Show Me a Hero (2015): Season 1, Episode 5 - Episode #1.5 - full transcript
Armed with a growing recognition that he had fought on the side of angels in the battle over the housing, Wasicsko plans his political comeback, while the residents for the new townhouses are screened and chosen.
- ( bell dinging )
Man: - 86 the special.
♪ I'm so inspired
by you ♪
♪ that hasn't happened
for the longest time ♪
♪ once I thought
my innocence was gone... ♪
_
What's this?
Oh, yeah, this is
the "Profile in Courage" thing?
Yeah, I saw that in the paper.
Congratulations.
It's our ticket home.
- Home?
- City Hall.
I'm running again.
I'm gonna kick
Spallone's ass
or Chema or Martinelli
or whoever else
the Republicans
wanna send at me.
I was on the right side
of the housing
and more and more
people see it.
How you doing?
I'm also hearing
that Vinni's
gonna run for the new
council president post.
And she polls really well
on the East Side,
so I'm thinking
we tick it up with Vinni,
- and then we just get in here--
- Nick, I'm--
I'm committed to Zaleski.
- Zaleski?
- Yeah.
Terry fuckin' Zaleski?
I helped recruit
and encourage him to run.
He's the reform candidate
for the Democrats.
You didn't check
with me first?
Come, on, Jim, you knew
I was thinking about
getting back
into this thing.
Come on, Jim.
You got
your start with me.
For Christ's sake, you were my chief
of staff. Who's Terry Zaleski to you?
Nick, I know he's only an assemblyman,
but he's got an East Side district,
so he can carry
those precincts.
Plus, he's pro-compliance
on the housing,
but he's not identified
with it like you are.
Or he's not
identified with it
because he hid the hell up
in Albany in '88
and stayed as far away
from Yonkers as he could.
There's a lot
at stake here.
This is gonna be
the first four-year term
and strong mayor
in our lifetime,
and we need the Democrat
with the best shot...
Yeah, it's gonna be...
...against whoever's coming
at us in the general.
...the first strong mayor because
I got the charter amendment through,
and you're gonna hand it
to Terry fuckin' Zaleski?
No, no, no.
Jim, no.
It's not a negative
for me anymore.
I took
a courageous stand.
I was the only one in the city
who did the right thing.
Nick, courage
isn't the kind of word
you can use to describe yourself
even if it's true.
It works when
other people say it.
Other people are saying it,
God damn it.
Read the fucking letter.
The city's still
too raw, Nick.
They're not ready
for you again.
- Fuck you, Jim.
- Oh, come on, Nick.
Fuck you, I'm running
and I'm winning.
Nick!
Man over PA:
Number 70...
- Ella Cummins!
- ( crowd cheering )
Man over PA:
Number 71...
( shovel scraping )
- Hey, watch your step.
- I'm good.
- No, it's slippery.
- I'm good.
Hey, what's the matter?
- I just--
- Doll, you okay?
It feels like there's--
there's-- nothing's
ever finished,
nothing's ever
accomplished.
- I mean, you shovel the walk
and you shovel it again. - Right.
I weed the garden
and I weed it again.
We mow the lawn,
we mow it again.
Uh-huh. Is this
about the house?
We voted for Wasicsko
over Martinelli,
because he said
he would fight for us.
But he didn't really fight,
so we vote for Hank Spallone,
who said he would
fight, but he...
So he's up against Chema,
who caved on
the consent decree vote,
or Martinelli, who didn't fight
for us way back when.
It just-- we keep
shoveling the same walk.
It never ends.
So it is about the house.
Is this enough manpower?
Do you want
to spend more?
Not if I can help it.
Then it's enough.
Based on my experience
up in Greenburgh,
you'd be hard-pressed
to get HUD to fund any of me.
They're about
the bricks and mortar.
They have less interest
in building the people up.
- Well, I'll find the money.
- ( knocking on door )
Oh, am I-- sorry
to disturb you.
No, no. Oscar,
please come in.
I want you to meet
Bob Mayhawk.
I was telling you
about his program.
- You're the consultant.
- As are you.
I'm an admirer of most of what you've done
with these housing units.
The emphasis on ownership
and personal responsibility
is essential here.
We're gonna
start with that.
I'd better go
brief my team.
The only thing
I'll need from you
will be a list of the most vocal
opponents to the housing.
- Opponents?
- Not political people.
Homeowners.
The angrier the better.
I'll have my office
work that up.
Good. I'll go through them
in detail, pick our targets.
- It's good to meet you, Mr. Newman.
- Same here.
Most of what I've done?
( laughs )
Hey, girl.
I'm in here.
How are you?
Hey, where's
my little monster?
I just put him
down for a nap.
Oh, I'm just gonna go peek
on him and see in there.
Uh, you wake him,
you take him.
Where's Ma and Daddy?
She's at the grocery store
and Daddy's at work.
Where else?
So, how you doin',
little sis?
- I'm getting better.
- Mm-hmm.
Feeling better.
Not that they trust me to
go anywhere or do anything.
I've been thinking,
maybe you and Jaron
could come stay with me
at my apartment.
I mean, if Ma and Daddy
see you all right,
they gotta come round
to trusting you again.
For real?
I want you to come out
with me today.
Meet a friend of mine
out of Dunbar Homes.
- A friend?
- Mm-hmm.
When HUD talked to me,
I said your staff could do it.
No.
I mean, on paper
we're the City of Yonkers,
the same city that fought
the housing for a decade.
I mean, I'm white,
you're white,
the whole damn city government's white,
in case you haven't noticed.
Oscar, we're gonna need
somebody outside of this agency,
somebody with standing
in their community.
And he's your man?
You may not want
to hear this,
but your houses
are just houses.
The people
we put in them
are gonna matter
even more.
Well, I'm not
a people person,
or so it's been
said of me.
But you may not
be wrong.
( chuckles )
Woman: They say we're tenants.
We're not tenants.
We're residents,
a community.
And calling them projects makes
me think of science projects.
- ( laughs )
- We are not a project.
We are, I would think,
a complex or a development.
Woman #2: - Amen!
- Right?
Low-income--
that's another phrase
we hear, too.
But low-income
doesn't mean low class.
( crowd agrees )
See, the problem begins
with the language
that gets used
with the assumptions
that all the folks
in public housing are low,
that all we wanna do
is just lay around and smoke drugs.
- I live in public housing.
Woman #3: - All right.
I live here, and I am nothing like
what they are describing.
- That's right, now.
Woman #4: - Amen! Amen!
( music playing )
You know, I never really trusted Surdoval.
He's a little
too feral for me.
Yeah, well, he's done
a hell of job
orchestrating
all these phone calls
from people telling me
they're gonna back Zaleski
and that my running
would just split the vote.
God damn it.
Yeah, well, I mean,
Zaleski's a fresh slate, you know?
He's a back-bench
state legislator
that no one knows
enough to dislike.
It's not fair,
but it makes sense.
I've got the press
waiting for me to announce,
I've got everybody primed.
I'm fucking twisting here.
All right, look.
If it were me,
this is what I'd do.
I'd take it
one step at a time.
Grab Chema's
council seat
now that he's
throwing in for mayor.
And from there,
you're in the game.
You either run the Democrats
on the council
and share credit
with Zaleski--
Or if Zaleski's
a lousy mayor,
I'm an everyday thorn
in his side.
Yeah. I know.
I thought about that.
Well, what does Nay say?
You know she's always got my back
no matter what I do.
She's always
on my side...
which is why I wanted
to talk to you about this.
Why, I'm not on your side?
- No--
- How long have we known each other?
- You say that--
- I'm just saying. I'm just saying.
So you...
out of it
for four years,
now you're throwing your hat in
for council president?
Why now?
I don't know.
I mean, I think I have
enough name recognition
to run citywide.
The field is weak.
Farmer's gonna have
trouble on the East Side,
and Jack O'Toole's
a write-in joke.
You're getting
better at this.
( snickers )
- Mm.
- Really, you are.
So what are you gonna do?
I don't know.
I think I need to look
Terry Zaleski in the eyes.
Yeah.
Not like we can
stop you,
but you've seen
how these drugs do.
And if you got
another way...
I'm stronger now.
And if I'm not,
then hiding here or New Jersey
ain't gonna help.
Schlobohm ain't no place
to raise no child,
especially alone.
You need to trust me some.
- ( music blaring on radio )
- Yeah.
( chatter )
- What the fuck?
- ( music continues )
Yeah, kiddo.
That's gonna be you
in a few years, baby.
Hot, I heard
you was back.
Yeah, just got home.
You seen my son?
Little shorty here?
Ain't no stranger to me and Meeka.
So, what you moving back?
Building Seven?
Yeah,
that's the plan, yo.
- ( boy coos )
- Got hisself a grocery job, too.
Meeka:
Aw, damn.
Homeboy going
all Huxtable and shit.
- ( laughing )
- Fuck you, Meeka.
Why you gotta put my shit
in the street about the grocery store?
What's the problem, bro?
( door closes )
Come on, baby.
( door slams )
For the good of the party,
we cannot afford
to lose City Hall
this year.
First time to elect
a strong mayor in 50 years.
But I'm the one with the experience
that we're gonna need.
And I think
that people know that.
Nick, people have
long memories,
especially in this town,
and that housing mess,
it's still too fresh.
Well, look,
Spallone's made it--
Spallone?
Really?
You and Spallone again?
No, people want to put the housing
behind them and forget about it.
- I don't have the taint of all that.
- ( teakettle whistling )
On the other hand,
quite frankly,
you're the face
of the entire ugly mess.
But you don't need
this right now.
It's too much.
( whistling continues )
You and Nick are young.
You're newlyweds,
just starting your lives together.
Terry and I are older.
We've got it
all mapped out.
You have
what mapped out?
Life, career,
you know.
( distant boy yelling )
We're not gonna be
in Yonkers for long.
- Oh--
- We look toward a congressional run,
which will
necessitate a move.
And then maybe
Albany after that.
We have a clear idea
of the future.
You guys are
just starting out.
- Right.
- But we need to be united here.
Listen to reason.
Don't do this now.
We'll take care of you.
You can have any position
in my administration.
Deputy mayor,
commissioner,
anything you like.
And if you do decide
to run for mayor down the road,
you still have
all the time in the world.
But not this time.
Lynn:
Here you are, honey.
We need to be united,
Nick.
( boys shouting )
( doorbell rings )
- Yes?
- Mrs. Mary Dorman?
I'm pleased to meet you.
My name is Bob Mayhawk.
You've been
recommended by someone
who thought you would be perfect
for a community project
to which
I'm presently attached.
It's about
the public housing.
I'd appreciate it if you'd hear me out
on the matter.
Oh.
Yes, uh...
- Uh, won't you come in, mister...
- Mayhawk.
Mr. Mayhawk, yes.
Thank you.
Um, sure, please.
As I began to explain,
I run a group called
the Housing Education
Relocation Enterprise,
or HERE.
We've been commissioned
by the Yonkers Housing Authority
to help these tenants
move into the new homes.
Thank you.
And to do so
in the best possible way
for the tenants and for the existing
neighborhood residents.
Mmm.
We intend to make sure
that what is going to happen,
happens in the best
possible way for everyone.
May I ask,
Mrs. Dorman,
how do you feel about
the housing presently?
Honestly?
But of course.
Honestly, I don't--
I don't believe in it.
You don't believe
in the purpose of the housing,
or you don't believe that the housing
is coming to your neighborhood?
I don't believe
in the idea of it.
I know the housing
is coming.
It is.
Oh, pardon me.
You are exactly right.
It is going to happen.
And what is left
for all of us to decide
is exactly
what it will be.
Or, more importantly perhaps,
what it will not be.
Nick: Yeah, you know, I won't
deny that I looked hard
at another run for mayor.
I think time
has made clear
that we chose
the correct course
in regards
to the housing issue,
and in that sense,
I feel that Yonkers
was ready to reconsider
my leadership.
Nick, if you'd have won
the Profile in Courage Award,
would your hat be
in the ring for mayor?
Well, uh...
what do the stars
and starlets always say?
"It's an honor
just to be nominated"?
( laughter )
But, no.
Here, look.
It's not about
any award, you know.
It's about the future
of the city.
Reporter: Nick, was
this a sudden decision?
I mean,
we came here today
expecting to hear your
formal announcement for mayor.
Yeah, well, Maury,
I've been agonizing
that a split would weaken
the general effort,
so it's time
to come together.
Reporter #2:
Mr. Zaleski, do you think
a Wasicsko endorsement
boosts your candidacy?
I think people
expected the Democrats
to be scattered,
and now that's not so.
Nick, are you going to be working
on behalf of the assemblyman?
Full-time.
I'll be working
with the Zaleski campaign
full-time as well
as my own efforts
to return to the council
of the Second District.
So you're gonna run
for a council seat instead of mayor?
( chuckles ) Yeah. Well, with a Democratic
mayor and council president,
I look forward
to being part of a team,
a time of real progress
for the City of Yonkers.
Reporter #2: Mr. Zaleski, how
do you see your chances,
given the Republican candidate's
higher name recognition?
I think the people know
and are confident
in the reform that I can bring
to city government.
All right, what aboutow
our poll watchers?
What do their numbers
look like?
Man on TV: His term of office
will be four years instead of...
All right. All right, call me
when you got something.
Okay, but what about
that Radford Street polling place?
Still nothing?
Well, I haven't
seen anything
from the Fourth
and Eighth Wards either.
Woman on TV: Looks like
we have some new numbers.
With 86% of the election
districts reporting,
Democrat Terry Zaleski
is leading
with 38% of the vote,
- trailed by Republican...
- ( line rings )
Hey, it's me again.
What do you got?
Shit, are you kidding me?
Seventh Ward returns are in.
Magilton's ahead 150 votes,
Chema's carrying those two.
Fuck!
Right, right, right.
Okay, no.
That's-- that's a district
around Nodine Hill.
That's where he lives,
so, no, I get it.
Nay, could you
do something, please?
Can you just call the elections board and
get me some better numbers,
'cause I can't lose
another fucking election, okay?
Calm down.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm not yelling at you.
Joke.
Sorry.
Woman on TV: Okay, I understand
there are new developments.
We have a crew
standing by live.
So, now we'll be going to
Martinelli campaign headquarters,
where the former mayor
is now addressing supporters.
I wanna thank everybody
who volunteered
not only for this campaign,
but for all my campaigns.
- It has been a real honor
to serve six terms. - Oy vey.
( chatters )
Thank you so much.
You gave it
one last run, Angelo.
- I did, didn't I?
- Yes, sir.
- Good try, Ange.
- Thank you.
Well, I always say,
what is meant to be
is meant to be.
In this case,
it was meant to be
that I suck enough votes away
from that squirrel Chema
to finish
the son of a bitch.
( chuckles )
And although we gave it
our best shot,
Terence Zaleski did
just a little bit better.
Yeah, all those chickenshit votes, Pete.
Look at you now.
Chema: A few moments ago, I called
Terence Zaleski to congratulate him.
Yeah?
Okay, Fourth and Eighth Wards
are coming in now,
so this should
be better, right?
Chema: - We ran a good campaign.
- All right.
Yeah, no.
I got it, thanks.
- ( phone beeps )
- Hey!
It's really close, Nick.
- It's gonna be a few votes either way.
- He doesn't care.
What wards do you got?
You got Fourth and Eighth?
Yeah, complete.
Okay, let me--
I'm gonna call you back.
Yeah, 'cause in my head, even after
the Fourth and Eighth Wards come in,
I'm still down
like 40 votes, right?
Fuck, 40 votes.
Shit.
Okay.
So maybe I'm about
to get knocked off
from my own council seat by some fool that
works for the Department of Public Works
and is running for office
for the first time in his life.
- That's not such a good night.
- ( channel changes )
Zaleski: Thank you all.
Thank you, Jim.
Michael:
Zaleski looks happy.
For the first time in 50 years,
we have a strong mayor.
( cheering, applause )
( laughs )
This should have
been you, Nicky.
The only reason
he's mayor is because
you stepped aside
for the good of the party.
- Oh, yeah, Ma, is that why?
Zaleski: - Vinni Restiano!
Is that why I did it,
for the good of the party?
( laughs )
I mean, here-- here I am,
waiting for the last returns
to carry my own home district.
What makes me think
I could've beat Zaleski
or any of these guys?
40 votes is nothing, Nick.
You can make that up.
Mike's right, the absentee ballots
are gonna favor you.
Yeah, right.
Okay.
Let's go salvage "whatsever" left,
all right?
Deputy mayor at least.
I can lick Zaleski's shoes
for the next four years.
Come on, let's go.
- ( music playing )
- ( chatter )
There he is.
- Nick!
- Hey.
I am back!
They put me
out to pasture,
but I found my way back
to the fuckin' barn!
I'm really glad
for you, Vinni.
Oh, shit!
The last time I checked,
you were up a few hundred votes--
No, I'm down
a few dozen now,
so it's gonna come down
to a recount, but...
maybe the absentee ballots.
Absentees
will favor you, Nicky.
You know this.
- Nay, honey, do not let him get down.
- I won't.
You know,
he'll squeeze this one out.
- We will.
- Don't worry.
- Congrats, Vinni.
- Thanks. I just-- Donny!
Man: Come on, Angela.
You ready to vote?
The reason
is my message of reform.
- Terry, hey.
- And I think...
the voters
responded to that.
( laughter )
Man #2:
Only six!
Woman on TV:
...votes counted.
Terry Zaleski, a state
assemblyman who is certainly
not as well-known
as his two main opponents,
appears to be
the new mayor of Yonkers,
having captured
30% of the vote.
Man on TV: One of his
opponents, Angelo Martinelli...
- Mr. Mayor.
- Mr. New York Times.
You're still a tough man
to track down, even on election night.
- Got a smoke?
- It's my last one.
What do you still
want from me?
I'm not even
on the ballot tonight.
Pete Chema saw to that.
Mm.
Yeah, he did.
And Zaleski sought
to beat Chema, didn't he?
Do you see tonight
as a repudiation
of your anti-housing
position
to have Zaleski
and the Democrats win?
What repudiation?
You fought the housing,
you lost.
The guys willing to build
the housing have won.
Care to comment,
Mr. Mayor?
( pen clicks )
Verna, can you
find the remote,
see if the game's
still on?
( TV report continues )
( chuckles )
( sighs ) I don't care
what anyone says, Hank.
I'm gonna miss
having you around.
Woman on TV: Let's go back to
the council races for a second.
Were one of the reasons...
- Hi, Phil.
- Hi.
Hi, La Toya.
I just want to know--
are you estranged from all
the members of your family,
- or are you friends...
- ( lock clicks )
with any of the members
of your family?
La Toya: She asked
earlier do we get along.
We get along very well
with the members of my family.
However, at the moment,
I haven't spoken...
- Hey.
- Hey.
Any word from
the Board of Elections?
Nope, nothing.
Not even a rumor.
And Zaleski hasn't
called me yet either.
No "thank you
for your support,"
or "couldn't have
done it without you"
or "hang in there"
or "go fuck yourself," nothing.
Well, anybody else
call today?
Yeah, a couple people.
But how about
that fuckin' Zaleski?
I sacrifice for the guy
and he can't even pick up the phone.
I mean, come on.
Where was the count
last night?
Is that still
where we are?
Every count's
a roller coaster.
I'm up 30, and then I'm down 40,
and I'm up two.
They haven't counted
the absentee ballots yet, though.
As long as they're
still counting.
No, I blew it, Nay.
I'm not gonna
pull this one out,
and you know the rule--
you lose twice in a row,
you're done.
You can't run again
without looking like an idiot.
Nobody will take
you seriously.
You haven't lost.
That is not true, okay?
It's gonna work out.
( scoffs )
My own fucking council district.
What a embarrassment.
( scoffs )
Jesus Christ, Nick,
get it together, please.
They're still
counting votes.
And that I will faithfully
discharge the duties
of the office of council member,
District 2.
According to the city charter
and to the best of my ability.
According to the city charter
and to the best of my ability.
For and in
the City of Yonkers.
For and in
the City of Yonkers.
- Congratulations, Councilman.
- Thank you.
- Better late than never.
- Thank you, Aloysius.
All you have to do now
is sign the book.
Yeah.
Congrats,
Mr. Minority Leader.
Thank you,
Mr. Majority Leader.
26 votes, 26,000--
a win's still a win.
Yeah, well...
you know, I had this calculated
to a seven-vote win
or six if the old man on Linden Street
got sick and stayed home again.
So 26 votes
is a landslide.
To tell you the truth,
you fooled me, Nick.
I thought you'd run
for mayor.
Hell, John,
maybe I fooled myself.
- ( door opens )
- All right.
- ( door closes )
- ( chatter )
( women clearing throats )
Welcome,
Mrs. Dorman.
Please,
have a seat.
Consider the watering hole
on the African veld
where all
the great herds gather--
the zebra,
the giraffe,
the gnu,
the wildebeest--
and the predators
that prey upon them--
the lion, the cheetah.
Imagine for one moment
that there's a race
to that water.
It's been a long,
hot summer.
Doreen:
Ain't enough I'm in Schlobohm...
- Go on.
- Why the hell am I doing this?
You always want
to be taking?
When are you gonna
start giving back?
Let me put it
another way.
Why don't you sign that
before I come over there
and bang you in the side
of your hard head?
- All right.
- Uh-huh.
Mary: What do you think about
us going to the projects?
You-- wait, do you think
it's safe for us?
Oh, forget about it.
I grew up in public housing
on Martin Ray Place,
over where
the senior living is now.
Well, it was
army barracks, really,
for the veterans
coming back from the war.
Of course,
back then,
we took care
of our apartments.
We didn't trash
the buildings.
We were white.
- You know, you like metaphor and simile...
- Thank you.
...and you're partial
to parable, too.
And allegory.
Don't forget allegory.
( chuckles )
What are you trying to give
them with all those stories?
Stuff they can give
to their residents.
The mysteries of life,
keys to the universe.
Special weapons
that they can believe they possess
that will keep them
confident.
- Really?
- Yeah.
And what are the keys
to the universe?
I have no idea.
Do you?
But before we're done,
they'll believe
they have a few of them.
And isn't that
the point?
Do you think that
we could get started?
Well, I guess
no one else is coming,
so I think
we can get started.
This being my first meeting
as tenant representative,
I wanted to talk about
my idea for a resident-run
day care center
here at Schlobohm.
I think it could really--
Yes?
They still ain't fixed my
closet door in Building Two.
I been calling and calling
and calling up housing,
but ain't nothing
ever gets fixed.
And now the drain
in my tub don't work.
It backs up and takes hours
before it let the water out.
Now what I'm supposed
to do about that
when they don't
never come round?
Um...
- ( police radio chatter )
- ( tires screech )
Man:
All right, gentlemen.
What do you want me
to do with that vest?
Man #2: - Leave it for now.
- ( sirens wailing )
Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you
to stand behind the tape.
- I'm a councilman. I--
Man: - It's all right, Jerry.
He's all right.
Let him through.
- Hey, Pete.
- Mr. Mayor.
Not anymore. At least one of us
made rank, though, right?
What the hell happened?
Pipe bomb.
Watchman found it
on his rounds.
- Jesus.
- Bit of a clusterfuck right now.
- I see Pete Smith.
- Okay.
- Okay, thanks.
- All right.
- Pete!
- Hey, Nick. How you doin'?
Probably better
than you.
What the hell
they do to our houses?
( mutters )
Look at this.
They put the bomb
on the windowsill here.
- They destroyed the bathroom.
- Wow.
They shattered the tiles.
But it could have been worse.
Look at this,
right here.
That's a gas pipe.
That goes straight into the meter.
It's not hooked up yet,
or God knows, you know?
( sighs )
These fucking people.
- Yeah.
- ( helicopter blades whirring )
I thought this
housing shit was over.
( scoffs )
These bastards
just don't quit.
Okay.
All right.
- ( music playing )
- ( distant chatter )
♪ I'll open the door
if you come into my life ♪
♪ boy, I adore you
and I will treat you right ♪
Where the fuck you been?
( laughs )
- Where the fuck I've been?
- ( bottle opens )
I've been at work,
working two fucking jobs.
That's where
the fuck I've been.
It's midnight.
You all fucked up
like that at work?
Huh?
I'm not taking this shit
no more, John.
I had it.
I'm going.
Where the fuck
you gonna go?
Away from you
and your shit!
Yeah, go ahead,
leave, then.
Baby stays here
with me, bitch.
Yeah?
What, you gonna
take him to work?
Look, don't worry what
I'm gonna do with my son.
( scoffs )
I thought you was leaving.
( men shouting, laughing )
- I can't take this shit every night.
- ( tsks )
I just want things
to be right,
the way they're
supposed to be,
for the baby, you,
me, not all this.
I'm here, all alone
with this baby
- all day and all night. - I was just
hangin' with Rico and them after work.
It ain't no big thing.
♪ come into my life ♪
♪ boy, I adore you,
boy, I adore you... ♪
Look, I'm sorry.
I'm gonna do better.
You'll see.
Come on,
baby girl.
- ♪ and I'll show you... ♪
- Yo.
♪ sweet, mellow days ♪
♪ that you want
and need ♪
♪ because I... ♪
- Let's make us a baby.
- ( scoffs ) Another?
- Yeah, you lost your fuckin' mind.
- ( laughs )
- Come on.
- Boy, you crazy?
We ain't had us
a little girl.
This is our answer
to the pipe bombs--
politics,
everything thrown at us
during this project.
I only hope people still
wanna live in these houses.
Oh, they do.
Hmm.
And they will.
- ( music blaring )
- ( dog barking )
( music playing )
Mama?
( distant siren wailing )
Who's there?
Pat: Who the hell
you think it is?
It's me,
with the groceries, Norma.
Did they have okra?
I didn't forget the okra,
and I brought the mail, too,
and something from housing
they put under the door.
Oh, you reading
my mail, now?
You can't see it
to read it.
I can see
well enough.
Then read.
( TV playing
in background )
I'm gonna
read it later.
They wanna know
if people are interested
in moving into
the new townhouses.
142 units of public housing
will be completed
sometime near
the end of this year.
It says tenants
will be selected
on the basis
of an open lottery.
A lottery?
Tenants who
are interested
should indicate
by filling out the form below.
Well, I ain't
going in on no lottery.
I may play
the number, but...
No, I'm fine
just where I am.
You can barely see, Norma,
and it's just not safe around here.
And with your situation,
you probably won't need no lottery.
I bet you could just go
and talk to somebody downtown.
Is this awkward
for you?
I mean, I called because I thought
there were some things
we could work on
together going forward.
No, no, no, no.
I'm happy to help any way I can.
What's on your mind,
Mr. Mayor?
I'll cut
right to the chase.
We want John Zakian
out of the Parking Authority.
Well, hey,
don't I know it.
I tried to get rid of him
during my term,
but I lost
that battle in court.
Well, it's taken
a lot of research,
but Andy Maniglia
has figured out a way
to get around the legal issue
by a restructuring.
Short version is,
we terminate his contract
with the IDA,
then the Parking Authority board is
free to fire him as YPA's director.
Zaleski: But I need
to know going in
that I have the votes
on the YPA's board.
Ah, my brother Michael.
And you're close
to Nader, too.
Who replaces Zakian?
Guy by the name of Robert Jean,
Bob Jean.
- Do you know him?
- Mm-mm.
Professional,
not political.
This is an act
of reform, Nick.
Well, you both know that my wife works
for the Parking Authority,
so if I go
after her boss,
I need to know
that she'll come out all right.
Understood.
- Okay.
- Great.
Good to see you, Nick.
Happy to help.
This the second time.
He gonna go away
for longer now.
You don't
know that yet.
You don't even know what
they gonna charge him with.
What'd he do exactly?
I don't know
nothing else,
just that the police went
to his mother's apartment
and told her something about him having
a knife and trying to rob some men--
A knife?
Look, if you ask me, homeboy's
an asshole for going around
- jacking people like that.
- I didn't ask you, did I?
- I'm just saying.
- No, fuck you, Meeka.
- Come on, that's my man.
- ( sighs )
Where's he at now?
Rikers?
He got arrested
in the county,
so they took him up
to the county jail in Valhalla.
Westchester ain't
the city, Meeka.
( sniffles )
They make people jail up there.
They give people
years and shit.
( crying )
( sighs )
- ( music playing )
- The mayor came to me. He brought me in.
He asked
for my help with this.
Nay:
So what?
Let Zaleski do
his own dirty work.
So, he's a Democratic mayor,
and I'm the veteran
Democrat on the council.
And he comes
to me for help.
This is him
bringing me in here.
This is him finally making
good on his promise
to make me part
of the administration.
I can't fucking
believe this.
You're gonna try to fire
my boss for no reason.
Don't do this, Nick.
Nay, it's about
the bigger picture.
If I throw in
with Zaleski,
I become the go-to guy
on the council.
I don't know, Nick.
You don't know?
I don't think
it's a good idea.
Christ Almighty,
what's the matter with you people?
♪ we only run for the money,
got no strings attached... ♪
- ( boys chattering )
- Maria!
( door closes, locks )
- What's all this?
- New pots.
Three heavy iron ones,
very good quality.
A woman at work
sells them through a catalogue.
No, no,
don't open it.
They're for the new house,
when we get the new house.
But what's the point of a pot
if you can't cook in it?
They're too good
for this place.
I don't know,
I can't explain.
They're like us.
Roberto:
No. Come on.
I'll show you,
I'm not cheating.
Felipe: - Yes, you are.
- No, I'm not.
Woman on TV: - Where are you from?
Man on TV: - Milwaukee.
Woman: - Would you help me?
Man: - Sure.
Noted for good beer,
women with lovely legs,
and practically
no millionaires.
( chuckles )
- Hey, Mom.
- Hey.
I'm gonna
go to bed, okay?
All right, baby girl.
Give a kiss.
Tasha, let me ask you--
you're all right
living here, right?
Ma, I don't know.
I guess so.
Uh, you know,
this is what I know.
I ain't lived
anywhere else.
Get some sleep.
Well, you're
good at it.
I've learned who to call
about what problems.
So what?
But to change
anything for real?
They had a grant
program for HUD,
and I sent a list of ideas
up Central Avenue.
We need security here,
new doors,
fences on the playground
for the children.
But nothing.
Shit, I wanna do more
than write down
everybody's complaints about their own
apartments and then call them in.
I want a neighborhood.
You thinking about applying
for those new townhouses?
- Already did.
- ( sighs )
Those new townhouses
are guaranteed to fail.
They built them
because they had to,
but that don't mean
they want them to work.
You know what
Sadie calls them?
Cardboard houses.
- 'Cause they put them up so fast.
- Oh, come on.
They put them up fast
so that they would fall apart fast.
And then those white folks could say
that we can't take care of nothin'.
You gonna get yourself
killed over there on the East Side.
They do not want us.
- ( door closes )
Janet: - Billie. Billie, you home?
- ( sighs )
- ( distant chatter )
Oh, you got
your hands full, girl.
- ( boy babbling )
Janet: - Yes.
Grandma's here.
You gonna fill
this out, Billie?
Billie.
Fill out what?
( sniffs ) You might wanna
change that diaper.
Baby's eyes are big
and brown enough as it is.
( boy babbling )
I don't feel
that this is right.
I shouldn't be asking
for special treatment.
You're blind, Norma.
- I can see more than you think.
- Mm-hmm.
There's him,
right there.
Where?
Stand your blind ass up.
- Mr. Smith.
- Hmm? That's me.
Heard you had
a meeting here today.
I'd like to speak
with you, please.
Sure.
Mr. Smith,
I'm legally blind
and I live here
in Building Six.
- And your name is?
- Norma O'Neal.
And it's not
that I'm afraid
or that I can't do
for myself or anything like that,
because I've been living
here long enough that...
Well, I don't want to make it sound
as though I'm asking you for--
Mr. Smith, Schlobohm is no place
for a blind woman.
Okay.
Well, there are
handicapped units at each site
for those who qualify.
Do you require
home assistance?
Well,
that's another thing.
It's hard to get
home care to come here.
But I go every week
to the Guild for the Blind.
Two years next March.
Ms. O'Neal, you have one of those
ladies over there at the guild
write me a letter
saying all of this,
and we'll start
from there, okay?
There you go.
How'd I do?
Wasn't for me,
you'd still be explaining
why Schlobohm ain't bad
at all, considering.
Come on.
Mayhawk: Before we even
get to the lottery,
we need to know that whoever is picked
for these homes is going to succeed,
that they're going to make their
way in these neighborhoods.
Now that means knowing
who these families are,
what they're capable of, and
what they might need help with.
- Excuse me, Mr. Mayhawk.
- Mm-hmm.
Will my husband be able
to come with me?
Mrs. Earl
and her daughter
have coordinated
the appointments.
The families know
that they're being screened
and they know
that you're coming.
Excuse me, how will we
get back and forth?
It will be
all right, Mary.
That'll be all
for tonight.
Thank you.
( chattering )
Now, how much
are they gonna learn
about the applicants
in one or two visits?
Learn about the families?
Just a few basics.
It's all there's time for
at this point.
Learn about themselves.
Hmm.
You know.
- Hey, so, for starters,
we'll go to the sixth floor. - Great.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- You've got it all set up.
- Absolutely.
Fellas,
how are you doing?
Woman:
As usual.
Okay.
No, no, you're gonna
want the good stairwell.
Why is that
the good stairwell?
It's the one for walking
up and down.
So what is
the bad stairwell for?
( chuckles )
Please.
Man: Yo, all the Spanish
girls be active.
Man #2: Man, that one Spanish
girl be something else.
( chattering continues )
Excuse me.
Hello.
- ( music blaring )
- We're going in this apartment here.
( knocking on door )
♪ we be to rap
what key be to lock ♪
♪ but I'm cool like that,
I'm cool like that... ♪
Hi.
Welcome to Schlobohm.
For real.
Hi, I'm Doreen.
Come on in.
♪ we getcha free,
'cause the clips be fat, boss... ♪
- That's my son Jaron.
- Hi, Jaron.
- Hi.
- I'm Lucille.
- I'm Jaron.
- Nice to meet you.
You know, but she's teaching
the kid Swedish...
♪ him, that's my man
with the asteroid belt ♪
♪ they catch a fizz
from the Mr. Doodle-big ♪
♪ he rocks a tee
from the Crooklyn-nine pigs ♪
♪ the rebirth of slick
like my gangsta stroll ♪
♪ the lyrics just like loot,
come in stacks and rolls ♪
♪ you used to find the Bug
in a box with fade ♪
♪ now he boogies up your stage,
plaits, twists and braids ♪
♪ and I'm peace like dat,
I'm peace like dat ♪
♪ I'm peace like dat,
I'm peace like dat ♪
♪ I'm peace like dat,
I'm peace like dat ♪
- ♪ I'm peace like dat, I'm peace... ♪
- ♪ check it out ♪
♪ and I groove like dat,
I'm smooth like dat ♪
♪ I jive like dat,
I roll like dat ♪
♪ yeah, I'm thick like dat,
I stack like dat ♪
♪ I'm down like dat,
I'm black like dat ♪
♪ hey, yo, I funk like dat,
I'm phat like dat ♪
♪ I'm in like dat
'cause I swing like dat ♪
♪ we jazz like dat,
we freak like dat ♪
♪ we zoom like dat, we out ♪
( echoes )
- Thank you.
- Nice to meet you.
- Oh, you, too.
- Pleasure to meet you.
You, too.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Mrs. Dorman.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
Lucille: Getting to
know some of them...
- ( siren wailing )
- ( men shouting )
I appreciate you
telling us...
( siren wailing )
( police radio chatter )
Officer: I said turn around!
Turn around!
( police radio chatter )
And what, I carry
this asshole's water,
I get rid of Zakian
just 'cause he asked me to,
and then I get the freeze
for the next month.
No phone calls,
no thank yous.
I mean, shit,
I'm supposedly
the party leader
on the council,
and I gotta find out the date
of the housing lottery
from the fucking newspaper
like I didn't have
anything to do with it?
And now I got the Republican
leader telling me
that other council
members are invited?
I mean, no offense, John,
but Jesus on a fucking cracker.
No offense taken.
I'd be pissed off, too.
This shit
is no oversight, okay?
I've paid more politically for
that housing than he'll ever know,
but Terry Zaleski wants
the credit all to himself.
( woman laughs )
( sighs )
Today I need
a tall fucking drink.
I'll buy.
Good, it's about time
you pulled out
that fat,
Republican wallet.
( laughs )
What?
"You have been selected
for the opportunity
to move into
the new housing
and have been assigned
a handicapped apartment."
- Oh, my God.
- "Congratulations to you and your family.
Very truly yours,
Peter Smith."
( laughs )
See what you did
with all your meddlin'?
Oh, girl.
No, no, no, no. You know,
you're getting better at it.
You just gotta gavel
them down sometimes, end the debate.
I just get nervous.
I'm figuring out
the right time to cut him off.
Yeah, well, that will come
with time, you know?
I can give you
a nod or a sign.
Vinni told me this was a
tradition with the two of you.
- Oh, that's my weak spot, John.
- ( Restiano laughs )
So what are we gonna do
about this asshole?
- Zaleski?
- No, "Mu-hammar Ca-doofie."
- ( Restiano laughs )
- Yeah, fuckin' Zaleski.
Hey, you guys
campaigned with him.
Oh, come on, John.
What were we gonna do?
He was the Democratic
nominee.
I mean this guy
actually believes
he is the only
honest man left
and that corruption
is everywhere.
- I know. - And that Yonkers
is Gomorrah-on-Hudson.
It's all this
"investigate this, investigate that."
It's all this
star chamber shit.
You know he actually
put up a room
in City Hall
with a two-way mirror
so he can watch
Andy Maniglia's people
interrogate city workers?
- It's true. It's on the first floor.
- Yeah.
- Hey, Kath.
- Huh?
What do the girls
in the office call Zaleski?
( chuckles )
Eliot Ness.
- ( John laughs )
- "Mr. Untouchable."
- Yeah.
- Well, he did run as a reform.
You know what?
We all run on whatever.
But if you get in,
you have to fucking govern.
- Hear, hear.
- Yeah.
To four more years
of fuckin' Terry Zaleski.
Restiano: - God.
- Hear, hear.
( retches )
- We have a decimate-- designated driver.
- Ooh! Whoo!
I know.
I can drive. I'm all right.
I'm-- I'm feeling
very good.
You know what?
You don't even need a car.
You can just flap your
wings and fly south.
- ( squawks )
- ( laughs )
- Oh!
- Whoa, you can't even stand.
- Come on.
- It's all right. What? I'm standing.
What do you mean?
I'm standing here.
I'm standing here!
( chuckles )
- Mmm.
- Oh.
John's right.
( sighs )
I should have run
for mayor.
I could have beat
this guy, Vin.
I could have...
So you do it
in four years.
But, Nick, you can't
take it personally.
What?
You can't confuse
votes with love.
They're not
the same thing.
They're not?
John: Called you a cab, Nicky.
It's on its way.
( laughs )
I am all right. I'm gonna drive.
- Yeah?
- Feeling fine. Yeah, it's very close.
Thank you
for the Sambuca.
- Be safe.
- Arrivederci, Vin.
Good night.
- ( car beeping )
- Oof.
( grunts )
( engine starts )
Smith: - Welcome. I'm Pete Smith.
- ( cheering, applause )
I'm the director of the Yonkers
Municipal Housing Authority.
Now, first off,
just a reminder,
once your name is selected,
go to the front lobby
and pick up your packet
of information.
Now, I know there's
a lot of anxious folks here,
so let's just
get started right away.
( crowd cheering )
Number one...
...is Delphina Paige.
- That's me!
- ( cheering )
- Delphina-- there she is!
- That's us! Come on!
Oh, wow.
Oh, they called us.
Smith: - Congratulations, Delphina!
- That's us. Let's go!
Ow, wow.
- ( Smith laughs )
Man: - Whoo!
Smith:
Number two...
- Barbara Johnson.
- ( cheering )
Smith: - Number 29, Doreen Henderson.
- ( woman shouts )
Woman: I don't really think she knew
what she was getting into, though.
- ( chattering )
Smith: - Number 30...
- Kelly Collins.
- I'm gonna be so happy!
( cheering, applause )
Smith:
Number 31...
Geraldine Cardwell!
- ( cheering, applause )
- ( squeals ) Yes!
Woman:
Oh! ( laughs )
Come on, come on, come on.
Come on, come on!
Smith: Number 32, Donna Jackson.
- ( cheering, applause )
Woman: - Oh, my gosh!
I can't believe it!
Bye!
Smith: Number 33,
Jacqueline Perkins.
( women squealing )
Smith: Number 62, Dama Montero.
( squealing, laughing )
( chattering )
You're the next one, my love.
You're the next one.
Smith:
Number 63...
Billie Rowan.
Billie Rowan.
( applause )
Smith:
Number 64...
- Shaniqua Martin!
- ( woman screams )
Smith: Number 65,
Denise Morales.
- ( gasps )
- That's us!
( chattering )
- Congratulations.
Women: - Thank you.
Smith:
Number 66...
- Desireé Harris.
- ( women squealing )
Woman: . Oh, my goodness!
- ( women chattering )
Woman: - We got it! That's us!
Woman #2: - Praise God!
Smith: Number 67, Sheila Davis.
( women whooping )
Smith:
Number 68...
Sloan Plaxton.
( whispers )
Oh, God.
Smith:
Okay, the first 71 names
of current residents
have been chosen.
The next names we pick
will be on the waiting list.
( crowd groaning,
murmuring )
Well, what can we do?
Smith: Number 72,
Keesha Thompson.
We'll get a house
just like Tia Dama.
- You'll see.
- My love.
Number 73,
Aurora Perez.
( applause )
Number 134,
Carmen Febles.
- They picked us. They picked our name!
- Yes!
Okay. Okay.
Come on, let's go.
Let's go.
Smith: Number 135,
Rosalyn Quill.
Number 136,
Catherine Hickson.
( chatter )
Woman: - Wait!
- ( excited chatter )
( bus hisses )
- ( engine turns off )
- ( bus door opens )
( laughs )
- Oh!
- Hi, how are you doing?
- ( chattering )
- Here we are.
- Oh, my gosh!
- I don't believe it!
This is gonna be
a nightmare.
What?
Woman #2: - A new beginning.
- Well, as we said, we're dreaming.
( women laugh )
( excited chatter )
Woman #3: My grandmother
would love to see this.
Man: - 86 the special.
♪ I'm so inspired
by you ♪
♪ that hasn't happened
for the longest time ♪
♪ once I thought
my innocence was gone... ♪
_
What's this?
Oh, yeah, this is
the "Profile in Courage" thing?
Yeah, I saw that in the paper.
Congratulations.
It's our ticket home.
- Home?
- City Hall.
I'm running again.
I'm gonna kick
Spallone's ass
or Chema or Martinelli
or whoever else
the Republicans
wanna send at me.
I was on the right side
of the housing
and more and more
people see it.
How you doing?
I'm also hearing
that Vinni's
gonna run for the new
council president post.
And she polls really well
on the East Side,
so I'm thinking
we tick it up with Vinni,
- and then we just get in here--
- Nick, I'm--
I'm committed to Zaleski.
- Zaleski?
- Yeah.
Terry fuckin' Zaleski?
I helped recruit
and encourage him to run.
He's the reform candidate
for the Democrats.
You didn't check
with me first?
Come, on, Jim, you knew
I was thinking about
getting back
into this thing.
Come on, Jim.
You got
your start with me.
For Christ's sake, you were my chief
of staff. Who's Terry Zaleski to you?
Nick, I know he's only an assemblyman,
but he's got an East Side district,
so he can carry
those precincts.
Plus, he's pro-compliance
on the housing,
but he's not identified
with it like you are.
Or he's not
identified with it
because he hid the hell up
in Albany in '88
and stayed as far away
from Yonkers as he could.
There's a lot
at stake here.
This is gonna be
the first four-year term
and strong mayor
in our lifetime,
and we need the Democrat
with the best shot...
Yeah, it's gonna be...
...against whoever's coming
at us in the general.
...the first strong mayor because
I got the charter amendment through,
and you're gonna hand it
to Terry fuckin' Zaleski?
No, no, no.
Jim, no.
It's not a negative
for me anymore.
I took
a courageous stand.
I was the only one in the city
who did the right thing.
Nick, courage
isn't the kind of word
you can use to describe yourself
even if it's true.
It works when
other people say it.
Other people are saying it,
God damn it.
Read the fucking letter.
The city's still
too raw, Nick.
They're not ready
for you again.
- Fuck you, Jim.
- Oh, come on, Nick.
Fuck you, I'm running
and I'm winning.
Nick!
Man over PA:
Number 70...
- Ella Cummins!
- ( crowd cheering )
Man over PA:
Number 71...
( shovel scraping )
- Hey, watch your step.
- I'm good.
- No, it's slippery.
- I'm good.
Hey, what's the matter?
- I just--
- Doll, you okay?
It feels like there's--
there's-- nothing's
ever finished,
nothing's ever
accomplished.
- I mean, you shovel the walk
and you shovel it again. - Right.
I weed the garden
and I weed it again.
We mow the lawn,
we mow it again.
Uh-huh. Is this
about the house?
We voted for Wasicsko
over Martinelli,
because he said
he would fight for us.
But he didn't really fight,
so we vote for Hank Spallone,
who said he would
fight, but he...
So he's up against Chema,
who caved on
the consent decree vote,
or Martinelli, who didn't fight
for us way back when.
It just-- we keep
shoveling the same walk.
It never ends.
So it is about the house.
Is this enough manpower?
Do you want
to spend more?
Not if I can help it.
Then it's enough.
Based on my experience
up in Greenburgh,
you'd be hard-pressed
to get HUD to fund any of me.
They're about
the bricks and mortar.
They have less interest
in building the people up.
- Well, I'll find the money.
- ( knocking on door )
Oh, am I-- sorry
to disturb you.
No, no. Oscar,
please come in.
I want you to meet
Bob Mayhawk.
I was telling you
about his program.
- You're the consultant.
- As are you.
I'm an admirer of most of what you've done
with these housing units.
The emphasis on ownership
and personal responsibility
is essential here.
We're gonna
start with that.
I'd better go
brief my team.
The only thing
I'll need from you
will be a list of the most vocal
opponents to the housing.
- Opponents?
- Not political people.
Homeowners.
The angrier the better.
I'll have my office
work that up.
Good. I'll go through them
in detail, pick our targets.
- It's good to meet you, Mr. Newman.
- Same here.
Most of what I've done?
( laughs )
Hey, girl.
I'm in here.
How are you?
Hey, where's
my little monster?
I just put him
down for a nap.
Oh, I'm just gonna go peek
on him and see in there.
Uh, you wake him,
you take him.
Where's Ma and Daddy?
She's at the grocery store
and Daddy's at work.
Where else?
So, how you doin',
little sis?
- I'm getting better.
- Mm-hmm.
Feeling better.
Not that they trust me to
go anywhere or do anything.
I've been thinking,
maybe you and Jaron
could come stay with me
at my apartment.
I mean, if Ma and Daddy
see you all right,
they gotta come round
to trusting you again.
For real?
I want you to come out
with me today.
Meet a friend of mine
out of Dunbar Homes.
- A friend?
- Mm-hmm.
When HUD talked to me,
I said your staff could do it.
No.
I mean, on paper
we're the City of Yonkers,
the same city that fought
the housing for a decade.
I mean, I'm white,
you're white,
the whole damn city government's white,
in case you haven't noticed.
Oscar, we're gonna need
somebody outside of this agency,
somebody with standing
in their community.
And he's your man?
You may not want
to hear this,
but your houses
are just houses.
The people
we put in them
are gonna matter
even more.
Well, I'm not
a people person,
or so it's been
said of me.
But you may not
be wrong.
( chuckles )
Woman: They say we're tenants.
We're not tenants.
We're residents,
a community.
And calling them projects makes
me think of science projects.
- ( laughs )
- We are not a project.
We are, I would think,
a complex or a development.
Woman #2: - Amen!
- Right?
Low-income--
that's another phrase
we hear, too.
But low-income
doesn't mean low class.
( crowd agrees )
See, the problem begins
with the language
that gets used
with the assumptions
that all the folks
in public housing are low,
that all we wanna do
is just lay around and smoke drugs.
- I live in public housing.
Woman #3: - All right.
I live here, and I am nothing like
what they are describing.
- That's right, now.
Woman #4: - Amen! Amen!
( music playing )
You know, I never really trusted Surdoval.
He's a little
too feral for me.
Yeah, well, he's done
a hell of job
orchestrating
all these phone calls
from people telling me
they're gonna back Zaleski
and that my running
would just split the vote.
God damn it.
Yeah, well, I mean,
Zaleski's a fresh slate, you know?
He's a back-bench
state legislator
that no one knows
enough to dislike.
It's not fair,
but it makes sense.
I've got the press
waiting for me to announce,
I've got everybody primed.
I'm fucking twisting here.
All right, look.
If it were me,
this is what I'd do.
I'd take it
one step at a time.
Grab Chema's
council seat
now that he's
throwing in for mayor.
And from there,
you're in the game.
You either run the Democrats
on the council
and share credit
with Zaleski--
Or if Zaleski's
a lousy mayor,
I'm an everyday thorn
in his side.
Yeah. I know.
I thought about that.
Well, what does Nay say?
You know she's always got my back
no matter what I do.
She's always
on my side...
which is why I wanted
to talk to you about this.
Why, I'm not on your side?
- No--
- How long have we known each other?
- You say that--
- I'm just saying. I'm just saying.
So you...
out of it
for four years,
now you're throwing your hat in
for council president?
Why now?
I don't know.
I mean, I think I have
enough name recognition
to run citywide.
The field is weak.
Farmer's gonna have
trouble on the East Side,
and Jack O'Toole's
a write-in joke.
You're getting
better at this.
( snickers )
- Mm.
- Really, you are.
So what are you gonna do?
I don't know.
I think I need to look
Terry Zaleski in the eyes.
Yeah.
Not like we can
stop you,
but you've seen
how these drugs do.
And if you got
another way...
I'm stronger now.
And if I'm not,
then hiding here or New Jersey
ain't gonna help.
Schlobohm ain't no place
to raise no child,
especially alone.
You need to trust me some.
- ( music blaring on radio )
- Yeah.
( chatter )
- What the fuck?
- ( music continues )
Yeah, kiddo.
That's gonna be you
in a few years, baby.
Hot, I heard
you was back.
Yeah, just got home.
You seen my son?
Little shorty here?
Ain't no stranger to me and Meeka.
So, what you moving back?
Building Seven?
Yeah,
that's the plan, yo.
- ( boy coos )
- Got hisself a grocery job, too.
Meeka:
Aw, damn.
Homeboy going
all Huxtable and shit.
- ( laughing )
- Fuck you, Meeka.
Why you gotta put my shit
in the street about the grocery store?
What's the problem, bro?
( door closes )
Come on, baby.
( door slams )
For the good of the party,
we cannot afford
to lose City Hall
this year.
First time to elect
a strong mayor in 50 years.
But I'm the one with the experience
that we're gonna need.
And I think
that people know that.
Nick, people have
long memories,
especially in this town,
and that housing mess,
it's still too fresh.
Well, look,
Spallone's made it--
Spallone?
Really?
You and Spallone again?
No, people want to put the housing
behind them and forget about it.
- I don't have the taint of all that.
- ( teakettle whistling )
On the other hand,
quite frankly,
you're the face
of the entire ugly mess.
But you don't need
this right now.
It's too much.
( whistling continues )
You and Nick are young.
You're newlyweds,
just starting your lives together.
Terry and I are older.
We've got it
all mapped out.
You have
what mapped out?
Life, career,
you know.
( distant boy yelling )
We're not gonna be
in Yonkers for long.
- Oh--
- We look toward a congressional run,
which will
necessitate a move.
And then maybe
Albany after that.
We have a clear idea
of the future.
You guys are
just starting out.
- Right.
- But we need to be united here.
Listen to reason.
Don't do this now.
We'll take care of you.
You can have any position
in my administration.
Deputy mayor,
commissioner,
anything you like.
And if you do decide
to run for mayor down the road,
you still have
all the time in the world.
But not this time.
Lynn:
Here you are, honey.
We need to be united,
Nick.
( boys shouting )
( doorbell rings )
- Yes?
- Mrs. Mary Dorman?
I'm pleased to meet you.
My name is Bob Mayhawk.
You've been
recommended by someone
who thought you would be perfect
for a community project
to which
I'm presently attached.
It's about
the public housing.
I'd appreciate it if you'd hear me out
on the matter.
Oh.
Yes, uh...
- Uh, won't you come in, mister...
- Mayhawk.
Mr. Mayhawk, yes.
Thank you.
Um, sure, please.
As I began to explain,
I run a group called
the Housing Education
Relocation Enterprise,
or HERE.
We've been commissioned
by the Yonkers Housing Authority
to help these tenants
move into the new homes.
Thank you.
And to do so
in the best possible way
for the tenants and for the existing
neighborhood residents.
Mmm.
We intend to make sure
that what is going to happen,
happens in the best
possible way for everyone.
May I ask,
Mrs. Dorman,
how do you feel about
the housing presently?
Honestly?
But of course.
Honestly, I don't--
I don't believe in it.
You don't believe
in the purpose of the housing,
or you don't believe that the housing
is coming to your neighborhood?
I don't believe
in the idea of it.
I know the housing
is coming.
It is.
Oh, pardon me.
You are exactly right.
It is going to happen.
And what is left
for all of us to decide
is exactly
what it will be.
Or, more importantly perhaps,
what it will not be.
Nick: Yeah, you know, I won't
deny that I looked hard
at another run for mayor.
I think time
has made clear
that we chose
the correct course
in regards
to the housing issue,
and in that sense,
I feel that Yonkers
was ready to reconsider
my leadership.
Nick, if you'd have won
the Profile in Courage Award,
would your hat be
in the ring for mayor?
Well, uh...
what do the stars
and starlets always say?
"It's an honor
just to be nominated"?
( laughter )
But, no.
Here, look.
It's not about
any award, you know.
It's about the future
of the city.
Reporter: Nick, was
this a sudden decision?
I mean,
we came here today
expecting to hear your
formal announcement for mayor.
Yeah, well, Maury,
I've been agonizing
that a split would weaken
the general effort,
so it's time
to come together.
Reporter #2:
Mr. Zaleski, do you think
a Wasicsko endorsement
boosts your candidacy?
I think people
expected the Democrats
to be scattered,
and now that's not so.
Nick, are you going to be working
on behalf of the assemblyman?
Full-time.
I'll be working
with the Zaleski campaign
full-time as well
as my own efforts
to return to the council
of the Second District.
So you're gonna run
for a council seat instead of mayor?
( chuckles ) Yeah. Well, with a Democratic
mayor and council president,
I look forward
to being part of a team,
a time of real progress
for the City of Yonkers.
Reporter #2: Mr. Zaleski, how
do you see your chances,
given the Republican candidate's
higher name recognition?
I think the people know
and are confident
in the reform that I can bring
to city government.
All right, what aboutow
our poll watchers?
What do their numbers
look like?
Man on TV: His term of office
will be four years instead of...
All right. All right, call me
when you got something.
Okay, but what about
that Radford Street polling place?
Still nothing?
Well, I haven't
seen anything
from the Fourth
and Eighth Wards either.
Woman on TV: Looks like
we have some new numbers.
With 86% of the election
districts reporting,
Democrat Terry Zaleski
is leading
with 38% of the vote,
- trailed by Republican...
- ( line rings )
Hey, it's me again.
What do you got?
Shit, are you kidding me?
Seventh Ward returns are in.
Magilton's ahead 150 votes,
Chema's carrying those two.
Fuck!
Right, right, right.
Okay, no.
That's-- that's a district
around Nodine Hill.
That's where he lives,
so, no, I get it.
Nay, could you
do something, please?
Can you just call the elections board and
get me some better numbers,
'cause I can't lose
another fucking election, okay?
Calm down.
No, I'm sorry.
I'm not yelling at you.
Joke.
Sorry.
Woman on TV: Okay, I understand
there are new developments.
We have a crew
standing by live.
So, now we'll be going to
Martinelli campaign headquarters,
where the former mayor
is now addressing supporters.
I wanna thank everybody
who volunteered
not only for this campaign,
but for all my campaigns.
- It has been a real honor
to serve six terms. - Oy vey.
( chatters )
Thank you so much.
You gave it
one last run, Angelo.
- I did, didn't I?
- Yes, sir.
- Good try, Ange.
- Thank you.
Well, I always say,
what is meant to be
is meant to be.
In this case,
it was meant to be
that I suck enough votes away
from that squirrel Chema
to finish
the son of a bitch.
( chuckles )
And although we gave it
our best shot,
Terence Zaleski did
just a little bit better.
Yeah, all those chickenshit votes, Pete.
Look at you now.
Chema: A few moments ago, I called
Terence Zaleski to congratulate him.
Yeah?
Okay, Fourth and Eighth Wards
are coming in now,
so this should
be better, right?
Chema: - We ran a good campaign.
- All right.
Yeah, no.
I got it, thanks.
- ( phone beeps )
- Hey!
It's really close, Nick.
- It's gonna be a few votes either way.
- He doesn't care.
What wards do you got?
You got Fourth and Eighth?
Yeah, complete.
Okay, let me--
I'm gonna call you back.
Yeah, 'cause in my head, even after
the Fourth and Eighth Wards come in,
I'm still down
like 40 votes, right?
Fuck, 40 votes.
Shit.
Okay.
So maybe I'm about
to get knocked off
from my own council seat by some fool that
works for the Department of Public Works
and is running for office
for the first time in his life.
- That's not such a good night.
- ( channel changes )
Zaleski: Thank you all.
Thank you, Jim.
Michael:
Zaleski looks happy.
For the first time in 50 years,
we have a strong mayor.
( cheering, applause )
( laughs )
This should have
been you, Nicky.
The only reason
he's mayor is because
you stepped aside
for the good of the party.
- Oh, yeah, Ma, is that why?
Zaleski: - Vinni Restiano!
Is that why I did it,
for the good of the party?
( laughs )
I mean, here-- here I am,
waiting for the last returns
to carry my own home district.
What makes me think
I could've beat Zaleski
or any of these guys?
40 votes is nothing, Nick.
You can make that up.
Mike's right, the absentee ballots
are gonna favor you.
Yeah, right.
Okay.
Let's go salvage "whatsever" left,
all right?
Deputy mayor at least.
I can lick Zaleski's shoes
for the next four years.
Come on, let's go.
- ( music playing )
- ( chatter )
There he is.
- Nick!
- Hey.
I am back!
They put me
out to pasture,
but I found my way back
to the fuckin' barn!
I'm really glad
for you, Vinni.
Oh, shit!
The last time I checked,
you were up a few hundred votes--
No, I'm down
a few dozen now,
so it's gonna come down
to a recount, but...
maybe the absentee ballots.
Absentees
will favor you, Nicky.
You know this.
- Nay, honey, do not let him get down.
- I won't.
You know,
he'll squeeze this one out.
- We will.
- Don't worry.
- Congrats, Vinni.
- Thanks. I just-- Donny!
Man: Come on, Angela.
You ready to vote?
The reason
is my message of reform.
- Terry, hey.
- And I think...
the voters
responded to that.
( laughter )
Man #2:
Only six!
Woman on TV:
...votes counted.
Terry Zaleski, a state
assemblyman who is certainly
not as well-known
as his two main opponents,
appears to be
the new mayor of Yonkers,
having captured
30% of the vote.
Man on TV: One of his
opponents, Angelo Martinelli...
- Mr. Mayor.
- Mr. New York Times.
You're still a tough man
to track down, even on election night.
- Got a smoke?
- It's my last one.
What do you still
want from me?
I'm not even
on the ballot tonight.
Pete Chema saw to that.
Mm.
Yeah, he did.
And Zaleski sought
to beat Chema, didn't he?
Do you see tonight
as a repudiation
of your anti-housing
position
to have Zaleski
and the Democrats win?
What repudiation?
You fought the housing,
you lost.
The guys willing to build
the housing have won.
Care to comment,
Mr. Mayor?
( pen clicks )
Verna, can you
find the remote,
see if the game's
still on?
( TV report continues )
( chuckles )
( sighs ) I don't care
what anyone says, Hank.
I'm gonna miss
having you around.
Woman on TV: Let's go back to
the council races for a second.
Were one of the reasons...
- Hi, Phil.
- Hi.
Hi, La Toya.
I just want to know--
are you estranged from all
the members of your family,
- or are you friends...
- ( lock clicks )
with any of the members
of your family?
La Toya: She asked
earlier do we get along.
We get along very well
with the members of my family.
However, at the moment,
I haven't spoken...
- Hey.
- Hey.
Any word from
the Board of Elections?
Nope, nothing.
Not even a rumor.
And Zaleski hasn't
called me yet either.
No "thank you
for your support,"
or "couldn't have
done it without you"
or "hang in there"
or "go fuck yourself," nothing.
Well, anybody else
call today?
Yeah, a couple people.
But how about
that fuckin' Zaleski?
I sacrifice for the guy
and he can't even pick up the phone.
I mean, come on.
Where was the count
last night?
Is that still
where we are?
Every count's
a roller coaster.
I'm up 30, and then I'm down 40,
and I'm up two.
They haven't counted
the absentee ballots yet, though.
As long as they're
still counting.
No, I blew it, Nay.
I'm not gonna
pull this one out,
and you know the rule--
you lose twice in a row,
you're done.
You can't run again
without looking like an idiot.
Nobody will take
you seriously.
You haven't lost.
That is not true, okay?
It's gonna work out.
( scoffs )
My own fucking council district.
What a embarrassment.
( scoffs )
Jesus Christ, Nick,
get it together, please.
They're still
counting votes.
And that I will faithfully
discharge the duties
of the office of council member,
District 2.
According to the city charter
and to the best of my ability.
According to the city charter
and to the best of my ability.
For and in
the City of Yonkers.
For and in
the City of Yonkers.
- Congratulations, Councilman.
- Thank you.
- Better late than never.
- Thank you, Aloysius.
All you have to do now
is sign the book.
Yeah.
Congrats,
Mr. Minority Leader.
Thank you,
Mr. Majority Leader.
26 votes, 26,000--
a win's still a win.
Yeah, well...
you know, I had this calculated
to a seven-vote win
or six if the old man on Linden Street
got sick and stayed home again.
So 26 votes
is a landslide.
To tell you the truth,
you fooled me, Nick.
I thought you'd run
for mayor.
Hell, John,
maybe I fooled myself.
- ( door opens )
- All right.
- ( door closes )
- ( chatter )
( women clearing throats )
Welcome,
Mrs. Dorman.
Please,
have a seat.
Consider the watering hole
on the African veld
where all
the great herds gather--
the zebra,
the giraffe,
the gnu,
the wildebeest--
and the predators
that prey upon them--
the lion, the cheetah.
Imagine for one moment
that there's a race
to that water.
It's been a long,
hot summer.
Doreen:
Ain't enough I'm in Schlobohm...
- Go on.
- Why the hell am I doing this?
You always want
to be taking?
When are you gonna
start giving back?
Let me put it
another way.
Why don't you sign that
before I come over there
and bang you in the side
of your hard head?
- All right.
- Uh-huh.
Mary: What do you think about
us going to the projects?
You-- wait, do you think
it's safe for us?
Oh, forget about it.
I grew up in public housing
on Martin Ray Place,
over where
the senior living is now.
Well, it was
army barracks, really,
for the veterans
coming back from the war.
Of course,
back then,
we took care
of our apartments.
We didn't trash
the buildings.
We were white.
- You know, you like metaphor and simile...
- Thank you.
...and you're partial
to parable, too.
And allegory.
Don't forget allegory.
( chuckles )
What are you trying to give
them with all those stories?
Stuff they can give
to their residents.
The mysteries of life,
keys to the universe.
Special weapons
that they can believe they possess
that will keep them
confident.
- Really?
- Yeah.
And what are the keys
to the universe?
I have no idea.
Do you?
But before we're done,
they'll believe
they have a few of them.
And isn't that
the point?
Do you think that
we could get started?
Well, I guess
no one else is coming,
so I think
we can get started.
This being my first meeting
as tenant representative,
I wanted to talk about
my idea for a resident-run
day care center
here at Schlobohm.
I think it could really--
Yes?
They still ain't fixed my
closet door in Building Two.
I been calling and calling
and calling up housing,
but ain't nothing
ever gets fixed.
And now the drain
in my tub don't work.
It backs up and takes hours
before it let the water out.
Now what I'm supposed
to do about that
when they don't
never come round?
Um...
- ( police radio chatter )
- ( tires screech )
Man:
All right, gentlemen.
What do you want me
to do with that vest?
Man #2: - Leave it for now.
- ( sirens wailing )
Sir, I'm gonna have to ask you
to stand behind the tape.
- I'm a councilman. I--
Man: - It's all right, Jerry.
He's all right.
Let him through.
- Hey, Pete.
- Mr. Mayor.
Not anymore. At least one of us
made rank, though, right?
What the hell happened?
Pipe bomb.
Watchman found it
on his rounds.
- Jesus.
- Bit of a clusterfuck right now.
- I see Pete Smith.
- Okay.
- Okay, thanks.
- All right.
- Pete!
- Hey, Nick. How you doin'?
Probably better
than you.
What the hell
they do to our houses?
( mutters )
Look at this.
They put the bomb
on the windowsill here.
- They destroyed the bathroom.
- Wow.
They shattered the tiles.
But it could have been worse.
Look at this,
right here.
That's a gas pipe.
That goes straight into the meter.
It's not hooked up yet,
or God knows, you know?
( sighs )
These fucking people.
- Yeah.
- ( helicopter blades whirring )
I thought this
housing shit was over.
( scoffs )
These bastards
just don't quit.
Okay.
All right.
- ( music playing )
- ( distant chatter )
♪ I'll open the door
if you come into my life ♪
♪ boy, I adore you
and I will treat you right ♪
Where the fuck you been?
( laughs )
- Where the fuck I've been?
- ( bottle opens )
I've been at work,
working two fucking jobs.
That's where
the fuck I've been.
It's midnight.
You all fucked up
like that at work?
Huh?
I'm not taking this shit
no more, John.
I had it.
I'm going.
Where the fuck
you gonna go?
Away from you
and your shit!
Yeah, go ahead,
leave, then.
Baby stays here
with me, bitch.
Yeah?
What, you gonna
take him to work?
Look, don't worry what
I'm gonna do with my son.
( scoffs )
I thought you was leaving.
( men shouting, laughing )
- I can't take this shit every night.
- ( tsks )
I just want things
to be right,
the way they're
supposed to be,
for the baby, you,
me, not all this.
I'm here, all alone
with this baby
- all day and all night. - I was just
hangin' with Rico and them after work.
It ain't no big thing.
♪ come into my life ♪
♪ boy, I adore you,
boy, I adore you... ♪
Look, I'm sorry.
I'm gonna do better.
You'll see.
Come on,
baby girl.
- ♪ and I'll show you... ♪
- Yo.
♪ sweet, mellow days ♪
♪ that you want
and need ♪
♪ because I... ♪
- Let's make us a baby.
- ( scoffs ) Another?
- Yeah, you lost your fuckin' mind.
- ( laughs )
- Come on.
- Boy, you crazy?
We ain't had us
a little girl.
This is our answer
to the pipe bombs--
politics,
everything thrown at us
during this project.
I only hope people still
wanna live in these houses.
Oh, they do.
Hmm.
And they will.
- ( music blaring )
- ( dog barking )
( music playing )
Mama?
( distant siren wailing )
Who's there?
Pat: Who the hell
you think it is?
It's me,
with the groceries, Norma.
Did they have okra?
I didn't forget the okra,
and I brought the mail, too,
and something from housing
they put under the door.
Oh, you reading
my mail, now?
You can't see it
to read it.
I can see
well enough.
Then read.
( TV playing
in background )
I'm gonna
read it later.
They wanna know
if people are interested
in moving into
the new townhouses.
142 units of public housing
will be completed
sometime near
the end of this year.
It says tenants
will be selected
on the basis
of an open lottery.
A lottery?
Tenants who
are interested
should indicate
by filling out the form below.
Well, I ain't
going in on no lottery.
I may play
the number, but...
No, I'm fine
just where I am.
You can barely see, Norma,
and it's just not safe around here.
And with your situation,
you probably won't need no lottery.
I bet you could just go
and talk to somebody downtown.
Is this awkward
for you?
I mean, I called because I thought
there were some things
we could work on
together going forward.
No, no, no, no.
I'm happy to help any way I can.
What's on your mind,
Mr. Mayor?
I'll cut
right to the chase.
We want John Zakian
out of the Parking Authority.
Well, hey,
don't I know it.
I tried to get rid of him
during my term,
but I lost
that battle in court.
Well, it's taken
a lot of research,
but Andy Maniglia
has figured out a way
to get around the legal issue
by a restructuring.
Short version is,
we terminate his contract
with the IDA,
then the Parking Authority board is
free to fire him as YPA's director.
Zaleski: But I need
to know going in
that I have the votes
on the YPA's board.
Ah, my brother Michael.
And you're close
to Nader, too.
Who replaces Zakian?
Guy by the name of Robert Jean,
Bob Jean.
- Do you know him?
- Mm-mm.
Professional,
not political.
This is an act
of reform, Nick.
Well, you both know that my wife works
for the Parking Authority,
so if I go
after her boss,
I need to know
that she'll come out all right.
Understood.
- Okay.
- Great.
Good to see you, Nick.
Happy to help.
This the second time.
He gonna go away
for longer now.
You don't
know that yet.
You don't even know what
they gonna charge him with.
What'd he do exactly?
I don't know
nothing else,
just that the police went
to his mother's apartment
and told her something about him having
a knife and trying to rob some men--
A knife?
Look, if you ask me, homeboy's
an asshole for going around
- jacking people like that.
- I didn't ask you, did I?
- I'm just saying.
- No, fuck you, Meeka.
- Come on, that's my man.
- ( sighs )
Where's he at now?
Rikers?
He got arrested
in the county,
so they took him up
to the county jail in Valhalla.
Westchester ain't
the city, Meeka.
( sniffles )
They make people jail up there.
They give people
years and shit.
( crying )
( sighs )
- ( music playing )
- The mayor came to me. He brought me in.
He asked
for my help with this.
Nay:
So what?
Let Zaleski do
his own dirty work.
So, he's a Democratic mayor,
and I'm the veteran
Democrat on the council.
And he comes
to me for help.
This is him
bringing me in here.
This is him finally making
good on his promise
to make me part
of the administration.
I can't fucking
believe this.
You're gonna try to fire
my boss for no reason.
Don't do this, Nick.
Nay, it's about
the bigger picture.
If I throw in
with Zaleski,
I become the go-to guy
on the council.
I don't know, Nick.
You don't know?
I don't think
it's a good idea.
Christ Almighty,
what's the matter with you people?
♪ we only run for the money,
got no strings attached... ♪
- ( boys chattering )
- Maria!
( door closes, locks )
- What's all this?
- New pots.
Three heavy iron ones,
very good quality.
A woman at work
sells them through a catalogue.
No, no,
don't open it.
They're for the new house,
when we get the new house.
But what's the point of a pot
if you can't cook in it?
They're too good
for this place.
I don't know,
I can't explain.
They're like us.
Roberto:
No. Come on.
I'll show you,
I'm not cheating.
Felipe: - Yes, you are.
- No, I'm not.
Woman on TV: - Where are you from?
Man on TV: - Milwaukee.
Woman: - Would you help me?
Man: - Sure.
Noted for good beer,
women with lovely legs,
and practically
no millionaires.
( chuckles )
- Hey, Mom.
- Hey.
I'm gonna
go to bed, okay?
All right, baby girl.
Give a kiss.
Tasha, let me ask you--
you're all right
living here, right?
Ma, I don't know.
I guess so.
Uh, you know,
this is what I know.
I ain't lived
anywhere else.
Get some sleep.
Well, you're
good at it.
I've learned who to call
about what problems.
So what?
But to change
anything for real?
They had a grant
program for HUD,
and I sent a list of ideas
up Central Avenue.
We need security here,
new doors,
fences on the playground
for the children.
But nothing.
Shit, I wanna do more
than write down
everybody's complaints about their own
apartments and then call them in.
I want a neighborhood.
You thinking about applying
for those new townhouses?
- Already did.
- ( sighs )
Those new townhouses
are guaranteed to fail.
They built them
because they had to,
but that don't mean
they want them to work.
You know what
Sadie calls them?
Cardboard houses.
- 'Cause they put them up so fast.
- Oh, come on.
They put them up fast
so that they would fall apart fast.
And then those white folks could say
that we can't take care of nothin'.
You gonna get yourself
killed over there on the East Side.
They do not want us.
- ( door closes )
Janet: - Billie. Billie, you home?
- ( sighs )
- ( distant chatter )
Oh, you got
your hands full, girl.
- ( boy babbling )
Janet: - Yes.
Grandma's here.
You gonna fill
this out, Billie?
Billie.
Fill out what?
( sniffs ) You might wanna
change that diaper.
Baby's eyes are big
and brown enough as it is.
( boy babbling )
I don't feel
that this is right.
I shouldn't be asking
for special treatment.
You're blind, Norma.
- I can see more than you think.
- Mm-hmm.
There's him,
right there.
Where?
Stand your blind ass up.
- Mr. Smith.
- Hmm? That's me.
Heard you had
a meeting here today.
I'd like to speak
with you, please.
Sure.
Mr. Smith,
I'm legally blind
and I live here
in Building Six.
- And your name is?
- Norma O'Neal.
And it's not
that I'm afraid
or that I can't do
for myself or anything like that,
because I've been living
here long enough that...
Well, I don't want to make it sound
as though I'm asking you for--
Mr. Smith, Schlobohm is no place
for a blind woman.
Okay.
Well, there are
handicapped units at each site
for those who qualify.
Do you require
home assistance?
Well,
that's another thing.
It's hard to get
home care to come here.
But I go every week
to the Guild for the Blind.
Two years next March.
Ms. O'Neal, you have one of those
ladies over there at the guild
write me a letter
saying all of this,
and we'll start
from there, okay?
There you go.
How'd I do?
Wasn't for me,
you'd still be explaining
why Schlobohm ain't bad
at all, considering.
Come on.
Mayhawk: Before we even
get to the lottery,
we need to know that whoever is picked
for these homes is going to succeed,
that they're going to make their
way in these neighborhoods.
Now that means knowing
who these families are,
what they're capable of, and
what they might need help with.
- Excuse me, Mr. Mayhawk.
- Mm-hmm.
Will my husband be able
to come with me?
Mrs. Earl
and her daughter
have coordinated
the appointments.
The families know
that they're being screened
and they know
that you're coming.
Excuse me, how will we
get back and forth?
It will be
all right, Mary.
That'll be all
for tonight.
Thank you.
( chattering )
Now, how much
are they gonna learn
about the applicants
in one or two visits?
Learn about the families?
Just a few basics.
It's all there's time for
at this point.
Learn about themselves.
Hmm.
You know.
- Hey, so, for starters,
we'll go to the sixth floor. - Great.
- Okay?
- Okay.
- You've got it all set up.
- Absolutely.
Fellas,
how are you doing?
Woman:
As usual.
Okay.
No, no, you're gonna
want the good stairwell.
Why is that
the good stairwell?
It's the one for walking
up and down.
So what is
the bad stairwell for?
( chuckles )
Please.
Man: Yo, all the Spanish
girls be active.
Man #2: Man, that one Spanish
girl be something else.
( chattering continues )
Excuse me.
Hello.
- ( music blaring )
- We're going in this apartment here.
( knocking on door )
♪ we be to rap
what key be to lock ♪
♪ but I'm cool like that,
I'm cool like that... ♪
Hi.
Welcome to Schlobohm.
For real.
Hi, I'm Doreen.
Come on in.
♪ we getcha free,
'cause the clips be fat, boss... ♪
- That's my son Jaron.
- Hi, Jaron.
- Hi.
- I'm Lucille.
- I'm Jaron.
- Nice to meet you.
You know, but she's teaching
the kid Swedish...
♪ him, that's my man
with the asteroid belt ♪
♪ they catch a fizz
from the Mr. Doodle-big ♪
♪ he rocks a tee
from the Crooklyn-nine pigs ♪
♪ the rebirth of slick
like my gangsta stroll ♪
♪ the lyrics just like loot,
come in stacks and rolls ♪
♪ you used to find the Bug
in a box with fade ♪
♪ now he boogies up your stage,
plaits, twists and braids ♪
♪ and I'm peace like dat,
I'm peace like dat ♪
♪ I'm peace like dat,
I'm peace like dat ♪
♪ I'm peace like dat,
I'm peace like dat ♪
- ♪ I'm peace like dat, I'm peace... ♪
- ♪ check it out ♪
♪ and I groove like dat,
I'm smooth like dat ♪
♪ I jive like dat,
I roll like dat ♪
♪ yeah, I'm thick like dat,
I stack like dat ♪
♪ I'm down like dat,
I'm black like dat ♪
♪ hey, yo, I funk like dat,
I'm phat like dat ♪
♪ I'm in like dat
'cause I swing like dat ♪
♪ we jazz like dat,
we freak like dat ♪
♪ we zoom like dat, we out ♪
( echoes )
- Thank you.
- Nice to meet you.
- Oh, you, too.
- Pleasure to meet you.
You, too.
- Thank you.
- Thank you, Mrs. Dorman.
- Thank you.
- Thanks.
Lucille: Getting to
know some of them...
- ( siren wailing )
- ( men shouting )
I appreciate you
telling us...
( siren wailing )
( police radio chatter )
Officer: I said turn around!
Turn around!
( police radio chatter )
And what, I carry
this asshole's water,
I get rid of Zakian
just 'cause he asked me to,
and then I get the freeze
for the next month.
No phone calls,
no thank yous.
I mean, shit,
I'm supposedly
the party leader
on the council,
and I gotta find out the date
of the housing lottery
from the fucking newspaper
like I didn't have
anything to do with it?
And now I got the Republican
leader telling me
that other council
members are invited?
I mean, no offense, John,
but Jesus on a fucking cracker.
No offense taken.
I'd be pissed off, too.
This shit
is no oversight, okay?
I've paid more politically for
that housing than he'll ever know,
but Terry Zaleski wants
the credit all to himself.
( woman laughs )
( sighs )
Today I need
a tall fucking drink.
I'll buy.
Good, it's about time
you pulled out
that fat,
Republican wallet.
( laughs )
What?
"You have been selected
for the opportunity
to move into
the new housing
and have been assigned
a handicapped apartment."
- Oh, my God.
- "Congratulations to you and your family.
Very truly yours,
Peter Smith."
( laughs )
See what you did
with all your meddlin'?
Oh, girl.
No, no, no, no. You know,
you're getting better at it.
You just gotta gavel
them down sometimes, end the debate.
I just get nervous.
I'm figuring out
the right time to cut him off.
Yeah, well, that will come
with time, you know?
I can give you
a nod or a sign.
Vinni told me this was a
tradition with the two of you.
- Oh, that's my weak spot, John.
- ( Restiano laughs )
So what are we gonna do
about this asshole?
- Zaleski?
- No, "Mu-hammar Ca-doofie."
- ( Restiano laughs )
- Yeah, fuckin' Zaleski.
Hey, you guys
campaigned with him.
Oh, come on, John.
What were we gonna do?
He was the Democratic
nominee.
I mean this guy
actually believes
he is the only
honest man left
and that corruption
is everywhere.
- I know. - And that Yonkers
is Gomorrah-on-Hudson.
It's all this
"investigate this, investigate that."
It's all this
star chamber shit.
You know he actually
put up a room
in City Hall
with a two-way mirror
so he can watch
Andy Maniglia's people
interrogate city workers?
- It's true. It's on the first floor.
- Yeah.
- Hey, Kath.
- Huh?
What do the girls
in the office call Zaleski?
( chuckles )
Eliot Ness.
- ( John laughs )
- "Mr. Untouchable."
- Yeah.
- Well, he did run as a reform.
You know what?
We all run on whatever.
But if you get in,
you have to fucking govern.
- Hear, hear.
- Yeah.
To four more years
of fuckin' Terry Zaleski.
Restiano: - God.
- Hear, hear.
( retches )
- We have a decimate-- designated driver.
- Ooh! Whoo!
I know.
I can drive. I'm all right.
I'm-- I'm feeling
very good.
You know what?
You don't even need a car.
You can just flap your
wings and fly south.
- ( squawks )
- ( laughs )
- Oh!
- Whoa, you can't even stand.
- Come on.
- It's all right. What? I'm standing.
What do you mean?
I'm standing here.
I'm standing here!
( chuckles )
- Mmm.
- Oh.
John's right.
( sighs )
I should have run
for mayor.
I could have beat
this guy, Vin.
I could have...
So you do it
in four years.
But, Nick, you can't
take it personally.
What?
You can't confuse
votes with love.
They're not
the same thing.
They're not?
John: Called you a cab, Nicky.
It's on its way.
( laughs )
I am all right. I'm gonna drive.
- Yeah?
- Feeling fine. Yeah, it's very close.
Thank you
for the Sambuca.
- Be safe.
- Arrivederci, Vin.
Good night.
- ( car beeping )
- Oof.
( grunts )
( engine starts )
Smith: - Welcome. I'm Pete Smith.
- ( cheering, applause )
I'm the director of the Yonkers
Municipal Housing Authority.
Now, first off,
just a reminder,
once your name is selected,
go to the front lobby
and pick up your packet
of information.
Now, I know there's
a lot of anxious folks here,
so let's just
get started right away.
( crowd cheering )
Number one...
...is Delphina Paige.
- That's me!
- ( cheering )
- Delphina-- there she is!
- That's us! Come on!
Oh, wow.
Oh, they called us.
Smith: - Congratulations, Delphina!
- That's us. Let's go!
Ow, wow.
- ( Smith laughs )
Man: - Whoo!
Smith:
Number two...
- Barbara Johnson.
- ( cheering )
Smith: - Number 29, Doreen Henderson.
- ( woman shouts )
Woman: I don't really think she knew
what she was getting into, though.
- ( chattering )
Smith: - Number 30...
- Kelly Collins.
- I'm gonna be so happy!
( cheering, applause )
Smith:
Number 31...
Geraldine Cardwell!
- ( cheering, applause )
- ( squeals ) Yes!
Woman:
Oh! ( laughs )
Come on, come on, come on.
Come on, come on!
Smith: Number 32, Donna Jackson.
- ( cheering, applause )
Woman: - Oh, my gosh!
I can't believe it!
Bye!
Smith: Number 33,
Jacqueline Perkins.
( women squealing )
Smith: Number 62, Dama Montero.
( squealing, laughing )
( chattering )
You're the next one, my love.
You're the next one.
Smith:
Number 63...
Billie Rowan.
Billie Rowan.
( applause )
Smith:
Number 64...
- Shaniqua Martin!
- ( woman screams )
Smith: Number 65,
Denise Morales.
- ( gasps )
- That's us!
( chattering )
- Congratulations.
Women: - Thank you.
Smith:
Number 66...
- Desireé Harris.
- ( women squealing )
Woman: . Oh, my goodness!
- ( women chattering )
Woman: - We got it! That's us!
Woman #2: - Praise God!
Smith: Number 67, Sheila Davis.
( women whooping )
Smith:
Number 68...
Sloan Plaxton.
( whispers )
Oh, God.
Smith:
Okay, the first 71 names
of current residents
have been chosen.
The next names we pick
will be on the waiting list.
( crowd groaning,
murmuring )
Well, what can we do?
Smith: Number 72,
Keesha Thompson.
We'll get a house
just like Tia Dama.
- You'll see.
- My love.
Number 73,
Aurora Perez.
( applause )
Number 134,
Carmen Febles.
- They picked us. They picked our name!
- Yes!
Okay. Okay.
Come on, let's go.
Let's go.
Smith: Number 135,
Rosalyn Quill.
Number 136,
Catherine Hickson.
( chatter )
Woman: - Wait!
- ( excited chatter )
( bus hisses )
- ( engine turns off )
- ( bus door opens )
( laughs )
- Oh!
- Hi, how are you doing?
- ( chattering )
- Here we are.
- Oh, my gosh!
- I don't believe it!
This is gonna be
a nightmare.
What?
Woman #2: - A new beginning.
- Well, as we said, we're dreaming.
( women laugh )
( excited chatter )
Woman #3: My grandmother
would love to see this.