Original subtitles

Good time, anytime you need a payment. Good time, anytime you need a break.

Good time, anytime you're up and under.

Not getting hassled, not getting hustled. Keeping your head above water.

Making a way when you can.

Temporary layoffs. Good time, easy credit ripoffs.

Good time.

Try and hold yourself together.

Now, James, how can I hold myself together when they got my son behind

He's our firstborn, James.

He's my brother, Daddy. Mine, too.

Well, he ain't no orphan to me.

We're gonna get him out here. Just let me do the talking, baby.

Let me do the talking here. Okay, love.

Yeah? I'm Mr. Evans, and I want to... My son has been arrested, and we think

it's a mistake. He'd never do nothing like that. Florida, let me do the

here, baby.

Yeah, I'm Mr. Evans, and you got our son locked up in here. Our boy would never

do anything bad.

Please,

baby. Okay, James.

All right. Name the suspect.

Evans.

James Evans Jr.

He's never done anything real bad in his whole life, and today's his 18th

birthday. Quiet, Thelma. Let your daddy do the talking.

Thank you, baby.

Now, officer, all we want to do is get him out of here.

James Evans, Jr., arrested on suspicion of 18 -2 of the penal code. Armed

robbery or felony.

I bet you wouldn't be sticking it to him if he was white, would you?

Officer, we know he didn't do it. No, he didn't do it.

Officer, there's got to be a mistake. Our boy is not that kind of a child.

That's right.

If you're not popping off too much, you're getting hysterical. Now just calm

down. Look, all we want to do is get him out of here. The court will probably

set bail at $5 ,000.

$5 ,000?

Just take it nice and easy, eh?

Now, where in the hell are we going to...

I've got no money in my life.

You only have to pay 10%, $500.

Well, where in the hell are we going to get $500?

I can't tell you in a million years how to raise the money, but I can tell you a

lot about lowering your voice.

James, honey, please, don't make it worse.

Sorry, babe, can't you see I'm trying to be nice? I'm handling comedy.

Now, look here, officer.

I'll be trying to say... is that we don't have that kind of money.

Now, what's going to happen to our boy?

He'll be bound over to the grand jury.

Well, when's that, tomorrow?

Well, the courts are pretty backed up. I'd say two or three weeks, if you're

lucky. Two or three weeks? Oh, man.

And our son's going to remain in jail for as long as that before you even know

whether he did it or not?

That's not fair. That's not fair at all.

We've got to take this to the Supreme Court. They've got a black judge there,

and he don't fool around. I just keep the log. Sorry.

Now, look here, man.

I'm through being calm and easy. Now, I want to see the head dude in charge.

That ain't no piece of meat you got back there.

Now, I know he don't mean a damn thing to you, but he does to us. That's our

child you got back there. Man, he ain't no criminal.

But Lord knows if you keep him back there for that long a time, you just

turn him into one. I know.

right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a

court of law.

You have the right to speak with an attorney and have the attorney with you

during questioning. If you so desire or cannot afford one, an attorney will be

appointed for you without charge before questioning, okay?

Now start talking.

Would you mind repeating that?

Come on, come on, start talking. You're the one that robbed the liquor store.

No, I didn't rob no liquor store.

Look, I'm a solid citizen. Matter of fact, that's tomorrow I start a job.

So if y 'all excuse me, I got to go home and get a good night's rest.

Shut up.

Were you at Robinson's Lick Store at approximately 8 .15?

Yeah, I was there, but... What were you doing there?

Well, I had this heavy date, so I went to buy some shirts.

Shirts?

Yeah, I wanted to make out with my chick Henrietta, like that dude does on TV.

You know, click.

at that store?

Yes, sir.

No, wait a minute. I haven't told you all everything.

Yeah? While I was there, I also brought her a snicker bar.

See, I got it right here.

It's kind of melted because I've been sweating a lot.

Now, according to this arrest record, you were seen running approximately two

blocks from the liquor store. Why?

I was going on my date.

Why were you running?

If you saw the way Henrietta's built, you know why.

fit the description of the suspect. A tall, skinny, young black man.

You just described most of Chicago.

And half of the NBA.

Now why don't y 'all just bring down the man who owns the liquor store. He'll

take one look at me and he'll tell you that I ain't the one.

He couldn't identify you. The one that robbed the store had a nylon stocking

over his face.

That proves it.

Where would I get a nylon stocking from?

My sister Thelma wears pantyhose and my mother wears sub -hose.

How'd you get rid of the gun so fast?

Gun? I never owned a gun.

Had a bean shooter once.

But it didn't work. It was bent.

Honest, I wouldn't kid y 'all.

What'd you do with the $85 you took from the cash register?

$85? Man, if I had $85, I wouldn't be running to meet Henrietta. I'd charge a

helicopter.

This is your first rape.

If you admit you did it and cooperate, the judge will go a little easier on

You see, we're here to help you.

Want a cigarette?

Yeah, thanks, man.

What's the matter?

I just remembered. I don't smoke.

James, we can't let J .J. stay in jail for God knows how long.

Don't worry, babe. We're going to get him out. I'm just trying to figure.

Now, we need $500, huh? Uh -huh. All right.

Now, I can borrow from Willie Coons, Jimmy Gamble, Lunchmeat Munford, my

Fred on the south side, and then there's your Aunt Hattie. Well, that'll get us

$50.

Now, where are we going to get the other $450?

Now, wait just a minute. Are you forgetting who's sitting here?

This is Walona, the closest friend of the family. Now, you know you can count

me. Thank you, Elona. Okay, Elona, how much money you got?

Let's see now.

In the savings account, I got... In the checkings account, I got... Emergency

cash for keeping a coffee can, I got... Better you don't count on me.

Daddy, maybe you can get a loan from the bank.

Tell me how you sound.

After that department store computer bad mouthed my credit, a bank loan ain't

even up for discussion.

They're probably getting ready to foreclose on that free calendar they

I had to do something.

J .J., are you all right? Did they hurt you, son?

No, Mom, I'm okay. And Mom, Dad, I didn't hold her at the liquor store.

That's good enough for us, Junior.

Oh, do you have to have those handcuffs on him like he's a criminal?

He ain't gonna hurt nobody.

That's right, I swear.

I think I need a smaller size.

Honeymoon suite.

Junior, don't worry, son. We're going to get you out of here. You got the whole

family behind you. Plus one. Don't worry about a thing, J .J. And J .J., if you

ain't out by morning, I'll be outside with my picket sign.

Thanks, Michael. And can somebody get word to the messenger service, tell them

won't be in tomorrow?

I'll go, J .J. I got a feeling I'm going to be tied up for a few days.

Lord, if we ever needed your help, we needed...

Baby, come on, let's go on home. Ain't nothing else we can do here now. I mean,

maybe we can get some help in the morning. I ain't leaving, James.

While they got my son locked up back there, I ain't moving from this spot.

Oh, come on now. James, I said I ain't leaving. I don't care how long I have to

sit here. Right on.

Well, y 'all might as well go on home, because I'm going to stay here with your

mother. We'll stay, too. I can start on my picket sign right now.

Well, Lona, will you take Thelma and Michael on home, please?

Sure. Come on, kids, let's go. Go ahead, Thelma.

And Thelma.

Yeah, Ma? You make some breakfast for your brother here. Okay.

Lorna, I can make breakfast with Michael. Either way, I'm in big trouble.

Michael.

Daddy, I'm with you.

Thelma and Melona should go home and us men should stay here.

What did you say? I'm going home with Thelma and Melona.

That's what I thought you said.

Hey, Thelma, first thing in the morning, I want you to go down to that messenger

place and tell them your brother won't be coming in tomorrow, yeah?

Okay, Daddy.

Maybe the next day.

Oh, come on, baby, let's go. Come on.

Oh, James.

James, baby, I'm scared.

It'll be all right. It's going to be all right. James.

but not that much.

But I didn't do it.

What are you in for?

Beating a five.

being a son with George.

to offer you.

Must have been dreaming.

Yeah, your dream must have been in a dance hall because you changed partners.

People ain't safe no place. You even get molested in a police station.

I'm sorry, baby.

Oh, that's all right, honey. I was dreaming, too.

I dreamed we was home and everything was all right.

But we still here.

You know, James, I was just thinking.

Huh? This experience might teach JJ not to make a joke out of finding things.

Hey, good morning, y 'all. Hi, Mom. Hi, Dad.

Hey,

Michael, what you got there?

I made a picket sign.

The fuzz is unfair to brothers, especially mine.

Michael, you think that one's bad? You just seen the one he was gonna bring.

Hey, what we gonna do with this boy?

I don't know what you're going to do, baby. I'm going to get him some more

cardboard so he can keep making these signs. Right on, Dad.

Hey, I brought you some nice hot coffee. Oh, thanks, Wilma. You guys get any

sleep at all?

Not much.

We both slept kind of miserable, but James woke up happy.

Florida, what are you talking about?

Nothing. She ain't talking about nothing.

Hey, Daddy.

As long as he got that uniform on, you ain't got to give his pigmentation no

consideration.

I'll talk to him anyway.

Hey, brother, if you got any... Now,

we got troubles enough. You sit down.

Jerry, what's the matter? A coffee too strong?

Oh, no, Malone, it's fine.

It's fine.

You know, this could be a way of getting Junior out.

A couple of drops of this stuff, he'd hold in the jail.

happening with JJ? Anything new?

Nothing. He's still sitting in there and we're still sitting out here.

Say, well, Lana, did Thelma go by the messenger place and tell him Junior

wouldn't be coming in today? Yeah. I told him to make up any kind of good

excuse. Seems the more I think about this, the thicker I get.

$500. Ain't no way in the world we can get that kind of money.

Hey, there.

I knew you all got caught in the long green squeeze.

Because plenty of money is here.

Man, you better get the hell out of here.

That show is fire, brother. That show is cold.

Let me write it down for you. Here in Chicago, ain't no bills bundling. So I'm

here to fill in the gap.

I'm what is known as a public utility, dear.

You're a loan shark.

James, wait a minute.

How much interest are you charging?

Since we are all brothers, just 20%. 20 %?

A week.

look so fine, lest you lay the bread on the line.

You look awfully familiar.

Haven't we met someplace before?

Could be, Foxy Mama. I get around.

Oh, yeah, I remember you. I tripped over you while you were trying to climb out

the sewer.

I don't want you, Mama. Get off my case.

Your case is already...

tacky turkey.

Say, if you all got this hang -up about my charitable intentions, hey, I'll move

along. Later. No, wait.

James, we gotta get JJ out any way we can.

Baby, once these cats get you on the hook, you don't never get them paid off.

They keep you paying till the day you die. Then after that, they go on the

ground after you get the gold teeth out your mouth.

I can't let J .J. stay in here for God knows how many weeks before they even

have a trial.

I don't think I could live through it.

Oh, please, James.

James, please.

All right, Mr. Clean.

Let's deal.

Always happy to lighten your burden.

Is that enough, Mama? I got plenty more.

Come on, man. Get out of here.

Say, man, just trying to conduct a little honest business.

Move. Say, okay, hey, if you need them, I'll be across the street. I also make

loans on TV sets, stereos, toasters.

Get out of here!

Hey, baby, cool it down.

I'd like to

put that cat up under the jail.

He was our last chance to get our son out of jail.

Well, that's what I came out here to tell you, Mr. and Mrs. Evans. Your son

in the cliff.

What?

Your son is in the clip.

All right.

We found the one that robbed the liquor store. My partner's questioning him

right now.

He's the one because we found the gun on him. Now, just a few more

technicalities and your son will be out real soon.

Yes,

may I help you, please?

Yes. My name is Thelma Evans, and I'm here to tell you that my brother James

Evans Jr. can't make it to work today. You see, he suddenly caught the 24 -hour

flu. And sometimes the 24 -hour flu takes 48 hours, or even 72 hours if you

don't have a good lawyer.

I mean, doctor, my brother told me to tell you, even though he's in bed with

fever, as soon as he gets out of bed, he'll report to work. Because he's very

anxious to start, and he'll make it up to you by delivering twice as many

messages. He's got real long legs that can move fast.

In fact, I call him the roadrunner. And you'll feel the same way when he comes

into work for you. He's not only fast, he's hardworking, dependable, honest.

long will your brother be in jail?

What's taking so damn long to let him out?

Honey, they say they were technicalities.

Technicalities. I got a good mind to sue them for false arrest.

Please, James, don't make waves. Let's just get J .J. out of here and get him

home. And then tomorrow morning, I'll come back and I'll sue him for false

arrest.

JJ, I'm sorry.

Don't cry, Mama. Don't worry about it. I never doubted it for a minute. Hey, JJ,

were you scared?

Scared? Are you jiving? At first, the man thought he was dealing with some

frightened little boy.

Then he took one look at me and realized he was dealing with a kid.

Fourth Amendment. You mean the Fifth Amendment.

That's what confused them.

Judy,

did you have any trouble in that?

Nah, they threw me in a cell where this guy was in for beating up five dudes. My

Lord. Don't worry about it, Mama. I just gave one of my mean looks and he turned

whiter than non -swell.

After a while, he got so afraid that he started feeding me his oatmeal.

Oh, George, you haven't come down to book this guy for that liquor store

robbery?

Is this the one that robbed the liquor store?

Yes, ma 'am.

I can see how you made a mistake.

They're practically twins.

Sorry for the little inconvenience here.

Son is free to go.

Well, let's get out of here before they book J .J. for being an 80 -year -old

midget. Yeah.

I want to get home and go to my job this afternoon.

Come on. Mom, Dad.

Oh, Selma, baby, did you hear the good news? J .J. is free.

Yeah, ain't that great?

You should have seen the one there.

Right. Smile up, little sister. My problems is over.

I lost the job, huh?

You mean they already found out that J .J. was arrested last night?

Yeah, Mom.

I bet you it's them damn computers again. Now they jam me down at the

store for a payment I didn't miss. Now they jamming Junior for something he

didn't do.

The way they work, probably ten minutes after J .J. was arrested, his record was

all over the country. I bet his record is everywhere by now.

Oh, baby, you can't win for losing. No, wait a minute now, y 'all.

Let's look on the bright side of this thing.

Overnight, my record's at the top of the charts.

Just looking out of the window, watching the asphalt road,

thinking how it all looks and we die.

Good times, good times, keeping your head above water,

making a wave when you can.

Temporary layoffs, good times.

Good Times is recorded on tape before a live audience.

Ain't we lucky we got...