Original subtitles

? How can i ?

? work out this sweet relation? ?

? let us feel with love ?

? keepin' our hearts together ?

? with no temptation ?

? keepin' us a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? keep him with the kissin' ?

? keep him with the kissin' ?

? keep him with the kissin' ?

? keep him with the kissin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? givin' with the kissin' ?

? givin' with the kissin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? feels like here Whenever you are near ?

? stickin' like glue, Keep a-lovin' you ?

? on and on ?

Hey! ? on and on ?

? oh, keep on movin' ?

? on and on ?

? we gotta move ?

? we gotta groove ?

? keep on groovin' ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? we gotta groove ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? keep on groovin' ?

? on and on ?

? hey ?

? hey heyyyyy ?

? on and on ?

? let us feel with love ?

? keepin' our hearts together ?

? with no temptation ?

? keepin' us a-lovin' ?

? keepin' us a-lovin' ?

? goin' ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? we gotta go ?

? on and on ?

? keep on movin' ?

? on and on ?

? keep on groovin' ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

? we go ?

? on and on ?

? out of the door ?

Oh, hey, darling!

Oh, hi! Hi!

Oh, i almost missed it.

[sighs]

Oh, shit, look at that mess out there.

Lord, we'll be lucky if we get to work

at all today.

Walk in late,

that lady don't say nothin', honey.

She just looks at that clock.

Now, Claudine, you have been actin'

so nervous and jumpy.

What is it?!

I--i ain't been sleepin' lately. Honest.

and i get these headaches

i keep layin' there thinking...

Maybe i'm goin' crazy.

Lord, maybe i always been crazy.

No, honey.

I know what is wrong With you.

You didn't have your cereal.

But i do not ever eat no cereal.

Well, that is it.

You didn't have your corn flakes.

[laughing]

Girl, do not you know a woman has to have

her vitamin "f"?

[laughing harder]

I have been fooling myself about that

for a long time, honey,

Long time.

But i can't be sleeping around,

You know, 'cause I got these children.

Oh, why not?!

Listen, when women fought for equal opportunity,

They didn't mean votin'.

When you got needs,

You got needs!

Ok.

Bye.

Bye-bye.

Remember now, you need the vitamin.

Oh, get outta here.

[engine running]

[compactor crushing]

Good morning, Mr. Winograd.

Morning, Claudine. How are ya?

Fine.

How are the kids?

Just fine.

[laughing]

Morning, Mrs. Winograd.

Oh, good morning, Claudine.

Guess who walked in 15 minutes late again?

Uh-huh. Oh, yeah.

Oh, sure.

What do you mean you took a bath in the market?

What about mel's combine?

They bought 1,700 acres In virginia

to sell to the west germans,

and the whole deal did a drop dead.

Well, you know,

When the germans do not want to have anything to do

with the united states, i mean, well, that is scary.

Well, i'm glad you had a great time.

I thought they'd never leave.

How are you today?

Just fine. How are you?

Oh, just fine.

Say, uh,

tell the man that, uh,

I am not taking this one.

Oh, lord.

Now, that is sure gonna make him mad.

Yeah, i guess so.

Yeah, you do look fine today.

Course, you look fine all the time.

You know, i know i am just a ugly old,

Smelly Ol' garbageman,

but you see me all cleaned up,

You will not believe your eyes.

Say, you know,

i been studyin' On takin' you out

for a long time.

What--what about that, girl?

No, i do not think so.

Oh, you do not want me to beg ya, do you, baby?

No.

Oh, you are afraid that i'll...

think you are too easy if you say yes right away, huh?

It is just that i do not go out.

But that is ridiculous.

I ain't gonna bite ya.

[laughing]

I am very sociable most of the time.

I will pick you up At 7:00.

Where you live?

No, i'm sorry.

Say, uh...

You on welfare?

And here You are workin'.

Do you report this income?

You know What they'd say

if they found out?

You are cheatin'.

Oh, i'd sure hate to blow the whistle

On a fine bowl of pineapple juice like you.

Hey, hey!

Hey, fella, hey!

Hey, fella, hey, uh,

hey, what about this one?

Sir, we are not supposed to handle anything over 100 pounds.

You know, we do this all day, every day.

Yeah, well, I carried it out.

You didn't carry it out. you rolled it out.

Well, It is not that heavy.

Sir, i've been doing this for 13 years.

You gonna tell me what is heavy?

Yeah, but what-- What am i supposed to--

to do with this stuff?

You take some of that,

put it in here,

We pick it up on the swing back.

Ok?

How's that?!

Hey, um,

Wait a minute!

Wait a minute!

It is 139 edgecombe avenue.

My name is Claudine, Claudine Price!

Rupert P. Marshall.

7:00!

[jazz music playing]

[doorbell rings]

[popeye talking on tv]

Hi, Sugar.

Miss Claudine Price live here?

Yeah. Who are you?

My name is Rupert P. Marshall.

What is yours?

Patrice. Patrice?

Oh, yeah, like, uh, Patrice Lumumba.

No, like Patrice Price.

Oh, yeah, right. That is a pretty name.

Your Mama home?

No.

Where is she? I do not know.

You mind if i come in and wait for her?

Mama said never Let nobody in

when she ain't home!

Oh, look, i'm sorry!

Oh! Hey.

No, do not sweat it.

Your daughter wouldn't let me in,

But that is all right. I dig that.

That is all right. Listen,

I am sorry about Bein' late,

That lady kept me,

and i had To sweat out

That long ride On that bus.

Listen, maybe we better Forget about tonight.

We'll make it another time.

I am sorry.

Hey!

Oh, no, you don't, pretty lady.

No, no, me and you got a date.

I have got The chefs waiting.

Listen, by the time I get all cleaned up,

It is gonna be Too late!

Oh, no, look here. You just--just

Take your sweet time,

Because i do not have to meet that mule

Till 5:30 Tomorrow morning.

You!

[laughing]

Ok, all right!

[kids talking]

[doorbell rings]

Hey, baby. Hey, mom.

Hi, mom. How come You so late?!

Hi, honey. Hi, mom.

Mama, i gotta Go toilet!

I gotta go toilet!

How come no one took this child to the toilet?

Charles is In the bathroom.

Well, tell him to come out.

Lurlene's got to go.

He is taking a bath.

Paul, take her In there.

Man, he's taking a bath.

Paul, i said for you To take her in there!

Man, he will not let me in. He is naked!

Boy!

Charles!

Charles, come outta there!

Lurlene's gotta Go to the bathroom,

And i have to Take a bath!

Goddamn! Can't a man be alone

For one minute In this house?!

A man, my ass!

I said you get Your butt outta there!

Uh, Mr. Marshall,

Just have a seat.

Kids, this is Mr. Marshall.

So what?!

You from the welfare?

No, he ain't from the welfare!

Charles, please get Outta that bathroom!

Mama!

Mommy, you gotta sign this.

The class goin' on a trip!

Oh, not now, darlin'. Later.

Did anybody clean that kitchen today?

I cleaned it, Mama.

No, she didn't. I cleaned it.

I cleaned it!

Ok!

Hey, wait a minute!

We were watchin' that!

Charlene, put that back on.

Mama, they rootin' for tarzan.

He up there fightin' a thousand blacks,

and they up there screamin',

"yeah, kick the shit Out of 'em, tarzan!"

Do not you dare use none of that

Street language in my house!

Where do you think You goin' all dressed up?

A date!

You ain't goin' nowhere, miss.

Mama, Patrice can baby-sit.

Baby-sittin' ain't got nothin' to do with it.

Mama, i told Abdullah I was gonna meet him at

well, who the hell is aAbdullah?!

Teddy! He changed his name.

I do not care What you told teddy

Or Abdullah, i--

Listen,

if i find out that you been sneakin' out

and seein' what is his name

and smokin' that marijuana,

Oh, ma-- any of that--

I mean that--

Black will not be so beautiful no more!

You just afraid i will come home pregnant.

Oh, i'll

You make me sick.

I ain't nothin' but a goddamn baby-sitter

around here!

Charlene, do not you be talking down in your throat to me!

Charles, do you think you own that bathroom?!

You get outta there!

Wall-to-wall niggers.

Charles! this is Mr. Marshall.

Whatever.

Come on, Lurlene.

Go on. Go on in.

Close that door!

All right, just a

Now, what is that?

What the hell is that?!

What is that--

Please, Francis, do not do that!

You will electrocute yourself!

Oh, well, your son

Just broke the toaster!

I was makin' a melted Cheese sandwich.

I forgot.

[teasing]

Aw, do not tease him.

Now, do not te--

Don't--

I said do not tease him!

Ow!

That hurt.

Lurlene, please leave him alone!

God

Mr. Marshall,

It is blown!

We just better forget it. I am sorry.

Comb your hair, and let's split.

But i can't. I been workin' all day.

I gotta change my dress and take a bath.

I am funky, and

I am the expert On funky.

You smell like a field of flowers to me.

And there ain't no more hot water.

Plenty of hot water at my place.

Just grab a dress, and let's split outta here.

Mommy, You goin' away?

You just got home!

Are you goin' out With him?!

Where is he takin' you?

All right, all right.

Cool it. Cool it.

Your mama's goin' on a date.

Can ya dig that? A date.

Like a nice restaurant and some fine music

and chateaubriand

and cherries jubilee

and clams casino.

Can ya dig that? And she is goin' with me,

and she is gonna have a good time.

Can you dig that?

Charlene, get me my paisley dress and my brown shoes.

It is gonna wind up chicken anyway.

Mama,

Do not come home pregnant.

[tarzan yelling]

What is the matter? You do not like my hat?

Shoot.

Paid $12 for it.

Oh, you're studying me.

You are wondering...

What are the possibilities

Of continued growth?

Roop,

How come you settle for being a garbageman?

I know you smarter than that.

Shoot, i been smarter than any job i ever had.

No, you see,

I have actually avoided success.

Oh, no. You know why?

Why?

Because when you are successful and rich,

People will envy you and hate you,

and i want people to love me.

[laughing]

Hey, What is goin' down?

Hi, Rupert.

Hi, sweetheart.

Hey, man.

Hi, Darlin'.

Hey, Roop. Hi, Babe.

Some of the, uh, tenants are workin' girls,

But it is a nice building.

We get a...

Better class Of cockroaches.

[tenant activity echoing]

It is very nice.

[gasps]

Milhaus, you little son of a bitch.

Get lost. We got company.

[crash]

[laughing]

Ahem.

We'll get you a hot bath going,

and the restaurant is just around the corner.

[beads rattle]

Listen, i'll do that.

Do not you get enough of this?

[water turns on]

Would you like a bubble bath?

Yeah.

Oh, no, I'll--i'll do that.

Are you pullin' my leg?

No!

Now, just out.

Thank you, but out.

Shit.

I turn on my television

And see all kinds Of pretty chicks

Just washin', takin' a bath,

takin' a shower,

you know,

powderin' their legs, powderin' their back,

and every chick i ever knew

Said shut the door.

[laughing]

Uh, when i get to know you better...

Maybe.

I said maybe.

Sure, sure.

[laughing]

? add a little sugar ?

? honeysuckle red ?

? a great big expression Of happiness ?

? boy, you couldn't miss ?

? with a dozen roses ?

? such will astound you ?

? the joy of children laughing around you ?

? these are the makings of you ?

? it is true ?

? the makings of you ?

Claudine,

you all right?

Hey, you drown?!

[knocks on door]

Claudine.

Oh.

Hey, what ya hidin' that for?

That is beautiful.

[sighs]

So, listen,

I know you are too tired to go to the restaurant,

So why do not i Just call out

and get some fried chicken?

Do not forget to order the french fries.

[laughing]

656-8556.

That is right. You got that?

Ok, listen,

Please tell Charles to have the kids

In bed...

In about 10 minutes.

No, that's includin' you!

Listen here, Patrice,

If you decide to stay up,

You gonna get a lickin'.

You hear me?!

Ok.

Yeah.

[cork pops]

Yeah, just, uh, ahem.

So, uh,

You about 30?

30?

Didn't you see my big boy?

I got a boy 18.

Oh, well, you know,

Some girls have babies when they are 13, 12.

Well, i was 18.

Oh, you're...

36?

Holy Christ.

How'd you wind up With 6 kids?

Well, haven't you heard

about us ignorant black bitches?

Always got to be layin' up with some dude,

just grinding out them babies

for the taxpayers to take care of.

I get 30 bucks apiece for them kids.

Oh, i'm living like a queen On Welfare, you know.

You are jumpy.

Well, my kids are fine.

You do not need to be worried about my kids.

Oh, no, i'm not worried about your kids.

Not my problem.

I get that shit all the time from the Welfare,

always asking me to apologize for my kids.

You know what? I do not have to explain that to nobody.

Now, you just pushed the wrong button.

Ok, i was just-- just asking.

You know, i had 2 marriages

and 2 almost marriages.

Groovy. I had a couple Of them myself.

Well, how come you do not have no kids,

A man your age?

Well, i got, uh,

2 boys in ohio With my first wife

And, uh... Uh-huh, uh-huh.

Little girl In, uh, Louisville

With my second wife's mother.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

Can i ask you something?

Mm-hmm.

You have got a hell of a nerve

asking me about my 6 kids.

Do you ever see your kids?

No. Uh-huh.

You mean, you do not even see

Your own children?

Well, you know us black studs.

No feelings, knock 'em up and leave them, heartless,

Do not give a shit If the children starve.

Now you pushin' On my button, lady.

Pretty SURE...

You want me to tell you something?

I think that you and me is wrong for each other.

Oh, i think that you and me

is definitely right for each other.

Oh, yeah, just perfect, perfect.

That is right. That is right.

You see, um,

We've both been through

A lot of different love projects,

And, um...

And we are older. We are wiser.

I have sympathy.

I think you have sympathy.

We have no gross inequalities,

But the, um, best part about you and me is

That we do not understand each other one damn bit.

You.

[snap]

What was that?

What was what?

That noise.

Oh.

Mousetrap.

I think milhaus got it.

Oh.

Claudine, you are so beautiful.

Roop, would you get rid of him?

Get rid of who?

It.

Oh, yeah.

I will, Baby.

Roop.

Roop, would you please do it now?

Now? Now.

Oh.

Roop, please.

Please.

Oh, you mean milhaus?

Yes.

He'll keep till morning.

Roop, Roop, i'm gonna just keep seeing him in there.

[groans]

[splash]

[toilet flushes]

You wash your hands?

[water running]

[telephone rings]

[ring]

Hello?

Yes, she is.

Claudine!

Hello?

Yeah, what is it, Charles?

Uh-huh.

Paul's in the bathroom doing what?

Now, how would You know that

Unless you looked through the keyhole?

How would you know He is playing with himself?

Charles, you the one always complainin' about privacy.

Right. Now, nobody ever snitched on you.

Do not be botherin' me, Charles,

Unless it is important.

Thank you.

[dial tone]

What is the matter, baby?

I just can't turn my brain off.

I can't stop thinking.

Even when i'm sleepin', i am just...

Thinking.

Wanna leave?

No.

I want you. I do,

But my mind keeps--

I keep thinking to myself,

"it is not fair to him. fake it,"

but i can't do that.

Hey, i'm glad.

Do not ever fake it.

If you do, i'll know it.

No.

Do not ever fake anything.

Me and you, we are past all that horseshit.

Hmm?

[telephone rings]

Oh.

[ring]

What do you want?

What?

Yeah, who--who is speak--

Well, this is Claudine.

This is Shirley.

Who are you?

Is this 656-8556?

No, honey, i think you got the wrong number.

Oh, i'm sorry.

Yeah.

Oh, please, just hold me.

Hold me nice.

[sighs]

Roop?

Hmm?

Who is Shirley?

? it is been a miracle ?

? for what you have done ?

? please stay right by my side ?

? two can be one ?

? the righteous way to go... ?

Be nice just to sit here and...

Watch the sun Come up.

Roop, how are you gonna work today?

You are gonna be dead tired.

Oh, no.

I will be all right.

Lord, i guess i better be getting on inside.

I do not wanna give these nosy neighbors

nothin' to gossip about.

Well,

good night.

Or good morning.

Um, listen, uh,

Wait.

See, we got a real sweet project going,

So let's, uh--

Let's be straight.

Are we straight?

We are straight.

We just enjoy each other till it is over.

Nice good-bye.

Nice memories.

Cecause there's nothing else.

We both know that, right?

That is right.

[claudine sighs]

But just a moment.

I wanna see you tonight.

No, no, no.

I--i can sneak a little catnap

During the day, but...

You are gonna be tired.

Let's forget about tonight.

Hey.

You gotta make The best of each day

Because, uh, When you are dead,

Life isn't worth living, You know?

Ok, ok.

I will see you tonight.

Whew.

A garbageman?

Charlene said He was a garbageman.

What time did you get home, Mama?

Mama, you went out with a garbageman?

Oh, what is so wrong with a garbageman?

Do not they stink Sometimes?

No, they do not stink all the time.

You better mind your mouth.

What time did you get home, Mama?

How much money does a garbageman make?

Why do not you ask him?

No, you never ask nobody how much they make.

What time did you get home?

4:00 in the morning,

With chicken On her breath.

Oh.

You gonna marry the garbageman, mama?

Oh, Patrice, i went out With a man one time.

What do you do with a garbageman

Until 4:00 in the morning?

I hope you don't marry him.

and why not?

Cecause we got enough Kids around here.

You ain't gotta be married to have a baby, stupid.

I know it, stupid.

The man puts his penis In the woman's vagina.

Not in mommy's.

What'd you hit me for, you son of a bitch?!

Shut your dirty mouth!

[shouting and yelling]

And take that hat off in the house!

Did you make it With him?

Charles, that is none Of your business.

It is our business.

One thing we don't need around here

Is another nigger.

It is disgusting, anyway,

A woman her age.

I am 36.

That is 9 times what?

It is 36, and it ain't old.

It is too old to be messin' around.

Ooh.

Man, that dude'll give you a baby

and disappear just like Those other niggers you had.

Charles, i do not wanna Hear no more about it,

and i mean that.

[r&b music playing]

[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings]

What the hell is the matter with you all?

Do not you hear the damn doorbell?

What bell?

I didn't hear no bell.

Roop, come in.

This bell.

[doorbell rings]

I didn't hear no damn bell.

I ain't heard no bell.

Charles, you hear a bell?

No, i ain't heard nothing.

The TV was on, anyway.

Mommy, Mommy, i heard--

Roop, just have a seat. I will be ready in a minute.

and one more thing.

Before we sails upon

This most perilous voyage Of our lives,

I wishes to propose a toast.

[ice cream bells chime]

Hi, kids.

Hey, here comes The ice cream man.

How do you know that?

Can't you Hear them bells?

Do not ask mama for no money.

She always say, "i ain't got it."

Man, is my mouth quiverin'

for some Of that fine ice cream.

Please?

Oh, boy.

How much is ice cream?

20 cents.

Wait a minute!

Get, uh...

6.

5.

5.

What you gonna buy me, Mr. Marshall?

I do not know. What do you want?

Nothing you got.

Well, maybe your Mama Needs something i got.

Mr. Marshall,

Every tear that My mother sheds over you

is gonna cost you a quart of blood.

You think about that.

Uh, Roop, you ready?

Just as ready as i can get.

[doorbell rings]

Hey, where you all going?

It is the bell.

I do not hear no bell.

What bell? Do you hear a bell?

No, i didn't hear nothin'.

It is Francis With the ice cream.

[doorbell rings]

How come you hear that bell?

Yeah, ok, ok.

We get it, smart ass.

6 kids in 4 rooms?

Man, see, you are just too young.

You ain't got enough experience

to know that i have struck gold.

A woman with 6 kids and no man,

She is got to knock herself out for me.

Yeah, well, i know what you are talking about, man.

I can understand that, you see, but, uh,

she got big boys, man.

When you get in argument With a woman,

you do not want her to have no allies over the age of 4.

You know what i mean?

One of them big boys grabs a frying pan

and busts you Upside your head,

ain't no more argument, Roop.

Hey, you--you-- you take a chick out,

It gonna cost you a half-week's pay.

Nah, man, i've had it with them young chicks.

You gotta wine 'em, dine 'em,

buy 'em dope.

What it costin' me?

She is a straight, solid broad, too.

I bet she--she gonna control them boys.

I bet she is tellin' them right now,

"you all be nice to Mr. Marshall."

Oh, man.

Gold, man, gold.

Yeah, but she got a lot Of needs, man, needs.

She got to feed all them kids.

Nah, she got the Welfare number,

and she got a job.

No, she doin' ok.

Yeah, but she only get the Welfare

If she stays alone, man.

You know, she is takin' a big chance on you, roop.

Them welfare people gonna find out,

then you gonna be the man,

The welfare man.

Ma, she is coming up the stoop,

The social worker.

? keep away from me ?

? Mister Welfare ?

? they just keep on sayin' ?

? i'm a lazy woman ?

? do not love my children ?

? and i'm mentally unfit ?

? i must divorce him ?

? cut all my ties With him ?

? cause his ways, They make me sick ?

? it is a hard, hard, hard sacrifice ?

? hard sacrifice ?

? not having me a lovin' man... ?

[doorbell rings]

? society gave us no choice ?

? tryin' to silence my voice ?

[doorbell rings]

? pushin' me On the Welfare... ?

It is Miss kabak, Mama.

Charlene, don't just stand there.

Let her in.

? i'm tryin' to prove my equal rights... ?

Hello, Charles.

? no mistake ?

? for goodness sake ?

? why should he help me... ?

Uh, hello there, Miss Kabak.

I am sorry. I didn't Hear the doorbell.

Children, would you cut that music down?

[shouting and yelling]

Just turn it down.

Hello, Mrs. Price.

Hi. How've ya been?

Oh, grand.

Living like a queen.

Mrs.Price, have you been working?

No.

Because if you have, i really have to know.

Otherwise, you get into trouble.

No, i ain't been workin'.

Mrs. Price, you know i am your friend,

but you have to be honest with me.

I ain't been workin'.

Well, i understand a man's been visiting you

regularly this past month.

You are not supposed to spy on us.

I didn't spy on you, Mrs. Price,

but someone has.

It must be that lady--

That bitch across the street.

She'll say anything, that bitch.

The thing is, Mrs. Price,

If something comes out later

And i do not know about it,

You will be in all kinds of trouble.

So, if you have been seeing this man--

Well, what is this?

Am i not supposed to see a man?

What am i, a damn nun?

No, but if you have been sleeping with a man

and he is been giving you things,

i am sorry, but i have to know.

Do you sleep With a man?

Now, that is none Of your business.

It is none of your business, either.

You are wrong, Mrs. Price. It is our business.

This man may be bringing things into your home

Which you may not be deducting.

Now, you know i have to deduct you on those things.

What things? What things, damn it?!

You have a man Come over for dinner,

He brings you a bottle of wine.

I have a man come over for dinner,

He brings me a damn six-pack.

Oh, there are 2 left, Miss kabak.

Would you like a beer?

I am sorry, Mrs. Price.

I am sorry, too.

I figured it out.

It comes to about $1.35.

If he brings my kids some soda,

That is about 80 cents.

Now, with quick figuring,

That comes to about $2.15, Miss Kabak.

That is plus tax.

You mean to tell me That is all he gives you,

$2.15?

How much do you get?

Where have you been?

Out.

I know you have been out.

I looked in the bed, and you wasn't there.

Now, where have You been?

I was with teddy--

I mean, abdullah.

What was you doing with Abdullah or what is his face?

Well, we went to this place--

Listen, don't "well" me, girl.

What were you doing?

He was teaching me how to meet people

and hold my liquor.

Where was this teaching Goin' on?

At the flamingo.

Mm-hmm.

Abdullah teach you anything about biology?

Mama, i'm not a baby anymore.

I know you're not a baby,

but you are not a woman, either.

I am nothing!

That is what i am.

I do not know nothing.

I do not have nothing.

I am nothing.

You are drunk, that is what you are.

Mama, i just feel hemmed in.

I wanna...

I wanna...

Mama, i do not know what i want to do.

Baby, you have got to be careful.

Do not jump so fast.

Do not you know If you make one mistake,

You are gonna pay a heavy price?

Please.

Charlene.

What is goin' on?

Your sister's vomiting.

Oh.

You sure do not hold your liquor too good.

I only had one lesson.

You love Roop, Mama?

Honey, i stopped using that word

a long time ago.

Do you love him?

Love is when a man brings the groceries

Instead of eating yours.

You gonna Marry him, Mama?

Oh, i do not know.

I have to have time.

I wanna find out if he is somebody

that i can depend on.

Can i sleep with you tonight, Mama?

Come on.

How much time, Mama?

About 5 years.

Lurlene, pull the covers over yourself, honey.

[slurps]

Caught you thinkin' again.

Hey, baby. We got this real sweet thing goin' on,

and it can go on forever like this,

far as i am concerned, so...

Do not look so down.

I am not down.

I do not know. It is just...

Just things.

Things, you know.

Charles doesn't want to go back to school.

Paul wants to quit school.

I am here with you,

I should be home with them.

I am home with them, i wanna be here with you.

It's...

I do not know, i

The kids are beginning to think i'm crazy.

You come in, and...

Bingo,

I go out.

You are just a great woman, that is all.

You just puttin' out for 'em all the time.

Oh ho, yeah.

Yeah, i'm putting out. you are right.

You got that right.

I am always putting out.

You know, i really don't want the kids to know, but...

Shit, i'm tired.

[sighs]

Honey, come on, i--

I want you to run me home, please.

Damn.

Damn.

It is like ballin' a married woman.

Oh, yes.

You got that right,

Because i am married.

I am married to the welfare man.

That is my husband.

He makes me beg for them pennies.

Starvation money.

If i can't feed my kids,

Heh, it is child neglect.

Go out and get myself a little job on the side,

If i do not tell him,

Then i'm cheatin'.

If i stay at home, Then i'm lazy.

You can't win.

Mister Welfare,

that is the nosiest husband in the world.

Whoo!

Mister Welfare.

Anything to divorce that bastard.

You divorce him, then your bread stops.

Then where are you?

Where am i now?

? so everyone should know ?

? i wanna hold on ?

? yeah, Claudine's gonna hold on ?

? hold on... ?

No!

Ow!

Oh!

What'd you hit that baby like that for?

Well, she took my--

Oh, i do not care what she did.

Do not you never hit that baby like that.

Shame on you.

You do not holler at Patrice when she hit me.

Big boy like you hitting that baby.

What happened, Baby, huh?

What happened?

Hey.

Come here.

I ain't gonna hit you.

Come here.

What you gonna be when you grow up?

Nothing.

You got to do something to make a living.

I do not know.

I wanna be invisible.

Invisible.

Why you wanna be that?

I do not know.

I guess that could be a lot of fun,

being invisible, hmm?

I see the invisible man on television.

Walks through walls and doors,

let's you see him, then disappear.

Anything he wanna do.

Mama come and spank me, i am gone.

What you doing now?

Drawing.

What?

A house in the country,

A mama, and a daddy.

Let me see.

Where is everybody?

Invisible.

Come on, 6.

Come on.

How you doin'?

What?

Come on, baby.

Come on, 6.

6, that is my point.

Man, i'll bet you a half i make a double 3.

Ooh, come on, baby.

You are doing good, huh?

Man, i've been lucky.

Your mama said you didn't wanna go back to school.

Come on, dice.

That is it, my 33.

I am ridin' it all.

Come on, baby.

2 right here.

Yes, Sir.

Game's getting big. Game's getting big.

Teacher embarrassed you in front of the class,

Says you didn't have no math retention.

8 is the point.

Yep, i sure hate to see a young fella missin' out,

not seeing all The good possibilities.

Possibilities, man?

Better myself, make money.

Come on, dice.

Yeah, the only guys i see

With money in their pockets

are called pimps and the number runners.

Come on dice.

Man, i crapped out.

Heh heh heh!

That is right!

I will take one of them.

Hey, i got a dollar on it.

Here, i'll take a dollar on it, too.

Them guys You talk about,

I know them.

Yeah, they are pimps and the numbers runners.

Shoot. After the fines

And the... and the payoffs

and time in jail, shoot, they lucky

To have enough money to eat on.

They poor, crime poor.

Hey, man, look, you gonna roll,

Or you gonna talk for us?

Ding-a-ling!

Let it ride, all of it!

Hoo! Come on!

Heh heh heh! Heh heh!

Craps, boy. that is half.

The point is...

You got to study and learn,

not for the money, but for yourself,

For the possibilities.

Dice!

Heh heh heh!

Otherwise, you are just another nigger on the hill.

Man, you bad. You bad, man.

Hey, wait, wait, wait. Those are my dice, man.

My pleasure.

Hey, let me have a dollar!

What is with you and Mama?

Oh, that is a me and Mama thing.

How much money you lose, dude?

I started out with 38,

Bet twice, and i let it roll.

Then i--lost the half,

Made 45, picked up a buck and a half,

and doubled it.

When you came in, i had 3 and a quarter.

You know what you just did?

You added, subtracted,

Multiplied, and divided

all in your woolly head,

so this shit about no math potential...

Boy, you get yourself back in school.

I catch you walking out on yourself,

i will kick your ass. there's your 35 cents.

Hey, man, you owe me 3 cents.

I'm looking for Charles Price.

I am his mother. He ain't been home for 3 days.

Charles Price? Mm-hmm.

Hey, anybody around here ever heard

of a guy named Charles Price?

[men mutter]

Never heard Of him, ma'am.

Look, uh, look,

I know that you have to be careful,

But i'm his mother, and i want to see him.

Ma'am, ain't nobody around here

ever heard of him.

You talk about serve The community.

Well, we're the community.

Listen, baby, ain't nobody around here

ever heard of no guy named Charles Price.

Listen, my friend,

you may be a black brother,

But this here lady is a black mother.

And if you don't Get her son to her,

one black brother gonna get the piss

Kicked out of him by a 200-pound

african garbageman.

Ok, ok.

Charles, you are Just asking for trouble.

You do not have to ask for that, Mama.

But that is better than doing nothing.

Existing, that-- That is humiliation.

These cops gonna beat your head in.

And they know they better hate me.

You want to get Killed, right?

Oh, Mama. You think i'm stupid?

I put my hand Under the knife, right?

You think i don't recognize danger?

You think i do not put no value on my life, right?

I do not understand you no more.

I just want to be free, Mama, that is all.

I think you going Crazy, Charles.

Oh, crazy, crazy.

Yeah, i'm crazy, all right.

I just want things to change.

I want to be able to feel

Like a real human being.

I want to be able to just breathe.

You know, sometimes,

I just start crying for no reason.

Oh, lord, sweet Jesus!

Roop, would you please say something to this boy?

Yeah, man, you say Something to me.

Tell me how niggers are supposed

To lay back and take shit.

Tell me how to sneak around and hide,

How to sit up like some goddamn dog

Begging when Welfare ladies come around.

Come on, tell me

all about that, Mr. Garbageman.

Charles! Do not you never talk like that to Roop!

You ain't got shit to say to me, man.

Ma, ma, the social Worker's here!

Oh, shit!

Get rid of this.

Lurlene.

Honey, get rid Of the TV and hide.

Francis.

[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings]

Mom, it is Miss Kabak The social worker.

Well, do not just stand there, honey.

Let her in.

Hello, Miss Kabak.

Hi, kids.

How are you, Miss kabak?

I am fine. And how Are you, Mrs. Price?

Oh, just fine, fine.

But, uh, you know, they haven't sent me

The authorization to buy the food stamps

for the past 6 months,

and then they cut me off for nonpurchase.

Now, Miss Kabak, why do they keep

Messing with me all the time?

Ah, because the system's One big screwup.

Well, i'm glad to hear you say it,

Cecause no one--

So you're the gentleman

That is been Keeping company here.

Oh, no, ma'am. I am just the garbageman.

Oh, well, may i have your name, please.

Simpson.

First name?

That is my first name.

Oh, your surname? X.

Simpson X what?

Simpson X. That is it. You have heard of Malcolm X?

I am Simpson X. Hey, say, listen,

i want to ask you something.

You are supposed to give aid

To dependent children, right?

Well, why do not you just go ahead

and give aid to The dependent children

instead of worrying about who the mother's

keeping company with.

Oh, let me straighten you Out on something, Mr. X.

There was a time we'd ask to use a bathroom

to see if there was a razor in the cabinet.

We do not do that anymore,

but we do have to know What is going on.

Do you live here Or elsewhere?

Is that a gift you're giving to the family?

Do you contribute in support Of this whole family?

Whoa, lady! You are gonna tell her

She can't have this set?

It didn't cost you and the city a damn dime,

But you're gonna tell her

She can't Have it, right?

Well, i didn't make The rules, sir.

I am only doing my job.

The welfare ain't doing nothing for me, lady.

But the Welfare is supporting Mrs. Price.

Supporting? It is supporting shit.

Yeah, he gave me this. He gave me this.

Yes, he gave it to me.

And he gave me this.

Now we have to hide This shit.

Do you believe Yes, he gave me this.

We have to hide this.

He gave us this, too, but it do not work.

That is right, and i have to hide my man

In the toilet. Miss Kabak, do you

Hide your man in the toilet?

Mrs. Price, we want to help, believe me.

We know that children Need a man in the house,

A woman needs a man in the house.

We do not insist people be married.

Do you mean you'd help a man move in

when he is not married to the mother?

That is right.

That is immoral.

We are trying to deal With the realities.

What kind Of example is that

To set for the children?

Oh, what kind of an example are you setting right now?

I ain't the government.

We'd love to see you get married.

Yeah, i am hip you would.

It would take the government

Off the hook and put me on.

Do not ask me Any more questions.

Charlene asked me if i loved you.

I didn't tell her that i'm too smart

To fall in love With anybody.

Heh.

What do you want With me, anyway?

I got 6 kids and aching feet.

I think you're a great woman.

Me?

I remember my Mama, Her kids.

Clean and wash and cooking, just...

doing it all for them children.

Last one in bed at night.

So weary,

she'd shake herself to sleep trembling.

It is not the work.

It is the worrying all the time,

the shitty neighborhood and the shitty school

and the shitty world.

No matter what i do...

Roop...

I think we are coming to the end of this project.

Cut it out.

Just facing reality.

Bullshit.

You know what my mama told me?

She told me lilies that fester

Stink worse than weeds.

Baloney.

You can talk a thing To death, you know.

When i look at you,

My teeth hurt.

What are you gonna do about it?

See a dentist?

Hmm.

What can we do?

Mmm. Ain't nothing We can do.

Yeah, i told you.

No, no.

It is too late for that...

Home and family stuff.

I made some bad mistakes,

bad moves In my time,

and you made some bad moves.

Can't make no more bad moves.

I am tired of you running me home

at 2:00 in the morning.

I keep telling the kids We've been out dancing.

I am faking it to them. I am faking it to myself.

Roop, i want to be with you,

and i want to know that you are there.

Uh-oh, uh-oh! Goddamn it!

Claudine, do not try to put me on Welfare.

You wouldn't be on no Welfare.

You'd be a nonrecipient.

They'd even cut me off.

Just...just the kids Would get the aid.

Roop, it wouldn't cost you no more

Than it is costing you right now.

Jesus Christ! Trying to put me on welfare.

"fill this out. Fill it out.

"when did you get The check stubs?

How much for the car? How much for the rent?"

You look up your asshole

to see if you got a dime hidden up there.

Shoot, i ain't putting up with that.

I put up with it!

Yeah, you have to put up with it

cecause you a woman, you had the kids.

I have to put up with it cecause i'm a woman,

I had the kids.

Claudine, they'd cut my balls off,

and you'd look at me and hate my guts.

I am hating your guts right now!

You men got some crazy ideas about being a man.

Fighting, beating up On somebody,

that makes you a man, right?

Screwing all the broads and making babies,

That makes you a man. Big man!

Nobody ain't gonna tell Rupert B. Marshall

How to spend his couple little shitty dollars.

You got some bad balls, Rupert.

I got better balls than you any day.

Damn it, Claudine! Now, listen!

You had it.

I ain't never gonna leave you.

And tomorrow, Me and you are gonna

go down to that goddamn welfare,

we are gonna talk about this goddamn thing

and try to goddamn work it out.

Oh, goddamn, Roop!

[sobs]

Goddamn.

Now, you understand that if you get married,

we might drop Mrs. Price from the program.

But this will be determined

after your financial status

has been computed by us.

It has nothing to do with aid to the children.

You understand?

Now, if you Will sign this statement

That shows your income and your expenses,

Mr. Marshall,

and get it back to me within 2 weeks.

Do you understand?

Yes, i understand all that, but listen.

I have got to ask you something, because, uh,

I got to think about this thing.

What happens If i lose my job?

If you are married, you must apply for welfare.

Oh, i must Apply for welfare?

You must apply for welfare.

Otherwise this would constitute

a misuse of A.D.C. Funds.

Which is fraud.

You understand?

If the husband's unwilling or unable

To make a contribution

equal to what It would cost him

to maintain an independent living arrangement,

he must apply for welfare.

Do you understand? Otherwise this would

Constitute a misuse of A.D.C. Funds.

Which is fraud.

Which Is misappropriation.

Which is fraud.

Right. Ok, now, wait.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute. Uh...

If i marry this lady, I want to make things better.

But if i spend a dollar on it,

You are gonna deduct it from her, right?

If i wanted to buy a little something extra,

You are gonna deduct it.

And i better report every penny i spend,

or else i'm a crook.

Ok, now, you say If i lose my job,

I must apply for welfare

because i can't just sit around

eating the government's biscuit.

Which is fraud.

It is cecause that's a fraud, right?

Ok, now, if i do go onto welfare,

Then i'm just another lazy-ass nigger

living off the taxpayer.

All right, now.

Suppose i do not marry this lady.

Now, if i move in with her and do not tell you,

then we're both crooks, right?

But if i do tell you,

then we are back to the income and the outcome

and the--and the deducting, and you drive me to drink!

And you call it fraud If i spend $7.00

for a bottle of whisky!

Come on, Claudine. let's get out of here.

You can't win.

You understand?

Fraud.

Fraud.

? keep away from me ?

? stay away from me, Mr. Welfare ?

Fraud!

You force a man out of the house

because it ain't Worth the crud

you gotta go through!

I guess i ain't.

Who says you ain't?

You bring the kids to my house saturday night,

and we'll make the announcement official.

? cut all my ties with him ?

? cecause this place, they make me sick ?

Fraud!

? ohh, oh, oh, oh, oh ?

? keep away from me ?

? Mr. Welfare ?

? didn't you hear me? ?

? do not come near me ?

? ooh ?

? Mr. Welfare ?

You follow me. that is enough of that.

Come on, ma.

? do not love my children ?

? and i'm mentally unfit ?

? i must divorce him ?

? cut all my ties with him ?

? cecause his ways, they make me sick ?

? so keep away from me ?

? ooh, ooh, Mr. Welfare ?

Claudine, Come on in.

Hey, come on.

Hey, in.

In!

Hurry up.

Inside.

Hey, man.

Hey, man, this building's full of whores, you know.

Yeah, that is why your mama Want me to move out.

Hey, hey!

Listen, uh, your mom and me

Got an announcement to make.

Oh, well, i guess y'all know what it is, anyway.

[all laugh]

Well, i'm gonna say it anyway.

[doorbell rings]

Yeah? Rupert B. Marshall?

Yeah.

This is for you.

"Willful neglect"?

What about the announcement?

Yeah!

"Willful."

Hey! Wait!

Wait!

What the hell Is this?

There's 60 bucks Missing.

Well, they garnisheed your salary.

What the hell are you talking about?!

I can't live Off of this!

Ah, i can't do nothin'.

Sell your car or something.

Sell my car?!

I am still paying for it!

I will sell your goddamn garbage truck!

Hey, what's going down, Roop?

Bitches!

Hey, roop, what Is wrong with you?

Look, court order.

Nonsupport Of my kids.

But you already paying for the kids.

Yeah, but they saying It is not enough.

Oh, and they garnisheed the shit out of me.

Oh, man.

[tires screech]

Just sit down.

Uh...i'll just set the table and--

No!

Sit down!

It is my damn dinner.

You mad at me for something?

No, it is my goddamn dinner!

What in the hell

are you acting like this for?

I am trapped!

Garnishee.

You and me.

Marriage.

It is just...

It is all a-- All a bunch of bullshit!

What the hell am i killing myself for?

Liftin' them damn cans all the goddamn day.

Why work? I am gonna quit!

Hate to see you in jail.

Jail, my ass!

I will leave town, that is all.

Yeah, thousands Of guys do it.

They quit the scene, change their name.

Yeah.

Find me, you mother!

Where you going?

Anywhere.

Chicago, detroit.

What you gonna do there?

Get a job.

A jo--man, You 40 years old!

What kind of job?

Any job.

Short-order cook, dishwasher,

Any kind of dirty, underpaid job. A job!

They are gonna find your ass.

Social Security.

Oh, yeah? Well, then, i will not work.

I will get me a hustle,

get me some broads.

Your kids are gonna love that.

Kids, have you heard? Daddy's gonna be a pimp.

How am i gonna pay all that money?!

I can't even pay for half the shit i got.

Oh, they think i must be a millionaire

Because i get $12,000 a year.

I will be lucky if i come home with 9!

Look at the mail i get!

Taxes!

Phone company, car payment,

Loan company.

Tomorrow is father's day.

Do you see any cards In there from my kids?

My kids that i may Have to go to jail for?

I am not supposed to tell you this,

But the kids are making all kinds of things

for you for father's day.

Lurlene got this rock, and she painted it

with a little funny face On the front of it.

You are gonna just...

Well, ain't that just a nice, happy father's day

from Lurlene.

I got 10,000 ways Of hurting,

and all 10,000 Is hurting.

Roop...

? keepin' our hearts together ?

? let us feel with love ?

? keepin' our hearts together ?

? with no temptation ?

? keepin' us lovin' ?

? keepin' us lovin', goin' on and on ?

Ok, who is having?

Ok.

? we gotta go ?

? on and on ?

? keep on movin' ?

? on and on ?

? keep on groovin' ?

You ready now.

Ok.

Can i have Some punch?

You may not have some.

[doorbell rings]

Hello.

Hi, Claudine.

How you doing?

Oh, girl, i told my Hector

You was giving this party for Mr. Marshall.

We had to come over and see.

Oh, but everything is so beautiful,

and i know Mr. Marshall is gonna love it--

Yeah. He didn't get here yet.

You know my daughter Charlene.

Come on, have something to drink.

I will be right back.

Oh, help yourselves.

? let's just Keep on movin' ?

? we are gonna make it through ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

Charles, would you put that back?

Goddamn, are we gonna wait all goddamn day for him?

Charles--hey.

? on and on ?

? on and on ?

Now, now.

[doorbell rings]

? you gotta groove, you gotta groove ?

? keep on groovin' ?

Hi, Claudine. How are you?

I am sorry i'm late.

Hey, you must be Roop.

No, this is Hector.

Right. My Hector.

Hi, Nancy. How are you?

[music stops]

Mama, it is 4:00. what you gonna do?

I do not know. He must've gotten hung up or something.

Well, what are you gonna do?

Just feed 'em!

Everybody, We are gonna eat.

Just wait a minute!

? huggin' and a-lovin ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? gettin' with The kissin' ?

? gettin' with The kissin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? huggin' and a-lovin', Gettin' with the kissin' ?

? gettin' with the kissin', Huggin' and a-lovin' ?

? feels like here Whenever you are near ?

Ma, can i go out? I'll stick around out front.

Ma, i gotta go. I got a meeting.

I will see you later.

Why do not you call him?

Uh-uh.

Maybe something happened to him.

Yeah, maybe he is sick.

I'm sorry.

That number has been disconnected.

Disconnected?

? to be invisible ?

? would be My claim to fame ?

? a girl with no thing ?

? that we all won't Have to feel the pain ?

? indispensable ?

? just a plain Old human being ?

? today do not mean a thing ?

? in a world that is so mean ?

? a world that seems not for me ?

? so privately I will be invisible ?

? that way, i will not have to explain a thing ?

? if you know What i mean? ?

? i will not even have to be here ?

? on the scene ?

? it is so ridiculous ?

? ooh ooh ooh ?

? but the strife and the bliss ?

? will blow right on through ?

? right on through me to have missed ?

? all the things that hurt you so ?

? no one would ever know ?

? they'd never know ?

[doorbell ringing]

You boys looking for Rupert?

Yeah.

He moved.

Moved? Where?

I do not know. I saw him

Take his things out this morning.

Let's go.

[tires screech]

[horn honks]

Did he call?

No.

? i have my reasons ?

? and they wonder why ?

? so there's a few tears, and sometimes i cry ?

Owen! Owen!

Ain't there nobody else in there?

No.

Well, you seen Roop?

Well, the supervisor say he called in sick.

Sick? Where is he?

Well, i do not know, but, uh, hey, look,

We only get 5 days Sick leave off a year,

So he gotta show up In the next few days.

If he does--

I will let you know.

? now he is so sweet ?

? and he is so kind ?

? the gentlest man a girl could ever find ?

? like everyone else, We often fight ?

? but there's nothing like ?

? makin' up all through the night ?

You know i knew the whole time.

I knew that nigger was gonna walk out on you.

I knew that!

It was your own damn fault.

That is right. Do not blame nobody but yourself.

You had the 6 kids.

That is right.

6 kids, that is right.

That is all i got in this world,

My children.

Aw, i hate them.

Get away from me, Charles!

I mean, i knew i had nothin',

But i have to share what i ain't got?

My son, the black revolutionary.

You ain't nothing but a snotnosed coward.

That is all you are.

Yeah, that is right.

Ain't that what you want me to be, Mama?

Why do you think Francis Is the way he is?

He is being exactly what you always wanted him to be:

Invisible.

You're a damn crybaby.

I do not know why you didn't kill me when i was born.

eOh, you talk crazier every day.

I mean, if you loved me,

You'd have killed me,

Like the women back on those plantations.

They killed their kids

So they wouldn't have to be slaves.

I guess i didn't love my children, right,

Cecause i wanted them to live.

Yeah.

So, you taught us to be afraid, right?

You better be afraid.

You better be afraid!

That world out there'll kill you!

I mean, how can frightened People change anything?

[sighs]

There ain't no other kind of people, Charles.

I am scared all the time, but i do my job.

If you ain't scared,

You do not have no need for guts!

What you gonna do now?

I am gonna get some sleep,

and i'm going to work tomorrow.

Well, as you crawl into bed,

You take a look at Charlene's tits.

Good night, grandma.

Charlene! You goddamn whore!

What?!

Charlene! Mama!

Mama... Mama...

Mama, don't! Mama, don't!

You...goddamn...tramp!

You goddamn tramp!

[charlene yelling]

[sobbing]

[coughing]

Ok.

Ok. It is ok.

Ok.

What are you gonna do?

Get married and, uh...

We'll both work.

You will both work?

Together you will make one salary.

And when the baby comes,

there'll be 3 people living on half a salary.

That is the half you can't even count on.

[sniffles]

Abdullah says that--

Abdullah says?

Abdullah's full of crap, that is what he is.

He is just like all them other black studs.

He is full of crap!

Mama...

Black men have made great contributions.

[sniffles]

George Washington Carver...

W.E.B. Dubois...

Frederick Douglass...

Well, ain't it just too damn bad

You didn't get your ass knocked up

By Frederick Douglass.

[car horns honking]

Why do not you talk about it, honey?

You do not have to say a word.

It is him. I know.

Cut out on you, didn't he?

Mm-hmm. Gone.

Didn't say a word, just gone.

Uh-huh, that is it. They do it.

Dogs.

That is what mine did.

You know, black men are very flexible.

Leave town on a moment's notice.

I do not even know where he is.

That is right. I made up my mind

6 months ago.

It is just gonna be me and the children.

Wherever he is, i hope the good lord

Kicks him in the head.

Well, now, i say it is much better

to have a dirty pair of pants to wash

Than no pants at all.

[all laughing]

Hi, mom.

Hey, mom, Charles locked us out.

What is the matter with you?

Nothing.

Well, what are you doing in here

Lyin' in francis' bed?

I am all right, Mama.

Just leave me alone, all right?

Charles...

You know, i am your mother.

Can't we have a conversation once

without having an argument?

I asked you what's the matter with you.

I had a slight operation.

Operation?

A vasectomy.

Throws you, do not it, huh?

One little cut, and no babies.

You see?

Oh, my god, Charles. You mean you--

Did you have yourself fixed?

Oh, lord, i know you goin' crazy.

You gave up your manhood?

Oh, mama!

Manhood is not between the legs!

Oh.

What'd he write?

Ooh, Charles had his thing cut off.

He did not! Francis, you are full of shit!

He said he told Mama.

You heard him wrong.

Charles wouldn't do a thing like that.

He might. He is crazy.

But how could you do something so stupid?

Get outta here, man.

Hey, can i get you something?

No, just get out.

How about a drink of water?

I do not want nothin' from you, man.

Just get outta here.

Stupid little kid.

Hey, charles, did you cut your dick off?

Mama, will you get this little dude

Outta here, man?

Paul!

It is there. I saw it.

He didn't cut his dick off.

Charles, you think you are so cool.

Had yourself fixed, right,

So you would never give no woman a baby.

You did it to yourself. Gonna make a revolution.

That is what mr. Whitey does to the black man.

He cuts off his manhood.

But you did it to yourself!

Just like roop is doin' to himself.

Oh, he is doing what?

He is given up, throwin' it in.

Life is over. Forgettin' it!

Man, look, he was bad news.

You much better off without him.

Do not you never tell me when i'm better off.

Do not you never tell me that!

You did it to yourself,

But do not you never tell me

When i lose something that is goddamn special

That i'm better off.

Look, i only meant--

I do not give a shit what you meant!

Choir, ? Where you are ?

? Thank you, lord ?

? Thank you, lord ?

? We want to be where you are, lord ?

? Praise to the lord ?

I wanna testify.

? I want to save my struggling brothers ?

brothers and sisters,

i want to testify,

Cecause the lord spoke to me.

Yeah, yeah. the lord spoke to you.

I ain't puttin' you on.

I believe you, baby!

Well, what'd he say?

He spoke to me.

Yeah, he said,

"Baby..."

Baby?

Yeah!

The lord said, "baby, cheer up.

It could get worse."

I cheered up, and the lord was right.

It got worse.

Yeah, he said, "Baby,"

He said,

"listen here. I tell you what.

I will give you ultimate happiness..."

Happiness!

Yeah! Happiness!

"Up there." Shit.

Oh, go on home, you drunken bum.

How's the revolution coming?

I told you once, man, my mama cries,

It is gonna cost you some blood.

Oh, yeah.

I remember that.

I am talkin' to you, man.

Excuse me.

[clears throat]

Excuse me.

I said i'm talkin' to you, man.

Claudine is better off without me.

Shit, man. Get up, man.

What can i give her? nothing.

She is really miserable, huh?

Well, i'm not exactly singin' for joy.

You can tell her that.

Tell her yourself, you son of a bitch.

Ok.

Ok.

Let me go, man!

Ok, ok.

You proved your point. You proved your point.

Let me go, all right?

Just let me go.

? Hold him, hold him, hold him ?

? yeah, hold on. Uh-huh ?

? yeah ?

? like everyone else, we fuss and fight ?

? But there's nothing like making up ?

? All through the night ?

? Through the night ?

? I love him so, and everyone ought to know ?

? I want to hold on longer ?

? Claudine, you better hold on tonight ?

What is going on?

? hold him, hold him ?

? allow him to look

? So long as he doesn't touch ?

? Cecause you are no different than any other girl ?

? Your man is the same as every man in the world ?

? A man can go astray ? you are gonna hold on ?

Think i'm shit?

Yes, i do.

The kids think i'm shit?

That is right.

[sighs]

Well, i'm on my way.

Where?

I do not know, but it seems

Like i'm always runnin' away from kids.

Oh, the joys of fatherhood.

[sighs]

I tell ya, i never got up to that part.

Just 'cause you are the papa,

You got to put up or shut up.

If you ain't got the cash, you can just forget it.

You do not have to explain to me.

All right, but i sure have to explain to these kids.

Say, well, looky here, yeah.

All right, kids. Good news.

Got this good job down in st. Louis,

and, uh, everything work out all right,

why, no time flat,

i will be back...

and you don't believe it, do ya?

Yeah, you are all mad at me, right?

Yeah, well, you look like

You have been suckin' On vinegar.

But there's one thing you'd better know.

And that is...

That i love all of y'all.

If you dig us so much,

Then why didn't you come to the party?

Oh, why didn't i come to the party?

Yeah, he is just like my daddy.

He like all the daddies.

They say they love ya. Then they do not come around.

Listen, can i explain

Something to you about being a daddy?

The daddy is the breadwinner.

You dig what i'm sayin'?

and if you do not win that bread,

you just don't come around.

It just takes a lot of money to be a daddy,

And i ain't got it.

You still want me to marry your mama, huh?

You still want it, right?

Well, how am i gonna do that?

I mean, it is a big load.

Charles and charlene are moving out.

There'll only be 4 of us.

Francis eats invisible food.

[all laughing]

Francis...

[all laughing]

Oh, Francis.

yeah.

[clears throat]

[clears throat]

Dearly beloved,

We are gathered together here

to join these two in holy matrimony.

Where is Charles?

I do not know.

Would you repeat after me, please?

I, Rupert, take thee Claudine...

I, rupert, take thee Claudine.

Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare--

[chanting stops]

Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare...

[police whistles blowing]

[siren blaring]

Claudine, will thou have this man

To thy wedded husband,

To live together after god's ordinance

In the holy state of matrimony?

I will.

Come on, stop! Hold it!

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

You will.

You will.

I will.

I will.

[clears throat]

Who is there? Who is that?

Kiss the bride!

What is going on?

? oh, yeah ?

You are under arrest!

Charles!

? no superstar ?

? I love you just the way you are ?

? so will not you make yours a happy home? ?

? make yours a happy home ?

? I love you out of sight ?

? I wanna be What pleases you ?

Roop!

? so long as there is peace with you ?

? that is all i can do ?

? so let us make yours a happy, happy home ?

? make yours a happy... ?

Where the hell you think you are going?

With my husband!

where you going, young lady?

With my mother!

? we can do it now, baby ?

? doo doo doo doo ?

? doo doo doo ?

? oh, oh, oh yeah ?

? yeah ?

? with the love inside ?

? i got a happy cry ?

? all of my will ?

? has made me awake ?

? i've got love today ?

? so let's make yours a happy home ?

? make yours a happy home ?

? doo, doo doo doo ?

? doo doo doo ?

? we can do it, uhh ?

? we can do it now, baby ?

? doo, doo doo doo ?

? doo doo doo ?

? yeah ?

? i get full of pride ?

? and so sanctified ?

? you do not have to be for me ?

? no superstar ?

? I love you just the way you are ?

? so will not you make Yours a happy home? ?

? make yours a happy home ?

? we can do it, oh, baby ?

? we can do it together ?

? whoo, baby ?

? we can make it ?

? whoo, baby ?