Original subtitles

I was one of the millions

Making anxious decisions

Looking for a remedy

Couldn't find a solution

And I was one of the people

Looking for every signal

Trying to find a memory

Of a time it was peaceful

Some people hate, some people lie

Some people love To see a grown man cry

I made mistakes in like a million ways

All that I did, I didn't waste my time

'Cause I know I'd never trade my life

Maybe you laugh But in your room, you cry

All from a distance, love is missing

Fighting for a chance, I said

Hold on...

Mm-hmm. Hmm.

I said hold on, you better hold on

It's gonna find you It's gonna find you

It feels right now, ready to fight now

I'm moving in now I'm breathing out now

I'm releasing this inhibition

I got advantage, no need to panic

You need reminding, let me remind you

You're gonna find it It's gonna find you...

Hey.

Oh. Glad you early, so I can get out of here and get my kids.

Yeah, I told you I would be.

Child, half the folks around here lie.

So you know, just about what, six months?

Five.

I'll do you the same favor.

Yeah, I'mma hold you to that.

You ain't showing at all. Girl, watch that book!

Louis is around here. And you know he want you paying attention.

Especially 'cause these gangs, they are at it this week.

I got it. Thanks.

But I do like you trying to, you know, better yourself and shit.

Going to nursing school, though!

That's if I get a student loan. You know I can't afford this.

Oh, and that's for you, from inmate White.

A little creepy if you ask me.

I was gonna throw it out, but it's kinda good.

So after you look at it, throw that shit away.

- I'll see you tomorrow. - Yeah, see you tomorrow.

Bye, girl. Goodnight.

Lights out!

Officer Wilson,

I'm getting an indication that cells 9, 12, and 18 are showing open.

Looks locked up to me. Going to check.

We have an inmate choking in cell 5. Open cell 5!

That is a no-go. I can't open it. We've got three other cells showing open.

Kid, open the fucking cell!

I'm not getting written up 'cause we have another damn inmate

not getting medical help.

Now open it, now!

I'm sorry, sir. Protocol says--

They ain't gonna say I didn't take care of this son of a bitch. Open 5!

Officer Shane, I can't do that.

- Something seems wrong. - I'm your supervisor!

You want this damn job, open the cell before he dies!

Now, open it!

It just started showing open.

It's not open, damn it!

Damn! Shit!

Uncle Tom-ass nigga.

You dead, motherfucker!

Open up the fucking door!

Open the door, man! Open the--

- Open the door! - Bitch, pick up the phone and he's dead.

- Don't do it! - Shut the fuck up.

Open this motherfucker up!

This is Anika Morrison.

Two guards have been taken hostage by inmates.

I am on Block B.

Hey! He got the damn keys on his hip.

Two guards down. An inmate is trying to get into the booth.

I got the keys. Come on. Come on, open this fucker up!

He's in the booth.

No, please, I'm pregnant!

- Put her on! Clear the desk! - No, please! No!

Let's go. Put her on it, put her on it right now.

No! No!

- No. - Hurry up, nigga. I want my turn!

- Hurry up! - Talk that shit now.

- I didn't-- No! No! - Hurry up.

Let's go. The fuck?

No!

No, no!

No!

I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise!

I want that bitch, come on!

You have to share her! Come on.

Help me!

Anika! Help me!

Anika!

Get out of that motherfucking cell!

Help! Help!

- Almost there. Come on. - Push!

Push, girl, push!

- She says push! - Push, girl!

- One big one! One more. - Almost there, almost there.

- There you go! - Oh, my God!

It's a girl!

Oh, my God!

Oh, look at that head! Oh!

Aw!

Take a good look! This is your baby!

Right now? No. Damn!

You joke!

Coming in here with that dumbass mama.

Sick and tired of them.

Was that Randy?

Yeah.

- Did he see the baby? - Anika.

He came here to get a DNA test. He didn't come here to see the baby.

Came here like he's 5 with his damn mama.

I almost slapped her ass. Talking about, "That's not his child."

- "He ain't gonna take--" - Okay.

- He wasn't gonna! - Okay, Trina.

What?

This girl is barely making it already.

I gotta take care of her and Mama,

and now I got another mouth to feed along with Mama's bills!

I'm just-- It's just a lot, okay? I'm not rich, you guys.

We're all gonna pitch in. Everything's gonna be all right.

Anika, you need to make better choices in men, okay?

If he ain't got nothing, then he don't deserve none of your time.

- Trina, damn! Stop! - How many times I gotta tell her?

- This can wait. - Lisa!

Okay. All right. A'ight.

You ready?

Nia, who's that?

Who's that?

- Say, "Hi, Grandma." - Mmm.

Say, "Hi."

Oh.

Is this too low for you?

I'm sick, I ain't dead.

Yet.

Stop saying that, please.

Oh, I wish these folks would call me, give me my money.

You call that lawyer?

Yeah, I keep calling him. He don't call me back.

All right, I just changed her.

I left her bottles in the fridge. There's two in there.

She likes this ring when she gets fussy from teething.

I'll give it to her now.

- If you need-- - You think I can't take care of a baby?

After you and your sisters?

- That was a long time ago, Mama. - Oh, shut up.

Go on, get out of here 'fore you be late.

At least now, you can help out with some of these bills.

Matter of fact, they right there on that table.

Go on, pick out. See which one you can pay.

Tired of hearing your sister bitch and moan

every time I ask her for something.

Don't I know it?

All right. Uh, I'll come and check on you. Love you.

Love you too, babe.

How the hell am I supposed to get a cosigner?

Hi, Anika.

Well, I'm hoping this is you.

Honestly, I have sent 34 letters

to every house in town with your last name.

So, if this is not you, please trash this letter.

But if by one-in-a-million shot that it is you...

Hello.

I don't know if you remember me.

My name is Carousel White.

I'm the guy that grabbed you and pulled you into my cell

during the riots last year.

I hope you don't mind me writing you.

The truth is, when I close my eyes,

I see you standing there, scared and broken.

I'm not expecting you to write me back, knowing what I'm in here for.

But if this is the right address and this is Anika,

I hope you're safe and happy out there.

Yo.

The thought of that kind of sets my mind free.

Hi, Carousel.

Thank you for writing me.

I have thought about you every day since I left the prison.

I wondered if you survived.

You seemed to be in pretty bad shape as I was being carried out.

You know, it's so crazy that you say that about when you close your eyes.

For a long time, I had nightmares about that day.

Actually, I still wake up at night in a cold sweat from time to time.

My heart races, and all I can see is you on that floor.

I'm so glad you're okay.

I've wanted to tell you thank you for saving my life

and quite possibly saving my baby's life as well.

I was pregnant at the time.

Thank God she's fine, and she's my everything.

I have to thank you for that.

Thanks for risking your life to save ours.

You will always be a hero to me.

I wish you all the best.

Whoo!

Wow. Your letter is full of surprises.

One is that I found you.

And secondly, that you would take the time to write me back.

Thirdly, I didn't know you had a baby. Congrats.

I know she is as beautiful as her mother.

Her father is a lucky man to have you both.

You see that?

I gotta say, it's really hard to hear you say I'm your hero.

Even after serving ten years,

it's kinda hard to see yourself that way,

when everyone in the world tells you you ain't shit.

He got no damn job. You ain't gonna...

But thank you for saying that.

No, I mean that.

Nobody else in there tried to help me.

You say you have 15 years and you served ten?

You look really young.

I was 14 and in a gang.

We robbed a liquor store and shot the owner.

Thank God he lived, but I got tried as an adult.

To answer your question, I'm 25.

But I'd rather talk about what it's like to be free out there.

A lot has changed in these ten years, I'm sure.

But thanks again for writing me.

I don't wanna make your man mad, so I can stop if you want me to.

You know, Carousel, some things have changed and some haven't.

You've mentioned my man twice.

Maybe you should just ask what you wanna know rather than assume.

Lights out!

But I'm single, and I'm gonna be single.

My baby's father don't want nothing to do with her or me.

So I'm just doing life as a single mother,

taking care of my baby and my mother as best as I can,

while working at a gas station.

Sounds like you're doing more than life.

You got your hands full, and a gas station is not so bad.

I would take that any day over this place.

I wanna thank you for telling me about your everyday life.

To be honest, though,

I was trying to see if you had a man.

Wasn't so slick, huh?

LOL.

As long as you know that I'm not interested

in having any kind of situation, especially with these circumstances.

And if my sisters or mother knew I was even writing a guy in prison,

they would have a fit.

I just need to be straight up with you. I don't want you thinking any different.

Thank you for being honest.

I get it, and I understand.

I'm in here, and you're out there.

But it's really nice to have you to write to.

I would always see you head down, reading a book,

and I would wonder what it would be like to talk to you.

What your world was like.

You may not know this, but...

I drew a picture of you when we met.

I sent it up to you,

but I'm sure they tossed it since it's contraband.

I wanted to give that to you

because sometimes, life in here could be a bitch.

But you were one of the few who smiled and helped me.

For a while, I thought it was all bullshit,

but it felt like you saw me.

Okay, so I did keep that contraband.

It was too good to throw away.

You're a really good artist.

And as for how I spoke to the other inmates,

you didn't miss nothing.

And I wanted to go to nursing school, but I don't have money for that.

It is what it is.

Stuck in this rat race,

I feel like I'm doing the same thing over and over and over again,

every day.

There's gotta be more to life than this.

Yes, I was nice to everybody,

but I may have smiled at you a little longer.

On another note,

I like the name Carousel White.

It sounds like you're supposed to be famous or something.

Not too sure about you saying that.

It's all relative, right?

Famous?

Nah.

But I do feel special being picked to write you these past few weeks.

I'm not sending mixed signals,

but it has been just as nice for me to have someone to talk to,

especially one I can't make a mistake with.

I haven't had good luck in relationships.

It's like I always pick the wrong guy.

So this feels safe for some reason.

You think we can get on the phone?

- It would be nice to hear your voice. - Hey, baby.

I'm sorry.

I'm not putting money on your books for a calling card.

I can't afford my own bills.

You know we barter in here.

I help some of these guys with their cases.

I could work out a phone card.

Sure. Let's talk.

Who is Carroosel White from a prison?

Uh...

I used to work with him.

Well, why he writing you?

Just to see if I'm okay, I guess.

Anika.

Anika, look at me.

I don't want you messing with none of these damn deadbeat-ass men.

I can't stand the thought of all my daughters ending up

with sorry-ass niggas like they daddies.

Ain't none of y'all daddies shit.

Now you already got one baby.

- Don't let these fools-- - Mama, I'm not. Okay?

It's just a letter.

I got most of what you needed,

but we gonna have to wait till next week to get the rest.

- Or ask Trina, I guess. - No.

No, don't do that.

Then I wake up and see Frustration tracing...

- Hey. - Hey.

What you want?

I was just on my way to work, so I wanted to stop by.

Why?

Do I have to have a reason?

I ain't got no money, girl.

Why is she like this with me?

You know your sister.

And she is on one today.

Did you get the student loan for nursing school?

I need a cosigner.

I know you wasn't about to ask her.

I'll see y'all later.

Bye.

What she want?

Girl.

Tell me.

She needs a cosigner for her student loan.

You see? See, her and these damn pipe dreams.

Didn't I tell her to come here and work for us and braid?

Did I not? But no.

No, she wants to... She wants to be a nurse.

I ain't signing for shit.

Thank you.

Have a good one.

This is a call from an inmate

at Holloway Correctional Facility.

Hi.

Hi.

How are you?

Obviously better than I ever been. I finally get to hear your voice.

Well, I'm a little raspy. I'm tired.

No, you sound great.

Thanks.

You sound different.

You mean 'cause I'm not screaming?

Yeah, that was a hard day.

Yeah.

But it's better now. What you up to?

I'm... at work.

Oh, I can call you another time.

No, um, it's okay. It's slow in here.

Good.

So you say you help guys with their cases.

So much time in here.

I spent a lot of time studying the law

and wrote some briefs to help some guys out.

Their lawyers were impressed.

Oh, that's great. So you wanna be a lawyer?

No. That ain't never gonna happen.

Yeah. Kind of like me with being a nurse.

No, no, no. Tell me.

White! Off the phone!

All right, I gotta go.

I'll reach out next time I can.

- Bye. - Bye.

Where the hell's my stuff?

The warden didn't like your paintings.

Yeah, he, uh, thought they were inciting violence on the block, so...

That's bullshit, man! You can't take my paintings.

Who can't? Look, they're gone.

You know, you oughta be grateful too.

He could take your books.

But you keep it up, and they're gone too.

Read up, lawyer.

All right! Lock 'em up!

Uh, hi.

Okay.

Yeah, I got you.

What's up? What you thinking--

You're talking to an inmate

from Holloway Correctional Facility. You have one minute remaining

on your call.

Oh, man, where does the time go when we're talking?

I know. Burning up money I don't have.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Are you kidding me?

I can't wait to see you.

You ever think about that one day?

Maybe you can come visit me.

Uh, Carousel,

I don't know anyone that I owe more to than you, but...

I don't ever want to go back to that prison again.

Not even for me?

Hello?

Hello?

Shit.

Hi.

Hi.

It's me. Carousel.

Yeah.

When did you get out?

Uh...

I got paroled two weeks ago.

Congrats.

Yeah.

I was gonna call you,

but they got a lot of rules and no privacy at this halfway house.

I just got a job, but I don't get my first check until next week.

I was gonna try to get a phone.

That's good.

- Yeah. - You live around here or something?

No, I'm staying over at the halfway house on Jefferson.

I know you're wondering why I'm here.

Uh...

Uh, I came by your house a couple times,

but I didn't have the nerve to knock.

Mmm, so today I got the nerve to do it, but then I saw you here.

Yeah. Uh, I don't think that would've been a good idea.

Yeah.

What would somebody think of an inmate knocking on your door?

You know, I thought I offended you when I said I wouldn't come to visit.

Nah.

I was sick because I didn't have another card.

But... I understood that.

Actually, I thought I offended you by asking.

Hmm.

Your eyes look so different without fear in them.

I hope that's a good thing.

It's a beautiful thing.

Speaking of beautiful,

this your baby girl?

Yeah, this is Nia.

She's beautiful like her mother.

I have to get her back home to my mother

'cause I gotta go to work.

Yeah.

Well, um, thanks for saying hi.

And I appreciate you not being creeped out.

If...

If you wanna wait,

I could drop her off to my mother and you could walk me to work?

I would love that.

Okay.

So you say you got a job?

Yeah. Uh, sanitation.

Why'd you say it like that?

I'm not complaining.

I'm doing whatever I gotta do to never go back.

'Cause this right here feels so good.

To be walking free like this with you.

After ten years, there ain't nobody telling you what to do no more.

I've never been an inmate,

but I do know how you feel 'cause of my mom and sisters.

I'm the baby, so they're really protective of me.

Yeah, well, they just looking out for you.

I wish that was all it was.

I'm not getting into that.

Um, my job is right here, though, so...

Well, I sure hope I can see you again.

Call me when you get that phone.

You'll be my first call.

Bye.

Bye.

I'm telling you, sometimes, uh, I have

my wife Denise follow me in my pickup truck.

Half of my house is decorated from the shit out there.

Rich people throw out some crazy shit. Let me ask you something.

When's the last time you had a home-cooked meal?

Man, it's been a while since I had some good food.

I ain't had a good meal since my grandmama died.

Okay, well, I like to know who I'm working with. All right?

So I'mma get you my address.

One day this week, I want you to stop by the house.

Let me tell you, my wife can cook now. She can burn.

She from New Orleans, baby.

- All right? - Yeah.

Yo, Terry! Let's go!

Make sure you hold on now. Do what I told you, all right?

Just hold on. Don't jump off till it comes to a sudden stop. You hear me?

Yes, sir.

Make sure you use your back.

Yeah, these cans will mess you up.

Hey! Nigga, you paying attention to what I'm saying?

- Yes, sir. - What are you doing?

Hey, nigga. Focus, all right?

- You good? - Yes.

- Keep your head on a swivel, right? - Yes, sir.

Hey, hey!

You gotta stay focused, yeah?

Hello?

Hey, as promised, you're my first call.

I see.

How does it feel to have a phone?

Uh...

I'm still trying to figure out how to work it.

But I figured out how to call you.

Um...

Uh, maybe you could show me?

Now, I know they taught you how to work that phone at that store.

But if this is your way of getting to see me, then...

I might be interested.

You're the only person I have to call.

You and my supervisor.

Yeah, I didn't wanna ask, but you don't have any family?

Um, it was just my grandmother and me.

But, uh, she died when I was in there. Couldn't even go to the funeral.

Wow. Um, I'm sorry.

Life, right?

My supervisor asked me if I wanted to come by tonight for a home-cooked meal.

He said I could bring somebody.

So, do you wanna come with me?

I can't move that easy. I have a baby.

Uh, bring her.

Did he say bring a baby too?

Uh, he's cool.

He'll be fine.

Are you sure?

Yeah. I wanna see you.

Oh, to learn how to work the phone, right?

Uh, y-- yeah.

And I feel good when I'm with you.

Can you try?

Okay, um...

Let me figure something out. I'll call you back.

I'll try to figure out how to answer it.

Okay. Bye.

Bye.

Here you go.

Oh, thank you, baby.

So, uh, I'm gonna take Nia to the fair.

You got money for that?

I got tickets from someone at work.

It ain't a man, is it?

Mama, you know I'm grown, right?

And living in my house.

No. It's not a man.

I just wanna take her to see the lights.

- Mmm. - We won't be gone long.

Uh, that's if you're feeling okay.

I'm fine.

Okay.

Ruler of my heart

Robber of my soul

Where can you be?

I wait patiently

My heart cries...

So, how is it?

Mmm.

I ain't never had nothing this good.

- Thank you. - That's that New Orleans, baby.

Mmm.

Uh, so, please, finish telling us how you two met.

Mmm. He tried to play me.

Now you know I've always loved you.

I had to teach him how to love me.

So, how'd you two meet?

Oh! This look like this gonna be good.

- Um... - I'll let her tell you.

He's too busy stuffing his face.

- Right. - Right.

Uh, I worked at Holloway Correctional, and there was a riot.

Um, I was about to be...

Um, he grabbed me, and he hid me in his cell.

And he fought like hell.

Um...

I shouldn't really s-- say this at the dinner table.

It's fine.

It's all right.

He got stabbed.

Pretty bad.

Hmm.

But he saved me and my baby's life.

I didn't even know him. He was a complete stranger, and...

So, I don't know why he would even do that, but...

All right, kid. I'm impressed.

Anika.

Did he tell you how he got out?

- No. - Let me tell you.

So, he writes this letter to the parole board.

Blew their minds.

He knows that law.

Shit. I was even impressed.

He using them big words and shit.

He's smart. Very smart.

That's why I think he should go to law school and be an attorney.

Just a thought.

- I hear you. - And what about you, Miss Anika?

Um, well, I wanted to go to nursing school,

but I can't get a student loan.

The semester starts in a f-- few months, and I'm gonna miss it.

I miss it every year.

- Well, maybe you'll get the money by then. - Mm-hmm.

$8,000?

Nah. Um...

But...

Well, I'm impressed with the both of you. And I like you together.

Oh, we're not together. We're just friends.

That ain't the energy I'm pickin' up at this table.

Know what it is?

Mm-hmm.

That's right. That's exactly what it is.

Don't tell me, "That's a New Orleans thing, baby!"

No, no. Not at all.

Okay, he didn't know how to ride a bike.

Oh. Now look, don't judge me,

but, well, my pops wasn't around us much either.

Well, so, I had to teach him.

And the whole time, this man is holding on to the brakes.

And I'm like, "Hands off the brakes, baby!"

Finally, he got it.

So this...

means, "Hands off the brakes," son.

You're young, got a lot of life ahead of you.

Don't waste time.

Go for it.

Yeah.

I like them.

Denise is so encouraging.

Yeah.

Quinn is like that too.

When I was on the yard...

I would watch buses or planes passing.

And I would wonder where they were going.

I would wish I could be there with them.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

What's the point of dreaming like that when my reality is what it is?

I can't go anywhere.

Well...

I get my first check this Friday.

And I wanna take you out.

It ain't much.

So... don't expect a lot.

I think you should save your money.

And I think you should say yes.

Come on. That $43 is gonna burn a hole in my pocket.

I had to lie to be here tonight.

Which I don't like doing.

My mother thinks I'm at the fair.

I'm sorry.

I didn't want you to do that.

You didn't make me do anything.

I feel like I needed this or I was gonna lose my mind.

She really likes you.

Well, I'm hoping her mother likes me too.

What do you see in me?

I should be asking you the same thing.

I'm fresh out, I got nothing.

Carousel, if this is about sex, then that's off the table.

I've got my own shit to worry about right now.

I've... got a baby.

I'm struggling.

So now that that's off the table,

what do you see?

Everything.

How was the fair?

It was good.

You need anything?

No.

I'mma go put her down, then I'll check on you.

All right.

Uh, I'm sorry, deliveries are around back.

I wanna talk to you about that painting.

I can't hear you.

I'm Carousel White.

- I painted that painting. - I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I have a client.

Lady.

I-- I thought you was off today.

Yeah, I got called in.

It's just for a few hours, though, but I just changed her.

Here are her diapers and some bottles next to you.

In case you're not feeling well.

- I'm fine. - Are you sure?

'Cause she was wet when I came home the other day, Mama.

You think I'm not changing her?

You don't want me to watch her, you can get somebody else to do it.

I didn't mean it like that.

- I love you. - Mmm.

Mommy loves you. Bye.

Bye.

Hey.

Hi. Mmm.

You lied to your mother.

Yeah. Look, I'm sorry, we don't have to do this.

No, no, it's fine.

I'm here. Let's go see a movie.

Sorry the movie's so old.

I'm balling on a budget and the popcorn's free.

I haven't been to the movies in forever, so whatever it is, I haven't seen it.

All right. Let's go.

Uh, can I get two tickets?

'Cause they sure is empty now!

Hey, what's going on? Is something wrong?

You weren't enjoying that.

You thinking about your mother?

Look, I wanna be here, I just...

I guess I'm not in the comedy mood today.

I knew I should have picked a romantic movie.

It's fine, I'll watch whatever.

You like romance, huh?

I gotta be back by 11:00.

I don't...

I don't wanna waste time.

Especially with the situation with your mom, so...

Let's make the most of this.

Where are we?

I wanna show you something.

Carousel, are we supposed to be here?

This ain't legal.

Are we safe?

You asking the inmate that saved your life?

Stop calling yourself that.

You're always safe with me.

Come on.

All right.

Keep your eyes closed.

All right. This is about all I got for surprises.

Open your eyes.

Shit!

Damn it! Oh, sh-- Um, I'm sorry.

Never mind, let's go.

Okay.

That's not funny.

It's cute.

Really cute.

Man, I thought about this for days.

I even asked Quinn. He said, "Take her to New Orleans, baby."

I just wanted my first date to be right.

You said your first date. You mean our first date?

No. This is my first date ever.

I have never been on a date.

Um...

Okay, wait.

How about this? You tell me how you wanted it to go.

I wanted to...

bring you up here, and...

have some soda...

'cause I'm on parole and I can't drink.

I wanted to watch the planes taking off and landing.

I just wanted to come up here and talk to you

before I have to go back to the halfway house.

But them damn rats ruined all my shit.

Hey. It's not all ruined.

We're still here.

I know dudes be coming at you like crazy.

I don't have shit.

The dudes checking for me are running game.

All these Insta-hos.

"Insta-hos"?

You missed out on so much.

I keep talking to you like you've been in the world. I'm sorry.

Um...

Don't be sorry.

Teach me.

Men have so much access now.

All these pages of women to choose from.

You know what?

I'm actually not gonna say the rest of it to you.

Ooh.

What?

- I'm just-- - Why?

Yeah, it's for your own good.

So you're not gonna tell me about Insta-hos

'cause you don't want me to have access?

Whatever.

I'm sorry.

And I'm sorry this is, uh...

I just wanted to impress you.

You already impressed me the day you saved my life.

That's kind of hard to top, right?

Mm-hmm.

Um...

I should probably... get home. I gotta check on my mother and my baby.

Yeah.

Yeah, yeah. Come on.

Uh...

Uh, just watch out for the rats.

You see me.

Did you arrange it?

It's the only thing I know how to do.

Barely.

Hi.

Oh, this is nice. Mmm.

We ain't done this in a long time.

I thank y'all for coming because I know you busy.

You know we love you, Mama.

Well, you sure don't act like it sometimes.

- Oh, stop. - I do.

- Mmm, okay. - Okay.

Well, do better.

All them years at that chemical plant, and they ain't even tell us.

Now they fighting us in court.

When I'm gone...

I want y'all to fight to get my money, you hear me?

Y'all hear me?

- Yes, ma'am. - We will, Mama.

Welp, potato salad's done, y'all.

Don't this look good?

It's done?

It ain't even got no seasoning on it.

- Don't do that. - Bring it here.

Ma! Ma, you are not supposed to have all that salt.

- Shh! Be-- - Okay.

Well, who is that?

Probably Donovan. Forgot something again.

Oh, Lord.

- Don't do me like that. - Puttin' a little bit.

Can I help you?

Hi, is Anika here?

- And who are you? - I'm Carousel.

Hey, uh, let's talk out here.

Uh, uh, uh. No, no, no.

- Come on in. - Trina.

I said, come on in here.

- Thank you. - You're welcome here. Let's go.

Hey, y'all. Go, go, go. Go ahead, go on in.

This is, um...

- I'm sorry, what was your name again? - Uh, I'm Carousel.

Carousel.

Oh, well, you the one that work at the prison with Anika.

Work? Nah. Mama, he don't work there.

Aren't-- Isn't that the name of the inmate you said helped you during the riot?

- Inmate? - Mm-hmm.

What you doing here?

Um, my phone was stolen at the half--

This is my last day there.

I just wanted you to know why you didn't hear from me.

Yeah, okay.

W-- W-- Well, wait a minute now. You really an inmate?

Attempted murder, Mama.

- Carousel, I'll see you later, okay? - Yeah, okay. Sorry.

Excuse me.

Now it makes sense to me.

Well, shit, make it make sense to me.

Anika, I went to your job last night to get gas and you weren't there.

No.

You went to work last night, didn't you?

You came downstairs.

You had on your uniform. I watched the baby.

So where were you?

Were you with that man?

See?

See, this is what she do.

She lies.

- Then she ends up pregnant. - Anika.

I'mma ask you one more time.

Where were you?

Yeah, I was with him.

Anika, are you on the pill?

- What? - She better not be fucking this nigga.

Watch your mouth!

So when you said you went to the fair...

was that a lie too?

It had to be, 'cause there ain't no fair in town.

See, that's the shit I'm talking about.

You gonna end up just like me, raising three damn daughters by yourself,

and taking whatever job you can get

even if it's at a damn chemical plant that give you cancer.

I wanted more for you.

I wanted more for all of you.

And here you are, hanging out with a nigga that's been in prison.

- Mama-- - You already got one baby daddy

that don't do shit for you.

And now, oh, you done found yourself a convict.

Me and Donovan have been struggling to pay these bills.

And you out here running around with him?

That's not all I do, Trina.

I work. I take care of my baby. I take care of Mama.

- Okay, wait a minute, y'all. - No, no, no, no. No.

Okay? This is bullshit.

'Cause Mama is sick.

And you got her taking care of your child when she don't have to.

Oh, so you don't think I know she's sick? I'm the one here taking care of her

when y'all are out at dinners and doing parties and shit.

I'm here with her, cleaning out the blood from her nightgowns,

and getting up all hours of the night, making sure she takes her medications--

You think you're doing me a damn favor?

I don't mean it like that, Mama.

I worked my ass off

to give you everything you needed.

Then you sitting here complaining.

- I'm not complaining. - She's not complaining, Mama.

Since you know every damn thing,

you go on and be with his ass.

You see where that leads you.

You gonna end up like Lisa.

Struggling to take care of her kids 'cause of Charles.

And like me 'cause of Norman.

But you know every damn thing, you just...

just go on.

Carousel is not Charles or Norman. And I'm not you, Lisa, or Trina.

'Cause I take care of my kids.

And I pay my own bills.

- That's why. - Anika.

You lied.

You said you was going to work and you had me watching the baby.

I ain't doing it no more.

I ain't doing it no more.

- You know I can't afford daycare. - Mmm.

Yeah, well, you shoulda thought about that

when you were sneaking around here,

lying to her about where the hell you been.

Come on, Nia.

Thank you.

Hey.

I'm so sorry.

I-- I j-- I just didn't want you to think I was ghosting you. I had to come by.

You okay?

Hey, Nia.

You wanna come take a walk in the park?

No, she's all right.

We'll be right across the street.

You can see us out the window.

It's okay.

Give her to me.

Can I have that legal pad and pen?

It's okay.

It's okay, it's okay. Look.

Don't be sad. I got you.

It's okay. We're gonna go get some fresh air.

It's just me.

Carousel!

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

She's gotta be cold.

No.

She's sweating.

Tell me the truth.

Do you have her here at work today

because I came by your house?

My mother got mad and said she's not watching her anymore.

Look at me.

I said

if I ever got the chance to have you in my life,

I would make sure I never saw that fear in your eyes again.

And I see it right now.

And it's because of me.

What you see in my eyes is about my baby.

Not about you.

You're the only person who makes me feel safe.

That's 'cause you're safe with me.

If y'all need the bathroom, it is right down the hall.

And, uh, if you need something to wear, I might have something to fit you. Okay?

Now, make sure y'all get some rest.

You gotta get up at 6:00

'cause Quinn leave the house on time, every time, all right?

- Thank you so much. - Y'all get some sleep.

We can't stay here.

It's just for now.

No, Carousel, you don't get it.

I feel like I'm spinning and not moving.

Nursing school starts in five months,

and I don't have a dollar to my name, let alone 8,000.

I feel like I'm in the same situation over and over again.

Um...

When I was in jail...

I thought I'd never be free.

But now,

here I am with you.

And this feels like a dream come true.

Even if we out on the streets...

we gotta keep trying.

I'm tired.

I'm really tired.

I'm-- I'm--

I'm tired too, b-- but we gotta keep trying.

I just wanna be happy.

I'm sorry they hate me so much.

It doesn't matter.

Because they can never hate you as much as I love you.

You love me?

Yes, I love you.

You're such a good man.

And a lot of bad shit has happened to you.

And you're still a good man.

This shit is hard. Uh, it's...

It's really hard.

I love you too.

We're gonna do this hard shit together.

The three of us.

I promise I got you.

I'm, uh... I'm...

I'm sorry.

- For what? - Um...

I-- I d-- don't--

Uh, I don't know what I'm-- I'm doing.

I-- I'm not really experienced.

Are you a virgin?

Y-- Yeah.

But I could try to kiss you again if I'm doing it wrong.

No, no.

You're doing too much right, right now.

Well...

Yeah, uh...

If-- If I'm doing it right, then, uh, w--

Mama has been calling us all day and all night.

We cannot leave her here like this, and I don't wanna hear shit

about your booth rent 'cause I done already canceled three of my clients.

We both need to work.

The doctor says somebody need to be here with her around the clock, so...

I'mma tell Anika to come home.

No, no. She's not coming here with--

- Trina. - No.

- I'm gonna talk to her. - No.

No. I don't even know why I'm talking to you about this

because Mama ain't gonna go for it either.

Okay? So stop.

Girls, where's my water?

Hey. Little nigga, you weak, huh?

What, you must've got you some last night?

Hey, she's special.

- She's special? - Yeah.

This nigga's in love. Look at you. Just a-smiling and grinning.

You better get your special ass and pick up these cans.

Wait till I tell my wife this.

All right.

Hey, what you doing?

Coming right back.

- Coming. - We gotta go. We gotta go.

Who is it?

It's Carousel.

What you want?

Hi. Uh...

I came to talk to you. Can I come in?

Look.

I know you don't like me.

Hopefully,

I can explain who I am.

And how much I love your daughter.

Anika really misses you.

Attempted murder.

Uh, yes, ma'am.

That's what I went to jail for, but I paid my debt.

I learned my lesson.

But you still

attempting murder.

Uh, ma'am?

'Cause that's what you doing here right now.

My daughter had dreams before she met you.

She wanted to be a nurse.

And she wanted to be with a man who could pay a bill.

You ever asked her about her dreams?

You ever asked her

what kind of man she dreams of being with?

'Cause it ain't you.

He got a good job.

And he ain't never been to jail.

So, yeah.

You attempting murder all over again,

'cause you are murdering her dreams.

And you murdering me,

by being here telling me this bullshit.

If you learned your lesson in prison,

like you say you did...

then you would stop murdering people.

And you would stop being with her 'cause it is killing her.

And she don't even know it.

Now, if you love her,

I mean, love her like you say you do,

then let her go on and be with somebody else.

Somebody who can take care of her and her child.

Where she ain't gotta sit behind bulletproof glass,

scared to death that she gonna get killed like she almost did in that prison.

I know everything I need to know about you, nigga.

Now, get the fuck off my porch.

- Oh, my goodness. - That's crazy.

You like your paint? Mm-hmm.

- Hey, Nik. - Hey.

Hi, baby.

Hi.

Hi, Nia.

Hi.

Hi.

Hey, baby.

What's the matter?

Uh, my mother's getting worse.

My sister's asked if I could come home and take care of her.

Hmm.

Uh, then that's what you gotta do.

I told them that if I'm coming, you gotta come too.

Turn it down some.

Hi.

I don't wanna talk to you.

Her room is upstairs.

That's where you stay.

When I go to work, he's gonna have to help you.

Don't need his help.

That convict better stay the hell away from me.

- Mama. - You heard me!

Convict.

You can go upstairs. It's to the left.

That's your new name to me.

Convict.

Convict!

Convict.

Just give it to me.

Come on, give me that.

You need anything?

For you to leave me the fuck alone.

Get away from my bed.

Convict.

- You want that? - I want, um, that one.

Use it.

Hello?

I want this here...

- Uh, you got him. - ...and paper.

Um, yeah. Tomorrow.

Delaney Restaurant. Tomorrow at 4:00.

- Hold on. Mama just texted me. - What'd she say?

"I overheard him upstairs talking to someone."

"They're gonna meet at Delaney's tomorrow at 4:00."

How the hell can he afford Delaney's?

I bet you it's a woman.

Yeah. You see? You see what the hell I'm talking about?

This nigga ain't shit.

Okay. Delaney's at 4:00. Got you.

Sorry.

Ooh.

Get away from me, Convict. Don't you touch me!

Um...

Are you hurt?

No.

No.

- You have to let me help you up, please. - No, it's...

I was...

- It's okay. - I was trying to make it to the bathroom.

It's okay.

Let me help you up, p-- please.

It's okay.

Come on.

It's okay. I got you.

No.

You okay? You're doing good.

- I'm gonna take your dress off. You okay? - No, no.

Now, Miss Morrison, you're weak and I'm blind.

But with your eyes and my strength, I can help you.

- No. - But first we gotta take this dress off.

No, no.

Come on. Put my hands where they need to go.

This is so embarrassing.

I don't know what you talking about. I can't see anything.

Okay, yeah.

Put your hand on my shoulder.

Okay.

Okay. All right, okay.

I need the shower hose.

Okay.

Is that warm enough for you?

Yeah.

Okay.

- I'm gonna close the curtain. - Okay.

Okay.

You okay?

- Mm-hmm. - All right.

I'm right out here if you need me.

But I've been calling and calling.

Well, I'm just gonna come down there th--

If--

Well, why won't he call me back?

I, well--

Convict.

Convict.

Convict.

Convict!

You know you hear me calling you.

Carousel.

Carousel.

Carousel.

Ma'am?

Carousel.

That's a stupid name.

I like Convict better.

My grandma said my mama named me Carousel

'cause I was always spinning around in her belly.

She thought it was cute.

I bet she ain't know your ass was gonna go to jail.

No, ma'am.

Had my mother lived,

I'd like to think that I'd have somebody

other than a 82-year-old grandma

to take care of me.

But I was, um...

...13 and mad,

'cause my daddy wasn't there and my mama died.

I wouldn't listen, so when I was 14,

I was caught up in the wrong crowd and tried as an adult.

My daughter can do better than you.

No, she can't.

Oh, arrogant ass.

Nobody can love her like I do.

A man told me that once.

He wasn't shit.

James?

What-- What Anika been telling you?

You talk in your sleep.

Something about James and Freaknik?

O-- Oh, uh... Get your ass outta here.

Have a nice day.

Shit.

Do you know who that woman is?

No, she don't. Look at her face.

Anika, why is he with this woman?

Mama overheard them talking, making plans. He thought she was sleeping.

Are you done?

Girl, this-- this man is playing you.

Look, Trina, I get it.

Donovan ain't shit.

So it'll help you feel better if my man ain't shit too.

That's not what I'm doing, Anika.

You've been doing this since I was a little girl, Trina.

You always have and you always will.

So you mad at me because of that nigga?

Is that what's happening right now?

Bye.

Okay, yeah, let him play you like a fool, then, Anika. Go ahead.

Come on, Lisa.

Mmm.

What was the name of the plant you worked for?

Do you have any records or... anything?

He got all that.

Well, I know you have your thoughts about me,

but I know a little about the law.

Damn.

A prison lawyer?

Shit.

I'm actually pretty smart, Miss Morrison.

And I think I can help you.

Is it okay if I call him?

Just to see?

I don't care.

You'll have to call him and tell him it's okay to talk to me.

He ain't gonna answer.

He never do.

I bet he will.

I see why my daughter like you.

Your mom's lawyer...

what do you know about him?

He's a joke. I don't think he knows what he's doing.

Well, I'm gonna try to talk to him.

Okay.

Hey.

You okay?

Is there something you wanna tell me?

What do you mean?

Like, are you seeing another woman?

What are you talking about?

I just wanna know if there's something you wanna tell me.

That I love you.

And there's no one else?

Where's this coming from?

I've been cheated on before, and that's not happening again.

Good.

I gotta go shower.

Baby.

I gotta shower.

Anika.

"...provision is not inconsistent with law."

"The regulation of internal affairs of the corporation..."

"...plan of emergencies."

Crazy.

Where's Carousel?

- He should be getting off work soon. - Huh.

Hand me that photo album underneath that unicorn.

Mmm.

Come here, look at me.

I was so young,

and fine!

Oh.

Anika.

Time...

and life,

they are thieves.

And I didn't get out of this life

what I thought I wanted.

And I'm angry.

It ain't fair.

I'm sorry.

I was so mean to you.

I know I've been a lot.

But that boy,

he love you.

I was so wrong.

He came here, uh,

a little while ago

to tell me all about himself.

And to... ask if he could date you.

He-- He probably didn't tell you how I treated him, did he?

'Cause I embarrassed him.

But when he get here today,

I'm gonna tell him I'm sorry.

Baby.

I know you scared.

But you ain't gotta be.

I'm embarrassed to say,

when I look at you...

when I look at y'all, I--

I get jealous.

'Cause I know what you and that boy got...

is real.

It's real.

I don't know. Trina...

told me that she saw him with some woman,

and... she showed me a picture of them.

Well, did you ask him about it?

I asked him if there was another woman,

and I asked if he would ever cheat on me,

but... he said no.

But you know how heartbroken I was with Randy.

- Oh! - And...

Carousel, he ain't Randy.

That boy treat your baby good.

Better than any man I ever seen treat a baby that ain't his.

He got a good heart.

And you know it.

Trust that.

Now...

Well, your sisters...

they just jealous.

They jealous 'cause...

your daddy...

he was the only one that came around.

And I was too damn hurt

by the other two...

that I didn't realize it till it was too late.

He-- He was gone.

You're too young to remember...

but Carousel remind me of him.

He took good care of you.

They just jealous, baby.

But y'all gonna be all right.

Y'all gonna be all right. Just...

Just talk to him.

I-- Look, I'm telling you the truth, and you know it.

- Can I talk to you outside, please? - What the fuck are you doing in my shop?

I need to talk outside.

- Go. Donovan, please. - Yo, man.

- Don't put your hands on me! - Don't talk to him like that!

How about you go and talk to that bitch you was with

at a restaurant? How 'bout that?

- What? - Yeah, we saw you.

And Mama overheard y'all talking. And we told Anika.

So what? She put you out? And that's why you mad?

- Shit. - Oh, "shit."

- Okay. This makes sense. - Right. Nigga, go, go, go. Go talk to her!

'Cause she's believing your bullshit and I'm not, with your low-down ass.

- Fuckin' idiot. - You know what's low?

You working with a crooked-ass lawyer to get a settlement,

and he making you the guardian of your mother's money,

and you not telling her. That's what's fucking low!

So you wanna talk outside or you wanna talk in here?

Trina.

You wanna tell your sister where your mother's settlement money is?

The $348,000 that you

and this motherfucker behind me been spending?

Damn!

Trina?

- What the fuck is he talking about? - Lisa.

Look, I took care of her, Lisa.

I paid off that fucking house. Okay?

Look, she would've spent it. Okay?

A-- Anika would've spent it.

Somebody would've fucking spent it if I didn't intervene.

And you know that, Lisa.

You took her settlement money and you didn't tell her?

It's not that simple. It's--

You know what?

Wait. Carousel, hold on. Hold on.

If you tell her...

it will kill her.

I wouldn't tell her that.

What are you g-- What are you gonna do?

Carousel, what you finna do?

Hey.

Anika, what's wrong, baby?

- I'm sick and tired. - Wait, what? Wait. What?

What, Trina?

Ani-- Anika, slow down.

I'm on my way.

Trina, shh!

Your mother just died.

- I'm so sorry. - I'm here if you need, all right?

- Yeah. Thank you. - Yeah, man.

I'm so sorry.

Anika.

You remember how Mama used to always say

you can always tell that family member who didn't do right by somebody

by all that whooping and hollering they do at the funeral?

I think she was right.

Look at you.

Solid.

Because you did everything right.

Come on, Lisa. We all did.

I didn't do as much as you did.

Let's not do this, okay?

You had to work. Trina had to work. It's fine.

Trina.

You wanna tell her what you and that crooked-ass lawyer did?

Hmm?

She and that crooked-ass motherfucker

took the settlement money and didn't tell Mama.

I did what was best for her.

Okay?

I paid off this house.

Stop lying! I verified that!

Tell the truth!

Baby, I'm sorry.

You got that settlement money?

Look, I took c-- care of Mama before that money.

She owes me.

You know she does. She owes me.

Anika.

You are disgusting.

- You going to work? - Gotta pay the mortgage, right?

Why wouldn't you tell me?

Baby, I found out the day she died. I couldn't.

Yeah, just like you couldn't tell me about that lady at the restaurant.

Anika, let's take a ride.

I gotta go.

No, no, no. Come, come, come. Please.

Let's take a ride.

Hi. I thought I would see you a week ago.

Something came up.

This is my girlfriend, Anika.

Hi.

Hi. Uh, I'm Keke.

And-- And who is this pretty girl?

My daughter, Nia.

Hi. Hi.

Should we just go into my office?

You got my money?

- Can I get you to sit for a moment? - Uh, I don't have time for this.

You already had an extra week and we're dealing with something.

What is going on?

Tell her why we were in that restaurant last week,

and tell her what we were talking about.

Well, your boyfriend is quite the artist. He sold a painting--

It was stolen.

A painting was sold, and he's owed a lot of money.

And he gonna get his money.

Yes. I spoke to the gallery owners, and they agreed to a settlement

in exchange for the release of the painting's chain of title.

I don't think you're hearing me well.

Ain't no settlement. And I said I want all my money.

But right now, I need $8,000 in cash.

I told you last week I needed the $8,000.

Fine. You win.

Here is the contract. You can have a lawyer look it over.

Although the way you wrote that demand letter, you'll be fine

repping yourself.

Fix this language. It's too vague.

And there's three typos in the first paragraph.

I think you're testing me.

I'm not signing it until it's all the money,

and I want $8,000 right now.

- Let's go, baby. - One more thing.

Whatever it is, we'll discuss it when I get my money.

Okay, but the position might be filled.

You are better and more bullish than all of my paralegals.

Call me if you want a job.

Let's go.

She just offered you a job.

If we hurry, we can make the deadline to get you in this semester.

- It's too late. - No, it's not.

I already called them and told them you're on the way.

Carousel.

When I told you I got you,

I got you.

You hear me?

Look, I, um... I never believed you were cheating.

I just got triggered.

We all do.

I'm sorry.

We can leave all that in the past.

Right now, we just need to get you registered.

I love you so much.

I love you too.

Hands off the brakes.

Come on, say it.

Hands off the brakes.

What is happening?

We're doing life.

Just better now.

Make no mistake

Come on.

We'll live while we're young

We'll chase down the sun

Hands off the brake

We can die when we're done

Let's live while we're young

Live while we're Live while we're young

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh

Got my hand on my Bible

Hold it firm like a gun

While you pray for revival

I'm already livin' in one

I won't pass up on the danger

I'd miss out on the fun

Won't miss out on the fun

- Make no mistake - Make no mistake, make no mistake

We'll live while we're young

We'll chase down the sun

Hands off the brake

Oh, we can die when we're done

Let's live while we're young

Let's live while we're Live while we're young

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh

You can barricade these walls And seek surrender

We'll taunt enough To turn a raging sea

But the only way you'll find to quench these embers

Is killin' me, killin' me, killin' me

Oh, let the stages burn And the tears turn into scowls

Oh, live the glory of the past Is all I ever see

Oh, still the only way you'll find To quench these embers

Is killin' me, is killin' me Is killin' me

Oh, so make no mistake

We'll live while we're young

We'll chase down the sun

Hands off the brake

Oh, we can die when we're done

Let's live, let's live, let's live

Make no mistake

We'll live while we're young

We'll chase down the sun

Hands off the brake

We can die when we're done

Let's live while we're young

Let's live while we're Live while we're young

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh, ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh

We can barricade these walls And seek surrender

Taunt enough to turn a raging sea

The only way you'll find To quench these embers

Is killin' me