Original subtitles

Well, we're moving on up, moving on up, to the east side, moving on up, to a

deep...

and is just going to love it.

Tell me, how long has it been since you've seen her?

Ten years.

Isn't it amazing what can happen in ten years?

Ten years ago, Rhonda was just a little girl in pigtails.

Now she's a full -grown woman.

It was ten years ago I started working for you folks.

And look at me now.

Well, the room's all done.

Oh, come on, Florence. You've done plenty with your life in the last ten

Let's see.

You don't crack your knuckles anymore.

Just trying to help.

Anyway, in case I didn't tell you, I really appreciate you letting Rhonda

here. Oh, it's our pleasure.

But actually, when I say our, I mean mine.

Because I haven't told George yet.

You haven't?

No, I tried.

Last night in bed, but I guess you can guess what happened.

He fell asleep.

Yep.

Well, don't you think you should tell him? I mean, she'll be here any minute.

Well, yes, we should tell him, all right, but the problem is how?

I know.

I'll be real nice and do everything he says.

Come on, Florence, George is no fool.

He'll see through that in two, three days' time.

Well, can't you make the decision? I mean, push your foot down?

No, I don't think so.

Well, we better think of something quick, because he's going to get

when Rhonda sits down to breakfast, lunch, and dinner day after day.

Wait a minute.

We could just convince him that it was his idea for Rhonda to stay here.

His idea?

And you think he'll fall for that?

I know he will.

To this day, he still thinks he asked me to marry him.

It's all that, Nick.

Oh, we were just laughing at ourselves.

Remembering how great it is to be 18.

You know, like Rhonda. Oh, yeah.

18 is a great age.

Who's Ron?

Oh, you know, Florence's cousin from Georgia.

What cousin?

Oh, George, the one that's going to stay with us for a week.

Ain't no cousin of Florence staying with us for the week.

But, George, you promised.

Now, a month ago, we asked if she could stay, and you said yeah.

What are you talking about?

You really don't remember?

No, I don't remember.

Okay.

We were having breakfast.

You had bacon and eggs, and you were yelling at Florence for burning the

Oh, yeah, now you did burn the toast.

Oh, yeah,

so when's she going to show up?

Oh, right away.

Now, George, remember, she's Florence's cousin, and she looks up to Florence.

Look, I know what you're trying to get at. I do have some sensitivity, you

So, Florence, this cousin of yours, is she pretty?

Or does she look like you?

Oh, come on.

We should get a lab. You gotta take it.

Well, I wonder what's keeping Rhonda.

I called the bus station. The bus got in on time.

It probably has something to do with Ralph.

Ralph? You sent Ralph to pick her up? Well, yeah. We didn't want her coming

the station alone.

Besides, you know this city's full of muggers, petty thieves, and leeches. So

you started off with a leech.

Well, well.

Hello. Hello, Ralph.

Where are you? You're at the bus station. Is Rhonda with you?

What do you mean she didn't show up?

Will you just stay there until she does?

What? Yes, it has to be Florence's cousin.

No, we will not accept just any teenager.

Or will we?

No, Ralph, we won't. Bye, Ralph. Bye.

What do you mean she wasn't on the bus?

Look, calm down, Florence. It'll be okay. I promise you. Everything's all

Look, Florence, it's one of two things.

She either got off the bus here and got lost, or she missed the bus there and

got lost.

So we know that she's either somewhere here in New York, where we live, or

somewhere in Georgia, where her folks live.

Either way, we know she's lost near someone who loves her.

I'll get some coffee.

It's her.

It's got to be her. It better be her.

I hope you mean physically.

And you know what else hasn't changed a bit?

Audrey's peach cobbler! You got it.

Lord, this woman used to make the best peach cobbler. Still does.

Well, ain't that nice. She told me to tell you hi, too. And Cousin Alan and

Eugene and Lucille.

And Andy and Goober and Aunt B.

I sure can't say you haven't changed.

The last time I saw you, you wasn't nothing but pigtails and long legs.

Couldn't have been no more than three, four feet.

Mrs. Jefferson, stand over here.

Oh, never mind.

Anyway, honey, it is so good to see you. Oh, me too.

But you had me worried sick.

Why weren't you on the bus?

Well, I wanted to save money. I mean, I put away a lot already, but there's so

many things I want to do. I've been making lists all the way up here. Okay,

want to get my ears pierced. I want to get some tapes.

You must be Mrs. Jefferson.

Hello, dear. Mr. Jefferson. How are you? Hey, do you guys have Michael Jackson?

That's all right. We'll figure it out. Wait, wait, wait. Wait a minute. Wait a

minute. Now, if you weren't on the bus, how in the world did you get here?

Oh, I caught a ride.

You what?

to meet you.

My friends call me Burnout.

I forget why.

Hey,

where do you want these?

Just put them down anywhere.

Boy, I was lucky, Cousin Florence.

There I was.

On this dark country road, suddenly these two headlights appeared from

I didn't know whether to run or scream because of all the crazies, you know.

fortunately, it was only burnout.

Well,

I can see you lucked out all right. Oh, but burnout's brilliant.

All the way up here, he was telling me about New York and all the great things

there are to do here. So he got me thinking. So I decided to stay here

Whoa, whoa, Rhonda.

There's a big difference between one week and forever.

Why don't you compromise and stay maybe eight days?

Oh, Mr. Jefferson, a week in New York is silly.

I mean, this is where the action is.

Yeah, particularly in the Midtown area.

I mean, you've got the museums, you've got Broadway, you've got Carnegie Hall.

Plus, it's so easy to get to New York from here.

Anyway, Rhonda, we didn't expect for you to be staying for more than a week.

Well, neither did I, but with all the burnout was telling me, it's like

no better place to live in the world.

But, honey, this ain't exactly my place. Oh!

I didn't mean I'd be staying here forever.

First thing I gotta do is get a job in an apartment. And burnout knows the

Plus, I already got my own money. Well, how much money?

$200, plus the 75 I saved from the bus fare. And you expect to get an apartment

with that?

Well, I know it won't be on Fifth Avenue or anything.

Any place in this building vacant?

Uh,

Rhonda, sweetheart, I know your hopes are high. Of course my hopes are high.

gotta have drive and ambition. That's the only way to get anything done, like

you. Me?

Sure. That's why I can't wait to hear the son of a sharecropper story that

Florence used to write me about. Oh, no.

Florence, did you tell her that?

I didn't expect her to meet you.

Look, Mr. Jefferson, I hope this won't embarrass you, but I've always thought

you as a tremendous influence.

And if I can achieve even a tenth of your success, I think moving here will

the wisest thing I've ever done.

Don't you?

Well, Rhonda...

Like I said to my sharecropper. Not now.

You know, I remember the wisest thing I'd ever done. It was a weird thing.

Anyway,

Rhonda, I think we better talk.

Oh, would you mind if we talk tomorrow?

Well, I... Oh, it's really been such a long trip, and I'm just dying to get out

of these clothes.

Well, I guess we can wait till tomorrow.

Anyway, it's good to see you, honey.

Your room is right here, dear.

Boy, oh boy, what a sweet, perceptive, sensitive young lady.

It's funny how stuff like that can skip over a whole generation, isn't it?

Oh, Florence, you must be pretty excited.

Oh, yeah, Miss Jefferson, but to tell you the truth, I'm kind of worried. I

mean, some of Rhonda's thoughts kind of caught me by surprise.

Let's face it, Florence, every thought catches you by surprise.

Oh, George, be serious. Don't you see the problem we have here?

Rhonda shows up all wide -eyed, young, and innocent.

Now, how do you expect Florence to communicate with her?

Yes, she's right.

I know I'm right. It's been a long time since you were that young.

I was going to make coffee, wasn't I?

I understand what you mean, and I'll handle it. Now, I don't know exactly

I'm going to say to Rhonda, but I'm definitely going to straighten her out.

know, well, I think your point is well made. The measure of discipline is

important, but on the other hand, positive reinforcement can also be an

effective tool in the shaping of a young person's consciousness.

You know, this could use a touch more of vermouth.

Well, the third bottle to your left.

My left?

My left.

Oh, my left.

That's it.

I'm talking to Rhonda. Oh, no. Now,

maybe tomorrow would be better.

Well, I guess it was a long trip. She's probably bushed.

She'll probably be out here any minute to say goodnight.

Well, goodnight.

Goodnight.

Wait a minute, young lady.

Where do you think you're going? To party with burnout.

To what with who?

Yeah, we're going to dance until dawn and stroll home as the streetlights go

and the sun rises over the skyline of the city.

I don't know about burnout, but the only place you're going to stroll is to

stroll your little butt right back in there, put on some more clothes, and

take them off and then get in the bath.

try to drag other people into this. This is a family matter, and since I am the

only family member, I will make the decision, and my decision is you are

to bed.

Come on, Cousin Florence. I'm 18 years old. You can't tell me what to do. I'm

adult. Oh, is that so?

Is that why you walked in here late without even calling?

Young lady, you haven't even shown a trace of responsibility since you got

Well, what do you want from me? I'm only 18 years old. I'm just a kid.

Rhonda, let me put it to you like this.

As long as you're in my house, you will obey my rules.

And my rule is, anybody that I'm responsible for is in by ten.

and she is 18.

Well, since when has age got anything to do with being a child?

You know, I was going to crash with you guys, but you guys are just way too

loud. You know what I mean?

I mean, the psychological reaction from the alpha rays just doesn't happen.

I think you've just gotten too emotionally involved.

George.

George. What do you think we can do about Rhonda? Look, I distinctly

when I said that Rhonda could stay here that I didn't want to get involved.

Burnout's right. Y 'all too loud.

Is that Florence?

It's probably Rhonda.

She and Florence's face first thing in the morning can make you get up.

She's gone. She's not in there.

What am I going to tell her mother?

I don't know, but that poor girl's missing some good bacon.

How am I going to find her? I wonder if that burnout's listed in the directory.

Wait a minute.

Listen to this.

Dear Cousin Florence, you were right. As long as I live under your roof, I do

have to obey your rules.

I'd hate more than anything for there to be trouble between us, so I'm looking

for my own place.

Well, in that case, you won't be needing no eggs.

And please don't worry, I already have a job.

Uncle promised me to work at his bar as a mud wrestler.

Mud wrestler?

What could she be thinking about? That girl was raised better than that. You

wait till I get my hands on her. I'm gonna shake her cross -eyed.

Oh,

Florence, don't get excited. She's naive.

Maybe she doesn't know what she's getting into.

Talk to her. Oh, I'm gonna talk to her, all right. I'm gonna put her over my

knee and give her a speech she'll never forget.

Calm down.

This is terrible. What am I gonna do?

It compares me to salt.

George, please.

I can't believe you can eat in a situation like this.

Guess you don't need your eggs either.

You know, this is all my fault.

I drove her away.

Go on, you can tell me. It's my fault.

Oh, now, Florence, don't be so hard on yourself. No, don't be afraid to say it.

I didn't handle it right.

Oh, you did the best you could. The bottom line is my cousin entrusted her

child to me, and now she is being dragged through the mud.

Oh, Florence.

Maybe I overreacted. After all, she is 18.

Well, Florence, maybe you did overreact. Oh, go ahead.

Blame it on me.

No. Florence, I understand what you're going through. But that's a part of

raising kids.

And what do you know about raising kids?

Well, Lionel isn't... Did he ever mud wrestle?

Well, no.

Then you don't know what I'm going through.

I'm going to get him. I guess you won't need your bacon, huh?

Where are you going to look for?

I'm going to search every mud wrestling bar in Manhattan if it takes me all

night. Blonde, wait a minute. I wouldn't do that for you.

Oh, I don't care how dangerous it is. Not that. I'm showing my vacation slides

to the Willisons tonight. You don't want to miss out on that.

Don't you say nothing here. If you hadn't agreed to let her come here in

first place, I wouldn't be in this mess.

Would you believe this? We've already seen two trays of my vacation, and I

haven't even boarded the bus yet.

Excuse me, George, but, you know, I was just thinking.

When we asked you to look at the slides from our vacation to Yellowstone, you

suggested that we move from the building.

And now you expect us to give up our evening to look at five... full trays of

tour you took through a cleaning plant in Newark?

Look at it this way, Helen. If you were upstairs right now with your husband,

what would you be doing?

Rolling.

Uh -huh. Now, this is what I was referring to earlier.

See how in New Jersey the clothes racks rotate counterclockwise?

Louise.

You know, I just can't believe it. I am bored out of my skull, and you are

actually interested in this?

Louise?

Louise?

Oh, now, this is a sad one here, see?

This worn -out old rag that nobody ever claimed.

Mr. Jefferson. I'm not talking about you, Florence. I'm showing you the

Well, I hate to interrupt, but... Oh, child, interrupt. Please, interrupt.

I don't know what to do.

I couldn't find her anywhere.

Florence, you've been looking for her all day. I'm telling you, she's all

Just take your mind off it. Sit down with us and enjoy the slide.

All right.

Okay, now, here we have some of your common stains found in New Jersey, okay?

Look, Helen, close -ups.

Your grease stain.

Your grass stain.

Your mud stain. Mud!

Oh, my goodness.

What's this?

What's the matter, Florence?

Oh, no offense, Miss Willis, but it's a personal, private matter.

Oh, this must have to do with your cousin's mud wrestling career.

How's she doing?

Tom!

Oh, I think we must be leaving now.

But, Helen, I could give her the benefit of my insight.

Honey, I think you used up your insight when you said, Look, Helen, close up.

But, Bunnyface, wait.

Florence, believe me, I do understand what you're going through, but I don't

think you have anything to worry about.

It's your cousin's daughter, and she was brought up in a good home.

Yeah, and those mud -rusting places have referees.

Well, things could be worse.

At least she's not doing nothing illegal.

Which one here is your cousin?

My professional instinct tells me you're the cousin.

What did you do?

I didn't do anything. Never mind. Don't tell me. What did she do? Well, ma 'am,

she... I knew it. I knew it.

Officer, is it premature to think about parole? Ma 'am. I'll watch it. Really, I

will. I'll even tie her up. Ma 'am.

Do you have kids? Oh, I hope you do, so you'll know what I'm going through. Ma

'am. Then again, I hope you don't, because nobody should know what I'm

through. Ma 'am.

Listen, it's raising kids today. It's so hard.

There is so... There was a riot down at the club. A riot? Oh, there

goes the parole.

Listen, but like I said, I'll tell you if I use real strong rope and you... I'm

not arresting your cousin.

My partner and I were called in. We broke up the disturbance.

I just thought it was a good idea if I saw Rhonda home.

Rhonda, what happened? I was minding my own business. This guy tried to pinch

me. The man wouldn't listen to the reason I had to pop him one.

She's a Johnston.

Well, Rhonda, now that you're home safely, I can take off.

Thank you, officer.

Yeah, thanks.

Okay.

Oh, by the way, are you going to be discussing this?

I'd say it'd be a safe bet.

Then here.

I'll tell him I lost him the scuffle.

Mud Redwood. Now, Cousin Florence, before you go any further, I want you to

I quit that job.

Well, it's about time you came to your senses.

Yeah, I should have talked to you first. Then why didn't you?

Because you told me no. Well, you got that right. But that's just it, Cousin

Florence. You don't talk to me either. I won't. You don't. You order me. You

tell me.

Look, if I live here, I'm going to make mistakes.

And I'm really going to need your advice.

But that's what... Advice, Cousin Florence, not orders.

I respect you.

And all I want is for you to respect me a little, too.

But it's only because I worry about you, honey. I love you.

I love you.

But I think the best thing for both of us would be for me to get a new job and

move out as soon as I can.

I really should be on my own.

But, honey, you're too young for that.

I'm the same age you were, Mama said, when you left.

That darn woman never could keep her mouth shut.

That's the same thing she says about you.

Oh, honey, I wanted us to be close.

I want that, too. But here's how I figure. Sometimes in order for people to

closer together, they have to get farther apart.

Well, you're probably right.

But you just don't forget I'm here, you understand?

I won't.

Did you hear that, George?

Huh? Maybe sometimes people do have to get further apart to get closer.

Oh!

Hey, Florence, don't you think it's time you and I got closer together?

I'll get your suitcase.