All language subtitles for Trr

- recalling the life
of helen campbell is easy to do,

given the impact she could make
on a person in short order.

to say she was
a woman of impeccable character,

great humor
and limitless heart

barely scratch at the surface.

to point out that she was
a devoted and loving wife

states the obvious.

perhaps the best place to start
is with her charitable work.

there is no way helen's loss
can be lessened for william,

but he can take comfort
in the fact

that many of the most vulnerable
people across this city

mourn her passing as well.

the thousands of hours she gave

to helping others
less fortunate

and the gratitude
of the countless people

whose lives
she personally touched

stand as a living monument
to her generosity of spirit

and sense of community.

well, she could have
merely given generously

to the charities
to which she devoted

her tireless efforts.

for all of this,
the most that can be said is,

you will be missed.

- i'm gonna miss my sister.

you going to be all right,
william?

- mm-hmm.

- [patting on the back]

[clock ticking]

- william...

my sweet, sweet baby.

i'm sorry i won't be there

to do all those things

that we planned.

but i'm not sorry
for one minute

of how we spent
our lives together.

we have been so blessed,

but i can't help thinking

that if we'd had children,

they would be a great comfort
to you now.

don't cut yourself off
from the world.

now, i've asked douglas
to look after you.

try not to argue too much.

and let him win a point or two

now and then.
- [laughs]

- even though i know
you're always right.

and don't let my roses go.

and, william,

one last thing...

i've been thinking about

how to put our books
to better use.

i want you to open up
a reading room.

i want you to open it

in that building that we own
on franklin boulevard,

a place where people can come

and gather...

read a book.

just try it for three months.

this is your chance
to fulfill your dream

of being a teacher.

i told you
i'd never leave you alone.

i will always be there
with you.

look for me.

i love you...

with all my heart,

forever and ever

and ever.

- would you like
your dinner now, mr. campbell?

- no, thank you, emelda.
i'll get it myself later.

you can go home now.

- thank you.

- hmm.

[crickets chirping]

[people talking]

♪

[sighs]

hello.

[ticking]

[school bell ringing]

[laughs]
brings back memories.

- you grew up
in the neighborhood?

- stewart street.

i came over to tell you
that i opened a reading room

over on franklin boulevard.

i just wanted you
to think of it as a resource,

a place where kids
can have access to books,

study, support groups,

whatever it is
that kids do these days.

- do you have a background
in education, mr. campbell?

- i wanted to be a teacher once.

no, i'm a retired businessman.

- and what gave you the idea
to open a reading room?

- my wife.

- i think that's
a wonderful gesture.

may i make a suggestion?
- go ahead.

- well, perhaps you'd like to
make a donation to the school.

we're refurbishing the library,

you know, with the budget
tightening the way it is.

- well, i'll give that
some thought.

i primarily wanted to
let you know about the place.

frankly, i've been there
since the first of the week,

and not one person's come in.

it's getting kind of lonely.

- i appreciate everything
you're doing.

maybe you can leave your address
with mrs. carver

on your way out and...

we'll put something
in the school newspaper.

- ah.

- thank you for stopping by.

♪

[distant children laughing]

[chattering]

- pass it!

pass it!
- what?

- [gasps]

free soda!

[whispering]
hey, you go.

- me?
- you go.

- uh-uh. you go.
- you go. two against one.

- all right, i'll go.

you got free sodas?

- yes, come on in.

- what do i have to do for 'em?

- nothing.

that's what "free" means.

- oh, man!

hey, anthony! eric!

they got all kinds of sodas
in here,

and he's giving them away.

- whoa!
- hurry up.

oh, they got everything.

this is cool.

i wonder if he'll let us
use his computer.

- i'll--i'll ask.
- who's going to ask him?

- i'll ask him.
- i don't want to ask him.

- me neither.
- i'm not asking him.

- well, you ask him.
- no, you.

[refrigerator door slams]

- hey, mister.
can we use this computer?

- that's what it's for.

- hey, you selling books?
- no, i'm not selling them.

this is a reading room.

- oh, so it's like a library.

- well, it's sort of like
a library, yeah.

- you know we have a library
down on maple street?

- that library's been closed
for almost a year.

do you have any magazines?
- no.

- well, you can learn a lot
from magazines.

you ought to get some.

- you know you can get some
across the street

at the drugstore, right?

- was i talking to you, nick?

you can get sodas over there
too, but they ain't free.

- i'll get some magazines.

ok, get ebonyand jet,

essence, people,

soap opera weeklyand pride.

[loud rap music playing
on car stereo]

♪

- everybody's got to come in
and get their own.

- you best just let him
do what he wants.

- [laughs]
- you know what i'm saying?

[laughing]

[coin drops down]

[soda can drops]

- i think you're all set here.

got a bag of tokens,
and i've got a receipt for you.

looking for some bars on
the windows, we can do that too.

- i took them off.

- good luck.

- [panting]
race you to the sodas.

- ok.
- ok.

- on your marks, get set, go.

- what happened?
- what?

- oh, but hey there's--

- no more free sodas?

- they're still free,
but you need a token.

all: oh, ok.

- thank you.
- thanks, mister.

- thanks, mister.

[coin drops]

[can drops]

- ok, come on.

- don't you want to
play the computer?

- the computer doesn't have
any games.

- yeah, bye.
- bye!

[loud rap music on car stereo]

[hydraulics squealing]

[engine revving]

[crickets chirping]

[phone ringing]

- hello?
- mr. campbell?

this is officer keeley.

i'm here in front of
your establishment

on franklin boulevard.

your front window got smashed.
- i'll be right down.

- i think it will be
all right for the night.

it's only a bunch of books.
we'll keep an eye on it.

they may have made off
with your computer.

we saw some cables in there.

- well, thank you, officer.
i will take care of it tomorrow.

- fine. thank you.
goodnight.

[clicks phone off]

- can you teach me
to read better?

mama gave lamont
too much medicine

'cause she couldn't read
the bottle right.

he had to go to the hospital.

if i could read better,
i could help.

- don't they teach you
at school?

- they're teaching,
but it's hard for me.

- oh.

do you know your alphabet?
- a, b, c, d, e, f, g

h, i, j, k, l, m, n, o, p

q, r, s, t, u, v,
w, x, y and z.

- come sit down here
and write your name for me.

majoli.
- ma-jo-lee.

- oh, that's your name.

majoli.
i'm william.

- hi!

- now, what's that letter?

- "m."
- uh-huh.

and how do you say it?

- muh...

- and what's that letter?

- "m."

- uh-huh. and what's that word?

- "mose."

- that's close.
it's "moose."

- "moose."
i have trouble with the vowels.

- yeah, you know,

those vowels are tricky
sometimes.

- i could have wrote
my name neater.

but this chair is
too big for me.

- yeah.

you know, you're right.

we'll have to get you
a chair of your own.

- so you'll teach me?

- i'll try.

so, does it have
a lot of good games?

- yeah. i've installed some of

the more popular
and educational games.

and now that you've got
this cable modem,

you can download others
from the internet.

that should do it.
take care.

- [laughing]

you got those magazines.

- sorry about your window.
what did they steal?

- the computer.
- here it is.

this is how i'm going
to fix my hair.

- who is that? beyonce?
- mm-hmm.

see, this style,

this is what they call
ethereal afroesque.

- girl, you ain't got
hair like that.

what you need to do is
set your hair in some straws.

leesha!
- what? he doesn't mind.

come on.
[laughs]

[car alarm beeps]

[gun cocking]
- don't turn around.

keys! give me the keys!

over by the wall!
move! by the wall!

[engine starting]

[wheels squealing,
engine revving]

[car alarm activating]

[muted conversations]

[phones ringing]

- ok, william, you've given it
a good faith effort.

i don't think my sister
intended for you to get killed.

- douglas, i'm not going
to get killed.

where's your car?
- over here.

do you realize you've just
been robbed at gunpoint?

- i don't think he really
had a gun.

- oh, that's wonderful.

after you get shot,
what are you gonna say?

"i don't think he really
had a bullet."

- she wanted me to do this.
she had a reason.

- sure, she probably thought
it was therapeutic,

not mope around forever.

but there are
other alternatives.

take up golf.
do a fundraiser.

those are activities
where they don't steal your car.

- it's only
a couple more months.

- my advice. you want to
make a contribution?

contribute money.
it's more direct.

- i'll survive.

- this car is really good.
- no, no.

- let me show you the most
exciting thing about this car.

- no, no, no, no.

no, this one here.

- ice cream sandwich.

- mr. campbell!
come quick.

you can't keep anything nice
around here.

[video game noises]
[kids yelling]

- go!
- you have one life left.

- you suck at this.
- you stink.

- game over.

- goodbye, mr. william.
see you later.

- see you later, mr. william.

- can i help you find something?

- uh, do you have any of
those books for the sat?

uh, the tests you take
to get into college?

the scholastic aptitude test?

- yes, i know
what you're talking about, no.

you mean like a prep book?
- yes.

- no, we don't have
any of those.

- oh.

- but i'll get you one.

- you know, you can take
a practice sat.

- i already did.

- how'd you do?

come back tomorrow.

- ok.

- are you going to buy him
that book?

- you can't let a book stand
between him and college.

- nonsense. what stands
between him and college

is people's lack of care
and lack of encouragement.

- i'm william campbell.
- diana weston.

may i borrow this book?

- by all means.

- what's the idea
behind this place?

- i'm learning as i go along.

[man yelling outside]

- nice meeting you, diana.

leesha! you're just the person
i want to talk to.

i was wondering if you'd like
to work here in the afternoons

watching the younger kids.

uh, i'll pay you $10 an hour.

we can firm things up later!

- ba-- ba--

- long "e."
- what's long?

- well, that's when the vowel
sounds exactly like you say it.

a. e. i. o. u.

- oh, yeah.

"ba"-- "bee."

- right!

- ca...

[phone rings]

ca...

- hello?
- mr. campbell?

officer keeley here.

we arrested the man
that robbed you.

- you found my car?
- no, the computer.

- i see.

- we'd like for you to come down
and identify the item.

[people talking,
phones ringing]

- right this way, sir.

- yeah, i'm moving, man.

- yeah, it looks like
the same one.

- we'll have to keep it
as evidence.

it will be returned to you
after the trial.

- thank you.

what's his name?

- javier ramirez.
- does he do this a lot?

- been picked up before.

petty stuff,
but he could be moving up.

- can i talk to him?

- sit down.

- how much did you get
for the computer?

- 50 bucks.

- doesn't seem worth it,
does it?

- man, what is this about?

- you can go back to your cell
anytime you want, javier.

- that's all you had,
so that's what i took.

- is that how you get
your money? robbing people?

- no. that's a hobby.

actually, i'm a dentist.

- did you ever consider
getting a job?

- there are no decent jobs
to get in my neighborhood.

- i'll give you a job.
- don't mess with me, man.

- not messing with you.

security guard
at the reading room.

400 a week.

- what? you want me to be
your pet gorilla?

- best offer i have.

if it's beneath your dignity,

if it somehow compromises
your values, stay here.

- what about the charges?

- as long as you're working,
i'll drop the charges.

♪

young man!

we have a deal.

[muted conversations]

- who are you?

- javier.

- do you know mr. william?

- i'm working for him.

- he's teaching me to read.

i know all the vowel sounds.

- i was never very good
in school.

- maybe mr. william
can help you.

- yeah, maybe.

- hi, mr. william.

is that all you ever do,
is read?

- well, i guess i do read
quite a bit.

- don't you ever get tired
of that?

don't you ever want
to go play?

- reading is like play to me.

- reading isn't like playing.

one day, i'll take you
to the park,

and i'll teach you something.

- [laughs] one day.

right now, let's work
on these vowels.

- may i get a soda first?

- this your first today?

- yes.
- ok.

[loud rap music playing]

- what up, cousin?

- what's up, man?
- what's good, man?

- you know,
just doing this thing.

- well, come on, compadre.
let's roll.

- i feel like i should hang
around here a couple more days.

- why? it's over, man.
he dropped the charges.

- i know.

but i feel like we have...
an agreement.

- hey, don't be a chump, cuz.

what? you going to hang around
for this old man

like his pit bull?

come on, let's party.

[door shuts]

- what's up, reverend?

- what are you gentlemen...
up to?

- nothing. just chilling.

- i've got a wonderful idea.

seeing that you've got
so much time to chill,

why don't you volunteer
down at the church?

we can always use some help.

- yeah. yeah, we'll think
about that, reverend.

laters, compadre.
- [speaks spanish]

- let's roll, man.

- i'm working.

[car doors shut]

- the p-i-ig...

"dog."
- very good.

may i help you?

- i'm reverend rashid rahim

from the first faith
congregation.

- william campbell.

- what are you doing here,
sweetheart?

- mr. william is teaching me
to read better.

- that's a good thing.

you go home now, ok?

- ok.

i'll be back tomorrow,
mr. william.

- sweet little girl.
- yes, she is.

- and you're teaching her
to read better.

- yes.
- tell me...

by teaching a couple
of poor kids to read,

you think that makes
a difference

in the big social order?

- actually, i don't have
a master plan.

- then why are you here,
my brother?

- tell me, uh,

is this reading room
a problem for you, reverend?

- so far, you're down here
playing santa claus,

giving out free sodas.

but maybe in a while,
you get bored,

go back to the lakefront
or wherever

with your soul cleansed.

- actually, i was raised
in this neighborhood.

- well, that was
quite a while ago, wasn't it?

and it ain't the same anymore,
is it?

- so, reverend,
what's your interest?

why did you come here?

- well, we serve as advocates
for this neighborhood,

mr. campbell.

we embrace
our cultural identities

and encourage self-sufficiency

and local ownership
of businesses.

- you think i came here
to exploit this neighborhood?

- my concern is that
you come into our community,

form attachments
like with that little girl,

give hope.

then you decide it's not
what you thought it would be,

and you leave.

- question:

what harm would
reading these books do?

mark twain, melville,
the classics.

- "the classics"?

40% of the people down here
are hispanic.

20% asian.

tell me, do you have
any paz, any marquez,

any laozi?

because those are classics
to them.

- point well taken.

- have a good day,
mr. campbell.

- does that mean i have
your approval?

- do you need my approval?

- i'm getting that impression.

- you brush up
on your ethnic studies,

my brother.

[cars honking]

♪

- all right, thank you.

i've been expecting you
for a week.

- i had mid-terms.

- you can take it home
if you'd like.

- i'll look at it here.

- it's too hot for me.

man, we're out of orange.

[can cracking open]

they tried to make me
read this once in high school.

that movie was on
the other night.

that's some slow stuff.

[book drops]
denzel.

he makes, like,
20 million a year.

i should be an actor,
nothing to that.

- maybe you should take
acting lessons.

- you think you should
take lessons for everything.

- "three pig--"

- let the pictures help you.
- "going out."

- [laughs]
excellent!

- mr. campbell.

edgar, this is mr. campbell.

- edgar. pleased to meet you.

- you sit down here
and look at the books

while i talk with mr. campbell.

that-- that boy

is the brightest kid
in his class.

his math ability
is off the charts.

but he has a reading disorder,

and i want you to help him.

- you're his mother?
- i'm his teacher.

- oh. so the other day
when you were down here,

what was that,
undercover work?

- yes.
- oh.

well, what can i do for edgar?

i don't know anything
about reading disorders.

aren't the public schools
obligated to

offer special courses
for that sort of thing?

- yes, what the public schools
are obligated to do

and what they actually do
are two very different things.

- well, i'm not equipped.

- well, then get equipped.

that's what you came down here
to do, do it.

- are you majoli's teacher
as well?

- yes, and i see the progress
you've made with her.

then we'll see you here
tomorrow.

come on, edgar.

- give me a few days.

♪

miss?

you tutoring?

- yes.
- oh. i'm william.

i have a child
with a learning disability.

not my child, i opened
a reading room over on franklin,

and his teacher brought him in.

- how old is he?

- oh, he's eight, i guess,
or nine.

- has he been tested?

- i was hoping to leave that
all up to you.

- [laughs] ok.

so what would the schedule
be like?

- any weekday afternoon.
school's over at 3:00.

do you know where franklin is
in the oakdale district?

- i wouldn't be interested
in going down there.

- we have security.
it's not that bad.

- sorry. not interested.

- well, it seems to me
that given who you are,

you would be interested
in something like this.

- and just who am i?
- you're an educator.

- the timing's just not
good for me right now.

- right now, the timing
is crucial for him.

- look, i know oakdale.

i grew up in oakdale.

and i've worked real hard
so that, hopefully,

i won't ever have to
go back there again

if i don't want to.

i need to make something
of myself.

i don't know
if you can understand that

or if it makes any sense,
but i'm sorry.

- what makes sense is
edgar needs help reading,

and you want to be a teacher.

- i'm sorry.

- it's in the oakdale district.

it's not that bad.

i've been down there
almost a month already.

well, if you're worried
about security-- no, no.

this child
doesn't have transportation.

oh, ok.

yes, i understand.

goodbye.
[phone clicks off]

[dialing beeps]

[ringing]

hello. i read your ad
on the college bulletin board.

would you be willing
to do some tutoring

down in the oakdale area?

yes, that oakdale.

ok, thank you. goodbye.

[phone clicks off]

there's a boy in oakdale
named edgar

who needs your help.

if you can help,
please call me.

you'll be changing a life,

and you'll be fulfilling
the purpose of yours.

[women arguing]

- i'm finished.

- excellent.

- not a pressing comb.
what you need is a flat iron.

and you should go next door
to maite

so she can do something
about it.

- go ahead, leesha.
take whatever magazine you want.

- oh.

- have you seen javier?
- no.

- nope.

- hi, darryl.

- what up, darryl?

- huh?

- what's wrong, darryl?
you too good to talk to me?

you know your brainy
math classes.

you know, you ain't nothing
but a wimp.

come on, dayva.

- very bad hair day.

[video game noises]
- go, go, go, go.

go, go, go, go.

go, go! crash!

- [mumbling]

- come on, let's go
to the park and play basketball.

- yeah, let's go shoot
some hoops.

- now, edgar,
what's that letter?

- "e."

- now, say that word.

- e...

el...

i don't know. just tell me.
- "g."

- it doesn't help for you
to give him the answer.

- i'm stupid at reading.
that's all.

- oh no, you're not stupid.

mrs. weston told me.
you're very smart.

- then how come i can't read?

♪

- edgar, this is jillian.

- hi, edgar.
- hi.

- i've got some really fun games

i'd like to play with you.

i bet you have
a great memory.

- i do my math better and faster
than anyone in my class.

- well then,
this will be easy for you.

and your name is?
- majoli.

- majoli, pleased to meet you.

why don't you take william
over to the other table

and read some stories

while edgar and i
play for a little while?

- ok.
- ok.

- [whispers]
thank you.

- ok, i have
some letter blocks here

that will hopefully help us
learn how to read.

he's going to need
two sessions a week.

tuesdays and thursdays
would fit in

with my class schedule.

- uh. would you like me
to pay you for today?

- we can take care of it
monthly.

also, i'd like to set up
a little area in the corner,

a rug, some pillows
for the kids to sit on.

you know, so it doesn't feel

so much like work
and school for them.

- whatever you want.
- ok. thanks.

- all correct except one.

let's go over some math.

- hey, bill.
what's cracking?

- put my coat on the chair there
please.

where have you been for
these last few days, javier?

- had some business
to take care of.

- this is your business.

you have a job here.
- i know that.

- then why didn't you show up
for work?

- i told you, i was busy.

- well, be busy
on your own time.

- what am i?
like your slave?

- no, you're like my employee.

you draw a paycheck.

- yo, man!
i don't take crap from no one.

- oh no, javier.
this is not crap.

this is life. this is plain old
ordinary, everyday life.

and it goes on in every
neighborhood in this city.

- i'm getting preached
by the big rich man.

- i'll tell you what.
you take the day off.

you think about it.
you do your business, whatever.

and if you still want a job,
show up on monday.

[man yelling in distance]

- "now it is day.

"the sun is up.

"now is the t--
- long "i."

- "time for all dogs to get up."
- perfect.

- majoli, girl, you better
get home this instant.

- i will.

- and i better not catch you
spending time down here again.

- yes, mama.

- now take your little brother
home.

- yes, mama.
- mrs. hawkins.

- i'm not hawkins.
she's got her daddy's name.

- well, ma'am,

majoli needs extra help
with her reading.

- she needs to be watching
her little brother.

she got school
to teach her reading.

she'll learn soon enough.

- maybe not soon enough
for lamont.

- i need majoli at home because
i've got a job interview.

how's it going to look
if i bring a five-year-old

to the supermarket
for an interview?

they're going to see already
i got babysitting problems.

in our house, we got to eat
before we read.

- you can't leave him
with majoli.

she's only eight years old.

- and i can't leave him alone.
- you can leave him here.

i pay leesha to watch
the little kids.

- and who's going to pay after
they chase you up out of here?

- i'm not getting chased
out of here.

- yes, you are.
your kind always is.

- you sure you're doing that
right, william?

- do you want to do it,
douglas?

- [laughs] no, thanks.

- [groans] helen taught me
all about it.

i was thinking about
the headstone,

what to engrave on it.

- oh, there's plenty of time
for that.

- i never knew
what she would have wanted.

i never let her talk about it,

but she did say that
she wanted to be buried

where your folks are.

how are the kids?

- good. keith's deciding
which law school to go to.

- ah.

you'll have a junior partner
in two years, huh?

- i don't think so.
he wants to go into labor law.

too much of
that bradshaw idealism in him.

- and melissa?
- she loves design school.

wants to become
a commercial artist,

open up her own business.

- aw, that's great.
- yeah.

so how's that place of yours
in oakdale going?

- it's going good.

i'm teaching this little girl
how to read better,

and this high school boy's
studying for his sat,

and he will go to college.

and other kids come in.
it's really gratifying.

- your term is up soon, no?

sounds like you've done
some good work.

why don't you turn it over
to someone else?

- well, i might do that.

hey, darryl.

why don't you ever take
your book home with you?

- i'm afraid i'll lose it.
- lose it?

you treat this book like
it's the most important thing
in your life.

you're more likely
to lose your arm.

- well, yeah,
maybe somebody will steal it.

- i can't give away books
down here.

nobody's going to steal it.

- i don't want to take it home,
ok?

my father doesn't have
the money to send me to college.

so why would i tell him i'm
taking a college entrance exam?

he'll just tell me
i'm wasting my time.

- why didn't you tell me?
- what would it change?

i need a high score on the sat
to get a scholarship,

or else i'm going to end up
selling tires like him,

talking about
how unfair the world is,

and how i should be boss,
'cause he ain't nothing

but a fool with a piece of paper
from college.

- i still wish i'd known,
darryl.

- i use the reading room address
for them to mail me my scores.

- well, that's fine.

you're going to do great
on that test, ok?

- yeah. i'll see you next week.

[loud rap music playing]

- hey, old man.

run in and get me a soda.

- you're welcome to come in
and get one for yourself.

- i'm too uneducated
to do it myself.

i want you to do it for me.

- you know, you gentlemen
have something i don't have.

time to waste.

[tires squealing]

- woo hoo!

- sh-- mmm--

ff-- tt-- ee.

that doesn't mean anything.

- yes, it does.
it means you got it right.

ok, let's try some new sounds.

- kk--
- "c" sounds.

- kk-- kk-- pet.

fee?
- right.

- kk...

that's "at."
"cat"?

- right.
what about that?

- that's a cat.

bb-- bb-- "bat."

- excellent.

- kk...

- you must be lamont.

- you got a soda?

- how about a glass
of lemonade?

- i want soda pop,
or i'll tell mama.

- oh, ok! ok!

you got it.

[people yelling]

- read to yourself a while,
majoli.

[soda can dropping into bin]

- stephen, have you seen javier?

- i saw him yesterday
down by the overpass.

- what goes on down there?

- i don't know.
guys just hang.

- hang, huh?

who's that tall man that's
been coming to the park lately?

the one with the tattoos?

- i don't know.
he doesn't bother anybody.

can i get some sodas
for eric and anthony?

we're playing hide and seek,

and that's the only way
i can get them to come out.

- [laughs]

well, i will make an exception
in your case.

you were my first customer.

[people talking outside]

- mr. campbell.
- hello, reverend.

- i see your trees
are doing well.

- yeah, i was afraid
for a while there

that it wouldn't even take root.

- [laughs]

nice selection.

- i'm glad you approve.

- the congregation continues
to have discussions

regarding your presence in
the neighborhood, mr. campbell.

- i thought that was settled.

- we have learned that a number
of buildings in the area

are owned by w.h.c. ventures,

of which you are president
and sole shareholder?

- that is correct.

- how many other properties
in the area

do you own, mr. campbell?

- i'm told that the congregation

owns several properties
in the area.

what is the difference?

- the difference is
we live here.

- i do not own any other
properties in the area.

- stop hassling mr. campbell.

can't you see the work
he's doing here?

- sister,
one man's good intentions

do not change my world.

- but this is his world,
reverend.

- well, that's very heartfelt.

but the issue is
larger than that, isn't it?

- we do not want to set
a precedent

that would open the door
to others who might want

to exploit our community,
do we?

i see your legion of supporters
is growing. that's a good sign.

- why can't you make
an exception in my case?

you can see
what my intentions are.

- i am puzzled
by your determination.

- and i am puzzled
by your resistance.

- the result
of many disappointments.

♪

- hey, boss.

- you don't have a job
here anymore, javier.

- i know i messed up,
but i got my reasons.

- i don't care about
the reasons. you're fired.

- how come you're so nice
to everybody else

and so hard on me?

- because you're the only one
scamming me.

- you act like you gave me
the most glamorous job

in the whole world.

- it was a job.

it paid a good wage.

now, i'm going to hire
somebody else.

- yeah, somebody else
to sit out front

and be your pit bull.

- oh, that's how you see
the job?

- that's not how i see it, man!

that's how it is!
- no!

it was an opportunity.
- opportunity? for what?

huh? to be a future bank guard?

- what's good enough for you,
javier?

is somebody going to make you
a movie star or rap singer?

- i know nobody's going to
make me their punk.

- nobody's going to make you
anything at this rate.

let's face it, javier.

you want the money.
you don't want to do the work.

i'm sure that you've had
an unfortunate background.

now matter how disadvantaged
you've been,

just stop blaming the world
for everything.

you make your choices.

here's the money.

[door opens]

- grab a book, majoli.
we'll start in a minute.

- no reading today,
mr. william.

- hmm...

[laughs]

- yay!
- come on, pass me the ball!

- yay!
- come on! yeah!

- got you.
- give it to mr. william.

- shoot it.

all: [cheering]

- edgar! go, edgar!

- i got it! i got it!

oh yeah, look at that.
- [cheering]

go edgar!

ow! i missed!

yay, mr. william!
- yay!

- i've got to go.

- later.

bye, mr. william.

[distant fire engines]

- yo, javier.

he's got new computers
in that place now, doesn't he?

- leave it alone, man.

- hey, what do you mean?

you've got a key, right?

i mean, you've been opening up
that place for him.

- just let it go, cuz!

- what is with you, man?

you don't owe that sucker
nothing.

- it's not worth it.
just leave it alone.

[group grumbles]

- trippin'.
- you lost it, man.

- hey...

i'm the one around here
who says what's worth it.

- not for me.

- man, that fool crazy, dog,
know what i'm saying?

- ok, primo.

you don't want to do it?

just give us the key.

hey, man, we're blood.

why you siding with this guy?

he doesn't care about you.

give me the key,

and you don't have to have
nothing to do with it.

- no!
- venga, ese.

- man, i can't believe
you're doing this, man.

ever since you were a kid
i took care of you,

let you hang around me.

- you took care of me, huh?

you just wanted me
to hang around

to make you feel like a big man!

- hey! where you going?!

what?

now you got this job, and you
think you're better than me?

you ain't going back there.

i promise you that.
- little punk.

[phone rings]

- hello?

- anybody else in there?
- nothing.

[men talking]

[siren wails]

[thunder rolls]

- [sighs]

[thunder rolls]

- what's up, rev?

- hello, reverend.
- hello.

my brother. sister.
- nice to see you, reverend.

- where are you going,
brother campbell?

don't you see
there's work to be done here?

this is our community!

this is our neighborhood!

all: [agreeing]
- this is our house!

- that's right.

- we must not let them do this
to our house.

who's gonna join us?

are you gonna join us?
are you gonna join us?

are you gonna join us,
brother campbell?

[people talking excitedly]

all: [oohing and ahhing]

- all right, pile all the trash
in the center here.

try and salvage
as many books as possible.

put them on the shelves.

all right, good friends,
good work, good work.

now, it's time
to take the trash out.

[general chatter]

- you need some more help?

- always.

so...

do you know who did this?

- i've got some idea.

- have you gotten any proof?

- not really.

- that wasn't you
who broke into this place

and took the computer, was it?

- no.

- why'd you cover for him?

- he's already gone to jail.

he'd do hard time.
that's what you do for family.

at least, that's what
i used to think.

how'd you know?

- just a hunch.

i've gotten acquainted
with you a little.

- ok, what's "a"'s best friend?

- "i."
- sound it out.

- w...wait.
w-a-i-t.

[low chatter]

- picked up some more magazines.

- oh, great.

- [sighs] i'm burnt out.

- you'll do great tomorrow.

- well...

- you'll be fine.

- what's that supposed to be?

- it's a collage, fool.

[snickers]
- yo, whatever.

both: [laughing]

- can i walk you to your car?

- you know, you should
stay away from him.

the man's got no respect
for women.

- [laughs nervously]
um, yeah, you can walk me out.

- bye, jillian.
- see you next week, kiddo.

- you know, i would hate her
if she wasn't so nice.

- i hate her anyway.
- girl, you just spiteful.

- no, i ain't.
look who's talking.

- darryl!

come here.

you're going to
pass that test tomorrow.

i've seen how hard you work,
and i know how smart you are.

- i like your hair.

- they're extensions.

- you look nice.
- thank you.

you know, the world
doesn't have to know

that they're extensions.

- the whole world knows
that your texture

didn't change overnight,
leesha.

- whatever.

- you sure did get things
up and running again quickly.

- how do you like the new look?
- i think it's wonderful.

- ms. weston.

look, i'm reading a book
about snakes.

- that's wonderful, edgar.
don't you have to go home soon?

- yeah.
- ok.

do you like lasagna?

so you live on the southside?

- yes.

- whereabouts?

- crescent hills.

- you must have had
a very good job

before you opened up
the reading room.

- i owned a factory.

fanfare picture frames.
it was my family's business.

i was raised right over here
on stewart street.

- so you sold that business?

- yeah, to a group of investors.

and then helen and i
were going to do some traveling.

you know, this was very good.

- you're really good with kids,
you know.

- i wanted to be a teacher once.

- why didn't you?
- mm.

[clears throat]

i left graduate school
to take over the family business

and never went back.

- you never had kids
of your own?

- no, we couldn't.

you know, back in the day
when we were married,

they didn't have
all that technology.

[clears throat]

when a woman was told that
she couldn't have babies,

she just resigned herself
to the fact.

- and what about adoption?

- we talked about it.
i was stubborn.

i wanted my own.

it was a big mistake.

when i look around and i see
these young people like jillian,

i say to myself:

"she could have been
my daughter.

we could have had a family."

how long have you been
a teacher?

- 25 years.

- must be very gratifying.

- it's actually gut-wrenching.
[laughs]

i mean, think about it.

a class of eight-year-olds
with every problem in the book.

half of them won't even
graduate high school,

and a very small fraction
of them

will even think about
going on to college.

last week, this, uh--

this young man
came into my class

and gave me a big hug.

and it turns out he was
one of my first students

and now is
a third-year resident.

- that counts for something.

- it counts for everything.

- "one fish, two fish,
red fish, blue fish,"

by doctor seuss.

i'll read the words,
and you point to the pictures.

ok?
- ok.

- "one fish, two fish,
red fish, blue fish.

"black fish, blue fish,
old fish, new fish.

"this one has a little star.

this one has a little..."
- car!

- "say, what a lot of fish
there are."

- majoli?

- mama, majoli's teaching me
to read.

- that's good, baby.

you both be home by 5:00,
you hear?

- we will, mama.

"yes, some are red,
and some are blue.

"some are old,
and some are new.

"some are sad,
and some are glad.
some are very, very bad."

- ah, how you doing?
- ah, hi, mrs. wing. hey.

- nice to see you.
- you need a haircut.
- [laughs]

- [crying]

- leesha? what's wrong?

- my stepdad beat me up.
- what?

- he's drunk.
he said i burnt his dinner.

but he doesn't need an excuse.

- you'd better call the police.
- no!

no, if you put him in jail,
my mom's gonna blame me.

he'll be fine tomorrow.

[groans]

- what's wrong?
- my side. it really hurts.

- we'd better get her
to the emergency room.

[siren]

- doctor jennings to radiology.

- how is she, doctor?

- she has a fractured rib
that's pushing on her lung.

i bandaged up her ribs, but
she's still in a bit of pain.

i'd like to keep her here
overnight.

you can go and see her now.

- thank you, doctor.

[machines beeping]
- nurse owens, 64-24...

- [sighs]

- how do you feel?

- not so bad.

i'm sorry, mr. campbell.

- sorry about what?

- i'm not good for anything.

- that's not true.
- it is.

what have i ever done?

- remember when i first opened
the reading room

and omar and those guys came by?

you were the only one
who showed any concern for me.

- what do you mean? because i
told you not to mess with them?

- not just that.
you were on my side.

i felt like you were
the only person,

and whenever i see you,
that's what i remember.

- i only wanted the magazines.
[laughs]

- i don't believe that
for a second.

- look, i'm gonna pay you back
for these medical bills.

- you don't have to pay me back.

you just rest now.

- darryl?

- 920.

- leave me alone.

- what happened?
- leave me alone!

- i need an explanation.

- the explanation is,
i'm stupid.

- there's got to be
some mistake.

- there's no mistake. go away.
it's over with.

- i need to know

how you could do so badly
on the test.

- i read too slow.

it takes me a while
to sort out the words.

i've been faking it
all the way through school.

- how about the practice test?
- i memorized those.

- to impress you.

jillian, everybody.

on the real test
when the time was up,

i hadn't even made it through
the second reading section.

i guessed on all the others.

- why didn't you tell us?
we could have helped you.

you've seen how jillian
works with the kids.

- i'm not a kid!
i'm 17 years old!

- maybe you could take it again.
- no, i can't. it's over.

- you didn't memorize the math.
you got 680 in that.

that's in the 90th percentile.

- will you just forget it?!

- maybe we can let them know
on the application

that you have this problem.

- why you care so much
what happens to me?

- the real question is why
you're surprised that i care.

my wife had a theory:

the more care you bring
into the world,

the less room there is for hate.

- is that why you came
down here?

to honor your wife?

college isn't everything.
- college is where you belong.

- a 920 on your sat
doesn't get you that.

it only gets you
working at the tire store.

- what happened?
- he says he reads too slow.

all those practice tests,
he's been memorizing them

just to impress us.

- reads too slow?

- it takes him a while
to sort it out.

- well, he can take
an untimed test.

lots of students do it.
dyslexics, blind, deaf.

there are
all sorts of exemptions.

[school bell ringing]

- this is so rare down here.

the student needs to be tested,

a specific diagnosis.

a counselor needs to coordinate
the entire process.

we need to arrange for time,

appoint a proctor for the exam.

- you're telling me
it's just too much trouble

to allow this kid
to have a shot at a future.

- what i'm saying is,
it's a lot more complicated

than you imagine.

- i can handle
the complications.

- the truth is, some students
just don't test well.

- the truth is that
the testing process is flawed.

- look, mr. campbell,
the community is
very appreciative

of what you've done.

- then show your appreciation

by allowing darryl
to retake his sat.

- what i see here is
very consistent with his record.

psat score was, well,
its equivalent.

he's always been strong in math

and quite average
in his verbal subjects.

- that's because he can't read.

- that's a bit of
an exaggeration.

i don't see any drop off here
from--

- no, forget the file.
i know this kid.

he's smart.
he belongs at a university.

all he needs is for you to help
him take an untimed sat.

man, do these kids
have to fight with everybody?

- he'll need to be tested.
get a legitimate diagnosis.

- i'll take care of that.
will you help with the rest?

- as you suspected,
darryl has a reading variance,

a decoding problem that
impairs his processing speed.

i have no problem recommending
that he take an untimed sat.

you can see that darryl
is extremely bright

in almost all areas.

the areas where his scores
fall off--

- so you think i could go
to college?

- given the testing i've done,

i not only think
you can go to college,

i think you can get
an academic scholarship.

- what kind of sat score
would he need for a scholarship?

- something over 1400.

♪

- this test will be untimed.

we will have breaks
at 90-minute intervals.

you may begin the test now.

[student coughing]

- thank you.

- ok.

send me the policy,
and, uh, i'll take a look at it.

i got a guy that says
he can save us 600 on insurance.

- bill...

- i also ordered
those books you wanted.

- bill...

"mr. darryl james barber."

- i can't bear to do it.
you open it.

- mm.

oh...

there must be some mistake.

says you got a 1540.

- what?!

- [laughs]

- you must be some genius.

- looks like you're going
to college.

yeah.
[laughs]

- i'm going to college.

- congratulations.

wow.

[kids yelling]

- ok, come on in.

form a circle, everybody.
- hi.

- form a circle.

come on, hurry up.
- hi.

- hello.
- all right, class.

this is the reading room.

now, if there's ever a book

that you can't find
in the school library,

you can just come here.

now, i have a surprise for you.
take a seat.

anywhere you can find one, ok?

[kids talking]

- "believe in yourself.

"set your standards high.
you deserve the best.

"try for what you want,
and never settle for less.

"believe in yourself,
no matter what you choose.

"keep a winning attitude,
and you can never lose.

"think about your destination,
but do not worry if you stray.

"because
the most important thing

"is what you have learned
along the way.

"take all that you've become
to be all you can be.

soar above the clouds, and let
your dreams set you free."

all: [clapping and cheering]
- good job, edgar!

- [whistling]

- good job!
- you did it!

all: [cheering]

- [whistling]

[party music on boom box]

- mmm! the winner.

- would you like some soda,
william?

- thank you.

we have a new video game
about a detective.

you have to look up information
to solve the crime.

- mr. campbell, i've got some
good news and some bad news.

- uh-oh.

- the bad news is,
i'm giving you my notice.

i'm going to go next door
and work at martha's.

she gave me a job
doing color and stuff.

but don't worry, because dayva's
going to take over for me.

- oh, well that's good news
all around.

you'll be right next door.
congratulations.

- mr. campbell.

i hate to disturb your party,

but i just wanted to tell you

that we arrested omar
for setting the fire.

- what evidence?
- well, we have a witness.

- who?
- that man.

he brought him in.

- what's his name?
- victor hernandez.

- oh...excuse me.

- sure.

- you're edgar's father,
aren't you?

- he doesn't know me.

i was in prison
when edgar was born.

- well, why don't you
come on over

and introduce yourself to edgar?

- no. i will
when the time is right.

thank you for teaching him
to read.

- thank you, for what you did.

- that was my pleasure.

[door opens]

- mr. campbell?

what do you think?

thank you.

we have something for you.

- this gift is for you, william.

it's from all of us
whose lives you've touched.

- [laughs]

all: [laughing]

- [laughs]

this is majoli's handprint

and edgar's.

[laughs]

oh...

my wife would have loved this.

helen campbell.

wish you could have known her.

it was her last wish
that i come down here

and open this reading room,

and now i'm beginning
to understand why.

she understood what i would need
after she was gone.

a family.
[laughs]

all: [laughing]

[applause]

- [laughs]

[kids yelling]

- reverend.
- brother campbell.

nice day, isn't it?

your trees
seem to be doing well.

they look as if
they might survive.

what do you think?

- i believe you're right.

- have a nice afternoon.

- hey, boss.
were you taking the day off?

- no, i'm taking the week off.

- i'm supposed to watch
this place alone?

- hire somebody.

we can use the help.
somebody can use a summer job.

- boss, you want me to
get you a new one?

- yeah, one for the whole year.

and give yourself a raise.

[kids yelling and playing]

all: [cheering]

♪