02x17 - Harlem Cinema House

Episode transcripts for the TV show "God Friended Me". Aired: September 2018 to April 2020.*
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Miles Finer is an atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on Facebook from God and unknowingly begins changing lives of others around him.
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02x17 - Harlem Cinema House

Post by bunniefuu »

Previously on "God Friended Me"...

And to those I'm meeting for the first time, thank you in advance for the support.

I'm afraid I don't share your confidence.

What, the council didn't like your proposal?

Actually, just one member in particular.

If you truly love this church, you'll consider stepping down.

Reverend Elias, your services are no longer needed.

I'm Ali.

Emily.

I'd love to get to know you more, you know, outside of a waiting room.

I have breast cancer.

That's why I said no to a date.

So how's 7:00 tomorrow?

Oh.

You okay?

Emily and I were on our date.

I passed out.

Can I see her?

Actually, she wanted me to come out and tell you that she'll be calling you later.

She's not gonna call me, is she?

[Warm acoustic guitar music]

♪ Please just go easy on me, baby ♪ Did, um, your doctor say anything else?

I told you...

just that the treatment wasn't working.

Hey, nothing about the next step?

No.

Well, I'm sure that's what she's gonna talk to us about today.

♪ ♪ Dr.

Chang.

Hi.

I'm sure you remember my entire family.

Of course.

I assume Ali's filled you in.

She has.

Like we first discussed, we need to shrink the tumor before we can remove it in order to give us the best chance of success.

Unfortunately, your current treatment didn't give us the results we were hoping for.

So what's the next step?

Well, we're gonna have to get more aggressive.

Aggressive how?

Stronger medicine, adding radiation.

But if we opted for surgery now instead of waiting for the tumor to possibly shrink...

We can discuss it, but the highest probability of long-term success is reducing its size.

The good news is, the cancer is localized.

So, once we shrink it, we're looking at very good odds going into surgery.

Okay?

Okay.

When do we start?

I wish there was different news today, Ali.

I'm sorry.

Um, but it's just a bump in the road, and we'll get through this.

Let's stay hopeful, because there is a new treatment option, and we are gonna be here for you every step of the way.

Thank you.

Mm-hmm.

[Chuckles]

I'll check on you later.

Okay.

See you.

Okay.

[Sighs]

Want to talk about it?

No.

Not really.

You know what you need?

You need a day off.

You want me to play hooky.

I want us to play hooky.

Look, seeing that I have a podcast and work from home, I'm pretty sure no one's gonna notice.

And you can call in sick.

I can tell them I have cancer.

Okay, I guess I can take the afternoon shift.

What do you have in mind?

[Cell phone chimes, buzzes]

What is it?

The God Account just liked "The Maltese Falcon." Maybe it wants us to go to the movies.

"Maltese Falcon"...

Wasn't that one of Mom's favorite films?

Yeah.

Yeah, she took us to see it when we were kids.

It was one of the first films we saw at the Harlem Cinema House.

I haven't been there in years.

You know what?

That changes today.

Come on.

[Dramatic music]

♪ ♪ What's going on with the God Account?

Any lead on Corey Smith?

Uh, yeah, we found out he works for DARPA.

What's that?

It's a top-secret government agency.

So, yeah, walking in and saying "hello" is definitely out of the question.

But look, no more talk about the God Account.

I just want this day to be about you.

I've been meaning to ask you, did you call Emily?

I did...

after I got home from the hospital the other night, told her it was probably for the best we didn't date.

Let me guess.

You think I'm making a mistake.

No, no, no, no, no.

I think you're right.

Look, you have been going through a lot lately.

You don't need to overextend yourself.

Meeting Emily was just bad timing.

[Sighs, chuckles]

Man, this place hasn't changed a bit.

It always made me feel like I was ten years old again.

Me too.

Other than Harlem Episcopal, we spent more time here as kids than any other place.

Now, aren't you glad we played hooky?

Mm-hmm.

Hey, Mr.

Johnson, uh, I don't know if you remember us...

Miles and Ali Finer.

Of course I do.

[Laughs]

You know, I remember when Arthur and Ella brought you in as kids.

You know, he and your mother had their very first date here?

I told him, "Do not take Ella to see 'Lady Sings the Blues.'" It is not a first-date flick.

[Laughs]

But he wanted to impress her.

So they both came out of the movie weeping.

I can't blame them.

My wife and I did, too.

We were sorry to hear about her passing.

Thank you.

[Sentimental music]

Hey, you kids are gonna be late for the movie.

[Chuckles]

Come on.

Uh, Mr.

Johnson, how much for the tickets?

[Chuckles]

You are my guests.

Come on in.

[Cell phone chimes, buzzes]

[Mysterious music]

Everything okay?

Yeah.

Yeah.

Miles, Ali, this is Haley, my star employee.

There's only two of us, so I had a pretty good sh*t.

[Chuckles]

Nice to meet you.

Enjoy the movie.

So what can I get you?

Two, uh, popcorns with extra butter, please.

And two boxes of Reese's Pieces, please.

So how do you two know Mr.

J?

We grew up watching movies here.

Yeah, Harlem Cinema House and Mr.

Johnson have always been a huge part of this community.

Mr.

J's one of a kind.

If it wasn't for him, I don't know where I'd be.

[Chuckles]

[Cell phone chimes, buzzes]

[Dramatic music]

What's going on?

♪ ♪ Nothing.

It's just Rakesh.

He's bored.

♪ ♪ Welcome to Harlem Cinema House.

Today we are presenting "Krush Groove." My name's Leo.

I'm your projectionist.

You're not gonna get a better viewing experience of classic movies than here at HCH...

[Cell phone buzzes]

... where we still show our prints on one of the last remaining 35-millimeter projectors...

... in the country.

Hope you enjoy it.

[Whispering]

Okay, spill it.

I know that's not Rakesh.

What's really going on?

[Whispering]

It's the God Account.

It sent a Friend Suggestion?

Not one but three...

Mr.

Johnson, Haley Chambers, and Leo Rettke.

It looks like the God Account really did want us to go to the movies.

♪ ♪ That movie was amazing.

Yeah.

Hey, what are you two doing here?

I texted them.

With three friend suggestions, we need all hands on deck.

Well, three different people means three separate problems.

Yeah, well, unless, you know, they're all connected.

Yeah, he's right.

I mean, it can't be a coincidence that they all work here.

So why don't we, uh, split up and see what we can find from each one of them?

Well, Miles and I know Mr.

Johnson, so we'll talk to him.

Okay, Rakesh, why don't you talk to the projectionist, Leo?

And, Cara, you can talk to Haley.

She runs the concession stand.

Yeah, cool.

Okay.

Hey, Haley, these are my friends Rakesh and Cara.

Hey, it's nice to meet you.

You too.

Whoa.

"2001" and "The Shining" double feature?

Please tell me that's not sold out.

No.

So why are you taking it down?

Sorry, I assumed since you were Mr.

J's friends, you already knew.

Knew what?

Mr.

Johnson is being forced to close down the theater.

[Dramatic music]

Come Monday, this place is sold.

♪ ♪ Lester.

Come in.

To what do I owe the pleasure?

I wanted to come by and thank you.

I just got word that shelter at Harlem Episcopal was approved for another year of funding.

And deservedly so.

It's been serving the community for 15 years.

Well, we appreciate it.

I know you had to make some difficult decisions about which programs to cut in order to balance the budget.

I did, but the shelter was never going to be one of them.

[Tense music]

♪ ♪ By the way...

[Sighs]

I heard from a friend of the dioceses that Reverend Elias's program was not so fortunate.

I wish I could keep them all open, but as you said, decisions had to be made.

To say he was not pleased would be an understatement.

I thought you should know.

I appreciate the heads-up, Lester.

♪ ♪ [Knock at door]

Uh, come on in.

Hey, Mr.

Johnson.

Hey, guys.

How was the movie?

It was great.

Yeah.

Yeah?

Mr.

Johnson, we heard about the theater being sold, and we are so sorry.

This must be so hard for you.

It wasn't an easy decision to make.

But the truth is, I can't compete with the big multiplexes.

You know, they got reclining chairs, digital projectors, surround sound.

Well, have you thought about renovating the theater, updating it so you can show new movies?

I haven't turned a profit in a while.

And without any collateral, no bank is gonna give me a loan.

Well, there must be a way that we can help.

We've actually gotten really good at fund-raising.

[Chuckles]

I appreciate it, but we've done all that.

The only thing that I had that I could've used as collateral, was my wife's wedding ring.

It was a family heirloom.

What happened to it?

[Sighs]

Our home was broken into last year, and it was stolen.

[Somber music]

I just hope that Haley and Leo land on their feet.

They're like family.

[Chuckles]

I did get Haley a job interview for tomorrow.

I hope it works out.

[Sighs]

I'm going to miss this place.

How long have you worked here?

Uh, six months, but it feels much longer.

Any idea where you're gonna go next?

No, not yet, but Mr.

J's trying to help me.

It's just not so easy.

What do you mean?

♪ ♪ Let's just say employers don't love hiring people with a record.

Oh.

Hello?

Uh, employees only.

I heard you guys got this old 35-millimeter projector back here, and I-I had to see it.

Hi.

Hey.

I'm Rakesh.

Leo.

Fellow cinéphile?

Mm-hmm.

Step right in.

Okay, but full disclosure...

I'm a digital guy.

Well, sit in this theater for a few weeks, and I promise you I will change that.

[Laughs]

If we only had a few weeks.

Yeah, it's too bad they're shutting this place down, especially for a purist like yourself.

Yeah, uh, thanks.

Um, I'm actually a filmmaker.

Or I will be one day.

Like, what are you working on?

I just completed my first short film.

I'm hoping it'll get me into the New York Film Institute.

Literally spent every penny I have making it.

[Laughs]

You know, if it wasn't for Mr.

Johnson letting me crash in the basement to save cash, I probably wouldn't have been able to complete it.

Wait, you've been living here?

What are you gonna do once the theater closes down?

Um, still working on that.

And I just got the telecine file for my short from the lab today.

sh*t on film.

Of course.

Mm-hmm.

Do you want to check it out?

Yeah.

I didn't always make great decisions.

Ended up doing something stupid and served a few months.

I have another year of parole.

It's why I owe everything to Mr.

J.

He looked past all that, but not everyone's like him.

Yeah.

[Cell phone chimes]

[Dramatic music]

♪ ♪ Is everything okay?

Uh, yeah, it's just, uh, the job interview Mr.

J set up for me, one of the conditions of my parole is employment.

So I should probably get going.

I don't want to be late.

Yeah.

♪ ♪ [Computer beeps]

No.

This cannot be happening.

What?

My film...

the file...

it's saying it's corrupted.

It...

it won't open.

Okay, uh, well, can't you just transfer it again?

Yeah, but it takes at least a week, and the deadline for the New York Film Institute is today.

Okay, look, maybe I can help.

How?

Well, I'm a coder.

I'm sure I can fix whatever's wrong with it.

Okay, look, I know we don't know each other, but cinéphile to cinéphile, I'm gonna ask you to trust me.

Look, I appreciate you guys caring, but if I'm gonna turn over the keys on Monday, I've got a lot to do.

So if you excuse me.

Miles, Ali.

[Chuckles]

Thanks, guys.

What is it?

Mr.

J's ring.

What if that's what this is about...

tracking it down?

Ali, the ring was stolen a year ago.

That's more than a long sh*t.

I get that.

But look, it's the God Account we're talking about.

Plus, it would be kind of nice to see a long sh*t pay off.

♪ ♪ You know what?

You're right.

If we can locate the ring, then he'll be able to get a loan to renovate the theater.

See if we can bring people back down here.

Hey.

How'd it go with Mr.

Johnson?

Good.

There may be a way to save the theater.

And everyone's job with it.

Well, that's great.

How?

[Door opens]

Nice meeting you guys.

Yeah, yeah, you too.

Okay.

What is it?

She got this text that seemed to rattle her.

She said it was about some job interview Mr.

Johnson set up for her that she had to get to.

But I can't shake the fact that I think she was lying.

Maybe because she is.

What are you talking about?

Well, Mr.

Johnson told us he set up an interview for her, but it's for tomorrow.

But if she's not going to the job interview, then what was the text about?

Yeah, that's a good question.

♪ ♪ I say we follow her.

Figure out where she's going.

You guys can tell me how we're going to save the theater on the way.

Hmm.

You up for it?

Try and stop me.

♪ ♪ Reverend Elias.

Bishop Finer.

Thank you for seeing me on short notice.

Of course.

Uh, I imagine that you're here to talk about your program...

Fresh Start.

I am.

Needless to say, I was incredibly disappointed to hear that our funding had been cut.

Mm.

Fresh Start helps give parolees the tools to find jobs after being released from prison.

It helps members of our community who have absolutely nowhere else to turn.

I understand.

If I could, I would keep every program funded, but hard decisions had to be made that are good for the entire diocese.

And you expect me to believe that?

Believe what you want.

It's the truth.

No, the truth is that not a single program was cut from Harlem Episcopal, while my program was.

And you're gonna sit there and tell me that that wasn't personal?

It wasn't.

I gave all programs careful consideration.

Well, I know that isn't true.

[Scoffs]

Because if that were the case, you would've closed the shelter at Harlem Episcopal.

That shelter has served the community for over 15 years.

And during that time, at least a dozen other shelters have opened up just like it, all serving the same community.

My program was the only one of its kind.

Your point?

Was protecting your shelter the best thing for the diocese, or was it the best thing for you?

[Sighs]

[Dramatic music]

I appreciate your concerns.

My decision is final.

We're done here.

♪ ♪ But clearly she's waiting on someone.

Yeah, whoever it is has her on edge.

Considering her past, the fact she served time, I got a bad feeling about this.

Hey, you know, being outside can't be good for you.

And we don't know how long we're gonna be waiting.

So why don't you just go home?

Miles, I am cold because it is 20 degrees outside, not because I have cancer...

I'm fine.

Okay.

Sorry.

Hey, how did it go at the doctor's this morning?

Not really the news we were hoping for.

I'm so sorry, Ali.

It's kind of bad timing.

Sort of met someone recently.

Yeah?

And as much as I like her, it just...

it wouldn't be fair to put her through something like this.

Hey, check it out.

♪ ♪ It's definitely not a job interview.

♪ ♪ Let's go.

♪ ♪ What are you guys doing here?

Wait, uh...

Are you following me?

Yeah.

I'm sorry.

Okay?

We're just worried about you.

You don't know me.

Well, we know the guy you're talking to wasn't for a job interview.

Yeah, from the looks of things, probably someone you shouldn't be talking to while you're on parole.

We're not here to judge.

We just want to help.

Now, what's going on?

Why were you meeting with him?

♪ ♪ Because I'm trying to get something back for Mr.

J.

Uh, a ring that means a lot to him.

What does that guy have to do with it?

He's a fence.

[Sighs]

He offloads stolen goods around the city.

He was the last one to see Mr.

J's ring.

Wait.

How do you know that?

Because I'm the one who stole it.

♪ ♪ It was a year ago.

I was pretty much at my lowest.

I got busted for a different burglary and went away.

When I got out, Mr.

Johnson gave me a job.

At the time, I had no idea the ring I stole belonged to him.

So how'd you figure it out?

[Soft piano music]

He invited me and Leo over for dinner a few weeks ago to tell us he was selling the theater.

[Sighs, chuckles]

When I walked into his place I thought I was going to have a heart att*ck.

Because you'd been there before.

Yes.

During dinner, he told us about his wife's ring.

When I stole it, I had no idea just how valuable it really was.

What do you mean?

It's an antique ruby...

incredibly rare.

He said the average jeweler probably wouldn't realize how much it's worth.

[Sighs]

Ever since then, I can't even look him in the eye.

I need to make it right.

Does your fence know where it is?

No.

Owen told me there's dozens pawn shops that deal in high-end jewelry he might've sold it to.

And he's gonna ask around, see if he can find it, but who knows how long that'll take?

Well, then we need to speed things up.

How?

We're kind of good at finding things.

[Investigative music]

And you're done.

You're kidding.

You fixed it?

Yeah.

I just got to recompress the file so you can email it.

And...

[Keys clack]

You're all set.

I don't know how to thank you, Rakesh.

Ah.

If I don't get into film school...

[Scoffs]

That's it.

What are you talking about?

Even if you don't get into film school, you can't quit.

This is your dream, right?

Yeah.

Then you got to give yourself time.

Believe me, I have.

This short film is gonna determine my fate.

And thanks to you, I have a fighting chance.

The fact that he questioned my decision, accused me of playing favorites, and that I'm keeping the shelter open to protect some sort of legacy at Harlem Episcopal?

Well, you have to admit that your ties to Harlem Episcopal and your history with Elias...

it's easy to see that he might think that way.

Trish, I gave careful consideration to all programs.

Okay.

[Door closes]

Hey.

So what's going on with you?

You two seem to be having a spirited conversation.

Work problems.

Do you remember Reverend Elias?

Ah, how can I forget?

Well, I had to cut funding to one of his programs, and he's accused me of playing favorites.

He thought that your dad should cut the shelter at Harlem Episcopal.

You mean our shelter?

Hmm.

Wait, what do you mean "our shelter"?

When I was eight years old, we were coming home from dinner, and I was carrying a box of leftovers.

We passed a homeless man, and I handed him my food.

Hmm.

Afterwards, I asked my dad if there was a place where homeless people ate.

He told me about shelters, and I asked if Harlem Episcopal had one.

When he said no, I said we should start one.

I see.

Anyway, I probably should get to work today.

Dad, thank you for saving our shelter.

[Chuckles]

[Soft music]

I know what you're thinking.

It's a great program, and that's why I'm not cutting it.

I have no doubt about that.

♪ ♪ But you can't tell me that this isn't a little bit about Ali and wanting to protect something that was connected to her, especially now.

♪ ♪ So Rakesh was able to help Leo.

Now he's gonna help you.

I appreciate all this, but how is this supposed to help us find Mr.

Johnson's ring?

Well, most of your high-end pawn shops are online now, so I scanned an image of Mr.

Johnson's ring, entered a few parameters, and now my software program's just gonna do the rest.

And hopefully it won't take too long, right, Rakesh?

Yeah, yeah, yeah, it should scan 1,000 items a second.

So if it's out there, we should know soon.

What if it's not?

Well, then we'll figure out another way to save the theater.

[Chuckles]

So do you guys usually go around helping strangers like this?

You could say that.

[Computer beeps]

Oh, hey, we got a match.

[Keys clacking]

Okay, looks like your ring is at Al's Jewelry Depot on 53rd and 9th...

or at least it was.

What do you mean "was"?

It sold for $2,000?

Mr.

Johnson said it was worth almost $100,000.

♪ ♪ Wait, that's weird.

The website just updated its inventory.

Looks like someone bought it less than an hour ago.

♪ ♪ That's a hell of a coincidence.

♪ ♪ Did you tell your fence how much the ring was worth?

[Sighs]

Yes.

I wasn't thinking.

I wanted him to know how important it was to me.

I never thought...

♪ ♪ Now that he has it, he's not gonna give it back for anything less than what it's worth.

[Sighs]

It's over.

We're never gonna save the theater now.

[Dramatic music]

I figured we could use a little caffeine boost to start the day.

Thanks, Miles.

Thank you.

Yeah.

Hey, it was really nice having Ali working on the God Account with us yesterday.

Yeah, I'm sure it was a welcome distraction.

Yeah, for me too.

Oh, I heard back from Haley.

So she's gonna try to talk to Owen, but she said he's not the kind of guy that does anything out of the goodness of his heart.

Yeah.

So what's our next move?

Honestly, I don't know.

Mr.

Johnson signs over the theater tomorrow, and we are out of options.

[Cell phone chimes, buzzes]

What is it?

The God Account just sent another like for "The Maltese Falcon." Wait.

What do you mean "another"?

Well, I got the same like yesterday when I was with Ali.

It's what gave me the idea to take her to the movies.

Well, if it sent it again, there has to be more to it.

No, I get that, and "The Maltese Falcon" is a great movie, but how's it supposed help us save Harlem Cinema House?

I don't know, but if there's anyone who does, it's Mr.

Johnson.

Mm.

Uh, let me get this straight.

You get these likes, and each one's a clue of some kind?

Basically.

And this God Account sent you my name.

And Haley's and Leo's.

We think it's about saving the theater.

Look, I know it's a lot to take in, but we've helped a lot of people.

And we're hoping we can add you guys to the list.

Mm-hmm, so any idea how "The Maltese Falcon" plays into all of this?

Sorry.

I-I wish I did, but I don't.

Though it was one of my grandfather's favorite movies.

He was a big Bogart fan.

He opened this theater.

I'm glad he's not around to see the doors close.

Hey, we are not going to give up, okay?

We still have one more day.

Look, I appreciate you guys trying to help, I really do, but it's too late.

Look, um, I'm having one last screening tonight to celebrate the Harlem Cinema House.

I thought it'd be nice to invite the community.

Let everybody say good-bye together.

I hope you guys can come.

"The Maltese Falcon" has to be a clue.

We just have to figure out what.

Hey, Rakesh, what did you do?

Uh, what do you mean?

I just got an email from the New York Film Institute.

My film was disqualified.

My application was denied.

Wait.

Why?

Films have to have a minimum runtime of six minutes.

Apparently mine was a few seconds under.

Okay, well, Leo, how is that my fault?

Because my film was over six minutes until whatever you did somehow shortened it.

Oh, something must've happened when I recompressed the file that shaved down the runtime.

Leo, it's okay.

We'll call someone at New York Film Institute and tell them what happened...

I'm sure it will be fine.

They're not gonna care.

What am I gonna do now?


I don't even have a job or a place to stay.

I was kidding myself thinking I was a real filmmaker.

It's over.

[Somber music]

Hey, Haley.

Were you able to talk to Owen?

Yeah, he said he won't sell us the ring back unless we pay full value.

♪ ♪ Wait.

What ring?

Uh, nothing.

It's not important.

♪ ♪ Oh, hang on, are you talking about Mr.

J's ring?

Uh...

You know where it is?

How?

It...

it doesn't matter.

I-I thought I could get it back, but I can't.

You went to prison right around the time Mr.

J's ring was stolen.

[Dramatic music]

That night at his place when he told us about it, I remember you acting kind of strange, and at the time, I didn't think anything of it.

♪ ♪ You stole it, didn't you?

♪ ♪ Look, she's trying to fix her mistake.

I don't care.

Mr.

J trusted you, and this is how you repay him?

[Door opens]

Hey, hey.

What's going on here?

Repay me for what?

Yeah, Haley.

Why don't you tell Mr.

J what we were just talking about?

Tell him why he doesn't have his wife's ring anymore.

What's he talking about?

♪ ♪ I stole your ring.

It was before I ever knew you.

I'm so sorry.

I-I wanted to tell you.

And you didn't.

Haley...

you looked me straight in the eye when I told you about that ring...

And how it could've saved this place.

And you said nothing.

[Crying]

I'm so sorry.

♪ ♪ That sounds terrible.

Yeah.

I mean, things pretty much blew up right in front of us.

Usually this is the part where I say there's something we can do, but there's nothing we can do.

[Pop music playing]

Okay, okay, okay.

Enough with the doom and gloom.

You guys help people.

That's what you do, no matter how hard it is.

And you definitely don't give up.

None of us do.

Ali, I'm open to all ideas on how we can save the theater.

Forget about the theater.

[Soft piano music]

It's about more than that.

It's about Mr.

Johnson, Haley, and Leo.

They are a family just like us, and right now they are the furthest thing from it.

We need to bring them back together.

♪ ♪ You know what?

You're right.

I'm gonna text Haley and have her meet us down at the Harlem Cinema House, and we are gonna remind them of that.

[Cell phone clicking, beeps]

[Cell phone buzzes]

What'd she say?

She said she's going to fix things, that she has to face her past once and for all.

Uh, okay, I don't like the sound of that.

Yeah, neither do I.

Rakesh, can you track her phone?

Yeah.

[Keys clacking]

[Dramatic music]

She's at the northwest corner of St.

Nicholas Avenue and 123rd Street...

there's nothing over there, except, uh...

a police station.

♪ ♪ [Indistinct chatter, telephones ringing]

I'd like to report a crime.

♪ ♪ [Dramatic music]

Hey, Mr.

J.

Thanks for meeting me.

Of course.

Uh, what's this all about, Miles?

Haley is at the police station right now.

She's going to admit to stealing your ring, so the police'll be able to get it back from her fence.

And by admitting that, she goes to prison.

Yeah, now, Ali, Rakesh, and Cara are on their way there now to stop her, but there is only one person that she'll listen to.

[Sighs]

I understand, but I'm done helping her.

It's not just that she stole the ring, but the fact that she lied to my face.

She's not the person I thought she was.

Yes, she is.

She is willing to go to jail and save your theater because she is exactly who you think she is.

When I got the Friend Suggestion for the three of you, I thought it was just about saving the theater.

But it's not.

It's about saving a family, a family that you created.

Don't turn your back on her now, when she needs you the most.

[Scoffs]

[Indistinct chatter, telephones ringing]

We know why you're here.

You can't do this.

I need to make this right.

You don't need to make anything right.

Not with me you don't.

[Sighs]

If it wasn't for me, you'd still have your ring.

Yeah, and...

and if you hadn't stolen it, then maybe you don't show up at my theater needing a job.

And our worlds never cross.

You know, I'm...

I'm good with that trade, are you?

♪ ♪ What about the theater?

♪ ♪ If the only way we can keep the theater open is for you to risk going back to jail, I'll close the doors right now.

We're family.

♪ ♪ Which one of you is here to report a crime?

♪ ♪ That's okay.

I'm not pressing any charges.

Okay.

[Exhales deeply]

[Mutters]

♪ ♪ [Sighs]

Well, we still have Leo to think about.

What do you mean?

Well, he didn't get into film school.

He took the rejection as a sign to give up on his dreams.

Then we need to find a way to convince him otherwise.

Hey, I have an idea...

a way to prove to Leo that he can't give up.

How?

♪ ♪ Bishop Finer.

I must say, I'm surprised that you called.

That makes two of us.

Please, sit.

The reason I asked you to come down here is because I've been thinking a lot about our conversation.

About your accusations that this was somehow...

personal.

It was, just not how you thought.

I'm sorry.

I don't understand.

I started the shelter at Harlem Episcopal with my daughter, Ali.

I think I've been wanting to hold on to it because of her.

[Sighs]

Now, see...

that I do understand.

I started Fresh Start because of my son.

Hmm.

He, uh...

he made some mistakes when he was younger, spent some time in prison.

When he got out, he, uh...

He had no real-world skills.

He had no path forward, no...

no way to turn his life around.

And I...

I decided to do something about that.

Not just for him, but for...

so many others like him.

I have no doubt that is why Fresh Start has been so successful and will continue to be.

I'm sorry, I don't understand.

When I started the shelter 15 years ago, I hoped that it would pave the way for others just like it, and as you pointed out yesterday, on that front, it has been tremendously successful.

I believe that Fresh Start can do the same over the next 15.

W-what are you saying?

I'm gonna close the shelter and fund your program.

[Emotional music]

♪ ♪ [Laughs]

I...

I don't know what to say.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

There are still some real...

obstacles between us...

but today...

today I think was a step in the right direction.

♪ ♪ Good afternoon, Bishop Finer.

Mm.

[Uplifting music]

♪ ♪ Hey, y'all, come on in.

How you doing?

Good to see you.

Whew, hey, it's a full house in there, huh?

Perfect send-off.

Yeah.

[Indistinct chatter]

Excuse me.

Mm-hmm.

Leo, I heard about film school.

I'm not letting you give up on your dream.

Thanks, Mr.

J, but it's time I face reality.

Hmm.

Oh, looks like it's time for the show.

Look, why don't you go in there and grab a seat in the house?

I'm introducing this one.

Thanks for coming out, everyone.

I can't tell you how gratifying it is to see...

to feel so much love for Harlem Cinema House.

Now, before our main attraction, I have the honor of introducing the world premiere of a comedy short by a very gifted young director.

If you like the film, please, let him know.

Thank you!

[Cheers and applause]

Thank you!

[Light music]

[Cheers and applause]

♪ ♪ [Laughter]

[Laughter]

[Laughing]

[Laughter, chatter]

♪ ♪ [Cheers and applause]

♪ ♪ Your film was amazing, Leo.

Oh, uh...

thank you.

And hey, look, I'm sorry about earlier.

I was...

Don't worry about it.

Families fight.

Hey, everybody.

I want you to meet my friend Kenny Evans.

Wait, are you Kenny Evans the producer?

Mr.

J called and said I had to see your film.

He was right.

You're talented.

Now, I heard you didn't get into New York Film Institute.

You should apply again next year.

In the meantime, why don't you stop by my office on Monday?

We'll discuss an internship.

[Mr.

J chuckles]

Thank you.

[Chuckles]

Mr.

J.

Oh, I guess we'll never know why the God Account sent you a like for "The Maltese Falcon" again.

Yeah, I guess not.

It's a great movie.

You know, there's actually, uh, an original marquee poster for it in the basement.

Yeah, I saw it when I was living down there.

♪ ♪ I haven't been down here in ages.

You know, my grandfather, he used to store all kinds of things down here.

You think this is what the God Account wanted us to see?

I don't know.

You know, maybe it wanted you to have it.

It's the least I can do.

Uh, Leo, would you?

Yeah.

There's a door here.

Wait, that can't be a coincidence.

What's inside?

Wow.

"Casablanca." "Gone with the Wind." [Laughs]

"Citizen Kane." [Scoffs]

My grandfather must've saved all these.

The studios, they used to let you keep the prints.

I had no idea they were still down here.

These are original 35-millimeter prints of some of the most famous movies in history.

In pristine condition, a collection like this...

it's worth a fortune!

Enough to renovate the theater and then some!

[Laughter]

[Uplifting music]

All right, looks like tonight's showing won't be the theater's last.

Think about the legacy you just saved.

We saved.

Mm-hmm, she's right.

We couldn't have done it without you, Ali.

Thank you.

I needed a little magic in my life this weekend.

I couldn't agree more.

[Natalie Taylor's "Surrender"]

♪ We let the waters rise ♪ What's Emily doing here?

Look, I know I said that meeting Emily was bad timing.

I was wrong.

These past couple of days have reminded me that when things get tough, you need as many people in your life as possible.

Thanks, big bro.

♪ Whenever you're ready ♪ ♪ ♪ Hey.

Hey.

I hope it's okay I came.

Are you sure you're up for this?

Ali, I've, um...

been to the movies before.

[Both laugh]

So what's your favorite movie candy?

Mm...

Red Vines.

No, no, no.

It's Reese's Pieces.

Reese's Pieces.

[Laughs]

Can't believe I'm gonna date somebody who likes Red Vines.

[Laughs]

We'll work on it.

You guys ready?

Yeah.

Let's go see a movie.

[All chuckling]

♪ Oh, oh, oh, I surrender ♪
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