Original subtitles

Well, we're moving on up, we're moving on up to the...

all over town.

Wait, let me tell you why you're a genius.

Well, a genius is self -explanatory. Now, if you feel you have to explain it

the ladies, go right ahead.

Aha.

You know, George, it's so rare to find brain and humility in the same person.

Thank you, Helen.

I'm still looking for that person.

Louise, several months ago, George gave me a tip on a stock, and guess what? You

need a loan.

Hardly.

I sold it yesterday and made myself $3 ,000.

Oh, see that? You should feel proud of yourself. You started listening to me.

Did you come here to share your profits?

Uh, well, it'd be a little difficult.

Um, Helen's wearing it.

Oh, Mrs.

Willis, that coat is just beautiful.

Oh, thank you, Florence.

Child, I just want you to know, if that ever becomes a hand -me -down, I'm down.

It does look sensational on you, Ellen. It sure does.

It looks so good on you, I could almost forget those cute little animals that

died so you could wear it.

I'm glad you like it.

Boy, that stock market show is something.

I got to find me a way to make some money without working. You have.

This job.

Oh, well, have fun. You look gorgeous. Oh, thank you so much, Louise. We'll see

you later. Okay.

Oh,

and George, thanks again. I'm sure that every time Helen puts on her new coat,

she'll think of you. I sure will.

Oh, Lord, let it be a short winter.

George, I'm so glad you could help Tom.

Better watch out.

If you're not careful, helping people could become a habit.

Not a chance, Louise.

Uh, Mr. Jefferson, on the off chance that you got one more good deed in you,

about taking a shot at helping me?

Florence, I'd love to help you, but I've never been to medical school.

Mr.

Jefferson, can we please be serious?

You see, when it comes to high finance, Mr. Willis is right.

You do know your stuff.

You got a knack for making money. Yes, I do.

But I don't. Yes, you don't.

Anyway... How about giving me some of that advice like you gave Mr. Willis?

Florence, if I go around giving advice to everybody in the whole world, I'll be

rich. I'll be just like everybody else.

Well, not exactly, George. Oh, yeah, we'll be still smarter than them.

Well, that's not what I had in mind.

Oh, you mean better looking?

Let's drop it, George.

Can we get back to me, please?

Listen,

Florence, a little word of advice.

Now, I've known George longer than you have.

And if you want something from it, I mean, if you really want it, I'd say

better off asking somebody else.

Well, you're probably right, Miss Jefferson, but when it comes to

advice, I don't know nobody else.

See? I mean, it's not for me.

It's for my church.

They need new stained glass windows.

Well, why don't you just tell them like you always tell me? I don't do windows.

I'm serious, Mr. Jefferson. The church needs money, and I'd like to help, but I

can't afford it. You've got to get me in the market. Look, Florence, how much

money you got?

$400. Well, that's enough to get in the market. Oh. The supermarket.

What's the use? I knew you wouldn't help me.

I guess if I want to make some money, I've got to find an investment on my

Uh, wait, Florence.

Are you sure you want to talk about investment?

It's so chancy.

Now, you have $400 nice and safe in the bank, and it earns a steady 6 %

that you depend on. Now, if you went out and bought some stock, you would be

risking a sure $24 a year.

George, you've got to help this woman.

It'll do with $400.

Well, how much do I need?

At least two grand.

Well, let me ask you a question.

Does that money have to necessarily come from just me?

Well, what do you have in mind, Florence?

Well, I was thinking maybe I could get some of the other maids in the building

to go in with me. Oh, yeah, you mean a consortium. Yeah, a consortium.

Oh. What's a consortium?

That's when a group of serious investors get together to form one stock

portfolio.

So if I get a group like that together, you'll talk to us and help us? Sure,

I'll help you.

Thank you, Mr. Jefferson.

How do you like that, Weez? Ain't that great? I helped Willis. I helped

Florence. Anything I can do for you? Oh, I've married you. That's enough.

So, in conclusion, let me reiterate that although the stock market is admittedly

a volatile arena for investment, the potential for a sizable return is there

we do our homework and use sound financial judgment.

Any questions?

Yes. I have a question. Yes.

What is the stock market? Good question. I was going to ask that myself.

Uh -huh.

So, this is your consortium, huh, Florence?

Well, I admit we don't know much, but we each got $400.

Yeah, well, I guess money without brains is better than the other way around.

Okay, now, let me address the question, and I might add the excellent question

posed by Emma.

What is the stock market? Yeah.

Okay, let me see how I put this easy.

Okay, have any of you ever been outside?

Oh, sure. I was just out there yesterday.

Good, good.

Okay, then I'm sure you've noticed that not only are there people, cars, and

buses, but there are also stores and businesses out there, right? I'm with

so far.

He makes a lot of sense.

Good.

So anyway...

You see, these businesses don't always use their own money. Sometimes they get

small amounts from people like yourselves.

Then they give you a stock certificate which says that a piece of the company

belongs to you.

Does that mean we get our own office?

Well, not quite. But it does mean that if the company does well and makes

then your stocks go up and you make money.

Any other questions?

Yes. Do you have the correct time?

415. Oh!

Wow.

Okay, can I continue now?

Nobody has to add any bleach or anything?

Oh, thank you, Mr. Jefferson.

There's one in every consortium.

Okay.

Now, so after scanning... the Dow and considering the political climate, and

course taking into account my own personal genius, I have decided on a

called TZI.

They're the ones that make the guidance systems for the government's R2

supersonic missile.

And they also make chocolate milk.

So now, this is what we'll do. We'll buy the stocks.

Then we'll charter the progress by meeting here every Thursday at 1230. Mm

child. That's when Ryan's hope comes on.

How about 1 o 'clock?

No, all my children.

Okay, what time does the news come on? 5.

We'll meet at 5.

Perfect. Okay.

Then it's all settled.

Wait a minute, girls.

Before we go, I think we should give my boss, Mr. Jefferson, a round of thanks.

Okay.

Don't spoil him.

Thank you, ladies.

You too, Florence.

And I must say, I love your attitude.

So now what are we going to get?

We're going to get rich.

I can't hear you.

What are we going to get? Rich!

Give me an R!

R! R!

Give me a C!

C! Give me an H! H!

Give me your money!

he been telling you? How we been doing?

I miss my money.

I know, Emma, but he ain't told me nothing yet. And he said no business

discussed except at Thursday's regular board meetings.

Come on, everybody.

Here he comes, the Fox of Wall Street.

Ladies, ladies.

Hi, Mr. Jefferson.

Well, shall we go straight to the matter at hand?

Yeah. Okay.

Now,

TZI appears to have upside penetrated the symmetrical triangle.

Now, if this is correct, I believe that the trend should continue upward with

subslite resistance about here through the end of the month.

Any questions? Yes.

What you talking about?

Okay. Should I put it in simpler terms? Yes.

Okay. In simpler terms, that means...

I got some great news.

TZI's up another two points.

So the consortium is doing well.

Well, we're doing great.

How much have they made?

A thousand dollars apiece.

You know something, Weezy? Those women really worship me.

Of course, that's their right as American citizens.

George, take it easy.

You might be smart with money, but you're not a god.

Give me time, Weezy. We've only been in the stock market for two weeks.

You know something, Weezy?

This genius work is hungry work.

Would you give me a dish of that peach cobbler Emma made for me?

And maybe some coffee that I love you, Mr. Jefferson mugged at Florence Gaming.

Oh, yeah, when you finish that, would you rub my back? Connie, Mr. Spock.

Sure, George.

And while I'm at it, do you want me to kiss your feet, too?

No, Weaves. Then I have to take off the slippers that Lucy did for me.

Mr. Jefferson, while I've shined all your shoes, darned your socks, and

your shoelaces, is there anything else you want while I'm still below your

ankle?

Sorry, Florence, but Wheezy has dibs on my feet.

Mr. Jefferson, have I told you lately how much I appreciate what you're doing

for us?

Four times less than Lucy, but three times more than Emma. But who's

Oh, well.

If you're comfortable, I'm going to put your little shoes down here.

And I think I'll just go answer the doorbell.

Thank you, Florence. I'm fine. Run along.

I can't believe this.

Hi, Emma. Hi, Florence. Is he in?

Is he thinking?

Can I watch?

Okay, but don't disturb him. Okay.

This is where he reads the financial pages.

Oh, and this is his calculator.

This is the phone he uses to call the stock market check.

Oh, and this is his wife.

What is it, Emma? Oh, I just brought Mr. Jefferson

a little present.

Here.

It's a thinking cap. At least that's what my daddy used to call it. But Mama

always said it was a shame he didn't have it on the day that he crossed

that red light in front of that speeding bus.

Thank you, Mama.

I'll wear it in good health.

And in heavy traffic.

You ready to go, Florence? Oh, yeah.

Where are you two going?

Florence is going with me to the travel agency.

She's going to Georgia for her mama's 75th birthday party. Ain't that

And I wouldn't have been able to afford it if it hadn't have been for Mr.

Jefferson.

Have I told you how much I really appreciate what you've done?

Two times less than Florence, but you're gaining on us.

Come on in.

I really appreciate what you're doing for us, Mr. Jefferson.

Ha! I'm back three up on you.

Ain't that great, Wee? Emma's going to get a chance to visit her mother.

Yes, I have to admit, what you're doing is nice.

Your attitude is thoroughly nauseating, but what you're doing is nice.

Beautifully put, Wee.

And it was very considerate of you to help get them in the stock market.

Yeah, now think about getting them out.

Why?

I thought the market was going up steadily.

Well, you know how the stock market is. It's just like blood pressure. One day

it's up, up, up, and the next thing you know, it's kablooey.

Do you really think their stock's going to kablooey?

Well, I don't know. I've been studying the trend, and we're at a crossroads

right now.

We're either heading for a major upswing, or we're heading, to use the

term, down the toilet.

I just can't figure out what to do about it.

Well... Just bear in mind it isn't your money that you'd be losing.

You saying go for it?

No, that's not what I'm saying.

What I'm saying is play it safe and sell the stock.

But wheeze, Emma needs the money to see her mother.

I mean, it wouldn't be fair if she wasn't able to spread my legend

the state of Georgia.

Uh, I've got to get down to the help center.

I've got to call a stockbroker and tell them to sell.

Bye, George.

I thought you wanted me to sell.

I meant so long, George. Oh.

Hello, Miss Davis.

It's Lewin.

It's George Jefferson.

Jefferson, Cleveland, seven locations, one near you.

Huh? There isn't?

Then move.

Now put Lew on, will you?

Hey, Lew.

Look, I got something I want you to do for me.

Dump my TZI.

You heard me. I want you to sell all of it.

I know it's a wise move.

I guess that's why everybody calls me a wise guy.

So anyway, you do agree I should sell the stock, right?

Okay, then hold on to it.

Look, you haven't been right since I've known you.

Oh, hi, George. Great news.

I see in the paper that TZ, I really plunged. The bottom fell out.

You sold just in time. Isn't that great?

Is something wrong?

Blonde's gone yet?

Yeah, she's downstairs with the rest of the consortium waiting for you. Oh.

Hey, you know what? I've been thinking. Maybe you should hold a meeting today.

I could never take the place of the Fox of Wall Street.

Oh, those women are going to love you now.

That's what I'm saying. I mean, you ain't been getting enough loving lately.

Tell me about it.

No, look, I'm serious. I mean, I've had it up to here with this glory.

I'm full of it.

Oh, hi, Miss Jefferson.

Do you mind if we have our meeting up here? We can't use the laundry room.

Yeah, the nerve of those women using our boardroom to do their wash.

George, this is your lucky day. You don't have to go to the meeting. The

came to you.

How about that?

And even better, I can watch you tell them the good news personally.

Oh, I'm sorry, Mrs. Jefferson, but you can't.

Yeah, you ain't a member of the consortium.

But I'm married to George.

Surely you could make an exception in my case.

Uh -uh. No.

Well,

I'll be in my room.

Now, we know you've got good news for us, but first, we've got something for

you. Consortium?

What the Wall Street got to tell us today?

Well, first, let me say one thing.

When you go to your fast food stands to get a burger, what do you have to drink?

Root beer.

Cola. Gotcha on the rocks.

I carry my own.

Did you notice that the only drink not mentioned was chocolate milk?

What does that mean?

TZI went kablooey.

Nobody's buying chocolate milk.

Well, how about the missiles you told us about?

Did you buy one of those lately?

No. See?

Mr. Jefferson, could kablooey by any chance mean something good?

Not a chance, Florence.

Oh, there goes my trip to see my mama. And my first vacation in ten years.

And my miniskirt and cowboy boots.

Look, ladies, I'm really sorry.

Oh, that's okay, Mr. Jefferson. Don't feel bad.

I mean, you did the best you could for us. And you were hot for a while.

And you said it was a risk.

Yeah, but I hate disappointing you. Oh, listen, honey. When it comes to

disappointments, we've had plenty of that.

Well, ladies.

Hey, wait a minute. Look, I got one more thing to tell you.

You're not going to tell us that son of a sharecropper story again, are you?

No, no stories. This is business.

Okay?

Now, as you know, TZI was heading way up, up, up, up, up, right?

Yeah. Okay.

So, you know, they don't call me the Fox of Wall Street for nothing, right?

So I said to myself, Fox, you know, whatever goes up must come down.

So I sold it before it dropped.

Well, what does that mean?

It means that we got out before it went under.

Oh, and it also means that, uh...

I have here a thousand dollar check for each and every one of you.

Get that for me, Weez.

Mama, here I come.

Oh, I just gotta give him a big hug.

Uh -uh, not yet, child. He's still writing.

Oh, a mini skirt for me and matching hot pants for my old man.

Okay, princess?

Well,

what's our next investment, Fox?

Well, the Fox thinks we ought to lay low. The hounds are out there now.

Well, how soon then?

Well, I don't know, a year, two, maybe ten.

Oh, whatever you say, Fox.

Come on, girls.

Let's go celebrate.

You want to join us, Mr. Jefferson?

No, thanks. Being a financial genius is tiring work. You go ahead.

Mr.

Jefferson, are you tearing up?

A little.

This really touched you, didn't it?

Deeper than you know.

Oh, thank you. I'm going straight down to my church and make a donation on them

stained glass windows.

In your name.

Why are you down there burning a candle for TZI?

What's going on, Florence?

Oh, Miss Jefferson, ain't this something?

We each made $1 ,000 in the stock market.

You did?

Yeah, and we owe it all to your husband.

You know, I've said a lot of things about you in the past.

And they still apply.

But I want to tell you what I'm thinking about you right now. You know, if I had

bought stock in you yesterday, I'd be rich today.

Because your stock just shot up, child.

What are you staring at?

A wonderful man.

Oh, come on. We ain't that wonderful.

I just got lucky in the stock market, that's all.

You did?

Well, your broker just called, and he said he was sorry that you lost so much

sticking with TZI.

Oh.

So you didn't sell after all.

You took the whole loss yourself and paid them out of our account.

Yeah, you know, we... George,

you don't have to explain being nice.

Feels good, doesn't it? Yeah, but it's strange.

Oh, you'll get used to it.

Oh, I'm just so proud of you.

Oh, yeah? You want to know something? You got every right to be.