Love Songs (1999)

[bunniefuu]

[upbeat music playing]

Champ!
Hey, baby,
what you want?

Here you go,
Champ.

Thanks.

Hey, Champ.

Oh,
check this out.

Oh, how you like
my left hook?

Get to school,
young blood.

A'ight.

Champ:
Sheron, I'm home.

Hey, baby,
breakfast is
on the table.

Mack just called.

Oh, and Aisha's
picking me up today.

- Uh-huh.
- [chuckles]

What did Mack say?

Did you fix
my coveralls?

Mm-hmm.
I fixed 'em.

Thank you, baby.

- So what did Mack say?
- Uh, let me see.

He said something
about some fight.

Something
about a fight.

Well, let me see
if I can quote him
correctly.

I believe he said,
"You got the Juarez fight."

Yes!

Yes.

I may be late
getting home today.
We got in-service.

Mm-hmm.

Otis,
come on, baby.

Don't eat so fast.

Baby, you want me
to starve to death
and be late?

- He said I got it, huh?
- Uh-huh.

I hope it's
a bigger payday
than the last one.

Mack got
most of that.

I don't see
the benefit of getting
your head b*at in,

not for that
kind of money.

All right.

But Juarez
is a contender.

He's number six,
WBG.

He's number five,
IBO.

Yeah. I got to
go, baby.

Take care of
Little Champ for me.

Hey, now,
what if it's a girl?

Then she's
going to be a boxer,
like her Daddy.

[laughing]

Otis?

What should I tell
the gas company

if they call
before I leave?

Tell them we'll
pay them on Friday.

[door closes]

Mmm!

Mmmmmmm!

[laughing]

We could always
sell that car.

Not in your
lifetime.

[laughing]

Sell you?

She must be
crazy.

[both laughing]

[horn honks]

Otis,
you're late!

This is the second time
this week.

I got three cars waiting
since 7:00 in the morning,

and nobody to fix them.

You're costing me
money!

Bay number one,
they need a valve job.

Bay three needs
her oil changed.

Get in there
and get to work!

[sighs]

You need points
and a new oil filter.

Is that all
it needs?

Miss Jean,

you need
a new car!

Are you
prepared to give me
new-car money, Otis?

[chuckles]

If not, I'll just
keep bringing

this piece of
junk over here
for you to fix.

By the way,
how's Sheron?

Fine.

You know,
we're expecting
in January.

- Is that right?
- Yeah.

Congratulations.

[chuckles]

I have to admit,
Otis,

I never expected you
to amount to much
of nothing.

Oh, the way
you used to carry on.

[telephone ringing]

People can change,
Miss Jean.

Hey, Champ!

Big time manager
of yours on the phone.

Don't talk
all day.

You women
are hard to
work for, boy.

I'm coming.

Don't talk all day.

Hey, Mack.

I got it.

About time.

When is it?

A month?

How am I supposed to
get ready in a month?

Juarez is a contender.

I need six, seven weeks
at least, Mack!

Substitute?

All right.

I'll take
the fight.

They'll see when
I knock his ass out

who ought to be
in the rankings.

No. No, I'm fine.

When are you coming by
with the contract?

Yeah, I'll be home.

Thanks, Mack.

Don't tell me that
crooked manager of yours
finally got you a fight.

Yeah. He did.

Juarez.

Number six.

A month from now.
It's a sure thing.

And I should knock
that punk out
in three.

Yeah, we'll see.

Just don't
be late for work.

Sunny.

One of these days
I'm going to come
in here,

and I'm going to
buy this place from
under your ass.

Make sure I'm living
when you do it

because I'll be dead
by the time you get
that kind of money.

[laughing]

Hey, Champ!
Yo, Champ!

When you get a minute,
I need you to look at
this truck of mine.

The bitch was sounding
like she had diarrhea
on the way over here.

Give me
20 minutes.

I got a couple of cars
to finish up first,
all right?

- All right?
- [horn honking]

He is the loudest,
most vulgar man in
this neighborhood.

I wish somebody would
tape his mouth shut.

Ellis ain't so bad,
Miss Jean.

At least he's got
his own business.

Having your own business
does not mean

that you need to pollute
the whole neighborhood
with your nasty mouth.

Children walk
past that truck
on the way to school.

How much
did you say?

I'll give it
to you for $9.50.

See, here's the part
I know you and the missus
are interested in.

Says right there--
you'll get $6,500.

$6,500?

That's less
than last time.

How much of that
are you getting, Mack?

Baby.
Come on.

No,
I want to know.

How much is he taking
while you're doing
all the work?

Champ, will you tell
the missus who books
the fights,

who pays for
the training,
equipment, the doctor,

the cut man,
the sparring partner.

Will you tell her,
please?

Why does this happen
every time I bring

a contract over here,
Mrs. Barnes?

I've been in
the fight game
35 years,

never cheated
nobody.

You think
I'm cheating him?

Well, we can forget it.
I'll step off.

Mack, Mack, Mack,
sit down.

Sit down, man.

Baby, let me
handle this, okay?

Okay?

Okay.

But I'll
be back.

Go on, man.
What were you saying?
What were you saying?

Now, see this?

This is a guarantee
that if you b*at Juarez,

you'll get a fight with
Tony "The Terminator" Hudson.

- Tony's number three!
- Mm-hmm.

Baby,
you hear that?

Me and number three.

Now, I'm going to take
Juarez out in one.

In one, Mack.
In one.

All right.

Just sign it
right here, Champ.

Yeah,
he win this one,

you'll all be
off Camac Street and
moving to the suburbs.

Mm-hmm.
Just a minute, baby.

I just--
I want to
read it first.

Mack, she reads
everything now.

Uh, I never
told you this,

but Sheron worked
in a lawyer's office

before she was
at the hospital.

- Three years,
didn't you, baby?
- Mm-hmm.

You want
a cold beer?

No, I got
a couple of cold ones
in the refrigerator.

Come on, man,
come on.

What kind of
gas mileage do you get
with that Caddy, Champ?

Uh... 12,

13 in the city.

Huh.

Mack, uh...

Look, here.

Do you think you could
give me an advance?

Like $700, $800?

[chuckles]
I ain't got that
kind of money, boy.

Besides...

what's your woman
going to say

when she finds
your purse is short
that kind of money?

You know,
you really ought to
do something about that.

I been married
four times,

and I ain't never
let no woman get
in my business.

Uh...

What about
$300, $400?

Thanks, Mack.

Forget it.

You just remember,

you owe Mack Richard
everything, Otis.

We'll be cool
with the gas
company, baby.

Why do you do it,
Otis?

Do what?

Take his money.
Let him talk to
you like that.

Baby,
what can I do?

I did 13 cars
all week.

You know what
my check is when
I bring it home?

$385, take home.

We owe the gas company,
telephone, mortgage--

$73.50
for the baby.

I'm-I'm-I'm--

Get another job.

Baby, sit down,
sit down.

I'll get it.
I'll get it, baby.

Baby, I don't want
to be a gas jockey for
the rest of my life.

I'm a fighter.

And these hands
are our way out
of here, Sheron.

I can-- I can
b*at Juarez!

All I need
is a chance,

and Mack can give me
that chance.

I can see it.

Me coming down
that aisle to the ring.

Announcer's voice:
In the blue corner...

"In the blue corner,

wearing the white trunks
with the red trim...

...he enters
the ring...

...he enters the ring
with a record of 21 wins,

all by way
of knockout,

the WBG, IBO
Middleweight champion--

Otis "The Cadillac" Barnes!

And dig, baby,
you and the baby

are going to be
sitting ringside,

and I'll be in my corner.
I'll just be standing there,

and I'll wave
and blow you a kiss.
Yeah, yeah.

And then the ref
will come over and say,
"Do you understand?"

"Yeah, I understand
the rules."

Then the bell
will ring,
and then...

Yeah, yeah.

Bip, bip, bip!

He's down.
Ooh!

The crowd is
on its feet!

The ref-- "Eight!

Nine!

He's out!

Barnes wins again!"

I can see it, baby.

My name up there
in the sky...

way past the sun...

like a ball
of fire.

Can't you see it?

Mm-hmm.

Sometimes.

But what about
right now, Otis?

Because we're
in trouble right now.

Just...

just give me until
the Juarez fight.

If I lose...

I'll quit.

I swear.

I'll get rid of Mack,

get a new job--

all of that.

Okay?

Please?

Please?

I love you,
baby.

I love you, too.

Sunny,
I am giving you

my close-friend rate,
baby.

All this stuff
is 18-carat gold.

I can get $300,
$400 apiece for this
out on the street,

but I am willing
to give it to you
for $30, $40 each.

I'll give you $15
for all of it,
Bunchie.

Take it
or leave it.

And what you wearing
a preacher's
collar for?

Who's going to
look at a preacher in
a department store, huh?

$15?
Give me the $15!

[laughing]

Hey, hey, hey,
get that crap
off of my car!

Hey, Champ!
My man!

Word is
on the Avenue

that you sweated
that manager of yours

into getting you
a fight.

I know you want to
buy that lady of yours

a special
little gift now.

I ain't got to
sweat nobody to
get me a fight...

thief.

Whatever.
And I'm a businessman.

Check this out--
100% silk.

I'll give it to you
for $70.

Huh?

Who told you that?

About me sweating Mack?
Huh?

Perfume, huh?
Coffeemaker?

I got a crystal salt-
and-pepper set straight
out of Tiffany's, man.

Take your money, Bunchie,
get the hell out of here

before the cops
come and bust me,

which would not
be good for you!

Aah!

Who told you that,
Bunchie, huh?

Chill, brother!

What you look like
hitting a preacher,
man?

The bartender over
at Larry Neal's bar,
Reuben-- he told me.

He say Mack say
you all washed up,

but you worry him
to death, and says
he know you so long

he gets you on the card
after Busta Turner broke
his hand, man.

Sunny:
Be cool, Champ.

Yeah, yeah,
be cool, Champ.

Be cool,
Champ.

Be cool, Champ.

You are washed up,

and I hope Juarez
kicks your black ass!

Git!

Take it easy.

What's wrong with you,
young buck?

You see me
drive in here.

If you think
I'm washed up,

let me stretch
your ass, Mack, huh?

Huh?

What's wrong
with you, buck?

You better chill!

I come over here with a deal,
and you gripping me all up.

I'll take
the four grand
and step off.

What four grand?

The money you could make
sparring with Billy Monroe.

Now, if you
don't want it...

Billy "The Cannon"?

$800 a day,
five days.

Now, he's training
over in Jersey for his
12 with "Tiger" Whitman.

They had Kermit over there,
but Kermit tore a ligament
in his arm.

Now, you want
the gig or not?

Hell yeah.

I'll call you
with the where
and when tonight.

If you ever put
your hands on me again...

I'll sh**t you.

Man:
Come on, now.

Hey, you the guy
Mack sent over?

- Uh, yeah.
- Tony Ricco.

Otis Barnes,
but everyone
calls me Champ.

You can change
in the locker room.

Listen, did Mack
explain the situation
we got here?

He said you needed
a sparring partner
for "The Cannon."

Well, yeah,
yeah, we do.
Listen to me.

Now here's the deal--
no knockdowns.

I mean,
no matter what.

I don't give a damn
if he's kicking you
in the nuts,

poking your eyes out.

You knock him down,
the deal's off.

You get nothing--
no money, no nothing.

Clear?

Otherwise,
it's four grand
for the week.

But that's the deal.
Take it or leave it.

Can I at least
hit him back?

I mean, or is he
too delicate for
a straight right hand?

Listen, I know
it's a lousy deal,

but a lot of people
got a lot of money riding
on this, you understand?

He gets a busted nose,
a cut over his eye,

then his chance is
gone, and this is
his only chance.

- Now, you got me?
- I got you.

All right.
Locker room's down there.

- See you
in five minutes.
- Okay.

[laughter]

Hey, y'all,

look at the new chump
they sent me.

Hey, chump.

Ready for
an ass whipping?

Yeah, yeah.
[chuckles]

Cannon, I want you
to work on your
jab, okay?

Keep him as far
away as possible.

Now, straight out,
right from the shoulder.

One-two, okay?

Then step back,
reset for two more,
okay?

- Time.
- [bell rings]

Showtime, chump.
What you got?

What you got?

All right, now,
speed kills.

Speed kills.
Watch out.
Bam!

I call that
the misfired cannon!

Oh, that's supposed
to be funny, huh?

You call that
a jab?

Oh, you ain't seen
nothing, baby.

Mm-hmm.

I call that
Cannon's right hook!

Looky here,
looky here.

We got us
a bad Philly fighter.

Come on,
bad Philly.

Eat your gloves.

Man:
Damn, did you
see that?

Man #2:
No. Who is this guy?

- You got lucky!
- Time.

[bell rings]

This chump's trying
to make me look bad.

I said time,
damn it!

[grunts]

- Come on.
- What!

What!
You want me?

Come on!
Come on!

Come on...

- [answering machine beeps]
- Sunny: Champ,

this is the last
damned time I'm calling.

If you ain't here
by 11:30, you're fired.

I got four cars
lined up over here.

I mean it, Otis.

11:30 or look
for another job.

Sunny?
Sunny?

It's Sheron.

What, Otis isn't there?

He didn't
come in at all?

No, he went
out of here
this morning.

Sunny, don't fire him.
Something must have happened.

Otis doesn't
do things like this.

Hey, Champ.

How you doing?
Feeling sore?

A little.

So, uh...

what did you think?

How the hell did he
get to be the number-one
challenger, anyway?

Uh, don't ask
questions, okay?

[chuckles]

Otis, what happened?
Where have you been, baby?

Mmm.

You know, Sunny's been
calling here all day.

Says she's
going to fire you.

Let her. I don't need
that chump change
she's paying.

I got me
a new job, baby.

Making 800 big ones
a day,

and all I got to do is
not knock the punk out,
which I could.

I don't know how
he even got to be the
number-one challenger.

What are you
talking about?

Baby, I'm Billy Munroe's
new sparring partner.

Billy's getting ready for
the Tiger Whitman fight.

What about the job,
Otis?

You can't just walk off
and leave Sunny hanging
like that.

I'll call her tomorrow,
I swear.

But, baby, this is
a chance for me to
make some real money,

pay off some bills,
buy some baby stuff.

Plus this is
a good place for me
to be right now.

There's
a lot of reporters
down there, TV.

Somebody big
could see me,
give me a sh*t.

And I'm 10 times
better than Monroe.

10 times.
[chuckles]

Well, leaving her
that way still ain't
right, Otis.

[exhales sharply]

- You okay?
- Mm-hmm.

- Okay?
- Oh, he must be a boy.

He kicks as hard
as you punch.
Look.

- [laughs]
- Mm.

Ooh!

- Okay.
- Sounds good.

Yeah, I'll
walk around you.

All set.

Got this one.
One more.

- Man: Got everything?
- Man #2: Yeah.

Thanks,
man.

- Hey, what's up, Champ?
- What's up, baby?

Otis,

now, you said
you needed some bread,
young buck.

Don't let his teasing
mess up your money.

Now, all this is
just for show, anyhow.

Yeah, come on up
in here, boy.

Let me show these folks
what a chump looks like.

Look at you.

Look at you moving like
a little old woman.

Keep that up,
I'm going to have to
stick you in your ass.

Maybe that'll
get you going.

Tony:
Cannon, I want you
to counter in there, okay?

You understand?

Everything he throws,
I want you to counter.

Everything.

That'll be easy.
Because Philly can't fight.

Can you, Philly?

Time.

[bell rings]

- Otis?
- What?

What's up?

Nothing.

Don't tell me
"nothing."

Is this your new way
of coming in the house?

Because you know,
if it is,

I'll pad the front door
and put something down
on the floor

so you won't break
anything in your bag.

It's not funny.

Then what is it?

Nothing.
Sheron, just leave
me alone, okay?

Okay.

It's nothing.

[breathes sharply]

Can I at least talk?

[grunting]

Good.

Because, you know,
if it's nothing, then
you won't mind my saying

that it's a whole
lot of something
to be called nothing.

They think they can just
walk all over me, Sheron.

That damn Mack.

Just jammed in.

They got me
jammed in.

And there's nothing
I can do about it.

[sighs]

Can you
talk about it?

No.

Can I have a hug?

I'm sorry, baby.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Sorry.

Tony:
I don't want to hear
a g*dd*mn thing, Cannon!

Now, listen, buddy--
I got you this fight

and you take
what I say you take,

or your ass
is out of here!
You got that?

You said I'd get
75% off the top!

Now I'm getting 40%!

What am I supposed
to do with that?

I owe everybody,
Tony!

I told you, man.

There are other people
involved in this.

The more you spend,
the more they take.

Billy, that was
the only way I could
get you the fight.

You ain't worth
a damn, Tony!

Well, it was the best
I could do, Cannon.

You want a sh*t,
you got to pay for it.

This is boxing--
not basketball!

Man, forget you!

Come on, chump.

I'm kicking your ass
this morning.

Hey, Cannon, I want to
see you body-punching
today, okay?

Clean, short,
sharp punches to
the body, all right?

Kid, I want you
to counter him, okay?

When he throws one,

show him what he's not
protecting, all right?

Come on, Philly!

Time!

[bell rings]

Come on,
come on!

Look, I know
what you're going
through, man.

Why don't you
chill out?

All these
fight promoters
are the same.

You don't know
nothing!

Get up!

Get up!

Get up, chump!

Get up so I can
knock your ass
back down!

That's enough.
That's enough.

Pull it back.
Pull it back.

Come on.
Back it up!

Hey, hey!
What if the press
was here, huh?

You trying to
blow everything
we've worked for?

The hell with you!
And you too.

Cannon,
get back here!

Cannon!

You okay?
You feeling good?

Get the hell
back in here!

Jeez,
I'm sorry, kid.

Look, I'll pay
for any damage to
the car, you know.

I don't know
what got into him.

I...
[sighs]

Baby,
you coming to bed?

In a while.

I just need
to think.

I'm all right.

Why don't you go
back to bed? You need
to get your rest.

I can sleep tomorrow.

All day, if I want.
I'm off till Sunday.

It's going to
be okay, Otis.

You just got
two more days.

I know.

It's like my daddy
used to say...

When you feel like
you're sailing alone,

you're usually
in the same boat
as everybody else.

You're just in
a different part
of the boat.

That boy Monroe's
no better off than me.

He just
don't know it.

But boat or no boat,

I can't take
much more of it.

I'd rather be sunk
than disrespected.

You know
what I'm saying?

I'm sorry about
your car, Bad Philly.

I ain't saying
I did it, but--

I figure,
we can take care of

whatever it costs you
to fix it, you dig?

It's the best
I could do, kid.

He ain't exactly
the type to apologize.

All right, Cannon--
overhand lefts--

jab, overhand left,
jab, overhand left.

Kid, I want you
to counter him, okay?

Time!

Hey!

This is
for my Cadillac.

Get the hell
out of here!
You get nothing!

Get out of here!
You hear me?

Get out!

Are you stupid?

You just blew
four grand.

Get out of
my face, Mack.

Well, I'll get
out of your face.

And your life!

How do you think
this makes me
look, huh?

I'm through with you!
You hear that?

And you can kiss
that Juarez fight
goodbye!

Otis?

What you doing
home, baby?

They fired me.

I just couldn't
take it, Sheron,

them messing with me--
I couldn't.

And I don't know
what we're going to do.

I ain't got
the money...

no job...
nothing.

I'm sorry, baby.

So sorry, baby.
[sobbing]

Come here.

Come here.

Otis, you listen
to me now.

You listen to me.

We're going to
make out, okay?

Fighting ain't everything.

And you're a good mechanic,
and I still got my job,

We got each other.

And the baby...

and that's all
that matters, Otis.

That's all
that's ever mattered.

You hear me?

[knock on door]

Hey.

Uh...

Mack told me
where you lived
so I...

I just wanted
to come by and say

you did
the right thing, kid.

After the Whitman
fight,

why don't you
look me up?

South Philly.
Fumo's Gym.

You're good.

Real good.

Oh, yeah.

Thanks.

Ellis:
Wa-a-a-a-a-termelon!

I got porgies,

croakers, crabs,

sweetest tomatoes
this side of Jersey!

Freshest fruits and
vegetables on the Avenue!

Collard greens--
two pounds for a dollar.

Can't get them for that
on a Jersey farm.

How are you doing
today, darling?

I've been looking for
a fine woman like you
all my life!

Yeah, right. Just give
me a couple pounds of these
porgies, please, Mr. Ellis.

And tell me something--
you don't even take
a day off?

You're on the corner
seven days a week, man?

And if the week
had eight days,

you'd see me
on eight of them,
darling.

You can't make no money
taking days off.

Eh, true.

Now, I'm going to
give you a bargain
on these fish

because you look
so good today.

Hmph.

Look at the gills.
If they're nice and red,
you know they're fresh.

- Mm-hmm.
- Okay, so,

I'm going to give these
to you for... $4.

- You want them cleaned?
- Yeah.

You ain't got
no turnip greens
this week?

Turnip greens?

Here.
Taste that.

So sweet,
you may not even
have to cook them.

Huh?

Huh?
[chuckles]

You ever taste anything
that delicious in your life?

I got kale,
I got mustard greens,

I got okra--
so soft, feel like
a fine woman's thighs.

[laughs]

Miss Jean!

You lookin' mighty good
today, Miss Jean!

Come on over.

Please, Miss Jean!
Please come on over!

I got big, juicy
Georgia peaches.

I got bananas--
look so good, didn't
even want to pick them.

Saved them
just for you!

Okay.
There you go.

That's $4.
Thanks.

Jean:
What are you charging
for these bananas?

For you?

25 cents a pound.

Well, give me
four or five of them,

and I want them green
so they don't go bad
overnight.

You want me to throw in
a couple pounds of
them peaches?

No.

Mmm-mmm.

But I will have some
of these plums, though.

Don't you say it,
Mr. Ellis.

I got to,
Miss Jean.

You do, Mr. Ellis,
and I swear I won't
buy a thing.

A'ight.

But you know
what I'm thinking.

[clicks tongue]

I got string beans
today.

So fresh you
can hear them snap
two blocks away.

Come on, girl!
Stop playing with me.

Boy, tie your shoe.
Quick. Fix it.

Come on, come on.
Hurry up.

Look at this.

Come on.

Ellis:
I'd never treat
nobody like that.

Somebody need to kick
her old man's ass.

Don't need to be
with no woman you got to
b*at up every day.

Mm-hmm.

That'll be $1.50,
Miss Jean.

Oh.

Anything else
I can get for you?

I got big
Jersey tomatoes.

I'm tired of y'all
bringing your mess

over to this job
where I work.

You want Larry
to find me?

Where else was I
going to go, Reuben?

This is closer
than the house.

You've got to stop
bringing it over
to my job.

Oh,
that's a shame.

Do you have
change for a $20?

Oh, yeah,
sure.

You know how
I feel about you,
don't you?

Mr. Ellis,
I'm tired of
hearing it.

Please just
give me my things
so I can go home.

You got pretty hands,
Miss Jean...

Pretty face...

Pretty body...

When are you
going to break down
and give me some?

You watch
your nasty mouth,
Mr. Ellis!

I am not
one of these
lowlife women,

just strolling this Avenue,
waiting for somebody to
just buy them a drink,

some bum
or something!

Now, don't you dare
talk to me like that!

- You understand?
- Yes, ma'am.

All right, now,
get out of my face

and give me
my change.

You ought to be
ashamed of yourself.

[laughing]

She's a fine
piece of meat,
ain't she?

Meat?
Who are you
calling meat?

Get out of here,
Bunchie.

- Hell, man.
- And don't touch nothing.

I'm a customer.
Now, are you here
to sell fruit

or are you here
to disrespect the folks
that's making you money?

I don't need your business!
And watch what you say
about Miss Jean.

You know,
she always seemed
uptight to me.

I used to see her
in the mornings

when she taught
at... Showell's--
Smith,

and I thought to myself
even then,

you know,
she needs a good man

to just give it to her
a few times.

Get away from
my truck, Bunchie!

Hey, I'm trying
to buy some peaches.

I ain't
selling you nothing!

Well, screw you,
that woman, and
your peaches!

I'll buy my fruit
at the supermarket
where it's fresh!

- Don't you throw that!
- Go on, Bunchie! Git!

I'll report you
to the Health Department.

I'll be back!

No, no,
I tell you.

How are you ladies
doing?

I got lettuce, tomatoes,
potatoes, onions,

green beans,
string beans,
collard greens.

I got peaches...

"When are you going to
give me some?"

Vulgar,
that's what he is.

How in God's name would
anybody pay attention
to a man like that?

Hmm?

[sighs]

[telephone rings]

Hello?

Mm--

[groans]

What do you want,
Stanley?

No to lunch,
no to dinner,
no to everything.

Because you're married.

Don't call me
again.

Bye.

[telephone ringing]

No, I'm not
going to.

[humming]

I thought I'd bring
some beautiful flowers

for a beautiful woman.

Would you get off
of my street?

You're going to
wake everybody
on the block!

Don't you know
I love you, Miss Jean?

Shh!

I'll see you
next Saturday.

No, you won't!

Go!

[laughing]

Yeah!

[grunts]
Whew!

[chuckles]

"Please forgive me.

Ellis."

How can you be so smart
about some things

and so damn dumb
about everything else?

Hey!

[chuckling]
Hey, Ellis,
how you doing, man?

- What's happening, man?
- A'ight? You're looking good.

- Thank you.
- What's up, my man?
Getting the usual?

- [clicks tongue]
- I got it.

So, how's your wife
doing? Still big?

- Here you go, my man.
- Hey, hey.

You, uh,
making any money?

Yeah, tons of it.

I just wear
these work clothes
to hide my wealth.

[laughter]

Ah.

So, how long you
been married, Reub?

- Me?
- Yeah.

Oh, let's see...

Damn! 16 big ones,
my man.

- Mm.
- Hey, Reub, give me
another sh*t of Grandad

so I can go out here
and face that dragon
I'm married to.

That'll be $4.75,
Crumley,

and you'd better stop
talking about that woman

long as you
been married.

Why do you think
I need that second sh*t?

[both laugh]

Ooh. Hey, Ellis,
what's the matter, man?

You having trouble
with Miss Jean?

Man, I don't know
what to make of that woman.

I send her flowers--
that don't make
no difference.

- Uh-huh.
- I tell her I love her--

that don't make
no difference.

I even cut her
a lot of slack on
the price of my fruit,

even that don't
make a difference.

Never says "thank you."

I'm about ready
to give up.

Oh, no, no, no, no,
Ellis, listen to me.

See, there is a key

to every woman's heart--

and they're
all different--

but you just got to
find the right one.

- [chuckles]
- But once you unlock it,
you may be sorry.

[laughter]

Well...

I'm not so sure I want
to keep looking for it.

[gasps]

No, please!
Don't!

No, please, no!

No! No!

No, stop!
No!

No. You don't
want to do this.

Please don't do this!

- Shut up!
- No... please.

Yeah!
Looky here!

[chuckles]

Help!
Agh! Somebody!

Help!

Man: Hey, leave
that woman alone!

It's psychology.

Most people cook
onions with potatoes.

You put them
both together,
they buy both.

Now, I might be
interested in going
to this party.

Who all are
going to be there?

You and who else?

Eh, just a few
neighborhood people.

It's Dottie's
40th birthday.

Bring your own
liquor.

So, you wouldn't mind
coming to pick me up,
now, would you?

Pick you up?
We may not get
there, sugar,

- fine as you look.
- [laughs]

So, listen.

You hear about
Miss Prissy, right?

Jean Simpson.

Last night,
they say some fool
tried to r*pe her.

Said all she had on
was her slip, too.

I didn't know that
about her.

Oh, my God!
Where's she at?

Is she okay?

Say she's in Allegheny,
down on Broad Street.

What's the matter
with you?

I gotta go.

What about
all this stuff here?

You keep 'em!
Sell 'em if you want to!

But I'm on my way
to work!

What about
the party?

- Where did he go?
- Down some hospital,
I guess.

I don't know why
he's so worried
about her.

And he left you
all of this stuff
to sell?

Excuse me?

Do I look
like some kind of
huckster to you?

I have a good job
to go to, you know.

Oh, excuse me.

I got potatoes!
Turnips!

Onions,
tomatoes, greens!

Fresh from the farm!

Doctor,
how is she?

- Are you a relative?
- No.

But we're friends
since grade school.

Can you get in touch
with anyone in her family?

She was conscious
for a while when
they brought her in.

She told us her name,
but all her ID
is missing.

She suffered
severe head injuries.

- Is she all right?
- She's stable,

but we're watching her.

Can I see her?

She's in no condition
to talk.

Her jaw is broken,
and she needs rest.

In a few hours,
maybe.

Uh, you can wait
if you like.

Thank you.

Woman over P.A.:
Would the person
who owns

the Heavenly Vegetable
truck parked in the middle
of the hospital driveway

please come
to Security Station
Number One

on the first floor?

[yawns]

Can I see her now?

Not for long.
10 minutes at the most.

[monitor beeping]

Oh, my God.

Miss Jean?

It's me,
Mr. Ellis.

I brought you
some flowers,
Miss Jean.

My God...

I don't know
if you can hear me...

But when I heard about it,
when I heard what happened...

I almost went
out of my mind.

You just got to
get better,
Miss Jean,

'cause I think
it would k*ll me,
Miss Jean.

It would k*ll me
if anything ever
happened to you.

Yeah.

Hey, hey, hey.

How are you
doing today?

[laughs]

Yeah.

Hmm.

Yeah, I'm sorry, Miss Jean.
I didn't realize.

It does look like
a funeral parlor in here.

I just wanted to
do a little something

to let you know that--
let you know how I
felt about you.

You know, you got
to be more careful on
these streets out here.

You want me to
get rid of all of them?

I promise I won't
send you no more flowers.

But how are you
going to take care
of yourself?

You must be feeling
your oats, ain't you?

Yeah, I know.

I wish you were
out of here, too.

But your doctor said
you should rest.

I'd take his advice
if I were you.

Um, there's not much
going on on the Avenue.

When I came
looking for you,

that damn Bunchie
took the vegetables
that I left.

He tried to sell them.
Can you believe that?

I hear there's some guys
looking out for him.

I know I'm going
to break his neck
when I catch him.

Stanley:
Am I interrupting?

Jean.

Oh, Jean,
darling.

I just heard.
What-- what happened?

- Who are you?
- I'm Stanley Williams.

Jean and I
have been friends
a long time.

Are you a friend of hers
from the neighborhood?

I appreciate you
coming by to see her.

I was in Atlanta
when I got the call,

and I called
the house.

When I didn't
get an answer,

I knew something
was wrong, darling.

You her boyfriend
or something?

Yeah.

Yeah, see you around,
Miss Jean.

- [hits bed, grunting]
- Looks like you two
need your privacy.

[sighs]

What did I do?

The man asked
who I was,

- so I told him.
- [buzzing]

What's wrong with you?

I come to the hospital
to see you,

and this is
how I get treated.

What's the matter,
Jean?

What's wrong?
Why are you so upset?

- You have to go, sir.
- Wait, Jean, don't do this.

- Sir, you have to go.
- Don't do this.

Now, sir!

Hey, kind of early
for you today,
ain't it, man?

Why don't you give me
a double Grandad?

Double Grandad?
You don't drink
whiskey, man.

- I said a double
Grandad, didn't I?
- I'm...

Why are you beefing me
about something as
simple as this?

...not going to give you
no double Grandad, man.

3:00 in the afternoon
and you're drinking?

All right,
all right.

Hey, baby,
give the man
his usual beer.

What's wrong
with you?

The man want
a double Grandad,

sell him
a double Grandad!

Crumley, I'm not
talking to you.

Now, mind your own
business, hear?

- What's up?
- There's nothing up.

You messing with his
First Amendment
rights, Reub.

The Constitution
gives him the right to
order any drink he wants!

Crumley,
shut up.

Ellis.
Hey, Ellis.

We're friends,
right?

How long we known
each other?

Talk to me.

- Here I am, man.
- Yeah.

I'm courting
this woman.

She already
got a man.

[groans]

I feel like
a fool, man.

I feel like
a g*dd*mn fool.

- I'm sorry.
- I knew it was a woman!

What else could drag
him in here at 3:00,
as much as he like money?

All right,
Crumley, out.

I ain't finished
my drink!

Out!

No, go ahead.
Let him finish
his drink, man.

- I'm going to
get out of here.
- No, Ellis, please.

I don't need to
get drunk, man.
I don't need to get drunk.

You be cool.
I'll catch up
with you tomorrow.

Hey, hey, hey,
Ellis.

Ellis!

I'll take you
down, Jean.

Oh,
be careful.

[chuckles]

Here we go.

Are you sure there's
nobody coming for you?

Ellis:
I got watermelon!

Cantaloupe!

Watermelon!

Cantaloupe.

I got peaches!

I--

I got collard greens,
mustard greens!

Turnip greens!
Okra!

Right here.

What can I
do for you, miss?

[chuckles]

Well, why didn't you
say something?

My jaw was wired shut,
Mr. Ellis.

Rushed out of
the room so fast,

you didn't give me time
to write my note.

Well, how was I
supposed to know?

I mean, the man's
standing there,

and he's just...

Wow.

You're really pretty
today, Miss Jean.

So, are you selling
vegetables here or what?

I waited for you till
10:00 the other night.

How come you
didn't pick me up like
you said you would?

Something came up,
sugar.

Ooh, I can
see that.

Well, girl,
I don't know what
you did to him,

but he dropped
a box of turnips,

left half the
vegetables in his
truck on the street

to run down
to that hospital
to see you.

So, are you going to
pig out with the fruit,

you going to buy some?
What you going to do?

Give me
a pound of okra

and a few of
them tomatoes,
please.

And don't bother
getting hot with me.

I ain't mooning
over nobody, honey.

Just give me
$1.50, okay?

If all you're going to do
when you come around here
is spread gossip,

you can go ahead
and buy your vegetables
from the supermarket.

Mr. Ellis,
that is no way
to treat a customer.

You tell him,
girl!

He needs somebody
like you, sugar.

Might soften
his cranky old butt.

Did you?

Did I what?

Did you rush down
to the hospital
to see about me?

I told you.

I came
right away.

I want to
thank you.

If you're not...
doing anything on Friday,

would you be interested
in a home-cooked meal?

I sure would.

Okay.

Can you
be there at 7:30?

Oh, yeah.

Now, let me have,
uh...

a couple tomatoes...

three pounds
of potatoes...

Do you have
any kale today?

Yeah, I sure do.

But fruit's my best buy
today, Miss Jean.

- What you going to cook?
- That's my business,
Mr. Ellis.

You just show up.

I will.
You don't have to
ask me twice.

- [laughs] Oh!
- You okay?

[gasps]

[exhales sharply]

It's okay.

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

- [both laughing]
- [smooth jazz playing]

Yes?

[chuckles]

Come on.

You're so sweet.

- What's up, Jimmy?
- Not much. How are you doing?

Hey, pal.
Hey, hey!

- What's happening, Jim?
- Hey, how you doing?

- Hey.
- Hey, how you doing, Jim?

This is Miss Jean.
Reuben, what's happening,
baby.

- What's happening, baby?
- Hi.

Hey, Reub.
Buy these two lovebirds
a drink on me.

Do it while
they still friendly.

- Y'all heard Crumley.
What'll it be?
- Thanks, Crumley.

For me, uh,
I'll have a beer,

and, Miss Jean?

I, uh...

I think I'll just
have a ginger ale.

You got it.
Hey, baby girl,

give my man here
his usual beer and give
the young lady a...

ginger ale and put
a cherry in it.

[laughing]

Hey, brother.
Hey, man, I understand

that... you two
are heading toward
the preacher.

Mm-hmm?

No, don't rush us,
Reuben.

You know, it takes
a long time

to know somebody

well enough
to marry him.

Ooh!

Oh.

- There you go.
- Thank you.

What else
you got to know?

I mean, uh...

I own my own
business, right?

Own a house
over on Bucknell Street.

Another one
in Germantown.

- Mm-hmm.
- Got plenty of money
in the bank.

Treat you good,
don't I?

Mr. Ellis, there's
more to it than that.

Like what?

And when are we going to
stop calling each other
mister and miss?

Don't get loud with me
in here around all
these people.

I'm not
used to it.

Well, come on, baby,
I'll get as loud
as I want to!

Hey, don't put
your business--

Back off, Reuben!
What you got to do
with this, man?

- Nothing, okay?
- Okay.

- Nothing.
- I am not going to
be a part

of any kind of
bar argument.

Whoa, Jean, baby.
Jean, Jean!

Jean!

Hey.

All of your houses,

your money
in the bank,

your businesses don't
mean anything to me.

It's what's inside you
that counts.

- Come on, hey.
- No!

I am not a rug
to be walked on.

Now, until you
understand that,

you can just
drink your beers
all by yourself!

Okay, fine!
I will!

'Cause there ain't
a woman in this
neighborhood

who wouldn't be glad
to have what I got!

And I did it
all by myself!

Playing me cheap.

I mean, what else
a woman got to
know, huh?

What else
you got to know?

I can take care
of you.

You never
have to work!

Then you go tell me
I ain't worth nothing.

- Find somebody else.
- Hey.

Why don't you
sit down, man?

I don't need
nobody playing me
cheap, man.

Hey. Hey.

You're wrong.

You know that,
don't you?

You didn't quite
listen to what she
had to tell you.

She said
what's inside

is much more important
than what's... outside.

Man, I done
messed up.

You see,
your first mistake

was to take that drink
from Crumley here

because all he gives out
is crap, you know that.

Hey. Can I get you
something else?

No, I got to
get out of here, man.
See you tomorrow.

- Hey, Ellis.
- Take my advice--

you-you-you--

Ellis:
Hey, Miss Jean...

it would k*ll me
if anything ever
happened to you.

Jean:
You just be there.

I will. You don't
have to ask me twice.

[laughs]

- Would I cheat you?
- [chuckles]

Would I short-change you?
No, I wouldn't.

Okay, you take care.
I'll catch up with you.

Where you been?

I ain't seen you
for two weeks now.

Let me apologize
to you, Jean.

I had no right to say
what I said to you.

I'm sorry.

You didn't go back
to that Stanley fella,
did you?

No.

It's all right,
Mr. Ellis.
It's over.

I hold no grudges,
have no hard feelings.

We made a mistake.

Stop calling me
Mr. Ellis,

and I didn't
make a mistake.

I love you, Jean.

And a man can change.

At least you could
give me a chance.

God, I missed you
so much.

Me too.

I guess that's why
I came here today.

And to... get some
of these porgies.

Porgies?

- How many you want?
- How many can you eat?

[laughing]

[upbeat music playing]

[telephone ringing]

Hello?

Hello?

Oh, hey, baby.

Oh, just sending
Ellis and Jean off
on their honeymoon.

Huh?

Oh, yeah, well,
Buster won't be
here till 9:00.

Yeah, I'll be home.

He what?

Put that boy
on the phone.

Leroy!
Are you simple?

Getting suspended
from school?

You better have a good
explanation when I get home,
you understand me?

Do you
understand me?

All right.
Put your mama
on the phone.

- I don't even want
to talk to you.
- Hey, Reub!

- How about
a gin down here?
- All right, all right.

Yeah,
hey, baby.

Just let him
think about that
for a couple hours.

Later!
[smooches]

[rap music playing]

Hey, turn that
music down, boy!

Frieda, I'm home.

I'm back here,
sweetie.

Where's my baby?

Hi.
Hey, you.

Give me some!

Mm-mm-mm-mm-mm!

Both: Mwah!

- You all right?
- Yeah.

- So how'd it go?
- Not too bad.

You want some juice
or coffee?

- I'll take
some coffee.
- Okay.

Not too much
happened today,
you know.

- I heard that
the boy named Champ...
- Mm-hmm.

...found himself
a new manager.

- Italian dude by
the name of Ricco.
- Oh, yeah?

So, how's
Mr. I-Got-Suspended-
From-School-Today doing?

Well, he said he was
in the boys' bathroom,

and some of the other guys
were smoking.

- Uh-huh?
- He claims he wasn't,

but the principal
suspended all of them.

So now he can't
get back into school

until his father has
a sit-down with
the principal.

It never stops,
huh?

It's just that crowd
he's hanging around
with, Reuben.

A couple of those boys
that come over here

to listen
to that hip-hop,

look like they just
got out of jail.

- [groans]
- And that Tim-Tim
or Tom-Tom--

whatever they call him--
lives around the corner
on 28th Street.

He got a mouth
like a garbage can.

Yesterday, I had to
tell that boy

to take his hat off
and stop cussing

or get the hell
out of my house.

[clicks tongue]

Then he just
rolled his eyes at me.

- [microwave beeping]
- I wanted to slap
his face off.

You know, you're going to
have to talk to your son,
Reuben.

How come he's my son
when he acts up?

Because he is your son
when he acts up.

[banging on door]

Take it easy,
I'm coming!

[sobbing]
Help me, Reuben!

Oh, God,
he b*at me up.

He b*at me up,
Reuben.

Oh, my God!
What did he do to you?

- Oh, God.
- What happened?

- Get back upstairs, mister.
- What'd Uncle Willy do to her?

- None of your business.
- Let him stay and see how
these men treat women.

He don't need
to see this, Frieda.

Go in the kitchen
and get your aunt
a towel, please.

What happened?
What happened?

He was drunk,
and he just started
b*ating on me

because I b*rned
the sausage.

I just went to
check on Keisha.

I just went to check
on Keisha.

- Where are the children?
- Yeah.

- My God.
- Where are the children?

I don't know.

Oh, my God,
I don't know.

I don't know!

Reuben, you got to
go get them.

Go get my kids,
please.

Where--
where are they?

They were
on the steps.

- I just ran.
- Come on, let's go.

- Come on, boy.
- Oh, God, I just ran.

- Frieda, I just ran.
- It's okay.

It's going to be all right.
It's going to be
all right, baby.

I'll take
the Avenue.

You cover
28th Street.

Lamar! Keisha!

Hey, babies.
How you doing?

Oh, yeah!
You all right, son?

Come on,
let me see you.
You got hurt, huh?

- Mnh-mnh.
- Turn around.
Let me see.

Let me see.
You didn't get hurt
or anything?

How about you?
Are you all right,
huh, huh?

[laughs]
Give me a hug, come on!

It's so good
to see you babies!

I'm glad
you're all right.
Hey, Leroy!

I found them.

- Got 'em?
- Yeah.

[chuckles]
How's my boy?

Hey, what you doing
out here with no
shoes on, man?

Come on,
get up here.

- Hey, Leroy,
thanks for your help.
- Yeah.

- [chuckles]
- Come on.

[mimics clopping]

There we go.

My baby girl.

Come here.

Good night,
sweetie.

When are you going to
call the cops, Della?

It would k*ll Willy
if I did that to
him, Reuben.

Oh, he goes for weeks
without drinking nothing.

He'll do for the kids,
bring me home some gifts
and stuff.

It's just,
I don't know,
all of a sudden,

he just snaps.

Della,
I don't care
how good he is.

What if he
kills you?

Man, you got to
do something.

Get a restraining order.

I'll kick
his butt.

Hey, you know,
you're two steps away
from being grounded.

- This is none of your business.
- He ain't got no business
hitting on my aunt!

Look, you get upstairs
before I jump on you.

Why don't you go
jump on Uncle Willy?

He's the one going around
b*ating up on people.

- Hey!
- You act like
you're scared of him!

Reuben.

I'm going to let Della
stay overnight here
with the kids.

- Okay?
- Yeah.

Thanks, Reuben.

Reuben, I'm going to
try to get Willy

to get some counseling.

I promise.

What's this business
at school about?

I got suspended
for nothing.

I'm not dumb enough
to smoke.

I was just in there
with Tom-Tom and Jooney.

I wasn't doing
nothing.

Give me
that pillow.

And look,
that's not the issue.

If you're smart enough
not to smoke,

you got to be
smart enough not
to be in the room

with people
who do smoke.

They're my homies,
Daddy.

We hang together.
We go down together.

Hey, you remember
what I said about

if I put my head
in the toilet, would
you do the same?

- But they're my friends.
- Can't you say no
to your friends?

Hmm?

- Yeah.
- All right.

Now, I'm going to
go down there and get you
back in that school.

But if I have to--
listen to me--

if I have to
go back in that school

one more time,

it's going to be
me and you.

You understand?

- Okay.
- All right.

Hey, what you going to
do about Uncle Willy?

I don't know,
Leroy.

I just don't know.

You going to
talk to Willy?

[exhales sharply]

I don't think so.

I mean, if Della's
not willing to do
anything about it,

why should I?

She's scared,
Reuben.

Frieda,

six months
I've been asking her

to do something
about that.

Six months.

I told her before.

I said,
"Get some help."

Think she'd do
something about it?

No!

No, she claimed
he was angry

because he got
laid off

and she should be
more understanding.

Now, what do you
want me to do about it?

Go over there
and fight him?

You think I'm going to have
a knock-down-drag-out
on the street?

I see enough of that
at the bar.

We're always fighting
one another.

I'm sick of it,
baby.

She's my sister,
Reuben.

And I'm not
just going to let
Willy k*ll her.

All right,
all right.

No!

I'll go over there
myself.

I already know
how you feel,

and I'm not
blaming you,

but somebody's
got to do something

before he winds up
k*lling her.

Now, you know,
I'm not going to

let you go over
there by yourself.

Come on.

All right, all right!
I'll talk to him!

I will talk to him.

Okay.

I will talk
to him.

- Okay.
- But not tonight.

- Come here.
- [chuckles]

Come here!

Yeah, that's better.

You are
so wonderful.

- Is that right?
- Mm-hmm.

And I swear to you
that...

it's the last time.

- Oh, yeah?
- Mm-hmm.

You think you're
getting over, huh?

I didn't say
I was getting over.

We'll see how
"last time" is.

Last time, huh?

- What are you doing?
- Come over here!

[laughs]
Reuben!

- [grunting]
- Reuben, stop!

We-- Reuben!

Reuben, we've got
company in the house.

- Aw, damn.
- Get off me.

- Reuben!
- Aww... man.

Damn!

That's a reason
to b*at up on Willy.

Yo, I figure we could
do it tonight, homie.

My uncle always gets
his booze from Vasquez,

then goes home
and beats up
on my aunt.

Man, if that was
my aunt,

I'd have popped
that chump

the first time
he laid his hands
on her.

What's wrong
with your father,
kid?

My pop's a punk, man,
you know what I'm saying?

He let my uncle
b*at all up on my aunt

and won't do
nothing about it.

That's why
I want us to do it.

Catch that son of a bitch
and kick his ass.

Don't nobody
mess with my family.

That's right.

- [glass shatters]
- sh**t. Look at that.

He probably
stole something.

Check it, though.
I got to bounce, homie.

But I'm with you,
a'ight?

- See you tonight.
- Yeah.

Reub! Reub!
What's up?
What's up?

What's going on,
dawg?

I just lifted this
from Macy's this morning.

This, all you have to do
is set this on the bar,

you know, like,
how you make them drinks,

them piña coladas
and the margaritas
and things.

Now, this piece here
is battery-operated.

You don't plug it in,
don't need no wires,
nothing.

I'll give it to you
real cheap-- $20.

Bunchie, you know
I don't buy hot stuff.

Get that thing
off the bar.

$20.

How's a man like me
supposed to make a living?

You want me
on welfare?

Living off
your tax dollars,
supporting me?

Bunchie, the answer is no.
Now hit the road.

How about
you buy me a drink?

Reub, Reub.

My sh*t's going
down the drain
out there, man.

Bunchie,
that ain't my problem.

Hey.

How about these Tiffany
salt-and-pepper shakers, man?

I got these from
Macy's, too, man.

This exquisite item--
Frieda will love it--
$6.50.

- No.
- $5.

- No.
- This is the real thing!
Macy's!

- No.
- [sobbing]

Reuben!

Reuben, you got to
stop him for me!

You got to
stop him, please!

- Sit down.
- Oh, God.

What did he
do now, huh?

Hey, Bunchie,
get that rag off
the bar for me.

- You going to
give me that drink?
- Get the rag, damn it!

Come on!

Shh, shh, shh...

Tell me what
happened, baby.
What happened?

He was mad about me
coming over to your place
last night.

He started as soon
as he came through
the door.

He hit Lamar,

and he threw
Keisha down.

He threw
Keisha down.

Hey, Bunchie.
Get out of the bar now.

I said get out
the bar!

I can't go out there
in the street, Reub.

There's dudes
looking for me.

Now!

- I said now!
- A'ight, a'ight.

I wouldn't drink
that beer even if
it was free!

The worst beer
I ever tasted!

It tastes
like piss!

Now, look, look,
look.

Listen to me.

We're going down there
and get them children, huh?

But this is
the last time.

If you don't have
sense enough to put
that man in jail,

I'm not going to
help you no more.
You understand me, huh?

- All right.
- Okay.

Just get my kids.

Please, Reuben,
get my kids.

- Please.
- Come on,
come on, let's go.

I'm going to go
pick up the children
and bring them back here,

and I still
got to go to work.

- Reuben?
- Hmm?

You're not planning
on getting into a fight,
are you?

No, no, I'm just
going to talk to him,
that's all.

And when Leroy gets in,
you keep him in here.

- Okay.
- All right.

[sighs]

Hey, Willy,
open up.

Willy!

[rap music blaring]

What are you
doing here?

What are you
doing here?

Answer me!

You wasn't going to
do nothing,

so I figured
me and my squad

would kick
Uncle Willy's ass.

You better
get on back home

before I break your neck
right here in the street.

This is none
of your business.

Or yours.

What?

- I said, "Or yours."
- You ain't my father!

Well, I am
your father today!

Now, get out
of here.

You hear me?
Get on.

Hey, Leroy.

You better be home
when I get there, too.
You hear me?

[rap music continues]

Come on, Willy.
Open the door.

Willy!

What you want,
huh?

Look, Willy,
I just came to
pick up the kids

and take them
to their mama.

You got to
keep your hands
to yourself.

To hell with you.

Come around here
all holy moly.

You ain't taking
my kids nowhere!

And she's my wife,

and you and no-damn-body
else going to tell me
how to run my family.

Now, you just get
your ass off my steps

before I kick
your black ass.

Hey, hey, hey,
Willy.

Look, I just came around
here to talk to you.

There's no reason why
we can't talk peacefully.

You can't b*at up
on Della like that.

You cannot.

What you know
about it, hmm?

I work two shifts,
and I come home.

That bitch be sitting up
watching TV.

The house is dirty.

The kids,
they smell like sh*t,

and there's no food
in the house.

- Willy.
- What you know about it?

Willy, look, that ain't
none of my business,

but hitting up on Della--
hitting her-- that is.

Now, the next time
you hit her

or you abuse
them children,

- I'm going to
have you arrested.
- Oh, yeah?

- Daddy!
- Get off of my porch!

Get off
of my porch!

No, homie.

Let's see how bad
your pop really is.

Ain't nobody going to
get in my business!

Not my business!

Willy, can't we
talk about this?

Do we have to
do this out here
in the street?

Oh, we ain't
talking about nothing!

Willy, come on!
Damn.

Stop.

Willy, don't do this.

Now, be careful
with that.

Come on, Willy!

Stop!

Come on.
Come on now!

Damn!

Damn!
Did you see that?

Your papa is bad,
homie!

[Willy coughing]

Keisha! Lamar!

Come on out here.

Yeah, but he don't
like all that fighting
in the street mess,

and neither do I.

I'm going home,
man.

So what you mean?
You ain't going to hang?

- [sighs]
- Boy: Check it out!

It's a fight.

- [Willy groaning]
- Come on, kids.

Come on.

Where's he
taking her?

Are you coming,
Lamar?

Boy:
Is the dad okay?

I know.

There she is.

- You okay?
- Mama?

Where's Lamar?

Where's Lamar?

He decided to stay
with his father.

What?

- I don't believe that!
- Why?

Well, he just did.
That's it!

- Damn.
- Come here.

You got in a fight,
didn't you?

Yeah.

Come here,
sweetie.

Della...

call the cops
the next time.

Take him
to court.

I don't care
what you do,

but you have to
stop him.

Nobody else can.

And until
you do something,

we can't help you.

It's the last time.

Now, come on
in the kitchen

and get this child
something to eat.

There's some lasagna
in the refrigerator.

What is that,
Frieda?

You're my sister.

You're just going to
leave me out here
in the cold?

I cannot help it
if he beats on me!

What can I do?

What can I do?

Della,
please.

Here.

I'm glad
you told her.

You're the only one
who could.

I know.

- And I'm sorry
you had to fight him.
- Nah.

Ah... sometimes it can't
be avoided, you know?

[chuckles]

[grunts]

Hey, uh...

is Leroy
up there?

He's upstairs.

Yeah.

Where the hell else
am I supposed to go?

You're all the family
me and the kids got!

Family's supposed to
look out for each other!

What if he
stabs me?

I can't take this.

- [door opens]
- Leroy?

I saw you
on the corner,

and I told you
to go home.

Can't I worry
about you?

Yeah, that's beside
the point now.

I told you
to go home,

and you chose to
listen to your friends,

didn't you?

- Hmm?
- Yeah.

All right, now,
you're grounded
for two weeks.

No outgoing phone calls,
no TV.

- Aw, come on, Dad.
- No, this is a lesson, Leroy.

Remember?

If I choose to put
my head in the toilet,

that don't mean
you have to put your
head in there with me.

I was just watching
to make sure nothing
happened to you.

I don't need
your protection, Leroy.

I've been
living on this Avenue
for all my life.

Fighting,
knocking people
upside the head,

and I am sick of it!

I sure don't want you
to grow up in it.

Leroy...

Look, son.

v*olence is
the last choice--

the last choice.

And ain't nobody
going to be a hero
for taking it,

you understand me?

You understand?

- Yeah.
- All right.

Now I got to
go back to work.

You take care
of your mama

and do what you can
for your aunt, okay?

Okay.

I love you, son.

I love you, too.

[sighs]

- Hey.
- Hey.

Uh...

is she sleeping here
again tonight?

She's my sister,
Reuben.

- Mwah!
- [chuckles]

Mm!

Damn that Willy.

See you later.

- You be careful, okay?
- Mm-hmm.

And I'm...

I'm sorry about
all of this.

She's one of us.

[chuckles]

[sighs]

Thank you.

You sure gave me
the right one.

[upbeat music playing]