Original subtitles

What do you think you're doing?

I'm watching on my file. I'm starting to think this guy is not cut out for the

Marines. You have been home for two hours. Don't you have some homework to

I finished my homework.

Then go outside and play. But all my

friends have sports after school now. I don't have anyone to hang out with.

I'm sorry, Dean.

That can't feel good.

You want some ice cream?

Good.

It's on the grocery list on the counter.

Since you have so much free time, you should spend it doing something

productive, like helping your mom around the house.

I walked right into a trap.

With those young legs of yours, it should only take about 30 minutes. Three

watermelons? What do I look like, the Incredible Hulk? 30? No.

Don't make me say it twice.

Are you sure it's dead?

No.

That's why you're in there with your young eyes to see.

It's not dead. It's not dead. It's not dead.

You sure you weren't plugged in? Of course I did. I'm your mother.

Since my friends were busy and I didn't want to spend my afternoons running

Mom's errand, I went to the guidance counselor for help finding an after

activity. I see you.

That's more of a thespian.

And you're in luck because the drama teacher is looking for people for their

upcoming production of Peter Pan.

I don't know, Mr. Cox. I usually stick to books.

Nonsense. You'd be great.

You have a young Sidney Poitier thing.

Wow. Really?

Well, definitely.

I can see it.

I'll do it.

Huzzah! Then I shall see you tomorrow at our play rehearsal.

You're the drama teacher?

I thought you were just a guidance counselor.

It's called acting.

And also, we're underfunded.

Hey, hey, ho, ho, underfunded schools have got to go.

Hey, hey, ho, ho, underfunded schools have got to go. Hey, Bruce, over here.

Sis,

what's up?

I didn't expect to see you here, but...

I guess I should have. Sure.

You know Congressman Baker has been mishandling government funds for way too

long. You need a sign? I think we have an extra no -index pig.

Actually, I'm not protesting.

I'm a volunteer to help the Congress' re -election campaign.

Would you like a pamphlet to see how you can become a Baker Becker?

You are supporting a Republican.

I'm supporting a candidate who cares about bets and has made us a major part

his platform.

I'm telling Mom and Dad you're voting for a Republican.

Okay. Well, now you're just being childish, so I'll see you at home.

Don't drop your sign.

Say goodbye to your Afro team.

Trying

to

break into a new group in middle school is like a prostate exam.

Scary, exposing, and you pray no photos exist of either.

Uh, hi, Dean.

Is he okay? Oh, yeah. Tom's just a method actor. He's playing a dog and a

crocodile, so he's in deep crocodile mode.

Good afternoon, my little Artis. We have a new actor joining our ensemble today,

so let's give Dean a proper welcome, shall we?

We welcome you to the drama club, so join us at the end.

It's so neat to have you here and see your journey begin.

So give us your best, forget the rest, and we'll give ours to you.

Welcome, welcome, Dean.

Wow. Out of sight.

Okay, now let's get into the magical world of Peter Pan.

Now, I do have a bit of bad news. Our sweet Sandy will not be able to play

Wendy. She's come down with a bad case of mononucleosis.

Then who will be Wendy to my Peter Pan?

Dean will now be Peter Pan, and Karen will play Wendy. Isn't that exciting?

He also doesn't have a ponytail.

Mary Martin played Peter Pan on Broadway.

Broadway, Mr. Koff! Yes, but a man didn't play Wendy. Dean is the obvious

choice. Besides, Dean is the only available boy who can fit into the

Fine. But know that this injustice against women will go down in the

books. Next to Joan of Arc.

No one appreciates my sacrifice.

I'd only been in the drama club for five minutes and had already experienced the

musical number and two dramatic exits.

These drama kids weren't messing around.

We can fly.

We can fly.

You can fly.

We can fly.

Okay, well, it's time to go off to Neverland. Second start to the right and

it left on Decatur Street.

Wait, no, no, that's how you get to my real house.

I can't work like this.

It's all right, Dean. Don't worry. You have all the way until Friday to get the

lines down.

Friday? But I'm in like every scene.

I'm happy to sit back in for Dean.

I already know all the lines.

That is a good point. Karen, you can work with Dean after school until he

the part.

Problem solved.

Did Dean tell you he was in a school play?

Is he playing somebody white?

Never mind.

You're starting your schoolwork mighty late, Kim.

Oh, yeah.

I lost track of time at the rally.

Whoops. I'm not trying to hear all that. What I keep telling you, if the

revolution hasn't started by 8, you're going to miss it. You're right. You do

say that, Daddy.

You know what else? I accidentally scratched the car on a pole.

What? Your late ain't going to cost me some money.

Kimberly Lynette Williams.

Wait. What's going on here?

Why are you admitting these things?

Because. Because she's about to tell you that she saw me at a protest supporting

Congressman Baker, and she knows you're going to be mad.

You're a Republican?

A black Republican?

Oh, Lord, I shouldn't have locked the ever -loving mob today. You could have

been on drugs, a gambler, or hated jazz, but a Republican? It's not that big a

deal, Dad.

I mean, I just heard him speak at the VFW.

Yeah, looking for votes? You should check out his platform.

You might like it. Don't you tell me what I like. I know what I like. And

not some snake oil salesman. Look, the lines between political parties are

blurred anyway.

I mean, just look at the Dixiecrats. They considered themselves Democrats but

supported segregation.

The Republican Party was actually founded by anti -slavery activists.

Did you know that? Don't you ask me what I know.

Bruce, is this you in the picture?

Yeah, see?

This is exactly what I'm talking about.

This white man is using you, son.

There's a reason you're the only black face in this picture. We don't even look

good in red.

Speak for yourself.

Bruce, you're not going down there anymore.

I'm an adult, Dad.

Can't tell me what to do. Things were heating up.

Luckily, Mama always knew when to step in. Cam, you scratched the car.

Nicely done.

Nicely done.

So, when do we get to the fight scene?

You're not ready to rehearse a sword fight.

You haven't earned it.

First, you must do the character work and, you know, learn your lines.

That's sad, because I really think my character would love to sword fight

now. That's because you don't know anything about theater.

Great actors fully immerse themselves into their characters.

Like Laurence Olivier.

Who's Laurence Olivier?

You're hopeless.

Okay, wait, wait.

Peter Pan is just such a big role in...

All you guys are so good and into this. I don't want to let anyone down.

Okay.

What are some of your favorite plays?

I like Batman.

We can work with that.

Think about Adam West. When he plays Batman, it's not just about the pals and

the what.

He has to delve into the tragic backstory of Bruce Wayne and find his

to become a millionaire vigilante. You know?

I can do that.

Act one.

Scene three.

Shadow scene. Ah!

Is it there?

Must be somewhere.

Shadow? Shadow!

Peter Pan!

I saved your shadow for you. Oh, I hope it isn't rumpled.

How did Nana get your shadow?

It jumped out at me the other night at the window.

I come to listen to the stories.

My stories?

But... They're all about you.

I know. That's why I like them. I tell them to the lost boy.

And scene.

Not bad, Dean.

Really? I was really trying to get into the mind of Peter and thinking, hmm, who

is my shadow, you know?

All right, cool it.

You were good for two seconds.

We still have lots of work to do. On to the next scene.

All right.

Put the sword down, Dean.

And when was the last time you saw him in the black neighborhood, huh?

Any politician.

Look, I work for the state. Now, let me be the one to tell you, none of them

care about us black folks. Well, my brothers, you are in luck because the

congressman is on his way down here to meet you all.

You invited him?

Well, I had to.

You weren't going to give him a chance on your own.

Ambushed by my very own son.

Why can't you use your military training for good, like getting us a discount on

tires?

Oh, hey, Bruce.

What's up?

Good afternoon, everybody. I'm your congressman, Brad Baker.

Is this your establishment, sir?

Mm -hmm.

From what Bruce tells me, this is quite the community staple.

It sure is, Congressman.

Well, it is an honor to be here with you fine gentlemen. And thank you for

inviting me, Bruce.

This is exactly the type of outreach outlet I was hoping for from my new

community liaison.

What the hell is that? It's my new job title, Dad.

I'm here to listen to constituents and help them solve problems in the

community. You're working for them now.

Community outreach, huh? Does that mean you fix potholes? Forget the potholes.

You got to think bigger.

Can you make some parking tickets go away? You know, better yet, can you make

Jefferson Street go the other direction? I'm trying to get to work faster. Well,

now, now, can you arrest some of them kids out there in front of my house,

chucking and jiving all hours of the night? Y 'all are wasting your time.

This man is here for a photo op and some votes.

He's using us and Bruce.

All right, Dad, that's enough. Open your eyes, son.

Come here.

You can't see what it's doing because you haven't been right in your mind

you've been back.

It's been one bad decision after another.

Going back to the military and getting her dating a divorced woman with a kid.

What are you trying to say? I'm just trying to understand what's been going

with you.

I mean, people go over there and a lot of things can happen.

Then they come back and... Are you saying that I'm shell -shocked?

I'm saying it would explain things.

Wow.

It's easier for you to think that I'm crazy than to think that I just have my

own ideas that are different from yours.

Now back to the Jefferson Street going from north to south. Man, I got some

complaints.

You know, we can talk about that later. Get back to the game, man. You know.

I propose we leave for home at once.

All right, boys.

All right.

I'm sure Mother would be glad to have you. That is, if Peter doesn't mind. Go

on. Go back and grow up. And I must warn you, once you're grown up, you can

never come back.

Never!

Bravo!

That's being bravo, Dean! You have truly embodied Peter's... Boyish charm.

Thanks, Mr. Cox.

Really been doing the work, you know?

And Karen's been guiding me. Couldn't have done it without her.

Now, since our play conflicts with the homecoming game, I have made an

impassioned plea to the principal to let us perform a preview.

So now, your friends will see you at tomorrow's pep rally.

Isn't that thrilling?

Uh -oh.

My friends aren't ready for this.

Oh, and the best part is all of your costumes will be done just in time.

Be

ready

for your cue to swing in.

Well, try, Karen.

I glittered my pants.

I had escaped going down with the pirate ship, but I wasn't feeling good about

it.

Uh -oh.

How could you just abandon us like that, Dean? Aren't you glad I quit? Night can

be Peter Pan like you want it.

But the place is better with us both.

You may have gotten good at being Peter.

Thanks. It's only to me.

Well, thanks, Karen.

I am really sorry I ditched you guys like that. I saw people laughing and I

panicked. I mean, weren't you guys embarrassed?

Of course we were.

But at least we were all in it together.

That part felt great.

What didn't feel good was being ditched by our castmate.

That one hurt.

I knew what it felt like to be left out, and I hated that I made them feel that

way. Okay, I let this go on as long as I could, but you need to come inside.

And little white girl, here without your parents or corroborating witnesses, you

need to head on home.

Let's get a move on, Speedy.

Due down to the barbershop. Checkers can't cheat by themselves.

Can't show my face after that fight with Bruce.

Maybe I'll just wear my hair long for a while.

Yeah, fella's still talking about that little performance you and Bruce had.

Said it was the first time they'd ever seen a black man turn red.

Can I give you some advice, son? So I can know what not to do.

I'm not going to handle it the way you would.

You're my son, but we think very differently.

Just like you and Bruce.

I just feel like the world has changed so fast these days.

Kim and Dean have time to figure it out still, but Bruce just got thrown out

there, and I don't know if he was ready.

I really think he's making a bad decision.

Well, he might be.

But sometimes the only way they learn is to let them make it.

Maybe, but it ain't easy.

You're lucky. I've always had a good head on my shoulders.

Now, remember after high school, you followed that girl Hazel down to New

Orleans. You came back a month later, no money, and no less than five roots cast

on your head?

I had pneumonia, Dad.

It's a legitimate illness.

Well, you tell that to your grandkids when they come back with shrunken voodoo

heads and little blue weenies.

After betraying my new friends, I realized I needed to make a big gesture

back their trust.

No one calls Pam a coward in lips.

Huzzah.

Look, um... Guys, I'm sorry I ditched out on you at the pep rally.

That wasn't cool with me.

Not cool, Kat.

But we forgive you.

I don't forgive you.

For that line reading.

I didn't feel enough minutes.

Man, if we got work to do, we're going to get you ready for opening night.

Down, boy.

Hi,

son.

How's lifting weights going?

You sure you want to be down here all alone with a crazy person?

Might hit a car backfire and thank you to Viet Cong.

Okay.

I deserve that.

But I don't think you're crazy.

And I'm sorry for making you feel like I did.

Look, I know you think I don't know what I'm doing.

But I'm really passionate about this.

I know you know what you're doing.

And honestly, I think that's what's been bothering me.

That you don't need me to help you decide.

I'm used to you coming to me before you make big decisions, like when you

enlisted the first time.

Well, of course, I still want your advice, Dad.

No, no, I'm not asking for that.

This is how things are supposed to happen, so you can become your own man.

I know our region made good decisions for itself.

Thanks.

I did have some thoughts about Nixon, though.

Of course.

Of course. Okay, that was joking. Yeah, that was tight, man. That was tight.

Oh, Michael, John, we're home.

Cheerio, Peter.

We'll never forget you.

We're off.

Man the capstan and hoist the anchors, boys.

You were the best pita pan ever, baby.

Those two hours and 23 minutes really flew by.

Thanks. Well, go say goodbye to your friends, and we'll meet you by the car.

Any chance of Ticket Ticket getting my down back?

Dean, you were great.

Maybe even better than I would have been.

Thanks, but no way. You would have killed it.

You're probably right.

But it was kind of more fun doing it together.

Yeah.

Way more fun.

Come on now, y 'all. It was 1959 in Alabama.

Stop playing.

Good Lord.

Turn my back for one second. Dean, it's time to go.

And little white girl, with your parents and a host who are white witnesses,

Dean will see you at school.

Bye, Dean.

See you around.

See you, Karen.

Though it turned out Alabama was ready for a Black Peter Pan.

A black boy with a white girl, though?

Yeah. Y 'all were going to have to wait for the 80s to roll around before

sitcoms would go there.