what:
you let me and my Uncle Derek
in there
I'll take all his money.
Then you and your Mom
could escape with it.
Where you going?
Nowhere.
DEBRA: I'm glad you like it.
I'm sure she'll say yes.
FEMALE CUSTOMER: Thanks.
(plastic bag crinkling)
Smells like old man in here.
When are we leaving?
Mona, we're staying.
Mom, he's a murderer.
Stop.
He killed some guy
and his wife and daughter
- and stuffed them in the freezer.
- Sh! Mona.
Mom, he could try
to kill us!
I don't want to hear this!
You're just jealous
because Dad trusts me
and he doesn't trust you!
She'll be back.
IAN: Another amazing meal.
Oh, it's nothing.
It's just a little Korean food.
Hm.
You know,
I had a little girl, too.
No, I didn't know that,
Mr. Ian.
Yeah.
She's not well now.
DEBRA: I'm sorry.
IAN: Mm-hm.
(Mona scoffs)
Mona, apologize!
I'm sorry. I don't know
what's gotten into her.
Apologize.
No!
I won't!
He's a murderer!
Mona!
Mona!
(door closes)
(gentle ethereal score)
MONA: I need to find my dad.
FREDDY: Let's ask my uncle.
He knows everybody.
MONA: Okay. Sure.
MONA: Why is he
in the park at night?
FREDDY: He does business here.
DEREK: What are you
doing here, you shit?
FREDDY: Hey, Uncle Derek.
This is my friend, Mona.
DEREK: Your girlfriend.
You two doing it?
FREDDY: Yeah, totally.
MONA: Shut up!
That's disgusting!
FREDDY: She's
looking for her dad.
- FREDDY: Ah.
- MONA: The Sarge? You know him?
DEREK: Yeah.
Heard he got mixed up
in something out east, though.
Do you know when he
might be coming back?
DEREK: Sorry, Princess.
Hey, finish rolling this for me.
Why don't you, uh...
come sit on Uncle Derek's lap?
Huh?
Hey, if she's not
your girlfriend,
maybe she'll be mine?
(laughs)
I'm not his girlfriend
and I'm not your girlfriend.
So what are you?
A lesbian?
Hey, Mona?
Mona?
(tense score)
Mona?
Mona!!
Ian, Mona's missing.
IAN: Mona!
DEBRA: Mona!
Mona!!
- FREDDY: Hey!
- DEREK: Real winner.
FREDDY: Hey, wait!
What are you doing?
I'm getting out of here.
But we're hanging
with my uncle.
MONA: I'm not.
Mona!
FREDDY: Oh, shit.
Go! Go! Get out of here!
- DEBRA: Mona!
- IAN: Debra! Got her!
- DEBRA: Stop! Stop it!
- MONA: No! No!
- DEBRA: Stop it! Mona! Stop!
- MONA: No! No!
MONA: I hate you!
You're nothing but a whore!
IAN: Ah!
Mona!
You okay?
Let me take you
for dinner tomorrow night?
It's a way to say thanks.
Ah, no, I...
I should be thanking you.
IAN: No, you're helping me
with my business.
Let me just give you
a proper thanks.
(gentle score)
I'm a terrible mother.
No. No, you aren't.
Yeah. I am.
My father died
when I was young.
My mother was devastated and I
didn't know what to do for her.
She finally remarried and
we thought he was
the answer to all our prayers.
One night,
I was sleeping and I woke up
and
he was in the bed next to me,
touching me and
telling me I was beautiful.
No one had ever
told me that before.
It felt good.
Kept happening
and I was confused;
kind of...
floaty.
I never told my mother.
(gentle score)
One day she was supposed to be
at work but she
came in and found us and
she started screaming
and hitting me
and calling me a whore and
threw me out.
So, obviously,
I had nowhere to go.
Finally met a woman
who owned a club and
I started working for her.
When I met him, I thought
the Sarge was the best thing
to happen to me.
My miracle.
He wanted to take care of me
and he wanted the baby and...
I always wanted to go
to university
and become an accountant.
But nothing has turned out
the way I wanted it to.
She said God would punish me.
I'm a prostitute and a whore
and my daughter hates me.
No, no!
No, no, no, no!
No! No!
No! No! No!
No! No! No! No! No! No! No!
(sniffles)
IAN: God is forgiving.
(score builds)
DEBRA: Oh my God!
IAN: The door's still locked.
DEBRA: Mona!
Mona!
IAN: So nothing was taken.
Front and back doors
still locked.
IAN: There we go.
As good as new.
My wings!
I mended them for you.
What do you say Mona?
(distant police siren)
Mona?
I don't know what
to do with her.
She was an accident.
The Sarge was so happy.
You miss him.
No, I don't!
I don't!
Well, she misses him.
Mona?
I did it.
I destroyed your shop.
And I stole these things.
I don't deserve these.
IAN: Well...
I fixed these for you.
I wish my daughter
was as strong as you.
(gentle score)
(train bell clanging)
(adding machine whirring)
So I went back over
the last eight years
and I calculated what you owe
and what you can write off
so now it balances out
and you don't owe
the government anything.
So you just
saved my business.
Yep.
TAMMI: Debra! Hi!
DEBRA: Hi!
Where the fuck
have you been?
I've been working
at the pawnshop.
- Ian?
- Yeah.
You shacking up
with him?
No.
It's not like that.
No, it's different.
TAMMI: Different how?
What is he, a priest?
No. I, um...
been helping him
with his business.
Mm-hm.
- For real?
- DEBRA: Yeah.
(laughter)
His books were a mess and
anyway, I fixed it all so he
doesn't have to owe anything.
Shit, girl. Okay.
How's, um...
You know, how's Gus?
You know Gus.
Yeah.
He's an asshole.
He's not that bad.
What?
No. Tammi, shit. Why?
It's different for you.
You're good at something.
Yeah and you can do it, too.
Just shut
the fuck up, okay.
Anyway, it was good to see you.
Well, it's good
to see you, too.
(gentle score)
Welcome!
SARGE: Deb.
- Sarge.
- I've missed you.
What are you doing here?
Babe, I came back for you
and-and you were gone. And...
You have to leave.
You have to leave right now.
What're you talking about? I...
Who the fuck is this guy?
IAN: Debra, are you
all good here?
- DEBRA: Yeah.
- SARGE: Deb.
DEBRA: Just stop it.
Stop. Stop.
SARGE: Look, babe, babe.
You-you left but...
Daddy!
SARGE: Oh, ho. Ho-ho-ho-ho.
Daddy.
IAN: So, I'm just going to
leave you two alone
for a little bit.
I'll be inside.
(laughter)
SARGE: Okay. Okay. Okay.
(giggling)
(Sarge vocalizing)
MONA/SARGE: Ta-da!
I want cupcakes.
SARGE: Yeah.
(laughs)
SARGE: I'm going to get us a
place so we can get out of here.
New bedroom.
New furniture.
Can I get a cat?
SARGE: Whatever you want babe.
DEBRA: Sarge, where were you?
SARGE: What do you mean?
Where were you
this entire time?
I was looking out
for us, babe.
Don't be like that.
I'm here, aren't I?
You left us without
a warning or a note.
He didn't! He had a job!
A secret mission!
A secret mission?
MONA: You weren't
supposed to know!
It was top secret!
He could have died!
- A secret mission?
- I had a chance to...
do something and...
I ran into some trouble.
Secret mission.
It was for us!
It's for our family.
(gentle score)
(doorbell jingling)
When are we going home
with Daddy?
- Be good for Ian.
- MONA: No.
Listen to your mother.
Come on.
Why don't I make us some dinner?
I, um...
I thought I could take you out.
Okay. Fine.
(indistinct conversations)
SARGE: Hey.
You're all I've got, Deb.
You and Mona.
There isn't anything
I wouldn't do for you.
So...
you'll be here
for Mona tomorrow?
How much...
How much longer
do you want to do this?
What are you talking about?
This is bullshit!
Do you have a job?
A place to live?
Look, I'm going to
take care of you!
Ian, he gave me a job!
No, I'm not letting you
work for that old fuck!
No. He's kind and he's...
He's caring!
Yeah, yeah.
Because you're fucking him!
I'm not doing this anymore.
I-I know about you
taking Mona to the club!
I could have her taken away.
I could have you charged!
No! No!
You've got to come back
to me, Debra!
No! Stop it!
SARGE: Debra!
Debra!
Open this fucking door! Debra!
Debra, come back!
Mona!
Mona!
Mommy! Daddy!
Mona.
Mommy, please.
Please.
DEBRA: Okay.
Please?
Come on.
(gentle score)
Are you happy, baby?
That's all that matters.
We're leaving now.
Yeah.
Can you manage?
I'll get by.
I wish I could stay.
No.
It wouldn't work.
- Hey.
- Daddy.
SARGE: Oh.
Come on!
Thank you.
Yeah.
Fresh start.
(gentle score)
(giggling)
So, you'll have to think about
getting a job soon.
Oh.
Uh...
Maybe they'll give you
another chance back at the club?
I'm not going back there.
It's a good job.
It's something you're good at.
DEBRA: Yeah, I don't know
if you understand,
but I'm never doing that again.
Okay. Ah...
Well, we're going to
need to think about
getting some money in soon.
Sarge, I thought you said
you put money away.
I thought you said you'd
take care of us.
I've been taking care
of you and Mona
since day one.
Okay? You-you want me to piss
that money I saved away on rent?
On food? It...
It's my money, Deb.
I don't know why you gotta
be such a princess about it.
I already smoothed
things over with Gus.
You talked to him already?
Yeah, I talked
to him already.
You don't think I plan ahead?
("Astronaut" by
Port Cities plays)
♪ All I ever wanted to be ♪
♪ Was an astronaut ♪
♪ Before this so-called life ♪
♪ Got in the way ♪
♪ Eight miles high ♪
♪ I turn the light switch on ♪
Mom?
♪ And laugh at all the games
I used to play ♪
Yeah, babe?
♪ I had a dream
when I was seven ♪
♪ Secret door at the
back of heaven ♪
♪ I woke up
the second I walked in ♪
(sighs)
♪ Over time the dream got old ♪
Let's get out of here.
♪ And everything just gets... ♪
Are you sure?
♪ ...so complicated ♪
Come here.
♪ I watch them send the rocket ♪
♪ Up in Florida ♪
DEBRA: Okay. Let's go.
♪ And everybody cheered
and waved goodbye ♪
♪ I imagined it was me ♪
♪ Up in the captain's chair ♪
♪ Leaving laws
of gravity behind ♪
I love you.
♪ And now the weight is heavy
on my shoulder ♪
♪ Nine-to-five
I'm gettin' older ♪
♪ Truth be told,
It really ain't that bad. ♪
MONA: Mom?
Can you tell me a story?
Did I ever tell you
the meaning of your name?
MONA: Mm-mm.
It means wished for.
♪ ...just gets so complicated. ♪
MONA: What's going to
happen to us?
DEBRA: Well, we'll get a place
with big windows,
get some plants and a cat.
MONA: Yeah, a cat.
DEBRA: I'll get a job
at an office
and you can go to a new school.
It'll be just us.
MONA: Just us?
DEBRA: Yeah.
You're the love of my life.
My true love.
♪ Well, all I ever
wanted to be ♪
♪ was an astronaut ♪
♪ I guess it's a litte late ♪
♪ for that right now ♪
♪ And I get up every morning ♪
♪ just to punch the clock ♪
♪ And take the number
80 bus 'cross town ♪
♪ Well, I try my best
not to regret it ♪
♪ Most of the time
I just forget it ♪
♪ Maybe in another place,
some other time ♪
♪ 'Cause after all the dream
got old and faded ♪
♪ And everything just gets
so complicated ♪
♪ But all I ever wanted to be ♪
♪ Was an astronaut. ♪
(cross-fade to
closing credit score)
(closing credit score ends)
Did I ever tell you the story
of when Daddy and I first met?
MONA: Tell me.
When I was a little girl
my mother took me
to see a fortune teller.
He told me that my destiny
was to travel over great water
to find the love of my life.
(ethereal music)
DEBRA: As soon as I saw him,
I knew.
My true love.
(buzzing off and on)
(mischievious score)
(elevator dings)
(elevator doors open)
DEBRA: Mona! Breakfast!
Where'd you get those glasses?
A friend.
Your friend
doesn't need them?
When's Dad coming home?
He's working.
He's coming
for my birthday, right?
Mm-hm.
Can you text him?
- Later.
- No, now!
I don't know
if he'll answer.
Please, Mom!
Please text him!
(cell phone buttons clicking)
(Debra sighs)
Happy?
- Did he answer?
- Mona, give him space!
(light chimes)
Come on. We're late.
Let's go.
Come on.
SAM: Debra!
DEBRA: Shit! Here, go!
Debra, the rent!
DEBRA: Go! Go, go,
go, go, go!
(school bell ringing)
SR. AGNES: Late again, Mona!
(class titters)
Go.
(passing traffic)
DEALER: 25 to call.
All in.
250 to call.
Full house.
Straight takes it.
SARGE: It's bullshit.
Chico, can I talk to you
for one second?
This army watch?
I'd, ah, give it to you for 200.
CHICO: No.
C'mon, you know
I can make that back.
No.
Chico.
you know that I'm
good for it, yeah?
I'll take the wings.
What?
Have a grandkid.
I'll lend you 50 for the wings.
It's for my kid's birthday.
Forget it then.
(passing car horn)
Hi.
IAN: Good morning.
You off to study?
- Yeah.
- How many more courses?
- Oh, just one.
- Ah, you're going to do great.
Thanks.
So, this is for you?
No. It's for my
daughter's tenth birthday.
Well, I'll give you
my best price.
Um...
Can I give it to you tomorrow?
Ah, you just... Just take
it and pay me when you can.
Thank you!
(knocking on door)
TAMMI: Come in, girl.
DEBRA: Thanks for
lending me your laptop.
Mm-hm.
Thanks for doing my taxes.
Well, we have to file now.
It's late.
Yeah, yeah.
No, seriously.
I got you a refund.
- Really?
- Mm-hm.
How much?
$300.
- Shut up, bitch!
- Yeah!
Okay! Well, shit,
we gotta celebrate.
Oh! Derek?
He brought me some
amazing weed...
- Ah...
- We gotta try.
I have my last exam
before my certificate.
C'mon, it's Sativa.
It's not going to mess you up.
- I don't know.
- C'mon, please?
Come on, come on.
Come party with me.
Come play, come play,
come play.
Okay, fine.
- All right. Let's go.
- Go, go, go.
(mischievous score)
MINDY: Psst!
(score ends)
MINDY (piercing whisper):
Mona's not a virgin!
(class laughs)
SR. AGNES: Quiet!
DEBRA: Just one
more class and I'm done.
Mm-hm.
You're leaving me.
No.
You can visit me.
Here.
- You be you visiting.
- Mm-hm.
And I'll be me
in my new office.
Okay.
Yo! Where Debra Choi at?
The new accounting bitch.
(laughing)
Oh.
I'll get a suit
and I'll look so awesome.
- Yeah, you will.
- Mm.
So what you gonna do
for your birthday?
(sigh)
Fuck it.
Nothing.
Why?
You know why.
Bitch, you look great, okay?
You could be dancing
for the next 10 years.
No. I'm out.
- Remember Sue?
- Yeah.
- She went to college?
- Mm-hm.
- I'm going to be like her.
- Yeah.
Right.
- You just wait.
- Mm. Okay.
Okay. I gotta go,
feed Mona and get ready.
Okay.
Um...
(zips up boot)
You got the 20 bucks?
For the taxes?
Sarge went out
to a game and
I gotta pay for Mona's
birthday present.
Yeah.
Yeah, of course.
(car horn)
(door opens)
FREDDY: Hey! Mona.
Pssst!
Stop!
Stop following me.
- Psst.
- Stop.
Come on!
No!
(door opens)
Hey! Wait up!
(gentle score)
(crows cawing in distance)
(dog barking in distance)
(score ends)
Mona! Go to bed.
You look pretty, mom.
Not pretty, but striking.
- You got glamour.
- Really?
Glamour's worth more
than pretty.
Makes more money
at the club.
(phone incoming message ding)
Fuck!
Fuck, where is she?
MRS. CONNOR (VOICE MAIL):
I'm really sorry, Debra.
I can't babysit tonight.
Not again.
Mom? Can I go with you?
(police siren in distance)
- Get dressed.
- What?
Yeah, you could
come with me.
- What should I wear?
- Dress warm!
- But it's not cold.
- I don't care. Dress warm!
Oi.
LYRICS: If you want my company,
my company don't come cheap,
Company don't come cheap,
My company don't come cheap
Uh-uh, no...
Uh-uh, no.
Uh-uh, no.
(whistling)
CEECEE: Why am I
supposed to write tips?
TAMMI: Bitch, just do it.
Debra, what is Mona doing here!
Sit.
My fucking sitter bailed.
Can you watch her for me?
TAMMI: Watch her?
Better not have Gus find out.
CEECEE: I still don't get it.
You excited about
your birthday tomorrow?
- MONA: Yeah.
- TAMMI: Yeah?
All your friends gonna come?
My Daddy.
Your daddy? That's cute.
Oh, what time should we
come tomorrow, Debra?
DEBRA: Early.
Is that okay, CeeCee?
CEECEE: Sure. You can
help me with my taxes.
CEECEE: Bitch, I better
be busy tonight.
I'm trying to make some money.
- GUS: Debra!
- DEBRA: Coming!
GUS: Debra! Let's go!
Coming!
Shit. Okay.
TAMMI: Want to do
a makeover?
Yeah.
Okay.
Close.
GUS: She's going to be
your thing. Trust me.
You're going to love this.
I'm not going to
let you down, right?
Hey! Ah, listen:
a couple buddies of mine, okay?
You show 'em a good time
and I'll throw a little bonus
in on your next pay, uh?
All right. Guys...
This is Aysha,
flower of the Orient.
Huh?
(slow, sexy song plays)
WOMAN (SINGING): I been
searching all my life
For someone who's
going to treat me right
And I wouldn't
be alone tonight
if I just had you
Do you like what you see?
'Cause I've been so lonely,
baby
And I think if only
Every little thing would be okay
okay
Every little thing
would be okay
That's another 40, honey.
It's my friend's
birthday today.
And he wants a blow job.
Keep it between us?
MAN (SINGING): When I'm with you
I just lose my breath
(moan)
STEVE: Happy birthday,
motherfucker.
Hey, Mona!
What are you doing out here?
You left me!
I left you?
GUS: Hey!
What the fuck? You trying
to get my license revoked?
She's not mine!
She's Debra's!
Stupid fucking bitch!
Get her out of here.
Go! Go, go!
God damn.
GUS: You know
what you did tonight?
DEBRA: I'm sorry.
My sitter bailed...
No, I don't care about your
fuckin' sitter, you get that?
I'm running
a fucking business here.
Not a goddamn day care.
I think we're done here.
Mom?
Let's go.
Let's go!
Mom?
Go to bed, Mona.
(police siren in distance)
(gentle score)
SARGE: Wake up, babe.
- Sarge?
- Hey. I was working.
Did you make?
Yeah.
There's enough for rent?
Two months?
Almost.
Baby, baby, baby, baby, baby.
Who's got ya?
You do.
Can I give it to Sam tomorrow?
Ah, no, no. Not yet.
- Why?
- Not yet!
Baby.
Sarge, something
happened at the club.
MONA: Daddy!
Daddy, Daddy, you're home!
Hey.
Daddy! You're home!
- Yeah.
- Where's my present?
- Present?
- DEBRA: Wait for your birthday.
Oh! Birthday?
Well, what are you turning,
uh... 40?
- No! I'm 10.
- Oh.
You have a boyfriend?
Ew, yuck. No.
Is it because
you're too pretty?
- Yeah.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
- That's what I thought!
Nobody bothering you?
Mm. I can handle him.
Oh. Still my girl?
- Yeah.
- I'm your guy?
Yes!
DEBRA: Babe, I need
to talk to you...
- SARGE: It'll wait.
- DEBRA: Babe.
SARGE: It'll wait.
I'm going to make us
some of my famous pancakes!
MONA: Yay!
SARGE: What
kind do you want?
- MONA: Um...
- SARGE: Do you want...
Smarties pancakes?
Do you want chocolate chip
Smarties pancakes?
MONA: Yeah.
SARGE: Do you want chocolate
chip Smarties caramel pancakes?
MONA: No.
I don't like caramel.
SARGE: Do you want
chocolate chips, Smarties...
(banging on door)
SAM: Debra!
(tense score)
Debra!
DEBRA: Sh.
Crazy people.
(Debra sighs)
(score fades out)
Gus, I wanted to apologize
for yesterday.
Really could have
fucked me there.
Gus, please.
I need this job.
I'll do whatever
you want me to do.
Whatever.
Come on.
Just give me a second here.
Just... Ah!
Give me a second. Give me a sec.
Oh, come on!
(sighing)
Come on.
Gus.
Are you...?
- Get out!
- Sorry...
No! Fuck! Get out! Get out!
Get out! Get the fuck out!
(gentle score)
MINDY: So, Mona, I heard
your mother's a stripper.
She's not.
Hm. But I heard she is.
I heard she works at Filmore's.
You heard wrong.
I heard she's a stripper
and she blows men for money.
(screech)
SR. AGNES: Hey, hey, hey!
What is going on here?
MINDY: Mona started it!
Mona started it!
SR. AGNES: Mona,
get back here!
(dog barking in distance)
DEBRA: Excuse me.
The Diverse Women
at Work Initiative?
SARAH: What kind of work
are you looking for?
I just, uh... or I almost
completed my first online
bookkeeping course.
There's some brochures
at the front.
I just got 100%
on my last test.
I have one more course
to go and I'm done.
So come back when you
finish your course.
Have a look
through the brochure.
Thanks.
(indistinct conversation
in background)
I'm-I'm so sorry.
I need something now.
I just lost my job.
I have a daughter.
She's 10 and I...
I need something now.
Okay.
An internship
at an accounting firm.
Yeah.
Can you make it there
for tomorrow at 11:30?
Absolutely.
You need to create a CV
and bring it with you.
I don't have a printer.
Email it to me and I'll
forward it to them. Your name?
Debra. Debra Choi. C-H-O-I.
Thanks.
MONA: Step on a crack,
break your mother's back.
Step on a line,
break your father's spine.
(grunt)
(cell phone chimes
and buzzes)
FREDDY: So, your birthday
today, huh?
Your dad coming?
He'll be here.
Sure.
He will! My Dad is
coming home for my birthday.
That's what mine said.
- DEBRA: Mona!
- MONA: Mom!
DEBRA: Mona, why is
your school calling me?
MONA: Mom, stop!
SAM: Debra!
DEBRA: Hi, Mr. Sam.
SAM: I need my money.
Could you wait
a couple of weeks?
The owners are coming.
Sarge is bringing
the rest of the money.
I-I need a little bit more time.
SAM: I could put them off
for one more day, but, uh...
Tomorrow you-you
just have to.
Yeah. Absolutely.
Okay, I promise.
What's that?
Nothing.
(cupboard closing)
Why are you doing that?
None of your business.
Wanna help me bake your cake?
Okay.
TAMMI: So, where's
the other kids?
DEBRA: Here.
It's for you.
Open it.
(gasp)
Do you like it?
It's from me and daddy.
- SARGE: Royal flush.
- DEREK: Fuck.
SARGE: Cash me out, Chico!
(chips down on table)
In your face, Derek!
DEALER: Keep it civil,
gentlemen.
DEREK: You fuckin...
Yo, Chico. You see this?
CHICO: Are you cheatin'
in my house?
(groaning)
My wings!
Motherfucking kill you!
(tense score)
(gentle score)
MONA (whispering):
Birthday girl.
(thud!)
SARGE: God damn it!
Babe.
Baby!
Hey, wake up! Wake up!
I got the best news ever!
Sarge, where were you?
Baby, something really...
something really great
has just happened.
Mona's present, no?
Did you got the rest
of the rent money?
No, no...
Fuck that shit.
I got something even better.
I got this new opportunity.
And it is going to be fucking...
(kissing Debra's hands)
Sam asked
for the money tomorrow.
Don't! Don't...
Don't you fucking start with me!
Sarge...
Don't. No. Don't you-you...
Don't you fucking...
Sarge we waited for you.
Mona made cake!
Oh, my... I'm busting
my balls here...
trying to take care of you
and Mona and...
and all you do is-is-is
bitch and complain
and try to undermine me!
We waited for you!
Mona waited for you!
I'm-I'm here, aren't I?
Jeez.
(exertions)
- SARGE: No, Babe.
- DEBRA: No.
No, no. Babe, babe. Debra.
Deb. Babe, it's okay.
- No.
- It's-it's, oh... It's okay.
No.
It's okay. It's okay. Right?
Stop. Stop.
Hey. Hey. Hey.
Don't do this.
Stop.
Hey. Hey.
I love you.
I love you.
(heavy breaths)
Yeah.
You love me.
I love you.
Yeah. Yeah.
(moaning)
Who's your man, huh?
You are.
Who's got you?
You do.
Who saved you?
(moaning)
You did.
(loud moaning)
(loud electronic noise)
(gentle score)
(birds chirping)
Hey, Princess.
Where are you going?
Like your present?
Hey.
Hey. Give us a kiss.
Come on! Give us a kiss!
There.
You wanna see my muscle?
(grunts)
It's Grade A premium beef.
Go on, touch it.
(growl)
Where are you going?
I
am going
on a secret mission.
It's top secret,
so you can't tell Mom.
Why not?
She'd blow my cover.
They're broken.
Eh?
The wings. They're broken.
For fuck sake.
You-you nag and nag
and nag and...
Just like your mom, huh?
I'll fix 'em
when I'm back, okay?
Come on: get ready for school.
Mona.
(sighs)
You know I love you most.
(door opening)
(door closing)
What do you think?
I don't know.
It's not right. Hm?
Yeah.
Maybe...
Better.
Thanks.
Come here.
What are you doing here?
You're in so much trouble!
Whatever.
You got a light?
(distant traffic)
(typewriter keys clacking)
Sarge. No, no.
No, no.
Fuck! Fuck!
Tammi!
Tammi!
What?
Tammi, I need your help.
Look, I can't even be seen
talking to you right now.
- Derek's gonna kill me.
- What?
Sarge tole a bunch
of money from some friends.
What?
Look, I can't.
You better go. I'm sorry.
(tense score)
Sarge!
Have you seen him? The Sarge?
Have you seen the Sarge?
IAN: No.
Oh my God. Okay.
Do you want to come in?
(cell phone chimes
and buzzes)
Sarge?
Mona?
Right now?
Okay, I'm coming.
I'm coming. I'm coming.
(gentle score)
(deep sigh)
- Mona!
- PRINCIPAL: Miss Choi?
What happened? Sorry.
(score fades out)
PRINCIPAL: Miss Choi,
do you know where Mona might
have access to cigarettes?
No, I don't know.
Ow!
PRINCIPAL: Because we
caught her with cigarettes
trying to smoke and, uh,
the other girls...
They're a bad influence.
They make her do something like
this, but that's not Mona.
Well, actually,
they all said that it was Mona
who had the cigarettes.
(office phone rings)
No!
And Mona tells me
that you are a smoker.
(exhale)
I'm a social smoker.
She's been getting into fights
and telling the other girls
that she's not a virgin.
(Debra stammers)
Again, the other girls,
they make her do stuff like this
but it's not true.
I'm afraid I need to
suspend Mona for one week.
Mona, will you give me a moment
with your mother?
(door closes)
This has been happening
repeatedly with Mona this year.
Uh, I've tried calling you to
discuss this and the, um...
virginity thing.
The next time she's down here,
I'm going to have to call
Children's Services.
No! I'll punish her
when I get home!
I mean, you can even
punish her more if you want.
I've also been made aware
about your choice of work.
It might actually be the most
Christian decision for her.
- You took the money!
- Stop!
Then where is it?
You told him where it was.
MONA: I don't know what you're
talking about, you crazy!
And now I have
to take you with me.
Great.
(traffic)
(car horns)
(dog barking)
Okay.
Hands.
Ah! Hot!
Hold still.
Your hands are dirty!
Ah! Okay, enough!
Okay, relax!
Lock it.
(lock engages)
(bathroom door opens)
(sigh)
(busy office sounds)
(gentle score)
TRACY: Harriet?
TRACY: Debra?
TOBY: Interesting.
NANCY: Yeah.
Oh.
TOBY: Hello,
you must be Debra.
Hi. I'm so happy
to be here!
TOBY: Well, we're happy
to meet you.
I'm Toby and this is Nancy.
We're thrilled to support
the Diverse Women
At Work Initiative.
We'd love to hear why you think
you're the best candidate
for the job?
(office phone rings)
This is my dream
to be an office intern.
I'm really good
with numbers.
Oh, that's great to hear!
(giggling)
Ah!
Ah!
TOBY: Ah, seriously,
we'd like to hear why
you're the best candidate.
Yes.
I practice typing every day.
I'm typing 80 words
per minute now.
NANCY: Good.
I'm also a team player and
I know Quickbooks.
I'm just one course away
from getting my degree in
bookkeeping.
We have programs
that will assist you
in getting your diploma.
I'm so excited to be here.
TOBY: That's fantastic.
NANCY: So when would you
be able to start
if you were
to get the job?
TOBY: We'd like you to
start right away, if possible.
NANCY: Yeah.
DEBRA: Of course.
I can start right away.
- TOBY: Oh, that's fantastic.
- NANCY: Great.
TRACY: So sorry to interrupt
but this child
says she belongs to you?
Um... yes, Mona.
She's my daughter.
TRACY: She was in the
bathroom, by herself.
She flooded the toilet.
MONA: She abandoned me.
No, I told her to wait!
Why isn't this child
in school?
I can explain!
I was suspended.
I didn't have anyone! I don't
know where my husband is.
MONA: It's because
I'm not a virgin.
TOBY: Uh, okay. Thank you
for coming in. Um...
Someone will be in touch.
I just left her
for a little bit.
I mean, she's already ten.
MONA: I'm nine.
NANCY: Thank you
for coming in!
DEBRA: Will
you let me know?
TOBY: Thank you.
(office phone rings)
NANCY: Okay.
Okay, who's next?
SAM: I'm sorry, Debra.
They want me to
padlock the door.
Oh, please...
There's nothing
I can do about it.
I can give you a minute
to gather your stuff.
Can we go back
to your apartment?
We can talk about it.
I'll figure something out.
I can't.
Debra, I'm just a super.
(deep sigh)
(dog barking in distance)
(phone ringing)
(phone ringing)
(phone hangup tones)
(deep sigh)
SAM: You have to hurry.
(Mona makes whirring noise
with fake lip toy)
DEBRA: Stop it, Mona.
Stop it, Mona.
(louder whirring noises)
Stop!
Stop it. Stop it.
Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it!!
(heavy breaths)
(repeated loud whirring sounds)
DEBRA: Stop it!
Stop.
Stop it.
Stop it!
Stop it!
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it. Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
Stop it!!!
Hey!
(gentle score)
You okay?
Come on.
Come inside.
Come on. Come.
Here you go.
It's nothing special,
but it's clean.
Just let me know
if you need anything else.
Hey.
Morning.
I hope sunny side up is okay?
It's perfect.
Thank you.
So, I was thinking of
looking for an apartment
and a job today.
Do you know anyone who
would be able to watch Mona?
The Sarge...
IAN: I could use some help
in the shop.
I know you're looking
for some kind of office work.
I can't pay more than
minimum wage, but I
figure that maybe then the stay
here could be part of the pay.
Yeah.
Thank you.
Okay.
(gentle score)
Right here:
you forgot the tax.
Right. So, um...
What happens is I just try
and figure out the tax later.
You kinda need it.
It's important.
I could do this
for you if-if you want.
- Could you?
- Yeah.
MONA: Hey.
FREDDY: What are you
doing here?
We got kicked
out of our apartment.
You staying with Ian,
that weirdo?
Hi, Principal Fisher.
This is Debra Choi,
Mona's Mommy.
I'm just calling to let you know
that I just got a job
as an accountant-bookkeeper
at a store so
you don't have to call
Children's Services,
or anything like that and I just
wanted to let you know.
Okay. Bye.
FREDDY: You can't
stay with that guy.
I heard he killed somebody.
- MONA: What?
- FREDDY: Yeah.
He killed some guy in a fight.
I know what:
you let me and my Uncle Derek
in there
I'll take all his money.
Then you and your Mom
could escape with it.
Where you going?
Nowhere.
DEBRA: I'm glad you like it.
I'm sure she'll say yes.
FEMALE CUSTOMER: Thanks.
(plastic bag crinkling)
Smells like old man in here.
When are we leaving?
Mona, we're staying.
Mom, he's a murderer.
Stop.
He killed some guy
and his wife and daughter
- and stuffed them in the freezer.
- Sh! Mona.
Mom, he could try
to kill us!
I don't want to hear this!
You're just jealous
because Dad trusts me
and he doesn't trust you!
She'll be back.
IAN: Another amazing meal.
Oh, it's nothing.
It's just a little Korean food.
Hm.
You know,
I had a little girl, too.
No, I didn't know that,
Mr. Ian.
Yeah.
She's not well now.
DEBRA: I'm sorry.
IAN: Mm-hm.
(Mona scoffs)
Mona, apologize!
I'm sorry. I don't know
what's gotten into her.
Apologize.
No!
I won't!
He's a murderer!
Mona!
Mona!
(door closes)
(gentle ethereal score)
MONA: I need to find my dad.
FREDDY: Let's ask my uncle.
He knows everybody.
MONA: Okay. Sure.
MONA: Why is he
in the park at night?
FREDDY: He does business here.
DEREK: What are you
doing here, you shit?
FREDDY: Hey, Uncle Derek.
This is my friend, Mona.
DEREK: Your girlfriend.
You two doing it?
FREDDY: Yeah, totally.
MONA: Shut up!
That's disgusting!
FREDDY: She's
looking for her dad.
- FREDDY: Ah.
- MONA: The Sarge? You know him?
DEREK: Yeah.
Heard he got mixed up
in something out east, though.
Do you know when he
might be coming back?
DEREK: Sorry, Princess.
Hey, finish rolling this for me.
Why don't you, uh...
come sit on Uncle Derek's lap?
Huh?
Hey, if she's not
your girlfriend,
maybe she'll be mine?
(laughs)
I'm not his girlfriend
and I'm not your girlfriend.
So what are you?
A lesbian?
Hey, Mona?
Mona?
(tense score)
Mona?
Mona!!
Ian, Mona's missing.
IAN: Mona!
DEBRA: Mona!
Mona!!
- FREDDY: Hey!
- DEREK: Real winner.
FREDDY: Hey, wait!
What are you doing?
I'm getting out of here.
But we're hanging
with my uncle.
MONA: I'm not.
Mona!
FREDDY: Oh, shit.
Go! Go! Get out of here!
- DEBRA: Mona!
- IAN: Debra! Got her!
- DEBRA: Stop! Stop it!
- MONA: No! No!
- DEBRA: Stop it! Mona! Stop!
- MONA: No! No!
MONA: I hate you!
You're nothing but a whore!
IAN: Ah!
Mona!
You okay?
Let me take you
for dinner tomorrow night?
It's a way to say thanks.
Ah, no, I...
I should be thanking you.
IAN: No, you're helping me
with my business.
Let me just give you
a proper thanks.
(gentle score)
I'm a terrible mother.
No. No, you aren't.
Yeah. I am.
My father died
when I was young.
My mother was devastated and I
didn't know what to do for her.
She finally remarried and
we thought he was
the answer to all our prayers.
One night,
I was sleeping and I woke up
and
he was in the bed next to me,
touching me and
telling me I was beautiful.
No one had ever
told me that before.
It felt good.
Kept happening
and I was confused;
kind of...
floaty.
I never told my mother.
(gentle score)
One day she was supposed to be
at work but she
came in and found us and
she started screaming
and hitting me
and calling me a whore and
threw me out.
So, obviously,
I had nowhere to go.
Finally met a woman
who owned a club and
I started working for her.
When I met him, I thought
the Sarge was the best thing
to happen to me.
My miracle.
He wanted to take care of me
and he wanted the baby and...
I always wanted to go
to university
and become an accountant.
But nothing has turned out
the way I wanted it to.
She said God would punish me.
I'm a prostitute and a whore
and my daughter hates me.
No, no!
No, no, no, no!
No! No!
No! No! No!
No! No! No! No! No! No! No!
(sniffles)
IAN: God is forgiving.
(score builds)
DEBRA: Oh my God!
IAN: The door's still locked.
DEBRA: Mona!
Mona!
IAN: So nothing was taken.
Front and back doors
still locked.
IAN: There we go.
As good as new.
My wings!
I mended them for you.
What do you say Mona?
(distant police siren)
Mona?
I don't know what
to do with her.
She was an accident.
The Sarge was so happy.
You miss him.
No, I don't!
I don't!
Well, she misses him.
Mona?
I did it.
I destroyed your shop.
And I stole these things.
I don't deserve these.
IAN: Well...
I fixed these for you.
I wish my daughter
was as strong as you.
(gentle score)
(train bell clanging)
(adding machine whirring)
So I went back over
the last eight years
and I calculated what you owe
and what you can write off
so now it balances out
and you don't owe
the government anything.
So you just
saved my business.
Yep.
TAMMI: Debra! Hi!
DEBRA: Hi!
Where the fuck
have you been?
I've been working
at the pawnshop.
- Ian?
- Yeah.
You shacking up
with him?
No.
It's not like that.
No, it's different.
TAMMI: Different how?
What is he, a priest?
No. I, um...
been helping him
with his business.
Mm-hm.
- For real?
- DEBRA: Yeah.
(laughter)
His books were a mess and
anyway, I fixed it all so he
doesn't have to owe anything.
Shit, girl. Okay.
How's, um...
You know, how's Gus?
You know Gus.
Yeah.
He's an asshole.
He's not that bad.
What?
No. Tammi, shit. Why?
It's different for you.
You're good at something.
Yeah and you can do it, too.
Just shut
the fuck up, okay.
Anyway, it was good to see you.
Well, it's good
to see you, too.
(gentle score)
Welcome!
SARGE: Deb.
- Sarge.
- I've missed you.
What are you doing here?
Babe, I came back for you
and-and you were gone. And...
You have to leave.
You have to leave right now.
What're you talking about? I...
Who the fuck is this guy?
IAN: Debra, are you
all good here?
- DEBRA: Yeah.
- SARGE: Deb.
DEBRA: Just stop it.
Stop. Stop.
SARGE: Look, babe, babe.
You-you left but...
Daddy!
SARGE: Oh, ho. Ho-ho-ho-ho.
Daddy.
IAN: So, I'm just going to
leave you two alone
for a little bit.
I'll be inside.
(laughter)
SARGE: Okay. Okay. Okay.
(giggling)
(Sarge vocalizing)
MONA/SARGE: Ta-da!
I want cupcakes.
SARGE: Yeah.
(laughs)
SARGE: I'm going to get us a
place so we can get out of here.
New bedroom.
New furniture.
Can I get a cat?
SARGE: Whatever you want babe.
DEBRA: Sarge, where were you?
SARGE: What do you mean?
Where were you
this entire time?
I was looking out
for us, babe.
Don't be like that.
I'm here, aren't I?
You left us without
a warning or a note.
He didn't! He had a job!
A secret mission!
A secret mission?
MONA: You weren't
supposed to know!
It was top secret!
He could have died!
- A secret mission?
- I had a chance to...
do something and...
I ran into some trouble.
Secret mission.
It was for us!
It's for our family.
(gentle score)
(doorbell jingling)
When are we going home
with Daddy?
- Be good for Ian.
- MONA: No.
Listen to your mother.
Come on.
Why don't I make us some dinner?
I, um...
I thought I could take you out.
Okay. Fine.
(indistinct conversations)
SARGE: Hey.
You're all I've got, Deb.
You and Mona.
There isn't anything
I wouldn't do for you.
So...
you'll be here
for Mona tomorrow?
How much...
How much longer
do you want to do this?
What are you talking about?
This is bullshit!
Do you have a job?
A place to live?
Look, I'm going to
take care of you!
Ian, he gave me a job!
No, I'm not letting you
work for that old fuck!
No. He's kind and he's...
He's caring!
Yeah, yeah.
Because you're fucking him!
I'm not doing this anymore.
I-I know about you
taking Mona to the club!
I could have her taken away.
I could have you charged!
No! No!
You've got to come back
to me, Debra!
No! Stop it!
SARGE: Debra!
Debra!
Open this fucking door! Debra!
Debra, come back!
Mona!
Mona!
Mommy! Daddy!
Mona.
Mommy, please.
Please.
DEBRA: Okay.
Please?
Come on.
(gentle score)
Are you happy, baby?
That's all that matters.
We're leaving now.
Yeah.
Can you manage?
I'll get by.
I wish I could stay.
No.
It wouldn't work.
- Hey.
- Daddy.
SARGE: Oh.
Come on!
Thank you.
Yeah.
Fresh start.
(gentle score)
(giggling)
So, you'll have to think about
getting a job soon.
Oh.
Uh...
Maybe they'll give you
another chance back at the club?
I'm not going back there.
It's a good job.
It's something you're good at.
DEBRA: Yeah, I don't know
if you understand,
but I'm never doing that again.
Okay. Ah...
Well, we're going to
need to think about
getting some money in soon.
Sarge, I thought you said
you put money away.
I thought you said you'd
take care of us.
I've been taking care
of you and Mona
since day one.
Okay? You-you want me to piss
that money I saved away on rent?
On food? It...
It's my money, Deb.
I don't know why you gotta
be such a princess about it.
I already smoothed
things over with Gus.
You talked to him already?
Yeah, I talked
to him already.
You don't think I plan ahead?
("Astronaut" by
Port Cities plays)
♪ All I ever wanted to be ♪
♪ Was an astronaut ♪
♪ Before this so-called life ♪
♪ Got in the way ♪
♪ Eight miles high ♪
♪ I turn the light switch on ♪
Mom?
♪ And laugh at all the games
I used to play ♪
Yeah, babe?
♪ I had a dream
when I was seven ♪
♪ Secret door at the
back of heaven ♪
♪ I woke up
the second I walked in ♪
(sighs)
♪ Over time the dream got old ♪
Let's get out of here.
♪ And everything just gets... ♪
Are you sure?
♪ ...so complicated ♪
Come here.
♪ I watch them send the rocket ♪
♪ Up in Florida ♪
DEBRA: Okay. Let's go.
♪ And everybody cheered
and waved goodbye ♪
♪ I imagined it was me ♪
♪ Up in the captain's chair ♪
♪ Leaving laws
of gravity behind ♪
I love you.
♪ And now the weight is heavy
on my shoulder ♪
♪ Nine-to-five
I'm gettin' older ♪
♪ Truth be told,
It really ain't that bad. ♪
MONA: Mom?
Can you tell me a story?
Did I ever tell you
the meaning of your name?
MONA: Mm-mm.
It means wished for.
♪ ...just gets so complicated. ♪
MONA: What's going to
happen to us?
DEBRA: Well, we'll get a place
with big windows,
get some plants and a cat.
MONA: Yeah, a cat.
DEBRA: I'll get a job
at an office
and you can go to a new school.
It'll be just us.
MONA: Just us?
DEBRA: Yeah.
You're the love of my life.
My true love.
♪ Well, all I ever
wanted to be ♪
♪ was an astronaut ♪
♪ I guess it's a litte late ♪
♪ for that right now ♪
♪ And I get up every morning ♪
♪ just to punch the clock ♪
♪ And take the number
80 bus 'cross town ♪
♪ Well, I try my best
not to regret it ♪
♪ Most of the time
I just forget it ♪
♪ Maybe in another place,
some other time ♪
♪ 'Cause after all the dream
got old and faded ♪
♪ And everything just gets
so complicated ♪
♪ But all I ever wanted to be ♪
♪ Was an astronaut. ♪
(cross-fade to
closing credit score)
(closing credit score ends)