Original subtitles

Shh.

'Jay, get out. Your father needs to use the bathroom.'

Oh!

'Help clean him up for me, Jay?'

Yeah. You good, pop?

Hm.

I got it, pop.

Oh, pop! Come on, man.

- 'Gigi.' - 'Yeah.'

Catch it.

- 'On my break.' - Hide my purse.

When somebody tries to steal it, at least they'll work for it.

This puppy's got a bark, kid.

Thank you. Thank you.

Now, it is with great pride

that I introduce the highlight of the evening..

...our student exhibition.

Blaine Academy students, please, take the floor.

Dancers ready?

Don't forget the new turn.

Balance. Go.

'Let's go, let's go.'

What you trying to pull, son?

I ain't pulling nothin'. It's a real ticket. Just got wet.

Just turn around and go home, alright?

Hey, hey.

I paid for my ticket. You gonna let me in.

I am?

Come on, man. Get off me!

Hey, hey, get off me, man.

- Ah! Get off me. - Calm down, son.

- I got it, Augustine.

This fool won't let me in.

Watch your mouth. You're not going in with your attitude.

The ticket's real. Everybody else's punk-ass is going in.

Their punk-ass does not have your history, Jason Rockwell.

- That ain't even right, man. - Keep talkin'.

Give me a reason to kick you out of my school. Give me one.

'Whoa!'

'You.'

- Whoa!

'What's poppin', playboy?'

Wassup?

What, you good?

Yeah, I'm cool.

Yo, what's up, man?

Ain't seen you since your brother's service.

- 'Almost a year now, dawg.' - Yeah, almost.

You're not dancing?

- No. '

Just whatever, yo.

Check it. We rolling. You down?

That ain't yours, man.

Looks like Miss Principal left you a little present, baby.

She in there enjoying your party.

Feel me?

'Whatcha gonna do?'

Gonna get some justice, right?

Now's your chance, son. Know what I'm sayin'?

Take the goddamn iron and leave this bitch a little message.

I ain't messin' with you, man. You reckless.

Pussy!

- Oh, shit! - Damn! Hit that shit.

That's what I'm talking about.

Hit that shit!

Oh, that's gonna be expensive, boy!

Just smash that!

- Let's go, dawg! - Shit.

Is that your car, man?

No.

So what you running up on me for?

'What was he thinking?'

What you here for? A funeral or somethin'?

I don't want it pimped, I want it fixed.

Alright, you've got somewhere to be and it is not in my hallway.

Get there and get there fast.

Paul Lopez, put a belt in those pants.

I do not wanna have to see your drawers. Good morning.

Chin, if I see you on that cell phone one more time, it's mine.

Eddie French, in my office, you know why.

Augustine, have you made a decision yet on my calculus lab?

Joe, do you think I get special funding for your six kids

when I have the rest of them to worry about?

My six have a chance. They're smarter than--

You know how I feel about "smarter than".

There's kids selling drugs, doing calculus in their heads.

If you wanna open up that lab to the rest of them

maybe we could swing a grant.

- Yes, I'm serious.

We have to honor the kids that are excelling, not neglect them.

Joe, we operate on limited resources. Morning, Gretchen.

Look, I need these, like..

At a couple of different places

is that gonna be..

Yo, son, who died?

Apparently, good manners.

Excuse me, sir. Was that lady the principal?

- Yeah. - Thank you.

Uh-huh.

You mean, "You're welcome," right?

Uh-huh.

What's this I hear about you bailing out on detention today?

I'm not giving up my math club time to babysit delinquents.

Excuse me, those kids need your attention as well.

But the ones who try actually deserve it.

Yo, son, what the hell you do that for?

She wasn't carrying nothin'.

She coulda opened the door her damn self.

It's called courtesy.

Yeah, well, it makes you look like a punk-ass.

- Damn straight.

Punk-ass moves like that won't get you no play around here.

- Trust me, I've tried it. - Oh, I got plenty of play.

You kiddin', right?

Did you see that?

Every single one of them smiled at me.

Yeah, but you didn't get no numbers.

I didn't ask for no numbers.

Whatever.

'What about Kline? He hasn't taken detention in months.'

- I wonder what the--

- Jury duty. '

What are you looking at?

Mr. Dulaine.

- Too early to say.

'But check this out.'

He's been doing that for everyone.

And he stands every time a woman walks past.

Freak. It's just my luck.

'Have security standing by.'

Mr. Dulaine.

Come on in.

Eddie, sit your ass down.

Please.

What can I do for you?

You're not a parent, you're not a sub

you're certainly not a cop.

How can you tell all this?

If I depended on the students to tell me what was going on

we'd all be in trouble. I got five minutes, Mr. Dulaine.

Yeah, um..

I ran into one of your students on, uh, Saturday night.

- How nice for you. - Yeah.

He was vandalizing private property.

Did you file a police report?

No.

I though I should come to you.

It's the wrong move. I try to prevent crime from happening.

But once it does, the police are who you wanna talk to.

So...good day.

That's it?

That's it for me. Gretchen will show you out.

Oh, oh, oh, hold on, uh..

Who should I talk to about this?

Probably one of your students, right?

You must have a lot of angry kids at this school.

If your kids were as important as your car--

Excuse me for caring about my car, Mr. Dulaine.

And do not talk to me about angry kids

like you are some kind of expert.

This is my school. I decide what is or is not a priority.

And these kids? Are they your priorities?

Honor roll?

Those kids are dead, Mr. Dulaine.

'Each and every one of them killed since I have been here.'

I keep them right there to remind me of why I'm tired

and why I keep coming to work

and why I have no time to waste.

I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

Please excuse me.

- I would like to help.

There are numerous ways community members

can help the students of John Drake High School.

There's a Tutoring Program. There's Big Brothers.

There's the Math Center, the Language Skills Lab

Book Club, DARE outreach.

Y-yeah, I-I'm sure these are fine programs.

Uh...but I have my own methods.

Alright, um..

I want to teach your kids to dance.

Believe me, the one thing they do know is how to dance.

He said, "ballroom."

Uh, yeah. Waltz, fox-trot.

'All the classics.'

It would be great for them.

Okay, where is the camera?

If you are talking about teaching my kids the fox-trot

I must be on television.

Alright, um..

Your kids, your call.

Thank you.

Good morning.

Mr. Dulaine! Wait.

If you are serious..

...I just might have an opening for you.

You meet me back here at three o'clock sharp.

Three?

I'm not a particularly patient woman, Mr. Dulaine.

Either you wanna help out or you don't.

I'll rearrange my schedule.

I see you sneaking out on me, Joe L.

We have kids in there for everything

from stealing someone's bag, to cheating on exams..

Hector, home safe.

...to possession, vandalism

to rearranging somebody's face. Basically, if you..

Hat! Hat!

If you think of ways to cut corners and collect dimes

these kids in detention are all over it

before we've had our morning coffee.

- You said you wanted to help.

Believe me, these kids could use some.

'Everyone else calls them the school rejects.'

'They're in here for the rest of the term.'

'In case you were wondering why the scenic tour?'

Detention's far from a beauty spot

but it's the only space we have available

after some knucklehead burned up the Study Hall.

On purpose?

I have five bucks say you won't be back tomorrow.

'Miss James.'

What, you springing us for good behavior or something?

No, I'm not, Mr. Epps.

Listen up, everybody, this is Mr. Dulaine.

Mr. Dulaine here is running your detention

and you will do whatever Mr. Dulaine says.

That's what you think.

- 'Yeah, right.' - They're all yours.

'Hey, give me, give me the ball.'

- 'Let's go, man.' - Pow! Right there.

Yo, follow that queen. Let's go.

Pay attention, pay attention.

- Okay. - Like this..

My name is, uh, Pierre Dulaine.

But, uh, you can call me, Pierre.

- You don't sound French.

Yeah, uh, my mother was Spanish

'my father was French.'

I understand six languages.

- 'I speak five.' - Give me that.

All of them with a Spanish accent.

Um, so...you are?

Sir.

It's Jason Rockwell.

'Yeah, but you can call him Rock, Pierre.'

What about you, mademoiselle?

LaRhette. LaRhette Dudley.

Very nice to meet you, LaRhette.

So, what kinda teacher are you?

What'd you do they made you run detention?

- I asked to be here. - Punk-ass move number two.

I teach, uh, ballroom dancing.

- Ballroom dancing.

And you...are going to learn ballroom dancing

here in your detention.

Nothing this wild ever happens in English.

Or biology.

The wildest thing yet is that I said yes.

You did what?

I am gonna arrange you by height.

You...and you. Yeah. Together.

- No freakin' way. - 'Ooh!'

'Mr. Epps, was it? And the lady to your right.'

Let's have you and you together. You two together.

Hol-hold on a sec. Why can't I be with her?

Not at this time, sir.

Yeah, bu-but everybody know Danjou can't dance.

Are you a dancer, sir?

What, tu nosabes? I can shake it.

Then I suggest you shake it with the partner I assigned.

Look, nobody wanted to host the detention hall.

'This is a joke.'

If I turn it over to him, we get our detention halls for free.

Detention is a place where the kids

who need to spend extra time in school do just that.

Spend extra time in school. Not dancing around.

Joe, do you know any of our students

that are gonna want to do ballroom dancing?

- Absolutely not. - Exactly.

I think I just discovered the cure for cutting class

and for cheating and for any number of miscreant behaviors.

To the fox-trot!

You and, uh, yes, you, together.

Hold up, that's my cousin. I can't dance with my cousin.

- Yeah, man.

Me and Big Girl can switch. I'll dance with Monster.

Oh, no, man!

You, sir, will be with this lovely lady over here.

- No, he won't. - 'Oo-oh.'

- Hell no!

- 'Uh-oh.' - Yo, I can't dance with him.

- Put me with anybody else-- - Alright.

- She's trash, that's why. - Don't call her trash.

You shut the hell up.

Hey, hey, hey.

- 'Yo, roll up!' - 'I don't wanna be here.'

- Hey, hold.. - Bye.

I'm outta here, son.

Alright, we are finished for today.

Ah!

Did you see what happened to my bike?

- Nope. - "Nope. Nope."

'How does this work in with the lesson schedule?'

'And the new students and Caitlin's cotillion?'

Morgan always wants more time before a competition.

You can rearrange. It'll be fine.

- Mm-hmm.

"It'll be fine?"

Just when this place was starting to do well, Pierre.

These kids probably don't even want what you're offering.

Did you ask them?

- Mm-mm.

- Pierre, we have an emergency. - We'll talk about this later.

Ahem, ladies, what a pleasure.

Hey.

- We've got to do something. - Mother.

She's not getting any better, she may be getting worse.

Oh, she'll be fine, Mrs. Spencer.

She just needs a little time, that's all.

Time's running out. This cotillion is a huge event.

Caitlin's father and I have spent a fortune on the party.

All our friends are coming, I'll not have her looking like a..

I just, I just want Caitlin to feel secure, alright?

I understand. Please.

Maybe I'm not made to dance.

Caitlin...do you like dancing?

Then you were made to dance.

Mr. Dulaine, I want to dance more than anything.

- It's just...I know I suck. - No, no.

My mom and dad paid so much for my lessons.

Right there is the problem.

You need to dance for yourself, not for anybody else.

Alright.

Very slow, alright?

- 'I know.' - 'Good morning.'

Let me call you back.

- Good morning. - Good morning.

I believe you owe me five bucks.

And I believe I am seeing things.

A little early for detention?

Thank you. Yeah, uh, we need to talk.

'This is LaRhette's twin brother.'

He was an honor student, but we lost him to drugs.

He was a good kid, just poor as hell.

He got in the way of a crew led by this fool, Rock's brother.

Raymond Rockwell was the most screwed up evil kid I ever knew.

What started out as a fistfight turned into a little gang war

and when it was over, some kids were hurt, some were dead.

Tybalt slays Mercutio.

This isn't Shakespeare, Mr. Dulaine

it's public education.

Thank you. Thank you very much.

You know who wrecked my car, don't you?

Might have been either black or Hispanic.

Let me know if you remember.

- Ah! - Ow!

- 'Shoot me.' '

Man, what's that noise?

That noise is the work of the great American songwriters

Ira and George Gershwin.

Who?

'Some of the amazing artists you'll be dancing to.'

Man, I need the remix.

Alright, everyone, stand up. Step forward.

Not today.

Alright.

Maybe I'll just give you a chance to absorb Gershwin.

Ow!

- 'Yo!' '

He likes it.

Okay, can you turn it off now?

Excuse me? I am afraid I can't hear you.

Classic ballroom consists of these dances.

The tango.

The rumba, fox-trot

swing, standard waltz

merengue and of course, the Viennese waltz.

These dances were danced by the fiercest warriors.

Oh, the Viennese waltz? Sounds fierce.

'Alright, alright.'

How many of you think this style of dance...is weak?

Two votes for me.

Ladies and gentlemen, you have been misled.

Miss LaRhette...would you do me the honor?

Nah, I don't think so.

Mademoiselle, please, come on.

Ooh!

Okay.

In ancient times, it was believed

that any man who could kill with speed and accuracy

should be able to dance with grace as well.

Ballroom dancing is, uh, for kings and empresses.

It is the dance of strength

of romance and love.

- Thank you, it was lovely. - Uh-huh.

I believe the appropriate answer to that is, "You're welcome."

- Uh-huh. - Alright.

Look, son, you're talking about a bunch of rich white folks

slaveholders. I mean, I've never seen Martin Luther King--

You're right, you're right, you're right. Correct.

- Some were.

But the tango, the milonga, and even the rumba

were first danced in some form by Africans.

Why is it that every time you wanna fly something by us

'you claim it's got ties to Africans?'

But every time you get scared or mad, you blame it

on African killer bees. African Ebola virus.

Right.

- Freakin' West Nile fever. - Alright, alright.

What if I told you these dances will make you look very cool?

I'd say you're full of shit.

- Doctor's note.

I can't dance, I got a heart condition.

I see. Interesting man, your doctor.

Not many physicians write notes on three-hole paper.

- Busted. - Partners, please.

No? Alright.

- Whoa! - Hey, hey, hey!

Now, ballroom dancing is about two bodies

moving as one.

I'm down with that. Mm-mm.

Gentlemen, please, take your partner's hand.

Hold up. How the hell do I know where his hands have been?

- Oh, no, no, no!

- Now you know. - No, he didn't!

That is not right. That is not right.

That is not right.

- Now, that's ballroom. - You are nasty.

'Welcome to the fox-trot, people.'

Step a little closer. Alright.

Yo, why we got to use that?

My grandparents don't even listen to that stuff.

That stuff give us the perfect fox-trot rhythm.

Good, good.

Now, ladies, start on the right foot

going backward.

Men on the left, stepping forward.

Two slow steps back.

Two quick ones to the side.

It goes like this, slow, slow.

'Quick, quick. Slow, slow.'

Quick, quick. Slow, slow.

'Quick, quick, good.'

Come on, nice. Quick, quick.

Ow!

Sir, sir, just, let me just show you, eh?

Everybody. Please.

Why I always got to demonstrate it?

- Because you can do it. - 'Alright. Hold on.'

Slow, slow.

Quick, quick. Slow, slow.

Quick, quick. Slow, slow, quick, quick.

Slow. Quick, quick. Slow..

Hi, mommy.

'Go on back. I'll be there in a minute.'

- Baby had a second bottle.

I fed them at like six.

We'll talk when I'm through.

Slow, slow. Quick, quick. Slow..

What you doin'?

What the hell you turn the music off for?

'Here he is...life of the party.'

'Yo, dude is so whacked.'

Here we go.

Du-lame.

You don't have to stop. That was amazing.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Now, guys, why can't you put that emotion and energy

into my style of dance?

That's impossible, man.

Really

'Cause your music sucks.

It's corny. There ain't no feelin' in it.

- Mm-mm.

How can you say that?

- Lena Horne, Joe Williams.

Nat King Cole. These songs are all about love.

Well, maybe you love different than we do.

Look at you, you're all flowers and things.

Talk to your woman all sweet.

Sayin' shit tryin' to make her feel nice.

We ain't got no time for that.

We want to get right down to the ill na-na.

Love is universal, my friend.

We just may look for it different ways

hearing different songs.

Yeah, whatever.

This is what you think about love, right?

Hmm.

Smooth, romantic.

I would call that a love song.

- I could dance to that. - Dance to this.

What you think about that, Mr. Ballroom Man?

'I didn't see you on the floor today.'

If you're not going to dance, why bother even showing up?

If I don't go to detention, then I can't go to class

and then I can't graduate.

What you want from me anyway, man?

I know you know who I am.

Glad to know you're so observant.

- Now, if you'll allow me-- - Hold on, man.

Don't be doing me no favors.

I don't owe nobody nothing, I don't get down like that.

So, I'm asking you again. What you want from me?

I think a simple

"Thank you for keeping my ass out of the slammer"

might be appropriate, Mr. Rockwell.

Nobody gives something for nothing.

I'll see you in class...tomorrow.

Alright, let's begin.

Caitlin, are you alright?

Would you be alright if you were me

and you had to have a cotillion? Don't lie.

It's like, everyone here is a beautiful swan

and then boom, I'm the butt-ugly duckling.

Sweetie, if you don't want a cotillion

why don't you just tell your parents to call it off?

I'd want one if I could move like her.

It's like sex on hardwood.

I would kill to dance like that.

Uh, excuse me a second.

Morgan?

I mean, the deepest darkest parts of me

like the blood through my veins and arteries.

- Well, you see the fact.. - Yo.

Check this out.

Check Mr. Dulaine just getting his flirt on.

You can't do that.

Thank you, Morgan.

That was amazing. I've never seen anybody move like that.

I'm sure.

- Teach me how to do that. - Okay.

Alright, alright.

Listen, listen to me, listen to me.

Now...how many of you men

would like to handle a woman like that?

- Ooh! - Two times for me.

Good, good.

And, ladies...how many of you will like the power

to drive your man to distraction?

Why are you showing us what Miss Uptight could do

when her parents give her lessons

and the other crap she wants?

- That was not the point.

No. You could be just as good.

If you work at it, of course.

And for those of you who already think you'll be good enough

there is a citywide competition at the end of the term.

Now, the winning couple splits $5,000.

Hold on, hold on. You talkin' duckies?

- Uh-huh.

- That's right. - Yeah, I'm with that.

Thought you said it wasn't about the money.

Money for dancing. Only if you're good, right?

Yeah, only if you're good.

- Positions, please. - Let's get busy.

- Let's review the fox-trot. - I thought we were gonna tango.

Oh, no, the tango must be earned.

You, Mr. Ramos, cannot handle the tango.

- Yet. - Oo-oh!

Heard you had a hell of a class today.

I love the tango.

How did you hear about my class?

I hope you understand what you're doing, Pierre.

Yes, I understand very well.

Just be careful of what you're promising.

Everyone is entitled to a little culture.

To me, dance is like life--

No, that's where you're wrong, Mr. Dulaine.

Life, for these kids is like a fight to stay alive

and a hustle to make ends meet, not ballroom dancing.

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much.

See you on Thursday, okay?

Thank you. Thank you.

We need to talk schedule and financing--

- 'Mr. Dulaine.'

Morgan said the kids you teach uptown are no-talent losers.

Ah, you can't always believe what Morgan says.

I'd really like to join them.

What you looking at?

What? She was staring at me.

- Furnace is whacked. - Alright.

Class, this is, uh, Caitlin Spencer.

She's joining us for the day.

Thought we saw the last of your visitors.

Well, Caitlin is, uh...different.

Think of her as a foreign exchange student.

Hold on, where did the equipment come from?

- Oh, uh.. - Didn't you..

- Yeah, bought it from a friend. - Yeah.

You're telling me, you actually bought all this for detention?

- 'Yeah, it's all good.' - 'I got it for Christmas.'

We'll pretend I believe you.

Now, put on something I can work with, please.

And guess what? Positions, please.

'Alright, here we go.'

Alright.

Eyes over here. Eyes over here.

Today, we rumba.

And...quick, quick, slow.

Quick, quick, slow. That's the basic rumba.

'Eddie. Eddie!'

Dance with Caitlin so I can show you.

Oh, man, no, hell no, I'm not dancing with her.

I know I'm not the best dancer in the world or anything

but your girl right here is just pitiful.

Yeah, a-a-and another thing

we don't need any more white-bread tourists

seein' how the other half lives. We don't.

White I'm sorry, do you own a mirror?

Alright, Ramos. You dance with Caitlin.

I'm so fly I can make anyone look good.

- Thank you, sir. - Uh-huh.

'Alright. Attention.'

'And...quick, quick, slow.'

'Quick, quick, slow.'

Quick, quick, slow.

- 'Quick, quick, slow.'

'Quick, quick, slow.'

- 'Quick, quick, slow.'

'Nice jump.'

'You could have used that in class today.'

Rock.

Just a second.

The night you destroyed Augustine's car.

- Because it felt good.

That's all?

Why you in my business, man?

It's hard to lose someone you love. It hurts.

It's easy to think that something on the street can fill

the bad feeling inside, but you know what? It won't.

Stop acting like you know my life.

Stop assuming I was talking about your life.

What are you doing here?

Not everyone has ulterior motives.

In my world they do.

And if our worlds ain't that far apart, you'd understand that.

You come around here with your fancy suits on.

Your slick little dance moves, you think you're better than us.

- No, you don't know me-- '

You can know about me, but I can't know anything about you?

I got work.

Right, right.

'You're late again, Rockwell.'

Yeah, I've been getting caught up with stuff at school.

It's not gonna happen again though.

Damn right, it won't.

'Thank you all for being with us.'

'Good luck with the decisions that you make now.'

'Why do you stay with someone who cheats on you?'

'It seems to make no sense and yet..'

' - I got fired, ma.

- I gave you money for food, ma. - Now you know I try, Jay.

- 'I can't do it--' - I don't want to hear that.

Hey-hey. What's with all the yelling, huh?

- I'm hungry, pop! - You, lower your voice.

Where's the food at?

Why am I busting my ass all day

while you in here drinking on yours?

- You know I'm sick. - I know you're drunk.

You've been drunk ever since Ray died. That ain't no excuse.

People out there sicker than you still supportin' their families.

You know what? You ain't even worth it.

That's why I'm bustin' my ass in school

to make sure I'm nothin' like you.

'If that's why you're with the person cheating on you'

'then for your own sake, you should seek help.'

'If you don't, you're cheating. You're cheating yourself..'

You get out of this house.

'Get out!'

'Yo, Jay!'

'Wassup, man?'

-Yeah.

What are you doing here?

I'm here for dance class.

Oh, you think you're one of us now?

No.

You wanna go back downtown and tell your rich-ass friends

'what it's like to slum with us?'

- No.

Look...I want to be here.

Not because I'm slumming

but because I feel better up here than I do where I live.

So what you got in the suitcase?

I spit fire till the day that I die--

Give me that mike, dude. What you doing?

- I'm flowin'. - You can't rap.

What happened to George and Ira?

- They retired, man. - Demo time!

You're looking a little confused.

It's simple really. We scratch two different joints together.

But the underbelly of the beats are all the same.

See, watch.

It's the bottom beat that I'm dancing to now.

But I can change it up though. Yo, E. Flip it.

You can take out the underbelly

and dance to the top of the beat.

You can take out the top and dance to the underbelly.

It's crazy, right? It's tight.

Yes. Yes.

Two songs.

- Yeah.

This is a beautiful idea. Yeah.

Yeah, it is.

Which means, we could use, let's say

your music with my music and then back to your music.

- Let me try something.

Uh, this one.

- Alright, see if this works. - 'Alright.'

- Number four. - 'It better be something new.'

'Now, these are the basic beats for salsa, right?'

Good, good. Now, I want you to fall in and count with me.

Underbelly rhythm only.

'Alright? Good. Now, partner it up.'

Yeah, yeah.

Eyes off of the floor.

Your soul is not in your feet, alright?

Monster, you're too big.

Every move you make, it's like the Rocky Mountains.

- I'm sorry. - I need another partner.

Alright and..

- Better not.

Didn't you see what just happened?

They call me Monster for a reason.

I'm just not made to dance.

- Yeah, I guess so.

Then you were made to dance.

Whoa!

What is the name of that move?

Got no name. You're looking at history in the making.

Good, just do it.

Guys.

Why don't you try just to dance together?

Just try. Come on.

Alright, walk forward.

Everyone and..

- 'See ya later.' - 'Alright, man.'

'The place is always a mess around here.'

'You never listen to me no more. Is that too much to ask?'

'Get away from that TV and do something around here.'

'Wasn't Santy Claus supposed to foot the bill for the tree?'

He does ordinarily, but this year we're doing it for him.

You think of yourself as one of Santa's little helpers.

Who is it?

'It's Woodley. You know, your mama's friend.'

- My mom's not home yet. - 'Yeah, I know.'

'She told me to wait.'

Alright.

Take a seat if you can find one.

'There's a branch that spoils the shape.'

' - 'This one right up here.'

'Fred, get your saw and cut that off for me?'

'It's a little unbalanced.'

'Honey, maybe we can hang something there.'

'He don't have to go to the basement--'

'The tree has to be balanced.'

'We can't have one branch out like..'

I ain't gonna ask where this is from.

It's none of your business.

My mom said she was coming.

- Mm-mm.

Just tell me something. Where do you sleep?

Right here. The kids share the bedroom.

You wanna make some money?

Come on, you know what I'm talking about.

You're your mama's daughter, ain't you?

Whatever you got with my mom is gonna have to wait

till she get home, alright?

Come on, mister.

- I didn't mean no harm by it. - Yeah, whatever.

- Nasty-- - Listen, I offered to pay you.

- Get out! Get out! - I should take it from you.

- Get off of me!

- Hey! - Mommy!

What's going on here?

What the hell are you doing here?

I could ask you the same thing, but I could already see.

- Leave it on. I'm gonna go. - You didn't answer my question.

- Oh.

I was down the hall, you know, practicing my fox-trot

then I heard your music, so I--

Go to hell.

You wanna know why I'm here? 'Cause I can't go home.

My pop's been drunk ever since your brother--

- Don't talk about my brother! - He was sick.

- Then your brother had to-- - I said don't talk about him!

- He was a crack dealer. - He only dealt to bring food.

- Ever since my daddy-- "

Do you know who your daddy is? Everybody know your mom's a ho.

- Don't talk about my mama! '

'Step away from her.'

Hello?

What?

You could've warned me you told them I was your father. I mean..

Relax. Nobody cares who your real pops is around here anyway.

Obviously not.

Where I'm from, when a person gets woken up

in the middle of the night, they get answers.

What you wanna know?

Let's start with, uh why call me?

You're the only one I could think of

who might come down and get me.

Need I ask you why you were living in the boiler room?

Man, if she never came there, everything would've been cool.

Unbelievable. You know..

...maybe you two have more things in common than you think.

My son, come on.

Hey, man, it's just for the night, you know

'so don't think I'm coming to class or anything.'

We ain't kickin' it. We ain't friends.

I got it.

And maybe I snore a little, I don't know..

Oh, that's okay, 'cause I know I snore.

It's a nice place you got here.

I'm gonna have me a spot like this someday.

Someplace clean.

You can get whatever you want, Rock.

No, only some people get the shit they want.

That's true.

And those are the people who show up to get it.

Anybody ever tell you you talk too much?

Yeah. They did.

'Goodnight.'

- That's not the point. - The point is they need help.

Not suspension from school.

Oh, really. Please tell me, Professor Dulaine

exactly what kind of help it is they need?

'So, as your principal has made me your executioner'

'you'll report every morning at 7:30 a.m.'

'for a private session.'

What?

Whatever problems you have, you can work out as partners.

Sometimes the best way to conquer an enemy

is to get right up in his face.

- I'd rather be dead. - I feel the same way.

You know, guys, you're lucky.

'Common emotions can be very powerful.'

This is an excellent beginning, starting now.

Please, take the dancing position.

Please...come on.

Let's see this.

We are just going to move, very simply.

Let's just, uh, walk.

No, no, no. LaRhette, the man leads.

It's the woman's job to follow.

So if he gets to lead, then he's gonna think he's boss?

No, but he's not. You see..

The man proposes the step.

It is the woman's choice to accept...by following.

Now, to follow takes as much strength as to lead.

Good? Alright.

Let's do it again. Come on, come on!

Now, Rock, just walk. Just forward, just walking.

'Yeah, forward. Just walking, like that.'

Here you go.

Yeah, you know how to walk. Now walk back.

There you go.

In the corte position of the tango

you must hold your partner much closer.

Boys, don't get too excited. Girls, don't get too scared.

Alright? Now, your leg goes here, gentlemen.

And, ladies, your upper right chest touches his, like so..

- You're so far back. Move up. - Uh, yeah.

'The top of your thighs must stay'

glued to each other for perfect balance.

That way, this is possible.

- Good. - Come on, dance together.

'There are multiple positions for the tango.'

Where you going?

Some hottie in the office gave me your 411.

- I-I was eating...supper.

Are you alright?

I'm a'ight. It's just, uh..

It's just for a player like me..

...man, I gotta keep them girls on lock, you know?

Uh...what exactly are you saying, Kurd?

Me and Big Girl, man..

...you know, with the thighs touching together and shit?

Is that a problem?

Hell yeah, it's a problem.

I'm done for if the homies find out I like her.

Uh, uh, just, thank you.

Everybody else thinks Big is, well..

...you know, not exactly the hottest female around?

It is only what you think that matters.

Yeah, easy for you to say, man.

- You already a freak. - Thank you.

Look, I don't know how it happened.

One day, it was just like whoa!

Uh, listen, having the courage to follow your heart

is what makes a man a real man.

- That's what..

Uh, that is my wife. Thank you.

- Yes.

Lucky man. Where's she at?

She died...five years ago.

Oh. So, uh..

So are you like buck wilding anyone else now?

No, I'm not.

The waltz.

It cannot be done without trust between partners.

Well, then it's just not gonna happen.

But trust must be earned, LaRhette.

- Good luck with that. - Alright.

I have something here that is gonna help.

Don't put that thing on my eyes.

I'm asking you to do something very courageous.

Besides dance with him?

There. Come on.

Now, Rock, you have the...over here.

You have the opportunity to use

every bit of strength and skill you possess

not to dominate her

but to take her on a journey.

It is a lot to ask.

If and how you take the journey..

...that's entirely up to you.

He's gone?

Yeah.

- I guess.

Wrong way.

You always start forward and I start back.

- Alright. I can figure it out. - I'm just trying to help.

I wish he'd tied that thing around your mouth.

- Okay!

- Okay. - Okay.

- I saw that.

- Shut up. I'm not.

Alright, you're not.

Set it down right there.

'Alright, hit it, Tommy!'

'Alright, people'

'no street shoes on the dance floor, please.'

Cool!

I mean, it's corny. But you know, it's cool.

Right, practice your turns!

Um, 5:30 p.m.

Hello, Morgan, how are you?

Get dressed and join them on the floor.

You're kidding, right?

Uh...no.

Can I talk to you for a minute?

Uh, certainly.

In private.

Okay.

I just have one small question.

What the hell are you doing?

Well, it's kind of complex to explain what's going on.

- Bounce, dawg. I'm cuttin' in.

Don't talk about me like I'm invisible.

- I'm standing right here.

This dance taken?

Come on, man, don't trip.

Dance.

You know what? By the time the academy students warm up

the other kids will be done..

- Oh! - I'm so sorry.

- Sorry. You

No, no, I'm-I'm not cool.

Look around you.

This is an advanced class, a real class.

You guys are just taking up time and space I paid for.

You see that? That's what ballroom dancing looks like.

What you're doing doesn't even come close.

Yeah, well, let's see who comes close at the competition.

The competition? You guys are going to compete?

Yeah. What, you surprised?

If you wanna shell out 200 bucks apiece to get slaughtered

fine by me.

Hold on, man, hold on. $200, what is she talking about?

Everybody, back on the floor, come on.

Hell yeah, excuse you. What you teaching us, dude?

Some bargain basement two-steps

while these kids got the real moves?

No, no, Ramos, Ramos, the steps are all the same.

They've simply been doing them longer, that's all.

How are we supposed to compete with something like that?

- Game over, let's roll. - No, wait!

No, you've been wasting our time, homes.

Making goddamn fools out of all of us.

You knew all along we couldn't do this thing.

That is not true!

What I have taught you has value.

Where? Not where I live.

Come on.

I can't believe this.

You've got fourth percentile general math and reading scores

and you've got kids wasting time dancing around.

I've got no choice but to report you.

That's yours.

It was like, uh, constructed in the 1920s.

I didn't know you liked architecture.

- I love it--

- Shut up! You're such an ass.

Forget both of you. Can't take this anymore.

- Forget you too.

Leave your love triangle problems to yourself.

- This sucks. - Good afternoon, everyone.

- Positions, please. - Yo, dance class is over, man.

No, it is not.

It is just beginning.

Your dancing is becoming..

...so good..

'...that I neglected to tell you'

and I am sorry for that.

But if you really want to compete..

...you're gonna have to kick some serious ass to win.

These kids have been dancing for years.

And there is a whole city more

who are better than they are.

Yeah, so what the hell are we supposed to do?

Surprise them.

Everyone competing expects nothing, nothing from you.

'So you have nothing to lose'

'except everything you have achieved so far.'

Look, I'm being honest with you.

Competing on any level is tough

'and good dancers make it look easy.'

'So what we need to focus on now is not winning or losing'

but doubting.

So if you're not sure, then sit down.

Just stay home.

But if somewhere you see a dot

a glimmer of belief in yourselves

then you might have what it takes to win.

You really think so?

Oh, yes.

It is the strongest secret weapon there ever was.

'Yeah, well, belief is fine and all'

but what about that $200 entrance fee?

I can believe all I want

but I still can't make a dollar out of 15 cents.

I'll find a way to handle it.

It's funny.

I look around this room..

...and all I see is choices.

Choices waiting to be made.

Not a single reject.

Maybe a punk ass or two.

I'm in.

Well?

You guys with me or what?

Mr. Dulaine?

Miss James needs to see you.

Miss James.

Terminated.

These are the parents of the kids in my class?

No. This is a meeting of the Parent-Teacher Association.

Oh.

So none of you have even seen

'firsthand what my class is all about, yes?'

Okay, stop calling it a class, it's detention.

These kids need help most of all

and you're doing the cha-cha-cha--

What are you doing to help them, Mr. Temple?

Don't pretend you care about these kids.

Let's be clear here. What exactly is this about?

What this is about

is wasting time with something that is totally impractical.

When are these kids ever gonna ballroom dance? It's ridiculous.

It's impractical, as you say.

It's creating a dividing line

where some kids are entitled to learn about

art and are entitled to your time and others are not.

Please, we've heard enough of your dance-is-life philosophy.

I get it.

To do something, anything is hard.

'It's much easier to blame your father, your mother'

the environment, the government, the lack of money

but even if you find a place to assign the blame

it doesn't make the problems go away.

I'm trying something new.

I'm trying it.

You'll come to this school, tell us about our kids

our problems and how you're gonna fix them with a box step?

No.

I'm just gonna show you. Uh, Augustine, please, could you?

Mr. Dulaine! This is absurd. Augustine!

Joe, shut up. It's my body.

'Alright.'

'Don't worry.'

We're gonna just move.

Here you go.

Just like this. Very simple.

And now we're gonna walk a little bit.

Yes, we're gonna walk, we're walking.

'Are we walking? No, we're dancing.'

'So you know how to walk, you know how to dance.'

Yeah.

You see, if she allows me to lead

she is trusting me.

But more than that..

...she is trusting herself.

Now, if your 16-year-old daughter

'is strong and secure and trusts herself'

how likely is she to let some idiot knock her up?

'And if your son'

can learn to touch a girl with respect

how will he treat women throughout his life?

- Beautiful. - Thank you.

We've got names on this paper of parents who have decided--

So, ladies and gentlemen

this is what I do here at this school.

I teach dance.

And with it, a set of rules

that will teach your kids about respect

teamwork and dignity.

And that will help

to give them a vision of the future they could have.

A vision of the future they could have.

Are there any questions?

Do you teach adult classes?

I suppose the studio could cover all the fees.

Great.

Are you sure you really want to do this?

'I don't care'

if you think this is stupid, alright?

Count it out so you can feel the beat.

Let's go. Don't give up.

'They'll be giving you points on technique'

'style and originality.'

Better get your program together now.

Danjou, what is wrong with you? You're not even trying.

I don't know why you're wasting my man's time.

- You ain't winning nothin'.

- He's getting it. - No, homes, I'm gettin' it.

I got it, Mr. D.

Both of you are so stupid.

That's it!

You boys will be banned from the competition

unless you can all work together.

How are we gonna do that?

From this point on, you will both partner Sasha.

You will equally decide who dances what.

You sweat through it, you work it out.

'Positions, please.'

'Let's go.'

Come on.

Guess what?

Count it out.

Hey.

Hey, what's up?

What you doing?

Just trying to get a head start

because I've got math stuff to do when I get home.

By the time I get my baby brother fed

get Donny through his homework..

So it's just you and your mom handling stuff at home?

Look, if you're about to crack on my mom..

No, it's not even like that. I don't mean no disrespect.

What I said before about your mom, that was just before.

Yeah, it is just me and my mom handling stuff.

My pops left when me and Treyvaughn were 12.

My mom was pregnant with Donny.

We did a'ight for a minute, but..

In the last few years

Treyvaughn decided to start helping out.

Before Ray got hit, my pops got sick.

So I had to start working.

Where you work at?

I'm just doing some odd jobs for a family friend right now.

Hey, LaRhette.

I'm sorry about what happened to your brother.

Yeah, me too. For yours.

So what's the deal?

You going to the competition next Saturday?

I can't, it's the same night as my cotillion.

Oh..

What's a cotillion?

A stupid dance where the whole world gets to look at you

and see what a throwback you are.

Come on, now, you ain't hardly no throwback, Caitlin.

So do you have someone to take you to this cotillion?

Yeah, this stupid jerk cousin I hate named Philip.

Forget it, why don't you just let me take you?

I'd love that, really, but..

I don't think I can.

I mean, it's cool we dance together

after school and everything

but there is just no way anyone

especially my mom, would understand.

Oh, it's okay.

Would you be willing to help me practice for it anyways?

One, two, three.

'Oh, yeah, Black Eyed Peas..'

'If you feel it, I can feel that.'

'Traffic on the eights, on 800 WLIZ.'

- Hey, I got a question.

So..

Are you gonna do the competition with me or what?

Pierre wants me to waltz and I need a partner.

Why? Does what I want count now?

No.

You know what?

It'll be worth to see their faces when we roll up.

They'll probably hide the orchestra.

You think there's gonna be an orchestra?

Yeah, I mean, I guess.

Oh!

- My bad. - It's alright.

You know, you look different when you dance.

How?

Like calm, like..

...like you're at peace or something.

Well, yeah, that's 'cause

when I'm dancin', I'm in my moment.

What's that mean?

It's just this place where it gets all silent

and I forget about everything bad.

And it just feels good.

Alright, come on.

'And one and two and three..'

Alright. Don't do it anymore.

- Alright. - Don't do it anymore.

This is like Elvira's dress.

- 'Those are mine. Be careful.' - 'Cool!'

Not this bright pink one, I'm not!

Put that one down, because it does not go with my dress.

- You look good. - Hm.

- Wow. - Hello.

- Sexy. - Hello.

Okay, try this one.

Tina?

Thank you.

Fasten this up.

Nice.

'You know it kills her when you do that.'

What was that?

Tina, the hand on the shoulder thing?

It kills her.

Look, I know how you love to talk about

romance and magic and two bodies

moving as one and everything.

But let me see if I can make you understand something.

She likes you.

- I found this on the street. - 'Eddie, Eddie.'

I'm just playin'. These was on hold for my brother's wedding.

We've gotta be real careful with them.

Get them back on time or my ass is family history.

Hey, look, what I got, yo.

Whassup

- Ah! - Shoot it, shoot it!

Man, shoot it!

On Saturday? You said this Saturday?

Yeah, this Saturday, fool.

- 'Shoot it.' - 'He's being lazy.'

'Yo, you playing or what?'

Get up, get up!

Game point, game point.

Nice bike.

- Thank you. - You're welcome.

Good evening and welcome

to the 25th Annual Grand Ballroom Competition.

'I see many, many familiar faces here tonight.'

And a whole lot of new black ones.

'So at this time if you'd like to warm up'

please take a partner and join me on the dance floor

for our first all in waltz.

'Our orchestra this evening'

'is under the direction of Frank Lawrence.'

'Please give them a very warm welcome.'

Man, she know she wrong.

You oughta give it to her though, the girl is bad.

'

Yo, Ease. This don't feel alright, man.

- If somebody comes-- - You shoot 'em.

What d'you think I gave you the piece for

I ain't about to shoot nobody.

So what you gonna do? Dance em' outta here?

Give me that back.

If you're gonna punk out, punk out now.

You understand me?

Like your goddamn brother, dude.

He got hit because he punked.

'Now I'm not sayin' that I did it.'

So...you're gonna be like him, huh?

Huh?

No.

Good.

Handle your business, man.

The next category will be the salsa.

'Dancer's ready?'

Whoa, dawg.

Come on, man.

What you gonna do with that?

What did you do that for?

Doing what my brother should've done when he had the chance.

Kick your ass!

Man, we gotta go.

You know who you messin' with, son?

- Let's go, Easy.

Get off me!

You messed with the wrong brother.

Leave that fool there. Come on man, let's go.

Numbers 14

'212'

'and 346, remain.'

'All others, please clear the floor.'

'Presenting our next deb..'

Oh my God. Here she comes.

'...Caitlin Spencer.'

Don't freak out. Please don't freak out.

Don't screw up. Please don't screw up.

Please don't freak out. Don't freak out.

'Please don't freak out. Don't freak out.'

Just make it to Philip now. That's all you have to do.

Where is Philip?

Please don't freak out. Don't freak out.

- 'Please don't, ah!' - Oh!

That's not Philip.

Now, come on, we've gotta bounce.

The next dance is the tango.

'All competitors, please..'

- I better take this one, son. - I got this. I got tango.

Yeah, but you can't dance it, junior.

Look, Sasha, you decide who the better man is.

Danjou, come on.

'Remember, ladies and gentlemen'

'that the $5000 grand prize'

'is awarded to the couple scoring the highest'

'in any single round.'

'And I'll announce the winners'

'at the end of the evening.'

'And now the tango.'

' - I'm fine.

I'm sure he's got a good reason.

It's not even about him.

It's me.

I feel so stupid.

People have been leavin' me hangin' my whole life.

I don't know why I thought this will be different.

You really made me believe magic could happen

anywhere, Mr. D.

I guess you just didn't mean with me.

'Very well done.'

'Please show your appreciation, ladies and gentlemen'

'for these wonderful dancers'

'as we wait for the results.'

'Numbers 111'

'and 213, stay.'

'All others, please clear the floor.'

'Couple 111 took home the $5000 grand prize last year'

'in this category.'

'Morgan Fisher and Travis Drake.'

Danjou, I don't think we can beat them.

I'm sorry, but I don't know what else to bring.

Stop worrying about what they got and bring what we got.

'Joining them is couple 213.'

'Mr. Danjou Epps and Miss Sasha Keane.'

'This is their first appearance at this competition'

'and we wish them well.'

'Now let's turn it over to Frank Lawrence'

'and the orchestra'

'with our tango selection this evening'

'La Cumparsita.'

What?

Whoa!

Now that's what I'm talking about.

'Thank you.'

'Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.'

Bravo!

'Well! Wasn't that exciting?'

'Let's see what the judges have to say.'

The judges have awarded Miss Fisher and Mr. Drake

straight 10s in all categories.

Unfortunately, as this is a competition

'for couples and not teams'

Miss Keane, Mr. Epps and Mr. Ramos could not score.

'The round, therefore, goes to Morgan Fisher and Travis Drake.'

That's a bunch of bull!

'This perfect score puts them firmly in the lead'

'for the grand prize again this year.'

'Thank you, ladies and gentlemen.'

'Thank you.'

'Miss Fisher, if you please.'

Let's call this round a tie.

- It better be a tie. - A tie!

I've never seen anybody move like that in my life.

I'm sure.

That was a very convincing performance.

I'm a pro.

- 'An unexpected development.' - Yes!

'So, ladies and gentlemen, a tie.'

'The grand prize may be shared this evening.'

'Never a dull moment in ballroom dancing'

'as you can see.'

Our final competitive dance is the waltz.

- 'Excuse me.' - 'I'm sorry, sir--'

'I've gotta get in there. I'm in the competition.'

Excuse me, sir, look, sir.

Thank you.

Mr. D., I already know what you're thinking, man.

But I showed up.

I'm here, you know what I'm saying?

Mr. D., look, sometimes you talk about making choices

and everything and-and tonight

I probably made a real wrong choice, but..

Here.

Thank you, Pierre.

You ready?

Pierre, I never thought it was possible.

Honestly, Augustine, I had my doubts.

It took a lot of work. But it was worth it.

I've to thank you for allowing me to do this--

Oh, don't start your thank-you speech just yet, Dulaine.

We need to make your program permanent.

And it's going to take even more work.

I'll see you in my office Monday morning at 9:00.

'That's it for the competition, folks.'

'It's been a wonderful evening.'

'While we wait for the waltz scores'

'and the grand prize results..'

- Miss James. - Hey, Rock.

Are you enjoying yourself?

Yeah, yes, I am, uh..

About your car..

You know something about my car?

I'm real sorry, Miss James.

Let's not spoil tonight.

It's okay.

For now.

'..our musicians, led by the incomparable Frank..'

'Oh, shut up. It's time for the tie-breaker.'

Care to dance, Mr. Dulaine?

Uh..

Let them have this one. I'll sit it out.

What if we just, uh..

Walk?

wonder how I do it