Original subtitles

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[gentle piano music]

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[sirens wailing]

[gentle piano music]

[Wendy coughing]

[machines beeping]

[door thuds shut]

- How far along are you?

- Oh

a month

- [Hospital chatter - machine beeping]

- It was supposed to be a surprise.

His birthday is today

and I was gonna tell him when he got home.

I told him we needed more paper towels.

He would never have been in that neighborhood

if it hadn't been for me [sobbing].

- Oh blaming yourself solves nothing.

It's destructive and can derail you.

Be angry. [Wendy sniffling]

Cry, yell if you have to.

But you have to look forward for that child.

Whether the father makes it or not.

- But he's gonna make it right?

[footsteps thudding]

[heartbeat thumping] - We did

all the damage control we could for now.

- Thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you [sobbing].

[sniffles] Thank you.

[heartbeat thumbing] [machine beeping]

You've gotta stay here.

Stay here baby,

stay with me.

[Wendy sobbing]

[tense music]

Brian? [panting heavily]

Brian.

I think it's time, wake up.

- Hmm? - Come on baby, wake up.

- What's wrong?

- The baby's coming.

- Oh okay, I gotta get you to the hospital.

- Brian, are you drunk again?

- Mm-mm. - No.

- Where are my car keys? - I'm gonna call 911.

There's no way.

- No, I'ma take you. - No, no, no.

I just gotta find out where's my--

- I'm gonna call them and--

Baby gimme that-- - No, no, no.

They're gonna take me to the hospital, Brian?

- I'm not drunk Wendy. - Yes you are, get off me.

- Come on Wendy,

can't you see I wasn't drunk.

[Wendy crying]

I didn't mean to hit you,

I'm sorry.

Lets get you to the hospital.

[Wendy crying]

I don't wanna,

I'ma take you to the hospital.

- Get off me.

- I just gotta find my car keys.

- No.

- Wendy I didn't mean, I didn't mean to hit you.

Wendy open the door I'm sorry.

I didn't mean to hit you,

I promise I'll never do it again Wendy.

Let's go to the hospital.

- [Wendy] You're damn right

you'll never touch me again, never.

Just go.

- Wendy come on, I love you.

You're having my son.

- [Wendy] I hate you.

I don't ever wanna see you again, get outta here.

Or I'm calling the police.

- Wendy forget you then,

I don't need you, I don't need nobody.

[door thuds] [tense music]

[gentle music]

Man it's too cold out here,

they know we come out here every day at this time.

- Yeah it's real cold out.

- Right? [car engine revving]

- Rodger?

Yo hold my spot.

Rodger?

Hey Rodger.

What's up man?

- You know this guy?

- Yeah, I'll see you back at the office.

[engine revving] - What's going on,

how you doing man?

- I'm doing good, I'm doing good?

[car honks]

- Yeah I can tell.

Look at that nice suit you have [laughing].

You still have that "Loony Soon" plantation?

- I'm actually partner now.

- Wow, okay.

I'm sorry but congratulations.

- Thanks, thanks.

- I miss that plantation money man,

I ain't gone lie [chuckles].

How's the family doing?

- We're good, we're good.

We're good.

- Good.

How's Wendy man?

I know her Pam are like best friends and all.

- She's good.

She's good.

[sighs] Omar's looking more like you every day.

He's even running track and field.

- Yeah, just like his daddy.

He's a runner, it runs in our genes.

- I gotta run back to the office bud,

it's great seeing you man.

Take care of yourself all right?

- You too.

[gentle music]

[ship horn honking]

[indistinct chatter]

[upbeat music]

- Yo Binky?

Let me hola at you for a second Lil homie.

[indistinct chatter]

[baseball bat thuds]

Yo, I brought you to the street life.

And this is how you repay me,

this is how you return the favor huh?

Never bite the hand that feeds you.

- Don't do nothing stupid.

- What're you smiling for man?

- The next time you steal one of my customers,

I'm taking your life. - Okay.

- All right? - Okay.

- Let's roll.

- You ladies have a nice day.

[spitting]

- Yo yo yo.

Binky you all right man?

- Hell no.

I ain't all right.

- You understand nigga-- - Why y'all didn't do nothing?

- [All] They came out of nowhere man.

- Here you go Brian, 12.50.

- All right.

[coins jingling]

- Geeze Brian what'd you do, rob a gumball machine?

- I did what I had to do.

- I got you, I got you here.

You're 75 cents short Brian.

Maybe this will hold you over, here you go.

- [Brian] Oh Vinnie man,

I've been coming here for years, man.

Spending money with you every day.

- Listen Brian, don't take it personal man.

This is business my friend.

Here you go.

Take your change--

- Vinnie, you gonna do me like that over 75 cent?

- [Vinnie] Hey listen, it is what it is my friend.

- Really? - Yeah, it is every day.

- Everyday $12,

you're gonna do me like this over 75 cents Vinnie?

- Come back tomorrow when you get the rest of the money.

We'll take care of the big bottle.

I'm sorry.

- Man Vinnie this,

I'll remember this.

I'll remember this Vinnie.

[gentle music] [coins jingling]

Been coming in here for years

spending money with you every day man,

you're gonna do me like this over 75 cent

on the day I need what I need?

- You come back.

I'll be here, I'll be open.

- Vinnie, come on man just give me the bottle?

- [Vinnie] Have this one.

Have a good day buddy.

[paper crumpling]

- Man I don't need no bag, keep your bag.

- Here yo go. - Keep your bag.

Anything you could possibly spare

to help me get something to eat.

[coins jingling]

Have a blessed new year.

Trying to gain some money so I can get something to eat.

Penny, Nickel, Dime, Quarter, anything you may have.

To help would be greatly appreciated.

Have a happy, blessed and prosperous New Year.

May God bless you all.

Anything you have that you can spare.

I greatly appreciate it.

I'm trying to raise some money

so I can get something to eat m'aam.

[coins jingling] [gentle music]

Push the pawn man.

Push the pawn.

[coins jingling]

Penny, nickel, dime, quarter.

Any spare change you may have

so I can get something to eat,

I greatly appreciate it.

Penny, nickel, Dime, Quarter.

Quarter, Dime, Nickel, Penny.

[window tapping]

[footsteps thudding]

- Join me in the game.

If you win, I'll buy you something to eat.

- And if I lose?

- I'll still buy you something to eat,

but food you can chew not the liquid kind.

- Suppose I like the liquid kind?

I got time, I could teach a couple of things to you.

- Marvin.

- Brian.

- Guess who Roger saw today? Brian.

- Girl don't make me go there.

You know the deal

I want,

I want amnesia where he's concerned.

[footsteps thudding]

Mm-hmm.

- Hmm, something smells real good in here.

Is that you or the food baby?

- That, that is moi.

Pam, I'm going to have to call you back.

- Okay.

- Oh, mm-hmm.

- If that's you smelling like that

then I'm ready to chow down baby.

- Oh you want hor devours-- - Mm-hmm.

[lips smacking]

- Yo man, what you doing later on?

After all this homework man,

probably just watching TV.

- Yo, you can come tagging with me and my boys.

Come on man it'll be dope.

- I'm gonna stick with being a kid, all right?

- Yeah whatever Omar, you'll see.

Yo, you walking home man?

- Nah man, I'm waiting for my ride.

- All right bro.

I'm out man.

Catch you on the flip [chuckles].

- You too.

- All right bro.

See you later man.

[gentle music]

[Yvette sighing]

- You good?

- Well I just wish it could've lasted a little longer.

- Well I promise to make it up to you next time.

- You promise?

- I promise.

- Yeah, you said that last time.

- What is your problem?

- You, you're my problem.

Well we've been together three years

and well it used to be fun.

Now you have fun and I just have [scoffing].

- Look, I've just been stressed, work.

- Stress?

- Look, I'm not cheating on you okay?

I don't have the time or the energy plus, I love you.

- Mm-hmm. - And Omar.

- Mm-hmm. - We're a family, right?

- We're a family.

- A family.

- We're family.

- A good family.

- A good family, you better give me some sugar.

- A great family. - Mm-hmm.

- Chess is a thinking man's game.

The longer we have to think about something and analyze it

the better results we usually have.

- Just 'cause you're thinking long

don't mean you're thinking right.

My daddy used to say, "Chess is life on 64 squares.

You really gotta understand your true position

and how to maximize the most amount of space on the board

and in an efficient amount of time to get your goal

while life is trying to chop your head off."

- [chuckles] Your daddy's a smart man.

- Yeah, he was.

- How'd you end up here homeless?

- It's a long story.

It's your move man.

- I got time to listen.

- Unfortunately, I ain't got the time to tell it.

I got to go meet somebody.

- I understand, it's not a problem.

- We here to play chess or talk about me?

- So, are we partners now or what?

- For two free meals a week we are.

[gentle music] [paper tearing]

- I'll give you my address.

And you can stop by,

I don't live far from here.

It's in walking distance.

- And maybe we can have a bottle of gin

next time with the hot dogs?

- [sighing] Possibly.

- Look, this game is over and

I gotta go meet somebody man so.

- Look forward.

- Yeah.

[gentle piano music]

[footsteps thudding]

[tires screeching]

[car honking]

- [Wendy] How was school and track practice baby?

- Coach is thinking about taking me to the next level

and letting me run in Penn relays.

- Hmm, sounds like my baby's gonna be the next Carl lewis.

- Well, speaking of taking things to the next level,

how would you think if your mom and I did it?

- What're are you talking about?

- I'm talking about marriage.

- Are you serious?

- Yeah, are you serious?

- Stop repeating everything I say.

- Yes I'm serious.

Yes, it's been three years.

It's way too long for us to be playing house.

[Wendy screaming joyfully]

[gentle music]

- They looked like the happiest family on the planet man.

- You should be happy for them.

- For what?

That's supposed to be me.

That's my family.

That's my son and that's my wife.

- Not anymore.

You gave them up when your lips touched the bottle.

- [Chuck] Just let them go man.

They've moved on with their lives,

now you have to as well.

[gentle music]

[car engine revving]

[gentle music]

[footsteps thumping]

[door creaking open]

[door slamming shut]

[baby crying]

- [Brian Voiceover] That bullet changed

the course of my life.

- [Wendy Voiceover] That bullet didn't just hit you,

it hit us.

[gentle piano music]

[bottle thudding]

[birds chirping]

- Yo give up the watch. [gun bangs]

[gentle piano music]

[engine revving]

- [Claire] And we have all kinds of facilities.

We have Sunday school for the children.

We have a babysitting service.

We have the...

Excuse me,

I'll be right back.

Good morning.

- Hey good morning.

- And how may I help you today?

- I'm looking for Marvin Adams.

- Oh Pastor Adams and you are...

- I'm Brian.

- Uh, hi Brian.

- Yeah, did you say pastor?

- Uh-huh and a great one he is.

I'm Claire the church secretary.

So if you just come with me

right down this aisle,

take a left through the double doors

and his office should be right there.

- Pastor Marvin Adams.

- Good morning Brian.

- How you doing?

- Come in, come in.

- I didn't know you was a pastor man.

- Just call me Marvin [chuckles].

- All right, how you doing?

- Good.

- Oh, [chuckling] maybe that was

why it was so easy to get along with you, huh?

- Not every clergyman is friendly.

- You're not Catholic or anything is it?

[Marvin laughing]

Hey look man I just came by to see

if you wanted to get up anytime soon

or anything you know.

- Let me check my planner for the week.

- Okay.

[paper shuffling]

- [sighing] Ah shoot, I won't be free until next week.

- Oh well, that's cool man you know.

My stomach can get used to the

shelter food for another week, no problem.

- I tell you what,

- [Brian] Mm-hmm.

- I need someone to do some work around the church

in preparation for Sunday services.

If you don't mind getting your hands dirty,

I can pay you back with a decent meal.

- Oh man, these hands are already dirty.

So I don't mind working for food at all [chuckles].

- Okay then, let's get you to work.

[gentle music]

[floor scrapping]

- [Wendy Voiceover] You ruined us.

You will not continue drinking.

Get yourself together

or get out.

[gentle piano music]

- I haven't had pizza that good in a long time man.

- You want some more?

- No I'm good, I'll explode.

- [laughing] I'm glad you enjoyed it.

It was your reward for a job well done.

- Hey, appreciate you man thank you.

- So, are you gonna tell me the story

of how you ended up homeless?

- You just don't quit huh?

Well, since I'm so interesting to you.

In a nutshell,

years ago I was shot and almost died.

Then I lost my job

and everything started spiraling out of control.

I became addicted to alcohol

and the booze made me angry and abusive.

My woman was pregnant

with our first son

and she left me before he was born.

I haven't seen him since.

- Did you ever try to reconnect with them?

- It is hard to do

when the restraining order won't allow it you know.

- Prayer makes people less angry and aggressive

when confronted with hard situations.

- I'm not much of a religious person Marvin.

- But I feel that you're a compassionate person.

That's enough for me to help you navigate through

the challenges in your life.

- How?

- I'll give you a roof over your head.

There's a spare room in the basement.

You can stay here until you get a job

and save up enough money to get your own place.

- You'd do that for me?

- Only if you're willing to do it for yourself.

Starting with getting into an alcohol treatment program.

♪ Ye ye yeah ♪

♪ Ye ye yeah ♪

♪ Notice the original Mr. Low Cash ♪

♪ [song continues to play]♪

- Yo my man.

- Man we out of rolling papers.

- Go to the store and get some more man.

[scoffing]

Which one of y'all going to the store?

- Man I'm posted, I aint going nowhere.

- I'm smoking. - I'm good.

- No problem, no problem.

I'll go to the store.

All right. - You want me to go with you?

- Nah, I'm good.

- No doubt.

[tense music]

- [Brian Voiceover] I'm scared.

- [Marvin Voiceover] Of what?

- [Brian Voiceover] Messing up.

I've been so good at doing wrong for so long.

- [Marvin Voiceover] Right now there is no time to decide.

'Cause the time is now.

[gentle music]

[footsteps thudding]

[tense music]

[door clicks open]

[door thuds shut]

- [Marvin Voiceover] One of the parishioners

owns his own business,

but I can get you an interview.

- [Brian Voiceover] I don't have anything good to wear.

- [Marvin Voiceover] I'm sure I can find you

something suitable in the surplus clothes

donated to the church.

[gentle music]

- [Wendy Voiceover] This is not the man I plan to marry.

[shaver buzzing]

- Oh, let me get one of those cigarillos too.

That's it.

[indistinct] All right.

[shaver buzzing] [gentle piano music]

[engine revving]

[gunshot cracks] - Payback.

[Taj gasping]

[dogs barking]

[gentle music]

[upbeat music]

[paper shuffling]

- Hold on one second my man.

Yeah hey baby.

Baby look, look I already told you.

Put the oven on 425 then put the chicken in.

All right?

Hold on, hold on.

My fault my man.

- You do realize this is an interview, don't you?

- [sighs] My fault.

My fault man, my apologies brother.

I'm ready, what you need to know?

[door cracks open]

[door thuds shut]

- Next.

What'd you do at your last job?

- I was an attorney.

- The hell you want this job for?

- Well, lets just say

in the past I had a few demons to fight

and my records of winning wasn't the best so,

I guess I'm making a comeback.

- All right.

Well, if what you say is true and

I have to say you are indeed overqualified for this job.

- What's the position?

- Basically we provide

in-home services for the elderly

and people with disabilities.

That could be in the form of

say running errands, cooking, cleaning.

- I'll take it.

- Now hold on there Perry Mason,

it only pays a minimal amount of wages here.

- Hey, minimum wage is better than no wages,

I'll take it.

- Well, okay then.

You're hired.

- Thank you.

- I don't shake hands.

- Cool.

All right well, thank you sir.

[door cracks open] [gentle music]

See you on Monday.

[door squeaking]

- Hey Wendy.

- Oh no.

No, no, don't come any closer.

- Wait, wait.

Listen, listen, listen.

I was just walking by

and then I saw you here and it just hit me

that this is where you come in for your lunch break

that's all. - I've gotta go.

- Wait, wait, listen.

I just wanted to tell you then I'm back in rehab

and I've got a good job, that's it.

- What are you telling me for,

am I supposed to care?

- You did at one time?

And I know I took that for granted and I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry for abandoning you and our son but,

I'm changing my life around now

and things are gonna be different now, I swear.

- Different all right.

I bet it will.

A different lie to be told,

a different promise to break.

- I just want you to believe in me again that's all.

- I stopped believing in you a long time ago.

Now you're violating your restraining order

so stay away from me

or I'm gonna have you arrested.

[gentle music]

- [Wendy] He took my hope and he threw it away.

- [Pam] I know who you are at heart.

Let me and this baby remind you.

[door creaking]

- I saw my son's mother,

she threatened to get me arrested

if I came near her.

- You don't plan to right?

- Nah, but it hurts being hated by someone

you love so much though you know.

- Hate is wanting the worst for somebody.

I don't think she wishes harm upon you.

- [scoffs] Have you ever been in love?

- With my wife of 16 years.

My wife passed away three years ago.

She had a diabetic stroke, which ended in a coma.

We didn't even know she was a diabetic.

- Wow man, sorry to hear that brother.

- She's in a better place.

She was the gold standard of women.

I loved being married to her.

- Yeah I almost got married until I screwed everything up.

Would you ever do it again?

- Yeah I would.

Marriage is a wonderful thing

when it's with the one you love.

Claire keeps trying to get me to remarry.

- Wish I could marry the one I love.

- Hope through prayer.

- Prayer?

I told you I believe in God,

I'm just not a religious person you know.

- And I would never impose my religion upon you,

but I will express my values and beliefs.

It's a spiritual and emotional habit.

Actually it's quite a blessing.

- That ain't no habit,

that's called being a pastor.

[Marvin laughing]

[gentle piano music]

- Hey. - What's happening?

- What's up Brother.

- You're here again huh?

- Yeah. - Cool.

- Go inside? - Yeah.

[gentle piano music]

[palms clasping]

[both chuckling]

- [Mark] Hey Brian, I have a problem.

I need you to go to the Irving Thomas Building.

I'll text you the address and apartment.

This guy has chased off another aide.

The patient name is Taji Harris.

He calls me all the time,

complaining about any and everything.

And none of the other aides will work with him.

Consider this a promotion

for all the good work you've been doing.

You're his last hope and mines.

- I bet you 20 bucks,

that one don't last another day.

[indistinct chatter]

- [Dwight] Excuse me, can I help you?

- I'm going to apartment 813.

- I sure hope you have your unemployment

collected from your last job honey.

- Why's that?

- Because the last three aides hired for 813

were either fired or quit.

- Look, 813 needs a full psychiatric team.

Like for real.

- Well does he look as crazy as y'all make him sound?

- To be honest with you,

I've never got a good look at the dude.

All I know is he's in a wheelchair,

he never leaves his apartment.

- We cal hin Nessie around here.

- Nessie?

- Like the lake monster in Scotland?

- The Loch Ness Monster?

- Nessie.

- Okay. - 813.

- All right well thanks for the warning,

- Dwight. - Dwight and--

- Black jaguar [roaring].

Beautiful and black.

- That's Rudy.

- AKA the little tartlet.

- Well that's good to know fellas.

Take care man.

- Damn, he's fine.

- Look, don't get any ideas.

He's obviously not gay

and he's too young for you.

[gentle music]

[tapping door]

- Yo' it's about time you got here.

Are you coming in or what?

You're from the agency, you're the new aide, right?

Yo, I'm talking to you, woo hoo?

What are you deaf?

Damn I'm calling immigration on these fools.

Are you coming in?

What are you gonna do?

What is your problem man?

[elevator dings]

Yo!

[door slams shut]

- All right B, see you tomorrow.

- [Brian] No you won't, I quit.

- Quit?

- Quit. - Quit?

[indistinct chatter]

- What the--

- You owe me 20 bucks man.

- Man please,

you said one day that was under one hour.

- What do you mean you can't work for this man?

- I just can't man, Okay.

- No, it's not okay.

I sent you over there to do a job.

Now you're telling me you can't do it?

- No man you don't understand--

- What the hell are you bipolar?

- It's personal.

- All you gotta do is provide personal care

and deal with all the misery that goes with the job.

- Look Mark, you don't...

It's complicated.

- So is constipation, but you get through it.

- Mark, just hear me out man.

- Why don't you just go home, think it over,

hell sleep on it and call me in the morning.

- I wanted to hurt him so bad for what he did to me.

He ruined my life.

I want him arrested so he could spend

the rest of his life in jail.

- It seems like he's already got a life sentence

sitting in that wheelchair.

- I can't go back to that job.

- I know it's hard not to feel anger and hatred towards him,

but you can't seek forgiveness

if you're not willing to forgive.

[sirens wailing]

- [Wendy Voiceover] Different, oh right.

I bet it will.

A different lie to be told,

a different promise to break.

- Hmm, now look.

- What?

- Oh, care to place another $20 bet on our fellow co-worker?

- Yeah okay.

But this time I'm gonna give him one day.

No, no. - One day?

- One hour. - One hour.

- Yeah. - Okay.

- Are you sure?

You don't wanna just stop by just to kick it?

You know like old times.

All right.

Later.

[knocking on door]

- Oh, it's you again no.

- I told the agency I wanted an aide who speaks English.

- I speak English.

- Well you aint spoke it yesterday,

I thought you was a deaf mute.

- I can hear and articulate perfectly.

- Well good.

'Cause I don't need an aide that got more problems than me.

So now that you're here,

I need you to get this place cleaned and organized.

As you can see I'm not the neatest person.

- This aint jail.

I aint cleaning up after you.

I aint your maid, I'm your aide.

- Wait, wait, wait, hold up.

All the other aides did it.

- Well I'm not them,

I got my own set of rules.

- And just what exactly are those rules?

- I don't clean.

I damn sure don't cook.

So I suggest you collect menus to order take out

or you don't eat.

I don't run errands,

except to get your medications ang groceries.

I don't empty bed pans, change soiled linens

and I damn sure don't help with washing your ass.

- I'm in a wheelchair, I'm not a convalescent--

- Shut up and let me finish.

I only get prescribed medications

at the times on the labels.

I show up an 11 in the morning

and leave at four in the afternoon,

not a second more, not a second less.

- Are there any more rules.

- When I'm here working,

you don't say nothing to me.

- So how am I supposed to communicate with you?

[table thuds]

- Write it down.

[tense music]

[table thuds]

I'll do your laundry 'cause I can't stand the smell of funk.

- You're funny, real funny.

There's no way I'm following those rules.

- So fire me.

- I do that and the agency won't send me nobody else.

- Then get used to my rules.

- If you got rules, so do I.

You know what I'm saying.

Starting with not wearing that uniform.

I don't want people knowing I got a aide,

- That aint my problem.

- Then what is your problem?

- You.

- What the hell did I do to you?

- You shot me.

[tense music]

I'll see you in the morning.

[door slams shut]

[soft piano music]

[phone ringing]

- What's up boss?

- I just got off the phone with your new patient.

Apparently he wants a new aide.

For some crazy reason,

he thinks his life is at risk in your care.

- Oh really?

- He went on and on ranting that

if anything happens to him, you did it.

Now what the hell is going on between y'all two?

- Nah, it's nothing he's just paranoid.

- Look, I don't need this crap.

All you gotta do

is take care of him for those five hours a day

and go!

- Oh don't worry.

I'm gonna take real good care of him.

[chains jingling]

I gotta go, I'm gonna talk to you later.

- Hey yo what's up Benny?

- It's all good. - How you doing man?

- What's going on?

- Just hanging with my homie.

- Me too.

Well, what's your name?

- Omar.

- Omar? - Yeah.

- Yeah well any friend of Benny's is a homey to me.

Oh, you know what, hold on?

[clears throat] Y'all go get a fresh pair on me.

- Thanks.

- Thanks man.

- Y'all be safe out here, all right?

- All right, you too.

- [Claire] And step to the left.

- [Girls] Step to the left.

- [Claire] And step to the right.

- [Girls] Step to the right.

- [Claire] Now raise the roof.

- [Girls] Raise the roof.

- [Claire] And pick the flowers.

- [Girls] Pick the flowers.

- Now work it girls.

- Twerk it girls.

- No I said-- - Twerk it.

- No I said work it.

- Pastor, I didn't tell them to twerk.

- Wait, wait.

- He doesn't even know what twerking is.

Go get ready for the bathing suit--

- Stop, stop.

[girls screaming excitedly]

- Go get ready for the bathing--

- I got a-- - Bathing suit?

- Yes pastor.

You know how you like to travel in the summer

and you need...

Excuse me, bathing suit competition.

Listen, don't give me no fever missy.

Pastor Marvin,

you need a suitable wife.

[Marvin sighing]

And I just feel that you know,

when I go home at night

and you're just still here working.

All work and no play can make a pastors--

- I appreciate, I appreciate your efforts--

- Congregation a very sad situation.

- I can manage my own social life thank you.

- Pastor, have I ever let you down?

- No.

- I'm very good at this.

- I'd rather wait, thank you.

Thank you.

- Pastor, what are we waiting for?

You know, you're not getting any younger okay?

I'm sorry.

I'm gonna...

- Yes, yes, yes why don't you?

- Go back to work. - Yes.

- Do you want to see the bathing suit--

- No, no, no.

- Well I should go get them out of your office.

- Yes, yes.

- I'm sorry, they didn't have much time.

- My office?

- Omar, go on and run your bath.

I want you to be in bed on time tonight.

- I'm going.

- No, no, not one minute.

Would you get the cookie?

Boy go.

Oh you gone get it,

you know you're gonna get it.

Trying to be slick.

- That's your son.

- Cookie monster.

- There's some butter pecan in the freezer

if you want some desert.

- I gotta get back to the office to get those contracts.

- No we a'int Bowling tonight?

- Oh not tonight babe,

I got a big sales meeting in the morning.

- You know for soon to be newly weds,

everything seems to be way more important than me.

Are you sure you're actually going back to the office

for contracts?

- There you go accusing me again.

- Well you make it real easy to have doubts.

- What do I have to do to prove to you

that I'm not cheating?

To be honest,

this is getting tired.

- Then what are we gonna do about that?

- I think maybe we should

go to counseling before we get married.

- You sleeping?

- No.

- I can't sleep alone.

Kirk stepped out.

- Mom, why are you getting married?

- 'Cause that's what two people do

when they're in love baby.

- But you and my real dad wasn't married

and you two loved each other, right?

- Yeah but, that love didn't last.

- But, you and Kirk's love will?

- I hope so.

- Oh come on, get some sleep.

[gentle music]

[Brian whistling]

- Look at this fool there Rudy.

- You know the closet gay man

is very much an attention seeker.

[Brian whistling]

[door slams shut]

- I'm honored that you've asked me

to officiate your wedding.

I'm also glad you both agreed to pre-marriage counseling

before having made a commitment to one another.

Wendy and Kirk,

your wedding is one day in your life.

But your marriage is all the rest of the days

that come after it.

No other relationship except perhaps parenthood,

even comes close to the challenges and triumphs of marriage.

The Family that prays together stays together

and it's not just a cliche.

Our father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

[pills jingling]

[slamming table]

[paper shuffling]

[tense music]

[door slams]

[metal clangs]

- Hey Rudy,

- Yeah.

- You got some bleach I could borrow?

- You can borrow anything you want of mine.

- Thanks brother.

[Rudy chuckling]

- And so now since I've helped you with your clothes,

my thought is maybe you could [chuckles]

help me fold mine?

- How about I just give you the bottle of bleach back?

[machine door slams shut]

[machine beeps]

Have a great night Rudy.

[door squeaking]

[chess piece thumps]

[pen scribbling]

- No.

- My father was an alcoholic and he died

and my mother couldn't take it,

so she started drinking

and she died.

I no longer wanna be a alcoholic.

[group clapping]

[exhales loudly]

- Oh man.

I remember a time in my life when

the craving for alcohol was just so overwhelming to me.

I couldn't live without

consuming it every chance I got you know.

Alcohol controlled my life.

I'm happy to say

that alcohol hasn't been a part of my life

for the past year 12 hours,

16 minutes.

[group clapping]

- Come in, what up, what's good y'all?

What's up?? - My man Taj.

- Look who it is.

My people come on in here man.

Party people.

What's good man?

Good to see you brother. - It's good to see you too.

Yo, I got some friend some,

you don't mind right?

- Oh hell no.

Come on in here.

- Hey. - He just happy

everybody came to see him.

- Whats up Mo?

- I hope you got some lighters my G.

- Yo, Moe, Moe, Moe.

You gotta smoke that outside man.

The smoke detectors are sensitive man.

What's up baby?

It's a party bro.

[door bangs shut]

What?

♪ If I can get to know you like that ♪

♪ You's a cutie with a booty I think you can make it clap ♪

♪ Music continues ♪

- Yo Moe, I told you man,

you can't light up in here

the smoke detectors are sensitive.

- [chuckling] Yo, what's up with ya gear?

- Yo, you look like Taj is trying

to bring the eighties fashion back.

- Word, word. - Come on show yourself.

Come on B show yourself.

Say something?

Nah, don't take it off.

Dee get him.

Get him Dee.

- Okay this is it,

this is it.

- [Moe] Say what's up? Say what's up to

Jeraldo, Faldo, Haldo

yo stop recording me man.

I said stop recording.

- Come on Taj.

- Yo my man,

you cracked my screen.

- I feel like cracking y'all upside the head

for disrespecting me.

- I'm not disrespecting--

- I told you to stop recording

just like I told you not to smoke in my apartment

and leave empty bottles everywhere.

- You need to chill.

- No, you need to lower your voice man.

- You know you're ruining the party man.

- You know what this party is over.

- Yes it is. - It's time for y'all to go.

Get out. Get the hell out.

Get the hell out man.

- Hey man, don't you ever to put your hands on me.

[kicks thumping]

- Yo, yo, yo that's enough man,

he's in a wheelchair Mo.

- Man so what want? - He's in a wheelchair man.

- Let's be out man. - I never liked him anyway.

[kicks thumping]

- All right, lets go man.

Let's go.

Babe, lets go. - Let's get up outta here.

- Let's go babe.

- Yo let's go.

- All right.

[tense music]

- Hold up homie,

you won't be needing these.

[cans clanking]

- For the dead homies.

[beer trickling]

[door bangs shut]

[Taji grunting] [tense music]

[Taji crying]

[pill bottle clutters]

[door squeaks open]

- Taj get up.

Yo Taj, stop playing man.

Come on get up.

Not today man,

you ain't dying on my watch.

- He have a pulse?

- Yeah he's got pulse.

Sir,

[Taji coughing]

Oh, there he goes.

[Taji coughing]

- Oh man, get off of me.

- Easy man, easy, easy.

- I don't see any pills in his vomit.

It smells like alcohol.

- He didn't swallow any pills he's drunk.

- Oh my bad.

[Dwight laughing]

Hey, I just didn't want him to die on my watch Dwight?

- I hear you.

[phone buzzing]

- I came in he's all sprawled down

I didn't know what was going on.

- Hmm well, handle your business.

- All right.

- I'll catch you later.

- [Moe] Hey yo man,

how 'them cracked ribs feel,

after you went and cracked my screen?

Here's a video to remind your cripple ass.

[Brian sighs]

- Taj, Taj, Taj, Taj, Taj,

I know exactly what you're going through man,

I used to drink whole bottles myself

but I was more into clear looking,

you're on that cheap dark stuff I see.

Let's see now,

lemme take care of you brother.

Go ahead and let me get you on the couch.

[grunting] Oh man, you heavy.

You look skinny in that chair.

- Oh, Oh God.

- [Benny] Yeah, you're going to the movies later?

- [Omar] I ain't got no money man.

- I got monies hold up boy.

- Yo, where'd you get that.

- I'm a hustler baby [laughing].

Oh come on man.

You wanna share a joint or something?

I got some though.

- No man, I don't smoke and you shouldn't either bro.

It's bad for you.

- Everybody smokes weed yo.

Even the ones that you think don't, son.

For real yo try it,

it'll calm your nerves.

- No man, my nerves are good enough alright.

- Yo you should try it man.

- No man, I'm good all right? - Whatever.

- Hmm. - Dinner was good.

- I'm glad to hear that.

And on that note,

mama needs to use the ladies room [clears throat].

Omar would you please check to see who's calling me?

- Yeah. - Thank you baby.

[tense music]

- I see you like to be nosy

reading other peoples text messages, huh?

- Mom needs to see this.

- And I'm still gonna tell her--

- Who do you think she gonna believe,

you a snotty nosed kid,

or me the love of her life?

[somber music]

- [Wendy Voiceover] What's wrong with you

that you got women on your phone?

- She's nobody. - She's nobody?

So you give nobody your phone number?

- She's just a friend.

[Wendy sobbing]

[jacket ruffling]

[Omar sighs]

- You laughing],

there goes your girlfriend man.

- How many times do I gotta tell you,

she's not my girlfriend all right?

- She can be but you're too scared to speak to her.

I just don't see why you can't just

walk right up to her.

Grab her by the arm or around her shoulder or whatever

and be just like, "Hey baby, let me hola at you."

You know what I'm saying?

- I think I'm gonna have to calm my nerves

before I do that.

- [laughing] You need to calm your nerves?

- Yeah man.

- There goes your boyfriend.

- He's not my boyfriend.

- You two need to get it over with

and just speak to each other.

- I will speak to him when he makes the first move.

- Well what if he doesn't?

- Yeah, he's obviously too shy.

He hardly talks to her.

- Shy guys have no confidence around other people,

especially not around other guys.

Shy guys are too chicken hearted in reality.

- Hi Omar.

[Brian whistling]

- Before you jump to conclusions,

I live and work here.

So I'm not stalking you,

you can ask pastor Adams.

This is just as much a surprise to me as it is you.

- Oh surprise is an understatement.

- Is Omar here?

- No, he's feeling under the weather.

So he's home with a babysitter

and I wouldn't introduce him to you anyway.

- He's my son--

- No, no.

All you are to him is a sperm donor

and I'm gonna keep it that way.

- That was good Sunday service babe.

- Mm-hmm.

Kirk, this is Brian.

- Hey Brian, how's it going?

I see you do cleaning man,

we always need that around the dealership,

let me give you my card.

- Kirk?

Kirk this...

Brian is Omar's father.

- Brian, oh wow.

This is a surprise.

- Excuse me everyone.

I just want to introduce you all to Brian,

our one man maintenance staff.

He is single-handedly responsible

for keeping our church looking nice.

[congregants clapping]

I'm looking forward to seeing you both

at more pre-marriage counseling and Sunday services.

- Mm-hmm.

- Seeing y'all today,

just reminds me of how life is full of surprises.

- Definitely.

- Say that again.

- Marvin, are they getting married?

- Yes, it's a wonderful thing.

- That's my ex, you can't marry them.

- I had no idea Brian

I know you're shocked and upset,

but everything happens for a reason.

After I lost my wife,

it took time for me to understand

that you never really stop loving someone,

but in some cases you have to try

and learn to live without them.

- This ain't right Marvin.

This ain't right Marvin.

[engine revving]

- No, no, no, let me tell you something.

I've been living on the streets for,

for a long time. - Right.

- I didn't think I could get used to

not having a comfortable bed, a soft pillow

or even a roof over my head.

I accepted the hand I was dealt.

- What he's trying to say Brian,

that you gotta accept the fact that

your family has moved on.

- No, I will never accept that.

That's my family,

I'll never accept that.

- The club was crazy last night man.

- It was a little crazy. - Yo, Yo.

- What's up dog?

- You got some weed?

- What? How old are you man?

- 14.

- You got money?

- Yeah.

- Shake my hand man.

Hope you can handle that.

- Yeah all right.

- They're getting younger and younger man.

- Yeah man.

- I don't care, I'm here for the money.

- I know it. - I need that cash.

- [panting] So, I'll uh, call you about the car.

- Okay yeah.

Definitely, definitely yeah.

- Yeah you know, I was just showing that lovely young lady

this beautiful vehicle here.

- Yeah, that's not all you were doing,

I see you're a real busy car salesman huh.

- Oh no man, that's not what this is.

- You're right-- - it wasn't--

- It's what I saw with my own eyes.

- All right man, you got me.

You got me but I mean you know,

brother gets a chance to get a little skin inside.

See what I mean?

I'm a man, that's what we do right?

- It's men like you

that make it hard for a man like me.

- Listen partner,

you need to get up off your high horse

before I knock your ass off.

- Look man, you can try and insult me all you want

I came to talk to you about my son.

But I see you're not man enough for his mother or him.

- Yeah you know what?

That might be so,

but I think they'll both agree

that I'm far better than you.

So take your ass off of my property

before I throw you off.

- If you knew how pretty you looked

with that red lipstick on,

you wouldn't be trying to act hard brother.

- Yeah whatever, get outta here man.

Get a job.

- I don't know what she see's in your pretty ass.

- Yeah, I know what she see in me.

That's why I got her.

I got it all boy,

look over here.

You want a Bentley?

[bell tolling]

- Hey Brian,

I missed your business man.

Glad to have you back.

[bottles clanging]

- A pint of vodka.

- A pint of vodka.

That's it?

- [Kirk Voiceover] I think they'll both agree,

that I'm far better than you.

[bills shuffling]

[slams counter]

[engine revving]

- [Wendy Voiceover] You're not gonna be in this baby's life.

[cars honking]

[bottle top clanking]

[somber music]

[bangs on door]

- [screaming] I'm gonna kill you.

I'm gonna kill you.

I'ma kill you.

[Taji gurgling]

You took my life.

You took my life.

I'ma kill you.

- Yo give up the watch [gun bangs].

[Brian sobbing]

[sirens wailing]

[Taji choking]

I'ma kill you.

I'ma kill you [screams]

[Brian sobbing]

[Taji coughing]

[somber music]

[both crying]

- I got you.

[gun bangs] - Pay back.

[both crying]

- I got you.

- I got you.

- Don't touch me

[Taji crying]

[engine revving]

[window slams shut]

[Brian panting]

[footsteps thudding]

[door creaking]

- My sexual orientation was influenced by a gene.

- I didn't even know there was a gay gene.

- Honey, didn't I tell you about Gene?

My college room mate?

Oh he was so gorgeous.

[laughs] Eugene, you remember?

- You're a hot mess, you know that right?

[Rudy laughing]

- What's up B?

- Hey.

- Hey fellas, I've got a splitting headache today man.

- Sorry to hear that.

- [Brian] Yeah its all right.

- Hope you feel better.

- Thank you brother.

- Feel better.

- Thanks Rudy.

Take care fellas.

[door closes]

[somber music]

[paper shuffling]

- Good move.

- Same to you.

[paper shuffling]

- What does this mean?

- Well, I was going to make you some green tea

but I don't know where you put it,

when different aides move things around so much

I don't know where anything is.

- Look I'm sorry about last night I was drunk and

I wasn't thinking--

- No man, relapse in addiction don't define a person.

- How'd you know I relapsed?

[Brian sighs]

- Found that in your pocket.

- Thanks.

- So, how long have you been sober?

- One year.

I saw my 14 year old son buying weed

from some degenerate on the corner.

- Whoa, whoa, sorry to hear that.

[exhales loudly]

- Ahh, its hot in here.

[gentle music]

Let's go take a walk.

- Something I'm not capable of remember?

- Nah, you know what I mean let's just,

Let's just go outside.

- Nah, I don't go outside.

- What if there's a fire?

- I always wanted to be cremated.

What're you doing?

- I'm taking you out.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa. Calm down man, hold on.

- No, no no, not like that.

I mean I'm taking you outside.

- I'm not going downstairs.

- Fine, ill take you upstairs

to the roof we go.

- Oh hell no.

- Listen, it's been way too tense in here

for too long for both of us all right?

We both could use some fresh air.

Look, you do this

and [exhales loudly] I'll cook your meals for a week.

- Real meals, not the microwave stuff?

- Yeah, yeah.

- Deal, I'm so sick of Chinese food.

Then lets go.

But only on the roof.

Grab my hoodie.

- Its the black one right?

- [Taji] Yup yah.

[door opening]

- Can you get that far?

- Ah, no man.

- What?

- Oh well, I guess these stairs killed our plan.

- No-- - Mission failed.

- Nope, don't count on it brother.

[Brian panting]

- Just be careful.

- I got you.

- Wait wait.

Oh, okay.

- Mission accomplished.

- Wait wait, all good.

- You weigh more than you look brother.

If I had known that I'd have probably left you downstairs.

- Whew, whew, feel that.

- Yeah.

- Oh I love the feeling of a cool breeze against my face.

- I told you the fresh air would do you some good man.

- You were right.

- You need to get out more often.

You know it's bad when the tenants call you Nessie.

- [chuckles] Nessie?

- Yeah, like the Loch Ness monster people hardly ever see.

- [laughing] Oh that's funny.

[eerie music]

I can't give you an excuse to justify what I did man.

When I seen you in the store that day,

I was a different person.

I had no regard for life, no self worth.

I was just...

I just seen a guy in suit

wearing a nice watch that I wanted.

I know it was stupid man and it was cold hearted.

Wrong.

I'm so sorry.

- It's good to hear you say that.

- You know my actions changed the course of your life.

So maybe I can help change it again.

- What do you mean by that?

- Dealers are like,

dealers are like roaches,

they like to hang out in places

they're familiar and comfortable with.

- So.

Hey Taj,

I'm here and he's here, now what?

- Get ready.

Hello, I'm a local business owner on Union Street,

there is a person loitering in front of my establishment.

He's clearly selling drugs,

I'd like to have him removed.

The address is 25 Union Street--

- Come on man.

I ain't do nothing man.

- Ah, is that it?

- Oh come on man.

[indistinct] maybe we can make a deal.

Let's make a deal.

- I'm out here in the corner, now what?

- [Taji] You wait.

- That's it?

I just stand out here and wait for him.

- [Taji] Yup.

- All right, yeah.

[gentle music]

[dog growling]

- Hey kid, you looking for something?

- Not you.

- No I'm saying, if you're looking for that I got that.

- Look, what I get I get from somebody else all right.

- Well he's not here,

he went to go re-up I'm his fill in.

- Okay.

If you're his fill in gimme a dime bag.

- Shoot, you know what

I just sold my last bag man,

I'm out to but,

Let's hang out for a second,

he'll be right back.

- How long is he gonna be, I need this now?

- I mean he's not gonna be too long,

he'll be right back.

- Yeah okay.

- Just relax you know.

Hey look, we shouldn't be

standing around out here

looking like we're doing something foul,

you know what I'm saying?

- But we are.

- No but, we don't have to make it so easy for

everybody else to see that.

You like pizza?

- I thought your man was gonna meet us here.

How much longer.

- I don't know but

but soon I'm sure.

- You said that 30 minutes ago man come on.

- I'm B.

- I'm O.

- So what you buying this stuff for anyway?

- All the other kids do it.

- So if all the other kids go and jump of a cliff,

you're gonna jump of the cliff too?

You don't wanna follow a crowd,

you'll get lost in the crowd.

Be a leader, all right?

- Man what are you my father now?

Look, it's getting late.

I'll just come back another time.

- This is beautiful man.

- You can dig it?

- Yeah, thank you.

- How's the grub?

- Delicious, delicious.

- Wow, I don't know if this is gonna work with Omar though.

- What's the deal?

- I don't know,

just had a conversation with him earlier

and he's stuck on buying weed.

I wasn't there so I feel kind of guilty you know.

- It's understandable.

- If his mother knew what I was doing,

she'd have me thrown under the jail.

- Well you need to focus on her man,

just give it time.

- All right since she goes to the same church

you're staying at,

that makes things a lot easier you see.

Women always outnumber men in church.

That's because women go to church,

but most men you know,

we go to a football game.

But you gotta change that perception

and start going to church,

you know what I'm saying?

And I don't mean to just sit in the pews,

I mean being actively involved in the church

like the women you know.

Helping out with decorating,

coordinating activities and events and stuff.

Basically, you gotta get in touch

with your feminine side in church.

♪ This little light of mine ♪

♪ I'm gonna let it shine ♪

- [Brian] Is that even safe to do in church?

- [Wendy] I'm sure you already know that Brian is my ex.

- [Marvin] Yes, I'm aware of that.

- And I'm aware

about the church folks talking about

how great a guy he is.

The thing is,

him being here makes me very uncomfortable.

- I don't understand.

He always attends afternoon services,

to not violate the restraining order?

- I just don't like it.

I'm sorry.

You don't understand pastor

that he's done things in the past that really hurt me.

- He's not the same person he was back then.

- Sure as he...heaven haven't convinced me of that.

- You can't keep living in the past Wendy.

At some point you have to let go of the anger and pain.

It all starts with the F word.

- The F word?

- Forgiveness.

It's the first step in being able to move on with you.

- That's hard.

- Sometimes the hardest step to take to forgiveness

is the first.

- You do realize I was thinking of

a completely different F word?

- Yes I do.

But it's okay.

- [panting] If you wanna get down,

you gotta get beat down

that's the only way.

- Man I don't care what I gotta do,

just make it happen.

- Hey, if I tell Binky you can't back down,

there's gonna be big problems.

- Yo, I mean what I say okay?

- Is pastor in the office?

- Yeah, he's still there.

- Well, excuse me.

You look so familiar.

- You do too?

- The hospital.

- Yeah.

- And you were with child.

- He's a big boy now 14 years old.

- Oh well that's good and how's the father or husband now?

- We are no longer together.

- Oh I'm sorry to hear that.

- All is not lost.

It's nothing that a little therapy can't help me get over.

- I'm sensing some strong emotions like,

anger in the form of sarcasm?

- Oh, I'm sorry just forgive me.

I'm being silly.

- Are you okay?

- I'm fine, I'm okay.

- Are you?

- I'm still so angry.

- If you keep anger inside,

you allow a bitter root to take hold of your heart.

Sometimes you just gotta let it go,

get it out of your system.

- Oh, well trust and believe,

I want to let it go and get it out of my system.

- No, no, no don't get me wrong.

But whatever the issue,

it's best to clear the air

rather than let it fester in your heart

and grow into something more ugly.

- How do I let go of anger?

- Forgive, as we are forgiven.

Now that's not an easy thing to do.

- Mm-mm.

- But you can't keep no records of wrong.

- Thank you.

- Man, not you again.

- Hey man, you ran out.

What you want me to do?

- I'll be back.

- No, no.

Hey, hey, come here.

Now you said that a couple of days ago,

all right?

- I got caught up in some personal stuff all right.

- No you didn't.

- Yes I did.

- Look, I've been out here for a while I'm hungry.

Are you hungry?

What kind of personal stuff you got?

- You see, the kind that a'int none of your business.

- My fault.

I just thought maybe you wanted to talk to somebody.

- What are you, my life coach?

My life coach

- You got a little...

You think you funny?

Where did you get your sense of humor from,

your mother or your father?

- I got everything from my mother.

'Cause I ain't got no father.

- Everybody's got a father.

- Oh yeah? - Yeah.

- Well how come mine checked out of my life

the moment I came into life?

- Well, do you know why he checked out?

- It don't matter at this point now, does it?

- No I'm just saying,

maybe he had a problem he had no control over.

- Man forget him and his problems.

I got my own problems.

You know, I'm thinking about joining a gang.

- Joining a gang is dumb.

There's no future in that except jail or death.

You gotta have something else

going on with your life.

Something more productive.

Something, what else you got going on?

- I run track.

- I ran track in high school too.

- Really?

- Yeah, I got the medals to prove it.

- Okay.

- Maybe he's looking for security,

you know what I'm saying?

Be accepted.

I joined the gang because of problems at home.

Well, it was where I stayed I wouldn't call it a home.

- How do I stop him.

- You gotta fight.

You gotta fill the void in his life,

to get him to avoid the gang life.

You.

If I had my father at home,

I would've wanted him

to spend as much time with me as possible.

That way, I wouldn't have had time

for others to influence me,

you know what I'm saying?

[bell dings]

- Yeah.

- Go get your son.

- [panting] Yo B, what you doing here man?

- I like to stay in shape too.

- I'm practicing for a meet.

- Well I can give you some pointers,

if you're in need of a personal coach.

- You know actually that'd be pretty cool, you know?

'Cause my running partner is too lazy to run man.

- Cool man, you can call me coach from now come on.

- [Omar] All right coach.

[gentle music]

[wind howling]

- Yo what's up Binky?

- I don't like being stood up.

That's what's up.

I thought you said your man wanted to be down with us?

So where is he?

- Look, every time I keep calling him

it keeps going to voicemail.

So, I'm just waiting for him to call me back.

- Look, I don't wait for nobody.

- All right.

- So look, you go find your little homie

and you tell him I'm starting to feel real disrespected.

You hear me?

I don't understand what's up

with these little dudes nowadays man.

They don't got no respect.

- I really don't think they'll be happy

when they get married.

- Women are hard to understand man.

- Trust me, I know.

- What you know about women?

- Well you see,

there's this girl on the track team.

You know who I like,

but I can never find the words to speak to her.

My friend said I should just,

walk up to her and grab her by the arm and be like,

"Let me holler at you."

But, I don't know what to do.

- Your friend is wrong.

It's never okay for a man

to put his hands on a woman like that.

You never wanna cause pain to anybody you love, all right?

The regret will torture you more.

- So, how should I approach it?

- With respect.

Touch her with your words.

- Okay.

- Trust me, she'll think about you later with a smile.

The pizza is good right?

- Yeah it is.

[gentle music]

[door creaking]

- Yo, I'ma hook you up with some chicken breasts man.

- Whatever man.

- What's wrong with you?

- Nothing man, I'm just stressed.

- You need to get out and take a stroll

around the neighborhood.

- Well, that's not gone happen.

- Being cooked up in this apartment

like a bear in hibernation.

Always staring out there like a hungry puppy dog

in a pet store window wanting to get out.

- So what's good with the family?

- [laughs] Oh man, finally making that connection with Omar.

Everything there is great.

Now Wendy's gonna be a hard nut to crack.

- Yeah, but just give it time.

Persistence overtakes resistance.

- Taj the philosopher.

But you're right though.

I remember when Wendy and I

was a part of this bowling league.

She thought bowling was the worst game in the world

and never liked it.

Then finally one day she gave in,

all it took was that first strike

and she was hooked brother.

Been an avid bowler ever since.

- My ex, my ex was like that.

When we first met my dude,

gosh she had two left feet.

You know what I'm saying?

Couldn't dance to save her life.

Unlike me.

I taught her how to dance

and she started loving it too.

After that,

man we started tearing up the dance floor

everywhere we went.

- I didn't know thugs could dance.

- Man I should've been on soul train,

those were the days.

I used to love dancing.

- Why did you stop?

- That's funny.

I became a big wheel in town.

- No I'm serious,

I've seen people up in clubs in wheelchairs

getting their groove on man.

- Yeah, but that won't be me.

- Have you lost your skills?

- No.

I lost the feeling in my legs.

- That aint no excuse.

As long as you can nod your head,

move your shoulders and snap your fingers,

you can dance man.

Come on show me your skill.

- [laughing] Oh man, go on with all that.

- Ah see, I knew you was bull faking man,

you ain't no good dancer, stop lying.

- No I'm not.

- Then prove it.

[soft disco music]

Okay okay, you got a little bit of skills with you.

But what you know about this?

- [laughing] Yo, yo, I can't let you get off like that.

Check this out.

- Oh no, no you can't get that down.

Hold up, hold up.

This is how I used to take my lady out dancing right.

I like step dancing with her.

That's like the black man sauce, you know?

So I got her out there and we're spinning her around,

then I do my little twirl and I bring her around.

This is called the carousel right here.

[snapping fingers] right.

Then I get my feet work going.

[snapping fingers]

- Oh that's enough, all right?

- No, hold up, hold up.

I'm a put you under now. - No just turn it off.

Turn it off man.

- Nah-uh, Gi Phi Gi, hold up.

Let me show you this feet work right.

She'd have her dress on

and her dress just be hitting my legs right,

and I spin her around like woo.

- I said turn it off.

[radio crashing]

- Yo man?

Come on Taj, what's wrong with you man?

- I said that's enough.

- You know what, you're right.

That is enough.

Enough of you being cooked up in this apartment

like the outside world doesn't exist.

- It doesn't to me.

- Man, whatever.

- Man, what are you doing?

- I'm taking you out through the front door.

- No get off of me,

I'm not going.

- You're going with me whether you like it or not.

- I said I'm not going let go.

- Come on Taj?

Get off that woe is me stuff man.

- You want me to be grateful?

- Yeah.

- For what?

For being in this wheelchair

for the rest of my life?

- No, for being alive.

For being able to see.

Being able to hear, for being able to speak.

Yo man, you got so many things

to be thankful for in this life man.

Learn to laugh at life.

Laugh at yourself.

'cause you know there's a future right?

- Not for me.

- Now you're just wasting your life away.

- Yeah, that's right.

It's my life, my life.

So why don't you get the hell out of it?

- Deal.

You know what,

I'm so sick of you trying to act like

just cause you're in this wheelchair your life is over.

'Cause it's not.

Man people in wheelchairs got gold medals man.

We all go through tragedies Taj.

You aint the only one out here with a tragedy.

Man, there's so many people didn't wake up this morning

that would love to have your problems.

Get off that woe is me stuff man.

We all go through tragedies.

Is how you bounce back from it.

Life goes on Taj.

Only in your case life rolls on.

But you know what I'm saying.

- Why don't you roll your ass up out of here.

Go get out.

Get the hell out of here.

- Fix your own damn chicken.

[cars honking]

- No, I love you.

I love you more okay.

All right, bye bye baby.

Hold up, let me get this video right here.

- Hey!

- Through this camera.

Oh that's nice.

[laughing]

- You look sexy-- - Hmm, you look sexy.

- So how's your mom doing?

What's going on with her?

- Man she's still in the fog and

planning that wedding man.

- All you can do is wish for the best,

you know what I mean.

- Yeah. Well enough about my life.

We've been hanging out a lot lately and practicing,

you know tell me something about you.

- What do you wanna know?

- Tell me anything.

- Well I'm single.

I'm a home health aid and a recovering alcoholic.

Lost everything to that addiction.

- You got any kids?

- Yeah I do,

but we're not gonna talk about that right now.

- Hey man you sound like me

when it comes to talking about my father.

- I see we got something else in common other than track.

- Yeah we do.

- Well, I gotta get home you know.

I got some homework and I gotta get caught up on

but I'll see you later?

- Yeah, we can work that out.

- All right man. - All right.

- Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, pop stop.

You got a license for this thing?

- I'm just test driving

new wheels that my son got me for my birthday man.

- Well these are nice wheels but do me a favor,

slow down the other tenants are starting to complain.

- Yeah, they're just hating that's all man.

- [Brian Voiceover] We all go through tragedies.

- Where is this dude man?

- [Brian Voiceover] It's how you bounce back from it.

- This little sucker.

- [Brian Voiceover] Life goes on Taj.

- Life rolls on.

[slams window]

Life goes on, you without a job,

you wanna be late,

I'm gonna call the agency.

[gentle piano music]

[keys jingling]

[gentle piano music]

- There he go.

I knew you could do it.

- You took my cell phone on purpose?

- Yeah I did.

- I want a new aide.

I'm calling the agency and getting you fired.

- Life goes on man.

Remember that, all right?

Take care of yourself all right?

Thanks for helping me too.

[somber music]

[bell ringing]

- [Benny Voiceover] Walk right up to her,

grab her by the arm or around her shoulder

and be like, "Hey baby, let me hola at you."

- [Brian Voiceover] Touch her with your words,

she'll think about you later with a smile.

- Hi Yvette.

- Hi Omar, so you finally speak to me.

I was beginning to think you didn't like me.

- Really? I mean, because you know,

I do like you know what I'm saying--

- Then you should speak to me more often.

- Okay, I will.

- Hey, can I borrow your phone for a minute?

I wanna see if my calls are coming through.

- Oh sure.

- Thank you.

[footsteps thumping]

I just used your phone to see if my calls are coming in.

And now that I've got your number and all,

do you want me to delete it or can I keep it?

- Oh, that was very smooth.

And no, don't delete it.

- All right, I got you.

Maybe we can talk more often.

Oh and hey,

not too bad for a shy guy huh?

- [scoffs] shy guy.

[footsteps thumping]

- Well, well, well,

look who we found here.

Look, your homie been calling you

and you ain't answer the phone.

- I've been busy with track.

- Yeah?

- Yeah.

- And we've been busy trying to track you down.

- For what?

- Boy scout enrollment.

- Yo I gotta go meet someone.

- Lets go dude.

- Yo.

[phone ringing]

[door thuds shut]

- Omar--

- Get off me, help. - Let's go.

- Yo, B, B! - Come on.

- Omar, what's going on?

- Yo Binky come on. - Gimme that phone.

- Omar, are you in trouble?

Omar? What--

[phone ringing]

- Hello?

Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up, hold up.

You're talking too fast, what?

All right, hey, hey,

calm down, don't move, I'm on my way all right?

- Yo, he still hasn't called back man.

- Yo, you sure he said the name Binky?

- Yes, why you know this guy?

- He's the one who shot me.

- What? No, what would he want with Omar?

- I don't know man.

But whatever it is, it's not good.

Look there's an,

there's an abandoned warehouse where the gangs meet at.

Silver on Neptune and Union--

- I know where that is.

- Then he probably took him there.

- Then let's go.

- No no wait listen you go without me man,

I'll just slow you down.

I'll meet you there when I get there. All right?

Go get your son, go.

- All right. - Be careful.

[engine revving]

[phone ringing]

- Hey Pam what's up?

What? He saw who together?

When, where?

Yes--

[engine revving]

[Brian panting]

- [pants] This.. I'm back...I'm gonna have him arrested.

[phone ringing]

[engine revving]

- Oh god.

Oh my God.

[engine revving]

[footsteps thudding] [Brian panting]

- What's going on man?

- I'll tell you what's going on,

you wanted to get jumped in right?

So now we're giving you what you asked for.

- I changed my mind.

- Well we didn't.

You see, we're like the mob.

Once you get a commitment from us,

we make you an offer that you can't refuse.

You know what?

Let's get this over with.

- Leave him alone.

Leave him alone.

Get off of him.

- Who are you?

- Somebody who aint letting nobody hurt him.

- Yeah, well guess what?

Now you done signed your death certificate, huh?!

- No. [gun bangs]

[Taj grunting]

- Now everybody get back or I blow his frigging head off.

- Yeah do it right now.

[indistinct chatter]

- Come on Taji, if we can just talk about this.

You're gonna listen man--

- No you listen,

you ruined my life

and now I'm about to take yours.

- Taj, don't do it man.

- He deserves this.

- Nobody deserves to be killed.

- Listen, Taj please don't shoot me

I don't want to die.

- Taj, I forgave you for shooting me just to get back.

Don't do it.

- I'm sorry [sobbing].

- I'm sorry.

- You see a man ain't nothing without this gun right?

Little big man, with a big gun, nothing.

Hiding behind this.

- Come on Benji, let's go home.

- [Binky] I'm sorry.

- What the hell is going on here?

- Mom, mom, mom, I'm fine.

I'm all right.

- I can explain everything.

- No, no, no. You can explain it to the police,

I'm gonna have you put under the jail.

- Mom stop okay.

Just calm down all right,

this is B, all right.

He just saved my life.

He's the one that's been coaching me for all my track meets.

- Oh, I didn't think you'd stoop this low,

but I guess I was wrong.

- What're you talking about?

- Oh baby, this isn't...

That's not a coach.

He's your father Omar, a sperm donor.

- Is that true?

You lied to me.

- Omar wait, I can explain--

- No, no, no. You stay away from him

you've done enough damage.

Stay away from him, you stay away from him

or I'll have you arrested--

- Look Wendy, that's not gonna keep me

out of my son's life all right.

So look, Taj hold this.

If you think calling the police is gonna do it,

here use my phone.

Omar, Omar.

- [Wendy] Omar.

[footsteps thudding]

- Omar, wait.

- Get away from me man.

- Wait hold on.

I can explain. I can explain.

All right,

- Explain how you took me for a fool?

- Let me explain, all right.

I did it so I can be in your life.

I had to find a way to get back into your life okay.

- Why did you leave?

- I have no excuse for that, I don't.

I wish I could tell you something but I don't.

I was weak, but I'm not gonna be weak again okay?

I'm here for you.

I need you. - Get off me man.

- No, no listen Omar, listen.

- Get off me.

- Omar listen, listen.

You're my son, I love you.

I love you.

- No get off me.

- No Omar, Omar.

Listen to me man,

I'm not letting you go.

I'm not letting you go.

- Get off me man, I hate you.

- No you don't.

No you don't.

No you don't.

Omar I love you.

I'll tell you whatever you wanna know man.

Whatever you need to know I'll tell you.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

- [clears throat] thank you for talking with him.

- I just needed him to know the truth.

- He deserves it.

- Yeah, he'll be okay he's--

- Don't, don't touch me.

- I'm sorry I didn't mean anything--

- Yes, I suppose you want your phone back huh.

- No you can have it,

I think there's some pictures up there

you might wanna see.

- Okay.

Thank you.

[indistinct chatter] [footsteps crunching gravel]

- I see Omar's back,

I'll talk to him when I get back

from my meeting tonight.

- Oh, well you can leave your keys on your way out.

- What're you talking about?

How am I gonna take the car,

if I leave the keys?

- No I'm talking about the house keys see.

You won't need them since you won't be living here anymore.

- What're you talking about?

- Oh what am I talking about?

Go on, look at the picture gallery.

- Oh no.

- Look babe, babe, babe, babe.

- Get your hands off me.

- Look, I'm not going nowhere

until you hear what I've go to say.

- Man get off of her man.

- Get out of here.

- No. - Get out of here.

- Mom, open that door man.

Leave her alone.

[banging door]

[indistinct chatter]

- Dad.

- What's wrong with you.

- You're what's wrong with me.

- Chill [indistinct]

Are you crazy, huh?

[indistinct]

- Boy you lucky I don't got my burner boy--

[indistinct]

Whatever Wendy.

- Whatever to you.

- Whatever!

You know why I'm dating her

because she's better than you.

- Now you can tell the truth.

- Now I'm telling the truth.

- So tell the truth on the street,

get to moving.

- I should have left

Move your behind out of my house.

- I don't know what I was thinking

trying to marry you.

- Get out of my house.

- Whatever.

[Wendy panting]

- Thank you.

- I'll always protect my family.

- We're still a family

- Wait wait no.

Don't go man, you can't just leave us.

Can he stay with us for a while?

Please?

[soft piano music]

- I've known Brian forever.

And I know all his friends

but I never saw the best man before.

Who is he?

- [Antonio] Oh that's Taj.

- [Chuck] Yeah, he's the guy who shot him.

- [Roger] Wait, what?

- [Chuck] Yeah.

- Go figure.

- All right, cool.

[congregants applauding]

[indistinct chatter]

- Pastor [clears throat]

I want you to meet my friend.

This is Maria.

- Hi Maria, nice to meet you.

- Maria's new in town. - Yes.

- She just moved here and she's single.

[claire clapping]

- Claire, - Yes.

- This has got to stop.

I'm so sorry, so very sorry.

- What has gotta stop?

- Introducing me to all these--

- Pastor, you work so hard.

- They're not my type.

- What do you mean they're not your type?

What is your type?

- You're my type Claire.

You're my type.

- Wait a minute,

I don't think I heard you.

Say what? [Marvin sighs]

- [Dwight] We used to call you the Loch Ness Monster.

- Y'all are wrong man.

- She's looking at me again dude,

I think she's feeling me.

- Oh yeah. Two o'clock huh?

- Yeah, yeah.

- All right, go talk to her.

- No man, she needs to come over here and talk to me.

Besides, she looks a little too high maintenance the type

I can't afford right now.

Yo, yo here she comes, here she comes.

- All right, let me roll out of your way--

- Hi, I'm crystal.

- Hey, I'm Taji.

My friends call me Taj.

[upbeat music]

So, how do you know the bride or groom?

- Well, I'm one of Wendy's co workers.

♪ That was a long long time ago ♪

♪ I couldn't breathe ♪

[music continues]

Oh shoot, this is my song.

- What?

- Yes.

- Then lets save the chit chatter for later

and get out there and dance.

- All right.

Wait, you dance?

- [laughing] no doubt.

I'm in a wheelchair sweetie not dead,

life rolls on.

- Well then roll your little butt on to the dance floor

and lets see what you're working with.

- I got something to show you all right.

Clear the way party people, clear the way.

♪ That you're the one outside I'll find ♪

♪ If somebody told me ♪

♪ That I would never have you again ♪

♪ That was a long long time ago ♪

♪ Oh oh oh oh oh oh ♪

♪ That was a long long time ago ♪

[music continues]

[upbeat soul music]