Retiring Tatiana (2000) - full transcript

(hip-hop music)

♪ I call you up, where are you now ♪

♪ We're going out of town for rehearsal ♪

♪ You say I don't fly commercial ♪

♪ You know that I'm a first class girl ♪

♪ My family, can not believe ♪

♪ That you could be so vocal ♪

♪ Learn up on your arrival ♪

♪ You wouldn't be riding in a limo ♪

♪ Introduce you to my friends ♪

- [Photographer] Show me love.



Yeah, that's it, y'all.

♪ We're doing what we always do ♪

♪ We're sipping on a cold, cold brew ♪

♪ There's no talking really Jan ♪

♪ One by one they try to leave ♪

- That's it.

Show me love.

You've got to show me love.

♪ That girl's too many things ♪

♪ I knew the moment I met you ♪

♪ That girl is one of my kind ♪
♪ That girl is too many things ♪

- You've got to show me love.

♪ You came with along with more issues ♪

♪ That girl is too many things ♪



♪ Way down inside I adored you ♪

♪ That girl is too many things ♪

- Smile for a camera.

♪ I can't explain or ignore you ♪

♪ And become fit to be tied ♪

- [Photographer] Excellent, beautiful.

♪ I listen to you talk
about all the different ♪

♪ Guys that you're dating ♪

- [Photographer] Smile for a camera.

♪ And how they all seem so crazy. ♪

- [Photographer] Show me so love.

Yeah, yeah, beautiful.

♪ A chance to get your hands
on my money and spend it ♪

♪ Three months late on your rent ♪

- All right, I think we got this.

- Would have happened a long time ago

if you would've played some new music.

- Don't you know that music
never gets old, my friend?

- Who is this Wilson Picket?

- Wilson Picket?

Yo, let's take a break and come back

in the other outfit, all right?

- I gotta see the fishing net.

- I done told you about calling me that.

- Now, now, girls, play nice, or I'm gonna

have to put you over my knee.

- Promise?

- Get changed.

♪ I hate myself, I bet you'll leave ♪

♪ That girl is too many things ♪

(phone ringing)

- Yvonne!

Yo Yvonne, get the phone.

- I can't I'm in the darkroom.

(phone ringing)

- You're always in the dark.

- [Yvonne] I heard that.

(phone ringing)

- Picture This Studios, may I help you?

- Ain't real impressive,
Drew, you answering the phone

at your own business.

- Hey pops, what's happening?

- Where's that pretty little
girl used to answer your phone?

What's her name?

- It's Yvonne.

- Hey girl!

- Oh hey Ern, how you doing?

- It's Mr. Williamson.

- Next time I out there in Los Angeles,

me and you are gonna go to
one of them discotheques.

- What's a discotheque?

- They wear real tight clothes.

You wouldn't like it.

Hey now, go and throw some red gels

on those key lights, huh?

- All right, peace out, Ern.

- It's Mr. Williamson.

- [Yvonne] Whatever.

- Gotta make it quick, pop.

I'm in the middle of a session.

What's up?

- It's okay.

Nobody seem to have time
for an old man anymore.

They're putting me out to pasture, son.

- What are you talking about?

- Doctors down at the plant, your mama,

they all want me to retire.

- That's a trip, pop.

I can't imagine you not working anymore.

Hell, you're the hardest
working man I know.

- I'm the hardest working man I know.

(laughing)

- What you gonna do with yourself?

- They want to throw me
a big retirement part

down at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

You think you might be able to make it?

- Pop, I wouldn't miss if for the world.

- It might be nice if you
brought somebody with you.

You got a steady yet?

- I don't have time for a steady.

- That camera sure must
be having a good time

keeping you warm at night.

- Hey, my camera's what
makes me special, okay?

You know that cute little CeCe Hogan asked

about you at church last Sunday.

- She did?

- She might want to go.

You could ask her.

- I heard she was dating some dude

that plays for the Pistons.

- Maybe, but she was asking about you.

- Drew, hurray up.

I'm gonna catch my death.

- Pop, I'll get a date.

I gotta go.

- Okay, go ahead and do
what you gotta do right now.

But I'll see you in May.

(hip-hop music)

♪ You see everybody wants to be serious ♪

- Snap that's my theme song!

♪ Just keep in mind somebody
gotta take out the trash ♪

- Right on, no questions asked.

♪ Here's a blues song I
heard about keeping it real ♪

♪ Do that ♪

- Man, am I gonna have to listen

to this old ass shit?

- You damn straight.

This is my theme song.

♪ I made it on the nine to five ♪

♪ Just trying to pay my rent ♪

- What the fuck are you, Shaft n'shit?

- I'm Shaft.

♪ Got time for me ♪

♪ I feel so unalive 'cause
all my money is spent ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ And all the girls I meet ♪

♪ That's a whole nother story ♪

- My theme song.

♪ Whoa yeah, and when a man come to me ♪

♪ With money, power, and fame ♪

♪ Before they give up
that thing, that thing ♪

- Come on man, sing the song.

♪ Well I can give you what you need ♪

♪ And sacrifice it for my theme ♪

♪ So what you get is what you see ♪

♪ And that's a natural man ♪

♪ You're a natural man ♪

- I'm feeling you, bro.

I'm feeling you.

♪ I'm a natural man ♪

- Handle your business, bra.

(electronic ringing)

- Ooh, that's my phone.

- She's always pretty
excited to hear from me.

- [Friend On Right] Phone
calls at the game and all?

- Girl, I like that.

Hello?

- Yo CeCe, it's Drew.

- Who?

- It's Drew.

- I'm sorry, I can't hear you.

Who's this?

- This is Andrew Williamson.

(buzzer ringing)

Oh hey, boy.

(laughing)

- Always excited to hear you, huh?

(PA announcer mumbling)

- Oh, they're going to
substitute right now?

They need him in the game.

I'm sorry, Drew.

- What's all that noise?

- I'm at the Palace watching
the Pistons kick their butt.

You wanna make it quick?

- All right, check it.

I'm coming home for
pops's retirement party,

and I'd like you to come with me.

- Oh, I can't do that.

- What do you mean you can't do that?

- Well because I had already made plans,

and I have a date.

Who made that?

- You're bringing a date to
my father's retirement party?

- Yeah.

- How you going to play me?

That's cool, Cece.

That's cool in the game.

- Drew, they broke up.

Oh, I'm missing the game!

Okay, I'll call you back.

- I ain't mad at you.

- Million dollar contract.

- I'll holler at you.

- Bye, Drew.

- No commitments.
- No commitments.

(laughing)

- I'm telling you buddy they all do.

That's why I just prefer to pay.

Yo, what about that
chicken I turned you on to,

the singer?

- Tatiana Michaels, nah.

- Yeah, look your family will love her.

She's talented, sophisticated, and fine.

Plus if you take Tatiana with you,

you'll find out that CeCe's about it.

- How's that?

- Look a man is never more attractive

than when he has a fine
little chicken on his arm.

- Man, I don't want to play them games.

- Think of the possibilities, Drew.

Take Tatiana with you,
have her do a few songs

at the party, parade
around in a nice dress,

and you'll have this
CeCe chicken right back

where you want her.

- Where do I want her?

- Always available.

(knocking)

- [Tatiana] Who is it?

- It's Drew.

- [Tatiana] Andrew?

- Expecting somebody else?

- [Tatiana] Well I was
hoping for Brian McKnight.

- Yeah well people in
hell hope for ice water.

- [Tatiana] It's open, silly.

Make yourself comfortable.

I'll be out in a minute.

- [Self-Help Narrator] I'm
alluring, attractive, beautiful,

confident, charismatic,
charming, and cool.

All men desire to be with me.

All women aspire to be me.

- [Tatiana] Have a seat in the living room

- [Self-Help Narrator]
Success and financial rewards

of all kinds flow to me from
all directions continuously.

I have the uncanny ability to see people

for who they are.

And immediately upon meeting them

find the perfect words to charm them

and confirm their first impression

that I'm as charming as I am beautiful.

- Andrew darling, so lovely to see you.

(funky music)

You didn't tell me John was playing here.

- You didn't ask.

- He looks, I mean he sounds wonderful.

- Tatiana, I need to talk
to you about something.

I gotta go back to Detroit.

What are you looking for?

- A waiter.

How long have we been here?

- We just sat down.

- Service here sucks.

- Hello my name is Matthew, I'll be

your server this evening.

Would you like to hear the specials?

- I would have liked to have heard them

five minutes ago.

- Great, then I'll be right
back to take your order.

(man laughing)

- God damn it.

Check it, it's Brown Sugar Bear.

- [Brown Sugar Bear] When
they got a big ol' ass.

- He had a notorious rukus.

You know that white rapper with the dreds?

- Pale face?

- I heard he dangled
the dude by his ankles

out the window of a New York hotel room

just to make him sign a new contract.

- How barbaric.

Anyway, what are you talking about?

- [Drew] My father's retiring--

- Traction.

- They are so ignorant.

- Just ignore 'em.

- Big ol' little thumb
is crazy around here.

- They must be from the projects.

- My father's retiring,
and he's having this--

- Is that cigar smoke?

How rude!

- Chill, baby.

- It's not just rude.

It's illegal.

In case you didn't know, in Los Angeles

smoking is illegal in restaurants.

- On no, she didn't.

(laughing)

- Look here baby, I don't inhale.

(laughing)

- Oh no, this will never do.

- [Drew] What are you gonna do?

Tatiana.

- What you need, baby?

- I need you, your
cigar, and your loud ass

friends over there.

- We's about to get beat down.

- For what?

- For about an hour.

(laughing)

- Come on.

Let's give the lady some room.

(funky music)

- [Brown Sugar Bear's
Girlfriend] Whatever.

- You are incredible.

- Talk to me, Andrew.

- My father's having a retirement party

next month in Detroit, and I need

a date for a few days.

- What are you saying?

- I want you to come home with me.

- Oh, well you have to
buy me dinner first.

(laughing)

A few days, huh?

- It'll be fun.

I'll buy you a new gown.

- When do we leave?

- Hello.

Hello, welcome.

Hey.

Hello, welcome.

- Here we are 37 D and E.

I'll take the aisle.

- Coach, huh?

Well I guess this will have to do.

Andrew, I'll be right back.

- I'm just gonna sit
here and work on my toast

for the party.

- [Flight attendant] Good
evening and welcome aboard

Northern Airlines flight 333 to Detroit's

Metropolitan Airport.

Please remember that all carryon items

must be stored in the overhead bin.

- What the hell?

- [Flight Attendant] And exercise caution

when opening the overhead as items

may shift during flight.

- What are you doing?

- I'm securing my instrument in the seats,

isn't it obvious?

- Yeah, but you can't do that.

These seats might belong to somebody.

- I'm sorry, I can't
put it in the overhead.

It might get damaged.

- Excuse me, buddy.

Can I get by?

- Sure, sorry.

- [Man In Trench Coat] Geez, Louise.

- Tatiana, these seats
might belong to somebody.

You can't leave your instrument here.

- Watch me.

- Hey, watch it lady.

- Sorry, but I'm not going to be sitting

next to a screaming baby
for the next three hours.

(speaking in a foreign
language) my brother.

(speaking in a foreign language), bitch.

(baby gurgling)

- Tatiana, we don't own the plane.

- Excuse me sir, is that
your instrument in row 40?

- No, it's mine.

- Well miss, you're
going to have to move it.

You'll either have to
put it into the overhead

or store it under the
seat in front of you.

- Sorry, no can do.

- Miss, you don't have a choice.

It's a federal regulation.

- Well show me where it
says in the FAA rule book

that a passenger cannot strap a musical

instrument in someone else's seat.

Go ahead, show me now.

- Either you move it, or I'll have you

escorted off the plane.

- Drew, Drew!

- Hey Angie.

- Look at you.

Hey sweetie.

You look great.

Wonderful.

Who's this young lady my
little brother has chosen

to bring home?

- All right.

Tatiana Michaels, I want you to meet

my big sister--

- Angela Williamson Charles,
it is an honor to meet you.

- Oh it is?

Why is that?

- Why you helped take care of my Andrew.

- Oh, my Andrew.

- You helped clean his runny nose.

You helped him with his homework.

You are so wonderful.

I cannot believe that
bastard cheated on you.

(crackling explosion)

(funky music)

Domestic car, what a concept.

(funky music)

- Drew, it is going to be off of the hook.

We have got one of the
best caterers in town,

a jazz trio, and a video crew.

- A video crew?

You mean this is gonna be video tapped?

- Yes girl.

- No, I can't be video tapped.

- Why not?

- Because after I become a star,

they might sell the tape to Hard Copy.

(funky music)

I'm thinking about changing my stage name.

- Why?

Tatiana Michaels is a lovely name.

- I want to call myself Nudity.

♪ There is a side of town to Detroit ♪

♪ Houston, take a bow ♪

- Okay well, nudity does
have a definite ring to it.

- Yeah, I thought so too.

I don't want there to be any barriers

between my audience and I.

- My audience and me.

- It's between my audience and I.

- Actually it's between my audience and me

'cause me is the object of
the preposition between.

- Anyway, before I was interrupted,

I was saying that clothing can be

such a wall between people.

- I feel you, baby.

Especially between those who choose some

and those who don't choose any.

- Oh, you understand, Angela.

We're gonna get along famously.

- Yeah, as long as you
keep your clothes on, baby.

(funky music)

Tatiana, can you help get your bags?

- Andrew, would you be a dear?

That was the worst flight I
have ever been on in my life.

Rude, rude, rude, rude.

- Honey, I'm home.

- [Tatiana] I'll never
fly that airline again.

- [Kids] Uncle Drew.

- Hey y'all.

Hey Thomas, look at you, man.

Necy, how you doing sweetheart?

- Fine.

I got a five of five in citizenship.

- Really?

- I rode the rollercoaster at Cedar Point.

- That's 'cause you're getting big, boy.

Thomas, Necy, this is my friend Tatiana.

- Hello Thomas.

Hi, Necy.

- CeCe's prettier than her.

- What'd you say, child?

- Don't pay her no mind, Tatiana.

Girl, what did I tell you
about calling other people.

- What's up, big bra.

- All right, all right.

Yes, I'm his big bra.

So he grew up that way,
and I kinda (grunting).

- I see you met my girl?

- Oh yeah, we done already met.

She over here flirting and carrying on.

- Oh yeah.

- Your brother has a very sharp wit.

It's very attractive.

- Hey you know it's like
Three Musketeers bar,

fluffy not stuffy.

- Well just remember,
she's with me, all right?

- I already told her I'm married.

You ain't got nothing to worry about.

Just had to let her know so that Carol

wouldn't get upset.

- I ain't stopping you, E.J.

- Oh if she endured that nasty bankruptcy

with you, I'm sure she can
stand a little of my flirtation.

- Excuse me.

- Hey pops.

(laughing)

Tatiana this is my pops, Earnest Williams.

- You can call me Ernie.

- Ernie, well I can see where
Drew got his good looks.

- Watch out now, I'm married.

Verlene!

Come here and meet Drew's little friend.

- [Verlene] Drew.

- [Ernie] There you go.

- Hello, how are you?

- Are you all looking
forward to the party?

- Oh I can't stand all this whole fuss.

- Don't believe that.

He's loving it.

- But I have to admit it is kinda nice

everybody going out of their way n'all.

But enough about me.

They tell me you're going to do

a couple of songs for us.

- Well not for us, for you.

Do you have a favorite one?

- Well I always kinda
like that song Summertime.

- Really?

Do you like white bread too?

- White bread is your friend, girl.

- [Carol] Come on y'all.

Breakfast is ready.

- Let's eat.

- Ah Verlene?

- Yes.

- May I see the kitchen first?

- Of course.

Okay, you gonna sit there?

- Where is Drew gonna sit, right here?

Girl?

- I need to see the kitchen.

- [Angela] Sure is a bitch.

- That child is special.

- Did you hear that?

She said she wants to see the kitchen.

- Burnt up some pancakes.

(laughing)

- Why don't you take that seat?

- She can sit in the kitchen.

- Heavenly father, we come
before you this morning

to give thanks for all of
your bountiful blessings.

We thank you for the gift of family.

We thank you for the gift of good health.

We thank you for the love
we share, one for another.

We ask that you bless this food.

That it be nourishment for our bodies

as your word is
nourishment for our spirit.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

- Amen.

- It's good.

(slurping)

(plate clattering)

- You see what I'm saying?

- I see what you're saying.

You two are never prepared for this--

- No, this street has been funky.

It doesn't matter.

(bell ringing)

- Who's that?

- Whether it's winter, snow, anything.

- Here's Johnson.

- What's up, black man?

- Hey buddy.

- [Drew] What are you doing here?

- Yeah, I'm gigging
over at the Holiday Inn

over in Toledo.

They just called me about it.

How dope is that?

- [Drew] Time and place, kid.

- Yeah.

[Drew] Look like you cleaned yourself up

a little bit too.

- Yeah, well you know how I likes

to keep the ladies guessing, you know?

Yeah man, one of the cats
I'm working with lives

in Detroit, so I caught
a ride up with him.

He'll be back tonight.

- [Drew] How'd you find the crib?

- Yvonne gave me all the four, uno, uno.

- Yeah, just what I pay her for.

- Yeah, you know.

- Angie, mama, y'all remember John.

- How you doing?

- It's good to see you.

- Hey Mrs. Williamson, how you doing?

Good to see you.

Thanks.

(guitar music)

(screeching)

- John!

- Tatiana Michaels, what's up, girl?

- How are you?

- Good baby.

So you let Drew talk you into coming, huh?

- Yeah, he needed me.

- Let's not get carried away.

You want something to eat, man?

- When have you ever known me not to?

Shoot.

- Want some leftovers?

- I want you to mind your business.

- I am.

- You keep your face right here.

I'm talking to you.

- You want some tea?

- No, you go ahead though.

- You sure?

(dramatic music)

That's CeCe.

- Who's she?

- Oh, she's a girl that
grew up down the street.

She and Drew have been friends
ever since they were kids.

- It's funny.

Drew never mentioned her.

- Guess the feeling's mutual.

Recently I've seen her around town

with this big, old, tall,
fine, dark, handsome brother.

Not as handsome as my baby
brother, but he was fine.

Like a cup of tea?

- No.

- I think I'll go get me some.

(dramatic music)

- This think ain't working, man.

- What you mean?

- I'm starting to think bringing Tatiana

was a bad idea.

- Explain Lucy.

- She's crazy.

- Crazy?

- Tick, tick, boom, kid.

- Yeah, but she's fine.

- Yeah, she's fine, but
that ain't everything.

- Oh come one, man, you tripping.

Now if she was bugged, you'd know it.

Y'all have been kicking
it, what, about a year?

- We've been kicking it in Los Angeles.

LA is different from other places.

Hell, people trip there,
and they're rewarded for it.

But here people are real,
and that Hollywood shit

just doesn't play.

- But what you gonna do?

She here now.

- I'm stuck with her.

- Oh come on, Drew.

It's all to the good.

Tatiana will cool out.

Plus you still got to
support her to the party.

Now remember baby girl's
gonna be up in there

flossing with that guy from the Pistons.

And if you step in there by yourself,

you gonna get played kid.

- You right, dog.

- I know I'm right.

- I'll be damned if I'm
gonna let Cece front me.

Hey tomorrow, we're going to church,

and when I step in there with Tatiana,

CeCe's going to freak out.

- See, stick to the plan.

Tatiana's cool.

- You know.

All aboard the night train.

- [John] Oh yeah man, I'll be right there.

- Who that?

- That's Hassan.

He's playing this Toledo gig with me.

He's cool.

He talks too much.

- Hey man, try and make
the party, all right?

- All right, but I'm going to have

to bring Hassan with me.

You know what they want to rent a car?

Peace and happiness.

(dramatic music)

(jazzy music)

♪ I'm gonna wait till midnight ♪

♪ Oh I'll be running back to you ♪

♪ You got a spark on me ♪

♪ I rise and see you want me too ♪

♪ Just like me caress your body ♪

♪ Good, it ain't in your head ♪

♪ All the things you want to hear ♪

♪ Me and you all alone, the sex rolled ♪

♪ Down in sunny Cancun ♪

♪ Call me daddy as I
gently pull your hair ♪

♪ Baby let me kiss you there ♪

♪ We gonna sharpen buying things in twos ♪

♪ I'm tearing one off you ♪

♪ I'm gonna wait till midnight ♪

♪ Oh I'll be running back to you ♪

(dog barking)

♪ You got a spark on me ♪

♪ I rise and see you want me too ♪

- Come on here, baby.

Hey, good girl.

♪ In the morning I'll be a brand new man ♪

♪ Thanks to you I truly am ♪

♪ Able to climb up mountains,
wade the deepest sea ♪

♪ That's what you do to me ♪

♪ Nonbelievers, I got a question ♪

♪ When in the heat of passion ♪

- [Ernie] Yes darling, I'm just going

to get the Sunday morning
paper and bring it

right back up to you.

(toilet flushing)

- Morning pop.

- You and Tatiana sleep well last night?

♪ You got a spark on me ♪

♪ I rise and see you want me too ♪

- Cold busted.

♪ Caress your body,
get it into your head ♪

(sitar music)

- (chanting in a foreign language)

(bell ringing)

(chanting in a foreign language)

- What the hell?

Girl, you gonna burn the damn house down.

- Oh Andrew, don't be ridiculous.

Didn't you know I was
studying Eastern religion.

- No, I didn't.

- Well it brings me inner peace.

(bell ringing)

- [Drew] I don't believe this.

- (chanting in a foreign language)

It's wonderful.

It cleanses me.

- You aren't even dressed.

Get dressed.

Everybody's downstairs waiting for you.

- Get dressed for what, Andrew?

- Church, I told you last night.

- Oh you said a great
many things last night.

- Tatiana sweetheart, please
just throw on a dress,

and let's go.

- Andrew, I don't go to church anymore.

I'm a Buddhist.

It would be hypocritical.

- Could you be a hypocrite for
the next few hours, please?

- No, Andrew.

- How am I gonna explain to
my very religious parents

that my girlfriend isn't
going to church with us?

- I'll explain it to them.

They're lovely people.

They'll understand.

(sitar music)

(bell ringing)

(chanting in a foreign language)

(bell ringing)

(sitar music)

- No, that's okay.

It's all right.

I'll do it.

I'll explain it to them.

- Have a wonderful time.

I'll see you when you get back

(bells ringing)

(chanting in a foreign language)

(sitar music)

- [Verlene] Where's Tatiana?

- She isn't coming.

- [Verlene] Isn't coming, why not?

- She isn't feeling well.

- [Verlene] Oh poor dear, I better go--

- Oh no mama, she went back to bed.

She's a little tired, a little jet lagged.

She'll be all right.

- Yeah, she probably didn't
get much sleep last night,

new bed and all.

- Come on, E.J. and them
will be waiting for us.

- She ain't sick, is she?

- No, she's just searching.

- Searching?

(organ music)

- Dang, what took you all so long?

Service is about to start.

- Sush.
- E.J. I'm sorry.

- We tried to get here
as fast as we could.

- Where's Tatiana?

Why you wanna know?

- [Drew] She isn't feeling well.

- Are you saying it's about me?

- [E.J.] Look I'm just asking the man.

- Maybe I should go to the men's room.

- Come on now, we all
gotta sit down as a family.

- Oh, you know that's
CeCe singing, don't you.

- So?

I don't care.

- [Angela] Please, try that on somebody

who doesn't know you.

- Give me a break.

I ain't thinking about CeCe Hogan.

- Please, let's go.

- Is you all comin'?

♪ Oh, somebody ♪

♪ Mighty, mighty, mighty,
mighty God we share yeah ♪

♪ Said I woke me up this morning ♪

♪ Mighty ♪

♪ He's gotten me on my way, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Mighty ♪

♪ Was in my right mind ♪

♪ Mighty ♪

♪ Oh yeah, yeah Lord ♪

♪ Lord O mighty God, we serve ♪

♪ I serve the mighty God today ♪

♪ Lord O mighty God, we serve ♪

♪ Angels bow down ♪

♪ Angels bow before him ♪

♪ Heaven and earth ♪

♪ Heaven and earth adore him ♪

♪ Lord O mighty God we serve ♪

♪ He's a mighty God, oh yes he is ♪

♪ Give him glory, give him praise ♪

♪ He's so worthy ♪

♪ Now do I belong ♪

♪ Oh Lord, you're worthy, Lord ♪

♪ It's the work of God so wonderful ♪

♪ Thank you for loving me ♪

♪ Thank you for giving me Jesus ♪

♪ Bless you Jesus ♪

♪ Bless you Jesus ♪

(clapping)

- Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.

Let's open our bibles to Malachi 3:8.

Will a man rob God, yet will he rob me

when he say how have we
robbed thee in time and often.

- CeCe sure is pretty,
don't you think so Drew?

- Yes mama, she's very pretty.

- Still single too.

Imagine that.

- Imagine that.

- Imagine that.

- Do you want your heart burdened?

Burdened with sin because you won't give.

You've got to let that go, let it go.

- Woman like that don't stand

for none of that fooling around.

Brother gots to be on his J, O, B.

- Got to be on your job.

- [Reverend] We need them.

- How you know?

- What?

Dang.

- Electricity don't run for free.

We don't want to be trying to read

our bibles in the dark.

You know what we need,
we need more bibles.

The choir need robes.

They got some beautiful robes as it is,

but when they go out on the road,

they want to look sharp.

They want to look good
'cause they representing us.

So you can be happy,
so we all can be happy,

so this church can thrive and grow.

You know what I'm talking about, don't ya?

Don't ya, brother?

Amen.

Can I get an amen from somebody?

Amen.

(clapping)

One such soldier that
has never robbed the lord

is here today.

Stand up, brother Williamson.

30 years, 30 years at Griffen Morris.

Now that God is telling
you it's time to rest,

time to lay down thy staff.

Make no mistake about
it, brother Williamson,

the Lord is telling you well done, my son.

Well done.

- [Audience Member] Yes Lord.

- Praise the lord.

(clapping)

- And as a testament to
his work with the Lord,

he's surrouned by his beautiful family,

Verlene, E.J. Carol, and the kids.

- He's not gonna remember my name, watch.

- My boy all the way from Los Angeles,

my boy stand up and tell everybody

what you been doing.

(clapping)

- Good morning, reverend.

I'm still a photographer.

Been doing some magazine
work, album covers.

You know same ol', same ol'.

- Well praise the Lord.

We're real proud of you around here, boy.

Come up and see me after service.

- I'll do that.

(clapping)

- I know y'all done got your tickets

for brother Williamson's retirement party.

It's gonna be down at
the Knights of Columbus.

It's gonna be real nice.

There's gonna be food and music.

And sister Angela's got your tickets.

Now we're getting ready
to have a final selection.

- It's not working.

- Excuse me.

Talk amongst yourselves.

I'm gonna burry the hatchet.

- You gonna speak to CeCe?

- No.

I mean I ain't going outta my way.

- You know God don't like lechers.

- You starting to sound like mama.

- And mama's starting to
make a whole lot of sense.

- Brothers and sisters, we
going to be a little while.

Y'all had better go.

God bless you and good night.

- Y'all I'm gonna hit the restroom.

I'll see y'all at the car.

- [Angela] Okay, go downstairs.

- Andrew Williamson, boy, where you been?

- I been out in LA.

How have you been?

- I haven't seen you
since you were knee high.

Give me a hug, honey.

Yeah.

- So how have you been?

- Well it depends, pretty good.

Have problems with my legs, arthritis,

rheumatism, n'stuff, my
ears, you know I have

an equilibrium problem 'cause I can't

balance myself too well.

And my eye sight is failing,
but I'm still going,

still moving.

I've got a lot to be thankful for.

You're looking good.

- Well thank you.

- You look good, honey.

You really do.

Okay then.

- It was good seeing you again.

Okay, yeah.

- Look at you, boy.

All growed up.
- Deakin Prior.

- How are you?

- I'm fine, I'm fine.

Yeah.

- That's good to know.

Hey, it was good seeing you again.

- Goodbye Andrew.

- Well baby, is it okay?

- Nothing that a few dollars won't fix.

- We'll just have to
raise the money, right?

- Hey boy,
- Reverend.

- you're looking good.

- Mrs. Gilliard.

- Oh, hello.

- Nice suit you got on.

- Yes, it is.

- Thank you, sir.

- Nice shoes and jacket.

- Thank you.

You're starting to make me blush.

- Boy, you know we need
a few things around here.

The roof need repair.

- Yeah, the air
conditioning isn't working.

- The organ only works when it want to.

- It'd be nice to get
some carpet around here.

- Oh hey, you know I left
my check book at home,

but I'll send you something
just as soon as I get back.

- I wasn't suggesting--

- Oh I know, I know.

It'll be my pleasure, but
Reverend, Mrs. Gilliard,

I gotta hit the restroom,
or I'm gonna burst.

- Well you sure better go.

- Don't let me keep you.

- That's a nice watch he had on too.

(choir music)

- [Drew] CeCe, hi.

- Hi.

- Girl, you look good.

You sound great.

- Yeah, I try to do a
little somethin' somethin'.

(laughing)

I'm glad I caught you.

- [Drew] Oh yeah, why?

- I didn't want you to be upset with me.

- Why would I be upset with you?

- Because I'm not going
to the party with you.

- You don't have to explain.

- There you are.

Cece, come on rehearsal's about to start.

- Okay, here I come.

I know I don't have to explain to you,

but we go back a long way,
and I want you to understand

I'm at a point in my life where I need

more than a friend who comes into town

and wants to kick it for a
few days and is gone again.

- Isn't that what most
pro basketball players do?

My bad.

I'm sorry.

I'm all up in your Kool-Aid,

and I don't even know the flavor.

- Well people talk entirely
too much around here.

- Girl, you know you
can't keep any secrets

around Triumphant Baptist Church.

- You know that's right.

- CeCe, come on.

- Okay, one sec.

I'm coming.

So how long you going to be here?

- I'm leaving the day after tomorrow.

- Same old Drew.

What is it you keep rushing back to?

- Work I guess.

- Well, it was good seeing you again.

- You too.

I better get going.

They're probably all
waiting for me at the car.

- Yeah.

Goodbye.

(choir music)

- CeCe, what are you doing tonight?

- Why?

- I want to see you.

- Did you hear a word I just said?

- I heard every word you said.

- I don't know, Drew.

- [Drew] CeCe, please.

♪ For old times sake ♪

- Don't be trying to get that
tired old mac on with me.

- Please.

Pretty please.

- [CeCe] No, Drew.

- With brown sugar on top.

- No, I'm not--

Hey CeCe, come on

♪ I'm in my right mind ♪

- What's up?

- Trappers Alley about six.

Work on your begging.

♪ I serve O mighty God ♪

♪ Lord O mighty God, we serve ♪

♪ Angles bow down ♪

- Tatiana.

♪ Angles bow before him ♪

♪ Heaven and earth adore him ♪

♪ Lord almighty God we serve ♪

♪ Mighty God we serve ♪

- [Ernie] Ready for some of
that baked juniper, Verlene.

- If he merry.

- Tell your boys, did you
see him looking at me?

He was looking at me, boy.

- Andrew, I need to talk to you.

- Okay.

- I need to talk to you alone.

- Y'all excuse us.

- She's is too many things.

He need to grab her by force
and drag her downstairs.

- What's this about?

- This.

- What's that?

- It's the program for the party.

- Yeah so.

- Andrew, there're 10 speakers
tomorrow night, right?

- Yeah, so?

- And each one is in order
of importance, right?

- Right.

- Well look.

I'm second, second.

- And your point is what?

- I cannot be second.

That won't work.

- What won't it work?

- My song, it would be anticlimactic

for me to sing the song that I've chosen

in that position.

It just won't work, Andrew.

- Huh?

- Andrew, the song that I
have selected will prove

to be the dramatic apex
of the entire night.

As the evening progresses,
the anticipation

in the room will reach a fever pitch.

Then I will step before the audience

and serve as the vessel for
their emotional release.

My song will allow the night to crescendo.

- What planet are you from?

- Andrew, don't be mean.

- Okay Tatiana, where do
you think you should be

on the program?

- Eighth.

- Eighth, my father's 10th.

- And your point is?

- You expect me to tell my
family that my girlfriend--

- I'm not your girlfriend.

- That my friend who
they just met by the way

has to go on eighth so that she may be

the dramatic apex and
the emotional release

before the crescendo?

Are you out of your fucking mind?

- It can't be either way.

- Oh yes it can.

You can go on second like
it says in the program.

- Okay, well you forced my hand.

- [Drew] What are you talking about?

- If I can't be in the eighth position,

I'll just have to sing another song.

- What other song?

The one you've chosen is perfect.

- When the lights drop
and my spot comes up,

I will sing YMCA.

- Come on.

- Eighth, or I will do it.

I swear to Buddha, I will.

- This is insane.

This is crazy.

I'm going out for awhile, and I'm going

to give you a chance to think about

what it is you're asking.

- It cannot be any other way, Andrew.

(sighing)

(samba music)

(phone ringing)

(samba music)

- Make it good.

- John, it's Tatiana.

Did I wake you?

- No, no.

No, it's all right, darling.

I had to get up to
answer the phone anyway.

What's up?

- Andrew and I got into a fight.

- [John] About what?

- I don't want to talk about it.

I'm too upset.

I just wanted to talk to someone.

- All ears.

Well, maybe not all ears.

- You know I really like
him, but he just doesn't

seem to understand me.

- What do you mean?

- You know like when you're performing

and it's time for your solo?

- [Johnson] Yeah.

- You know exactly when to start,

how long to play and when to finish.

- Yeah.

- How do you know that?

- You just know.

- Exactly.

You know me so well.

- I do?

- You've been a big help.

Thanks, John.

- I have?

(samba music)

- Guess who?

- Judging by the sweaty palms,
it must be Marion Berry.

- You're quick.

- Hey, I wasn't even ready.

- I know that's why I took it.

People are so much more interesting
when they're not posing.

- I remember posing for you once,

but you talked me into posing topless.

- You remember that, huh?

- Oh God, and my mother almost killed me

when she found those pictures.

- Now those pictures were artistic.

- My mother was not trying
to hear artistic, okay?

- So what are you up to these days?

- I'm with US Customs.

I do inspections out of metro.

- What's that like strip searches?

- If I have to.

Wow, look at this, Drew?

- [Drew] You like that?

- Yeah, it's beautiful, don't you think?

- Yeah, it's gorgeous.

I'm just surprised that
you like it that's all.

- Why is that?

- Well, it's just kind of...

- Kind of what?

- Sensuous.

- And it surprises you that I like

something that's sensuous?

- Yeah, it does.

- Why is that?

- You've always been a
little uptight about sex.

- I am not uptight.

- CeCe, you are so uptight.

- Oh why?

'Cause I never called you big papa?

- You've called big papa.

You've just used other words, sounds.

- Sounds, oh really?

- Really, see the problem
is that you've never been

able to appreciate the humor in sex.

- There's humor in sex?

- There's mad humor in sex.

- How so?

- Because people are funny looking.

Men get bald heads, women get cellulite.

- So?

- So you have these two
funny looking people

hooking their bodies
together in these bizarre

positions bumping and
grinding, and that's funny.

- Okay, you're a very sick man.

- See that's what I
mean, just what I mean.

- Just because I don't happen to find

making love funny does not
make me some kind of a prude.

- Think about it, CeCe.

You got feet, the sweat,
you've got grunting.

- Oh that's right, you do grunt.

- Oh I don't grunt.

- Oh you grunt, and you grunt loud.

It's all starting to come
back to me, sir grunt-a-lot.

- No, no, no, no, no, no not me.

I don't grunt.

- Lord have mercy, Jesus mama.

- [Tatiana] Angela.

- Oh hey.

- [Tatiana] I thought I heard you in here.

- Girl, I always like to
make me a little something

on Sunday for the week.

- Yeah, that smothered
chicken was delicious.

- Oh yeah, mama gets that one, oh yeah.

- Um Angela, could I
talk to you for a minute?

- Sure, what can I do for ya?

Excuse me.

- Well I was looking at
the program for the play.

- Isn't it nice?

I just love that black and
gold embossed lettering.

It's so strong and
masculine like my daddy.

- Yes, black and gold
was an excellent choice.

- Oh.

This isn't about the program, is it?

- Well, yes and no.

It's not exactly about the program.

It's about the people on the program.

- [Angela] It doesn't
meet with your approval?

Excuse me.

- Well I wouldn't
characterize it in that way?

- How would you characterize it?

- I'm just not pleased.

- Soda?

- No.

- Oh, that's too bad.

That you're not pleased.

What's the problem?

- Well you see I was looking at the lineup

of speakers and guests.

And I couldn't help but
notice that I'm second.

- Well everyone is in order
of importance, Tatiana.

- Excuse me?

- Everyone is in order
of importance, Tatiana.

- Well you see, Angela, I
think that's the problem

that I'm having.

The song that I have
chosen it just doesn't work

if it's in second.

- Excuse me.

- Um, I don't quite understand
what the problem is.

You're already doing a song
during the cocktail hour

and the other one during
the program itself.

What's the problem?

- It's very complicated, Angela.

- Perhaps you can explain it to me

in a way that my feeble
mind can comprehend it?

- Let's not be condescending--

- Let's not forget that
you and I just met,

and you're trying to
tell me how to coordinate

my father's retirement party.

- I'm not trying to tell you anything.

I'm merely suggesting
that I be number eighth

right before your mother, and there

we could achieve maximum results.

- Tatiana, everybody's asleep.

Drop your shorts.

- What?

- Come on, girl, drop your shorts.

- What?

- See I've heard about women like you

on Jerry Springer, but I've never seen one

like you know in real life.

I want to see it because I'm sure

that it is long and hard.

- How dare you?

- Two things you should know.

Number one, I'm getting
read to take my mama's

smothered chicken and go home.

Number two, don't cross me little girl.

(guitar music)

- This is nice.

- Yes, this is very nice.

- How did we get here?

- The Lodge Express way.

- No, you know what I mean.

I mean how did we end up like this?

- Well you know it didn't
have to be this way.

- I know I asked you to
move to California with me.

Why didn't you?

- I was 19.

I was in school.

Mostly I was scared.

- Scared of what?

- We were so young and
California seems so far away.

- I would've taken care of you CeCe.

- But you didn't want to marry me.

And I was not moving to LA with some man

who just wanted to be my boyfriend.

- I wanted more than that.

- You wanted to play house.

- CeCe Hogan doesn't play house.

- I was too young to make
that kind of commitment.

- Oh please, men of that age make

that type of commitment everyday.

- I said I was too young.

Besides, it's history now.

- So where are you now?

- You are the tightest kick in the ass.

- See that's your problem,
every time it gets real,

you're not available.

- You know what, this
is getting way too deep.

I just wanted to kick it a little bit.

- Kick it a little bit?

I'm not here for your amusement.

Who do you think I am?

- That's what I'm trying to figure out.

- Okay, well why don't I just go,

and I will see you at the party?

- CeCe, don't go.

I want to see you again.

- Drew, what is the point?

- The point is that
you've lived in Detroit

your entire life, and
you've never even been

to the Motown Museum.

(guitar music)

I thought I saw a bunch of lights on.

Angie, E.J. what are y'all
doing here at this hour?

- That's what I want to know.

- Okay baby sister, Drew is here now.

What's this all about?

- It is about that
heifer Drew brought home.

- [Drew] Excuse me?

- She is too many things.

- She is a little strange.

I think her heart's in the right place.

- Uh-uh mama, Dianna Ross
left Detroit years ago,

but the bitch is back.

She upstairs lighting candles.

- Angela, why don't you just
say what you got to say,

so I can get home?

Carol gonna be worried.

- Yeah, and we got to go to bed too.

- [Drew] What did she do?

- Tatiana, Miss Tatiana
Michaels came to inform me

that she is not pleased with
going second in the program,

that her number does not
work in that particular spot,

and that she thinks that
she needs to move down

in the program in order to
achieve maximum results.

- No, she didn't!

- Oh did she, yes.

And then I asked her
well where do you think

your song belongs?

- [E.J.] What'd she say?

- Oh she didn't even bat an eyelash.

She looked at me and said I think

right before your mother speaks.

(laughing)

- I like that baby.

I know she got some great big ones.

- That's what I said.

- Well what'd you tell her?

- I started to tell her she could sing

her song on the God damned plane.

Excuse me, mama.

I started to tell her she could sing

on the plane back to LA.

And then I gave it some thought,

and then I got mad, and then I got pissed

that Drew's girlfriend--

- [Drew] She's not my girlfriend.

- Whatever she is here.

Whatever she is, you know hear me?

Whatever she is, I don't have time

to validate that heifer's ego.

And I wanted to talk to y'all
before I made any decisions.

- Look Angela, you ain't asked me nothing

about this whole thing
that you've been planning,

and why start now?

- Ernest junior, don't
even come bringing that

because every time I came
to you about something,

you were too busy with this
or being busy with that.

- You're trying to make
it seem like I don't care.

- I'm not trying to make it seem--

- That's not fair.

- That's not what I'm trying to do.

- Hey, I've got a lot of responsibilities.

I am still married!

- Oh, you gonna go there.

- Well, you went there first.

- Oh so we gonna, ne-ne-ne, you go first.

(Angela and E.J. talking at once)

- Everybody just calm down.

I said calm down!

- Sorry daddy.

- Sorry daddy.

Mamma.
- Mamma.

- I think that's a great idea, pop.

I'm gonna go home.

- Good.

- And I'm gonna calm down.

- Good.

- 'Cause if I stay up
in here, somebody gonna

get the backhand.

- If you stay up in here,
nothing is gonna happen

here with your pajama wearing ass.

- [Ernie] All right, Paddington.

- Drew, let me tell you something, okay?

I have been planning
my, I have been planning

our daddy's retirement party for months.

And I'm not about to let that heifer

that you brought up in here come in here

in the 11th hour and tell
me how to run things.

You understand?

I'm not having it.

Mama, I am not having it.

I'll see y'all tomorrow.

- E.J.

E.J.

- Angie, can we save this for another day?

- No, we cannot.

What was that back there?

That whole little thing,
that whole little remark?

Did you want to hurt me?

Is that what you wanted to do?

- No, that's not what I wanted but look

I care for mom and dad too.

- Well you need to act like it sometimes.

- I do my best!

- Maybe sometimes our best
just isn't good enough.

- Look I got my own family to look after.

- Oh, here we go with
the family thing again.

- E.J. I'm telling you,
you need a new act.

- Angie, you can't make me feel guilty

because I got my own family.

- Guilty?

Guilty?

Guilty, are you crazy?

Make you feel guilty?

Mama and daddy are all I have got.

- Girl, you got a masters degree.

- And?

- And a big house in Bloomfield Hills.

- And a cat.

I am alone.

- You know I'm sick and
tired of hearing you

belly ache about what you ain't got.

You're a big executive up
there at the phone company.

You get all the perks that come with that.

I punch a clock everyday, everyday!

I manage a loading dock.

Let's talk about what I ain't got!

- Let's talk about what you do got.

You have got a wife that
loves you very much.

- And?

- And children.

And a very nice home.

- Wanna trade?

- No, no, I think I'll
just stick with the perks

of having a cat.

Good night, Ernest.

- Pop, I didn't mean to bring Tatiana here

and cause all this drama.

- It ain't all her fault.

Hell, you know Angela and
E.J. have never gotten

along so good.

- Bringing her was a huge mistake.

- Ain't no mistakes in life, son.

She's just one of those people
that knows what she wants.

Truth is I never should've made you feel

as though you had to
bring somebody with you.

How you want to live your
life is your business.

I just know how much happiness
my family has given me.

- I just seem to do better by myself.

I mean I either end up hurting somebody,

or they end up hurting me.

- So you're quitting?

I don't recall raising any quitters.

- I haven't quit, pop.

I've just chosen not to get involved.

Hell, look at E.J.

Carol gives him more
stress than a little bit.

Angela's divorced.

It just seems to be more
trouble than it's worth.

- What about Tatiana?

- What about her?

- You think she came all this way

just because she want to sing at my party?

- I haven't really thought about it.

- Well you better start thinking about it.

You brought her here for a reason.

You need to stand by her.

You skipped off tonight
to go do Lord knows what,

and you left her here all by herself.

- We had some words.

I needed some space.

- Stop thinking about
yourself all the damn time.

(dramatic music)

Go on and talk to the girl.

I'm going to bed.

(dramatic music)

- Andrew, is that you?

- No, it's Brian McKnight.

- I thought you were upset with me.

- No, I ain't mad at you.

But Tatiana, why do you push so hard?

- You wouldn't understand.

- I understand that when
we're alone it's dope.

It's when other people get involved

is when you start to trip.

- Is Angela still upset?

- Yeah, she's through.

- Andrew, I don't mean to hurt people.

But I'm special.

I know how that sounds, but I am.

- I know.

I saw you make Brown Sugar
Bear get up and move.

- Who?

- Never mind.

Tatiana, somebody said to
me that when it gets real,

I'm no longer available.

But I'm available for you
right here, right now.

- I don't usually talk to
people about my problems.

- Well I think you need to talk to me

because we're here
together, and your problems

are now my problems.

- You know I'm an only child, right?

- Yeah.

- Well I never learned to share.

I never had to.

I had everything.

Everything.

We had a big house.

I mean I had more dolls than Toys 'R Us.

I was always the best
dressed girl in school.

And I even got a new
Mercedes when I turned 16.

- I thought we were
talking about problems.

- Wait, there's more.

I was pretty.

- Indeed.

- Father doted on me,
and mother became jealous

of our relationship, and it
drove a wedge between us.

Father began to pull away,
and I was left all alone.

- Well Tatiana, if you're alone now,

it's because you push everybody away.

- But it's always been hard
for me to make friends.

I mean women think I'm a
bitch, and men only seem

to want to use me.

- That's not true.

- It is true.

Everybody just wants to take from me.

- What is it you think everybody wants?

- You know what I don't
think I want to talk anymore.

I want you to leave.

- Huh?

- Leave me alone, Andrew.

Get out!

- No, I'm not leaving until
you make me understand.

- Andrew, get out!

- No, make me understand!

- Andrew, I was raped.

It was this drummer I had
done a couple of gigs with.

I went out with him one
night, and the bastard

beat me up and raped me.

- Son of a bitch.

- Yeah.

Well I won't ever let anything like that

happen to me again.

I have to be in control.

- Then he wins.

- No, I win by controlling
the world around me.

- Nobody controls the world around them.

- I can try.

- You can't allow that to
become your defining moment.

- It doesn't define me.

It's made me stronger.

- You think walking
through life kicking ass

and taking names makes you stronger.

- You think going through
life unable to have

a relationship with
anything but a God damn

camera is freedom?

- Hey, this ain't about me?

- I thought your problems were my problems

or something like that?

- No, it's about you and why it always has

to be your way.

- Why do you always get
to set the boundaries?

- You know what I'm done with this.

- Wait a minute, I thought
you were available.

- I'm outta here.

- Yeah, you know I know
I have my problems,

but you have a lot to work on too.

Oh, and one more thing.

I still must be eighth.

- [Man Off Camera] Cut.

(phone ringing)

- Yeah.

- No, is that how you answer the phone?

- Angie, I'm sorry.

But you woke me up.

What time is it?

- It's almost 11.

Time for you to get your butt out of bed.

- [Drew] Why?

- Because you have to go take Nudity,

miss thing to rehearse with the band.

- And you're calling to remind me?

- I certainly am, not by choice.

- Angie, there's more going
on with her than I realized.

- Yeah well, I realized
something going on with her.

She can't ask everybody
for everything she wants.

- Well, she's still asking.

Have you made up your mind yet?

- And I won't until tonight.

But I know one thing.

That girl better be able to sing.

- She can sing, trust me.

Man, I'll be glad when
this whole thing is over,

and I can just go home
and get back to work.

- Listen Drew, let me tell you something.

The career fast track is
not what it's all about.

- This coming from the
fastest rising executive

at Michigan Bell.

- That would be me.

I have bought into all
that career bullshit,

and what has it gotten me?

- A six figure salary.

- Yeah, but I've completely
priced myself out

of the pool of available
brothers, and that's lonely,

and it's no fun.

They're intimidated by me.

- Angie, there's a
Mandingo warrior out there

with your name engraved on his spear.

- Oh, and I hope that's a long spear too.

You know I speak Mandingo.

Ooh baby, ooh baby, ooh baby!

(laughing)

- Tonight's the big night, huh?

- It most certainly is.

You got your little toast together?

- Oh yeah, most definitely.

- Well I'm not together yet.

I've got to go get my nails did

and run a little more
color through my hair.

I think I'm gonna go Mandingo blonde,

what you think?

- Girl, you are crazy.

- Like a fox, but I love ya.

- I love you too.

- Crazy boy.

(R and B music)

♪ The girl of my dreams ♪

♪ She lives right next door ♪

♪ But she may as well
be 1,000 miles away ♪

♪ She don't love me ♪

♪ Like I love her ♪

♪ Nothing you can do ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm stuck like glue to my guy ♪

♪ Oh how I adore you ♪

♪ To each his own, my friends all say ♪

♪ In this game of love we're playing ♪

♪ Well they say you've
been around the world ♪

♪ With some of the most
beautiful girls in this world ♪

♪ Be it for, be it for ♪

♪ How I adore you ♪

♪ But they don't know about my dreams ♪

- Well come on in, come on in and join us.

I was just telling the rest of the group

about back in the day
when I was at Motown.

- (speaking in a foreign language)

- Excuse me.

- Yes.

- You worked here?

- Well now, I don't want to make this tour

all about me, but I was a singer.

- (speaking in a foreign language)

- Were you in a group, or
were you a solo artist?

- Oh I was in a group
called the Mamazelles.

- (speaking in a foreign language)

- I don't remember the Mamazelles.

- You don't remember the Mamazelles?

- No mam.

- Then honey you don't
remember March of 1964.

Our song Mr. Bus Driver Please Wait for Me

went all the way to number 36.

- (speaking in a foreign language)

- I thought I knew all
the big Motown acts,

Tempts, The Supremes--

- Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

- Martha Reeves and the Vandellas.

- What you want to bring her up for?

- Who?

- Martha Reeves and the Vandellas,

why'd you wanna bring her up?

- We were just talking
about what we remember

as far as groups.

- I heard you.

You said Martha Reeves, and
wasn't nobody talking about her.

- Mam, but we were just talking
about, you know the tour,

and music, and how wonderful--

- Martha Reeves, Martha
Reeves, oh that's all I used

to hear about was Martha Reeves.

Have you heard the news about
Martha and the Vandellas?

Martha Reeves movin' up the charts.

Oh that Martha Reeves sure got soul.

Let me tell you something, honey.

Martha Reeves and her
Vandellas couldn't carry

the Mamazelles wig boxes.

I couldn't stand them old
cows walking around here

like they owned the damn place.

Right this way, we're going to go up

to Barry Gordy's apartment.

- Well you'll be going without us.

- Don't mess with the Mamazelles.

- And that's what you
get for asking questions.

- How was I supposed
to know that woman had

a bug up her ass about Martha Reeves?

- By her makeup.

(laughing)

But you know what, that was kinda funny.

The look on your face
when she went off on you.

- Oh I'm glad you're getting
such a big kick out of it.

- I have to, all that
drama, Martha Reeves.

What have we got here?

(moaning)

- Tammi Terrell was all
that and a bag of chips.

- You're so superficial.

- [Drew] What do you mean?

- She was a talented
singer, and all you can

focus on is the way that she looks.

- No, I can just appreciate her beauty

as well as her talent.

- Uh-huh, you just did it again.

- What?

- You made her talent
secondary to her beauty

because that's all you
men know how to focus on.

- Wrong, it's just that
men will admit to being

attracted to physical beauty.

Hell I think women are
more superficial than men.

- How do you figure?

- Because at least men will
admit what they're attracted to.

But women won't admit
that they're attracted

to powerful men.

- I'm attracted to what's on
the inside of a man, period.

- You are lying your hair nappy.

- Excuse me, I am Madam CJ Walker's dream.

- No, look at the way you practically had

an orgasm up in Barry Gordy's old office.

- So what are you saying, I'm shallow?

I mean do you really think I'm
capable of being with a man

just because of his money.

- No, not just because of
his money but as well as.

Look I'm just saying
that a man has to have

some form of power to attract a woman.

It can be physical, spiritual, economic,

but he has to have some form
of it to attract a woman.

- Now that's interesting.

- [Drew] How's that?

- Because I never noticed any
of those qualities in you.

- Oh wow, look at that.

- Oh, you gonna go there.

- [CeCe] Well, I went there.

I'm gone.

(hip-hop music)

- So how far you going?

- All the way to the top, they tell me.

- Come on in, girl.

Show me the way.

I've been trying to get on top.

♪ I call you up to tell you that ♪

♪ We're going out of town for rehearsal ♪

♪ You say I don't fly commercial ♪

♪ You know that I'm a first class girl ♪

- So what's happening?

♪ Can not believe that
you could be so vocal ♪

- Ain't nothing jumping
but the peas in the pot,

and they wouldn't be jumping
if the water wasn't hot.

♪ You wouldn't be riding in a limo ♪

- Clever.

♪ Introduce you to my friends ♪

- E.J. you know I haven't gotten a chance

to see anything since I've been here.

Would you mind showing
me around a little bit?

- Absolutely.

Ain't not thing but a
chicken wing, and I eat them.

(laughing)

♪ One by one, they start to leave ♪

- You see that's why
you had to leave Detroit

'cause your tired butt can't dance.

- Who couldn't dance?

- You couldn't.

I bet you can't even
do the Temptation walk.

- Girl, I invented the Temptation walk.

Do you hear me?

- Okay, well let me see you.

- How 'bout this?

Paul Williams.

- [CeCe] Like that, huh?

- Just like that.

- Uh huh, you better
not let the Temptations

see you do that.

(laughing)

♪ That girl is doing my kind ♪

♪ You came along with Loquisha ♪

- You see that over there,
that's the Fox Theater.

I saw the Dramatics there back in 1973.

♪ It's time I adored you ♪

♪ That girl is too many things ♪

♪ Five minutes later and now you ♪

- How long you and my knuckle head brother

been seeing each other?

- I've known Andrew for about a year.

It's absolutely beautiful here.

♪ Now it all seems so easy. ♪

- Yeah, that over there,
that big white building,

that's Tiger Stadium.

Y'all getting serious?

- We see a lot of each other.

I wouldn't call it serious.

What are the Tigers?

Is that a football team?

- No girl, baseball.

Yeah Drew, always was a
little slow off the mark.

He was always slow on the uptake.

Oh see that, 20 Grand.

- What's at 20 Grand?

- Oh it used to be a joint.

It was the baddest nightclub in the city.

Brother had to be sharp
to get up in there.

I even met Barry Gordy
jr. in there one time.

- Really?

What was he like?

- Pissed off.

I stepped on his shoes.

(laughing)

You know Hitchfield, USA
is not far from here.

You want to go and check that out?

- We only have a couple
hours before the party.

You think we have enough time?

- Ain't no thing but a chicken wing.

- But a chicken wing, yeah.

- And I eat them.

(laughing)

♪ Five minutes later and now you ♪

- [CeCe] Wanna sit down?

- [Drew] Yeah.

- I almost forgot how
much fun we used to have.

- It was like butter.

I miss those times.

I miss you.

- Yeah, right.

You're all in Hollywood with
all these beautiful women.

I'm sure you're not
even thinking about me.

- You're as fine as any woman
I've ever met in Hollywood,

and you know it.

- So are you seeing anyone special?

- No, but there's something
I should tell you.

(R and B music)

♪ That girl is too many things ♪

♪ The girls of my dreams ♪

- What is it?

- I brought somebody with me.

- What do you mean you
brought somebody with you?

- I mean I brought a date with me from LA

to attend dad's part tonight.

- You gotta be kidding?

- No, I wish I was.

- Well where is she?

- At my parent's house.

- Well why'd you ask me out?

- I mean I asked you if
you wanted to go with me,

and you said no.

- Okay well, you know what
don't flatter yourself

because I'm not upset
that you have a date.

I just can't believe
that you would ask me out

all the while you have
someone sitting over

at your parent's house.

- No see, it ain't really like that.

She and I don't really have a commitment.

- Unbelievable.

I mean I don't know what
you're tripping on, CeCe.

You're bringing your
slam dunkin' boyfriend

to my father's party.

- Is that what you think?

- That's what I know.

- Well you know what,
you don't have a clue.

- I know all about it, okay?

- You don't nothing.

You're an idiot.

- What?

- You're and idiot.

- Yo CeCe, let's just
slow down before one of us

says something we don't mean.

Oh, are you sure you can
commit to that statement?

You can't even commit to a weekend.

- CeCe.

- [Drew] So how'd rehearsal go?

- Fine.

- What was the band like to work with?

- Fine.

- Ward Connelly was just
elected president of the NAACP.

- That's nice.

- Tatiana, what's wrong?

- Nothing.

- Come on, you've barely
said a word to me all night.

What's up?

Did E.J. do something wrong?

- E.J. didn't do anything wrong?

- [Drew] Well who did?

- I don't know Andrew, you tell me.

- Why don't you stop talking in circles

and tell me what's on your mind, girl?

- Okay.

Let's talk about what E.J. did.

- [Drew] I knew it.

Her flirted with you, didn't he?

- No.

He was a perfect gentleman.

As a matter of fact, he
spent the entire afternoon

showing me around Detroit.

- Ah so that's it.

You pissed off because he
showed you around, and I didn't.

- No, that's not it either.

- [Drew] Well what did he do?

- Well he showed me
the Renaissance Center,

Greek Town, the Fox Theater.

Oh, and he showed me the Motown Museum.

- Motown Museum?

- Yes, the Motown Museum.

Of course, we didn't have time to stop,

so we just drove by.

- Did you see anything?

- Enough.

Enough to know that you're full of shit.

- [Drew] Tatiana, I can explain.

- Go ahead.

I'd love to hear this one.

- Go ahead, explain to me, Andrew.

Explain to me why you brought me here

all the way from Los Angeles to dis me

for some other woman.

Explain to me that while I'm rehearsing

for the band for your
father's retirement party,

you're off kicking it with somebody else.

Please try to make sense of this for me.

I'm listening.

I'm listening.

- Tatiana, you have made
this trip impossible.

- Oh please, don't try
to make this about me.

- Oh, you have to accept
some responsibility.

I brought you here with
the best of intentions,

and you've been buggin'
every step of the way.

You tripped on the plane.

You've insulted practically
every member of my family.

And you've insisted upon
changing the program

for a party that my sister
has spent months planning.

I needed something a little easier.

She made it easy.

But I didn't meant to hurt
you, Tatiana, and I'm sorry.

- You're not half as
sorry as you're gonna be.

(humming)

You wouldn't.

Tatiana, please.

I said I was sorry.

- Talk to the white one
'cause the black one

don't want to hear it.

♪ Y, M, C, A ♪

♪ Y, M, C, A ♪

(piano music)

♪ I'm looking for a party ♪

- Reverend, how are you tonight?

♪ I know it's gonna take some time ♪

♪ He's got to be ambitious ♪

♪ A man that likes to work ♪

- You see my brother the problem

is not with the white man who see races.

The problem is with us, young brother.

- I hear you.

- We've grown so accustomed
to pointing the finger

of blame, my brother, that we fail

to look inside ourselves for the answers.

- Exactly.

- Every ill that befalls the
African American community

cannot be placed at the
foot of the white man.

Yeah you see young brother,
it's not about race.

It's about capitalism.

It's about the most beautiful
woman I've ever seen.

- Yo Angela.

- Hello John.

- There's someone I'd like you to meet.

Angela Charles, this is
my partner Hassan James.

- Hassan.
- Angela.

- He's a Leo.

Hassan, Angela, she's a Pisces.

Now you know what this
means, Pisces being a water.

- Now that's a proper swerve.

♪ The roof, the roof,
the roof is on fire ♪

♪ We don't need no water ♪

♪ Let the mother, father burn ♪

♪ Burn mother, father, burn ♪

(laughing)

- You've gotta excuse my
friend, John, here, Reverend.

He gets a little carried away sometimes.

- Oh that's okay, son.

I used to be young myself once.

I was just wondering when
we gonna get started?

I got a funeral to attend in the morning.

- Oh wow, who's coffin they nailing shut?

- Does being a jackass come naturally,

or do you have to work at it?

- Naturally.

- Look here I'm a little thirsty.

I'm gonna have to get my drink on.

Excuse me.

- Man, I swear you are like
a bull in a china shop.

- You know that reminds me.

You ever hear about the
one about the old bull

and the young bull?

♪ I want him to grab me and
tear off all my clothes ♪

♪ Just to show me who's boss ♪

- So where is this CeCe broad?

- CeCe broad?

Who are you Frank Sinatra?

- No, I'm the only one
that's gonna keep you free

of convention and conformity
with no commitments.

Now where's she at?

- She hasn't gotten here yet.

- That's too bad 'cause
Tatiana looks good.

♪ Good and steady man ♪

♪ I want a man ♪

- You ready to front?

- Man, this is stupid.

- What was stupid?

- Bringing Tatiana here
to make CeCe jealous.

- Oh man, don't bitch out now.

CeCe is going to come through that door

any minute with Grant
Hill or some-damn-body.

Look she's gonna have a star on her arm.

You better have one on yours too.

- Look at Tatiana, kid.

♪ Rough and ready man ♪

♪ Is that clear ♪

♪ I want rough and ready ♪

- She's all that and a bag of chips.

♪ Rock me steady ♪

♪ Hard working, no shirking ♪

- I am naturally a descendant
of the Mandingo tribe.

♪ Rough and ready man ♪

- Somehow I knew that.

♪ Play with that ♪

(clapping)

(drum music)

- Will you excuse me a moment, Hassan?

- By all means.

- Mandingo.

- [Tatiana] Let's take five, okay.

(clapping)

- Tatiana, that was wonderful.

You're very talented.

- Thank you.

- Let's not beat around the bush.

- Let's not.

- I've given a great deal of thought

to your request to go on eighth.

It's very clear you're professional,

and we're not paying you.

- That's very clear.

- So that means that you're here

out of the kindness of your heat.

And I appreciate that.

- Angela, you don't have
to say another word.

- Oh, but I must.

It's fine, you can go on eighth.

It's the very least we can do.

But Rapunzel, if you
ever let your hair down

in Detroit again, you're
gonna have to see me.

Is that clear?

- Crystal.

- Cute little dress.

- Great hair.

We'll be back in five.

- Is everything all right?

- Oh everything's fine.

Tell me more about being Mandingo.

- Well it's about a spear thing.

(laughing)

- I love it when a plan comes together.

- Yeah, but I gotta remember what tonight

is really all about.

- Yeah, that's important.

What is tonight about?

- It's about my father, stupid ass.

It ain't about Tatiana and CeCe or me.

It's about my father.

- God damn, who is that?

- Who?

- [John] Three o'clock.

- That's CeCe.

- That's CeCe?

Damn, I would've never left Detroit, kid.

[Drew] She brought that--

- Chill, chill.

- She went ahead and brought
that scrub from the CBA.

- One thing's for damn sure.

- [Drew] What's that?

- He ain't all that 'cause
I don't even recognize

the brother.

- True that.

(R and B music)

♪ When I walk into a room, and
someone's wearing your dress ♪

- John, you look fabulous.

- And you are a woman of exquisite taste

and superior breeding.

(giggling)

- Hi Andrew.

- Tatiana.

- Brother, if I was with
this sister tonight,

I'd be showing her off.

- Why don't you show me off?

There's a couple of people
here I'd like to meet.

(R and B music)

- Yeah kid, go ahead and represent.

(R and B music)

- Bernice Watson, I'd like you to meet

my friend Tatiana Michaels.

Tatiana, my god mother, Bernice.

- Hi, nice to meet you.

- Likewise.

(R and B music)

- You want something to drink?

- Uh yeah, see if they have any Faygo.

I'm feeling Faygo tonight.

(laughing)

- [CeCe's Date] I'll be back in a minute.

- Yeah, you hurry back.

- [CeCe's Boyfriend] Watch yourself.

- Watch yourself.

- So who else would you like to meet?

- Hm, let's see.

I want to meet her right over there.

- Oh no, I don't think that's a good idea.

- I do.

I mean isn't that why you brought me here

so that she can see you with me?

- No, I brought you because--

- You know Andrew, you
might be many things,

but you're not a liar.

I want to meet her now.

(R and B music)

- Hi CeCe.

- Drew, how are you?

- Fine.

Cynthia Hogan, this is my friend--

- Tatiana Michaels.

- Pleased to meet you.

- Likewise.

- I caught the end of your song.

You are fierce.

- Oh, thank you.

You're sweet.

- CeCe sings too.

- Just in the church,
nothing professional.

- That's a lovely dress.

- Oh, thank you.

Yours is lovely too.

You have good taste.

- In some things.

- Oh look, there's my cousin Skeeter.

Come on Tatiana, I'd like you to meet him.

- Not now Andrew.

But would you be a dear
and get me a mineral water?

- I'd really like for you
to come and meet Skeeter.

- Andrew.

- Yes?

- The water.

- I'll be right back.

- Don't hurry.

So you're the one Drew
brought home with him?

- I'm the lucky one.

- Tatiana, I want you
to know that I saw him,

and I didn't know.

- I know.

He already told me.

- He did.

- Oh, he had no choice
after I saw you two playing

like y'all were Marvin and Tammi

in front of the museum, I mean...

- I would have never gone out with him

had I known you were here.

- CeCe, it's okay.

I've learned a lot since I've been here.

- Oh yeah well, Detroit
has a way of doing that.

(laughing)

- Red wine please.

(R and B music)

Hey, aren't you, um?

- Yes, yes I am.

- Well you think I can get an autograph?

(R and B music)

- Darling, you can have my house.

♪ What has he got that
makes him so bearable ♪

♪ When you compare him
to me, it is unbearable ♪

- Right, I'll call.

- You do that.

Hey.

♪ These just chitlins ♪

♪ With Visa you know that I'm a Rolls ♪

(laughing)

- Hey man, I'll have a Faygo and OJ.

♪ Part timer at Disney World ♪

♪ Still wearing lotions and a jerry curl ♪

- What's up?

- Hey what's up, man?

♪ He's super late and his ride's a Nova ♪

♪ I'm getting paid and
the ride's a Rover ♪

- Yo man, is that an
NBA championship ring?

- On yeah, I won two of 'em back to back.

I only wear one at a time
because you know brothers

be playing, you know what I mean?

- Yeah, I know what you mean.

- So you still in the game?

- No, no, I ain't playing no more.

- Wore the knees out, huh?

- No, that's all good.

They offered my 14
million over three years,

but I wanted to do some other
things, you know what I mean?

- Yeah, I know what you mean.

What other things?

- I've got some business
ventures that I wanted

to devote more time to,
you know what I mean?

- Not doing to well, huh?

- No man, clocking the grip, man.

I'm making stupid cash, man,
stupid, you know what I mean?

- Yeah, I know what you mean.

- Okay, one OJ and one Faygo
red pop for oh no, thing.

- All right, thank you there, chief.

All right, hey you be cool, man.

Oh hey, wow, I gotta do you right now.

- All right now, thank you very much.

- All right, okay.

- Can I have a drink?

- [CeCe] Detroit has a way of doing that.

- Uh oh, CeCe, who is this pretty thing

you've got sitting with you?

- I beg your pardon?

- Marcus--

- Marcus Tolman.

- Excuse me.

- Drew, this is Marcus.

Marcus, this is my old friend, Drew.

- Oh yeah, what's up, player?

- What's up?

- Marcus, Tatiana is Drew's girlfriend.

- Oh.

- I'm not his girlfriend.

- Oh well, cool then.

Listen pretty lady,
would you like to go do

the electric slide with me?

- Ooh, I'd be delighted.

- There you go.

(funky music)

- Damn.

Y'all must be tight.

- He's a little flirtatious,
but I put up with it.

(funky music)

- So having a good time?

- Yeah, this is nice.

♪ Wanna dance with me, sugar ♪

♪ You were righteous with dreadlocks ♪

- You look good.

- Thanks.

- You know that band--

- You know what, Drew,
please just stop it.

- Stop what?

- The small talk.

I hate the small talk,
and I don't have anymore.

So if there's something
you want to say to me,

you need to just say it.

- Okay CeCe, I'm sorry.

I should've told you about Tatiana sooner.

I brought her because I thought you were

gonna be flossing with your new boyfriend.

I felt like I needed somebody too.

- What you need is to grow up.

♪ And I'll be never
being push you around ♪

♪ Even if you remember
that I'll be there ♪

♪ And I'll try to do is help you out ♪

♪ You never know when
you fall in and out ♪

♪ Oh girl ♪

♪ Oh-Oh ♪

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪

(clapping)

- I'll see you after the program.

(clapping)

Where's E.J.

- Don't worry about it, he'll be fine.

- Good evening ladies and gentlemen.

Firstly, I'd like to say
when you look at this table.

- Angie said that you could go on eighth.

- Yeah, she did.

- So it's all good, right?

- Oh no, you don't get
off that easy, Andrew.

- [Angela] You're looking at love.

- You used me, and I
don't appreciate that,

and you must be punished.

- Tatiana, this party's going really well.

Don't mess it up.

- Argues the same way with
the same passion and depth.

I know you're wondering
where my brother E.J. is.

His mother-in-law became ill this evening,

and he and his family were called away.

Now that the announcements
are out of the way,

it gives me great pleasure to present

our speaker of the evening, our moderator

of the evening, Reverend Paul Gilliard.

(clapping)

- Now I'd like to bring
up a very special lady.

She worked in the public school
system for over 30 years.

She was brother Williamson's
first grade teacher,

Mrs. Bernice Watson.

(clapping)

- Oh, this could take forever.

- Will you shut the fuck up?

- Excuse me.

- You heard me.

- I said shut the fuck up.

I didn't stutter.

- Andrew, do not talk to me like that.

- Good evening, good evening.

You're a gem.

I'm so glad that I had the opportunity

to influence you in your life.

You have been a dedicated
person to this community.

Your volunteer service
with the boy scouts,

the little league has influenced

so many young men to
continue on with their life.

Happy retirement Ernest,
and my God bless you all.

(clapping)

- [Paul] Brother Robinson.

- Oh look, come on down.

(clapping)

(gasping)

- I'm tired as hell.

Sorry I'm late getting
up here, but they got

me way back there in the cheap seats.

I could barely hear
when my name was called.

- He can barely hear because he ain't got

his hearing aid in.

- Now you just sit yourself
back down, old man,

'cause I'm getting
ready to talk about you.

(laughing)

Now as the Reverend said me
and Ernie go back a long way.

- Hey why is your boy looking over here?

- He might see something he likes.

- Ernie showed me what
manhood is all about,

responsibility, it's just
that easy and just that hard.

Thank you, Ernie.

(clapping)

- Thank you, brother.

Another good friend of brother Williamson.

Deacon Prior, come on up.

(clapping)

- And if you remember, I
still have my song to do.

- Look Tatiana, when you get up there,

you can sing whatever you want to,

and it won't change anything.

- Oh yeah it will.

It'll teach you a lesson.

- I've learned my lessons.

Let's see if you've learned yours.

- I've gotta go get ready.

- And brother Williamson
came in at 10 o'clock

and worked until about 1
o'clock in the mornin'.

And then he was back at 10 o'clock to pass

out the collection plate.

Now I want to say an amen to that.

- [Audience Member] Amen, yeah.

- Could I have a water please.

- Here you go.

- Thanks.

- Watch that gout there, deacon.

- Hey, what's up T?

- Your friend Andrew, he's impossible.

- What did he do now?

- It doesn't matter.

He and I are like oil and water.

I don't know why the hell you
ever introduced me to him.

- Greetings, Larry Cavanaugh, me boy.

- Yeah, I've been wondering
the same thing myself.

- You have?

Why?

- Sorry Drew.

I got to admit I've always
been attracted to you.

- So why did you introduce me to him?

- Well your rep kind of proceeded you.

I heard you were real high maintenance.

- (speaking in a foreign language)

- (speaking in a foreign language)

Hey, I didn't know if I could hang.

- Do you know if you can now?

- No, but I'd like to find out.

- So let me tell you that
isn't the half of it.

For without missing a
beat, this man, he turned

to me and say, "Well Larry me old son,

"it's going to be mighty embarrassing

"when we wind up at the hospital

"with a foot stuck up one another's ass."

- Thank you, thank you, thank you.

- Okay Reverend.

(clapping)

- [Larry] God bless ya, Ernie.

- I still have a song to do.

- Break a leg.

- Another good friend, longtime friend

of brother Williamson.

Tatiana Michaels.

- The smile on your face, all the time

look at your face, back stabbers.

- All's fair in love and war, my man.

All's fair in love and war.

- Drew, what is this
fool getting ready to do?

(clapping)

(piano music)

♪ I started my life with no desire ♪

♪ To break grounds ♪

♪ You captured my soul ♪

♪ Believe in me whole ♪

♪ And gave me hope ♪

♪ You paved my way and
then left me to grow ♪

♪ A seed full of vision to show ♪

♪ You gave me reason
to reach for the sky ♪

♪ And make me believe I could fly ♪

♪ You are the sun that
brightens my world ♪

♪ Through me around
and shining like gold ♪

♪ You are my sun I look for each day ♪

♪ You burn the clouds out of my way ♪

- I almost forgot how
much fun we used to have.

- Like butter.

I miss those times.

I miss you.

♪ 'Cause you are my sun ♪

(clapping)

- Standing ovation.

(clapping)

- Thank you, reverend.

Tatiana Michaels, girl you are too tough.

Ain't she bad, folks.

(clapping)

So I said well where have
you been with some woman?

And he said, "No baby,
I've been walking around.

"I lost my paycheck.

"I lost the whole thing.

"We don't have no money."

He said, "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry.

"It'll never happen again.

"God as my witness, I'll
never gamble again."

Well Ernie is a man of his word.

He never gambled again, and the welfare

of our family always came first.

And now I would like to introduce

the man that we've all come here to honor,

my partner in life Ernest
Clarence Williamson.

(clapping)

- My cup runneth over.

I'm not a man that likes to make a speech,

but after all the nice things that's been

said about me here tonight,
I don't have a choice.

I figured out a long
time ago that the things

that really matter are your
family and your friends.

So I just went about my life
trying to do right by 'em.

That's all.

It ain't real complicated.

I like coaching little league.

Hell, I have more fun than the kids.

(laughing)

I can't imagine what my
life would've been like

without my commitment to family,
community, work, and God.

Seems to me that a life
without commitments

is a life not lived.

(jazz music)

So on that note, I'm gonna close.

I want to thank you,
each and every one of you

for coming out tonight.

May God bless you and keep you safe.

Goodnight.

(clapping)
(jazz music)

- As toastmaster, it's my job to offer

the night's final toast.

I heard a man once say,
"Send me my flowers

"while I'm alive."

Tonight I find those words to be

(paper ripping)

anything but apropos
and totally inadequate

for what I want to say.

Every man has to choose
a path through life.

And along that path, he
has to make many choices.

What he seldom recognizes is that each one

of those choices costs him something.

Sometimes, it costs a little
and sometimes it costs a lot.

So therefore, some of
us choose not to make

any choices at all.

We're fooled into thinking
that by making fewer choices,

we'll somehow get off easier.

But we don't.

We really don't.

In fact, I'll bet by not
choosing it costs us more.

So I stand and lift my
glass to you, father.

Earnest Clarence Williamson, to you.

(clapping)

CeCe, can I talk to you for a minute?

- Sure Drew, what's up?

- Yo man, go with me.

Look, I've got much respect
for your new relationship.

I wish you and homey here all the best,

but there's something I
gotta tell you before you go.

I love you, CeCe.

I love you madly.

There I said it.

You can go now.

- I love you too.

- You do?

But what about him?

He's got money, and cars,
and championship, n'stuff?

- This is my cousin, stupid.

- Cousin?

- Yes, don't you remember
Marcus from Rhode Island?

- Little bean head Marcus.

- Hey, all right now.

Yeah, you know the one you
used to kick off the court

all the time.

- But Johnson said, y'all
was going to be fronting.

- Fronting?

Why would we do a stupid thing like that?

- [Drew] I don't know what to say.

- Yeah, you just be in the front.

- [Marcus] Okay.

- Don't say anything just kiss me.

(dramatic piano music)

(R and B music)

♪ It started so sweet a shy open screen ♪

♪ I found your head down to your feet ♪

♪ Showed her my smile although
I know you were my in ♪

♪ I guess it wore your style ♪

♪ Never thought once to try to make me ♪

♪ Be a TC as your matey ♪

♪ Now here I stand writing
and saying love songs ♪

♪ About all you did and did me wrong ♪

♪ Ease it up ♪

♪ Trying to be the kind who
likes to say what's on his mind ♪

♪ Bitter drug ♪

♪ To your ways, you drive me crazy ♪

♪ Baby, baby, baby,
baby, baby, baby, baby ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ I'm so alone without you, baby ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ They say fare exchange is no crime ♪

♪ Now I understand that loving is blind ♪

♪ When I fall in love, I fall in so hard ♪

♪ I don't care what you
call me long as you call ♪

♪ Family reunions, summer cookout ♪

♪ Everyone asking your whereabouts ♪

♪ Which makes me feel so all alone ♪

♪ In this big old house
that don't feel like home ♪

♪ Ease it up ♪

♪ Trying to be the kind that
likes to say what's on his mind ♪

♪ Bitter drug ♪

♪ Oh your ways, you drive me crazy ♪

♪ Baby, baby, baby,
baby, baby, baby, baby ♪

♪ Baby ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ So alone without you, baby ♪

♪ I want you to care ♪

♪ I want you ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ What are we aiming to be, my baby ♪

♪ Don't go ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ Break it on down ♪

♪ Just break it on down ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ Break it down ♪

♪ Just break it on down ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ So all alone, so all alone ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ Break it on down ♪

♪ Just break it ♪

♪ I want you to be ♪

♪ I love you ♪

- They want to throw me
a big retirement party

down at the Knights of Columbus Hall.

- I wouldn't miss it for the world.

- It might be nice if you
brought somebody with you.

- Hello?

- Yo CeCe, it's Drew.

- Who?

- It's Drew.

I'm coming home for
pops's retirement party,

and I'd like you to come with me.

- Oh I can't do that.

- What do you mean you can't do that?

- What about that chicken
I turned you on to?

- Tatiana Michaels?

Nah.

- Yeah, I bet your family will love her.

- [Self-Help Narrator]
I'm alluring, attractive.

- Andrew, darling.

- I want you to come home with me.

- Sorry, but I'm not gonna be sitting next

to a screaming baby for
the next three hours.

Hm, domestic car, what a concept.

(laughing)

Oh no.

- Bro, that's why I just prefer to pay.

- Diana Ross left Detroit years
ago, but the bitch is back.

She upstairs lighting candles.

- (chanting in a foreign language)

- Brother gots to be on his J, O, B.

- Think I can get an autograph.

- Does being an jackass come naturally,

or do you have to work at it?

- Tatiana, everybody's asleep.

Drop your shorts.

- I'm actually a descendant
of the Mandingo tribe.

- Can I have a drink?

♪ Rough and ready man ♪

- Somehow I knew that.

♪ Play with that. ♪

(clapping)