Original subtitles

OK, but I still think we need something that

grabs more people's attention.

Yes.

OK, well, let's just talk about it when you get home.

I am home.

Hi.

Hey.

Dinner will be ready in 30 minutes.

OK.

You know, I'm really not feeling that whole safety house

idea you had.

Why?

It's a great idea!

It's a great idea.

Uncle Curtis even wanted to do it when he was chief.

Uncle Curtis was just looking for a place

to take naps and listen to his O'Jays records.

OK.

But didn't Councilman Howard say he wanted something big to grab

the community's attention? - Yes.

OK.

And that's why I'm suggesting a 5K run.

Hold up.

Is that creamed corn?

Yeah.

You said you wanted corn for dinner.

Corn on the cob.

Oh, I'm sorry.

I didn't-- you didn't say that you--

When have I ever been a can man?

Come on, baby.

You know me 20 years.

I shouldn't have to still tell you what I like.

But you've always liked it.

I think I know what I like and I don't like.

You just don't pay attention to detail.

Why do you always do that?

Do what?

You talk to me like I'm stupid.

- I do not. - Oh, yes, you do.

Oh, man.

You are blowing this way out of proportion.

No, I'm not.

Nothing I do is ever good enough for you.

Look.

I go to work every day.

And all I want to do is come home

and not have to argue with you about what I like.

I go to work every day, too.

And when I finally get off, guess what I get to do?

Go to the grocery store, pick up food, come

and cook, and clean for you.

And you never appreciate it.

Just--

Where are you going?

Out.

Hopefully, to get some corn on the cob.

Get it yourself.

I think we need some milk, too!

She's so unreasonable.

[music playing]

I told you somebody was here.

Hello and good morning!

Good morning.

How's my college student?

I'm good!

Yeah, I'm sure you are good, since you got

a full plate of food and a sink full of dishes

that you ain't got to wash.

Is that what they teach you in college now?

How to break into folks' houses and be selfish?

I didn't break in.

I used the key that you hide in the planter.

[gasp] Got to move that key.

You're gonna see how you feel when I come to your house

and drink up your little juice and make me a big old plate

of food, unannounced.

I'd probably feel the same way I

felt yesterday when you did it.

You see, baby? You see what I'm talking about?

See?

Going to college done made him a smart aleck.

Come here!

Smart aleck!

Get your hands off my nephew!

Get your hands off my nephew. Good morning.

- Good morning. - Muah.

So what are you working on?

Oh, it's an anthropology essay about evolution.

Oh, here we go, Curtis.

There it is.

Evolution.

Did you know that the oldest human bone was found in Africa?

In Africa?

[laughter]

It's not in Africa.

Everybody knows that.

Listen, baby.

Adam and Eve are the first humans.

Well, actually, science says that the first humans

were Omo 1 and Omo 2.

Yeah, they were cousins.

Remember that.

Omo 1 and Omo 2, Adam and Eve.

Listen.

Listen, Malik.

Adam was the first man, and Eve was the first woman.

They lived in the Garden of Eden.

And there was a serpent who came in, crept in--

Yes, and they ate the pomegranate, yada-yada-yada.

Curtis!

Actually, scientists say that Adam and Eve were just made up,

and that the Garden of Eden is located somewhere

around Iran, not in Africa.

Malik, listen, I don't care what your scientists say.

I just care about what God says, and His word is the truth.

Auntie Ella, science is the truth.

We can prove it!

You know what? I can prove--

Hey, baby. Baby.

Right there. See?

Right there what I'm talking about, that he knows not what

he's saying. - I'm just trying to help him.

I know, but you help him in the right way, baby.

I do, before I lay hands on them.

But don't lay hands on Malik.

Malik, baby, what are you really

saying about the word of God?

Malik, if you have any sense, rethink

this whole conversation.

I'm just saying that it doesn't add up.

Like you still talking?

You take a hint?

Look, I'm out of here.

I'm through trying to help.

I'm just going to take this.

I hope they got a cafeteria in heaven, or Iran--

wherever you're going.

Baby, look here.

When that oatmeal gets done, bring me some out.

Thank you.

Love you.

Auntie Ella.

Yes?

Evolution is real.

The only reason we survive is because of the violent nature

creating our ecosphere.

Malik, listen.

That's way too complicated.

This is my take.

God created the heavens and the earth, and he created me.

And on the seventh day, my Lord rested from all the

work that he had done a glory.

I mean no disrespect, but how could he bless the seventh day,

when the number seven wasn't even created until the Indians

did it?

Well, who created the Indians?

Well, I haven't read that far yet, so--

All right.

Listen, Malik, baby, I am so happy that you are finding

yourself with your professors and you're

enjoying your education.

But baby, I choose to walk by faith.

That's your own opinion.

Thank you.

But remember that the same man that wrote the Bible

said that if you walk too far, you'll fall off the Earth.

I'm just saying.

So one man wrote the whole bible?

Is that what you're saying just there?

All of them wrote one bible?

Just one?

Why didn't you wait for me this morning?

Well, since you always seem to be so far ahead of me,

I thought I'd get an early start on the day.

This is about last night, isn't it?

No.

This is about every night.

You always have something negative to say

about everything I do.

OK.

I've got a conference call with Commissioner

Howard in five minutes.

I need to be prepared.

Prepare to pitch something ignorant.

Oh, so my 5K run idea's ignorant?

And I guess your safety house idea's brilliant?

You have no idea, because you shut

it down without even listening.

OK.

Tell me now.

[scoff] No, smoothie smooth, you ain't getting

out of this argument. [chuckle]

Oh, no, no.

Go ahead.

OK.

Councilman Howard would like something

practical that gets a lot of attention

and involves families.

The safety house for kids would be wonderful for media.

The kids would have a fun, safe environment to go and learn,

and the parents would have to bring them out, hence

getting families involved.

See, what I like most about the 5K run

is that it'd bring more people out.

You know?

We could get Toasty the Clown.

We'd get inflatables for the kids.

We could even sell hot dogs!

What-- what-- what does that have to do

with what I just said here?

What--

Janine, we're going to go with the 5K run.

All right?

Go get yourself some running shoes.

You are infuriating.

I've made my decision.

OK? - OK.

We're going with the 5K run.

Now, when the councilman calls, let me do all the talking.

That will not be a problem, because I won't be here.

Wait, Janine.

Where are you going?

To get some corn on the cob.

Janine, I need your help!

What are we going to do about Malik?

Do like we did with CJ.

Just ignore till it goes away.

I'm serious, baby.

I think he is beginning to question his faith.

OK.

Well, what do you want me to do?

Beat him till he calls Jesus?

Oh, my goodness.

He's on his way over here.

What are you--

who, Jesus?

He came back?

Hey, what's up, everybody?

Hi, baby.

Hey.

Uh, I need a favor.

No.

You don't even know what he wants.

What?

We gotta-- OK.

What do you want?

Can I borrow your car?

No.

Now, you see this little time we just wasted?

Please!

My mom and dad aren't back yet, and I need to go to the store

to get paper and supplies. - Mm.

OK.

All right.

I got this.

Excuse us, baby.

Excuse-- excuse me.

I'm going to let you use my car, if you just tell your Auntie

you were wrong and she was right.

But wrong about what?

It don't make a difference!

Just make it easy on all of us and do it!

You do not have to.

Here, baby, take my keys, Malik.

Thank you.

I'll fill it up.

Oh, in that case, you'd better take this car.

That car runs on faith.

Malik, I-- I--

I've been thinking about our conversation earlier.

OK.

What about it?

Science really cannot explain everything.

Yeah.

Like what?

Like how Jesus turned the water into wine.

Mm.

Now, that was a good one.

I mean, the farthest I've gotten is turning beer into pee.

Hey, but let your little science explain how Goliath split

the Red Sea with just one rock, two little loaves of bread,

and one fish dinner!

What are you talking about?

You don't even know what you're talking about.

Malik, what about Noah's Ark?

Oh, my professors say that it's

made up, like a fairy tale.

- OK. - Pfft.

They're wrong.

They found it in Detroit.

Malik, it's beginning to sound like you

don't even believe in God.

[CHUCKLING] You do-- you do believe in God, right?

Well, I don't know.

Thanks for the car.

I'll bring it right back.

What-- what does it mean he don't know?

He's joking.

[beep]

Yes.

You're being silly.

Come back in here. - Why?

You seem to have everything handled.

Janine, do we have to do this at work?

[cj sighs]

What can I do for you, Mr. Commissioner, Sir?

Would you like some coffee or something?

Uh, that would be nice.

OK.

Would you like that with creamed corn or on the cob?

I'll pass on the corn.

Hmm.

[beep]

Oh, that's Councilman Howard.

I've got to take this.

Yes, Sir.

Good morning, Councilman.

How are you? - Good morning, Sir.

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: Good morning, CJ.

How's that project coming along?

Uh, why don't we host a 5K run?

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: We did that last year,

and the traffic patrol took too much man power.

I think a kids' safety house would be a really good idea.

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: What was that?

Nothing! Nothing!

How about we, uh, do a fire extinguisher exchange

for the local residents?

You know, they turn in their old ones,

and we replace them with new ones.

That's closer.

But something like that would cut deeply into our budget.

[WHISPERING] This is not about us!

This is business!

This is entirely about us!

You treat me like I don't matter.

You act like I'm a live-in maid who does not have a brain!

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: CJ?

Will you shut up and listen?

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: Excuse me?

Oh, not you, sir, not you!

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: I sure hope not.

Do you have anything else for me?

Well, what about a safety house for kids?

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: A safety house for kids?

Oh, so you have O'Jays records like your uncle?

Well, I know it's not a great idea.

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: No, I think it's brilliant.

It promotes safety, and it's very cost-effective.

Don't you think so, Janine?

Brilliant.

Well, you know, actually, it was all Janine--

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: Got to go.

You two, work out the details, then get back to me.

Great job, CJ.

Uh, thanks.

Thanks.

I tried to tell him that it was your idea.

Pfft.

You just don't get it, do you?

What?

You want me to call the man back and tell

him that it was all your idea?

I will call him right now.

OK.

Let's call him.

Now, didn't you just hear that man say he was busy,

that he had something to do?

That's what I thought.

I'll call him.

He's busy.

He's busy.

I just don't get it.

Now, we raised Calvin and CJ in church.

they raised their children in church,

and their children are supposed to raise

their children in church.

What is wrong with this picture?

Baby, what's wrong with the picture

is, you're standing in front of the TV.

Please move.

Are you even listening to me?

No, I'm not, Ella, baby!

You've been saying the same thing ever since Malik left!

Well, where did we go wrong?

What is wrong?

Where we went wrong is when we drafted that running

back instead of Johnson.

Can you believe that?

You don't care.

Yes, I do care.

Johnson is a great player!

Curtis Payne!

Ella, the boy's in college.

OK?

He's questioning things.

That's what he's supposed to do.

And believe me, that college is going to throw

so much information in him.

He don't know when to sink and swim.

Didn't you go through that? - No.

Curtis, I did not.

I-- I always knew.

Well, I went through it.

I questioned everything.

Why is there a war?

How can God allow slavery?

How can he allow the Holocaust?

Do I believe?

Do you believe?

Baby, of course, I believe.

Right.

But I had to get to that.

OK.

OK?

Now, look, everybody is not as convinced as you are, Ella.

But that's we love about you, baby.

You stand strong, whether you agree or disagree.

That's why you're the rock, a spiritual rock.

OK?

You ain't got to convince nobody about nothing.

Let God do that.

I am letting God do his job.

Right.

You're the one that taught me.

If you have the faith as of the size of one them

little jars of mustard, you can move houses,

whole track of trailers.

Thank you, Curtis.

You were on a roll, and you were doing good.

Thank you.

You are welcome.

Now, please get out so I can finish this game.

Hey, uh--

Wait, wait.

What's wrong?

I'm just a little-- a little shaky.

Are you OK?

You can see he's OK.

Is the car OK?

The car is fine.

I-- I was driving, and I guess I didn't realize

how tired I actually was.

And I fell asleep at the wheel.

Malik!

What?

Yeah.

Look, I don't even know how I made it this far,

but I made it.

I woke up just in time to see this little girl walk right

across in front of the car.

Oh, my god!

- Oh, my goodness. - Yeah.

She's fine, though.

I didn't hit her.

Thank God.

Thank God is right.

Wait, wait.

Thank God?

Thank God.

Ha.

Thank God.

This one event isn't going to change my belief.

It definitely has me thinking, though.

I'll bet the little girl you almost hit believes.

OK, Malik.

You are going through a point in your life

where you are going to question a lot of things, baby.

And there is only one person who can give you those answers.

That's you.

So you have faith in me?

Oh, yes, baby.

What about you, Uncle Curtis?

You got faith in me?

Hell, nah.

Give me them keys.

Now, Change change your drawers.

I know you need to.

Why is it so dark in here?

CJ: Surprise!

[scream] What the hell?

Surprise!

I got everybody apple cider to toast Janine, the woman whose

brilliant idea is going to save the city

money while promoting the efforts of the firefighters

and police force.

Here's to you, baby.

To Janine!

We appreciate you, we respect you, and I love you.

Love you.

Thank you.

OK, everybody.

Back to work.

We got a campaign to start.

Thanks, everybody.

CJ: We've got a campaign.

Let's go.

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: Congratulations, Janine.

Council-- Councilman?

Hi, I didn't know you were on there!

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: Yeah.

CJ told me it was your idea we were going with.

And he made me stay on the line so I could thank you in person.

Well, you know what I mean.

[laughter] Thank you so much.

COUNCILMAN [OVER THE PHONE]: No problem.

Glad I could help.

And you.

Now, you know this was never about me getting the credit,

right?

We are a team.

I just want to lift you up.

And at the end of the day, I want

to know that I am being heard.

And I want you to know that you are heard.

OK.

Now, let's get started on this budget for the safety house

tonight.

Oh, no, no, no, no.

Tonight?

Really?

After all of this-- you do all this for a girl,

and you really think you're gonna just throw some business

at her at the end?

I mean, unless you got some better plans for tonight.

Oh, baby.

You are not ready for the plans I have.

Is that right?

Well, hey, is that a preview?

[laughter] Well, guess what?

Hmm?

I think that maybe making up is really nice.

Yeah.

And maybe, we need to argue more often.

Maybe.

Hey, Auntie Ella.

Hey, baby.

Oh, Malik, how did the evolution essay go?

I got an A.

You got an A?

Yes!

My professor said he loved it.

I wrote that all creatures have to evolve in order to survive.

But the spirit it takes to want to survive

is neither visible nor capable of being measured.

Man does have a need to explain the unexplainable,

but the unexplainable is the foundation

on which faith is based and the only way hope can live.

And they gave you an A for that?

Perfect.

Congratulations, baby.

Look who I dedicated it to.

Oh, Malik!

I dedicate this essay to my Aunt Ella.

Thanks for your faith.

Thank you.

Aw, thank you, baby.

I love you.

Love you, too.

Now, listen, I called you over here because I

want you to take this trash.

I'm not gonna ask you no more to take this trash out.

I'm so sick of you ever since you got in college.

You're just changing.

You're changing, baby, changing.

But I'm getting A's.

Oh, yeah, you're getting A's, and you're

getting that trash out of here.