Original subtitles

Dear son, it was such a pleasant surprise to hear from you after so long.

I am fine and doing all those things which you know are expected of me in

this country.

I am glad that you are making a fresh start.

There is an old saying that there are things a man can only learn in a city.

I have found this to be true, but do not be distracted, my son.

Focus on your studies, your goals.

We will discuss both when you visit.

I shall do better from now on to try to keep in contact with you.

Dad.

But if you keep us happy, girl, we'll keep you satisfied.

All right.

Go ahead.

Can I help you?

No, no, no. I'm fine.

Thanks.

Just admiring the campus.

You got some ID?

This is a private campus.

You can't just wander in here.

I'm a student. I just transferred here. I need to see your student ID.

I haven't got one as yet.

I'm sorry, pal.

I'm going to have to ask you to move along.

How many you give me?

See you. See you. See you Thursday.

I'll have you again, motherfucker.

I have a gun and I will shoot you in the face. Salim, it's Barry from Occidental.

We met a few months back at Amir's party. I'm sorry to knock on your door

like this, but you're the only person I... Barry?

Jump on.

Barry, my brother.

I got locked out of my place. My roommate Will isn't in town yet. Don't

worry, man. I just got off work.

Barry, Rachel, Rachel, Barry.

Raquel.

Raquel. That's what I said.

It's nice to meet you, Raquel.

She looked better a few hours ago, bro. You know what I mean? Here, take a beer.

Give me that.

I'll give you the grand tour.

This is where the magic happens.

This is the parlor room.

Did you hear that?

Anyway,

welcome to New York.

The issue today is not the Republicans, it is the Republic.

Today it is not the Democrats, it is the democracy.

Let me get a square

Yeah, you need one you got another one got like college

Sandra

What

up, hey So what you studying up there huh a little bit

everything

Invest in economics or some shit, get that paper and get going.

I just got here.

But you ain't staying.

See you around.

Later. Later.

Justice is nothing else than the interest of the stronger.

Now, we all know the Greeks loved symbols, right?

They have since antiquity. So what then was the great symbol of democracy in

Plato's time?

Uh, yes, um, Barry.

That's correct.

The raised hand.

One man, one vote.

All of it very public.

But when you imagine those raised hands, class, you have to remember, every one

of them held a spear.

That's what majority rule meant.

So that begs the question, is governmental rule always supported by

the threat of violence?

Yes, Thad. It has to be. Otherwise, what authority would it have?

But what about the will of the people?

Sure, the people with the most spears. But there's more to it than that.

We sacrifice some of our independence to a government in return for security and

a kind of collective wisdom.

Security is just another word for the most spears. Every time there was a

vote, the minority didn't count up the spears and decide not to revolt.

Once you make the deal to have a government, that government takes on

another kind of authority.

What, like a moral authority?

Well... So Ronald Reagan has moral authority?

Of course he does. He was elected in a landslide.

Okay, if there's one thing Ronald Reagan definitely does not have, it's moral

authority. Sure has a great head of hair, though.

Sorry, just kidding.

Continue. Let me put it like this. If the states had voted on slavery, we

would have lost the vote.

So, yeah, at that point, moral authority kicks in to defend the minority against

the will of the people.

And that's when the Spears come out. Yeah, I watched the news last night,

too, Barry.

Jesse Jackson said that thing about slavery.

Yeah, he did.

And he's right.

Seriously, the guy who hugged Yasser Arafat is right. One thing has nothing

to do with the other. All right, guys, reel it back in. Remember, Play-Doh.

Can I ask a question, though?

Why has everything always got to be about slavery?

Hello?

Will?

Is anyone there?

and ordered the Coast Guard to intercept any ship suspected of carrying Haitian

refugees.

One many.

Jesus Christ.

How'd you get in here? Barry, my brother, do you have any ganja? My head

is pounding. Check the ashtray.

What are you doing here?

This whole university experience has changed my life, bro.

You're a bartender, Selim.

So, what brings you to the west side?

Last night, at the west end, I met this beautiful bird.

Sociology student from Minnesota.

Porcelain features, tits, out to here.

I mean, we wandered the city all night.

But when the time came, I was unable to gain entrance to a dormitory. So to

speak.

So to speak.

So I stopped at the establishment on the corner for a morning beer, after which I

decided to pop up here for a smoke and to borrow some cab fare home, if

possible. Now, this might sound crazy, but just bear with me.

Do you think there might be some kind of correlation between your constantly

buying alcohol and cocaine and the fact that you're always broke?

It's an interesting theory, but I just don't see it.

Speaking of booze and blow, my friend Daphne is having a party tonight.

Now, Daphne is a burlesque dancer.

All her friends are burlesque dancers.

I don't have to spell it out for you, do I, Barry?

What do you say I take a nap, stay here, and we go together around nine?

I promised Will I'd go to a party on campus.

They will never accept us, Barry. I know you know this, my brother.

I don't know. I want to think they will. You think too much. It's your problem.

That's why you never get laid. I'm not trying to just get laid. Okay, see what

I mean?

Fucking shit, man. Look, if I were you... Hello there, rich white girl.

My name is Barry.

I just transferred here from Africa.

I'm a deep brooding man who likes to write poems about the mysteries of the

human condition.

Now, would you like to, uh... Unzip my pants, or shall I?

That's pretty good. I didn't know you could do me. The trick is to sound just

white enough.

Okay. Fuck you, Celine.

Very, very. I love you.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Y'all need all the help y'all can get right about now.

Y'all need all the help.

Check ball.

Got a deep knee play, boy.

It's about to go down.

This ain't a point right here.

Guess what?

That's game, baby.

Uh-huh.

Next. Nice, P.J. These boys out of here, man.

Next.

I got Invisible Man.

You

like

that, Invisible?

That's my shot, baby.

I can stick that all day.

You don't know me, homeboy.

You touch me again, I knock your fucking head off.

Y'all bow.

What you got, invisible ball up?

Come on, you all dig, baby.

Like flies on shit, baby.

What's up?

Jack Kerouac went here.

You know what I mean?

Allen Ginsberg, Paul Robeson.

Where are those guys now?

Dead.

Kerouac does for sure.

Who is Paul Robeson again? Where's that scene?

It seems like it doesn't exist.

I don't know, maybe I'm just not cool enough to find it.

Come on, dude, you just, we're new, you know, it takes time.

You ready to do this?

I know these guys.

Cool.

I'll go get us some beers.

So, uh, what are our options?

Rum and Coke.

Or Jack.

Not Jack, it's a extremely cheap whiskey.

I'll take one of those. Okay, sure.

Great.

Sure.

Okay.

Okay. Cheers.

Cheers.

Hey, you're my poli-sci class.

Julie, right? Yeah.

I'm good with names.

Barry. Hi, and this is Charlotte.

I'm Merle Authority.

That better not catch on. Oh, I think I just did.

That's an inside joke.

Hey, Julie, what's up? So, where are you from?

Hawaii, Indonesia, Kenya.

Take your pick. Really?

Really?

In front of all these people?

I mean, because you're very pretty and I'm flattered. No, that's not what I was

trying to say. I'm messing with you.

I have no idea what you just said.

I've never been to Kenya.

I'll take it you have.

Nairobi for five days on my junior year abroad.

It's beautiful.

I'm going this summer to visit my dad.

You coming in?

I just came out.

Bad? It's not my scene.

So what is your scene?

I'm still trying to figure that out.

You like to dance?

Where are you taking me?

Trust me, come on.

Hey.

Thank you.

What do you think?

This is great.

Stick with me kid.

Could I have a beer and a special?

Hey baby.

You're adorable.

Who are you here with?

A friend.

Do you guys like to party?

Define party.

Adorable.

Have you ever seen this?

No It's a New York thing

I don't know man, it feels provincial up here somehow.

Like it's a bubble.

Most of these kids, their future's already set.

Like, you know, that guy's gonna be an econ major at the Wall Street.

He thinks he wants to study history, but everything's pushing him in another

direction. His family, his background, what people expected. So does he even

really have free will?

You gotta take moral philosophy, man, I'm telling you.

We talk about this stuff all day. I read somewhere that college isn't about

learning. It's about training.

Training for what?

To want what you don't need and to leave who you are at the door.

But we're supposed to leave who we are at the door. I mean, that's the point.

Some people can't leave who they are at the door.

You know I'm the only black person in four of my five classes.

But you're half white, too.

What's that supposed to mean?

Just that...

You can fit in anywhere, right?

I'd fit in nowhere, Will.

But, uh, I, uh, did meet this girl last night.

Yeah? Mm-hmm.

Am I late? No, it's just started. Come on.

We've accomplished the first part of what had to be done with the fiscal

stability so as to bring us to the point where we could enhance the services and

we have in fact improved some of the services in the first four years. The

biggest city in America and this guy gets to run as a Democrat and a

Republican?

Fucking joke.

Nobody's watching except us.

So, uh, why are we watching?

It's our civic duty.

Politics is bullshit.

You don't really believe that, do you?

Yeah. I mean, kind of.

I mean, come on.

The president's an actor.

So, how does change happen, then?

Or do you not believe in change, either? I believe in art. I believe in... I

don't know.

People creating change.

I just don't believe in that. If you say the system, I'm going to scream. The

system? You're one of them.

A socialist?

A poet.

I am a poet, actually.

You're cute.

What's cute about me?

Your politics.

My politics are cute.

Yeah.

I'll take that.

Smile. Come on, loosen up.

It's just for a second. I promise.

Hey, wanna race?

What? Let's race that tree.

You don't wanna race me. I'm fast.

Me too.

And I don't smoke a pack a day.

I'll pass.

What, afraid to lose to a girl?

I'm not afraid of losing at all.

So you'll talk shit, but you won't back it up.

Come on, Barry.

Show me what you got.

On your marks, get set, go!

I win!

Another racist myth debunked.

Yeah, pretty fast.

What you got, homeboy? You got something?

Huh?

It's game.

Who got next?

I gotta get to class.

You breaking up the dynasty?

Great song.

Shoot to replace him.

Open.

Nice

feet,

Invisible.

Pall up.

I've never been in here.

Best food on campus.

Beach school got that dough.

I used to eat in here even when I was an undergrad.

So what?

Finish business school and then Wall Street?

That's your plan?

Basically.

Only black guy at your firm.

Racist jokes around the water cooler?

workplace discrimination lawsuit.

Seven-figure settlement.

Yeah, fair enough.

You always want to be a finance guy.

I'm from the Graham Houses.

You know where that's at?

122nd and Lenox.

It's about five blocks away, but it's a totally different world.

I didn't come this far to not make money.

I hear that.

What about you? Where you from?

Well, Honolulu, mostly.

No shit?

They got brothers in Hawaii?

Yeah, a few.

Oh, yeah.

I grew up in Indonesia for a while, too.

My mother married a guy from Jakarta.

Wait.

You a whole different type of motherfucker, B.

You do realize that, right?

I mean, I barely left New York.

Yeah, but... I mean, it's New York.

Please.

New York ain't shit.

One dollar. One dollar.

How much?

That's $2.

Here you go, brother.

Thank you, my brother.

And I envy you for that one.

What's that?

Because you're about to read that for the first time.

After you finish, slide back by and let me know how you liked it.

Yes, sir. All right.

Yo, Invisible.

What's up, Ali?

Oh, you going by the course today? Yo, this dude got the ill baby sky hook like

magic. I'm gonna try.

You? Yeah, for sure. Maybe round two.

Cool. Catch you there.

All right, then. Be easy, homeboy.

Like Sunday morning. Be taken from the night or the captives of a tyrant's

rescue.

What that means is, can we, the lost tribe of Israel, reclaim what is

rightfully ours from the cave-dwelling white devils that raped our ancestors,

stole our land, and dispersed the true children of God across the globe?

Reap! Hey!

I ain't no devil. This is not the words of Jesus Christ.

Shut your mouth, cave bitch!

That's what Jesus Christ called you in the Bible. I'll come using the King

James Bible.

What?

Why that addition?

I thought King James was a white devil.

It's King James right here.

Take a good look.

He looks like Billy Dee Williams if you ask me.

If you say so, brother.

Now you might ask, how did the lost tribe of Israel become lost?

Well, I'll tell you.

How about her?

No way.

Why not?

She's trying way too hard. Zero self-esteem.

So she'd sleep with me?

Um, probably.

So that's a yes, then.

No. Big time no.

I don't think you understand the nature of this conversation, Charlotte. I don't

really think I do.

Looks like your boyfriend's off on Pluto again.

Um... Ground control to Barry.

Oh, sorry.

I was, um... I was thinking. Yeah. Yeah.

Hey, Will.

Hey, guys.

Hey, Willie.

What's this, buy one, get two free?

You want to join us?

Uh... No, thanks. I think we're gonna check out the band downstairs.

Okay. Well, um...

We'll see you around. Yeah, see you.

So, what are you guys doing for Thanksgiving?

Anybody here dig turkey tikka masala?

I'm going to Connecticut.

You guys are welcome to come with me.

Meet the clown my sister's marrying.

Well, I love clowns. Let's go to Connecticut, Barry.

I'm allergic to Connecticut. I break out into these roast white hives.

Besides, I...

I'm sure your family would love you showing up with Pakistani and a black

guy. Oh, well, you're not that black, Barry.

No, seriously.

They really want to meet you.

I want to meet them, too.

But maybe we should do it in a more neutral ground.

Someplace with a lot of witnesses.

I'm going to go talk to that girl with low self-esteem.

Look, my parents are going to love you.

I'm sure some of their very best friends are black. They are, actually.

How was it?

know what you were doing.

The question is why you feel the need to do it.

Look, I just really want to spend Thanksgiving with you.

Maybe we could do it here the day early, and then I can go up to Connecticut by

myself if you don't want to come with me.

I'd, uh... I'd like that.

Okay.

Back on Columbia campus, there are students.

I'm not.

really old now here we have a basic epistemological

principle that we must bear in mind a genuine knowledge involves cognitive

union and overcoming our estrangement or alienation and this applies i suppose to

all spheres of our knowledge

So, I'm a little worried about Selim being in charge of Thanksgiving.

I mean, can he even cook?

Everything about that man is a mystery.

Including these ingredients.

Uh, yeah. What is ghee?

And, um, you may have gotten out of Thanksgiving with my family, but that

means I'm gonna have to take you to my sister's wedding.

And you're gonna have fun.

And you know I'm gonna cause a scene at that wedding.

Oh, really?

Once folks get a load of my moves on the dance floor.

Get in there. Come on.

Aloha. Mom?

Surprise. Surprise.

You're supposed to be in Jakarta. I had a conference in L.A. Oh, my word. And

here I am. Here she is. My beauty.

Mom.

This is Charlotte.

Hello. Such a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Anne.

Just Anne, honey. It's nice to meet you, too.

Charlotte, some peas, please.

Mm-hmm.

Berry, honey?

Do you have a salad bowl?

Does this work?

How about a knife?

Love is.

Not exactly, Julie, a child, huh?

Well, it's a lame sort of a child.

Oh, yeah? Well, you're sort of a poopy head.

Is the atmosphere around here always so intellectually charged?

Oh, yeah.

Well, you know, as a feminist, I would never endorse the sort of retrograde

patriarchal paradigm that would paint you as a sort of domesticating,

civilizing presence in this household.

Oh, no, of course not.

But if I did, I would say that you have got your hands full with these two

knuckleheads.

Damn, Barry.

Your mom can talk some shit.

So, do we get to hear some embarrassing stories about Barry, or what?

I'm sorry to be dull, but I don't really have any.

He was so easy. Even his birth was easy.

I was 19 at the time, so that wasn't the easiest, and neither was his dad. But

what can I say?

He is my darling boy.

What wasn't easy about his dad?

Barry barely talks about him. All I know is that he's some kind of...

High up government official.

Yeah, I only met him once.

He showed up in Hawaii when I was 10 and tried to tell me how to live my life.

That's not true.

He was around when you were little.

He's a lovely man. We just weren't well-suited for each other.

Hmm. Hmm.

Because he had another family in Kenya, Mom.

He lied to you. It's a little more complicated than that, but we don't have

to talk about it.

Yeah. She always defends him.

You know what?

He gave me you.

Barry must have had some terrible haircuts, at least.

This is true.

I used to cut his hair. Hmm.

That's something no white woman should do.

Probably not.

Your mom is awesome.

Yeah, she's, uh, something all right.

No, seriously.

How many girls from Kansas end up working at the Ford Foundation in

Indonesia?

Well, first you marry an Indonesian guy, then you move to Indonesia and realize

you need a job.

That's not fair.

No, it's not.

What are you gonna do with her tomorrow?

Unless the rest of the world is having Thanksgiving.

Yeah, I don't know.

I'm sure she'll have some ideas.

There's something wrong.

I'm just thinking about the movie.

About you and the movie.

What was it you loved so much?

When you first saw it, I mean.

It was beautiful.

It was so exotic.

I'd never seen anything like it.

Like that?

Your dad hasn't written, has he?

Why?

Well, he's fallen on hard times, I'm afraid.

What happened?

Well, it's all secondhand, but he's not working, and when he's not working, he

has a tendency to drink.

He invited me to visit.

That is fantastic.

Oh, honey, there is a whole part of you there just waiting to be discovered.

This isn't Roots, Mom.

Okay, now this takes me back.

So corny, Mom.

How are you, Barry?

How are you, really?

Honestly? Yeah.

I don't know.

Sometimes I feel like I want to breathe in everything New York is all.

Just make it all mine.

Other times it all seems like one big distraction.

Well, people seem like distractions.

I feel like I could just stop talking and... I don't know.

Disappear. And become a monk and read and write and think for a year.

Don't do that.

Every time I open my mouth in class, it's like... I'm supposed to speak on

behalf of all black people.

Meanwhile, I, uh... I quit going to black student union meetings because I,

uh... I didn't feel like I belonged there either.

The world is a big place, honey.

You'll find your way.

Come on, man. Let's see.

Let's see.

All right.

Uh-oh.

Oh! Ooh, that's a good-ass pass.

Ladies and gentlemen, young Ralph Ellison in the house tonight.

I know you can't see him.

Uncover your eyes. He already invisible.

Oh!

Oh!

Oh, my goodness.

That's what I'm talking about, baby.

That's the reason they call him the...

Let me give you some real deal slim advice you want to impress her parents

order for her don't ask her what she wants just I'll have lobster and a

magnum of your finest champagne and the lady will have a salad with a glass of

water with women or or How about whatever they ask you you

start every answer with um shit motherfucker, so

New York must be quite the change from Hawaii.

Shit, motherfucker.

It sure is.

Have you started to think about the summer yet, Barry?

Shit, motherfucker.

I'm considering taking an internship at a law firm. These are all great ideas.

Damn it. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Let me. You know... There's a lot about me that you

don't know, my brother. For example, I used to work at a bank for almost two

years.

And I never ever, watch your chin, robbed the place.

There.

Another beer for daddy.

Thanks.

Can you hand me a towel, please?

There you go.

Thank you.

There he is.

Bill Bauman, pleasure to meet you.

Barry.

My wife, Kathy.

So nice to meet you. We've heard so much about you. It's a pleasure to meet you.

Barry,

I feel we're at a little bit of a disadvantage because Charlotte got to

spend the whole day with your mother and all we get with you is a dinner.

Also, Barry's mother is way cooler than you two could ever be. Oh, I don't doubt

it. Well, I'm prepared to make the most of the time we do have. I mean, I'll eat

two entrees if I have to.

You know,

I have to admit, it's kind of strange for me to be at the Yale Club.

I'm from a Harvard family.

Huh.

Didn't know that.

That makes two of us. Yes, sir. My father did his PhD in economics there on

a full scholarship, as a matter of fact. He must be brilliant.

Oh, he is something.

I mean, Dad was born in Kenya, and he and my mother met when he was studying

at the University of Hawaii.

The program that brought him over was funded by the likes of Harry Belafonte

and Sidney Poitier and the Kennedys. How remarkable.

And where is he now?

Dad's back in Nairobi.

I believe his title is Senior Government Economist.

Such a fascinating country.

Are you able to visit often?

I plan on going soon. As soon as Charlotte teaches me a little more

Swahili.

After I finish teaching him about New York City politics.

That could take a while. And some alcohol.

Well, I hear you're something of a political organizer, Mr. Bauman. Oh, no.

I wouldn't say that.

I've arranged bail for some organizers.

I represented the unions for years, but nowadays I spend more time raising money

for candidates.

It's not something I particularly enjoy, but it's more important than ever.

Pretty soon, our only real game plan might be to outspend the bad guys.

Oh, and hope all that money doesn't turn everybody into bad guys.

Hmm. Something like that.

Oh, come on, Dad.

I've seen those pictures of you and your ponytail marching for civil rights.

Sure, but everybody did that.

Not everybody.

Of course, not everybody. But everybody we knew in our little liberal enclave.

So how'd your parents feel about your little liberal enclave?

Mine, not so good.

Bill's... Worse.

But, you know, without their support, I don't know if I'd have had the courage

to spend my career fighting the good fight.

I might have gone corporate. Who knows?

No, I've got a good friend who's making that decision right now.

He's from the Graham Houses, if you know what those are.

No, I don't believe so, no.

Harlem. It's one of the biggest public housing projects in the city.

He says he didn't make it to Columbia not to earn money.

Well, that's very understandable.

I don't know. I think he's going to be miserable.

But, hey, what do I know?

Aside from the fact that these lamb chops sound amazing.

Couldn't agree more.

Can we give you a lift back to school?

No, thanks. We're going downtown.

We are?

Yes. You need to dance.

You think you need to teach me moves?

I need to teach you. Are you kidding? That girl is positively afraid of you.

And good evening to you two lovely lovebirds. Yell out a good night.

Great night.

You got a square college?

That's my last one, boss.

Come on, get me a bus down there.

I'll keep it.

One of these days, I'm going to make you buy me a pack.

Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.

But you just try to save my man's you're gonna make him The fuck is you nigga?

Well, you're relaxed million. Nah, who the fuck said you could walk down my

block? Yo, this kid is cool milk chill out, bro Look cool to me nigga. Look

like a motherfucking pussy. I live here Fuck you.

You ain't from here. I'm from here. I said I live here 142 I'm from here

You understand born and bread. That's great Yeah, good for you.

The fuck is she walking away from me? Yo, yo, yo, yo!

Yo, Milt, chill out, man. Yo, put that away.

Yo, meet out, though. Do some shit you're gonna regret.

Where are you taking me?

Hey, brother. You got some of that Egyptian musk?

Incense or oil?

Oil.

One, three, five.

I'll take a three.

Thank you. Thank you.

Like that?

That reminds me of my friend Idris.

He always used to wear an Egyptian mask.

Hey, try this.

It's called Black Love. Drives the sisters crazy.

Yeah, I'm good, thanks.

Who's Idris?

From junior year abroad.

He goes to Emory.

Right.

Good day, Miss Lady. Hello.

How are you?

Hey, my man.

Good to see you. How did you like that Du Bois I hit you with? Deep.

What else you got for me?

Let me see here. I think I know just what you need.

How about this Ralph, Invisible Man?

I already read it. Oh, I'm impressed.

You know he lives not far from here.

Oh, yeah? Yeah.

We've been waiting on a sequel for a long time.

Maybe he said everything he needed to.

Might have dropped a little too much truth for them in this one, baby.

Oh, I love this book. Have you read this?

Ah, you got good taste, Miss Lady. James Baldwin.

Thank you.

I'm buying it for you then.

How much?

Um, that's on me.

Thank you.

That's so sweet.

You guys enjoy your day.

Thank you.

We have lunch at Sylvia's.

Where's that?

You've never been to Sylvia's?

No, Charlotte, I've never been to Sylvia's.

Trust me, you're gonna love it. It's right over there.

Yeah, Sylvia's it is.

Ten bucks for a plate of fried chicken?

It's so good, though.

I guess these people don't mind.

You can hear stuff in their faces while folks panhandle right outside.

That's any restaurant.

M&G.

Six blocks away.

Same menu.

It's four bucks a plate.

Are you mad at me or something?

Do you notice you're the only white person in here?

No, I'm not.

And besides, why does that matter?

Nobody's looking at you.

They're looking at me.

The brother with the...

White girl on his arm.

Who?

No.

Who, Barry?

You don't see it. So show me.

I can't.

You're not used to being visible.

Visible?

I'm a woman. You think I don't get stares, catcalls?

That's not what I mean. And besides, I thought the whole problem was being

invisible.

You wanna come up?

No, I... I think I'm gonna go play some ball.

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Call me later.

Yeah, I will.

Um...

I

love you.

Thank you

You

should

come out with us tonight, what's in the agenda we go teachers have anything

teacher

You don't need to be taking him to nobody's ghetto-ass house party. Why

not? Why not?

Hey, this man's from Indonesia and Hawaii and shit, man. He don't need that

in his life, man.

Take him to a luau or something.

How's a brother supposed to get cultured?

Y'all serious?

Whatever.

Whatever y'all say, man.

Thank you?

What are you, Han Solo or some shit?

Han didn't say thank you. He said, uh, no.

That's the coolest way to say it, sure.

I fucked up, huh?

Well, if you love the sister, you didn't.

Why would she say it then?

After the worst two hours of our whole relationship.

Let me think.

That's exactly why.

Look.

If she says it to you again, you either got to shave back or walk off.

There he is.

My man.

It's about time.

Thirsty?

Yeah, hell yeah. Let's crack these babies.

All right.

Ooh.

That's good.

Look alive, Invisible.

Welcome to this episode of Project Safari.

Now, in the projects, excuse us, ladies, in the projects, the elevators go out

all the time.

Now, if you're somebody like my man Mr. Jim here, how you doing, Mr. Jim? How

you doing, boy? Or if I'm some old lady with grocery bags and I'm trying to get

all the way up to the 10th floor, you're wondering, how do you get up there?

You ask a nice young man for help.

If you can find one. Hell, you sit your ass down on the bench and wait for them

to fix them shits.

Hell yeah.

All right, now, right through here, we have what you call the pissy staircase.

For obvious reasons, I'm sure one of your five senses will pick up as of why.

Now, I would advise you not to touch nothing, because you could get the

itsies and scratchies. It's hard to get rid of that.

So... You want to see some more? You want to go to the party? What you want

to do?

More. More?

Come on, man, I got ladies waiting for me.

You know damn well ain't nobody waiting on you.

He lying.

Come on, we'll see y'all later. Come on, B, right this way.

Now, the projects ain't all fun and games. Matter of fact, far from it.

But you do gotta keep a sense of adventure.

That's why the police hate coming up here, because you never know what's

behind door number one, behind door number two.

Matter of fact, you know what a shooting gallery is, B?

Well, take a look behind door number three.

It ain't for guns.

Then you got motherfuckers like me.

Same environment, same everything.

Like, what the fuck, right?

But I guess life is what you make it.

One thing to remember, though, through all of this, this is government housing.

This is how the government does our people.

So, this concludes our episode of Project Safari.

I've been your host, and I need another bin.

Excuse us So

what

you think

All right.

It's beautiful.

Whatever you say, B.

Enjoy yourself, though.

How you doing, PJ?

I'm good, Ms. Denise.

I'm fair for a square. How you doing?

Good.

I got some people I want you to meet

So, where are you from?

I live on 109th and Amsterdam.

You?

Now you know this just don't make no kind of sense. Heaven.

Eight floor.

What's living on the eighth floor like?

Well, it's pretty much exactly like this.

Why? You want to see it?

Uh... I want to see everything.

So... Why do they call you invisible?

It's because I'm a spy.

And I probably should have told you that, but I'm getting a good vibe.

You seem trustworthy.

Who do you work for?

I'm freelance.

You know, sometimes I spy just for my own...

Edification. I think that's called a peeping Tom.

Oh shit

Yo, baby.

Come over here.

Come on, man.

He's drunk.

What's wrong?

Yo, what happened to your face, B?

Some asshole hit me.

I'll get some ice.

Who hit you?

What'd you do to get hit?

Here, use this.

It's cold.

That was supposed to be for your face.

Whatever.

I gotta go. No, you don't gotta go. Sit down. No.

Say my scene.

Hey, you looking for a date?

Hey. Hey.

You got some ID?

I'm a student here.

ID.

I don't have to show you anything.

Are you giving me a problem?

We got a problem here?

Well, I don't see you IDing them.

So what's so special about me? Huh?

I'm gonna ask you one more time. Hey.

Hey. It's cool.

I know this guy.

He goes here. He's a student. It's all right.

It's okay.

No open containers.

Jesus, man, what are you, trying to get arrested or what? I'm trying to mind my

own fucking business. Yeah, whatever, man. Let's just get you home. No, you...

Drink a beer in front of him, and he doesn't do shit.

I walk on the campus and I'm a criminal?

What's with that? I don't know, man. I'm fucking hammered right now.

Whoa, whoa, what happened to your face?

Somebody punched it.

I'm not that surprised. Oh, fuck you.

You got another beer?

You sure that's a good idea? Yes, I am.

Dad, you know why everything's about slavery?

Why, Barry?

That's why you're an asshole.

You're all right, Dad.

You're an asshole.

But you're all right.

Hey, it's 1981, dude. Get over it already.

Charlotte.

Charlotte.

Oh, my God, you're bleeding. I don't want to talk.

What happened to you?

It's nothing.

Where were you tonight?

At a party in Harlem.

Favorite place.

I'm going to clean you up.

Here. Don't.

Stop.

What's the matter with you?

Why do you like me, Charlotte?

What do you mean?

I... Like you, because I like you.

No, really.

Why do you like me?

Well, who wouldn't like that guy?

It's not me, Charlotte.

It was a joke.

Just because you went to Kenya for five days, doesn't mean you understand who I

am.

You know what your problem is, Barry?

You think that this is all about you.

Good night.

What happened to your face?

I don't want to talk about it.

Well, listen, one of the guys at Robbie's suite just moved out.

So there's a room open.

You should take it.

Are you sure? I know you can't afford the rent by yourself. I'm ready for a

change anyway.

I can move in with Celine.

I just feel isolated from campus, you know?

It's cool, Will.

I get it.

We'll still hang out, right?

Of course.

there must be some way out of here

said the joker to the thief

there's too much confusion

oh i can't get no reliever

none of them

Oh, yeah.

No reason to get excited.

Yeah.

See, we kindly spoke.

Oh, there's a many here among us, yeah, who feel just like Mr.

Joe, all along the watchtower.

See, you and I know we've been through that.

And this is my fate.

So let's not talk about it.

I was getting laid.

Getting laid.

Bury my brother.

We live in a shithole, you know that?

I mean an actual place for shitting.

All afternoon I'm watching white people bring their dogs here to shit.

Then they just walk away.

They just leave the shit.

Look, look, here comes another one now.

Hey! Clean up after your filthy animals, you filthy animals!

I like that girl, Charlotte, Betty.

She called a bit earlier.

She said she's gonna pick you up at noon for the wedding.

Hey, Betty?

Yeah?

You're becoming a real porn.

Yes, who's this?

Barely. I'm sorry, my aunt. Who?

Okay, so don't laugh, but I'm thinking of taking a job on Wall Street.

My daddy's got some friends.

I'm just sick of being broke, man.

It's getting lame.

What do you think?

Oh, that's it?

No, uh, you'll fit in great with the rest of those coke-head assholes?

No, if you actually stood for anything, I'd call you a sellout.

Ah, you're becoming a real bore.

I mentioned that.

It's like musical chairs.

I mean, you turn 25, the music stops, and whoever you're dating, you marry.

It's not just my sister, either. It's all of her friends. I don't see them for

a few months, and then, bam, they show up with rocks on their fingers and some

random guy in tow, and it's like, wow, what a coincidence.

You all just happen to meet your soulmates within six months of each

other?

What are the odds?

You feel really far away.

Sorry.

Not what I meant.

Do you hate weddings or something?

I've never been to a wedding.

Except for my mother's.

Well, would you ever want to get married?

I don't mean now.

I don't even mean to me. I just mean, is it something you could see yourself

doing someday?

No, it's not an institution I put much faith in.

I mean, my parents were married five times between them, or six.

And I'm not even sure about my father.

Are you nervous about meeting my family?

Do I look nervous to you?

No.

You look like you're going into battle.

All right, big smiles.

Now hold it, hold it. One more, just one more.

Come on.

Great. All right, all the fellas.

Yeah, Barry.

Come, come join us.

Yeah, stand with Martin here.

Hey, George.

There's the man.

Yep, okay.

It's a can of an uptight crowd, huh?

I'm kind of an uptight guy.

Great. Now, all the ladies.

It's the second time this week.

The second.

Listen, you have to take it easy. You know, they're not like back home.

Hello,

sir?

Can I get you something?

Uh, no, uh, no, I'm just, uh, I'm killing time.

How are you guys doing today?

Fine, sir.

My name's Barry.

Fred.

Ephraim.

Where are you guys from?

We're Ugandan.

Yeah, I thought so.

My, uh, father is from Kenya.

Ah!

He died recently.

My condolences to you and your family.

Mine as well.

Thanks.

It was today, actually.

I got a phone call this morning from a...

Actually, you know what? I will have a drink.

What do you got back there?

It's a full bar, sir.

I'll have a... I'll have a bug.

Cheers. This is

my boyfriend Barry.

Barry, this is Donna.

Barry.

Ted.

Barry. And Emily.

Pleasure. Oh, and this is my cousin Melissa.

Barry.

Hey.

Barry, there's someone I'm dying to introduce you to.

Just when I thought I met everyone.

Barry, meet James and Grace Lee, two of the most brilliant, committed writers

and activists I have ever had the pleasure to know. I'm honored to meet

you. Grace Lee tried to convince Malcolm X to run for Senate in 64.

It almost worked, too. Wow.

I thought you might want to meet them, especially because of your parents.

Have a seat, Barry.

Are your parents in the movement?

No, not really.

They're different races.

I'm guessing that's what Kathy meant.

I see.

My mom's from Kansas and my dad's from Kenya.

Yeah, I've only met him once, though.

I grew up in Jakarta and Honolulu and spent a little time in California, then

I ended up here.

That's some kind of gumbo.

You know what that makes you, young brother?

Oh, sir, I don't.

I really, really don't.

It makes you American.

And you don't ever have to choose.

You know, I see you both sitting here together in love.

Yes, sir. And full of wisdom.

And I can't help but think that the two of you must have been through all kinds

of hell together.

I mean, doing what you've done and looking how you look.

You take the baton from the ones who've come before, and you carry it as far as

you can, and then you hand it off.

That's life.

A beautiful struggle.

Hey.

Dance with me.

Come shine.

my life come shine

Dear Dad, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to write you back.

I've thought of you and your invitation to visit every day.

Sometimes I feel that there is a part of me I do not know.

When I'm feeling optimistic, I find myself believing that you hold the

answers I am looking for.

And my journey so far has not been as dramatic as yours.

I'd like to think I can imagine what you felt when you arrived in Hawaii.

Perhaps even... What you felt when you met Mom.

I suppose I have spent these last months in New York trying to find my way.

Maybe that is all any of us do.

I look forward to discussing these things with you, Dad.

It's high time we got to know each other.

Love, Barack.

Hey. Wanna play horse?

Sure. You can shoot first.

Oh, okay.

Woo! Nice one.

I got an H.

Right here.

Okay.

Pretty good, pretty good.

Guess I'm up.

Where you from?

Riverside. How about you?

From a lot of places.

But I, uh, I live here now.

Joe

understand i try to tell the black man