Sister, Sister (1994–1999): Season 5, Episode 3 - Working Girls - full transcript

Tamera and Ray have a fall-out over his new girlfriend Vivica who, she says, has turned him into a "gallivanting, promise-breaking Romeo". Meanwhile, Tia lands a job at a mall bookstore and becomes enamored with a mysterious custo...

Tamera, what are you

still doing up?

I can't sleep

so I thought

I'd get a jump

- on the church
- bake sale.

That's not until next month.

So, it's a long jump.

- Tamera,
- call me crazy

But you seem

just a tad upset.



What time is curfew

around here?

11:00.

What time is it now?

12:25.

Aha!

Aha what?

We're fine, tamera.

- We've been home
- all night.

Exactly.

But where's my dad?

An hour and a half

past curfew!

For all we know



he could be lying

in a ditch somewhere!

- Tamera, you know
- where he is.

- He's out on a date
- with vivica.

- For the third time
- this week

And on a school night.

These wild hours

- are disrupting
- the entire family!

Not as much as you

making cookies.

Mmm, which, by the way,

are fabulous.

Oh, when he comes in

through that door

he is in for

a rude awakening.

This late-night

gallivanting better stop

or he is so grounded!

Ladies?

- Do you know
- what time it is?

Yes, it's 12:30.

And what are you doing

up so late on a school night?

And baking cookies, no less.

- Both:
- But, dad...

I want this cleaned up

and lights out in five minutes

or you are so grounded!

Well, tamera,

you sure told him.

Watch any video online with Open-SUBTITLES
Free Browser extension: osdb.link/ext

♪ I do my own style

in my own time ♪

♪ how different

we have come to be ♪

♪ even though I'm glad

to be with you ♪

♪ I got to feel

what's real for me ♪

♪ like you got to do

what's right for you ♪

Morning, girls.

Whoo, tamera, I knew

you made the coffee

'cause I could smell

that French hazelnut

clear out in my studio.

I ground it myself.

- You're working awfully early,
- mom.

I got no choice.

At the last minute

councilwoman Hicks

wants a beaded jacket

for that gown she ordered.

And she is no small woman.

I'll have to hire some help

- or I'll never have it done
- by Friday.

- Well, hey, how about hiring me,
- mom?

- I mean, hey, I sure could use
- the extra money.

- Honey, I can't turn you loose
- on a beaded jacket.

You use a stapler

to sew on a button.

Morning, ladies!

Have you ever seen

a more beautiful morning?

That shirt

sure brightens things up.

Vivica says the color

- brings out the gold flecks
- in my eyes.

What do you think?

It's a choice.

- Here you go, dad,
- hazelnut coffee.

I ground it myself.

Sorry, sweetie.

- I'm not drinking
- coffee anymore.

Since when?

- Well, vivica says
- the caffeine

Puts my heart in

a race it can't win.

- Excuse me,
- but who are you

And what have you done

with my father?

I'm right here.

The new, improved version.

- I made a date
- with the old version

- To meet me at the mall
- this afternoon.

- Will the new version
- show up?

Of course I'll be there.

- It's our back-to-school
- tradition.

You pick out shoes

- and I Max out
- my credit cards.

Thanks, dad.

- How about a nice
- cheese omelet?

I'm sorry, sweetie.

- I'm going to the health
- nut for breakfast.

Vivica says I should try

the fat-free pancakes.

Well, Lisa says

we've heard enough

about what vivica says.

I think you're right.

You have heard enough.

I think it's time

you meet her.

- How about I invite her
- for dinner Thursday?

Great!

- Oh, by all means, ray,
- bring her on.

- Then we can spend
- a whole evening

Hearing about what vivica says.

That is so great.

- All my best girls
- right here together for dinner.

- I can't wait
- to tell vivica

- How happy you are
- to meet her.

Uh, dad...

I know, I know...

This afternoon at the mall.

I'll be there.

Ciao, bellas! Ciao, bellas!

That vivica's got him so goofy,

he's waving to himself.

Okay. Okay, fine.

- Well, let me
- ask you this:

- Do you think vivica
- could be an alien

- Trying to take over
- my dad's brain?

Do you think you can

talk about something else?

- I don't know...
- Tamera might be on point.

My mom was dating this guy.

- She started acting
- all kinds of crazy.

Has he bought new clothes?

Gap.

Changed his diet?

Wheat grass.

Singing?

Show tunes.

Oh, yeah, he's sprung.

Tamera!

- Welcome to
- "book 'em, Joe."

- Can I interest you
- in a delicious smoothie?

- No.
- No.

Don't tell me.

One double tall,

decaf non-fat latte

with whipped cream

a mister pibb

and one protein blast

with a bow! Shot of ginseng.

Wow. How'd you do that?

You a psychic friend?

No, but you ordered

the same thing yesterday

you look broke

and you look just like her,

only sad.

While you're minding

your own business

I'll have a scone, please.

Ow! She's a stinger!

Tamera, he's making

our drinks

and I like mine

loogie-free.

I'm sorry.

- It's just this thing
- with my dad

- Has made me
- a little crazy, okay?

Tamera, chill.

Old people need love, too.

Okay, here you go.

What?!

It's your turn

to pay, tamera.

I paid yesterday?

I can't. I'm flat busted.

Then I guess

you won't be having a scone.

This is for the latte.

Thank you.

Tia!

Tia!!

Roger...

Remember when

we were kids?

Yes. You took my lunch money

and you called me Betty.

Pibb me, bro.

Roger!

Do you have layaway?

Mr. Scone's going home!

My dad will get me one

after he buys me shoes.

See ya.

Excuse me. Do you have

that star wars book

dark empire?

- You know, if we do,
- it's probably in the back.

- If you have - any trouble
- Finding it

Use the force, Luke.

Are you looking for dark empire?

Yeah. Do you work here?

Oh, no, no, no.

Um, I just love

star wars books.

Me, too.

Wow.

Yeah, um, well

the science fiction section,

it's in the back room.

You just take a left

at baby care

- then a right
- at gardening

And it will be right there

between poetry and romance.

Those are two of

my favorite things.

- Are you sure
- you don't work here?

Oh, I'm sure.

Well, I'll see you around.

You, too.

That guy had a point.

- Maybe you should
- work here.

Well, you know, if I did,

the first thing I'd do

- is I'd take advantage
- of the cineplex crowd next door.

You see, I'd put all

the entertainment magazines

- near the window
- to attract all the movie buffs.

What's the matter?

You blowing me away!

How would you like a job,

starting tomorrow?

You got yourself a deal.

- I'm talking
- "book 'em, Joe" fever.

Catch it!

Lisa: Here you go, Mattie

homemade lemonade

with extra sugar.

Did you put limes in it?

Yes, Mattie.

And one orange?

Yes, Mattie.

And a flexie straw?

Yes, Mattie.

Long as you

didn't go to no trouble.

Oh, Mattie, hiring you

has saved my life.

Your beading is the most

exquisite I've ever seen.

- I don't know what
- I would have done without you.

You'd have never learned

to make a decent glass

of lemonade.

Or ice tea or deviled eggs

or chicken-fried steak.

Hi, mom.

Oh, hi.

Tia, this is

my new assistant, Mattie.

- Mattie, this is
- my daughter, Tia.

Nice to meet you.

Hi, baby.

Mom, you are not

going to believe this

but I got a job!

I am working at

"book 'em, Joe"

in the mall.

You are?!

Oh, I'm so proud of you!

Oh, Mattie, my little girl

is gainfully employed.

Please!

- I've been working
- since the age of nine.

At 13, my daddy married me off

to a man with five children

and the dirtiest house

you ever saw.

For 20 years

- he wouldn't let me
- write my sister in Africa.

Mattie, Mattie,

that is not your life.

That's the color purple.

So?

Did dad get home yet?

No, honey.

- I thought you two
- were buying shoes.

I know she didn't just slam

that door like that.

That was my plan.

Dad never showed up.

He never showed?

Well, that's not like ray.

He didn't even call?

Oh, yeah, he called.

From 900 feet in the air.

What?

It seems that dear vivica

surprised him

with a romantic ride

in a hot-air balloon.

You're kidding?

Nope. Then he offered

to give the salesperson

his credit card number

so I can get my shoes.

I said forget it.

Wait, you said forget it

about shoes?

I just didn't

want them anymore!

I'm really worried

about her, mom.

I'm worried about ray.

With all his hot air,

they could be in oz by now.

Hello, everybody.

Ooh, are you in

for a treat tonight.

- How does soy-mushroom loaf,
- wild bamboo shoots

And bean curd sound?

Sounds like I'm glad

I'm working through dinner.

Lisa, you're not going

to have dinner?

I'm sorry, ray.

We got a deadline.

We just can't take the time.

You want me to bring you

up a plate of soy loaf?

I said we was sorry.

There's no need

to threaten anybody.

That just means

there's more

for the four of us.

Make that three, ray.

I have to go to work

tonight, too.

- You're not going to have dinner
- here, either?

Ray, I can't ask for time off

on my first day of work.

I understand.

I just wanted you

to meet vivica.

Why don't you bring her

to book 'em, Joe

for a smoothie after dinner?

Okay. That'll work.

I'll see you there.

- I have to finish
- getting ready.

Okay.

I can't believe

- my family dinner
- is falling apart like this.

Looks like it wasn't

meant to be.

- Pumpkin, looks like
- it's us and you tonight.

Us?

Who's us?

Well, me and vivica...

And you, of course.

Dad, I remember when you and I

were "us."

Well, that's what I mean,

the three of us.

That's not what you said.

That's what I meant.

You know what?

I'm not interested

- in being the
- third wheel here.

You two can be us without me.

I'm not coming!

Sweetheart, I really want you

to meet vivica.

Dad, I don't need to meet her!

I see what she's done to you.

She's turned my reliable,

dependable, boring dad

into a gallivanting,

balloon-riding, promise-breaking

Romeo!

- So just have
- a nice dinner!

I'm sure once vivica gets here,

you won't even miss me!

Well, what the heck's

gotten into her?

All I know is, she never missed

a meal when you were dating me.

Hey.

New lipstick?

Yep.

- Hey, tamera,
- what was all that yelling about?

Oh, that was just me

calmly telling my dad

I'm not going down

to his stupid dinner.

Oh, tamera!

Don't "oh, tamera" me.

- Tia, you and Lisa
- got out of it.

Why shouldn't I?

Because we had

real reasons, tamera.

Oh, and the way my

dad is treating me

isn't a real reason?

Oh, you just...

What?

Tamera...

Do you remember when you had

a crush on Patrick foster?

Yeah. Patrick foster,

he was fine.

- And remember how you used
- to call him

A million times every night

just to hear him say hello

and then hang up?

Yeah. Until he got caller I.D.

Well, ray is doing

the same thing.

We're getting caller I.D.?

No.

Tamera, ray has a crush

on vivica

just like you did on Patrick.

Just think of them as teenagers

doing the same kind of stuff

that we do on a date.

Eww!

Eww!

Hey, Tia... why are you

on dad's side anyway?

I mean, we're twins.

You're supposed to feel

what I feel, be on my side.

Tamera...

I am always on your side

but sometimes that means

telling you things

you don't want to hear.

Tia, I'm with that.

It's just...

I'm just not in

the right place

to hear it right now.

That's cool.

Well, I got to get

to my first day at work.

Good luck.

Hey, Tia.

Yeah?

- That thing about
- telling each other

What you don't want to hear?

Mm-hmm.

That lipstick has got to go.

There you go.

Thanks.

Can we talk?

Yeah, but make it fast.

Volunteered to pick up

school newspapers

- from the
- printer's tonight.

Oh? When did you volunteer?

Soon as I call them.

Tamera, I think an apology

is in order here.

I agree.

Okay, I'll go first.

I'm sorry I've been

so preoccupied lately.

I'm sorry that you have, too.

And I'm sorry I lost my temper.

There, that wasn't hard.

Dinner is at 7:00.

Dad, I'm not coming.

I'm just not ready.

Tamera, it is

only dinner.

No, it's more than dinner, dad.

You've made a major decision

that affects the entire family

especially me.

And you didn't even ask me

how I felt.

You're right.

I didn't.

But you haven't tried to see it

from my point of view, either.

I know your point of view.

You got a crush

on Patrick foster.

Excuse me?

Dad...

I get it.

You really like vivica.

Is that such

a bad thing?

- Tamera, since
- your mom died

I'm living with an

emptiness in my heart.

I thought I filled it.

Sweetheart, you

have a very special

place in my heart

and no one else

will ever fill that

but you're growing up

- and you're getting
- on with your life.

And you should,

and so should I.

I don't know, dad, I...

I just need time

to get used to it.

Fair enough.

Tamera, I love you

and nothing and no one

will ever change that.

Now, this is very important.

Here at book 'em, Joe

the customer always

gets what they want.

- Now, a customer comes in,
- what do you say?

Welcome. What would you like?

No. No, no, no, no.

You say

"welcome to book 'em, Joe.

Can I interest you

in a delicious smoothie?"

What's the deal

with these delicious smoothies?

Hello. They're delicious!

Welcome to

book 'em, Joe.

Can I interest you

in a delicious smoothie?

Yeah, sure, sure.

I thought you said

you didn't work here, Tia?

Well, today's my first day.

Hey, how did you know my name?

Your mug shot,

and it's a cute picture.

Oh. Thanks.

Mm-hmm.

Oh, my god!

Oh...

Why do I feel like

I'm slipping on money?

- Y-You know what,
- I got it covered, man.

That'll work.

Thanks. Um, that was

very nice of you...

Oh, tyreke.

So, um... what school

do you go to, tyreke?

Uh, you know, I'm out of school.

Really?

Yeah.

You look so young.

- Are you
- in college?

- You know what,
- I got to raise up...

- But it was nice
- to meet you, Tia.

See you around, tyreke.

You can count on it.

Bye.

Hi.

- Mom, what are you
- doing here?

- I had to pick up
- some extra lining

- So I thought I'd stop by
- and say hello.

- So, what's
- with the long good-byes

With that bald-headed boy?

Mom, he's a customer.

It's my job to be nice to him.

Mm-hmm. Just make sure

you don't bring your job home.

Good evening, ma'am.

Could I interest you

in a delicious smoothie?

No, thank you.

- Oh, but this young lady
- has been extremely courteous

And most helpful.

- She should be
- employee of the month

Or at least get a raise.

Or at least not get fired

on her first night.

- Lisa:
- Oh, there's ray.

Oh, Lisa, you made it.

- Yeah, I had to pick up
- some stuff.

I'm glad I caught you.

Hi. You must be vivica.

I'm Lisa.

- I'm so happy
- to finally meet you.

- Ray has told me
- so much about you.

Really? I can tell you

things about him, too.

He respects and admires you

very much.

Oh, well, then forget it.

Oh!

Hi.

- How about a round
- of smoothies?

- Uh, vivica, this
- is my working girl.

This is Tia.

- Oh, why, you're
- all grown-up.

- The way ray talks
- about you girls

I thought you'd be

a lot younger.

Well, we used to be.

Ray, you didn't tell me

she had such a great

sense of humor.

Well, she got it from her mama.

Well, I'm glad

to meet you both.

I see why family is

so important to ray.

Just wish you could have

met everybody.

Hey.

Ooh, tamera,

you made it.

It's good to

see you, sis.

It sure is.

Tamera, this is vivica.

Hi.

How nice of you to come.

Well, I can't stay.

Um, I got to drop off

these newspapers, but...

You can look at

one if you want.

Very impressive.

- Well, we worked on it
- a long time.

No, I meant you.

I see why

- your father's
- so proud.

Thanks.

I got to go.

Not without a hug first,

you don't.

Thanks for coming, sweetheart.

It meant a lot to me.

That's why I came.

See you later, dad.

Bye, pumpkin.

Bye.

Oh, man.

Excuse me, are you working

or is this the Christian science

reading room?

Well, we're just ordering

- another round
- of delicious smoothies.

Did you say,

"delicious smoothies"?

Oh, you're my kind of family!

Yeah!

Ooh, great.

- In one day
- we've added a girlfriend

And a fool!

- Lisa:
- Mm, mm, mmm.

- Vivica:
- Pretty good.

- Do you think vivica
- could be an alien

- Trying to take
- over my mom?

Mom? I don't got a mom.

- Can I interest you
- in a delicious smoothie?

No. Yeah. No.

I'm sorry.

Do you remember last spring

- when you had a crush
- on David...?

David?

No. His name's Patrick. Sorry.

David?

How would you like

a job after school?

Okay.