Original subtitles

From the Loma Bay to the ocean breeze, to the Dapan, to the rain of London

We come from the sun to live in the coal, I'm in the room, I want my coconut

tree.

Let's keep the music sweet, wind up your way to the field.

I want some more.

Hey.

Hey, Tom, where do you want me to put these records?

Anywhere, man.

Okay.

Why? I'll tell you. We were slaying tonight, man. Believe that.

My rag -a -rat kicked the hat.

Boy, some of those shorts those girls were wearing, they were so tight.

I believe.

Wonder how they get them on.

They must lie on the floor, innit?

That's how you get them off, Sean.

No, no, seriously, seriously, seriously.

No, seriously, that's what Gloria told me. Yeah, I'd like to get his off. Oi,

man. My sister's a spider, come on. I know, but she's a woman. And I'm a man.

And, um, you know a time between woman and man, innit?

Maybe not.

I tell you what, when you start university tomorrow, ask your tutor.

Don't be stupid, I just don't shout about it, that's all.

Sean. If you got what I've got, you'd shout about it.

Tonight, more women will know about it. You hear me? Yeah, that ain't clear,

Spider. Look, I better check because I've got a couple of women in the van

I said I'd take home. What women?

See, that's the difference between you and me, Sean. I've driven home with a

couple of women in the back and you didn't even know about it.

So?

So, Sean Ambrose, on his last night before he starts university, whilst the

tracks were slamming, he had a chance to slam it with Denise.

But where was he?

Nowhere to be seen. If that was me, boy, I wouldn't just be slamming it. I'd be

slam dunking it.

Loud and clear, Spider.

So where was you, man?

Well, as a matter of fact, I was at Backwood Vanessa.

Now, are you hearing me?

Loud and clear, man. You know what? I don't know why you just don't come to

with me, you know? We'd have such a laugh.

Sure, man. We've been through this already.

You know, I don't want to spend another three years in another institution.

I'm having a boomy time now.

You know, we're doing well with the DJing. We're making money.

And I want to take it further, you know, and be a ragga star.

Yeah? Can't do that and go to university at the same time.

I mean, by the time we finish our degree, ragga would have been and gone,

everybody would be into reggae versions of heavy metal.

You hear me, though? Yeah, loud and clear. High fives, man.

Come on. Oh, Sean.

Well, that's a new one. Yeah, right.

I'd better go and drive my women home. All right. Oh, Spider.

You know you shouldn't drink on the drive. The two don't mix, you know.

I know.

That's why you did the drinking and I'm doing the driving.

Yes.

I'll pick you up tomorrow morning, yeah? And I'm taking the van back to the hire

company. All right.

Easy, boss.

I respect that.

No, no.

Morning, Charles.

Morning.

Oh, today's your big day.

I made you a packed lunch.

Put all your favorite things in.

Fried chicken, dumplings, peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Are you sure you've packed enough?

Now, what would you want for breakfast?

I haven't got much in, but I can do you fried eggs, bacon, sausages, mushrooms,

tomatoes.

Plantains, baked beans, fried bread.

Two aspirins?

How would you like them, fried or boiled?

You managed to find your bed.

Mum, never again.

You sound just like your father.

I'm going to lose you soon.

You know, I felt the same way when Michael went off to university.

Dad says that was the best thing that ever happened.

Sure he did. But even your father missed Michael when he wasn't around.

And I'm going to miss you too.

Mum, mum, mum, I'll be back tonight. It's only up the road.

Well, it's not that distance I'm worried about.

It's the distance that happens when you go to university.

Thanks. What happened to Michael?

Mum, university never did that to Michael. He was born like that.

Yeah, look where he got him.

He's a bank manager now.

Yeah, and don't I know it, and so does most of Peckham.

Right, I'm off.

See you later.

Thank you, ma 'am. You're wearing clean socks and underpants?

Ma 'am!

Boy, Seymour, this is a great day in the Ambrose household.

My son, Sean, is on his way to uni.

Uni?

University for those people in the know, eh, Desmond?

What do you know, Matthew?

A lot more than you.

Well, at least I knew when to stop being a student.

Do you know what you get when you retire as a student?

Yeah, I mean, it's not as if they're going to give you a gold watch or

is it?

Maybe they'll give you a gold library ticket.

Mock as you may, they do say one's best days are at college.

Yes. You liked it so much you stayed.

Quick, here he comes.

I'm not one for speeches. But on an occasion such as this, I would... Dad's

about to give a speech.

I think I'll come back.

Before I go, there's something I want to say to you, Sean.

That I'm proud of you. And I think I can say on behalf of the whole family...

Who gave you the right to speak on behalf of the family?

I deserve the right to speak on behalf of the family.

Okay, okay.

But my advice to you, Sean, is to work hard and play hard. Yeah, and don't come

back a banker.

Yes, son, enjoy it. These will be the happiest days of your life.

How's your day, Sean?

Did I ever tell you about my first day at college?

Well, you see, my friend Tim and I, well, he wasn't my friend then, you see,

because we were just both new, but my friend Tim... Shut up, boy.

I think I'll get back to the bank. Yes, the bank's the best place for you.

I don't know why everybody's making such a fuss.

It's not like you're going away.

I mean, if I was going to university, I'd go as far away from here as

Somewhere in the country.

In a country?

Well, what do you want to go in the country for? There's no black people in

country. Oh,

well, there's no good clubs in the country.

Oh,

well, look, staying at home means I've got someone to cook my food and wash my

clothes and Dad still gives me a bit of pocket money.

Oh, I know.

Good. Where was I?

Uh, well, you had this hand round Sean like that and you were just going to

a speech. Yes. All right. Uh, not now, Dad, otherwise I'll be late and you

wouldn't want me to be late on my first day, now, would you? No.

Sean, Sean, here you go, mate.

Your first set of car keys.

Oh!

What, you haven't, have you? What, bought you a car? Yeah.

No, no, I bought you the keys.

Well, why?

Pull in power, my son. If the girls think you've got a motor, you're well

But when they ask you where the car is... is, what do you say? Easy.

It's been clamped or sold and I'm in the garage.

It works every time.

That's all right, Lee. Spider's coming to pick me up. Hey, all right, then?

How's the clip joint? Still pleasing the customers?

Hey, Gloria.

Thanks.

So, our boy off to university, eh?

Don't they grow up fast?

Don't fight the feeling, baby.

Are you ready?

Yeah, come on, let's go. I do not like that boy.

I never did like spiders.

But I'm glad Sean is going to university.

Yes, at least he's mixed with a better class of persons.

That's right.

That's true.

You won't be there.

Why? That smell good.

Hey, have some.

You sure?

Yeah, I can't eat all of that.

But a big mouth like yours sure comes in handy.

Hey, listen, listen.

What does that mean?

Oh, give me the bag for you. Okay.

So I got a big mouth.

Like your mum's cooking.

Told most of the guys in my club.

Why?

Because I'm not going.

Most of the girls I've seen walk through, it looks right.

Yeah, well, I'm sure they feel the same about you, Spider.

I don't envy you, Sean, man. I mean, I've met a few college girls in my time,

and they were hard work.

That's probably because they had a brain.

Look, man, when I go to check a woman, the last thing I'm looking for is a

battle of minds. Do you hear me? Here we go again.

Spider, the Doctor Rupert Peckham. What do you know about women?

What do you know?

Not a lot.

You see?

Not a lot more than you.

Which is not a lot, really.

I listen, man.

Good luck, yeah? Cheers, man. Let's go.

Hey, look.

Make it look good.

And she does.

Get her phone number.

How can you tell?

So, what department are you looking for?

Educational science.

Oh, I'm going there.

Oh, nice one.

I'm Bernie, by the way. Oh, Sean. Pleased to meet you.

So, how long have you been here, then?

Oh, about ten minutes.

All right. Come on.

You see, Popeye, in these days of mass unemployment and over -qualification...

Employers like me face difficult dilemmas. Why are you using big words

Desmond? Oh, well, now that Sean is at university, his father has to show

everybody that he's intelligent, too. So he wheels out the three fancy words he

knows and starts to pontificate about the world.

Ponti -who?

It's just one of those fancy words.

But as I was saying, the dilemma we face is whether or not to employ people with

degrees.

No one with a degree of sense would come and work here anyway.

If you feel that way, Tony, you can make way for somebody with a degree.

Desmond, the basic wage of a hairdresser is not that brilliant. Nor is the basic

wage of a lollipop man.

Well, it's a whole lot better than the basic wage of a housewife.

In fact, women in general are underpaid with or without degrees.

I don't know why women body with degrees.

Nor soon you imply them to get pregnant and leave you stranded.

That's why you can't pay a woman the same wages as a man.

I've heard you talk some foolishness before.

Well, which paper did you read to get that attitude from? The Bino? Well, it

just talking, sir. You're not debating.

It's because of prejudiced idiots like you that women have such a hard time.

Yes, who you calling an idiot? You.

All right.

What gives men the right to decide that because she produces babies, a woman

with a first -class brain is a second -class worker, eh, Desmond? Answer me

that. I didn't know you were so strong.

That's just it. What do men know?

I know I wouldn't mind a cup of tea, please, sir.

You want some sugar in yours, sir?

I don't take sugar.

Yeah, two is mine. Thanks. Oh,

Sean.

Here comes the intelligent member of this family.

How did it go, son?

Oh, well, it was all right, ma 'am.

What's this, a little light reading?

Homework. You see that for a price, how bright my son is, he's got to read all

them books. Well, I haven't got to read them all exactly, Dad. They're just

reference books, mainly.

So, what's the first essay you have to do, Sean?

The middle classes inherit cultural wealth.

Disco.

And do they?

Well, I don't know yet. I've got to read up on it first, didn't I, Dad?

That's my boy.

Oh, Desmond, that's our boy.

Yo, what's up, man?

How's mastermind? All right, Spider.

Listen, man, I've still got the van, so I thought me and you could go out and

make a few new friends. You hear me?

Ah, yeah, look, I can't, ma 'am. I've got an essay to do, so... Oh, come on,

Sean, it's just one evening.

Didn't you hear him? He said he's got an essay to do. Dad, I can't... He's got a

man to talk for you now, do you? No.

But maybe this old woman should say something.

Mum! You're one feisty little boy.

Yes, and you don't seem to realise when you fly past your nurse. So, I won't do

it, sir.

This is so shameful.

Tidy wardrobe.

Cut it.

How about under your bed? Under the bed?

Yes. In the shoebox. That's the last place I found them.

Fill up the bed, darling.

Oh, so do you, Dad.

Mum, you haven't seen my eyelash curlers, have you?

See them here?

I was only asking.

How about looking under your bed?

Under the bed?

Haven't you heard? That's the place the Ambrose family hide things when they

don't want to find them.

Are you all right, Mum?

Me? I'm fine.

Surely you haven't read these scufflings?

All right, I'll go and do it myself.

Where were they?

Oh, don't tell me. Under the bed. Yes, how did you know? You put them there?

I thought I'd check under mine.

Oh, come on, Desmond. We've got to go. Otherwise we'll be late for this dinner

and dance thing.

You all right, John?

Yeah, I'll be fine, Mum.

Now, if you want anything to eat... Yes, it's in the fridge, I know. Now, go on,

otherwise you'll be late. Good luck with your homework, son. Thanks, Dad.

Just rub it in, I'll do it.

So, where are you going tonight?

Oh, nowhere special.

Ronnie and I are checking a movie.

Oh, yeah? Which one?

Jurassic Park.

They haven't seen it, you know. Oh, why don't you come along?

I can't.

Oh, I know, homework.

Well, listen, the film finishes around ten, then you can come back and do your

essay then.

No, no, no, I can't.

OK, brain box, don't work too hard.

See you later.

See you.

No, no, no.

Concentrate, concentrate.

Food.

What's happening, mastermind?

Who wants to know?

Me.

Spider. The fiercest little boy who'll fly past him next.

Come to apologise, man. Yeah, yeah.

I've got some good news.

Yeah? Yeah, man.

And some good chicken.

Or your mum's a wicked cook.

Yeah, how would I know?

So, what's this news then?

There's a guy from a record company who wants to come and perform tomorrow

night. What?

He'd like to tape and if he likes what he sees, he's going to...

Well, my essay, it's due in the day after tomorrow.

Sean, man, I can't do it without you. I need you to spin the deck.

Well, can't he do it another day?

Oh, yeah, right. I'm just going to ring him up and say, hello, Mr Record Mogul,

I'm sorry, we can't do the gig because Sean has to hand in an essay.

Yes, can we set up another date?

Oh, great, yes.

Two o 'clock, March the 3rd, 19 .99.

Oh, hang on, I'll just check with Sean.

Is that all right with you?

Come on, Spider, don't be stupid. Sean, man, I... A once -in -a -lifetime

opportunity comes along, and you're going to turn it down.

I'm not turning it down.

Now you're coming to your senses.

I just can't do it tomorrow, that's all.

Sean!

I'm out of here, man.

Look, you can't say I didn't try, Sean. I mean, you've been at your Ponson

University one day, and already you've turned soft.

What? Wait a minute.

You're coming in my house, and you're talking to me like that?

That's not my dad's right about you. Let's get out.

London, Michael.

Who?

It's me, bro. Sure.

So, you've finally made it, eh?

Michael, the bank manager.

So, what's it like to finally realise your one and only ambition?

We were thrilled.

I mean, we had thought it was on the cards at some point, but when we found

the news, we could hardly believe it, could we, Michael?

It wasn't entirely... It was so sudden. One minute, lobbying away as a mere

underdog, subject to every whim and foible of the boss, and then...

Like Michael Jackson through a trap door, Michael Ambrose explodes onto the

scene. Yeah, I wish I'd been there.

Of course, one of the first things we wanted to do was to change the stuffy

image of a bank manager.

And I must say, Michael's wonderful at it, aren't you, Michael?

You should see him walking down the street.

He's recognised by everyone.

He smiles, he says hello to people.

Bit like being a pop star, isn't it, Michael? Yes, it is.

Mandy, I think it's possible that Sean came to see me about something, so work,

would you mind? Oh, not at all. As long as we remember we have a very busy day

ahead. We have a 10 .30, a 10 .45 and a 12 .15.

We have lunch with the mayor, tea with the Rotary Club and drinks and dominoes

with the West Indian Federation of Small Businesses.

But we don't have to change for that.

I shall be going as I am. That will be all, Henry.

Right, what do you want?

Well, if you've come for a student loan, you'll have to fill out a form like

everybody else.

Of course, I will look at it and give it everything. Michael, I'm not asking for

a loan.

Why not? Which bank are you going to? Our charges are more than reasonable.

Michael, look, have you got a minute?

Well, what is it?

How was it for you when you were a student?

Well, um... A bit difficult to find the words, really. Shall we get Mandy back?

Look, I just meant it was a long time ago.

Being a university student is the best feeling in the world.

I remember when I passed my A -levels and I knew I'd got in.

Like, everything I'd been working for was on that tiny piece of paper with my

grades on it.

I felt proud.

And so did everybody around me.

Yeah, I know what you mean.

It's like all their hopes are invested in you getting a degree. That's right.

They've worked hard to make sacrifices to get you there. Yeah, but when you're

there, I mean, all you seem to see is all your old friends driving cars,

out in clubs.

Yeah.

And to begin with, it's lonely.

You're not like the people you meet there.

They're not like the people you've left behind anymore.

It takes guts.

I wasn't sure I'd make it.

Really?

Some people don't.

So how did you... You just have to have a clear vision of what you want to be

and do.

Wanted to be a bank manager.

You've got it.

I'll tell you something. I wish I had an older brother to talk to.

OK, well, what's your advice for me, then?

Look at it this way, Sean.

Your friends will still be going to clubs and hanging out when you graduate.

They won't have changed, but you will have. And it's a change for the better.

And people will respect you because of it.

Thanks,

bro.

Respect.

Sean is working far too hard.

Shirley, the boy's on a three -year course.

He's been there for three days.

How can he be working too hard already?

He took his first essay, Shirley, and he was impressed.

I remember my first essay.

Really? That far back?

Yes. I was a handsome young student of 21, and the subject was, Is Africa the

cradle of civilization?

And what did you say?

Yes.

You know, it's a funny thing. When it came to exams, I never studied too hard

for them.

That's why you never passed them.

Yes, I did, until I was 13.

What happened to you when you were 30?

Nancy Parker happened.

I remember Nancy Parker.

Boy, Nancy Parker breezed into the room and that was it for me. After that, all

I was good for was writing love letters.

Me too.

Since when?

Since I started writing love letters to Nancy Parker.

Yes, surely. Who was the first person you ever sent a love letter to?

Harry Belafonte.

How old were you?

Ten. I'm fine. Late, everybody.

Sean, son, son, it does not pay to panic. But, Dad, my essay's got to be in

today. So, if it took a little more time, there'd be, what, five minutes

You see, me, I don't believe in panicking.

You only get yourself all confused and very sweaty.

Well, so what, you think I should just give up?

No, no.

There's an old African saying.

It is idle to swallow a cow and choke on its tail.

Think about it.

time to think about it. He studies gibberish next year.

Go,

boy.

We say much, mate.

All right, then. Not next to this.

What, this?

My manager's.

Manager? Yeah.

I kicked it out of that gig two nights ago.

No thanks to you, but hey, that's the way it goes.

I've gone to the record company.

Oh, that's great, Spider -Man. I'm really pleased to see you, man. Yeah,

sure you are.

Well, we both got what we wanted.

You got university, and I'm on my way to fame, fortune, and last but not least,

women.

What do you say we go out and celebrate?

I can't, man.

What now? I'm already going out to celebrate.

What? Well, I got the best grade on my essay.

Oh, that's really great, Sean.

Yeah, I need these things for me.

Sean, sorry we're late.

Right.

Shall we go, then?

See you later, Spider.