Original subtitles

[Gladys Knight] J' How can / J'

J' Work out this sweet relation J'

[Gladys Knight and the Pips] J' Let us deal with love J'

J' Keep/n' our hearts together J'

J' I/I//th no temptation J'

J' Keep/n'us /0v/n' J'

-[The Pips] J' Hugg/n'and a-lov/h' J' -[Knight] J' Hugg/n'and a-lov/h' J'

- J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J' - J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

- J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J' - J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

- J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J' - J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J'

- J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J' -[Knight] Oww!

[The Pips] J' Gett/n' with the k/ss/n' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

J' Hugg/n ' and a-lo v/n' J'

J' Tears / fear whene ver you 're near J'

J' St/ck/fil/ke glue lkeep a-/0 v/n' you J'

- J' On and 0n J' - Hey!

[Knight] J' On and 0n J'

- J' Oh, keep 0n m0 v/n' J' -[The Pips] J' On and 0n J'

[Knight] J' We gotta move We gotta groove J'

- J' Keep 0n groo v/n'! -[The Pips] J' On and 0n J'

[Knight] J' On and 0n J'

- Ow! J' We gotta groove J' -[The Pips] J' On and 0n J'

[Knight] J' On and 0n J'

- J' Keep 0n groo v/n' J' -[The Pips] J' On and 0n J'

[Knight] J' Hey, hey, hey J'

J' On and 0n J'

J' Let us deal with love J'

J' Keep/n' our hearts together J'

J' I/I//th no temptation J'

J' Keep/n' us a-lo v/n' J'

J' Keep/n' us a-lo v/n' J'

J' Go/n' 0n and 0n J'

- J' On and 0n J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' On and 0n J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' We gotta g0 J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' Keep 0n m0 v/n' J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' Keep 0n groo v/n' J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' On and 0n J' - J' On and 0n J'

J' We gone J'

- J' On and 0n J' - J' / want t0 know J'

{chafiefing] -[woman] Hi.

- Lord, I almost missed it. -[woman 2] Yeah, all right.

[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've been actin' so nervous and jumpy. What is it?

I don - I ain't been sleepin' lately. Honest. And I get these headaches.

I keep layin' there thinking maybe I'm going crazy.

Lord, maybe I always been crazy!

No, honey. I know what's wrong with you.

You didn't have your cereal.

- But I don't ever eat no cereal. - Well, that's it!

- You didn't have your cornflakes. -[all laughing]

Girl, don't you know a woman has to have her vitamin F?

I've been fooling myself about that for a long time, honey.

Long time.

But I can't be sleeping around '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. -[laughter continues]

-[passengers chattering] -[woman] Bye.

- Remember now, you need the vitamin. - Oh, get out!

[engine idling]

[compactor clanking]

- Good morning, Mr. Winograd. - Good morning, Claudine. How are ya?

- Fine. - How are the kids?

Just fine.

-[laughs] - 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, when the Germans don't want to have anything to do with the United States,

I mean, well, that's scary.

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.

[giggles]

Say, uh, tell the man that, uh...

I'm not taking this one.

Oh, Lord. Now, that's sure gonna make him mad.

Yeah, I guess so. [laughs]

You do look fine today. Course, you look fine all the time.

You know, I know I'm just an ugly old, smelly old garbageman,

but you see me all cleaned up, you won't believe your eyes.

-[9i99le$] - Say, you know,

I've been studyin' on takin' you out for a long time.

What about that, girl?

No, I don't think so.

Oh, you don't want me to beg ya, do you, baby?

No.

Oh, you're afraid that I'll think you're too easy if you say "yes" right away, huh?

It's just that I don't go out.

But that's ridiculous. I ain't gonna bite you.

[laughing]

I'm very sociable most of the time.

I'll pick you up at 7:00. Where do 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're 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, what about this one?

Sir, we're 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's not that heavy. - Sir!

I've been doing this for 13 years. You gonna tell me what's heavy?

Yeah, but what am I supposed to do with this stuff?

You take some of that,

put it in here, we pick it up on the swing back.

Okay?

How's that?

Hey, um -

Wait a minute!

Wait a minute!

It's 139 Edgecombe Avenue.

My name is Claudine. Claudine Price!

Rupert P. Marshall. 7:00!

[chattering, faint]

[jazz playing, faint]

[small dog barks]

-[doorbell rings] -[dogs barking]

-[TV: man talking] - Hi, sugar.

- Miss Claudine Price live here? - Yeah. Who are you?

My name is Rupert P. Marshall. What's yours?

- Patrice. - Patrice?

Oh, yeah, like, uh, Patrice Lumumba.

No, like Patrice Price.

Yeah, right. That's a pretty name. Your mama home?

- No. - Where is she?

- I don't know. - Mind ifl come in and wait?

Mama said never let nobody in when she ain't home!

Ah! Look, I'm sorry.

- Oh! - No, don't sweat it.

Your daughter wouldn't let me in. But that's all right. I dig that.

Listen, I'm 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'm sorry.

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

[chuckles] No! Me and you got a date.

I've got the chefs waiting.

Listen, by the time I get all cleaned up, it's gonna be too late.

Oh, no, look here. J-Just take your sweet time.

Because I don't have to meet that mule till 5:30 tomorrow morning.

- You - -[both laughing]

Okay. All right.

-[orchestral music playing] -[children talking]

-[doorbell rings] -[boy] Sit down.

- Hey, baby. - Hi, Mom.

- How come you're so late? - Hi, Mom.

Mama, I gotta go to toilet! I gotta go to toilet!

- How no one took this child to the toilet? -[Patrice] Charles is in the bathroom.

[Claudine] Tell him to come out. Lurlene's got to go.

[Patrice] He's 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 won't let me in. He's naked! - Pau -

Charles. Charles, come out of there.

Lurlene's gotta go to the bathroom, and I have to take a bath!

[Charles] Goddamn! Can't a man get one minute in this house?

A man, my ass! I said you get your butt out of there!

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 out that bathroom!

Mama! Mommy, you gotta sign this.

- The class goin' on a trip. - Oh, not now, darlin'. Later.

- Did anybody clean that kitchen? - I cleaned it, Mama.

- No, she didn't. I cleaned it. - I cleaned it!

-[Claudine] Okay! - Put that back on.

- We were watchin' that! -[children shouting]

Charlene, put that back on.

Mama, they rootin' for Tarzan.

He up there fightin' a thousand blacks, and they up there screamin',

"Kick the shit out of 'em, Tarzan!"

Don't you dare use none of that street language in my house.

-[switch clicks] -[TV: orchestral music playing]

Where do you think you goin' all dressed up?

- A date. - You ain't goin' nowhere, miss.

Mama, Patrice can babysit.

Babysittin' ain't got nothin' to do with it.

Mama, I told Abdullah I was gonna meet him at -

- Who the hell is Abdullah? - Teddy. He changed his name.

I don't care what you told Teddy or Abdullah, l-

Listen, if I find out that you been sneakin' out and seein' what's-his-name

and smokin' that marijuana, any of that - I mean it -

black won't be so beautiful no more.

You just afraid I'll come home pregnant. You make me sick.

I ain't nothin' but a goddamn babysitter around here.

Charlene, don't you be talking down in your throat to me.

[TV: Tarzan yodeling]

Charles, do you think you own that bathroom?

-[TV: elephant trumpeting] -[TV: Tarzan continues yodeling]

You get out of there.

- Damn. Wall-to-wall niggers. - Charles. This is Mr. Marshall.

Yeah. [scoffs]

[TV: dramatic music playing]

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, don't do that. You'll electrocute yourself.

Oh, well, your son just broke the toaster.

I was makin' a melted cheese sandwich.

- I forgot. {chafiefing]

Aw, don't tease him. Now, don't -

Don't - I said don't tease him!

Ow. That hurt.

Lurlene, please leave him alone.

God -

Mr. Marshall, it's blown.

We just better forget it. I'm 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'm funky, and -

I'm the expert on funky. You smell like a field of flowers to me.

Ain't no more hot water.

Plenty hot water at my place. Just grab a dress and let's split.

- Mommy, you goin' away? - You just got home.

- Are you goin' out with him? -[Paul] Where's 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's goin' with me, and she gonna have a good time.

Can you dig that?

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

It's gonna wind up chicken anyway.

Mama, don't come home pregnant.

[Tarzan yodeling]

[horn honking]

What's the matter? You don't like my hat?

Shoot. Just paid $12 for it.

Oh, you're studying me.

You're wondering what are the possibilities of continued growth?

Roop, how come you settle for being a garbageman?

I know you smarter than that.

ShooL I been smarter than anyjob 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.

[Claudine laughs]

[woman] Hey, Roop. What's goin' down?

-[woman] Hi, Rupert. - Hi, sweetheart.

-[woman 2] Hey, man. - Hi, darlin'.

- Hey, Roop. - Hi, babe.

Some of the tenants are working girls, but it's a nice building.

We get a... better class of cockroaches.

[child wailing, faint]

It's very nice.

[gasps]

Milhous, you little son of a bitch.

Get lost. We got company.

{beadsrafiHng] - Jeez.

[chuckling]

[clears throat] We'll get you a hot bath going,

and the restaurant is just around the corner.

[beads rattling]

Listen, I'll do that.

Don't you get enough of this?

[water running]

Would you like a bubble bath?

Yeah.

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

- Are you pullin' my '99? - 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.

[laughing] Powderin' their legs and powderin' their back.

And every chick I ever knew said "shut the door."

naughs]

Uh, when I get to know you better.

Maybe. I said maybe.

Sure, sure.

[laughing]

[water stops running]

[stereo: "The Makings of You" by Gladys Knight and the Pips playing]

J' Add a little sugar J'

J' Honeysuckle and J'

J' A great b/g express/on 0f happiness J'

J' Boy, you couldn't miss J'

J' With a dozen roses J'

J' Such would astound you J'

J' The joy 0f children Laughing around you J'

J' These are the makings 0f you J'

J' It is true J'

J' The makings 0f you J'

Claudine, you all right?

Hey, you drowned?

[knocking]

Claudine?

Oh.

Hey. What ya hidin' that for? That's beautiful.

So, listen,

I know you're too tired to go to the restaurant,

so why don't I just call out and get some fried chicken?

Don't forget to order the french fries.

656-8556.

That's right. You got that?

Okay, listen, please tell Charles to have the kids in bed...

in about ten minutes.

No, that's includin' you.

Listen here, Patrice, if you decide to stay up, you gonna get a lickin'.

- You hear me? -[Patrice] Yes.

- Okay. - Good n/ght.

Yeah.

[cork pOPSI

Yeah, just, uh - [clears throat]

So, uh...

what, you about 30?

Thirty? Didn't you see my big boy? I got a boy 18.

Oh. Well, you know, some girls have babies when they're 13, 12.

- Hmm, well, I was 18. -[clears throat]

Oh, you're 36?

Holy Christ.

How'd you wind up with six kids?

Well, haven't you heard about us ignorant black bitches,

always got to be layin' up with some dude,

just grindin' out them babies for the taxpayers to take care of?

[scoffs] I get 3O bucks apiece for them kids.

Oh, I'm livin' like a queen on welfare, you know.

Y-You're jumpy-

Well, my kids are fine. You don't need to be worried about my kids.

I'm not worried about your kids. Not my problem.

I get that shit all the time from welfare. Always asking me to apologize for my kids.

I don't have to explain that to nobody. You just pushed the wrong button.

Okay, I was just - just asking.

[clears throat]

You know, I had two marriages and two almost-marriages.

Groovy. I had a couple of 'em myself.

Well, how come you don't have no kids, a man your age?

Well, I got, uh, two boys in Ohio, with my first wife, and, uh -

Uh-huh, uh-huh.

[clears throat] And a little girl in, uh, Louisville

with my second wife's mother.

Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

- May I ask you something? - Mm-hmm.

You've got a hell of a nerve asking me about my six kids.

Do you ever see your kids?

- No. - Uh-huh.

- You don't even see your own children? - You know us black studs. No feelings.

Knock 'em up and leave 'em, heartless, don't give a shit if the children starve.

Now you pushin' on my button, lady.

[muttering] Pushing 'em...

- You want me to tell you somethin'? - Mm-mmm.

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

Well, I think you and me is definitely right for each other.

Oh, yeah, just perfect. Perfect.

That's right. That's right. See, um...

we've both been through a lot of different love projects, and, um,

we're older, we're 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 don't understand each other one damn bit.

[snickers] You...

-[loud snap] - What was that?

- What was what? - That noise.

Oh.

Mousetrap.

I think Milhous got it.

- Oh. - Oh, Claudine, you're so beautiful.

Roop, would you get rid of him?

- Get rid of who? - It.

Oh, yeah.

L will, baby.

Roop.

Roop, would you please do it now?

- Now? - Now.

[Claudine moans]

Roop, please.

Please.

- Oh, you mean Milhous? - Yes.

He'll keep till morning.

Roop - [sobs]

Roop, I'm gonna just keep seein' him in there.

[whimpers]

[ROOD groans]

[Splash]

[toilet flushing]

You wash your hands?

[water running]

[sighs]

[phone ringing]

- Hello? - This is Char/es. /s my mother there ?

Yes, she is.

Claudine!

Hello?

- Yeah, what is it, Charles? - Pau/is at it again.

- Uh-huh. - Leth/'n1 tell you what he's do/n'.

- He is playing with himself - Paul's in the bathroom doing what?

Now, how would you know that unless you looked through the keyhole?

How would you know he's playin' with himself?

Charles, you the one always complainin' about privacy.

- Right. Now, nobody ever snitched on you. -[Charles protests, indistinct]

Don't be botherin' me, Charles, unless it's important.

Thank you.

[dial tone]

- What's the matter, baby? -[sighs]

I just can't turn my brain off. I can't stop thinkin'.

Even when I'm sleepin', I'm just thinkin'.

Vvannaleave?

No.

I want you. I do.

But my mind keeps -

[sighs] I keep thinkin' to myself...

"lt's not fair to him. Fake it."

- But I can't do that. - Hey, I'm glad.

Don't ever fake it.

If you do, I'll know it.

No,no,no.

Don't ever fake anything.

Me and you, we're way past all that horseshit.

Hmm?

Hmm?

[moans]

'[phOne fin - _Oh! Sling]

[sighs]

What do you want?

-[woman] H1; honey. - What?

-[woman] What? - Yeah, who - who's speak -

Wh - This is Claudine.

This is Shir/e y. Who are you? /s this 656-8556?

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

- Oh. Sony. - Yeah.

Oh, please, just hold me.

Hold me nice.

[sighs]

- Roop? 'Hmm?

Who's Shirley?

[Gladys Knight] J' ltis been a miracle J'

J' For what you've done J'

J' Please stay r/ght by my side J'

J' Two can be one The righteous way t0 g0 J'

J' Little one would know J'

It'd be nice just to sit here and watch the sun come up.

Roop, how you gonna work today? You're gonna be dead tired.

Oh, no. I'll be all right.

[Claudine laughs]

Lord, I guess I better be gettin' on inside.

I don't wanna give these nosy neighbors nothin' to gossip about.

[song continues playing]

Well...

good night.

Or good morning.

Uh - [clears throat] Listen, uh, wait. [chuckles]

See, we got a real sweet project going, so let's, uh -

let's be straight.

Well, we're straight.

We're straight. We just enjoy each other till it's over.

Nice goodbye. Nice memories.

'Cause there's nothing else. We both know that, right?

That's right.

-[Claudine sighs] - But, hey, listen. [chuckles]

- I wanna see you tonight though. - N - No. No.

I - I can sneak a little catnap during the day, but...

you're gonna be tired.

- Let's forget about tonight. - Hey.

You gotta make the best of each day,

because, uh, when you're dead, life isn't worth living, you know.

Okay, okay.

I'll see you later.

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's so wrong with a garbageman? - Don't they stink sometimes?

No, they don't stink all the time. You better mind your mouth.

What time did you get home, Mama?

How much money does a garbageman make?

- Why don't you ask him? - Never ask nobody how much they make.

What time did you get home?

4:00 in the morning, with chicken on her breath.

You gonna marry the garbageman, Mama?

Oh, Patrice, I went out with the man one time.

What do you do with a garbageman till 4:00 in the morning?

- I hope you don't marry him. -[Claudine] And why not?

-'Cause we got enough kids around here. -[Charles] Pass the milk.

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! -[all shouting]

Take that hat off in the house!

- Patrice, you - - Did you make it with him?

- Charles, that's none of your business. -lt is our business.

One thing we don't need around here is another nigger.

It's disgusting, anyway.

- A woman her age. -l'm 36.

That's nine times what?

- It's 36, and it ain't old. -lt's too old to be messin' around.

Oh...

That dude'll give you a baby and disappear like those other niggers you had.

Charles, I don't wanna hear no more about it, and I mean that.

[Charles scoffs]

[stereo: R & B music playing]

-[doorbell rings] - Whoo!

-[doorbell rings twice] - Whoo!

-[music stops] - What is the matter with you?

Don't you hear the damn doorbell?

- What bell? - I didn't hear no bell.

-[TV: theremin warbling] - Roop, come in.

- This bell. -[doorbell rings]

I didn't hear no damn bell.

[Paul] I ain't heard no bell.

- Charles, you hear a bell? - No, I ain't heard nothing.

[Patrice] The TV was on, anyway.

- Mommy, I heard - - Shh! Sit still.

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

[TV: instrumental fanfare]

[Popeye] And one more thing.

Before we sai/s upon this most peri/ous voyage of our /ives,

/ wishes to propose a toast.

- A toast t0 one who has... -[bells clanging outside]

-[TV: Popeye continues speaking] - Hi, kids.

Hey, here comes the ice cream man.

[dialogue on TV continues]

- How do you know that? -[Francis] Can't you hear them bells?

Don't ask Mama for no money. She always say, "l ain't got it."

Man, is my mouth quiverin' for some of that fine ice cream.

Please?

[sighs] on, boy.

[grunts] How much is ice cream?

Twenty cents.

Wait a minute!

Get, uh...

six.

Five.

Five.

- What you gonna buy me, Mr. Marshall? -[door closes]

I don't know. What do you want?

Nothin' you got.

Well, maybe your mama needs something I got.

Mr. Marshall...

every tear 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 y'all going? -lt's the bell.

I don't hear no bell. What bell? Do you hear a bell?

No, I didn't hear nothin'.

It's Francis with the ice cream.

[doorbell rings twice]

- How come you hear that bell? - Yeah, okay, okay.

We get it, smart-ass.

[man] Six kids in four rooms?

Man, see, you're just too young.

You ain't got enough experience to know that I've struck gold.

Woman with six kids and no man, she's gotta knock herself out for me.

I know what you're talkin' about. I can understand that.

But, uh, she got big boys, man.

When you get in an argument with a woman,

you don't want her to have no allies over the age of four.

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, y-y-you take a chick out, it gonna cost you half a 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's a straight, solid broad, too.

I bet she gonna control them boys. I bet she's tellin' them right now.

-"You all be nice to Mr. Marshall." - Oh, man.

She's 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' okay.

Yeah, but she only getting welfare if she stays alone, man.

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

Them welfare people gonna find out, then you gonna be the man.

The welfare man.

["Mr. Welfare Man" playing]

Ma, she's coming up the stoop. The social worker.

[The Pips] J' Keep away from J'

J' Mister Welfare J'

[Gladys Knight] J' The y just keep 0n sa yin' J'

J' I'm a lazy woman J'

J' Don 't love my ch/Ydren J'

J' And I'm mental/y unfit J'

J' Imus! divorce him J'

J' Cut all my ties with him J'

J' 'Cause his ways, they make me sick J'

J' ltis a hard, hard, hard sacrifice J'

[The Pips] J' A hard sacrifice J'

[Gladys Knight] J' N01 having me a /0 v/n'man J'

[doorbell rings]

J' Society ga ve us no choice J'

J' Tried t0 silence my voice J'

- J' Push/n'me 0n the welfare J' - J' On the welfare J'

It's Miss Kabak, Mama.

Charlene, don't just stand there. Let her in.

J' I'm t/y/n' t0 prove my equal r/ghts J'

Hello, Charles.

J' Though /'ve made some mistakes For goodness ' sakes J'

[song continues playing]

Uh, hello there, Miss Kabak. I'm sorry. I didn't hear the door.

- Children, would you cut that music down? {shoufing]

- Just turn it down. -[volume lowers]

Hello, Mrs. Price.

- Hi. - How ya been?

Oh, grand. Livin' like a queen.

- Mrs. Price, have you been working? - No.

Because if you have, I have to know.

- Otherwise, you get into trouble. - No, I ain't been workin'.

You know I'm 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 don't know about it, you'll be in all kinds of trouble.

So, if you've 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've been sleeping with a man and he's been giving you things,

I'm sorry, but I have to know.

Do you sleep with a man?

- That's none of your business. -lt's none of your business either.

You're wrong, Mrs. Price. lt is our business.

This man may be bringing things into your home which you may not be deducting.

You know I have to deduct you on those things.

What things? What things, damn it?

You have a man 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 two left, Miss Kabak. Would you like a beer?

I'm sorry, Mrs. Price.

I'm sorry, too. I figured it out. lt comes to about $1.35.

If he brings my kids some soda, that's about 8O cents.

Now, with quick figuring, that comes to about $2.15, Miss Kabak.

That's plus tax.

You mean to tell me that's all he gives you? $2.15?

[exhales] How much do you get?

[vehicle brake squeaking]

[vehicle door closes]

[vehicle departs]

- Where have you been? - Out.

I know you've 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 doin' with Abdullah or what's-his-face?

Well, we went to this place -

Listen, don't "well" me, girl. What were you doin'?

He was teachin' 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're not a woman either.

I'm nothin'! That's what I am.

I don't know nothin'.

I don't have nothin'. I'm nothin'!

You are drunk. That's what you are.

[sobs] Mama, ljust feel hemmed in.

I wanna - [sobs]

L-l wan - [sobs]

Mama, I don't know what I wanna do!

Baby, you've got to be careful.

Don't jump so fast.

Don't you know if you make one mistake, you're gonna pay a heavy price?

{gasps} - Please.

-[vomiting] - Charlene.

[coughing]

What's goin' on?

Your sister's vomitin'.

- Oh. {gasping}

Oh, God. You sure don't hold your liquor too good.

[gasps] I only had one lesson.

'[9 FQHHS] - Oh!

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?

[sighs] Oh, I don't know.

I have to have time.

I wanna find out if he's somebody that I can depend on.

Can I sleep with you tonight, Mama?

Come on.

How much time, Mama?

About five years.

[giggles]

[Claudine] Lurlene, pull the covers over yourself, honey.

[slurps]

I caught you thinkin' again.

Hey, baby.

We got this real sweet thing goin' on, and it can go on forever like this,

as far as I'm concerned, so don't look so down.

I'm not down.

I don't know. It's just -

just things.

Things, you know.

Charles doesn't wanna go back to school. Paul wants to quit school.

I'm here with you. I should be home with them.

I'm home with them, I wanna be here with you. It's...

I don't know, I -

The kids are beginning to think I'm crazy.

You come in, and - [snaps]

Bingo, I go out. [chuckles]

You're a great woman. That's all. You just puttin' out for 'em all the time.

Oh, yeah. [laughs]

Yeah, I'm puttin' out. You're right. You got that right.

I'm always puttin' out.

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's like balling a married woman.

[laughs] Yes. You got that right.

'Cause I am married. I'm married to the welfare man.

That's my husband.

Makes me beg for them pennies.

A little starvation money.

And ifl can't feed my kids...

[scoffs] it's child neglect.

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

If I don't tell him...

then I'm cheatin'.

Ifl stay at home, then I'm lazy.

You can't win.

Mr. Welfare, that is the nosiest husband in the world.

[Roop chuckles]

Ugh!

Mr. Welfare.

I'd give anything to divorce that bastard.

You divorce him, then your bread stops. Then where are you?

Where am I now?

["Hold On" by Gladys Knight and the Pips playing]

J' So eve/yone should know / wanna ho/d on J'

J' That Claudine is gonna ho/d 0n J'

J' Ho/d 0n J'

[Lurlene] Ow!

'OW! [Crying] {gasps}

What'd you hit that baby like that for?

- Well, she took my - - I don't care what she did.

Don't you never hit that baby like that. Shame on you.

You don't holler at Patrice when she hit me.

Big boy like you hittin' 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 gotta do something to make a living.

I don't know.

I wanna be invisible.

Invisible?

- Why you wanna be that? - I don't know.

I guess that could be a lot of fun, being invisible, hmm?

[Francis] I see the Invisible Man on television.

Walks through walls and doors. Lets you see him, then disappear.

Anything he wanna do.

Mama, come and spank me. I'm 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, six.

- Come on. - I don't see it. Come on.

- How you doin'? - What?

-[Roop] Easy. - Come on, six.

- All right. - Six. That's my point.

Man, I'll bet you a half I make a double three.

- Ooh, come on, baby. - You're doing good, huh?

Man, I've been lucky.

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

Come on, dice.

- That's it, my 33. I'm ridin' it all. {chafiefing]

- Come on, baby. - All right.

- Two right here. - Yes, sir. Big.

-It's getting big. - Yeah.

Teacher embarrassed you in front of the class,

says you didn't have no math potential.

- Eight is the point. - Come on, double fools.

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, only guys I see with money in their pockets are called

pimps and the number runners.

Come on, dice.

Man, I crapped out.

- Use your two, nasty. - Damn.

-[chuckles] Let it ride! -l'll take one in.

- I got a dollar on it. - Five, give or take.

-L'll take a dollar on it, too. - Let's get it together now.

Them guys you're talking about - I know them.

Yeah, the 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, look, man, you gonna roll, or you gonna telephone?

-[all chattering] - Quiet.

Icheeflng] -[R00p] Aw.

- Ding-a-ling! - Shit.

Let it ride. All 0f it! I'm hot!

- You ain't playin' by yourself. -[all chattering]

Come on, Roop.

Mm-mmm.

- Whoo! - Please, man.

[chuckles]

Craps, boy. That's half.

The point is, you got to study and learn.

Not for the money, but for yourself, for the possibilities.

[exhales] Dice!

[Roop grunts]

Yes! [chuckles]

Otherwise, you're just another nigger on the hill.

- Man, you bad. You bad, man. - Thank y'all.

- Hey, wait. Those are my dice, man. - My pleasure.

- Hey, let me have a dollar. -[chuckling]

What's with you and Mama?

Oh, that's 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 three 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, and I'll kick your ass.

There's your 35 cents.

Hey, man, you owe me three cents.

-[car horns honking] -[Claudine] I'm looking for Charles Price.

I'm his mother. He ain't been home for three days.

- Charles Price? - Mm-hmm.

Anybody round here ever heard of a guy named Charles Price?

-[men muttering] - 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 round here ever heard of him.

You talk about serve the community. Well, we're the community.

Listen, baby, ain't nobody round 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.

[man] Qkay, okay.

[Claudine] Charles, you are just asking for trouble.

You don't have to ask for that, Mama. But that's better than doing nothin'.

Existing, that - that's humiliation.

- These cops gonna beat your head in. - They know they better hit me.

- You wanna get killed, right? - No, Mama. You think I'm stupid?

I put my hand under the knife, right? You think I don't recognize danger?

You think I don't put value on my life, right?

- I don't understand you no more. - I just wanna be free, Mama. That's all.

I think you're goin' crazy, Charles.

Oh, I'm goin' crazy, crazy.

Yeah, I'm crazy, all right.

I just want things to change.

I wanna be able to feel like a real human being.

I wanna be able to just breathe.

You know, sometimes, I just start cryin' 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 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!

Don't 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. Come on.

Honey, get rid of the TV and hide.

Francis.

[doorbell rings]

[doorbell rings]

Mom, it's Miss Kabak, the social worker.

Well, don'tjust stand there, honey. Let her in.

- Hello, Miss Kabak. - Hi, kids.

How are you, Miss Kabak?

-L'm 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 six months.

Then they cut me off for non-purchase.

Now, Miss Kabak, why do they keep messin' with me all the time?

Ah, because the system's one big screwup.

Well, I'm glad to hear you say it, 'cause no one -

So you're the gentleman that's been keeping company here.

Oh, no, ma'am. I'm just a garbageman.

May I have your name, please?

Simpson.

First name?

That's my first name.

- Oh, your surname? - X.

Simpson X what?

Simpson X. That's it. You've heard of Malcolm X? I'm Simpson X.

Listen, I want to ask you something.

You're supposed to give aid to dependent children, right?

Why don't you just give aid to the dependent children

instead of worrying about who the mother's keeping company with?

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 don't do that anymore, but we do have to know what's going on.

Do you live here or elsewhere?

Is that a gift you're giving the family? Do you contribute support to this family?

Whoa, lady! You gonna tell her she can't have this set?

It didn't cost you and the city a damn dime, but she can't have it?

I didn't make the rules, sir. I'm only doing myjob.

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

But the welfare is supporting Mrs. Price.

Supporting? 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 don't work. - That's right.

And I have to hide my man in the toilet. 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 don't insist people be married.

You'd help a man move in when he's not married to the mother?

- That's right. - That's immoral.

We're trying to deal with the realities.

What kind of example is that to set for the children?

What kind of example are you setting right now?

I ain't the government.

- We'd love to see you get married. - Yeah, I'm hip. You would.

It would take the government off the hook and put me on.

Don't ask me no 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.

-[chuckles] - Hmm.

What do you want with me, anyway? I got six kids and achin' feet.

I think you're a great woman.

Me?

I remember my mama, her kids.

Cleanin', washin', cookin'.

Just... doin' for them children.

Last one in bed at night.

So weary, she'd shake herself to sleep trembling.

It's not the work.

It's the worryin' all the time.

The shitty neighborhood and the shitty school and the...

shitty world.

No matter what I do.

ROQP...

I think we are comin' 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. [chuckles]

You can talk a thing to death, you know.

-[sighs] - When I look at you...

my teeth hurt.

What are you gonna do about it?

See a dentist?

Hmm.

What can we do?

Mm-mmm. Ain't nothin' we can do.

Yeah, I told you.

[m utters]

It's too late for that home and family stuff.

I made some bad mistakes, bad moves in my time.

You made some bad moves. Can't make no more bad moves.

I'm tired of you runnin' me home at 2:00 in the mornin'.

I keep tellin' the kids we've been out dancin'.

I'm fakin' it to them. I'm fakin' it to myself.

I wanna be with you and I wanna know that you're there.

Uh-oh. Oh, goddamn it.

- Claudine, don't try to put me on welfare. - You wouldn't be on no welfare.

You'd be a non-recipient.

They'd even cut me off. Just the kids would get the aid.

It wouldn't cost you more than it's costin' you now.

Jesus Christ! Tryin' to put me on welfare.

"Fill this out. Fill that out.

Bring in your check stubs. How much for the car, for the rent?"

You look up your asshole to see if you got a dime hidden up there.

- I ain't putting up with that. - I put up with it!

You have to put up with it 'cause you a woman. You had the kids.

I have to put up with it 'cause 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?

Screwin' all the broads and makin' babies. That makes you a man. Big man!

Nobody ain't gonna tell Rupert B. Marshall how to spend his couple shitty dollars.

You got some bad balls, Rupert.

I got better balls than you any day.

Damn it, Claudine! Now, listen.

You've had it.

I ain't never gonna leave you.

And tomorrow, me and you are gonna go down to that goddamn welfare,

we're gonna talk about this goddamn thing and try to goddamn work it out.

Oh, goddamn, Roop.

[sobS]

Damn.

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?

[Miss Kabak] If you will sign this statement,

it shows your income and expenses.

And get it back to me within two weeks. You understand?

Yes, I understand all that, but listen.

I gotta ask you something, because, uh, I gotta think about this thing.

What happens if I lose myjob?

If you're married, you must apply for welfare.

- Oh, I must apply for welfare? -[Miss Kabak] You must apply for welfare.

Otherwise, this would constitute a misuse of ADC funds.

-[woman] Which is fraud. -[Miss Kabak] You understand?

Ifthe 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 ADC funds.

- Which is fraud. - Which is misappropriation.

- Which is fraud. - Right, okay. Now, wait.

Wait a minute. Wait a minute.

Uh, ifl marry this lady, I wanna make things better.

But ifl spend a dollar on her, you're gonna deduct it from her?

If I wanna buy a little something extra, you're gonna deduct it.

And I better report every penny I spend, or else I'm a crook.

Okay, now, you say ifl lose myjob, I must apply for welfare

because I can't just sit around eating the government's biscuit.

- Which is fraud. -'Cause that's a fraud, right?

Okay, now, if I do go onto welfare,

then I'm just another lazy-ass nigger livin' off the taxpayer.

All right, now, suppose I do not marry this lady.

Now, ifl move in with her and do not tell you,

then we're both crooks, right?

But ifl do tell you,

then we're back to the income and the outcome and the deducting,

and you drive me to drink.

And you'd call it fraud ifl spent $7 for a bottle of whiskey!

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

You can't win.

You understand?

Fraud.

[Gladys Knight] J' Don't you hearme? Don't come near me J'

[The Pips] J' Keep away from me J'

-[Knight] J' Stay away from Mr. Welfare J' - 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.

[Gladys Knight] J' Cut all my ties with him J'

J' 'Cause his ways, they make me sick J'

Fraud!

J' Ohh, 0h, 0h, 0h, 0h J'

[The Pips] J' Keep away from me J'

J' Mr. Welfare J'

- J' Did you hear me? Don't come near me J' -[The Pips] J' Keep away from me J'

J' 00hr

J' Mr. Welfare J'

- Follow me. That's enough of that. - Come on, Ma.

J' Don 't /0 ve my ch/Ydren And I'm mental/y unfit J'

J' Imus! divorce him J'

J' Cut all my ties with him J'

J' 'Cause his ways, they make me sick J'

J' S0 keep away from me J'

J' Ooh, ooh, Mr. Welfare J'

J' Ooh, 00h, did you hear me? Don't come near me J'

-[R0op] In. In. -[$0ng fades]

Hurry UP-

Inside.

-[laughs] - Hey, man. This building's full of whores.

That's why your mama want me to move out. Hey, hey! [whistles]

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 wanna say it anyway. -[doorbell rings]

- Yeah? - Ruper1 P. Marshall?

- Yeah. - This is for you.

"Willful neglect"?

- What about the announcement? - Lunene.

[Francis] Yeah!

"Willful."

Hey! Willie!

Willie!

What the hell is this?

There's 6O bucks missing.

Well, they garnisheed your salary.

What the hell you talking about? I can't live off of this.

I can't do nothin'.

Sell your car or somethin'.

Sell my car?

I'm still paying for it.

I'll sell your goddamn garbage truck!

Hey, what's goin' down, Roop?

Bitches!

[engine starts]

[tires screech]

[Crash]

Hey, Roop, what is wrong with you?

Look, court order.

Nonsupport of my kids.

- But you already payin' for the kids. - Yeah, but they sayin' it's not enough.

Oh, and...

they garnisheed the shit out of me.

Oh, man.

[tires screech]

Just sit down.

Uh, Roop, I'll just set the table and -

No.

Sit down.

It's my damn dinner.

- You mad at me for something? - No, it's my goddamn dinner!

What in the hell are you acting like this for?

I'm trapped!

[mutters] Garnisheed.

{chopping} {scoffs}

You and me.

Marriage.

It's just...

It's all - all a bunch of bullshit.

What the hell am I killin' myself for?

Liftin' them damn cans all the goddamn day.

Why work? I'm gonna quit!

Hate to see you in jail.

Jail, my ass.

I'll leave town, that's 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.

Ajo-

Man, you 40 years old. What kind ofjob?

Anyjob.

Short-order cook, dishwasher, any kind ofdirty, underpaid job. Ajob!

They're gonna find your ass.

- Social security. - Oh, yeah?

Well, then, I won't work.

I'll get me a hustle.

Get me some broads.

Your kids are gonna love that.

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

[shouts] 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'll be lucky ifl come home with nine!

Look at the mail I get!

Taxes!

Phone company, car payment, loan company.

Tomorrow is Father's Day, huh?

Do you see any cards in there from my kids?

My kids that I may have to go to jail for?

I'm 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 painted it with a funny face on the front of it.

You're gonna just -

[Roop trembles]

Well, that's just a nice "Happy Father's Day" from Lurlene.

[whimpers]

[sobbing]

I got 10,000 ways of hurtin', and all 10,000 is hurtin'.

[sobbing continues]

Roop.

[speakers: "On and On" by Gladys Knight and the Pips playing]

J' Keeping our hearts together J'

J' I/I//th no temptation J'

J' Keep/n'us /0v/n' J'

J' Keep/n' us /0 v/n' Go/n' 0n and 0n J'

- Okay, who's having? - J' On and 0n J'

- Okay. - J' On and 0n J'

- J' We gotta g0 J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' Keep 0n m0 v/n' J' - J' On and 0n J'

- J' Keep 0n groo v/n' J' - J' On and 0n J'

You ready now.

- Okay. _ -[song continues playmg]

Can I have some punch?

You may not have some.

[doorbell rings]

[woman] Hello.

- Hi, Claudine. - How you doin'?

Oh, girl, I told my Hector you givin' 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, 'cause -

Yeah. He didn't get here yet.

- You know my daughter Charlene? - Hi.

Have something to drink. I'll be right back.

- Help yourselves. -[song continues playing]

J' Letis just keep 0n m0 v/n' J'

J' We 're gonna make it through J'

- J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J' - J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J'

- J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J' - J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

- J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J' - J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

- J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J' - J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J'

- Charles, would you put that back? - We gonna wait all goddamn day for him?

- Charles - Hey. -[song continues playing]

- J' On and 0n J' - J' On and 0n J'

- Did you get enough? -[doorbell rings]

- J' On and 0n J' - J' We gotta groove, we gotta groove J'

J' Keep 0n groo v/n' J'

- Hi, Claudine. How are you? -l'm okay.

- Sorry I'm late. - All right.

- Hey, you must be Roop. - No, this is Hector.

- Right. My Hector. - Hi, honey. How are you?

- Mama, it is 4:00. What you gonna do? -[song fades]

I don't know. He must've gotten hung up or something.

- What are you gonna do? - Just feed 'em!

- Everybody, we're gonna eat now. -[excited chattering]

Just wait a minute!

[chafieflng]

[turntable clicks]

- J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/nJ' - J' Hugg/n'and a-lo v/n' J'

- J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J' - J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

- J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J' - J' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

- J' Hugg/n ' and a-lo v/n' J' - J' Hugg/n ' and a-lo v/n' J'

J' Hugg/n ' and a-lo v/n' Gett/n' with the kiss/n' J'

J' Gett/n' with the k/ss/n' Hugg/n ' and a-lo v/n' J'

J' Fee/s like here Whene ver you 're near J'

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

Ma, I gotta go. I got a meeting.

I'll see you later.

[door opens, closes]

Why don't you call him?

Uh-uh.

- Maybe something happened to him. - Yeah, maybe he's sick.

[dialing]

[line ringing]

[line clicks]

[female operator] I'm sor/y. That number has been disconnected

Disconnected?

[whispers] Disconnected.

["To Be lnvisible" by Gladys Knight and the Pips playing]

[Gladys Knight] J' T0 be inv/s/b/e J'

J' Would be my c/ai/n t0 fame J'

J' A g/r/ with no name J'

J' That way/ won't have t0 feel the pain J'

J' Indispensable J'

J' Just a plain 0/d human being J'

J' Today don't mean a thing J'

J' /n a world thatis so mean J'

J' A world that seems not for me J'

J' S0 private/y J'

J' /'// be in v/s/b/e J'

J' That way/ won't have T0 explain a thing J'

J' /f you know what / mean J'

J' / won't even have t0 be here J'

J' On the scene J'

- J' ltis so ridiculous J' - J' Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh J'

J' But the strife and the bliss J'

J' W/7/ b/ow r/ght 0n through J'

J' R/ght 0n through me t0 have missed J'

J' All the things that hurt you so J'

J' N0 one would ever know J'

J' They'd never know J'

[S-Ong fades]

-[doorbell ringing] - You boys looking for Rupert?

- Yeah. - He moved.

Moved? Where?

I don't know. I saw him take his things out this morning.

Let's go.

-[tires screech] -[vehicle horn honks]

[door closes]

Did he call?

[Patrice] No.

[Gladys Knight] J' / have my reasons J'

J' And they Wonder W/7 y J'

J' 5'0 there's a few tears J'

J' And sometimes lc/y J'

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?

I don't know, but, hey, look, we only get five days sick leave off a year,

so he gotta show up in the next few days.

- If he does - -l'll let you know.

[Gladys Knight] J' Now he's so sweet J'

J' And he's so kind J'

J' The gent/est man A g/r/ could ever find J'

J' L/ke eve/yone else, we fuss and fight J'

J' But there is nothing l/ke J'

- J' Mak/n' up all through the n/ght J' - You know, I knew it all the time.

I knew that nigger was gonna walk out on you. I knew that.

It was your own damn fault.

That's right. Don't blame nobody but yourself.

- You had the six kids. - That's right.

Six kids. That's right.

That's all I got in this world, my children.

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 nothin' but a snot-nosed coward. That's all you are.

-[scoffs] - Yeah, that's right.

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

Why do you think Francis the way he is?

He's being exactly what you always wanted him to be.

Invisible.

You're a damn crybaby.

Don't know why you didn't kill me when I was born.

Oh, 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 be slaves.

I guess I didn't love my children, 'cause 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'm scared all the time, but I do myjob.

If you ain't scared, you don't have no need for guts.

What you gonna do now?

I'm 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! - Mama.

- You goddamn - - Mama! What?

- Charlene! - Mama!

- Mama - Ma - - No.

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

You goddamn tramp!

- You goddamn tramp! -[Charlene screaming]

- You goddamn - -[screaming]

You - You god... damn... tramp!

-[screaming] -[Charlene wailing] Don't! Don't! Don't!

Don't! Don't!

[Charlene crying]

[sobbing]

{coughing} - Okay.

[Charlene sobbing, coughing]

[9asping, sobbing]

What are you gonna do?

Get married and, uh...

we'll both work.

You'll both work?

-[sniffles] - Together you'll make one salary.

And when the baby comes, it'll be three people living on half a salary.

- That's the half you can't even count on. -[sniffles]

Abdullah says that -

Abdullah says?

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

He's just like all them other black studs. He's full of crap.

Mama - [sniffles]

Black men have made great contributions.

[snifHeS]

George Washington Carver.

W.E.B. Du BOiS.

Frederick Douglass.

Well, ain't itjust too damn bad

you didn't get your ass knocked up by Frederick Douglass.

[hysterical sobbing]

[horns honking]

- Why don't you talk about it, honey? - Don't have to say a word.

It's him. I know.

Cut out on you, didn't he?

Mm-hmm. Gone.

Didn't say a word, just gone.

- Uh-huh, that's it. - They do it.

- Dogs. - That's what mine did.

Black men are very flexible. Leave town on a moment's notice.

I don't even know where he is.

That's right. I made up my mind six months ago.

It's 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's much better to have a dirty pair of pants to wash

-than no pants at all. -[all laughing]

Hi, Ma.

Hey, Mom, Charles locked us out.

- What's the matter with you? - Nothing.

Well, what are you doing in Francis's bed?

I'm 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, don't it, huh?

One little cut, and no babies.

See?

Oh, my God, Charles.

You mean, you - Did you have yourself fixed?

Oh, Lord, I know you gone crazy. You gave up your manhood?

Oh, Mama. Manhood is not between the legs.

[sighs]

What'd he write?

Charles had his thing cut off!

He did not. Francis, you're full of shit.

- He said he told Mama. - You heard him wrong.

Charles wouldn't do a thing like that.

He might. He's 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 want nothing. Just get outta here.

Stupid little kid.

Hey, Charles, did you cut your dick off?

Mama, will you get this little dude outta here?

Paul - God -

[grunts]

It's there. I saw it. He didn't cut his dick off.

Charles, you think you are so cool.

Had yourself fixed, right, so you wouldn't never give no woman a baby.

You did it to yourself. Gonna make a revolution.

That's 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.

He's doin' what?

He's given up, throwin' it in. Life is over. Forgettin' it.

Man, look, he was bad news. You much better off without him.

Don't you never tell me when I'm better off.

Don't you never tell me that.

You did it to yourself, but don't you never tell me

when I lose something that's goddamn special that I'm better off.

Look, I only meant -

I don't give a shit what you meant!

[choir singing] J' Anywhere you are J'

J' Praise ye the Lord Praise ye the Lord J'

J' Praise is just what I'm 0n the planet for J'

- J' Praise ye the Lord J' - I wanna testify.

J' Praise ye the Lord J'

[singing continues]

- Brothers and sisters. - J' Praise ye the Lord J'

I wanna testify, 'cause the Lord spoke to me.

- Yeah. The Lord spoke to you. - I ain't puttin' you on.

- I believe you, baby. - J' Praise ye, praise ye J'

- Well, what'd he say? - He spoke to me.

Yeah, he said,

\llBabyl I Ill \llBaby?ll

- Yeah! -[all laughing]

Lord said, "Baby, cheer up. It could get worse."

I cheered up, and the Lord was right. lt got worse.

[all laughing]

Yeah, he said, "Baby" - [clears throat]

He said, "Listen here. I tell you what.

-L'll give you ultimate happiness." -[choir] Happiness!

{man} Amen! {man 2] Happiness!

[Roop] "Up there." Shit.

[woman] Oh, go on home, you drunken bum.

How's the revolution coming?

I told you once, man, my mama cries, it's gonna cost you some blood.

Oh, yeah.

I remember that.

I'm talkin' to you, man.

Excuse me. [clears throat]

Excuse me.

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

[man] Hey!

-[woman] Oh, my God. -[people murmuring]

- Claudine is better off without me. - Shit, man. Get up, man.

-[people gasping, chattering] -[man] Don't do that. Leave him alone.

What can I give her? Nothing.

She's really miserable, huh?

But I'm not exactly singing forjoy.

You can tell her that.

-[W0man] Oh! '[pe°ple gasping, chattering]

Tell her yourself, you son of a bitch.

Okay. [grunts]

Okay.

-[groans] Okay. - Let me go, man.

- Okay, okay. - Let me go.

You proved your point. You proved your point.

Let me go, all right? Just let me go.

[The Pips] r H0/d him, ho/d him r

[Gladys Knight] J' Yeah, ho/d 0n, uh-huh J'

J' Huh, yeah J'

J' L/ke eve/yone else, we fuss and fight J'

J' But there is nothing //ke making up J'

- J' All through the n/ght J' - J' Through the n/ght J'

J' //0 ve him so And eve/yone ought t0 know J'

J' / want t0 ho/d 0n longer J'

- J' Claudine, you better ho/d 0n J' - J' Ho/d 0n J'

J' Uh-huhJ'

What's going on?

- J' Ho/d him, ho/d him, ho/d h/m J' - J' You 're asking too much J'

[Gladys Knight] J' Al/owh/m to /ook So long as he doesn't touch J'

J' Cause you 're no different Than any other girl J'

J' Your man is the same As eve/y man in the world J'

[song continues, fading]

- J' Gotta ho/d 0n J' - J' Ho/d 0n J'

Think I'm Shit?

Yes, I do.

- Kids think I'm shit? - That's right.

Well, I'm on my way.

Where?

I don't know, but it seems like I'm always runnin' away from kids.

Oh, the joys of fatherhood.

[exhales]

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

Just 'cause you're the papa, you got to put up or shut up.

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

You don't have to explain to me.

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

Say, well, lookee 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'll be back.

And you don't believe it, do ya?

Yeah, you're all mad at me, right?

Yeah, well, you look like you've 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's just like my daddy. He like all the daddies.

They say they love ya. Then they don't 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 don't win that bread, you just don't come around.

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?

[sighs] Well, how am I gonna do that?

I mean, it's a big load.

Charles and Charlene are moving out. There'll only be four of us.

[door closes]

Francis eats invisible food.

[all laughing]

Francis.

-[all laughing] -[Claudine] Oh, Francis!

[clears throat]

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here

to join these two in holy matrimony.

- Where's Charles? - I don't know.

Would you repeat after me, please?

I, Rupert, take thee, Claudine...

I, Rupert, take thee, Claudine...

[chanting] Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

{shoufing] - Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

[chanting stops]

[sirens wailing]

Work, not welfare!

-[chanting] Work, not welfare! -[all shouting]

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

Work, not welfare! Work, not welfare!

[whistles blowing]

[siren wailing]

[minister] 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.

-[siren wailing] -[officer] Come on, stop! Hold it!

Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?

-[whispers] You will. - You will.

-[whispers] l will. -| will.

[clears throat]

[door creaks]

[Lurlene] Who's this? Who's that?

[man] Kiss the bride.

What's going on?

-[shouting_] -[Lurlene crying]

[Gladys Knight] J' Oh, yeah J'

You're under arrest!

[Claudine] Charles!

J' N0 superstar J'

J' / love you just the way you are J'

J' So won't you make yours a happy home J'

J' Make yours a happy home J'

J' //0 ve you out 0f s/ght J'

J' / wanna be what pleases you J'

Roop!

J' 5'0 long as there is peace with you J'

J' Thatis all / can do J'

J' 5'0 let us make yours A happy, happy home J'

J' Make yours a happy... J'

- Where do you think you're going? - This is my husband.

-[officer] Where you going? - With my mother.

J' We can do it now, babyJ'

[The Pips] J' D00-d00-d00 J'

- J' D00-d00-d00 J' -[siren wailing]

- J' Oh, 0h, 0h, yeah J' - J' Yeah J'

J' With the love inside J'

J' lgot a happy C/J/ J'

r All ofmy will r

J' Has made me awake J'

J' I've g0! love today J'

- J' 5'0 letis make yours a happy home J' - J' Make yours a happy home J'

J' Make yours a happy home J'

[The Pips] J' D00, d00-d00-d00 J'

J' D00-d00-d00 J'

J' We can do it, huh J'

- J' We can do it now, baby J' - J' D00 J'

J' D00-d00-d00 J'

J' D00-d00-d00 J'

- J' Yeah, yeah, yeah J' - J' Yeah J'

[Gladys Knight] J' / get ful/ 0f pride J'

J' And so sanctified J'

J' You don't have t0 be for me J'

J' N0 superstar J'

J' / love you just the way you are J'

- J' So won't you make yours a happy home J' - J' Make yours a happy home J'

J' Make yours a happy home J'

- J' We can do it J' - J' Oh, baby J'

- J' We can do it together J' - J' We can make it J'

J' Whoa, baby J'

J' We can make it J'

- J' D0 you love me? J' - J' Whoa, baby J'

- J' You're out 0f s/ght J' - J' We can make it J'