All language subtitles for Then.There.Was.You.2023.1080p.WEBRip.x264.AAC-[YTS.MX]

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(suspenseful music)

(dramatic music)

(wind blowing)
(suspenseful music)

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(snow crunching)

(slow tempo saxophone music)

- [Kingston] Ah, this
sound brings back a memory

that could never be forgotten.

Not only did my eyes behold
to beauty indescribable,

it was also the first step

towards my journey
to self discovery.

But we'll get that later.

Let's start from the beginning.

(recorder whirring)

(upbeat music)

Last night the club was popping.

The twins, Shayla and McKayla
showed me a great time.

Knowledge two is
always better than one.

(upbeat rap music)

♪ Woo

♪ I woke up this morning
feeling marvelous, yeah

♪ I mean, you would to, if you
look like this wouldn't you

♪ Yeah, I know

That's me, Kingston
Jackson, CEO of one

of the highest high end
clothing stores in the nation.

♪ Now they ain't never
start it like this

♪ Never shine a light, yeah

♪ Oh, yes, I'm feeling myself

♪ But I guess I couldn't
make that more clearer

♪ I'm loving the reflection
that I'm seeing in the mirror

♪ Yes, getting dressed
and yes, I know

♪ You know what I'm
gonna wear, what

♪ A color bow tie to make
the women stop and stare

You know, my dress
game is on point.

In my house I'm fly.

Hell, even checking
the mail I'm fly.

Last quarter, my
company grosses, hmm,

enough for me to take

some well deserved
time off for a while,

but tonight I'm laying low.

I just wanna recuperate

and kick it with my
little brother Brian

and his friend Mike.

♪ Why the suckers copy us

- [Mike] Yo, King, what
are you doing in there?

- [Kingston] Speak of the
devil, that's Mike right there.

♪ Later they'll be
calling us, yeah

♪ Hey, yo, today
I'm on my fly shit

♪ A swore my

- [Mike] If you don't hurry

all the fly females
are gonna be gone, man.

♪ Never start

- [Kingston] Calm down.

It's not like you
going pull or nothin',

♪ 'Cause I'm fly, oh, yeah,
that's right, I'm fly

♪ Not even gonna lie

with your light-skinned ass.

♪ Now everybody lookin'

- Killing me.

♪ 'Cause they know
I'm fly, 'cause they

- What's good, bro?

Be about that life tonight.

- (chuckles) Not tonight, bro.

Tonight I'm gonna just
chill, hang back, you know,

scope out the scene a
little bit, you know?

- King, what are you saying?

The last time you,
you, you chilled

you brought the twins on
for an overnight session.

- Now, why does a brother's
mind always have to be on sex?

I mean, can't a
man just chill out,

have a good time with the
fellas, mingle a little bit,

you know, have a drink or two?

- Man, don't know about you,

but I'm trying to see
that booty jiggle.

- [Brian] Trying to see
that booty jiggle, boy?

- All right, boy.
- That's what you going do.

Last time you got laid was
back in high school, Mike.

(Kingston laughs)

- Man, you pushing it, man.

You pushing it.

- Hey guys, look, guys,

all I'm trying to say is this.

Let's go out tonight,
have a good time,

put all the drama behind us.

That's what I'm gonna do.

(upbeat music)

Here's still a good time.

♪ Yeah

♪ Uh-huh

♪ Okay

♪ Let's go

♪ Step out of this mother

♪ Fresh as I can be

♪ Shortie looking at
me screaming OMG

♪ OMG, O-O, OMG

- I like that, yes,
I do, I like that.

♪ He's your friend

- Let me tell you another
thing, I get there,

I come in the room,
she ain't nothing on,

talking about, you like
what you see, King?

Yeah, nice TV.

- I like that scene, that's
what I'm talking about.

- Damn.

- Can you get a hold of, can
you get a hold of yourself?

- So you try to take
it easy tonight, dude.

- Chill out.
- Excuse me, sir.

I believe this is for you.

- [Brian] How that for you?

We just got here, King.

- Long time no see.

Who's this from?

(upbeat R&B music)

(man vocalizing)

♪ This is for all my lady DJ

- Damn.

- Did I say I was
chilling tonight?

I lied.

♪ Ms. DJ

♪ I really wanna touch your body

Do I know you from somewhere?

- South Beach last June.

- Oh yeah.

Your Keisha's friend, right?

How could I forget
those sexy eyes.

- Asia.

Nice to finally
cross paths again.

- [Kingston] Likewise.

- They call you King, right?

- Sometimes.

- Well, from what I
heard, it's well deserved.

♪ From the view from
the side, Ms. DJ

- What exactly have you heard?

- Well, let's say it's
more than a little bit.

- [Kingston] Ooh, down boy.

- What brings you here tonight?

- Just hanging out
with the fellas.

I bet they're staring
at me right now.

♪ Vibe with the ladies

♪ Let's break up

Well, I gotta get going,

so it was nice seeing
you again, okay?

- You have yourself
a good night.

- All right.

♪ We gonna bring on, Ms. DJ

♪ I really wanna

It's about to go down.

You know what on second thought.

Why don't we get out here
and go back to my spot?

- Excuse me?

(Asia moans)

- Yeah, you like that, baby?

- Yeah, yeah.

♪ Your body

♪ I know you want my body

♪ It's cool, I need your body

♪ Ms. DJ, turn the record on

- Oh, shit.

Damn.

Hey, whoa, whoa, whoa, chill.

Hey, what you doing?

- I'm trying to hold you.

- I understand that.

I'm just in my zone
right now that's all.

- I can't believe I did this.

How you gonna have sex with
me and you don't even know me?

- Are you serious?

I should be asking
you the same thing.

Look, girl, the fact
is I'm feeling you.

I think you're amazing.

I'm just not ready

for anything serious
right now, that's all.

I mean, you understand, right?

- Listen, boy, I'm grown.

If you're not ready
to be serious, you're
not ready for me.

(door clicks)

(door bangs)

- [Kingston] Schizo, why
do all the pretty women

have to have issues?

Knowledge, if a chick
asks you to be serious

on the first night, run fast.

- Yeah, you see my boy
Wade do his thing though?

- Yeah, that's real.

- He was doing his thing.

- What y'all boys getting into?

- Championship.
- What's going on?

What the deal?

- What happened to you
chilling last night?

- Yeah, man, you dipped
out a little early.

- Just a tad.

♪ It's like you getting started

♪ Muscle to the strategy

♪ Come over here again

♪ Pretend they gonna follow us

- Oh!

(Mike and Brian laughing)

So how was it, dog?

- She was phenomenal.

- Mm, all right, now.

You gonna say phenomenal,
you know what?

- Check it out, check it out.

Before I know it she
wants some cuddle.

Starts getting all emotional.

- Hmm?

- Talking about she
wanna be serious.

- What?

Already?

- Already, yes.

It's all good, you know.

Y'all remember that
chick Natavia I was
telling y'all about?

- [Brian and Mike] Natavia.

- She talking about
she want to take me

to this little poetry spot.

I was like, all right, why not?

You know who knows maybe widen
my horizons a little bit.

♪ Bring me the prettiest

♪ She's looking at me

♪ She so insidious

♪ And then she sounds

- Widen your, all
right, dog. (laughs)

Widen your horizons.
- Hey, yo, B.

You got the time man?

♪ She said she took

- What I look like to you, Mike?

- A fat lip loser actually.

- You know what?

- You forgot?

Man, you still owe me from
the pool game last week.

- I ain't paying
no pool game, Mike,

- You need be buying
this dinner too.

- I got it, fellas.

Y'all boys be easy, man.

- You gonna stop
talking about my lip.

- It is what it is, man.

- Nah, man, you always-

- It is what it is.
- You know it

run in my family.
- That is bread real good.

- Now hold up, that's
for the damn drinks.

(fast tempo saxophone music)

- [Kingston] Why am I
sitting through this again?

Oh, that's why.

- Boy stop.

(group cheering)

What do you think?

- Please.

I don't think so.

- Just pay attention.

- Oh, I'm focused.

- Up next, we have,
coming to the stage

one of our favorites.

She is the femme
fatale of poetry.

Ladies and gentlemen,
put your hands together

and give it up for the
lovely, sexy Shandre.

(group cheering)

(slow tempo piano music)

- I believe in energy

building to a slow
and easy crescendo

and baby, we are nuclear.

Nothing about this is slow,

but a spontaneous combustion

starting by your
eyes, meeting mine.

And I applaud your beauty.

Like it's a person.

And wish to kiss your
lip like it's sustenance.

Can you see our
future in my eyes?

I can feel it in our palms as
we touch hands for our hello,

it's as if our lifelines are
rearranging to intertwine.

And I never knew this
was even possible

to know what it feels like
when your soul finds it's mate.

But for me, it's the natural
fit of my hand in yours.

And the new tempo
of my heartbeat

sounds like a forensic rhythm
on the drums of our heritage.

- [Kingston] Help me find
the rhythm of your tempo.

- I wanna tell you
how you make me feel

and how my body already
seems to know yours

and how my fingertips
ache to caress yours

and how our future is so bright.

It is unclear.

- [Kingston] It's
very clear to me.

- But you have managed to
render me near speechless.

So all I can say is, hello,

it's nice to meet you too.

(group cheering)

- [Kingston] You're,
you're looking at me?

- [Natavia] That was
pretty good, wasn't it?

- [Kingston] My goodness.

- Kingston, did you hear me?

Are you having a good time?

- Yeah.

Yeah, I am.

(remote clicks)

- [Weatherman] High
tides and heavy surf.

- [Kingston] Let me catch
the last bit of this game

before I head out.

(knuckles tapping)

(sighs) Spoke too soon.

(blinds thud)
(Mike chuckles)

You're kidding me.

(blinds thud)
(Mike chuckles)

- What's up, bro?

(door bangs)

I need a favor.

- What is it?

- Remember that girl I
was telling you about?

Uh-uh.

Well, me and her supposed
to be linking up tomorrow,

and she wants to bring
one of her friends.

And since you my big
brother I thought-

- First off,

you will not have me
sitting next to Shrek.

- Shrek?

- How long you been
dating this girl now, bro?

And y'all still double dating.

You coming at them way too hard.

- All right, okay.

- What you need to do is
ease your way into it.

Get 'em comfortable,
like I taught you, man.

- Yeah, yeah.

So you coming right?

(announcer chattering)

(gentle R&B music)

- Look, I'll letting
you know right now,

I'm going to take one
for the team on this one,

but I promise you,
I promise you, bro-

- All right, all right, all
right, shut up, shut up.

Here they come.

Fix yourself, man.

- [Kingston] Is this
who I think it is?

(upbeat R&B music)

I think it is her.

- Hey.
- How you doing, girl?

You look good.

Mm, smell nice too.

- Thank you.
- This is my brother Kingston.

Kingston, Michelle.

- Nice to meet you.

This is my girlfriend Shandre.

- Hi.
- How you doing?

Nice to meet you.

- My pleasure.

- Let's sit down.

(Michelle chuckles)

Who, man, I'm hungry. I
ain't eating nothing all day.

You know what I'm saying?

Oh, let me get that for you.

Sit down.

(clears throat) You know what?

Actually they have a beautiful
view on, on their balcony.

I don't know if you
wanna check that out.

(Michelle giggles)

- All right.

- [Brian] All right,
let's do that, let's go.

- So I'll leave you two alone.

- That's fine.

- Okay.

Make sure you take care
of her while I'm gone.

- Uh, I can take care of myself.

- Ooh, will you two kids
play nice, all right?

(Michelle giggles)

- [Waitress] You guys
ready to order some drinks?

- Sure.

- I'll take a glass
of water for now.

- Water, and for you?

- Tea is fine.

- Okay, I'll be right back.

- Thank you.

- So Kingston, are you Jamaican?

- (laughs) No.

My mom traveled to
Kingston, Jamaica.

She just felt in
love with the place.

What happened my father,

he was there at the
same time visiting

and as they say,
the rest is history.

- Have you gone to visit?

- Well, actually never
even looked into going.

I mean.

- You don't wanna
learn more about it?

- For what?

I'm American.

Born and raised baby.

- Correction.

You're African American.

- I'm American, I'm
not from Africa.

(laughs) Africa.

- It was nice to meet you.

- Hey, hey, hold up.

- Hey, I'm sorry.

I left my purse. (giggles)

Where's Shandre?

- Yeah, where's she at?

He, he just playing.
- What?

- She, she probably
in the bathroom.

- Goodness.
- I, uh.

What that mean?

- Man, I don't know, man.

We were sitting here and
the next thing you know,

she just jumped up and left me.

- Damn, King you're supposed
to be making me look good, bro.

What's wrong with you, huh?

Damn, man.

You know what I'm
gonna tell mama?

Uh-huh, that's
what I'm gonna do.

Michelle, baby,
Michelle, come on, baby.

Michelle, Michelle.

- Men are always
talking about it's women

that don't know what they want.

It's really men that
don't know what they want.

- So he takes me to
this fancy restaurant.

Conversation is good.

He's looking right.

So I'm thinking to myself,
he might be a keeper.

Then the bill comes.

Would you believe he asked
me to cover the bill?

- Hmm, cheap and no class.

What it is, is that men,

they don't know how
to treat real women.

- Wait, hold up,
hold up, hold up.

We cannot say that
about all men.

- Why not?
- I mean there are some

good men out there now.

- Oh, hell no.

- I agree, but very, very few.

So I go on his double date
with Michelle the other day.

(Michelle laughing)

I can't lie, he's a cutie.

But the ignorance that
came from his mouth

was a complete turn off.

- Mm-hmm.
- Why can't I find a man

that is intelligent,
cultured, humbled, spiritual.

- Now all of those things
are all right in all of that,

but I need a man with a
decent job, good credit,

and no baby mamas.

- Oh, now you, you said
it right there now.

- That's what I'm talking about.

- Yeah, but I need
a deeper connection.

I mean, I want a man that cater
to me every once in a while.

You know, cook,
surprise me sometimes.

Is that too much to ask for?

- Clearly it is.

You'll be happy if you
thought a man with one,

maybe two good
qualities these days.

- I can't, I can't
settle for less.

(slow tempo trumpet music)

- You can show up
anytime Shandre.

I give up.

Somebody please come shoot me.

Oh, Lord, get me out of here.

I'm giving her one more hour.

(slow tempo piano music)

Where is she at?

She better not turn me down
after sitting through all this.

(fast tempo jazz music)

Excuse mere, Shandre.

Look, I apologize
for the other night.

These are for you.

I'd really like a chance
to make it up to you.

Have lunch with me.

Just lunch.

- I don't know.

- Please.

Mural Park, 2:00 PM

(Shandre sighs)

(chuckles) Well, either
way, I'll be there.

(gentle music)
(fingers snapping)

(man vocalizing)

I'm glad you decided to come.

I hope you like it.

- [Shandre] It's all right.

- I just slaved over a
hot stove for four hours,

she talking about all right.

What does a man have
to do to see you smile?

(chuckles) There we go.

So you work at a jazz spot.

- Well, it used
to be my daddy's.

As a little girl every week

I would go and listen
to spoken word.

You know, poetry.

It's a whole nother world to me.

The energy, the vibe,
the whole feeling.

- Where's your father at now?

- He passed away from
cancer when I was 14.

- I'm sorry to hear that.

- So what about you?

Do you write?

- No.

You ain't gotta know all that.

- You're missing out.

It's always good to
start something new.

It's like there's a
deeper meaning of life,

of knowledge, of understanding

that spoken word expresses
unlike any other art forms,

a compelling overflow
of powerful emotions.

When you're able to
express yourself,

it creates an inner peace.

- [Kingston] I wanna
show you something.

- Like what?

- You said, trying
new things, right?

(lights clicking)

I think she's warming up to me.

Now it's time to
pull out the spade.

- Wow.

A dance studio.

- This is my mother's studio.

You see, dance is her passion.

Kind of like poetry is yours.

- Wait, so you dance too?

(fast tempo Salsa music)

- A little bit.

(Shandre giggles)

- I don't know if you want
me on this dance floor.

(Shandre laughs)

- Are you nervous?

- No, I just don't do this.

- Now I'm gonna take a step
forward with my left foot.

You take a step back with
your right slow, okay?

One, two, three.

Good.

Now you try it this time,

you take a step forward
with your left foot,

and I'm gonna take a
step back with my right.

Slow.

One, two, three.

- Ooh, I'm sorry.

I am so sorry. (laughs)

- Jesus, Shandre, I
said a step not a leap.

- Oh, my God, I'm sorry.

- It's okay, you took a
little leap of faith on me.

It's, it's all right.

You're lucky you're
cute, I'm telling you.

(man singing in
foreign language)

(man singing in
foreign language)

(man singing in
foreign language)

(man singing in
foreign language)

(man singing in
foreign language)

(man singing in
foreign language)

See you'll be ready for
competition in no time.

- Oh no.

(man singing in
foreign language)

Okay, so you are
a little cultured.

(man singing in
foreign language)

(group cheering)

- Who said I wasn't?

(gentle R&B music)
(group chattering)

- Oh, ooh, can I take
you home with me?

- Don't make me call Brian.

- Please don't.

He already ain't
getting it as it is.

- What?

(ball thuds)

- [Kingston] So what
you say going on, man?

- Man, it's like this all right.

It's been almost a month

and Michelle still
ain't let me hit, man.

(ball thuds)

- Nothing but net.

- You mean to tell me he ain't.

(Michelle laughs)

Y'all ain't?

- Don't get me wrong.

I mean, he's sweet.

He makes me laugh.

And we have so
much fun together.

It's just, I wanna be sure this
time, you know what I mean?

- I know what she doing, I
know what she doing, bro.

She gotta be sleeping
with somebody else.

I mean, she, she probably,

probably got this guy play the
bills and everything, right?

And then she, she uses me, me
for dates and conversation.

And the other dude,
he don't do shit,

but he still get to hit it.

Why can't I be that guy?

- So tell me how the date went.

- It definitely went all right.

- Wow.

All I can say is tread
careful, Shandre.

I mean, let's not forget about
what happened with Jason.

- Listen, been there, done that.

Trust me, I am not
going back to that.

- [Michelle] Mm-hmm,
just as long as you know.

- Mm-hmm.

- So are you ready
for our foot rub?

- Girl, don't nobody
wanna rub on them things.

- Oh, I know you ain't talking.

Them clash of the
titans toes you got.

- What?

- Shut up.

- [Kingston] This is so surreal.

Shandre and I have been
spending time together every day

for nearly two months now.

Today we're going to
enlightenment night

where a group of her
friends meet every week

to discuss societal
and political issues.

- Oh, hey, Shandre.

- [Shandre] Hey girl,
this is Kingston.

- Oh, hey, how you doing?

- How you doing?

- So how is it that a man
should be superior to a woman?

Black women have
had just as much

of an influence on
history as our men.

- [Man] Explain.

- Ida B. Wells founding
member of the NAACP

who helped end
lynching in the south.

Wangari Maathai the
first African woman

to win a Nobel Peace
Prize in peace.

Fannie Lou Hamer, who helped
blacks earn the right to vote.

- But the Bible says, "The
head of every man is Christ,

and the head of every
woman is the man,

and the head of Christ is God."

- Yes, but without
the womb of a woman,

there will be no man.

- Please remind these men
that it was the Virgin Mary

who bore the son of God.

- The Bible clearly states
on several occasions.

- [Kingston] This is
completely outta my element,

but I'm enjoying
every minute of it.

Shandre says, "She
has something special

in store for me today."

I'm hoping it's
what I think it is.

I've never held out this long,

but for the first
time, I don't mind.

- Stop it.

Okay, you can't open your
eyes until I say open, okay.

- All right, all right.
- I'm serious, Kingston.

- All right, all right.

- Okay.

And open.

- [Kingston] What is this?

- Okay I know you're wondering
like where's the surprise?

- [Kingston] Yeah.

- I wanted to share my space
of inspiration with you.

This is the place
where I get the vision

for my creative process.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.

Now you know you can't be
grabbing a man phone like that.

- Boy, please, ain't
nobody thinking about you

and these nasty little things
you got in your phone anyway.

Can you show me how to work
the camera on this thing?

- For what?

- Just show me.

- Pop.

- Okay.

I feel dumb.

- [Kingston] You should.

- Whatever.

That's cute.

Now, this picture
marks the first time

I brought you to my
place of inspiration.

- (chuckles) Women and
their sentimental moments.

No, but it's cool though.

I can kind of see why
you come out here.

You know, it's quiet,
get to be to yourself.

It gives you time to
think, Ms. Shandre.

Ms. Creativity.

So you got a little
something for me?

- A little something.

- Show me what you got.

Let me hear it.

- Something about
this is different.

(man vocalizing)

Like today is not like
yesterday different,

first breath after
rescue from the drowning,

jazz, hip hop fusion different.

This is A Tribe Called Quest,

and we are simply on a quest
to create our own tribe.

This is different, and I
wonder if you can see it.

If you can breathe
it like new spring.

This is different and I like it.

- Wow.

You really got a gift.

- A lot of people
sleep on poets,

but the truth is, poetry
is the moving force

behind every genre of
music you hear today.

For instance, the last poets
was the first rap group

made up of a group of
poets in the late '60s.

Notice the word poets.

See my point.

Oh, poetry is the mother of all
verbal, creative expression.

- (chuckles) Damn.

And I thought the Sugar Hill
Gang was the first rap group.

- Oh, you're not by yourself,

everybody thinks that, but
I gotta put you up on game.

- Yeah, whatever, whatever.

- Let's take another picture.

- All right.

- And you can smile this time.

God, dudes and their mad
at the world face kills me.

Ooh.

Let's get outta here.

We don't wanna get carried away.

- [Kingston] Speak for yourself.

- [Shandre] So did
you enjoy the gazebo?

- I did, I did.
- I'm glad.

- You know, your phone
was okay, but you know,

I was kind more paying
attention to you.

(both laughing)

(door clicks)

(door clicks)

- [Shandre] So is it up to your
royalty standards, my king?

- Yo, I'm gonna keep
it real, it's tight.

Look like you got your own

little private art
gallery going on.

- You want some wine?

- Uh, yeah, that's cool.

- Red or white?
- Whatever you suggest.

I'm not really a
big wine drinker.

- [Shandre] Let me guess,
dark liquor, right?

- You already know.

- [Shandre] Merlot, it is.

(cork pops)

(wine splashing)

Here you go.

- Thank you.

- That's actually
a woman, you know?

- Really?
- Mm-hmm.

That's Hatshepsut.

She was the first
female Pharaoh.

Now, there were other women
served as joint rulers

making decisions as a Pharaoh

because he was too young to
make decisions on his own.

But Hatshepsut was different.

She served as a joint
ruler for her stepson

and practically took over.

I mean, it was believed
that Hatshepsut's father

wanted her to be his successor.

The people of Egypt
considered her Pharaoh,

and she dressed in Pharaoh
attire, just like you see here.

She reigned
approximately 21 years.

Yeah, she really inspires me.

- So you're the
modern day Hatshepsut.

- I just can relate
to her story.

You know, me taking over
my father's business

when he passed and
everybody thinking it

should have been
given to my Uncle.

Deeming it was a man's job.

I just refused not to
fulfill my father's wish

of me taking over his business.

- That's deep.

(gentle music)

Well, I've been
cooking since I was 12.

- Okay.

- My mom taught me, she felt
that when I became a man,

I should be able to take care
of myself in every aspect.

- Hmm.

Okay.

Do you want any kids?

- Oh, so you Katie Couric now

you just gonna get all
serious on me, okay?

You know, one, a little boy,

so he can be just
like his father.

- Okay.
- What about you?

- I want five.

- Damn.

Why so many?

- Well, five, it's the
number of creativity,

freedom, change.

I think it's perfect.

(man vocalizing)

- Shandre, what is that?

- This?

I got this at the
fair yesterday.

It's henna.

It's not a real tattoo.

- So what is it supposed to be?

- It's the lotus flower.

It represents eternal
life in Egyptian culture.

I mean, if I had it my way,

I would have a whole
pond of these things.

(Kingston laughs)

So what do you love?

Uh, better yet, have
you ever been in love?

- I thought I was, but turns
out it was just a phase.

- Mm.

Yeah, love can be tricky
like that at times.

It's hard to know if it's real,

especially after all
it's said and done.

- I don't know
what it feels like.

Maybe one day I'll find out.

You know what I like about you?

- What's that?

- You always speak
what's on your mind.

It's like other woman,
all they do is talk.

But you, you're actually
saying something.

(man vocalizing)

- You wanna watch a movie?

- What I really want you to do

is show me some of those
dance moves I taught you.

(Shandre laughs)

(gentle romantic music)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(group chattering)

(Shandre and Michelle laughing)

- Now, you know, you have
to tell me everything.

What's up, girl?

- Uh-uh.

- Oh, spit it out.

- I don't know, Shelly.

I mean, he is just, he's
just really amazing.

I definitely love the fact
that he is so charming.

He has the potential
to be a very great guy.

- Ooh,

I don't know, Shandre.

I have this strange
feeling about you too.

Brian used to tell me
about this guy he knew

that had all the girls and
was like this major dog.

But now when I ask him about it,

it's like he didn't
say anything like that.

I have a feeling he's trying
to cover up for Kingston.

(brooding music)

- I don't know, Michelle,
like I don't see that at all.

- Well, I'm just warning you.

Be careful with him.

- I'm scared.

I'm scared, they'll convince you

your kiss can't freeze time.

I'm scared, they'll convince you

that 6:30 refracting
off your eyes

doesn't cause the sunrise.

I'm scared.

Scared they'll convince you

that your pigment can't fit
in the ink pens I write with.

I'm scared, they'll convince you

you're not a work of art

or that your content
doesn't mean as much

as your outer parts.

If you ever feel like
you're falling for that game

remember I fell in
love with a masterpiece

and not a picture
frame, but I'm scared.

Every spec of yous a spectacle,
every interview incredible.

Your lovingness unmeasurable.

I just want to get next to you.

See, it's more about
the magic in your laugh.

The no enchantment
on your chapstick,

but there's bliss
in your kissing,
everything you represent.

But I'm scared.

See, I'm scared that
we'll make those errors

that so many make.

I'm scared that we'll forget

no matter how much
frosting you put on shit

it still ain't cake.

Or that the shoes you stand in

are not as important
as what you stand for.

Or that looking good and being
good are not the same thing.

I'm scared we'll mess
up the big picture,

trying to fix the frame.

Just remember that all your
flaws can't be covered,

but it's okay, see, the
sun has spots all over it.

It decides to shine
bright anyway.

So I'm not telling you
not to look your best

or be your best.

That's like telling
wind not to blow.

Just remember you shine already.

Never let them convince
you, you don't already glow.

I swear you do.

From every angle,
you're an angel.

Every view of you is beautiful.

I'm scared of what
they'll do to you.

See, I'm scared they'll
convince you your skin

ain't a mixture of
silk and sunshine.

I'm scared they'll
convince you when you smile

my luck and joy don't harmonize.

Please never go
commercial on me.

Never become a victim of
anyone else's perception.

Never get so caught up in
trying to fit their image

that you forget
your own reflection.

I'm scared.

- Shandre, are you sleeping?

Is something wrong?

Baby, what is it?

- Kingston?

- Yes, baby.

- Do you care about me?

I'm serious.

Do you care about me?

- Yes, baby.

Yes, I care about you.

- Can I trust you?

- Where's all this
even coming from?

- [Shandre] Just
answer the question.

- Yes.

Yes, you can trust me.

- Are you seeing other women?

- Okay, look, Shandre,

honestly, I've been with
plenty of women in the past,

but that's the past.

I don't meet women like you
and not never risk losing you.

(fast tempo rock music)

(balls clanging)

- [Brian] Ain't
ready for me, man.

- Shandre continues
to grow on me.

So I think it's time I
introduce her to the crew.

What's up, bro?
- How you doing, bro?

- You remember Shandre, right?

- Yeah, hey.
- Hi.

- How you doing?

- [Kingston] This is Mike.

- How you doing?

- Hey, how you doing?

- You know what, B, I
whooping your ass so bad,

I'll let the lady
finish you off.

- You sure you got
$50 to waste, man?

You serious?

(chuckles) Be my guest.

- Oh no, I can't play.

- Oh no, don't worry about
it, baby, I got this.

First, what you going to do,

you gonna get you a
nice straight line
just like this, okay?

Then a nice smooth stroke, okay?

You got it?

All right.

♪ And so it

- Eight ball side pocket.

(stick thuds)

- Damn.

(Brian laughs)

- So she gonna
finish me off, huh?

Tripping.

It's all right, that's
not your fault, Shandre.

See pool, it's a man's game.

Ain't for no little girls.

Let me put it to you like this.

With his tiger grip,
he lines up to strike.

♪ Circle back to the underground

♪ People fearing the sun around

♪ It can taste you,
sweep your head

Hold this for me.

The gazelle, the gazelle
is unable to bear.

(Brian yelling)

Other's scream.

But she's too weak.

Too weak to move
or order her sound.

- Utter a sound?

- The tiger, that's me.

- [Kingston] Can't
take this man nowhere.

- He's so sorry.

But he knows.

He knows he must finish her.

He reaches his claw back
to take the final blow.

Eight ball side pocket.

He strikes.

- And misses.
- Crikey.

- Hey, you got this,
babe, I'm telling you.

Eight ball corner pocket.

- Man, shut up and
let the girls speak.

- Oh, oh, so now the
gazelle can speak now, huh?

- I don't like you, Mike.

I never ever liked you, uh-uh.

- (laughs) Eight ball.

Excuse me.

Corner pocket.

(balls clanging)

- Boom, man!

So she can hang.

I like that.

She's more than just a girl
to me, she's my friend.

- You have the hands of
someone who understands.

One with callous
fingertips and wounds

only an artist can comprehend.

Have you ever looked
down at your hand

and seen a faint imprint of a
pen, a pencil, a paintbrush?

Your hands say a lot about you,

but they only have
part of the story

because your lips
are to be trusted.

Mostly because the
words coming out of them

are so steeped in truth,
in beauty unparallel.

I swear when you speak,
sometimes angels blush

because they can't
comprehend the thought

that heavenly bodies would
crush on a mere mortal.

But you are not a
mere anything, no.

I'm not even sure you're mortal.

Okay, that's not true.

And I want to tell
you that you matter.

If you've ever had a point
where you accidentally forget,

if you ever forget
that once upon a time,

your smile served
as my sunshine.

And your laughter the
upbeat to my down track.

And your silence golden

because you don't listen
and speak simultaneously.

You're the kind of friend

that I used to wish
upon a star for,

pick three leaf clovers
and thank God for,

read about in books.

In all the times in
laughter we've shared

and mutually felt insomnia.

I remember when I
told you I was broken

and you told me I was a mosaic.

When I said that I
was afraid you laughed

because you couldn't fathom
the thought of my fear.

And if you ever have a time
when you feel that the world

doesn't understand
the gem among them,

just realize that I do.

And smile to yourself.

(rain pattering)

- Hmm.

Rain is a sweet
melody of growth.

(thunder rumbling)

And growth begins with the mind.

You change your mind.

You change your world.

(thunder rumbling)

Hmm, you're the close
minded type, huh?

- I guess I never had a
reason to be any other way.

- You really feel that way?

You do have a reason to.

African Americans endured
nearly 500 years of slavery

just so you and I both
could have open minds.

- You're something
else, you know that?

(thunder rumbling)

Come here.

(gentle music)

I never enjoyed cuddling.

This is all right.

Shandre is incredible.

I never had a woman as
captivating, inspirational,

and sexy all at the same time.

She told me about how Africa

was originally
named a Alkebulan,

and how the first human birth

traced back to an African woman.

Knowledge.

I am African American.

- Ah, so what you got, Mike?

- What you got?

- I got all in.

- Oh, I'm all in too.

For lunch.

- One, two, three.

Three.

- Might as well
go all the way in.

- It's all good 'cause we
ain't like we paying money

or nothing like that.

It ain't like, that was
warm up game, you feel me?

Next game.

- Fellas, fellas,
what's going on?

- Man, I'm killing your brother.

- Killing my brother?
- Yes sir.

- Oh, you're killing my brother?

- Yes, sir.
- That's what you're doing?

Why don't you try killing me?

- Whoo.

- So lover boy finally
comes out the play.

- Money on the table.

Well actually though, King,

it has been a while
since I seen you, man.

Huh, I think my brother
done got soft on us, Mike.

- Angel Soft.

- Charmin Ultra Soft.

You know, cha, cha, cha,
blo, blo, Charmin, bla, bla.

(Brian and Mike laughing)

- Are y'all gay?

Y'all through?

Anything else?

- All I'm saying is whatever
happened to the king?

- You crazy, man.

Hey, look here, man, we
just gonna chill out.

Play some cards.

- All right, man.

I mean, I know you
get 'em more than I do

and all that stuff, but
one thing I do know,

never put anything
past the female, bro.

- Damn skippy, you ain't
never lied about that.

- Mm-hmm, y'all remember
y'all remember Kenny

from high school, right?

Big Forehead,
y'all remember him?

I seen him last week.

Now you remember Keita,

the girl that got pregnant
back in 11th grade?

- Mm-hmm.

- They married now.

She claimed that
he's the only man

that she's ever
been with, right?

Come to find out
that son of hers

is actually the son of our
star quarterback, Marcus Lowes.

- Oh, that's simple.

What's done in the dark, must
one day come to light, homie.

- That's right, mm-hmm.

Let's just say they
not together no more.

- [Kingston] Some women
can be scandalous.

Glad I got my diamond.

- Well, I'm about to
take over this game, bro.

I'm all in once again.

- [Mike] Oh yeah,
we can do that.

- I'm gonna fold, man.

- [Brian] Don't be no punk.

- Oh, I'm in.

(cards thuds)

- [Mike] Trip kings. (laughs)

Yeah.

- [Kingston] Matter of fact,

these fool got
enough of my time.

Let me go see my lady.

- Yo King, you down
for another game?

- Nah, no, actually I
just stopped through.

I'm gonna just head out.

Y'all boys, take it easy, man.

- Well, why you out don't forget
to get your panties though.

- How the hell I keep losing?

- It's your lips.

(liquid spraying)

(siren wailing)

(horn honking)

- Hey, beautiful.

Mm.

I see you still holding up.

- Jason, what are
you doing here?

- Did you get that
letter I sent you?

- Yeah, I got it.

- [Jason] So how's
my baby doing?

- [Kingston] I see just
like the rest of 'em.

- So I guess that other chick
is out the picture, huh?

- Look, I didn't come
here for all of that.

Let's leave the past behind us.

Let's start fresh.

Baby, I want us again.

- I don't have any room
left in my heart for you.

I moved on.

(brooding piano music)

- No room.

- Goodbye, Jason.

(Shandre sighs)

- [Kingston] Women
are like cats,

they definitely know
how to hide their mess.

Didn't see this coming.

You know what, I'm done.

I don't even wanna hear
anything she has to say.

Knowledge.

Remove the rose colored shades

and see things for what it is.

(Shandre coughs)

(Michelle sighs)

- Ooh, girl, that
was a great work out.

Ooh.

- I'm gonna call Kingston.

(phone beeping)

(phone ringing)

- [Kingston] Hi, you've
reached Kingston Jackson.

(phone beeps)

- What's wrong with you?

It's been days since
I've heard from Kingston.

(ominous music)

(Shandre grunting)

Hold on.

I feel sick.

(Shandre grunting)

(door bangs)

(knuckles tapping)

- [Michelle] Are
you okay, honey?

- [Shandre] Just a minute.

- [Michelle] Shandre,
are you okay?

(handle jiggling)

(knuckles tapping)

Shandre.

(knuckles tapping)

Shandre, open the door.

(brooding music)

- Don't miss.

- Man, I've been
on fire all night.

(phone ringing)

- [Mike] Hey homie,
is that your girl?

♪ Over, and over, and over
I stayed by your side

♪ When over and over
you've told me lies

♪ Lies, lies

♪ I'm through with waiting
up for you at night

♪ Through with
sitting by the phone

♪ What can I give when
I give you my all

♪ It's time for me to
find somebody else

♪ I'm about to throw
this towel in

♪ Baby, it's over

♪ The fairy tale's about to end

♪ Hey, baby, it's over

♪ I'm over you

♪ Yeah

♪ I'm over you, yeah

♪ I'm about to throw
this towel in

♪ Oh, baby, baby it's over

♪ The fairy tale's about to end

♪ Baby, it's over

♪ Over

♪ Baby, it's over,
baby, it's over

♪ With

(car door clicks)

- Kingston!

(car door bangs)

What the hell was that?

Is this why you can't
answer your damn phone?

- Listen.
- No, you listen!

So I can trust you, huh?

You care about me.

Whatever happened to Shandre,
I don't meet women like you.

I don't wanna do anything
to risk losing you.

- But we weren't even official.

(Shandre scoffs)

(body thuds)

- Get off me.
- Calm down.

- I am calm!

- No, you're not.

- Yes, I am.

(hand slaps)

How dare you?

- Me?

I done saw you at The
Spot the other night

with a dude all in your face.

- What?

Who?

Jason?

That's what this is about.

Jason came to The Spot
unannounced, Kingston.

I told him it was over.

I told him I moved on
because I loved you.

I thought what we had
was something special.

I got to be more than just
a feeling to you, Kingston.

I got to live inside here.

Do I reside in your
heart, Kingston?

(dramatic music)

- [Kingston] Don't now.

Stop lying to
yourself, Kingston.

Gotta stop this, but
I know what I saw.

I don't wanna let you go.

Just let her leave.

I can't bear to
see you walk away.

You live in my heart.

(recorder whirring)
(group chattering)

- Do I reside in
your heart, Kingston?

- [Kingston] Of all the
things I could have said,

I said nothing.

- Exactly just what I thought.

Emptiness.

- [Kingston] Why did I
get myself into this mess?

Damn, I'm stupid.

- Whoever said love was
full of shit was right,

because together we were shit.

Sketching rainbows
from skid marks

along the road to
happiness, we were the shit.

Until mental farts allowed us

to assume things wouldn't work.

Making an ass out of you and me.

Every bit of our romance
was flushed like goldfish.

Now we live our lives swirling
in a septic tank of lies.

She said, "Tell
them everything."

She said, "I don't
want our story

to become some
simple love poem."

We're too complex to just be Xs,

which would explain why our
chromosomes complete each other.

The only siamese twins

with the conjoined
cardiovascular system

almost to survive a C-section.

See, she said, "Tell
them everything."

Tell them how our feelings
have never been boxed up.

How she still owns the key to
the treehouse called my heart,

where women hang
themselves on the thought

that if they catch my seeds,
a future between us may grow.

Tell them how every
time we made love

God knocked on our
bedroom door and said,

"Keep it down
because mother nature

and the angels
were complaining."

And tell them how
every time we had sex,

it was like our
souls would clash

like titans battling the sea.

Our insides erupt and
leave ashes of passion

across the universe.

I swear the last time
she held my hand,

she rewrote the story in my palm

and my fingerprints have
been missing ever since.

But if I tell them everything,

then the beauty in your memory

becomes public domain
like art galleries.

But they would never
get the picture.

They would never understand
the beauty in our memory

like Christ on the cross.

Christ, I wish I never lost
you in the first place.

See if I tell them everything

and I have nothing left to
tell myself except you're gone.

(knuckles tapping)
(birds chirping)

(dog barking)

(door clicks)

- What's up man?

(door bangs)

Bro, what's going on?

- I messed up bad.

- Okay, dude, what did you do?

- Shandre saw Natavia
leaving the house.

- Do you love Shandre?

(brooding music)

- I don't know what this is.

- You know how you know
when you're in love?

It's when she's the first thing
on your mind in the morning

and the last one you lay down.

That's how you know.

Look man, you got a lot
on your mind right now.

Let me just pour you a drink.

(Shandre crying)

(phone beeping)

(phone buzzing)
(phone ringing)

- Hello?

- I'm sorry for
waking you, Shelly,

but I don't know
who else to call.

(Shandre crying)

- Oh my gosh, Shandre.

(Shandre crying)

Shandre, are you okay?

What's wrong?

Do I have to come get
you from somewhere?

- No, no.

I just know. (crying)

My life, my life
is falling apart.

(Shandre crying)

- What do you mean
falling apart?

Shandre, what is wrong?

Talk to me.

(Shandre crying)

- [Kingston] It
becomes more difficult

by the day to be without her.

I wish I could rewrite
the script of my life

by hitting the undo button
on the whole Natavia mistake

and giving myself a redo to
have my baby in my arms again.

At times like this,

it's only one person that can
help me get through the pain.

Dee, she's been my closest
confidant for years.

Dee always helps me
understand things

from a woman's point of view.

Maybe she can help me find a way

to turn this situation
around with Shandre.

Who's the lucky dude getting
all this special treatment?

The devil always has
a way of tempting you

when you're at your weakest.

Now why?

Outta all the time she
would try this now.

Hmm.

I wonder.

♪ I never thought
there'd come a day

♪ I fall in love in every way

♪ You got me wide open

♪ No need for regrets

♪ I'm fully focused

♪ See perfectly clear

♪ I'm ready for you

♪ So come get here

♪ Love is special

♪ I'm ready for more

(man vocalizing)

I can't go out like this.

♪ Oh, ooh, oh, ooh, ooh

- Kingston!

(man vocalizing)

Where are you going?

(door clicks)

(door bangs)

- [Kingston] Like
my brother told me,

you know when you're in love

when she's the first thing
on your mind when you wake up

and the last one you lay down.

It's painful to not see
her smile, hear her laugh,

feel her touch, or hear
any of her profound words.

This very moment of waking
up alone without Shandre

makes me understand
what love means.

I need my diamond back.

How could I have been so stupid

to believe she do
anything to hurt me?

♪ I wanna make you make my word

♪ You can make me your word

♪ I would believe in you

♪ So you can believe in me

♪ Together anything

After much thought I
decided on the perfect gift

to win Shandre back.

I know this is a sure
way to correct my wrongs

and show her how
much she means to me.

Knowledge.

I'm in love

(birds chirping)

(Kingston sighs)

(doorbell ringing)

(door clicks)

Is Shandre home?

- Are you a friend of Shandre?

- Yes, I'm Kingston.

- [Evelyn] Mm-hmm.

I have something that Shandre
would want me to give you.

- What's this?

- I'm Shandre's mother Evelyn.

Shandre passed a few days ago.

(melancholic music)

The medical examiner
believes her death

was related to
pancreatic cancer.

- But I just seen
her the other day.

- She recently was
at the hospital,

but the doctors did not
detect the cancer at the time.

I urged her to go

after she complained
of back pains, nausea.

But the doctors
said she was fine.

I don't understand.

First, I lose my husband,
now my only child,

I can't believe this happened

the same month
her father passed.

The two people I loved the
most are no longer here.

I am all alone.

The loves of my life are gone.

(fast tempo drum music)

(door clicks)

(door bangs)

(liquid splashing)

(liquid splashing)

(glass thudding)

- [Poet] If I knew
I would feel this.

- I would have remained.
- Never knew it was possible

to be alive and feel
this dead inside.

- [Poet 2] Never even
got to say goodbye.

- Losing control I never had.
- I am not broken.

- [Group] I am shattered.

- [Poet 2] If I knew
it would feel this bad.

(group chattering)

(glass shattering)

I never even got to say goodbye.

- [Shandre] I'm still
in a state of disbelief

from what happened
the other day.

As much as I want to hate
you, my soul won't let me.

You're the other
half to my heart

and without you,
it doesn't beat.

At the same time, I have
to think with my head

and realize that
this man that I felt

was perfectly designed for me

was truly nothing more

than a man who can't
seem to be satisfied.

I've been dealing with
these doctors that tell me

there's nothing wrong,
but I know it's something.

I wish I could talk
to you right now,

but the thought of you
just adds to my stress.

Seeing you with that
girl changed everything

I thought you were.

Why wasn't I enough?

Why couldn't you feel
the strength of my love

in every word I spoke, every
rhyme I wrote about you,

every touch of my hand,
every single glance.

Gosh, some people are so
blind to what's apparent.

I can only hope
one day you realize

you were the reason I smiled.

I thought I had love before,

but this is much more than that.

This is something
far more divine

and complicated to translate
into words of this realm.

If only you can
know how my heart

is tortured without
you by my side,

especially now when
I need you most.

(melancholic violin music)

- [Kingston] I
couldn't have fathomed

how much of an
impact this one gem

would have on my life, my soul.

I should have held her
a little bit stronger,

kissed her a little bit longer,

and thanked her for helping me

become the man that I am today.

Instead of expressing my
feelings on these pages,

I should been telling her

how I felt about her
every single day.

With all the words I've written

none of them had
meaning until I met her.

Shandre was right.

Something about
this is different.

♪ The blood that
gives me my strength

♪ From day to day

♪ It will never lose

♪ It's power

♪ You know it

♪ Flows to the lowest valley

♪ Oh, yes

♪ The blood that
gives me my strength

♪ From day to day

♪ It will never lose

♪ It's power

- We are joined
together here today

in loving memory of
Sister Shandre Reid.

Shandre was a woman who forever
loved everyone around her.

A woman with integrity, a great
heart, and a giving spirit.

Her memory will live on forever

through those who loved
and cherished her.

And now we will have a word
from Brother Kingston Jackson.

(Kingston clears throat)

- Excuse me, y'all, I
don't normally do this.

I want

(melancholic music)

to be angry.

I wanna shake my
fist at the sky,

look into the bright
light, and pull you back.

I want to be angry.

But something about
you won't let me.

Too caged in by regrets,

I always wish I
told you I love you

more than I could ever express,

more than I ever
really understood,

and I wish you could
have heard me say it.

I want you to know
I listen to the rain

in wish we were still
growing together.

With every drop that falls
helps me change my mind

and in turn changes my world.

I wish you were
still in my world.

If it were possible,

I'd give you the five
you always dreamed of,

embrace with creativity,
freedom, and change.

I think you'd fit right in.

Most of all, I wish your hand
was still fitting in mind.

You were making me grow
every time we spoke.

I wish for a lot,

but what I'll do is
make you a promise

that I will live my life to
the fullness that you deserved.

Laugh every day with tenacity.

Learn as much as I
can whenever I can.

And I promise I will one day

be able to remember
what it sounds like

without drowning in
what could have been.

It's the least I can do.

To the woman who never
tried to change me,

but with her love saved me.

I thought I had it all.

Then there was you.

You made me better.

You taught me how it is not
just to be alive, but to live.

So farewell, Shandre,

the woman who
introduced me to love.

♪ Thinking about you

♪ Can't help but think about you

♪ And all the things you do

♪ I keep thinking about you

♪ Just keep thinking about you

♪ And all the things you do

♪ Oh, yeah, oh yeah, oh, yeah

- It's a lotus flower.

It represents eternal
life in Egyptian culture.

I mean, if I had it my way,

I would have a whole
pond of these things.

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

- [Kingston] Due to the
pregnancy symptoms the doctors

were unable to
detect the cancer.

The cancer that claimed the
life of my love and our child.

I often wonder if
she was carrying

the little boy I wished for,

but I'll never get to know.

Knowledge.

Never take people in
your life for granted.

To my two guardian angels,

Shandre Reid and
our unborn child,

may you both rest in paradise.

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(man vocalizing)

(slow tempo piano music)

♪ What a wonderful
change has come over me

♪ The prize of the righteous

♪ It's so availing

♪ If it wasn't for
God on my side

♪ I don't know where I'd be

♪ Thank you for including me

♪ A change has come in my heart

♪ Transforming my mind

♪ Victorious, oh, yeah

♪ A new beginning

♪ Open for a new way of living

♪ This is so amazing

♪ What a wonderful
change has come over me

♪ The prize of the righteous

♪ It's so availing

♪ If it wasn't for
God on my side

♪ I don't know where'd I'd be

♪ Thank you for including me

♪ A change has come in my heart

♪ Transforming my mind

♪ Victorious

♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ Oh, a new beginning

♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah

♪ I'm so glad

♪ Changes has come in my heart

♪ And in my mind

♪ Victorious