Original subtitles

There's no place like home.

With your family around you, you're never alone.

When you know that you love, you don't need to roam.

Cause there's no place like home.

Times are changing every day.

We won't get by with those same old ways. No, no. Pulling together, we'll

it right.

With help from our friends, I know we can fly. But there's no place like home.

With your family around you, you're never alone.

When you know that you're loved, you don't need to roam.

Cause there ain't no place like. Better believe it. There ain't no place like.

Better.

There's no place like home.

I mean, no place, child.

Hey, friend, what took you so long?

Some of us have to walk home. Where were you? I would have driven you home.

Where would I sit in the glove compartment?

We would have squeezed you in. Or I would have thrown him out.

This sure is a beautiful car, Ron.

Thanks. Yeah, he's about due for a new one.

This one's almost out of gas.

Oh, look at that car.

Calvin, what are you doing in this car?

My friend Ron drove me home. Ron, this is my grandmother and Mrs. Jenkins.

Pleasure. Hi. Now I know where Brenda gets her good looks.

Well, thank you.

Hey, Pearl.

Did you hear that?

No, I'm checking out this car.

Sure is spiffy.

It's got a modular sound system, compact disc, cellular phone, rack opinion

steering, and mag rim.

What did he say?

He said it's perfect.

Hey.

Notice anything different about me? You got new tennis shoes.

Calvin, you didn't spend none of your college money, did you?

Grandma, all we got in my college fund is $16.

Well, I never said you was going to Harvard.

Ron bought them. They're $6 .99.

Those are good for $6 .99.

$6 .99 is the model number. They cost $75.

$75?

Child, for $75, you could have got two speedboats for your feet.

Honey, why did you want to give him some $75 tennis shoes?

I wanted to.

Calvin is my buddy.

Yeah, but that's a lot of money.

Oh, don't worry, Mrs. Jenkins. I can afford it.

Ron's got Uncle Roland in the door. Show him the watch.

He's got everything.

Stopwatch, Split Time, Greenwich Time, Luna Fade.

What did he say?

He said it's piffy.

I just like doing nice things for my friends.

And do you also have some reindeer and a place at the North Pole?

I just called you Santa Claus.

By the way, Brenda, I'm taking Calvin to the Stevie Wonder concert if you'd like

to go with.

Stevie Wonder? I'm dying to see him. Mom?

Brenda, we'll talk about it later, okay? Don't you have some homework?

Oh, Mom.

Well, let me know.

Hey, Ron, how about some ice cream? I'm buying. Sure, why not?

Nice meeting you.

You know, Pearl, I don't know if I'd let Calvin keep those shoes.

It's too late now.

After they've been on those feet, ain't nobody gonna take them back.

Afternoon, ladies.

Hello, Sandra.

Oh, what a cute... car.

Well, it's got all the accessories.

Well, the only accessory it needs is an owner who's single and available.

Oh, he's single and available.

Ooh!

He's also about 17.

Ooh!

Anyone under 21, I throw back.

Well, you're on your way now, honey. Oh, I have a date with a new man in my

life, Jeffrey.

I'm meeting him at the country club. We're gonna play tennis.

Not dressed for tennis.

Oh, good!

You know this.

I hope he will.

He's in all kind of sports. Took me bowling last night. I threw the first

in the street.

You mean in the gutter? No, out in the street. My ball ended up on Pennsylvania

Avenue.

He wants to teach me golf, racquetball, all that stuff.

Well, what's wrong with that?

The side effects.

What side effects?

Muscles.

I hate muscles. I had a muscle once. I stayed in bed for a week till it went

away.

You know, he's wonderful, but if I could just... get him into some healthier

things. Like what?

French restaurants, nightclubs, department stores, you know.

Uh -huh.

Well, I better be going.

You sure he's only 17?

Uh -huh.

Early 17 or late 17?

Never mind.

Mom, have you thought about Stevie Wonder yet?

Stevie Wonder? I'm still thinking about Nat King Cole.

Come on, Mom. You know what I'm talking about.

Brenda, you are too young to date.

This isn't a date. A date is one boy and one girl. This is two boys.

If it was two boys and two girls, it would be a double date. But it's two

and one girl. So it's not a double date or a date. It doesn't even have a name.

Are you saying that two boys are safer than one?

Yes. Then you are definitely not ready to date.

Mom, do you know how hard it is to get tickets? I don't care, Brenda.

You barely know the boy.

Hey, hey. Can I appeal to a higher court?

Go ahead.

Daddy. Did your mother say no?

Yes. Then the answer is no.

Some higher court.

Now that I've rendered my decision, is this something I want to know about?

Daddy, I have a chance to go to the Stevie Wonder concert with Calvin and

Who's Ron?

Calvin's friend. He's nice and everybody likes him, Daddy.

They sure?

The way he throws money around.

Ron has money?

Hey, baby, we might reconsider this.

Our daughter isn't getting any younger.

Actually, it's his uncle's money. Ron just spends it for him.

He's a nice enough boy, but I don't like the way he tries to buy friends. Oh.

Well, that's not fair. You ought to get to know him first. How about inviting

him to dinner some night?

Well, maybe we'll do that some night.

How about tonight?

Tonight? Daddy, Mom hasn't said no yet.

What's the big rush?

You gotta like him before the concert.

Well... Daddy, please.

All right, all right.

Thanks, Daddy. I'll go tell him.

So I gave in. It'll pay off on Father's Day.

The coach had the football team practicing until dark, and Ron bought 20

for them. They made him captain of the team.

Couple more practices like that, and they're going to have to change the name

the team from the Bobcats to the Hippos.

Oh, that reminds me, Mrs. Jenkins.

The hippos remind you of me?

No, I just want to thank you for your hospitality. And to show my

I ordered you a gift. It's just a cake plate.

Oh, you shouldn't have done that.

That's the way Ron is.

Speaking of Stevie Wonder... Uh, were you speaking of Stevie Wonder?

No, were you speaking of Stevie Wonder?

Who was speaking of Stevie Wonder?

Okay, I was.

Would you like to hear his latest album?

Yeah. Okay, I'll get it.

Uh, Ron, now that Brenda's gone, there's something I'd like to ask you.

Yes, Mrs. Jenkins.

Um, I know we don't know you very well. Hey, that's okay.

I understand.

You do?

Yeah, sure. This happens to me a lot.

How much do you need?

Fifty? A hundred?

Put that money back in your pocket. I take care of this family.

Hey, I was just trying to... Buy friendship?

I wasn't trying to buy your friendship.

Well, that's the way it comes off.

And you don't need to do that.

Now look, you're a nice young man, and people will like you for yourself if you

just let them.

Yes, ma 'am.

I couldn't find my album.

I must have left it at Tiffany's. I bet she's gotten peanut butter all over it.

I can get another one at the concert, if I go.

That's what's wrong with me.

Mary, she can hardly move.

I had to help her up the stairs.

That Jeffrey insisted I play.

Every bone hurts, every muscle hurts. My fingernails hurt, and you know they're

not even mine.

Mary, do you have any liniment?

I'll see what I have.

But nothing that smells like a locker room or a hospital.

I'm sorry, but Gucci doesn't make liniment.

You'll be okay, Sergeant. You just used some muscles you never used before.

And I'm never going to use them again, either.

I'll put them in storage.

The worst thing was the ball kept hitting me in the eye.

Well, how did that happen?

Serving. Every time I threw the ball up, I swung, I missed, and the ball hit me

in the eye.

That sounds painful.

Who's this?

Miss Clark, this is Ron. Ron, this is my Aunt Rose. Hi. How do you do?

Hi.

My teeth hurt.

I didn't have any liniment, but you're welcome to use this heating pad. Oh,

thank you. Oh, Rose, would you help me up to my apartment, please? Oh, of

I will.

Come on. I guess this is the last time you'll be seeing that Jeffrey.

Are you kidding? He owns a yacht. He's taking me to his club tomorrow.

What club?

Well, we're going to the ocean. Must be one of those fancy beach clubs.

It's called the Polar Bear Club.

Isn't that the club where the folks jump in the freezer and walk? Yeah, I didn't

have the heart to tell her.

Well, I better be going. I have homework and I hate getting behind.

Would you say that again, please?

Louder. Please.

Good night, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins. Night, Ron. Good night. I'm going to walk them

to the door, okay, Ma?

Okay.

I hope I see you in school tomorrow.

I do, too.

Thanks for inviting me to dinner.

Oh, this is for you.

Oh, I couldn't. My parents would have a fit.

Then just wear it for me.

Inside, next to your heart.

Good night.

Good night.

Is that Ron?

Yeah, and look what he gave me. Oh, it's beautiful.

Ma, I don't think I should wear it yet. Well, can I wear it? No.

I don't want my mom to know about this until I have a chance to talk to her. So

don't say anything, okay?

Hey, I won't say anything.

Not even if they torture me. Please let me wear it for a minute, Brenda, please.

Okay, okay.

This was made for me.

Brenda? Oh, hi, Tiff. Hi, Mrs. Jenkins.

Where did you get that?

Hey, I didn't do anything. See, Ron gave it to Brenda, and I was just trying it

on.

They really had to torture you for a long time, Tiff.

I'm sorry I break under pressure.

I told him I didn't want to take it. But you took it.

I don't know what's wrong with that boy. I just got through talking to him about

buying friendship.

You know, there's something not right about this whole thing.

Sorry I'm late, man. I had to help my grandmother with the laundry.

You ready?

Well, my man, actually... Hey, you better be ready, man, because I'm taking

to the hoop.

I can't, Calvin. Something came up.

I just dropped by to ask a favor.

Hey, sure, anything for you.

But you need me to drive your car around for a few days? Nah, man, actually,

yeah. Uh -huh, I know.

There's this fine chick at school that won't take no for an answer, and you

me to take off your hand. Not quite. Hey, we came to the right man, because

Calvin's my name and heartbreak's my gang.

Hey, man, forget the choice.

How would you like to make a quick 50?

50 bucks? Yeah, what do I have to do? See, I was supposed to meet a guy here,

but I have to run some errands for my uncle. So all you have to do is meet

guy and give him this.

All I have to do is give him this and I get 50 bucks? Yeah. His name is Tony,

tall and skinny, about 19.

He'll be looking for you. What's in it?

Hey, man, what are you worried about?

It's no big thing.

50 bucks just for doing that?

Sound like a Miami Vice drug dealer. Hey, man, get serious.

I mean, do you want the 50 or don't you?

Sure, man. Well, then don't sweat it, though, man.

Hey,

you're doing this for me.

We'll get on the court tomorrow, okay? All right.

Later.

Sure.

Mary. Get in here, Calvin.

Grandma. Don't grandma me.

What's the matter, Pearl?

We have a little problem about where Calvin's going to spend the next few

Oh, is that all? There's lots of good colleges around.

Yeah, and there's also Joliet, Sing Sing, and San Quentin.

What are you talking about?

Turn your head, Calvin.

Look at this.

What is it? A thousand dollars, that's what.

Lord, where'd it come from?

Tell her, Calvin.

Well... It came from some kid named Tony.

Tell her what he gave you the money for.

Well... For handing a package to him for his friend, Ron.

Tell her how much he gave you to do that.

Well, he... Fifty bucks.

For standing on the corner like a dummy and handing a package to another dummy.

Now don't you feel better since you got that off your chest?

Of course you do.

Drugs. That's what it was.

Grandma, we don't know that for sure.

What did you think was in that little thousand dollar package?

A Twinkie?

Are you telling me that Ron is selling drugs?

He sure is.

Calvin, you were helping him? No, I was just doing him a favor. I didn't know

what was in the package.

You mean you didn't want to know what was in the package?

But when I saw the money, I brought it right to you, didn't I? Well, that's the

only smart thing you've done today.

I guess I just didn't want to believe the wrong with Dylan.

Well, that certainly explains all that money.

Well, what do we do now?

Well, the first thing we ought to do is make sure his folks know about this.

What about the money?

Turn your head and put in a safe place.

Nobody ever looks in there anymore.

I'm Mrs. Jenkins. Miss Davis? Yes.

Come in, please. Have a seat.

Thank you.

You say this has something to do with my son?

Yes. Is your daughter pregnant?

No. Good.

Look, I'm not here about my daughter.

I came to talk about your son.

What about my son?

Well, for starters, he's giving out expensive gifts.

I can't allow my daughter to keep this.

Do you have a rich uncle in your family?

Rich uncle?

Oh, sure.

And I just clean other people's houses for the fun of it.

Then I don't know how to tell you this, but... Well, I think Ron is dealing

drugs.

Woman, are you crazy? My son isn't selling drugs. I raise all my children

I know it's hard to believe. And I don't believe it. Not Ronald.

Then how do you explain all this money he's throwing around?

He's got a job. Honey, he would have to have seven jobs to pay for that

expensive car he's driving.

Oh, shoot.

Is that what this is all about?

That car belongs to his friend Calvin.

He's just keeping it while Calvin's traveling in Europe.

Calvin in Europe?

Honey, the furthest Calvin has ever been is Baltimore, and that's because he

fell asleep on the bus.

Now you're calling my son a liar. Now, wait.

I don't want to fight with you.

I'm a mother, too, and it's obvious to me that you don't know what's going on.

No, you don't know what's going on.

There's a drug meeting at the old church on Youth Street tonight, and we're all

going.

I think you should be there.

And I think that you should mind your own business.

When your son starts selling drugs in front of my building and using our kids

do it, it is my business.

You rich ladies think you have the right to just button anybody's business.

Rich ladies?

Look at you. You're either rich or going to a funeral.

But if I'm going to a funeral, maybe it's yours because you sure are burying

your head.

Well, I can't believe it. That nice boy...

Standing out in front of our building selling drugs?

But Ron's cool. It's got to be a mistake.

It's not a mistake, Tiffany. Ask Calvin.

Mom, you can't be sure.

Calvin never even looked in the package.

For which he got $1 ,000?

Grow up, Brenda.

I still think you shouldn't have called the police.

I mean, you don't have proof.

Calvin's wrong half the time. And confused the other half.

Tiffany, this is serious. And you are being very flip about it. You too,

Mom, everybody knows about drug dealers.

They're all over the school.

Yeah, well, I better not ever catch you near one.

Mom, you know me better than that. They have their group and we have ours. Yeah,

this is Kidma Algebra class. Everybody knows he deals.

He's kind of cute, too.

Tiffany!

We don't have anything to do with them. I mean, they just do their thing and we

just... Look the other way.

Mom, what do you want us to do? We can't go around telling on them. I mean, you

just don't do that.

Brenda, we're not talking about little kids and tattling.

We're talking about responsibility and life and death.

Sandra!

What happened?

Mary!

Why did you tell me the polar bear club was where people jump into the ocean

when it's a thousand degrees below zero? They're crazy!

Then you should have felt right at home.

It's not funny, Mary.

I came that close to being a popsicle.

I sprained my ankle.

You sprained your ankle jumping into the ocean?

No, afterwards, when he took me skydiving.

You jumped out of a plane?

Are you serious?

He took me at 5 ,000 feet, went to the door with his parachute and said, follow

me. I said, follow this.

Where did you come by for?

I was wondering, can I... Can I keep your heating pad a little while longer?

know the minute I defrost, my ankle's gonna start killing me. Oh, sure, go

ahead. Oh, thank you.

Well, I gotta go now. I gotta return these crutches to the nice man I

them from.

Well, Sergeant, how far do you have to go?

Across the street. He's leaning against the tree.

Hey, Calvin.

How's it going?

All right.

Hey, uh, did you open that package?

No.

Good.

Anyway, where's the envelope Tony gave you?

I don't have it.

What?

Mrs. Jenkins gave it to the police.

That's why the police are checking my place?

You better come up with my money, man, because you owe me.

And look, man, I don't owe you nothing.

You left me hauling your drugs. I could have been busted.

I thought you were my friend. Hey, forget you, man. I don't have friends.

I have customers.

And you were just another sucker I used, and all it cost me was some chunk

change and a pair of sneakers.

Here's your sneakers.

Now, why don't you just sneak your butt on out of here? Hey, man, no sweat.

See, I got a deal cooking tonight that's gonna make me so much money, I'll be on

a yacht in the Bahamas.

You ain't nothing, man.

If I ever get you around this building or Brenda again, you just get ready to

throw down, chump.

My name is Alice, and

I'm an addict.

I used to steal from my parents for just one more hit off that pipe.

I broke up our home, destroyed their marriage.

I mean, I lost everything.

I joined the program about a year ago.

If I hadn't, I wouldn't be alive today.

We're glad you are. Here, here.

Well, I guess you can tell there's a war going on here.

And if we're going to win it, we have to start with the kids.

I'm listening.

I'm listening too.

We're not just talking about listening.

We're talking about doing something.

We know.

You know, this is a terrible thing to say, but nowadays we have to be careful

who our friends are.

One thing is to not pick your friends by the kind of car they drive.

Or to go ape when they buy you tennis shoes.

Sit down.

How about accepting a gold chain from a guy you hardly know?

Or being a dope, delivering dope for a dope.

Okay, Grandma, I made a mistake.

Didn't you ever make mistakes? No.

Oh, well, if I did, I'm too old to remember.

Sorry I was late. I went to the wrong church. They had a wedding, so I stayed

for the cake.

Listen, everybody.

What we need to do is put the spotlight on these pushers.

That's right.

You know, either they don't know or they don't care what they're doing to

people. And it's getting so, I'm getting afraid to send Tiffany to school.

I'm not afraid of them.

Well, I am.

I'll tell you another thing.

Drugs and men don't mix.

I just say no.

To men or drugs?

To drugs.

I try saying no to men, but I can't kick that habit.

Well, if I catch any of those pushers around our place, it's over for them.

Well, I got a baseball bat that would give them a downer they will never

The sad truth is, if it weren't for customers, there would be no pushers.

right. Now, how do we get the public to believe how bad this is?

I believe it.

I just found out that my son, Ronald, was dealing drugs.

That mess was in my house.

I just refused to see it.

He even had my 10 -year -old delivering for him.

And near as the police can tell, my son, Ronald, was...

Dealing with a junkie tonight who probably didn't have enough money, so

figure he just took the drug.

After he stabbed my son to death.

I got three other kids at home I have to worry about.

And I don't know what to do.