Original subtitles

'Huh.. Yeah?'

This is Tyrone Tackett. Cornell's brother?

You sent me the telegram.

'What do you want?'

I'm here in LA, the airport. Need a ride.

'You Tacketts had your last ride on me.'

Cornell said you was a generous woman.

"Course. I gave what he wanted.'

'You? You're another story.'

What about the funeral arrangement?

I mean, is somebody with my brother?

You was his old lady.

'If that's what he told you'

'you got some spottin' up to do.'

'Cornell's dead, so are you for all I care.'

♪ Hit man hit man ♪

♪ What you gonna do about the situation yeah ♪

♪ Hit man hit man ♪

♪ What you gonna do about the situation? ♪

♪ Do your thing by the golden moon ♪

♪ Do it unto others before they do it unto you ♪

♪ If you pitch it up, you got to take it in ♪

♪ 'Cause the games you play can be played again ♪

♪ Hit man hit man ♪

♪ What you gonna do about the situation? ♪

♪ Hit man hit man ♪

♪ What you gonna do about the situation? ♪

♪ Smooth-talkin' slow-walkin' ♪

♪ Hands-shakin' love-makin' ♪

♪ Life is a shiny sheet and a bronze glazed sister's gleam ♪

♪ I've pulled the flowing cup ♪

♪ Dryin' all your problems up ♪

♪ But tell me what you gonna do ♪

♪ It's on you ♪

♪ What you gonna do? ♪

♪ It's on you ♪♪

If the girl you want ain't at Candy Lily's

you ain't looking for a girl.

Okay, brother.

You mean somebody's been talking to you about me?

Oh, yeah. You are a real superstar, baby.

Yeah.

Well, sweet man.

You're about to get the superstar treatment.

- Oh, yeah? - 'Mm-hmm.'

Come on, why don't you tell me who it was that bragged on me?

Cornell Tackett. My brother.

Thanks for the telegram.

You know, you come off real hard on the phone, Irvelle.

I could still be at the airport watching them planes land.

- Tyrone. - Tyrone Tackett, mama.

Now, my brother is dead and I wanna know why.

I don't know nothing.

Where's his daughter, Rochelle?

I don't know nothing about her.

Well, maybe you need some time to freshen your memory.

And I'm gonna call you about the funeral.

And you gonna talk

and I'm gonna listen.

I don't dig funerals, man.

- Cornell will never know. - Well, I will.

I mean, after all, Irvelle

you was Cornell's... thing.

So I'll see you at the funeral.

Huh? Superstar.

Rochelle.

Hey, Rochelle?

- Was he in bad shape? - No.

They fished his car out of the water

about an hour after he went through the rail.

He drowned?

The police said, your brother drowned in alcohol

before he hit the water.

Rochelle.

How you doing?

I'm sorry about your father.

What the cops say? Anything?

They said, "your old man's dead."

How's Centennials?

I left school last year.

- What're you doing? - I'm doing Woolworth's.

Woolworth's? Where you gonna live?

I got friends.

Look, uh..

...I'd really like it

me and my old lady, if you'd come to Oakland

and live with us.

Cornell would have dug it if we stuck together.

What's she doing here?

She's a friend of your father's.

She was no friend.

Glad you could make it, Irvelle.

I did not want her to come and get your ass.

What's wrong between you and Rochelle?

I ain't got nothing to do with her, you understand?

Cornell talked a lot about you. You know that?

I thought y'all was pretty tight and everything.

I saw her a couple of times.

I wasn't family.

But you was his main thing

after his old lady walked out on him.

- Don't shine me over, Irvelle. - Look, man.

I don't know nothin' about nothing, you got that?

And that's the righteous truth.

You should keep your head open, hear?

And when I'm ready, we're gonna sit down and talk about it

and you're gonna tell me somethin'.

This might keep you alive.

Bitch.

Shall we pray?

Heavenly father

as we prepare to commit the body of your servant

Cornell Tackett, to the crematory fires.

We pray that his soul shall be spared in front of hell fires

of eternal damnation.

Cornell was one fine dude.

- I'm Sherwood Epps. - How you doing?

No lie. He sure was.

- I'm Emerson Rays. - My pleasure.

Cornell spoke of both you cats, man.

Glad you came out. Thank you, thank you very much.

Sure gonna miss him.

Mr. Tackett?

Mr. Tackett.

We're, uh, former friends of your brother's.

You've got our condolences.

Uh! He's not finished yet, Mr. Tackett.

See, we wanted to say good-bye here.

'Cause we know we won't be seeing you after the burial.

Since you'll be headin' right back to Oakland.

Not burial, cremation.

You see, Tacketts don't dig

being pushed into the ground.

I'm sure I'll see you brothers again.

Uh, if you do, Mr. Tackett

you're going to be hurtin' real bad.

Uh, now that your brother's been taken care of..

...there's nothing keeping you here at all.

No, you keeping me here, man.

Sherwood?

How long, you and my brother were partners?

Me and Cornell started in a used car business together.

Adjust 'em fenders and then repo it.

He's the best damn hot wire man, I ever saw.

'And now he's gone.'

'Crashes through a fence, ends up dead in the ocean.'

'I can't figure it out.'

'I-it just don't make sense.'

Real weird thing.

Have some..

You don't think Cornell dropped it on himself?

Hey, man, forget that shit.

That's not the way you say it, boy.

The last time you saw him, how was he acting?

- Was he hit bad? - Hmm.

He was a little bit edgy.

Nobody knows a damn thing.

He's a super fine man. Shit.

- You motherfuckers. - What, uh!

What's the matter with this chick?

She'll be okay if she gets her head straightened.

- I'm sorry, bro. - She is right, sir..

No, no. I've had it. I'm gonna ride a storm.

- See you later, babe. - 'Yeah. Okay, man.'

- Later, Emerson. - How will I've known?

I guess that she is uptight about this whole thing.

Hey, Tyrone, I gotta go there and repo

a Continental from a dude.

You give me a hand, you got yourself a car to drive.

Sure, where'd you got it?

Where's the car anyway?

Over there on Broadway.

Sherwood, you know a Julian Swift?

Yeah, I know him. He falls about a 27 down there.

You know, tryin' to put through a make on me for a Cadillac.

Now that I've gone big time, you know?

Where is he at? Who he was seen doing?

He sure knows what's going on.

You know they tell me

h-h-he's training fighting dogs

you know, pitbulls or something like that.

- Do you swear? - That's right. Yeah.

He was a big high roller in Hollywood Park.

- 'No shit.' - He's a good trainer.

- Training on 'em race horses. - Race horses? Oh, oh.

When I was a kid, he was in for nothing.

He might have been trainin' race horses

but he gone to the dogs now.

'Say, man? How'd you come to know Julian Swift, anyway?'

'Streets, man. He ruled our neighborhood.'

- Sherwood. - 'Somethin' new.'

What about Irvelle, Sherwood?

Everybody know she was a whore.

Let's just say, she let her little light shine.

Now, I got a special 90 day deal on this baby here.

Come on in the office I got some other things I wanna show you.

'You might have to kill me to get this car back, Sherwood.'

Ha, ha. Ain't nothing, baby.

Say, Sherwood. I got me a live one here.

Oh, man. Enough of your shit.

Oh, I can tell this cat's handwriting.

You think I didn't know?

Look, man, I am tryin' to unload

this 90-day double guaranteed turkey.

It ain't even got no music, man.

Now, all of a sudden, you're a handwriting expert.

Yeah, I'm tryin' to close the deal with my man, Tyrone.

- Goddamn right. - Now, you get outta here--

You're so smashed, you couldn't close a damn door.

Yes, he could. Hey, man. Hey!

Hey, wait a minute, motherfucker.

'Hey, come back here, nigger.'

Boss says you're A-okay with it.

'Hello.'

I bet you miss me already. Don't you baby?

I'm sorry, but you have the wrong number.

This is Oakland, the Biggs.

Rita, do you know what I like?

I like it when you be stickin' 'em

big old brown titties in my eyes.

- 'I see.' - Yeah, but then I don't.

We should tell Murray what goes on

when you be out making 'em old dirty pictures with me.

You tell him, pervert. Mun.

There's some creep on this phone with the most foul mouth

that I've ever heard.

Look, Mr. Jive-ass

'it's freaks like you that give'

'legitimate pornography a bad name.'

Probably just saw your latest movie.

'Hi!'

We gonna get a new neighbor?

More than likely, you ain't gonna stay on make-up.

I might get lucky this time. You know what I mean?

Occupied or unoccupied, it costs the same.

Oh, is that right?

Maybe a husband get lucky too and catch it.

It ain't like that, now, peaches.

My name ain't Peaches, Big Daddy. It's Laural.

How'd you know my name was Big Daddy?

'Cause, I had checked you out.

You know it sleeps two, but parties four.

Oh, one of my permanent guests just checked out, you know.

- Must've forgotten. - Permanent?

The ones that cut the motors off?

Hey, Laural. You got any change?

Beth Ann, won't make it no more

without that magic fingers vibrating.

Oh, get your ass back to your room.

God damn, Waste King, you know I run

a respectable, commute orientated establishment here.

Waste King!

- Umm, you're traveling man? - Commuter.

Well, the toilet's right here.

And we clean it every day.

Real quiet.

Well, I keep my springs well-oiled..

...Tyrone.

How fast was he goin'?

Fast enough to go through this fence.

Of course, it's hard to tell without skid marks.

Probably some suicide, I guess.

Sure in hell, wished they'd stay at home

and open up a vein or something.

It was my brother, man.

Shit! Man, you almost shot my derby.

You shoot my derby, I'm gonna whoop your ass.

'Fucker shot my car. Nigger!'

Any of you gray boys want to cover?

How much can you spend, huh?

Two hundred and..

- What's it worth? - Your mama, and she's yours.

For five, she's on.

Do we have Swift around?

Keep looking around. He's around.

- White suits you, Shag. - Tyrone Tackett.

Shag Merriweather.

Word was you was a police in Oakland.

Yeah, well I'm back on the streets now.

Visiting family?

I would be, if they was here.

- Moved? - No, dead.

Hey, get him, Joey. Get him.

- 'Get him, boy.' - 'Get him.'

You're working for Theatis Oliver?

Not, Nano Zito, man.

Why are you asking, man?

I'm from the welfare department.

I'm checking to see that you niggers stay employed.

Look, man, get off my case.

I have not yet begun to get on your case, brother.

Come on, Joey. Oh, shit!

'Pull over. Good humor, man.'

Shit!

Come on, open up. Come on man, open the gate.

If there's one scratch on that limousine

I'mma kick his ass, hear me?

- 'You gotta stop that shit!' - 'But they've guns, Esposito.'

Yeah. But he's trying to be a big jerk.

I'll find it, sir.

Oh, here it is, boss.

Ha, ha, ha. Hello, Tackett.

- You dumb nigger. - Oh, yes, sir.

Ha, ha. Come on have a drink.

Go on.

Gozelda, get our guest a drink.

I could cry. I really could.

Sometimes, I think I'll retire.

Kiss off to the Bahamas and let somebody else run LA.

Yeah. I see it.

Never mind, Shag. Nobody's perfect.

Polish the car.

- Come on, boy. - 'Hey, watch it.'

Murray Biggs said before buying give his regards.

Oh, nice boy.

Is he's getting richer on 'em tit movies up in Oakland?

Yeah, he's making grand theft dough.

That's the way it should be.

I heard about your loss.

My sincerest sympathies.

'Cornell was a nice boy.'

You are on next, Mr. Zito.

Me and Gussie'll play. $100 a point.

You're the boss.

Soft. Not like the old man here.

So, you know Murray Biggs, huh?

He's my boss.

He came to see Mr. Zito on business.

He said he was going to make me a star.

- 'Where the hell have you--' - 'Right here.'

- 'Good passing, Zito.' - 'That ain't nothin'.'

Do you get this?

Oh, Jesus.

Yeah, come on.

Your game, boss.

You're really faster than me, now.

Hey, hey, Tackett, listen to it. I was puttin' him on.

Yeah and he played like it too.

You want to play me, boy?

Where I come from, boss,

we only play the winners.

Hey, Gozelda,

show Tackett where to change.

You're about to play a winner. You shut up.

This way, please.

When Murray was here

he and I became very tight.

- Oh, yeah? - Mm-hm.

I read for a damn good part in "Shaft."

Did you get it?

Well, we'll talk about that later.

If you like to see some film sometime.

It's kind of a screen test.

Maybe, you could rap to Murray about it.

Are you the star?

You know, I'm the star, for Murray, of course.

Well, I figured that when I saw you.

Knew you was a star.

- I can dig all that. - You think you can, hmm?

Now's your chance.

Get outta my way.

You're in my way.

Can't even play?

Get Shag.

I'll take winners.

- You black bastard. - Hold it, Gussie.

Jesus, Tackett, what the hell has happened to you?

You never used to give nobody no trouble.

Always did what you was told.

You were such a nice boy.

It's the same thing you said about my brother.

Now you come bustin' in here, tag Gussie..

Shag.

It's your game.

Nigger!

'Roll tape, clear make-up. Slate it.'

'Action.'

Brothers and sisters, you'll find that right on

late model used car, right here

at Epps Car City.

And no matter what's your credit situation

we'll put you behind the wheel of a car

that you'll be proud to drive.

And for you prestiged motherfuckers, we got..

'Cut. Cut.'

- ...make you wanna jump-- - 'Cut.'

Cut. Cut it.

I'm afraid we can't use it. You said it again, Mr. Epps.

Said what? What the fuck did I say?

That word.

- Oh, shit! - Alright, roll it back.

Don't fall apart. We'll go again in a minute.

- What did I get there? - I ain't got it man.

- Just ain't got it. - 'Sh-sh.'

Yeah, well, I guess you don't, Sherwood.

Any fool can dig on that.

Hey, you know a cat named, Huey?

Dude, always wears a lid.

Yeah, been following me around town.

I think he works for Zito.

Well, he came through here full of questions.

'Okay, Mr. Epps, Ready any time you are.'

What did you tell him, brother?

I didn't tell him Shit.

Huh, you know me, baby.

Sherwood, my man.

- Look, I gotta split. - Yeah, where are you goin'?

Oh, to the Hollywood.

Keep your wallet in your mouth while you showering, baby.

- Give me a coke, brother. - Sure, enough.

Hey, Rochelle, what's happenin'?

Everything cool?

You coming to Oakland?

I don't know anyone in Oakland.

- Where are you goin'? - 'I got friends.'

- Shit, where's my coat? - Plenty of friends.

- Name them? - Well, Reggie's one.

This dude messing with you?

Look, young blood, this is family, man.

So, you be cool..

...before I knock you out.

He's my uncle.

Oh, your Uncle Tyrone, huh? Jack ass!

I wanna see the people you're gonna be living with, Rochelle.

Don't come on like you own me.

'I ain't answerin' to you.'

We're all the family we got, do you know that?

All the family I got's dead.

Nothin' I can say to you, huh?

Okay, well, look I'm splittin' somethin'

if I don't see you tomorrow.

Oh, you'll be good, yeah?

And don't trust boys.

I already don't.

Here.

Buy Reggie a coke.

Thanks.

Got a goodbye kiss for your uncle?

You kiss like an uncle.

Hey, baby, did he?

Well, I'll be goddamned blow.

We got cash money, baby. Shit.

'How much money, we got here?'

'Twenty, thirty, forty..'

'Shit, we got some blow money so far.'

- 'Say, how much more we get.' - 'Oh, yeah.'

'Eighty, ninety..'

'Shit, come on, let's go get a beer.'

Mr. Tackett.

I have something for you.

Come around there.

This was left for you.

'Thank you.'

'Oh, what is it?'

It's my brother.

Well, uh, guests in the room gonna cost extra.

Oh, if that was true you'd be a millionaire

you know that?

Can I use your phone?

I'll get time and charges later.

- Hello. - Hey, baby.

I sure do miss your fine stuff.

Tyrone.

When're you coming back to Oakland?

'I wanna hold you.'

I'm holdin' you right now, baby.

'Can you feel me?' 'My warm touch.'

- 'Where you at?' - By the pool.

What've you got on?

'Black bikini.'

The invisible one?

No.

Take it off for me.

Murray's around.

Take off the top.

It's off.

Now, take a handful.

'Hold that left one for me.'

'My favorite one, baby.'

That's me holding you, baby.

Touching you.

'Lips all over your body.'

Finding your secret places.

Can you feel me, sweet dame?

'Deep, way inside, hot and strong.'

Damn, baby, you've been reading those massage books again?

It works Murray, it really works.

- I feel you all over. - Yeah.

- Hung up. - I'm not.

No, I can't.

Yes, you can.

Either way I like my men

proud and erect.

Oh, who is that?

'Tackett!'

'Tackett!'

'Tackett!'

Hey, man, they came to the lot.

- How many? - Three of them.

They're out there some place.

Tackett.

'Tyrone Tackett!'

What's happening, baby Huey?

I see you got yourself a new car.

Yo, I wanna talk to you, Tackett.

- Confidentially-- - 'Stay in the car, man.'

I'll come down and listen to you. Confidentially.

What's on your mind, man?

I've been elected to pass this on to you.

'Plane leaves for Oakland at five minutes to twelve.'

- You ain't late yet. - I might be.

If you ain't on that plane, the only that you'll be is dead.

'How're you gonna make that happen?'

That white man you got in the back seat?

You know, Nita Biggs must be gettin'

awfully lonely up there in Oakland.

'Nobody but her husband to keep her happy.'

There's probably a white man

taking care of her right now, Leon.

You're starting to get outta hand, nigger.

What're you doing? What's going on down there?

Get up, goddammit.

Get your ragged ass up. Get up, nigger.

I'll knock you out. Come on, get up.

Go on.

- Get in. - No, really. Um. Ow!

Look, Huey, you gonna have some kinda agreement.

Man, I'mma kick all the black off your ass.

Get off my case, Tackett.

This is LA.

'We just don't dig no out of town shit comin' down.'

I didn't dig buryin' my brother either, sucker.

Yeah, but you're messin' with some heavy weights.

Look, Tackett, the police will search--

Fuck the police! They don't care if some nigger gets off.

- Look, you motherfucker-- - No! Oh!

You uptight about my coming down in here, weren't you?

- OW! - Hit that mother for me.

- Hit him. - Aw!

What's going on?

All the scream is gonna bring the police here.

Shit, the noises going on in this place.

- Ain't nobody gonna hear. - 'Who is it, man?'

- You know I can't tell you.. - Nano Zito?

You know, I can't.. Ow!

You're gonna tell me something, nigger.

I can't tell you, Tackett, you know, I can't.

You got a name for me?

- OW! - Kill him.

- Ow! Theatis. - Kill him.

- Theatis. Ow, Theatis Oliver. - Kill him.

Who's Theatis Oliver?

Some cat that run a chain

of porno film theaters around town.

Now, listen, Tackett

if I don't get the story, I'm--

Now look, Laural

you've been a real sunshine through all of this, baby.

Now don't fuck up.

Alright, man, you can got what you want out of me.

- You gonna let me go? - Nigger, you must be nuts.

Hey, look, man, don't let this cat near no phone.

I'm gonna see Theatis Oliver.

Hey, Tackett, don't let on

I was the one to fat mouth on Theatis.

Sit down, nigger.

♪ Gonna love you till the day that I die ♪♪

Damn, what the hell is going on here?

What is this?

- Jesus, well-- - Now, Theatis.

It's just a party. Theatis, don't get excited now.

I'll murder the little slit..

- Theatis. - 'Theatis, my ass.'

'They're only kids.'

Theatis.

Drinking all over the goddamn place with that--

Honey.

- Daddy. - That's right, sugar. Daddy.

Give her a chance to explain.

Daddy, you promised that you won't be home until tonight.

Yeah, by tonight, my house will be on the six o'clock news.

Is this what you call having few friends in for a coke, huh?

Alright, turn off that goddamn music.

'Just get out, party time is over.'

I've been just runnin' right all over my house.

'Come on, let's go. Let's get out of here.'

'Jesus?

They're taking my glasses.

Sherry, your mother will hear about this.

Your husband is a regular grouch.

- Theatis. - That's a set up, Yolanda.

- Uh! - 'Antoinette.'

'I'm not that dull, you bubble ass bitch.'

- Oh, my house is a wreck. - 'What's this smell in here?'

'What you been smoking, Antoinette?'

'Dolly, what have you been doing?'

'Open up, in here.'

'Antoinette.'

'Antoinette, open that door.'

Good afternoon.

The door was open, so I just came on in.

- Who are you? - I'm a neighbor.

- I came about the noise. - Noise? What noise?

Look, I just wanna see Oliver.

So, will you please tell him that

uh, Baby Huey sent me?

Okay.

- 'Theatis.' - 'What?'

'Theatis, there's someone here to see you.'

'Who is it?'

'I don't know, somebody Baby Huey sent.'

'Who?'

What the hell is this?

My house or some goddamn cabaret?

Well, what do you want?

Yolanda tells me a Baby Huey sent you.

- You don't know who I am? - Oh, sh..

- You don't. - Don't what?

Know me.

Fuck, man, I already know that.

Now, what's going on?

I made a mistake, brother. Okay, I'm sorry.

Mistake about what?

It doesn't matter.

What's the shit about all this noise?

- It was loud. - Where do you live?

Oakland.

Told you it was loud.

That's very funny, nigger.

Now, let me tell you something.

I don't dig no strange dude come busting in my house.

Now you better tell me something?

Now you're a big cat, Oliver.

But don't try and sell me no wolf tickets, man.

- OW! - Theatis.

Daddy

- Cool it, mama. - Daddy, are you okay?

- Just be cool. I'm gonna.. - Get out of here.

Get out, now.

'Freak.'

They came back, huh?

No, Tyrone. I'd just been doing my nails.

Hard to say.

You know, I get my ass kicked

for a perfect stranger and not a word of kindness.

Bullshit, put it on the bill.

Where's Sherwood?

He dragged 'em out of here.

And they hurt me.

Oh. Well, you're lucky, 'cause they kill too.

Baby Huey nearly died laughing.

That lyin' sucker.

What about Sherwood? I mean, what you gonna do?

Look, Sherwood's got a whole lifetime

of taking care of himself behind him so I figured--

You know, you're real one. You're real bastard.

I don't even know where he is. You know where he is?

Well, fuck it then.

Suppose I phone the police and tell 'em

there's this dude living in my motel

who's planning to put some holes.

But you wouldn't do that, see 'cause then I'll blow you away.

Listen, I've been threatened before.

You think I don't know how you like your men.

"Proud and erect."

'You ain't the only one who fits that description.'

But I'm the only one here.

Give me a dime for a phone call

and I'll fill this room.

I ain't got no dime.

Oh, Tyrone, be careful.

Oh, Tyrone.

Oh, Jesus.

I got love, T'one.

Come on.

Tyrone.

'What's shaking, Ty?'

You're getting in some strokes, brother?

Man, I cannot get a moment's peace.

Orders is orders.

Biggs wants you back in Oakland.

And you cats will not take "No" for an answer, man.

Nita misses your ass.

Now look, we know what's got you steppin' in shit.

And everybody's sorry about that.

But that's gonna be spread cool, Tyrone

'while you still got some friends here.'

Well, put me on the plane, man.

Maybe, we oughta let him get his gun off first.

How was that, brother?

Zito says, all the trouble you cause reflects on him.

He ain't buyin' no more.

I wish he'd say that before somebody offed my brother.

Get your head out of your ass, man.

Now, we're gonna take you back to Oakland.

Sooner or later.

Dead or alive.

Head up, funny nigger.

Take that honkey with you.

Shit.

You're not leavin' again, are you, Tyrone?

What am I supposed to do? Sit here with my finger.

"Proud and erect," baby.

Sherwood.

Sherwood, it's Tyrone.

Sherwood.

'Kiss my ass.'

'Ooh, Sherwood, they sure kicked your butt?'

- Say what? - I said..

Oh, my back.

Man, they walked all over you.

No shit.

- You knew they'd come back. - 'No, I didn't, brother.'

Any word on Julius Swift?

Somebody said he's feeding animals.

Feeding animals? Jesus Christ.

What the hell happened to that guy?

What's this?

You wrecked it already?

Well, keep 'em.

'I got a healthy insure.'

Well, I hope you got yourself

heavily insured anyway.

You poor baby.

Now, you see, Sherwood, that's just what you get

for messing with that young stuff.

Hey, get out of..

- Hang tough, buddy. - You, too, man.

Hey, baby, is, uh, Julius Swift around?

No, I haven't seen him all morning.

He's supposed to be here.

Can I help?

No, that's cool.

Oh, if you're looking for tableau village

it's behind the barn.

Tableau village? What the hell is that?

It's a Maasai senior building.

Julius got some actor friends, they're in it.

Well, I'm more of the Igbo Chieftain

types you know what I mean?

Have you known Julius long?

Yep, since he was about, maybe, that tall.

- Wow. - Hm, breakfast time.

Thank you, baby.

Yeah, well, at the funeral, you know

Rochelle was acting real strange.

Very cold, I mean, I could understand it.

I know where she was coming from with that stuff.

How well you know Rochelle?

Said hello a couple of times.

Hey, little brother. How about some flowers?

Yes.

I'll take this one bunch, okay?

- Okay. - Alright, there you go.

- Thank you, brother. - Hey, thanks.

What was happening with you and Cornell?

- You know, what were you into? - Hey, man, he was good to me.

- And that's all? - He's better than most.

But nothing heavy, huh?

Just wanted little low light weight street thing, right?

Shit, man, you know what I am.

- Yeah, I know what you are. - So?

And I'm good at it, too.

How come you all spent so much time together?

'Cause Cornell dug me.

Cornell wasn't ashamed

to be seen in daylight with me.

- Hey, dig it, Irvelle-- - Look, man.

It was nice to have a life outside the house.

We had a groovy thing goin'.

I'm just tryin' to find out

what was bugging the dude, that's all.

Cornell wanted me to move away from Candy Lilly

and move in with him.

He raised holy hell outside that place.

If they found out I had some side bets going..

Girls have been killed for that.

So I told him I couldn't see him no more.

That was Sunday.

He said he was gonna kill himself.

I didn't believe it.

It ain't working, Irvelle.

Now, you're gonna tell me something else.

'Cause that is not where Cornell's head was.

- I'm the freak in the family. - But it's the truth.

- Bullshit. - Honest.

Look, you two-for-nickel jive street-time whore.

Cornell was too hip to get off like that.

Now, tell me who killed him?

How you doin', playboy?

Zito's pretty pissed at you.

Oh, yeah?

Had to tell Murray about you fooling around

with his old lady.

You know, you lyin' for the brown helmet.

Get in the car, punk.

Lemme tell you two house niggers one thing.

Zito or Biggs or nobody shits on my head.

Now, you niggers got that?

Get in.

'Hey, Tyrone.'

Hey!

Just made number one on my shit list.

I'll be damned. Lucky nigger.

Had to save the man who's got my talent.

Well, if anymore people follow me around

they gonna have to get a parade for me.

Oh, aren't you the lucky one?

- I just might be getting lucky. - Hm.

'Where you taking me to?'

Close your eyes and see.

'Who catches the rent around here?'

Theatis Oliver.

Is he coming here?

Uh-uh.

He wants to see you at his new theater.

But first, I just had to kidnap your ass.

I'm thinking, what happens if Zito finds out

that Oliver's keeping you.

He won't.

He thinks I'm just.

...a dumb...nigger.

Oh, you really get to that behind that porno shit, huh?

But only when I play the lead.

Oh, yeah?

You're an actress?

The first act is coming up.

- Well, what is this? - Oh, wait a minute, you'll see.

- Theatis. - Tackett?

- Thanks for coming, man. - What's happening, Oliver?

Oh, man, nothing's happening. You know.

Really appreciate the fact that you could make it.

Say, hey. Man, come on, let me show you around.

- You wait here, babe. - Alright.

Well, man, this is it.

Out of the porno, into the big time.

This will be the showcase of my theater chain.

Nothing but first run. Hard ticket.

Well, man, how do you like it?

Well, you've got somebody to, uh..

'...close all these drapes for you?'

'We'll only be opened'

at night, man. You know?

And if the customers don't dig the picture

well, you know, they can sit around enjoy the city.

Tackett, yesterday, after you left I did some checkin'.

Since you weren't opening up.

Seems like you're concerned about your brother's death.

Concerned? Yeah.

I think you can say that, Oliver.

Now, I was thinking, it would be nice

if they, uh, dudes that you're tracking down

are the same cats that's right in my ass.

You know my life, Tackett, it's..

This porno shit it's a nice livin'.

I mean, it takes care of itself.

Not much of rough stuff until lately.

Shit, man, I ain't no gangster.

I don't want no war.

Hell, no.

But I gotta get to them before they get to me, man.

But you know the trouble is, Tackett

if I blow it, man, I'm dead.

Tackett, five grand belongs to you.

Along with the name I'm gonna give you.

Name of the man who..

...killed your brother.

Give me the name.

Nano Zito.

'Oh, my partners.'

- Hey! - Oh, your partners.

I don't see more fucking muscle in this town than that

and I ain't impressed with them niggers.

Now, what I wanna know, man, is how come Zito hit Cornell?

All I heard is that, they were sweating piss

at Zito's place Saturday.

Your brother's name came up.

Next day, he was dead.

But why? He wasn't into nothing.

I don't know, that's all they told me.

Well, it's not enough, Oliver.

Jesus, man, I mean, I, uh-uh..

Look, just because he turned me on to you

don't you try the same shit, man.

Well, you're wrong, man.

When all you underworld characters

and heavy dudes start shootin'

you let me know.

Meanwhile, I'm going to the mattress, brother.

- Come on, baby. - 'Hey, wait a minute, man.'

'I'm telling you, it was Zito who killed your brother!'

Hey, Tackett!

How come your goin' the scenic route?

I'm parked over on 107.

I got a surprise for you.

Coming attractions.

My favorite customer. Wow!

I don't have to pay.

Oh, coming on now.

♪ She was a-standin' on a corner ♪

♪ Looking good ♪

♪ Tryin' to hitch a ride up ♪

♪ Into Hollywood ♪

♪ Pretty little thing just in a mini skirt.. ♪

'That's Irvelle.'

'She's not a real actress.'

♪ She was a call girl ♪

♪ Oh yes.. ♪

I'll be on in a second.

'Ta-da.'

A star is born.

♪ I gotta make her mine.. ♪

♪ Ask her would she like to speak to a friend of mine.. ♪

She acted?

- Who? - The kid.

No.

She's one of them nice girls.

We had to get her drunk and slap her around

to get her clothes off.

♪ Oh yeah.. ♪

♪ Young blood ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ She was mine mine mine ♪

♪ I gotta make her mine ♪

♪ Oh yeah.. ♪

And that's Julius Swift.

That man is hung.

What's the matter?

Don't this turn you on?

♪ Ah she was a young blood y'all ♪

♪ Young blood ♪

Maybe, Murray Biggs would like to see it.

I can get a print.

♪ Oh good baby ♪

♪ Young blood ♪

♪ Oh she was looking good now ♪

♪ Young blood.. ♪♪

Hey, what's the matter?

But you didn't see the last of it--

- Get your ass off ground. - What's the matter with you?

Tell me about that girl.

What girl?

Young blood, who pulled her?

I don't know, man, she's just some kid from the streets.

Was it Julius?

I don't think so.

What about Oliver, he make that film?

No, he just shows 'em.

Well, who makes them?

Zito. Making films gets him off.

Who set it up? Shag?

Then he pulled the girl.

Can you tell me what's going on?

Did my brother, Cornell, find out about that?

Find out what? What are you talking about--

You lyin' bitch. Tell me the truth.

The girl's name is Rochelle.

You know her last name, do you?

No, no, no, I don't.

It's Tackett.

Same as mine, bitch. Tackett.

And her father, my brother..

...was killed because of all this shit!

Get in your limo, star.

Go on, get your butt up there.

Damn you.

Tackett.

- Put that gun down. - Don't fuck with me.

You're about the only one left, Laural.

'That's a good girl.'

'Come on. Come on.'

Where's Julius?

He's in the elephant shed.

Come on.

You'll be next.

What's happening, Julius?

Hey, Ty.

Hey, I didn't know anything about Rochelle.

I just thought she was some hot pants

brought off the street, you know.

She act cooler, huh?

'Yeah.'

How?

He knew Irvelle.

'Well, when did you find out who she was?'

- Couple of weeks back. - How?

Oliver.

He saw the flick, and he wanted to know about her.

So you told him, huh?

'Yeah, I did.'

Who killed Cornell?

Last Sunday, Shag and a couple of his boys

came by the house with Cornell

and... they said he was pissed.

'Somehow or other, he got to see the film'

and he was talking about death.

They asked me for some whiskey and started

to force it down his mouth.

I-I thought they were just gonna mess him up, you know.

What did you do, Julius?

What could I do?

Well, did Shag know that.

...Cornell was my brother?

Yeah, I told him.

What did he say?

"Good."

Then they drove away in his car.

And that's how my brother died, huh?

You know, me and Cornell looked up to you, Julius.

I mean, man... you were it.

Education, vet, out front, making it, you know.'

And now, you're just here

feeding elephants in North Africa.

Get out.

You about to play your biggest scene, actress.

Now, you can run

or I'm gonna shoot your face off.

You shouldn't have showed Cornell that film, man--

That would make him mad enough to kill Zito.

But instead, he killed Cornell!

I didn't mean for that to happen. All I wanted was Zito.

Then they killed Rochelle. Shot her in the fuckin' head.

But chicks like your bullshit bourgeois daughter

can do anything they wanna do.

'Cause you got the bread that make it cool.

Ain't that right, Oliver?

But the Rochelles of the world 'cause they're from the streets

end up dead or huffin' or hookin'.

Let me tell you one thing, man. That shit has got to stop.

Come on, move out.

Move out, nigger,

or I'll blow your head off.

Christ, Tackett! You're not a killer, man.

Put the gun down, huh?

I'm over here at the Doll Valley theater.

Get here right away.

It's important.

Right.

Where's Irvelle?

She's with the girls at a private party.

Nano Zito bought the whole place out.

I gotta use the phone.

Yeah?

Mr. Zito says it's time

you nigger boys found another business.

'Zito.'

Telephone, Mr. Zito.

Hello? Who is this?

'This is Tyrone Tackett.'

And I'm hip to what's been going down.

Oh.

Quiet!

'It's a simple deal.'

'Only one cat I want.'

'Call it straight, okay?'

Who do you want?

I want Shag.

Signal Street, Turno island.

I think it could be arranged.

But I don't want 'em there before 6 o'clock in the morning.

I 'Why so early, Ty?

Well, I'm catching the... early flight

back to Oakland, Mr. Zito.

Done.

Kiss my ass, honky faggot.

Shag.

Did you shut up the nigger kid?

Cornell's?

Personally.

Good. Look, I got an early delivery for you.

I want you to go home and get some sleep.

And I think we'll try and carry on without you.

Yeah, I know him, Mr. Zito.

Any idea where I can find him?

I'll be there.

- Is she home? - Hmm?

Oh, yeah, yeah.

What the hell's going on here? What do you want?

I got cunning boys working for me.

I'll give you money, all the money you want.

I'm Zito. Nano Zito.

Give me a break. Please.

'Oh, God!'

Shag.

How about a drink, old buddy?

'You're getting tired, fat man?'

One last drink to my brother, Shag.

This is how you made Cornell take it? Huh?

This is how you made Cornell take it?

What are you killing me for?

How many 16-year-olds

did you pull for the Biggs brothers, huh?

You know, they had fathers and brothers too.

You ain't dead for pulling her, motherfucker, you killed her.

- No, no, it wasn't me. - My brother too.

I didn't kill him. Nano Zito did it.

Look, you know how mighty Whitey is.

He set me up.

Come on, man. Hell, I didn't do it.

I got somethin' for Zito.

I got somethin' for that guinea.

You're diggin' it, huh?

You got the taste of blood, huh, animal? Huh?

You know, what you ought to do

you oughta take the barrel of this gun

and stick it in your mouth.

And then pull the trigger, nigger

'cause you ain't gonna never stop.

- Run, Uncle Remus. - Oh, no.

- Run, fat, greasy nigger. - Oh, no, no.

Hey, I ain't dyin' in front of you.

Fuckin' animal.

'Animal!'

'Possible multiple homicide'

'reported 2405 Glendower Boulevard.'

'Multiple homicides confirmed.'

'Residence of Nano Zito.'

Subject on tech squad surveillance bulletin.'

'Nano Zito. Repeat. Nano Zito confirmed dead.'

'Multiple gunshot wounds.'

♪ Hit man hit man ♪

♪ What you gonna do about the situation? ♪

♪ Hit man hit man ♪

♪ What you gonna do about the situation? ♪

♪ What you gonna do? ♪

♪ Is on you ♪

♪ What you gonna do? ♪

♪ Is on you ♪♪