Original subtitles

Good times! Anytime you need a payment. Good times!

Anytime you feel free.

Good times!

Anytime you're up and under.

Not getting hassled, not getting hustled. Keeping your head up for water.

Making a way when you can.

Temporary layoffs. Good times!

a picture of somebody by the weekend, and I can't figure out what to paint.

Well, who did you promise to paint a picture of, JJ?

This new fox I'm dating.

Marvelous Myrna the Human Burner.

Human Burner? Yeah, kissing Myrna's like putting your lips to a hot plate. She

really cooks.

Forget about the painting and get her a skillet.

a true expression of my artistic talents.

Well, then paint her something that'll take her breath away.

I already thought of that, Ma, but I don't have time to do a self -portrait.

It's Michael. He's late again.

You know, I'm a little worried about him.

He's been late a lot lately since he's been going to that school.

Aw, Ma, he's probably just walking some love -starved teeny -bop -a -hoon. Oh,

don't be silly.

Michael's mind is on his studies.

Yeah, Ma, but he's getting old enough to find out about the right things to

study.

I wouldn't say anything smart about yolk meal.

I mean, everybody knows yolk meal sticks to the ribs.

And to the pot, and to the pan, and to the stove.

All right, JJ, that's enough.

You know, I just don't like the idea of Michael being out this late.

The way he has been acting, who knows what he's up to.

Come on, Michael's got a lot of extra schoolwork now that he's in that special

class.

Maybe he stopped off at the library.

Hi, sis.

Wilbur!

Uncle Wilbur!

Are you sure I won for

pulling surprises?

How come you didn't tell us you were coming?

Well, now, if I told you I was coming, you'd be counting the minutes.

So why should I make you suffer?

up your beautiful young lady. Thank you.

You look just like your mama here when she was your aunt. Please don't remind

I was a size seven then.

But like Willie Mays, they permanently retired my number.

J .J., there is something different about you. I don't know what it is. I

spot it. Nobody can. It's his mustache.

What you talking about, girl?

You don't have to trim this thing every day.

It's grown wild.

Well, save the hair for me, J .J. I could use it up.

You too.

Wilbur, you don't know how good it is to see you.

What brings you here?

Well, when you wrote me that James was going to be out of town for a while, I

said to myself that his family needs a man to take charge of the house.

My sister needs me.

Now, you know your sister can take care of herself.

And I know why you're really here.

Every time James is away, you just can't wait to take over.

Well, I am a sucker for your kids, and taking care is my specialty.

Yeah, you know, being the only boy in the family of five girls, you know, I

to take care of all of y 'all.

And I did a good job, too. You know, when your mama used to go out driving

a boy, I'd always make sure he knew the three R's, you know, respect,

righteousness, and if you're thinking about messing with my sister, reverse.

Hey, hey, where's Michael, my genius nephew?

Oh, he's not home from school yet.

Well, how's he doing in that special class? Getting straight A's as usual,

Well, we don't know.

He didn't bring home his first report card yet.

Well, there ain't nothing to worry about. You know, he's always going to be

tops. Hi, y 'all. Hi, Wilona.

Lord, give me strength.

Wilona!

How you doing? What are you doing in a windy city, man?

Oh, making it blow harder.

Oh, Wilona, you sure are looking fine.

How do you manage to stay so young?

Well...

a lot.

Seriously, doctor, what do we owe the honor of this visit? Oh, just filling

James while he's out of town. You know, this house needs a man, isn't it? Yeah,

and so does mine.

What are you talking about? This house needs a man.

I could have swore I saw Michael near the boutique around noon.

Are you sure Chicago ain't celebrating New York being broke?

Now, this ain't no holiday. Now, what about Michael? Well, I was coming out of

the boutique on my way to lunch, and... Child, you will never believe who I had

lunch with today.

Rochelle Johnson.

And you want to hear the latest? She was just divorcing for the sixth time.

Well, Anna, about Michael... And she don't even bother... to getting no new

wedding license. She just has the old one, zero.

Well, Donna, please.

What about Mike?

Oh, honey, it wasn't important. Oh, no, no. You started something. Now finish

it. Well, it was just that I thought I saw Michael on the corner in the middle

of the afternoon. I was kind of surprised, but it wasn't him. Because

yelled Michael, whoever was turned and zipped faster than a witness at a

mugging.

No, that couldn't have been Michael, not that boy. He'd be at school, huh?

Of course he would.

Yeah, probably some kid just looked like him.

Yeah, you know what they say. We all have a twin.

You know.

You mean that there's somebody else walking around looking like you?

You know, I really am starting to get worried about him. JJ, will you go out

see if you can find him?

Sure, Ma.

I had to go back to get it. Now, you see there, Florida? I told you that boy's

always got his mind on books.

He's going to be a Supreme Court judge just like we always said.

Hey, Supreme Court judge nothing. This dude here is going to be president.

Hey, Michael, when you become president, will you make me ambassador to Harlem?

Sure, Uncle Wilbur.

Michael? Yes, ma 'am? When are you going to get your report cards? Your Uncle

Wilbur is just dying to see them.

Oh, well, ma 'am.

I don't know exactly when we will be getting them. Well, um, if you'll excuse

me, I'm going to Thelma's room to do some study. Michael, when your Uncle

is here, you always like to sit and chat with him. Oh, no, that's all right,

Flo. I let the boy study. Now, that is much more important, you know. His mind

is like a belly dancer's hips.

Got to be moving all the time.

Well, um, excuse me, please.

Well, Flo, listen.

One thing's for certain, it wasn't Michael I saw, so stop worrying.

You know, I must be getting nearsighted. They say that happens when you're

getting near 30.

30, huh?

I don't know.

Michael just is not himself.

Well, it's like I've been telling you. Some little chick's probably got his

open. But I'll go in there and have a chat with her.

Give him the benefit of my vast... experience in the area of amour.

Come in.

Hey, Michael, what's happening?

Oh, it's you.

Michael, is that any way to talk to your beloved big brother and bunk buddy?

Daisy, why don't you cut the jive? What you want?

I think it's time we had a brother -to -brother talk.

Or to put it delicately, a talk about the birds and the bees.

Well, I have to study right now. I'll teach you about sex some other time,

Too bad for a talk about it, huh?

Tell me, Michael, who is she?

Who is who?

Fox, that's who.

There is no fox, J .J. Michael, there's got to be a fox.

For every bull, there's a cow.

For every rooster, there's a hen. For every rhinoceros, there's a lady

rhinoceros that sheds mud holes.

Well, I got some homework to do right now, man. I don't have no time for no

kingdom.

It's wild all right, Michael, but it's beautiful.

And you're at the perfect age.

At 13.

Girls are just like comic books.

Loaded with adventure, easy to understand, and don't cost no more than

to take out.

Well, JJ, I don't feel like talking about it right now, okay?

Michael, I know why you're feeling the miseries.

You probably turned on some little chick, and she's turned off to you.

Well, let me tell you something, Michael.

You're a good -looking dude, and you can pull out any chick you want.

All you got... do is walk around them, flash that

Big Evan smile,

and they'll be

grabbing tickets and waiting in line.

Got it, Michael?

Yeah, J .J., I got it. All right, good.

And when you get a little older, I'll teach you how to hang yourself in the

of... Love.

Well, Ma, it's just like I thought.

Some little chick's been bugging him. But I gave him a quick orientation

JJ, I've seen some of the girls you've gone out with.

They look like they've been through an obstacle course.

Oh, Mrs. Evans?

Yes. We're Mr.

and Mrs. Jenkins.

You have a son named Michael attending the upper grade center.

We want to talk to him, if you don't mind.

Oh, sure. May I ask why? Because he's in big trouble at school.

Big trouble?

What happened?

That's right. Michael doesn't believe in violence.

We taught him that.

That's right. And we'll punch out anyone who says we didn't.

All I know is that my wife called me home from work on account of this, and I

can't afford to lose no hours paid.

So you folks better get your son in line, or I'll have that kid expelled.

Now, hold it. Now, don't you go making no threats there, balloon belly.

balloon bag.

Who's a giant turkey?

You asking for a fat lip to go at that stomach?

Yeah!

Oh, J .J., stop that before your arms fall out of the socket.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, I don't appreciate anybody walking into my house blaming

my son for something he didn't do.

So you just shift that Lord in the other direction and say, kill me, please.

Well, now, leave him till we get an apology from you and your husband.

I am not her husband. I'm her brother.

Now, you see there, Flord, it is a good thing I came. Now, you don't have to

take no guts from Saxo here.

Or that lady over there with the bad sinus condition.

first. That's impossible.

We've taught our son that fighting is for animals and to turn the other cheek.

And when I did, Michael hit me with that one, too.

Well, there is one way to find out. Michael, will you come out here, please?

You know, what don't make sense is Michael laying a hand on this kid. He

like he play center for the Chicago Bears.

These folks said you hit their son.

I want you to tell them the truth.

You didn't hit him. You didn't even touch him, right?

No, Ma, I did hit him.

Well, then he hit you first, right?

No, Ma.

One more no, Mama, and there ain't gonna be no Michael.

I'll tell you why he hit me. Because he's jealous.

Jealous? Jealous of what?

I showed him my report card yesterday.

And I got all A's, and he didn't.

I caught you lying.

You couldn't have showed him the report card yesterday because the report cards

haven't come out yet.

Is that right, Michael?

No, Uncle Wilbur.

I got a feeling we've seen a disaster film in the making.

I beg your pardon.

The report cards were handed out yesterday. We've already signed Bobby's

sent it back.

All right, Michael, I want to see your report card now. Go and get it.

Go on, Michael.

Michael.

Oh, no.

Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins, we owe you an apology.

We're sorry.

Michael, don't you have anything to say to Bobby?

having such a big mouth, I should have jacked you up.

Mr.

and Mrs. Jenkins,

I guarantee you, Michael won't bother your son again.

Thank you. Come on, Bobby.

understand this. Six subjects, six grades, and not an A in the bunch.

Michael, you never made less than an A the whole time you've been in school.

I'm going to ask you a question, and I want a straight answer.

Was that you, Wilona, saw this morning?

Yeah, Ma.

Was that before or after you teed off on Tubby the Tuba?

After. That's why I cut class.

Michael, this isn't like you.

I don't understand it. I want you to tell me what's going on.

Fighting, cutting classes, low grades, and worst of all, lying about your

card.

I'm waiting for an explanation, son.

Yeah, so am I.

I'll wait for you to get your explanation first, Mom.

Michael, there must be some good reason for all of this.

I don't have one.

All right, young man.

Well, it seems that there's nothing else for me to do but go to that school and

see what's going on.

That's right. We got to get to the bottom of this.

Wilbur, I think I can do this by myself. Michael is my problem.

What are you talking about? He's my nephew.

I know, but you know you have a habit of blowing your stack, especially when it

concerns the children. Now, hold it, Flider.

You know I have complete control of my temper.

time you saw me blow my stack.

There's enough smoke coming out of that stack right now to pollute all of

Chicago.

Wilbur, I think I must handle this myself.

Oh, you do, huh?

After I come all the way down here from Detroit just to be by your side, huh? To

give you a man's help. Oh, Wilbur, you know that. No, no, no, that's okay now.

know when I ain't wanted. I'll get out of your hair right now.

mother. She said she don't need me.

Don't worry, Michael. We'll straighten these dudes out.

Oh, Wilbur, please.

Now, I didn't want you to come here, but since you are, I want you to please

promise me you'd let me do all the talking, okay?

All right, Florida, you the boss.

Now keep my mouth shut. Play it real cool.

Sorry to have kept you waiting, but I had a problem.

Ain't nothing compared to the problem you go have right now.

There's something wrong with my nephew don't get all A's.

I beg your pardon? You'll have to excuse my brother. He's just a little upset

about Michael.

More than just a little, Florida. This situation needs straightening out.

But now look at her. She can't be a real school teacher.

She ain't even wearing glasses.

You're a breeze.

What we're concerned with is Michael's grades and his whole attitude since he's

been at this school. Well, that's natural.

You know, here there's more homework, the pace is accelerated, and Michael is

a special class for brighter students. Well, now, that's exactly what I mean,

yeah? Now, Michael's got more brains in his head than any two kids in the whole

school, and that's why you put him in the special class.

Huh? There ain't no work that you got that he can't do.

Huh? And I'd say that even if he wasn't my nephew.

He just wouldn't say it as loud. Now, look, look.

We have all known that Michael's going to be a Supreme Court judge since he was

eight years old.

Huh? You tell him, son. Huh?

That you're going to be a lawyer.

Best one there is, huh? I'm not sure, Uncle Wilbur.

Say what?

I said I'm not sure.

Michael.

Ever since you were eight years old, you wanted to be a lawyer, remember?

Another Thurgood Marshall. You always said that.

No, Mama. You and Daddy always said that.

I was just trying to be what you wanted me to be. But I wish you, Daddy, Uncle

Wilbert, and everybody would please stop telling me how smart I am.

Michael. No, Mama. I have to say this. When I was in elementary school, I was

the top of my class.

But here I find there are kids as smart as I am. Some of them even smarter.

Oh, maybe I don't even belong in this special class.

Michael, is that why you were afraid to bring home your report cards?

I knew how you'd feel if I didn't bring home all straight A's.

I wouldn't have said nothing.

Mrs. Evans, perhaps you and your family are putting a little too much pressure

on Michael to perform in school.

Michael, have we done that?

You tried to help him.

But often instead of helping a child to become what he wants to be, some parents

force him to be what they think he should be.

Well, what is wrong with a family wanting him to be a Supreme Court judge?

Nothing. But that's a pretty high goal to think of at his age.

And without realizing it, you might force him to rebel.

Like fighting, cutting classes, low grades?

Exactly. And sometimes it leads to something even worse.

Worse? Yes.

Some children run away from home, some join gangs, and sometimes it leads to

things far more tragic.

Michael, son, I guess all we can say is we're sorry.

We love you, and we're behind you 100%. That's right, Michael.

No more butting in.

You're the boss.

You can be anything you want to be.

Yeah, and if being Supreme Court judge don't turn you on...

Well, then don't let us push you. You choose your own career, huh? You're your

own man now.

Well, I've been figuring. The way I punched old Bobby around, I might even

become a boxer.

A what?

Hey, Father, that might not be a bad idea now.

First of all, we'll start off with the junior boxing league, then move on over

to the Golden Gloves, and then on to the Olympics. Oh, the Olympics. Hot damn.

My nephew's going to be a heavyweight champ.

I'm sorry, sis.

Just looking out of the window

watching the asphalt road thinking how it all looks and we

die good times keeping your head above water

making a way when you can temporary layoffs good times

good times is recorded on tape before a live audience