Original subtitles

_

Girl, how do I get my hair to look like Madonna's

from Desperately Seeking Susan?

Every time I tease my roots, it just looks like...

Miss Celie?

Why are you conversing on matters so banal?

For ten years, The House of Abundance

has reigned supreme,

but last week, Pendavis stole our trophies.

Focus, children.

It is time we remind the world

who we are.

What category should we walk?

Superhero.

Why don't you just give mother a Sominex instead?

Royalty.

But we should all walk it together.

- All of the house children. - What are we gonna do?

Run down to Burger King and get some paper crowns?

Shush, children, and let your mother speak.

I know what we're going to do.

She is the mother of invention.

And this is where the goodness comes from.

We will walk together as The Royal House of Abundance.

I love it.

Oh, no way. Hold on a minute.

That's the third time this week

you've taken my idea as your own,

and these bitches have gone along with it.

What's the difference between walking royalty

and walking as The Royal House of Abundance?

Just because you have an idea does not mean

you know how to properly execute it.

Ideas are ingredients.

Only a real mother knows how to prepare them.

Real. You hear that, cross-dresser?

Now go over there and finish cooking.

A bitch is hungry.

Girl, I don't want to go to jail.

My friend Coco went to jail,

and they broke her cheekbone and her nose.

If you don't risk anything, you risk even more.

We're closing in ten minutes.

Is that when you get off, handsome?

Yeah!

Child, all this culture's making me weak!

Hmm, I could move right in.

This should be my new apartment.

You deserve it, Mother. You really do.

The Headless Horseman.

Jackpot.

- Escort Mother to her throne. - Oh, yes.

Attention, museumgoers.

The museum will be closing in five minutes.

Five minutes.

Shit. We got to hide.

Mother, what do we take?

Everything.

My goodness. Come on, hurry. Don't leave that.

Hurry up. Come on.

What's taking you so long?

We're locked in.

I look too good not to be seen.

Grab that bench.

On the count of three.

One, two...

Run!

Oh, my God.

Spotted them.

Got a pretty good idea where they're headed.

Hurry up and put this shit on.

Royalty.

The category is...

Bring It Like Royalty.

Yes. You own everything.

Everything is yours.

You own your jewels. You own your country.

You own your man.

You own every

- motherfucking thing... - Come on.

... that is there.

Oh, oh, oh.

I don't know

of a princess or a queen

who gets their clothes

from Casual Corner.

It's all right, it's all right.

"E" for effort. Please turn for the judges.

Please turn for the judges. Turn around.

Wrong building, honey.

And the judges scores.

We have a six, we have a ten, we have a six,

we have a six.

The shade. The shade of it all.

Absolutely useless. Remove yourselves.

Unfortunately, you are dismissed.

Bye-bye.

See you.

She mad.

Give them a hand.

Anyone else? Going once, twice,

three times a lady.

Anyone else?

What? What?

Oh, shit!

Now that's royalty! That's royalty!

Yes!

And The House of Abundance

has entered the building.

We're giving realness,

we're giving capes,

we're giving panniers and corsets...

I'm loving that purple.

... and surcoats

and crowns.

Oh, my!

Disney, Disney, watch your ass.

Blingderella is in town.

Yes, baby!

They're giving wands,

they are giving prince

and princess realness.

Look at the prince.

Yes, live!

Lord Jesus.

Listen and learn.

Yes!

Walk for me. Walk for me.

Yes! And there you have it.

And where's the queen?

Where's the one and only?

Elektra. The queen,

the queen, the queen is giving a ball,

the queen is giving a ball.

Oh, yes!

♪ And the queen of them all. ♪

Want to be stunning!

Now that's royalty, honey.

Ten! Ten! Ten!

Tens across the board.

Grand prize...

House of Abundance.

Ah, shit!

Princess Diana.

♪ They need a consultation. ♪

And that...

is how you do a ball.

The category is...

Live...

Work...

Pose!

- Synced & corrected by MementMori - -- www.addic7ed.com --

_

And one, and two,

and three, and four,

and five, and six, seven, eight.

And close, and one, and two,

and three, and four,

and five, and six, seven, eight.

_

Yes.

We talked about you blasting music.

Where'd you come from?

- I-I was at school, sir. - Well, guess where I was.

I went into town. Met up with the fellas

for a drink at O'Malleys.

When I arrived, they were having a laugh.

You remember Todd, worked down at the factory with me.

He saw you skipping out of that dance studio in ballet shoes.

And I'm thinking,

"Not my son, 'cause we discussed it,

- and I said no dance class." - I can explain, I was...

Yeah? And how do you explain this?

Found it under your bed.

I told your mother. "If you're too gentle with him,

he's gonna grow up a sissy."

I tried toughening you up, but she kept saying,

"Creatives need space to explore."

So I let her raise you,

and this is how you repay my kindness?

What?!

Speak up. You're 17.

You're a man now, right?

So say it.

I'm a dancer.

And...

I'm gay.

I'm trying to make something out of myself.

I want to get out of this town and be somebody!

Oh, so I'm a nobody 'cause I never left?

You don't know what it's like to be a man.

To struggle.

Stop, stop, stop! Aah!

- No, no! - Lawrence, stop!

Stop!

I want him out of my house!

You're dead to me.

How could you betray me this way?

I went against your father's word,

supported your creativity,

and you bring filth into my home?

And you know the Bible condemns homosexuality,

and God will punish you by giving you that disease.

But I'm not a sinner.

You are. If you love me,

you will go before Him,

ask for forgiveness

and never engage in vile behavior.

Understood?

That's how it's gonna be?

Blanca.

So what does it say?

Come on, don't keep me in suspense.

Rip the Band-Aid off.

Blanca, the tests confirm that you have HIV.

All right.

- Thank you. - Wait.

I have more information to share.

These cover what services are currently available to you.

There are several hospitals that are working

with individuals diagnosed with HIV.

I'd recommend St. Vincents.

They have an exceptional staff,

and there are drugs, like AZT.

And, uh, Blanca, you should also notify your sexual partners.

This doesn't have to be a death sentence.

Isn't it, though?

Thank you.

For what?

It must be hard having to tell people

they gonna die day after day.

"Cry more, pee less."

That's what my mama used to say. She was a saint,

a St. Bernard.

Girl, that woman must've weighed at least 400 pounds.

I do not understand, for the life of me,

why you would've gone and had that test.

You already knew the answer.

- You having any symptoms? - No.

Then you know what to do.

Keep living.

Put on your tallest pump

and go on and get back out into the world.

You ain't dead yet.

There is nothing more tragic than a sad queen.

I'm not sad.

These are tears of joy.

I'm relieved.

I ain't never been certain of anything.

It's just been all one day at a time.

Until now.

I don't want to die.

I want to live.

I know it sounds crazy, but...

I always knew I wasn't gonna be long on this earth.

I still don't know the when,

but at least now I know the how.

At least now something in my life is for sure.

All that says to me is that it's time for you to find a dream.

I'll take it.

So we don't got to go to court or anything?

I explained it to you,

the museum ain't pressing charges.

If word gets out that a bunch of queens

broke in and stole all that historical finery,

they ain't never giving anyone else

anything to exhibit ever again.

We're free as the birds in the sky, y'all.

From now on, we should only walk as a house.

So quiet today, Blanca.

- I just got a lot on my mind. - As always.

Perhaps you're thinking about strategies

for the ball on Friday.

Perhaps you're thinking of some more of your wonderful

and proprietary ideas you're so proud of.

Aren't you the one always giving me

my inspirations and motivations?

Or, perhaps, you're thinking of the most opportune time

to tell your sisters and your mother what she already knows.

Just as I thought, no honor or courage in you.

All right,

if you don't have the chutzpah to say it yourself,

then I'll say it for you.

Our dear sister Blanca has decided to desert us...

Shut that shit off.

Did you not know that I have spies all over this city?

Did you not think that I would know that you were looking

at flea-infested apartments to rent?

Scouring the streets for shit,

scuffed broken furniture and sad chiffon for frayed curtains?

Mother knows everything. Eyes in the back of my head.

Take the witness stand, traitor.

It's true, all of it.

I'm going to form my own house.

It's my time, it's my dream, and I'm going for it.

I do not want any of your opinions.

Not even mine?

Honestly, no.

But I do want your blessing.

Believe me, this isn't about you, it's about me.

- What I need. - That's for damn sure.

Why would you want to leave my house?

The house that found you and raised you?

Because in our world, there is only one way

to leave something behind, proof that I was here,

building a legendary house my way with my ideas.

So that's it? You want a house

so the world can sing your glory for years to come?

When I got kicked out, I was a 17-year-old kid

who didn't understand who I was,

if I was gonna die in the cold or from starvation.

You found me, took care of me. You helped me understand.

It's time I passed that kindness on.

No.

It's time you paid that kindness back

to your mother

in her greatest time of need. Rather than lying to her,

going behind her back,

after she rescued you from the gutter

and showed you the ways of this world.

So no!

No, bitch! I do not give you my blessing.

I give you what every mother gives a baby bird

who has feasted off the scraps of her sisters

and gotten too fat, a push out of the nest.

You are not on my level!

You are jealous and petty and you show your true color.

I have a right to show my colors.

And you show yours. You're not ready.

You're second banana. I give you that, but no more.

Look at me. Look at you.

I can pass.

I can strut down Fifth Avenue

when the sun is sitting high as my cheekbones

and be waited on at Bergdorf's, same as any white woman,

while you hide away in the shadows.

You're way ahead of yourself in the game, beast.

So...

Do any of you want to walk out this door

with me into the future?

Or would you rather choke on dust and decay?

You'll be back.

Never.

Get your shady hands off of me.

Justice.

Hey, let go! Hey, let go!

Hey!

I told you, you got to keep it on your back,

especially when you sleep.

I know. I forgot.

Thanks.

_

Where'd you learn how to dance like that?

What's your name?

Damon.

A pleasure. I'm Blanca.

So, how does someone as talented as you

wind up dancing for a whole bunch of junkies?

You want to be a professional dancer, right?

I want to be a star.

Don't we all, honey.

You ever consider joining a house?

What do you mean?

Well, a house is the family you get to choose.

I'm a house mother.

I provide a support system for my children

and housing if you need it.

Together, we compete in the balls uptown.

And, you know, I've been looking

to adopt a child with your dancing abilities.

I mean... I have bigger dreams than performing at some ball.

Came here to perform in a real dance company.

I'm not like you. I'm-I'm sorry.

My dreams are real.

Oh, so you think your dreams are more real than mine?

So what exactly is a ball?

Balls are a gathering of people

who are not welcome to gather anywhere else,

a celebration of a life that the rest of the world

does not deem worthy of celebration.

There are categories... people dress up for them, walk.

There's voting, trophies.

Oh, can you, can you make money?

Better than money.

You can actually make a name for yourself

by winning a trophy or two.

And in our community, the glory of your name is everything.

And we not gonna be walking the red carpets at the Oscars,

but this is our moment to become a star.

Welcome to the ballroom world.

The category is...

... Executive Realness.

These are high-powered business men of the '80s.

The suit. The 401.

The IRA.

Ah!

That chocolate cashmere!

Oh! What are your scores?

Judges, please!

We have a nine, six, nine.

And who do we have next?

Ah, here it comes!

Yes, yeah. We have high yellow.

We live on Long Island.

Realness is what it's all about.

Being able to fit into the straight, white world,

to embody the American dream.

But we don't have access to that dream.

And it's not because of ability. Trust me.

We're calling this executive

hustler realness, y'all.

The sepia Don Corleone.

At the Russian Tea Room.

I mean, isn't that what you're trying to do?

Dance your way into that world?

The world of acceptability?

Don't scare the white people!

Don't scare the white folks, y'all!

I'm sorry I said I wasn't like you.

Oh, child, hush.

You are a gay, black boy.

Who else you gonna find to make you feel superior?

Can I get you more coffee, ma'am?

Um, no, thank you, sweetie. I'll be up all night.

Sure. You okay?

Okay.

So, do you have, like, a real job or...

I don't judge people based on how they live.

I'm lucky I can mostly pass.

I've taken the hormones.

I know how to carry myself.

I kept who I was quiet from my parents for a long time.

I would wait until they went to sleep,

and put on my face and finery, and sneak out to the balls.

Sneak back before they woke up.

I thought I was so smart.

Oh, then, on Thanksgiving... I'll never forget...

okay, my mother kept looking and grinning,

and kept looking away, so finally I said,

"Mother, what in the world are you grinning about?"

You know what she said?

She said, "Oh, you think you so clever.

"I see that little young girl

"who runs in and out of your room,

sneaks in and out of your room in the dark of the night."

I gagged.

I was too stunned to speak.

So she went on to say how she wasn't mad,

and she was just so relieved I wasn't one of those sinful gays.

Oh, my God, what did you do?

I said, "Mother,

"that was no strange woman sneaking through your halls.

"That was me.

"I am not gay, and I am certainly not sinful.

"What I am is a woman, Mother.

Not your son, but your daughter."

Well, she couldn't abide by that, no.

She banished me from her home and her heart.

I cried like a baby.

I left, and never looked back.

When you get rejected by your mother,

your father,

you're always out there looking for someone to...

replace that love you're missing.

Yeah...

Well, here, take my address.

Come if you feel it's right for you.

If nothing else...

... tonight, you got an education.

Hmm.

_

"Stan Bowes."

"Bowes," what kind of, what kind of name is that?

We're Irish-Italian.

What's your background?

I was born in Rye, then Riverdale, Princeton,

Wharton MBA, just like the boss.

If you're worried your prick's too small 'cause you went to Hofstra,

it isn't. You know why Trump picked your résumé

out of all the others?

You're from New Jersey.

Usually, that's a detriment.

Yeah, not here. I'm the unicorn in this place.

Trump is from Queens. He likes people

who speak the same language as him.

Know how to get things done.

I ask everyone who comes in here looking for a job...

right down to the janitor... what do you want?

Not money-wise, what do you want?

Well, I want to be you.

That's a very good answer.

I want what you have.

I want a view of the river or the park or both.

I want to be able to walk by a shop on Fifth,

see something in the window for my wife, and just go buy it.

The new American Dream.

For the first time in American history,

it's considered a good thing to flaunt your success, right?

Let people know how rich you are.

This watch?

Patek Philippe, rose gold, nine grand.

I got four of them.

I've watched a Met game from the owner's box

and partied with Gooden and Strawberry afterwards.

Just the other day, I was backstage

at a Cyndi Lauper concert.

I drive a Mercedes 350, and this suit is bespoke.

God bless Ronald Reagan.

You're never more than ten minutes away

from traffic and transit news, weekday mornings

on WNXC 88.6.

... still very cold, 15-20 in the city,

teens in most of the suburbs.

Girl, I'm a big old peacock.

- Work. Work. - I'm gonna fly away.

Oh, he's back. That white boy?

I'm-a go check it out.

... here on WNXC 88.6.

Good evening...

Hey, baby.

Finally decided to stop for a little chat?

What do you mean?

You've driven past this spot three times today.

And I've seen your car before, over the past couple of months.

Window shopper.

I'm Angel.

Get in.

You a cop?

No.

Let's have some fun, baby.

This is classy.

Where do you usually go?

Backseat usually suffices.

Didn't know that was an option.

People really do that?

So why did you stop today?

Special occasion?

I'm, uh... celebrating.

- I got a job. - So what are you,

some kind of executive or something?

Wall Street?

It's an office, on Park Avenue.

Do you like music?

Kind of a hobby of mine.

Listening, not playing.

Is this your first time?

Doing something like this?

Yeah.

Don't worry, it's not mine.

Just tell me what you want, baby.

Take off your skirt.

And, uh...

Um...

Now your... Take off your panties.

Saving up to have my little friend removed.

It's not cheap if you want to do it right.

It's not that little.

Now it's my turn.

Take off your clothes.

And come lay with Angel, baby.

There must be some parts of your body that you don't like.

That you would love to have go away.

Yeah, I guess mine are all on the inside, though.

So, was this what you want?

To just... lay here and listen to music with me?

Can we talk?

Of course.

It's my second best skill.

Do you want to talk, or...

You.

You, um...

Tell me about you.

Like, what do you want, out of life?

No one's ever asked me that before.

I want a home of my own.

Yeah? Is it... ?

Hey!

I want a family.

Hey, baby.

Hi.

Daddy.

You can show Daddy. Daddy's home now,

- you can show him right now. - Show me. Show me, show me.

I want to take care of someone.

What is this? Here, let's knock it over.

And I want someone to take care of me.

I want to be treated like any other woman.

That's my dream.

Drink?

I thought you'd never ask.

I can't believe you work for Donald Trump.

That's so super impressive.

He's so rich.

I heard even his toilet is gold.

Can you imagine?

Now that's living in style.

Can I kiss you?

This song... is gonna be our song from now on.

Come on. Time to get up.

Yo!

Yo.

Time to get up.

Come on.

Did-did you see my backpack?

I told you to keep it on at night.

Did you see anybody go by with my backpack?

It's a, it's a blue Eastpak.

Shit!

Hey, don't do that.

You let them see you shed a tear,

you ain't never earning their respect.

It's everything I had.

What am I supposed to do now?

You finna to make some extra green,

you could always head down to the pier.

I'm not sleeping with men for money.

Hey, don't knock the hustle.

The method may be different,

but the cash smells just the same.

All right, I'm coming.

I'm coming! I'm coming. I'm coming.

I have nowhere else to go.

Come in.

I'm sorry,

uh, but we're not hiring right now.

But the want ad said you were.

We're not hiring.

So what's the problem?

What, I'm too much woman for you?

I'm gonna have to ask you to leave.

Thank you for your time.

What do you mean there are no tables at Indochine?

We have a standing fucking reservation at Indochine.

I got a permanent hard-on for the flamed shrimp.

Call back, ask for Philippe,

tell him it's me. I am royalty at Indochine.

- What are you doing here? - I just wanted to see you.

You want to get a salad or a coffee or something?

I have a wife.

And kids.

You're not somebody I can be with.

Please go.

What are we doing here?

You need an application to enroll.

I can't go in there. I'm not like them.

Mm.

Can I help you?

I'd like an application, please.

Stand up straight.

And make eye contact when you're speaking to her.

The application deadline is next week.

- How old are you? - 17.

You'll need a parent signature.

Of course. Thank you for your time.

My real mother was never this tough.

One day, you'll be glad I was.

The category is...

High Fashion Evening Wear.

Ladies who have everything.

Please and thank you.

Uh-huh. Uh-huh.

Okay, here she comes.

Yes.

Scores, please.

♪ Uh... ♪

♪ Uh-uh-uh-uh. ♪

Well, come on. Let us have it.

Ah!

And what have we here? The lady in red.

The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous realness.

Opulence. Mahogany.

Scores, please.

Uh-huh, uh-huh.

All right then.

Oh, coming, coming, coming.

What? Ah, yes.

Miss Dominique Deveraux.

Miss Diahann Carroll.

Give me the scores, darlings.

All tens! All tens!

Everything is yours.

Ah!

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

Yes! Bravo!

Ah, Miss Angel.

Miss Angel, the category is

High Fashion Evening Wear.

Ladies of luxury.

Why are you in a nightgown?

A lady do need beading for a formal fashion affair!

It's chiffon.

Come now!

It's a Halston!

Halston...

for JCPenney?

Anyone else?

Chop, chop.

Anyone else who's real, please?

Anyone else?

Please, anyone.

And here we have...

Trolling for new members for your house, Mother dear?

Standing on the shoulders

of those who came before her.

Yes, honey! Yes!

You knew they were gonna read you for filth

for wearing that dress.

What's happening with you?

I met somebody.

But he's just like all the others.

When am I finally gonna meet my Prince Charming?

There's a reason Prince Charming is only in fairy tales, sweetie.

I'm tired of being humiliated.

I deserve more.

I'm worthy of better.

I just need to know somebody has my back.

We all need that.

And if you want a family that cares for you unconditionally,

then get your broke ass up off this curb

and fix that beat face.

I should join your house.

I'm just sayin'.

I love you.

I love you, too, girl.

- You're going for the full year. - What if I'm not

- even here next week? - Boy, shut up. Gimme this.

- No, but... stop. - Uh-uh. Gimme.

Let me see what this looks like.

I'm glad you filled this out in pencil.

And, look, you spelled "professional" wrong.

- Look at that. - You're going to school?

- Dance school. - All of my children are required

to pursue an education.

My house has rules, and I expect you both to follow them.

I'm sorry, rules?

Yes. Education is key if you want to get ahead

in this world. Listen,

and you need to be safe. So leave them white boys alone.

- No! - Next, I want you to be healthy.

So make sure y'all taking y'all Flintstones multivitamins.

And I need you to be available to walk any of the balls.

Those are Mother's rules. I know they're harder than most,

but I got to be tougher on y'all than the world will be.

Hey. If y'all can't follow them, then you can leave.

- I can follow them. - Okay, good.

- Yeah, sure. - Good, 'cause, um, Friday night,

we walking our first ball.

- Friday? - Yeah.

That's in two days.

- Mm-hmm. - Girl, what are we gonna wear?

I don't know, Pray Tell.

Them shoulder pads need to be a bit bigger.

Girl, this boy is a string bean.

If the shoulders get... too broad,

he's gonna look like a upside-down traffic cone.

What the young man needs is a sandwich.

I'm usually not this skinny.

I-I didn't eat for the first few weeks that I was here.

Well, you know what they say. You can't be too skinny

- or too rich, so... - Not anymore.

You can always spot the boys and the girls down at the pier

who got the AIDS, because they look wasted away.

Like Halloween skeletons, over in their own corner.

I feel sad for them.

Sometimes you can't tell if they fell asleep on a park bench

or just died there.

Yeah, well, they're all gonna be revived

when they hear that young Damon here is gonna be dancing

at The New School for Dance.

- When's your audition, baby? - I'm not sure.

They didn't give you a date?

I...

I-I didn't return my application.

- Uh-huh, but you said you did. - Ooh-ooh.

And you thought I would be the problem child?

What if I audition and don't get in?

And, anyway, I missed the deadline.

I don't even think I'm supposed to be there.

Well, you're never gonna find the place where you

belong if you keep on running away.

What makes you so sure?

How in the hell you think we all wound up here?

Amen!

I believe in you.

That's one of the reasons why we fussin' like this.

But don't you ever lie to me again.

Do you have it?

Okay,

go somewhere, please, and get out of my business.

I don't come to your job,

- knocking dicks out your mouth. - Whoo!

Whoa. Hold on a second.

That's not funny.

So, do you ever walk in the balls anymore?

No, baby, that's a young person's game.

But the ball culture is my culture.

This is my community.

I'm respected here.

- Revered, even. - Mm-hmm.

Pray Tell is like a father to all of us.

He works at Macy's. Can you believe that?

As a cologne spritzer. This is my passion...

designing clothes,

creating fantasies.

You deserve your own line. That's the truth.

Yeah, well, maybe someday.

Ka, ka, ka, ka!

Ha, yes, yes, yes!

It looks like my work here is done.

Boy, get over here. Let me see what you look like.

So, what category are we walking? Do I get to dance?

Twirl!

Baby, you are our secret weapon.

Uh-huh.

Cut, bend, live, work!

Voguing doesn't just happen at the balls.

It lives in the streets, too.

No touching!

Oh, so it's like break dancing.

Yes, but it's more than that. It's a statement.

"I want to have a name in this world. I want to be on top."

You know what? No! You know what?

You bitches can't have one night without your temperament

getting the better of you.

Back it up.

Be kind to one another.

Damn.

What was all that about?

Oh, God knows what started it.

Too many stolen men,

a trophy lost unjustly.

Doesn't matter though.

A house can't be legendary

unless it has a good rival.

Which is why we have to challenge Abundance.

So, what if a house challenges another house

to a dance to the death and you lose?

Ooh.

It would be all over.

You're sent away,

forever banished.

Eternal damnation.

How am I supposed to learn how to do all that?

Practice.

- Cheers, babe. - Cheers.

So this is what it's like to be a person

at the top of the Rainbow Room.

Get used to it.

Oh.

- Thank you. - Wow.

Thank you.

Thank you, sir.

Dip it in the butter.

Okay.

Mmm.

Mmm.

Is it as good as you imagined?

I used to dream about having lobster.

- Mmm. - Like those fancy people down by the shore.

I used to picture myself

- wearing one of those bibs, you know? - A lobster bib?

Yeah, a lobster bib. Should I be wearing one right now?

No. Just don't get butter

- on your bow. - I mean, you cannot imagine

a taste you never tasted. But I would just imagine

what I would feel like when I finally got to eat it.

What's better, the dream or the reality?

The reality.

Because I'm having it with you.

Happy anniversary, baby.

Well, well,

bring it like a military man.

Realness.

Yes.

Be all that you can be.

Uncle Sam wants you.

Girl, I don't think we should do this.

We can't stay stuck on the sidelines forever.

Elektra's gonna be so angry.

Ooh, it's Fleet Week, and I'm not talking

enemas, children.

Thank you, military realness, for your service.

You may leave the floor.

I need everyone's attention.

We have a challenge

for the legendary children of The House of Abundance.

The challengers are...

What's the name of your house, baby?

Inspired by the up-and-coming

legendary supermodel Linda Evangelista,

who stole my look, and who I pay tribute to in return,

we are The House of Evangelista.

Abundance, do you accept this challenge?

We accept.

Girl, I'm going to eat you like an after-dinner Rolaid.

You got this.

Now give 'em some music.

And pose!

Ooh, bitch,

we got ourselves a battle!

Work!

Bring it the old way.

The only way!

Yeah. Yes!

Attack! Carry!

Live!

Pop!

Well... well.

Ah, candy apple red.

Uh-huh, the tigress.

Yeah. Ooh. Live! Twirl!

Yes! Yeah.

Ah!

Yes, my darling.

Ah!

And she has arrived.

Yeah.

Uh-huh.

Twirl! Pop!

Twirl! Twirl!

Spin! Dip! Turn! Aah.

Vogue.

Vogue.

Yeah. Vogue.

Yes. Dip!

Pop. Vogue!

Our challenge is complete.

Judges scores. What are you giving Evangelista?

Ten, ten, nine,

nine, nine.

Scores for The House of Abundance.

Ten, ten,

ten, ten, ten.

Grand prize...

House of Abundance.

We were robbed.

No, I was overeager. We weren't ready.

Well, well, well.

Look at the sad queens.

Disappointed about our scores?

Well, you shouldn't be, 'cause quiet as its kept,

I thought you should have been scored even lower.

Yo!

Yo, wait up. Hold on. Hold on.

Yo, what I got to do to join The House of Evange... ?

- Your guys' house? - Evangelista.

House of Evangelista.

Like the supermodel, little man.

- We're sunk. - That's perfect for me, though.

You guys ain't shit yet, but I ain't shit yet, neither.

What's your name?

Papi.

Lil' Papi.

You guys got some moves. I want to learn me

some of that stuff, get me some trophies, too.

- You living on the streets? - Yeah. Mostly.

But I work at a bodega sometimes breaking down boxes

so I can get food for everyone, though.

Go collect your things and come right back here.

The House of Evangelista... welcomes any lost soul.

Uh-uh.

We got rules. No drugs,

no gentleman callers.

And anything you mop belongs to the community.

- Don't leave. - Uh-huh.

I'll be back in five minutes.

You want a reason to keep going on after tonight?

There it go right there.

Houses are homes to all the little boys and girls

who never had one, and they keep coming every day

just as sure as the sun rises.

Pull up.

Work harder.

Triumph.

If not today, maybe tomorrow.

Now Daddy needs a drink.

Children, leave your Monday morning open.

Mandatory attendance, no exceptions.

Please don't do this. It's embarrassing.

We do not have the luxury of shame.

Is this the head of dance?

Do you have an appointment?

Yes, I do. Wait here.

Ah, shit.

Are you the head of dance? Helena St. Rogers?

Can I help you?

My name is Blanca.

I'll be brief because I know how busy you are.

I'm looking after a young man who applied

for admissions as a dancer and was informed

that he missed the cutoff?

We're pretty strict about those things.

Oh, I appreciate that, but this

young man is a very special talent.

He can apply in the spring.

Do you know what the greatest pain a person can feel is?

The greatest tragedy a life can experience?

It is having a truth inside of you,

and you not being able to share it.

It is having a great beauty, and no one there to see it.

This young boy has been discarded,

and he is so young, he believes

that it has something to do with who he is.

It's like cancer.

It is going to eat at him from the inside

until he starts to resent even the best parts of himself.

Have a seat.

I don't understand what you want me to do.

We've accepted our fall class. We are full.

No, but he is special.

He's got all the talent and all the hurt you need

to be a true artist.

Let him dance for you. Give him a chance.

Give him three minutes of your time.

When was the last time you were truly surprised

by something in your life?

Who are you again?

I'm his mother.

- So what happened? - You're gonna dance for her.

What? For who?

The dean of dance right now. I got your stuff from home.

I-I'm not ready. I haven't prepared anything.

This is your turn now.

You hear me? Take it.

I-I don't have music.

Hi. I'm Damon.

So am I supposed to talk first, or...

what am I supposed to do first?

We just want to see you dance.

I'd be dead if it weren't for you.

Another day in the park, and I would have went

with anybody for some food, done anything.

I got in.

Thank you.

Didn't I tell you you was gonna get in?

Hi.

Hi. It's nice to see you.

It's nice to see you, too.

- Synced & corrected by MementMori - -- www.addic7ed.com --