Original subtitles

What up, girl?

Hey, y'all.

Hey, hey.

I gotta roll, all right?

Okay, I'll see you tonight.

Quiz me quick, there's a pop

in Spanish.

Oh, did Ely tell you?

We found a DJ for prom!

Hopeful.

DJ Ray and he deejays for all

them Tulane frat parties.

Hopeful.

Es... esperzo.

Es... esperado... JC!

What up, Shorty.

Lunch, lunch, okay?

Esperanzado, "Afraid."

Atrevido?

You think I should go out

with JC?

Aprensivo.

Ely, Ely thinks he'll ask me.

Sela, did you even look

at these?

Uh! I got senioritis and my

brain is just screaming, "Stop,

I'm full!"

Wait, wait, where are

you going?

Did you even hear what I said

about the DJ?

First bell.

We're gonna be late.

No, we're not.

What do you think you're

doing?

We weren't doing nothing,

Mr. Macon!

Mr. Macon!

Come on.

Come on, Mr. Macon.

Hi, Mrs. Howard.

Hey.

Brianna, is that personal?

No, ma'am.

Mrs. Haggerty asked me to make

copies for third period Home Ec.

Is that one of her cake

recipes?

You know it is.

Well, make me a copy.

Here you go. Mm-hmm.

Please don't call my father,

Mr. Macon.

Take a seat, young lady.

Mr. Macon, please.

And keep it quiet.

Call their parents, Edna, and

tell 'em to come in.

Mrs. Howard...

Step into the office... quiet.

Mrs. Howard, please don't

call my father.

Please don't call him.

Carla, Carla, calm down.

What's the matter, honey?

What happened?

Me and Myron.

They... they caught us in

the car.

That would be the bell,

Miss McCallister.

Yes, ma'am, yes, ma'am.

Okay, Carla.

It's okay, I'll see you at

lunch, all right?

If I don't get expelled.

Would you like a tardy?

No, ma'am.

I'm... I'm very sorry.

Carla, don't worry about it,

okay?

Oh, hey, Miss...

Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Manning.

Oh, Brianna, have you got

time to tutor a jock?

Stats and probabilities.

I'm sorry, but the prom's

coming up and I'm on the venue.

We gotta find a...

Just a few rounds.

You know, uh, just get him ready

for the chapter test.

If Brandon flunks, I can't let

him play.

Brandon Williams?

The team needs him and he

needs you.

You don't play fair.

Thank you.

Oh, and congratulations.

I hear you're our new

valedictorian.

Now, I'm just in the running.

I gotta keep my grades up.

Well, my money's on you.

Thank you.

♪♪

Uh, Randall, hey.

Um, did you get a chance to read

my piece on the power plant?

I did indeed.

And?

Don't care so much.

Let the story speak for itself.

You're reporting, not crusading.

Oh, come on, Randall, that

was good.

That was front page good.

Uh, a little Lois Lane.

Do not patronize me.

I am not an intern anymore.

What do you want, Howard?

Better assignments, Randall.

Sorry, the correct answer was,

"an end to world hunger."

Hey, Brianna.

Oh.

Oh.

Sorry.

Hey.

Mr. Manning said you'd pound

some numbers in my head.

Gotta warn you... head's pretty

thick.

"To be conscious that you are

ignorant is a great step to

knowledge."

Uh, I didn't say that.

I mean, I said it.

It's just that, um, it was

a quote.

Uh, Benjamin Disraeli.

British Prime Minister?

Not now.

Uh, in 1868.

He's dead.

I guess he would be.

Yeah.

I don't even know why we're

talking about him.

We're not.

You are.

Yeah.

I'm busy most afternoons.

I think Thursday is the only day

I could really pound on your

head.

I got practice Thursday.

What about after?

Say, 5:00 I come by your house?

That be okay?

Thursday.

5:00.

Hey, Brianna.

You wanna tell me where

you live?

Right.

Shannon... and Ely...

like this.

And Brianna and Manny over here.

Where's Best Couple?

Speaking of Best Couples, did

you hear about Myron and Carla?

Busted in paradise.

Yeah, I saw Mr. Macon

haul 'em in.

Bet they get suspended.

Suspended?

For a little dashboard action?

Carla's daddy is City

Council.

He's gonna flip out.

She is so grounded.

Bet he won't let her go to prom.

What's your prom getting...

A band or a DJ?

We've got zero dollars.

If people don't start paying

their dues, we're dancing to a

boom box.

DJ Ray costs six big ones.

Our prom got Ray, so cross

him off your wish list, lady,

'cause we already booked him,

right?

We're not booking anybody

until the committee votes.

That boy is ours, plus, Ely

knows him.

Don't you, Ely?

Yeah, he's my twin brother.

You know, we were just... we were

separated at birth.

Chill out, we can't afford

him anyway.

Well, we can't afford him

either if we want the Skylight

House.

But, uh, if we put our dues

together, I think we could have

it all, y'all.

One prom.

For blacks and whites?

Yeah.

When pigs fly.

Come on, it would be cost

effective.

The DJ fees, the hall,

decorations?

Divide that by per person dues...

It's two proms like always.

Ray's ours, the end!

Don't make me do no division in

my head.

Yeah, please don't.

Makes her break out in hives.

Shut up.

What's this?

It's my letter of

resignation.

No dice.

You have a contract.

A first year journalism

student could do what I do here,

Randall.

The Metro Section won't miss me.

You got another offer?

I'm gonna freelance.

Did I mention you have a

contract?

Then fire me.

Give me cause.

Sell me crack.

Harass the box boy.

Or take a personal leave.

No!

No, I don't need a personal

leave.

You need a lot of things,

Dez.

But I can only give you this

time to review, reflect and

revive.

Go on, get out of here, so I can

start missing you.

Prom meeting!

Come if you want to vote.

No proxies.

We're gonna vote on our theme,

y'all.

Adventure in Paradise or Evening

in Paris.

Here you go, now come if you

wanna vote.

No proxies, girl, come on now.

We gotta put this prom together.

Here you go.

Sorry.

Sorry about that.

Prom meeting!

Prom meeting, come if you wanna

vote.

No proxies.

All right, everyone, let's

get back to class.

This isn't something I can

discuss.

I just don't understand.

Carla wasn't suspended.

I have all the facts, you

don't.

Kids are saying it's 'cause

Myron's black.

Brianna.

You know me better than that.

They both broke the rules.

And they're both being

disciplined appropriately.

Look, one size fits all is not

how I do things here.

Is that really fair?

Well, we'll debate your

theories on fairness another

time.

Look, this is really none of

your business.

Close the door,

I've got work to do.

"Desert Island" is romantic.

Not if you've read "Lord of

the Flies."

Okay, well, then what's your

prom theme, White Man?

Oh, yeah, that's right...

Christmas in July, right?

Winter Wonderland, and I'm

not going.

It's prom, you have to go.

What for?

I don't hang out with them,

I hang out with you.

Come to our prom.

Oh, in blackface?

Oh, come on.

We go to class together, we eat

lunch together, I mean, we come

here.

Why shouldn't we be together for

prom?

No, I mean, she's right.

No, she's wrong.

Prom is different.

Why?

Because there's always been

two proms, that's why.

And two water fountains.

You know, one for you colored

folks, one for us white folks.

Shut up, Ely.

We could pool prom dues,

y'all.

We could have twice the money

and half the work.

So you think you can get the

white prom to get with the black

prom?

What are you smoking?

Tell you what, Shannon's right

over there.

Go ahead, make your play.

Loser does bake sale.

Put your apron on and start

mixing.

Done.

"Let's have one prom.

Don't worry, Shannon, we won't

make fun of the way you white

people dance, I promise!"

Shut up.

She did it.

Looks like you're baking.

A pack of jellybeans has 144

that are orange and 1,354 that

are not.

If one jellybean is randomly

selected, find the probability

of getting an orange one.

Need a hint?

I need a break.

Oh, okay.

Uh, yeah, why don't you just do

these on your own and, uh, we'll

check 'em next time.

You like doing this stuff,

don't you?

I think I just like problems

that have answers, you know?

You work out an equation, then

it's right or it's wrong.

Bet you want to be a math

teacher, huh?

Don't bet too much.

First woman president?

Marine biologist.

You want to study the fish?

And what about you?

Haven't figured it out yet,

but, like your Prime Minister

says, if I know I'm ignorant, I

must be smart, right?

Sela hates when I do that.

You read a lot, don't you?

Yeah, I do.

What's wrong with that?

Calm down.

Nothing's wrong with it.

You just gotta mix it up a

little.

Do you party?

Don't look at me like that.

Come on.

Oh...

I am not dancing with you.

Stop.

Brandon, this is my

Aunt Marlene.

Hello, Brandon.

Please, don't let me chase

you out.

Pleased to meet you, ma'am.

I was just leaving.

Mm-hmm.

See you later, Miss Einstein.

Who's the pretty boy?

Uh, that was Brandon

Williams.

Mr. Manning asked me to tutor

him, that is all.

Has he got a girlfriend?

One for every day of

the week.

Let me do that.

Saw Nita Dawson at the market

today.

You know her boy Myron, don't

you.

She said he got suspended.

Yeah.

I better not ever catch you

in a parked car.

And with Bob Thornton's

daughter... those two

don't have the sense

between 'em.

I asked Mrs. Stephens why

Carla wasn't suspended, too.

She said I didn't have all

the facts.

Facts don't matter when your

daddy's on the City Council.

And it's none of your business.

You keep your grades up and your

head down.

You wanna be valedictorian,

don't you?

Then don't be mouthing off to

your principal.

Hello?

Dez?

Oh, uh, hi.

Hi, Mama.

You got a deadline?

I don't mean to bother you.

I can call back another time.

No, it's fine.

It's, uh, it's fine.

How are you?

How's Daddy?

Is he there?

Hold on.

He's in the toilet.

We're both fine.

It's always a little hard

this time of year.

Russell's birthday's Sunday.

I know, Mama.

I know.

We sure would like a visit

from you.

I don't know, Mama.

I'm... I'm pretty busy.

I understand.

We just, well, we just...

we just miss you, that's all.

You know what?

I'll visit soon, okay?

What about this weekend?

It would make such a difference

having you here.

I'll have your room ready

just in case.

You can decide at the last

minute.

You don't even have to call.

No, you know what?

I'll be there.

On Saturday?

Um, Sunday, all right?

I'll come up on Sunday.

I'll see you at church.

All right.

Just because Shannon says yes

doesn't make it official.

I didn't say yes, Lily.

I said we'd vote.

That's why we're here,

everybody.

Now, if anybody else has

anything to say...

We've always had two proms.

I don't see why that has to

change just because Carla wants

to get with Myron.

Shut up, Lily.

This has nothing to do with

Carla or Myron.

Right.

Prom is prom, and jungle fever's

jungle fever.

So next time, keep your pants

on, Missy.

Shannon and I thought it

would be cost effective to have

one prom.

This was your idea, Brianna,

not mine.

Does Mrs. Stephens or

Mr. Manning know about this?

This is private parties

funded by the students.

Y'all, we do not need the

school's permission.

And if we vote no, you're

gonna say we're racist, right?

Nobody's calling anybody a

racist.

Not out loud anyway.

Why do we even have two

proms?

Ask her daddy.

You want to vote, let's vote.

You guys don't want to have

prom with us, that is fine

with me.

I got enough friends.

Okay, all in favor of two

proms?

All in favor of one prom?

If you think raising your

hands like a lot of little first

graders is gonna change

anything, you're wrong.

We're gonna have two proms like

we always do.

♪ I've wandered far

♪ Away from God

♪ Now I'm coming home

♪ The path of sin

♪ I've stayed too long

♪ Lord, I'm coming home

♪ Coming home

♪ Coming home

♪ Never more to roam

♪ Lord, open now

♪ Thine arms of love

♪ Lord, I'm coming

♪ Home ♪

Amen.

Praise Jesus.

Yes, Lord.

Yes, Lord.

Thank you, Jesus.

God sure is good,

ain't He?

We've got Mrs. Lyttle here

from the NAACP.

I'd like you all to give her

your full attention.

Praise Jesus.

Amen!

There's a Parent Teachers

Association meeting coming up,

and I want each and every one of

you to attend to lend Sister

Dawson our support.

The recent suspension of a

black student at the high school

is a matter that concerns all

our children.

And the Mothers Committee is

seeking an investigation into

school policy.

In addition, we will debate the

issue of an integrated prom.

Debate?

What's there to debate?

Anyone with something to

contribute to the rummage sale,

be sure to get it here

by Thursday.

Thank you, Mrs. Lyttle.

In Jesus' name,

let church say...

Amen!

You got something to do with

integrated prom?

It's not just me.

The entire senior class voted.

Didn't I tell you to keep

your head down?

Hi, Mama.

That's my girl.

Oh, I'm sorry I'm late.

Oh, it's okay.

It's all right.

Hi, Daddy.

Desiree.

I'll go get the car.

Been a long time, Desiree.

How are you?

Oh, I'm good.

How... how're you doing?

I come by most days on my way

home from school.

Just to check on him.

Happy birthday, baby.

I made a chocolate cake.

Thought about bringing it here,

but then, I don't know, seemed

a little crazy.

Russell and I used to eat

chocolate bars late at night

when he couldn't sleep.

The pain...

was that bad.

Well, he's not in pain now.

Come on, Mama, don't cry,

okay?

Okay.

Just give me a minute or two,

okay?

Desiree?

Behind you.

I thought I was seeing things.

Hello, Mark.

Ah.

How are you?

I'm... I'm good.

I hear you're, uh, working

down in New Orleans for

the "Times".

That's impressive.

Yeah.

Uh, how 'bout you?

I moved back when my mother

got sick.

I'm Assistant Principal over at

Mercier High now.

I see your mother every day.

I didn't know that.

I guess you never ask

about me.

Yeah.

Oh, I don't much keep in touch

with Mercier.

How's your mother?

She passed.

Over in the other cemetery.

Oh, yeah, the white one.

Wow.

Mark, I'm so sorry to hear that.

It's okay.

It's ten years ago.

Why'd you stay?

It's home.

I wasn't getting anywhere

in D.C.

It's easier to teach kids than

it is congressmen.

Uh, well, my mom's waiting

for me, so...

I better get going.

Well, wait.

How long you staying?

Would you like to grab dinner?

Catch up?

Mark, I'm, uh, I'm only in

town for a couple of days.

You know, just to see my

parents.

I'm real glad I ran into you.

Yeah.

Nice seeing you, Dez.

Dez.

Oh, come on, Daddy, drive.

Oh, are they talking?

Go!

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God!

Hey!

Oh, my God!

Unbelievable.

Oh, my God.

Daddy, you all right?

Mom, are you okay?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it's fine.

Everybody's all right.

Heard that crash all the way

around the block.

What you doing out there in the

middle of the road, James?

Car just plowed right

into me.

See who it was?

Looked like one of them

Dupree girls.

I know John Dupree.

I'll check into it.

What kind of car was it?

It was a gold car.

I was asking the driver,

honey.

And she was going at least

50 and she didn't even stop.

I need to see your license

and registration.

Wait a minute.

Wait a minute, Daddy.

He didn't do anything wrong,

she's the one that ran a

stop sign.

You should be going after her.

I said I know John Dupree and

I know his daughters, and I'll

check into it.

Meanwhile, why don't you get

back in your car and let me

finish up with your dad?

I'm a witness, sir.

Desiree.

Daddy.

Get in your car.

Sorry.

Oh, I'm sorry, I can't tutor

you today.

They're having a... they're

having a PTA meeting at

the school.

Uh, they're gonna be

discussing the prom.

Maybe you wanna come?

To a PTA meeting?

Prom's just a party.

Don't see why you want to make a

federal case out of it.

Isn't Myron a friend of

yours?

Sure.

Well, the PTA's gonna discuss

him getting suspended.

Let 'em.

Won't make a difference for him

or anybody else.

You think it's fair that he

got suspended and Carla didn't?

Brianna, life isn't fair.

Meetings aren't going to

change that.

Some people just like to...

To hear themselves talk.

And some people like to sit

on their butts and do nothing.

Mercier isn't gonna change.

Not if everybody thinks

like you.

Trust me, everybody does.

Nobody wants to hear about

Myron.

They don't care that he got

suspended.

They just want to have a say in

this prom thing.

Yeah, but that's a mess, too.

Those kids've got too much time

on their hands.

Teachers need to give more

homework.

Mama, what are they talking

about... what's this prom thing?

Oh, uh, Brianna McCallister.

This one.

Okay.

Brianna McCallister got the

seniors together and they voted

to have one prom for everybody.

Blacks and whites.

And the school was okay with

that?

Well, they're private

parties, Dez, don't you

remember?

School's never had a prom

because of the insurance.

Yeah, the "insurance".

I do remember.

So, who's this Brianna?

Well, you saw her this

morning in church.

Marlene's niece.

A little troublemaker.

Yes, well, we wouldn't want

to start trouble, would we?

Better to just lie down and

take it.

It's getting late.

I think it's time to get going.

Coming, Jim?

I'm not a teacher and I don't

have a kid at that school.

I've done my time.

You know what, Mama,

I'll drive.

You're coming?

Mm-hmm.

Please!

Quiet down!

Please, let Mrs. Dawson finish.

All I'm saying is two kids

break the same rule, they both

get the same consequences.

Never mind who they are.

Whoa.

You want to suspend Carla for

accepting a ride to school?

Bob, please.

Are you implying that Myron

forced himself on her?

Because that's just a damn lie

and you know it!

All right, the question is

being addressed to

Mrs. Stephens.

Will you both please sit down?

We all know that Bob Thornton

is on the City Council.

What's that got to do with

the price of eggs in China?

All right, all right.

Mrs. Stephens.

Well, this is really just an,

an unfortunate misunderstanding.

Carla and Myron were both

reprimanded for being in

the parking lot after

the first bell.

Now, Myron was suspended because

he pushed Mr. Macon when

Mr. Macon was bringing him into

the office.

Why is this the first that

I'm hearing of it?

I apologize, Mrs. Dawson.

I... I thought Mr. Manning

had spoken with you.

This is just a miscommunication

that has snowballed and...

And I really regret it.

All right, item six, the

senior prom.

There has been some talk about

combining the black prom and the

white prom.

Phyllis!

What is it, Bob?

The prom has nothing to do

with teachers or the school.

Well, we're just opening it

up for discussion, that's all.

Well, this is not a place for

a discussion.

It's on the agenda,

Mr. Thornton.

I suggest forming a parents'

prom committee to look into the

matter.

It makes no sense to have two

proms.

We all listen to the same music,

both committees want the

same DJ.

This is a matter for the

parents.

We will deal with it as parents.

The seniors voted on one

prom.

I second Miss Lyttle's

motion.

We are graduating as one

class.

We are friends.

Why spend twice as much money

when we could actually...

All right, it's late.

Anyone who's interested in

forming a parents' prom

committee outside of the PTA,

please see Mrs. Lyttle.

I think we're done.

Thank you all for coming out.

We'll see you next meeting.

They want to "look into it."

Let 'em look into the expense.

I could give them exact figures

on what they'd save.

Thornton gives me the

willies.

He's like old school Klan.

Yeah, he's just freaking out

that his daughter has a sex

life.

He's the bigot from hell and

he doesn't even know it.

No, he knows it.

He just doesn't know that he

knows it.

Lots of black parents are

against it, too.

I don't know.

It's gonna ruin prom.

We should just forget it.

Kelly's right.

We should just forget it.

I mean, this is prom, you know?

We're supposed to be having a

good time.

Let's talk hair.

Or let's talk about shoes.

Or... let's talk about you and

Brandon Williams getting it on.

Whoa, whoa, not in front of

the boy, Sela, okay?

Now, he's a virgin.

There is nothing going on

between us, y'all.

I am tutoring him, that is all.

Ely and I saw you talking to

him, didn't we?

Love was in the air.

I mean, I heard bells.

If he asked you to prom,

you'd faint.

Not before I said no.

You are so full of it.

He is apathetic.

Uh-oh.

Big words.

She's using the big words.

Uh-huh.

She must really like him.

"Apathy is the glove into

which evil slips his hand."

Ew... la, la, la, la, la, la!

Uh, you know, Mama, I'm gonna

walk home, okay? Okay.

You all right to drive back?

Oh, I'm fine.

Okay.

Okay. Bye, baby.

See you later.

Hey, can I talk to you for a

second?

Um, we saw each other in church.

We didn't actually meet.

I'm, uh, Desiree Howard.

Yes, I know you.

Mrs. Howard's daughter.

Yeah.

I'm Brianna McCallister.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you as well.

It's not an original idea,

you know.

Most schools have one senior

prom.

Yeah, but, you know, this is

Mercier.

And we're not just talking about

any prom, we're talking about an

integrated prom.

No one says "integrated"

about our schools anymore.

Just 'cause someone doesn't

say a word out loud doesn't mean

they're not thinking it.

I'm sure nobody says

"segregated" about the school

either.

I went to school here, too.

And we called it black prom and

white prom.

And we didn't think about

it as being segregated,

but that's what it was.

That's what you're fighting.

It's not a fight.

We're friends.

We just want to have our parties

together.

It's... it's not that big a deal.

Then why all the objections

and the committees and...

You used to live here, right?

You know exactly how it is.

You get a haircut, everybody

gotta say something about it.

"Girl, you look cute.

Girl, what'd you do to your

hair, where'd you go to?

Can I go?

Your mama ain't goin' like

that."

It's just a small town,

that's all.

Yeah, that's true.

I mean, there are small towns

and there are small towns.

And then there's Mercier.

Which is stuck in a time warp.

I mean, I went to school here 14

years ago and it's the same now

as it was then.

"Change your thoughts and you

change your world."

Norman Vincent Peale.

That is impressive.

Wow.

Okay, then tell me.

What are your thoughts?

My thoughts are...

we are going to have one

class prom.

The whole class.

It's gonna be the best prom in

the history of Mercier High.

And everybody... and I mean

everybody... is gonna be glad

they came.

Daddy?

Um, why don't you go on up

to bed?

I'm 55 years old.

I get to pick my own bedtime

now.

How long are you staying,

Desiree?

Why, Daddy?

Sick of me already?

Well, you don't visit in two

years, your mother's got to go

visit you, busy even at

Christmas time, but now you're

here.

You were fired?

It was a personal leave.

Is that newspaper jargon for

out of a job?

I told my editor I wanted to

quit because I wasn't getting

the assignments I deserved...

Hey.

I don't want to hear that.

Nothing is ever good enough

for you.

Not your family, not this town,

now your job.

You're ungrateful.

That is not true.

Never a word of complaint out

of Russell.

And he had a lot to complain

about.

Look at you.

What are you saying, Daddy?

That you wish I had sickle cell?

You could get a job right

here in Mercier.

Your mother would like to have

you close.

It's all still very hard on her.

Do you realize that?

Mama wants me where I can be

happy and I cannot be a

journalist here in Mercier.

Don't look like you can be a

journalist in New Orleans,

either.

Yeah, well, I'm trying.

I can't be Russell, but I'm

working real hard to be Desiree.

Come on, y'all.

Car wash time.

Vans, ten dollars.

Cars are five.

It's for a good cause now.

We gotta go to the prom.

All right, car wash!

Car wash, anybody?

♪♪

Come on!

Is Kelly here?

She's a no show.

But ask me if I've seen

Mr. Fine As Hell.

What?

Wipe the soap off your chin.

Here he comes.

Thought you guys could use

some muscle.

You thought right.

Wash or wax?

We'll wash.

Well, follow me, boys.

Uh, you want to wax.

No, I don't.

Yes, you do.

The red car.

Thanks.

I thought Cupid was a little

guy with arrows.

Hi.

What's up?

I got a C-plus on my test.

I owe you one.

Bet you coulda got a B if you

wanted.

Mm, C's good enough.

If I do any better than that on

stats, my old man'll have a

stroke.

I didn't mean to start a

fight with you.

It wasn't a fight.

It was a difference of opinion.

Think two people can have

different opinions and still be

friends?

It depends.

On what?

Some things are just too

important to compromise.

You know they've been calling

Myron's house every day.

Threatening him.

Telling him if he goes anywhere

near Carla, he's a dead nigger.

Are you serious?

Yes.

All this talk about blacks and

whites being together for prom?

It gets people thinking.

It gets 'em mad.

Is prom too important to

compromise, Brianna?

I'm just asking.

I've had this headache for

four days.

I wouldn't wonder.

It's just them damn kids.

Of course it is.

And I told Myron if I see him

near that hootchie girl again,

I will take the car keys.

Mm-hmm.

She's not the first boy she

done took into the parking lot.

That's for sure.

That's for sure.

Speaking of hootchie, guess

who just walked in.

What's she doing with

Mark Manning?

Private high school reunion

maybe?

Huh?

Oh, you didn't hear about

that?

Uh-huh.

Hot and heavy.

Big secret.

They were never seen together in

public, but...

Yes, indeed.

Oh, uh...

Thank you.

Thank you.

Hey.

Thank you for meeting me

here.

I never turn down lunch at

Trudi's.

I want to talk about prom.

Well, I woulda taken you.

You were the one who said no.

Well, to the black prom or

the white one?

I mean, what if there'd been an

integrated prom back then?

What if there was one now?

Why do I suddenly feel like I

need a lawyer?

It's not a trick question,

Mark.

Is it an interview?

No, I just want your opinion.

As the Assistant Principal of

Mercier or as an old friend?

'Cause you know the school has

nothing to do with the prom.

A state funded school cannot

sanction segregation.

Segregation's a pretty strong

word, don't you think?

Well, how 'bout separate but

equal?

You like that better?

You're the writer.

Uh-oh.

Uh, don't look.

Your rep is ruined.

We're being scrutinized by the

town gossip.

Don't!

Stop it.

Ugh.

Marlene Armstrong never

liked me.

Oh, she's just jealous.

Of me.

I think all the girls were

jealous of you.

Prettiest girl in the class.

Damn, Dez, it's...

Mark, don't.

Let me just say it.

Say what?

Look, we were kids.

Look, I talked to Brianna

McCallister and I don't think

she knows what she's doing.

She could get really hurt, Mark.

Don't underestimate Brianna.

It's not school business.

I know, Jenny.

We're all just concerned

neighbors here.

The faculty isn't doing

anything to encourage these

kids.

And I appreciate that, Ron.

On the other hand, what's

being done to discourage them?

They just want to party with

their friends, that's all.

We've been having two proms

since for as long as I can

remember.

And when a tradition is older

than me, well, there's got to be

a good reason for it.

Well, you're not against

integrated schooling, are you,

Bob?

Against it?

Hell, I'm for it!

We wouldn't be state champions

without it.

You know, if I can speak

frankly... excuse me, but all of

this prom business... it started

after the Dawson boy got

suspended.

It is obviously a rebellion.

Kids want to do what they

know they shouldn't do.

That's why they're kids.

Putting blacks and whites

together on prom night?

Why not just give the baby

matches?

I couldn't agree more.

It's that Brianna

McCallister.

I mean, if you could just talk

to her, Jenny.

She's the one who started all

this.

And Bob, you need to speak with

Carla.

Carla's just acting out.

Curiosity, that's all.

You know, it's the kind of

thing that can get out of

control if we just let it be.

I always tell my girls what my

daddy always told me.

"Lie down with dogs, get up with

fleas."

Excuse me.

I need to drink.

Kelly!

I'll be right back.

Hey, so I got the prom

catalog.

We need to pick out the

glassware and the napkins.

You want to do it during lunch?

I can't during lunch.

What about after school?

Um, I can't work prom

anymore.

My mom says it's just too much

for me, what with all my other

activities.

Ask Shannon.

Kelly's gone over to the dark

side.

I mean, the light side.

Don't you start talking about

sides.

Don't you see what's

happening around here?

Check it out.

Sela!

What?

You want me to feel sorry

for her?

If Myron had any sense he'd

be done with that white girl.

That white girl's name is

Carla.

No, ma'am, she's "White Bitch

Who Got Myron Dawson Suspended,"

formerly known as Carla.

Who's been saying that?

Plenty of people.

Including yours truly.

A thousand for the hotel?

And that's just for the deposit.

There's not gonna be anything

left for drinks or decorations.

Mercier Meeting Hall.

Looking good.

Mercier Meeting Hall,

kill me now.

Yo, what you lookin' at?

Yo, what you lookin' at?

It ain't none of your

business.

I make it my business.

Hey, take it easy.

Well, tell your boy to

back off.

No, let him go!

She's not worth it.

I'm gonna see you!

Hello.

You're cooking?

I've learned a few things

since high school.

Try and keep an open mind.

Come on in.

I thought we were just gonna

go out for a drink.

Well, I'm aware of how you

like, hate the whole Mercier

staring at the black girl with

the white guy thing, so...

Gawker free zone.

All right.

It does smell good.

Stuffed crab.

I got the recipe from my

neighbor.

Would you like some wine?

Yes, thank you.

Where'd you get that apron?

You like it?

It's lovely.

Thank you.

Cheers.

♪♪

Mercier is still a

small-minded, passive-aggressive

racist little town.

Mark, think about it.

Who owns most of the real estate

here?

Who wields all of the power?

There's one black employee down

at the courthouse and 90%

of the inmates in the jailhouse

are black.

And yet, somehow, y'all are

still real proud of your

integrated little PTA.

You're right.

I'm sorry.

I... I did not mean to go off on

you like that.

That was awful.

It's all right.

You know, dinner was lovely.

You... you're a great cook.

Thank you.

You know, there are people

trying to change things here.

You could sign up.

I'm just passing through,

Mark.

I don't have the patience.

I never did.

Prejudice is just fear.

People are scared.

Look at 'em.

You're right.

People here are scared.

They're scared of you, and

they're scared of me, and Myron

and Carla, and little coffee

colored babies in the

preschools.

Where are you going?

Honestly, Mark.

I don't... I don't know why I

came here.

Open this door.

I'm not scared.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

So, is AP interested in the

story or not?

Great... no, that's,

that's great... okay.

Um, okay, it's... it's Mercier

High School and, uh, and no

byline, okay?

Yeah, the girl's name is

Brianna McCallister.

B-R-I-A-N-N-A and, uh,

McCallister is two c's, two l's.

All right, you ready?

Okay, um, in an effort to end

30 years of segregated proms,

high school student

Brianna McCallister is...

Listen up!

Your projects are due on Monday.

No excuses.

That means you, Ely.

I am wounded.

You are warned.

Hey, Miss Einstein.

Hey.

You gonna be at Lee's on

Friday night?

Uh, I don't know.

Be there.

Okay.

Brianna McCallister,

please come to the principal's

office.

Close the door, please.

Sit down, Brianna.

Why didn't you talk to me first?

Talk to you?

About what?

Apparently it's in

all the papers.

Mrs. Stephens, I... I don't

know anything about this, I...

I swear.

"At a PTA meeting,

Ms. McCallister protested

the segregated proms.

'We're all just friends, ' the

senior said, 'we just want to

party together, what's wrong

with that?'"

"Assistant Principal Manning

refuses to comment on the racism

in Mercier."

I didn't call the newspapers.

Honest, I didn't do it.

This article implies that our

school sanctions segregation.

Do you realize that you've put

us all in a potentially

dangerous position?

Promise me that you won't talk

to any more reporters.

I didn't.

A television camera crew

is on the way over here.

Call the Sheriff, make sure

they stay off school property.

I think it's best if you go home

for the rest of the day.

Mercier High, can you please

hold?

Mercier High, can you...

Please hold.

Thank you.

Mercier High, can you please

hold?

Just hold, please.

Please hold.

Hello, can I help you?

The prom is not a

school-sponsored event.

They're private parties.

The school can't afford a prom.

I'm sorry, the school has no

comment.

No comment.

No comment.

No comment.

Brianna!

Hey, Brianna!

Brianna, where are you going?

I've been sent home.

Why?

You know why.

Brianna, oh, come on, honey.

Wait.

Brianna, wait.

Wait a second.

You lied to me.

No, I did not lie.

You wrote that story,

didn't you?

Yes, I did.

And you asked me questions

and pretended like we were

friends, so that you could have

a story.

You don't call that a lie?

Why'd you give it to the

Associated Press?

Afraid to put your name

on it?

No, I should've just told her

it was coming out before it did,

that's all.

That's all.

You used her, Dez.

I helped her, Mark.

I gave her a voice.

You're the one that told me to

sign up.

That's how you sign up?

By publicly shaming this town?

This town should be shamed...

Publicly, privately and any

other way I can think of.

Well, mission accomplished.

You can go back to New Orleans.

I bet you'll get some real juicy

assignments out of this.

Sending Brianna McCallister

home, was that really necessary,

Jenny?

I couldn't have her here with

all the television cameras.

Well, you can't keep her out

of school.

I know, I know.

I thought you were in favor

of one prom.

I'm not in favor of being

called a, a passive-aggressive

white racist just because this

town has a tradition of two

separate proms.

Segregated, not separate.

Why does everyone keep using

that word?

Mr. Thornton's here.

Who's minding the store,

Jenny?

How'd this little girl get so

much press?

We don't know.

You think the NAACP's behind

this?

I don't believe so.

Well, you and I have to do

some damage control before they

jump on the bandwagon.

Well, it's an easy fix, Bob.

Beg your pardon, Mark?

Well, you just have Jenny

announce that there's gonna be

one prom.

Black and white kids together

and then there's nothing to

write about.

Are you being smart with me

or are you just dumb as a post?

I'm just being practical.

Jenny?

Mark.

Prom is going to be like it's

always been for one reason and

one reason only.

That's the way the students

want it.

We have to make that very clear.

Now, this McCallister girl,

it says in the paper she's

the valedictorian.

She's in the running, yeah.

Does she want to stay in the

running?

I hope you're not suggesting

that I use that as a threat.

Oh, no.

I'm not telling you how to do

your job, Jenny.

You're doing a fine job.

Now, a lot of folks on the board

didn't think we should have a

woman principal, but me, I stuck

out my neck.

I said, "She has brass ones."

Please, don't make me out to be

a big fat liar.

She doesn't want to talk

to you.

I didn't do it to hurt her.

Marlene.

Please.

You said you'd die before

you'd set foot in this town

again.

Well, here you are.

Come to teach us a lesson.

You may not like how I did

it, but you know it needed

doing.

Brianna did what needed

doing.

You just wrote it up.

All right.

Fair enough.

You think you're the only

person in this town that wanted

more?

Thank you.

So?

You just gonna give up now?

You know that saying, "the tip

of the iceberg"?

That's your prom.

No, it wasn't an iceberg

until you made it one.

Honey, it was an iceberg and

you would've hit sooner or later

and I only made it sooner.

Now, what're you gonna do?

Nothing!

It's over.

It's far from over.

It's your game now.

You and your church ladies and

your reporters and the City

Council, and anybody else who

wants to use us to make a point.

Oh, this isn't what I wanted.

You started something,

Brianna.

Now you gotta see it through.

Why?

So you can have more to write

about?

Come on.

You're not fair.

Neither are you.

Now, I wish you'd leave.

You know, when I look at you,

I wonder what I might've done

when I was your age.

If I'd had your imagination and

your courage.

But I didn't.

I just ran away.

I made you a sandwich.

I'm not hungry.

Now, come on, eat something,

sweetie.

Trouble doesn't like an

empty stomach.

You told me to keep my head

down.

That's right, I did,

didn't I?

I should have listened

to you.

I should've listened to you.

Come here.

Shh, it's okay.

You know about Ernest Armstrong?

All that reading and you don't

know about your own relations.

Let's see, Ernest.

Third cousin on my mother's

side.

Now, Ernest was the first black

man in Louisiana to cast his

ballot in a national election.

He was the first black man

to vote?

Mm-hmm.

'course, his vote wasn't

counted.

Of course.

And they lynched him.

But the point is, he went first.

Now, somebody's got to go first,

like you.

What?

Are you saying I'm gonna be

lynched?

No, girl, no.

What I'm trying to say is,

I'm proud to be related to you,

Brianna.

Now, it was wrong for me to tell

you to keep your head down.

You keep your head up.

You know what you're doing.

Okay?

Okay.

You told me to take some

personal time.

This is personal.

Point taken.

Personal leave is over.

You work for me.

You do not file with Associated

Press...

Unless you want me to send

Fatboy down there to break your

kneecaps.

How's Mom, how's Dad, how's

the dog?

That's good.

When's prom?

It's May 18th.

Stay and cover it.

Pre-prom, prom, racist

rednecks, kids, parents.

Maybe somebody'll burn down

the school if we're lucky.

You there?

Yeah, yeah, I'm here.

You wanted off the

Metro Section.

This is it, congratulations.

You're a front pager.

Hello?

You do want this, don't you?

Yeah.

Yeah, I want it.

I'm sending a photographer.

Hugs and kisses.

We're your Secret Service

bodyguards.

Oh, I need bodyguards?

Mm-hmm, you famous.

You're like a rap star.

You ever seen a rap star without

a bodyguard?

Uh-uh.

I am a human shield.

You're not a human anything.

We got your back, Bree.

We got your back.

Brianna.

Can I have my prom dues back?

What world are you in?

No refunds.

Carla, you're not coming to

prom?

My dad says there's not gonna

be a prom.

Just a white prom.

And I'm not going to that.

Oh, so you're gonna have a

private party at no-tell motel?

Sela, stop it.

Ask white prom for your dues,

okay?

Shannon said Brianna was

holding the dues.

And we spent it!

You couldn't have spent all

that money.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Are you saying she stole your

money, ho?

What'd you call me?

Oh, we got a cat fight.

Stop it.

Stop it, both of you.

White ho.

Stop it, Carla,

we've got class.

I can take care of myself.

You better watch it, ho.

That was the bell, people.

Brianna.

In my office, please.

Brianna, if I was harsh with

you yesterday... I'm sorry.

It's okay, ma'am.

I understand.

It's just that the school and

graduation parties are two

separate things.

Prom is not my business.

Do you trust me, Brianna?

Yes, ma'am.

Then consider some advice

from a friend.

It would be better for everyone

involved if the seniors had the

traditional two proms.

It's not just up to me.

Well, it's not worth

upsetting a whole town over

something as trivial as a party.

I have to think about it.

You're an adult now.

You have to put aside your

personal wishes and think about

what's best for your community.

You know, part of what goes into

being class valedictorian is

having a record of good

citizenship.

I... I understand.

Good.

You get back to class.

What did the Principal want?

She said that she wanted us

to go back to the two proms.

That, uh, that I should stop

thinking about what I wanted and

do what's best for Mercier.

So, what are you gonna do?

Hey, everybody, shut up!

Listen up, girl...

That's you too, Reggie.

Now, listen up.

Y'all read it in the paper

and saw it on TV.

People are trying to twist

things around and make us seem

like we're something that

we're not.

We've always had two proms here

in Mercier.

And when we voted to have one,

we didn't plan...

I... I didn't plan on having any

troubles with anybody.

But now everybody is fighting,

y'all.

Mrs. Stephens said that I needed

to do the right thing for my

community.

The right thing is to have a

great prom.

And to have a great prom,

everybody has to be there.

One prom for the whole class.

I need my dues back.

Kelly, but you...

We're gonna have our prom

like always, so just give me

back my dues.

Don't ruin it for the rest

of us.

Okay.

Y'all want your dues back, you

gotta get it after school.

Hey!

What you all think, she's got in

her pocket like a cash machine?

She said after school.

Now, back off.

Thanks.

Hey...

I told you I owed you one.

You want your dues back too?

Keep 'em.

Okay.

That took guts in there.

Did you see my knees were

shaking?

I got a quote for you.

Okay.

"There can be no courage

unless you're scared."

Nice.

You know who said that?

No.

Eddie Rickenbacker.

World War I flyer.

I got another one for you.

I bet you don't know who

said this.

"If your head is waxed, don't

walk in the sun."

If your head is made of,

of wax.

Don't walk in the sun.

Okay.

Look, I'm gonna tell you who

said it at Lee's, but you gotta

dance with me first, all right?

If I have to, I have to.

And then after that, maybe

you could school me in

chapter six.

I'd school you.

Man, you ain't gotta dance with

me first.

Don't you dance,

Miss Einstein?

Well, maybe I can school you.

All visitors to the school

need to be cleared through me.

We're barring the media from

school grounds.

Come on, Mark.

I saw a story and I wrote it.

Really?

I thought a reporter's job was

to report the facts.

The fact is that you people

use the word "tradition" when

the word you should be using is

oppression.

"You people"?

I really need to talk to

Brianna, okay?

Does she want to talk to you?

I have to write this story.

It's good for my career and,

honestly, it's, it's good for my

soul.

But I'd rather do it with you

than without you.

And if I say no, the paper's

just gonna send someone else.

Thank you for bringing me

here.

I must've looked at these a

hundred times.

You know, I never knew why there

were two.

There just were.

I had to refund a bunch of prom

dues at school today.

And Kelly said I was ruining it

for everybody.

People say stupid things when

they feel threatened.

Mrs. Stephens told me not to

talk to any reporters.

I know that.

But I want to talk to you,

Desiree.

I want you to tell the story.

I just don't know how it's gonna

turn out.

Prom or no prom, you have

made your point.

You do not have to take this

to the finish line.

Yes, I do.

Daddy, this is a huge story.

I can't just shine it on.

Don't you have any thought

for your mother?

She works at that school.

I'm not the only reporter

covering this.

But you are the only reporter

I see in my house.

And in my house, I make the

rules.

You want to be a reporter,

you go stay in that motel with

the rest of 'em.

Fine.

I'll go get my things.

Nobody is going anywhere.

Now stop it, both of you.

Mama, am I making problems

for you at work?

Nobody is giving me any

trouble.

They don't give you trouble,

they give you pink slips.

Can we just have a nice

dinner?

Now, I got your favorite shrimp

dish, I got some egg

rolls and...

There are other people in

this world besides you, Desiree.

Now, you may not want to live

here, but we do.

Mercier is our home.

Oh, yeah, and the niggers in

Mercier don't want trouble.

Now, wait a minute, hold on.

The niggers in Mercier are

good neighbors and the niggers

in Mercier say yessuh

and nossuh!

Would you hold on!

Don't you use that kind of

language around me.

Daddy, did you think that

Sheriff Taylor is ever gonna

bust that Dupree girl for

reckless driving?

She ran a stop sign, she fled

the scene of an accident.

He said he's looking into it.

He's looking into it!

Come on, Daddy.

He knows he doesn't have to do

a damn thing because you are

a good...

Desiree.

Now, you apologize right now.

I'm sorry, Daddy.

He is your father.

Mrs. Howard?

When are they gonna announce the

valedictorian?

Shouldn't you be in class?

Yes, ma'am.

Come in.

Brianna McCallister was

checking the senior class

bulletin.

Wanted to know when you're going

to announce class valedictorian.

Did you want to say

something, Edna?

Yes.

I think this whole thing stinks.

Off the record, I agree.

Maybe you should get on the

record.

I'm not sure what I'm

gonna do.

Thanks for your input, Edna.

I don't think I'm gonna be

valedictorian.

Well, why's that?

Because I didn't listen to

what Ms. Stephens said about

that prom.

There's never been a black

valedictorian at Mercier.

If it wasn't prom, she would've

found another excuse.

This whole week has just been

the worst week of my life.

The prom is falling apart, I'm

not gonna be valedictorian, half

my friends are not even speaking

to me.

Well, forget them.

I'm still speaking to you.

That's only so I can help you

in math.

That's not true.

It's kind of the other way

around.

I asked you to help me today so

I could speak to you about

something.

This prom.

You got a date?

Did you eat something bad or

are you just happy to see me?

Brandon Williams asked me to

the prom.

Oh!

That's Sela.

Hello?

Brianna.

Hey, Brianna,

it's Mrs. Jackson.

Oh, hey, Mrs. Jackson.

Uh...

She's sorry but, you know,

something came up.

Is Andrea there?

Well, honey...

Can I talk to her?

Okay, uh, it's okay.

I'll just see her at school...

All right, good-bye.

That was Andrea's mama.

She's not coming to the prom.

She didn't even want to talk

to me.

Too ashamed, I bet.

Brianna.

Hey, Brianna, my mom says I

can't go to the prom unless

it's all black.

Oh, okay.

I'm sorry.

Um, it's not your fault.

I'll see you tomorrow...

Okay.

Tanya Franklin.

She said she... she said her

parents won't let her go to the

prom unless it's all black kids.

Now, you know that's just

silly.

Give me the phone,

I'll call Jolene.

Don't.

Hello, Brianna.

Oh, I'm sorry you won't be

able to come.

I'll return your prom dues.

Yeah, that has been going

around, hasn't it?

Hello.

Brianna, I need my money

back.

Sure will miss ya.

No, no.

It's okay.

I understand.

Brianna.

Forget about your prom,

bitch.

Oh, my God.

I'm sure you've all heard by

now... someone broke into the

school.

Vandalism is a serious crime,

and the state police have been

called in to investigate.

Now, I sincerely hope that

none of you are responsible.

I'm responsible.

Brianna, please.

Sit down.

When I'm an old lady and

I look at my prom pictures,

I didn't want to see anybody's

faces missing from them.

I wasn't trying to change

nothing.

I was trying to keep it

the same.

To keep us together like we

always have been.

People told me that I was

ruining prom for everybody,

but I didn't listen.

They were right and I was wrong.

I am responsible for what

happened here, and I am sorry.

I am truly sorry.

You listen to me.

You didn't throw those bricks

and this isn't your fault.

Now, there's still kids who want

a class prom.

What about them, huh?

What happened to, "I'm no

quitter"?

Uh-uh.

I never said that.

You don't stand in front of a

whole auditorium like Joan of

Arc or something and then make a

big speech, then crawl away

to die.

Uh, Joanie was burned at the

stake though.

Whatever.

Just back me up.

Well, we've still got the,

uh, Skylight House.

True.

Yeah, and no decorations.

DJ Ray.

I mean, the man is booked.

That's true.

Yeah, we could probably get

our deposit back.

Why don't we just get

everybody to kick in some money,

replace all the stuff that got

damaged.

Y'all, do you realize how

long it took to get the

decorations and then to put

it up?

Uh-uh, y'all, it is too late,

forget it.

Where am I supposed to wear

my tux at... Lee's?

I guess... Brianna!

Prom dues.

Mine and some others.

I don't care if my father locks

me up for a year and takes away

my phone, my CDs and my TV.

I want those pictures you talked

about.

Thank you!

Brianna put you to work?

Uh, yeah, she's, uh,

transportation.

Don't tell the union.

Thank you.

It's nice of you to help.

I'm having fun.

Are we okay?

You tell me.

Look, I'm sorry I gave you

such a hard time.

I was wrong.

About everything.

Everything?

Give or take a comma.

I want us to be friends.

Just friends?

We don't want to start

something we can't finish.

We don't?

We don't.

Is it the white thing?

Because I could tan.

No, Mark, it's not the white

thing.

Look, you live in Mercier and I

live in New Orleans.

Two hours as the crow flies.

It's not the distance.

You really hate this town,

don't you?

No, no, I don't.

Not anymore.

When my brother died so young,

somehow I got it into my head

that the same thing was gonna

happen to me and I had to get

out, you know, and just see

everything and do everything.

And, I don't know, looking back

now, maybe I wasn't really

running from Mercier.

You know, maybe I was just

running.

I remember once a long time

ago, you said you couldn't

breathe in this town.

Just needed to get away for a

little while.

Kept waiting for you to come

back, but you didn't.

I don't mind waiting, Dez.

This conversation's going a

little too far too fast for me.

Uh, can we... can we back up to

friends?

Friends.

Okay.

Spit and shake.

Oh, Lord.

Mark, that is so nasty!

We are not in high school

anymore.

Yeah, you keep reminding me.

♪♪

What are you doing out here?

Uh, I was looking for Mama's

sewing kit.

Um, these are all the stories I

ever wrote in high school and

college.

Yeah, well, Mama had 'em

packed away in a box.

I thought they'd keep better in

a book.

Easier to read.

You did this?

You know I love both my kids.

But I always knew you were

something special.

No, Daddy, Russell was the

one who was special.

No, no, no, no, no.

He's my son.

But you...

Girl, you were something else.

You always had that chin stuck

way out as if you were saying,

"Life, come on at me."

I thought if I made it tough

on you, if I made things hard,

you'd do all right.

Wouldn't get taken out by the

first punch.

See, a man always wants to see

his children do better than him,

be a better person than he was.

Daddy, I'm not a better

person than you.

I never could be.

Yeah, yeah, all right, all

right.

Look, you can take that book if

you want it.

It's all full up.

I'll go make another one.

I just got a call from

Mercier High School.

What now?

You're class valedictorian.

Close your mouth before you

swallow a fly!

It's you, baby, I'm not joking!

Oh, goodness!

I can't believe it!

I can't believe it!

I mean it... oh, be careful

of your dress, your dress.

Oh, my goodness.

I think I'm gonna faint.

Don't you dare.

That can't be him,

it's too early.

Okay, you put on your shoes,

and I'll get the door.

Okay.

Come on in.

Hey, Brianna.

Stand up, let me see you.

You look beautiful.

Thank you.

So do you.

Well, thank you.

I can't find my shoes.

Um, they're right there.

Thank you.

Uh, did Ely go and make sure

that the sound system is still

working?

Yes, and...

I forgot to order the ice.

Honey, the ice is on its way.

You need to relax.

Can you tell I'm nervous?

You look beautiful.

No need to be nervous.

My earrings.

I don't know where my earrings...

Brianna, they're right here.

Oh.

Thank you.

I think you need to take a

deep breath.

Is that better?

No.

I wanna... I wanna give you

something.

This belonged to my

grandmother.

Oh, my.

Oh... Oh, it is beautiful.

But I can't accept it.

It needs to stay in your family.

Oh, honey, you are my family.

♪♪

Brianna, over here!

Brianna!

Brianna, could we get

a statement?

You guys look great.

Right this way.

You okay?

Go ahead.

No.

Can you come with me?

This is your 15 minutes.

Meet you on the other side.

Wow.

Brianna!

Hey, girl!

You look fantastic, girl!

You know, they're not

here yet.

Everybody keeps asking me where

they are.

It's 8:00.

What if they don't show?

What are we gonna do?

Don't worry.

We built it, they'll come.

What if they don't?

Well, I'm a reporter and, uh,

we'll spin it.

You'll make a statement...

No, no.

You'll, you'll make a statement.

And you'll say that you're

disappointed but that you deeply

hope that future classes at

Mercier High will have the

opportunity to celebrate their

prom together...

I can't do this.

without fear of

retribution or threats...

Is that really them?

I think it is.

I'm gonna let you greet your

party.

We just want to have

a good time.

♪ Let's shake it, hey

♪ Come on and stop my way

♪ Shake, shake, hey

♪ Come on and dance my way

♪ Let's shake it, hey

♪ Yeah, yeah, come on

We just knew in our hearts it

was the right thing to do.

♪ Let me take you higher,

swing, hey ♪

Hey, y'all!

♪ Let's move

'cause I can't lurk or swing ♪

♪ Let's move

♪ Getting love in trouble,

swing, girl ♪

♪ Get you in the mood,

I'm ready ♪

♪ Swing, baby, swing,

'cause tonight you're mine ♪

♪ Make your whole world

start to spin ♪

♪ 'cause you're spending

the night with enough freakin' ♪

♪ I'm only good

for as long as I can ♪

♪ Swing, baby, swing,

let's swing that bird ♪♪

♪♪

♪ It's Friday night

out in the city lights ♪

♪ I got my whole shine bright

♪ We got them drinks on ice

♪ Come on, it's Friday night

and I just got paid ♪

♪ Just took a long time

to get me a fade ♪

♪ Took the car seat

out the Escalade ♪

♪ Yo, I be ready in an hour,

need a shower and shave ♪

♪ Tonight it's on, throw on

the Johnson baby powder ♪

♪ It's Friday night

out in the city lights ♪

♪ I got my whole shine bright

♪ We got them drinks on ice

♪ Come on, it's Friday night

and everything's all right ♪

♪ Ain't got a...

My daughter is in there.

I want her out.

Bob, wait, just listen.

You get the hell out of

my way.

Bob, it's the senior class...

Mark, it's fine.

Help yourself, be our guest.

Just remember on your way out to

smile for the cameras.

I'm sure every newspaper's gonna

want a nice picture of our local

councilman dragging his daughter

out of the first integrated prom

in Mercier.

Do you think you won a great

battle here?

You haven't.

It is just one night.

♪ A child so fragile,

trying to make her way through ♪

♪ Told to work hard and all

dreams will come true... ♪

Wow.

He's charming.

Yeah.

Would you like to dance,

just for old times' sake?

No, Mark, but I will dance

with you for new times.

Be still my beating heart.

Come on.

♪ But what they say's

not what they do ♪

♪ We try to hide

the pain that makes us defy ♪

♪ We shall, we shall overcome

♪ Oh

♪ We are the same inside,

so look in to my eyes ♪

♪ Let's put away our fears

just for one night... ♪

Benjamin Franklin.

What?

He's the one who said, "If

your head is made of wax, don't

walk in the sun."

I got more for you.

I can't wait.

♪ We'll have a love

that makes us stronger ♪

♪ We'll have a peace

that sets us free ♪

♪ Soon will come a time

where everyone can rise up ♪

♪ And we all will be released

from gravity ♪

♪ We'll have a love

that makes us stronger ♪

♪ We are the same inside,

so look into my eyes ♪

♪ Let's put away our fears

just for one night ♪

♪ Acceptance is the way,

it's in both you and me ♪

♪ Let's try to work

together now ♪

♪ We'll have a love

that makes us stronger ♪

♪ We'll have a peace

that sets us free ♪

♪ Soon will come a time

where everyone can rise up ♪

♪ And we all will be released

from gravity ♪

♪ We'll have a love

that makes us stronger ♪♪

It speaks for itself.