Original subtitles

Throughout eternity, teenage daughters have gone out of their way to create an

identity separate and far, far away from that of their mothers.

The exception?

Those rare occasions where they're more like sisters.

Or dare I say it, friends.

Case in point, Kim Parker.

And her mother, Nikki Parker.

No, baby.

Maybe this is a mistake.

No, it isn't. You look good.

Good? Mama looks great.

I'm talking about this going back to high school situation.

I know I said I wanted to get my diploma and finish what I started, but maybe...

Maybe? Remember what you told me when I was nervous about my first day at high

school?

That you don't need a diploma to work at McDonald's?

No,

Mama. You told me to reach for my dreams.

I also told you to get good grades.

But some dreams you just gotta let go, baby.

Mama, I can't believe you.

The Parker women never let go.

As any man.

You're right.

I was just tripping.

Mama is getting her diploma.

that crunch all high. Well, baby, let's hope you are.

Gwen, I don't have time for you or your funky attitude.

I'm on my way to higher learning and a higher class of friends.

And after I went out of my way to bring you this expensive back -to -school

present. Girl, I take back what I said. You have class, you have me, muse.

and trade my pudding for anything in the world. Aw.

On a road paved with a daughter's love and encouragement, Nikki is about to

complete a journey that was interrupted some 18 years ago.

A journey that will earn both mother and daughter a diploma from the School of

the Bazaar, otherwise known as COIL. You know the rest.

You're going to be down tomorrow.

Nikki.

Honey, she's got that purple case with her.

I know she's going to try and sell me for more of that lady Egyptian makeup.

Oh, dear.

What are you doing?

Baby, I don't wear makeup.

Good morning, lady.

Oh,

my, my. Don't you two look... Don't they do?

I want to say thanks again for getting me back into high school.

She's just one class short of marching with the young and fine of 99.

Young and fine?

Not 99.

Time out, Mom.

Time out?

Oh, if he was mine, he'd be knocked out.

I'm afraid, Dad.

So am I, son. Let's go.

Joaquin?

Well, son, do you want to ride or do you want to eat?

I'm going to do both.

Bye -bye, Nicky. All right, Frank, see you later.

Dee, here you go. As a token of my gratitude, our latest pyramid fashion.

No more gratitude, Nicky.

Please, you've given me a chance to erase dropout from my resume.

The wine, the roses, the Jamaican masseur were quite enough.

That Adonis is cute, huh?

I can never understand a word he says, but, girl, I love the way he says it.

Hmm, yeah, man.

Him bring out the eyeliner on me.

Homeboy bring out the freaking me.

Ooh, I feel tense. I think I need a massage.

No, you need to see how the grown folks' business.

Because Mr. Fullmore will send you to my office.

Hold up.

Did you say Mr. Fullmore?

As in full of it, Fullmore?

John Fullmore is a wonderful teacher. He's head of the history department.

Well, Mr. Wonderful is the one who gave me the incomplete.

Did I also mention he's the only one with space in his class?

That's because he flunked everybody.

Now y 'all tell me.

Nikki, all you have to do is... Pass your final, and you'll get your diploma.

Hey, you've come full circle.

You got a second chance to face your demons.

Dee, cut the Shakespeare.

Are you going to get me out of Fulmore's class or not?

I've got to graduate this time.

Then I suggest you get to class.

On time.

You know what, Dee? I think we can work something out.

Go ahead, Dee.

Get what you want.

And the U .S. deployment of these missiles in Europe led to a Russian

Cuba, which ultimately precipitated the Cuban Missile Crisis.

With that in mind, now it's time for some fun.

Who can name the U .S.-supported invasion of Cuba during the Kennedy

administration?

Miss Parker?

You talking to my mama, right?

Mama.

Mama.

Bad pigs.

Oh, very good, Miss Parker. If you expect to pass this class, you'll have

give me more than the right answer.

Really? Oh, I understand you can go to jail for that now.

Very funny, Miss Parker, but you get an F for falling asleep.

the first person you put to sleep.

You know, I didn't like your attitude 18 years ago, and I don't like it now.

Oh, what's he going to do, call a parent -teacher conference?

Mr. Campbell, I'm sure I'll be seeing you again in 18 years, either here or on

America's Dumbest Criminals.

Okay, everyone take out a sheet of paper and put your books away. We're going to

have a pop quiz.

Don't thank me. Thank Miss Parker.

Again, you talking about my mama, right?

Let me tell you something, Mr. Fulmore.

Now, I was wrong for resting my eyes.

Sleeping. You call it sleeping.

I call it... Okay, sleeping.

But what you said to High King was uncalled for.

You have a chance to change lives.

But if that's not what you're about, go ahead.

Give us your little pop quiz.

Ooh, too far, Mama. Come back.

I'm the one you're mad at.

Yeah, give it to her.

Okay. Have it your way, Miss Parker.

But whatever grade you get, everybody gets.

What? It's family, girl. It's family.

Oh, it's family.

Woo -hoo!

Yeah, yeah!

Yeah, yeah!

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Check it out.

Look at you, already getting A. You know what? You get a free smoothie on the

house. Way in there. I got an A, too. Ooh, that's nice, boo.

Maybe she'll give you a sip of hers.

Lisey, you should have seen how my mama handled old man four more. Yeah, girl, I

heard. Nikki, can you come to my trade class? Because Mr. Chad is getting out

hand. I don't care if he runs amok.

Nikki don't do trade.

Lisey, orientation at Santa Monica College is next week. What are you

I think we should rock our future school colors.

Um, Kim, I'm not going to Santa Monica.

I didn't get in.

So, where are you going to school, niece?

Oh, I don't know, I mean, probably USC.

USC!

How'd you do that? Well, with a 3 .6 grade point average and 1 ,300 on my

How'd you do that?

You said your grades weren't good.

Yeah. Oh, well, you know, I just said that to fit in.

Look,

Niecy, I ain't mad at you. Because in two years, I'm going to be up in USC

getting my learn on, too. You know what I'm saying?

USC? Yeah.

If you don't learn to get your English on, you'll be in the USMC.

Oh, come on, Kim.

I mean, don't be mad.

It's not like I'm leaving town or anything.

We'll still be best friends.

Nah, my mama's my best friend.

Come on, Mama.

Don't worry, Niecy. She'll get over it. She just thought you would be there for

her in the fall.

But me, I'm proud of you. I always knew you were a little smart -ass.

Oh, Hakeem, we're in college.

Did you ever think we would make it? Yeah, I thought one of us would.

I knew you would make it too, Keeney.

You know, you need to work on yourself with Dean.

You matter. You're important. You're somebody.

Hey, beautiful.

Your block can go away.

Hey. Hey, my name is Terrell, better known as T.

Hey, T.

I'm Kim, better known as Kim.

The student union is starting to get together for all the prospective

tonight, so, uh...

Stop buying my band's plans.

We do a little old school mixed with new school and jazz, peppermint hip -hop,

and a dash of electronica.

You don't know what you're doing, huh?

So when does the party start?

When you get there.

I know that's silly. I mean, what time?

From 10 until we leave.

We?

Uh -uh. I'm here to broaden my horizon.

Open a new window. Not settle for the first guy that I meet in college.

So I'll see you tonight?

Okay.

Some college.

Oh, what do we have here?

Calculus? Too hard.

Physics? You're right.

Oh, black studies.

I am black.

Oh, and he is worth studying.

This is definitely the class for me.

Excuse you?

Are you talking to me?

Yeah, you just cut in front of me.

Shouldn't you be asking that question from behind me?

Well, excuse me, Miss Multicultural.

But if you must know, I wanted to take something that would widen my

of the world.

Why are you taking black studies?

Well, I wanted to take something I could pass.

Is that my mama?

Well, she certainly isn't mine.

Oh, Mama, really, why are you here?

Girl, I told you, I'm going to college. Where? Here. Here, where I'm standing

here? You gotta be quick, baby. They won't let you stay.

But why, Mama?

It's all part of my dream, baby.

Part one is passing Fulmore's class and getting my diploma.

Part two is going to college this fall.

I got part three. You change your mind and go somewhere else.

And leave my pudding here all alone and scared.

I wasn't scared until you showed up. And I'm not alone.

See, I made new friends.

Yeah, what are you doing? Just flow with the girl.

This is my friend, uh, Heather.

Stevie. Heather Stevie. See how Mama gave her two first names? Couldn't

Good morning, miss.

It's miss.

No rings, no commitment, no man.

Just miss.

So I guess I should check S under marital status. You can check it, circle

highlight it. You can even change it.

I'm scared to ask you this next question.

Name? Nicole Parker.

But you can call me Nikki.

So, Miss Parker.

Which black studies class would you be interested in? The civil rights

The media?

Literature? The media.

And we can start with the love scene from Mahogany. Then you can take me

straight to the shower scene from Stella.

Make me cry, professor.

Make me cry.

What?

Orientation was unbelievable.

College was just as I...

I'll be a new student just like you. But you're also my mother.

You don't have to remind me. How could I forget 27 hours of labor?

I thought you said 18.

That was just for your mouth.

in that child's future.

You need to step off and let Kim grow up.

Look at your time has passed, honey.

Just like Penny Candy and the Chicago Bulls.

Hey,

there goes your mama.

I thought you said she was sick.

says she made me see.

Just because you ticked off at your mom's, we were bouncing on a bus instead

leaning in the Lincoln?

It's the principal involved.

I had to put my foot down. I couldn't take it anymore. She never listens to

Haki. Haki?

Oh,

hey, um... Uh... Kim, you're Nikki's kid, right? Yeah. Yeah.

Gosh, I couldn't imagine going to college with my mom.

I couldn't imagine going to the mall with my mom.

But if she was as cool as Nikki, it'd be all right.

Okay.

See you later.

Hey, beautiful.

Hey, T.

Nice 40.

Oh, yeah.

Hey, y 'all, where's your mom?

You know what? Never mind.

There she is.

Hey, Nikki.

So, T, did you make that tape for me like you promised?

Right here, Nikki.

Now, you're putting my method man on there, right?

I even threw in a Tony Orlando and Don cut. I know how y 'all used to do it.

I never did it to Tony Orlando and Dawg.

Hey, Kim.

I've been looking for you, girl.

I don't know why. It looks like you're doing fine without me.

You know I'm not fine unless you are.

Then today's the worst day of your life, too?

Look, Kim.

Because you're here.

And I need you to help me get through this.

Hello, Miss Parker.

Hey!

He was talking to me. But he was looking at me.

Well, actually, I'd like to welcome both of you to Santa Monica College.

Oh, thank you.

I'll see you in the fall.

Oh, he's fine.

I can't wait till...

Now, come on.

Let's show these people how to fuck a woman 40. Oh.

Mothers and daughters.

Nothing can be further apart.

Nothing can be closer.

When you're living in the... Well, you know the rest.