Original subtitles

First, it's the devil that's poisoned your mind against us.

Second, we can talk.

But just like your folks, a lot of our folks abuse the privilege,

so we cut talking out.

In fact, I'm not supposed to.

And if I wasn't so fed up, I wouldn't be rapping with you.

Are you hip to imps?

Imps are the devil's assistants and he's got zillions of them, right?

Everybody knows a few.

Well, I'm talking about those two beginners

that tried to break up that party the other Saturday night.

They made the trouble. We got the blame.

Talking about being hip to things, are you hip to injustice?

Like I was saying about us getting the blame?

Hey, a lot of times what you see is an imp

imitating one of him or one of me.

Oh, they can change shapes and stuff,

but they can't be walking through no walls or mirrors or doors,

unless, of course, the door is opened or gets opened by somebody else.

That's Hollywood.

Next, devils ain't as tough as they'd like to be taken for.

At least, they ain't no badder than you let them be.

The only strength Mephistopheles has

is the sense of evil in the minds of man.

Amen!

[rat] To break that down,

that means if you ain't got rip-off in your heart,

the devil can't rip you off.

Can't get ripped off,

but you can, innocent bystander or not,

get all squashed.

Life is a trip, Jim.

My hole gets plugged. My buddy gets mugged.

[rat] Anyway, the other night when I was making it back

from my girlfriend Bernice's -

she lives behind the drain pipe on the rooftop a couple of houses down -

I dug this typical example of two imps

flying in on a mission to cause trouble for us.

I dug it from the get-go, Jim, from the sky up on down.

There doesn't seem to be anything doing.

Surely we can find one party some place.

Why did you sign up?

I never had a chance to be me. My father decided.

Party!

- Sic 'em! - Geronimo!

We'll boil 'em in oil! Stretch 'em on the rack! Roast 'em at the stake!

We can't. You know that. People don't believe in that stuff anymore.

And the only power we have is the evilness in them.

[rat] Hmph. You better believe it.

Let's go!

You go. I wait.

A smart general always keeps reinforcements ready.

- Black people! - So what?

Party-breaking is a snap anywhere. Just show up.

Scare 'em to death, stop the music, drink up everything,

eat all the food, and the party's over!

When Black people have a party, they don't play. They're serious.

Besides, Harlem is off-limits to beginners.

[rat] You better believe that too.

Let's go under the door sill. Let's do the cockroach number.

- Come on! - I wasn't Black before.

Me either. It don't make no difference.

All I know is, in the entire history of party-pooping,

no imp that went to Harlem ever came back to tell the story.

Old wives' tales!

- Nothing could be easier.

They're just like anybody else.

Come on, let's break this party!

Let's break this party! Let's break it!

- Come on! - Geronimo!

Come on, y'all. Take some more. Work your appetites up.

Child, don't you think I can get up and down from my chair?

How old do you think your old auntie is anyhow?

- Don't you dare answer that.

If I bite into this sandwich and close my eyes,

I could swear I was right back down home

at a good ol' Southern Saturday night party.

Don't tell that lie, Brother Washington.

You couldn't think you was back down South,

'cause if you was back down home,

your hands would be so sore from picking cotton,

you could hardly hold a sandwich in the first place.

Maybe I got a cotton-picker's hands and all,

but I sure got a madcap's back.

Lord knows, Brother Washington, you sure got a point there.

Yes, sir. If it ain't one thing, it sure is another.

I ain't been picking no cotton or pulling these sacks around,

but maid working ain't so easy either.

Mmm! My feet feel like there's 13 days in every week.

Yeah, I guess you got a point there.

If it ain't one thing, it sure is another.

I don't believe that man, I'm sure, forever heard of you and your ways

or no special amount of working hours in the evening.

If it ain't one thing, then it's another.

That's the truth.

Now, me, I've got post office palsy,

and I've sorted so many letters, my eyes gettin' weak.

I got to see 'bout things in the kitchen.

This here is Saturday night, so y'all change the subject!

Can't y'all think of nothing else to talk about except how hard you work all week?

I'll go, Auntie. I'll go.

[woman] Ooh, you sure are right, Miss Maybell.

Time just flies. And Saturday night only comes once a week.

Feels like it only comes once a month, if you ask me.

Well, I guess we lucky to get that.

Remember that old poem?

In the beginning, so the Bible say,

every second of every day was party time.

Saturday night party time.

In the beginning, so the Bible say,

the Lord wanted man to have it nice.

But Adam and Eve acted ugly,

and ever since, poor folks had to pay the price.

Oh! Now that poem don't hardly even rhyme.

I bet you made it up yourself.

You better watch your step if you want to go to heaven.

Well, if the Lord can't take a little joke,

heaven ain't so wonderful anyhow.

Hey, remember that song the old railroad gangs used to sing

about the eight-day week?

Say it!

Lord, that's the big day!

Whoo! That's it!

That's my song.

[man] Amen!

- Whoo! Yeah! - All right, sister.

-[Auntie] Hi, honey. What is it? - In the kitchen!

...in the kitchen anyhow.

- There's a man in the kitchen. - Hmm. That sure is strange.

And he's acting mighty funny, Auntie.

That ain't so strange. Come on, child.

Is you the new gas-meter-reading man?

[woman] Auntie, I'm scared.

[Auntie] Are you the insurance-selling man?

What you want around here?

What do you think this is anyhow? "What you want?" I say.

Mister, you better get down off my table. I don't care who you are!

Get out of here before I count to three,

or I'm gonna knock your head clean off.

- One, two - - Laryngitis!

- Larry who? - My collar is choking me.

Well, why didn't you say so?

Look here, collar or no collar, you get down off my table.

Earnestine, honey, help him with his collar.

Go on, honey. Your eyes younger than mine. Go on.

Go ahead.

What you laughing at so, honey?

I don't know, Auntie. I'm just laughing, I guess.

Oh...

- Good evening. - Huh?

That's what you said when you came in the kitchen and I couldn't talk, my collar-

[Auntie] Ain't it kinda late?

Lord, I got to have them door locks fixed first thing Monday morning.

- What you selling anyhow? - I was just walking around and I -

Well, I'm a stranger, and I heard your party.

It sounded so nice that I wanted to come too.

You heard our party and wanted to come?

Just like down home.

Sure, young man. Sure!

We ain't real fancy folks,

but that don't stop us from having a good time.

I'm Miss Maybell. This here is my niece, Earnestine.

Lord!

Here I go like it was my party.

Well, it usually is, but not this Saturday night.

Tonight is her birthday party.

She made 20 this week.

You're gonna have to ask her. She's the boss.

Earnestine, may I come to your party?

O-Of course.

Uh, you're welcome, Mister...

Trinity.

Of course you're welcome, Mr. Trinity.

- Just Trinity.

Well, ain't that nice.

Earnestine ain't met many young folks yet. She only been here for a month.

Oh, really?

Come right up here and got herself a job, just like that.

Yes, she did!

Not working as no maid in nobody's kitchen.

A genuine salesgirl!

Oh, Auntie, I'm sure he's not interested in my life's history.

Saks Fifth Avenue, no doubt.

Oh, not Fifth. But you almost got it right.

It's Five. Five and Ten.

Except, too, it's just a couple of blocks over on Lenox Avenue.

Lord, I go by that store every chance I get

just to see my niece.

My own sister's daughter working at a real, educated job.

Naughs]

Come on, y'all. Oh, ain't this just 'bout gon' break up the party.

Excuse me, y'all.

Ooh, nice to meet you!

Excuse us, y'all.

Lord, careful there! This old table ain't too strong.

Would you like to have something? A party ain't nothing without refreshments.

Don't forget music!

- No, sir! - Good records. Good record music.

What would a party be like without good ol' records?

[Washington] Yeah, you got something there, Brother Trinity.

- A party ain't a party without music. - What's the name of it?

Be my guest. Play whichever side you want. I'm puttin' a little kick in my drink.

[woman] It sure is!

You can't break it - Where's the record?

W-Well, it -

Oh, my goodness.

I sat on the records. I guess that's the end of the music.

The end of the music?

The end - end of the music. I'm sorry.

I guess there goes the party. No records, no music.

I broke all the records!

The records ain't broken, Trinity.

They're unbreakable, and I mean unbreakable.

You ain't hurt the records. Show him, Brother Percy.

Look! You can bend 'em. You can bite 'em.

You can even burn 'em. It don't hurt 'em.

- Listen.

It's mighty strong. You sure you don't want -

Oh, my! I guess I'll keep my big mouth closed.

One thing you sure are serious about - that's your drinkin'. Aren't you?

When it comes to drinkin', he don't care what does it!

- You finished it.

- I did? - Mm-hmm.

- I did? - Yes!

I did it! You must wanna crucify me.

You sure you don't want a little water this time?

- You got another one? - Mm-hmm.

You had it all the time.

Don't be shy, Brother Trinity. That was just the first bottle.

There's plenty more. Everybody brings a bottle.

Here you go, Brother Trinity. Make yourself right at home.

Yeah, it's Saturday night, Brother Trinity!

Ain't it the truth!

- There goes all the sandwiches.

And what would a party be like without sandwiches?

- I mean, what would you - Well -

Like I was saying, I guess I finally -

[Maybell] Sounds like everybody is having a good time.

Ain't that the truth!

[Maybell] Here's another batch until the food gets here.

- Lordy, Lordy, Miss Maybell!

-[woman] It sure is Saturday night! -[man] Ain't that the truth!

-[Maybell] You enjoying yourself? -Immensely.

How about a sandwich to hold you till the food gets ready?

Earnestine made this batch herself.

I think she made them - well, she kinda fixed them up extra special for you.

- Why don't you just try it? - Roast is all right, Auntie.

Well, that's fine, honey. Just fine.

I'm gonna go see about my batter.

- Go ahead on and eat your sandwich. - Thank you.

Um... uh, try your sandwich.

Do you like it?

I made them.

No.

They're the dumbest, stupid, most awful-tasting sandwiches I ever tasted.

- They're awful.

Bad! Absolutely no good!

No good!

No, Trinity, the party's not been broken.

You have yet to receive your full-fledged imp wings.

Remember, you offered your soul to the devil

for the chance, the glorious chance, to be mean.

You've just had your first taste of fulfilling your ambition.

You've been petty, horrible.

- You've been mean!

I warned you.

Come on, Brother Washington.

Let's get him in the bathroom before he messes everything up.

As I was saying, when I was a young fella, I did the same thing.

Well, why do young fellas drink so much anyway?

Well, how's a fella gonna learn how much he can drink

if he don't know how much he can drink?

-[woman] Oh, how's Brother Trinity doing?

[Percy] He's gonna be all right in a minute.

[Washington] He's gonna be good as new.

That's it.

Me, I offered my soul to the devil

because I wanted to be sinful, petty, vicious and horrible.

I wanted the chance to be mean. Well, I've done it.

I've just looked into my future. I've just been my destiny.

I'm miserable.

I don't like it.

I don't like being mean.

- Child, what is it? Come on.

Earnestine, what is it, sugar?

Auntie, Trinity...

- All right, sister. - Whoo!

Why'd you do that, Trinity? Why'd you make her cry?

Don't come givin' me no excuses.

[Trinity] Well, I guess I'm no good.

There was just something in me that made me want to be mean.

I guess you couldn't understand that. I just wanted to be mean.

Lord, anybody could understand that, child.

Most folks won't go admittin' it, though.

The devil gets into everybody once in a while.

- The devil? - Sure!

Tryin' to make being mean seem like so much fun.

But it ain't. Not really, now, is it?

No, not really. Not after a second.

At first it seem like it's gonna be, but not really.

Course not. Not to no halfway decent person.

The devil's gonna come sneaking around,

but you got to fight and watch out for his tricks.

You feeling better now?

I feel fine now.

Thank you, Miss Maybell. Thank you very much.

And please forgive me for what I said to Earnestine.

Oh, I believe you. Don't tell me. Tell her.

-[Trinity] Earnestine?

Earnestine?

Please, Earnestine. I liked the sandwich.

Earnestine, please. Please, Earnestine.

Go away. Please, go away.

Look, I'll prove I like them.

You don't have to do that.

You'll be too full and you'll make yourself sick.

You're too late. I've already been sick. I've got plenty of room now.

Earnestine, it wasn't the sandwich.

I mean, it wasn't you. I mean -

Oh, Trinity, I believe you.

Good. I'll eat slower.

- You don't have - - Shh-shh.

You mustn't interrupt me while I'm eating. It's bad for the digestion.

- You don't have to eat it. - But I want to. I like it. It's delicious.

- I like you too. - You don't have to say that, Trinity.

But I mean it. Listen, please forgive me for what I said.

I forgive you.

You know, it's funny how some little something that you don't get

can - can grow on you.

I mean, how you can keep not having something for so long

until you think that's all you ever wanted in the whole world.

You know what I mean?

Here I am trying to explain something, I haven't even got it all worked out.

I used to want to be alone so bad I could've bust.

I had sisters and brothers everywhere.

I guess I could have grown up to be a lady hermit.

But then one day, somebody - I forgot now who -

taught me how to make a tent in a bed with coats and covers and everything.

There.

There. "Viola!"

That's why you didn't grow up to be a lady hermit.

Seclusion plus a private world!

Earnestine...

could it be a private world for two?

[Earnestine] I suppose it could.

-[Earnestine] Auntie? - Earnestine, my child, I didn't hear you -

Mm-hmm.

- Um, uh, Trinity, he, uh... - Mm-hmm-hmm.

- Maybe it - I mean, uh - - Uh-uh.

I expect your heart knows him, child. And that's what matters.

- Auntie, people - - It don't make no difference, child.

Listen, folks'll tell you to live one way. Just watch. They're gonna live another.

Don't try to follow what everybody's got to say.

'Cause most free advice ain't good for nothin' except turning you gray.

There ain't all that much happiness in this world, child.

And if you and him manage to grab a little bit of it,

if you and him was happy...

really happy- - -

You count yourself as having a lucky day.

Whatever you do,

know your own heart and listen to that...

-...whatever you do.

[Woman] Yeah! Ohh!

All right, honey! Give it to me! Give it to me!

Whoo! Yeah!

All right, Brother Washington. Let's see what you're gonna do.

All right, baby. All right!

Yeah! Hey-hey! Whoo!

All right, now!

Hey!

Come on, Brother Trinity! Let's go!

Yeah! Go, Trinity. All right.

Food's coming up. And, Trinity, how 'bout you?

- Uh, lemonade, please. - All right.

Well, that's all right. Jump in.

Didn't take her too long to find out how much you can't drink.

[Percy] What would you folks like to hear?

-[woman] Anything, Brother Percy. -[man] Anything, man.

Lord, this Saturday night party is going on fine!

How you doing, child?

[Earnestine] It's the most wonderful birthday party anyone ever had.

[Trinity] It's the most wonderful party in the world.

I hope it never lets up. It hope it lasts and lasts.

It will. I'm sure it will.

[Maybell] All right.

[Maybell] Yeah!

[woman] All right, baby. Right now.

There wasn't but one thing on old brother's mind.

- Quittin' time.

[woman] All right.

There wasn't but two things on old brother's mind.

The captain's boot and quittin' time.

All right.

There wasn't but three things on old brother's mind.

Sweet Lucy, the captain's boot, and quittin' time.

There was a fourth thing was always on his mind.

His mama's picture, sweet, sweet Lucy,

the captain's boot and quittin' time.

You see, he was a country boy.

And that country brother was me.

Tell it, baby. Tell it.

Four things was always on my mind.

-[Maybell] All right!

I ain't gonna quit until it's time,

if the captain just keeps his boots off me

and sweet Lucy just don't let me down.

-[Maybell] Oh, that must be the Johnsons.

- I thought it'll be nice for Earnestine,

'cause they got a child just around her age.

Goes to college too.

Well, this boy here don't seem to have been shaving too long.

I didn't know he was coming. We're mighty glad to have you though.

I'm puttin' a little kick in my drink.

Now, sugar plum, you be careful how much you drink.

You don't mean Percy been drinking so much he be goin' and gettin' drunk on us?

No, he's too old for that.

- He don't get drunk. He just get sleepy.

Hi, folks. Come on in.

So this is your boy. I can't remember when I seen him.

He's a grown man now. A fine young man.

Yes, this is our son.

Our young collegiatee - uh, collegist - uh, our young college boy.

- I guess we're a wee bit tardy. - Oh, that's all right.

You must have been terribly concerned. I'll bet you thought we weren't coming.

Well, I didn't think too much about it. I asked you and that's all I could do.

Come on in. Make yourselves at home.

I guess everybody here knows everybody, except for the young folks.

This is the Johnsons' boy, Harold. He's been away to school.

And this is my sister's daughter from down home, Earnestine.

This is Trinity.

We're very pleased to meet you, uh, Earnestine.

Yes, very, very pleased.

Why, thank you very much. I'm so glad you could come.

We're simply delighted to be here, my dear.

- Uh, Mr. Trinity, is that correct? - Uh, just Trinity.

That's a very distinguished name, I would say.

Harold, our college man, his middle name is Stanislaw.

Oh, that's nice.

Miss Maybell is a very lovely person.

Such a warmhearted person.

I think she's great.

It sounds very exciting, but you must work very hard too.

Yes, yes.

I think we should move over to the refreshments table now.

We wouldn't want to give anyone offense.

You're so right, dear. Perhaps we should try to eat a little something.

[Earnestine] Oh, really? Do you really think so?

Maybe get a little something to drink too.

A man can't live by bread alone, they say.

[Trinity] Yes, a man can't live by bread alone.

Better wash it down with something. What you got there, son? More of the same?

[Trinity] Uh, yes, please. More of the same. Lemonade.

[Mr. Johnson] Lemonade? Come on now, Trinity. Let me fix it.

- Excuse me, sir.

Earnestine, would you dance with me?

I'm the hostess. I have to make the other guests feel at home too.

[Mr. Johnson] I'll just fix his lemonade up a little bit.

Here's your drink, Trinity.

- Thank you. - May we ask what type of work you do?

Um, well, that's a little hard to say.

I, myself, I work for the government.

[Trinity] That's a little hard to say. You see, I'm - I'm changing my occupation.

Oh? What were you doing before?

Well... I was in the breaking business.

That's a very good business.

No sooner do they put something up, then they're tearing it down again.

[Earnestine] Sounds very glamorous.

Oh, excuse me. Mr. Percy is calling me.

I didn't want anything in particular.

They's over all the time. Them's the nosiest people in the world.

[Trinity] Mr. Johnson works for the government.

Ain't it the truth. He work for the government?

Yeah, he sure do. He's a mail clerk.

- Just like Brother Percy.

Earnestine, I think this dance is mine.

Oh, Trinity, don't be that way. Let Harold catch up a little.

[Mrs. Johnson] Steer over to the refreshment table, dear.

Brother Trinity seems a little down in the mouth.

Honey, don't Earnestine seem to be acting a little strange tonight?

[Earnestine] Let's see, men are in fraternities.

And I would be in a sorority. Is that right?

They don't seem too uppity about the refreshment table, do they?

Ain't it the truth?

Brother Trinity, why don't you pick out the next record?

-[Trinity] Righto.

[Trinity] Earnestine, I thought this would be mine.

Thinking is bad for the brain, they say. Besides, no monopolies allowed.

Son, if I'm not too old and feeble, how about giving me a spin?

Well, I would love it, Miss Maybell.

Son, is you dancin' with me or is you dancin' with them?

- I'm sorry. - Oh, I understand. It's all right.

But you oughta try to understand too. Sure, she'd rather be dancing with you.

But after all, she just wanna be a good hostess.

You know they came late. Tryin' to let them catch up and stuff.

- Do you really think that she - - Sure, sure. Just relax.

Come on, now. How about me? You call that dancing?

Let's ball 'em back.

- That's it.

- Yeah! All right!

- Oh, Miss Maybell, thank you. Thank you. - It was a pleasure.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Y'all need to clean up those things on this table here.

'Cause dinner's gonna be a while yet.

Oh, Harold, you haven't had not even one thing as yet.

Earnestine, you mind giving me a hand in the kitchen, please?

I'll be right there, Auntie.

Save some room, everybody.

- Save some room, Harold.

[Percy] Can't believe I drank the whole thing.

- Here I am, Auntie. - Shut the door, honey.

What would you like me to do first, Auntie?

- Earnestine, child, what's the matter? - What?

I feel fine. Nothing's the matter.

Lord, just look at that!

Ain't that old devil got some nerve!

Where is he? There he is.

There he was. Hmph.

When I get my 0l' smasher out, they got to go, yes, sir.

Earnestine, why are you acting so strange all of a sudden, child?

Well, Auntie, I don't understand. I'm not acting strange or anything.

Honey, would you mind turning the oven up to number eight for me?

Well, I'm just -

Ow! Auntie!

You don't understand what I'm talking 'bout.

You sure do understand.

Now, there's enough lying and killing and things going on in this world

without you dragging it into this house.

A little while ago, you stood right here in this kitchen

all starry-eyed over that boy, Trinity.

And now you're treating him like he was dirt.

[Maybell] I know your mama raised you better than that.

-[Earnestine] Ain't tryin' to do that. -[Maybell] Fickle-minded?

No, that ain't the question anyhow.

First, you start out lying to other folks.

And before you know it, you'll be lying to yourself too.

Auntie, I'm sorry. I won't do it again.

- Oh, I know you are, darling.

You're a good girl.

Remember, child, Auntie don't want nothing but the best for you.

Know your heart. I ain't gonna lie though.

It don't make me too happy to see you trying to jump from fella to fella.

It's Trinity I care about, not Harold.

Well, you got a funny way of showing it.

But, Auntie, be modern and high-class.

There ain't nothing so modern about treating somebody like dirt.

[Mrs. Johnson] I usuallyjust can't eat a thing in the evening.

But perhaps just a little bit would be all right.

Auntie, listen to this.

Honey, I done told you about reading them phony white-half-white magazines.

Auntie, every week they have this column - "Recipes for Holding Your Mister."

"Fry him in the grease of his jealousy.

Baste him in the juice of his uncertainty."

[Maybell] Sound like you're talkin' about a leg of lamb.

"Sprinkle him with spicy doubts."

Maybe the folks that write them books is cannibals.

Oh, Auntie, you don't understand. I'm just testing him.

Don't go minding me, child.

You'll learn. Hmm.

You can take a horse to water, like the old folks say,

but he ain't gonna drink till he's ready, good and ready.

Think about what I'm telling you child.

If he don't love you for yourself,

well, he just don't love you.

I'm just testing him.

You're just begging for the devil.

Good evening.

Lord, I'm gonna have them door locks fixed first thing Monday morning.

[Earnestine] Trinity, here. Here's a friend of yours.

Trinity!

I just knew it was you when I noticed you walk into that building. Ha!

I thought I'd never find you. What luck!

- Can't believe I did it. - Why'd you come?

Just think, after all these years.

What do you think? Break that party, break that party.

I'm here now. Nothing to worry about. We can do it in nothin' flat.

- What a coincidence. - Yes, what a coincidence!

Ooh! Now, that's just fine, ain't it?

To see folks you ain't seen just by accident.

- Ain't it the truth! -[woman] Welcome to the party.

Put a record on the machine, Brother Percy, so we can get some dancing in.

- Earnestine? - Mademoiselle, may I have the honor?

Earnestine?

I would love to dance with you, you and you.

But as much as I'd love to, I can't.

I must go help Auntie. Toodle-oo. Au revo/r.

But don't we know you? Something about you seems very familiar.

Mmm. Mmm. I suppose it would.

I work for the government. What kind of business you in?

We're in the same business.

Seems like you and Brother Trinity are really old friends -

from down home, I suppose.

Ha-ha! Friends from way down home.

Well, tell me all about the family. I want to hear all the news.

What's taking you so long? I could have broken two parties by now.

Well, everybody's doing just fine, thank you.

- Why didn't you come in the first place? - What happened?

What do you mean, what happened? They didn't get scared when I made a face.

There's enough stuff to eat and drink here to feed an army.

And the records don't break!

There's more than four ways to skin a cat. Let's break up this party!

Come on. Think of something.

- Dave. - You got an idea?

I've decided I don't wanna break the party.

You're kidding. What do you mean, you don't want to break up the party?

Think what a glorious chance you have to be mean!

- Come on. Snap out of it. -[Trinity] It's no use.

I just discovered a little while ago I don't like being mean.

- And you, are you really sure? - Ha! I'm sure.

Well, maybe you're mistaken.

You never finished telling me about yourself.

Why I offered my soul to the devil?

Why I offered my soul to the devil.

Even now, when I think of it, I cringe with disgust and shame.

Not for myself, mind you,

but for the decadent, slimy monster that bears society's name.

Why I offered my soul to the devil.

Do you know what? I'm convinced I had the only solid-gold soul.

The only heart of pure love in modern history.

I gave my soul to the devil and I don't regret it.

Pure love? Ha!

Outside of myself, I never met it.

- Didn't your mother love you? - Yes, but that wasn't pure.

That was maternal.

- Your father? - Paternal.

- Didn't any ladies ever love you? - You can bet.

They all swore it was eternal.

- Well, then - - It wasn't pure.

[David] Carol loved me because of my eyes.

Connie loved my nose.

Sandra loved me because I met her on a train. She was crazy about trains.

Hortense loved my name.

Minnie loved me because - Well, it's too personal to say.

Priscilla saw a wedding day. Martha -

[Trinity] Speaking of wedding days, you had a wife.

- How about her love? -[David] Wifely.

-[Trinity] Old school chums? -[David] Sentimentality.

[Trinity] Wait a minute. Pure love?

Pure love is an abstraction. In reality, it can't be.

That's the stuff. You're getting it. Now you're beginning to see.

Now I get -

[Trinity] That's the whole moral of my case all over again.

I just realized good and bad are mixed in each one of us.

Purity, 100% good or 100% bad, is an impossibility.

- I only half agree. - You only half agree?

I only half agree. Both of our cases only prove -

now, listen closely and try to follow me.

[David] 100%, or purity, when applied to good cannot be.

We both tried complete goodness.

That's where we failed. Don't you get it? Don't you see?

-[Trinity] Vaguely. -[David] Positive things -

goodness, love, et cetera - must have reason to be.

Hate doesn't have to, see?

Hate, glorious hate - Hate never has a real enough reason.

Hate is perfection to the core.

In other words, hate can be 100% pure.

I'm an absoluter, and hate can be 100% pure.

So that's why you offered your soul to the devil.

That's why I offered my soul to the devil.

Since pure love doesn't exist,

I'll settle for pure hate.

[David] Every imp has his motive.

A scorned lover will join up if he gets the gate.

An ugly woman...

...will exchange her soul to be a beauty queen.

Me? A 100% pure absolutist?

I did it for purity.

You? You want to be mean. It's not a bad reason.

But I had the most perfect reason. I did it for purity.

Since pure love can't be, I'll take pure hate.

Long live purity! Long live pure hate!

- Come on, let's break up the party. - No.

You're gonna let the team down? You're gonna chicken?

- Let's get out of here, go some place else. - No! I'll do it right now.

All by myself.

There's always evil around. I'll play my trump.

This party is finished.

Watch my smoke.

Dave!

- How you doing? - Just fine. And you?

Poor Brother Bowser. Poor old Brother Bowser.

"Poor Brother Bowser"? How come poor me?

Just what are you talking about, Brother David?

You don't know what's going on?

No, I guess you don't.

Poor tricked guy. Everybody's not honest and trustworthy like you and me.

Oh, I hate to tell you.

But I guess you'll learn sometimes, though, how tricky this world is.

- It can be mighty bad. - Don't worry.

I'm behind you in whatever you do, even if you wreck this place.

- Is you gonna say it- - Oh, no, now keep calm. Anyway...

take this.

Mrs. Bowser sleeps with Mr. Washington.

Here. I'm with you.

Thank you, Brother David. I'm sure your news was meant kindly.

But that news ain't new.

Lordy, Lordy, that news is mighty old.

That news ain't new.

You don't care? You don't understand what I said?

I said your wife sleeps with somebody else.

Sure, sure, I understand what you say all right, Brother David.

Anyway, we is what I guess you might call a quarter-separated.

Quarter-separated?

You're mocking the rules of our culture!

You're breaking the laws of our society! You - You -

What are you getting all upset about society for anyhow?

Some folks been out in the world look at things different.

He and she - They - He -

- Any law book for example - - Sure, sure.

I know what the books say.

- The Good Book say this.

- The law book say that. - Mm-hmm.

- Another book say this. - Mm-hmm.

- Another book say that. - Mm-hmm.

- Sometimes they all agree. - Mm-hmm.

- Sometimes don't nobody agree. - Mm-mmm.

- That's good and all, I suppose. - Mm-hmm.

- But what all them books say... - Mm-hmm.

-...don't make no difference to me. - Mm-mmm.

- I'm just a poor man. - Mm-hmm.

If rich, married folks don't like one another's toupees or something,

she get a new husband, he get a new wife.

Course, that's their business. Seems a little expensive to me.

What about a little givin' and takin'?

- Folks get along all right. - Yes, sir!

Oww!

Rich folks they call it, uh, mental cruelty, incompatibility.

Yeah.

- Still too expensive for you and me!

I didn't think this party could get any livelier than it was a little while ago.

But since Brother David got here, it's been jumping even more.

Your friend sure is funny.

He sure is a joker.

Trinity, hel-help me! Remember? Break this party up!

Ain't that something? I almost forgot I came up here to tell y'all something.

- What, Auntie? - What is it, hon?

The biscuits and the rolls is in the oven.

So y'all clean off this refreshment table,

because as soon as that bread gets done, we gon' be sitting on these.

I usually can't eat a thing in the evening,

but perhaps a little bit more would be all right.

Did you hear that? Time is gettin' short.

It's gettin' dangerous. We've got to break this party up.

Or else leave before it ends, or we'll turn into just what we pretend to be -

real human beings.

All right, come on. Let's go. Come on.

Not yet. Let's break the party. Let's break the party!

Break the party!

I got a little lonesome.

Well, you just stay right on up here and enjoy yourself for a while.

- After all, sugar, it is your party. - Break the party.

How's the bread coming along? Is it browning yet?

- Almost, Auntie. - Good, good, good.

-[Trinity] Earnestine. - Excuse me. Earnestine.

Stop it! No, Stop it!

[Trinity] It's my turn. You promised me the next dance.

[Earnestine] Well, the next one is.

[Maybell] Stop it! Stop it! Boy, what you think this is?

What you think this is anyhow?

Scream. Go ahead, scream.

Ain't no need for that.

Um, come on over to the refreshment table, son.

Your mother is freshening up your drink. Besides, I want us to have a little talk.

In a little while, Father. Can I get the next one, Earnestine?

- The next one is promised to me. - Earnestine?

- Oh, I love to do this dance.

Hey, I'll try.

- I'll bet you can really go. - It's my specialty.

Would you mind starting it over again, please, Mr. Percy?

Be glad to, child. You're the boss. After all, it is your birthday party.

- But...

- You sure is hot-blooded, ain't you? - I like you.

Well, I can sure see you ain't no good.

But I got to admit, I kinda like you too.

I still got to get my cooking done.

-[Trinity] You promised me the next dance. - Do you want to wreck my party?

- Go, Earnestine.

[Washington] That boy can dance.

[Trinity] Yeah, it's my turn.

[woman] These young'uns, ain't they something else.

-[Percy] Young blood is up. -[Bowser] What you say!

But I bet he knows his business.

Mean, mean, mean, mean, mean, mean, mean?

- That's what she called you, huh? - Yes.

See, see, see? I told you.

You're lucky to have a pal like me.

Just think, you were considering turning yourself back into a human being.

I told you. People are no good. She called you mean?

Come on. Come on, come on.

Let's show 'em what it's really like to be mean.

- Break a bottle! - Come on, let's show them hell.

Earnestine, it seems like you've spent half your party time

sitting there being gloomy.

[Earnestine] Harold wouldn't dance with me.

He turned his back as if I wasn't even there.

I always knew the Johnsons were uppity,

but I sure didn't expect them to be that stuck up.

I seem to remember you making up to Harold,

but you told me it was Trinity you loved.

He wouldn't dance with me either.

Only a fool gonna let you keep dogging him. Good for him.

I'm trying to go somewhere. I wanna be somebody.

Now you're gonna think I'm ashamed of you and where I come from.

It's not that, Auntie. It's...

Whoa, whoa, whoa, child.

Now, you let your ol' Auntie do her own supposing and thinking.

You ride it on your own.

I had the same struggle with my life,

and I didn't do so bad.

It may not look that way to you,

but you just don't know how far back I had to start.

Oh, Lord. Remember, everything, just 'cause it's up, ain't perfect.

Even the devil himself got his start in heaven.

And that's sure as far up as can be.

You got to pick and choose for yourself, child.

That's half the trick of living.

Anyhow, the next time you go downtown,

you take a good look at all them modern, high-class women

with their turned-down mouths

and their get-even-with-the-world wrinkles just scratching up their faces.

I guess I done talked myself out.

Oh, Auntie, I've been so foolish. I should have listened to you in the first place.

Well, don't be too hard on yourself.

Live and learn.

Gotta fall sometime. Everybody falls sometime.

The trick though is to keep getting back up.

But I lost Trinity.

I lost him forever. I feel it in my soul.

Oh, Auntie, what am I gonna do?

If you lost him, you just lost him.

But the game ain't over till the last out, they say.

First thing I would do is hurry up and quit my crying, child.

-[Trinity, David] Break that - -[Maybell] Dinner's ready!

-[Trinity, David] Break that - -[Maybell] Dinner's ready!

[Washington] Lordy, Lord, that's music to my ears.

[woman] Sounds like good eating!

Whoa. Whoa, everybody.

Now, I've been back there working

and I've been hearing you all up here laughing and enjoying yourselves.

I got to have me a dance too.

That sounds fine enough, Sister Maybe“.

Not too many, I hope, 'cause I'm mighty hungry.

I think one'll do it. Put on a nice record there, sugar plum.

Who's gonna be the lucky fella?

- Well, since y'all so hungry...

And since I ain't got time for but one dance, I'm gonna split it.

I'm gonna dance the first half with Brother David there,

and the second half with Brother Percy.

Sounds fair enough to me. Let me find a real good one, now.

Trinity, I know somebody that's mighty sad about how bad they treated you.

- I don't know what you're talking about. - People are only human.

Even the people we love is only human.

The devil gets into them sometimes too, just like anybody else.

-[Trinity] I don't know what you mean. -[David] Don't listen.

Remember what happened? I had the purest heart in history. Break the party.

Mistakes is only a part of learning, ain't they?

Tear the party.

-[Percy] Here comes the music. - Oh, good.

- I can't!

Oh, yes, you can. I'll show you. Come on.

Come on!

-[Maybell] Come on, darlin'.

That's it! Come on, now!

- All right. All right. - Well, look at that.

Okay, it's my turn.

-[Trinity] Earnestine? -[Earnestine] Are you there, Trinity?

"Hey, Trinity, are you there?"

Ha! You're not gonna be stupid enough for that, are you?

Next, she's gonna tell you she was mean, not you.

Trinity, I'm sorry I called you mean.

I was the mean one, not you.

Same old line, like I told you.

Do you love me?

Break that party. Smash that party. Kill that party.

Trinity, can you hear me? I love you.

Break that party. Smash that party. Kill that party.

- Are we gonna give 'em hell? -[woman] Come on, Brother David!

- We gon' shake the dust off!

[David] Trinity!

[Maybell] Come on, y'all. Dinner's ready.

Sing the song, child. Sing it!

Yes, he did! Yes, he did!

Well, well, well.

[man] Yes, yes.

[Percy] And we thank thee, amen.

[all] Amen!

It's gonna be a squeeze.

And y'all still gonna have to excuse me for the boxes,

but I ain't got enough chairs for everybody here.

- That's all right, Miss Maybell. - We're all just plain home folks.

Me? I was raised on a crate.

[Mrs. Johnson] I shouldn't even bother to sit down.

My stomach is so delicate, especially in the evenings.

I probably won't be able to eat a thing.

Who are you kidding?

Why don't you stop lying?

Are you talking to me?

Yes! You and your delicate stomach.

Your stomach is no more delicate than a goat's.

I don't see how you stay so skinny. You eat like a pig.

What did you say about my wife?

I said she eats like six truck drivers.

What did you say about my mother?

Her stomach is no more delicate than anybody else's.

And I said she eats like six truck drivers and six pigs!

- You wanna do something about it?

He's just a kid!

- Wanna do something about it? - Yes!

Yes. Yes.

And I would do something if I didn't mind making myself... common!

I'd thrash you to a pulp!

Harold, get our things.

You're lucky,

mighty lucky I'm a gentleman!

Well, I guess the party's over.

I guess the party's ended now.

- I broke up the party!

Well, what - what did I do?

What did I do?

Ain't Brother David wonderful?

What have I done?

[Maybell] Thank you, David, for your diligence.

What did I do? What? What?

You the first person ever to tell off Mrs. Johnson. That's what!

She's been pulling that "delicate stomach" act for years now!

Ooh! And nobody don't mind how much she eats.

Just that she's such a hypocrite!

-[Bowser] Ain't it the truth!

Ain't it the truth!

[Percy] Three cheers for Brother David.

Yes, sirree. Three cheers for Brother David. Come on, everybody!

Hip hip hooray! Hip hip hooray!

Hip hip hooray!

Ain't this the greatest party? We ain't never had -

Come on. Eat up, everybody.

Here, Brother Percy. Have another drink.

I'll give it to him, honey. Here, darling.

I thought old sleepyhead wasn't allowed another drink.

I ain't no kid. I know just how much I can take.

Yeah, when he pass out, that's all he can take.

[Maybell] Come on. Eat up, everybody.

Here, Brother Percy. Have another drink.

Oh, my goodness!

[Maybell] Come on, y'all. Eat up.

[Earnestine] Whew!

- Whew.

- Better get some pots. Whoo! - Miss Maybell?

I-I-I have something to say.

Sure, go ahead. What is it, son?

Earnestine and I are getting engaged.

Oh! Why, I think that's just fine.

-[woman] It sure is fine. -[Bowser] That's the truth!

I guess I'll kiss the bride.

But I'm not a bride!

Well...

...better early than never.

I think that's fine. Just fine.

I wish y'all lots of happiness and success.

I wish you a long life.

Be good to one another.

And remember, we all is just human.

Three cheers for Brother Trinity.

And to a long life.

[Washington] Why are you ladies crying? There ain't no need to cry.

Oh, I'm not crying. I got something in my eye.

[woman] Me too.

Me too.

Crying? The idea!

Oh, my! I almost forgot something.

- Your birthday cake!

-[Earnestine] Auntie! - Make room over there.

- When did you - - While you were at work, child.

- When did you - - While you were at work, child.

- Somebody turn off the lights. - We oughta light the candles first.

Oh, here.

Okay, honey.

Ooh!

Take a deep breath, Earnestine.

Wait a minute. The song.

Go ahead, honey. Take a deep breath.

Lordy, Lordy, that was mighty delicious cake, Sister Maybell.

The whole meal was mighty delicious, Miss Maybell.

The whole thing was mighty delicious - the cake, the meal and the party too.

Lord, us poor folk sure thank thee for Saturday night parties.

Amen!

[Washington] Well, gettin' on just about that time.

I guess we better be making tracks for home, honey.

Yeah, it's about that time. Come on, lady. Let's be getting along.

[Washington] I don't guess you should've given him those last drinks.

- Want me to give you a hand? -[Maybell] No, he's light as a feather.

He ain't no trouble. I'll put him to bed as soon as y'all gone.

[David] "Three cheers for Brother David."

"Earnestine and I are getting engaged."

This is the last time I'll be partners with you.

I don't like practical jokers. I'm through with you.

Come on, come on. Let's do the cockroach number and slip under the door.

No, let's do it the easy way - wait till it's open and leave with the rest.

Just make sure we're not the last to leave.

-[Trinity] Let's stay. -[David] Stay? And be a human being?

- I hate people! -[Trinity] I think you always did.

-[Davis] I'm going. -[Trinity] I'm staying.

[David] You'll turn into a human being just like you are standing there.

You'll be colored too.

Remember, you're in America. You were an American.

You'll be colored. Remember? "Nigger"?

Think what that'll mean. Nigger, nigger, nigger!

For the rest of your life!

I'm staying. I don't care.

You will. You will!

I wasn't living the first time.

You had a big future - a big future ahead of you.

The master's gonna be very disappointed in you.

If he gets his hands on you, he'll settle the score.

I'm gonna make a report on you as soon as I get back.

I thought you would.

We'll have some extra special treatment waiting.

I'm not planning on ending up there.

Just a few slips.

Good night, everybody!

We sure had a wonderful time.

Good night, Brother David.

- Good night, Miss Maybell. - Good night.

Yes, Lord, we sure had a wonderful time.

Lordy, Lord, I guess she's gonna stay in there all year.

I sure had a wonderful time.

I've got to go. Hope to see you soon, Brother Trinity!

We'll be waiting! Well, goodb -

-[Earnestine] The cake! I'll get it. - Never mind, Earnestine.

- He don't need it. Don't go. - Let go!

It ain't over. Don't go!

- What? - Don't go. The party ain't over. Don't go!

Stick around. The party ain't over. Don't go.

Good night, everybody.

I sure had a good time.

Your husband's waiting for you downstairs outside.

Good night.

[Maybell] Earnestine, come on. Help me take him to the front room.

I'll be right back.

I won't be long. The party ain't over.

You've decided to stay!

- You've decided to stay!

Yeah, I'm staying.

I'm staying, but not for long!

- You don't understand, huh? -[Trinity] No, I don't understand.

Ha! It's simple.

The party isn't over, but it soon will be.

I've got an ace up my sleeve.

If there's one thing I know, it's women.

I know what she wants, even if she won't admit it.

They're natural hypocrites.

You watch.

When I give her what she really wants, all hell will break loose.

One broken party!

Auntie'll be right out, Mr. David. I think she likes you a lot.

That's nice. All the better.

It only adds to her deceit.

[Maybell] Well, that didn't take so long, did it?

Come here, my little chickadee!

- Struggling, huh? Struggling! - I ain't struggling.

- I'm trying to get my balance. - Don't lie to me!

- Go ahead, scream. I don't care! - I ain't screaming.

Don't play games with me. You know what I want.

- Admit it! - I admit it.

You know what I'm gonna do to you.

I don't know in particular,

but in general I got a pretty good idea.

Let me outta here! Let me outta here!

Let me outta here!

Let me outta here! Let me outta here!

Lordy Lord.

I guess he didn't know his business.

[Trinity] I'm sorry.

Oh, I knew he wasn't no angel. I've met his kind before.

But I ain't never heard of no man running out on a woman before!

Hmph.

He even took his cape.

I met some fast-leaving men in my life,

but I ain't never seen nobody that leaves this -

Earnestine! There go one of them devils.

Quick, bring me the smasher while I keep my eye on it.

- Devil? - Cockroach!

Looks like he is headin' for the door.

Uh-huh.

Just as soon as that old rascal comes out in the open,

as soon as that little devil comes out in the open...

Just as soon as that rascal get out in the open, I'll...

- Looks like he is headin' for the door. -[David] Trinity!

-[Maybell] There he is! - No!

- Yes!

Got him.

Mmm!

There wasn't really much to that old devil.

Well, that's the way it is, son.

That's just the way it is.

You let one of them little devils get a foothold in your door,

and pretty soon, they'll be taking over the whole place.

[Percy] And we thank thee, amen.