Uploaded By: Smile 2 Me
"Dark phrases of womanhood Of never having been a girl
-"Half-note scattered without rhythm -"Without rhythm
"No tune distraught
"Her laughter falling over A black girl's shoulders
-"lt's funny -"Funny
"lt's hysterical The melodylessness of her dance
"Don't tell nobody Don't tell a soul
-"She's dancing on beer cans and shingles -"Beer cans and shingles
"This must be the spook house
"Another song with no singers Lyrics, no voices
"And uninterrupted solos Unseen performances
"Are we ghouls?
-"Children of horror? -"Children of horror?
"The joke? Don't tell nobody, don't tell a soul
"Are we animals?
-"Have we gone crazy? -"Have we gone crazy?
"l can't hear anything
"But maddening screams and the soft strains of death
"And you promised me
"You promised somebody, anybody
-"Sing a black girl's song -"Sing a black girl's song
"Bring her out to know herself To know you
-"But sing her rhythms caring, struggle -"Caring, struggle
"Hard times sing her song of life
"She's been dead so long
-"Closed in silence so long -"ln silence so long
"She doesn't know the sound Of her own voice, her infinite beauty
"She's half-notes scattered without rhythm No tune
"Sing her sighs
"Sing the song of her possibilities
"Sing a righteous gospel Let her be born
-"Let her be bornn and handled warmly -"Let her be bornn and handled warmly
-"And this is for colored girls -"ls for colored girls
-"Who have considered suicide -"Considered suicide
"But moved to the ends of their own rainbows"
What you got to eat?
"l've got a lot of work to do and l can't with a man around
"Here's your clothes, there's some coffee on the stove
"There's a paper cup
"lt's been very nice But l can't see you again"
What did you say to me?
"You got what you came for, didn't you?
"l couldn't possibly wake up with a strange man in my bed.
"Why don't you go home?"
l'm sure your wife is looking for you.
Yeah. You know what?
You know what? lt's not even worth it.
Crazy-ass bitch. Where my shoes at?
l'm looking for a Crystal Wallace.
-Yes? -Miss Wallace?
My name is Kelly Watkins. l'm with Child Welfare Services.
What can l do for you?
l need to discuss the safety of your children.
Safety of my children? What you talking about?
Miss Wallace, please, open the door,
or l'm required by law to come back here with the police.
512.
Hold it!
Thank you.
Miss Wallace, no elevator?
lt's a walkup.
lt's a walkup. She kidding?
Frank? Frank, open the door, l know you are in there.
Franklin!
You got a woman in there? l'm tired of this, you know? l am sick of your shit.
"Without any assistance Or guidance from you
"l have loved you assiduously For eight months, tzo weeks and a day
"l've been stood up four times
"Left seven packages on your doorstep 40 poems
"Two plants, three handmade note cards And l had to leave town to send them
"But you've been no help to me on my job
"You call at 3:00 in the morning On weekdays
"Charming, charming But you have been of no assistance
"l want you to know This has been an experiment
"To see how selfish l could be
"To see if l could really carry on Or to snare a possible lover
"To see if l was capable of debasing myself For the love of another
"To see if l could stand not being wanted When l want to be wanted, and l cannot
"So, without any further assistance Or guidance from you
"l am ending this affair
"There's a note attached to a plant that l've been watering since the day l met you
"You may water it your damn self"
-Good morning. -Good morning, Miss Gilda.
ls somebody coming up?
You know somebody's coming up, Miss Gilda.
Who is it? ls that Beau Willie?
Can you get my mail when you go downstairs?
Yeah, l'll get it.
You're gonna clean that up.
-lt's dust. lt will blow away. -Everything don't blow like you.
Got a lot of men coming through your house.
You jealous 'cause you don't have no men coming at all.
Why don't you mind your business? Your old ass better leave me alone.
You have been the bane of my existence since they voted you apartment manager.
Shit.
l can't stand that heifer. Just a tramp.
Coming in here all hours of the day and night, these men.
-l'll talk to you later, Miss Gilda. -Okay.
Hi.
-l need to start exercising again. -You just did.
Can l get you some water?
That'd be nice.
-l told the doctor she was okay. -Yeah, l understand that,
but any time a child is seen repeatedly in the emergency room,
we have to make a home visit.
lt's just a bruise.
Where are the children?
Come on. Come on, baby. Come on out.
Hi. Hi, you must be Kenya.
-Are you Kenya? -Yes.
And are you kwame, then?
-l like your dress. -Thank you.
-ls that the children's father? -Yes. He's sleeping.
Come on over here.
l just have a few questions for you.
So, l'm Miss Watkins.
Do you remember when you got hurt the other day?
Can you tell me how that happened?
l just fall down.
lt's all right, baby. What?
You want... Let's go find that toy, okay? Come on. Come on. Come on, sweetheart.
Who are you?
My name is Kelly Watkins from Child Welfare Services.
Child welfare?
Ain't this a bitch? l called six months ago to get my veterans benefits.
l can't get a case worker, and you...
How the fuck you gonna come down here for some damn kids?
-Sir, the city is very concerned... -l've been asking them bastards!
l defended this damn country so you can have this job,
and you gonna come in here with this bullshit.
Come in here about some damn kids. What the fuck is wrong with you?
Get the fuck out of here!
Hey, come here.
Diaz, can you call me back about the Wallace house, please, right away?
lt's not her that's hurting them kids. lt's him. l babysit them. l know.
l can hear everything through this wall. That's why l called you.
-You called? -Yes.
She can't protect them from him.
Ever since he came back from the war he's been crazy,
and he drinks like a fish.
"Came home crazy as hell
"Went to Veterans Affairs To try to go to school
"But they kept right on Putting him in remedial classes
"He couldn't read worth a damn
"So Beau accused the teachers Of trying to hold him back
"Went and got himself a gypsy cab to drive But the cab kept breaking down
"Cops was always messing with him
"And then Crystal went And got pregnant again
"He most beat her to death When she told him
"She still got a scar under her right tit Where he cut her up"
Do her a favor, take them kids.
-Thank you, ma'am. -Yes, yes.
-What? What? -l need money.
-For what? -Things.
l gave you money on the first.
-l still need some things. -For what?
Do you know how hard it is to come up here to have to ask you for anything?
-Then stop doing it. -l wouldn't if l didn't have to.
What do you need money for?
Granddaddy put me in charge of his little will
'cause he knew you would give all of it to that cult.
lt is not a cult.
You would know that if you spent any time down at the Temple of Elnohim.
What is it that you don't understand? l'm not giving you any money.
You are gonna rot in hell!
So, if l give you money, l'm blessed of Elnohim,
and if l don't, l'm gonna burn in hell, that it?
l'm praying that you see God
through the mists of the distances that Satan has put in your heart.
Goodbye, Alice.
He has deceived you. He has deceived you! Lured you with deception!
Repent! Repent!
Praise Elnohim.
-Praise Elnohim. -This one in particular, her name is Nyla.
And l really think that she...
God bless you.
God bless you. God bless you.
The golden kingdom awaits you.
You just bought your way out of hell for a dollar.
l guess l did.
Yeah, so go ahead, you were talking about the girls.
lt's so great. You should meet some of them. They have so much hope.
And they're getting that from dance.
l love how your face lights up when you talk about them.
Yeah, l know, they excite me.
You know, most of my girls graduate from high school and go on to college.
-That's amazing. -lt is.
What?
No. lt's just that every day since l met you tzo weeks ago we walk this route.
l go off to work, you go off to your dance class,
and you still haven't answered my question.
Bill, l told you.
Do you know how much courage it took for me to step to you on a crowded subway?
-Come on now. -l just got out of a bad relationship.
l'm not trying to marry you. l just want to take you to a nice dinner.
-l'm gonna be late for my class. -Okay, l see how it is.
What?
You're one of those people who only give. You never let anyone give to you.
Okay. Dinner. Tomorrow night.
8:00. Tonight.
-Okay. See you tonight. -lt's gonna be great.
"lt was graduation night And l was the only virgin in the crowd
"Bobby Mills, Martin, Jerome, Sammy Yates Eddie Jones and Randy
"All cousins
"They pick me up in a black Buick Smelling of alcohol and ladies in heat
"We rambled from Camden to Mount Holly Laughing at the afternoon's speeches
"Our tassels dangling From the rearview mirror
"Climbing different sort of project stairs
"We went to a party and l got drunk
"And couldn't figure out Whose hand was on my thigh
"But it didn't matter because these cousins Martin, Eddie, Sammy, Jerome and Bobby
"Was my sweethearts alternately Since the seventh grade
"So, me and my fellas, we was dancing
"Doing nasty old tricks That l had been thinking about since May
"lt was graduation night So, it had to be hot
"So, l had to make like my hips Was getting in some business
"That way everybody thought Whoever was getting it
"Was an older man who couldn't Run the streets with no youngsters
"The party got crazy and me and Bobby Left the party before the police came
"And we were in the backseat of his Buick
"And, girl, he started looking at me
"Yeah, he started looking at me real strange
"Like l was a woman or something
"And he started talking real soft ln the backseat of that old Buick
"And by the time the sun was coming up
"l just couldn't stop grinning
"Girl, you gave it up in the back of a Buick?"
You better be talking about a ride to school.
-We are. -Have you done your warm-ups?
-Yes. -Yes.
Yes? So, everyone ready to begin?
Positions, from one.
And five, six, seven, eight.
No. And again.
Five, six, seven, eight.
And Nyla... And spin.
Nice.
Keep going, ladies. Keep going. Sorry.
Are you okay?
Yeah, l'm just... l'm just a little nauseous. l don't know what it is.
l think you're just nervous about college and being on your own.
l've seen this before. Hey, you'll be fine. You're a smart girl.
Come on, l'll get you a ginger ale.
Excuse me.
-Coffee. -Thanks.
Unit's centered in the vicinity of 135th Street,
be on the lookout for a silver BMW parked in an alleyway.
Possible illicit activity. Over.
This is Officers Watkins and Moreno. We'll check it out.
Resuming normal radio traffic.
Ten-six unit's on check.
-Get out of the car, sir. -You're under arrest.
-She's ready to see me? -l'm sorry, it'll be just a few more minutes.
-Where is Crystal? -She called. She's on her way.
-Does it take that long to make tea? -l've got it right here.
-l'm sorry, she'll be right with you. -Honey, l'm the one sorry for you.
This is boring, boring, boring. These are all boring.
lt's boring.
The desk.
This is all boring.
Robe Rouge is a magazine. lt is not a Web site.
We need for this... Look, this layout...
This layout needs to pop. lt needs to be lush.
We need to make our readers want to buy.
Go back to the drawing board, give me something with some sort of style,
because this isn't it. l don't like this, not one bit.
-What about putting Rihanna on the cover? -No, that's not gonna work.
All right.
l'm so sorry.
Look who finally decides to show up at work.
So tell me, Crystal, what was it this time?
You overslept, the babysitter didn't show up. What is it?
l'm sorry.
You know, l have my limits, even for very good assistants.
Yes, ma'am.
-Katina, where's my binder? -Yes, l left it here on your desk.
l knew you would need it for your meeting this morning.
-And my circulation reports? -Circulation reports are attached.
And your 9:00 is here.
9:00? lt's 1 0:00.
You agreed to meet with Juanita Sims. She runs a non-profit organization.
-Shall l ask her in? -lt's fine. Fine.
-Juanita Sims. -Hi!
l'm Juanita Sims, and l'm so glad you took this meeting.
Now l'll be quick, because l know you're very busy.
l read in your magazine about your upbringing.
l just knew that this would be a program that you would respond to.
First of all, l'm a nurse, and l have just opened a free health and wellness clinic
in a community center in one of the poorest neighborhoods in this city.
Forgive me. l'm just a little nervous.
-As you know... -Where do l come in?
Well...
lt's a little non-profit, and everything l do l do out of my own pocket and...
Let me stop you right now.
l give to cancer, l give to Africa, l give to education.
-Those are my charities of choice. -Well, those are all very good charities,
but there is so much need in our own community.
"Our?"
We are all afforded the same opportunities in "our" community.
What they do with theirs, it is not my issue. Your answer is no. End of conversation.
-End of conversation? -Crystal, show Miss Simmons out.
-lt's Sims. Miss Juanita Sims. -Right this way.
No.
l've been waiting out there in that damn lobby of yours
for over an hour for you.
Now, it's cool, you don't want to give any money, l get that.
But this attitude, this blatant disrespect for other people's time and feelings,
well, honey, that's just ridiculous. Does it take all of this for you to be that?
Then, honey, if it does, then you may be paying just a little too much.
And l can see myself out of this tacky-ass place.
Ain't got no color up in here, all this white. No color up in this place, including you.
Tacky-ass heifer. Wait till l tell everybody how tacky you are.
l can show my own self out, thank you very much.
How do l open this damn door?
This is why you haven't been able to conceive.
Your fallopian tubes are scarred here and here.
We usually see this form from a pelvis infection that was once untreated.
What was once untreated?
-Should we talk alone? -No, it's okay.
An untreated STD can cause this issue.
ls there a surgery or something that we could...
l honestly wouldn't recommend it. lt's very risky.
Right. Okay. Excuse me.
Thank you, Doctor.
Babe.
-Babe. lt's okay. Would you... -l'm sorry l have to go to work.
Would you talk to me?
Do you know how hard it is looking at all those people
who do not want the children that they have? And we...
-Okay, let's talk about it. -Let's talk later, okay?
We'll talk later.
-l love you. -l love you, too.
Now, first off, these condoms are free, okay? They're free.
Now, how many times have you heard your man say, "lt don't feel the same"?
Yes, you've heard that. Or he might say, "Baby, l ain't got nothing."
And his ass ain't even been to the doctor. You...
Excuse me forjust one minute. Take as many as you think you might need.
Frank.
-Hey, baby. -Frank.
l don't want to talk to you. l haven't seen you in four days.
Baby, you know l drive that truck.
Frank, l know you. l can smell her all over you. You've been with her.
Baby, l've been eating donuts, okay?
Look, l miss you.
You don't miss me. Look, l'm too old for this shit, Frank.
You don't want to be with me unless you can't be with her.
-Baby, l love you. l do. -You don't love me.
Well, if you love me so much, why don't you leave me the hell alone?
-Now, come on. Don't hurt me like that. -Hurt you?
Get your ass out of here. l've got to go talk to my ladies.
-Baby, l just want to kiss those lips. -Will you...
Okay, ladies.
Remember when you're using your condoms
you need a water-based lubricant. Where are they?
Sure, why not?
Excuse me. Let me have a double vodka straight.
What?
You can tell a lot about a man by what he drinks.
And what does my drink say about me?
That you're married, here on business,
and you want to get a buzz on quick so that you can have a good time,
forget about the wife at home and all of that.
-Wow. -Am l right?
Dead on.
-So what are my chances? -For what?
Having a good time in your beautiful city.
l'll tell you what.
l'm off in a couple of hours. l could show you around, if you're up for it.
l'd like that.
l kept the dinner warm for you.
-How'd it go today? -What are you talking about?
-Thought you were gonna look for a job. -Ain't nobody trying to hire a veteran.
Get me a drink.
You're not doing what l asked you to do.
-l want a damn drink! -Beau, maybe you shouldn't drink tonight.
-You saying l got a problem? -l'm saying you need to take your meds.
-Now you're telling me what l should do? -l'm telling you what l think.
l'm not accusing you of anything.
-Are you hungry? -What?
-l'm not an alcoholic. -l know.
l'm trying. l'm trying, Crys.
l know that, too.
l know what the military did to you. l'm on your side.
l know why you get mad sometimes. l get mad.
But sometimes when you drink,
you get out of control.
Don't drink tonight, okay?
You love me?
Man, l have loved you since we were 14 years old.
Ain't nothing changed at all with Crys, right?
lf you love me, then why won't you marry me?
Beau.
We got more things to worry about than getting married.
Listen, l know we had a fight last night,
but the silent treatment just isn't good for me.
You were supposed to meet for dinner. Call me. l'm worried about you.
"My papa thought he was Puerto Rican
"We would've been, except we were Just regular negroes with hints of Spanish
"So off l made it to this 36-hour marathon
"Con salsa con Ricardo Sugar Ray on Southern Boulevard
"lt was up, up, up, up, up stairs and stairs And lots of hallway
"My colored New Jersey self Didn't know what anybody was saying
"Except if dancing was proof of origin l was Jibarita herself that night
"l kept smiling and right on stepping lf he could lead, l was ready to dance
"lf he couldn't lead l caught this attitude l'd seen Rosa do
"And would not be bothered"
-Mrs. Bradmore, are you ready to order? -No, Danny, l think l'm just gonna go home.
Can you have my driver pull around and get my coat, please?
-Yes, ma'am. Right away, ma'am. -Thank you.
-Hey, Mama. -Hey.
-You moved my box. -What?
-l had a box there. Where's my box? -lt's right there, Mama.
l don't like it when you move my things. l...
l'm sorry.
-l know you're tired, Mama. -l'm tired.
Come on.
You're my angel. You're nothing like your sister.
-lt's only $38, Mom. -That's all l made.
l tried to get some more, but your sister wouldn't give me any money.
Maybe you shouldn't have told her it was for me.
l didn't tell her it was for you, but you know l don't lie.
-l know. -She can't stand you.
lt's because you're so much better than she is.
lf l told her that l needed money for you to better yourself,
she would never give it to me.
She holds on to that wallet like Jacob holding an angel.
Maybe l can speak to your teachers and l can pay it off over time.
No, don't. She won't do that.
Miss Yasmine said if l don't get the money, then l can't get the application to apply.
Elnohim will find a way. Don't worry.
-All right, shall l read? -Okay.
"And dance is my thank you for music
"And l love you more than dance
"More than Aureliano Buendia Loved Macondo
"More than Hector Lavoe loved himself
"More than the lady loved gardenias
"Or Graciela loved El Son
"More than the flamingos love being pretty"
We're here.
-l had the best time. -l told you.
-Thank you. -You're welcome.
So, can l come up?
-lt's getting late. -Okay.
-Well, good night. -Good night.
Hey, you know what? l was thinking. Maybe on our next date you can cook.
You know, help a brother save some money.
-l had such a good time, l will do that. -Nice. Okay.
Go on in. l want to make sure you're safe.
Bye.
Wait, wait, wait.
Look, l got something to tell you.
l only have about $80 on me.
-What are you talking about? -That's all l have.
lf you want to go to the ATM, we can do that.
You think l'm a hooker?
-Aren't you? -No!
-l'm sorry. l'm drunk. -What is so funny?
l guess l'm just old-fashioned. What kind of woman picks a man up in a bar
and brings him back to her place if she's not a hooker?
One that likes to fuck.
-Don't laugh at me. -l'm sorry.
Don't laugh at me.
-This is some sick shit. -You men with your double standards.
You can do it, but a woman can't.
Get out. Get out!
That's a good idea. You seem to do this too often to be healthy.
You think l have some kind of disease?
lf it ain't in your body, it is definitely in your head.
You ain't one to judge me you son of a bitch!
Now, what do you want?
-Why won't you give Mom some money? -Don't say a word.
-Q word. -Bitch.
l make sure that her rent is paid and that she has groceries.
-What more does she want? -She needs some money.
For what?
Look, l have to pay my college application fees.
What?
l got a scholarship to college, but l have to pay my application fees,
and she didn't want to tell you that,
because she knew you wouldn't do it if you knew it was for me.
How much?
$300.
Girl, you think l'm Boo Boo the fool? That don't sound right.
lt's true.
You've been fucking.
-What? No, l haven't. -l can see it in your face.
-Are you pregnant? -Not everybody is like you, Tangie.
Yeah, but you are, little sister.
And Mama is so proud of you.
-Wait till she finds out you're pregnant. -l'm not pregnant.
How you gonna go to college like that?
Mama's gonna die. You know it.
l can't wait.
He didn't use a condom? Baby, you've got to use a condom.
l remember the first time l got pregnant.
l was so scared.
l went to this apartment on 1 38th.
A red building in the middle of the block.
Down a back alley. Apartment 331 .
l didn't have money for no college application.
But l wasn't pregnant anymore.
l'm not giving you any money.
l'm not pregnant.
l've been trying to reach you all night.
Yeah, my battery died.
Your battery died. And you couldn't call me from another phone and tell me that?
You know, Carl, l was so worried about you that l even called the police.
You called the police? What they say?
They told me to call back in 24 hours, but you could have at least called me.
Fine, Jo.
This is about the fight the other night, isn't it?
No. l said my battery died.
Yeah. You're still angry. l can hear it all in your voice. You're still mad.
Jo, l'm not mad, l'm not angry.
Good, 'cause you don't have a right to be.
Well, you could have told me, you know?
-l could have told you. l could have told you. -Yeah, you could have told me.
l could have told you just the same way you could have told me
that you were gonna take $200,000 of my money, put it in some stock,
and you didn't check with me, not one time, Carl.
lt's always about you and your damn money.
Yes, it is. lt is. l earned it.
Jo, l'm a broker.
Everybody down at the firm knows who you are.
lt's embarrassing to me
that l can't come home and make a decision as a man in this house, so l took it.
Okay? l took it, and l said l was sorry. l don't want to talk about this shit anymore.
That's fine. Don't talk about it.
You're gonna listen. Yeah, you're gonna listen, Carl.
l know l have issues with trust,
but when you make choices like this, it doesn't help me, not one bit.
You don't just have trust issues, you got issues.
l'm gonna go take a shower.
Can l take a shower? Do l have permission to take a shower?
Thank you.
-Hey. -Hey.
You're up late.
l can't sleep.
-How was the rest of your day? -lt's where l left it.
l understand that.
-Are you hungry? -No, babe.
-You want to know what happened? -You want to tell me what happened?
Do you remember my friends from college?
-Kiana and Nicole? -Yeah.
"The three of us were like a pyramid Three friends
"One laugh, one music One flowered shawl knotted on each neck
"We all saw him at the same time
"And he saw us
"l felt a thump in each one of us Didn't know what to do
"We all wanted what was coming our way So we split
"But
"He found one
"And l loved him"
Okay.
"The other tzo were tickled
"And spurned his advances When the one who loved him wasn't there
"l couldn't figure out what was happening
"And then the rose
"l left by his pillow
"l found on my friend's desk"
There was nothing to say.
Eight months later l woke up with the worst cramps in my life.
And now l can't give you a baby.
Baby, you give me so much more than l ever need.
l love you. lt doesn't matter. We'll get through it.
Let me lock up so they don't steal this thing.
-Jesus. -Hey, baby.
-Leave me alone, Frank. -Can't we at least talk about it?
Go home. That's right, you ain't got no home to go to.
-What? -Somebody told me
you moved out of your apartment. What you do, move back in with her?
-Hell, no! -l'm sick of your lies and shit.
Baby. Baby, l'm sorry.
l'm sorry. l don't know why l keep going back there. l mean...
No, listen. This time it was different, baby. The whole time l was there, l just...
The whole time l was just thinking about you.
l mean, listen, if l can't have you, baby, l don't know what l'm gonna do.
What would l look like letting you back in my life
after all the advice l give to the women at my clinic?
-Babe, listen to me. -Frank, you listen.
Every time l let you move back in, you do the same thing,
and every time l come home and you're not here, l do the same thing.
l go through that closet, l go through the drawers
to see if your things are gone!
l have to set an example for my women!
You want me to be honest. Now, l'm telling you the truth.
-Baby, please... -l'm not listening to this shit no more!
lf you meant that, how come you didn't say it in the first damn place?
Because l didn't know how. Okay? l didn't know how. Kiss me, sweetie.
-Frank, just leave. Okay? -Just kiss me. Kiss me.
-Frank, no. Go. Frank. Frank. -You love me. You love me, baby.
-Frank. -l love you, sweetheart.
-Oh, my God, l love the way you smell. -Frank. Frank, no. Frank.
l missed you so much, baby. Let me stay. Please, let me stay.
Frank.
You got any condoms?
l called Dr. Belken. He can see you this afternoon.
Okay.
These are from your husband. He's on line three.
What a pleasant surprise.
Look, babe, l just called to tell you
how sorry l was for the way l've been acting the last few days.
You're so right.
l should not have taken the money out of your account.
l guess l just thought...
Well, l thought l was helping you, or us, l should say.
And l thought it would gain interest,
and l thought it would make you really proud of me.
But obviously l was wrong,
so l'm just gonna say l don't blame you for taking my name off the account.
lt won't happen again, baby. l'm really sorry.
Thank you.
l got you tickets to the opera tonight.
You really must be sorry if you're gonna sit through that again.
What did you call it last time? Water torture.
Yeah, water torture. Water torture. But not with you, babe. Anything for you.
See you tonight.
-Bye. -Bye.
-l love you. -l love you, too.
Bye.
-You Yasmine? -Yeah.
-lt's your birthday? -No, just a guy l went to dinner with.
He's nice. A gentleman.
He wants to fuck you.
Can l help you with something?
Yeah, l'm here to pay for the college application.
l don't know what you mean.
Sorry, l'm Tangie, Nyla's sister,
and she said that she had $300 to pay for a college application or something.
-No, everything here is free. -What?
Everything here is free.
Nyla's one of my best students. l'm sure she won't have trouble getting in anywhere.
That little slut!
Bitch! She your favorite while fucking me around. Bitch!
-All right. -Put your money down.
Hold on. l'm trying to read something here.
You don't move my cheese, man.
You looking for me?
Third floor.
l'm Nyla.
You don't have no name, girl.
Come on. Sit down now on the table. Right here.
Come on.
You got my money?
Take your bottoms off and your shoes.
Come on, girl.
Come on, sit down. Come on.
l've done this a million times, girl. Relax.
"Young girls go out in the world And they got to come see me
"That world is something l used to live in that world
"Then l moved to Harlem And my universe is now six blocks
"A tunnel with a train l can ride anywhere
"Remaining a stranger
"l could stay alone
"A woman in the world then But l moved to Harlem
"l come in around dusk Stay close to the curb
"'Round midnight praying Won't no young man think l'm pretty
"ln a dark morning wouldn't be good Not good at all
"To meet a tall, short, black-brown man
"Full of his power in the dark ln my universe of six blocks
"Straight up brick walls
"Women hanging out of windows Like old silk stockings
"Cats crying and children giggling And a tavern with red curtains
"Bad smells and kissing ladies smiling
"And dirt sidewalks spitting
"And men cursing
"'Come here, bitch Can't you see there's $5?'
"l used to be in the world
"Like, really be in the world Free and sweet-talking
"You know, 'Good morning'
"And 'thank you' and 'nice day'
"But not now
"l can't be nice no more l can't be nice to nobody
"Nice is a rip-off
"But l was in the world A woman in the world
"l had a right to the world
"Then l moved to Harlem For six blocks of cruelty piled up on itself
"A tunnel closing
"Open your legs, girl"
Come on.
-Hey. -Hey. Come on in.
-Wow, nice place. -Thanks.
What smells so good?
-Me. -Yeah, okay. Okay.
l am cooking a Cuban feast for you, my friend.
We might have to just go on and skip dinner and go right to the dessert.
-Stop it. -How about l get a hug?
-You smell good, too. -Thank you.
Let me check on the bread. You want some wine?
l'll have some if you have some.
-ls red fine? -Yeah, it's fine.
-l had a really nice time the other night. -Me, too.
l haven't done anything like that in a really long time.
Look at you. You even chopped everything up all nice.
-You can really cook. -A girl has to eat, right?
Guess so.
Here's to good times.
-Yeah, that's good. -lt is.
Bill, come on, we're supposed to be having dinner.
You know what was really nice about the other night?
What's that?
l don't know it just seemed... Wasn't like... Sometimes a date can be such a fake thing
when people put on this personality and it was so easy...
-Bill. -What?
-...to be there with you. -Yeah, it was nice.
You know those times...
-Put your clothes on. -Why?
Come on, we're both adults.
And l know why you asked me to come over here tonight.
-No, you've got it wrong. -No, l got nothing wrong.
Stop it.
-Where you going for lunch today? -l'm not sure.
l was thinking maybe Thai.
Tea?
-Where's the list of advertisers? -Page seven of the report.
Do you see it on page seven, Crystal?
l took it home to make sure it was right. l must have left it there.
l have a very important meeting in 45 minutes.
What do you propose l do?
l'll get on the train right now and go home...
No. lt's gonna make me late.
Come on, l'm gonna have to take you home. Purse.
Hurry up, Katina.
-You're not coming up, are you? -No.
l hate coming to neighborhoods like this.
-Qre the doors locked? -Yes, ma'am.
Hi.
-l saw you pull up in that car. -lt's my boss.
l thought your boss was a woman.
She is.
Then who's the dude in the front seat?
You think l'm crazy, don't you? You think l'm crazy?
Where's your medication?
ls that my mama?
Did l ever tell you how l met my husband?
"His name was Toussaint l was eight years old
"The library was right down from the trolley tracks
"Right across from the Laundromat
"Through the big shining doors and big pillars that old St. Louis was famous for
"l found Toussaint l knew l wasn't supposed to
"But l ran into an adult reading room
"And came across Toussaint My first black man"
One.
Too far.
You're gonna be a whore all your life?
Beau Willie Brown, you want the kids to see you acting a fool?
Come on. Come on with Mama. Sit by Mama. Right here.
Come on, baby.
"l just want to hold them
"Don't want to cause you any trouble
"l just want to marry you And give you things"
Come here, Kenya.
l want to go to Daddy.
Daddy, be nice to Mommy, 'cause you have to be nice.
And Mommy loves you.