Original subtitles

[music playing]

ELLA PAYNE: OK. Good.

Ooh, great.

So the beds are all going upstairs now.

Thank you. - Thank you.

Yes.

Miss Ella, that was a great idea

turning those old classrooms into battered women's shelters.

I just need more time.

I just need more time.

The women are supposed to move in tomorrow, Janine.

And I just need-- JANINE PAYNE: Miss Ella--

Look at everything that needs to be done.

Miss Ella, we are going to do it.

ELLA PAYNE: OK. - OK?

ELLA PAYNE: I hope so. I hope so.

Listen, Calvin is just about done with the painting.

Painting--yes. JANINE PAYNE: Uncle Curtis is--

um-- - You've seen Curtis?

Curtis?

Haven't seen him in a while.

Curtis.

OK.

Hello, have you seen my husband?

You hear-- Janine, look at him.

Curtis?

- I love you, Detroit. - Curtis.

[laughter]

You know you [inaudible] back.

What were you doing?

What's it look like I'm doing?

I'm performing with Wayne Newton.

[laughter]

A little Wayne.

Curtis--

Whatever.

I'm get them mixed up.

You ever notice they look the same?

JANINE PAYNE: You were supposed to be helping .

I am helping, Janine.

I'm testing the blankets.

You don't see me?

They're looking a little flat.

Curtis, I do not have time for this foolishness, baby.

OK?

Come on, just fold the blankets up, all right?

Look it, I'm folding.

Look at all these folded blankets.

I'm folding them. - OK.

Oh, had anyone seen the fire inspector yet?

I haven't seen anybody, baby.

You were asleep.

You shut up and mind your business.

[laughter]

He was supposed to be here an hour ago, Janine.

OK.

I need this permit today.

Otherwise, we can not do what we need to do.

And then woman will be moving back out on the streets.

I need them here.

- Breathe. - OK.

Breathe.

Have a seat. Have a seat.

I got you. - Get me-- uh-uh.

And my chair moves. - I see you.

OK?

Wait, she'll show up.

- OK. - All right?

Are you sure?

I'm positive.

CJ know's how important this is to you.

Oh, CJ--

I could not have done half of the things

that I needed to do if it were not for CJ.

I CJ me, Ella.

You ain't used your power.

Are you had to do was tell them, you the wife of former Fire

chief Curtis T. Payne.

Huh?

And the t stand for, ta ra ra ra.

Curtis.

You ain't used your power.

Doot's going to open for you.

Door's going to open.

That's exactly what I tried to do, Curtis,

and they almost threw me through one of the doors.

All I'm saying-- you don't need CJ for nothing.

Hey CJ. - Hello.

I brought some more blankets.

Thank you, baby.

I need to test these.

I'll take these.

No.

Uncle Curtis , I have to take these back to--

CJ, did you bring your fire inspector, too?

He's not here yet?

No.

Oh, I can't believe he's late.

I tell you, it sure is hard to find good help these days.

Kidding--

Well, I'm on my way back over to the office,

so I can send him right over.

OK.

Aunt Ella, now you got to make sure that everything is

in order before he gets here. OK?

Well, CJ, we're good.

We really are.

I'm just a little worried about the fire alarm though.

Do you want me to check it for you?

Yes, please.

I already fixed it.

You did?

I don't know if I like that tone.

[laughter]

I just don't want it to accidentally

go off in front of [inaudible].

CURTIS PAYNE: Hey baby, it was easy to do.

OK?

All I had to do was disconnect the red wire.

It works prefect.

ELLA PAYNE: OK.

It was a snap.

[fire alarm]

Snap.

A snap.

Oh no.

CJ, please.

Great wiring help.

Believe it?

It must have been the blue wire.

Curtis-- ugh.

Stop snapping.

[music playing]

This is ridiculous.

I know.

I know, Curtis.

This fire inspector has been here for over two hours.

What do you think he's doing, baby?

I'll tell you what he's not doing.

He's not playing online blackjack.

Though just sitting over here is the worst.

I'm serious.

Aren't you worried.

Yeah baby, I was in 27 bucks.

Stop playing with me.

Stop it. Curtis!

What, babe?

Be serious, baby.

I am.

Ella, calm down-- relax.

Baby, it's a old building.

OK?

Inspector's take time.

You good. Trust me.

It's going to be all right.

You haven't heard the alarm go off one time.

- No. - Right?

No.

I told you it would be a--

Ah, ah-- no, no, no.

[screams]

[inaudible]

Be quiet.

Don't you snap-- don't you snap.

We still got a [inaudible].

Ow!

What's with the last bend?

What's with that one?

ELLA PAYNE: Curtis.

How am I supposed to play the game, now?

You're not supposed to play that game, baby.

Put that game down.

I need you to organize this bedding, baby.

We've got to make sure that everything is right for when

the women get here, babe.

OK?

We've got to make it feel like home.

I wish I was at home.

Sometimes, Curtis, I don't think you have

a charitable bone in your body.

What?

You heard me.

How you going to even let that come out your mouth?

Baby, shh.

Baby, I am very charitable.

I'm very generous.

OK.

Please-- much as I give.

And I give.

And I keep on giving.

Hey, pop, can I borrow your car?

Hell no.

Get out of my face.

[laughter]

Baby, look it-- your mama talking

about I'm not a cheerful giver.

Can you believe that?

That's how rumours get started.

That hurts in here, Ella.

Is the inspector done?

I think so.

Now, back to the car--

No.

Come on, pop.

You know Miranda took the car and the kids

to see her parents for the weekend.

Now I'm done.

I'm trying to visit some of my friends.

Take bus 11.

Bus 11?

Your two skinny legs.

and get your step.

That's cold, pop.

Well, mom, can I borrow yours then?

Calvin, no, baby, you can't.

My car is packed with supplies, and it's

going to be hours before we even able to unloaded it.

I'm sorry.

So I'm just stuck here?

Join the club.

Curtis, baby, there is no reason

why Calvin cannot use your car.

May 27, 2002.

He was 16 years old.

9:59 pm.

Oh, let it go, pops.

It was just a scratch in the door.

The door is the only thing you brought home.

Nobody borrows my car but me.

[laughs]

Ah!

Beverly.

Ah!

Jennifer.

Ah!

You?

Is it you? OK.

You can use it.

- I can borrow your car? - Yes, you can borrow it.

- Say my name. - Damn it.

Huh?

And because I can borrow your car,

I am now going to loan it to Calvin.

Thanks, ma.

You all be breezy.

Hey, bring it back in one piece.

Well, did the inspector leave?

Yes, he just left.

OK.

Well what did he say?

He checked the whole building.

He found a couple of violations.

No.

Two of the rooms need to be rewired.

He's going to give CJ the full report,

but I think we're going to be able to open up your shelter.

We're good?

We're good.

We're good.

Curtis, we're good.

Thank you, god.

Yes, thank god.

What about me?

Curtis, please.

Baby, I told you it'd be-- it's nothing but a--

Curtis, don't you snap.

Don't you-- don't you do that.

As if he could if he wanted to anyway.

[snapping]

It didn't go off.

- He can't. - No.

See, it didn't go off though.

I told you it was just a snap.

[fire alarm]

What, what, what--

When he snapped-- he snapped.

It must be the green wire.

Hey, Calvin?

Get my keys, man.

- They're-- they're right here. - Oh.

Thank you.

Hey, uh-- were you-- were you going to the the health center,

because we could walk.

It's good exercise.

No.

I'm going to inspect my car.

It's still in one piece, right?

Yeah. Yeah, of course.

Of course.

Good.

And--and I got it washed.

Oh, good.

Thank you.

And-- and uh--

I filled it up with gas.

That's a good sign.

And I put a dent in the bumper.

You did what?

It-- just a small dent, in the bumper.

You put a dent in my car?

Where is it?

Is it on the left side?

How did you know?

Know what?

Left side.

I should've never let you use that car--

never!

Pop, you're right.

OK.

I'll never borrow your car again.

Look, pop, I feel terrible about it.

And you should.

Well pop, maybe I could work it off, in the house.

You--you know, to pay you back.

Work it off?

Yeah.

Yeah pops, I'll--I'll do whatever you ask.

I promise.

Please?

[bell rings]

Is this is really how I'm supposed to pay you back?

Excuse me?

Your highness.

[laughter]

Thank you.

[bell rings]

You're dismissed.

[bell rings]

[laughter]

Yes, your highness?

I would like to eat a grape, please.

They're on the plate.

And I need them in my mouth.

[laughter]

[bell rings]

Excuse me?

Your highness?

You were not dismissed.

I would like to bite of sandwich, please.

[laughter]

Big bite.

You got it.

Close on it.

I need something to drink.

I'm thirsty.

I need something to drink.

I'm thirsty, please.

You didn't dismiss me.

[bell rings]

Dismissed.

ELLA PAYNE: We're so glad to have you here.

You just don't-- Oh, CJ!

Excuse me.

CJ!

Oh you-- ladies, ladies, this is CJ,

and we have him to thank for everything that has gone on.

He's made everything possible.

Let's give him a hand.

Gladys, Stacy, can you please sign everyone in?

Thank you.

Hey, what's up?

I-- um--

I gotta shut you down.

Shutting it down, what?

I've got to shut down this help center.

[music playing]

ELLA PAYNE: There must have been a misunderstanding about this.

And we won't be locked down.

We won't be closed for long.

Please, uh-- OK.

Can you take the ladies up to the fellowship hall, please?

Please?

All of the ladies [inaudible],, if that's OK with fire

commissioner Payne?

It's fine.

ELLA PAYNE: Sorry. Oh, can the--

Can you put the sticker on the door, please?

No, no, wait, wait, wait.

Do not put that sticker on the door!

Don't-- CJ?

CJ, you can't be doing this-- you can't.

I cannot let these women move in here.

Well where do you want them to go?

Where do you want them to go-- to the streets?

I want them to be safe.

I did not raise you to just turn

your back on people in need.

You raised me to do what is right.

And that's keeping the center open.

No, that's doing my job.

Do you want me to just overlook the faulty wiring?

CJ--

Do you want me to overlook the broken emergency doors, here?

You don't even have enough fire extinguishers

in here, Aunt Ella.

My job is to save lives.

Mine is, too.

You are the boss.

Why don't you just give me a temporary extension

or something?

I don't know.

I can't do that.

I'm sorry.

The neighborhood just needs this center.

You can reopen when you get everything fixed.

That could take months.

The church does not have money like that CJ.

And if you shut us down, I'm afraid we're just

going to be shut down for good.

Is that what you want?

No, I don't want that.

Well then, do something.

Do you want me to jeopardize my job just

to keep the health center open?

Yes.

CJ, no I don't.

I cannot let those women live here.

Fine.

Everybody needs to be out, then you get out.

Aunt Ella--

Just-- just get out.

[music playing]

OK.

I mowed the lawn.

I raked the clippings.

I trimmed the hedges.

And I edged the walk.

Pop, I'm tired.

I've been out here for hours.

My bad-- my bad, son.

So you want to sit down and take a break, let rest your feet?

Yeah.

Then you shouldn't have put a dent in the car.

Come on pop, you know I got an injury.

Well, you consider this physical therapy.

OK?

Now got get your mama's to-do list.

She got a lot of stuff on her list, too.

Pop, she made that to-do list for you.

[laughter]

Well, I'm not the one running around,

putting dents in folk's cars.

Right?

And who is?

Me.

Me, who?

Me, me?

You say it like I taught you to say it.

Calvin the crash dummy Payne.

He, he, that's so funny.

Just-- just let me give you a couple of dollars every week.

What are you talking about giving me

a couple of dollars every week?

Do you realize this isn't about money?

Do you realize that?

When you put a dent in that car, you put a dent in my heart.

Fine.

Good.

Now you get in there and get that ladder, and some gloves,

and a deck of cards.

For what?

Because you gonna clean the gutters.

[laughter]

And why do I need a deck of cards?

Oh, the cards are for me.

I'm going to play Solitaire while I'm watching you.

[phone rings]

Hello?

CJ?

Hey.

Yo-- you did what?

She said that?

At the church?

Well, hell yeah, she mad.

OK.

Well I know.

I know you were trying to avoid a disaster,

but you may have caused one.

[music playing]

Hold on.

I'm going to ask her.

Hold on.

Hey babe-- hey baby.

Hi, Curtis.

I'm, uh-- talking to CJ--

he want to talk to you, babe.

CJ want to talk to you.

You want to talk to him?

[laughter]

Oh-- CJ?

She don't want to talk right now.

We'll just try later.

OK.

Later, next year.

I can call him back. OK?

Curtis, I don't--

I don't want to do that.

OK.

All I wanted to do was just help some more people.

Baby, it's not your fault.

Curtis, I know it's not my fault.

It's CJ's fault, clearly.

No, it's-- it's--

that's the rules, baby.

All I asked him to do was just give me a little more time.

After all, I'm family.

He couldn't.

Baby, the fire code states--

Curtis, don't.

Please, please-- don't say nothing

to me about no codes and no rules and no regulations.

I don't want to hear it.

There are people out there, Curtis,

who will not eat tonight.

And they will not have a decent place to sleep, either.

You think they want to hear about some codes and some rules

and some regulations?

Huh?

No.

Curtis, it's just--

it just breaks my heart.

[sighs]

Mom any better?

No, not quite.

This is tough, pop.

I'm going to bed early tonight.

The gutters are done.

I cleaned the garage.

We are done for the day, right?

Not quite.

Actually, now we have some real work to do.

[music playing]

ELLA PAYNE: Curtis, I got here as fast as I could.

Someone broke in?

What did they take?

Calm down, baby.

Calm down and just listen.

Wait a minute, Curtis.

Wait a minute.

Now you told me this place was trashed.

This looks exactly the way I left it two days ago.

We rewired the rooms.

Rewired the rooms?

Yes, ma'am.

Oh, hey.

Hi.

You have all new outlets.

And a new emergency door.

And an Uncle Curtis proof fire alarm system.

And this.

CJ-- Oh, CJ, a permit--

you do this for me?

We all did.

Station 45 needed a community project, and Uncle Curtis

and I thought there was none better than this one.

Thank you, Station 45.

Thank you, god.

Oh, yes.

Oh, CJ I'm so sorry.

I know I said some mean things--

Oh, forget about it.

--to my baby.

Oh, you should make her apologize.

I know how much this place means

to you, and to the community.

I just want to see a smile on your face.

We all want to see the smile on your face, Miss Ella.

OK.

I really don't know what to say.

I think you should say, I'm going

to round up my volunteers, because I

have a center to reopen.

Yes, I do.

Yes you do.

All right, guys, come on.

Let's let my aunt tend to her business.

OK.

Well, thank you, guys.

Thank you. Thank you, CJ.

- Good job, fellas. - God bless you.

Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

Oh, yes.

Oh, yes.

I'm going to go get the kitchen ready.

Please, please-- and Janine, please,

can you get the bedrooms ready?

You got it.

CURTIS PAYNE: Janine, do the kitchen and the bedrooms.

Calvin, could you please move my car?

I just pulled right in and blocked the whole church

parking lot driveway.

Thank you.

You--you sure you trust me to do it,

after I dented pop's car?

[inaudible] come up about that.

Curtis, what?

CURTIS PAYNE: Don't you worry about--

It's nothing, baby.

Don't upset your mom, baby.

Come on, let's go do that. We can do that.

I want to help you do it. Come on.

- You did what? - In the [inaudible].

You put a dent in your dad's car

on the left side of the car? - Come on.

Let's go.

Is it about the size of a baseball?

Yeah. You-- you saw it?

Yeah, six months ago when your father backed into a tree.

[laughter]

Oh no, wait?

That dent was already there?

Pops did it?

Six months ago.

After he's been working me like a dog?

Curtis.

[fire alarm sound] Fire alarm.

Evacuate!

Ma, you really worked pop at the center today.

Well, look, making you think you dented the car was wrong.

Right?

Yeah.

Thank you.

You want something to drink?

Yeah.

[bell rings]

How long I got to do this?

Excuse me?

Your highness?

Well I guess you shouldn't be putting dents in cars.

I'm about to put a dent in your head.

[laughter]

Two ice teas, please.

All right.

ELLA PAYNE: And grapes.

You want some grapes?

OK.

Hold it right there.

I'll get some grapes.

Curtis?

Curtis?

Curtis?

- Here are the grapes-- - Curtis?

Curtis!

[music playing]