Original subtitles

�so near-perfection will not do.

This is the Hillman alumni fundraiser, people.

Just think. You can make a difference

between someone giving big bucks or small change.

And don't let those claws of yours skewer anybody's kebab.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful.

Lena, think quick. How many shrimp puffs per tray?

Thirty-two.

- Wrong! Kimberly? - Thirty-six.

Listen and learn, Lena. Listen and learn.

Bartending staff.

I'm a wealthy alumnus.

I would like a perfect Manhattan. What are you gonna do?

Level 42nd street.

Just pour the drinks. Keep that comic relief to yourself.

People�

People, people, people!

I want you to remember there'll be some very important people here tonight

including Byron Douglas III

- running for state senate. - Ooh.

- Yes, yes. - Byron Douglas, far out.

- He's pretty groovy. - Yeah, he is.

But, you know, I need him to clarify his stance on toxic waste.

- Oh, yeah. - Toxic waste?

He ain't even met you yet.

? I know my parents loved me ?

? Stand behind me come what may ?

? I know now that I'm ready ?

? For I finally heard them say ?

? It's a different world ?

? Than where you come from ?

? Yes, it is now, yeah ?

? Here's our chance to make it ?

? And if we focus on our goal ?

? You can dish it, we can take it ?

? Hey, just remember That you've been told ?

? It's a different world ?

? It's a different world ?

? It's a different world ?

- ? It's a different world ? - ? Than where you come from ?

? Ooh ?

? Than where you come from ?

- Yo, what's up, G? Hey there, partner.

How you doin'?

I'm just sitting here looking for a more wealthy�

I mean, healthy relationship.

Take a break, Ron. Want you to meet somebody.

Byron, this is Ron Johnson.

- Ron, this is- - No introduction needed.

- Oh, you know him? - I know you.

Ebony Bachelors, 1991.

- That's him, right? - No, Ron.

This is Byron Douglas, state senate, 1992.

- That's where I saw you. Black Enterprise. - Yes.

- Byron Douglas III of B.D. Restaurants. - Right.

You're the one that brought affordable surf and turf to the masses.

- Ron Johnson? - Yeah, that's me.

I have four of your checks taped to my cash register.

- Go die of embarrassment, Ron. - It's a mistake.

- I was framed. - Go die. Go die.

Byron.

- Oh, Colonel Tyler, how- - Good to see you.

I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Taylor.

Hello, Byron. How are you?

I'm Jaleesa Tyler Taylor.

I'm Brad's wife.

Well, nice to meet you� and you.

Thank you. That's a future constituent.

You know, Brad's told me you've put a lot of your employees through college.

No, they're putting themselves through

by maintaining "A" averages and making positive choices.

That's it. Give them incentive, watch them put their best foot forward.

That's right. It's good for the kids, good for business, economy,

- and might get me a few more votes. - Ah.

Shrimp puff, my brother?

- Oh, thank you. - This is not the Black expo.

Please�

Please, take one. It's a family recipe.

Mmm.

Oh, I don't believe we've met. I'm Whitley Gilbert.

- Whitley, this is Byron Douglas. - Pleasure.

I know who it is. He's on my top 25,000�

I mean, my "A" list.

Yeah, Whitley, he's already a generous contributor, so�

Of course he is, but it's never enough.

The private sector must give back what it has received.

Wasn't it your idea to hire unemployed skilled workers

to train the homeless to renovate abandoned buildings?

Yes, it was.

And your slogan, "Don't be invisible, be invaluable."

Whitley, have you been reading the paper?

Uh, so, you, uh�

You organized this fundraiser, Miss Gilroy.

- Ooh. - Gilbert.

Oh. I'm sorry. What did I say?

You called her "Gilroy."

I'm� I'm sorry. I'm very bad at names.

- Not a good trait for a politician. - No, I have to work on it.

You should try word association.

Byron Douglas. I would think "By" as in bi-partisan,

because you're a politician.

"Ron" as in you're farthest thing from that loser.

"Doug" which rhymes with rug,

like the one in my apartment that matches your tie,

and "las" as in

it would be less than polite for me to forget your name.

Byron Douglas. Simple.

- Well, uh, if it works for you. - Oh.

Oh, thank you.

You've done a� an outstanding job with this fundraiser.

Well, we'll see when the numbers come in, not that it's all about money.

I mean, it's really about giving of yourself, tirelessly.

My dad always used to say, "Don't complain, get involved."

Every day, he went out meeting with the people.

Oh, your daddy was a politician?

No, he was a mailman, but he believed in the democratic process.

Isn't that wonderful?

You have the opportunity to fulfill his legacy.

For a slightly larger donation than you gave last year,

you can fund a chair in the political science department.

Yes. Well, if I've just been hoodwinked, I� I don't mind.

You know, Hillman is� is very lucky

to have someone like you on their side.

Thank you.

I could use someone as persuasive as you on mine.

I would love to work on your campaign.

It's just that I�

I have, um, a full-time job at E.H. Wright Industries.

- I'm a corporate art buyer� - I see.

- �and I run this dorm. - Oh.

That's me, resident director. And then, there's my personal life.

Which really wouldn't cause much problem.

"The private sector must give back what it has received"?

Well, if I've just been hoodwinked, I don't mind.

Where do I sign?

Well, that's wonderful, Whit� Whit�

�ley.

- You're making progress. - Thank you.

That's a name you don't want to forget.

Now, hold it right there. Now look here.

Now there's enough ketchup in this bottle to accommodate another order of fries.

Oh, all right. Sorry, Mr. Gaines.

Don't you know what it costs to run a business nowadays?

Now I can't afford to pay for your mistakes.

I said I was sorry.

I wonder what's wrong with Mr. Gaines. He's been in a bad mood lately.

Yeah, for the last 62 years.

I would like to have a double order of fried okra.

Can't you people wait until I say, "May I help you?"

Oh, my goodness! Byron Douglas.

- Hi, Mr. Gaines. - Yo.

My only employee of the month.

You know, I still have your picture up on my refrigerator.

It's got a little chili on it, but it's still there.

I'm honored.

No one was ever good enough to take your place.

No matter how hard they try.

- Except for Kimberly Reese. - Nice to meet you.

Yes, someday I'll say that a state senator

helped me put in my garbage disposal.

I owe you, Mr. Gaines. You taught me a lot.

Well, I didn't teach you to put marshmallows in the salad bar.

Now, Velma and I was at your restaurant and there it was.

The marshmallows right next to the chow mein.

Now, that ain't right. A lot of things happening today ain't right.

Hey, Byron.

I'm glad you guys could make it.

We meet the neighborhood watch group in an hour.

I still don't know why you're bothering to come here on campus.

You're never gonna get these

Nintendo-playing couch potatoes to the polls.

They don't vote. It's despicable.

- Did you? - Plead the Fifth, Ron. Plead the Fifth.

Most students don't vote 'cause they don't think the government affects them.

But among other things,

state senators create legislation for financial aid.

Wait. Excuse me. Excuse me.

It's our government that keeps us down so that we need financial aid.

You know, there was a group of students who wanted to build a school,

but they couldn't afford to buy bricks, so they made their own.

They built Tuskegee Institute and a profitable brick business.

It's about empowerment and exercising your rights.

Well, why should I vote?

You know, I mean, the only time politicians come to our neighborhoods

is when they want to take pictures with the po' folk.

No, no, no. I've had a restaurant and a day-care center

on the south side for five years.

- Well, really? Well, that's nice. - Yeah.

But let's see what you do once you're in office.

I'd really like to think that things change,

but they never do.

Not with that attitude, missy.

Don't worry. She'll just take it out on her clothes later.

Unfortunately, Byron, she's not the only person who feels that way.

So, what are we supposed to do to help him?

Get the people inspired. That's why we have to get going on this rally.

Exactly. We're having a rally here the day after tomorrow.

If you can help us,

meet us at his campaign headquarters in a half hour.

Talk to Jerry Miller. He's in charge.

And I'm buying dinner.

Oh, well, I'll be there.

I have to get city-wide coverage, radio, print, TV.

Got a lot of calls to make.

Do you like Chinese food?

Sure.

We can get some work done and dim sum.

- What? - Dim sum.

Oh, oh. And dim sum. That's good.

Vote for me because you believe everyone deserves proper health care.

The kind your restaurant provides for all of your employees.

Good. Good. We have the resources.

By increasing the tax on cigarettes and alcohol,

we can create revenue

to fund free medical services for the needy.

For every man, woman, and child!

- Too much? - Too much. Too much.

Vote for me because you know what I stand for.

And you'd like to stand beside me.

Yeah. So, uh, uh, what do you think?

That speech should be heard live.

You think, uh, CNN will pick it up?

My daddy plays golf with Bernie Shaw.

Whitley, I was just joking.

Well, you're not thinking big enough.

Well, I am thinking the state senate, not the presidency.

I wouldn't rule that out. You know, the first Black mayor

was elected to a city that only had 35% Blacks.

- Carl Stokes, Cleveland, 1960� Yeah. - Carl Stokes, Cleveland, 1967. Yeah.

You are� very convincing.

I could sell Evian to a drowning man.

I bet you could.

- Hey, is everybody else gone? - Well, we got everything done.

Whitley was nice enough to stay and go over my speech.

My civic duty.

- Don't let me interrupt you guys. - You're not interrupting.

As a matter of fact, I want to take a look at these flyers.

These are great. This is wonderful. You do this yourself?

- Me and Poindexter. - Who?

He named his computer.

Poindexter.

I gotta break out. I'll see you later.

Wait. It's late. We should all go. Let me just tell Jerry I'm leaving.

These flyers are great, Dwayne. Very professional.

Yeah, for somebody who named his computer, huh?

I'm sorry. I didn't mean nothing by it.

Yes, you did, Whitley. I know you.

Why do we do this? Why do we fight every time we see each other?

- Because you're always starting something. - Then I'm ending it.

I thought we had ended it.

- Uh, I hope I'm not interrupting. - No, no.

- We were just talking about� - Talking�

- Campaigning� - �the flyers�

- She doesn't like the flyers. - I like them,

I don't know where to put them.

Hey, Mr. Gaines, a letter, special delivery.

From Burger Barge.

What do they want? Steal your special sauce?

Well, I ain't selling.

You mind if we put these banners up tonight?

Mr. Gaines? Do you mind if we put some banners up tonight in The Pit?

Y'all can't have the rally here tonight.

No, I'm sorry, but you just can't.

Everything's been arranged.

Don't bother me with this now.

When I say no, I mean no!

Now, what's wrong with him?

He needs a meditation. He's very uptight.

- Very, very uptight. - Something wrong

- with that brother. - Whoa, whoa!

They're taking The Pit away from Mr. Gaines.

- What? - It says Mr. Gaines' bid has been rejected

and that Burger Barge will be assuming the lease effective next month.

Burger Barge. The lowest link on the fast food chain.

This place put a lot of people through school.

- Oh, Mr. Gaines is like family to me. - God, they can't close The Pit.

Where am I gon' get my hush puppies?

This isn't about food, dimwit.

It's about a man who's given his life to serving us.

He's fed my family for generations.

Brothers, sisters, I say we boycott this Burger Barge.

We should petition the administration.

Well, hopefully, it's not too late. Why didn't he tell us sooner?

Man, this is so heavy.

Dwayne, why don't you and Kimberly go back there and talk to Mr. Gaines?

- I'm not sure I know what to say to him. - Yeah, me either, Whit.

Oh, listen, listen, he needs a healing. I will rap to him.

We'll give it a shot first.

- Mr. Gaines? - Uh, the kitchen is closed.

We all saw the letter, Mr. Gaines.

What? Now you folks got no business interfering in my private affairs.

Well, The Pit is everybody's affair.

Oh, I know. This thing has been dogging me for the last six months.

I didn't think it would come to this.

How can the school do this, man?

Well, I put in the highest bid I could,

but I can't compete with a big corporation.

And besides, I don't want to keep the school

from earning as much money as they can on the lease.

Well, I hope y'all get a new library out of this.

- A new library? - That's not right.

Kimberly Reese, it's not about right. It's about money.

Mr. Gaines, don't worry. We're not gonna let this happen.

Dwayne, it is happening.

The executives are coming in tomorrow to sign the papers.

Is that why you didn't want us to have the rally here?

Well, I didn't know what to do.

Of course, y'all can have the rally here.

This is still The Pit as long as I'm here.

Mr. Gaines, you're not alone in this.

Have you told Velma yet?

You bet there are a whole lot of things I ain't ever told Velma.

You know, I've never seen Mr. Gaines look so defeated.

I'm gonna call my daddy, and see if he can pull some strings.

Whitley, these Burger Barge people don't care about your daddy.

- It's all about money. - What's all about money?

- Mr. Gaines has lost The Pit. - What?

The lease has been taken over by the Burger Barge corporation.

Oh.

Hello? We're talking about Mr. Gaines here.

- Yeah. - You could show a little compassion.

I'm sorry. I was just thinking.

- Uh-huh. - We've all been doing lot of thinking.

We can't come up with anything to do.

The press is gonna be there tomorrow, right?

- Yes. - Good.

What was that?

A politician.

This is Freddie Brooks, WHZU campus radio.

This Pit is packed full of Douglas supporters, man.

The air is crackling with anticipation.

Any minute now, Byron Douglas III

will begin what seems to this reporter to be an eagerly-awaited oration.

Now, sir, if you could just set up over here by the counter.

Get as much as you can,

- don't get in the way. - Yes, ma'am.

- Have you seen Byron? - He's late. He's not here.

We were supposed to start 20 minutes ago.

He probably forgot the address.

- No, man� - He is always forgetting something. Hi.

Excuse me. Could you tell me if Vernon Gaines is here?

And you are�

From Burger Barge.

Well, I've never met the man.

Pardon me. Did I hear you say you're the gentlemen from Burger Barge?

- Yes, we are. - Well, thank you for coming today.

I appreciate your support.

- Excuse me, Mr. Gaines? - Yes?

We were expecting to go over the papers with you.

Well, you'll just have to wait till the rally is over.

That will be fine.

It will save us another trip to this dump.

It is my honor and pleasure to introduce to you

one of Hillman's most illustrious alumni and our next state senator, y'all.

Put your hands together for Byron Douglas III.

Douglas!

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you, Dwayne.

Being in this room, I tell you, brings back a lot of memories.

When I was an undergraduate at Hillman,

I used to spend a lot of time down here at The Pit.

Matter of fact, I used to sit right over there.

I could make a cup of coffee and a piece of cornbread last

for five hours.

I spent so much time down here

that eventually the owner took pity on me and gave me a job.

That job meant more to me than just some extra money.

It gave me a sense of� of self-esteem, responsibility,

a feeling that I could� I could do something well�

�but mostly�

mostly it gave me Mr. Gaines.

Now, The Pit� The Pit is more than just a place to eat.

It's a place to call home. It's a place to feel supported.

It's a place where the values of the community are celebrated.

Something that is very much lacking in our world today.

Now, it's� it's come to my attention that the Burger Barge,

a very successful fast food franchise,

may be taking over Mr. Gaines' lease.

The� the executives from that corporation are here today.

Now, the fact� the fact that these busy men,

who represent a company that is responsible to your needs,

have found the time to be here today shows their concern.

Oh, please.

They know that without you, they would not exist.

- That's right. And we be here! - That's true.

It's my understanding

that they're here to gauge the opinion of the student population

to guide them in making the correct decision.

So, let's help them make the right choice.

Get a close-up.

Keep The Pit!

Keep The Pit!

Ladies and gentlemen, ladies and gentlemen,

as an act of goodwill to the community,

the Burger Barge corporation has decided

to underwrite the lease of The Pit.

Our good friend, Mr. Gaines, will continue on as proprietor

for as long as he would like.

And this is how the government should respond to the needs of the people,

Yes!

but you cannot be heard unless you raise your voices!

Byron Douglas III, I want to thank you.

Well, I'm just giving back a little bit of what you gave me.

- Hey, man, share how you feel. - How I feel?

Well, if y'all hadn't interfered, Velma and I could have enjoyed

a condominium in Florida right now.

Next time, mind your own beeswax.

- Excuse me, excuse me, Mr. Douglas? - Yeah?

I still don't trust politicians,

but I'd vote for you.

You know what? You don't have to vote for me. Just vote.

- Most definitely. - Okay.

Well, the kitchen is now open.

And the prices have not been raised.

Not yet.

Give me my microphone.

See how he is?

So, I have a breakfast meeting at Richmond tomorrow,

and then I'm back at 1:00 for a speech

in front of the Hillman board of education.

At 4 o'clock, I'm talking to the hospital workers' union.

Okay, well, I will meet you at the board of ed tomorrow.

I want to tell you

you didn't talk a lot about your platform, but you won a lot of votes today.

- Well, let's hope so. - Yeah, man. Very smooth.

- Um, good night. - Good night.

- Night, Dwayne. - Good night.

I thought what you did today was wonderful.

- Aw, thank you. - The way you handled those executives.

Quick. What's his name?

Uh, Stuart Olsen.

Stephen Albright.

What did I say?

I think you're wonderful.

Oh. I'm� I'm sorry.

I don't know what came over me.

Well, it's okay. It's just that it's very forward.

Yeah, it was very forward.

I think there's only one way to handle that and�

Now� we're even.

Yeah.

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