Living Single (1993–1998): Season 2, Episode 16 - Play Ball - full transcript
Synclaire, did you proof
these interview questions?
Went over them with
a fine toothed comb.
Bobby Bonilla of
the New York Mets
lose in Connecticut in
a beautiful "reem ouse"?
Shouldn't it say dream house?
My keyboard is broken.
I can't type any words
with the letters G, H or D.
If I have to type the word
Gandhi, I'm in big trouble.
Boss Lady, we need to talk.
I'm out of
personalized note pads.
Russell, the music
editor. Go ahead copy this.
The machine is broken.
Take this screw driver and
you stick it in the back, okay?
Just make sure
you unplug it first.
This is tyranny, an outrage.
And just plain cheap.
Okay, look, you people.
You really need to learn how
to make things last around here.
I mean, these
supplies ain't free.
New York Mets..
♪ We are living ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Single ♪
♪ Ooh in a '90s kinda world ♪
♪ I'm glad I got my gurls ♪
♪ Keep ya head up ♪
♪ What ♪
♪ Keep ya head up ♪
♪ Thats right ♪
♪ Wheneva this life get
tough You gotta fight ♪
♪ Wit' mah home gurl standin'
to mah left and mah right ♪
♪ True blue, we
tight like glue ♪
♪ We are Living Single ♪
So, are you upset
about the baseball strike?
Not really. All we wanna
do is get this thing settled
and make the fans happy.
So your not angry about the
owners proposed salary cap?
Those blood suckers!
Hey, Mr. Bonilla.
I'm Synclaire James
from Minnesota.
I know I should be Twins
fan but I like football.
So I root for the Vikings. My
favourite team is Tampa Bay.
Although I don't like it.
Anyway, would you
sign my baseball?
It's for my boyfriend Overton.
I'd be happy to.
‐ Great penmanship.
‐ Catholic school.
Anyway..
I mean you guys have
been on strike since August.
What do you do with
all your free time?
Well, I work out, spend
time with my family.
‐ And I have a journal.
‐ Oh, that's intersting.
Shame, shame, shame, Khadijah.
Can't you hear my pocket
screaming for justice?
I was forced to pay
for our business lunch.
Russell, I'm busy right now.
Fine, push me aside for
some overpaid cricket player.
Excuse him, Bobby.
This is Russell.
Our music editor.
And it maybe his last day.
Go Mets!
So you were telling
me about your journal.
What kinda' stuff
do you write about?
About hanging out in right field
hitting home runs and
making sure I'm not scratching
myself when the camera's on me.
Hey, have you ever thought
about writing a sports column?
We could call it
"Bobby's Journal."
"Bobby's Journal".
Khadijah, you've got
yourself a sports writer.
Oh, you can start tomorrow.
Thank you.
Hi, Mr. Bonilla.
Could you sign another
autograph for me?
This time it's for
my granny James.
And would you sign
it, "Love Hank Aaron."
He's her favourite player.
Okay, what's with the computer?
Your latest accessory?
I happen to be doing
inventory for the botique.
It's just a coincidence
that it matches my outfit.
Well, ladies. Fixed the
thermostat in the freezer
and pryed this loose.
What is it? A cheese ball?
No, turkey gravy.
I'll take it.
This is good.
Hey, people.
Ughh!
Satan's first born.
Hi, dad.
Man, you'd never
believe what happened.
You know Marvin the video clerk?
He just sold his first
screenplay for $250,000.
That should supplement
his hourly wage quite nicely.
Point is, man. He quit.
So I'm gonna write a screenplay.
I like Wall Street, but I'll
take easy street if I can.
Kyle, I think that
is a great idea.
I have always wanted
to write a screenplay.
A romantic comedy
like "The Body Guard".
That wasn't a comedy.
Every time I saw Kevin
Costner's haircut, I laughed.
I was thinking more
action adventure.
Oh, please!
Not another one of those
movies where everything explodes
and a bimbo in a bikini breaks
her heel running through woods.
Yeah, and you forget about
the trusty black sidekick
who always gets killed
during openeing credits.
And you know that's
a damn conspiracy.
I say we make it an action
adventure romantic comedy.
Two star crossed lovers
travelling to South Dakota
and they're being chased
by this android body builder
from the future bent
on their destruction.
You really thought
about this haven't you.
Uh‐huh.
I'm doing this myself.
Oh, come on, Kyle.
Now, who would you
bounce ideas off of? Max?
Who thinks that Freddie Krueger
is the quintessential
leading man?
Uh! Uh! Uh!
What I said was Freddie Kreuger
is the essence of every man.
I don't know, Regine. Look,
I usually work better alone.
Oh, well, we're not
talking about your sex life.
‐ Alright, alright. ‐ Okay.
‐ Alright, I'll tell
you what. ‐ Uh‐huh.
I'll do all the typing.
‐ Alright, welcome
aboard. ‐ Okay.
Look, stop nagging me
about that dang old keyboard.
Hey, guess who's gonna write
a sports column for Flavour?
Bobby Bonilla.
I had to tell somebody.
I got him to sign this for
you today, snack cake.
Oh, thank you, lava lips.
I'll put it right next
to my autographed.
Pet Boys torque wrench.
Having Bobby write a
column for Flavour might be
just the thing to boost sales.
Yeah, maybe we'll see
some improvement at Flavour.
Like a new copier, some
staple removers, an aquarium.
Tropical fish make
the best office pets.
They die so fast, you
never get attached.
Stop spending my money
before I even make it.
Don't be so cheap.
People are beginning to talk
and not so far behind your back.
Look, I'm not cheap. I'm frugal.
Uh‐huh, miss frugal put
coin boxes on the bathrooms.
It slows down
the number of trips
and increases productivity.
Oh!
‐ Did you hear that? ‐ What?
Conflict.
Kamalah, the tight
fisted editor of Taste
won't give into the demands
of her child‐like cousin.
Well, it needs a villain.
Maxilla! The shrew.
Okay, okay, okay.
She walk..No, no, she
limps in, hunched over.
Ah! That's so.. Ha‐ha‐ha.
Distroying everything in
her path with her breath.
Nice job, Bobby. But I think
you should avoid statements like.
"The major league
owners are capitalistic pigs"
"who treat the players like
puppets and hoard the profits."
That was Russell's idea.
Khadijah, you have a meeting
with the printer, 15 minutes
time to skedaddle.
And, Bobby, could you
sign this for me please?
Sure, who should
I make this out to?
The U. S Government. It's a W‐4.
Being all fan happy aren't you?
Oh, cheese on bread!
Damn thing broke again.
You see what working
for this goat yard magazine
has done to me?
I'm gonna sell pictures
to my public to survive.
That would be a dollar, please.
Russell, you cannot be
that hard up for money.
Hear me now. I haven't had
a raise in almost two years.
And I've been that big boned
Khadijah form the very beginning.
Things are not that bad here.
Oh, sure, we don't
have a health plan.
It costs about 40 cents
to go to the bathroom.
But if Khadijah can do
something about it, she would.
You're a such a trusting
girl. Could I hold your wallet?
Bo‐Bo gal.
Hey, Mr. Baseball.
When did the players
decide it was time to strike?
Oh, when the owners
refused to budge we realized
it was time to stand
up for ourselves.
That's right! I say we strike.
Against Khadijah?
That's not right.
It's justice! No raise, no work.
No raise, no work!
No raise, no work!
No raise, no work!
No, mon. No, mon.
There's no reason to strike.
Working conditions
are good around here.
Anybody got any
change? I gotta go.
Here's a washer.
It works like a dime.
Forgot my check book.
Khadijah, we should talk.
People are very unhappy
that the equipment doesn't work
and supplies are running low.
You on that again?
It's not just me. We've got lots
of disgruntled employees here.
Lucky for you we don't
work at the post office.
You're lucky to have a job.
Oh, I'm the lucky one?
Oh, I'm the lucky one.
Well, lucky, lucky, lucky me.
What's the matter Synclaire?
Is the cruel boot of management
weighing heavily
on your pretty neck?
Oh, let's just all
get back to work.
You know, Khadijah,
these are just the conditions
that force people to walk.
Synclaire, let's get serious.
You can't stop working if
you never really started.
Oh!
Hey, Bobby?
What's it called when a batter
swings and misses the ball?
A strike.
That's the word.
Strike, set it off!
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Alright! Alright, okay, alright.
‐ Strike! Strike!
Strike! ‐ Alright!
Just a little family spat.
Everything is okay...
Right, Synclaire?
Oh, no it's not Miss Missy.
You get back to me
when I have a raise
a new keyboard and
some big gold fish.
Synclaire, you know I can't
afford all that stuff right now.
I don't care about finances.
I have mouths to feed.
Russell, you don't have no kids.
But I have women.
I want a raise.
We all want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
This is all your fault.
I guess if you can't work
nobody can work, huh?
Hey, you got it all
wrong. I'm on your side.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Let's just all calm down.
If we keep cool heads we
can all settle this reasonably.
There's nothing to settle.
Salaries are gonna have
to stay where they are.
That's a salary cap.
Strike! Strike!
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
Synclaire! You can't
strike. We're family.
So were Kane and Abel.
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Wait, listen up, everybody.
Strategy meeting down
at Junior's restaurant.
Bobby billionaire's payin'.
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
'Strike! Strike! Strike!
Strike! Go! Strike!'
Hey! Its thing one and thing two
perpetrating the screen writers.
Hey, how's it goin'?
It's goin' great man, get this.
Lyle the stockbroker
slash secret agent
is investing in mutual
funds while chewing his way
through a pair of
stainless steel wrist‐cuffs
as he tries to avert a
thermo‐nuclear meltdown.
While Regina, the clothing
designer slash martial artist
and bride to be, is
matching fabric swatches
with her bridesmaids while
fighting off a pack of ninjas.
You know this sounds so
bad, Hollywood just might buy it.
Is there a part in it for me?
Yes, you get impaled
by a lightning rod
in the first frame.
M‐hm. It's 'cause she a sister.
See, ya'll playin'
right into the formula.
I knew we could
do it if we tried.
'Why, you ungrateful..'
What's goin' on?
Norma Rae, here, incited
a riot at flavor today.
Is that so? Well,
alright, my little wildcat.
I told Khadijah if she
doesn't meet our demands
there'll be heck to pay.
You know, uh, I like it
when you get fiesty, momma.
You, uh‐You wanna go for
a little stroll or something?
Hold up. Never get in the middle
of a fight between two women.
Unless there's mud
involved, you know?
Let me tell you somethin'.
Strike or no strike,
Flavour is not shuttin' down.
I'll run that magazine
myself if I have to.
Yes, and don't worry
Khadijah, I'll help you.
I loaned you $2,000 last time
the magazine was in trouble
and I ain't seein'
that go down the toilet
'cause you screwed up again.
‐ My girl. ‐ Alright!
‐ You know me. ‐ See?
You know me.
Always there with
a helping hand.
Be careful. Give her a hand
and she'll take your heart!
How about I snatch
it out of your chest?
Alright ladies,
let's not get ugly.
Oh it's much to
late for that, isn't it?
‐ Oh so now you gonna try
and‐‐ ‐ Oh, because you're‐‐
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey!
Now, I know this situation
is difficult for all of us, right?
But if we just speak
slowly, and clearly..
Regine can get it all
down for our screenplay.
Okay, action.
Flavour. Hold.
Flavour. Hold.
Flavour. Hold.
This is easy.
Max, did you
proofread those articles?
No. I was too busy
doing this riveting
hip‐hop crossword puzzle.
So, guess you're ready
to get back to work. Huh?
We're here to negotiate on
behalf of the rest of the staff.
I guess you've learned
that it's pretty difficult
running Flavor without us.
We're doin' fine.
Oh yeah? What's with
all the calls on hold?
I keep them there till
they forget what they want.
Okay, she's good on the phones.
Nonetheless, here's our list
of needs for your consideration.
Okay, I'll get the copier
fixed, buy some pens
and get a whole box
of staple removers.
And that's it.
What about the health
plan? The raises?
My yearly Junka' to Jamaica?
Enough. We're goin' to
every news stand in Brooklyn
tellin' people
not to buy Flavor.
‐ Come on. ‐ You wouldn't.
Yes I would.
Synclaire, I'm tellin'
you, I'm gonna..
I'm gonna call your mother.
Bobby‐Bo, she's playin' tough.
Khadijah, these people
work hard for you.
Nobody asked you.
And you're way outta your
league, you wannabe writer.
My column was good.
‐ Hey, I call 'em as I see
'em. ‐ You need glasses.
I think you need
"Hooked on Phonics".
Phonics?
Excuse me. Khadijah,
phone for you.
It's your mother.
Yeah right. Sons of..
Hello?
Hi, ma‐Hi, mommy.
Well, she started it.
‐ No I didn't,
Rita! ‐ She did so!
'She's always
doin' stuff like this'
She's not bein' fair.
No, I'm not gonna say sorry..
Gets me sick.
Ha ha ha ha! Woo!
This screenplay
turned out really great!
Yeah, no doubt. This
is a million dollar movie.
Yeah. Too bad it's not yours.
Yeah, that Marvin at the video
store really knows how to write.
Who are we kidding, Kyle?
Our script's not good
enough for an infomercial.
Regina the problem is, you
havn't heard out words, right?
So let's read a scene from
the screenplay out loud.
And you hear how good it is.
Alright? Regina,
you play Regina.
I'll play Lyle, of course.
And Overton, you play
Professor Earnest Wakefield
the mad scientist.
So I'm insane?
No, just angry.
Action.
"Professor Wakefield.
"Do you seriously expect
me to give you the micro‐film?
"That's not what a
martial artist secret agent
who is about to get
married would do. Is it?"
"Shut up."
"Professor, I'm a multi‐lingual
stockbroker secret agent.
You expect me to let you speak
to my bride to be that way?"
"Don't make me madder."
"Professor Wakefield,
we've climed 700 feet
"up the face of Mount
Rushmore to your secret hideout.
We want the device
and we want it now."
"Grr."
"Regina, the poison darts you've
hidden in your wedding gown.
Throw them. Now!"
"Commandoes. Get them!"
That's it. I'm done.
Uh, well..
Oh, now now, Regina. This
could be a proper little film.
Maybe not domestically,
but internationally.
Let's just send it to
the Republic of Togo.
I'm sure they'll line up outside
the movie hut for this one
Regine, Regine, listen.
You aren't going to
take the opinion of a man
who's favourite movie is
"The Little Elf That Could".
Hey, don't make me madder.
I still can't believe
she called my mother!
Alright Khadijah,
alright, listen.
It's almost midnight, and
I've got a plan for compromise.
No. I'm not hearin' it.
And I'm not givin' in
to that renegade Rasta.
And I have cut Synclaire's
branch from the family tree.
Alright. We don't have
time for your little pow‐wow.
Are you gonna meet our demands
or are we gonna
shut this place down?
How'd I do?
‐ Pretty good. ‐ Good good.
Look. I'm here to
negotiate in good faith.
Right Max?
Yeah, sure.
I am a fair and
reasonable woman.
‐ Right Max? ‐ Whatever.
But financially, I just can't
meet your salary demands.
Right Max?
Khadijah, may I scream at
you for a moment? Come here.
I looked at your books.
If you move your discretionary
fund over to your payroll
you can give your staff a
two‐and‐a‐half percent raise.
But that's my cushion. What if
I get in financial trouble again?
That would be a hint that you
don't know what you're doin'
Khadijah, you're worried that
Flavour might go under one day.
I'm talkin' about it going
out of business right now.
Can you dig me?
Yeah, I guess.
Alight, lookie here.
Khadijah's offering you a
two‐and‐a‐half percent raise.
Take it or leave it.
‐ Sounds good to me. ‐
The demand is five percent.
If we fire our Music Editor
we can give you
all five percent.
Two‐and‐a‐half
percent. Not a penny less.
And a tropical
aquarium with a castle.
A goldfish in a baggie.
Deal.
Well, now that we're
back on the payroll.
I saved those
receipts from dinner
and this is what you owe me.
Wait. Bobby Billionaire
is cheaper than Khadijah.
Sorry I had to go against
you like that Khadijah.
But, I had to stand up for
myself. I learned that from you.
Please don't hate me.
You're my cousin. I
could never hate you.
Unless you woulda' held out
and then I woulda' had to
kick your ass out the house.
That's beautiful.
Except for the
kickin' my ass part.
Well, it's all behind us now.
Yeah. A‐Almost.
Um, the day we walked out, a
few bills came in way past due
and since I wasn't
working, I didn't pay them.
'This is really
cool of you, Bobby.
'I don't get chances to
learn from a superstar'
'My pleasure.'
'Try to hit the strike zone
and I'll hit it back to you easy.
'Got it.'
I think I'm gettin' the hang
of this. Can I try my fast ball?
these interview questions?
Went over them with
a fine toothed comb.
Bobby Bonilla of
the New York Mets
lose in Connecticut in
a beautiful "reem ouse"?
Shouldn't it say dream house?
My keyboard is broken.
I can't type any words
with the letters G, H or D.
If I have to type the word
Gandhi, I'm in big trouble.
Boss Lady, we need to talk.
I'm out of
personalized note pads.
Russell, the music
editor. Go ahead copy this.
The machine is broken.
Take this screw driver and
you stick it in the back, okay?
Just make sure
you unplug it first.
This is tyranny, an outrage.
And just plain cheap.
Okay, look, you people.
You really need to learn how
to make things last around here.
I mean, these
supplies ain't free.
New York Mets..
♪ We are living ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Single ♪
♪ Ooh in a '90s kinda world ♪
♪ I'm glad I got my gurls ♪
♪ Keep ya head up ♪
♪ What ♪
♪ Keep ya head up ♪
♪ Thats right ♪
♪ Wheneva this life get
tough You gotta fight ♪
♪ Wit' mah home gurl standin'
to mah left and mah right ♪
♪ True blue, we
tight like glue ♪
♪ We are Living Single ♪
So, are you upset
about the baseball strike?
Not really. All we wanna
do is get this thing settled
and make the fans happy.
So your not angry about the
owners proposed salary cap?
Those blood suckers!
Hey, Mr. Bonilla.
I'm Synclaire James
from Minnesota.
I know I should be Twins
fan but I like football.
So I root for the Vikings. My
favourite team is Tampa Bay.
Although I don't like it.
Anyway, would you
sign my baseball?
It's for my boyfriend Overton.
I'd be happy to.
‐ Great penmanship.
‐ Catholic school.
Anyway..
I mean you guys have
been on strike since August.
What do you do with
all your free time?
Well, I work out, spend
time with my family.
‐ And I have a journal.
‐ Oh, that's intersting.
Shame, shame, shame, Khadijah.
Can't you hear my pocket
screaming for justice?
I was forced to pay
for our business lunch.
Russell, I'm busy right now.
Fine, push me aside for
some overpaid cricket player.
Excuse him, Bobby.
This is Russell.
Our music editor.
And it maybe his last day.
Go Mets!
So you were telling
me about your journal.
What kinda' stuff
do you write about?
About hanging out in right field
hitting home runs and
making sure I'm not scratching
myself when the camera's on me.
Hey, have you ever thought
about writing a sports column?
We could call it
"Bobby's Journal."
"Bobby's Journal".
Khadijah, you've got
yourself a sports writer.
Oh, you can start tomorrow.
Thank you.
Hi, Mr. Bonilla.
Could you sign another
autograph for me?
This time it's for
my granny James.
And would you sign
it, "Love Hank Aaron."
He's her favourite player.
Okay, what's with the computer?
Your latest accessory?
I happen to be doing
inventory for the botique.
It's just a coincidence
that it matches my outfit.
Well, ladies. Fixed the
thermostat in the freezer
and pryed this loose.
What is it? A cheese ball?
No, turkey gravy.
I'll take it.
This is good.
Hey, people.
Ughh!
Satan's first born.
Hi, dad.
Man, you'd never
believe what happened.
You know Marvin the video clerk?
He just sold his first
screenplay for $250,000.
That should supplement
his hourly wage quite nicely.
Point is, man. He quit.
So I'm gonna write a screenplay.
I like Wall Street, but I'll
take easy street if I can.
Kyle, I think that
is a great idea.
I have always wanted
to write a screenplay.
A romantic comedy
like "The Body Guard".
That wasn't a comedy.
Every time I saw Kevin
Costner's haircut, I laughed.
I was thinking more
action adventure.
Oh, please!
Not another one of those
movies where everything explodes
and a bimbo in a bikini breaks
her heel running through woods.
Yeah, and you forget about
the trusty black sidekick
who always gets killed
during openeing credits.
And you know that's
a damn conspiracy.
I say we make it an action
adventure romantic comedy.
Two star crossed lovers
travelling to South Dakota
and they're being chased
by this android body builder
from the future bent
on their destruction.
You really thought
about this haven't you.
Uh‐huh.
I'm doing this myself.
Oh, come on, Kyle.
Now, who would you
bounce ideas off of? Max?
Who thinks that Freddie Krueger
is the quintessential
leading man?
Uh! Uh! Uh!
What I said was Freddie Kreuger
is the essence of every man.
I don't know, Regine. Look,
I usually work better alone.
Oh, well, we're not
talking about your sex life.
‐ Alright, alright. ‐ Okay.
‐ Alright, I'll tell
you what. ‐ Uh‐huh.
I'll do all the typing.
‐ Alright, welcome
aboard. ‐ Okay.
Look, stop nagging me
about that dang old keyboard.
Hey, guess who's gonna write
a sports column for Flavour?
Bobby Bonilla.
I had to tell somebody.
I got him to sign this for
you today, snack cake.
Oh, thank you, lava lips.
I'll put it right next
to my autographed.
Pet Boys torque wrench.
Having Bobby write a
column for Flavour might be
just the thing to boost sales.
Yeah, maybe we'll see
some improvement at Flavour.
Like a new copier, some
staple removers, an aquarium.
Tropical fish make
the best office pets.
They die so fast, you
never get attached.
Stop spending my money
before I even make it.
Don't be so cheap.
People are beginning to talk
and not so far behind your back.
Look, I'm not cheap. I'm frugal.
Uh‐huh, miss frugal put
coin boxes on the bathrooms.
It slows down
the number of trips
and increases productivity.
Oh!
‐ Did you hear that? ‐ What?
Conflict.
Kamalah, the tight
fisted editor of Taste
won't give into the demands
of her child‐like cousin.
Well, it needs a villain.
Maxilla! The shrew.
Okay, okay, okay.
She walk..No, no, she
limps in, hunched over.
Ah! That's so.. Ha‐ha‐ha.
Distroying everything in
her path with her breath.
Nice job, Bobby. But I think
you should avoid statements like.
"The major league
owners are capitalistic pigs"
"who treat the players like
puppets and hoard the profits."
That was Russell's idea.
Khadijah, you have a meeting
with the printer, 15 minutes
time to skedaddle.
And, Bobby, could you
sign this for me please?
Sure, who should
I make this out to?
The U. S Government. It's a W‐4.
Being all fan happy aren't you?
Oh, cheese on bread!
Damn thing broke again.
You see what working
for this goat yard magazine
has done to me?
I'm gonna sell pictures
to my public to survive.
That would be a dollar, please.
Russell, you cannot be
that hard up for money.
Hear me now. I haven't had
a raise in almost two years.
And I've been that big boned
Khadijah form the very beginning.
Things are not that bad here.
Oh, sure, we don't
have a health plan.
It costs about 40 cents
to go to the bathroom.
But if Khadijah can do
something about it, she would.
You're a such a trusting
girl. Could I hold your wallet?
Bo‐Bo gal.
Hey, Mr. Baseball.
When did the players
decide it was time to strike?
Oh, when the owners
refused to budge we realized
it was time to stand
up for ourselves.
That's right! I say we strike.
Against Khadijah?
That's not right.
It's justice! No raise, no work.
No raise, no work!
No raise, no work!
No raise, no work!
No, mon. No, mon.
There's no reason to strike.
Working conditions
are good around here.
Anybody got any
change? I gotta go.
Here's a washer.
It works like a dime.
Forgot my check book.
Khadijah, we should talk.
People are very unhappy
that the equipment doesn't work
and supplies are running low.
You on that again?
It's not just me. We've got lots
of disgruntled employees here.
Lucky for you we don't
work at the post office.
You're lucky to have a job.
Oh, I'm the lucky one?
Oh, I'm the lucky one.
Well, lucky, lucky, lucky me.
What's the matter Synclaire?
Is the cruel boot of management
weighing heavily
on your pretty neck?
Oh, let's just all
get back to work.
You know, Khadijah,
these are just the conditions
that force people to walk.
Synclaire, let's get serious.
You can't stop working if
you never really started.
Oh!
Hey, Bobby?
What's it called when a batter
swings and misses the ball?
A strike.
That's the word.
Strike, set it off!
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Alright! Alright, okay, alright.
‐ Strike! Strike!
Strike! ‐ Alright!
Just a little family spat.
Everything is okay...
Right, Synclaire?
Oh, no it's not Miss Missy.
You get back to me
when I have a raise
a new keyboard and
some big gold fish.
Synclaire, you know I can't
afford all that stuff right now.
I don't care about finances.
I have mouths to feed.
Russell, you don't have no kids.
But I have women.
I want a raise.
We all want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
We want a raise.
This is all your fault.
I guess if you can't work
nobody can work, huh?
Hey, you got it all
wrong. I'm on your side.
Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey!
Let's just all calm down.
If we keep cool heads we
can all settle this reasonably.
There's nothing to settle.
Salaries are gonna have
to stay where they are.
That's a salary cap.
Strike! Strike!
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
Synclaire! You can't
strike. We're family.
So were Kane and Abel.
Strike! Strike! Strike!
Wait, listen up, everybody.
Strategy meeting down
at Junior's restaurant.
Bobby billionaire's payin'.
Strike! Strike! Strike! Strike!
'Strike! Strike! Strike!
Strike! Go! Strike!'
Hey! Its thing one and thing two
perpetrating the screen writers.
Hey, how's it goin'?
It's goin' great man, get this.
Lyle the stockbroker
slash secret agent
is investing in mutual
funds while chewing his way
through a pair of
stainless steel wrist‐cuffs
as he tries to avert a
thermo‐nuclear meltdown.
While Regina, the clothing
designer slash martial artist
and bride to be, is
matching fabric swatches
with her bridesmaids while
fighting off a pack of ninjas.
You know this sounds so
bad, Hollywood just might buy it.
Is there a part in it for me?
Yes, you get impaled
by a lightning rod
in the first frame.
M‐hm. It's 'cause she a sister.
See, ya'll playin'
right into the formula.
I knew we could
do it if we tried.
'Why, you ungrateful..'
What's goin' on?
Norma Rae, here, incited
a riot at flavor today.
Is that so? Well,
alright, my little wildcat.
I told Khadijah if she
doesn't meet our demands
there'll be heck to pay.
You know, uh, I like it
when you get fiesty, momma.
You, uh‐You wanna go for
a little stroll or something?
Hold up. Never get in the middle
of a fight between two women.
Unless there's mud
involved, you know?
Let me tell you somethin'.
Strike or no strike,
Flavour is not shuttin' down.
I'll run that magazine
myself if I have to.
Yes, and don't worry
Khadijah, I'll help you.
I loaned you $2,000 last time
the magazine was in trouble
and I ain't seein'
that go down the toilet
'cause you screwed up again.
‐ My girl. ‐ Alright!
‐ You know me. ‐ See?
You know me.
Always there with
a helping hand.
Be careful. Give her a hand
and she'll take your heart!
How about I snatch
it out of your chest?
Alright ladies,
let's not get ugly.
Oh it's much to
late for that, isn't it?
‐ Oh so now you gonna try
and‐‐ ‐ Oh, because you're‐‐
Hey, hey, hey, hey!
Hey!
Now, I know this situation
is difficult for all of us, right?
But if we just speak
slowly, and clearly..
Regine can get it all
down for our screenplay.
Okay, action.
Flavour. Hold.
Flavour. Hold.
Flavour. Hold.
This is easy.
Max, did you
proofread those articles?
No. I was too busy
doing this riveting
hip‐hop crossword puzzle.
So, guess you're ready
to get back to work. Huh?
We're here to negotiate on
behalf of the rest of the staff.
I guess you've learned
that it's pretty difficult
running Flavor without us.
We're doin' fine.
Oh yeah? What's with
all the calls on hold?
I keep them there till
they forget what they want.
Okay, she's good on the phones.
Nonetheless, here's our list
of needs for your consideration.
Okay, I'll get the copier
fixed, buy some pens
and get a whole box
of staple removers.
And that's it.
What about the health
plan? The raises?
My yearly Junka' to Jamaica?
Enough. We're goin' to
every news stand in Brooklyn
tellin' people
not to buy Flavor.
‐ Come on. ‐ You wouldn't.
Yes I would.
Synclaire, I'm tellin'
you, I'm gonna..
I'm gonna call your mother.
Bobby‐Bo, she's playin' tough.
Khadijah, these people
work hard for you.
Nobody asked you.
And you're way outta your
league, you wannabe writer.
My column was good.
‐ Hey, I call 'em as I see
'em. ‐ You need glasses.
I think you need
"Hooked on Phonics".
Phonics?
Excuse me. Khadijah,
phone for you.
It's your mother.
Yeah right. Sons of..
Hello?
Hi, ma‐Hi, mommy.
Well, she started it.
‐ No I didn't,
Rita! ‐ She did so!
'She's always
doin' stuff like this'
She's not bein' fair.
No, I'm not gonna say sorry..
Gets me sick.
Ha ha ha ha! Woo!
This screenplay
turned out really great!
Yeah, no doubt. This
is a million dollar movie.
Yeah. Too bad it's not yours.
Yeah, that Marvin at the video
store really knows how to write.
Who are we kidding, Kyle?
Our script's not good
enough for an infomercial.
Regina the problem is, you
havn't heard out words, right?
So let's read a scene from
the screenplay out loud.
And you hear how good it is.
Alright? Regina,
you play Regina.
I'll play Lyle, of course.
And Overton, you play
Professor Earnest Wakefield
the mad scientist.
So I'm insane?
No, just angry.
Action.
"Professor Wakefield.
"Do you seriously expect
me to give you the micro‐film?
"That's not what a
martial artist secret agent
who is about to get
married would do. Is it?"
"Shut up."
"Professor, I'm a multi‐lingual
stockbroker secret agent.
You expect me to let you speak
to my bride to be that way?"
"Don't make me madder."
"Professor Wakefield,
we've climed 700 feet
"up the face of Mount
Rushmore to your secret hideout.
We want the device
and we want it now."
"Grr."
"Regina, the poison darts you've
hidden in your wedding gown.
Throw them. Now!"
"Commandoes. Get them!"
That's it. I'm done.
Uh, well..
Oh, now now, Regina. This
could be a proper little film.
Maybe not domestically,
but internationally.
Let's just send it to
the Republic of Togo.
I'm sure they'll line up outside
the movie hut for this one
Regine, Regine, listen.
You aren't going to
take the opinion of a man
who's favourite movie is
"The Little Elf That Could".
Hey, don't make me madder.
I still can't believe
she called my mother!
Alright Khadijah,
alright, listen.
It's almost midnight, and
I've got a plan for compromise.
No. I'm not hearin' it.
And I'm not givin' in
to that renegade Rasta.
And I have cut Synclaire's
branch from the family tree.
Alright. We don't have
time for your little pow‐wow.
Are you gonna meet our demands
or are we gonna
shut this place down?
How'd I do?
‐ Pretty good. ‐ Good good.
Look. I'm here to
negotiate in good faith.
Right Max?
Yeah, sure.
I am a fair and
reasonable woman.
‐ Right Max? ‐ Whatever.
But financially, I just can't
meet your salary demands.
Right Max?
Khadijah, may I scream at
you for a moment? Come here.
I looked at your books.
If you move your discretionary
fund over to your payroll
you can give your staff a
two‐and‐a‐half percent raise.
But that's my cushion. What if
I get in financial trouble again?
That would be a hint that you
don't know what you're doin'
Khadijah, you're worried that
Flavour might go under one day.
I'm talkin' about it going
out of business right now.
Can you dig me?
Yeah, I guess.
Alight, lookie here.
Khadijah's offering you a
two‐and‐a‐half percent raise.
Take it or leave it.
‐ Sounds good to me. ‐
The demand is five percent.
If we fire our Music Editor
we can give you
all five percent.
Two‐and‐a‐half
percent. Not a penny less.
And a tropical
aquarium with a castle.
A goldfish in a baggie.
Deal.
Well, now that we're
back on the payroll.
I saved those
receipts from dinner
and this is what you owe me.
Wait. Bobby Billionaire
is cheaper than Khadijah.
Sorry I had to go against
you like that Khadijah.
But, I had to stand up for
myself. I learned that from you.
Please don't hate me.
You're my cousin. I
could never hate you.
Unless you woulda' held out
and then I woulda' had to
kick your ass out the house.
That's beautiful.
Except for the
kickin' my ass part.
Well, it's all behind us now.
Yeah. A‐Almost.
Um, the day we walked out, a
few bills came in way past due
and since I wasn't
working, I didn't pay them.
'This is really
cool of you, Bobby.
'I don't get chances to
learn from a superstar'
'My pleasure.'
'Try to hit the strike zone
and I'll hit it back to you easy.
'Got it.'
I think I'm gettin' the hang
of this. Can I try my fast ball?