Original subtitles

From the long walk nights to the ocean breeze, to the damp and to the rain of

London City.

We come from the sun to live in the coal line, it's nearer my water, my coconut

tree.

Let's keep the music sweet, wind up your waist and feel the air.

Beverly, if he does it again, beat him.

I know he's 19.

But men never grow up. He thinks he's a man. We have to do the growing up for

them.

Now, they're still in bed, apart from Sean. You know, you can't wake Desmond

before 10 o 'clock on Sunday. And as for Gloria, she gave up Sunday mornings a

long time ago.

Church, you're mad?

The only time this lot vaguely aware of Christ is at Christmas.

And that's because they get presents and they eat too much.

Oh, Bev, I got to go now.

Quasimodo just walked in.

Well, you know, the bells, the bells.

I know it's too early for church bells, Beverly.

Bye -bye.

Stupid woman.

Mom, she's your friend.

I know. That's why I can call her what I want.

I hate Sunday mornings.

Sunday newspapers are more like volumes of the Encyclopedia Britannica.

I have to go back to the shop at least four times just to finish my rant. Got

idea.

Why don't you use this?

You can put all your papers in here.

No, Mom, that's shameful.

your steroid trips back to the shop.

Mum, I wouldn't be seen dead walking along with that.

Well, if you carry on the way you are, he's going to kill you anyway.

Oh, this is early for you, Desmond.

I know. I'm not awake yet.

So I'm going to make me a cup of coffee.

Why? Because I said so.

If I asked you to go make me a cup of coffee, would you go and make it? No.

Why not? Because you're my son.

And? And it's too early. Boy, that's what people seem to see men nowadays, is

boy. Well, I'm not a boy anymore.

So what are you then?

Well, I'm not a boy, that's for sure.

I just want to be treated like an adult.

Ah, but Sean, you're only 15.

Only 15?

Mum, next birthday, I'm going to be 16.

I mean, how old do you have to be to be taken seriously?

How do you expect me to take you seriously when you're behaving like a

Now go in the kitchen and make me a cup of coffee?

There's none. That's not the way to handle things.

The boy is the youngest. That's the problem with being the youngest.

Once the youngest, always the youngest. I want to be treated like a man.

My son is gone from being a boy to an adult to a man, all in five minutes.

He gets a little job delivering papers.

He grows some fluff in his chin and on his... There's mine.

And he thinks he's a man.

Well, let me tell you something, young man. You have a long way to go. And as

soon as you feel you're man enough to wear the trousers in this house, you can

leave. Because the only one man wears the trousers in this house, and that's

Now go in there and make me a cup of coffee.

Please.

Please.

a supplement, please?

Of course you can, darling.

Make some cup of tea, Sean.

Please.

Seems to be spending a lot of time with Veronica Lloyd these days, Sean.

Yeah, she's, um, helping me with my, um, well, we're kind of writing a computer

game together, you know?

Computer game together?

Leave it at Gloria.

Oh, I'm only pulling your leg. You're too young for her, anyway.

Too young? What do you mean, too young?

I'm 15.

And she's 17. And 17 -year -old girls don't go out with boys.

Oh, I suppose they go out with girls then.

Oh, don't be silly.

They normally go out with men.

Yeah, and you're looking at one.

See you later, sis. I'm off.

Where are you going now?

Out. Where are you going, young man?

Just a young man is lost to see a young woman.

About a computer program.

Aren't you supposed to be at college today?

No, Desmond, it's half term.

Mind you, I do have a lot of essays to write.

Oh, you do, do you? Yes.

And they are?

One,

a high interest rate, a necessary evil, or a monetarist crutch.

Disguise. Ooh!

Two, the decline of labour market is an economic reality.

What steps should you take to adjust it?

Send Matthew out to work.

Is Desmond paying attention to that man's hair?

You see this?

Yeah. This bag carries one of the greatest memories I hold, Des.

I'm surprised the bag is that big, Popeye.

It's big enough to hit you over the head with, Matthew.

I'm not going to lower myself to a student's mentality.

Most people become students, leave college and get a job, not wait to

their pension.

Some of us haven't got the capacity even to become a student.

Ding, ding, round three. Gentlemen, before we begin round three, let me warn

of the Desmond Rules.

The Desmond Rules? Yes.

Rule one, stop arguing.

Rule two, what's in the blasted bag?

And rule three, what are you looking at?

Why, this record reminds me of my first true love.

You mean somebody actually loved you, Popeye? Yes.

Her name was Sandra from the fruit market.

You mean Sandra Bishop?

Yes.

Sandra? Sandra was every man's first love.

She was?

What you laughing at?

Anyway, that tune was a hard tune.

Shirley, may I?

Oh, certainly, Popeye.

Veronica, let's go back to your place, yeah? How can you let the girl carry on

everything like that?

Oh, it's all right, Dad. It's called sexual equality.

Well, don't look equal to me.

Oh, well, it's all right. Oh, by the way, Veronica, my mum, my dad. Hi.

Let's go do it, too, OK?

What are you doing?

It's called women's lib.

So, um, are you going to introduce us, then?

Oh, yeah, this is, um... The Peckham Prince.

Nice to know that Sean has good taste, eh?

All right, Lee.

Let's go, Veronica.

Ah, young lovey.

It seems to be in the atmosphere.

Thanks, Percy.

How times have changed.

You know, when I was young and in love, the boys used to carry the girls' books

back home from school.

Now the boys let the girls carry computers.

I remember my first love. Oh, yes?

I've got to hear this.

Oh, she was the daughter of a poor farm worker.

You see, we were quite well off.

So it was not the darn thing to go out with somebody below your status.

But when my father found out, he took me aside and assured me that love was

sweeter than money.

Oh, that's nice.

Amazing how wrong grown -ups can be.

What happened?

The wretched girl stole my father's wallet and I never saw her again.

Smart girl.

You win some, you lose some. That's my motto. I mean, I don't believe in first

love. Because every time's a first. From the first time you set eyes on her to

the first time you said, I'd like to get hold of her. It's all the first time

until the next time. Oh, young people today are so cynical.

Hey, whatever happened to your sense of romance?

That fluttering feeling, you know, that... That... Is

that how I made you feel?

No. No?

What do you mean, no? How did I make you feel?

Well,

come on then, open up. Let us in. Whatever that was, it never made me feel

that. What did you feel like then, Popeye?

Well, after the first week with my wife, we both felt like... Thanks

for coming over, Veronica.

Sean, it's okay. I said we'd write this programme at half term.

Oh, damn.

What? You've thanked me for coming over so many times, I've written it as a

command.

Yeah, well, you know, when I asked you to come over, I didn't think you'd come.

Why? You've been over to my house a few times.

Yeah, I know, but your father, you know, he's a preacher.

So? Well, he's always there.

But Sean, it's his house. Yeah, I know. I know, but my father's not a preacher.

I know.

He's a barber.

I'm writing a computer game. And shall we loop this command?

Where? There.

Where?

There, Sean.

Well,

what shall we do?

Well, I mean, I'd like to, um... Would you like to... Pump up the yam!

scientist. You and Mastermind sorted out how to plug the ozone there, yeah? No,

not yet, Gloria.

Yeah, but once we do, we'll give it to you, because there's a bigger hole in

middle of your face that needs plugging.

Don't come facing, because I'll just put it to shame and plug it up.

What do you want, Gloria?

How's it going?

We seem to have come to a minor problem, but I'm sure we can sort it out.

I don't think so.

There's always a problem with sophisticated machines trying to run on

software. Don't you agree, Veronica?

What? Yeah, and not if the new software gives the old machinery a kick in the

right direction.

Oh, I'm coming!

See you at school on Monday, Bron.

See you Monday, Gloria.

If you, um, go to 17B, then the third loop system will be complete.

Yeah, but the go -to command will only be relevant if you want the ninja to

the Empire State Building, yeah?

Yeah, yeah.

Listen, how would you like to, um...

I mean, would you like... Would you like a drink?

Would you like a drink, Veronica?

No, thank you, Mrs. Ambrose.

You sure?

Yes. No, Mum.

How's the game coming along?

Fine. Fine.

What's it called again?

The Lady Ninja's Wicked Revenge.

Well,

personally, I prefer Scrabble.

But, you know, Sean is too busy nowadays to play Scrabble with me.

Will you? Yes, Sean.

I will come out with you tonight.

I'll be round about seven, okay?

Yeah, okay.

Is it okay if I leave this stuff here?

Yeah, okay.

very interesting.

Very, very interesting.

What's so interesting? This is just a game of cards, so get on with it, you

African student.

This is more than just a card game.

This is a game of strategy, bluff, and double bluff.

I thought you was playing rummy. We are.

Well, I don't know what match you is playing.

Yes, you are.

I hope she's worth it.

Of course she is.

You look good, son.

Thanks, Mum.

So you feel like a man now?

Well, I'll tell you after tonight, won't I? Sean!

Hey, Mum, listen, can I borrow some money?

Oh, Sean.

Borrowing money to impress... I mean, borrowing money and... Why don't you ask

your father?

Because he won't give it to me. That's right. Money doesn't grow on trees, you

know.

Well, answer me this simple question, and if I'm satisfied, I'll let you have

the money, okay?

Okay. All right. Tell me, why should I give you money when you've just been

from your paper round?

Because I'm your son and you like me best.

No.

Because Dad's tight -fisted. He never gave me enough pocket money. That's why

had to take the job in the first place.

Who you calling tight -fisted?

Yesterday you wanted to be treated like a man. If you want money, you must earn

it. Earn it. All right.

I'll tidy my room. I'll do my homework on time. All that benefits you. What are

you going to do to benefit us?

All right, I'll sweep the shop floor for a week. That's better. Starting

tomorrow. No. When I get in tonight.

Done. How much do you want?

Say, £50 for starters.

How about... How about five pounds for starters?

How about seven? Three. Five. Done. This way.

That's what I call strategy.

And this is what I call a rummy.

All right, sir. Nice.

I thought you'd like to use this tonight.

Oh, leave it at that. That's for smells. That's what it's supposed to do.

Lee, can I have a word, please?

Yeah, any time.

Listen, Lee, I don't know how to ask you this, but where's a good place to take

her? That all depends.

How much money you got?

20 quid. I thought, like, I'd take her ice skating, then wine her and dine her,

then take her cab home.

What, all on 20 quid?

You need a mortgage for that lot.

Yeah, I know.

What do you reckon? See, I come to you because you're always pretty cool. I

know, mate.

See, she's older than me and I don't want to blow it. You ain't doing too

are you? First date, older woman.

Come on, be serious. I didn't want to go to Michael.

Nah, any tips from him and you'll certainly blow it.

Listen, all I say is be yourself.

Try not to impress.

I know I'll give it a big one, but that's because I'm a flash sod.

Nah, I do it because I enjoy it. Here today, gone tomorrow.

But you're different.

Tonight will be different.

Listen, just take it as it comes and don't force it.

I'll tell you what I'll do for you, right?

A mate of mine owns a pizza place on the street of my street.

I'll give him a ring. Nothing fancy, but good vibes.

I'll make sure he sees it straight.

And that's for the bus back.

And I'll even throw in a lift up there just for good measure.

How's that grab you? Oh, thanks, Lee. Look, I really... Don't mention it.

You're part of the family.

Hey, you don't think it's getting a bit over the top, you know, you driving us

up there and that?

Nah. I'll make you seem natural.

Good evening,

Veronica. That's her, isn't it?

Awesome, isn't it?

How old is she?

She's 17.

Oi, she's my date.

Good night, Veronica.

You're telling me.

Shall we go, then? Yep, where are we going?

Streatham. Streatham?

Funny, I was thinking of driving that way myself.

Shall I give you a lift?

Fine. Yes, please.

Well, how late will you be? Surely.

Time and a half, Mum. Time and a half. Okay.

Have a good time. I will.

Keep off the old block.

Oh, how's it going?

It goes the right word. She went.

Do you want to talk about it? What for?

Oh, it helps.

Well, Lee gave us a lift up to Streatham.

Veronica sat in the front of the car next to Lee, played with his gadgets and

talked to him all the way up there.

Then she invited him to come ice skating with us. And did he?

Well, no, but he might as well have, because she didn't stop talking about

all night.

Isn't he nice? Lovely car, nice stereo.

Then, as we come out of the ice rink, I had to hide it from some old geezer she

didn't want to see. I thought it was her uncle or someone from her father's

congregation. It was her ex -boyfriend.

He was old enough to be her father.

That made me feel about free.

Must have been the biology teacher.

Biology teacher?

No, she... I mean, Veronica used to have biology lessons at our college. She had

a fling with him, you know.

Why didn't you tell me? I tried to. You told me to push off, remember?

Anyway, it wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference.

Yeah, but you're my sister. Being your sister is even more of a reason why you

wouldn't listen to me.

So what happened next?

Well, we got to the pizza restaurant which Lee lined up. Things settled down.

was going OK.

Until Lee's friend who owned the place came and insisted on giving us special

treatment because we were friends of Lee, and she was off again.

She wanted to know everything about Lee, from his inside leg measurement to

which toilet paper he used.

In the end, I had enough. I packed her in a cab and I took the bus home. Oh,

that's very noble of you.

Wasn't that.

Couldn't stand a girl and a bad lead travelling home as well.

Tell me something.

Yeah? Why are we watching TV with no sound?

I've seen it before.

So, Desmond, tell me now.

How did Sean get on with Veronica?

I mean, was it a case of... Or a... We don't

know. He was up before us on his paper round.

He's a bit late, though.

Oh, he said he was going for a walk in the park afterwards.

Did you see him last night?

Yeah, just for a bit.

Did he tell you what happened?

Come on, Mum. Sean wouldn't tell me anything. I'm his older sister.

That's true.

Anyway, look at you. You're like hawks waiting to pounce on a bit of juicy

gossip. We are not gossip, sir. We poke by. Men don't gossip.

Only women gossip.

Oh. We chat.

We debate. Don't we poke by? Yeah, man.

This is a typical of men, you know. You give it all kind of grand titles like

chat, discuss, debate.

And when we do the same, it's gossip.

And I suppose these debates are interesting, stimulating, provocative,

informative affairs?

Yeah, man.

Laced with fighting wit and social insight?

Yeah, man.

All right.

I want to hear some of this. Tell us something incisive.

Well, um, we, I... Men don't gossip as much as women.

Where is he?

Let's hear all the juicy details.

Africans gossip.

We West Indians don't. We don't.

Where is he? Where's the golden boy? Listen, why y 'all don't just mind your

business, eh?

Leave Sean alone.

He's, uh, he's shown here.

Oh, no, he should be soon.

Do you mind if I wait?

Oh, no.

Perhaps

I'd

better go. No, please stay. He should be here any minute.

Sean? Sean, Sean.

That's my name. Don't worry, Al.

Hi, Sean.

Hello, Veronica.

I've come to pick up my computer.

Okay, let's go and get it.

Listen,

about last night... Sorry.

Sean, I'd better go first because I feel I owe an apology.

I'm really sorry about last night.

I didn't mean to hurt your feelings.

As stupid as it may sound, I thought we were just friends.

Nothing more and nothing less.

I know last time I came round here, you tried to get a bit intimate, but I

thought I made my feelings quite clear.

I thought you were just playing hard to get.

I was.

I didn't want to be got.

And so when you tried to kiss me in the restaurant, it not only came as a shock,

but it was a bit embarrassing as well.

I'm sorry about going on about Lee so much.

I realise now it was a bit tactless.

Tell me something.

Anything. What do you see in him?

That's not a fair question.

In life, not fair.

I can take it. I'm a man.

Are you sure?

You owe it to me.

He's older. He's got a car. Yeah, hold it right there. I get the message.

Bye, Sean.

Yeah, bye.

Bye, Mr and Mrs Ambrose. Bye.

Is everything all right?

Yeah, but I don't think Sean and I will be seeing much of each other in the

future.

Oh, really?

Well, in that case, would you like a lift home?

Well, I would, yeah.

Well, babe, you ever see a praying mantis?

Well, see it, dear.

Maybe the lift can extend to a date tonight at eight. I'll come and pick you

will it, to town?

I can show you a few scenes you ain't seen before.

No expense beard, eh? What do you reckon?

Any man who could stand and watch a woman struggle with a heavy object like

and not even offer to help is not the sort of man I want to spend an evening

with.

You

should

have seen Lee's face.

Especially when she cut him dead and said, you're not the... Suit a man I

to spend an evening with. Shame!

You think he'd have given her a hand with that heavy bag?

But can you blame her?

What a stupid excuse he gave.

Yes, you think he'd have come back with a better line than... What was it?

I thought you were a feminist.

Honest.

No Ambrose man would speak to a lady like that.

But I must say, I had to hand it to her when she said, you may be a man, Lee.

But last night, I went out with a gentleman.