Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990–2000): Season 2, Episode 9 - Ashes to Ashes - full transcript
Brandon befriends a black family, the Ashes, which stirs up Beverly Hills when they move in near the Walshes. The siblings include Robby, a freshman photographer who volunteers to work at the Blaze, and his older sister whose boyf...
Believe it or not,
that was 90 seconds.
Not a long time by any means,
but certainly long enough
for any garden-variety criminal
to rob your house,
rob you bat-blind.
lt's not my intention to frighten you.
l'm simply trying to point out
that in that same 90 seconds,
an armed guard
from the West Beverly Hills Patrol
would've been at your doorstep.
Before l take any questions,
l would like to thank
our hosts of the evening.
Also,
they are our newest subscribers.
Jack and Candy Welsh.
lt's Walsh. Jim and Cindy Walsh.
So all you do is press those code
numbers into this keypad like this,
and bingo, you're online.
Well, now we can sleep at night.
Don't get me started.
This was your mother's idea.
Oh, and if you need another block
captain for the neighbourhood watch--
Say no more,
we need all the help we can get.
Well, you heard what he said.
l know. Well, that's why
we felt we should become involved.
The Lieberman house was broken into
in broad daylight.
That's horrible.
l don't think we've met the Liebermans.
You haven't missed anything.
But the worst is that Caplan
over at 1 41 0,
with those barking dogs
that he runs off the leash.
- And have you heard the latest?
- No.
Well, the new people have moved
into the old Walker house.
Oh, what are they like?
Oh, you'll see.
All right, he's looking cool,
he's driving cool.
For Steve Sanders,
the world is one huge clam.
Dylan, your mom has been here
for three weeks so far.
Am l ever gonna meet her?
Bren, you gotta trust me.
You do not wanna meet this woman.
Come on,
she cannot be all that weird.
No, of course not, Bren. l mean,
l know everybody's parents listen
to tapes of wind chimes in the car.
Wind chimes?
Good morning, Andrea.
What are you talking about?
lt's a great morning.
l think we have finally found ourselves
a staff photographer.
Told you someone
would come out of the woodwork.
Yeah, well, fortunately for all of us,
somebody did.
- Who?
- Robinson Ashe lll.
Yes, Robinson Ashe lll.
Splendid chap.
Not to be confused
with Robinson Ashe lV, of course.
- Or, for that matter, Robinson Ashe V.
- l don't care what his name is.
He is by far the best photographer
this school has had.
Look at these lifestyle shots
he submitted, Brandon. They're great.
Now, look at this one.
Can he shoot sports?
l don't know, why don't you ask him?
l think he has Tech this period.
What's he like?
Well, actually, l haven't
had the chance to meet him yet.
- Oh, Andrea.
- Please, Brandon?
You are much better
with new people than l am.
You know how intense l get.
Besides, now that
you're on the editorial board,
l think it's time that you started making
some of the tough calls yourself.
Fine. But what if l don't like him?
Why won't you like him?
You like everybody.
l know, but l've never had to deal with
a real, live Robinson Ashe lll before.
Well, if you truly don't like him,
maybe you'll learn to like him.
- Thanks, Andrea.
- Anytime.
- Robinson Ashe, l presume.
- Yo, what can l do for you?
- Oh, you're Robinson.
- You got that right.
Hey, l'm Brandon Walsh, the sports
editor for the West Beverly Blaze.
l hear you're pretty good
with a camera.
Just pretty good?
Or good enough to become
the next staff photographer
of the West Beverly Blaze?
One, two, three.
How's it going, chief?
l don't know, man. lt's a lot tougher
than l expected. A lot tougher.
But, you know,
l think most of it's in focus.
- Well, what's the problem?
- You know, it's hard to say,
but l think the main problem is
you don't know when l'm goofing.
Score for the kid, man.
Look, have no fear.
With me taking the pictures,
your only problem is gonna be,
is choosing which one's
gonna be the best.
That's what l like about you, Ashe.
You're so modest.
And yet so good at everything l do.
Listen, no rush on the film.
Drop it off tomorrow, okay?
All right. Brandon.
Can l ask you a personal favour?
Do you by any chance
live north of Wilshire?
Can l get a ride home
with you today?
Look, man, this is...
lt's pretty tough for me to say, but...
Yeah, hey, man,
if it's not cool, it's not a problem.
No, listen, it is a problem,
and l'll tell you what the problem is.
lt's that you don't know
when l'm goofing.
- You're good, Walsh.
- Yeah, you got that right.
So where exactly do you live,
Robinson Ashe lll?
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
Oh, this is so sweet of you.
Come in.
No, listen,
l know how hectic moving day is.
l don't wanna keep you. l just wanted
to come over and introduce myself.
l'm Cindy Walsh.
We live a few houses down.
l'm Felicity Ashe, and we live here.
l love your house. lt's my favourite
in the whole neighbourhood.
Oh, thank you.
Come back and visit us anytime.
We should have
all the boxes unpacked
sometime between now
and the next five years.
l know the feeling. We moved here
from Minneapolis last summer.
We still got crates in the garage.
Well, l'll tell you what. lf we ever finish
here, l'll come and help you unpack.
- l might take you up on that.
- Do.
But until then, please,
if you need anything, just call.
Thanks. Thanks, Cindy, will do.
Oh, and l hope you don't mind,
but l brought along a pamphlet
from the West Beverly Hills Patrol.
l'm the new block captain
for the neighbourhood watch.
Well, it's not like Beverly Hills has
a major crime problem or anything,
but there have been
some incidents this month.
We heard. ln fact,
my husband thinks it's a good thing
all these break-ins
started before we moved in.
- He was joking, of course.
- Oh, l knew that.
Yeah, l do believe l can get used
to the hills of Beverly real fast.
l don't think
l'll ever get used to this place.
Well, that's because
you never lived in the 'hood.
Must be pretty rough
down there, huh?
Yeah, well,
it can get sticky sometimes.
But, you know,
as long as l can remember,
my pop's been promising my mom
he'd buy a house in Beverly Hills.
You gotta dap him, man.
He came through bigtime.
- What does your father do?
- You ever heard of Poppa's Popcorn?
Yeah, my sister
only lives on the stuff.
Well, that's his company.
Your dad is the Poppa
of Poppa's Popcorn?
Positively finger-popping,
the old-fashioned way.
So you think your papa's
got some free samples lying around
for all his hungry new neighbours?
From what l can tell, papa
might have a lifetime supply for you
if you can let his son ride to school
with you in the mornings.
Yeah, l think that can probably
be arranged, once in a while.
All right.
Then you want the extra light,
super crispy,
or new and improved Cajun spicy?
- Surprise me.
- Cool.
- Catch you later, then, neighbour.
- All right, man. Go easy.
- Look what you did.
- Look what l did?
What, are you insane?
You rammed into me.
- This is a brand-new car.
- Yeah, well, this is a classic car.
- Give me your licence.
- No.
What do you mean?
We had an accident, we gotta report it.
l don't have to do nothing
till l talk to my father,
who's gonna put your head
on a platter
and serve it to his lawyers
for breakfast.
My father's no slouch.
By the time we finish with you,
you'll wish you never
graduated from driver's training.
- We'll see.
- Yeah, we'll see.
l can't believe what l'm hearing here.
Why should l have to pay
for something that wasn't my fault?
Brandon, l already told you.
l will pay for it.
lt's a non-issue, so let's drop it.
But there's a principle
involved here, Dad.
What's involved here is a minor
accident where no one was injured.
So let's walk away from it
with our heads held high
and our insurance premiums intact.
Fine, why don't we roll over with our
tails between our legs while we're at it?
- He's your son. You talk to him.
- Dad, wa--
Brandon, look. Even if it is her fault,
and l'm sure it was,
l mean, this is not the kind of message
l wanna be sending to these people.
Honey, we lived here for two months
before anybody on the block
even deigned to talk to us.
That's probably because
we're from Minnesota.
Very funny, Brenda. But
the fact is they're our neighbours now.
We have to try
to get along with them.
We have to learn to live with them.
- But--
- Brandon, l'm sorry.
That's the way l feel,
and that's the way it's gonna be.
You know why
they're doing this, don't you?
Yeah. For free popcorn.
You know, the worst part about it is
that girl's gotta be gloating
right about now.
- But, Daddy, it was his fault.
- l sincerely doubt that,
the way you drive
like a bat out of hell.
- l told you not to buy her a sports car.
- This is an A and B conversation.
- C your way out of it, please.
- Robbie, hush.
l'll call the insurance company
in the morning.
lf you won't sue him, Daddy, l will.
Look here, Charise.
We didn't move to Beverly Hills
so you could make
a spectacle of yourself.
Right, we moved here so we all could
become a whiter shade of pale.
Charise, that is cruel and untrue.
What am l supposed
to say in lnglewood
when they ask why we moved out?
How about telling the truth?
How about telling that one
of the reasons we moved out
was to put as many miles between you
and that Devo Damars character?
With whom l know
you're still hanging about.
Busted.
Shrimp, you working
my last nerve, okay?
So why don't you take that last nerve
over to the Walshes,
tell that young man that your father
insists on paying for the damages?
- But, Daddy--
- No buts. Just go.
My papa told me to talk to you.
Yeah, well, mine told me
to talk to you.
- So talk.
- You first.
My father insists
on paying for everything.
So does mine.
Well, if your father's
anything like mine,
l just might have to be nice to you,
out of pity.
Don't do me any favours.
lf it were up to me,
we would be having an appointment
with Judge Wapner
and The People's Court.
- Judge Wapner?
- Yes.
- l'm Brandon.
- l'm Charise.
- Welcome to Beverly Hills, Charise.
- Thank you, Brandon.
Tell me, does everyone in Beverly Hills
drive like a raving lunatic?
No, just you.
- Jim, Jim.
- Cindy.
Call the security patrol.
- Cindy.
- Call them.
lt's probably Brandon.
Hey, Mom,
what's the keypad number?
This is a very loud way
to wake up in the morning!
l know, l'm sorry. l just wanted to go
for a bike ride before school.
lf you'd paid attention the other night
instead of clowning with your sister,
you'd know how to turn this off.
l thought the number was 251 4.
- lt is 251 4.
- Well, that's the number l punched in.
Mom, how come
nothing's happening?
l'm sorry, l still don't quite see why
we can't turn the alarm off directly.
- Nice work, champ.
- Hey, all l did was open the door.
- Oh, sure, Brandon.
- Here, here, let me try.
Just a minute, hold on a second.
Hello? No, Mrs. Cooper.
No, there's nothing to worry about.
l have the security police
on the other line.
No, nothing's wrong,
the alarm just seems to be stuck.
- Thank you, thank you.
- Dad.
For my next trick,
l will pull a rabbit out of a hat.
No, do the one where you make
Mrs. Cooper disappear.
Yes. No, Mrs. Cooper.
Hey, it may be funny now,
but l'm telling you,
before you guys came downstairs,
Mom was borderline touch-and-go.
Brandon, Mom may be a little crazed
about all these burglaries,
but she's definitely
not wigging on us.
No, l didn't say that.
She's just stressed, that's all.
- Oh, my God.
- l don't believe this.
Charise, babe,
you gotta settle down,
or you're gonna die behind the wheel
and take me out with you.
- Sorry, Brandon, l didn't see you.
- That's because you weren't looking.
You're right.
lt's just that l'm late for school.
Where do you go, USC or the Mario
Andretti School of Unsafe Driving?
Brandon, l'm still in high school.
lf you go to West Beverly, how come
l'm driving your brother to school?
- Because l go to Baldwin.
- Where's that?
Near where we used to live.
- Long way to drive, isn't it?
- Yeah, it is.
- So nice talking to you.
- Wait a second.
Why don't you go to West Beverly?
''l wouldn't go to West Beverly
if it was the last hellhole in the galawy.
Too many cashed-up snobs.''
And you should've heard the way
she dissed on everybody at Beverly.
l can relate to that one.
lt's not what she said,
it's how she said it.
This is coming from a girl who's driving
around in a brand-new convertible.
Courtesy of her papa, the Poppa.
- ''Positively finger-popping''?
- The same.
We're talking beaucoup bucks here.
Princesses come
in all shapes and sizes.
And colours.
But you say
that she's a good student?
According to Robbie, she complains
her classes aren't hard enough.
Here she has a chance to go
to a great school and she trashes it.
That is exactly what interests me
about her story.
What story?
Brandon, here l am
lying through my teeth
about living in-district
so l can come here,
and she's driving halfway
across the universe to avoid it.
What story?
No, there's a story lurking there.
l'm just not quite sure what it is yet.
When you find it, ace,
you be sure and let me know.
Brandon, all l'm asking you to do
is have a simple conversation with her.
l'd have to talk to her, which is not
something l wanna rush back into.
And believe me,
the feeling is very mutual.
Why don't you ask Robbie
to help you?
l'm sure he'd love that.
Look, if he truly wants to be the next
staff photographer, he'll help you.
Why is it that every time l look up,
that Robbie kid has a telephoto lens
pointed at me?
Yeah, just what this campus needs,
paparazzi.
You know, he kind of reminds me
of David Silver.
l mean, except he's black.
l didn't know David Silver was black.
Shut up.
l don't know, but l think Brandon
has a thing for his older sister.
Mr. Ashe. How you doing today?
Good timing, Walsh.
l just framed your twin sister
for a prizewinner.
Speaking of sisters,
this is gonna sound kind of weird, but
Andrea wants me to interview yours.
- lnterview Charise?
- lf it's all right with you.
No, l have no problem
with the concept, man.
lt's just that
it's Charise you gotta worry about.
Why's that?
- You really want the truth?
- Always.
You see,
it may be different with you,
but the truth is Charise really
isn't that crazy about white people.
Wonderful.
- Tamale Heaven.
- Ramon, it's me.
- Can l speak to him?
- Sure thing, love.
- Devo, it's Popcorn.
- Tell her l'm busy.
- He'll be right with you.
- Thanks. Thanks a lot.
- Mom, you look terrific.
- Oh, thank you.
Robbie, l just left you a note.
You're on your own for dinner tonight.
Being honoured
by the Chamber of Commerce.
But, Mom,
l invited Brandon over to eat with us.
So you're Brandon.
Robbie and Reesie
have had plenty to say about you.
Well, then half of what you heard
is probably true.
Okay, we won't be late.
- Say hi to your mom for me, okay?
- Will do.
Mom, is there anything to eat
besides you-know-what?
Maybe Brandon would like to try
our Cajun light.
- Oh, Mom.
- What?
Won't be in the store for months.
- lt would be my pleasure.
- Good.
You tell me what you think.
All right, goodbye, everyone.
l swear, that woman tries to turn
all my friends into guinea pigs.
So feed me.
Don't you wanna see me?
Look, you know l do.
Why do you want me
to come way up to Beverly Hills?
- So your old man can kill me?
- He can't kill what he can't see.
They're not coming back till late.
We could practically
spend the whole night together.
Well, look, l gotta close up here
tonight, you know what l'm saying?
What about later?
l just think l should lay low because,
you know,
with my brothers in town,
they might be trying to run
some mind games on Mom.
You know what l'm saying?
lt's always something with you,
isn't it, Devo?
- Charise--
- lf you wanna break up, that's fine.
Just don't use Beverly Hills
as your excuse.
Come on, now, Charise.
l can take a hint.
Sucker.
How long
have you been standing there?
l was just waiting for Robbie
to bring out the popcorn.
And eavesdropping
on my private conversation?
No, l wasn't. Not really.
All l know is you have a boyfriend
who detests Beverly Hills
about as much as you do.
First of all, l don't have a boyfriend.
And second of all,
l don't detest Beverly Hills.
Oh, that's right. What was it
you said to me this morning?
''FYl, Brandon,
Beverly Hills ain't heaven on earth.''
What was that about, Reesie?
lt was about
putting you on the defensive.
And don't ever call me Reesie.
You are brutal.
- Sorry about that.
- Well, you should be. l'm a nice guy.
No, really, l am.
My mom told me so.
What else did she tell you?
She told me to look both ways
before crossing the street
and always be polite to the ladies.
- ln all shades and colours?
- Never stopped me before.
Hey, look,
l couldn't find the Cajun spicy,
so l cooked us up some extra crispy.
Thanks, but there's been
a slight change of plans.
l'm gonna take your sister out
to eat tonight.
- She agreed to be interviewed?
- Well, actually, l didn't bring it up.
l figured we'd get to know each other
first and see what happens.
- lf it's all right with you.
- Yeah, sure. lt's cool with me.
l got two cousins
working in Beverly Hills.
Same house, different wings.
Wings, man.
The house is so big, they gotta fly
from one end to the other.
Oh, l crack me up. ''Fly.''
Go see your girl, man.
l got you covered.
You think
l should give her a call, man?
- A call?
- Yeah. Yo, come on, man.
Devo, where's your
sense of romance, homey?
What she wants is for you
to show up at her doorstep
with flowers
and some strawberry yogurt.
So talk to me,
you gonna lend me your ride?
Now you're talking.
- But you gotta change that shirt.
- Well, what's up?
You're going to Beverly Hills.
A green one, for money.
- This is Charise.
- Hi.
- This is David, Donna and Dylan.
- You can just call us the Three D's.
l don't think so.
Well, it's nice to meet you,
Charise.
This is my sister, Brenda.
She was in the car
you tried to take out this morning.
- Sorry about that.
- lt's okay. l like what you're wearing.
- Thanks.
- And l love the way you wear it.
l'm Steve Sanders,
and you're definitely
better-looking than your brother.
l hope so.
- And this is Kelly.
- Hi.
- l love what you're wearing.
- Thank you.
You wanna sit down?
This is very hip, Brandon. Very hip.
Two-seven-three? No, 27 4?
Operator, yeah, just give me
Robinson Ashe in Beverly Hills.
While you're at it, let me have
an exact address. lt's a new listing.
What? lt's not listed?
Well, that figures.
l mean,
l should've known this old man
wasn't gonna have his digits
in the phone book.
No, no, it's okay.
l'm just gonna have to wing it.
My husband must have
accidentally set it off.
We don't know why.
We don't know why we ever installed
this damn thing in the first place.
What was that, Mrs. Cooper?
Oh, no, you didn't have to call
the security patrol.
She did what?
Oh, it's okay, honey,
it was not because of us.
lt's because Mr. Caplan's dogs
are barking too loud.
Oh, of course, the dogs.
l can really hear them barking.
Jim.
Honey, way to go.
Mrs. Cooper, l have to go now.
Get out of here.
Hey!
Hold it.
Don't you like animals, kid?
Well, l can take them or leave them,
but l work at this tamale stand,
so they must smell the meat.
- Where are you going so fast?
- l'm going to see my girlfriend.
- What's her address?
- Lives on Hillcrest Drive.
l don't know the exact address.
Her name is Ashe.
You better call B.H.P.D.
Have them come
check out our friend here.
Give me a break.
What you gonna do?
Are you gonna arrest me
for walking on a public street?
- What's in the bag?
- Yogurt.
- Keep your hands to the side.
- Well, check it out.
Hey, hey,
get your hands off me, man!
You responsible
for all those burglaries, my man?
What burglaries, man?
l ain't done nothing.
Shut up.
Just give me a reason.
Robbie called
when you were in the shower.
- His mom's gonna take him to school.
- Oh, okay.
You know, l really liked Charise.
Everybody did.
Do you think she liked us?
Yeah, she even liked Steve.
l think it's me she didn't like.
Oh, she wouldn't let you
kiss her good night, huh?
l think she has a boyfriend.
- Oh, that's a different story.
- Yeah, it is.
Terrible. That's terrible.
When did the police leave?
Well, was anyone else injured?
What happened?
Your mother's speaking
to Mrs. Cooper right now,
so l don't know
how viable any of this is,
but apparently there was a prowler
outside the Ashe home last night.
Turned out to be
a friend of the daughter's,
the crazy one with the sports car.
Yeah, l know who she is, Dad.
l took her out last night.
- You did?
- Yeah.
ls there a problem with that?
- No, no. l'm just surprised, that's all.
- Why?
Well, because two days ago,
you were ready to drag her into court.
Anyway, can you guys
just tell me what happened?
What happened is the security
was called and all hell broke loose.
This is a real mess.
Morning.
Yo, didn't Brenda tell you?
My mom's taking me to school today.
Oh, yeah, she told me.
We just heard about what
went down with the security patrol.
Oh, well, that.
lt's not a big thing, you know that.
Well, my mom didn't know all
the details, but didn't the cops come?
You know, to tell the truth,
l really don't know.
l was sleeping, mostly.
You must be
a pretty heavy sleeper, pal.
- Wasn't there a squad car--?
- Like l said, l really don't know.
Why don't we just forget about it,
you know what l'm saying?
Oh, hold on a second, man.
- How's Charise doing?
- l guess she's doing okay.
Look, l gotta go. l'll catch you later.
- All right.
- Okay.
We have rules in this house,
young lady.
There are rules in this house,
and you broke them all.
How many times have we specifically
told you to stop seeing Devo Damars?
l wasn't even here
when it happened, Daddy.
What are you trying to sell me?
That this was some
random coincidence?
That that no-class bum
gets himself into a fight with the police
in front of our house
while you're off gallivanting?
We went out to get a hamburger.
You got a problem with that?
You'd like Brandon, honey.
Yeah, maybe l would.
But what l don't like is being lied to.
What l don't like is my daughter
sneaking around
with a high school dropout.
What am l supposed to do?
You set the rules,
you tell me l can't go out with this one.
You tell me
l can't go out with that one.
Black, white,
it doesn't make a difference.
No one's ever good enough for you.
That's enough
out of your smart mouth, young lady.
None of this would've happened
if you didn't invite that thug here
in the first place.
What are the neighbours
gonna say?
Who cares
what the neighbours think?
l care.
Your mother and l didn't work
all these years
to buy a house in Beverly Hills so that
we would be put under a microscope.
Look, Charise, if l am hard on you,
it's because l love you.
Well, l'm sure
this will all blow over soon.
By this time tomorrow, the whole thing
will be forgotten forever.
Hey, buddy.
Hey, Steve-o, hey, Kellster.
What's happening?
Why don't you tell us?
We were just wondering
what happened last night.
l wish l knew.
The PR guy at the police department
gave me the runaround all morning.
- What are you talking about?
- What are you talking about?
- Charise.
- What about Charise?
We just were wondering
if there's any jungle fever happening.
You know, you two really ought to
consider getting back together again.
What's his problem?
Look, l know
you're a guy with a mission,
but l can't put the paper to bed
without a sports page.
Yeah, sorry. l'll put it together.
The police won't release any details,
because it turns out
the guy wasn't actually arrested.
lf he wasn't arrested,
what's the story?
What's the story? The story is
a young black guy gets detained
and harassed on a public street
for no apparent reason
other than the colour of his skin
and nobody wants to talk about it.
Wait a minute, wait,
what are you saying?
That there's a cover-up
going on here?
No, all l'm saying
is that some of these private
security guards are like loose cannons.
Who are they
accountable to, anyway?
l think you better talk
to the guy they stopped.
First l gotta find out his name.
That would help.
Hey, Robbie.
l've been looking for you, man.
You weren't in Tech class.
- l came in a little late this morning.
- Hey, listen,
l was hoping maybe
you could help me out.
Do you know Charise's friend,
the one that got hassled?
- Yeah.
- Well, what's his name?
l thought we were gonna
forget about that.
- And pretend nothing happened?
- Sounds like a plan to me.
Robbie, l need to interview this guy.
l'd like it if you could tell me
how to get in touch with him.
Now, come on, Brandon.
Why are you gonna make this thing
worse than it is?
My parents are steamed up enough,
you know.
l know, but the truth is
this isn't about your parents.
This is about breaking a news story.
lf you wanna be
our new staff photographer,
l suggest you find a way
to help me out here.
Well, if you put it that way,
l strongly suggest
you find yourself a new photographer.
Hey, come on, man.
What's your problem?
My problem is you, man.
You are a user, and l'm sick of it.
You blatantly used me
to get to my sister.
- No, that's not true.
- Yes, it is.
You use every opportunity
you can find
to make me painfully aware that
when you look at me,
you don't see
the new kid on the block,
you see the new black kid
on the block.
And l hate to tell you this,
but in my eyes,
that doesn't make you
a whole hell of a lot different
than those dudes
on the security patrol.
The guy
practically called me a racist.
And he did call me a user.
lt's bogus, man.
lt's pure BS.
What? You think l use people?
You think l'm a racist?
No, Brandon, of course not.
You promise you won't get mad?
Go on.
lf you didn't think there was a
kernel of truth to what he was saying,
you probably wouldn't be so angry.
Charise, you got a minute?
ls this off the record
or on the record?
l guess Robbie told you
about the article, huh?
The moment l got home last night.
Right after he told me
Devo got busted.
- l'm sorry, l should've said so--
- Yeah, you should've.
l should've known better than to go out
with a boy from Beverly Hills.
When l asked you out,
l didn't ask you out as a reporter.
l asked you out as a friend.
Or at least someone who wanted
to become your friend.
Yeah, well, if you truly
wanna become my friend,
get out of here before my papa
grounds me for another month.
Charise...
That damn alarm.
You better rush home
and call the security patrol.
For all you know, a Negro
might be breaking into your house.
Okay, okay, fine.
You win. l'm the bad guy.
l'm the biggest bastard
in the history of Beverly Hills, all right?
You can say or think anything
you want about me. l don't care.
But what happened to your friend Devo
on this street last night was wrong.
Now, l wanna write a story about it,
but l need you to tell me
how l can get in touch with him.
Go home, Brandon.
Mrs. Cooper-- Mrs. Cooper,
you're not listening to me.
There is no need to call the security
patrol, because they're already here.
Yes, yes, they're in the other room,
trying to locate
what keeps setting this thing off.
lf you and Dad
don't disconnect that thing, l will.
lt's embarrassing, Mom. lt really is.
Yes, yes, Mrs. Cooper. l'm still here.
Do you have any earplugs?
Really. And you know
the irony of all this?
That Charise's friend probably
wouldn't have even been hassled
if the security patrol had not
come here to answer our false alarm.
lt's about time.
This kind of thing never happens.
We're replacing all the circuits.
- Clearly, something's defective.
- Clearly.
Listen, you and your family
have all been very patient.
l appreciate it, okay?
Anything l can do for you--
Actually, maybe there is something
you could do.
When your security officers detain
someone, do they fill out a report?
Sure, yeah.
- Hey. Where are you going so fast?
- Tamale Heaven.
- Sounds delish.
- l'll let you know.
Hey, is it that the new place
on Charleville?
- No, it's south.
- Where?
lt's south, it's somewhere between
Watts and the airport, l think.
Why are you going there?
lt's where Charise's boyfriend works.
l wanna get an interview with him.
This is gonna sound kind of beat,
but is it safe to go there by yourself?
- We'll see.
- Brandon.
l know you love playing
Woodward and Bernstein,
but l think
you're way over your head here.
- Thanks.
- Brandon--
Stay out of it.
lt's got nothing to do with you.
Fine, just go.
What's up, fellas?
So, what are we
trying to accomplish here?
Didn't Ramon warn y'all
about mashing headgear around here?
Your posse know what's up.
Y'all keep this up,
you're gonna get busted.
lf you're packing or carrying,
l strongly suggest y'all step off
before the Man gets here,
you know what l'm saying?
Oh, you're larger than life now, huh?
Siren don't mean nothing
to you, huh? Move!
lf you're looking to score,
l strongly suggest you go back
to your side of the hill.
You hear me?
Hey, l'm not a doper, man.
l'm a friend of Charise's.
More like a neighbour.
You're Devo, right? Devo Damars?
- Who wants to know?
- l'm Brandon Walsh.
l'm a reporter for my school newspaper
at West Beverly High.
l live down the block from Charise.
l know what went down last night.
l want an interview with you.
With all due respect,
you don't have a damn idea
about what went down
here last night, you got that?
- They did that to you, didn't they?
- What, this?
No, you know, my moms accidentally
rolled over me with her Rolls-Royce.
Seriously, man. Did security patrol
jack you up, or was it the city cops?
Did you say ''jack you up''?
You've been reading
your Spike Lee handbook, haven't--?
You think you can drop the attitude
long enough to say what happened?
- Why?
- lt's an important story.
What is, man? You tell me.
Being in the wrong place
at the wrong time,
or being in the wrong place at
the wrong time with the wrong colour?
You think for a minute it would've been
any different for you out there
if l hadn't chased these guys off?
- lt's not the same thing.
- Yes, it is, man!
Wake up, all right?
They don't roll out welcome mats
for my kind in Beverly Hills,
and you should not feel free
to roam around these alleyways either.
Yeah, but that doesn't
make it right, does it?
Of course
it doesn't make it right, man.
lt makes it the kind of world
that we live in today.
l came down
and heard this guy on the radio,
talking about that
Rodney King incident.
The guy that got beat up
by the L.A.P.D.
Yeah, l know who he is.
Well, the amazing thing
wasn't what happened, blondie.
Because see, that happens
every day down here.
The amazing thing was
the whole thing
got peeped out by somebody's
home-video camera.
Excuse me.
What are you saying, Devo?
We should let bygones be bygones?
Well, hey, l mean,
it's a kinder, gentler nation, right?
Give me a break, man.
You're so full of it, you stink.
You look me in the eye,
tell me this doesn't make you angry.
Look, man,
it makes me angry, all right?
More important, it makes me sad.
You want a story, blondie?
l got a story for you, all right?
My mother,
who means the world to me,
had to go out and beg for money, man,
in the middle of the night,
to pay for a taxi to bring her
into Beverly Hills, man.
l will never, ever forget
the expression on her face
when she rolled
in that emergency room.
My mom has four boys, four.
Two of them are in prison,
the other one's on the pipe,
and then there's me, man.
l'm the one
she never had to worry about.
All l do is try to please her, man,
and make her proud.
l try to do what's right.
Brandon.
Brenda, what are you doing here?
Well, after you left,
Robbie just happened to be walking by.
So here we are. Kind of beat, huh?
No, it's kind of nice.
- You all right?
- This?
Don't even worry about it, baby.
Mama says
l'll always be handsome now.
lt's just a minor setback.
- We gotta talk, Devo.
- l know.
Look, you want a tamale?
- Right.
- Well, you liked them before.
Well, l guess this means you're going
through with your big expose, huh?
You know, l don't know anymore.
Well, l think you should
put it out there.
And if you do, there's some pictures
that your trusty staff photographer's
been taking that you ought to look at.
l'd like that.
You know what l'd like, guys?
You guys have got to try
the extra crispy.
No, the Cajun spicy is the best,
and no calories.
You're hysterical.
You know what l wanna taste?
Popcorn in yogurt sauce.
Oh, yeah. Well, you be sure
to tell papa about that recipe.
Well, l hate to tell you this,
but he's got that recipe already.
lt'll be out by Christmas.
- Are you kidding?
- Yeah! Psyche!
Do you know how good
your paper looks this week?
Yeah, we know,
but you can tell us again.
- The article is really great, Brandon.
- Thanks, Bren.
Hey, wait, especially the pictures.
Oh, especially the pictures.
l like this part right here.
''lt's when we stop looking
at the human race as individuals,
we, as a generation, are in trouble.''
- Eloquently put.
- l'm glad you liked it.
Cindy, l got your note,
and needless to say,
l am very disappointed.
Look, Mrs. Cooper, l'm really sorry.
But l can't talk right now.
We've got company.
To impulsively just cancel
your contract with our security patrol
because of one
questionable incident--
Look, Mrs. Cooper,
l don't mean to be rude,
but what this family does and why
we do it is really no concern of yours.
And, you know, l met Mr. Caplan,
and l like his dogs.
Goodbye.
First professional game
l went to, 1 965 World Series.
- Koufax versus the Twins, right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, right,
l'll bet you're a Twins fan, huh?
- Charise, what's up?
- Same old, same old.
- Where are you going?
- Tamale Heaven.
- Thought that place was off-limits.
- Not anymore.
Ever since you did
your article on Devo,
my dad's
been rediscovering his roots.
- Glad to help.
- Thanks.
So, what'd you think of the article?
l think my brother's
an excellent photographer.
You are brutal.
Drive safely, Brandon.
Thought that was supposed to be
my line.
that was 90 seconds.
Not a long time by any means,
but certainly long enough
for any garden-variety criminal
to rob your house,
rob you bat-blind.
lt's not my intention to frighten you.
l'm simply trying to point out
that in that same 90 seconds,
an armed guard
from the West Beverly Hills Patrol
would've been at your doorstep.
Before l take any questions,
l would like to thank
our hosts of the evening.
Also,
they are our newest subscribers.
Jack and Candy Welsh.
lt's Walsh. Jim and Cindy Walsh.
So all you do is press those code
numbers into this keypad like this,
and bingo, you're online.
Well, now we can sleep at night.
Don't get me started.
This was your mother's idea.
Oh, and if you need another block
captain for the neighbourhood watch--
Say no more,
we need all the help we can get.
Well, you heard what he said.
l know. Well, that's why
we felt we should become involved.
The Lieberman house was broken into
in broad daylight.
That's horrible.
l don't think we've met the Liebermans.
You haven't missed anything.
But the worst is that Caplan
over at 1 41 0,
with those barking dogs
that he runs off the leash.
- And have you heard the latest?
- No.
Well, the new people have moved
into the old Walker house.
Oh, what are they like?
Oh, you'll see.
All right, he's looking cool,
he's driving cool.
For Steve Sanders,
the world is one huge clam.
Dylan, your mom has been here
for three weeks so far.
Am l ever gonna meet her?
Bren, you gotta trust me.
You do not wanna meet this woman.
Come on,
she cannot be all that weird.
No, of course not, Bren. l mean,
l know everybody's parents listen
to tapes of wind chimes in the car.
Wind chimes?
Good morning, Andrea.
What are you talking about?
lt's a great morning.
l think we have finally found ourselves
a staff photographer.
Told you someone
would come out of the woodwork.
Yeah, well, fortunately for all of us,
somebody did.
- Who?
- Robinson Ashe lll.
Yes, Robinson Ashe lll.
Splendid chap.
Not to be confused
with Robinson Ashe lV, of course.
- Or, for that matter, Robinson Ashe V.
- l don't care what his name is.
He is by far the best photographer
this school has had.
Look at these lifestyle shots
he submitted, Brandon. They're great.
Now, look at this one.
Can he shoot sports?
l don't know, why don't you ask him?
l think he has Tech this period.
What's he like?
Well, actually, l haven't
had the chance to meet him yet.
- Oh, Andrea.
- Please, Brandon?
You are much better
with new people than l am.
You know how intense l get.
Besides, now that
you're on the editorial board,
l think it's time that you started making
some of the tough calls yourself.
Fine. But what if l don't like him?
Why won't you like him?
You like everybody.
l know, but l've never had to deal with
a real, live Robinson Ashe lll before.
Well, if you truly don't like him,
maybe you'll learn to like him.
- Thanks, Andrea.
- Anytime.
- Robinson Ashe, l presume.
- Yo, what can l do for you?
- Oh, you're Robinson.
- You got that right.
Hey, l'm Brandon Walsh, the sports
editor for the West Beverly Blaze.
l hear you're pretty good
with a camera.
Just pretty good?
Or good enough to become
the next staff photographer
of the West Beverly Blaze?
One, two, three.
How's it going, chief?
l don't know, man. lt's a lot tougher
than l expected. A lot tougher.
But, you know,
l think most of it's in focus.
- Well, what's the problem?
- You know, it's hard to say,
but l think the main problem is
you don't know when l'm goofing.
Score for the kid, man.
Look, have no fear.
With me taking the pictures,
your only problem is gonna be,
is choosing which one's
gonna be the best.
That's what l like about you, Ashe.
You're so modest.
And yet so good at everything l do.
Listen, no rush on the film.
Drop it off tomorrow, okay?
All right. Brandon.
Can l ask you a personal favour?
Do you by any chance
live north of Wilshire?
Can l get a ride home
with you today?
Look, man, this is...
lt's pretty tough for me to say, but...
Yeah, hey, man,
if it's not cool, it's not a problem.
No, listen, it is a problem,
and l'll tell you what the problem is.
lt's that you don't know
when l'm goofing.
- You're good, Walsh.
- Yeah, you got that right.
So where exactly do you live,
Robinson Ashe lll?
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
Oh, this is so sweet of you.
Come in.
No, listen,
l know how hectic moving day is.
l don't wanna keep you. l just wanted
to come over and introduce myself.
l'm Cindy Walsh.
We live a few houses down.
l'm Felicity Ashe, and we live here.
l love your house. lt's my favourite
in the whole neighbourhood.
Oh, thank you.
Come back and visit us anytime.
We should have
all the boxes unpacked
sometime between now
and the next five years.
l know the feeling. We moved here
from Minneapolis last summer.
We still got crates in the garage.
Well, l'll tell you what. lf we ever finish
here, l'll come and help you unpack.
- l might take you up on that.
- Do.
But until then, please,
if you need anything, just call.
Thanks. Thanks, Cindy, will do.
Oh, and l hope you don't mind,
but l brought along a pamphlet
from the West Beverly Hills Patrol.
l'm the new block captain
for the neighbourhood watch.
Well, it's not like Beverly Hills has
a major crime problem or anything,
but there have been
some incidents this month.
We heard. ln fact,
my husband thinks it's a good thing
all these break-ins
started before we moved in.
- He was joking, of course.
- Oh, l knew that.
Yeah, l do believe l can get used
to the hills of Beverly real fast.
l don't think
l'll ever get used to this place.
Well, that's because
you never lived in the 'hood.
Must be pretty rough
down there, huh?
Yeah, well,
it can get sticky sometimes.
But, you know,
as long as l can remember,
my pop's been promising my mom
he'd buy a house in Beverly Hills.
You gotta dap him, man.
He came through bigtime.
- What does your father do?
- You ever heard of Poppa's Popcorn?
Yeah, my sister
only lives on the stuff.
Well, that's his company.
Your dad is the Poppa
of Poppa's Popcorn?
Positively finger-popping,
the old-fashioned way.
So you think your papa's
got some free samples lying around
for all his hungry new neighbours?
From what l can tell, papa
might have a lifetime supply for you
if you can let his son ride to school
with you in the mornings.
Yeah, l think that can probably
be arranged, once in a while.
All right.
Then you want the extra light,
super crispy,
or new and improved Cajun spicy?
- Surprise me.
- Cool.
- Catch you later, then, neighbour.
- All right, man. Go easy.
- Look what you did.
- Look what l did?
What, are you insane?
You rammed into me.
- This is a brand-new car.
- Yeah, well, this is a classic car.
- Give me your licence.
- No.
What do you mean?
We had an accident, we gotta report it.
l don't have to do nothing
till l talk to my father,
who's gonna put your head
on a platter
and serve it to his lawyers
for breakfast.
My father's no slouch.
By the time we finish with you,
you'll wish you never
graduated from driver's training.
- We'll see.
- Yeah, we'll see.
l can't believe what l'm hearing here.
Why should l have to pay
for something that wasn't my fault?
Brandon, l already told you.
l will pay for it.
lt's a non-issue, so let's drop it.
But there's a principle
involved here, Dad.
What's involved here is a minor
accident where no one was injured.
So let's walk away from it
with our heads held high
and our insurance premiums intact.
Fine, why don't we roll over with our
tails between our legs while we're at it?
- He's your son. You talk to him.
- Dad, wa--
Brandon, look. Even if it is her fault,
and l'm sure it was,
l mean, this is not the kind of message
l wanna be sending to these people.
Honey, we lived here for two months
before anybody on the block
even deigned to talk to us.
That's probably because
we're from Minnesota.
Very funny, Brenda. But
the fact is they're our neighbours now.
We have to try
to get along with them.
We have to learn to live with them.
- But--
- Brandon, l'm sorry.
That's the way l feel,
and that's the way it's gonna be.
You know why
they're doing this, don't you?
Yeah. For free popcorn.
You know, the worst part about it is
that girl's gotta be gloating
right about now.
- But, Daddy, it was his fault.
- l sincerely doubt that,
the way you drive
like a bat out of hell.
- l told you not to buy her a sports car.
- This is an A and B conversation.
- C your way out of it, please.
- Robbie, hush.
l'll call the insurance company
in the morning.
lf you won't sue him, Daddy, l will.
Look here, Charise.
We didn't move to Beverly Hills
so you could make
a spectacle of yourself.
Right, we moved here so we all could
become a whiter shade of pale.
Charise, that is cruel and untrue.
What am l supposed
to say in lnglewood
when they ask why we moved out?
How about telling the truth?
How about telling that one
of the reasons we moved out
was to put as many miles between you
and that Devo Damars character?
With whom l know
you're still hanging about.
Busted.
Shrimp, you working
my last nerve, okay?
So why don't you take that last nerve
over to the Walshes,
tell that young man that your father
insists on paying for the damages?
- But, Daddy--
- No buts. Just go.
My papa told me to talk to you.
Yeah, well, mine told me
to talk to you.
- So talk.
- You first.
My father insists
on paying for everything.
So does mine.
Well, if your father's
anything like mine,
l just might have to be nice to you,
out of pity.
Don't do me any favours.
lf it were up to me,
we would be having an appointment
with Judge Wapner
and The People's Court.
- Judge Wapner?
- Yes.
- l'm Brandon.
- l'm Charise.
- Welcome to Beverly Hills, Charise.
- Thank you, Brandon.
Tell me, does everyone in Beverly Hills
drive like a raving lunatic?
No, just you.
- Jim, Jim.
- Cindy.
Call the security patrol.
- Cindy.
- Call them.
lt's probably Brandon.
Hey, Mom,
what's the keypad number?
This is a very loud way
to wake up in the morning!
l know, l'm sorry. l just wanted to go
for a bike ride before school.
lf you'd paid attention the other night
instead of clowning with your sister,
you'd know how to turn this off.
l thought the number was 251 4.
- lt is 251 4.
- Well, that's the number l punched in.
Mom, how come
nothing's happening?
l'm sorry, l still don't quite see why
we can't turn the alarm off directly.
- Nice work, champ.
- Hey, all l did was open the door.
- Oh, sure, Brandon.
- Here, here, let me try.
Just a minute, hold on a second.
Hello? No, Mrs. Cooper.
No, there's nothing to worry about.
l have the security police
on the other line.
No, nothing's wrong,
the alarm just seems to be stuck.
- Thank you, thank you.
- Dad.
For my next trick,
l will pull a rabbit out of a hat.
No, do the one where you make
Mrs. Cooper disappear.
Yes. No, Mrs. Cooper.
Hey, it may be funny now,
but l'm telling you,
before you guys came downstairs,
Mom was borderline touch-and-go.
Brandon, Mom may be a little crazed
about all these burglaries,
but she's definitely
not wigging on us.
No, l didn't say that.
She's just stressed, that's all.
- Oh, my God.
- l don't believe this.
Charise, babe,
you gotta settle down,
or you're gonna die behind the wheel
and take me out with you.
- Sorry, Brandon, l didn't see you.
- That's because you weren't looking.
You're right.
lt's just that l'm late for school.
Where do you go, USC or the Mario
Andretti School of Unsafe Driving?
Brandon, l'm still in high school.
lf you go to West Beverly, how come
l'm driving your brother to school?
- Because l go to Baldwin.
- Where's that?
Near where we used to live.
- Long way to drive, isn't it?
- Yeah, it is.
- So nice talking to you.
- Wait a second.
Why don't you go to West Beverly?
''l wouldn't go to West Beverly
if it was the last hellhole in the galawy.
Too many cashed-up snobs.''
And you should've heard the way
she dissed on everybody at Beverly.
l can relate to that one.
lt's not what she said,
it's how she said it.
This is coming from a girl who's driving
around in a brand-new convertible.
Courtesy of her papa, the Poppa.
- ''Positively finger-popping''?
- The same.
We're talking beaucoup bucks here.
Princesses come
in all shapes and sizes.
And colours.
But you say
that she's a good student?
According to Robbie, she complains
her classes aren't hard enough.
Here she has a chance to go
to a great school and she trashes it.
That is exactly what interests me
about her story.
What story?
Brandon, here l am
lying through my teeth
about living in-district
so l can come here,
and she's driving halfway
across the universe to avoid it.
What story?
No, there's a story lurking there.
l'm just not quite sure what it is yet.
When you find it, ace,
you be sure and let me know.
Brandon, all l'm asking you to do
is have a simple conversation with her.
l'd have to talk to her, which is not
something l wanna rush back into.
And believe me,
the feeling is very mutual.
Why don't you ask Robbie
to help you?
l'm sure he'd love that.
Look, if he truly wants to be the next
staff photographer, he'll help you.
Why is it that every time l look up,
that Robbie kid has a telephoto lens
pointed at me?
Yeah, just what this campus needs,
paparazzi.
You know, he kind of reminds me
of David Silver.
l mean, except he's black.
l didn't know David Silver was black.
Shut up.
l don't know, but l think Brandon
has a thing for his older sister.
Mr. Ashe. How you doing today?
Good timing, Walsh.
l just framed your twin sister
for a prizewinner.
Speaking of sisters,
this is gonna sound kind of weird, but
Andrea wants me to interview yours.
- lnterview Charise?
- lf it's all right with you.
No, l have no problem
with the concept, man.
lt's just that
it's Charise you gotta worry about.
Why's that?
- You really want the truth?
- Always.
You see,
it may be different with you,
but the truth is Charise really
isn't that crazy about white people.
Wonderful.
- Tamale Heaven.
- Ramon, it's me.
- Can l speak to him?
- Sure thing, love.
- Devo, it's Popcorn.
- Tell her l'm busy.
- He'll be right with you.
- Thanks. Thanks a lot.
- Mom, you look terrific.
- Oh, thank you.
Robbie, l just left you a note.
You're on your own for dinner tonight.
Being honoured
by the Chamber of Commerce.
But, Mom,
l invited Brandon over to eat with us.
So you're Brandon.
Robbie and Reesie
have had plenty to say about you.
Well, then half of what you heard
is probably true.
Okay, we won't be late.
- Say hi to your mom for me, okay?
- Will do.
Mom, is there anything to eat
besides you-know-what?
Maybe Brandon would like to try
our Cajun light.
- Oh, Mom.
- What?
Won't be in the store for months.
- lt would be my pleasure.
- Good.
You tell me what you think.
All right, goodbye, everyone.
l swear, that woman tries to turn
all my friends into guinea pigs.
So feed me.
Don't you wanna see me?
Look, you know l do.
Why do you want me
to come way up to Beverly Hills?
- So your old man can kill me?
- He can't kill what he can't see.
They're not coming back till late.
We could practically
spend the whole night together.
Well, look, l gotta close up here
tonight, you know what l'm saying?
What about later?
l just think l should lay low because,
you know,
with my brothers in town,
they might be trying to run
some mind games on Mom.
You know what l'm saying?
lt's always something with you,
isn't it, Devo?
- Charise--
- lf you wanna break up, that's fine.
Just don't use Beverly Hills
as your excuse.
Come on, now, Charise.
l can take a hint.
Sucker.
How long
have you been standing there?
l was just waiting for Robbie
to bring out the popcorn.
And eavesdropping
on my private conversation?
No, l wasn't. Not really.
All l know is you have a boyfriend
who detests Beverly Hills
about as much as you do.
First of all, l don't have a boyfriend.
And second of all,
l don't detest Beverly Hills.
Oh, that's right. What was it
you said to me this morning?
''FYl, Brandon,
Beverly Hills ain't heaven on earth.''
What was that about, Reesie?
lt was about
putting you on the defensive.
And don't ever call me Reesie.
You are brutal.
- Sorry about that.
- Well, you should be. l'm a nice guy.
No, really, l am.
My mom told me so.
What else did she tell you?
She told me to look both ways
before crossing the street
and always be polite to the ladies.
- ln all shades and colours?
- Never stopped me before.
Hey, look,
l couldn't find the Cajun spicy,
so l cooked us up some extra crispy.
Thanks, but there's been
a slight change of plans.
l'm gonna take your sister out
to eat tonight.
- She agreed to be interviewed?
- Well, actually, l didn't bring it up.
l figured we'd get to know each other
first and see what happens.
- lf it's all right with you.
- Yeah, sure. lt's cool with me.
l got two cousins
working in Beverly Hills.
Same house, different wings.
Wings, man.
The house is so big, they gotta fly
from one end to the other.
Oh, l crack me up. ''Fly.''
Go see your girl, man.
l got you covered.
You think
l should give her a call, man?
- A call?
- Yeah. Yo, come on, man.
Devo, where's your
sense of romance, homey?
What she wants is for you
to show up at her doorstep
with flowers
and some strawberry yogurt.
So talk to me,
you gonna lend me your ride?
Now you're talking.
- But you gotta change that shirt.
- Well, what's up?
You're going to Beverly Hills.
A green one, for money.
- This is Charise.
- Hi.
- This is David, Donna and Dylan.
- You can just call us the Three D's.
l don't think so.
Well, it's nice to meet you,
Charise.
This is my sister, Brenda.
She was in the car
you tried to take out this morning.
- Sorry about that.
- lt's okay. l like what you're wearing.
- Thanks.
- And l love the way you wear it.
l'm Steve Sanders,
and you're definitely
better-looking than your brother.
l hope so.
- And this is Kelly.
- Hi.
- l love what you're wearing.
- Thank you.
You wanna sit down?
This is very hip, Brandon. Very hip.
Two-seven-three? No, 27 4?
Operator, yeah, just give me
Robinson Ashe in Beverly Hills.
While you're at it, let me have
an exact address. lt's a new listing.
What? lt's not listed?
Well, that figures.
l mean,
l should've known this old man
wasn't gonna have his digits
in the phone book.
No, no, it's okay.
l'm just gonna have to wing it.
My husband must have
accidentally set it off.
We don't know why.
We don't know why we ever installed
this damn thing in the first place.
What was that, Mrs. Cooper?
Oh, no, you didn't have to call
the security patrol.
She did what?
Oh, it's okay, honey,
it was not because of us.
lt's because Mr. Caplan's dogs
are barking too loud.
Oh, of course, the dogs.
l can really hear them barking.
Jim.
Honey, way to go.
Mrs. Cooper, l have to go now.
Get out of here.
Hey!
Hold it.
Don't you like animals, kid?
Well, l can take them or leave them,
but l work at this tamale stand,
so they must smell the meat.
- Where are you going so fast?
- l'm going to see my girlfriend.
- What's her address?
- Lives on Hillcrest Drive.
l don't know the exact address.
Her name is Ashe.
You better call B.H.P.D.
Have them come
check out our friend here.
Give me a break.
What you gonna do?
Are you gonna arrest me
for walking on a public street?
- What's in the bag?
- Yogurt.
- Keep your hands to the side.
- Well, check it out.
Hey, hey,
get your hands off me, man!
You responsible
for all those burglaries, my man?
What burglaries, man?
l ain't done nothing.
Shut up.
Just give me a reason.
Robbie called
when you were in the shower.
- His mom's gonna take him to school.
- Oh, okay.
You know, l really liked Charise.
Everybody did.
Do you think she liked us?
Yeah, she even liked Steve.
l think it's me she didn't like.
Oh, she wouldn't let you
kiss her good night, huh?
l think she has a boyfriend.
- Oh, that's a different story.
- Yeah, it is.
Terrible. That's terrible.
When did the police leave?
Well, was anyone else injured?
What happened?
Your mother's speaking
to Mrs. Cooper right now,
so l don't know
how viable any of this is,
but apparently there was a prowler
outside the Ashe home last night.
Turned out to be
a friend of the daughter's,
the crazy one with the sports car.
Yeah, l know who she is, Dad.
l took her out last night.
- You did?
- Yeah.
ls there a problem with that?
- No, no. l'm just surprised, that's all.
- Why?
Well, because two days ago,
you were ready to drag her into court.
Anyway, can you guys
just tell me what happened?
What happened is the security
was called and all hell broke loose.
This is a real mess.
Morning.
Yo, didn't Brenda tell you?
My mom's taking me to school today.
Oh, yeah, she told me.
We just heard about what
went down with the security patrol.
Oh, well, that.
lt's not a big thing, you know that.
Well, my mom didn't know all
the details, but didn't the cops come?
You know, to tell the truth,
l really don't know.
l was sleeping, mostly.
You must be
a pretty heavy sleeper, pal.
- Wasn't there a squad car--?
- Like l said, l really don't know.
Why don't we just forget about it,
you know what l'm saying?
Oh, hold on a second, man.
- How's Charise doing?
- l guess she's doing okay.
Look, l gotta go. l'll catch you later.
- All right.
- Okay.
We have rules in this house,
young lady.
There are rules in this house,
and you broke them all.
How many times have we specifically
told you to stop seeing Devo Damars?
l wasn't even here
when it happened, Daddy.
What are you trying to sell me?
That this was some
random coincidence?
That that no-class bum
gets himself into a fight with the police
in front of our house
while you're off gallivanting?
We went out to get a hamburger.
You got a problem with that?
You'd like Brandon, honey.
Yeah, maybe l would.
But what l don't like is being lied to.
What l don't like is my daughter
sneaking around
with a high school dropout.
What am l supposed to do?
You set the rules,
you tell me l can't go out with this one.
You tell me
l can't go out with that one.
Black, white,
it doesn't make a difference.
No one's ever good enough for you.
That's enough
out of your smart mouth, young lady.
None of this would've happened
if you didn't invite that thug here
in the first place.
What are the neighbours
gonna say?
Who cares
what the neighbours think?
l care.
Your mother and l didn't work
all these years
to buy a house in Beverly Hills so that
we would be put under a microscope.
Look, Charise, if l am hard on you,
it's because l love you.
Well, l'm sure
this will all blow over soon.
By this time tomorrow, the whole thing
will be forgotten forever.
Hey, buddy.
Hey, Steve-o, hey, Kellster.
What's happening?
Why don't you tell us?
We were just wondering
what happened last night.
l wish l knew.
The PR guy at the police department
gave me the runaround all morning.
- What are you talking about?
- What are you talking about?
- Charise.
- What about Charise?
We just were wondering
if there's any jungle fever happening.
You know, you two really ought to
consider getting back together again.
What's his problem?
Look, l know
you're a guy with a mission,
but l can't put the paper to bed
without a sports page.
Yeah, sorry. l'll put it together.
The police won't release any details,
because it turns out
the guy wasn't actually arrested.
lf he wasn't arrested,
what's the story?
What's the story? The story is
a young black guy gets detained
and harassed on a public street
for no apparent reason
other than the colour of his skin
and nobody wants to talk about it.
Wait a minute, wait,
what are you saying?
That there's a cover-up
going on here?
No, all l'm saying
is that some of these private
security guards are like loose cannons.
Who are they
accountable to, anyway?
l think you better talk
to the guy they stopped.
First l gotta find out his name.
That would help.
Hey, Robbie.
l've been looking for you, man.
You weren't in Tech class.
- l came in a little late this morning.
- Hey, listen,
l was hoping maybe
you could help me out.
Do you know Charise's friend,
the one that got hassled?
- Yeah.
- Well, what's his name?
l thought we were gonna
forget about that.
- And pretend nothing happened?
- Sounds like a plan to me.
Robbie, l need to interview this guy.
l'd like it if you could tell me
how to get in touch with him.
Now, come on, Brandon.
Why are you gonna make this thing
worse than it is?
My parents are steamed up enough,
you know.
l know, but the truth is
this isn't about your parents.
This is about breaking a news story.
lf you wanna be
our new staff photographer,
l suggest you find a way
to help me out here.
Well, if you put it that way,
l strongly suggest
you find yourself a new photographer.
Hey, come on, man.
What's your problem?
My problem is you, man.
You are a user, and l'm sick of it.
You blatantly used me
to get to my sister.
- No, that's not true.
- Yes, it is.
You use every opportunity
you can find
to make me painfully aware that
when you look at me,
you don't see
the new kid on the block,
you see the new black kid
on the block.
And l hate to tell you this,
but in my eyes,
that doesn't make you
a whole hell of a lot different
than those dudes
on the security patrol.
The guy
practically called me a racist.
And he did call me a user.
lt's bogus, man.
lt's pure BS.
What? You think l use people?
You think l'm a racist?
No, Brandon, of course not.
You promise you won't get mad?
Go on.
lf you didn't think there was a
kernel of truth to what he was saying,
you probably wouldn't be so angry.
Charise, you got a minute?
ls this off the record
or on the record?
l guess Robbie told you
about the article, huh?
The moment l got home last night.
Right after he told me
Devo got busted.
- l'm sorry, l should've said so--
- Yeah, you should've.
l should've known better than to go out
with a boy from Beverly Hills.
When l asked you out,
l didn't ask you out as a reporter.
l asked you out as a friend.
Or at least someone who wanted
to become your friend.
Yeah, well, if you truly
wanna become my friend,
get out of here before my papa
grounds me for another month.
Charise...
That damn alarm.
You better rush home
and call the security patrol.
For all you know, a Negro
might be breaking into your house.
Okay, okay, fine.
You win. l'm the bad guy.
l'm the biggest bastard
in the history of Beverly Hills, all right?
You can say or think anything
you want about me. l don't care.
But what happened to your friend Devo
on this street last night was wrong.
Now, l wanna write a story about it,
but l need you to tell me
how l can get in touch with him.
Go home, Brandon.
Mrs. Cooper-- Mrs. Cooper,
you're not listening to me.
There is no need to call the security
patrol, because they're already here.
Yes, yes, they're in the other room,
trying to locate
what keeps setting this thing off.
lf you and Dad
don't disconnect that thing, l will.
lt's embarrassing, Mom. lt really is.
Yes, yes, Mrs. Cooper. l'm still here.
Do you have any earplugs?
Really. And you know
the irony of all this?
That Charise's friend probably
wouldn't have even been hassled
if the security patrol had not
come here to answer our false alarm.
lt's about time.
This kind of thing never happens.
We're replacing all the circuits.
- Clearly, something's defective.
- Clearly.
Listen, you and your family
have all been very patient.
l appreciate it, okay?
Anything l can do for you--
Actually, maybe there is something
you could do.
When your security officers detain
someone, do they fill out a report?
Sure, yeah.
- Hey. Where are you going so fast?
- Tamale Heaven.
- Sounds delish.
- l'll let you know.
Hey, is it that the new place
on Charleville?
- No, it's south.
- Where?
lt's south, it's somewhere between
Watts and the airport, l think.
Why are you going there?
lt's where Charise's boyfriend works.
l wanna get an interview with him.
This is gonna sound kind of beat,
but is it safe to go there by yourself?
- We'll see.
- Brandon.
l know you love playing
Woodward and Bernstein,
but l think
you're way over your head here.
- Thanks.
- Brandon--
Stay out of it.
lt's got nothing to do with you.
Fine, just go.
What's up, fellas?
So, what are we
trying to accomplish here?
Didn't Ramon warn y'all
about mashing headgear around here?
Your posse know what's up.
Y'all keep this up,
you're gonna get busted.
lf you're packing or carrying,
l strongly suggest y'all step off
before the Man gets here,
you know what l'm saying?
Oh, you're larger than life now, huh?
Siren don't mean nothing
to you, huh? Move!
lf you're looking to score,
l strongly suggest you go back
to your side of the hill.
You hear me?
Hey, l'm not a doper, man.
l'm a friend of Charise's.
More like a neighbour.
You're Devo, right? Devo Damars?
- Who wants to know?
- l'm Brandon Walsh.
l'm a reporter for my school newspaper
at West Beverly High.
l live down the block from Charise.
l know what went down last night.
l want an interview with you.
With all due respect,
you don't have a damn idea
about what went down
here last night, you got that?
- They did that to you, didn't they?
- What, this?
No, you know, my moms accidentally
rolled over me with her Rolls-Royce.
Seriously, man. Did security patrol
jack you up, or was it the city cops?
Did you say ''jack you up''?
You've been reading
your Spike Lee handbook, haven't--?
You think you can drop the attitude
long enough to say what happened?
- Why?
- lt's an important story.
What is, man? You tell me.
Being in the wrong place
at the wrong time,
or being in the wrong place at
the wrong time with the wrong colour?
You think for a minute it would've been
any different for you out there
if l hadn't chased these guys off?
- lt's not the same thing.
- Yes, it is, man!
Wake up, all right?
They don't roll out welcome mats
for my kind in Beverly Hills,
and you should not feel free
to roam around these alleyways either.
Yeah, but that doesn't
make it right, does it?
Of course
it doesn't make it right, man.
lt makes it the kind of world
that we live in today.
l came down
and heard this guy on the radio,
talking about that
Rodney King incident.
The guy that got beat up
by the L.A.P.D.
Yeah, l know who he is.
Well, the amazing thing
wasn't what happened, blondie.
Because see, that happens
every day down here.
The amazing thing was
the whole thing
got peeped out by somebody's
home-video camera.
Excuse me.
What are you saying, Devo?
We should let bygones be bygones?
Well, hey, l mean,
it's a kinder, gentler nation, right?
Give me a break, man.
You're so full of it, you stink.
You look me in the eye,
tell me this doesn't make you angry.
Look, man,
it makes me angry, all right?
More important, it makes me sad.
You want a story, blondie?
l got a story for you, all right?
My mother,
who means the world to me,
had to go out and beg for money, man,
in the middle of the night,
to pay for a taxi to bring her
into Beverly Hills, man.
l will never, ever forget
the expression on her face
when she rolled
in that emergency room.
My mom has four boys, four.
Two of them are in prison,
the other one's on the pipe,
and then there's me, man.
l'm the one
she never had to worry about.
All l do is try to please her, man,
and make her proud.
l try to do what's right.
Brandon.
Brenda, what are you doing here?
Well, after you left,
Robbie just happened to be walking by.
So here we are. Kind of beat, huh?
No, it's kind of nice.
- You all right?
- This?
Don't even worry about it, baby.
Mama says
l'll always be handsome now.
lt's just a minor setback.
- We gotta talk, Devo.
- l know.
Look, you want a tamale?
- Right.
- Well, you liked them before.
Well, l guess this means you're going
through with your big expose, huh?
You know, l don't know anymore.
Well, l think you should
put it out there.
And if you do, there's some pictures
that your trusty staff photographer's
been taking that you ought to look at.
l'd like that.
You know what l'd like, guys?
You guys have got to try
the extra crispy.
No, the Cajun spicy is the best,
and no calories.
You're hysterical.
You know what l wanna taste?
Popcorn in yogurt sauce.
Oh, yeah. Well, you be sure
to tell papa about that recipe.
Well, l hate to tell you this,
but he's got that recipe already.
lt'll be out by Christmas.
- Are you kidding?
- Yeah! Psyche!
Do you know how good
your paper looks this week?
Yeah, we know,
but you can tell us again.
- The article is really great, Brandon.
- Thanks, Bren.
Hey, wait, especially the pictures.
Oh, especially the pictures.
l like this part right here.
''lt's when we stop looking
at the human race as individuals,
we, as a generation, are in trouble.''
- Eloquently put.
- l'm glad you liked it.
Cindy, l got your note,
and needless to say,
l am very disappointed.
Look, Mrs. Cooper, l'm really sorry.
But l can't talk right now.
We've got company.
To impulsively just cancel
your contract with our security patrol
because of one
questionable incident--
Look, Mrs. Cooper,
l don't mean to be rude,
but what this family does and why
we do it is really no concern of yours.
And, you know, l met Mr. Caplan,
and l like his dogs.
Goodbye.
First professional game
l went to, 1 965 World Series.
- Koufax versus the Twins, right?
- Yeah.
Yeah, right,
l'll bet you're a Twins fan, huh?
- Charise, what's up?
- Same old, same old.
- Where are you going?
- Tamale Heaven.
- Thought that place was off-limits.
- Not anymore.
Ever since you did
your article on Devo,
my dad's
been rediscovering his roots.
- Glad to help.
- Thanks.
So, what'd you think of the article?
l think my brother's
an excellent photographer.
You are brutal.
Drive safely, Brandon.
Thought that was supposed to be
my line.