Original subtitles

Please, 'cause CJ got his own house,

you thought that mean he gonna stop drinking out of a carton?

And CJ keeps the Thermostat at 62.

It's cold as hell.

Watch your mouth, Calvin.

Cold as hell?

Isn't that an oxy moron?

Can we please stay here?

Hell no!

Watch your mouth, pops.

I mean, you can-- you can say whatever you want,

because this is your house.

Right.

OK, Calvin, what is wrong with CJ's basement?

Is cold down there.

OK, Curtis.

What if they just--

Nope.

OK, well, maybe they can just--

Uh-huh.

Will you let me finish?

OK, go ahead.

Thank you.

I was just going to suggest--

Not gonna happen.

Oh, you know what?

I know where you can stay.

Yeah?

Yeah, baby, I don't know what I didn't think about it.

It's-- it's-- it's cozy.

It's move-in ready, and it's free.

Where?

Very funny, pop.

Wait, there's more.

It's a duplex.

You might need some duct tape.

Curtis, baby, don't do that.

Calvin, please, could you--

Calvin, could you put this in the garage?

Hurry.

Baby, hurry.

Hurry.

I am, baby!

You strong.

Dang, you strong too!

Oh, the garage.

That's a good idea.

You could move into the garage!

I'm gonna put you a home when you get old.

But then you still won't have a place to stay, oxy.

And you are the moron.

That is so nice, Curtis.

Yeah, whatever.

Oh, Keenan.

Hi.

Curtis, look.

Hey, Mrs. Payne.

Keenan, look at that.

How you doing there, firefighter?

Come on in.

What brings you here?

Chief, did you hear?

Hear what?

They might be closing the fire station.

Closing what fire station?

Five.

Here we go.

My station five?

Huh.

The station that I built?

Uh-huh.

They still using the plans that I

implemented 20 years ago?

You talking about that stage five?

And we just got the news today.

Thanks a lot, Keenan.

We had a lot of packing to day today.

So what idiot made that decision?

Came down from City Hall.

Good, because City Hall is where I'm gonna

start knocking down doors.

You heard me?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, Curtis.

No, Curtis.

No.

You remember what happened the last time

you went down to City Hall.

No.

What happened?

Changes were made, and they understood

who Curtis Payne was.

You heard me?

And a few weeks later, the same Curtis Payne

did not have a job.

You heard me?

Then I guess I don't have nothing to lose, do I, baby?

Excuse me, please.

Don't talk to me like that.

Ella.

Don't talk to me like that.

Ella.

Baby.

Ooh, Keenan.

[theme music]

Did you see this?

See what?

It looks like the public relations

department is being outsourced.

What?

Are you kidding me?

Listen, wait, wait, wait.

I didn't-- I didn't see that.

What-- what page are we on?

I'm just kidding.

Justin--

Relax.

I've done this 100 times.

Look, they need us to make this idea look like a great one.

That was not funny, and there's

nothing good ever about closing down a fire station.

Well, would you prefer tax increases

and property reassessments?

I see your point.

OK, so will everyone else who had a problem with the changes.

I hereby call an emergency meeting

with mayor, the city councilman, and the president

of the United States!

Make it happen, Janine.

I take it you heard about the fire stations.

No, I came to watch the winos fight on the sidewalk!

Yeah, I heard!

Mr. Payne, I have--

Excuse me, that's Chief Payne, sir.

Once a chief, always a chief.

Chief Payne.

Look, Chief Payne, while the city is tightening its belt,

look, we have one priority, and that

is always the public safety.

Now, we won't make any irrational decisions,

especially those like closing fire stations.

Get your hand off of me.

You finished?

Yeah.

- Oh, he's good. - Yeah.

- He's real good. - Yeah, I know.

Listen, Uncle Curtis, we don't know

which stations are gonna close.

Need I remind you that station number five

is one of the oldest stations in this city?

We are well aware.

Are you aware that-- that we put

out that great fire of Atlanta?

Uh, the one in 1917 that destroyed 300 acres?

No the one in 1987 that destroyed three liquor stores.

Read your history!

At least know your history!

Sorry I'm late.

The meeting with the mayor ran late.

Unc, what are you doing here?

Hello.

I'm sure you know.

They about to close station number five!

Just two, rights, CJ?

Actually, I'm closing three.

What?

Huh?

You're closing the stations, CJ?

Well, yeah.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

Chief, I ran over as fast as I could.

So what did you tell them?

Because I know you set 'em straight, Chief.

Chief, what idiot is closing the fire station.

CJ.

What?

CJ is closing number five, and two other stations with it.

Man.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

Man, you gotta be kidding.

Well, why don't the city raise taxes?

Or cut back on something else?

Oh, they spend money on sports teams, but they--

they don't give a damn about regular cats like us!

Trust me, Keenan, I'm way more angry than you.

Trust me.

Unc, you didn't give me a chance to explain about--

Keenan, I guess you heard.

Yeah.

Yeah, and I'm thinking of forming a little unemployment

parade in front of your office.

I'll be the Grand Marshal.

I didn't wanna do this.

The city can't afford to keep all these stations open.

Well, tell that to the kid that we saved from drowning

in the storm drain.

I know that.

Or the old people in this neighborhood

that need our help.

My hands are tied.

What do you want me to do?

We want you to remember Perkins.

Yeah.

How about that?

And all the other firefighters that

ran into burning buildings, who lost their lives

running into burning buildings.

You don't think that I know--

Then I want you to remember how

I ran into a burning building to save your unconscious behind!

You tell him!

Tell him!

Look, CJ, I know you're the fire commissioner now,

but you started out as a firefighter!

And that's more than a uniform!

That's what we do!

It's who we are.

You gonna stand here and lecture me about the job?

Me?

Apparently, somebody needs to.

'Cause I think that suit has made you soft.

Well, you know?

What the suit comes off, man.

Wait, hold it.

Stop, just stop.

Hold it.

CJ, I taught you the brotherhood of fire fighters, CJ.

That's for us to do what's best for each other, not city hall.

I know about the brotherhood. All right?

I've done the job!

A politician misses a day of work, nobody even notices.

If a firefighter doesn't work, people die!

You need to step up!

That's it!

Do what's right!

OK, OK, let's go over this again.

You be Janine.

OK, OK.

Come on.

OK, wait, wait, wait, wait.

OK, now I'm ready.

You might wanna stand on the table.

You're a little--

Let's just rehearse. Come on.

- OK. - OK, OK.

Janine, I don't think it's feasible for us

to stay downstairs.

OK, listen, I am just really, really busy right now, OK?

You see I'm on the phone?

Hold on, give me a second. I'm busy, OK?

Oh, you know what?

Listen, Jayden, Hayden, and Jazmine,

they need to be comfortable.

What, you want me to put my children in the basement?

But what about our kid?

What about him?

I'm on the phone.

He's sleeping in cold.

OK, listen.

You and Miranda are gonna stay downstairs,

and we're not gonna discuss this anymore, OK?

Let me finish my phone call.

All right, thanks for nothing.

Are you really gonna give up that easy?

What do you want me to say?

I want you to be honest and sincere,

and tell her what we need.

OK.

Understand, I'm busy.

I'm busy.

OK, no.

I've been on the phone all day.

I can-- just a second.

Yes, OK.

As soon as I get the final list.

As soon as I get the final list, I will start the press release.

OK, bye-bye.

Hi.

Janine!

Oh, oh, did the twins, did Jazzy, did

anybody give you any trouble?

Uh, don't.

No, they're-- they're upstairs.

They're fine.

Yeah, everybody's happier upstairs.

OK.

Janine, have you ever noticed how cold

it is down in the basement?

Yeah, actually, I was wanting to talk to you guys about that.

You were?

Yeah.

I put a heater over in the corner where Christian sleeps.

Oh.

Oh, that's-- that's really nice of you,

Janine, but you know, it's awfully cold in our room also.

Of course.

I mean, come on, I'm not insensitive, all right?

I thought about that too.

OK?

No problem.

I put a couple of extra blankets on your bed.

Cold is what this coffee is.

Hey, Janine, what if we--

[glass shatters]

[screaming]

Curtis, I can't believe this.

Me either, baby.

Me either.

Miss Ella, are you sure this isn't gonna be a problem?

We'll be fine, baby.

The babies can just stay over with us until this,

all this is settled down.

OK, well, I'll watch the twins and Jazmine.

I'll stay here with CJ, just in case anything else happens.

Oh, I don't know.

I don't know if anybody should be here.

Is everybody OK?

Thank God here.

Thank God.

OK, OK.

I'm here. - It'll be OK.

You're shaking. Are you OK?

Yeah, I'm good.

I'm good.

All right, I'm here now.

Unc, where's it at?

"Hope your house doesn't burn and you need firefighters."

Is this the brotherhood you're talking about?

I didn't know it'd get this crazy, man.

Hey, baby, what are we gonna do?

You and the kids just go down to Ella's, OK?

And I'll handle this, OK?

OK, just be careful.

OK.

I have a few more things I have to grab.

Yeah, I'm gonna finish getting our things.

I'm gonna help somebody.

[knocking on door]

Go get the door, Calvin.

What if it's another brick or a Molotov cocktail?

Please, bricks don't knock.

OK, you get it.

Go get the door.

I'm not gonna be intimidated in my house.

Move. - Thank you.

Hey, I heard what happened.

Is everybody OK?

Yeah, everybody is fine, Keenan.

What do you know about that?

"Your house doesn't burn."

Nothing.

I'm just as shocked as you are.

Right.

Wait, wait, wait, wait.

So what, I'm lying now?

Come on, man.

There are no secrets in the firehouse.

Keenan, so nobody's talking?

No.

Chief, but you know me.

I'm pissed about all of this, but that's my job.

Now, I'd never put you or your family in harm's way.

And if I knew anything, I'd tell you.

You gotta believe me.

I don't know what I believe, all right?

All of this is out of control.

Well, whoever did this might be planning something else.

CJ, I will do whatever it takes to protect you

and your family.

You know that.

There's just a lot of angry people, man.

A lot of firefighters are gonna lose their jobs.

Unc, the department was having budget

problems before I got there.

I'm cleaning up somebody else's mess.

Now, what I really need is my family's support.

You have it.

You have it.

No, Fire Commissioner Payne and his family are fine.

We'll release an official statement later today.

Yes, yes, yes.

You're welcome.

TV or radio station?

Both.

The story's gone viral.

I just wish everyone would get past this.

Yeah, it's was not that easy when

people have mouths to feed.

[knocking on door]

Come in.

How's it going in here?

Hey, nothing we can't handle.

How are you holding up?

Good, because I'm resigning.

What?

You know if you resign the next fire

commissioner is still gonna have to handle the dirty work?

CJ, baby, I really think you should reconsider

after all this--

No, I've made my decision, baby.

Can you just get the press release started?

Baby, I-- I hear you, but I think

you should reconsider this.

Baby, I don't wanna talk about this.

I'd just like you to get the press release together.

Please.

All right, all right.

Press Press conference still scheduled?

Yeah.

CJ, are you doing this because it's right

or because you had a brick thrown through your window?

What's that supposed to mean?

Just wondering if you're making your decision from fear.

Look, man.

You ever been in a room while a fire was climbing up the wall

and the ceiling was exploding?

Can't say that I have.

You ever been away while your kids are in danger,

nothing you can do about it?

I don't have kids.

Then don't question me about fear.

Hold on, CJ.

There's a better way to do this, man.

I've made my decision.

You know what?

Janine, can come back in here, please?

Look, will you take a seat?

Yeah.

You can address the media with some solutions.

What kind of solutions?

Janine, can we take CJ through media training?

Sure, sure.

Right, first thing about media training

is you have to exude confidence.

Don't get seal hands.

Seal hands?

Yeah, you know, a seal.

When people are nervous, they tend to do this a lot

with their hands.

Stay away from that.

Got it, no seal hands.

Right.

Next, stay on topic.

I could always open with a joke.

You know, a cigarette goes into a bar--

Completely bad idea.

Look, you know what?

Take a look at this.

Something I prepared.

"The mayor along with county officials--"

Make sure you make eye contact.

And don't get swimmer's head.

Swimmer's head?

Yeah, when people are reading speeches,

they tend to bob their head up and down,

like they're swimming, breaststroke

and all that other stuff.

It's just not good.

OK, no-- no swimmer's head.

Yes.

OK.

You know what?

Use my desk as a podium.

Come on, come on.

OK.

"The mayor, along with county officials,

has agreed to a transfer of terminated

firefighters, where they will keep

their pensions and seniority.

Current fire stations will be rezoned

to accommodate the communities affected

by the proposed closings.

Also, I'm proud to announce that historic fire station number

five will become Atlanta's first museum dedicated solely

to fire and rescue operations.

We believe this strategy is good for public safety

and it is good for firefighters.

Thank you."

And we are out.

That was great.

- That was awesome. - You did it!

Give me a high five.

High five.

High five.

OK, mwah.

I'm going to go and get everything finalized

for the press conference.

You were great.

Thank you, baby.

Good Good job, man.

Thank you.

Good strategy.

Thanks.

Hey, I didn't do it for you.

I did it because I'm good at my job.

And it's good for the city.

Fair enough.

Thanks for helping the city.

I'm just-- I'm so proud of you, man.

To turn station number five into a museum?

Nice touch.

Baby, I am so proud of you.

It was a team effort, yeah.

Well, You Worked everything out.

And I knew he would.

Taught him everything he knows.

You said CJ was gonna get his house burned down again.

Whose child are you, anyway?

I mean, really.

Thank you.

I guess I'll just take our stuff downstairs.

You mean the dungeon?

OK, is there something you guys wanna say?

Can we move upstairs?

Oh, I promise to put the toilet seat down.

I don't care.

It's fine with me.

Is that all it took?

You just had to ask for what you wanted in the first place.

Ask, ask, ask, ask, ask!

Oh, well, can we use the Jacuzzi tub in your bathroom

on Friday nights?

No.

How about Saturday mornings?

How about never?

Then what can we do?

You can get your condo fixed and get the hell out!

Hello.

Hello!

I know that song!

Oh, babe, I think it is wonderful

that you're donating your memorabilia to the Fire Museum.

Mhm.

I agree.

Ooh, bam!

Oh, Curtis, what are those?

Baby, I've worn these socks through 742 fires.

Yes, is that why they're burning my nose?

Put them away, please.

Ugh.

What is all the rest of this stuff, baby?

Just little stuff.

Oh, and our most valuable possession at the fire station.

A checkerboard?

No, it's a chessboard too.

Baby, how can this be the most valuable thing, playing games?

Because, baby, if we're playing games, that

means everyone else is safe.

Oh.

Oh, baby.

[theme music]