Original subtitles

I hold in my hand my first step toward greatness.

As a Pulitzer -bound reporter poised for stardom, I plan to remain humble. Now,

all my friends can say they knew me when... when I couldn't even spell my

name.

Tamira, guess what?

You know all the extra time I've been spending down at Bookum Joe?

Well, it's finally paid off.

That cute Tyreek showed up and asked you out? Only in my dreams.

But you know how I redid the window display?

Well? It worked!

Somebody bought a book?

I got a raise!

We got a raise! We got a raise!

You got a raise! You got a raise!

Look, I love this job!

Obviously, dedication, skill, and... creative advertising are appreciated in

employee too bad that employees marshall franklin what you got the wrong

check he got a

Everybody sees how different we have come to be.

Step, step, step, step.

Even though I'm glad to be with you, I thought I'd feel as real to me like you

got to do what's right for you.

Since you didn't buy the three magazines you read at the rack.

Hey, what's up, Beth?

What can I get for you?

I don't know.

Well, how about a strawberry banana smoothie?

Bananas give me hives.

Okay, well, how about an iced cappuccino?

Caffeine makes me nervous.

Okay, well, how about a nice glass of water?

It's a tap.

Take 15, Tia.

I meant minutes.

Go, go, go, go.

Actually, Clark, I need to talk to you.

Well, go ahead. Spill it.

Which is a phrase I don't normally use around here.

Come on, Tia.

What's on your mind?

Do you think we can have this conversation without your little

All right. If that's the way you want to spend your 13.

Yesterday, I accidentally got Marshall's paycheck.

And I couldn't help noticing that he's making more money than I do.

Now, tell me, Tia.

Didn't you and I agree on a salary when I hired you?

Yes. And is that the salary you received?

Yes.

And were you not happy to receive said salary until you saw Marshall Franklin's

check?

Yes.

Duh. Then just act like you didn't see it.

I don't think that it's fair.

Well, I hear they're real fair over at The Gap.

Clark, I didn't say I wanted to quit.

I really love this job.

Good. Now take your 1142 and get back to work.

Hey, Tia.

Why don't you hook a brother up with a little snacky snack?

I don't think so, Roger. Besides, I'm on my break.

Oh, so it's like that. Just gonna kick me to the curb.

My bookkeeper took a leave of absence, so I'm stuck with double duty.

Need some help?

Oh, that's very sweet of you, honey. But I won't do that to you. I'll just

suffer alone.

I wish you felt that way when we were cleaning out the garage.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, Ray. Hey, Tamara.

Ooh, Lisa, you are wearing that suit.

Ain't I, though?

Well, you do look good. How come you never dressed like that when we were

dating? Ray, I wore this on our very first date.

Really? I don't remember.

That is why we are no longer dating.

Where are you off to?

Well, Maddie's car is in the shop, so I'm going to pick her up at the

chiropractor.

Dressed like that?

A woman should always look her best when she's leaving the house.

Especially when going to the office of a very single, very handsome

chiropractor.

I think I may need an alignment.

I'm picking up Maddie. Well, there must be a fine man between here and Maddie

because you are working that suit.

I'd never argue with a woman who knows what she's talking about.

Hi, Tamara.

Hi. I came to pick up your dad. We have a dinner date.

You do?

Mm -hmm. Oh, I'm sorry.

I don't think he can come out and play tonight.

He's got homework.

Oh.

Work, work, work.

Tell me about it.

Hey, your dad showed me your last newspaper article.

Have you thought about a career in journalism?

Well, actually, I have. I thought about going to Northwestern. You know, I think

they have this really... Hey, sweetie!

Wait a minute.

Dinner?

Oh, I'm sorry.

I just swamped with work here. So I heard.

Poor boo.

How can I help?

You can't. He wants to suffer alone.

No, I'm sure you can help.

You know anything about bookkeeping? You didn't know I was a CPA.

I worked for an accounting firm back in Chicago.

I thought you were with market research.

Oh, that was after.

Now, let me take a look at this ledger. And you, go order some Chinese.

I'm in the mood for Mugu Gai Pan.

I tried to be nice. I made the effort,

and what did she do? She cuts me off in the middle of a sentence like I don't

even exist.

Tamara, I think you're upset.

What's wrong?

What do you mean, what's wrong?

You're the one that's racing back and forth, bugging about Vivica.

You're polishing your toenails.

Every time you have a major problem, out come the toe separators.

Oh, please, whatever.

Tia, this is me.

I've seen you go through six bottles of ruby red when you broke up with Byron.

Okay, okay, okay, so I'm a little preoccupied.

Tia?

This must be big.

What's going on? Give me the 411.

I found out that Marshall didn't get a raise.

Clark's just paying him more than me.

Wait a minute.

Didn't you guys start together?

Yeah. And do the same job?

I hope you said that Mr.

Delicious Smoothie straight.

Oh, stop the madness!

You did set Clark straight, didn't you? Tamira, I really love this job, but I am

not going to risk getting fired over a few bucks.

I can't believe it's coming out of your mouth. You know that's not fair.

Well, guess what, Tamira? Life isn't fair.

I know that's just the nail polish talking.

Tia, it's your long -suffering mother looking for her favorite blue scarf.

Blue scarf?

ask permission to borrow it so I can possibly have it.

Uh -huh.

Just like you didn't have my mood bracelet last week.

Every time somebody asked me how I was doing, all I could do was shrug.

Well, I'll just look for it after my toes dry.

Oh, Lord.

What's wrong?

Can't a person polish her nails without there being a crisis?

Well, a person could, but not you.

When you broke up with that Byron boy, you used so much nail polish, we had to

use paint thinner to take it off.

What's up?

If I tell you, Mom, will you promise not to get all upset and take over?

Tia, now, you know me.

I know.

Promise.

Okay, okay.

I thought I got a raise at work, but I didn't.

End of story.

That's a chapter one.

Lisa, Tia also found out that Clark is paying a boy more money than she gets.

We can't let that knucklehead get away with this. Where am I going?

Mom, you promised.

That was before I knew.

But I don't know why you guys are acting like this is some huge deal. Because

standing up for yourself is a huge deal, Tia. But I did stand up for myself.

It came down to my principles or my job.

Oh, well, then I see. So, well, what did you decide?

I decided it wasn't worth the fight, Mom.

You guys, it's just a little after -school gig.

Yes, and it was a little after -work bus ride that started the civil rights

movement when one woman refused to give up her seat.

But, Mom, I don't want to start a movement.

I just want to make smoothies.

I know, baby.

I know.

I also know where I can find my very, very wrinkled blue scarf.

Mom, I can't explain.

You make up a better lie, don't you? Girl, you better go get designed.

Go on.

Yes, ma 'am.

And while you're down there, you can tackle my three linen suits.

I like my tux nice and sharp.

It's not like to you to act like this.

No, but sometimes, baby, you know, it's easier to stand up for somebody else

than it is for your own self.

I know what you mean.

So, what do you say we go down there and kick Clark's butt?

What did you do, hit the mute button while I was talking?

We can't fight Tia's battles for her.

Oh, come on. Now, Tamara, I know you love her, but it's Tia's job, it's Tia's

decision.

You're not Tia.

No.

But I could be.

You're five minutes late. Sorry.

An employee can't clock out until you clock in.

Hi, Clark.

Tia.

You're an hour early.

You can't clock in until an employee clocks out.

Why can't you people get with the clock?

I'm early because I need to talk to you about my paycheck.

What about it?

I want a raise.

And I want to captain the Starship Enterprise.

I'm serious, Clark.

So am I.

Beam me up.

Scotty.

Listen, Clark, it isn't fair that Marshall makes more money than I do.

Didn't anyone ever tell you life isn't fair?

Well, you better recognize who you're talking to.

Sort of.

What I recognize is an employee with a serious attitude problem.

Change my salary, I'll change my attitude.

You're right.

Change is good. I think I will change your salary.

Starting today, you're fired.

I'm fired?

Whoa, that is a good one.

Stop it, you're killing me.

I'm glad you find unemployment so funny.

You actually thought I was Tia.

What? I'm not Tia.

I'm her twin sister, Tamara.

Oh, I get it. Twin humor.

Very funny.

You think so, Clark?

Clark? I'm not Clark.

I'm his twin brother, Mark.

You on your break?

Hey, Roger.

It's me, Tamera.

Man, you got a job at Booking Joe, too?

Dang, everybody's getting paid but me.

Hey, Roger. What's up, Tamera?

Hey, Diabian.

Hey, how'd you know she was Tamera?

Because I know my girl.

She's sitting here in Tia's uniform with Tia's name tag.

Now, she's obviously gone and done something stupid.

I just pretended to be... and got her fired.

That would be the stupid part.

You know, Samaria, your sister really loves that job.

What am I gonna do when she shows up for work?

Be killed.

Guys, come on. The movie starts in three minutes.

I'm not going, guys.

I'm in the middle of a crisis.

Girlfriend just got Tia fired.

Ooh, for real?

Well, I don't know about you guys, but as far as I'm concerned, if Tia isn't

working in here anymore, Clark can kiss my Mr. Pibb goodbye.

It's not like there's any cute guys who work there anyway.

Wait!

That's it.

What's it?

The way we can get Tia's job back.

We have to show Clark how much business he'll lose without her.

Hold up.

What's this we?

We? Us?

Me and you and my dearest friends in the whole...

Maddie does nice beating, doesn't she?

I can feel my prices going up.

You off to work already?

Yep.

I'm going in early to talk to Clark.

You are?

You know, I thought a lot about what you said, Mom, and I decided that it's time

that I sat in the front of the bus.

That's my baby.

To be honest, I'm starting to feel a little carsick.

Wish me luck.

Honey, you don't need luck. You got brains and courage.

Plus, that clock is a straight -up fool.

Bye, Mom.

Oh, bye.

Oh, shoot, I didn't do anything except raise one terrific daughter.

Ray, come on now. We're never going to finish if you don't stop.

Well, you can see I'm very generous with my overtime.

Talk about your job, Percy.

Oh, uh, hi, Lisa. We were, uh, just, um... Busted.

Actually, we were just gathering these invoices to take back to the office.

Well, no need to gather on my account. I got work to do out in my studio.

You got the whole place to yourself, so go ahead and romp. Be merry.

No, really.

I need to go over Ray's profit loss report for the last quarter.

Uh, right. We can get more work done at the office.

Oh, you need a bigger table?

No, really, we have a lot of work to get done. I'm sure you do.

Always nice to see you, Lisa.

Isn't it?

Don't be a stranger.

Toodle -oo.

Now,

there's a first. A woman more interested in business than pleasure.

Well, it is Ray.

Hello.

Are we going to get some service over here or what?

Tia was here. We never had to wait.

Okay, fine.

What do you want?

Tia, back on the job.

Ew, that's just nasty.

Taste it. Taste it. I'm not tasting that mess.

Will you two hold it down?

These smoothies are gagorific.

My sister made them way better than this. Well, your sister doesn't work

anymore. Then we won't be coming here anymore until Tia is back.

And what's up with the book section? I can't find anything over here.

You must be looking for the free books.

Why don't you try the library?

You need to get Tia back up in here.

Just tell me what you want. Tell me what you want. I told you what I want. Tia.

Tia!

I'll give you and the rest of the Rainbow Coalition to the count of three

out of here.

One, two... Okay, okay.

I see where you're going with this.

Three, right?

We out of here.

A little too much espresso. Makes them crazy.

Tia. Uh, you're early.

Great.

Uh, let's go shopping.

At another mall. Wait, wait, Tamara.

I don't have time.

Time? What is time?

Revolutions around the sun.

Hands on a clock.

Santa hourglass.

Tamera, what is up with you?

Go ahead, Tamera.

Tell her what's up. No, tell me later, you guys. I've really got work to do.

That's what she thinks.

But, Tia.

Clark, I need to talk to you.

Don't tell me. You're Tia, right?

Of course I'm Tia, and you're Clark.

Now that we all know who we are, there's something I need to say.

Well... I'm a little busy.

Oh, it won't take long.

Clark, I like working here.

And I do a really good job at it.

I deserve to make the same amount of money as the male employees make. And so

the rest of the female employees.

What's next? A chorus of I'm Every Woman?

You're going down.

I can't look.

Girl, you better look so you know when to bob and weave.

You don't get it, do you?

What you're doing is morally wrong.

How will I ever sleep tonight? I know, like this.

And more importantly, it's illegal.

Did you hear that?

Illegal activity going down.

Illegal? You know, men and women who do the same job should get the same pay.

It's the law.

Women up in here want to get paid.

Yeah, she's right.

Equal pay.

You're starting to disturb the customers.

I'm not disturbed.

Let the little lady talk.

Yeah. Yeah, we want to hear.

You tell him, girlfriend.

Testify.

Are you almost done?

Clark, I won't be done until you change your sexist policies.

If I have to, I will stand outside this store and tell every customer who comes

in here that you are an illegal...

thought, and effective immediately, Tia and all the other female employees are

going to get a raise. Okay? See what a nice guy I am? Give it up for me, huh?

Go, Tia!

Go, Tia!

Go, Tia! Go, Tia!

I'm so proud of the way you stood up for me, though.

Thanks, Tia.

Well, I guess this is a lucky day for both of you guys.

What is he talking about?

Girl, you know Roger Crizy.

Excuse me.

You got your job back.

Can you get to work, please?

Thank you.

Now, what's he talking about?

Girl, you know Clark crazy.

Now, um, you better get back to work before you get fired.

Even fair.

I know that it's just toenails.