Strawberry Princess (2022) Movie Script

LAYLA JOHNSON:

When I was in the fifth grade,

the teacher had all the students

choose the boy to go out

on a date with.

At that time, I was shy.

I didn't want the boy to know

that I really liked him.

So, I didn't pick him,

to throw him off.

I'll pick the ugliest dude

in the classroom:

Melvin Taylor.

Why did I do that shit?

Maybe because I didn't

feel I deserved the best?

Sometimes I think I have

Borderline Personality Disorder.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

LAYLA: Hello, class.

My name is Miss Johnson,

and I'll be teaching

you guys, science.

LAYLA: I want to try to encourage

more of you guys to become scientists.

[PAPER BALL THUDDING]

[STUDENTS START CHUCKLING]

LAYLA:

Who threw that?

Listen, I'm just

here because I'm trying to

help you guys learn something.

MALE STUDENT:

Dressing like that?

[CHUCKLING SOFTLY]

LAYLA: Young man. Please

try to be more respectful.

MALE STUDENT: Don't

talk to me like that, lady.

STUDENTS IN CLASS:

[SOFTLY] Mmm. Ooh.

LAYLA: I am your teacher,

Mr. Noble.

Want me to give Miss Noble

a phone call?

She got no phone.

[STUDENTS LAUGHING]

MALE STUDENT: She ain't gonna

get through anyway.

[STUDENTS CHUCKLING]

[FEMALE STUDENT CHUCKLING]

Anyways, moving on.

LAYLA:

Can anyone tell me,

what are the similarities

between animal and plant cell?

FEMALE STUDENT:

Well, they're... both

animal and the plants cells, er,

both have a mitochondria.

Very good.

That's correct, Britney.

BRITNEY: Well, thank you.

LAYLA:

Do humans have chloroplasts?

Anyone?

BRITNEY: Can a giraffe swim?

The answer is no.

LAYLA:

Yes, that's correct.

Only plant cells have

chloroplasts.

Because plants don't get sugars

from eating foods,

they have to make sugar

in sunlight.

Now this process

is called photosynthesis.

When the...

This process is called

photosynthesis

when the sugar is made

in the cell.

Because animals don't get...

because...

Because animals get sugar

from the foods they eat,

they don't need chloroplasts.

Just mitochondria.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

[SIGHS IN RELIEF]

Okay.

Class dismissed.

LAYLA: Please make

sure you do your homework.

CHILD: Thank you!

- FEMALE CLERK: Thank you.

- [WOMAN SCOFFS] Boo-hoo!

WOMAN: Hello!

- LAYLA: Don't worry, I wasn't in a hurry.

- FEMALE CLERK: Hello.

FEMALE CLERK:

What can I help you with?

WOMAN: Um, can I get some

of the Newports over here?

Okay. Thank you.

Hi. Can I get

five of those Daily Runs?

FEMALE CLERK:

That will be $15.75.

FEMALE CLERK: Thank you.

Oh, it says

your card's declined.

I'm sorry.

Thank you.

[CAR APPROACHING]

MECHANIC: Hey. How

you doing, miss lady?

How can I help you?

My car wouldn't start earlier.

- It's been tripping.

- MECHANIC: Tripping?

Oh, we can't have it tripping

now. So,

why don't you pop

the hood, and, er...

I'll check on it,

see what's wrong.

It's probably something minor.

Get you in. Get you out.

That would be great.

[SOFTLY] Ooh, yeah.

Let's see. Let's see

what's going on.

MECHANIC: Hmm.

MECHANIC: Mmm-hmm.

Yeah.

Have a few more problems

than what you thought.

You're going to need

a new fuel injection.

A fuel injection?

MECHANIC: Yeah.

LAYLA: Okay. Well, whatever

that is. That sounds expensive.

This is about $750.

No, really. I got to order

parts, get parts back,

in here, and get you out of here

few days or so.

You can't do it for cheaper?

MECHANIC: No, come on now,

miss lady.

[CHUCKLING]

Four hundred and fifty dollars.

That's for the part. I still got to

charge for the labor.

LAYLA: Damn. Okay.

All right. Well, let me

get this paperwork for you.

Go ahead and sign this.

Get it right for you.

Mmm-hmm.

All right.

Got anything else in there

that you need to get out?

Yeah. Let me grab my bag.

Um, so you will give me

a call tomorrow?

- MECHANIC: I'll give you a call.

- All right.

- Have a good day.

- All right. You too.

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Yeah, you too.

Mm-hmm.

- Aw, she's pretty though.

- Mmm. She is.

[SIGHS] When I get my

stuff together, I'm gonna get

Brianna back.

LAYLA:

You're gonna get her back.

And I promise to look out

for her no matter what.

I'm gonna protect her

with my heart.

TINA BLACK: I know you will.

We're both about to be 18 soon,

so we're going to be on our own.

And it's not going to be easy.

Well,

we're gonna stick together.

I got your back no matter what.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

LAYLA: [GIGGLES]

No, but for real.

Thank you for coming to get me.

TINA:

Girl, it's the least I can do.

You know you're the

sweetest person I know.

I don't know about all that.

How is your son, his

daddy, Joseph, been

holding on since he

got custody of Anthony?

I can barely pay

the support bill

with my teacher's salary.

Sometimes it's just hard

to maintain.

Hang in there.

And you know,

if you need anything,

I got you.

Tina, you mind

if I crash here tonight?

LAYLA: I should be moving

into my apartment soon,

- and I'm...

- Yes, girl.

Of course.

I'll go get you some blankets,

something to sleep in.

[GLASS BREAKING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[KEYS THUDDING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC INTENSIFIES]

Come on. What are you doing?

MAN: Just let it happen.

- LAYLA: Get off me! No!

- MAN: Shh!

You're gonna wake my wife.

[SOFTLY]

Suck my dick.

LAYLA: [SHOUTING]

Are you high?

What the hell is wrong with you!

MAN: Don't fight it.

Don't fight it.

[KISSING]

Walking around with you.

LAYLA: [MUFFLED SCREAM]

Stop!

- LAYLA: Tina's my best friend!

- MAN: You ain't gonna say shit.

Come on.

I know you want it.

[KISSING]

LAYLA: Get off me!

LAYLA: [SHOUTING]

Move!

[PANTING]

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING

FROM CAR]

MAN: Hey, lady.

Hey, lady!

Hey!

Can I get a cigarette?

LAYLA: Yeah.

MAN: You got a light?

LAYLA: Yeah, sure.

Thank you, lady.

What are you doing out here

so late at night?

LAYLA: What?

MAN: I hate to do this to you.

You're such a nice lady.

[LAYLA SCREAMS]

[SHRIEKING]

Hey! Like, come on, man!

[SHOUTING]

Why would you do that?

[SOBBING]

[INHALING AND SIGHING]

[SIGHING IN DESPAIR]

[SOFTLY] Oh, shit.

How are you doing

today, Miss Johnson?

I'm doing fine.

Thanks, Ben.

Are you sure?

Because I'm a street

nigger. I got a feel for the

streets. I know all

about the streets.

I know about pain.

You can't fool me.

I seen all kind of pain.

Did you do your homework?

You can't fool me, Miss Johnson.

You can't fool me.

LAYLA: Hello, class.

Everyone get to their seats.

So, today is extra credit day,

where I'm going to be giving

five points,

to whoever can come up here and

give their presentation to the class.

Who's first?

I need them credits.

LAYLA: Okay, Cheryl.

CHERYL: My product is

a cold drink that you drink.

And when you drink it,

your depression goes away.

No more depression for the day.

It's called

"Glow up for the flow up".

Yeah, until you throw up.

[ALL LAUGHING]

CHERYL: Fuck you, nigga, and

the boat your parents came here on.

It don't work

for dumb niggas anyways.

Sit down.

LAYLA: Okay. Cheryl

gets her five points.

Thank you, Cheryl.

Sit down. Who's next?

I'll go.

LAYLA: Okay, Sweetie.

My company as a service

is basically

for really wealthy people

who need their B12 shots.

We drive to those patients

and give them a shot,

then they're better.

Bam! That's it, that's all.

Take that to the bank

and we are in the house.

My company is called,

"Who shot you, B?"

[STUDENTS APPLAUDING]

[SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

LAYLA: Oh, okay. Class dismissed,

you guys. Thank you so much.

See you tomorrow.

WOMAN 1: Look,

it's either I do this,

or my kids don't eat.

And now, you choose.

WOMAN 2:

I don't know another place

I can make 100 bucks

for five minutes.

WOMAN 1: I know. That's right.

Yeah.

[ALL CHUCKLING]

WOMAN 3: Yeah, why you

owe that guy only 300 dollars.

HAIRDRESSER: I'm so sorry

to keep you waiting.

So what can I do today?

LAYLA: Well, I guess I can get

a shampoo and a rinse.

HAIRDRESSER:

Mmm-hmm. Okay.

HAIRDRESSER: Oh, girl. You

don't want no parts of that lifestyle.

That fast money

is not always good money.

Now that lifestyle comes

with a lot of problems.

Trust me, I've been there.

You know,

you have really beautiful hair.

You really do.

Thank you. I try to maintain it,

but it's very difficult

when you working six days

per week.

HAIRDRESSER: Hmm.

No, I understand.

So who used to do your hair?

Um, Ebony over on Hoover Street.

She used to do my hair.

HAIRDRESSER: [SOFTLY]

Okay. Uh...

Are you in college?

[LAYLA TITTERING]

LAYLA: Oh, God, no.

Do I look that young?

HAIRDRESSER: Well,

actually, you do.

LAYLA: Well, I was in

college for years, but,

girl, that was back in the day.

Mmm.

Well...

I don't know about

that. I mean...

HAIRDRESSER:

You know, I tried college.

But if "college is not

for everyone" was a person,

I am that person.

That... I mean, I'm not

complaining or anything,

because I'm so cool

with making $400 a day.

And that's without booth rental.

LAYLA: Shh... girl,

you're doing real good.

Make a lot more than I do.

HAIRDRESSER:

If you don't mind me asking,

what do you do for a living?

Uh, I'm a school teacher

over at East Crenshaw.

I teach science.

HAIRDRESSER:

Oh, hell no!

[TITTERING] I mean, I'll

support our educators and all, but

[SIGHS]

having to deal with all them

badass kids all day.

Mmm-mmm. [SIGHS]

Not the one.

Are you okay?

Yeah, um, I'm fine.

Oh, okay.

Let me know

if you need anything.

MECHANIC: Hey,

miss lady, your car is ready.

It's $750.

I only have $250.

[SOFTLY] See, right there,

that's a problem.

Now look, you got...

you got 30 days to

pay for it, or...

or, it's going to be my car,

because I'm gonna put a lien on.

And you ain't gonna have no car.

MECHANIC:

I'm gonna need the full $750.

Come on, man.

Cut me a break.

- No, no, no. Mmm-mmm.

- Let me make some payments.

No, no, no, no. You see?

You see...

You see right there on the door?

It's clear as day.

We don't accept payments.

No, we don't do cheques.

We don't do no IOUs.

It's cash, or credit.

Okay. Come on, mister. I need

my car to go back and forth to work.

Look, I understand you need

the entire

payment,

but I just don't have it.

MECHANIC: Again.

I don't do payments.

All right?

This is a business.

This ain't no charity.

Okay? You know, I come to

work every day. I work hard,

I pay my bills.

I do what I can

with all these cars,

getting all this damn

grease under my nails.

I mean, what's in it for me?

Hmm?

I can pay you $250 right now,

and $250 for each month

- until the bill is settled.

- MECHANIC: Mmm-mmm.

Mmm-mmm.

Mmm-mmm. No.

You need to read

that sign again, baby girl.

Look, I tell you what.

How about you go

down there to that

cheque cash-in-advance

place on 48th Street.

Get you a cash advance.

Come on down here.

Give me my money.

And everything else

will be fine,

It'll be taken care of.

Okay. I guess I'll try that.

I'll be back tomorrow.

And I'll be here.

MISS JONG:

Complete the back.

MISS JONG:

I need two forms of ID.

Do that part.

In case of emergency.

Tina Black.

My foster sister.

MISS JONG: Put

it there. Right there.

You feeling okay?

You good job.

You schoolteacher.

Make good money.

LAYLA: I'm sorry. I'm

just feeling a little tired.

Here's your keys.

Just you.

Yes. Just me.

Thank you.

FEMALE REPORTER ON RADIO: There

were clashes between LAPD officers and

protesters last night after people came

out to mark the one year anniversary

of the death of Breonna Taylor

in Kentucky.

It initially started peacefully,

then scenes like this played

out near Hollywood & Vine.

FEMALE REPORTER 2 ON RADIO: Today, family

of a man who was shot and killed, as well as

their legal representation.

[FEMALE NEWS REPORTER

SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

And authorities say

that this man was shot.

He assaulted a deputy,

they alleged, and also was in

possession of a firearm. They say

they are investigating.

Ew.

FEMALE NEWS REPORTER ON RADIO:

We are live this evening in front of the

77th community police station

that is investigating that shooting

involving

that six-year-old girl.

They say two men drove up

in a car.

One got out and opened fire

on that crowd.

Tonight, neighbors want answers.

You, open up this door,

Miss Johnson!

You open up this door!

LAYLA: Hold on! I'm coming!

MISS JONG: You take this!

What is this?

Three day notice.

Wait, what?

MISS JONG:

You know what this is.

Stop playing with me.

You schoolteacher.

You make money, you pay rent!

I pay more than just rent.

I pay my student loans.

I pay child support and a lot

more other stuff, Mrs. Jong.

Me, no care.

You pay rent.

[SHOUTING] You pay

rent right now or you go.

I'll have it.

I get paid today.

Don't be banging

on my door like that.

Me no run a charity here.

You pay rent.

Everybody needs to pay rent.

Hey.

So...

you know today is your last day.

Tomorrow I'm gonna put

a lien on your car.

It'll be mine.

So I hope you brought me

some money.

Sugar,

it's only $335.

LAYLA: That's all I got.

I need my car.

You really pretty.

Would you let me get a taste?

You can have your car for free.

Hmm?

Is that what you want?

MECHANIC: [WHISPERING]

You want the car, don't you?

You promise?

[SOFTLY] Yeah.

You know, I ain't never

did nothing like this before,

but you're so pretty.

Look at your fine self.

I'll make this my first time.

MECHANIC: Come on.

[WHISPERING]

Come on.

[WHISPERING]

Come on. There you go.

[SOFTLY] I take my time.

Come on.

[MOANING IN PLEASURE]

Oh, shit.

Damn.

[MOANING IN PLEASURE]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Damn.

Should have thought

about this shit earlier.

[GRUNTING]

[EXHALING]

You promise not to tell anybody?

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

Yeah.

Nah, we're good.

So I never asked to be here.

They all told me everything

was going to be all right

after overcoming living in

foster homes and being molested.

I got a surprise for y'all.

You'll never guess.

That grease monkey laying

on top of me

wasn't the worst thing

I've ever experienced.

I'm starting to believe

I'm a lesbian.

And I only want the soft touch

of another woman.

SOCIAL WORKER: Supervised

visitation is when the child is under the

supervision

of another individual.

That'll be you.

SOCIAL WORKER: You both

chose the spot that we're at today,

and we have to make

the best of it.

It's for the best interests

of the child.

MR. JOHNSON So what have

you been doing all this time?

I mean, don't you want to say

hi to your son?

LAYLA: I said hi and gave him

a hug before we came in.

I don't know where you were. Were

you in the bathroom or something?

MR. JOHNSON:

I was sitting right here.

I don't even see why we have

to be here in the first place.

SOCIAL WORKER: Mr. Johnson,

it's a court order, so you know

the reason that we're here.

Again, it's for the best

interests of the child.

MR. JOHNSON: And you are behind

your child support payments, again,

Layla.

LAYLA: I work every day, Joseph.

Now get off my back!

I came here

for these visitations and...

I've been having

a hard time, okay?

You don't know

what I've been going through.

LAYLA: And I know

you don't care.

It's not about care.

JOSEPH: It's not about

if I care for you or not.

It's about our child.

And I'm a single father now.

Okay?

It is... [SIGHS IN FRUSTRATION]

JOSEPH: It's all because you

couldn't get your stuff together.

Hey, son.

I'm working everyday, okay?

I'm in the process

of getting everything together.

And it won't be long now.

You'll see.

Because the last thing

we need is empty promises.

I mean, come on.

More empty promises

from his mother?

That's the last thing we need.

I... I have to chime in here,

Ms. Johnson.

You're supposed to be talking to

and interacting with your son.

There's a time and a place

for everything,

and now is not the time or place

for y'all to be arguing.

All I want is

for us to be a family.

LAYLA: I want my son to grow

strong,

smart,

and confident.

I'm on his side,

if you ever can understand.

And I'm going to show you.

Hey, son.

I brought you these books.

I want you to read them and email me,

and let me know what you think about them.

Promise me you'll never let

anybody say bad things about me.

All I need for you

is to trust me.

I have your back.

I'm looking out for you.

And you're the reason

I'm working every day

on this planet.

So that one day,

you'll be back with Mommy.

JOSEPH: You know,

you need to stop

being so nice to people.

Come on, son.

Grab your book.

Let's go.

It's not a good look.

LAYLA: I was next. You need

to get in the back of the line.

LAYLA: Let me get a pack

of cigarettes.

FEMALE CLERK: All right.

Anything else I can help you with?

- That's it. Just a pack of cigarettes.

- All right.

All right, $7.95.

FEMALE CLERK: Thank you.

Anything else? Would you like a lighter?

Nope.

Have a good one.

[GULPING]

[COUGHING]

[COUGHS]

[SIGHING]

[GULPING]

[EXHALING]

[EXHALES QUICKLY]

[SLURPING]

[GULPING]

[COUGHING]

[EXHALES]

MAN IN CAR: Hola.

MAN IN CAR: Como estas?

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

No.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Just trying to give you

this chocha.

[SPEAKING SPANISH]

Because I took Spanish, asshole.

LAYLA: That's why.

[CAR ENGINE STARTING]

LAYLA: I'll admit,

I was a little drunk.

Maybe I shouldn't be out there

at all.

There is no reason for it.

Look at you.

You're beautiful.

You're educated.

You're funny.

Why don't you just find

a husband?

Already did that.

It didn't work out.

I'm used to taking care

of myself, and,

never really want to depend

on a man for anything.

It's, uh, it's oddly refreshing.

Well, "China", I really

hope you figure it out.

And that's what I'm doing,

is figuring it out.

I'm in this place,

with a stranger.

I think it sort of fits

the bill of figuring it out.

So,

what do you want to do?

Since I don't think you're

a police officer anymore.

What's this?

I'm paying you for your time.

There, take it.

It's yours.

Hey.

I can't do that.

Um, oh! And...

If you ever need anything,

call me.

No. It's okay.

[SIGHS]

All right. Would it make you

feel any better if I said, um...

I don't like to have sex with

women who are intoxicated.

Mmm. I guess that makes sense.

Then,

take the money.

LAYLA: Okay, but,

don't try to think that you can

come back later

and get freebies.

It don't work like that.

I wouldn't dare.

Make sure you call me.

You need something,

you reach out.

Let me tell you something,

Mr. attorney.

You don't want to get involved

with me.

You may think you like me.

It'll fade away.

You don't want to get involved

with a girl like me.

You just don't.

Thank you for everything.

Well, uh, I will definitely try

not to push myself on you.

If you need something,

just call me.

Okay. I'll call you if I get

into a car accident.

Um...

Actually, I'm a

criminal attorney.

So...

Take care of yourself, "China".

MAN: Mmm-hmm.

Mmm-hmm.

I knew it.

WOMAN: What?

[IMPERCEPTIBLE]

Check your cellphone.

Check it.

[CELL PHONE RINGING]

Why are you calling me this

early in the morning, Joseph?

Are you calling to shake me down

this early in the morning?

[LOUDLY] I told you I'd have

your money soon.

[ANGRILY] Damn!

Can you get off my back?

[SHOUTING]

No, I don't want to go to jail!

Who would want to go to jail?

What kind of question is that?

[SHOUTING] It's too early

in the morning for this shit.

[CELL PHONE THUDDING]

[SIGHS IN EXASPERATION]

[SIGHS IN FRUSTRATION]

LANDLORD: Miss Johnson!

Rent?

Here you go.

MISS JONG: Hold on.

Wait a minute, Miss Johnson.

This is not enough money!

You owe me more money than this.

This is not enough!

You know what?

Just take that money.

I'll have your money by the end

of the week.

Okay?

Okay.

Just this one time.

All right.

Have a nice day.

You too.

[SARCASTICALLY]

Have a nice day.

Ben.

Your work is in front of you.

LAYLA: Mind your business,

stop staring at me

and do your schoolwork.

Schoolwork, Ben.

LAYLA: Put that book away.

Stop writing raps in my class,

and stop reading books

that have nothing to do

with my class.

Do that on your own time.

BEN: No problem,

Miss Johnson.

I'll put these pimp books away.

[SCHOOL BELL RINGING]

LAYLA: Okay, class. Make

sure you turn in your papers.

LAYLA: Thank you.

STUDENT: Here you go,

Miss Johnson.

[STUDENT MUTTERING INDISTINCTLY]

LAYLA: Goodbye, Fred.

I "seenk" you.

It's "I saw you."

LAYLA: And what are

you talking about, Ben?

Class is dismissed.

You're excused.

Don't you have somewhere else

you need to be?

BEN: I saw you with that trick

the other night

in the diner.

I saw you too. And?

I knew you was a whore.

[SNICKERING SOFTLY] Yo,

I would never have guessed it.

I can't believe it!

My teacher is a whore.

LAYLA: Come on, Ben.

Just because you see me at a diner

late at night doesn't make me a whore.

There's 14 million people

in this city.

And men and women date

all the time.

What you need to stop doing is

reading those outdated

Donald Goines books

that got your

imagination running wild.

By the way,

what I do in my personal life,

and outside of this classroom

is none of your damn business.

And whatever involvement that

you've got with these young girls,

needs to stop,

because you don't know

whose baby you got out there.

BEN: What you're saying?

What I'm saying is,

grow up, Ben.

Don't forget

to turn in your paper.

[PERSON KNOCKING ON CAR DOOR]

- [KNOCKING ON CAR DOOR]

- WOMAN: Hey.

Hey!

WOMAN: You know it's not safe

to be out here like this, right?

Why are you sleeping out here?

You work over here?

I ain't never seen you

here before.

WOMAN: Hold on.

I know you from somewhere.

- [CLICKS TONGUE]

- Ah.

You're the girl who was staring at me

down at the beauty shop from Crenshaw.

Yeah, I remember you.

I've seen you too.

By the way,

- you're super pretty.

- Oh!

Thank you!

You're pretty too.

Whatcha doing over here?

LAYLA: Came to audition.

WOMAN: Do you want to work here?

Good as any other place.

I don't know.

I don't really know

no new girls making no money.

Especially after you pay your fees

and stuff, you're left with so little,

especially on a slow night

like this.

Yeah, only the OGs and

regulars are making money, so...

I just want to make

some extra money.

Damn, girl!

What's all that you got

in there? Let me get

some of that.

Why you got this

just sitting on your lap?

I could've robbed you.

What's your name?

LAYLA: "China."

That's not your name.

Are you going to tell me

your real name?

- Layla.

- Layla?

[SNIFFING]

- Why are you sleeping in your car?

- [WOMAN SNIFFING]

Stressed and nervous.

I wanted to come

to the audition and...

I don't know. I guess I did

a little too much tonight.

You need to be nervous

about this coke.

That's some bad coke.

WOMAN: Okay.

This, er...

LAYLA: Yeah.

Okay.

You look nervous.

You ready?

- As ready as I'll ever be.

- You're going to do fine.

All right. I'm going to

be right out front. Okay?

Remember what I told you?

Let's go.

You've got it, little booty.

MALE ANNOUNCER:

Shine! Come, guys.

It's her first time here

on the stage.

Let's show her some love.

WOMAN: We got this.

[DANCE MUSIC PLAYING]

There you go.

Yes!

Come on.

You're welcome.

Fuck this!

Layla, wait!

Hey, what the fuck

are you doing?

You know you can't work here

now, right?

I don't care.

You know what?

This is some bullshit.

You're the only one who

tipped me tonight.

I'm sorry, but we still cool?

Yeah, we still cool.

LAYLA: Yeah.

It's all right.

As long as you're good.

Let me worry about it.

You can make some money.

You know what?

We can go to the play tonight,

make some real money.

- I...

- Don't worry about it.

It's easy. I'll teach

you. I'll show you the ropes.

Uh. You got somewhere to

go change?

Yeah, We can go to my apartment.

I'm gonna text you the address

and meet me over there.

WOMAN: Okay.

LAYLA: All right. See you

in a minute.

- LAYLA: Okay.

- WOMAN: You good?

- LAYLA: I'm good.

- WOMAN: You sure?

- LAYLA: Yes.

- WOMAN: All right. I'll get some Henny.

LAYLA: Okay. I'm texting you

right now.

All right.

I don't think you need the belt.

- LAYLA: No.

- WOMAN: Just make the... Damn!

WOMAN: You got some

amazing titties.

Did you get them done?

LAYLA: No, girl.

They're natural.

- WOMAN: For real? No bullshit.

- LAYLA: No bullshit.

- WOMAN: Lying.

- LAYLA: You don't believe me?

LAYLA: Mmm-mmm.

LAYLA: They drug test

at school.

WOMAN: What school you go to?

LAYLA: [GIGGLES] I'm a teacher

at East Crenshaw.

Like a real teacher?

[GIGGLING] Yes.

Damn bitch.

Why you ain't tell me?

I don't know. I didn't think it

was that important right off.

Ah. See, I knew it was

the reason I really liked you.

How was I?

[WOMAN SIGHS]

WOMAN: Never been with a girl

before have you?

[WOMAN CHUCKLES]

LAYLA: Dang. You can tell.

I, yeah, no.

But it's fine, Layla.

You'll learn.

Just look... Did good.

You did good.

You did great, all right.

What do you think, though?

At least.

I think I'm in love.

What's that song?

Don't lie. [GIGGLES]

All right. So I'm gonna

teach you a few things.

So, you'll be out here looking

like a pro and won't attract no

pimps. So, tonight

I am the teacher,

you the student.

- WOMAN: Okay?

- LAYLA: I'm all ears.

Right. So, you gonna

want to always use condoms.

And you want to open it with

your mouth

and put it on yourself.

You're going to take it

with your mouth

and hold it with this thing

and slide it on down.

Okay?

That way you ensure that

he doesn't touch the condom.

And you control all the germs.

You know how to suck

dick, right?

Yeah, but not that good.

Okay.

[LAYLA LAUGHS]

Okay. Just use

a lot of spit

and just control both your hands

like you're jacking them off.

And he's gonna be so into your

pretty ass

that he's gonna come quick.

We also need to choose some

KY jelly

to put in your pussy, so

your pussy won't wear out.

And always act like you're

on the phone with your pimp

if a questionable nigga pull up.

Any questions?

What's the pimp's name?

A big black nigga with

a big ass gun.

Because everybody is scared of

big black ass nigga

with a big ass gun.

Oh, God.

You got it.

Let's walk.

WOMAN: Women pay the most.

LAYLA: If she's daddy, mommy.

LAYLA: I call everybody a daddy.

WOMAN: Yeah, she is a daddy.

Your turn.

Wanna play?

Sure, why not?

You look a little nervous.

First time.

I like virgins.

There you go. Don't be scared.

I don't bite.

All right.

I'm Coco.

[MAN 1 MOANS]

Don't touch my ass!

[CLIENT 1 MOANS]

Fuck, yeah.

COCO: Did you come yet?

Hurry up.

[MAN 1 MOANS]

COCO: 500 up front.

LAYLA: All right. Some simple

rules, I don't do GFE.

I'm not fucking

without a condom.

You can't lick my ass or

my pussy.

And if you haven't taken

a shower or a bath,

you will not be having sex.

And don't fuck with me

because my big black pimp

is around the corner with his

big ass gun.

MAN 2: Let's get to it.

WALTER: Oh!

WALTER: Woah!

WALTER: I got some company, huh?

WALTER: Whoo-wee!

WALTER: Now you didn't tell me

that your friend was this fine.

Good God. God is good, but his

father is rock.

LAYLA: Where is the money?

WALTER: Hold on now.

I mean, I got money now.

I mean, let's be patient,

you know?

Y'all gonna drink? We about

to party now.

BOTH: No.

Hold on. I got you.

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

Yeah, money...

[INDISTINCT CHATTER]

To go down low on you!

[LAUGHS]

Whoo!

Here you go.

You sure you want it?

Huh?

There you go.

Little grease riding.

It's real, baby, just like you.

Let me sit down in your

favorite chair.

Like I said, I wasn't

gonna say nothing, I promise.

COCO: What's he talking about?

Look, don't worry about it.

But let's just get this

over with.

[WALTER MOANS]

I want to to smell your ass.

You want to, what?

You heard me.

I want to smell it.

Come on over here. Turn around.

WALTER: Mmm.

Turn around.

Around, girl.

WALTER: Ooh!

WALTER: Yeah.

Okay, nigga, back the fuck

up! You doing too much now.

Hold on, I paid you bitches

good money.

You don't pay me enough

for that, nigga, no.

You bitches better take

off your damn clothes.

Or what?

LAYLA: We ain't taking off shit.

Oh, so it's like that?

COCO: Layla, let's go.

WALTER: Go my ass.

Don't you ever fucking put

your hands on me!

[GUN FIRES]

LAYLA: Oh, my God.

Girl, I think he's dead.

What the fuck are we gonna do?

COCO: Keep the money...

BEN: How you get me out of bed

at three in the morning?

LAYLA: We needed help.

- BEN: Help with what?

- LAYLA: With that.

BEN: Who's that?

LAYLA: That was an accident.

BEN: Who's she?

LAYLA: That's my friend.

How the fuck you calling

me, lady?

Because I know you're from

the streets and we needed help.

I thought you hated me.

Why would I hate you?

How do you know I won't go

to the police

and rat both of you out?

Send you both to prison.

Because it's a street code.

We got this.

How much is here?

LAYLA: 80... 100,000 in cash.

I don't know.

We didn't count it.

I won't do it until you

admit that you are a whore.

Tell me you are a hoe.

Can you just tell him, please?

Why is that so important to you?

Little something I picked up

in the books I've been reading.

LAYLA: Mmm-hmm.

I can't hear you.

LAYLA: I'm a hoe!

I'm a hoe, too.

Okay? All right.

Who the fuck is that?

That's Walter.

Got shot in the head.

- BEN: You shot him?

- COCO: No, I shot him.

Damn. Let me see...

We're going to need you to help

us pick up his body,

put it in the trunk, so we

can take him to the woods.

He was too heavy for us

to carry.

That's it?

That's it and all this is yours.

Wait. Wait a minute before we do

all that.

Get the gloves.

Why I need those? I was going to

pick his ass

up and put him in the trunk.

Because I'm a science teacher.

Forensics.

You don't want to get your

DNA on that.

Good thinking, teach.

Wait.

I want to see who you two

hoes killed.

Okay,

Oh, hell no!

Cover his ass back up.

We're going to jail.

What?

You already know what.

Just stick to the plan.

Everything will be all right.

I cannot believe Walter was drug

dealing out the mechanic shop.

Are going to be all right?

Yeah, I just...

I never killed nobody before.

LAYLA: Hold on.

Don't ever say that again.

Just stick to the plan and keep

doing what you do every day.

Okay.

SYLVIA: Hi, Layla.

How are you, Miss Johnson?

It's been a while

since we talked.

Would you like a sip

for old times?

Okay.

So, what's happening?

Child, these students like to

talk a lot.

And they are spreading rumors

all around school.

About me?

Yes, girl.

What's going on?

Is there any truth to these

ridiculous allegations?

Sylvia,

what allegations are we

talking about?

They are saying you are

a prostitute

down on Figueroa street

at night.

[LAYLA GIGGLES]

Oh silly. I'm not a prostitute,

but I do work for an organization,

a non-profit where I sometimes

go help

young girls who are in need.

You understand?

Goddamn, girl. You scared me

for a minute. [LAUGHS]

SYLVIA: Mmm...

SYLVIA: It's fine.

- LAYLA: Okay.

- SYLVIA: Yeah.

I'm actually out helping

one young lady right now,

helping her get off the streets,

get her some housing

and things like that.

SYLVIA: Mmm.

Well, at least that is

out of the way.

[LAYLA EXHALES]

These kids have an

unbelievable wild imagination,

especially at this age,

so it's no surprise.

[SIGHS]

I have my own issues

with my husband lately.

It was our anniversary two weeks

ago and I was reading the paper

and I saw his name in the paper

with another woman.

And when you look at the topic,

it was new parents.

Damn near killed me.

Sylvia that's terrible,

and I hate to hear that.

LAYLA: Gosh.

He seemed like such a nice man.

Mmm. He was nice as long

as he was getting

that hot young thing

across town.

I got old.

Aging.

It's a cruel thing.

Getting older seems like

some sort of punishment.

An older woman like me,

it's going to be

harder for me

to start all over again.

I mean, look at you, Layla.

You're young and beautiful

and I'm glad you're out here

doing the right thing,

helping the sisters

and keep up the good work.

But your class test scores

are not bad, but they could

be better.

I need you to work on that.

This is East Crenshaw

and a lot of these kids don't

come here to learn.

You know, it's not their fault,

but they got problems at home.

And they just see so much.

But you're right.

I could do better.

[SYLVIA EXHALES]

SYLVIA: Okay.

Well,

I got a meeting with the

superintendent,

so I will circle back around

to you. [EXHALES]

And we'll do a check to make

sure that

the kids in your class's

test scores

don't suffer.

LAYLA: Okay, great.

Well, it was nice seeing

you again.

And Sylvia, take care

of yourself.

And if you ever need anything,

please give me a call.

Thank you.

That was very nice.

Child, I might

take you up on that.

PAUL: Go, baby.

Come on. Ah!

That excites.

Come on.

[UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC PLAYING]

Okay, sweetheart.

Thank you very much.

Once again.

You got my money?

As a matter of fact, I do.

Here you are.

Thank you.

- PAUL: Ben.

- BEN: Yeah, what's up?

I got something to show you.

Follow me.

BEN: What's that?

It's my collection.

My coin collection.

Damn, you're making bank, huh?

Well, I do all right.

Something that I've been

saving for a while now.

Can I touch it?

Yeah, sure.

Uh. That's probably lunch.

You ordered fried chicken?

PAUL: Yeah.

Why you do that?

I like fried chicken.

Don't you?

I do.

PAUL: Great.

PAUL: Dig in.

So Paul, tell me about

those coins.

What are they?

This is one of a set of four.

We're talking 2006 gold eagles.

Certified first strike, P F700.

BEN: Oh, yeah.

Sounds good.

BEN: What do all that mean?

Is it worth anything?

PAUL: Uh...

A little under 30,000 on a good

day, you know, the value varies.

BEN: Amazing.

Gold eagles.

I always thought gold eagles

were worth 50.

In essence they are, but

these are collectibles

in perfect mint condition.

BEN'S MOTHER: Ben!

Yeah, Mom?

BEN'S MOTHER: Make sure you get

your clothes ready for school tomorrow.

Okay.

Look at this. Wait to see me on

Instagram with this bitch, home boy.

That shit's fire.

That price tag though.

Yeah, I've been saving.

Planning on paying

straight cash.

Well, I told you, I'm down.

So, just make sure that

money there.

The money is there, homeboy.

Got no reason to lie to you.

All right. Well, you say

you know this guy?

Yes, I know the guy. We eat

dinner with him all the time.

He take pictures of my girl,

and pay us a lot of money.

He's loaded.

Well, if he's loaded,

why he still living in the hood?

Not the hood. They gentrifying

all that shit over there.

He live on slots land.

Train by the train tracks.

Warehouse, studio.

Hey. You mean to tell me he got

hundreds of thousands of dollars

in this studio?

BEN: Yeah. That is why

I need you.

I need someone to come

and put the safe

one's with the dollar,

load it onto the truck.

That's it.

We take the safe somewhere

and crack it open.

Split the money.

You go your way. I go mine.

All right, then we're gonna

need a truck.

I think my uncle got a U-Haul.

I can probably get that.

All right, I'm in.

BEN: Bet.

FRED: This might work.

Layla, I really don't

have shit to say to you.

I don't even know why

I came here.

You mentioned Brianna, so I had

to come see what's going on.

Brianna's out there

with one of my students.

Any he has her on the streets

doing all kinds of stuff.

She doesn't even know who I am.

But I wanted to tell you what

was going on because we

made a vow

that I would help

take care of her.

So, I'm keeping my promise.

She's doing what, Layla?

The same shit

you out there doing?

Yeah, I know what you're doing.

Being a teacher is just a

cover, huh?

That's why you tried

to fuck my husband for money.

He told me.

I really don't have shit

to say to you.

You're a little bitch,

Layla Johnson.

And I don't want anything

to do with you.

LAYLA: I know you truly

don't believe

that deep down in your heart.

We go back since foster care

together.

We've been together through

thick and thin,

and I know you truly

don't believe that.

I believe my husband.

Why are you so busy worried

about my kid,

when you don't even have yours?

Call somewhere with

that bullshit.

What is it that you really want?

You know what, Tina?

You've changed.

I am still the same person.

Yeah, I got sidetracked.

I just want what's best

for Brianna.

I can't see her out there

on the streets.

I don't want her out there like

me, that's for sure.

I just wanted her to have

a better childhood than we did.

I was so proud of you when

you got your bachelor's degree

and became a teacher.

I thought you were going to

be so

incredible,

so important.

Lately. I don't know who

you are.

You're not that bashful,

timid girl you were before.

I don't have shit to say to you.

But if it means anything,

thank you for telling me

about my child.

But she's considered an adult

in the State of California.

She's 18.

LAYLA: You really are

cold blooded.

You know that?

I really wish you would just

see the truth.

DETECTIVE: Let me stop

fucking around.

Give me your side of the story.

It'll be better for you

in court.

BEN: What if I get a lawyer?

You asking for a lawyer?

Because if you're asking for

a lawyer,

that means we have to

stop talking.

Which means I can't help you.

What do you mean,

you ain't gonna help me?

You watch enough television to

know exactly what I'm talking about.

So stop fucking around.

Tell me what you want to do.

BEN: I know I'm in some serious

trouble. I already know that.

DETECTIVE: And I'm not gonna bullshit

you. Ben, you are in some serious trouble.

I just got a call from

the hospital.

It seems your friend Fred, the

person who you committed this

crime with has passed away.

BEN: What do all that mean?

What that have to do with me?

It has everything to do with you

because you decided

to do a murder.

Excuse me,

a robbery.

You committed

a robbery with Fred.

You went to Paul's house, you

stole the man's safe, put it on the truck.

Paul comes out protecting

himself and his property.

You just heard shots and

floored it. You don't know if

he's dead but you rolled right

over Fred's head

and the poor man is dead now.

And you did his murder.

So sorry.

That's just California law.

Hi, Ben.

I'm Marcy Washington.

I'm the district attorney.

My badge number is 45764.

Nice to meet you.

Okay, so then tell me

what you told Detective

Denwood earlier today.

How you doing?

Are they treating you okay?

I'm doing all right.

Okay, so tell me about the

school teacher and the murder.

All due respect Miss Washington,

I need for sure that

you can give me a deal

on the situation I'm in now.

I'm 20 years old.

I'm not trying to be a

old-head getting out of prison.

Well you're currently being

charged with murder

for your classmate Fred.

How much time do that carry?

MARCY: Life.

See, I'm not trying to do life.

What deal can you give me,

Miss Washington?

If everything you say is

accurate and you tell the truth

and we don't find any lies

in your testimony here today,

I could possibly talk to my boss

and get it down to 25 years.

It depends on your truthfulness.

My teacher Miss Johnson.

At East Crenshaw High,

text me one night.

I still have the text message.

She said,

"Come through

and get rid of this body."

I'm like, okay.

It was at this mechanic shop.

164 on Cooper Avenue.

MARCY: Okay. So tell me more.

Can I call my mother first?

I'll let you call your

mother after.

MARCY: Okay?

BEN: He was already dead

when I got there.

And the other girl, Coco,

she was there.

All my job was to do, get the

body, drag it, put it in the trunk.

We'll take it to the hills

and dump it. No bullshit.

Are you sure you didn't

kill him?

- I didn't kill nobody.

- Well, where's the money?

What money?

The money that you stole

from Walter.

The guy that you guys killed.

Look, lady, I didn't kill

that motherfucker.

He was already a corpse.

I'm innocent.

Okay, so finish telling

your story and relax.

Go arrest that teacher.

We can't go in there

and arrest her.

She's the pillar of our society.

She's a murderer and a hoe.

Okay.

So what we need you to do

is put a wire on and go in there

and have her say

something incriminating.

- Okay.

- Okay, but wait, first,

I want you to show us

where that money is,

and I want you to turn it in.

Okay, I'll show you.

I was saving for my BMW.

That's my dream car.

You were teaching about science.

What about teaching

about murder?

What are you talking about?

Everything okay with you, Ben?

You know exactly what I'm

talking about, Miss Johnson.

Hmm. No idea.

The murder.

A damn mechanic?

The body you made me

take to the truck.

You have a wild imagination.

What do you mean?

- LAYLA: Come over here.

- For what?

Just come here.

What's up, Miss Johnson?

I have no interest in

you like that.

What's going on?

What's that?

I knew you were weak.

All that hard core of

pimping young girls

and gang banging

was just all a facade.

You know what you are?

You're nothing but a coward.

What was I supposed to do?

You don't give a fuck about me.

I got called up.

It was gonna be you or me.

What you think?

You know who you're pimping?

One of my close friend's

daughters, Brianna.

That's where you fucked up!

You know her?

You damn right.

And you gonna pay

because you set me up.

I knew you were

a straight bitch.

Get the fuck out of my face.

Johnson. This is Detective

Denwood,

Robbery Homicide Division.

Would you be so kind as to

come down

to the 77 Police Precinct

here in Los Angeles?

We're following up on

an investigation,

and we have some questions

we'd like to ask you.

Thank you.

[DETECTIVE SIGHS]

Hmm.

BEN: What the hell is going on?

What do you mean, Ben?

That's the dead guy in the

room with my teacher.

Who?

I asked Miss Johnson down here

to corroborate your story.

That's her attorney

in the other room.

Nope, that's the dead guy.

What kind of games you guys

playing on me down here?

That's the dead guy.

That's the dead guy

the girl shot.

That's the dead guy.

That's the dead guy

I put into the truck.

Hold up, hold up.

You trying to tell me the guy sitting

in the other room is the dead guy?

No, way. Buddy, let me

show you something.

That's not the dead guy.

That's not him.

SAM: There is nothing

he said to you detectives

that makes any sense at all.

And my client is a law

abiding schoolteacher.

She's been working at East

Crenshaw for

three and a half years now.

And these allegations have

no merit

whatsoever.

DETECTIVE: I have her student

Ben, in the other room.

And he says that Miss Johnson

is involved in

the death of Walter.

But seeing as his story

is starting to fall apart

because now he is saying,

you are the dead person.

Do I look dead to you, Eric?

No, Sam, you don't.

Something stinks here.

Yeah, so is my client

free to go?

- Yeah.

- Thank you.

But something's not right

about her.

I just can't prove it now.

Miss Johnson don't leave town.

[EXHALES] Well, if you have

that young man in custody,

I suggest you have him

checked out by a psychiatrist.

DETECTIVE: Sure thing.

SAM: Thank you, Eric.

Since you accepted me

as a client,

the attorney client privilege

kicks in,

right?

[EXHALES] Yes, it does.

[CLEARS THROAT]

So how much is this?

That's 25,000.

And there's another 25,000 when

you do a little something for me.

Okay. [CLEARS THROAT]

- LAYLA: Be good.

- SWEETIE: Okay.

[KNOCKING ON DOOR]

[LAYLA CLEARS THROAT]

Hey, you.

TINA: Hey.

I came to say goodbye.

Are you leaving town?

Yeah. Me, my girlfriend

and my son.

You got your son back?

- Yep.

- That's what's up.

And I'm sorry that

I didn't believe you before.

But I got somebody back also.

Really?

I know you had a lot

to do with it.

Hey, Layla.

Hey, sweetheart.

She told me everything.

Thank you so much.

You're welcome.

I'll stay in touch.

All right. Bye, guys.

-TINA: We'll come visit

-LAYLA: You better.

[ALL CHUCKLE]

WOMAN ON RADIO: Vehicle suspect

540 South Commonwealth Avenue.

Male oriental white clothing.

Male Hispanic as per

the description.

Cream color Mercedes.

[POLICE CHATTER

CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY]

Strawberry Princess (2022) - full transcript