Original subtitles

Well, we're moving on up. We're moving on up.

So, you want your old job back, huh?

Isn't that nice, George?

Oh, yeah, nice, nice.

Thanks, but it may take me a couple of days to get my bearings back.

You know, that fire really shook me up. Well, then you should take a little time

off to forget about it. You know, clear your mind. Take it easy.

Join the army.

I'll pass, Mr. Jefferson.

I think I'm just going to lay down.

It sure would be nice to see my old room again. No.

I mean...

Why don't you tell us some more about the fire?

Yeah, how was it? Hot, huh?

I thought y 'all just told me to forget about the fire.

Well, what better way to forget than by talking about it?

Well, there ain't much to tell. The hotel caught fire, burned to the ground,

I barely got out with my life.

Oh.

Well, if it would make you feel any better, I could run back over there and

stand in a hot spot.

Well, oh, no, Florence. We are glad you didn't get hurt.

It's just that we, well, that is, we, uh, it's, uh...

I know.

You both wanted to see me make it on my own.

Well, don't worry. Another chance will come along. I believe the Lord has a

for everyone.

I guess mine is just marked top secret.

The top secret!

Blanche, you are hilarious.

Too bad you got to run.

Look, I want to say something to you, too.

Straight from the heart, I owe you both a lot.

You do?

Sure. If you hadn't kept my old job open, I wouldn't have no place to go.

I know I'm embarrassing you, but you're here when I need you. And for the

first time, I feel like part of the family.

Who's that?

Your sister.

My what?

Uh, Florence, there's someone I would like you to meet.

Um, Carmen!

Call me when it's over with you. George, you step back here.

Yes, Mrs. Jefferson?

Uh, Carmen Cepeda, this is Florence Johnston, our maid. Florence Johnston,

this is Carmen Cepeda, our maid.

Maid?

George, now that they have met, isn't there something you would like to say to

Florence and Carmen?

Nope.

I mean, yep.

So... So... You two finally got a chance to meet, huh? Good, good.

That's real nice.

Back to you, Reese.

Thank you, George.

What George is trying to say is...

We feel just terrible about this situation.

And what a situation it is.

We jumped out of the frying pan right into a pickle.

So if there's anything I can do, Florence, please just... No, no, Mr.

I'll be okay.

Look, I had my chance, and I can't expect you to hold my job open forever.

Congratulations, Carmen.

Well, Florence, wait a minute.

Where are you going?

Oh, I've got some friends over in Queens. I'll just stay with them until I

another job. Oh, Florence, wait.

George, just don't stand there. Say something.

Look, Florence, you take the number five bus.

Get a transfer.

No. This job belongs to Florence.

She's a legend.

Why, taking a job away from her would be like breaking apart your house. And I

refuse to let Mr. Jefferson be housebroken.

Here, Florence.

the one that should find another job.

Good, then it's all settled. Florence, get me some coffee. No, y 'all hired

Carmen to be your maid, and I ain't taking another woman's job.

Good, then it's all settled. Carmen, get me some coffee.

No, I will not hear of it.

Florence is the maid.

I don't think it's settled.

Then you give me some coffee.

Look, I don't know nothing about being a maid.

As a matter of fact, I'm terrible.

And I'm awful.

I'm pitiful. I'm dreadful.

George, will you please do something? I am. I'm agreeing.

George. All right, all right. Look, you two.

There's only one solution to this problem.

And as man of the house, the decision is all mine. And remember, the decision of

the man is final. And what has the man decided?

The man has decided he's going to the bathroom.

George, get out here!

George, get out here!

Oh, okay.

Well, where were we?

Look, I'll go pack right now.

Oh, no, Carmen. This is all our fault. And until we can figure out what to do,

we'll just keep you both on. Both?

Yes, and with pay.

Forget it, George. I have made my decision. And as the woman of the house,

it's really final.

Well,

don't just stand there. Why don't you get me some coffee?

You can go, Florence.

Oh, no, Carmen, don't be silly. Go on ahead.

No, I insist.

No, this is your job, too, honey. No, I really think you should go. Look, I

don't give a damn which one of you goes, but bring me some coffee.

If you're going to use that tone of voice, get it yourself.

What you doing?

Reading the one that's for another job.

I'm afraid finding another job ain't quite that easy.

You're telling me.

Look, all these jobs want experience.

Why can't they just give you a job for being poor?

For that.

I have experience.

Carmen, you know you don't have to do this. No, no, Florence.

It's the only way. Believe me.

Sooner or later, I'll find something I'm right for.

Ah!

I found it! Look!

Earn while you learn.

We are desperate.

No experience necessary.

Just one question.

What's an air traffic controller?

going to work. You're just not qualified for most of the jobs in there.

Here's one.

Wanted. Girls, girls, girls.

Now I know I'm qualified for that one.

It sounds suspicious to me.

Especially the part that says bring your own snake.

What am I going to do?

Nothing. Give me the paper and I'll get the new job.

Do you have a snake?

No, Carmen. I mean that I'm the one that needs to go out and find a new job. No,

no, Florence. This will never work. This is your home.

Mrs. Jefferson will never let you go without a fight.

Well, unfortunately, Mrs. Jefferson is not the one I fight with.

Okay, if that's what it takes.

If what's what what takes?

Nothing. Just leave it to me. Why don't you take the paper into your bedroom?

But I... And don't lose it. I got a feeling I may be needing it.

Uh, Mr. Jefferson. I ain't got time to talk about Florence. I got a meeting to

go to.

Oh. Is that supposed to be cologne you wear?

Yeah, you like it?

What's it called? Evening in a freight car?

Very funny. I've had this cologne for years.

You've had that hair for years, but I don't see you holding on to that.

Just leave me alone, okay?

What's the matter with you?

Ain't you even gonna get mad? Ain't you got no guts?

You been playing in the medicine cabinet?

You know, I've looked up to you for seven years.

I admit I had to sit on the floor to do it.

But I still looked up to you.

Florence.

Where's your backbone?

Don't they make them in your size?

Watch it, Florence.

And this thing with two maids is totally ridiculous.

You ain't even got the guts to let one go.

You know, it's a good thing they don't let men like you in the Navy these days,

or they'd have to sing Anchors Away My Wimp.

You keep the Navy out of this.

Oh, what you gonna do, go crying to your wife?

Wheezy, Florence is making fun of the Navy.

You're a sick woman, you know that?

I gotta get to work.

Why bother? You're a lousy dry cleaner anyway.

Get out.

Get out? Get out!

You can talk about my height. You can talk about my bald spot. You can even

about my wife.

But when you call my dry cleaning lousy, you have just went where angels fear to

tread.

I don't believe it. That was my weakest shot.

Out!

For real?

Out! Thank you. You're welcome!

I don't believe it.

I just don't believe it, Florence.

Why in the world would you insult George like that?

Because he was bad.

Tell me, Florence.

Because Carmen was out of a job, that's why, and it would be real hard for her

to find another one.

And what about you?

I'm thinking about changing careers anyway.

All I need is a snake.

Okay.

But when George gets home, we are all sitting down and talking this thing out.

No, Miss Jefferson. That's why I sent Carmen to the market. She don't even

I'm doing this. But I think we should... You know the only reason she's in this

country is to make a better life for herself, right? Well, I guess... Do you

know she told me she's been out to see the Statue of Liberty four times since

she's been here?

Really? Shoot, I've been here all my life, and I ain't been out there but one

time.

And that was on a school field trip.

The only reason I went then was because Alvin Chapman went.

Who's Alvin Chapman?

Child, he was the class clown.

He used to dress up like the statue, paint his face green, and then ask all

immigrants where his mama was.

Florence, is there a point to this?

it obvious, Miss Jefferson?

Carmen believes America is the land of opportunity.

And she found her opportunity working here with y 'all.

Now, I can't take that away from her.

So when she comes back, you just tell her good luck. And if she needs me, I'll

either be in Queens or at the Statue of Liberty apologizing for Alvin.

Florence, I think that's the nicest, most considerate thing you've ever done.

What do you mean? I'm always considerate.

Get that for me, will you?

Okay, but I'm still not giving up until we look at all the possibilities.

Oh, hello, Ralph. Hello, Mrs. Jefferson.

Florence.

Well, Florence, it took some time, but I managed to bring all your luggage up in

just one trip, all the while ignoring my own painful, throbbing, inconsequential

back problems.

Thanks, Ralph, but I'm afraid you're going to have to take them all back

Down? Yes, Ralph.

No, Ralph.

Ralph, please, take the luggage back down.

Yes, ma 'am.

Set them down, Ralph.

Yes, ma 'am. Pick them up, Ralph.

Ralph, set them down.

I have feelings.

And for 27 years, I have toiled like a common drudge. But does anybody say,

job, Ralph, attaboy, Ralph, or I want my kids to grow up like you, Ralph? No,

it's pick them up, put them down, bring them out, take them in. Well, I have had

it. It's over, finished, done!

I'm sorry, Ralph. I never thought you felt this way.

Yeah, I guess we all owe you an apology.

Believe me, it won't happen again.

Well... Honestly, Ralph, you have our word.

Well, okay.

Let me tell you something, young lady. If you think I'm going to let you walk

over me like so many cobblestones, then you are sadly mistaken.

You are outrageously out of line.

I'll give you five dollars.

Call me when you're ready.

Carmen, you got a new job?

shake like that.

Anyway, from over in the next aisle, I heard this lady telling the sales clerk

that her son had swallowed a nickel and was choking.

Only she was speaking in Spanish and he couldn't understand her. So I ran over

and translated for her and he called for help and they saved the little boy.

Oh, Carmen, that's wonderful.

Bilingual Customer Relations Manager.

And that job pays almost twice as much as this one.

Honey, every job pays almost twice as much as this one.

Anyway, Mrs. Jefferson, you're not angry that I told him I'd take the job, are

you? Oh, no, Carmen, as long as you're happy.

Happy?

I'm more happy than a clown has ever been in my life.

grandfather always told me.

Porque el pan aparece verde, no es razón para recortar todos los árboles.

And what does that mean?

Just because the bread is turning green is still no reason to cut down all the

trees.

What can I tell you? It meant something to him.

Well, Florence, I guess you got your old job back.

Maybe not.

I made Mr. Jefferson fire me, remember?

Oh, well, as soon as he hears the whole story, he'll hire you back.

I don't know. I said some pretty strong things to him.

Like what?

Well, I made fun of his hair.

Oh, but that's nothing.

I made fun of his height.

But you do that all the time.

And I said he was a lousy dry cleaner.

You take the number five bus, get a transfer, then... I knew it.

You know, first the hotel firing, now this. If it was raining good luck

I'd be the only fool out there with a fork.

You could always try an apology.

Yeah.

Who knows? Mr. Jefferson might even be forgiving and understanding about it.

Right.

You say it's the number five bus?

Yep, and get a transfer.

Mr. Jefferson, where do you put the jelly?

On the second shelf, Carmen. Right next to the youth.

I'll do it.

Oh, good. I gotta start packing.

Get that for me.

I'll be glad when this is settled and I can go back to opening the door for just

one of my maids.

Oh, George.

That Florence made me so mad this morning I forgot my house key.

Whose stuff is that?

Florence's.

That woman ain't gone yet?

George, I have some good news and some bad news.

What?

Florence can come back and work for us. Yeah, and what's the good news?

That was the good news.

Carmen found another job today, so now we've got to hire Florence back.

No, uh -uh. Look, after the way she talked to me this morning, I just as

see you breaking your back scrubbing the floors.

Why, thank you, George.

She only insulted you because she wanted you to fire her. But she enjoyed it,

Weasley. I could see it in her eyes.

George, Florence did all this for Carmen.

And I think if she could care that much for a stranger, you could care just a

little bit about her.

But she made fun of the Navy, Weas. Oh, George.

Okay, okay, but she's going to apologize.

Agree. I mean, really apologize.

Of course she will. Florence really needs this job.

You're damn right she needs this job. That's why she's going to... Wait a

minute. She does need this job, doesn't she?

George,

you're smiling.

What's wrong?

Florence needs this job. This is perfect.

It's more than perfect.

This could be my big chance.

For what?

To make her crawl.

To make her get out on her hands and knees and crawl.

Oh, George.

Look, you don't understand, Weezy.

Florence has got some kind of power over me. In the seven years that I've known

her, I've never once beaten her at anything.

So? So, she doesn't know we need her now, right?

This may be my last chance to make her suffer.

Oh, thank you, God. I always knew you liked rich people.

But, George... But nothing. Look, either we hire back my way or we don't hire

back at all.

Now, where is she?

In the kitchen.

But I think this is the most low -down, conniving, sneaky thing you have ever

done. Thank you for the compliment, Weezy.

But you're eating at the Florence's squirm time.

Oh,

hello, Mr. Jefferson.

Hello, Florence.

Look, Mr. Jefferson, I want to... Look, Florence, this is my ballgame, so

whatever you were going to say, forget it.

Okay.

So, the word's out that you're in need of a job.

Well... I know, look, the only reason I'm asking is because I might be in a

position to do something about it.

That is, uh, depending on how badly you really want it.

And you really want it badly, don't you?

Well... I know, I know.

So, to get things off...

To a good start, why don't you just do a little light begging for me and the

missus?

Begging? Okay, we'll wait till later.

Now, let's just talk about your duties.

Now, I could be persuaded to hire you back if you agree to wash all

the windows every single day.

Not a chance.

Every other day.

Nope.

Scrubs the counter once a month.

Maybe. Aha!

Now.

Getting back to the begging.

You thought it slipped my mind, didn't you?

Not a chance.

Okay. The only way I'll hire you back is if you get down on both knees and beg

me to.

Forget it, Mr. Jefferson.

One knee.

Sitting down. Nope.

Then just say please.

Well... Oh, please, Florence.

Does it mean that much to you, Mr. Jefferson?

Yeah, really. I'd do anything.

Like a 20 % raise? You got it.

How about a month's vacation?

You got that, too.

That's the thing. You want anything, Mr. Jefferson?

Is that all?

That's all. You win.

You jellyfish.

Pick up the pieces, please.

If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never believe it.

How in the world did you do that?

Well, I always say that dealing with a man is a lot like dancing with him.

If you let him lead long enough, eventually they'll take you where you

go.

Jellyfish.

Flores, welcome home.