Original subtitles

I'm a child of a man and a woman, but I'm not a child.

I'm a woman.

I'm a child of invention, but I'm not a child.

I'm created.

I'm a child of God, but I'm not a child.

I'm spiritual.

I'm a child of love, but I'm not a child.

I am loving.

I'm a child of a man.

And a woman.

But I'm not a child.

place like this once, but then my husband got laid off, and I was going to

by him, too, but then I caught him with his ex -secretary.

Ooh, girl, these pantyhose.

Do you wear control tops?

Have you ever noticed how after four hours they lose all control?

Maybe I shouldn't have dried them on high.

We got the two pigs hunting.

Oh, there's Mr. Johnson. I need to have a word with him. Mr.

Johnson!

A word? I doubt it.

Okay, everybody, let's get down to the business at hand. Now, you know, in two

weeks we're going to be having our parent -teacher night. Excuse us.

Baby, we're off to the game. Okay, honey.

Everybody, please let me introduce you to my husband, Frank, and our son,

Hi, everybody.

Well, hello, Frankie.

Frankie.

Well, hello, Ms. Eckhart.

Ooh, why are you being so formal?

You used to call me Gloria when you used to call.

That was before you met Dee.

Remember when we used to... Oh, I'd love to stay and chat, but gotta go.

Goodbye, everybody.

Dad, say it ain't so.

Son, it ain't so, never been so, and won't ever be so as long as I have a say

-so.

Hey, Daddy.

What's up, Mom? Hey, baby.

Mo, I got one extra ticket to the SC game.

Would you like to go back upstairs and put on some clothes?

Baby, where you going looking like that?

Daddy, please. Kim and I are going out with some people. What people?

Now, I thought that we agreed that I'm old enough to decide who I can hang out

with. And I thought we agreed I was old enough to be your father. What people?

I don't know. Kim hooked me up with a blind date.

Come on, please don't say anything, all right? This is why people don't want to

go out with me, because they're scared of you.

That's not the reason.

Sorry I'm late. I had car trouble. Well, then it's not likely to happen twice in

the same night, is it? You don't know my car. And you don't know me.

Daddy, please come in.

Thanks.

So, you... Daddy, aren't you going to be late for your game?

Yeah, but we're just in time for yours.

Hey, hey, hey.

Hey. What's up, Mola Spence?

Okay, the fine one on the sale is mine.

Yours is laying on a hood. They call them two.

Well, if that's two, then who are you?

I wish I knew.

I'm Channing Lawrence.

Channing, you finally made it.

You've met my family?

I'm Frank Mitchell. I'm Moesha. I'm Miles.

I'm Kimberly Parker.

You come here often?

Mr. Lawrence is taking over the photography class now that Mrs. Kranz is

maternity leave.

Oh, so you're a teacher.

And I thought... Well, never mind.

Now that you have steady employment, you might want to let me put you into a new

car. I don't know. My credit's kind of shaky. Oh, look at the time.

Well, nice meeting you, Channing.

Have a nice day.

Come on, Channing. Let me introduce you to some of your new colleagues.

It was a pleasure meeting you.

I'm Moesha.

Moesha.

He's the new teacher.

I need to get me some apple.

Where's Denzel?

Where's your class?

Please, men don't care about class. These days, you gotta be bold.

Kim, I bet your English class.

I ain't got no time for that. Need to get up.

detention will be.

Kim, are you supposed to be in this class?

No.

Uh, Mrs. Mitchell, I'm auditioning.

She means auditing.

No, I mean auditioning.

Well, didn't you hear?

You got the part of the student in English Lit, and it's showtime.

You know this is not your class either. Come on.

Students, I'd like to introduce you to your new teacher, Mr. Lawrence. He's a

fantastic photographer, and I'm sure you will continue to show him just why

Crenshaw students are the best.

They're all yours, Mr. Lawrence. Thank you. You're welcome.

Okay. If you are going to be in this class, I want to make one thing

clear.

My name is Channing.

Mr. Lawrence is my daddy.

Can I call you daddy?

Can I claim you on my taxes?

If we get married.

Okay, settle down.

Now, this is your reading list.

Reading list?

I hate to be the one to break this to you, Channing, but this is a class about

pictures. We don't do words.

Hey, Moesha.

Would you mind passing out these disposable cameras?

Thank you.

Now, since parent -teacher night is coming up in a couple of weeks, I

could put up a slamming photo exhibit.

Excuse me, but what are we supposed to do with these toy cameras?

There's no f -stops, no zoom, and where do you put the film?

Well, if you can figure that out, I'll give you extra credit.

Now, your assignment is to tell a story with a single photograph.

Well, how can you accomplish that with just one picture?

Well, a picture is worth a thousand words.

They're on my English test.

I know. I tried.

Now, those may look like toy cameras, but come take a look at what you can

create with them.

Whoa, it don't take a thousand words to describe her.

That's the wrong portfolio.

And when he handed me the assignment, you could see his biceps rippling under

his powder blue shirt.

Then he looked into my green eyes with his brown eyes.

And together, girl, we made Hazel.

Wait, but that's not even the good part.

Then he said, Niecy, I want you to call me Channing.

And he did not tell you to call him Channing? Girl, yes, he did, didn't he,

That is going to be the perfect photo for my assignment.

What's the story? Desperate women.

Okay, come on. You've been hogging these tables for half an hour. If you're not

buying, move on, because I got a house note to pay you.

That goes for y 'all, too?

I'm still eating.

And where did you get that?

Hi.

Hey, girl, don't you ever do that again.

Unless you bring me a plate.

Hey, ladies.

Hi, Channing.

Listen, I need a big favor.

Can one of you give me a jump?

I'll jump you. I mean, I'll give you a jump.

Channing, this is my demure friend, Andell Wilkerson.

Her single friend.

I own this establishment.

I'm Channing Lawrence, and I own that hand.

You're such a warm hand.

Thanks. Listen, my car's right out front.

I'll get my keys.

Oh, dang, my car's in the shop.

But I can rent one.

I can give you a jump.

Thanks, Moesha.

I can't believe my car broke down on the way to my first photo exhibit.

Bye, ladies.

Well, my car will be out the shop tomorrow. If you break down again, you

Ann Dale.

We need to get out there. We can't let Moe have him just because she got a car.

You're right. Go powder your nose first, girl. You're shining.

Oh, you might want to floss that tuna fish out your teeth.

You know, cover girl can only cover so much.

Y 'all might want to call Earl Shy.

See, that's why we don't have time for high school boys.

We're going to help Channing. Well, see, that's why you better start running.

Because he just drove off with Mom.

Did you see that?

Your girl is scaring me.

I told you she was freaky freaky.

So unfortunately, when I told my dad I wanted to be a photographer, he just

looked at me and said, boy, photography is a hobby.

You need to get a job.

So it doesn't matter how old you are, huh?

Parents still treat you like a child.

Yep. Well, I guess they figure if they raised you and paid the education, that

gives them the right to voice an opinion.

Oh, so if you buy me a meal, you can tell me how to eat it?

Well, if you eat that meal with your bare hands, they might feel obligated to

give you a knife. Why?

I mean, it doesn't matter if I eat with my hands, my toes, or if I put my face

in the plate of life.

As long as it's what I want to do.

Put my face in the plate of life?

Go ahead, girl. That is quite an image.

He eats pictures, and I eat words.

Yeah, that's it right over there.

Alicia, thank you again.

Danny, will you stop thanking me?

Get in there, and good luck with your exhibit.

Okay. Thanks.

Wait a minute.

Are you sure you're not going to need a ride back? I can wait for you.

That's okay. I think I'll just grab a cab.

Bye.

I can't wait for you.

Oh, my God.

Moesha. Yes?

Where are my manners?

Would you like to come in?

I don't know, Channing. I mean, I have so much homework to do, and I'm not

really dressed.

Is this parking space legal?

Uh -oh.

Is that another Channing -inspired outfit?

Yes, I've never seen this dress before.

Well, I saw yours yesterday and the day before.

Hey,

looks like Mrs. Channing is a little testy today.

Will y 'all stop?

How many times do I have to tell you nothing happened?

Is that a real nothing or a Clinton nothing?

Because people are talking, Molita.

Hi, Channing.

A couple of classes ago, somebody asked, how do you grade art?

That was me.

And as an artist, I think it's blasphemous. It's deplorable. You got an

all good.

Can I have a hall pass so I can call my mama?

A C?

Dang, Mo, you got a play.

It was a good attempt, Louisa, but your story was a little muddled.

Well, what's muddled about it?

You mean I'm putting my face in the plate of life?

No, Mo, you're putting your face in a plate of mashed potatoes and gravy.

Hello, Moesha. Hi.

Do you have a minute?

Sure.

What's up?

Um, about my grade.

Uh -huh.

Why'd you give me a C?

Well, I gave you a C because that's what I thought you deserved.

Are you sure it's not because of the rumors?

What rumors?

You know, that we have, like, a thing between us.

A thing?

Yeah. Why would anyone think there was something between us?

What have you been telling people?

I haven't told anybody anything.

I mean, I guess when people see us together, they sense something.

Sense what?

That we like each other.

Moesha, I'm your teacher.

I like you as a student, and I also like you as a person, but that's it.

Oh, I know. I mean, there's nothing going on between us. There couldn't be.

Although it has nothing to do with age because we're only a few years apart. I

mean, there's students here that are older than you. But that still wouldn't

make it right.

I think the school board would agree with you on that.

So you really don't like my picture?

I like it.

I just think you can do better.

I got what you were trying to say. You just didn't make me...

Feel it.

He didn't feel anything?

No, seriously, it's no problem. Look, just come by the store on Saturday, and

I'm going to hook you up with a serious discount.

And you do that for me, Hakeem? Oh, girl, it's nothing I wouldn't do for

That is so sweet.

Oh, hey, hey, hey.

Break it up.

Even if you think this is the time, you know this is not the place.

Hakeem, can I holler at you?

business with that fast -tailed Crystal. She has a reputation.

Oh, she does?

Good looking out, Andale.

You ready to go?

Hakeem, I need to talk to you. Oh, call me later. Tomorrow or later.

Hakeem, this is really important. I need you. Well, Crystal needs me, too.

No, Crystal moved on.

Could you give me a ride home?

Oh, you know how hard it was to find a girl with her looks, her reputation, and

her appearance away at a Baptist convention?

Kim, you're so selfish.

Have you heard the rumors about me and Channing?

Oh, come on, man. I don't pay any attention to Kim and Meecy.

Well, this time you should.

It's true. You're having his baby?

No.

Come on, Mo.

He's your teacher.

And Mrs. Mitch, he's the vice principal.

And your dad, he's a killer.

And Mo is grown.

See, I don't even know why you asked for my advice, because you're just going to

do what you want to do.

Oh, come on. It's not like that. I hear what you're saying, Hakeem, but it's

hard to ignore what I feel, Hakeem.

I thought you said it was mud.

It is, but it has a certain clarity to it.

Um, Channing, look, about what happened the other day, I'm sorry, I shouldn't

have put you in that position.

Moesha, you didn't put me in any position that I... Good, I'm glad we got

two of you together.

Frank has some ridiculous idea that I absolutely refuse to accept. Perhaps you

two can clear this whole thing up for us. Look, I think I can explain. No, no,

let me explain. But it is so obvious.

Mo's photo is the story of self -reliance and independence, and the

essence, is the plate of life.

Frank, on the other hand... No, no, no, I speak for myself.

Now, to me, the plate is the plate of responsibility, which Moesha devours

happily and obediently.

Mo, you're the artist.

Uh, well, actually,

you're both right.

I told you I was right.

She did not say that you were right. No, she did. She was trying to spare your

feelings of what you were doing.

What do you mean I didn't put you in any position?

The truth is, if I wasn't

your teacher,

I wouldn't have minded that kiss.

Really?

But I am.

And I do.

And it can't ever happen again.

Oh, so what happened?

I'm not sure.

Will everybody take your seats, please?

Can somebody bring me up to speed on what it is you've been studying?

Yes, Moesha?

Excuse me, Dee. I mean, Mrs. Mitchell.

Where's Channing?

Mr. Lawrence has left due to personal reasons.

So until we find a replacement, you're stuck with me.

Is he coming back?

I'm afraid not.

So, could, um...

Somebody come up here and show me how to use this camera.

I'm the child of a man and a woman.

And I'm not a child.