Original subtitles

Hey, Brie Brie, what you doing, baby?

I'm watching Faith the Last Dance.

Now, you watched that movie a hundred times since that Tracy boy broke your

heart. But, Daddy, this movie is about true love.

I mean, just look.

Look at Julia Stiles' face and how those freckles are almost bleeding with

tears.

Oh, I wish I could do that.

Oh, no, sweetie, you're a great actress.

You act like you can't clean the bathroom every time I ask you.

Well, what if I don't want to be real?

What I want is to wake up and see my mom again.

For things to go back to the way they were.

My life made sense.

But it's not going to happen. It's all my fault. All of it.

Go ahead. Say a line, Daddy.

What's your fault?

I mean, I really could feel that.

I could see your mom now getting scraped off the highway.

Now that's worth $8 .50.

$3 .50?

Senior citizens, I'm sorry.

to show you some of the pretty new school clothes I picked up for you.

You bought me two of those, Grandma?

No, four. It was two for Dan Tarjay.

What school am I going to?

The Stevie Wonder School for the Blind?

Okay, well, that leads me to why I'm here.

Flex, Brianna is my only grandchild. I need to know where you are on the school

search. It is registration week.

Relax, Ma.

Your son has done his homework.

Now, I've narrowed it down to three private schools.

Grandma, will you talk to him? He keeps talking private school. I want to go to

public school.

Well, obviously, your father has given up on public schools.

Now, why would I settle for Della Reese when I can have Halle Berry?

First of all, son, you could never have Halle Berry.

And secondly, I've been teaching in public schools for 32 years. You can't

up on them.

Daddy, I've done the private school thing, and I hated it.

Everybody was the same, upper middle class.

Names like Chad and Abigail.

I mean, it wasn't no pokies in sight. Daddy, I want to go to school with

Sweetie, now your mother and I have both discussed this, and we feel this is the

best thing for you. Kids in private school have the highest test scores, are

highly motivated teachers.

and they have the highest percentage of graduating seniors. The only thing high

in public schools are the students.

Well, you make a good point about that, son. We don't need another junkie in the

family. Tell Wilfred I want my VCR back.

Do I need to remind you that you are a product of the public school system?

Hold on now, Ma. I had to go to McKinley High. We didn't have the money.

Sure we did. How do you think we bought all that new furniture?

McKinley is a magnet school now with a wonderful performing arts program.

I've been telling Daddy I wanted to be a famous actress.

What kind of future is there in acting?

Daddy, I can sing, I can dance, I can rap. I'm going to be the next J -Lo, but

you can call me B -Lo, though.

You know.

You can call me No -No, you know.

Because I'm still not convinced.

But Daddy, look, you pursued your dream of making it in the NBA.

Yes, but when I blew out my knee, I still had my communications degree to

back on. But you lived your dream. Let me live mine.

Flex, at least check the school out before you make a decision.

Okay, here's what we'll do.

We'll go see McKinley High, only if you agree to visit the private schools of my

choice.

Deal.

Oh, yeah, and one more thing.

Do you have the receipts of these dresses, Grandma?

Because they're so pretty, I can't wear them to public school.

This is crazy.

This is a rap concert or a high school.

Oh,

girl, this

place is hot. It's like Beverly Hills 90210, except on BET.

They look older than we did.

Man, doesn't he play for the Ravens?

I still don't have that much facial hair.

Man, everyone is still taller than me.

So, Brianna, are you signing up to audition today?

I have to audition?

Yeah, we all did. Look at the classes I signed up for this semester.

Music theory?

History of jazz?

In the films of Spike Lee? Mm -hmm. That's the easy act. Yeah, just blame

white man at the end.

Hey, this school is dope. I am definitely coming here.

Oh, I'm sorry about that. Oh, don't.

Hey, money, that's some nice little FUBU jackets you got on.

Oh, good looking out, man. Yeah, I get a lot of compliments on it.

FUBU, for us, by us.

So, technically, that's our jacket.

Technically, it's for me, bought by me, and will be defended by me till the end.

So, don't let these two gray hairs fool you.

Know what I'm saying there?

shout it so uh get to stepping go on all y 'all get to stepping

don't brush me don't brush me somebody

better call the mental institution because your body

is driving me crazy well i guess i better get some insulin because i was

too sweet

You better get you some glasses and act like you see me standing here.

I've seen enough. Come on. But, Daddy... Daddy,

why do I have to wear this dress?

I look like Little Orphan Annie.

Uh, well, that would be more like Little Orphan Anna Mae.

Sweetie, just hang in there. The sun will come out tomorrow.

Flex. I would like you to meet the headmistress of Mount Eden, Stephanie

Braxton. Hello, it's very nice to meet you. And this is my lovely daughter,

Brianna. A pleasure to meet you, Brianna.

She'll be a valuable asset to your school. She's a scholar.

Say something smart, baby. I want to go home now.

And she can say that in 16 different languages.

Brianna Barnes, but I watch you on television. Your name is Flex

Flex Washington is a pseudonym.

Barnes just sounds like slow country folk.

Hi, I'm Brittany. This is Sasha and Captain Rose.

We're here to tell you everything you want to know about this school.

First, we're here to get your fake IDs.

Why would I need a fake ID?

How's he getting to college parties? This is a very disciplined environment.

It's not the party atmosphere you find in the public schools. We offer the best

of everything.

We have the best hackers in the country. We can get the SAT test for 2002, 2003,

and 2004.

And if you get a headache, we can get the best prescription medication and HMO

combined.

I'm sorry, but I don't do that.

Trust us, you will.

Trust me.

You will not regret sending your daughter here. We have one teacher to

five students. And our kids test in the top 5 % in the SATs. I mean,

that's unheard of. Even my daughters are kicking butt here, okay? And I never

really thought they were that smart.

And they're always just so up and perky.

Hey. I'm sold. There's nothing like a high -achieving perky kid. Well, good.

We would love to have Brianna here at Mount Eden.

What got us in? Was it my charming personality or her stellar academic

Your fat paycheck, flat -out.

Well, here's my fat deposit, flat -out back at you.

It was just a little preppy prank.

I mean, that school was wonderful. I wish I could go there.

Wolfgang Puck cooks lunch every Tuesday.

Dad, it isn't fair. You promised.

I promised you that we would check out McKinley, which we did. I promised you

that we would check out Mount Eden, which we did. And I also promised you

make a decision, which I did.

Wait, how come I didn't get any say -so in this? Because I'm the daddy, and I

makes all the money.

Okay, I figured something would happen like this. That's why I called for

backup.

Okay, baby, now calm down.

Grandma's here to help you. And as usual, Grandpa's along for the ride.

Flex, why didn't you talk to Brianna before you handed that woman a deposit

check? Listen, Mom, this is the best education. $20 ,000, goodbye.

$20 ,000? Did you know that boy made that kind of money?

Listen, Brianna, this is the most important decision I've ever had to make

you, and it'll affect the rest of your life.

Exactly. My life. My decision.

She has a point, son. Be careful. We're getting close to retirement. We should

be on his side.

Daddy, I have dreams.

I want to be an entertainer. I want to give myself to the crowd.

I want to make people laugh and cry.

I want to hear the French people screaming my name.

Brianna! Brianna!

Oh, but McKinley can help me do that.

Listen, sweetie, I just don't want you to grow up and regret this decision.

decision. And anyway, you have to audition.

Are you ready for that?

Oh, I was born ready.

So what you going to do? I'm going to sing.

Oh, what are you going to do? I'll check this out then.

sweetie.

And if you get in, Daddy will be your biggest supporter.

Yes, I will.

Well, thanks, Daddy. When I get my Grammy, I'm going to give you a little

special shout -out. You know.

Well, right now, I'm at the Cosford and Arnaz to tell them the good news.

Sweet Naz on a chalkboard. The child is horrible.

You know what?

Dad, I hate winning this way, but at least it's not me being the bad guy.

I mean, she may fail that audition, but she'll pass the FAT.

You are right.

You won the day.

You are a good son.

I didn't know you made that much money.

Sister, you can't sing.

Aren't I?

I think you're cute.

This is what happens when you're trying to go to the top. People always try to

bring you down, but you know what? Ain't nobody, nobody bringing me down because

I'm going up, up to the top, and y 'all just stay here.

Mm -hmm.

Mm -hmm. You tell them, baby. Listen to your Uncle Dwayne. Go after whatever it

is you want to do or die trying. I will.

Don't worry.

Okay, right now, I'm about to go pick up my... that I'm aware for my audition.

So if my friends would like to join me in my dressing room... Claim it, girl.

Claim it.

Arnett?

Yes, sir.

See y 'all later.

I'll tell you one thing.

My Brianna sure is determined.

Then why are you so against her going to McKinley?

First of all, I'm not sure she'll get the best education there.

And you heard my baby sing. She sounds like a sack of drowning cats.

You know what? When I was her age, I, too, had a dream. Mm -hmm?

To perform with the Dance Theater of Harlem.

Yeah.

Dwayne, you're a used car salesman.

The most graceful one on the lot.

Would you like to buy a Toyota?

facing a dream of celebrity, replete with autograph signing and the coveted

spot on Soul Train.

Get out!

This program is for true artistes, not some video dancing hoo -hahs.

Man, we just been tired.

I'm having mixed emotions.

I'm here to comfort her, but deep down inside, smells like victory.

Talk about your dreams and be real like Julia.

I could do something else. I'm like J -Lo. I can act, too.

I'll be the judge of that.

but you tore that thing up.

We'll find a place for you in the drama department.

We just won't put you in any musical.

Oh, that's my baby. That's my little girl. I'm so proud of you.

Next up, Regina Carter. So, can I go here, Daddy?

You're not worried about all the metal detectors and the scary but cute boys?

I'll be worried about some of the neighborhood kids they let in here, but

belong in this performing arts program.

I'll just have to put you in a self -defense class on the weekend. What up?

Thanks, Daddy.

So, uh, can we put that $20 ,000 towards some voice lessons?

Oh, I think that would be money well spent.

And who better to teach her than former concert baritone Dwayne Odell Knox?

Love you too, Netta.