01x07 - Independence Day

[bunniefuu]

ADULT DEAN: One thing that
all species have in common

is that at some point,
offspring have to leave

the protection of their parents
and venture out on their own.

The process of gaining independence

can go smoothly,

or not smoothly at all.

Um...

I was wondering,

can I go to the mall
with some kids from my school?

"Who's gonna be there?"

"What are their parents' names?"

"Why do you want to go there anyway?"

"We got popcorn at the house."
"Do you have mall money?"

Unfortunately,
my parents were not the kind

to just let their kids
hang out at the mall,

even after it was desegregated.

When I was a kid, the Nordale Mall

was like Mecca, the Promised Land,

and the Forbidden City all in one.

It had delicious food, sharp clothes,

and a pet store full of puppies.

But most of all, it had teenagers

having the time of their lives
totally unsupervised.

I couldn't wait to hang out at the mall

without having my parents
dragging me around.

But I wasn't the only one in the family

struggling to gain independence.

You need to slow down.

I'm barely moving.

Watch out for that car.

Dad, we're stopped.

- In the middle of the street?
- At a stop sign!

I know what I'm doing.

Then why aren't you moving?

It's clear.

[Sighs]

Dad, can you please tell Dean

to stop breathing on my neck?

That hot breath is gonna
mess up my hair.

Dean, sit back.

Kim, go around this car in front of you.

Driving like a maniac.

- [Tires screech]
- Be careful, now.

[Honks horn]

♪

Dad?

Granddaddy Clisby?

The only person I knew
who my dad had to answer to.

Back then, I thought Granddaddy Clisby

was mean just to be mean.

I was wrong.

That was him being nice.

Mm-hmm.

Yes, Mother Williams. I can take you.

No problem at all.

Okay. Okay. Good night.

What's Mama talking about?

She wants me to take her
to choir practice tomorrow.

She doesn't trust your dad's driving.

I told you how he was swerving
all over the road.

It was like watching a drunk turtle.

Well, it was worse than that.

He had a fender-bender.

Left the car and walked home.

They called a tow truck,

but he couldn't remember
where he left it.

[Sighs]

I guess it's time.

Yeah.

Everybody's time comes sooner or later.

I know it's hard,

but you're doing the right thing,

and you're doing it
because you love him.

It's okay, Dad.

He'll be in a better place, like Buster.

I didn't exactly know
what they were talking about,

but it sounded like when my dog Buster

had to go to a big farm in the sky.

What?

Boy, we're talking about stopping

your granddad from driving,
not putting him down.

Oh!

♪ Oh, oh, oh and I know ♪

♪ Ohh ♪

♪ Through the highs and the lows ♪

♪ I'mma find my way home ♪

BILL: It'll be hard at first,
but Lil and I will make sure

you and Mama get every place
you need to go,

- on time and in style.
- CLISBY: [Chuckles]

That's why I was invited over here.

To fill me up on pound cake
and meat loaf

while you two conspire
to steal my freedom.

No.

W... [Sighs]
We just want you to be safe.

- Mm-hmm.
- Mother Williams said

- you drove into the shed...
- Well...

...and crushed all
of her gardening supplies.

I just need to get
my brakes checked, huh?

Listen, why don't you wrap me up
some of this pound cake?

I'm going home.

Mills Brothers on TV tonight,
huh? [Chuckles]

Give me your keys. I'll drive you.

Oh, no, no.
Nobody drives Old Betsy but me.

Come on, Dad.
You know it's for the best.

Best for who? Not for me.

I mean, h-how am I gonna get
to the barbershop

and see my friends?

He has friends?

Son, now you best get on out of my way.

Sorry, Daddy, but this how it has to be.

♪

As I watched my dad
face off with his dad,

I thought how great
it must feel to finally

get to lay down the law
to your own father.

♪

But the look on my dad's face said

it didn't feel great at all.

[Keys jingle]

I'mma need to get to
the hardware store on Saturday.

For what? You have every nail that's...

Fine. Kim can take you.

As a matter of fact, you should
leave your car here for her to drive.

Now, how are you gonna give away my car?

Really? I'm getting my own car?

I'll buy it for you, on the condition

you take your granddaddy
wherever he needs to go.

Hold on. This child don't need
to be driving me all over town.

This child need to be trying
to find herself a husband.

- That's what she need...
- A husband? She's !

Okay, you right. Ship's passed.

And instead of you taking Mama to
church, Kim can take her.

- But that's six times a week.
- Kim.

This child just got her license
a hot minute ago.

I mean, hell,
I drive better than she do.

She's been trained by the best... me.

So it's settled.

This could work out good for everybody.

Yeah, my dad never got
any better at reading a room.

♪

NORMAN: The mall was so fun.

The girls from the Catholic
school were there, too.

We all met up in the parking lot.

- Then what'd you do?
- Just met up.

I'd never seen them
without their uniforms before.

- They were naked?
- No, dummy.

They were wearing regular clothes.

But maybe next time...

Anything could happen at the mall.

Man, I wish I could go
to the mall without my parents.

How does Norman get to go by himself?

Divorced dad.

Norm says he lets him
do whatever he wants.

Lucky. Why do my parents gotta
be so in love with each other?

Why isn't there a mall
in your neighborhood?

Oh, you just wait, Brad.

One day that mall by your house
will be the black mall.

It's not fair.

The mall's lousy with Catholic girls,

and we can't get there.

Well, you guys should just move closer.

Brad really needed
to watch the news sometimes.

Wait, Norm might be onto something.

If our dads take us,

they'll probably just lose us anyway.

That'll give us enough time
to hang out until they find us.

Can your dad take us?

Mm, I mean, if he's not working late

or going to a fraternity meeting

or drinking scotch
and listening to jazz.

Maybe your dad could take us.

Nah, my dad's just gonna say,
"Go with your mother.

She's always shopping."

Then she'll say it's her money,

she'll spend it how she wants.

Then they'll send me to my room
so they can talk.

Yeah.

Wait.

There might be one more option.

Kim just got her license.

Yeah!

Shut up, Brad. [Scoffs]

She'll be paying even less attention

than our dads would.

We can ditch her easy.

All right. Mall, here we come.

[School bell rings]

I neglected to mention to Cory

that riding with my sister
came with one condition.

Boy, stop breathing down my neck.

You're gonna set my collar on fire.

And comb your hair!

Both of you look like you got weeds

growing out of your head.

Our people's hair looked better
during sl*very.

I just combed it.

Well, next time, do it right.

That's how it was
between us and Granddaddy.

I guess he loved his grandkids,
but he never showed it,

- just a nonstop stream of insults.
- [Horn honks]

Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

Come on, Kim! Didn't you see the truck?

Maybe if you'd take
some of that eye makeup off,

you could see a little better.

And criticisms.

I saw him coming up fast,
so I let him pass.

Maybe that's your problem.
You're too nice.

Didn't even cuss at him or flash a g*n.

[Sighs] Okay, Granddaddy.

Next stop is the hardware store.

Well, you're going the wrong way.

I'm going to Mercer's
down there on Dexter.

Dean, that's the opposite
way of the mall.

Yeah, Cory's right.
We're gonna miss all the fun.

Why that one?
Aren't all wrenches the same?

Oh, young lady, all you need
to know about tools is

which one to pass your husband
when he's fixing the sink.

The stores on this side of town
don't like us,

so take me to a store
where there's n*gro clerks

that don't follow me around
and ask me for my money

just so they can be sure I can pay.

Okay, but we have to stop
at the grocery store

and the dry cleaner before we get there.

DEAN: No! Everybody's
waiting for us at the mall.

If we make all those stops,

they'll be gone
by the time we get there.

If Mercer's sell out
of those new soldering irons,

I'm going to get mean,

and you guys don't want to see that!

Okay. Let's listen to some music.

- ♪ All right, ow! ♪
- Oh, my God.

Come on. Come on. Come on. No.

Yeah, that boy get too sweaty.

Y'all need to listen to some gospel.

♪ Yeah, you look to Jesus ♪

♪ Look to Jesus ♪

♪ Look to Jesus ♪

- ♪ Look to Jesus ♪
- You two need some Jesus.

Now, son, I don't know you,

but I can tell by looking at you
that you could use some, too.

[Scoffs]

The radio station
is the driver's choice.

♪ All right ♪

ADULT DEAN: As Kim dragged us
along on her errands,

I discovered Granddaddy Clisby and I

had something in common.

He hated being in the Kiddie Car

as much as I hated being
in the Senile Shuttle.

I have Jesus, sir.

Shut up, boy. You don't.

♪ I got the feeling, baby ♪

♪ Baby, sometimes I'm up ♪

♪ Sometimes I'm down ♪

Is it me,

or does it even
smell like girls in here?

It definitely does.

That's because we're in front of
the perfume department, idiot.

Shh. Stop talking!

I don't want my friends
to see you here with me.

They think we're here alone.

Don't disrespect your sister, hmm?

Do you own a hat?

I was finally able to embark

on my first solo visit to the mall.

I felt grown, mature, tall...

bored.

None of us knew how
to talk to the girls.

No, that's not how
you walk the dog, Brad.

Here, give me the yo-yo.

Hey, D.

Ain't that your girl?

- DEAN: Charlene.
- Hi.

What are you doing here?

Montgomery Ward got
a new shipment of church hats.

My mom likes to shop before
the other first ladies see them.

Where's your mom?

Uh, at home.

Just hanging out at the mall
with my friends.

Really?

You're so mature.

- Want some of this?
- Sure.

One of the best things
about having a girlfriend

was that you got to eat their food.

Uh-oh.

There he is. Right there.

The only thing more
embarrassing to a teenager

than being seen with parents in the mall

is being seen with your grandparents,

especially one as crotchety
as Granddaddy Clisby.

I thought you were by yourself.

I... I... I did. I... I was.

Right. Uh, I'm gonna go find my mom.

See you in church.

I thought we weren't leaving
for two more hours.

We're not, but Granddaddy
didn't want to wait

while I shop for my...

delicates.

Well, now, ladies underwear
ain't no place

for a grown man to be waiting.

Shouldn't even have to be looking at it.

Kim, I mean, if you need some help, I...

He can stay with you
while I finish shopping.

But...

w-we're busy.

Standing around? He can stand with you.

Bye.

Wait...

Now, these are the boys
you came to the mall to see?

Yes, sir.

Well, I know they make you
go to school with them,

but, uh, you don't have
to pretend to like them,

you understand?

But I do like them.

Oh, well.

I guess we have overcome, then, huh?

Hey, everyone.
Come over here for a minute.

So, this is my granddad, Mr. Williams.

He's gonna be hanging out
with us for a while.

Yeah, now, I got a question.

Why would young and healthy children

want to hang out in this cold mall

rather than play
in the sunshine outside?

I mean, what's so special
about this place?

- Well, there's a food court.
- [Murmuring agreement]

Boy, you can eat at home.

And the movies.

Well, I never was one
for going to the movies.

They used to make us
sit up in the balcony

and see the same shows
that other people got to see

from the good seats.

But your dad used to beg me
and beg me to let him go

so he could be free with his friends,

but it wasn't safe,
him to be going around and about

where anything could happen to him.

I began to see why
my dad was so overprotective,

and maybe it wasn't overprotective.

Maybe it was wise.

Well, we don't have to sit

in the balcony seats anymore, Granddad.

Even if we did,

we still don't have money
for the movies.

"Rosemary's Baby" is playing.

- Oh.
- I'd love to see that.

Yeah, me too.

But my dad doesn't let me see
R-rated movies.

Your dad said that?

Well, I'm in charge,
and, uh, I got money.

I can get you in.

Really? All of us?

Yeah.

[All gasp]

You think this is enough?

Yeah!

Whenever I looked at
the roll of cash he carried,

I thought Granddaddy Clisby was rich.

I didn't realize back then,

it was hard for him
to get a bank account.

One good gust of wind,

and he'd be off to the poorhouse.

Well, I guess we can get going, then.

Thanks, Mr. Williams.

- Yeah!
- So cool.

This is gonna be so good.

Think we could get some popcorn, too?

Yes.

Thank you, sir.

Ah.

So, that's who you're courting now?

What? Oh, no.

I have a girlfriend. She just left.

[Chuckles] The one
with the cotton candy.

Boy, if The Blind Boys of Alabama

were standing here,
they'd be singing songs

about how you're looking at that girl.

Keisa's just my friend.

Ah, well, whatever you say.

But it was a smart thing
for you to pick a scary movie.

Yeah, she might get frightened

and let you put your arm around her.

I like that.

Smart? Wow.

That was the nicest thing

Granddaddy Clisby had ever said to me.

Maybe he was softening up.

♪

That sure was rated R for a reason.

Oh, please.
You couldn't even see the baby.

Then why is it still in my head?

I just want my mama.

Don't tell me this movie
scared you kids.

You got to toughen up!

Listen, when I was years old,

I had already k*lled a platoon
full of German soldiers

during the Great w*r.

I sh*t some of them,

put the bayonet to the rest of them.

How'd the let you in the army

if you were still in junior high?

Because I had a full beard
and a mustache at .

[Laughter]

You're funny, Granddad.
Thanks for the movie.

Granddad did me such
a huge favor that day.

My friends thought he was cool,
and that made me cool, too.

Let's just keep this R-rated movie

between the two of us, all right?

Sorry I'm late.

I ran into a boy from school

who worked at the shoe store.

He invited me to a party,

so I'm gonna have to take you
to the barbershop tomorrow.

Sorry.

Listen, if the Devil is looking
to pick a bride,

I got a suggestion.

[Both laugh]

♪

MAN: [On television]
Today we'll be taking a look

at some of our favorite
woodland creatures...

[Speaking indistinctly]

♪

[Bottle cap pops]

Bill.

Bill! [Chuckles]

Listen, um, uh, Kim has left me,

and I needed to get to the barbershop.

Ah, I'm working on an arrangement

with Washboard right now.

We are really smoking!

Give me an hour or so,
and I'll run you home.

N... B-Bill?

...and other succulent plants.

Be careful...

[Muttering] Nobody tells me...

♪

No son of mine is gonna tell me
when I can get my hair cut.

Well, are you staying or coming?

You want me to go with you?

Yeah.

Now, now, listen. Listen, listen.

Now, if you gonna go with me,
no snitching to your dad.

ADULT DEAN: So it began...

my first joyride in a stolen vehicle.

Thelma had Louise,

and I had my -year-old grandfather.

We were locked and loaded for trouble...

as soon as we adjusted the front seat.

[Seats squeal, click]

[Keys jingle]

[Chuckles]

She didn't know I had these. Yeah.

You know, your father, grandmother,

and that redneck police officer

don't know what they talking about.

I been driving for years.

Yeah, I know what I'm doing.

Watching the expression
on my granddad's face,

I related to him in a new way.

We were both tired of unfair limitations

other people put on us.

We had both gotten
a taste of independence,

and it was good.

This was actually fun.

The two of us breaking rules, together.

♪

Hey!

How you doing?

Hey there, brother.

- Yeah. Good.
- Give me that coat.

Oh, Muhammad Ali should have
just gone on into the army.

He'd be back in the ring by now.

Well, you know what?
I'm glad he took a stand.

And I wish more pro athletes would, too.

Well, see, I ain't studding
them rich Negroes.

Bring on the Summer Olympics.

Real athletes, no politics.

Okay. So you don't disagree

with any of this country's politics?

Son, everybody disagrees
with this country's politics.

You just got to be ready to serve, see?

I served, hmm?

My son served.

My other grandson
is in Vietnam right now.

You got to be ready
to fight and die for America.

Ain't that right, Dean?

[Choking]

Uh, yes. Yes, sir.

Die? [Chuckles]

I hadn't really thought about all that.

But that's what the barbershop
was good for...

making you think,
challenging your assumptions,

and giving you a good laugh.

Dean won't take a fastball
for his little league team.

- [Laughter]
- How the hell he ready to die

- for his country?
- [Laughter]

Well, he certainly can't serve
in the army with that hair.

So, Bray, were you able
to do anything with it?

BRAY: Well, I trimmed it up.

Now your grandson looks nice and neat,

like Wicked Wilson Pickett.

[Laughter]

See, you just don't like
the afro style, Mr. Williams.

Okay.

[Chuckles] Come on, Mr. Williams.

Look, you know they say that,
uh, Jesus had hair like wool.

[Laughter]

You see, he's just saying that

because his hair look like

the back end of a fat sheep's dookey.

- [Laughter]
- Now, that's wrong.

[Laughter]

Oh, you laughing hard, ain't you?

Uh, uh, uh. Game.

[Laughter]

Now, now, now, when Bray
first started cutting hair,

oh, he was just so nervous,

his... his hands
were shaking like a leaf.

- [Laughs]
- I had to say to him...

I said, "Now, don't you dare cut
no zig-zags in my hair," see?

- Granddad!
- [Horn honking]

[Tires screech]

[Radiator hisses]

Are you okay?

Yeah, I-I...

I'm fine.

Are you okay?

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I just...

need a minute to kind of collect myself.

♪

Are you sure you're okay?

Because I don't know what I'd do if...

♪

But you're okay, right?

Yeah.

♪

Damn it!

It's...

just a little accident.

My dad almost ran over
a squirrel last week,

and my mom was so scared

that she even almost said
a bad word, too.

[Chuckles]

Yeah.

♪

I learned a lot
about my granddad that day

and why black men like him
go to the barbershop,

even when their hair hasn't
changed in years.

Where you been? We were so worried!

Look at the car. Look at the car, Dad.

How many times do I have to tell you?

I don't know what to tell...
Dean, are you okay?

Are you okay, Dean? Dad, I don't...

♪

♪

Watching my granddad deal
with his new situation

made me realize that what
he was being forced to accept

was much harder than the limitations

I had as a -year-old.

I also appreciated

how difficult this was for my dad

and how difficult
it may be for me one day

when I have to do the same thing.

Nah! I'm gonna love
telling him what to do.

♪

♪ I got my mojo ♪

Younger and older generations
always have more in common

than it appears on the surface.

♪

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ I got my mojo ♪

We both want independence,

self-determination...

♪ I'm gonna try it out on you ♪

...and freedom.

♪ Oh, yeah ♪

♪ Well, I tried... ♪

Even if that freedom doesn't start

until you're down the street,
where your friends

can't see you getting dropped off.

- [Engine starts]
- ♪ Gonna try it on you ♪

- Don't worry about it...
- ALL: Ohh!

♪ Well, I tried it in New York City ♪

[All shouting]

♪ Oh, no, I'm gonna try it on you ♪

- ♪ Ohhh, yeah ♪
- Hey.

Hey! What's up, Dean?

[Indistinct conversations]