God Friended Me (2018): Season 2, Episode 17 - Harlem Cinema House - full transcript

Previously on "God Friended Me"...

And to those I'm meeting
for the first time,

thank you in advance for the support.

I'm afraid I don't share
your confidence.

What, the council didn't
like your proposal?

Actually, just one member in particular.

If you truly love this church,

you'll consider stepping down.

Reverend Elias, your services
are no longer needed.

- I'm Ali.
- Emily.

I'd love to get to know you more,



you know, outside of a waiting room.

I have breast cancer.
That's why I said no to a date.

So how's 7:00 tomorrow?

- Oh.
- You okay?

Emily and I were on our
date. I passed out.

- Can I see her?
- Actually, she wanted me to come out

and tell you that she'll
be calling you later.

She's not gonna call me, is she?

Did, um, your doctor say anything else?

I told you... just that the
treatment wasn't working.

Hey, nothing about the next step?

No.

Well, I'm sure that's what she's
gonna talk to us about today.

Dr. Chang. Hi.



I'm sure you remember my entire family.

Of course. I assume Ali's filled you in.

- She has.
- Like we first discussed,

we need to shrink the tumor
before we can remove it

in order to give us the
best chance of success.

Unfortunately, your current treatment

didn't give us the results
we were hoping for.

So what's the next step?

Well, we're gonna have
to get more aggressive.

Aggressive how?

Stronger medicine, adding radiation.

But if we opted for surgery now

instead of waiting for the
tumor to possibly shrink...

We can discuss it,

but the highest probability
of long-term success

is reducing its size.

The good news is,
the cancer is localized.

So, once we shrink it,

we're looking at very good
odds going into surgery.

- Okay?
- Okay.

When do we start?

I wish there was different
news today, Ali.

I'm sorry. Um, but it's
just a bump in the road,

and we'll get through this.

Let's stay hopeful,

because there is a new treatment option,

and we are gonna be here for
you every step of the way.

- Thank you.
- Mm-hmm.

- I'll check on you later.
- Okay.

- See you.
- Okay.

Want to talk about it?

No. Not really.

You know what you need?

You need a day off.

- You want me to play hooky.
- I want us to play hooky.

Look, seeing that I have a
podcast and work from home,

I'm pretty sure no one's gonna notice.

And you can call in sick.

I can tell them I have cancer.

Okay, I guess I can take
the afternoon shift.

What do you have in mind?

_

- What is it?
- The God Account

just liked "The Maltese Falcon."

Maybe it wants us to go to the movies.

"Maltese Falcon"...

Wasn't that one of Mom's favorite films?

Yeah.

Yeah, she took us to see
it when we were kids.

It was one of the first films we saw

at the Harlem Cinema House.

I haven't been there in years.

You know what?

That changes today. Come on.

What's going on with the God Account?

Any lead on Corey Smith?

Uh, yeah, we found out
he works for DARPA.

What's that?

It's a top-secret government agency.

So, yeah, walking in and saying "hello"

is definitely out of the question.

But look, no more talk
about the God Account.

I just want this day to be about you.

I've been meaning to ask
you, did you call Emily?

I did...

after I got home from the
hospital the other night,

told her it was probably for
the best we didn't date.

Let me guess. You think
I'm making a mistake.

No, no, no, no, no.
I think you're right.

Look, you have been going
through a lot lately.

You don't need to overextend yourself.

Meeting Emily was just bad timing.

Man, this place hasn't changed a bit.

It always made me feel like
I was ten years old again.

Me too. Other than Harlem Episcopal,

we spent more time here as
kids than any other place.

Now, aren't you glad we played hooky?

Mm-hmm.

Hey, Mr. Johnson, uh, I don't
know if you remember us...

Miles and Ali Finer.

Of course I do.

You know, I remember
when Arthur and Ella

brought you in as kids.

You know, he and your mother
had their very first date here?

I told him, "Do not take Ella
to see 'Lady Sings the Blues.'"

It is not a first-date flick.

But he wanted to impress her.

So they both came out
of the movie weeping.

I can't blame them.
My wife and I did, too.

We were sorry to hear about her passing.

Thank you.

Hey, you kids are gonna
be late for the movie.

Come on.

Uh, Mr. Johnson, how
much for the tickets?

You are my guests. Come on in.

_

- Everything okay?
- Yeah.

- Yeah.
- Miles,

Ali, this is Haley, my star employee.

There's only two of us,

so I had a pretty good shot.

Nice to meet you.

Enjoy the movie.

So what can I get you?

Two, uh, popcorns with
extra butter, please.

And two boxes of Reese's Pieces, please.

So how do you two know Mr. J?

We grew up watching movies here.

Yeah, Harlem Cinema
House and Mr. Johnson

have always been a huge
part of this community.

Mr. J's one of a kind.

If it wasn't for him,
I don't know where I'd be.

_

What's going on?

Nothing. It's just Rakesh. He's bored.

Welcome to Harlem Cinema House.

Today we are presenting "Krush Groove."

My name's Leo. I'm your projectionist.

You're not gonna get a
better viewing experience

of classic movies than here at HCH...

... where we still show our prints

on one of the last remaining

- 35-millimeter projectors...
- _

... in the country.

Hope you enjoy it.

Okay, spill it. I know
that's not Rakesh.

What's really going on?

It's the God Account.

- It sent a Friend Suggestion?
- Not one but three...

Mr. Johnson, Haley Chambers,
and Leo Rettke.

It looks like the God Account really
did want us to go to the movies.

- That movie was amazing.
- Yeah.

Hey, what are you two doing here?

I texted them.

With three friend suggestions,
we need all hands on deck.

Well, three different people
means three separate problems.

Yeah, well, unless, you know,
they're all connected.

Yeah, he's right. I mean,
it can't be a coincidence

that they all work here.

So why don't we, uh, split up

and see what we can find
from each one of them?

Well, Miles and I know Mr.
Johnson, so we'll talk to him.

Okay, Rakesh, why don't you
talk to the projectionist, Leo?

And, Cara, you can talk to Haley.

She runs the concession stand.

- Yeah, cool.
- Okay.

Hey, Haley, these are my
friends Rakesh and Cara.

Hey, it's nice to meet you.

- You too.
- Whoa.

"2001" and "The Shining" double feature?

Please tell me that's not sold out.

- No.
- So why are you taking it down?

Sorry, I assumed since
you were Mr. J's friends,

- you already knew.
- Knew what?

Mr. Johnson is being forced
to close down the theater.

Come Monday, this place is sold.

Lester. Come in.

To what do I owe the pleasure?

I wanted to come by and thank you.

I just got word that shelter
at Harlem Episcopal

was approved for another
year of funding.

And deservedly so.

It's been serving the
community for 15 years.

Well, we appreciate it.

I know you had to make
some difficult decisions

about which programs to cut in
order to balance the budget.

I did, but the shelter was never
going to be one of them.

By the way...

I heard from a friend of the dioceses

that Reverend Elias's program
was not so fortunate.

I wish I could keep them
all open, but as you said,

decisions had to be made.

To say he was not pleased
would be an understatement.

I thought you should know.

I appreciate the heads-up, Lester.

Uh, come on in.

- Hey, Mr. Johnson.
- Hey, guys.

How was the movie?

- It was great. Yeah.
- Yeah?

Mr. Johnson, we heard about
the theater being sold,

and we are so sorry.

This must be so hard for you.

It wasn't an easy decision to make.

But the truth is, I can't compete
with the big multiplexes.

You know, they got reclining chairs,

digital projectors,

surround sound.

Well, have you thought about
renovating the theater,

updating it so you can show new movies?

I haven't turned a profit in a while.

And without any collateral,
no bank is gonna give me a loan.

Well, there must be a
way that we can help.

We've actually gotten really
good at fund-raising.

I appreciate it, but
we've done all that.

The only thing that I had that
I could've used as collateral,

was my wife's wedding ring.

It was a family heirloom.

What happened to it?

Our home was broken into
last year, and it was stolen.

I just hope that Haley and
Leo land on their feet.

They're like family.

I did get Haley a job
interview for tomorrow.

I hope it works out.

I'm going to miss this place.

How long have you worked here?

Uh, six months, but
it feels much longer.

Any idea where you're gonna go next?

No, not yet, but Mr.
J's trying to help me.

It's just not so easy.

What do you mean?

Let's just say employers

don't love hiring people with a record.

Oh.

Hello?

Uh, employees only.

I heard you guys got

this old 35-millimeter
projector back here,

and I-I had to see it.

- Hi.
- Hey.

- I'm Rakesh.
- Leo.

Fellow cinéphile?

- Mm-hmm.
- Step right in.

Okay, but full disclosure...
I'm a digital guy.

Well, sit in this theater
for a few weeks,

and I promise you I will change that.

If we only had a few weeks.

Yeah, it's too bad they're
shutting this place down,

especially for a purist like yourself.

Yeah, uh, thanks. Um,
I'm actually a filmmaker.

Or I will be one day.

Like, what are you working on?

I just completed my first short film.

I'm hoping it'll get me into
the New York Film Institute.

Literally spent every
penny I have making it.

You know, if it wasn't for Mr. Johnson

letting me crash in the
basement to save cash,

I probably wouldn't have
been able to complete it.

Wait, you've been living here?

What are you gonna do once
the theater closes down?

Um, still working on that.

And I just got the telecine file

for my short from the lab today.

- Shot on film.
- Of course.

Mm-hmm.

- Do you want to check it out?
- Yeah.

I didn't always make great decisions.

Ended up doing something stupid
and served a few months.

I have another year of parole.

It's why I owe everything to Mr. J.

He looked past all that,

but not everyone's like him.

Yeah.

Is everything okay?

Uh, yeah, it's just, uh, the job
interview Mr. J set up for me,

one of the conditions of
my parole is employment.

So I should probably get going.
I don't want to be late.

Yeah.

_

No.

- This cannot be happening.
- What?

My film... the file...
it's saying it's corrupted.

It... it won't open.

Okay, uh, well, can't you
just transfer it again?

Yeah, but it takes at least
a week, and the deadline

for the New York Film
Institute is today.

Okay, look, maybe I can help.

- How?
- Well, I'm a coder.

I'm sure I can fix
whatever's wrong with it.

Okay, look, I know we
don't know each other,

but cinéphile to cinéphile,
I'm gonna ask you to trust me.

Look, I appreciate you guys caring,

but if I'm gonna turn
over the keys on Monday,

I've got a lot to do.

So if you excuse me.

Miles, Ali.

Thanks, guys.

- What is it?
- Mr. J's ring.

What if that's what this is
about... tracking it down?

Ali, the ring was stolen a year ago.

- That's more than a long shot.
- I get that.

But look, it's the God
Account we're talking about.

Plus, it would be kind of nice
to see a long shot pay off.

You know what? You're right.

If we can locate the ring,

then he'll be able to get a
loan to renovate the theater.

See if we can bring
people back down here.

Hey. How'd it go with Mr. Johnson?

Good. There may be a way
to save the theater.

And everyone's job with it.

Well, that's great. How?

- Nice meeting you guys.
- Yeah, yeah, you too.

- Okay.
- What is it?

She got this text that
seemed to rattle her.

She said it was about some job
interview Mr. Johnson set up

for her that she had to get to.

But I can't shake the fact
that I think she was lying.

- Maybe because she is.
- What are you talking about?

Well, Mr. Johnson told us he
set up an interview for her,

but it's for tomorrow.

But if she's not going
to the job interview,

- then what was the text about?
- Yeah, that's a good question.

I say we follow her.
Figure out where she's going.

You guys can tell me how we're
going to save the theater

- on the way.
- Hmm.

- You up for it?
- Try and stop me.

Reverend Elias.

Bishop Finer.

Thank you for seeing me on short notice.

Of course.

Uh, I imagine that you're here

to talk about your program...
Fresh Start.

I am.

Needless to say, I was
incredibly disappointed

to hear that our funding had been cut.

Mm.

Fresh Start helps give parolees
the tools to find jobs

after being released from prison.

It helps members of our community

who have absolutely
nowhere else to turn.

I understand.

If I could, I would keep
every program funded,

but hard decisions had to be made

that are good for the entire diocese.

And you expect me to believe that?

Believe what you want. It's the truth.

No, the truth is that not
a single program was cut

from Harlem Episcopal,
while my program was.

And you're gonna sit there and tell me

- that that wasn't personal?
- It wasn't.

I gave all programs
careful consideration.

Well, I know that isn't true.

Because if that were the case,

you would've closed the
shelter at Harlem Episcopal.

That shelter has served the community

for over 15 years.

And during that time,
at least a dozen other shelters

have opened up just like it,

all serving the same community.

My program was the only one of its kind.

Your point?

Was protecting your shelter

the best thing for the diocese,

or was it the best thing for you?

I appreciate your concerns.

My decision is final.

We're done here.

But clearly she's waiting on someone.

Yeah, whoever it is has her on edge.

Considering her past,
the fact she served time,

I got a bad feeling about this.

Hey, you know, being outside
can't be good for you.

And we don't know how long
we're gonna be waiting.

So why don't you just go home?

Miles, I am cold because
it is 20 degrees outside,

not because I have cancer... I'm fine.

- Okay. Sorry.
- Hey, how did it go

at the doctor's this morning?

Not really the news we were hoping for.

I'm so sorry, Ali.

It's kind of bad timing.

- Sort of met someone recently.
- Yeah?

And as much as I like her, it just...

it wouldn't be fair to put her
through something like this.

Hey, check it out.

It's definitely not a job interview.

Let's go.

What are you guys doing here?

Wait, uh...

- Are you following me?
- Yeah.

I'm sorry. Okay?

- We're just worried about you.
- You don't know me.

Well, we know the guy you're talking to

- wasn't for a job interview.
- Yeah, from the looks of things,

probably someone you
shouldn't be talking to

while you're on parole.

We're not here to judge.
We just want to help.

Now, what's going on? Why
were you meeting with him?

Because I'm trying to get
something back for Mr. J.

Uh, a ring that means a lot to him.

What does that guy have to do with it?

He's a fence.

He offloads stolen
goods around the city.

He was the last one to see Mr. J's ring.

Wait. How do you know that?

Because I'm the one who stole it.

It was a year ago. I was
pretty much at my lowest.

I got busted for a different
burglary and went away.

When I got out,
Mr. Johnson gave me a job.

At the time, I had no idea the
ring I stole belonged to him.

So how'd you figure it out?

He invited me and Leo over
for dinner a few weeks ago

to tell us he was selling the theater.

When I walked into his place I thought

I was going to have a heart attack.

Because you'd been there before.

Yes.

During dinner, he told us
about his wife's ring.

When I stole it, I had no idea

just how valuable it really was.

What do you mean?

It's an antique ruby... incredibly rare.

He said the average jeweler

probably wouldn't realize
how much it's worth.

Ever since then,

I can't even look him in the eye.

I need to make it right.

Does your fence know where it is?

No. Owen told me there's
dozens pawn shops

that deal in high-end jewelry
he might've sold it to.

And he's gonna ask around,
see if he can find it,

but who knows how long that'll take?

Well, then we need to speed things up.

How?

We're kind of good at finding things.

_

- And you're done.
- You're kidding.

- You fixed it?
- Yeah.

I just got to recompress
the file so you can email it.

And...

You're all set.

I don't know how to thank you, Rakesh.

- Ah.
- If I don't get into film school...

That's it.

What are you talking about?

Even if you don't get into
film school, you can't quit.

- This is your dream, right?
- Yeah.

Then you got to give yourself time.

Believe me, I have.

This short film is gonna
determine my fate.

And thanks to you,
I have a fighting chance.

The fact that he questioned my decision,

accused me of playing favorites,

and that I'm keeping the shelter open

to protect some sort of
legacy at Harlem Episcopal?

Well, you have to admit that
your ties to Harlem Episcopal

and your history with Elias...

it's easy to see that he
might think that way.

Trish, I gave careful
consideration to all programs.

Okay.

Hey. So what's going on with you?

You two seem to be having
a spirited conversation.

Work problems.

Do you remember Reverend Elias?

Ah, how can I forget?

Well, I had to cut funding
to one of his programs,

and he's accused me
of playing favorites.

He thought that your dad
should cut the shelter

at Harlem Episcopal.

- You mean our shelter?
- Hmm.

Wait, what do you mean "our shelter"?

When I was eight years old,

we were coming home from dinner,

and I was carrying a box of leftovers.

We passed a homeless man,
and I handed him my food.

- Hmm.
- Afterwards, I asked my dad

if there was a place where
homeless people ate.

He told me about shelters,

and I asked if Harlem Episcopal had one.

When he said no, I said
we should start one.

I see.

Anyway, I probably should
get to work today.

Dad, thank you for saving our shelter.

I know what you're thinking.

It's a great program, and
that's why I'm not cutting it.

I have no doubt about that.

But you can't tell me that
this isn't a little bit about Ali

and wanting to protect something

that was connected to
her, especially now.

So Rakesh was able to help Leo.

Now he's gonna help you.

I appreciate all this,
but how is this supposed

to help us find Mr. Johnson's ring?

Well, most of your high-end
pawn shops are online now,

so I scanned an image
of Mr. Johnson's ring,

entered a few parameters,

and now my software program's
just gonna do the rest.

And hopefully it won't take
too long, right, Rakesh?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it should
scan 1,000 items a second.

So if it's out there,
we should know soon.

- What if it's not?
- Well, then we'll figure out

another way to save the theater.

So do you guys usually go around
helping strangers like this?

You could say that.

Oh, hey, we got a match.

Okay, looks like your ring
is at Al's Jewelry Depot

on 53rd and 9th... or at least it was.

What do you mean "was"?

_

It sold for $2,000?

Mr. Johnson said it was
worth almost $100,000.

Wait, that's weird.

The website just updated its inventory.

Looks like someone bought
it less than an hour ago.

That's a hell of a coincidence.

Did you tell your fence how
much the ring was worth?

Yes.

I wasn't thinking. I wanted him to know

how important it was to me.

I never thought...

Now that he has it, he's
not gonna give it back

for anything less than what it's worth.

It's over.

We're never gonna save the theater now.

I figured we could use
a little caffeine boost

to start the day.

- Thanks, Miles.
- Thank you.

- Yeah.
- Hey, it was really nice

having Ali working on the God
Account with us yesterday.

Yeah, I'm sure it was a
welcome distraction.

Yeah, for me too.

Oh, I heard back from Haley.

So she's gonna try to talk to Owen,

but she said he's not the kind of guy

that does anything out of
the goodness of his heart.

Yeah. So what's our next move?

Honestly, I don't know.

Mr. Johnson signs over
the theater tomorrow,

and we are out of options.

_

What is it?

The God Account just sent another like

for "The Maltese Falcon."

Wait. What do you mean "another"?

Well, I got the same like
yesterday when I was with Ali.

It's what gave me the idea
to take her to the movies.

Well, if it sent it again,
there has to be more to it.

No, I get that,

and "The Maltese Falcon"
is a great movie,

but how's it supposed help
us save Harlem Cinema House?

I don't know, but if
there's anyone who does,

it's Mr. Johnson.

Mm.

Uh, let me get this straight.

You get these likes,

and each one's a clue of some kind?

Basically.

And this God Account sent you my name.

And Haley's and Leo's.

We think it's about saving the theater.

Look, I know it's a lot to take in,

but we've helped a lot of people.

And we're hoping we can add you guys

- to the list.
- Mm-hmm,

so any idea

how "The Maltese Falcon"
plays into all of this?

Sorry.

I-I wish I did, but I don't.

Though it was one of my
grandfather's favorite movies.

He was a big Bogart fan.

He opened this theater.

I'm glad he's not around
to see the doors close.

Hey, we are not going to give up, okay?

We still have one more day.

Look, I appreciate you guys
trying to help, I really do,

but it's too late.

Look, um, I'm having one
last screening tonight

to celebrate the Harlem Cinema House.

I thought it'd be nice
to invite the community.

Let everybody say good-bye together.

I hope you guys can come.

"The Maltese Falcon" has to be a clue.

We just have to figure out what.

Hey, Rakesh,

- what did you do?
- Uh, what do you mean?

I just got an email from the
New York Film Institute.

My film was disqualified.
My application was denied.

- Wait. Why?
- Films have to have

a minimum runtime of six minutes.

Apparently mine was a few seconds under.

Okay, well, Leo, how is that my fault?

Because my film was over six minutes

until whatever you did
somehow shortened it.

Oh, something must've happened

when I recompressed the file
that shaved down the runtime.

Leo, it's okay.

We'll call someone at
New York Film Institute

and tell them what happened...
I'm sure it will be fine.

They're not gonna care.

What am I gonna do now?

I don't even have a job
or a place to stay.

I was kidding myself thinking
I was a real filmmaker.

It's over.

Hey, Haley. Were you
able to talk to Owen?

Yeah, he said he won't
sell us the ring back

unless we pay full value.

Wait. What ring?

Uh, nothing. It's not important.

Oh, hang on, are you
talking about Mr. J's ring?

Uh...

- You know where it is? How?
- It...

it doesn't matter.
I-I thought I could get it back,

but I can't.

You went to prison right around the time

Mr. J's ring was stolen.

That night at his place
when he told us about it,

I remember you acting kind of strange,

and at the time, I didn't
think anything of it.

You stole it, didn't you?

Look, she's trying to fix her mistake.

I don't care.

Mr. J trusted you, and
this is how you repay him?

Hey, hey.

What's going on here?

Repay me for what?

Yeah, Haley.

Why don't you tell Mr. J what
we were just talking about?

Tell him why he doesn't have
his wife's ring anymore.

What's he talking about?

I stole your ring.

It was before I ever knew you.

I'm so sorry. I-I wanted to tell you.

And you didn't.

Haley...

you looked me straight in the eye

when I told you about that ring...

And how it could've saved this place.

- And you said nothing.
- I'm so sorry.

That sounds terrible.

Yeah. I mean, things pretty much
blew up right in front of us.

Usually this is the part where I say

there's something we can do,
but there's nothing we can do.

Okay, okay, okay. Enough
with the doom and gloom.

You guys help people.

That's what you do,
no matter how hard it is.

And you definitely don't give up.

None of us do.

Ali, I'm open to all ideas on
how we can save the theater.

Forget about the theater.

It's about more than that.

It's about Mr. Johnson, Haley, and Leo.

They are a family just like us,

and right now they are the
furthest thing from it.

We need to bring them back together.

You know what? You're right.

I'm gonna text Haley

and have her meet us down
at the Harlem Cinema House,

and we are gonna remind them of that.

What'd she say?

She said she's going to fix things,

that she has to face her
past once and for all.

Uh, okay, I don't like
the sound of that.

Yeah, neither do I. Rakesh,

can you track her phone?

Yeah.

She's at the northwest corner
of St. Nicholas Avenue

and 123rd Street...
there's nothing over there,

except, uh...

a police station.

I'd like to report a crime.

Hey, Mr. J. Thanks for meeting me.

Of course. Uh, what's
this all about, Miles?

Haley is at the police
station right now.

She's going to admit
to stealing your ring,

so the police'll be able to
get it back from her fence.

And by admitting that,
she goes to prison.

Yeah, now, Ali, Rakesh, and Cara

are on their way there now to stop her,

but there is only one person
that she'll listen to.

I understand, but I'm done helping her.

It's not just that she stole the ring,

but the fact that she lied to my face.

She's not the person I thought she was.

Yes, she is.

She is willing to go to jail
and save your theater

because she is exactly
who you think she is.

When I got the Friend Suggestion
for the three of you,

I thought it was just
about saving the theater.

But it's not.

It's about saving a family,

a family that you created.

Don't turn your back on her now,

when she needs you the most.

We know why you're here.
You can't do this.

I need to make this right.

You don't need to make anything right.

Not with me you don't.

If it wasn't for me,
you'd still have your ring.

Yeah, and... and if
you hadn't stolen it,

then maybe you don't show up
at my theater needing a job.

And our worlds never cross.

You know, I'm...

I'm good with that trade, are you?

What about the theater?

If the only way we can
keep the theater open

is for you to risk going back to jail,

I'll close the doors right now.

We're family.

Which one of you is
here to report a crime?

That's okay. I'm not
pressing any charges.

Okay.

Well, we still have Leo to think about.

What do you mean?

Well, he didn't get into film school.

He took the rejection as a sign
to give up on his dreams.

Then we need to find a way
to convince him otherwise.

Hey, I have an idea...

a way to prove to Leo
that he can't give up.

How?

Bishop Finer.

I must say, I'm surprised
that you called.

That makes two of us. Please, sit.

The reason I asked you to come down here

is because I've been thinking
a lot about our conversation.

About your accusations
that this was somehow...

personal.

It was, just not how you thought.

I'm sorry. I don't understand.

I started the shelter
at Harlem Episcopal

with my daughter, Ali.

I think I've been wanting to
hold on to it because of her.

Now, see...

that I do understand.

I started Fresh Start because of my son.

Hmm.

He, uh...

he made some mistakes
when he was younger,

spent some time in prison.

When he got out, he, uh...

He had no real-world skills.

He had no path forward,

no... no way to turn his life around.

And I...

I decided to do something about that.

Not just for him, but for...

so many others like him.

I have no doubt that is why

Fresh Start has been so successful

and will continue to be.

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

When I started the shelter 15 years ago,

I hoped that it would pave
the way for others just like it,

and as you pointed out
yesterday, on that front,

it has been tremendously successful.

I believe that Fresh Start can
do the same over the next 15.

W-what are you saying?

I'm gonna close the shelter
and fund your program.

I... I don't know what to say.

- Thank you.
- You're welcome.

There are still some real...

obstacles between us...

but today...

today I think was a step
in the right direction.

- Good afternoon, Bishop Finer.
- Mm.

Hey, y'all, come on in.

- How you doing?
- Good to see you.

Whew, hey, it's a full
house in there, huh?

- Perfect send-off.
- Yeah.

- Excuse me.
- Mm-hmm.

Leo, I heard about film school.

I'm not letting you
give up on your dream.

Thanks, Mr. J, but
it's time I face reality.

- Hmm.
- Oh,

looks like it's time for the show.

Look, why don't you go in there

and grab a seat in the house?

I'm introducing this one.

Thanks for coming out, everyone.

I can't tell you how
gratifying it is to see...

to feel so much love for
Harlem Cinema House.

Now, before our main attraction,

I have the honor of introducing

the world premiere of a comedy short

by a very gifted young director.

If you like the film,

please, let him know.

Thank you!

Thank you!

_

Your film was amazing, Leo.

Oh, uh... thank you.

And hey, look, I'm sorry about earlier.

- I was...
- Don't worry about it.

Families fight.

Hey, everybody.

I want you to meet my
friend Kenny Evans.

Wait, are you Kenny Evans the producer?

Mr. J called and said
I had to see your film.

He was right. You're talented.

Now, I heard you didn't get
into New York Film Institute.

You should apply again next year.

In the meantime, why don't you
stop by my office on Monday?

We'll discuss an internship.

Thank you.

Mr. J.

Oh, I guess we'll never
know why the God Account

sent you a like for
"The Maltese Falcon" again.

- Yeah, I guess not.
- It's a great movie.

You know, there's actually, uh,

an original marquee poster
for it in the basement.

Yeah, I saw it when I
was living down there.

I haven't been down here in ages.

You know, my grandfather,

he used to store all kinds
of things down here.

You think this is what the God
Account wanted us to see?

- I don't know.
- You know,

maybe it wanted you to have it.

It's the least I can do.

- Uh, Leo, would you?
- Yeah.

There's a door here.

Wait, that can't be a coincidence.

What's inside?

Wow.

"Casablanca."

"Gone with the Wind."

"Citizen Kane."

My grandfather must've saved all these.

The studios, they used to
let you keep the prints.

I had no idea they were still down here.

These are original 35-millimeter prints

of some of the most
famous movies in history.

In pristine condition,
a collection like this...

it's worth a fortune!

Enough to renovate the
theater and then some!

All right, looks like tonight's showing

won't be the theater's last.

Think about the legacy you just saved.

- We saved.
- Mm-hmm, she's right.

We couldn't have done
it without you, Ali.

Thank you.

I needed a little magic
in my life this weekend.

I couldn't agree more.

What's Emily doing here?

Look, I know I said that
meeting Emily was bad timing.

I was wrong.

These past couple of
days have reminded me

that when things get tough,

you need as many people
in your life as possible.

Thanks, big bro.

- Hey.
- Hey.

I hope it's okay I came.

Are you sure you're up for this?

Ali, I've, um... been
to the movies before.

So what's your favorite movie candy?

Mm... Red Vines.

No, no, no. It's Reese's Pieces.

Reese's Pieces.

Can't believe I'm gonna date
somebody who likes Red Vines.

We'll work on it.

- You guys ready?
- Yeah.

Let's go see a movie.

- Synced & corrected by MementMori -
-- --