You should know the only reason I'm consenting to this...
...is I wish to clear my name.
Not that I care what people think, but enough is enough.
And if in the end it helps some other people out, well, then that's fine too.
I consider myself normal, whatever that means.
Some people call me a freak.
I hate that word.
I don't believe in it, I don't believe in labels.
But what are you gonna do? This was the deal.
I believe that there is only one person...
...one person in this world who is meant to be your soul mate.
Your lifelong companion.
The irony is, rarely do these two people hook up.
They just wander about aimlessly.
But if you're lucky, and you do find that person, you can't blow it.
Nola was that person.
Deep.
Do you really mean what you say?
I swear to God on my grandmother's Bible.
- Where you going? - To get the candles.
Are you sure you have enough?
- Do you smell them? - What?
The candles, they're scented.
Yeah, it smells good.
Now why don't you undress.
I love you.
Me?
I'm running on E.
You're always running on E.
What can I do for you?
A massage?
You want a massage?
You got it.
- How does that feel? - You have the serious touch.
A lot of men I've dealt with don't know about a woman's body.
Is that right?
But not you.
Sweetness...
...why can't we be like this at my place?
I can only do it in my own bed.
It has magical powers?
Must be the mattress.
Night, night.
Nola and I used to be roommates until we had this...
...slight falling-out.
No, actually it was a big falling-out.
But we're okay now. We're still friends but not roommates.
I had a boyfriend and sometimes he would spend the night.
Usually on a weekend.
But Nola... Jesus, I couldn't keep track.
I'd get up in the morning, and I'd run into strange men in my bathroom.
When we talked about it she said, "I found the place...
...so if you can't hang, leave. Bye."
So I said bye.
And I got this studio.
Now I haven't spoken to her in a while.
And I kind of miss her.
In my experiences I've found two types of men:
The decent ones and the dogs.
It seems that men are taught not to...
...be in touch with their true feelings...
...but the things that they do say?
Weak.
You so fine, baby, I'd drink a tub of your bathwater.
Congress has just approved me...
...to give you my heat-and-moisture-seeking MX missile.
I just wanna rock your world.
Baby...
...it's got to be you and me.
You may not realize it, but you're sending out...
...some very strong vibes.
May I continue?
Well, you're lonely...
...you're alone, you're sad, you're confused...
...you're horny.
You see, you need a man like me to understand you.
To hold you...
...to caress you...
...to love you.
You need me.
What's your number?
I know I only saw you for the first time in my life a minute ago, but I love you.
I saw you for the first time in my life a minute ago, but I love you.
- I love you. - I love you.
Look, baby... Let's go to my house right now.
Let's do the wild thing. I mean, let's get loose.
I got my BA from Morehouse.
My MBA from Harvard.
I own a new BMW 318i.
I make 53 thou a year after taxes, and I want you to want me.
Girl, I got plenty of what you need.
Ten throbbing inches...
...of USDA, government-inspected...
...prime cut Grade A tube steak.
One guy was different.
Nola, I don't wanna chance not seeing you again.
What you wanna do, I'll do. Where you wanna go, I'll take you.
- Will you see me? - And that's how we met.
- Are you following me? - You were following me.
Oh, I was. But I was minding my own business...
...waiting for the 41 bus when you walked by.
I know it sounds corny, but if I didn't follow you...
...I might not ever see you again. - You're right. That does sound corny.
- Worth it? - I don't know.
You following me, me following you, and you don't know?
It's too early to tell. What's your name?
- Nola. - Jamie.
You know, following me around could be dangerous.
You look pretty safe.
I don't wanna chance not seeing you.
What you wanna do, I'll do. Where you wanna go, I'll take you.
Will you see me?
You will?
What about Nola Darling?
I thought she was a freak. You know, freaky-deaky?
You ask why'd I continue to see her?
Do I look like a retard? I'm not crazy.
The sex was def.
Nola had the goods and she knew what to do.
Look. All men want freaks, we just don't want them for a wife.
- You got it? - Yeah, I got it.
Dag.
Nola, it took you long enough to invite me up here.
I don't let just anybody up here.
- I'm supposed to be anybody? - You're not anyone.
- That's why you're here. - Yeah, it took long enough.
- That's nice. - Thank you.
My birthday's May 19th. You know what that is?
The 19th of May? Am I supposed to know?
- You're supposed to know. - I am?
It was Malcolm's birthday.
The 19th? Of May?
Yeah? That's cool. He was down by law.
- This whole place is yours, huh? - Whole place.
I likes, I likes. What's the rent?
- It's cheap. - Yeah?
We could put a divider and you'll have a roommate.
- Me. You'll never know I'm here. - You're right, I'll never know.
How come every time I let a guy up, first thing they wanna do is move in?
Well, you work, you got a nice crib and you're fine.
Why do you think I want somebody to take care of?
I didn't say that.
You know, I didn't say that. I pay my own way.
I'm not looking for no meal ticket.
- So, what do you do? What's your job? - I'm a layout paste-up artist.
- I do mechanics for magazines... - Yeah, yeah. I know what that shit is.
- There's something about you. - About me?
- Good or bad? - I haven't figured it out yet.
- You'll let me know? - You'll be the first.
You'll let me know? You'll let me know?
- You'll let me know? Good. - Yeah.
It was bad enough, Nola and all her male friends...
...but there was this one female who was after her and that was a bit much.
I had suspicions about their relationship...
...so I asked her point-blank if anything was happening.
She said, "No."
I know you're thinking, " How do I know she was telling the truth?"
Well, Nola couldn't lie. Even if she wanted to.
It wasn't her nature.
She could be brutally honest.
You're not born lesbian or heterosexual. Both traits are within us.
We all have the potential to go either way.
At a young age I knew where my preference was and I pursued it.
Nola was straight as an arrow.
I just want her to be open-minded.
Check it out. Then decide. That's all.
You didn't have to come.
Hey, when you said you were ill, I flew over.
- Summer colds are the worst. - You're a sweetheart.
This has lots of lemon and honey in it.
This is good. Thanks, doll.
You shouldn't be bedridden and nobody looking after you.
It's not that bad. Jamie comes by every day.
- Jamie? - I'll be up and around...
...in a couple of days.
Okay.
Hey, what's on your mind?
What's it like to make love to a woman?
- What's it like? - You heard.
Why do you ask?
When you wanna find out something, you ask somebody who knows.
- I'm curious. - How curious?
Relax. You got the wrong idea.
Do I?
You have the answer to your question already.
Come on, someone who likes sex as much as you do?
What makes you say that?
- I have eyes. - Forgot about your lesbian radar.
- You've never had a woman before? - Are you deaf?
- Come on, tell me something. - I can tell you what it's not.
It's not some musty man pounding away inside of you a mile a minute.
What's wrong with that?
- I'm sorry, go ahead. - I'm through.
That's it?
That's the best I can do for now.
If you wanna find out, it's on you.
And I still say you're not Miss Naive.
I am when it comes to that.
- I know you. - Drop it, Opal.
It's dropped. For now.
- You'll come around. - You think so, huh?
- I'll get it. - Okay.
- Who? - It's me. Who are you?
- Hi. - Hi.
- I bought you groceries. - What a nice surprise.
I wanna give you a fat juicy kiss, but I don't want you to get my cold.
Come here.
This is better than any medicine.
Opal was nice enough to sit with me all day.
Thanks. But I'll take care of her now.
Opal, you're welcome to stay as long as you wish.
I just want her to know that if she leaves, it's okay.
It's no bother. Nola and I have a lot of fun together.
- What kind of fun? - Fun, fun.
We do.
We'd better let Nola get some sleep. I'm gonna stay with her.
- Goodbye. - I like nursing Nola.
You like to nurse? Go to the hospital.
- Close the door on the way out. - Do I threaten you?
Afraid Nola might seek other things?
Other things?
Opal, you're a very beautiful woman.
I wouldn't have never thought that you were gay.
How one looks has no bearing.
I guess that's true.
You're learning.
- Goodbye, Opal. - Jamie, it's not over yet.
- Wake up. - I'm sick.
I know, sweetheart. Wake up.
Where's Opal?
Well, I'll be a son of a bitch.
- What are you doing? - What are you talking?
- What's up with you and Opal? - We're friends.
- What kind of friends? - Oh, come on.
She's interested in me, but I told her it's not like that.
You told her that?
- Well, I don't like her. - She's done nothing.
I bet she dogs me out every chance she gets.
She only has good things to say about you.
Is that right?
- I still don't like her. - Don't be silly.
Come here.
I was the best thing that ever happened to Nola Darling.
Ask her, she'll tell you that herself.
Why, she worshipped me.
Oh, we were something else together.
When we walked down the street...
...heads turned.
We were one stunning couple.
She was a little rough when I started going out with her.
Typical Brooklyn tack head.
But I refined her.
I encouraged her to read more.
Took her to the best of places.
Exposed her to new ideas.
Why, you should have seen the way she dressed.
It was I who made her a better person.
I molded her.
Greer Childs was the sculptor...
...and Nola Darling was but a mere lump of clay.
Poor Nola.
She got led astray by common street trash.
All of my hard work undone.
If she'd have only listened to me and moved out of Brooklyn...
...why, we'd be together this very day.
It's so uncivilized over there.
Never seen anybody who looked at themselves more than you.
- Don't you ever get tired? - Never happen, baby.
Bet if you could marry you, you would.
Is there a crime in a man taking good care of himself?
One, two, three, four, five.
- Aren't you gonna join me, honey? - I'm working.
You know, the minute you get fat, I'm leaving you.
You know, if you weren't fine...
...I wouldn't even bother with you.
Don't hurt yourself.
Honey, I don't see why you ordered that salad.
This steak looks absolutely delicious.
For someone who's such a health nut it's odd you eat red meat.
Hey, I like meat, I eat meat.
Why don't you order chicken or fish?
Why? Because you say so?
Keel over from a heart attack, see if I care.
Are your two hoodlum friends veggies?
- I don't know any hoodlums. - Oh, come on.
Jamie and that lunatic Mars.
You know, he doesn't even tie his sneakers.
They're not hoodlums or lunatics, so leave them alone, okay?
Nola, will you forget about them?
Honey, you and I can really do a lot in this world.
For the love of God, I don't... I don't even see what you see in those two.
I'm everything that you need.
You are tripping.
One.
Two.
Three.
- Four. - Honey, I got a call from the agency.
- And? - Greer Childs...
...is gonna grace the cover of GQ magazine.
Really?
That's great. When did all this happen?
- This morning. - I'm happy for you.
Honey, my career is really taking off and I want you by my side.
Don't say another word.
Ain't no psychiatrist, but one of the reasons...
...Nola Darling was doing all that boning...
What? Having sex. Boning.
Like I was saying, I think she was doing it...
...because of a bad relationship with her father.
He wasn't around, she was looking for him.
Serious. Anyway, I told her I wasn't her pops.
She was also greedy.
I wrote that for her.
Nola's my only child.
She's a normal daughter.
She hate that word, normal.
Jessie, my wife, and I tried to expose her to everything that we could afford.
Piano lessons, ballet lessons, everything.
And each summer we'd send her away to camp.
Nola never was one who could keep her mind on any one thing for too long.
Every month it would be something else.
But we didn't mind. We still tried to encourage her.
Jessie, my wife, she's at work now.
We both tried to show Nola as much love and affection as we could.
And then some.
You asked me earlier if I remembered anything strange about her?
She did crawl backwards till she walked.
I always remember music in our home.
I would go to sleep and wake up to it.
My father would be at that piano day and night, night and day.
And sometimes my mother would sing with him.
I stopped when I realized the discipline it takes.
I would never practice.
I do wish I had a brother or a sister.
Sometimes I got lonely being the only child.
Nola Darling is having herself a big family when the time comes.
Five rusty-butt boys.
Happy birthday, sweetheart.
- Thank you. - I have another surprise for you.
If I told you it wouldn't be a surprise, turn around. Turn around...
...and close your eyes. No peeking.
- Eyes are closed. - Click your heels...
...three times and repeat, "There's no place like home."
Come on, now. Just for the surprise. There's no place like home.
- This better be good. - It's gonna be.
Two, three. There's no place like home.
Hit it.
This is the sweetest birthday I ever had. Thank you.
- Where'd you get them from? - I know the dancer.
Make a wish.
How much did you put out for the dance?
Not much.
Jamie, I loved it, but I know it cost you.
You didn't have to.
I'd starve a week for you anytime.
Let me give you half.
- No. - Are you sure?
Sweetheart, it won't break me.
Suit yourself.
Would you get that for me, please?
- Yeah. - Gimme. Good evening.
Yo. Happy birthday, Nola. It's me, Mars.
Thank you, but I'm sleeping.
Sleeping? It's your birthday. Let me ride my bike over.
In five minutes we can celebrate.
It is late. Come on, call me in the morning. I'm really tired.
In the morning it won't be your birthday, Nola.
It's not my birthday now, if you notice.
- Nola. - What?
Just let me smell it.
You are ill.
Please, baby. Please, baby. Please, baby. Baby, baby, please.
- Good night. - Good night?
W... W... Wait a minute. Is Jamie there?
Fuck that girl.
- Whaddup? - Roxanne. Whaddup?
I've been thinking about you.
- Who was that? - Mars.
What did he want?
He wanted to come over and wish me happy birthday.
I told him it was too late.
Too late?
Why didn't you tell him you were with me?
What do you see in Mars?
I don't consider myself a poet, but I do like writing.
And Nola likes poetry.
So I would write her poems whenever she needed them.
The first one was the best:
Remembering the first time My eyes found you
Gives me a private joy
As deliberate and provocative
As the privacy of your touch
You see, you have me now
As you easily had me That first warm day in spring
Elegant and rich you seemed
Majestic in persona Vulnerable in form
I was taken
I have since been inspired By your needs and courage
And made full By the warmth of your laughter
You have allowed and guided me Into your heart gracefully
Timing, you say Yes, timing
The eternal rhythm Of natural love
That's the worst piece of shit I ever heard, and Nola fell for it too.
I don't wanna badmouth a brother, but his poetry is not the answer.
Jamie ain't got no rap.
He's like ice cream on a summer day: Soft.
Now, if Nola had been righteous and correct...
...the way she's supposed to have been...
...she would have known true love, mine.
Nola. Nola.
Stop, stop. Nola, stop.
Stop.
- Nola, you up? - Yes, I'm up.
- You awake? - I'm awake.
- You up? - I'm up, Mars.
- Can I ask you a question? - Yeah, go on.
- It's okay? - It's okay.
Yeah.
Am I as good as Jamie or Greer?
That's the dumbest question you've ever asked me.
Dumb?
- You know, I've been thinking. - Don't think.
Nola, I think I love you.
I know I do.
We are not in love. We're in "like."
I warned you from the beginning but you wouldn't listen.
If anything you're in love with my lovemaking.
- So don't mess it up. - Don't mess it up?
- Squash it then, okay? - It's squashed.
- It's squashed? - Yes.
Good. Later for you.
Nola.
- Nola. - What?
Did I ever tell you about the time I used to be a superhero?
- I must have missed that one. - Missed that one?
- Yeah. - I'm gonna tell you anyway, okay?
- Okay? - Yeah.
Okay. Don't peek.
No peeking at all.
Okay, turn around.
I used to be Panty Man. Do you smell something?
Now, do Jamie and Greer make you laugh like this?
No, they don't, but they don't put my panties on their head, either.
That's true.
You know, if I can make a babe laugh, I'm over like a fat rat.
And when they stop laughing... I book.
- We shall see. - Yeah?
I leave.
You know, it's been a while since you greased my scalp, you know.
Hint, hint.
Go get the comb and the oil and I'll do it for you.
- You'll do it? Yeah? Okay. - Yes.
When was the last time you washed your hair?
The other day.
- The other day? - It's not clean?
- It's dirty? - You got an awful lot of dandruff.
- I just washed it. - Okay.
- You know, Nola? - What?
You should trust me with your secrets.
Why should I trust you?
If you can't trust Mars Blackmon, who can you trust?
Trust you with what?
You know, your secrets. Your stuff like Jamie and Greer.
Not again.
You know, I don't see what you see in those two Joe Neckbones.
Have you ever taken a look at Jamie's head?
I tell you, he has a fucking 16-piece Chicken McNugget head.
And Greer? Look at his hair. He got that slicked-back shit.
What is that?
Lower. Right here. Right here.
- There? - Yeah. Right there.
- There? - Yeah.
- This is better than boning. - Oh, really?
Yeah. Serious, get rid of those two Joe Neckbones.
- You're finished. - Finished?
- You did the whole scalp? - The whole scalp.
- You greased it? - I greased it.
Okay. Thank you.
- Nola. - What?
Did I ever tell you about the time I used to dance with Alvin Ailey?
- No. - I thought I did.
- No, you danced with Ailey? - Yeah. I didn't tell you that?
We used to do this special African move. It was like this:
Somebody come and get this sick child.
- Stop. - Stop? Stop what?
- Who is that? - Who cares?
- Want me to answer it for you? - Yeah.
I got sick and tired of feeling like a spoke in a wheel, which is what I was.
To Nola we were all interchangeable, simply parts of a whole.
And it didn't matter who, just as long as it was a warm body.
Nola had no devotion, allegiance or loyalty whatsoever.
When she whispered:
Jamie, they don't matter, don't matter at all.
You're the one I love.
That was no consolation at all.
That, "You can't tell the player from the scorecard" shit had to go.
When we made love I found myself wondering...
...what other men had been with her besides the two I knew about.
Doing things to what I felt was mine.
I had did enough sharing to last me for the rest of my life.
Nola hurt me to the core, but she's gotta have it.
One day you're gonna wake up in this bed and I'm gonna be long gone.
Do you take me for some kind of fool or something?
- No. - Idiots like your two friends.
- Greer. - What am I supposed to do?
Wait around while you sleep with Jamie and Mars of all people?
I never asked you to wait.
I think you're sick.
Now, I'm not saying that you're a nympho, slut, or a whore...
...but maybe a sex addict.
If I'm a sex addict, why don't you leave me the hell alone?
Nola, I care. Now you need professional help.
A nice lady doesn't go humping from bed to bed.
- Will you please go see a doctor? - Can you be quiet a minute?
Okay, fine. I won't say anything again then.
If I'm a sex addict, then I'm going cold turkey.
Greer Childs, you're numero uno on my list.
- Me? - You.
Why me? Honey...
...don't do anything rash like going on cold turkey.
This has to be handled very delicately.
I'm the one you should keep.
Trust me. I know what I'm talking about.
- Don't touch me. - Baby.
Get off me.
Nola Darling came to my office a confused and frightened young lady.
It seems as if one of her male friends told her she was sick.
She started seeing me once a week.
Gradually she opened up...
...and that's when we started to make progress.
My whole area of sex therapy is about trying to get to the feelings.
He can't... I'm... I'm as honest with him as I can be.
I tell him that's his problem.
Nobody sat down with him and told him, this is what I'm doing.
Well, Nola, some types of excessive sexual activity...
...have all the signals of being an addiction...
...and can be treated in a fashion similar to other addictions...
...like alcoholism and gambling.
Your friend, if you choose to call him that...
...confuses a healthy sex drive with sickness.
I am no addict.
Well, it's beyond sex, Nola.
It's something else.
What we're all looking for in this brief life...
...can be described by the word love. Do you hear me?
If what you want is total female sexuality, be honest.
The beautiful sex organ is between your ears...
...not between your legs.
I didn't hear from Nola, so I called her.
And she said she had regained her self-confidence.
Well, I would have preferred one or two more sessions...
...but she felt it wasn't necessary.
Nonetheless, in my opinion, Nola Darling is a healthy human being.
Female doctor. What does she know?
I didn't need a degree to know that the girl needed help.
He was the one with the problem.
The fact is he couldn't handle it. He got turned out.
Thank you for the food we are about to receive...
...for the nourishment of our bodies for Christ's sake. Amen.
Amen.
Before we enjoy this meal...
...I’d like to know whose brilliant idea this was.
Who invited you?
- And who invited you? - I invited all you fools.
You were gonna meet sooner or later, so why let it be an accident?
Maybe she's right.
Let's just enjoy today.
Thank God we all have a lot to be thankful for.
- Like what? - Well, our health and our careers.
Our careers? Greer, I haven't had a job in two years.
Fifty dollar sneakers And I gots no job
Tell me how to do it When times is hard
Start serving. Jamie, would you serve the turkey?
Sure, dear.
What would you like, white meat or dark meat?
Man, gimme the dark, okay?
Gimme some more meat, man.
- Those are baby... Slices. Yeah? - I'll give you more later, Mars.
- White, please. - Figures.
This is the first Thanksgiving I've ever cooked.
The first? Yeah, the first?
Honey, this food is absolutely delicious.
- Thank you. - Don't listen. It's better.
Honey, for dessert...
...try some of my homemade sweet potato pie. You'll love it.
Also I brought bottles of Martinelli's sparkling cider.
Wait. I didn't know I was supposed to bring something.
- Why didn't you tell me? - You didn't have to.
- It's okay? It's okay? - It's okay. It's okay.
- I didn't bring nothing. - You're fine.
It's okay? Nola, did I ever tell you about the time I met Jesse Jackson?
- No. - I didn't tell you?
- No. Tell me. - I thought I did.
It was like five years ago.
I was walking down the street, and I saw Jesse Jackson.
Oh, shit, I couldn't believe it, I went over to talk to Jesse.
I said, "Jesse, you know," we talked:
I said, "Jesse, you know...
...one day you'll make a good president of these United States."
Look what happened. He ran.
It was me. Mars Blackmon.
I gave him the idea.
Run, Jesse, run.
It was my idea.
- Run, Jesse, run... - Lies. Lies.
Greer, who you calling a liar?
You heard what I said.
I believe you.
Thank you, Nola. It's the truth.
Who'd you vote for? Ronnie, baby?
Why do you always stick up for this..? This chain snatcher?
Chain snatcher? I didn't snatch this. I bought this.
This is 18-carat gold. I did not snatch this.
What do you know, you're a Celtic fan.
Nola, what did you expect to accomplish by bringing us together?
To share Thanksgiving with me.
Wait a minute, wait a minute.
Jamie, let's settle this between you and me.
Once and for all, man to man.
What about me?
What about you? You ain't down, so chill.
I don't believe you.
There's a quarter here, right? Right? Heads?
- I don't believe this. - Tail.
Call it in the air, okay?
- Call it in the air? - Yeah.
You gonna call it? You gonna call it? In the air, right?
- Can't live without a head. - Heads?
Tails, you lose. Nola, will you tell these two gentlemen it's time for them to go.
My fate decided by the flip of a coin?
How much longer must I tolerate...
...these ignorant, low-class, ghetto Negroes?
Who you calling an ignorant, low-class, ghetto Negro?
Please.
Lucky for you, Nola is here because I'm gonna hurt you.
Oh, I'm shaking.
You'd be hurt, serious.
If you don't stop, I'm throwing the whole lot of you out.
Sweetheart, the food is quite good.
Nola, is this the first Thanksgiving you cooked? The first?
The very first? It's good.
- This is the first though, right? - The first.
Okay.
This food is indicative of marrying material.
Marrying material?
Nola Darling would never marry a non-modeling...
...non-weight lifting pseudo-black man like yourself.
That's it. I've had it.
- Pass the cranberry sauce. - Cranberry sauce?
Greer's finished.
You know, Jamie, you're okay.
I've been thinking, I'm gonna hook you up.
With Nola, you get four days, I'll get three.
It's mighty black of you.
But I get the weekends though.
I never liked this game.
No wonder. You know, it does take some semblance of intelligence.
Intelligence?
- Nola, will you talk to this guy? - Greer.
- Talk to him. - Would you please...
I'm gonna have to hurt you. Talk to this guy.
- I'm sorry. - Mars, it's your turn, play.
- It's just a game. - I'm gonna have to hurt you, man.
This is hideous. I'm gonna have to dis you.
Okay, it's a triple-letter score jawn. Right here.
That... Is not a word.
- It is a word. - I challenge you. Gonna?
G-O-N-N-A is not a word.
I'm gonna kick your ass, it's a word.
- Illiterate barbaric fool. - Look it up, look it up.
I quit, I quit.
Likewise.
- Fake Billy Dee motherfucker. - Sore losers.
Nola, there's nothing as pitiful in life as a quitter.
No wonder he can't find a job.
If I'd known that all three of you were gonna...
- See, I told you it's a word. ...behave like children...
...I would've rather had a quiet meal by myself.
I'm going to bed. Good night. You all make me sick.
Oh, honey, don't personalize this just because you invited this idiot.
- What's this "honey" shit? - Will you come back?
- Because of you. - Due to your temper tantrum...
...you have ruined a perfectly good Thanksgiving.
- Yeah, yeah. - Both of you should stop...
...or you can get your coats and take this noise outside.
- Jamie, if you're staying, I'm staying. - Who are you, Henry Kissinger?
- We're gonna be one big, happy family. - I doubt it.
Mars, you dry off the table and you dry the dishes and I'll wash them.
No, no, no, that's out.
- Do you have a better idea? - Yes, I do.
I'm washing my one fork, my one plate, my one knife, that's it. Later.
Make sense to me.
There goes that home wrecker.
- Home wrecker. - I know she's trying to steal my man.
No-good, sleeping-around bitch.
I don't blame Greer, I blame her. She knew he was mine.
If Nola had loved Jamie, it would've been different.
Love? Oh, come on, she just fucks them and leaves them.
It's sisters like her who are corrupting our men.
The few good ones left.
I'll be damned if she takes Mars from me, I'm four months pregnant.
The decent black men are all taken.
The rest are in prison or homos.
I've gone to bed alone too much already.
I'm from Brownsville. We don't play that shit.
So, what should we do to her?
Let's set the bitch on fire.
Your fucking days are over.
Miss Girl...
...will never steal another man again.
Fire! Fire! Fire!
It was a bad dream, sweetheart. A nightmare, that's all.
These three girls were trying to set me on fire. They were the girlfriends...
...of you, Mars and Greer. - But it's over now, darling. It's all right.
Okay.
- I had trouble sleeping myself. - Why?
I just have some things on my mind, that's all.
Have we decided on the film yet?
Oh, I forgot to tell you. I have to help Mars look for an apartment.
An apartment?
- What about the movie? - He called me at the last minute.
- He really needs my help. - Needs your help?
Nola, Mars is supposed to be a grown man.
Next you'll say you have to hold his dick when he takes a piss.
Think what you want.
You know why I couldn't sleep?
I've started to see another woman.
- Don't put it off on me. - You can do what you want, but I can't?
Well, how holy do I have to be?
I've tried to understand you, Nola, but I'm beginning to feel like a fool.
- Who is she? - The dancer.
- I knew it. - You don't know nothing.
- Her? - And you got no right to be upset.
I know, but I am.
So how long have you been seeing Miss Danskin?
Two weeks. But I ain't like you.
I can't spread myself between different people.
- Meaning? - Meaning you have to make a decision.
- What's her name? - Ava.
Now go back to sleep and give it some serious thought.
Well, I'm so glad you found time in your busy schedule to see me.
- I've been running. - Well, so have I.
People do make time for things that they feel are important to them.
Ever since that Thanksgiving dinner, I've lost a lot of respect for you, Nola.
I didn't care for you telling me that I was sick, either.
Can we just get back to the way it was between you and I?
Listen, I've got a job in the Caribbean for two weeks.
- I want you to come. - When?
Next week. Oh, everything's taken care of.
Won't cost you a cent.
- Thinking? - Greer...
...to tell you the truth, I couldn't stand being alone with you for two weeks.
- Well, that's a nice thing to say. - I'm being honest.
Do you realize how many women...
...would jump at the invitation I've just extended you?
I only talk to fine women.
- Why are you pressing me? - Because I've gotta know.
- You have to know this second? - Yes.
- The answer is no. - There's no rush.
Take a couple of days. Think it over then let me know.
Greer, let me explain something to you.
That's the last time I wanna hear that tired story...
...about you only talking to fine women. Let it rest.
No matter what I said to her, she...
What's up?
Man, are you still talking with them about Nola Darling?
- Yeah? You sure? - Yeah.
Let me say a couple things to them.
- Go ahead. - I forgot about it.
Of all Nola's many faults none got me more pissed...
...than her not being where she's supposed to be.
- Never happened to me. - Never happened to you?
- Jamie, who's telling this? - You.
So why don't you let me tell it? The girl is not dependable.
- Nola is dependable. - Dependable?
Nola's about dependable as a ripped diaphragm.
Hey, wait it. Hold it, man. Watch your mouth.
Man, make a date with her it's 50-50 she shows at all.
Last year I had two tickets to the Knicks against the Celtics...
...I asked if she wanted to go. She said, "Okay."
I waited outside for the first goddamn two quarters...
...and she never showed.
- Guess what. - What?
Bernard King scored 35 points.
- I remember that game. - You remember that game?
He was serving the whole Celtic squad.
Even jammed in Bird's ugly mug.
A vicious, death-defying, Brooklyn Bridge, high-flying, 360 slam-dunk.
Man, the white boy's bad, and you gotta give him credit.
Larry Bird is the best player in the NBA.
- The best? The best? - He's the best in the NBA.
- The best. - The best?
He's the ugliest motherfucker in the NBA, that's what he is.
That's too bad, man.
She never made a move like that on me.
You know how you got over it? It's because you're taller than me.
You're 6 feet. I'm kind of small, that's why Nola dogged me.
There was many a time Nola came through on the clutch for me.
Yeah? I'm tired of talking about Nola Darling, man.
- I thought you said enough already. - The sister was bogus.
Twenty-fourlseven and 365. Bogus.
- You finished? - I'm leaving, okay?
- You leaving? - Yeah, man. I'm booking.
Later. You gonna leave me hanging, Jamie?
Bet. Call me sometime, okay?
- Jamie, call me, right? - Yeah, man.
- We'll go to the game? - Yeah, man.
You calling me?
This guy.
Sweetheart, what are you searching for?
Do you honestly ever think you're gonna find it?
Whatever.
"Whatever." What kind of answer is that?
- I hope I find it. - Whatever it is you're searching for.
I'm gonna ask you one more time.
Have you made up your mind?
Jamie, I love you...
...but it's not the right time. It can't be right now.
- When is the right time? - Soon.
Soon? Fuck soon. I've heard that shit from day one.
I still wanna see you.
- One day you're gonna regret this. - I don't believe in regrets.
- Hi, Jamie. - You can have her.
Jamie just stormed right by me.
Wasn't the first time, but it might have been the last.
Hey, what happened?
Nola, you can tell me.
That bad, huh?
Opal, can I have my hand back? I'm not in the mood.
You shouldn't let anyone upset you like this.
I'm not gonna bite.
Is this that bad?
I can make you feel good.
Opal, it's time for you to leave.
Are you sure about that?
Jamie? I want you to come over, it's important.
- Forget it, Nola. - It's very important.
- Please come over. - Why don't you call Mars or Greer?
I don't wanna talk to Mars or Greer. I need to talk to you.
All of a sudden, huh?
Jamie, I wouldn't bother you unless I really had to.
Leave me alone, Nola.
All right. This better be an emergency.
- Where you going? - A friend is in need.
Well, I won't be here when you get back.
I knew you'd come if I asked.
- What's so important? - I need you.
Is that what you got me out of bed for?
- I thought something was wrong. - I need you.
- And all the men in Brooklyn. - I can change.
- Once a freak, always a freak. - Take that back.
I ain't taking a goddamn thing back.
- You don't mean it. - I don't?
Kiss me. Come...
- I love you. - You don't love me.
Make love to me.
You don't want me to make love to you. You want me to fuck you.
This the way you like it? Is this the way you like it?
Does Greer do it like this?
What about Mars?
- Who else? Who else? - You're hurting me.
Whose pussy is this?
- Whose is it? - It's yours.
Here I am trying to dog you the best I can...
...and what bothers me is I enjoyed it.
- I still don't practice enough. - Sounds fine to me.
Anything would sound fine to someone with untrained ears.
I am not that bad.
So why are you showing up today, Nola?
I've been thinking about you.
I haven't heard from you in ages, and you got my number.
You have mine too.
Well, I guess that makes us even.
Clo, I've been thinking about you, so here I am.
Well, what happened between you and Jamie?
Dag. You know me better than I know myself.
I only lived with you for two years, Nola.
I know, that's why I'm here.
So let's hear it.
I think I might have really fucked up this time.
This time?
Clo, I need your help, and your playing.
Okay. I'm sorry.
I never saw Jamie act like this before. He hates me.
Come on. I don't think he hates you, Nola.
I'm telling you, he does.
I don't wanna guess what you did to make him this way.
It was the same stuff. My other friends.
Except, I guess, not anymore, huh?
Well, I don't know what to tell you.
Nothing?
- Don't be a stranger. - You know where I live.
Listen, I don't wanna sit around here and let you get me all down.
- You wouldn't let me if I tried. Sorry. - Nope.
- I miss my roommate. - So do I.
You do?
Okay. I'm gonna get back to my music.
Okay. I'll be quiet.
You know, in retrospect...
...I can now see that Nola saw Mars, Jamie and myself as a whole.
Not as three separate individuals, but as one organism.
We let her create a three-headed, six-armed, six-legged...
...three-penis monster.
And it was all our fault.
- Baby, you're late. What happened? - I'm sorry, it couldn't be avoided.
Listen, let's go into Manhattan for brunch, okay?
- I'm sorry, Greer, I can't. - Why not?
- I won't be seeing you anymore. - Are you going away?
No, I'll still be here.
- Am I supposed to cry or something? - You're not supposed to cry.
Well, I hope not, because I don't shed a tear for nobody.
- Can we end this pleasantly? - I'm being pleasant.
- You're cutting your own throat, honey. - Goodbye, Greer.
Yeah, okay, fine. Hey, I'm not pressed.
There are plenty of fine super-fine women in Manhattan.
You never did have enough drive or ambition for me.
You didn't wanna be somebody. I am, so forget you.
Keep your tired ass here in Brooklyn.
Gonna get me a white girl. You could've had it all. Forget you.
- It's not gonna work, Mars. - It's not gonna work?
- What's not gonna work, Nola? - You and me.
You and me? What about me and you?
- That's not gonna work, either. - Who's it gonna work with, Nola?
- Jamie, if he'll have me. - Jamie?
Nola, what do you mean it's not gonna work? These things take time.
- I'm sorry, Mars. - You're sorry?
When I woke up today I had a feeling I was gonna slice you.
You can't axe me first, I axed you.
- What's the matter? - Nothing's the matter.
- I'm not funny anymore? - You're always funny.
I'm always funny. What the fuck is it then?
- I don't love you. - You don't love me?
Nola, what's love got to do with anything?
- Goodbye, Mars. - Goodbye?
When my last girlfriend tried to pull this same shit...
...I dumped her right in this pier.
You know you wanna laugh. You know you wanna laugh.
It's time for you to grow up.
- Grow up? - Yeah.
- Bye. - Bye.
You know, Nola, you done me wrong.
Please, baby. Please, baby. Please, baby. Baby, baby, please.
Nola.
I tried calling you at home.
I knew you'd be here.
I've made that decision. It's you I always wanted.
What about Mars and Greer?
One on one, you and me.
I've been thinking.
I need to chill for a while.
I'm talking about sex.
I've decided I need to be celibate.
- Celibate? - You know...
- But why now? - To cool out. Give myself a rest.
A rest?
I'd rather not get into it.
Don't you think your near-rape of me was a good enough reason?
I never did anything like that before in my life.
You're always searching, Nola.
- For what, I'll never know. - I do need understanding from you.
You go from one extreme to another. There's no middle ground with you.
Why am I so lucky?
What am I supposed to do while you're being a nun?
- See your dancer friend. - That was nothing.
- It won't be that long. - I'm moving forward, Nola.
I don't deserve this.
I love you.
Nola.
Mess up one more time...
That celibacy thing didn't last too long.
Who was I fooling?
As for Jamie...
...I just got a little crazy. Should've never gone back in the first place.
It was a momentary weakness.
He wanted a wife. That mythic old-fashioned girl next door.
But it's more than that.
It's about control. My body, my mind.
Who was gonna own it? Them or me?
I am not a one-man woman.
There you have it from a number of people...
...who all claim to know what makes Nola Darling tick.
I think they might know parts of me.
Slate it. Mark it.
- Dad. - Bill Lee.
- Okay. - Action.
Joie Lee.
- Mark it. - Ray... Raye Dowell.
- Say it again. - Raye Dowell.
Action.
John Canada Terrell.
Tell the team those stories, Tommy.
Well, when I was a little boy about 12...
...my daddy called me to his side. He said, "Son, you're growing up now...
...so, what you wanna do with yourself?"
I said, "Well, Daddy, I wanna be a man."
He said, "Well, you know how to be a man, you got to cry."
I said, "I don't wanna cry." He said, " But sometime you gotta cry...
...it don't matter." Tommy Hicks.
Slate it.
Tracy Camilla Johns.
Go.
Action. Spike Lee.
Cut.
Subtitles by SDI Media Group