Original subtitles

Do it now, anytime you need a payment. Do it now, anytime you feel free.

Do it now, anytime you're up and under.

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

Making a way when you can.

I think I caught this cold from Keith the other night, you know? We drove down

to Oak Park, right? We parked the car, and then he put his arms around me, and

then he started to... Smoke!

Smoke! Smoke! Oh, my goodness.

Oh, boy.

Ooh. God.

Hey, girl.

What's burning in here? Ain't nothing burning.

Then I hope you get your smoke zingles through the Geronimo.

Y 'all smell like you barbecuing a boot in here.

I'm shopping and I'm cooking.

Okay, girl, I'm going to get you a microwave oven so you can burn the food

one tenth of the time.

I guess I was on the phone a little too long and kind of burnt the beans, huh?

Burnt the beans?

Girl, we ain't going to learn the color of the food doesn't have to be the same

color as the eater.

Well, ain't nobody forcing you to eat my food now.

You know, that's going to work out just fine.

Just fine, Froggy.

Because me and Michael will not be gracing the dinner table this evening.

Why not?

Because I'm taking Michael to the father -son dinner at his school.

Michael didn't mention anything about a father -son dinner tonight.

Cello, Viola, JJ here.

Look here, I got to cancel our date for this evening.

Yeah, see what happened is that I ran into a guy from Michael's school and

they're having a father -son dinner.

So naturally, as man of the house, I... I will be taking him.

However, you are fortunate in the case that I will be doing nothing tomorrow

evening. Am you available?

Lighten up, mama.

Men don't even talk that way to other men.

That was very considerate of you, JJ.

Well, you know, Michael's my only brother and you're my only sister. But

minds me.

You want tickets to that KC the Sunshine Band concert?

Yeah, JJ. Well, I am not without influence in the world of popular music.

I just happen to have a couple of tickets.

Oh, thanks, JJ.

But Carl already got them for me.

Oh, Carl.

Well, I guess you wouldn't want to sit in the front anyway.

Music be too loud for your ears.

You know, JJ, you can really be sweet when you want to be.

Brown sugar don't only come in the female side.

You know, J .J., I'm going to tell you a secret.

I'm glad you're my brother.

You know, what can I say?

I love you.

I love you, too, Thelma.

Excuse me, folks. I'm in the wrong apartment.

Oh, Ma.

Hey, Ma, J .J.'s taking Michael to the annual father -son dinner tonight at his

school. Michael didn't say anything to me about a dinner. I wonder why.

Well, Ma, with Daddy gone, maybe he felt kind of touchy about talking about

that.

Well, I can understand that.

J .J., when did he ask you to take him?

He didn't. It's going to be a surprise.

Oh, J .J., that was very thoughtful of you.

Yeah, and look at the sweater that I got him.

Oh, that's beautiful.

Cashmere. Well, you know.

J .J.

This must have cost you a whole week's salary.

And a month's tips.

But I want Michael to really look good tonight.

J .J., I hope you're not going to feel out of place talking to all those older

men. I don't know, man.

Voila! Look at this.

Time, fortune, news week.

Whatever the conversation turns to, I'll be there with the latest information.

me any question here in time. Ask me business, law, medicine.

Did you know that the famous bassoonist Kevin Kong died today in Paris at the

age of 83?

Right there in Milestone.

J .J., now wait a minute now. What if they ask you a question like this? Why

the students in Spain rioting? I just told them that the students in Spain are

upset because the famous bassoonist Kevin Kong died in Paris.

Everything is going to work out fine, son. Just be yourself.

All right, Ma, but I really want Michael to be proud of me. Because, see, when I

was his age, I had a father to take me to these things.

Michael doesn't.

Well, we don't have a father in this house, but we sure as heck got a man.

I know.

See, in baseball, I'd be known as the D .D., designated daddy.

And you want to go to your cousin Ross' house in South Bend? Well, I made

arrangements to borrow the rib truck that night.

I'm sorry, JJ, but Carl's taking me.

Oh, Carl's taking you.

You wouldn't want to ride in that rib truck.

By the time you got down there, your cousin Ross would probably ask you,

that weird perfume that you're wearing?

And you have to tell her, essence de hot sauce.

Well,

if you'll excuse me, I'll go slip into something a little more mature.

Good.

Hi, here's your favorite quiz person, Walona Woods, asking you, can you name

this tune?

Da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da

-da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da

-da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da

-da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da

-da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da -da

-

Lounging pajamas.

These are LPLPs.

Long playing lounging pajamas.

Girl, this outfit was so dangerous, they delivered it in a brown paper bag.

Carl and I are just friends, Wilona.

We're not even close to the lounging pajama stage.

If you wear these, you will be.

understand that most men are creatures of habit, including some of the

I go out with, whose habits I don't even want to discuss.

Now, science has discovered a way to change a man's behavior, but it takes

years, Flo.

Now, if you wear this lounge and pajamas right here, you'll change Carl Dixon's

behavior overnight, you know what I mean?

Wearing those pajamas is just like waving a red cape in front of a bull.

back before i light your fire lord

have mercy who is this tall

dark uh very mature looking man it looks like jj and it sounds like

jj but that can't be jj because jj doesn't smoke neither does the pipe

first time i ever saw a pipe cleaner holding a pipe

J .J., you are a bona fide fashion plate, honey. If you was just ten years

older... And I was just ten years younger...

I'd still be lying about my...

Did I tell you? J .J.'s taking Michael to the school

dinner tonight.

Oh, he's gonna love that. Baby, that's very nice. How do you like this, uh...

lounging pajama set. Hey, well, Mona, that is fantastic.

I mean, that's out of sight and a definite delight.

It's the kind of thing I like to see on a lady.

I'm trying to get your mama to buy them.

My mama wear this outlandish pajama set?

Hold on, JJ.

Now, you might be playing father to your baby brother, but you remember, I'm

older than you, Michael, and that pipe.

Meantime, I'll just put this on Will Ho, because that's exactly what's going to

happen if you wear these numbers.

Oh, go.

These great players ain't going to make it.

Hi, Dad.

Hi, Wilona. Hi, Dad.

Hi, Wilona.

That's what I like to see, a deep, meaningful relationship.

Hey, Mom, I won't be home for dinner tonight.

How'd you know that, Michael?

I'm going to be taking you to the father -son dinner.

You're taking me?

Yeah, even got you a sweater.

Check it out.

Yeah, try it on, Michael. Look, if you don't like it, you can wear the suit,

know? No, the suit with the matching thing like mine. Oh, what a pleasant

surprise. Yeah, Michael asked me to take him to the father and son dinner

tonight, and I told him it would be my pleasure.

Carl, it was very nice of you to offer to take Michael to the dinner tonight,

but... JJ has already planned on taking Michael himself.

Oh, I'm sorry, JJ. I didn't know that.

Yeah, JJ, I didn't know you wanted to take me, man.

Well, he did.

Michael, that's why he bought you a new sweater. And he even canceled out a

date. Look, JJ, I'm sorry. There's been a misunderstanding.

There's no problem. You take Michael.

Take him where?

To the father -son dinner.

Oh. Are they having one of those things again?

Stop the nonsense. You know you planned on taking Michael. I didn't plan on

taking him anywhere.

JJ, that is not true. Now, why did you get all dressed up, huh?

I just ain't dressed up. I dress better than this when I clean the grease trap

at the rib joint.

JJ, stop the foolishness and take your brother to the dinner.

I said I'm not taking him anywhere. If he wants to go with Carl, that's cool

with me. Look, JJ, Michael, I... He asked me because he didn't know you had

planned on taking him. Well, as of now, all my plans have changed.

I'm not taking him anywhere.

Hey, hold on, J .J., man. I think I have something to say to you. This does not

concern you. What? J .J., come on, take your brother and have a good time.

Hey, look, no chance. You take him. Oh, you take him. I'm not taking him

anywhere. You take him. I'm not coming between two brothers. You take him.

Hey, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait. I'm not a Frisbee, y 'all. Come on.

Michael is right.

Now, the way you two acting, you can just throw Michael to the dinner. Yeah.

J .J., I'm not going to say this again.

You take your brother to that dinner.

I'm not taking him anywhere, and that is final.

J .J., either you take your brother to that father -son dinner, or you and me

are going to have a mother -son hassle. Me and you ain't having nothing. Hey,

soldier. You're out of line.

Hey, look, man.

That war jazz is over. Don't lay that soldier business on me. J .J., you be

civil. Mr. Dixon is a guest in this house. He ain't no guest of mine. You

it. That's your mother you're talking to.

Hey, look here, man.

I don't need anybody that's come between me and my brother to tell me who my

mother is. J .J., I don't need any of you.

Got to be the coldest night in the year. Yeah, it's colder out there than an

Eskimo's outhouse.

Kids? Yeah, looks like everybody's out.

You know how to sell a lot of snow shovels in my shop tomorrow. But first

going to have to buy one to find my shop.

Florida.

What? Oh, I'm sorry, Carl. I was thinking about J .J. Oh, not now,

Let's have some time for ourselves.

You're right.

How about something to warm you up?

Yeah.

Like a hot cup of coffee?

Well, if that's all you got.

That is.

And a nice piece of sweet potato pie.

Well, now.

That is something that can help a man's appetite.

That feels awfully good.

I can't think of anyone else I'd rather do this to.

You

are

a tricky lady.

Uh, please sit down.

I'll get the pie.

Do you mind if I, uh, smoke?

Oh, not at all.

Hello, JJ.

Michael, it's after 11 o 'clock. You should be home.

I don't care if Lola does say that her home is your home. So you say goodnight

and get your little narrow behind over here.

I remember when Michael was just a small headache to me.

Now he's right up there with JJ.

Kids can be a problem sometimes.

That pie looks good.

Boy, oh boy, oh boy.

I'm glad you like it.

The only thing I like better is the lady who baked it.

You like Sarah Lee better than you do me.

we saw tonight.

All that warm sunshine and those beautiful islands.

If you have to live in the ghetto, might as well live in one in the Pacific.

You know, I was stationed in one of those islands, and I can tell you

It was a whole lot more fun doing time with you in that balcony than it was in

doing time over there.

This is one island you're not taking tonight.

I'm sorry, Carl.

You know, there's nothing I'd like better than having your arms around me,

but... You're afraid the kids are going to walk in. I'm worried about one who

isn't walking in, J .J.

He still hasn't gotten over that father -son dinner.

I'm sorry I caused you any problems, Florida.

Oh, it wasn't your fault.

It wasn't anybody's fault.

It's just that... JJ is trying to fill his father's shoes too fast.

Yeah, I know.

You know, for the past two nights, he hasn't been home at all.

And then this morning, he called Selma and told her that he was thinking about

moving in with some of his friends.

He says his family doesn't need him anymore, but that just isn't so.

I know how he feels. I've been there myself.

Carl. Hmm?

good at fixing things. You know, like TV sets and toasters.

How about fixing J .J.? Wait a minute, Florida.

Now, you don't fix J .J. like you do a vacuum cleaner. J .J.'s an original.

Where would I get the parts?

I just love a man who smokes a cigar.

It's so sophisticated.

You know, being a man, it'll be easier for you to talk to JJ, you know, to

him. Well, you know, after the other night, I think I'm the last man in the

world he wants to talk to.

Oh, please, Carl, come on, do it for me, huh?

Do what?

You know, talk to JJ.

Try to talk some sense into him, huh?

You know what?

I already talked to J .J.

You already talked to him?

Yeah. You know, it took me two days to find him and it took me two days to talk

him and to meet me at my gym tomorrow for man -to -man talk.

You let me go through all that and all the time you knew, huh? You're damn

right.

And put out that rotten cigar. It's making me upset.

And to think, Lorna tried to talk me into buying a pair of satin lounging

pajamas.

Satin lounging pajamas.

You know why?

Why?

I just bought them.

Break it here, honey.

Hey, Charlie.

I'm expecting a guest.

Let me know when he shows up. Oh, sure thing, Mr. Dixon.

Hey, Mr.

Dixon. Listen, how will I recognize him?

Well, he's sort of... Well, he's kind of... You see this guy?

Yeah? He's the flip side of him.

You looking for Carl Dixon?

How'd you know that?

How could I not know?

Hey, I'll go and get him for you.

I'll be back in just a minute.

All right,

J .J., thanks for coming down.

Mr. Dickson, what do you want to talk to me about? Look, just call me Carl like

you usually do.

Right. Why don't you join me?

Come on, sit down.

Now put your feet in the stirrups.

That's quite a space suit you got on.

mix up the other evening. I should have checked it out with you first.

Yeah, that would have been cool.

I wasn't trying to move in on your turf. It just happened that way. You know,

life is full of hard -hit grounders that take a bad hop.

Yeah, and rowboats that don't go anywhere.

And the other evening was just another bad hop.

Let's try something else.

Yeah.

Enough of this canoeing down the Potomac.

It's here.

If the Russians can do it, why can't I?

Somebody must have tried to steal one

of these.

They got this sucker nailed to the floor.

You know, I could have muscles like that.

But I chose beauty instead.

You don't have to look like those guys.

Some of those guys are doing it just for the egos.

Yeah, well, when you have beauty like mine, you don't need an ego.

No, J .J., in some ways you're stronger than they are.

Yours is an inner strength.

You're holding up more than just a barbell. You're holding together an

family.

Mr. Dixon, is that what you call me here to talk about?

Well, later, bro.

J .J., wait a minute. Listen, I haven't finished yet.

I admire you, J .J.

I mean it.

You mean the way I handle a ball?

I mean, as a person, I admire you.

I had a mother, three sisters.

Then I joined the army to escape the responsibility of a family.

Oh, I sent the money out of guilt.

But you are hanging in there, and that takes character.

What'd you say?

You're hanging in there, and that takes character.

Hell, man.

I could have told you that.

You got a fine family, J .J. They need you.

They not only respect you, they love you.

No, you're just saying that because you think I'm mad about the father -son

dinner.

Aren't you?

Hey, man, I'm bigger than that.

Of course you are.

That's right. You know, I got a teenage brother, teenage sister, a triple

teenage mother.

That family needs me, man.

I'm holding on.

of dudes my mother could have went out with, I'm glad that she went out with

you.

Because you make sense.

You know, JJ, I am really glad that you feel okay about all of this.

Okay? Man, I feel higher than the price of a cup of coffee.

You know, Carl, I know a place where we can get the best sweet potato pie in

town. At your mother's?

Right.

Let's go get changed, huh?

Hey, bro.

Keep it up. Pretty soon you'll have half the muscles I do.

Just looking out of the window Watching the asphalt road

Thinking how it all looks and it dies Good times, good

times Keeping your head above water Making a wave when you

can

Good times is videotaped in front of a studio audience.