Original subtitles

[lively news bumper]

♪

- I'’m Connie Reese, reporting live

from the home of Mayor Ron Saxby.

Mayor, we'’re on day 22 of the garbage strike,

and there looks to be no end in sight.

- That'’s right, Connie-- as you can see,

I'’m suffering along with the rest of our great city.

We all see what'’s happening,

and we all smell what'’s happening.

This is what happens

when a has-been R&B-singer-turned-preacher

riles up the sanitation union

without thinking about the consequences.

- Has-been? I left on top.

- Mayor, are you referring to your opponent,

Pastor Boyce Ballentine?

- Well, I'’d rather not name names.

- Can you believe this guy?

I bet you he won'’t say that to your face.

- It'’s ridiculous, babe. I mean, really--

I didn'’t go down there and ask the unions to strike.

I simply wanted their endorsement.

They'’re the ones that got all carried away.

I mean, why? Why do I have to be so inspirational?

- It'’s a curse, babe, for all of us.

- Incense, baby? Is that really necessary?

- Yes, Boyce. It smells like a garbage dump in here.

- Well, now it smells like a garbage dump

that doesn'’t want his mom to know that it smokes weed.

[soul music]

♪

- Hello, Mr. Friedman. I'’m calling because

you'’ve been one of our most generous supporters, and--

- Yo, man, you guys ought to cut this--

- What? Oh, yes, yes.

I know about the garbage strike.

- Hey, man, I got garbage all over my lawn--

- Wow.

You know, that'’s pretty strong language for a rabbi.

Hello? Hello?

- Okay. Fantastic. Thank you so much.

All right. Talk soon. - Hey, all right.

Getting a donation during the strike.

You are good. - Donation?

No, I got a job on a senate campaign in Virginia.

- What? You'’re just giving up?

- No, I'’m not giving up. This is what I do.

In two weeks, I'’m going to be out of a job, win or lose,

and it'’s gonna be "lose," so-- I guess I am giving up.

- Yeah, well, I'’m not giving up. Hey, Kelvin. Hit me.

Hi, I'’m calling from Boyce Ballentine--

Wow. Wow. That was fast.

- So what are you going to do after the election?

- Wow. Um...

I don'’t know.

Get a haircut, return some pants.

- I mean with your life.

- Haven'’t thought that far.

- Come to Virginia. Work for me.

- Seriously? - Yeah.

You'’re one of the best fund-raisers I'’ve ever seen.

You'’re a real upbeat people person.

I don'’t get it, but it works.

- Hold on. This isn'’t because we--

- What? - Well, you know, you and me...

We... - Not following.

- Had sex. - Oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

That was super special, but, no, this is all business.

- Well, apparently so was that.

- Hey, what'’s up? I'’m all done.

- Already? You passed out 2,000 flyers in 45 minutes?

- Yeah.

- So, if I go to the recycle bin behind McDonald'’s,

am I gonna find 2,000 flyers?

- Which McDonald'’s?

[door opens]

- Babe. - Hmm?

- Did you see today'’s paper?

- "Grand Pastor Trash"?

- Are they kidding me? I mean, it'’s clever.

You know, I'’ll give him that. But how is this sticking to me?

Saxby'’s the one they should be mad at.

- You'’re right, baby. I'’m sorry.

- It'’s all right. The people of St. Louis are smart.

They'’ll see Saxby for who he is.

I just got to sit tight, and this'’ll blow over.

- Exactly.

- What'’s that around my head?

- I think it'’s supposed to be flies.

You'’re right. This is clever.

- Hey, hey, son.

I can'’t find the church'’s plunger.

I need to borrow yours.

- What happened?

- People keep trying to flush

their garbage down the toilet...

because of your garbage strike.

- Thanks, Dad.

- Oh, and I wanted you to read

a copy of my sermon for Sunday.

- Oh, I'’d be happy to give you my opinion.

- Oh, I don'’t want your opinion.

I just wanted to show you what a real sermon should look like.

- You know what?

I should go down to the church with you today.

I could use some positive energy.

- You'’re not going to get it at the church.

People are real mad at you.

- Don'’t tell me they buying into this Saxby nonsense.

- They'’re calling you Trash Master Crash.

- You know you didn'’t get one word of that right?

Open up, Saxby.

- Pastor Ballentine. Mrs. Ballentine.

- Look, Ron, enough is enough. We need to talk man-to-man.

- Fine. Go ahead.

- I'’d like to talk to all of you,

not just your mouth and nose.

- Aww. I just had this hatch put in.

Well, if you insist.

What can I do for you?

- Look, Ron, this strike has gone on long enough.

- I could not agree more.

- And you played it beautifully.

- Well, it turns out I can agree more.

All right, well, thanks for your mad props. Good night.

- Wait, wait, wait.

Look, it'’s time to stop using the citizens

as a political weapon.

- You know, the funny thing is, I don'’t want the strike to end,

because as all this garbage piles up, your numbers go...

[whistling] Down.

So I would suggest going home and writing a concession speech.

- Boyce. Move, move, move. - Babe.

- You are-- - Hey, you tell her to cool it,

or I'’ll go back to the hatch. - She'’s cool.

- You can still get snatched through the hatch.

- Saxby, come on. Really.

You can'’t want to win an election like this.

- A win is a win, brother.

- I hate that guy.

- I hate you too!

- Hey, babe. Lolli. Lolli, come on, babe.

Come on. Let'’s go. Let'’s go.

- Boyce, you smell that? [sniffing]

- No, babe. I don'’t smell anything.

- Exactly. It doesn'’t stink.

Everywhere else in the city smells horrible.

Saxby'’s yard is full of garbage, and nothing?

- Hmm.

What the hell?

- [gasps] I knew something was up!

That'’s just clean paper and Styrofoam.

Ain'’t no leftovers, no banana peels.

no milk cartons, nothing.

- Babe, this is all fake garbage.

- So where'’s the real garbage?

- I don'’t know.

But I do know he'’s not suffering like the rest of us.

- Boyce, this one got balloons in it.

- So, about my offer, what do you think?

- Oh. Look, Alicia, I appreciate it,

but, you know, I can'’t move to Virginia.

- Why? - Well, I live here.

- Well, you could live there. - Right.

But, you know, my whole life is here.

- You mean a job? - Well, no.

- A relationship? - Not at the moment.

- Then...

- Oh, you know what?

I just signed a two-year gym membership.

Argh.

- They have gyms in Virginia.

- Yeah, but, you know, I know the machines here.

- Look, it'’s a big decision.

I get it. Take all the time you need.

As long as I have an answer by 8:00 a.m. tomorrow.

- That ain'’t all the time I need.

[cell phone ringing]

- Alicia Frizzell.

Press conference? No, what are you talking about?

Wait. Hold on. I have another call.

Hello?

No, there is not a press conference tonight.

- Alicia...

I scheduled a press conference tonight.

- I'’ve got to call you back.

Why would you call a press conference

without consulting me?

- Because we knew you'’d say, "That'’s not how it'’s done."

- That'’s not how it'’s done.

- See?

- Look what we got. It'’s huge!

- Garbage?

- Ah, it looks like it'’s garbage.

We got this off of Saxby'’s lawn.

Look at this.

It'’s nothing but shredded paper,

Styrofoam balls, and Bubble Wrap.

Oh! One of them even had balloons in it.

It'’s all clean, fake, non-smelly garbage.

- You'’re right. I mean, look at this one.

It'’s all packing peanuts.

- You know, if you would'’ve just told us,

we would'’ve taken your word for it.

- Yeah, well, I was going for the dramatic effect.

- Hey, Boyce.

I got the T-shirts for the registration drive.

- Oh, Daddy, we were going to send a volunteer

to pick those up in the morning.

- Well, I wanted it done right.

- Daddy, it'’s carrying a box of T-shirts.

There'’s not a lot that can go wrong.

- Whatever.

I was on my way over here, anyway.

I got a bedside visitation scheduled with Mr. Wilkinson.

I better get there before it'’s last rites.

- You know what? Dad, you need to slow down.

- I don'’t have time. Are those peanuts up for grabs?

I'’m shipping a new batch

of "Boyce the Choice" mugs tomorrow.

I could use some of those.

- I'’m sorry. Those are evidence.

- Evidence of what?

- That Saxby is a liar.

- Yeah, and tonight on television,

I'’m finally gonna expose that lying, fraudulent snake

for what he is.

- Boyce, you can'’t prove anything.

All it is are bags of Styrofoam,

packing peanuts, and Bubble Wrap.

- Oh, I could use the Bubble Wrap.

- Dad, it'’s evidence. - Stop saying that!

- White lady'’s right. It'’s circumstantial.

You can'’t get a conviction with it.

- Curtis, did you learn that in the joint?

- Wow.

Yeah.

- We have to find out where his real garbage is,

or we can'’t prove anything.

- You know what?

Last couple of nights, I'’ve been hanging out

on my old corner on 12th and Paige--

all: Why?

- Reasons.

Anyway, this real nice SUV'’s been coming by every night,

throwing trash bags on the sidewalk.

- That could be Saxby'’s guys.

- That is Saxby, oh, coming over there

and dumping his stinky trash in your poor ghetto neighborhood.

- Hey!

We just got a Rite Aid.

- How long do you think it'’s gonna take

before they drop the garbage?

- Could be five minutes. Could be five hours.

Could be three hours. Could be two hours.

Could be four-- - Curtis!

We don'’t have that kind of time.

Boyce is holding a press conference at 11:00.

He'’s counting on us.

- Relax.

Just try to get comfortable.

- Does this seat warmer go any higher?

- I got seat warmers?

- Can you turn up the fan?

- You just said you was cold.

- My bottom is cold. The rest of me is hot.

I got zones!

Should'’ve just taken my car,

because I have everything in there set the way I like it.

- Your car would'’ve stuck out

like a sore thumb in this neighborhood.

We trying to keep a low profile.

- Oh, what up, Curtis?

- What up, Drizzle?

- Damn. You on a date?

- Nah, we'’re just on a stakeout.

- Curtis!

- Forget what you heard.

- Will you get out of here?

- Are you gonna finish that?

Mmm.

- You gonna buy me another soda.

- Okay, I got a bottle of champagne

to celebrate your triumph tonight.

- Actually, I haven'’t heard any news from Lolli yet.

- And I got a bottle of Jack,

just in case it doesn'’t work out.

- Hate to admit it, but it might be a Jack night.

- So do you think you made a mistake?

- What? - Well, I mean,

your whole life was great before.

I mean, you were a preacher, and everybody loved you.

- Yeah. I mean-- but I had to run for mayor.

- No, I know. I mean, look, I get it.

You turned your whole life upside down,

but what if things don'’t work out?

- It'’s just a chance I had to take.

- Yeah, but, bro--how do you know it'’s all worth it?

- Well, you don'’t... until you do it.

I mean, sometimes you got to get out of your own comfort zone.

Sometimes you got to take a leap of faith.

- Uh-huh.

But what if you just signed a gym membership,

and there'’s no refunds?

- Stamps, have you been hitting the Jack already?

- No, but maybe I need to.

- Yeah, you do.

- Ooh. Wait, wait. Check it out.

- There he is. Government car.

- How you know?

- Black SUV,

two white guys, no rims--

that'’s definitely government.

- Shoot. They are putting the trash out on the sidewalk.

Oh! Quick. Pull up there so we can get that trash.

[engine sputtering]

I hate your car.

- Excuse me. Sorry.

Sorry. Excuse me.

Excuse me. Excuse me.

Boyce, the press is getting antsy.

You have got to tell them something.

- Any signs of Lolli?

- I'’ll go check the parking lot again.

- Oh, goodness. All right. Wish me luck.

- You got this.

- B-brothers? [bullhorn siren wailing]

Brothers-- [siren wails]

You know, I'’ll just do it without the bullhorn.

Brothers and sisters, can I have your attention, please?

I have something to say

that is going to blow the lid off City Hall.

[crowd murmurs]

I'’ve uncovered a scandal.

I'’ve uncovered a deception.

I'’ve uncovered a shocking abuse of public trust.

- What do you got, Boyce?

- That'’s a good question, Biff.

Here...

I found these trash bags

in front of Mayor Saxby'’s house.

But look what'’s inside--

Styrofoam balls.

It'’s just a bag full of Styrofoam balls!

- Why does he need so many of those balls?

- He doesn'’t. That'’s what I'’m saying.

He'’s just stuffing the bags with them

to pull a fast one over St. Louis!

- Are you saying it'’s illegal to own that many Styrofoam balls?

- Uh, no.

Look, maybe I'’m not explaining this well.

Look, this is fake garbage, guys.

Here'’s what he'’s doing-- - Pastor Ballentine!

Pastor Ballentine, you are trespassing on city property.

Arrest this man.

I have no intention of letting you incite a riot.

- Well, I have no intention of leaving before I say my piece.

crowd: Yeah!

- Okay, fine.

Officers, set your Tasers to stun.

- It'’s a Taser.

That'’s all they do.

- Great. Then Tase away.

- You know, you can arrest me, but you cannot arrest the truth.

[all cheering]

- Fine, then I'’ll settle for just you.

- Boyce! We got the garbage.

- Whew! I was starting to be worried for a second.

- Curtis'’ car broke down, and we had to take a Uber.

Uber people don'’t like you putting trash in their car.

- Mrs. Ballentine, if you want to talk to your husband,

you'’re gonna have to wait for visitation hours.

Take them away. - No, wait!

This is Mayor Saxby'’s garbage

that he dumped far away from his house

in a poor, poor neighborhood.

- Yeah, a poor neighborhood that only just got a Rite Aid!

- You can make any claim you want,

but you can'’t prove any of this.

- It'’s all on my Instagram. I took pictures and posted it.

Oh. My username is LolliSoFly _1.

Feel free to like, share, and comment.

- Now, let'’s just take a look at Mayor Saxby'’s "garbage," huh?

- Oh, come on. This is nonsense. Get them out of here.

- Let'’s see where he'’s going with this.

- That could be anybody'’s trash!

- Oh! Take a look...

at all the chicken left on these bones.

Y'’all know this is white-people garbage!

- Smoking gun.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa. I'’m not the only white person in St. Louis.

- Right, right.

How about this? "Touch of Gray" men'’s hair coloring...

A perfect match.

- Smoking gun.

- Please, please. You cannot get color like this from a box.

- Well, what do we have here?

"Sailing Enthusiast Magazine,"

addressed to one Ron Saxby!

- Stamps!

- Oh, I'’m sorry. I got a text.

Smoking gun.

all: Yeah!

- All right, clearly, mistakes were made.

Hey, hey!

Now, that was not necessary!

Officer, arrest whoever just threw that.

- Go to hell, Saxby!

all: Yeah!

- Oh! - Get him! Get him!

- Stop this! Come on, that was a diaper!

[all shouting]

- Okay. Hey, listen up!

Listen, everybody.

[musical horn honking]

Guys, everybody calm down.

Come on. We'’re better than this.

Now, sure, he came down here to bully us,

but we'’re not gonna stoop to his level, all right?

Besides, this man is about to give us everything we want

to end this strike.

Am I right, Mr. Mayor?

- Yeah, yeah, sure.

We'’ll sit down next week, okay?

[all groaning]

- How does right now sound?

all: [chanting] Right now, right now, right now!

[glass shatters]

- Yeah, yeah, right now'’s good.

[all shouting]

all: [chanting] Right now, right now, right now!

Right now, right now, right now!

- Mayor Saxby on the defensive

after photos surface online

showing him and his staff members

dumping his household waste on Paige Street.

- The bottom line is, the garbage strike is over.

It'’s time for the citizens of St. Louis to move forward

and to please stop throwing their trash bags on my lawn.

I mean, seriously. Hey!

[all laughing]

I am the mayor!

Still the mayor!

- Yes! We did it, you guys!

- Yes, we did. Yeah. - We did it, babe!

- And the news is calling you a hero.

- Oh, "hero'’s" a pretty strong word.

Maybe "problem-solver,"

"bringer of justice,"

"breaker of chains"...

I mean, we don'’t have to label it, you know.

- Stamps, we'’re celebrating.

Why don'’t you take a break from calling donors?

- I'’m not calling them. They'’re calling us.

I mean, there'’s so many calls coming in,

I got Curtis helping me.

- $1,000? You got $1,000 sitting around,

and you just want to give it to him?

You don'’t even know if he gonna win!

- Curtis, take the money!

- All right, dude.

- Stamps, Virginia? I need an answer.

- Well, here'’s what I'’ve decided.

Sometimes you got to get out of your comfort zone

and take a leap of faith.

- I need an answer, not a fortune cookie.

- That is the answer.I'’m in!

Just give me a minute so I can tell my family.

- Hey, Boyce.

Sounds like I missed a good one last night.

- Yes, you did, Dad.

- Well, I was swamped at the church.

I had to lead Bible study, do a counseling session,

and write a new sermon.

- And I'’m sure you left one on my desk

to show me how it'’s done.

- No, I didn'’t.

For your information, Stamps showed me

how to put it on a email.

- [laughs]

All right, well, thanks, Dad.

- Hey, guys. Listen, okay?

Now, I got some great news.

Now, I was thinking about-- maybe it'’s time--

- Barton, are you okay?

- Whoa. What'’s going on?

- Oh. Ah, nothing.

I'’m fine. I just lost my breath there for a second.

- What'’s wrong, Daddy? - Nothing.

This has been happening the last few days.

It'’ll pass in a minute.

- Okay. No. No, no, no.

No, you going to the hospital. - Right now.

I'’ll get the car. - Nonsense!

- Oh, Barton, please, just go for us.

- Fine, for you. - Come on, now.

- But I'’m driving.

Ooh. Son, you better drive.

- Yeah.

- So, since you got thousands of dollars laying around,

you think you could let me hold some?

- Wow!

[soul music]

♪

- ♪ The soul man