The Jeffersons (1975–1985): Season 4, Episode 19 - Florence's Union - full transcript
Florence and the other maids in the building decide to form a union. Louise supports the idea, but George opposes the idea because Mr. Whittendale does, too.
♪ WELL, WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO A DELUXE APARTMENT ♪
♪ IN THE SKY ♪
♪ WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ WE FINALLY GOT
A PIECE OF THE PIE ♪
♪ FISH DON'T FRY
IN THE KITCHEN ♪
♪ BEANS DON'T
BURN ON THE GRILL ♪
♪ TOOK A WHOLE LOT OF TRYIN' ♪
♪ JUST TO GET UP THAT HILL ♪
♪ NOW WE'RE UP IN
THE BIG LEAGUES ♪
♪ GETTIN' OUR TURN AT BAT ♪
♪ AS LONG AS WE LIVE ♪
♪ IT'S YOU AND ME, BABY ♪
♪ THERE AIN'T NOTHIN'
WRONG WITH THAT ♪
♪ WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO A DELUXE APARTMENT ♪
♪ IN THE SKY ♪
♪ WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ WE FINALLY GOT A
PIECE OF THE PIE ♪♪
OKAY. THAT OUGHT TO DO IT.
WHEN THE MIXTURE HAS REACHED
THE PROPER CONSISTENCY...
UH-HUH... CHECK ON THE DUCK.
OKAY.
HELLO, DUCK. HOW'S IT GOIN'?
QUACK, QUACK, QUACK.
FLORENCE, YOU HAD ME GOIN'.
WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'?
I'M MAKING CHINESE FOOD,
PEKING DUCK AND MOO GOO GAI PAN.
YOU USED A LOT OF
PAN FOR ONE MOO GOO.
I'LL TAKE OVER.
WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT?
WHERE?
THERE'S A GREAT MOVIE.
FIVE PEOPLE GET CRUSHED,
SEVEN PEOPLE DROWN,
AND ONE DUDE IN A CAR
WASH GETS HOT-WAXED.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT MOVIE.
WHY NOT? IT'S A LOVE STORY.
YOU TRYIN' TO GET RID OF ME?
OF COURSE NOT. COME ON.
YOU SURE ARE DRESSED UP.
THAT'S WHY YOU WANT ME OUT!
A MAN'S COMIN' OVER.
NOBODY'S COMIN' OVER.
I'LL HELP WITH DINNER.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
I'LL GET IT!
FLORENCE!
WHAT ABOUT MY DUCK?
TELL HIM TO KEEP
HIS FEATHERS ON.
HI, FLORENCE.
HI, MILLY.
I JUST SAW ONE OF
YOUR UNION FLIERS.
DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
NOT YET, BUT THEY SOUND GREAT.
"MAIDS UNITE! SEE FLORENCE
JOHNSTON TONIGHT!"
MRS. JEFFERSON WILL HEAR.
SHE ALREADY DID.
WHAT'S SO SECRET?
NOTHING.
I LOVE SECRETS.
YOU AIN'T ONE OF US.
I'VE GOT 10 MIRRORS
HERE THAT SAYS I AM.
BUT YOU ALSO ONE OF THEM.
THEM? WHO'S THEM?
YOU.
ME IS THEM?
YOU'LL FIND OUT ANYWAY.
WE WANT TO FORM A UNION.
THE MAIDS?
YEAH. CASSIE KINCAID,
THE PRESIDENT,
MIGHT MAKE ME
HEAD OF THE BUILDIN'.
THAT'S WONDERFUL!
IT'S ABOUT TIME
MAIDS HAD A UNION.
I'M BEHIND YOU.
THAT'S 1.
I'M SURE GEORGE IS.
THAT'S 1 1/2.
IT'S SURE NICE OF YOU.
I WISH MY BOSS AGREED.
I WAS ONCE A MAID.
BELIEVE ME, I KNOW
WHERE YOU'RE AT.
HOW DO I GET A TICKET OUT?
BY JOININ' THE UNION.
I HAD A MEAN BOSS.
EVERY TIME I'D START TO TALK,
SHE'D SAY, "YOU
PEOPLE NEVER KNOW
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT."
WHY DIDN'T YOU QUIT?
COULDN'T AFFORD TO.
I CALLED HER NAMES
UNDER MY BREATH.
LIKE I DO TO MR. JEFFERSON?
I BETTER LEAVE.
WAIT, MILLY. AREN'T YOU JOINING?
WE ALREADY GOT SIX GIRLS.
WHAT IF I GET FIRED?
I GOT KIDS IN COLLEGE.
YOU DO?
WILLIAM AND MARY.
THAT'S A GREAT SCHOOL.
NO, THOSE ARE MY KIDS.
IF I GET FIRED, THEY'LL
HAVE TO DROP OUT.
I UNDERSTAND.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
IT'S PROBABLY CASSIE.
HI, KID.
HI, CASSIE.
THIS IS...
NICE TO MEET YOU.
I'VE GOT SOMETHIN' TO
ASK YOU, SO LISTEN UP.
PEKING DUCK, RIGHT?
HOW DID YOU KNOW?
I BEEN A MAID 21 YEARS.
IF I AIN'T SMELT IT,
YOU'D BETTER NOT EAT IT.
WHAT WERE YOU SAYING?
IN A MINUTE. THIS DUCK NEEDS ME.
LET'S LOOK AT THE DAMAGE.
HAVE MERCY.
THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW
AGAINST DOIN' THAT TO A DUCK.
WEREN'T YOU SAYING SOMETHING?
KID, THE UNION NEEDS
YOU TO HEAD THIS BUILDIN'.
ME? HEAD THE BUILDIN'?
I DON'T KNOW.
WE NEED A LEADER.
ME? OH, NO, NOT ME.
I CAN GET SOMEONE ELSE.
OVER MY DEAD BODY.
I'VE WORKED MY FANNY
OFF FOR THIS UNION.
THEN IT'S SETTLED.
YOU JOINED UP?
I'M FLORENCE'S EMPLOYER.
YOU'RE MANAGEMENT?
I WAS A MAID.
THEN BASTE YOUR OWN DUCK.
WEEZ, I'M HOME.
IN THE KITCHEN, GEORGE.
GET READY FOR SOME
SUGAR. HERE I COME.
WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND MY NECK,
AND LAY ONE ON ME.
A LITTLE FRIENDLY,
AREN'T YOU, SHORTY?
WHO ARE YOU?
CASSIE KINCAID.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
FLORENCE'S FRIENDS.
THE MAIDS ARE FORMING A UNION.
I HAVE JUST BEEN
APPOINTED PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED SISTERHOOD
OF HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIANS.
DON'T YOU HAVE TO WORK
BEFORE YOU CAN JOIN A UNION?
THIS UNION'S FOR REAL.
A MAID'S UNION?
WHAT'S YOUR SLOGAN?
"HAVE MOP, WILL SLOP"?
QUIET DOWN, SHORTY,
UNLESS YOU WANT A PICKET
LINE WALKIN' ACROSS YOUR FACE.
THAT'S THE SECOND TIME
YOU CALLED ME SHORTY.
YOU AIN'T GROWN NONE
SINCE THE FIRST TIME.
GET THE GIRLS TOGETHER,
AND HAVE A MEETING
TOMORROW NIGHT.
YOU CAN MEET HERE.
I AIN'T HAVING CLEANIN' WOMEN
DIRTYIN' MY HOUSE.
THERE'S NO REASON
THEY CAN'T MEET HERE.
RIGHT ON, HONEY!
I'D BETTER GO.
NEED A LIFT?
I WORK UPSTAIRS AT
THE WHITTENDALES.
WHITTENDALE, THIS
BUILDING'S OWNER?
YEAH.
YOU'RE WHITTENDALE'S MAID.
YOU GOT MORE CLASS
THAN THE OTHER MAIDS.
YOU SUPPORT THIS UNION?
WELL...
WHY ELSE IS SHE HERE?
PEOPLE SHOULD DEFEND THEMSELVES.
HE CHANGES HIS MIND FAST.
THERE AIN'T MUCH TO CHANGE.
TELL MR. WHITTENDALE
THAT I'M BEHIND THIS UNION.
YOU CAN MEET HERE ANY TIME.
ALL RIGHT!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MEETING.
NICE MEETIN' YOU, HONEY.
AS FOR YOU, SHORTY,
YOU GOT A LITTLE TALLER.
YOU AIN'T GETTIN' NO PRETTIER.
YOU CERTAINLY SWITCHED
SIDES AWFUL QUICK.
HOW COME YOU ON OUR SIDE?
ME AND MR. WHITTENDALE
RESPECT WORKIN' PEOPLE.
THE WAY YOU CARRY ON
ABOUT THAT MAN IS RIDICULOUS.
WHITTENDALE'S A BIG WHEEL.
YOU KNOW WHAT BEING
NEXT TO HIM MAKES ME?
A HUBCAP?
[DOORBELL RINGS]
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
HEY, MILLER!
REMEMBER MILLER,
MR. WHITTENDALE'S
RIGHT-HAND MAN?
HOW ARE YOU?
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
GET OFF MY FOOT.
HOW ABOUT A DRINK OR SOMETHIN'?
NO, THANK YOU.
I'M INQUIRING ABOUT THIS UNION.
IT'LL BE BIG.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?
I AGREE WITH MR. WHITTENDALE.
THESE HARD-WORKING
LADIES DESERVE A UNION.
THEY GOT A RIGHT TO A UNION.
BUT I COULD BE WRONG.
MR. WHITTENDALE IS AGAINST IT.
ANY SANE PERSON WOULD BE.
HE'LL BE GLAD THAT YOU AGREE.
HE WON'T ALLOW SUCH ACTIVITIES.
UNDERSTOOD?
I'LL NIP THIS UNION
THING RIGHT IN THE BUD.
TELL MR. WHITTENDALE.
I WILL,
WHEN YOU GET OFF MY FOOT.
GOOD-BYE, MRS. JEFFERSON.
THAT'S THAT.
NO MEETIN' HERE.
JUST A MINUTE.
NO.
YOU SAID...
I HEARD ME.
NO MEETIN' HERE,
AND THAT IS FINAL.
YOU CAN'T CANCEL THE MEETING. THIS
UNION MEANS TOO MUCH TO FLORENCE.
FORGET ABOUT IT. I GOT
MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO.
WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING
DECENT WORKING CONDITIONS FOR US GIRLS.
GIRLS? WHAT GIRLS?
THAT GROUP'S GOT MORE
MILEAGE ON IT THAN MODEL T FORDS.
WE NEED THIS UNION TO GET THINGS
LIKE INSURANCE AND PENSION PLANS.
WHY? US POOR EMPLOYERS
DON'T GET THAT KIND OF STUFF.
WHO'S GONNA TAKE CARE
OF ME WHEN I GET OLD?
KEEP IT UP AND YOU WON'T HAVE
TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING OLD.
LOOK, WEEZY.
SOME OF THE MAIDS IN THIS
BUILDING DON'T GET ENOUGH TO EAT.
THAT SURE AIN'T YOUR PROBLEM.
I AIN'T SEEN NO LEFTOVERS
SINCE YOU MOVED IN HERE.
GEORGE, YOU'VE GOT TO
LET 'EM HAVE THAT MEETING.
THE ANSWER'S NO. CASE IS CLOSED.
I'M NOT THROUGH
TALKING ABOUT IT.
I'M THROUGH HEARING ABOUT IT.
LA, LA, LA.
DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT TO ME!
CAN'T HEAR YOU,
WEEZY. I'M SINGIN'.
♪ BA, DA, DA ♪
OH, I GIVE UP!
LISTEN. SOME OF THE
GIRLS REALLY NEED...
[SINGING LOUDLY]
THEY AIN'T LUCKY ENOUGH TO
WORK FOR NICE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
YOU CHUMP.
I HEARD THAT.
GOOD.
YOU STILL AIN'T GONNA
HAVE YOUR MEETING HERE.
[SINGING]
WHAT AM I GONNA DO?
THEY'RE COMIN' TOMORROW NIGHT.
WE'LL HAVE TO GET RID OF GEORGE.
GIVE ME THAT PHONE.
YOU CALLIN' A HIT MAN?
HELLO, TOM? LOUISE.
I'VE GOT A BIG
FAVOR TO ASK OF YOU.
WHEN IS HE LEAVING?
THE GIRLS ARE COMING SOON.
GEORGE, HURRY UP.
TOM'S PROBABLY
ALREADY DOWNSTAIRS.
I FORGOT MY BINOCULARS.
I'M GLAD TOM INVITED
YOU TO THE FIGHT.
SUGAR RAY JACKSON
REMINDS ME OF MYSELF
WHEN I BOXED IN THE NAVY.
HE GETS KNOCKED OUT A LOT?
SHOULD BE A GREAT FIGHT.
MAKES IT WORTH
GOIN' WITH WILLIS.
HOLD IT!
LET ME ADJUST MY BINOCULARS.
HEY!
WHAT AN UNUSUAL
PLACE FOR A BIRTHMARK!
I WON'T LET YOU BE LATE.
I CAN'T GO WITHOUT MY HAT.
HE AIN'T NEVER LEAVING.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
STOP WORRYING. THERE'S
STILL PLENTY OF TIME.
OH, NO, THERE AIN'T.
HI, FLORENCE.
WHY ARE YOU ALL HERE EARLY?
TO HELP YOU CLEAN BEFORE
THE PEOPLE GET HERE.
BUT YOU ARE THE PEOPLE.
DO SOMETHING FAST.
ARE YOU NEW?
I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU.
I LIVE HERE.
THE JEFFERSONS GOT TWO MAIDS.
TELL WILLIS I'M COMING.
GET THEM IN THE POWDER ROOM.
COME ON.
OH, GEORGE!
HOLD IT!
I GET LONESOME WITHOUT YOU.
HUG ME LIKE THIS.
LET GO.
WILL IT KILL YOU TO STAY HERE?
MAYBE. YOU'RE BREAKIN' MY RIBS.
THOSE THINGS ARE PUT AWAY.
YOU'LL BE LATE FOR
THE FIGHT, GEORGE.
ARE YOU CRAZY?
WHEN BUSINESS LIGHTENS UP,
WE'LL TAKE A VACATION.
SURE, GEORGE. HAVE FUN.
THAT WAS CLOSE.
THE COAST IS CLEAR.
WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME.
HEY, WEEZY...
GEORGE!
[POUNDING ON DOOR]
HELLO, GEORGE. WAS THAT YOU?
WHY DID YOU SLAM THE DOOR?
I DIDN'T DO IT.
MUST BE THE WIND.
THE WIND?
I FORGOT MY COAT.
WOULD YOU PASS IT TO ME?
SURE.
HERE YOU GO.
YOU CAN COME OUT NOW.
IS THIS SOME GAME WE'RE PLAYIN'?
I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO,
SO I CLEANED THE SINK.
I SEE YOU DECIDED TO JOIN.
I'M NOT SURE.
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY SAY.
OK.
CAN I LISTEN?
SURE. COME ON.
OK, NOW. QUIET DOWN!
WE'RE NOT HERE TO GOOF OFF.
DO THAT ON YOUR BOSSES' TIME.
GIRLS, PLEASE! COME ON, GIRLS!
PUT A LID ON IT!
GO AHEAD, HONEY.
YOU KNOW WHY WE'RE HERE,
TO ORGANIZE OUR UNION.
STARTIN' TONIGHT,
WE AIN'T MAIDS.
WE'RE HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIANS.
WHAT'S A HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIAN?
A MAID WITH A UNION.
IT'S ABOUT TIME WE WERE
TREATED LIKE PROFESSIONALS.
MY BOSS TREATS ME LIKE
A PIECE OF FURNITURE.
HE DRESSES ME TO
MATCH THE TABLECLOTH.
MR. McGUIRE DOES THE SAME THING.
YOU WORK FOR MR. McGUIRE?
YEAH.
HE'S HAVING AN
AFFAIR WITH MY BOSS.
HOW DID YOU KNOW?
I FOUND HIS UNDERWEAR
IN HER LAUNDRY.
GIRLS, STOP GOSSIPING.
DOESN'T MATTER WHO SLEEPS WHERE.
YOU GOT TO MAKE
ALL THE BEDS ANYHOW.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE
AIRING OUR GRIEVANCES.
MILLY?
I GOT TO USE THE BATHROOM.
I'M TIRED OF BEING
GIVEN OLD CLOTHES,
LIKE IT'S A BIG FAVOR.
GIVE ME THE MONEY.
I'LL PICK OUT MY OWN CLOTHES.
I ONLY GET $70 A
WEEK, PLUS CARFARE.
I ONLY GET ONE DAY OFF.
IT'S NEVER ON WEEKENDS.
WE'RE GETTIN' A RAW DEAL.
WE'RE USED!
EXPLOITED!
PERSECUTED!
VICTIMIZED!
DOWN WITH THE BOSSES!
SIT DOWN, HONEY.
YOU'RE ONE OF THEM.
I GOT CARRIED AWAY.
MY BOSS DOESN'T TRUST ME.
HE MARKS THE OUTSIDE
OF THE SCOTCH BOTTLE.
THAT'S TERRIBLE.
IT'S A GOOD THING
I DRINK BOURBON.
I'M FED UP.
IT'S ABOUT TIME WE
START TAKIN' SOME ACTION.
LIKE WHAT?
EVERY MORNIN', LET'S
BURN THEIR TOAST.
THAT AIN'T NO ACTION.
THEN LET'S BURN OUR BRAS.
WE CAN'T.
WE MIGHT BURN THE BUILDIN' DOWN.
LET'S BE OFFICIAL.
WE'LL DRAW UP A LIST OF DEMANDS.
WHAT ABOUT TWO
WEEKS PAID VACATION,
LIKE EVERY OTHER WORKER?
RIGHT ON!
OVERTIME PAY.
RIGHT ON!
PAID SICK DAYS.
RIGHT ON!
YO QUIERO MÁS DINERO,
Y MÁS VACACIONES.
RIGHT ON!
GEORGE, WHY ARE YOU BACK?
ONE PUNCH AND
THE FIGHT WAS OVER.
YOU COULDN'T GET
THERE THAT FAST.
I DIDN'T. IT WAS ON THE RADIO.
ONE PUNCH, SUGAR RAY
THREW IN THE TOWEL.
IT TOOK 2 MINUTES
AND COST ME $45.
THAT'S A SHAME.
HEY!
WHAT ARE YOU HOLDIN' HERE,
A BAKE-OFF?
A UNION MEETING.
A UNION MEETING?
THAT'S RIGHT.
CLEAN OUT THE
WAX. I DON'T DO EARS.
CAN YOU USE A BROOM?
YES.
THEN HOP ON YOURS AND FLY AWAY.
I TOLD MR. WHITTENDALE
YOU WOULDN'T MEET HERE.
IS HE ONE OF
WHITTENDALE'S GOONS?
I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY.
NO, YOU DON'T.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
I'LL GET IT!
I'LL GET IT! SIT
DOWN! I'LL GET IT.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
YOU'RE JEFFERSON.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT YOU.
YOU'RE NOBODY. I
AIN'T HEARD ABOUT YOU.
I AM H.L. WHITTENDALE.
OF COURSE!
JUST A JOKE.
COME IN.
AIN'T NOBODY MORE
SOMEBODY THAN YOU.
THE DOORMAN WAS RIGHT.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
YOU ASSURED MILLER
THEY WOULDN'T MEET.
THEY WERE JUST LEAVIN'.
LET ME LOOK AT THEM.
I WANT TO REMEMBER
THE RABBLE-ROUSERS.
WE AIN'T RABBLE-ROUSERS.
WE WANT OUR FAIR SHARE.
WHO MIGHT YOU BE?
I MIGHT BE FLORENCE.
YES. THE JEFFERSON MAID.
NOT MAID, HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIAN.
FLORENCE, TAKE TONIGHT OFF.
MILLY!
DIDN'T I FORBID YOU
TO JOIN THIS UNION?
I DIDN'T JOIN.
I'M JUST VISITING FRIENDS.
MILLY...
MILLY DIDN'T JOIN.
WHO ASKED YOU?
AIN'T THAT A BLIP?
MR. WHITTENDALE, ARE
YOU REALLY BEING FAIR?
MAYBE IF YOU TALKED
WITH THE LADIES...
WHY WOULD I EVER DO THAT?
HE'S A VERY BUSY MAN.
IT WOULDN'T HURT TO LISTEN.
YOU PEOPLE NEVER KNOW WHEN
TO KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT.
HOLD ON! THAT'S MY WIFE!
IT'S BAD ENOUGH
BAD-MOUTHING MY MAID.
HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIAN.
NOBODY TALKS TO
LOUISE LIKE THAT,
ESPECIALLY NO
STUFFED-SHIRT HONKY LIKE YOU.
I'VE HAD ENOUGH.
MILLY, ARE YOU COMING
OR STAYING WITH YOUR FRIENDS?
I GOT TWO KIDS IN COLLEGE.
ONE MORE THING, JEFFERSON.
I HOLD THE LEASES
ON YOUR APARTMENT
AND YOUR STORE.
I PAY THE RENT.
THAT UNION CAN MEET
HERE WHENEVER THEY WANT.
WHEN IT GETS BIGGER,
THEY CAN MEET IN THE STORE.
ARE YOU FINISHED?
NO. GET OUT.
WHAT?
LET THE DOORKNOB HIT YOU
WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YOU.
RIGHT ON, MR. JEFFERSON.
I TOLD OFF H.L. WHITTENDALE.
I MUST HAVE BEEN CRAZY.
HE'LL NEVER TALK TO ME AGAIN.
HE NEVER TALKED TO YOU BEFORE.
HE DIDN'T KNOW ME BEFORE. NOW
HE WON'T TALK TO ME ON PURPOSE.
THAT SHOULDN'T UPSET YOU.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T
TALK TO YOU ON PURPOSE.
I CAN'T GET OVER IT.
FLORENCE.
YOU TOLD WHITTENDALE
WHERE TO GO.
FLORENCE.
AND HOW TO GET THERE.
FLORENCE!
AND NOT TO COME BACK!
FLORENCE!
GOOD NIGHT Y'ALL.
OH. "LET THE
DOORKNOB HIT YOU..."
I KNOW THE REST.
YOU A MESS!
I'M GONNA WRITE
WHITTENDALE AND APOLOGIZE.
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE.
YOU JUST TOLD HIM
WHAT YOU THOUGHT.
AT LEAST HE KNOWS
YOU'RE AN HONEST MAN.
I'LL GO WITH THAT.
TAKE THIS DOWN.
DEAR MR. WHITTENDALE.
YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE THIS,
BUT THERE'S THIS LITTLE
GUY IMPERSONATING ME.
♪♪ [HUMMING]
[WOMAN] THE JEFFERSONS WAS
VIDEOTAPED IN FRONT OF A STUDIO AUDIENCE.
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO A DELUXE APARTMENT ♪
♪ IN THE SKY ♪
♪ WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ WE FINALLY GOT
A PIECE OF THE PIE ♪
♪ FISH DON'T FRY
IN THE KITCHEN ♪
♪ BEANS DON'T
BURN ON THE GRILL ♪
♪ TOOK A WHOLE LOT OF TRYIN' ♪
♪ JUST TO GET UP THAT HILL ♪
♪ NOW WE'RE UP IN
THE BIG LEAGUES ♪
♪ GETTIN' OUR TURN AT BAT ♪
♪ AS LONG AS WE LIVE ♪
♪ IT'S YOU AND ME, BABY ♪
♪ THERE AIN'T NOTHIN'
WRONG WITH THAT ♪
♪ WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO A DELUXE APARTMENT ♪
♪ IN THE SKY ♪
♪ WE'RE MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ TO THE EAST SIDE ♪
♪ MOVIN' ON UP ♪
♪ WE FINALLY GOT A
PIECE OF THE PIE ♪♪
OKAY. THAT OUGHT TO DO IT.
WHEN THE MIXTURE HAS REACHED
THE PROPER CONSISTENCY...
UH-HUH... CHECK ON THE DUCK.
OKAY.
HELLO, DUCK. HOW'S IT GOIN'?
QUACK, QUACK, QUACK.
FLORENCE, YOU HAD ME GOIN'.
WHAT ARE YOU DOIN'?
I'M MAKING CHINESE FOOD,
PEKING DUCK AND MOO GOO GAI PAN.
YOU USED A LOT OF
PAN FOR ONE MOO GOO.
I'LL TAKE OVER.
WHY DON'T YOU GO OUT?
WHERE?
THERE'S A GREAT MOVIE.
FIVE PEOPLE GET CRUSHED,
SEVEN PEOPLE DROWN,
AND ONE DUDE IN A CAR
WASH GETS HOT-WAXED.
I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT MOVIE.
WHY NOT? IT'S A LOVE STORY.
YOU TRYIN' TO GET RID OF ME?
OF COURSE NOT. COME ON.
YOU SURE ARE DRESSED UP.
THAT'S WHY YOU WANT ME OUT!
A MAN'S COMIN' OVER.
NOBODY'S COMIN' OVER.
I'LL HELP WITH DINNER.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
I'LL GET IT!
FLORENCE!
WHAT ABOUT MY DUCK?
TELL HIM TO KEEP
HIS FEATHERS ON.
HI, FLORENCE.
HI, MILLY.
I JUST SAW ONE OF
YOUR UNION FLIERS.
DID YOU DECIDE TO JOIN?
NOT YET, BUT THEY SOUND GREAT.
"MAIDS UNITE! SEE FLORENCE
JOHNSTON TONIGHT!"
MRS. JEFFERSON WILL HEAR.
SHE ALREADY DID.
WHAT'S SO SECRET?
NOTHING.
I LOVE SECRETS.
YOU AIN'T ONE OF US.
I'VE GOT 10 MIRRORS
HERE THAT SAYS I AM.
BUT YOU ALSO ONE OF THEM.
THEM? WHO'S THEM?
YOU.
ME IS THEM?
YOU'LL FIND OUT ANYWAY.
WE WANT TO FORM A UNION.
THE MAIDS?
YEAH. CASSIE KINCAID,
THE PRESIDENT,
MIGHT MAKE ME
HEAD OF THE BUILDIN'.
THAT'S WONDERFUL!
IT'S ABOUT TIME
MAIDS HAD A UNION.
I'M BEHIND YOU.
THAT'S 1.
I'M SURE GEORGE IS.
THAT'S 1 1/2.
IT'S SURE NICE OF YOU.
I WISH MY BOSS AGREED.
I WAS ONCE A MAID.
BELIEVE ME, I KNOW
WHERE YOU'RE AT.
HOW DO I GET A TICKET OUT?
BY JOININ' THE UNION.
I HAD A MEAN BOSS.
EVERY TIME I'D START TO TALK,
SHE'D SAY, "YOU
PEOPLE NEVER KNOW
WHEN TO KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT."
WHY DIDN'T YOU QUIT?
COULDN'T AFFORD TO.
I CALLED HER NAMES
UNDER MY BREATH.
LIKE I DO TO MR. JEFFERSON?
I BETTER LEAVE.
WAIT, MILLY. AREN'T YOU JOINING?
WE ALREADY GOT SIX GIRLS.
WHAT IF I GET FIRED?
I GOT KIDS IN COLLEGE.
YOU DO?
WILLIAM AND MARY.
THAT'S A GREAT SCHOOL.
NO, THOSE ARE MY KIDS.
IF I GET FIRED, THEY'LL
HAVE TO DROP OUT.
I UNDERSTAND.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
IT'S PROBABLY CASSIE.
HI, KID.
HI, CASSIE.
THIS IS...
NICE TO MEET YOU.
I'VE GOT SOMETHIN' TO
ASK YOU, SO LISTEN UP.
PEKING DUCK, RIGHT?
HOW DID YOU KNOW?
I BEEN A MAID 21 YEARS.
IF I AIN'T SMELT IT,
YOU'D BETTER NOT EAT IT.
WHAT WERE YOU SAYING?
IN A MINUTE. THIS DUCK NEEDS ME.
LET'S LOOK AT THE DAMAGE.
HAVE MERCY.
THERE OUGHT TO BE A LAW
AGAINST DOIN' THAT TO A DUCK.
WEREN'T YOU SAYING SOMETHING?
KID, THE UNION NEEDS
YOU TO HEAD THIS BUILDIN'.
ME? HEAD THE BUILDIN'?
I DON'T KNOW.
WE NEED A LEADER.
ME? OH, NO, NOT ME.
I CAN GET SOMEONE ELSE.
OVER MY DEAD BODY.
I'VE WORKED MY FANNY
OFF FOR THIS UNION.
THEN IT'S SETTLED.
YOU JOINED UP?
I'M FLORENCE'S EMPLOYER.
YOU'RE MANAGEMENT?
I WAS A MAID.
THEN BASTE YOUR OWN DUCK.
WEEZ, I'M HOME.
IN THE KITCHEN, GEORGE.
GET READY FOR SOME
SUGAR. HERE I COME.
WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND MY NECK,
AND LAY ONE ON ME.
A LITTLE FRIENDLY,
AREN'T YOU, SHORTY?
WHO ARE YOU?
CASSIE KINCAID.
WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?
FLORENCE'S FRIENDS.
THE MAIDS ARE FORMING A UNION.
I HAVE JUST BEEN
APPOINTED PRESIDENT
OF THE UNITED SISTERHOOD
OF HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIANS.
DON'T YOU HAVE TO WORK
BEFORE YOU CAN JOIN A UNION?
THIS UNION'S FOR REAL.
A MAID'S UNION?
WHAT'S YOUR SLOGAN?
"HAVE MOP, WILL SLOP"?
QUIET DOWN, SHORTY,
UNLESS YOU WANT A PICKET
LINE WALKIN' ACROSS YOUR FACE.
THAT'S THE SECOND TIME
YOU CALLED ME SHORTY.
YOU AIN'T GROWN NONE
SINCE THE FIRST TIME.
GET THE GIRLS TOGETHER,
AND HAVE A MEETING
TOMORROW NIGHT.
YOU CAN MEET HERE.
I AIN'T HAVING CLEANIN' WOMEN
DIRTYIN' MY HOUSE.
THERE'S NO REASON
THEY CAN'T MEET HERE.
RIGHT ON, HONEY!
I'D BETTER GO.
NEED A LIFT?
I WORK UPSTAIRS AT
THE WHITTENDALES.
WHITTENDALE, THIS
BUILDING'S OWNER?
YEAH.
YOU'RE WHITTENDALE'S MAID.
YOU GOT MORE CLASS
THAN THE OTHER MAIDS.
YOU SUPPORT THIS UNION?
WELL...
WHY ELSE IS SHE HERE?
PEOPLE SHOULD DEFEND THEMSELVES.
HE CHANGES HIS MIND FAST.
THERE AIN'T MUCH TO CHANGE.
TELL MR. WHITTENDALE
THAT I'M BEHIND THIS UNION.
YOU CAN MEET HERE ANY TIME.
ALL RIGHT!
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MEETING.
NICE MEETIN' YOU, HONEY.
AS FOR YOU, SHORTY,
YOU GOT A LITTLE TALLER.
YOU AIN'T GETTIN' NO PRETTIER.
YOU CERTAINLY SWITCHED
SIDES AWFUL QUICK.
HOW COME YOU ON OUR SIDE?
ME AND MR. WHITTENDALE
RESPECT WORKIN' PEOPLE.
THE WAY YOU CARRY ON
ABOUT THAT MAN IS RIDICULOUS.
WHITTENDALE'S A BIG WHEEL.
YOU KNOW WHAT BEING
NEXT TO HIM MAKES ME?
A HUBCAP?
[DOORBELL RINGS]
YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
HEY, MILLER!
REMEMBER MILLER,
MR. WHITTENDALE'S
RIGHT-HAND MAN?
HOW ARE YOU?
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
GET OFF MY FOOT.
HOW ABOUT A DRINK OR SOMETHIN'?
NO, THANK YOU.
I'M INQUIRING ABOUT THIS UNION.
IT'LL BE BIG.
HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT IT?
I AGREE WITH MR. WHITTENDALE.
THESE HARD-WORKING
LADIES DESERVE A UNION.
THEY GOT A RIGHT TO A UNION.
BUT I COULD BE WRONG.
MR. WHITTENDALE IS AGAINST IT.
ANY SANE PERSON WOULD BE.
HE'LL BE GLAD THAT YOU AGREE.
HE WON'T ALLOW SUCH ACTIVITIES.
UNDERSTOOD?
I'LL NIP THIS UNION
THING RIGHT IN THE BUD.
TELL MR. WHITTENDALE.
I WILL,
WHEN YOU GET OFF MY FOOT.
GOOD-BYE, MRS. JEFFERSON.
THAT'S THAT.
NO MEETIN' HERE.
JUST A MINUTE.
NO.
YOU SAID...
I HEARD ME.
NO MEETIN' HERE,
AND THAT IS FINAL.
YOU CAN'T CANCEL THE MEETING. THIS
UNION MEANS TOO MUCH TO FLORENCE.
FORGET ABOUT IT. I GOT
MORE IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO.
WHAT COULD BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GETTING
DECENT WORKING CONDITIONS FOR US GIRLS.
GIRLS? WHAT GIRLS?
THAT GROUP'S GOT MORE
MILEAGE ON IT THAN MODEL T FORDS.
WE NEED THIS UNION TO GET THINGS
LIKE INSURANCE AND PENSION PLANS.
WHY? US POOR EMPLOYERS
DON'T GET THAT KIND OF STUFF.
WHO'S GONNA TAKE CARE
OF ME WHEN I GET OLD?
KEEP IT UP AND YOU WON'T HAVE
TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING OLD.
LOOK, WEEZY.
SOME OF THE MAIDS IN THIS
BUILDING DON'T GET ENOUGH TO EAT.
THAT SURE AIN'T YOUR PROBLEM.
I AIN'T SEEN NO LEFTOVERS
SINCE YOU MOVED IN HERE.
GEORGE, YOU'VE GOT TO
LET 'EM HAVE THAT MEETING.
THE ANSWER'S NO. CASE IS CLOSED.
I'M NOT THROUGH
TALKING ABOUT IT.
I'M THROUGH HEARING ABOUT IT.
LA, LA, LA.
DON'T YOU DARE DO THAT TO ME!
CAN'T HEAR YOU,
WEEZY. I'M SINGIN'.
♪ BA, DA, DA ♪
OH, I GIVE UP!
LISTEN. SOME OF THE
GIRLS REALLY NEED...
[SINGING LOUDLY]
THEY AIN'T LUCKY ENOUGH TO
WORK FOR NICE PEOPLE LIKE YOU.
YOU CHUMP.
I HEARD THAT.
GOOD.
YOU STILL AIN'T GONNA
HAVE YOUR MEETING HERE.
[SINGING]
WHAT AM I GONNA DO?
THEY'RE COMIN' TOMORROW NIGHT.
WE'LL HAVE TO GET RID OF GEORGE.
GIVE ME THAT PHONE.
YOU CALLIN' A HIT MAN?
HELLO, TOM? LOUISE.
I'VE GOT A BIG
FAVOR TO ASK OF YOU.
WHEN IS HE LEAVING?
THE GIRLS ARE COMING SOON.
GEORGE, HURRY UP.
TOM'S PROBABLY
ALREADY DOWNSTAIRS.
I FORGOT MY BINOCULARS.
I'M GLAD TOM INVITED
YOU TO THE FIGHT.
SUGAR RAY JACKSON
REMINDS ME OF MYSELF
WHEN I BOXED IN THE NAVY.
HE GETS KNOCKED OUT A LOT?
SHOULD BE A GREAT FIGHT.
MAKES IT WORTH
GOIN' WITH WILLIS.
HOLD IT!
LET ME ADJUST MY BINOCULARS.
HEY!
WHAT AN UNUSUAL
PLACE FOR A BIRTHMARK!
I WON'T LET YOU BE LATE.
I CAN'T GO WITHOUT MY HAT.
HE AIN'T NEVER LEAVING.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
STOP WORRYING. THERE'S
STILL PLENTY OF TIME.
OH, NO, THERE AIN'T.
HI, FLORENCE.
WHY ARE YOU ALL HERE EARLY?
TO HELP YOU CLEAN BEFORE
THE PEOPLE GET HERE.
BUT YOU ARE THE PEOPLE.
DO SOMETHING FAST.
ARE YOU NEW?
I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU.
I LIVE HERE.
THE JEFFERSONS GOT TWO MAIDS.
TELL WILLIS I'M COMING.
GET THEM IN THE POWDER ROOM.
COME ON.
OH, GEORGE!
HOLD IT!
I GET LONESOME WITHOUT YOU.
HUG ME LIKE THIS.
LET GO.
WILL IT KILL YOU TO STAY HERE?
MAYBE. YOU'RE BREAKIN' MY RIBS.
THOSE THINGS ARE PUT AWAY.
YOU'LL BE LATE FOR
THE FIGHT, GEORGE.
ARE YOU CRAZY?
WHEN BUSINESS LIGHTENS UP,
WE'LL TAKE A VACATION.
SURE, GEORGE. HAVE FUN.
THAT WAS CLOSE.
THE COAST IS CLEAR.
WELL, IT'S ABOUT TIME.
HEY, WEEZY...
GEORGE!
[POUNDING ON DOOR]
HELLO, GEORGE. WAS THAT YOU?
WHY DID YOU SLAM THE DOOR?
I DIDN'T DO IT.
MUST BE THE WIND.
THE WIND?
I FORGOT MY COAT.
WOULD YOU PASS IT TO ME?
SURE.
HERE YOU GO.
YOU CAN COME OUT NOW.
IS THIS SOME GAME WE'RE PLAYIN'?
I DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO,
SO I CLEANED THE SINK.
I SEE YOU DECIDED TO JOIN.
I'M NOT SURE.
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY SAY.
OK.
CAN I LISTEN?
SURE. COME ON.
OK, NOW. QUIET DOWN!
WE'RE NOT HERE TO GOOF OFF.
DO THAT ON YOUR BOSSES' TIME.
GIRLS, PLEASE! COME ON, GIRLS!
PUT A LID ON IT!
GO AHEAD, HONEY.
YOU KNOW WHY WE'RE HERE,
TO ORGANIZE OUR UNION.
STARTIN' TONIGHT,
WE AIN'T MAIDS.
WE'RE HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIANS.
WHAT'S A HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIAN?
A MAID WITH A UNION.
IT'S ABOUT TIME WE WERE
TREATED LIKE PROFESSIONALS.
MY BOSS TREATS ME LIKE
A PIECE OF FURNITURE.
HE DRESSES ME TO
MATCH THE TABLECLOTH.
MR. McGUIRE DOES THE SAME THING.
YOU WORK FOR MR. McGUIRE?
YEAH.
HE'S HAVING AN
AFFAIR WITH MY BOSS.
HOW DID YOU KNOW?
I FOUND HIS UNDERWEAR
IN HER LAUNDRY.
GIRLS, STOP GOSSIPING.
DOESN'T MATTER WHO SLEEPS WHERE.
YOU GOT TO MAKE
ALL THE BEDS ANYHOW.
WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BE
AIRING OUR GRIEVANCES.
MILLY?
I GOT TO USE THE BATHROOM.
I'M TIRED OF BEING
GIVEN OLD CLOTHES,
LIKE IT'S A BIG FAVOR.
GIVE ME THE MONEY.
I'LL PICK OUT MY OWN CLOTHES.
I ONLY GET $70 A
WEEK, PLUS CARFARE.
I ONLY GET ONE DAY OFF.
IT'S NEVER ON WEEKENDS.
WE'RE GETTIN' A RAW DEAL.
WE'RE USED!
EXPLOITED!
PERSECUTED!
VICTIMIZED!
DOWN WITH THE BOSSES!
SIT DOWN, HONEY.
YOU'RE ONE OF THEM.
I GOT CARRIED AWAY.
MY BOSS DOESN'T TRUST ME.
HE MARKS THE OUTSIDE
OF THE SCOTCH BOTTLE.
THAT'S TERRIBLE.
IT'S A GOOD THING
I DRINK BOURBON.
I'M FED UP.
IT'S ABOUT TIME WE
START TAKIN' SOME ACTION.
LIKE WHAT?
EVERY MORNIN', LET'S
BURN THEIR TOAST.
THAT AIN'T NO ACTION.
THEN LET'S BURN OUR BRAS.
WE CAN'T.
WE MIGHT BURN THE BUILDIN' DOWN.
LET'S BE OFFICIAL.
WE'LL DRAW UP A LIST OF DEMANDS.
WHAT ABOUT TWO
WEEKS PAID VACATION,
LIKE EVERY OTHER WORKER?
RIGHT ON!
OVERTIME PAY.
RIGHT ON!
PAID SICK DAYS.
RIGHT ON!
YO QUIERO MÁS DINERO,
Y MÁS VACACIONES.
RIGHT ON!
GEORGE, WHY ARE YOU BACK?
ONE PUNCH AND
THE FIGHT WAS OVER.
YOU COULDN'T GET
THERE THAT FAST.
I DIDN'T. IT WAS ON THE RADIO.
ONE PUNCH, SUGAR RAY
THREW IN THE TOWEL.
IT TOOK 2 MINUTES
AND COST ME $45.
THAT'S A SHAME.
HEY!
WHAT ARE YOU HOLDIN' HERE,
A BAKE-OFF?
A UNION MEETING.
A UNION MEETING?
THAT'S RIGHT.
CLEAN OUT THE
WAX. I DON'T DO EARS.
CAN YOU USE A BROOM?
YES.
THEN HOP ON YOURS AND FLY AWAY.
I TOLD MR. WHITTENDALE
YOU WOULDN'T MEET HERE.
IS HE ONE OF
WHITTENDALE'S GOONS?
I KNOW HIM PERSONALLY.
NO, YOU DON'T.
[DOORBELL RINGS]
I'LL GET IT!
I'LL GET IT! SIT
DOWN! I'LL GET IT.
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
YOU'RE JEFFERSON.
I'VE HEARD ABOUT YOU.
YOU'RE NOBODY. I
AIN'T HEARD ABOUT YOU.
I AM H.L. WHITTENDALE.
OF COURSE!
JUST A JOKE.
COME IN.
AIN'T NOBODY MORE
SOMEBODY THAN YOU.
THE DOORMAN WAS RIGHT.
WHAT'S GOING ON?
YOU ASSURED MILLER
THEY WOULDN'T MEET.
THEY WERE JUST LEAVIN'.
LET ME LOOK AT THEM.
I WANT TO REMEMBER
THE RABBLE-ROUSERS.
WE AIN'T RABBLE-ROUSERS.
WE WANT OUR FAIR SHARE.
WHO MIGHT YOU BE?
I MIGHT BE FLORENCE.
YES. THE JEFFERSON MAID.
NOT MAID, HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIAN.
FLORENCE, TAKE TONIGHT OFF.
MILLY!
DIDN'T I FORBID YOU
TO JOIN THIS UNION?
I DIDN'T JOIN.
I'M JUST VISITING FRIENDS.
MILLY...
MILLY DIDN'T JOIN.
WHO ASKED YOU?
AIN'T THAT A BLIP?
MR. WHITTENDALE, ARE
YOU REALLY BEING FAIR?
MAYBE IF YOU TALKED
WITH THE LADIES...
WHY WOULD I EVER DO THAT?
HE'S A VERY BUSY MAN.
IT WOULDN'T HURT TO LISTEN.
YOU PEOPLE NEVER KNOW WHEN
TO KEEP YOUR MOUTHS SHUT.
HOLD ON! THAT'S MY WIFE!
IT'S BAD ENOUGH
BAD-MOUTHING MY MAID.
HOUSEHOLD TECHNICIAN.
NOBODY TALKS TO
LOUISE LIKE THAT,
ESPECIALLY NO
STUFFED-SHIRT HONKY LIKE YOU.
I'VE HAD ENOUGH.
MILLY, ARE YOU COMING
OR STAYING WITH YOUR FRIENDS?
I GOT TWO KIDS IN COLLEGE.
ONE MORE THING, JEFFERSON.
I HOLD THE LEASES
ON YOUR APARTMENT
AND YOUR STORE.
I PAY THE RENT.
THAT UNION CAN MEET
HERE WHENEVER THEY WANT.
WHEN IT GETS BIGGER,
THEY CAN MEET IN THE STORE.
ARE YOU FINISHED?
NO. GET OUT.
WHAT?
LET THE DOORKNOB HIT YOU
WHERE THE GOOD LORD SPLIT YOU.
RIGHT ON, MR. JEFFERSON.
I TOLD OFF H.L. WHITTENDALE.
I MUST HAVE BEEN CRAZY.
HE'LL NEVER TALK TO ME AGAIN.
HE NEVER TALKED TO YOU BEFORE.
HE DIDN'T KNOW ME BEFORE. NOW
HE WON'T TALK TO ME ON PURPOSE.
THAT SHOULDN'T UPSET YOU.
MOST PEOPLE DON'T
TALK TO YOU ON PURPOSE.
I CAN'T GET OVER IT.
FLORENCE.
YOU TOLD WHITTENDALE
WHERE TO GO.
FLORENCE.
AND HOW TO GET THERE.
FLORENCE!
AND NOT TO COME BACK!
FLORENCE!
GOOD NIGHT Y'ALL.
OH. "LET THE
DOORKNOB HIT YOU..."
I KNOW THE REST.
YOU A MESS!
I'M GONNA WRITE
WHITTENDALE AND APOLOGIZE.
YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO APOLOGIZE.
YOU JUST TOLD HIM
WHAT YOU THOUGHT.
AT LEAST HE KNOWS
YOU'RE AN HONEST MAN.
I'LL GO WITH THAT.
TAKE THIS DOWN.
DEAR MR. WHITTENDALE.
YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE THIS,
BUT THERE'S THIS LITTLE
GUY IMPERSONATING ME.
♪♪ [HUMMING]
[WOMAN] THE JEFFERSONS WAS
VIDEOTAPED IN FRONT OF A STUDIO AUDIENCE.