04x16 - Thelma's African Romance: Part 2

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[TELEPHONE RINGS]

Oh, I got it.

Hey, hello?

Oh, hey, Poppo,
what's happening?

Yeah.

A party Friday night?

Hey, man, just invite
some fine chicks this time.

That was a fox
wearing that necklace?

I thought she was
wearing a flea collar.

Hey, look here, bro,

all I'm saying is invite
some foxes, man.

Thelma!

I said fine foxes, man,
not gruesome gooses.

Hey, all right,
man, I'll ask her.

Que sera.

Hey, uh, Thelma,

Poppo's having a
party Friday night,

and he's inviting
you, which must mean

the guest list reads like
who's who at the zoo.

Well, I don't wanna
go to no party.

Well, I'll tell him you
elected to stay in your cage.

Why don't you go dip
your face in your paints?

Hey, girl, I was just
relaying a message.

Ain't you got no gratitude?

No, and I have no
desire to hassle.

I have a lot on my mind.

Yeah, it's obvious...

Because you definitely don't
have our dinner on your mind.

You're treating that
chicken like Jack the Ripper.

You wanna cut it?

Oh, no, Ma told you.

All right, then leave me alone!

What's wrong with her?

I think Thelma's getting
stoned on chicken fat.

Thelma always acts peculiar

when it has something
to do with love.

Ah, love...

Well, let the doctor of
love diagnose the case.

Hmm, yeah... [LAUGHS]

Sunken jaws, drooping lips,

flipped-up eyelids...

Either she's in love,
or has a ruptured face.

You know, I've
been reading a lot

on Africa lately,

and I read that African
men are very aggressive

in romance.

Oh, so Ibe wants to get
into a little hanky-panky.

He wants to get into
a lot of hanky-panky.

Knock it off. You don't know
what you're talking about.

Oh, wow.

Sounds like this
could be serious.

Hey, Thelma, if
you got a problem,

you can tell us.
Maybe we could help.

Ibe and I are in love.

What else is new?

Well, he asked me
to move in with him,

and I said yes.

Well, I've heard of foreign
aid, but this is ridiculous.

Thelma, how can
we help you with that?

Show me how to tell Ma.

Oh, the best way to
tell Ma is to call her...

from St. Louis.

No, Michael, man,
I disagree here.

You know, Ma
may be mad at first,

but she is reasonable
and understanding,

and the one good thing about Ma

is that she will listen

when you got something to say.

Ah!

Well, welcome
home, Mother, dear,

after a long hard day at work,

and a hearty greeting
from your warm

and loving family.

J.J., shut up.

Thelma, didn't I tell
you to have this chicken

cut and seasoned
when I got home?

Now, why isn't it?

Well, because...

Oh, that's a likely
story. Now, get busy.

Michael!

Yeah?

Didn't I tell you to dust when
you got home from school?

Uh, well, unlike the
children, Mother, dear,

I have fulfilled my obligation.

La mail.

La junk.

Ma, is it safe to assume
that you're in a bad mood?

It is safe to assume
I'm in a rotten mood.

Well, if there's
anything we can do,

let us know, and we'll get it!

You can start with
a new pair of feet.

Hey, I'll check
the Sears catalog.

It's just a little humor, Ma.

Very little.

Oh, kids, I'm sorry, but I
had a rough day at work,

and if I seem irritable, it's
just because I'm pooped.

Hey, don't worry,
Ma, we understand.

Well, Thelma, now's
the perfect time to tell her.

She's in a rotten mood, and
she can't get any rottener.

You sure? You sure?

Oh, it feels good to rest.

[LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]

Uh, you know, Ma,

there's one thing they
say about feeling rotten.

It's the lowest you can feel.

Right.

You know, I mean, like,

nothing you see or hear

could possibly make
you feel any worse.

Wrong.

Okay, what's up?

Who did what and why?

J.J.?

Oh, Ma, I resent that.

I have been most cool.

Yeah, Ma, and I have
been even cooler.

[LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]

Uh, Ma, well, maybe
we should talk about it

after you've had
a chance to rest.

Oh, I just finished resting.

Now, what is it you
want to talk about?

Oh, Ma, it could wait,
you know, it could wait...

Thelma, what is it
you want to talk about?

Uh... well, uh...

I want to hear what
you've got to say,

and I want to hear it now.

Well, Ma...

Well, you know how
you've always said

you wanted us to
leave the ghetto?

Well, I'm leaving.

Where you going?

Well, you see, I
got this apartment...

Apartment?

How you gonna take
care of an apartment

when you don't have
a job to pay the rent?

Uh, well, I, uh...

Well, see, Ma, she won't
have to pay any rent.

She's gonna be what
we call live-in help.

She's gonna be washing,
cooking, cleaning...

[SNAPS FINGERS]

et cetera.

Especially et cetera.

Hold it, hold it.

Now, I get the feeling

that somebody is trying
to tell me something.

All right, Thelma, in
plain, simple English,

what is it?

Okay, Ma, you know,
we've discussed this before...

No speeches. Just the facts.

Okay, Ma.

Uh... Ibe and I are in love,

and we're gonna live together.

Is that what all the b*ating
around the bush was for?

You mean you're not upset?

No.

Not even a teeny bit? No.

You mean you're gonna
let her move in with Ibe?

Hell, no.

Ma, I have the
final word on this.

I'm moving in with Ibe,

and you have
nothing to say about it.

Hi, y'all, what's happening?

Hey, what's the good word?

Thelma has just informed me
that she's moving in with Ibe.

Whoo! Lord have
mercy, moving in?

Last time we talked,

you were just dating
and having fun.

Well, now they're gonna be
having more fun than ever.

Thelma, I just can't let
you go live with that man.

I wasn't brought up that way,

and I didn't think I had
brought you up that way.

Ma, we're deeply in love.

Sure you are, this week,

and I remember when you
were deeply in love with Clarence,

and Roger, and John, and...

Oh, Ma, that was kid stuff.

Well, then the kid must've
grown up in the last month!

Thelma, listen, honey,

the point your mother's
making is very valid.

At 19, Mr. Right
is like a detergent...

Looks like it's
new and improved,

and goes right
on down the drain.

Won't anybody give me credit

for knowing when I'm
experiencing true love?

Well, if it is true love,
why don't you get married?

Ma, this is the '70s.
People live together first.

That's the only way to find
out if a marriage is gonna work.

The only way
you're gonna find out

if a marriage works
is to get married!

Ma, nobody buys a pair of
shoes without trying them on.

And nobody's gonna
buy used shoes, either.

Honey, she is telling
you the gospel truth.

Living together, man gets
all the benefits of marriage

and none of the
responsibilities.

Marrying Ibe might
not be the right thing

for Thelma anyhow.

I read that it's
an African custom

for a man to have as many
wives as he can afford.

I don't care about
the African customs.

I care about here and now

and my grown-up daughter
making a juvenile decision.

Ma, it's not a
juvenile decision!

We're in love, and we wanna
spend our lives together.

Then do it right
and get married!

Ma, I'm not ready
to get married!

Huh!

Well, there is no way
I'm gonna let you go...

play house.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Got it.

Well... Ibe!

No use in having a
fish fry without the fish.

Come on in, brother.

Hi, Ibe.

Hi, Michael.

Hello, Willona, Mrs. Evans.

You're both looking
beautiful as usual.

Don't be peddling
that sugar to me.

[THELMA LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]

Ibe, I just told Ma
about us living together,

and she's a little upset,
but she'll get over it.

Yeah, as soon as
Harlem turns white.

Thelma, I'm afraid there's
been a change of plans.

Change of plans?

Yes, my father called me a
short time ago from Nigeria,

and when I informed him

that I was suspended
from the university,

he asked me to come home.

Come home?

Thank heavens.

Thelma, I want very much
to stay, but I have no money,

and I can't get a job without
losing my student visa.

Yeah, but what about us?

Thelma... I want you
to come back with me...

and be my wife.

Your wife?

Marry me, Thelma, and we'll
have the biggest, happiest wedding

my country has ever seen.

Oh, Ibe, I don't
know what to say.

Say you want a
10-karat diamond ring.

Thelma, you must
give me an answer.

There isn't much time.

Thelma... there's lots of time.

Let Ibe go home,

and then if he still thinks
he's in love with you,

he can always come back.

If he don't, you'll have
a 10-karat diamond ring.

Ma, just a few minutes ago,
you wanted me to get married.

Now you're backing down?

No, no, no, no, I wanted
you to take your time.

It was you who said you
weren't ready to get married.

I know.

Boy, I need a little time.

Thelma, take all
the time you want.

There's no use rushing
halfway across the world

with a man you hardly know.

We know each other
very well, Mrs. Evans,

and our souls are
in perfect harmony.

I'm afraid that
won't get it, Ibe.

Ma ain't into soul music.

Ibe, I admit that living in
Nigeria sounds romantic,

but Africa isn't
America, by a long sh*t.

It's a different world and
a different place in time,

and I'm afraid that Thelma
just won't be able to handle it.

Well, Thelma's
intelligent. She can adapt.

Yeah, if she can survive
19 years in the ghetto,

she can survive anywhere.

I wish I knew what to do...

Thelma, honey, listen.

Now, this is the big step.

If you really love Ibe
the way you say you do,

a decision is easy
to make, honey.

Willona, I do.

Thelma...

You know, you're
like a precious jewel.

I could never find another
like you in three lifetimes.

I love you more than
anything else on this earth.

Please say you'll marry me.

Thelma...

Oh, Thelma,
getting married at 19

is hardly the kind of future

your daddy and I worked
so hard for you to have.

Stay here, finish school,

and become the woman
we wanted you to be.

I'm sorry, Ma. I'm sorry,

but I have to be the
woman I wanna be.

And that's why
I'm going with Ibe.

Oh, Thelma, you make me

the happiest man in the world.

This calls for a celebration!

Celebration!

[SHOUTING]

Well, let's break
out the champagne!

THELMA: Who needs champagne?

I'm bubbling all over.

Oh, we've got to celebrate,

and the first thing we've
got to do is have a feast!

I'll prepare an
authentic Nigerian dinner

for all of you at my
apartment tomorrow night.

Outta sight!

A real African
meal. Whoo, honey!

Thelma, I've got so much to
do since we're leaving so soon.

You must apply for your
passport and visa first thing.

Okay, I will.

I'll see you all tomorrow
at my place at 6:00.

Goodbye, my love.

J.J.: Until the feast!

Bye.

I'll see you tomorrow.

Okay.

Oh, Thelma, honey!

Oh, I'm so happy for you,

but I'm gonna
miss you, little girl.

I'm gonna miss you too, Thelma.

I don't mind you
getting married,

but do you have
to go so far away?

Aw, Thelma.

You know, I know I've
made fun of your cooking,

your face, your smarts,

but it occurred to me

that I'm not gonna
be losing a sister,

I'm gonna be losing
an upset stomach.

Well, Thelma, that's
my way of saying,

I'm gonna miss you too.

Hey, I'll bet you that
party tomorrow night

is gonna be something
we'll never forget! Yeah!

Hey, Flo, what're you
gonna wear tomorrow

for the party?

Nothing.

Nothing?

This is gonna be a
party to remember.

I'm not going to the party.

Ma, you gotta come!

This is a celebration.

There's no reason
for me to celebrate.

I'm against you leaving.

But why, Ma?

Don't you want to see me happy?

How are you gonna be happy

with a man who can have
as many wives as he wants?

Oh, yeah... I can see
the headlines now...

"Gorgeous Ghetto Girl
Becomes Happy Harem Honey."

Come on, now, I'm not
gonna be part of a harem.

Those African customs
Michael's been reading about,

they don't all apply to Ibe.

How can you be sure?

Did you ask him?

I don't have to.

Young, educated Africans
are just not into that stuff.

I don't care what they're into,
I am still against you leaving!

Ma, you just don't...
Thelma, The-Thelma...

Kids, why don't
you go in the back

and find some clothes
for tomorrow night?

All right. Yeah, we got it.

No, Willona... Thelma, please!

Thelma, please trust me.

Ooh, child, I've got
some news for you

that's just too juicy!

Willona, gossip
is the furthest thing

from my mind right now.

Oh, you'll want to
hear about this, honey.

It's about a chick that
lives in this building...

the sweetest, kindest
woman you ever want to meet,

but she got a problem.

Hmm! Don't we all.

You see, she's
invited to a dinner party

to celebrate her
daughter's wedding,

and you know
what? She ain't going.

I mean, she don't care

that she's gonna break
her daughter's heart

by not showing up.

How do you know
she doesn't care?

Because if she did,
she would have to admit

that kids do grow up,
and they do leave home,

and they don't always
leave at the right time

or for the right reason.

Anyway, I think she ought to be

in her daughter's corner.

Because right now,

her baby girl needs all
the love and understanding

and support that she
can get from her mama.

I guess I have been
a little selfish, huh?

You're damn right you have.

Willona... Yeah?

Oh, Flo.

Thank you.

Ibe, this pad is too bad.

It's lovely.

Mmm...

It looks sort of like... a
do-it-yourself museum.

[SHOUTING]

J.J... Take off that mask.

What mask?

Hey, Ibe, I just
wanted to show you

what Thelma's gonna
look like in the morning

without any makeup on.

By the way, bro, when
are we gonna eat?

We'll eat in a moment,

but first, I have some gifts
for my prospective family.

Oh...

Mrs. Evans, Willona... Oh...

This is cloth from my country,

and whatever you
choose to make from it,

it will be heightened
by your own elegance.

Oh, Ibe, it's beautiful!

Honey, we're gonna be the
envy of the neighborhood.

It's gonna be sad to watch
the black chicks turn green.

Michael...

This mask symbolizes
the spirits of our ancestors.

It's worn on
ceremonial occasions

when a child is born,

and I want you
to have it always.

Hey, thanks, Ibe.

Hey, Ma, check out
what Ibe gave me.

FLORIDA: Oh, it's beautiful.

J.J., this is yours.

Oh, wow, bro!

You must have been
reading my mind.

I mean, how did you
know I wanted this?

You know, I was just thinking

about one of these
things this morning!

What is this?

It's juju.

Juju?

And it's worn around
the neck for protection.

Well, I guess when you're
an ebony sex god like I am,

you need all the
protection you can get.

Now, I think it's time to eat.

Okay, I'll set the table.

No, no, I'll do that.

Please don't,

because this is a
traditional African dinner.

Huh?

And tables aren't used,

and now, we all
sit on the floor.

Sit on the floor?

Uh, Mrs. Evans,
we all use cushions.

Oh, that's all right

if they're gonna jump
up and meet me halfway.

Come on, Ma,
we'll help you down.

Come on, J.J..

Help your mama down, now.

Help your mama down,

because she's gonna
fall and hurt herself.

Oh, now, take it easy.

Okay, Mama.

All right, now, let's
be careful here.

Let me get ready.

Come on, now.

Wait!

Whoa!

Whoo!

Hey, I want y'all to know

that I was reading up
on African food today,

so when I got here,

my taste buds wouldn't go
through any culture shock,

and in the process,

I've become a culinary
genius, you know?

So I'll be explaining to y'all

all the food we'll be
eating here today.

You know, just a little tidbit.

Yeah, I understand.
I understand that.

Whoo, that smells
delicious, whatever that is.

Mm, yeah.

Ibe, what's in that bowl?

Uh, wait a minute,
I'll handle this.

This is an old African favorite,

called cassava root pie.

No.

[LAUGHING]

That's starch
made from the corn,

and it's called "fufu."

"Fufu." I just
wanted to make sure

you knew what you
was cooking, brother.

Just checking you out...

without any problem whatsoever.

Ah... Now, see, I
know what this is, here.

See, this is an
old African favorite,

another one, here,

called curried yam rangoo.

No.

That is a mixture of
hot spiced chicken,

beef, vegetable, and peanuts,

and it's called groundnut stew.

J.J., give it up.

Your knowledge of African
food is embarrassing.

Hey, Ibe, what's this
clear stuff in this bowl?

Ah! I know this.

This here, Michael, you see,

is an old West African...

Not from East, but
from West Africa...

Called mango cream soda.

No.

[LAUGHING]

It's water,

for washing your fingers
when you're finished.

Well, don't we use forks?

No, we all eat with our fingers.

Now, that's something
J.J. knows about.

And we all eat
from the same bowl,

taking from the side
that is closest to you.

First you take
the fufu, like this,

and then dip it into the stew.

I hope I don't make a boo-boo,
and let my fufu get on my juju.

Mm... Delicious.

Not only that,

it's surprising how easy it is

to get used to the customs.

Well, I felt the same
way about your customs.

Hey, you know, African
customs may seem strange,

but they're fun.

Yeah, especially the one

about having more than one wife.

Oh, no, not that again.

Why not?

It's the perfect
time to ask him.

[LAUGHS NERVOUSLY]

Ibe, everybody thinks
that when I get married,

I'm gonna be part of a harem.

I love only Thelma.

I don't want anyone else.

Oh, you don't know Ma.

She's hard to convince.

You're gonna have to say,
"I'm gonna be the only wife,"

in just those words.
Now, go ahead.

That's right.

Tell her, Ibe.

Go ahead, Ibe.

Now, wait a minute, now.

If you're not gonna
tell her, tell me.

Go ahead, Ibe,

tell me I'm gonna
be your only wife.

Thelma, I would
walk out of your life

before I lie to you.

That is something
I can't tell you,

because I can't be sure.

You can't be sure?

Oh... [LAUGHING]

That doesn't matter.

You know, I'm enough
woman for you anyhow.

Aren't I?

Thelma, there's
nothing to worry about.

Oh, there's plenty
to worry about.

But there isn't.

I mean, even if I was
to take another wife,

it wouldn't harm you.

All the advantages
belong to the first wife.

Yeah, but they're
not the advantages

that belong to the only wife.

Thelma, I love you.

Well, then, tell me you
won't take another wife.

But there are no guarantees.

I mean, you were willing
to risk living with me.

There were no
guarantees there either.

We're talking about marriage.

We're not talking
about living together.

You've got to promise me
you won't take another wife.

But, Thelma, you're
asking me to push aside

generations of tradition,

to suddenly disown
everything that I am,

my culture, my way of life.

Thelma, I love you,

but that's as much as I
can promise for the future.

[SIGHS]

Well...

Well, I guess you
have your way of life,

and I have mine,

and I'm as stubborn as
you are about cutting it loose.

Thelma, please, I
want to marry you.

Oh, Ibe, I love you
so much, you know,

I'm willing to risk this.

Then say you'll marry me.

I... I can't do that.

I really can't do that.

See, because I'll
never stop wondering

when and if you're gonna
take somebody else,

and I just can't live with that.

But... I'm sorry.

Thelma!

I... Goodbye, Ibe.

♪ Mmm... ♪

♪ Just looking
Out of the window ♪

♪ Watching the asphalt grow ♪

♪ Thinking how It all
looks hand-me-down ♪

♪ Good Times ♪
♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Good Times ♪

♪ Keeping your
head Above water ♪

♪ Making a wave when you can ♪

♪ Temporary layoffs ♪

♪ Good Times ♪

♪ Easy credit rip-offs ♪

♪ Good Times ♪

ANNOUNCER: Good Times is
videotaped in front of a studio audience.

♪ Good Times ♪♪