Living Single (1993–1998): Season 4, Episode 2 - Ride the Maverick - full transcript
There you go. Take a look.
Oh, it's perfect, Obie.
Oh, there's only one perfect
thing in my world, mama.
Well, lay your
lips on it, daddy.
Mmm.
Well, if the brown stones are
rockin', don't come in knockin'.
Hi, Kyle. We're celebrating
the new labels on the mailboxes.
The future Mrs.
Overton Wakefield Jones.
‐ Yeah. ‐ That's right.
Look at how we changed Obie's.
The future Mr. Overton
Wakefield Jones.
'Okay.'
You know, you two have
single‐handedly restored
my faith in monogamy.
Umm, thinkin'
about settling down?
I said restored my faith,
not scramble my brain.
‐ Oh, dear Lord. ‐
What's wrong, Kyle?
My driver's license
picture, it's, it's...
Oh, it's an abomination.
Stop trippin', Kyle.
Nobody takes a good
driver's license photo.
Well, let me see, let
me see, let me see.
Come on now.
Oh. Oh, it's not that bad.
I mean, except for that silly,
little hat that you're wearing.
‐ That is my hair. ‐ Oh.
‐ That's not your
hair. ‐ He got hair.
♪ We are living ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Single ♪
♪ Ooh and in a
'90s kind of world ♪
♪ I'm glad I got my girls ♪
♪ Oh keep your head up what? ♪
Keep your head up that's right ♪
♪ Whenever this life get
tough you gotta fight ♪
♪ With my home girls standing
to my left and my right ♪
♪ True blue it's
tight like glue ♪
♪ We are living ♪
♪ Check check check it out ♪
♪ Single ♪
♪ Haaa ♪
Now as Overton's best
friend and I presume best man
I have taken the liberty of
writing down an impromptu toast.
There are 32 keys to
a successful marriage
and we'll take them one
at a time, but before I do‐‐.
Ah, ah, ah, to
Overton and Synclaire.
‐ Get up. ‐ 'Yeah, you got it.'
Okay, you two,
now I have for you
a very special engagement gift.
I volunteered to apply
my taste and style
to help make your wedding
the fabulous event
of your dreams.
Have you set a date yet?
Well, we were plannin' on fall.
Oh, unh‐unh, fall
colors don't suit me.
I think spring.
I bet the James' and
the Jones' are dustin' off
their powder‐blue
tuxes right about now.
Well, they, uh, haven't
found out just yet.
What? Why not?
Well, there's a
tradition in my family
that every engagement
has to be approved
by our great‐aunt Ada
and we're not allowed to
tell anyone in either family
until she gives the
official okey‐dokie.
Hey, people. What
are we celebrating?
Kyle get a vasectomy?
How did you manage to climb
out of your jar of formaldehyde?
Obie and I just got engaged.
Oh, alright. Well,
congratulations.
Okay, I guess, uh,
presents are in order.
Here you go, ride the maverick.
Ride the maverick. Alright.
Well, uh, I guess we
can scratch this one
off the bridal registry.
Yeah, yeah, don't thank me now.
I just ask that you invite
me to your wedding.
I'm sure they
were planning on it.
Every bride needs something
old and much borrowed.
Come on, Obie,
let's call Aunt Ada.
Hey, Kyle, you know what?
You can listen on
the other extension
and be our official witness.
My ear throbs with anticipation.
Khadijah, can you believe
the TV coverage my
press conference got?
They put me on before the guy
who got mauled
by the panda bear.
I'm hot.
Well, look, while
you're still a nobody
would you mind sitting
down for an interview?
"Flavor's" doing
an election issue.
Oh, hey, Max, good news, girl.
I have decided to become
your campaign manager again.
What's the good news?
Because my society
sisters from ELBOW
have decided to re‐endorse
you as their candidate.
What's the good news?
Which means I'll bring
chips and juice boxes
to every rally.
Hey. Hot damn, good news.
Come on. Aunt Ada's
in the bathroom again?
Every time I call,
she's in there.
Well, does she have to
watch all of the 2000 flushes?
Bye.
Uh, Overton?
I have a sinking feeling
I made a small blunder.
Well, those socks are ugly,
but, eh, they go with the suit.
What's goin' on, Kyle?
Um, well, your‐your parents
called a few moments ago
and you're gonna
think this is funny.
Um, without thinking, I
kinda congratulated them
on their son's engagement.
And then your‐your dad
said something about his son
not having the decency
to tell his parents
about his own engagement.
Then here's the funny part.
Y‐your mom burst into tears.
Well, ain't that a
hole in the boat?
Absolutely.
Come on, Synclaire,
let's go make peace
with my folks. Come on.
Oh, I feel awful.
Yeah, me too.
But one of us does have
the power to uplift a friend.
Kyle, let me see that
driver's license picture!
‐ 'Number 79?' ‐ Oh, finally.
Um, look, I'd like to get
a new driver's license.
As if your face is
a Kodak moment.
Well, I, I'm so sorry, sir
but we cannot replace a license
unless it's been lost,
stolen or destroyed.
Oh, clumsy me.
Oh, well, accidents do happen.
Yeah, why don't you go ahead
and stand in front of the camera?
‐ Yeah, right over
there. ‐ Okay, mm‐hmm.
Okay.
‐ Uh, just a second. ‐ 'Okay.'
Gesundheit. Number 80.
I just.. I just..
Alright, chill,
bro, chill, chill.
Okay, Khadijah,
let's do this Q and A.
I'm speaking at a nursing
home and I wanna get their votes
before their
medication kicks in.
‐ Here we go. ‐ Mm.
Now one of the biggest
problems in the school district
is speeding in the school zone.
Now I ask alderman what
would you do about it?
Children are not speed bumps.
And?
And I'm ready for
the next question.
Alright, go. Come on. Let's go.
‐ Okay. Graffiti. ‐ Mm.
Now your opponent
Malaba favors an increase
in police patrols.
Well, see, that could
lead to higher taxes.
Now what would you propose?
I say it's time to
win back our walls.
How?
Dedication, perseverance
and a word I'm not
afraid to say, sweat.
You know, Max, w‐when
you answer these questions
it's okay to actually
say something.
Well, Khadijah, look,
look, that's my secret.
I mean, my press
conference proved
I know how to
talk to the voters.
I mean, what you
say isn't nearly
as important as the rhythm.
Bam, blam, karbem
dingiddy‐dingiddy‐dong.
Next question!
‐ Crime? ‐ Not on my street.
‐ Education? ‐ Books
are silent friends.
‐ Employment? ‐ Work works.
Max, would you for once just
speak in complete sentences?
Complete sentences
for every criminal, yeah!
Hey, Synclaire. You
talked to Aunt Ada yet?
No, but this just came
in the mail from my mom.
"Congratulations on
your engagement."
I guess she must've found out
but she seems
to be okay with it.
‐ Mm. ‐ Aww.
Um, you might wanna
check out the other side.
"I have no daughter."
But‐but how, how
did she find out?
The only people who know are us.
Regine, heel!
Okay, maybe I, I
mentioned something
to my mother who, who
probably told your mother
who probably then
told Synclaire's mother.
God, th‐th‐those women
jus‐just blabbermouths.
Well, isn't this just peachy?
Both our families are
about to disown us now.
‐ You guys, I'm
really sorry‐‐ ‐ Sss.
You know something, Regine.
If I could embroider
you'd be getting a pretty
nasty pillow from me.
Ah!
You can't keep your
mouth shut for two days?
Hello, have we met?
‐ Hey, hey, hey, hey.
‐ Oh, Max, good news.
You are neck and neck
with Malaba in the polls.
But more importantly,
the ELBOWs are talking
about making me their treasurer.
I don't give a frog's
fat ass. Alright, listen.
Khadijah, when does your
endorsement come out?
I gotta pull some
quotes from it.
I just rented a
billboard on wheels.
Oh, yeah.
Yes, that's what
I'm talking about.
Max, you better get
your money back.
‐ What are you talking about?
‐ I endorsed another candidate.
What?
You just couldn't
stand to see me
become treasurer of the
ELBOWs, now could you?
Alright, this is a joke, right?
I mean, you just,
you didn't really
endorse Paul Malaba over me?
‐ Of course not. ‐ Phew.
‐ I endorsed William
Perez. ‐ What?
The high school teacher?
He's last in the polls.
He's even behind the
candidate who died last week.
Alright. Come on, Maxine.
Now, Khadijah, you
obviously have not
taken a good look at Perez.
He has bad hair, wears
way too much corduroy
and let me just say, somebody
needs a nose tweezer.
Look, Max, you don't know
how hard this was for me
but I have a responsibility
to my readers
to endorse the best candidate.
Now you keep doing this,
spouting these tired cliches.
Hey, the proof
is in the pudding.
Now look, hold up here.
Let's‐let's just
deal with the real.
This is about you and me
and a little thing
called jealousy.
What the devil are
you talking about?
Well, see, up until now
you've been the
self‐appointed leader
of our little foursome.
The great provider.
Synclaire needs a job,
worked for Khadijah.
Regine needs a place to
live, lived with Khadijah.
Suddenly I'm on the verge
of winning this election
without any help from you
and mother cannot
stand to share the spotlight
can you?
You know, Max,
I stand corrected.
Here I was thinking you
weren't ready for public office.
‐ But you are shady. ‐ 'Oh!'
‐ Trifling. ‐ 'Huh?'
And you spit more garbage
than any politician
I ever heard.
Why‐why thank you, Khadijah.
But you know, it's too
late to endorse me now.
‐ Hey, Overton. ‐ Hey, Kyle.
Do I get a chance to see
your new driver's license photo?
Gesundheit, Kyle.
Pardon my French but Notre Dame.
I still can't get
through to Aunt Ada.
After three days, that's it.
You know, I'm tired of
your family's foolish tradition.
Who's calling
whose family foolish?
What about yours?
As my great‐uncle
Smoke Eye always say..
"Surprised you kind of
grew him over the threshold.
Hey, he didn't wanna
pay for the house."
Don't crack on Uncle
Smoke Eye, girl.
‐ I'm cracking on you.
‐ Look at you, woman.
‐ I ain't have the‐‐ ‐ Oh,
now don't you women‐‐
‐ You don't talk about my‐‐
‐ Let me tell you something‐‐
‐ Now look‐‐ ‐
Chill, chill, chill, chill.
Back it up.
Alright, just chill out.
Now over the past
couple of months, right
you two have made commitment
seem like almost
a good idea, huh?
So come on, don't let your
families make you forget
whose special time this is.
‐ I'm sorry, Obie. ‐
Me too, sweet pea.
Okay.
Thank you.
It's just, I can't believe
that our relatives
can't share in our joy.
And nothing's gonna
pick up my spirits.
Um, Kyle?
Thanks, brother.
Maxine Shaw, ride the maverick.
Alright.
Knight to queen
three, checkmate.
Alright.
Ah, Miss Shaw.
I'm William Perez,
your opponent.
My pleasure to meet you.
Yeah, beat it,
Perez. I got here first.
Oh, I'm not here
looking for votes.
My civics class and I
come out here once a week
to scrub over the artwork.
Besides, the last
thing I wanna do is
to shatter this peace and
quiet with election nearing.
Ride the maverick!
A vote for Shaw is
a vote for the law.
Watch "Palo Alto"
weekdays at 1:00.
Hey, man, you know
the election's tomorrow
and you're out here
whitewashing graffiti.
I mean, there may be a reason
why the press refers to you
as who?
Hey, just because I lose doesn't
mean I can't affect the change.
Couple of years ago,
this park was a vacant lot.
Fifty drug deals at night.
I made cleaning it up
an issue in my campaign
so Malaba was forced
to make an issue of it too.
When he won, he
had to clean it up.
Oh, I may have lost the election
but I won this park
for my neighborhood.
Why are you running?
I want to piss off a friend.
Well, you know, I guess I
wanted to make a difference.
How?
You know, fight the good fight.
Go for the gold.
Reach out and touch someone.
Be all I can be, ugh, whatever.
Well, Miss Shaw,
have it your way.
Good luck.
Fahrvergnugen.
Whoo!
And now it's time to
meet our next alderman.
When she says ride the
maverick, she means it.
Maxine Shaw.
Thank you, Regine.
Thank you, thank you.
As you know, I've run
on a platform of honesty.
So I can honestly tell
you that there is someone
better for the job.
And to help get him elected
I am dropping out the race.
‐ What? ‐ Drop out?
So tomorrow
check the box
marked William Perez.
I know I will.
I'll be happy to
answer any questions.
Well, I have one.
Do you know how much I hate you?
I demand an acceptable
driver's license picture.
I have a right not to be
photographically abused
by my government.
Do you see this creature
anywhere in this room?
This is degrading.
It's immortalizing.
It is just so..
W‐w‐w‐what the hell was that?
I just couldn't take it anymore.
Oh, I purposely took the
unflattering photo of you
just hoping you'd be back.
I feel a strange combination
of flattery and fear.
You're a beautiful
man, Kyle Barker
but I'm sure you
hear that all the time.
Oh, yes, but it never
hurts to hear it again.
Yeah? Who am I kidding?
I mean, what would
a prince like you
want with an ugly
duckling like me?
Oh, but you forget,
we've kissed.
So now you're a beautiful
swan with, may I say
uh, lovely tail feathers.
Will you come back here at 5:01?
Mm‐hmm.
And I'll take a
photo of you so good
you'll swear it came from Sears.
'The victim's wife says
she bears no ill will'
'toward Pauling the panda.'
'Now let's update
election coverage'
'from our Action Central
news desk headquarters'
'command post.'
So I suppose you think
I supported Perez
because you did.
Mother hasn't thought
about you all day.
'Turning to the
Parkslope Alderman race'
'the projected winner
is a write‐in candidate.'
'Maxine Shaw who withdrew
from the race last night'
'is being swept to victory
through a groundswell'
'of community support.'
Max, you have groundswell.
'Shaw's withdrawal was seen
as an all too rare act of honesty.'
You won! You won!
Whoo! Yeah!
Whoo! Yeah!
Whoo! You the man!
Come on! The alderman!
Yeah, come on! The alderwoman!
Go, go, go! The alderperson!
The..
Jump in any time here.
I'mma go tell Obie.
You know, Max, maybe it was
my vote that put you over the top
or perhaps it was
yours, Khadijah, discuss.
You voted for me?
Just 'cause I didn't
want you elected
doesn't mean I wasn't
gonna vote for you.
Khadijah, as my first
act as alderwoman
I'd like to retract
what I said about you
being a jealous control freak
without actually confirming
or denying the allegation.
Stop it, Max, I'm gonna cry.
Oh, come on, Khadijah, I mean
remember you called me
shady, trifling and full of garbage.
Was that all I said? You
must have cut me off.
Well, alright, go ahead.
Here's your chance.
Max.
Congratulations.
Is that it?
Oh, and bam, blam,
kawam diggity‐diggity‐dong.
Come on.
Alright.
Hey, hey, you wanna
tell Regine you won?
‐ She's right upstairs. ‐
Oh, you know, you're right.
She was my campaign manager.
I couldn't have done
anything without her.
Let's go get a pizza.
‐ Alderman buys. ‐ Yeah.
We'll be right back.
'Oh, you never cease to
amaze me, my wizard of wiring.'
‐ 'Cleveland?'
‐ 'It's the Jones'.'
'Minneapolis? Mom? Dad?'
'Right from the twin cities!'
‐ Scottsdale? ‐ 'Ada, here.'
'Make it snappy, honey.
I think I had a bad clam.'
Uh, Miss Ada, this is, uh,
Overton Wakefield Jones
and I'm calling to ask for your
grandniece's hand in marriage.
'Okey‐dokie.'
Okey‐dokie.
'Synclaire, I am so happy.'
'Whoo, whoo, whoo!'
'I'll call St. Cyril's
first thing tomorrow'
'and book a wedding date.'
'Not on your life.'
'My son's gonna take his vows'
'at Shiloh Baptist
in Cleveland.'
'Cleveland? That
din of inequity.'
'Who'd wanna go to Minnesota?'
'Only black people
up there is Prince.'
'Oh, I, and you
know his name is‐‐'
Woo‐hoo!
Oh, it's perfect, Obie.
Oh, there's only one perfect
thing in my world, mama.
Well, lay your
lips on it, daddy.
Mmm.
Well, if the brown stones are
rockin', don't come in knockin'.
Hi, Kyle. We're celebrating
the new labels on the mailboxes.
The future Mrs.
Overton Wakefield Jones.
‐ Yeah. ‐ That's right.
Look at how we changed Obie's.
The future Mr. Overton
Wakefield Jones.
'Okay.'
You know, you two have
single‐handedly restored
my faith in monogamy.
Umm, thinkin'
about settling down?
I said restored my faith,
not scramble my brain.
‐ Oh, dear Lord. ‐
What's wrong, Kyle?
My driver's license
picture, it's, it's...
Oh, it's an abomination.
Stop trippin', Kyle.
Nobody takes a good
driver's license photo.
Well, let me see, let
me see, let me see.
Come on now.
Oh. Oh, it's not that bad.
I mean, except for that silly,
little hat that you're wearing.
‐ That is my hair. ‐ Oh.
‐ That's not your
hair. ‐ He got hair.
♪ We are living ♪
♪ Hey ♪
♪ Single ♪
♪ Ooh and in a
'90s kind of world ♪
♪ I'm glad I got my girls ♪
♪ Oh keep your head up what? ♪
Keep your head up that's right ♪
♪ Whenever this life get
tough you gotta fight ♪
♪ With my home girls standing
to my left and my right ♪
♪ True blue it's
tight like glue ♪
♪ We are living ♪
♪ Check check check it out ♪
♪ Single ♪
♪ Haaa ♪
Now as Overton's best
friend and I presume best man
I have taken the liberty of
writing down an impromptu toast.
There are 32 keys to
a successful marriage
and we'll take them one
at a time, but before I do‐‐.
Ah, ah, ah, to
Overton and Synclaire.
‐ Get up. ‐ 'Yeah, you got it.'
Okay, you two,
now I have for you
a very special engagement gift.
I volunteered to apply
my taste and style
to help make your wedding
the fabulous event
of your dreams.
Have you set a date yet?
Well, we were plannin' on fall.
Oh, unh‐unh, fall
colors don't suit me.
I think spring.
I bet the James' and
the Jones' are dustin' off
their powder‐blue
tuxes right about now.
Well, they, uh, haven't
found out just yet.
What? Why not?
Well, there's a
tradition in my family
that every engagement
has to be approved
by our great‐aunt Ada
and we're not allowed to
tell anyone in either family
until she gives the
official okey‐dokie.
Hey, people. What
are we celebrating?
Kyle get a vasectomy?
How did you manage to climb
out of your jar of formaldehyde?
Obie and I just got engaged.
Oh, alright. Well,
congratulations.
Okay, I guess, uh,
presents are in order.
Here you go, ride the maverick.
Ride the maverick. Alright.
Well, uh, I guess we
can scratch this one
off the bridal registry.
Yeah, yeah, don't thank me now.
I just ask that you invite
me to your wedding.
I'm sure they
were planning on it.
Every bride needs something
old and much borrowed.
Come on, Obie,
let's call Aunt Ada.
Hey, Kyle, you know what?
You can listen on
the other extension
and be our official witness.
My ear throbs with anticipation.
Khadijah, can you believe
the TV coverage my
press conference got?
They put me on before the guy
who got mauled
by the panda bear.
I'm hot.
Well, look, while
you're still a nobody
would you mind sitting
down for an interview?
"Flavor's" doing
an election issue.
Oh, hey, Max, good news, girl.
I have decided to become
your campaign manager again.
What's the good news?
Because my society
sisters from ELBOW
have decided to re‐endorse
you as their candidate.
What's the good news?
Which means I'll bring
chips and juice boxes
to every rally.
Hey. Hot damn, good news.
Come on. Aunt Ada's
in the bathroom again?
Every time I call,
she's in there.
Well, does she have to
watch all of the 2000 flushes?
Bye.
Uh, Overton?
I have a sinking feeling
I made a small blunder.
Well, those socks are ugly,
but, eh, they go with the suit.
What's goin' on, Kyle?
Um, well, your‐your parents
called a few moments ago
and you're gonna
think this is funny.
Um, without thinking, I
kinda congratulated them
on their son's engagement.
And then your‐your dad
said something about his son
not having the decency
to tell his parents
about his own engagement.
Then here's the funny part.
Y‐your mom burst into tears.
Well, ain't that a
hole in the boat?
Absolutely.
Come on, Synclaire,
let's go make peace
with my folks. Come on.
Oh, I feel awful.
Yeah, me too.
But one of us does have
the power to uplift a friend.
Kyle, let me see that
driver's license picture!
‐ 'Number 79?' ‐ Oh, finally.
Um, look, I'd like to get
a new driver's license.
As if your face is
a Kodak moment.
Well, I, I'm so sorry, sir
but we cannot replace a license
unless it's been lost,
stolen or destroyed.
Oh, clumsy me.
Oh, well, accidents do happen.
Yeah, why don't you go ahead
and stand in front of the camera?
‐ Yeah, right over
there. ‐ Okay, mm‐hmm.
Okay.
‐ Uh, just a second. ‐ 'Okay.'
Gesundheit. Number 80.
I just.. I just..
Alright, chill,
bro, chill, chill.
Okay, Khadijah,
let's do this Q and A.
I'm speaking at a nursing
home and I wanna get their votes
before their
medication kicks in.
‐ Here we go. ‐ Mm.
Now one of the biggest
problems in the school district
is speeding in the school zone.
Now I ask alderman what
would you do about it?
Children are not speed bumps.
And?
And I'm ready for
the next question.
Alright, go. Come on. Let's go.
‐ Okay. Graffiti. ‐ Mm.
Now your opponent
Malaba favors an increase
in police patrols.
Well, see, that could
lead to higher taxes.
Now what would you propose?
I say it's time to
win back our walls.
How?
Dedication, perseverance
and a word I'm not
afraid to say, sweat.
You know, Max, w‐when
you answer these questions
it's okay to actually
say something.
Well, Khadijah, look,
look, that's my secret.
I mean, my press
conference proved
I know how to
talk to the voters.
I mean, what you
say isn't nearly
as important as the rhythm.
Bam, blam, karbem
dingiddy‐dingiddy‐dong.
Next question!
‐ Crime? ‐ Not on my street.
‐ Education? ‐ Books
are silent friends.
‐ Employment? ‐ Work works.
Max, would you for once just
speak in complete sentences?
Complete sentences
for every criminal, yeah!
Hey, Synclaire. You
talked to Aunt Ada yet?
No, but this just came
in the mail from my mom.
"Congratulations on
your engagement."
I guess she must've found out
but she seems
to be okay with it.
‐ Mm. ‐ Aww.
Um, you might wanna
check out the other side.
"I have no daughter."
But‐but how, how
did she find out?
The only people who know are us.
Regine, heel!
Okay, maybe I, I
mentioned something
to my mother who, who
probably told your mother
who probably then
told Synclaire's mother.
God, th‐th‐those women
jus‐just blabbermouths.
Well, isn't this just peachy?
Both our families are
about to disown us now.
‐ You guys, I'm
really sorry‐‐ ‐ Sss.
You know something, Regine.
If I could embroider
you'd be getting a pretty
nasty pillow from me.
Ah!
You can't keep your
mouth shut for two days?
Hello, have we met?
‐ Hey, hey, hey, hey.
‐ Oh, Max, good news.
You are neck and neck
with Malaba in the polls.
But more importantly,
the ELBOWs are talking
about making me their treasurer.
I don't give a frog's
fat ass. Alright, listen.
Khadijah, when does your
endorsement come out?
I gotta pull some
quotes from it.
I just rented a
billboard on wheels.
Oh, yeah.
Yes, that's what
I'm talking about.
Max, you better get
your money back.
‐ What are you talking about?
‐ I endorsed another candidate.
What?
You just couldn't
stand to see me
become treasurer of the
ELBOWs, now could you?
Alright, this is a joke, right?
I mean, you just,
you didn't really
endorse Paul Malaba over me?
‐ Of course not. ‐ Phew.
‐ I endorsed William
Perez. ‐ What?
The high school teacher?
He's last in the polls.
He's even behind the
candidate who died last week.
Alright. Come on, Maxine.
Now, Khadijah, you
obviously have not
taken a good look at Perez.
He has bad hair, wears
way too much corduroy
and let me just say, somebody
needs a nose tweezer.
Look, Max, you don't know
how hard this was for me
but I have a responsibility
to my readers
to endorse the best candidate.
Now you keep doing this,
spouting these tired cliches.
Hey, the proof
is in the pudding.
Now look, hold up here.
Let's‐let's just
deal with the real.
This is about you and me
and a little thing
called jealousy.
What the devil are
you talking about?
Well, see, up until now
you've been the
self‐appointed leader
of our little foursome.
The great provider.
Synclaire needs a job,
worked for Khadijah.
Regine needs a place to
live, lived with Khadijah.
Suddenly I'm on the verge
of winning this election
without any help from you
and mother cannot
stand to share the spotlight
can you?
You know, Max,
I stand corrected.
Here I was thinking you
weren't ready for public office.
‐ But you are shady. ‐ 'Oh!'
‐ Trifling. ‐ 'Huh?'
And you spit more garbage
than any politician
I ever heard.
Why‐why thank you, Khadijah.
But you know, it's too
late to endorse me now.
‐ Hey, Overton. ‐ Hey, Kyle.
Do I get a chance to see
your new driver's license photo?
Gesundheit, Kyle.
Pardon my French but Notre Dame.
I still can't get
through to Aunt Ada.
After three days, that's it.
You know, I'm tired of
your family's foolish tradition.
Who's calling
whose family foolish?
What about yours?
As my great‐uncle
Smoke Eye always say..
"Surprised you kind of
grew him over the threshold.
Hey, he didn't wanna
pay for the house."
Don't crack on Uncle
Smoke Eye, girl.
‐ I'm cracking on you.
‐ Look at you, woman.
‐ I ain't have the‐‐ ‐ Oh,
now don't you women‐‐
‐ You don't talk about my‐‐
‐ Let me tell you something‐‐
‐ Now look‐‐ ‐
Chill, chill, chill, chill.
Back it up.
Alright, just chill out.
Now over the past
couple of months, right
you two have made commitment
seem like almost
a good idea, huh?
So come on, don't let your
families make you forget
whose special time this is.
‐ I'm sorry, Obie. ‐
Me too, sweet pea.
Okay.
Thank you.
It's just, I can't believe
that our relatives
can't share in our joy.
And nothing's gonna
pick up my spirits.
Um, Kyle?
Thanks, brother.
Maxine Shaw, ride the maverick.
Alright.
Knight to queen
three, checkmate.
Alright.
Ah, Miss Shaw.
I'm William Perez,
your opponent.
My pleasure to meet you.
Yeah, beat it,
Perez. I got here first.
Oh, I'm not here
looking for votes.
My civics class and I
come out here once a week
to scrub over the artwork.
Besides, the last
thing I wanna do is
to shatter this peace and
quiet with election nearing.
Ride the maverick!
A vote for Shaw is
a vote for the law.
Watch "Palo Alto"
weekdays at 1:00.
Hey, man, you know
the election's tomorrow
and you're out here
whitewashing graffiti.
I mean, there may be a reason
why the press refers to you
as who?
Hey, just because I lose doesn't
mean I can't affect the change.
Couple of years ago,
this park was a vacant lot.
Fifty drug deals at night.
I made cleaning it up
an issue in my campaign
so Malaba was forced
to make an issue of it too.
When he won, he
had to clean it up.
Oh, I may have lost the election
but I won this park
for my neighborhood.
Why are you running?
I want to piss off a friend.
Well, you know, I guess I
wanted to make a difference.
How?
You know, fight the good fight.
Go for the gold.
Reach out and touch someone.
Be all I can be, ugh, whatever.
Well, Miss Shaw,
have it your way.
Good luck.
Fahrvergnugen.
Whoo!
And now it's time to
meet our next alderman.
When she says ride the
maverick, she means it.
Maxine Shaw.
Thank you, Regine.
Thank you, thank you.
As you know, I've run
on a platform of honesty.
So I can honestly tell
you that there is someone
better for the job.
And to help get him elected
I am dropping out the race.
‐ What? ‐ Drop out?
So tomorrow
check the box
marked William Perez.
I know I will.
I'll be happy to
answer any questions.
Well, I have one.
Do you know how much I hate you?
I demand an acceptable
driver's license picture.
I have a right not to be
photographically abused
by my government.
Do you see this creature
anywhere in this room?
This is degrading.
It's immortalizing.
It is just so..
W‐w‐w‐what the hell was that?
I just couldn't take it anymore.
Oh, I purposely took the
unflattering photo of you
just hoping you'd be back.
I feel a strange combination
of flattery and fear.
You're a beautiful
man, Kyle Barker
but I'm sure you
hear that all the time.
Oh, yes, but it never
hurts to hear it again.
Yeah? Who am I kidding?
I mean, what would
a prince like you
want with an ugly
duckling like me?
Oh, but you forget,
we've kissed.
So now you're a beautiful
swan with, may I say
uh, lovely tail feathers.
Will you come back here at 5:01?
Mm‐hmm.
And I'll take a
photo of you so good
you'll swear it came from Sears.
'The victim's wife says
she bears no ill will'
'toward Pauling the panda.'
'Now let's update
election coverage'
'from our Action Central
news desk headquarters'
'command post.'
So I suppose you think
I supported Perez
because you did.
Mother hasn't thought
about you all day.
'Turning to the
Parkslope Alderman race'
'the projected winner
is a write‐in candidate.'
'Maxine Shaw who withdrew
from the race last night'
'is being swept to victory
through a groundswell'
'of community support.'
Max, you have groundswell.
'Shaw's withdrawal was seen
as an all too rare act of honesty.'
You won! You won!
Whoo! Yeah!
Whoo! Yeah!
Whoo! You the man!
Come on! The alderman!
Yeah, come on! The alderwoman!
Go, go, go! The alderperson!
The..
Jump in any time here.
I'mma go tell Obie.
You know, Max, maybe it was
my vote that put you over the top
or perhaps it was
yours, Khadijah, discuss.
You voted for me?
Just 'cause I didn't
want you elected
doesn't mean I wasn't
gonna vote for you.
Khadijah, as my first
act as alderwoman
I'd like to retract
what I said about you
being a jealous control freak
without actually confirming
or denying the allegation.
Stop it, Max, I'm gonna cry.
Oh, come on, Khadijah, I mean
remember you called me
shady, trifling and full of garbage.
Was that all I said? You
must have cut me off.
Well, alright, go ahead.
Here's your chance.
Max.
Congratulations.
Is that it?
Oh, and bam, blam,
kawam diggity‐diggity‐dong.
Come on.
Alright.
Hey, hey, you wanna
tell Regine you won?
‐ She's right upstairs. ‐
Oh, you know, you're right.
She was my campaign manager.
I couldn't have done
anything without her.
Let's go get a pizza.
‐ Alderman buys. ‐ Yeah.
We'll be right back.
'Oh, you never cease to
amaze me, my wizard of wiring.'
‐ 'Cleveland?'
‐ 'It's the Jones'.'
'Minneapolis? Mom? Dad?'
'Right from the twin cities!'
‐ Scottsdale? ‐ 'Ada, here.'
'Make it snappy, honey.
I think I had a bad clam.'
Uh, Miss Ada, this is, uh,
Overton Wakefield Jones
and I'm calling to ask for your
grandniece's hand in marriage.
'Okey‐dokie.'
Okey‐dokie.
'Synclaire, I am so happy.'
'Whoo, whoo, whoo!'
'I'll call St. Cyril's
first thing tomorrow'
'and book a wedding date.'
'Not on your life.'
'My son's gonna take his vows'
'at Shiloh Baptist
in Cleveland.'
'Cleveland? That
din of inequity.'
'Who'd wanna go to Minnesota?'
'Only black people
up there is Prince.'
'Oh, I, and you
know his name is‐‐'
Woo‐hoo!