Original subtitles

Home a little late, son. What happened?

- Bus break down again? - No, pop.

Today is a day we pick up garbage at the fish market.

One of the cans tipped over

and I ended up in the middle of 50 pounds of day ol' smelt.

Bus driver said, I was offending the other passengers.

- And made me get off. - Oh, son. That's terrible.

The next time that happens, you stand up for your rights.

I mean, a man's got a right to ride a bus

no matter what his religion, the color of his skin

or what he happens to smell like.

It's in the constitution. So, you be proud of what you do.

And if some people don't like it, to hell with them.

Oh, thanks, pop.

'See you!'

♪ Them that's got shall have ♪

♪ Them that's not shall lose ♪

♪ So the Bible says ♪

♪ And it still is news ♪

♪ Mama may have ♪

♪ Papa may have ♪

♪ God bless the child that's got his own ♪

♪ Them that's got shall have ♪

♪ Them that's not shall lose ♪

♪ Them that's got shall have ♪

♪ Them that's not shall lose ♪

Hi, sweetie pie. I'm home!

Hey, baby. How was work?

- I got a raise. - You did?

No, I just love to see you smile.

Don't play about no money, Eleanor.

Eleanor, now before you go into that kitchen

I've got a big surprise for you.

Can it wait, baby, I got a million things to do

before Nadine gets here.

I forgot. You having that nurse over for dinner.

- Let me help. - So, what's your big surprise?

Eleanor, this is the kind of surprise

you've to see to really appreciate it.

Don't set up plates for me. I won't be eating here tonight.

- Good! - Roc, you set a plate there.

No, it's for Nadine, the new nurse I work with

down at the hospital.

- Oh, nurse, huh? - Relax, Joey.

She's not your type.

Yeah? Does she have a pulse?

Ha, ha. Very funny, Roc.

- Does she have a pulse? - Oh, you guys!

Look, why don't you finish setting the table?

I gotta get that casserole in the oven.

So, what did Eleanor think of your big surprise?

I don't know, but I think she's gonna like it.

- 'Ah!' - Think again.

- What is this? - It's a pool table, Elle.

I know that. What's it doing here?

Eleanor, before you tell me to get rid of it

now just lemme explain.

I found it on my route, Wiz and I are gonna fix it up

then we're gonna sell it for big profit.

Now, what do you think?

Get rid of it. Roc, honey.

You have got to stop treating your garbage route

like your own personal Kmart.

I'll have it out of here soon as it's finished.

We'll work it out later.

- No maybe I can keep it. - No.

We're gonna work it out the door and onto the street.

She loved it.

- Hey, you wanna get that, Joey? - Why can't you?

Joey, who lives here for free?

Oh, yeah, I do.

Lemme get that, Roc.

Is this the Emerson Home?

Yeah. That's how they pointed out on the door.

You must be Joey.

Eleanor's smart ass brother-in-law.

- Yeah, you still wanna come in? - I'll take my chances.

- Okay. - I'm Nadine Rando.

- I work with Eleanor. - Oh, yeah.

Eleanor's told me some really terrific things about you.

- Really? - No. I'm a smart ass, remember?

This is Roc, Eleanor's husband.

- Nice to meet you. - Hi. How are you doing?

Nadine! You made it.

Eleanor, you have a lovely home. It's-it's so eclectic.

Yeah, well, Roc likes to eclect things.

- So, what do you do, Joey? - I'm a musician.

No, I mean what do you do for living?

Well, that's what I do.

Oh, Joey, there you are.

I think we got our shorts mixed up again.

Uh, I don't think so, daddy.

Well, these ain't mine.

I tried this kind once ...and they ride up on me.

Nadine, this is Mr. Emerson.

- Roc's father. - Yeah and mine too.

Nice to meet you.

Oh, nice to meet you too, Nadine.

Yeah. Nadine is a nurse, daddy.

Oh, that's nice.

Will you be staying for dinner?

That's why I am here.

Well, if you all will excuse me there's a date out there

with my name on it.

Oh, where you going?

We're gonna listen to a little jazz.

Oh, that. I really don't like jazz.

Well, good, 'cause you're not going.

Nadine!

I don't know if I told you but, um

Joey plays the jazz trumpet.

Yeah, you told me.

Well, um, I better go check on dinner.

I think I better go in there too.

She asked me sauteing something. It would be real good.

So, uh, what kind of music do you like?

Um, I like the classics, you know.

Smokey, Luther, Ingram, Osbourne.

Yeah, that stuff's okay if you wanna dance.

Well, I mean jazz is okay if you can't dance.

So, uh, what's your big plan for the night, Joey?

You gonna take her to some smoky jazz bar

'on the bad side of town'

pour a bunch of drinks down her and take her back to her place.

Well, no. I hadn't planned it that way.

But, you know, that's a good idea. Thanks.

- Figures. - Excuse me.

What did you mean by that?

I mean you are just nothing but a hound.

- Oh. Are you an expert? - I don't have to be.

- I know your type. - Well, I know your type too.

I don't even know, why I bothered talking to you.

I'll tell you, 'cause you're a lonely

repressed, stuck-up, uptight, miserable--

I better go see, what's... sauteing in the kitchen.

What's with those two?

They don't even know each other, they're at each other's throat.

No doubt about it. They are bad combination.

Like oil and vinegar.

Oh, you-you mean oil and water, pop.

No, oil and vinegar.

Makes me repeat like a pinball machine.

You know something, I don't even know you, lady.

But I can stand you.

All that cuts real deep comin'

from a two-bit cheap hustler like you.

Any second, now. Those two are gonna exchange gunfire.

- Roc, you gotta do something. - I don't know.

- It's kind of good for Joey. - What do you mean?

This is the most energy he's expended in a month.

Roc, you have to go out there and put a stop to this.

Okay.

But if I do... do I get to keep the pool table?

It's waste of my time. I got a date.

I oughta be out that door enjoin' myself.

Alright, then why don't you just leave?

Go away, get out. Go and meet your cheap bimbo.

Hey, you don't even know her.

Who else would go out with a sleaze like you?

- You're jealous. - You are a pig.

- Boy, I hate you. - You disgust me.

- Damn, I want you. - I want you more.

Well, they didn't exchange gunfire.

But they are giving each other flesh wounds.

Hand me that fitter screwdriver over there. Would you, Roc?

Wiz, you've been working on this thing for days.

When's it gonna be done?

Roc, this is a work of art, man.

You can't rush art.

When Whistler painted his mama, did she say

"Paint faster, son. My butt's falling asleep."

And when that old white dude, Gutzon Borglum

started carving up Mount Rushmore, did somebody say

"Forget Roosevelt's glasses. No one will notice."

And when Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone

did somebody say, "Hurry up, Al. I gotta make a call."

No. Each one of their masterpieces took time, man.

Lots and lots of time.

Alright, Wiz. Take your time.

No, I'm done.

Really? Hey, man. That's great!

I can't wait to sell it.

Don't you want to try it out first?

A little eight ball. Little cut-throat.

Well, I don't know, Wiz.

I told Eleanor, we'd sell it as soon as it's finished.

Oh, Roc, I never noticed that apron string tied to your waist.

- Rack 'em, punk. - Yes!

Hey, Wiz. Roc, I need to talk to you. You got a minute?

Not now, Joey. Me and Wiz are ready to shoot some pool.

Ah, slight leveling problem, Roc.

What's on your mind, Joey?

Roc, I need your advice, man.

It's, uh, it's about sex.

Well, you've come to the right guy 'cause--

Why are you asking him for

especially when you've got an expert so close by.

You, an expert on sex?

- Ho, ho, ho. - Oh, sure.

You can't be a porter on the railroad for as long I was

and not pick up a thing or two. Now, I done seen it all.

There's something about a train that makes folks frisky.

All that clickety-clack, clickety-clack.

It's the only time I see White folks with any rhythm at all.

Wait a minute.

Are you saying you actually spied on the passengers

while they were making love?

You can only look at the Grand Canyon so many times.

What seems to be the problem, Joey?

Well, pop...

...it's me and Nadine, see.

All we do is fight...

...then we make wild passionate love

then we fight, then we make love again, then we fight

then five-ten minutes later, it starts all over.

Man, it's driving me crazy.

Yeah, so what's your problem, braggart?

Problem is, Roc, I don't like her.

She's not my type at all, my mind says no

but my body's got a mind of his own.

I'll tell you something else, you not gonna believe this.

But... I'm pretty disgusted by my whole animal nature, man.

In fact, Roc, I think this has become issue of morals.

- What do you mean? - I'm starting to get some.

Look, Joey, if you feel that bad

my advice to you is to go break it off with her.

Absolutely, son.

In this case, your brother's right.

Yeah. Okay. Yeah.

Maybe I should just go over there and call it quits, huh?

Yeah, I mean what is sex without

love and romance and compassion?

It's damn good.

Yeah, I thought so.

I don't get it, pop. I don't get it.

He's unemployed.

He's a moocher.

He has no home of his own, no friends to speak of

and he's got this beautiful woman

who can't keep her hands off him.

I don't see why he's you favorite.

Ah!

Would you care for a morning cup of coffee, Mrs. Emerson?

Why, certainly, Mr. Emerson.

Well, then after you, Mrs. Emerson.

- Oh! - Oh, Emerson!

Five ball in the side pocket with a kiss off to eight.

- What is going on in here? - Wiz, what are you doing?

I thought I'd try the five ball bank to avoid the scratch, Roc.

It's seven o'clock in the morning.

I left you here at 10 o'clock.

- You told me you were leaving. - Oh, yeah, I know, Roc.

But then some of the guys dropped by

we started playing round robin and we sorta lost track of time.

Are you guys upset about this?

Yes. We are, Wiz.

Everybody out.

- Now! - We haven't finish the game.

- You wanna bet? - Coming, Juanita.

Now, look, Roc.

I know how much this pool table means to you...

...but you got to understand one thing.

- What's that? - I hate it and want it out.

- Oh, honey, please. - I mean it, Roc.

- Either me or this pool table. - Alright, alright.

I'll put a ad in the paper right away.

Wife for sale, like new.

Come on, honey. I'm just kidding. It's gone.

Oh, uh, am-am I interrupting something?

- I'll come back later. - Oh. No. Come on in, Joey.

How did it go with Nadine last night?

Roc, I did exactly what you said.

I told her, it's gotta end.

This relationship is too meaningless and too

shallow, we can't continue.

- What happened? - She called me a soulless pig.

Next thing you know, we're making the windows rattle.

- So what're you gotta do? - It's the only thing I can do.

I'm moving in with her.

Moving in?

He's moving out.

Hey, pop. What you got on there?

Isn't that one of Joey's shirts?

Yeah. He missed it when he was packing.

Left it behind in my bathroom.

I've had my eye on this number for some time.

- Hey, that look good, pop. - Oh, thank you, son.

Hey, it is one of the poly cotton blends.

You can throw this own right out the dryer.

You know, it just don't seem the same around here

without Joey anymore.

You're right. It's quieter.

And I'm saving money not paying for his expenses

and there isn't anybody here putting me down all the time.

Yeah. It just ain't any fun anymore.

Hey, Roc. Hey, pop.

- You're sight for sore eyes. - Oh, you missed me, son.

No, I've been looking for that shirt. Off now--

Hey, Joey. So, what brings you by for quick visit?

Oh, Roc, I was in the neighborhood.

I thought may be I'd stop by and take a nap.

Uh, isn't that what you do all day?

No, I'm gonna get a full time job.

What? Oh, great!

You move out of my house and the first thing you do is get a job.

No, I get a full time job in that bedroom.

Fighting and making love. Man, that woman is insatiable.

By the way, Roc, you know that expression.

Be careful what you wish for, you just might get it.

It's true. How true.

Well, I've been wishing for this shirt. Do I get it?

No.

Well, son, it's obvious what your problem is.

- It is? - Sure.

You get turned on by all that fight.

Joey, it's a vicious cycle.

You don't like each other.

So, you argue, which gets you all hot and bothered

then that leads to sex and on and on.

It's like you're caught on a sexual merry-go-ride.

So, so, what are you sayin', pop?

Gimme this shirt. You ain't got time to wear it.

Joey! You're here. Good!

- We've got to talk. - What's the matter, Eleanor?

It's Nadine.

Ever since you two got together, her performance is dreadful.

- I beg to differ. - That is not what I mean.

now, if she keeps up the way she's going

she could make a mistake that's gonna cost somebody their life.

- Yeah, mine. - Roc, you tell him.

Tell him the serious nature of this situation.

Eleanor, he's out of here. He's on his own.

I don't want nothing to do with his craziness.

The bottom line is, Joey, Nadine could lose her job

then you both gonna be out on the street.

Joey, this is a serious situation

and you got to work it out.

Roc, I told you. We've tried to work it out.

We always end up back on that merry go round.

Joey, you two obviously need some help to work this out.

So, Roc and I are gonna be over later on tonight

and we aren'tleaving until this situation is solved.

Okay, alright. T-that's a good idea. Thank you.

So, you get on back over there. We'll see you later.

Okay, I really appreciate that. Thank you.

Don't you touch anybody until we get there.

Okay.

Now, Roc.

I'm going into the kitchen to fix us some dinner

before we go over to Nadine.

I'm not goin' to see a pool table in there. Am I?

Oh, no, baby.

I sold it.

Got a hundred an fifty dollars.

Oh, baby. Mm!

What are we going to do with all that money?

Well, you know we're gonna use it.

We gonna use it.

We gonna use it to replace the wall.

I had to knock out to get it out of here.

- Hey. - Hi, Joey.

- Thanks for comin'. - Uh-huh.

Whoa! So, where is Nadine?

She's, uh, she's in the bedroom.

- Getting her clothes back on. - Oh!

You don't expect us to go cold turkey, did you?

Never found one like this on my route.

- There you go, big guy. - 'Hey, sweetie.'

You were wonderful.

It takes a while to wear off, see.

So, you really think this is gonna help, Eleanor?

Well, yes. As much as I hate butting in

it's obvious that you two can't handle

this relationship yourselves.

So, let's sit down and get to work.

So, what's your plan, Eleanor?

Well, I figured with the third party here like Roc and myself

at least you all can't get in to a fight.

And then start that whole destructive process again.

So, why don't we just talk about your real feelings?

Okay.

- Well, I want him to live here. - Not you, Roc.

Nadine and Joey.

Nadine, why don't you start? Ah, okay.

Well!

- Joey is very handsome. - Uh-huh.

And he's a very nice dresser.

Good start. Joey.

Nadine's a very beautiful woman

and she smells really terrific.

Okay. Nadine.

But frankly, he's just not smart enough for me.

See, it wore off.

I mean, there's just not just one thing about Joey

that I find either redeeming, gratifying or interesting.

Good, good. Joey.

Joey, before you say anything, she's got a nice place here.

Now, just give her a chance.

See, that's the condescending attitude

I've had to put up with ever since the first day I met you.

Always putting me down, complaining I'm not this

I'm not that, telling me to get a job.

You're a pretty woman on the outside.

- But on inside you're ugly. - Now, see.

Doesn't this feel good to communicate?

Hey, it sure does, Eleanor. Thank you.

Actually, this is gonna help me do something

I should've done weeks ago.

- I'm gonna walk out for good. - You don't have the guts.

- Oh, I don't. - This is a nice neighborhood.

Oh, sure. Walkin' out! See, that'd be your solution.

That's how you handle everything.

Your career, responsibilities, every decision you've ever made.

- I'm going. - You're not.

- Am too. - You're not a man.

- You can't do it. - Watch me.

Calm down. This is where you two always get in to trouble.

- You're scuzzy. - You're a garbage.

Hey, take it easy.

- You're slime. - You're spoiled.

- Loser. - Witch.

- I'm really hot. - I'm even hotter.

Yes!

Nadine, Joey, what are you doing?

Alright, we're here with you.

Just think about what you doing. You're not thinking.

Think about it. Alright. You go in that room...

- We're coming in with you. - Thanks, Eleanor.

We can handle it from here.

Hey, pop. How are you doing?

Well, I was just taking a little nap.

- How did it go over Nadine's? - Awful.

They didn't listen at all.

They went at it like we weren't there.

And Joey will never break away from Nadine.

Well, I don't know about that.

I've a feeling, he'll be walking in that door any minute.

Pop, how can you say that?

I just saw him coming down the street from my bedroom window.

I knew I should've changed the lock for that door.

- Hey! - Joey, what happened?

Hey, Roc, Eleanor, thank you. Thank you.

You did it. It happened.

That sexual merry-go-round I was on, finally broke down.

- What're you talkin' about? - The sex.

For the first time, it was bad. It was awful.

Our minds couldn't solve it, our emotions couldn't solve it

it was our bodies that finally told us to quit.

I mean, we were like two kids that had too much ice cream.

- You threw up on each other? - No, no, pop.

But the fire, the passion, it was gone.

And I guess my sister screaming and pounding on the door

had something to do with that too.

But you see, Roc.

Without the sex, we had nothing.

I mean, nothing to keep us together.

- So, you just got up and left? - Yes.

Well, no, N-Nadine threw me out.

I mean...

I guess she saw the light just a hair before I did.

But, anyway, while I was down on the street

catching my clothes

I...I started thinking about a lot of things

and I started thinking about you guys.

Joey!

If you were thinking about me, you would've stayed there.

No. No. Seriously, Roc.

I mean, look at you two.

I mean, look at your relationship.

It's hard to find somebody that you like so many things about.

I mean, shoot, man.

As much as I like to act like I got the world by the tail bush...

...there's a lot lacking in my life.

Someday I'd love to find somebody that I love

and have much in common with.

I'm sure you will someday, Joey.

You know something really good has come out of all this.

I've always givin' into my urges, right?

'I guess now, that I can say no..'

...kind of symbolizes I've become a adult.

Well, I think you've become an adult for more than that.

- Thank you! - Well!

Tough luck, Joey. We'll be seein' you.

Give us your address when you find a place.

Find a place? Roc, what're you talking about?

- I'm moving back here. - I'm afraid not. See?

You left. Made up your bed, you slept in a lot.

- Now, you're no your own. - Roc, be serious.

- No. I'm serious. - Eleanor, is he?

- Oh, Roc, come on. - No, no. That's it. That's it.

- He's out. - Okay, that ain't funny, Roc.

Roc.

Pop, say something to him.

I mean, you can talk him in to, right?

Oh, sure.

- I can do that, son. - Oh, thank you, daddy.

But it's goin' to cost you this shirt.