( waves crashing )
( siren wails in distance )
( glass shatters )
( alarm blaring )
( glass shatters )
( dog barks )
( groans softly )
( baby crying )
( groans softly )
You ain't leaving that baby here--
not hollering like that, you ain't.
You ain't leaving that baby here--
( baby continues crying )
You ain't leaving that baby here--
( coughing )
You ain't leaving that baby here--
MAN: Yo, girl! Hey, baby!
Come on over here and get warm.
MAN: Yo, girl! Hey, baby!
( man laughing ) Come on, now.
MAN: Yo, girl! Hey, baby!
( continues crying )
MAN: Yo, girl! Hey, baby!
We gonna trade you some good shit!
( siren wails in distance )
We gonna trade you some good shit!
Come on, you can have a little bit of this.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
Come on, now.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
You know, we know what you need.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
Come on, baby.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
Okay, Isaiah.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
There you go, okay? Shh.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
I'll be right back, okay?
We gonna trade you some good shit!
That's right.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
Okay, okay.
We gonna trade you some good shit!
Okay, there you go.
( panting )
Okay.
( panting )
( crying continues )
( panting )
( moans )
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
( mechanical grinding )
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Yeah, yeah, you said the same thing after the '85 Bears.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Ain't gonna happen. The Knicks have got Pat Riley,
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
and he's going to make Patrick Ewing play some ball.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Hey, you got B.J. coming off the bench, shooting a three.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
I'm thinking about coming out of retirement and playing myself.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Yeah, I heard that.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
I know one thing-- I can stop Ewing.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
I just have to deal with Oakley's muscle
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
underneath the board.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
I-I used to play some great defense.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
They used to call me "The Wall."
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Yeah-- wall-eyed Wally.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
( laughing )
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Yeah, Oakley under the boards, my butt.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
M.J. and Scottie'll take care of the Knicks.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Pippen's bad.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
The Knicks are playing some mean D.
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Hey, did you see what Jordan did to that defense last night?
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
That's what I'm talking about!
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Swoosh! I wouldn't trade defense...
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
( baby crying ) Hey, hey, you got B.J. coming off ...
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Holy shit!
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Stop the blade!
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
Stop the blade! Stop it!
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
( siren wailing )
I'm telling you, man, the Bulls are going to repeat.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Two cc's epinephrine, I.M.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Let's get him to the warmer. It's over there!
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Let's roll! Get out of the way-- baby coming!
WOMAN: What's he been given?
All right.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Monitor. Okay, let's get some new vitals on him.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
What do we got here?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
I need a half-normal saline
WOMAN: What's he been given?
with glucose drip, and get me a respirator.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Hold it, hold it. Wait.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
No IV established? No.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Why not? Not ready to get a line in.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Okay, 24-gauge ampule. I'll do it myself.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Go ahead, hold that, yeah.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Let me have a blood gas.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
He's a subdermal hematoma, Mrs. Ianelli.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
He's five months old.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
You didn't think he might roll off that top bunk?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
He never did it before. Now you know it's possible.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
He's not Peter Pan. He can't fly.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
We need you.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
You're going to have to wait here
WOMAN: What's he been given?
until the x rays get back.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
At least she didn't dump him in a pot of boiling water, huh?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Yeah, she did that last month-- said his bath was too hot.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
What have we got?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
This one was found in a dumpster.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
( laughs ): Jesus.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
( monitor beeping )
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Social Services? Mm-hmm?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
He's not breathing on his own.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Can you sign off?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Sign off? Yeah. No extraordinary measures.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
Why don't we just dump him back in the garbage?
WOMAN: What's he been given?
All right, lady-- play God.
WOMAN: What's he been given?
MAN: Anyone got the paperwork on Mr. Romano?
WOMAN: It's tachycardia.
( beeping accelerates ) BP's down.
WOMAN: It's tachycardia.
Respiratory's erratic.
WOMAN: It's tachycardia.
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
Keep the oxygen up. This infant's having a seizure.
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
Uh, doctor!
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
Phenobarbital, stat.
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
Let's get him up to NICU.
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
What'd I tell you?
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
( all talking at once )
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
WOMAN: Hold the elevator!
BP up. It looks like a brain bleed.
DOCTOR: Damn it, hold that elevator!
( groaning softly )
( panting )
Oh, my God!
Oh, my God, my baby! My baby!
Oh, my God!
Shut up, ho! Where's my baby!
Oh, my God!
Had enough racket around here!
Oh, my God!
Police! Dead babies!
Oh, my God!
Get out of here!
Oh, my God!
I said get out my alley!
Oh, my God!
Get! ( glass breaking )
My baby...
Get! ( glass breaking )
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
but you can hold him.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Okay. ( baby crying )
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Ain't this a cute baby?
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Oh, there you go.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Excuse me, Margaret. Shh. What?
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
That baby you asked about last round?
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Yeah? He's in NICU.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Oh. Excuse me. Thank you.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Just talk to him. He'll be all right.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
His prints were on the computer.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
He was born at Cook County three days ago.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Mother and baby both crack-addicted.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
He's over there: Isaiah Richards.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Huh.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
WOMAN ( over p.a. ): Nurse Forgen to East Wing Two.
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
( monitor beeping )
I know all the tubes and wires are frightening,
Isaiah.
"And he shall be called wonderful."
( over p.a. ): Dr. Parks, 6214.
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Now I'm getting flashbacks off some O.J. ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ But the drink glass says Tanqueray ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Took it to the edge of the bed with the quickness ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Now I need a bitch so I can handle my business ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ What do you know, a freak's in my business ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Went down on the flo', stuck it in the ho ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ While she's screaming and she's screaming ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ And she's screaming ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Here we go, here we go ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ With a bang-bang... ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
Look at her. Yeah.
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
Just asking for it. Yeah.
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
Arrest her. The little thief.
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
( laughing )
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Hey, hey ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ The West Coast jam ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ Is about to slam... ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
¶ ¶
( door buzzes ) ¶ I thank God that I'm angry ¶
Where's the party?
Hey...
Where's the party?
( door buzzes )
Where's the party?
Come on.
Where's the party?
Pay the nice man.
Where's the party?
Get off me.
Where's the party?
( grunting )
Where's the party?
One, two, three. Crazy. Beautiful. Maybe.
Where's the party?
( grunts )
Where's the party?
¶ On the jam, that's who I am ¶
Where's the party?
Come on... ¶ Can't get a woman on me ¶
Where's the party?
¶ That's my man ¶
Where's the party?
¶ Can't get ahold on me ¶
Where's the party?
Oh, look what we got here.
Where's the party?
¶ Jam... ¶
Where's the party?
Now, see what you made me do?
Where's the party?
You have to use every dish in the house, Charick Lewin-sky?
Where's the party?
( with foreign accent ): Ja, I do, but I'll clean up.
Where's the party?
( laughs ): I know you will.
Where's the party?
Is she home?
Where's the party?
Yeah, she's in her room,
Where's the party?
on the phone, door closed,
Where's the party?
waiting for you to tell her she has a French quiz
Where's the party?
and a history paper due tomorrow.
Where's the party?
You have a French quiz
Where's the party?
and a history paper due tomorrow.
Where's the party?
Just a minute.
Where's the party?
I'm on the phone.
Where's the party?
That's easy to fix. Get off it.
Where's the party?
Will you please get out of my room
Where's the party?
so I can study?
Where's the party?
Oh, I think you might want to phrase that
Where's the party?
a little differently, honey.
Where's the party?
( sighs )
Where's the party?
Can I call you back? My mother's being a jerk.
Where's the party?
Mom, sit down, make yourself comfortable.
Where's the party?
Thank you.
Where's the party?
This is gone if you don't do well on the exam tomorrow.
Where's the party?
( softly ): ...and hairline fractures
Where's the party?
of the clavicle and cranium.
Where's the party?
Burns and old scarring.
Where's the party?
Maggie, what are you,
Where's the party?
a social worker or a war correspondent?
Where's the party?
War correspondent.
Where's the party?
Recommend foster care to avoid
Where's the party?
further trauma to this child.
Where's the party?
The old scar tissue indicates...
Where's the party?
Uh, would you say "multiple lacerations
Where's the party?
to the upper torso" one more time, please?
Where's the party?
No.
Where's the party?
Patient continues to have trauma...
Where's the party?
"Hairline fracture."
Where's the party?
No. No. Hmm?
Where's the party?
"Burns and old scarring"?
Where's the party?
No.
Where's the party?
We continue to explore...
Where's the party?
Charlie... would you scratch my back?
Where's the party?
( sighs ): No.
Where's the party?
( sighs ): Next case, B-14-20. Child shows signs
Where's the party?
of forced responsiveness to his environment...
Where's the party?
( cell phone ringing )
Where's the party?
Yeah?
( breathily ): Cranial contusion.
Yeah?
( laughs )
Yeah?
( French accent ): How did you get this number?
Yeah?
( French accent ): I could meet you somewhere... anywhere.
Yeah?
Show you the x rays.
Yeah?
Uh, oh, d-don't you have a st-staff meeting tonight?
Yeah?
It's canceled.
Yeah?
Uh, Margaret, I can't, um...
Yeah?
I got a whole pile of screwed-up wirings
Yeah?
got to be worked out by tomorrow.
Yeah?
( sighs ): Oh, well.
Yeah?
( laughs ): There's a surgeon here who's just dying to show me
Yeah?
some new suture-tying techniques.
Yeah?
( man speaking in Spanish )
Yeah?
( baby crying )
Yeah?
( baby crying )
( baby crying and fussing )
( all shouting )
MAN: Let's go!
( all shouting )
Take all your belongings!
( all shouting )
Let's go!
( all shouting )
Come on, come on!
( all shouting )
Get off me!
( all shouting )
Move it, move it!
( all shouting )
Get out the way! Move!
( all shouting )
( shouting continues )
( all shouting )
Get off me!
( coughing ): Move it! Move it!
Get off me!
Your names are on your beds.
You'll be expected to keep your area clean at all times.
Your names are on your beds.
Now, there are those of you
Your names are on your beds.
who elected this program to cut your time.
Your names are on your beds.
Well, if that's why you're here,
Your names are on your beds.
you better turn around and get back on that bus,
Your names are on your beds.
because you won't last a day.
Your names are on your beds.
This is work... hard work.
Your names are on your beds.
One mistake-- one--
Your names are on your beds.
and you're out on your base-head, pill-popping,
Your names are on your beds.
alcoholic asses, back in the general population
Your names are on your beds.
quicker than you can blink your eyes.
Your names are on your beds.
Understand?
Your names are on your beds.
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
I mean, I've only been recommending
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
permanent foster care for that child
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
for four years now.
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
No, no, go ahead--
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
send her back if that's what the courts want.
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
But listen, you tell that son-of-a-bitch judge...
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
( baby crying ) that if her father finally kills her,
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
not to come weeping to me.
I don't know. What do you want me to say, hmm?
( baby crying ) ( Margaret singing softly )
( crying stops ) ( singing continues )
¶ ...nothing says I would wish it to be. ¶
( crying stops ) ( singing continues )
( laughs )
( crying stops ) ( singing continues )
That's my grandma's song.
( crying stops ) ( singing continues )
Yeah, she would've liked you.
You're a little fighter, aren't you, huh?
Yeah, she would've liked you.
( coughs )
Yeah, she would've liked you.
Beans, beets, rice.
Hey, Ethel.
Beans, beets, rice.
MAN: There you go. Oh, let's see.
Beans, beets, rice.
Give me just some rice and veggies.
Beans, beets, rice.
Rice and veggies. Thanks.
Beans, beets, rice.
You've been a social worker for what, 15 years?
Beans, beets, rice.
Mm-hmm.
Beans, beets, rice.
Let's say a nice, well-meaning white lady
Beans, beets, rice.
came into your office and told you
Beans, beets, rice.
she was thinking of taking a black crack baby home,
Beans, beets, rice.
thinking she could save it.
Beans, beets, rice.
What would you say?
Beans, beets, rice.
Not to.
CHARLES: It's insane, Margaret.
Not to.
A black crack baby-- it's insane.
Not to.
There's nothing wrong with him.
Not to.
Well, he could have problems that won't show up for years.
Not to.
So could we.
Not to.
Look, Charlie, you haven't seen him.
Not to.
I mean, there's something so great about him.
Not to.
He has... he has this spirit.
Not to.
You can see it in his eyes.
Not to.
And he has nothing.
Not to.
He's so all alone.
Not to.
You're lying, you know you're lying.
Not to.
Is you for real? Bullshit.
Not to.
You-you really think your kids don't know
Not to.
that you turning tricks?
Not to.
What are they, retarded?
Not to.
Is anybody talking to you?
Not to.
Where your kids think you is right now--
Not to.
on a Carnival cruise or some shit?
Not to.
Shut up, okay?
Not to.
Like your kids don't know
Not to.
what you be doing late at night?
Not to.
Shut up, okay? Just shut up.
Not to.
She just trying to help your lying butt-- that's all.
Not to.
Yeah, I'm just trying to help your lying ass.
Not to.
( all talking at once )
Not to.
Shh, shh. Whoa, yo!
Not to.
It don't do no good to beat on each other
Not to.
about shit we did when we was bugging and drugging.
Not to.
Huh?
Not to.
Now, come on, let's look at this thing
Not to.
from a positive place.
Not to.
What kind of mother would you like to be?
Not to.
One your kids can depend on coming up?
Not to.
Sade?
I don't have nothing to say.
Sade?
WOMAN: See?
Sade?
Khaila, what about your kids?
Sade?
I ain't got no kids.
Here, look where you are.
I'll park the car. Okay.
Here, look where you are.
That always happens, though.
( knocking, door opens )
That always happens, though.
Look.
That always happens, though.
Oh, my God, Mom.
That always happens, though.
Here he is.
That always happens, though.
He's so small.
That always happens, though.
Mm-hmm.
That always happens, though.
C-Can I call you back? Bye.
That always happens, though.
Oh...
How do you get clothes that small?
Oh...
Leprechauns.
Oh...
( cooing )
Oh...
This is your sister, little guy.
Oh...
( crying )
Shh, shh...
Can I hold him?
Yes.
Can I hold him?
Watch his head.
Can I hold him?
What do I do?
Can I hold him?
Just rock him a little bit,
Can I hold him?
but-but don't look right in his face, okay?
Can I hold him?
Crack babies sometimes have trouble with that.
Can I hold him?
Hey there, small stuff.
Can I hold him?
That's what your daddy used to call you.
Can I hold him?
( crying loudly )
Can I hold him?
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
( crying )
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
He doesn't like me.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
It's not that, Hannah.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
Of course he likes you. It's not that.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
Where are you going?
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
I told Jenny I'd come over.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
You're not upset, are you, Hannah?
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
No.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
Well, why don't you bring her back to see the baby?
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
I don't think so.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
Why not?
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
Well, be home by 5:00. Bye.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
( crying continues )
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
Oh, I forgot the formula.
Oh... coochie coochie coo.
( crying continues ) Shh, shh, shh.
Shh...
( crying continues ) Shh, shh, shh.
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Eye... eye on the ball! That's right, and then,
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
when you swing the bat, you got to swing...
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Level! Level, level, right.
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Level! And then what do you do when you hit the ball?
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
What do you got to do? You got to...
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Run like crazy! Run like crazy, you run to first base,
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
and then he goes to second base.
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Second base! Then he goes to third base.
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Then he goes to third base. Then he slides all the way home!
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
And then he goes all the way home! Right.
CHARLES: What'd we learn today, buddy? You keep your...
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
I hit a home run! Wham! Where are you going?
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
To Carrie's.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
No, no, no, no, wait a minute now.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Mom...
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
No, listen, I got this letter,
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
and I want to read it to you-- listen.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
"It is accordingly
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
"therefore ordered that Isaiah Richards,
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
a minor..." That's me!
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
"shall be, to all
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
"legal intents and purposes,
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
the child of Charles and Margaret Lewin."
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Poor kid-- you're stuck with them now.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
( chuckles ): Very funny.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
No, wait, Hannah, don't go.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Don't go. We want to celebrate.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Mom, I can't.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Yes, you... Not tonight.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
( groans ) Bye, kiddo.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Kiddo! Kiddo! Kiddo! Kiddo!
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Hannah...
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
I'll call.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Kiddo, kiddo! Kiddo!
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
You know, just because she's a teenager...
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Kiddo, kiddo, kiddo, kiddo...
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Ooh.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Do you want to go out?
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Oh, you know he can't sit still in a restaurant.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Take this. Ugh!
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
All right, let's call out for a pizza.
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
Pizza, pizza, pizza. ( laughter )
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
We'll get him to bed early, then, uh, you and I can...
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
What shape is a pizza? A big bowl like this!
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
What's that called? ( Isaiah shouts )
Ooh, you giving your daddy's hair a cream rinse?
( piano playing jazzy intro )
ISAIAH: Mommy. Excuse me.
( piano playing jazzy intro )
Sorry.
( piano playing jazzy intro )
( applause )
( piano playing jazzy intro )
Glad you made it.
( piano playing jazzy intro )
¶ When the good life seems to have missed us ¶
( piano playing jazzy intro )
¶ And there's no kick thinking of Christmas ¶
( piano playing jazzy intro )
¶ Just keep your chin up, wash your troubles away ¶
( piano playing jazzy intro )
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ Think of the good it does a flower ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
You see who it is up there?
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
It's Hannah.
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ ...find a bright side to every stormy day ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ When it's pouring rain and people complain ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ And things aren't worth a shucks ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
Mommy, look! Isaiah, shh.
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ Don't you yell, just say, well, ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ Lovely weather for ducks ¶ ¶ Quack, quack, quack ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ When it's freezing snow, 'bout zero or so, ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ And the icy sidewalk glares ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ Don't get cold feet ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ Just repeat ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ Lovely weather for bears ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
ISAIAH: Hannah!
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶Though all your... cares seem double ¶ Hannah!
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ There's good in every bad ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
Boo!
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
( voice wavering ): ¶ So sneer at old man trouble ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
¶ And he'll go away then ¶
¶ There is always some cheer in every shower ¶
No! No! No!
¶ And you need a few more bucks ¶
No! No! No!
( screaming )
No! No! No!
¶ Just sing out ¶
No! No! No!
¶ Give a cheer ¶
No! No! No!
¶ Heavenly weather, for what could be better ¶
No! No! No!
¶ For what will be better for ducks ¶
No! No! No!
( crying and shrieking )
No! No! No!
¶ Heavenly weather for what... ¶
No! No! No!
Just stop it.
No! No! No!
¶ For what will be better for ducks ¶
No! No! No!
¶ Heavenly weather, for what could be better ¶
No! No! No!
¶ For lovely weather for ducks. ¶
No! No! No!
( applause )
No! No! No!
Yeah!
No! No! No!
Why did you even bring him?
No! No! No!
It was my play.
No! No! No!
You knew he would do something like this.
No! No! No!
He always does. ( horn honking )
No! No! No!
Yes, and you know he cannot help it.
No! No! No!
MAN: Hey!
No! No! No!
Hannah, he's... he ju... Oh...
No! No! No!
You know he adores you.
No! No! No!
Just try not to be so angry.
No! No! No!
I'm not angry!
No! No! No!
Yes, you are, and it's okay.
No! No! No!
Oh, please.
No! No! No!
He was so proud of you...
No! No! No!
jumping up and down, calling out your name.
No! No! No!
Yeah, I know. I heard him.
No! No! No!
And so did everybody else.
No! No! No!
I just wanted Mom to see it.
Hannah?
What?
Hannah?
Can I tell you something?
Hannah?
Yeah, whatever, Mom.
Hannah?
When I heard you sing tonight...
I thought, "There's Hannah,
doing something I can't begin to do."
I thought, "There's Hannah,
Right.
I thought, "There's Hannah,
It gave me such pleasure.
I thought, "There's Hannah,
Good morning!
Good morning.
Good morning!
What you doing?
Good morning!
Jumping.
Good morning!
Boy, your mama ain't teach you to knock
Good morning!
before you just come barging in somebody's room?
Good morning!
This is my room. Aunt Joe said.
Good morning!
We just lending it to you.
Good morning!
No, you just renting it.
Good morning!
( laughing )
Good morning!
You better get your little skinny self dressed
Good morning!
if you're going to go to school today.
Good morning!
Daycare.
Good morning!
Well, you got to be dressed for daycare, too.
Good morning!
They ain't gonna take you in no pajamas.
Good morning!
Josette's in the bathroom.
Good morning!
Don't I know it.
Good morning!
Josie, let's go.
Good morning!
You better wake up Mama, Amir.
Good morning!
I ain't taking you to no daycare.
Good morning!
Come on, Amir.
I'll take you.
Come on, Amir.
( children chattering )
Amir!
Where's my sugar?
Amir!
Thank you. Go.
Khaila. Hey.
Excuse me.
Khaila. Hey.
Got your living situation straightened out?
Khaila. Hey.
Mm-hmm.
Khaila. Hey.
Job?
Khaila. Hey.
I'd appreciate an answer.
I got a room.
I'd appreciate an answer.
You ever had a room to yourself before?
I'd appreciate an answer.
Then stop complaining.
Let's get to work.
Then stop complaining.
You been reading?
Then stop complaining.
Some.
Then stop complaining.
Some ain't good enough.
Then stop complaining.
Well, the book is dumb.
Then stop complaining.
How you know if you ain't been reading it?
Then stop complaining.
'Cause I am reading it.
Then stop complaining.
Good.
Then stop complaining.
So, tell me...
Then stop complaining.
what's been happening with
Then stop complaining.
George...
Then stop complaining.
and Katherine?
Then stop complaining.
Kath-er-ine done gone and got herself knocked up.
Then stop complaining.
She happy?
Don't say.
Why you doing this, Khaila?
Oh, we're gonna share now?
Why you doing this, Khaila?
( scoffs )
Why you doing this, Khaila?
You're wasting our time here.
Why you doing this, Khaila?
Let's just forget about it, 'cause it's useless
Why you doing this, Khaila?
unless you want to do it.
Why you doing this, Khaila?
I already know how to read.
Why you doing this, Khaila?
Well, I don't want to read this bullshit.
Why you doing this, Khaila?
Then why you busting my ass?
Why you doing this, Khaila?
Look, I have my lunch sitting at home waiting on me.
Why you doing this, Khaila?
"Kath-er-ine visits the clinic.
"The doctor tells her
"Kath-er-ine visits the clinic.
"to be careful about what she eat.
"Kath-er-ine visits the clinic.
"It can help...
"Kath-er-ine visits the clinic.
"her...
"Kath-er-ine visits the clinic.
"baby... grow strong.
"Kath-er-ine visits the clinic.
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
"ve-ge-ta-bles if she want to be a good mother.
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
The doctor..."
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
Khaila, what's the matter?
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
"...tells her not to drink any
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
"al-co-hol or take any me-di-cine.
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
"It could harm her...
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
"baby.
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
She should get lots of sleep."
"She must drink lots of milk and eat green
Khaila?
Look at me.
Khaila?
What's wrong?
I threw him away.
My baby.
Threw him in the garbage can.
My baby.
I killed him.
Killed him.
I killed him.
Oh, God.
Oh, my God.
Oh, God.
You got a book about that?
( kids chattering in distance )
Hey, how you doing?
Hi.
Hey, how you doing?
Oh.
Hello?!
Amir?!
Hello?!
Josie?!
Hello?!
( quietly ): Oh, my...
What happened?
( quietly ): Oh, my...
They gone in the ambulance.
( quietly ): Oh, my...
She was bleeding all over the bed.
She wouldn't move.
She was bleeding all over the bed.
I cooked supper, and I went to call her,
She was bleeding all over the bed.
but she wouldn't move.
She was bleeding all over the bed.
Doctor say she lost a baby.
She was bleeding all over the bed.
What baby?
She was bleeding all over the bed.
Hey, little man.
She was bleeding all over the bed.
You okay?
She was bleeding all over the bed.
Y'all hungry?
Yeah. Yeah.
Y'all hungry?
( rap music playing in the background )
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
Can I give you a hand there?
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
No, I got it.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
You sure? I got a little cousin about that age.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
You know, they can do damage to your back.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
I said I got it.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
Okay.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
( panting ): Lord, boy, you heavy.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
Mama...
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
It's okay. Go back to sleep.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
I'm going to stay with you tonight.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
Pizza.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
You gonna have your pizza.
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
( laughs )
MAN: Whoo! Whoo, yeah.
( baby crying in distance )
( siren wailing in distance )
I'm sor...
Eddie Hughes.
I'm sor...
You know, I didn't meet you before.
I'm sor...
I got to get back inside.
To your kids? They ain't my kids,
I got to get back inside.
and why you got to be lurking up here on my floor?
I got to get back inside.
I'm not lurking.
I got to get back inside.
I'm just having a smoke.
I got to get back inside.
Well, smoke somewhere else, goddamn it.
I got to get back inside.
I'm a working man on vacation...
I got to get back inside.
up from Tampa.
I got to get back inside.
You ever been to Tampa?
I got to get back inside.
Oh, this look like a vacation spot to you?
I got to get back inside.
( laughs quietly )
I got to get back inside.
Actually, my brother lives here.
I got to get back inside.
Yeah, you know, he don't like to smoke, so...
I got to get back inside.
I'm just visiting him.
We're, uh...
I'm just visiting him.
we're in the music business.
I'm just visiting him.
Mm-hmm.
I'm just visiting him.
I was just, uh...
I'm just visiting him.
working on a song about, uh...
I'm just visiting him.
concrete.
I'm just visiting him.
Check it out.
I'm just visiting him.
( clears throat )
I'm just visiting him.
¶ Concrete ¶
I'm just visiting him.
¶ Concrete ¶
I'm just visiting him.
¶ Never know who you're gonna meet ¶
I'm just visiting him.
¶ When you're walking down the street ¶
I'm just visiting him.
¶ With new shoes on my feet ¶
I'm just visiting him.
¶ On the concrete... ¶
I'm just visiting him.
¶ Hete... hete... ¶
I'm just visiting him.
( laughs )
I'm just visiting him.
I got to work on the melody a little bit.
I hope you good at something else.
I got to work on the melody a little bit.
( birds chirping )
( radio playing quietly )
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
Uh, there's some leftover pasta in the fridge...
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
Bye, Khaila. So long, sweetpea.
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
and, uh, laundry needs to go in the dryer.
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
I'm out the door, honey.
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
Okay.
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
Give me a kiss. Mwa!
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
Oh, I might be a few minutes late tonight,
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
but you can stay, huh?
Hello, Mama. Uh, Khaila.
Bye, girls.
( rap music blasting )
Bye, girls.
( phone ringing )
Bye, girls.
( turns down music )
The Fredericks residence.
( turns down music )
WOMAN: Khaila?
( turns down music )
Yeah?
( turns down music )
It's Gussie.
( turns down music )
Can we meet somewhere?
( turns down music )
( kids chattering in distance )
( turns down music )
He ain't dead?
( turns down music )
My baby ain't dead?
( baby babbling )
Well, now, where is he?
( baby babbling )
In the city, living with a family in DePaul.
( baby babbling )
Well...
( baby babbling )
Well, I got to see him.
Slow down, Khaila.
Well, I got to see him.
There are a lot of issues involved here.
Well, I got to see him.
He's been legally adopted.
Well, I got to see him.
So? I got to see my baby, Gussie.
Well, I got to see him.
Where is he? Okay, we're going to work on that,
Well, I got to see him.
but it's going to take some time.
Well, I got to see him.
No. Come on, let's go. I'm on your side.
Well, I got to see him.
I'm going to help you,
Well, I got to see him.
No, no, no, no, no. but it's going to take some time,
Well, I got to see him.
and you're going to have to be patient, Khaila.
Well, I got to see him.
I can't be patient.
Well, I got to see him.
Listen. I need to see my baby.
Well, I got to see him.
Listen to me, listen to me, Khaila.
Well, I got to see him.
Don't let
Well, I got to see him.
everything you worked so hard for fall apart.
Well, I got to see him.
Hey, what are you doing in here?
Nothing.
Hey, what are you doing in here?
Looking for Gussie.
Hey, what are you doing in here?
Oh, she's in the hall.
Hey, what are you doing in here?
Thanks.
Hey, what are you doing in here?
I'll call you tonight. Yeah.
Pop the hood.
I'll call you tonight. Yeah.
See you, buddy.
ISAIAH: Bye. I'll call you tonight.
See you, buddy.
Bye, Daddy, bye, Daddy. Have a good trip. Take your ticket.
See you, buddy.
Take me, please.
See you, buddy.
You wouldn't like it, sweetie.
See you, buddy.
It's in a big city with... it smells,
See you, buddy.
in a big room with men with no hair.
See you, buddy.
( Margaret laughing )
See you, buddy.
Bye, Daddy.
See you, buddy.
Bye, Daddy.
See you, buddy.
Sorry.
See you, buddy.
MARGARET: Oh, don't be sad.
See you, buddy.
Daddy will be back in two days.
See you, buddy.
Look who's here.
See you, buddy.
Aw... two days.
See you, buddy.
You know what two is?
See you, buddy.
One, two-- that's not long.
See you, buddy.
Besides, Heidi's going to take you to the park now.
See you, buddy.
Then after the park,
See you, buddy.
you're going to take a nap,
See you, buddy.
and drink your apple juice.
See you, buddy.
Use your sipper cup.
See you, buddy.
And Mama's going to come home
See you, buddy.
right after work like I always do, okay?
See you, buddy.
ISAIAH: Good night.
See you, buddy.
Uh-huh, and you're going to draw me a picture?
See you, buddy.
Yes. Of what? Of an airplane?
See you, buddy.
Yes. With two wings, flying up in the sky.
See you, buddy.
Up in the sky! Up in the sky, yeah.
See you, buddy.
How many wings does an airplane have?
See you, buddy.
Two.
See you, buddy.
Two! How many hands does Isaiah have?
See you, buddy.
Two.
See you, buddy.
And how many eyes does Isaiah have?
See you, buddy.
Two.
See you, buddy.
And how many kisses is Mama going to get?
See you, buddy.
Two.
See you, buddy.
( Margaret laughing, makes two kissing sounds )
See you, buddy.
Oh, you're my boy. Okay, have fun at the park.
See you, buddy.
I want to race.
See you, buddy.
Okay. Bye-bye, honey.
See you, buddy.
Bye, Mommy.
See you, buddy.
( makes kissing sound )
See you, buddy.
HEIDI: W-W-W-W-Whee!
See you, buddy.
( chuckling ): Okay, now, guess where we're going?
See you, buddy.
Where?
See you, buddy.
To the park.
See you, buddy.
( making engine noises )
What are you going to go on when you go in there first, huh?
( making engine noises )
The slide?
( making engine noises )
Ah, push.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
Good boy. Okay.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
GIRL: Heidi, over here.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
How you doing?
Ready? One, two, three, up.
Good.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
So, can you come?
Ready? One, two, three, up.
I don't know. I'm pretty tired.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
So, can you get off?
Ready? One, two, three, up.
I don't know.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
They're supposed to go out.
Ready? One, two, three, up.
( both laughing )
Hello, Isaiah.
I get so nervous.
Hello, Isaiah.
Hi.
Hello, Isaiah.
( little girl crying )
( crying louder )
Hello?
Miss Richards.
Hello?
You're late.
Hello?
I'm sorry.
Hello?
Gussie said you was a real good lawyer.
Yeah. Now, she's explained some of this to me,
Gussie said you was a real good lawyer.
but there's still a lot of holes here.
Gussie said you was a real good lawyer.
She tells me you'd like to reinstate your parental rights.
Gussie said you was a real good lawyer.
You gave your child up for adoption.
Now you want him back.
You gave your child up for adoption.
No, I never gave my child up for no adoption.
You gave your child up for adoption.
You left him in an alley.
You gave your child up for adoption.
You abandoned him
You gave your child up for adoption.
and made no effort to find him again.
You gave your child up for adoption.
Legally, that's the same thing.
You gave your child up for adoption.
Well, that's 'cause I thought he was dead.
You gave your child up for adoption.
No one ever sent you any letters
You gave your child up for adoption.
informing you of his whereabouts?
You gave your child up for adoption.
Nope.
You gave your child up for adoption.
Or of the Lewins' intent to adopt him?
You gave your child up for adoption.
Mm-mmm.
You gave your child up for adoption.
Now, Miss Richards, you know
You gave your child up for adoption.
you couldn't read very well
You gave your child up for adoption.
before you went into the rehab program.
You gave your child up for adoption.
You sure you didn't throw away any official papers?
You gave your child up for adoption.
No. I ain't never got no papers.
You gave your child up for adoption.
Not even in jail?
You gave your child up for adoption.
If I would've got some papers like that,
You gave your child up for adoption.
don't you think I would've remembered?
You gave your child up for adoption.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
I don't like what put you in
You don't like me all that much, do you?
this situation, Miss Richards.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
How do I know that when I help you get your boy back,
You don't like me all that much, do you?
you're not going to go back to smoking rock
You don't like me all that much, do you?
and leave him again?
You don't like me all that much, do you?
'Cause I'm telling you I'm through with all that.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
Oh, well, that's what you all say.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
You ain't got to talk down to me.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
I can pay.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
There's no fee involved here.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
We take on cases that are socially relevant.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
If we win them, they set legal precedent.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
Your case fits that profile.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
The fee's taken care of by donations.
You don't like me all that much, do you?
It's going to be tough.
The family he's with is white,
It's going to be tough.
they treated him well.
It's going to be tough.
They'll fight this.
It's going to be tough.
But I'm his mother.
Well, I'm sure that white woman
But I'm his mother.
feels fairly strongly that she is,
But I'm his mother.
and there are a lot of people who'll agree with her.
But I'm his mother.
Mommy, pussycat.
The owl and the pussycat...
Mommy, pussycat.
Went to sea.
Mommy, pussycat.
In a beautiful pea-green...
Mommy, pussycat.
Boat.
Mommy, pussycat.
They took some...
Mommy, pussycat.
Honey.
Mommy, pussycat.
And plenty of...
Mommy, pussycat.
Money.
Mommy, pussycat.
Wrapped up in a five-pound... note.
Mommy, pussycat.
( whispers ): Night-night, sweet boy.
Mommy, pussycat.
( panting )
Charlie?
Margaret, hello.
Charlie?
She wants him back.
What?
She wants him back.
Who? Who wants him back?
She wants him back.
I don't know.
She wants him back.
We got a letter from some legal service.
She wants him back.
She never signed away her rights.
She wants him back.
She's going to challenge the adoption.
She wants him back.
Where did she come from?
She wants him back.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Listen, sweetheart, it-it's going to be all right.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
No, it's not.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Mommy, I want Daddy.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Oh...
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Mommy, I want Daddy.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
( stifling sobs )
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Daddy's not home.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
I want Daddy.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
So do I.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
ISAIAH: I want him to be here.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
I want Daddy.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
She's claiming she never received any notice
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
to terminate parental rights.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
That can't be.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
You handled that yourself, right?
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Look, this is what I do for a living.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
I followed every procedure-- the newspaper notifications,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
computer checks of prisons, the welfare rolls...
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
I mean, we even hired a-a private detective
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
with our own money to look for relatives,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
but you can't find somebody on the street
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
if they don't want to be found.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
And what does it matter, anyway?
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
The adoption is final-- it can't be reversed.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
( soft chuckle ): Oh, I'm afraid it can.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
The court can vacate a judgment
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
if it was entered into by default,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
and it will vacate if there's a child involved.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
She's going to have a right to be heard.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
We're talking about a woman who is a junkie,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
who put her kid in a garbage can.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Someone who should be arrested,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
not given back her parental rights.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Well, that's what you'll have to prove.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Look, I know you came to me
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
because you thought it would help
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
to have a black attorney,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
but understand this is a difficult situation.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Is that a polite way of saying no?
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
I said I'd think about it, and I will.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
This isn't a simple issue.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
You might raise a black child
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
with the best intentions in the world, colorblind,
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
but in the end, the world is still out there.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
He needs to know who he is.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
A child should be with his parents.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
We agree there.
( stifled sob ): What are we going to do?
Whoo-- pretty.
Again. More bubbles.
Whoo-- pretty.
More bubbles, Hannah.
Whoo-- pretty.
More!
More, more!
More!
Come on, Isaiah, we've been doing this all day.
More!
More bubbles, Hannah!
More!
Bubbles!
More!
Isaiah.
Give me that. ! Isaiah.
Isaiah, look at our hands.
Isaiah.
What's different about them?
My hand's smaller.
What's different about them?
Bubbles, bubbles!
What's different about them?
( chuckles )
What's different about them?
Hannah, come set the table for dinner.
Stop switching channels.
I want to see some cartoons.
Stop switching channels.
Give me that thing, boy.
Stop switching channels.
Oh, hey.
Stop switching channels.
Where's your momma?
Out.
Where's your momma?
Girl, is you crazy?
Where's your momma?
You don't just let some strange man come walking up in here.
Where's your momma?
He gave us all this TV stuff.
Where's your momma?
Hey, little man, help me put all these tools away
Where's your momma?
and clean this mess up, and I'll show you
Where's your momma?
how to work the video games, okay?
Where's your momma?
Yeah.
Where's your momma?
Help him put all them tools away,
Where's your momma?
so he can get on out of here.
Where's your momma?
Look, I didn't mean nothing by all this.
Where's your momma?
I just thought the kids would like it.
Where's your momma?
Mmm.
Where's your momma?
Hey, there's a Scooby-Doo marathon on tonight.
Where's your momma?
Yeah...!
Where's your momma?
Well, you can Scooby-Doo your butt on out of here.
Where's your momma?
Let's go.
Where's your momma?
Here.
Where's your momma?
No, no, you keep that, all right?
Where's your momma?
Remember what I said: honorary cable man.
Where's your momma?
See you later.
Where's your momma?
Don't wait up for me.
Where's your momma?
Why are you so mean to him?
Where's your momma?
He act kind of stupid, but he's nice.
Where's your momma?
Yeah, real stupid... and a little too nice.
Where's your momma?
( rap music playing )
Where's your momma?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Why don't you let me carry that for you?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
KHAILA: I'm doing just fine by myself.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Oh, come on, I got it.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Now, see, look, now, was that so hard? Come on.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
There you go.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Let me ask you something.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
What did I do that was so bad?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
You ain't had no business
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
walking in on them kids like that.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
You didn't like my singing much either, right?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
What's happening?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
So, what kind of music do you like?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
None of your business.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Bet you like rap, right?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Dr. Dre, Salt & Pepa, right?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
( chuckles )
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
See, that's why I can't get no gigs.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
These youngsters today-- they don't even know
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
what a bass guitar sounds like.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
You know what the key to playing bass is?
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Nope... and I really don't care.
EDDIE: Hey, pretty lady, how you doing?
Thank you.
Big hands.
Thank you.
See that?
Thank you.
That's pitiful.
I like you.
You don't know nothing about me.
I like you.
Well, do me a favor-- tell me something.
I like you.
I don't like fast-talking brothers
I like you.
who get up in my face.
I like you.
Well, there you go.
I like you.
I like pretty ladies that don't like
I like you.
fast-talking brothers who get up in their face.
I like you.
Later.
( chuckles )
All right.
( chuckles )
Sorry. Had to bring her.
Miss Fredericks is going to kill me if she find out.
Sorry. Had to bring her.
I don't think the child will tell her.
Sorry. Had to bring her.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
KADAR: It's $300 a month.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
You crazy? I can't afford no $300 a month.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
Well, how much can you afford?
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
I don't know. Maybe $150.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
That way. If I stop saving.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
Well, we'll get the rest taken care of
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
by Aid to Dependent Children.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
I ain't got no dependent children.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
Oh, you will.
KHAILA: How much does this place cost?
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
and fix the window.
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
For what?
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
It's just gonna get broke again.
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
Somebody gonna look in here
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
and see what I got and take it.
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
Fix it so the sun can shine in, so you can look out,
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
watch your boy play in the courtyard.
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
And get rid of your boyfriend.
All right, get it cleaned up, find some furniture,
I ain't got no boyfriend.
Eddie Hughes?
I ain't got no boyfriend.
Oh, so, you spying on me now?
I ain't got no boyfriend.
It's part of my job.
I ain't got no boyfriend.
They're going to try
I ain't got no boyfriend.
and make you look like the Devil in court.
I ain't got no boyfriend.
There can't be anything you do to help them.
I ain't got no boyfriend.
He's married.
He ain't married.
He's married.
You asked him?
He's married.
( chuckles softly )
He's married.
You jealous?
He's married.
( laughs )
He's married.
Don't flatter yourself.
He's married.
This goes way beyond you.
He's married.
Black babies belong with black mothers.
He's married.
I'm not going to let you do anything to mess that up.
He's married.
Now, you break it off with this guy,
He's married.
or I drop the case.
He's married.
This is your first place, isn't it?
Yeah.
Welcome home.
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Not without paying
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
for the rest of the time you owe, you ain't.
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Why Khaila gotta go, Mom?
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Shut up, boy. My head hurts.
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
I don't want her to go.
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Don't nobody care what you want!
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Now go on out of here!
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Tell Josette to comb the naps out your head!
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
Do something. Go!
KHAILA: I'm leaving.
What you looking at?
It ain't right for you to talk to him like that.
What you looking at?
Well, when you get your own kid,
What you looking at?
you talk to him the way you want to talk to him.
What you looking at?
This kid here is mine... mine!
What you looking at?
Just take your funky ass
What you looking at?
outta here if you going!
What you looking at?
Bye.
What you looking at?
Go on. Leave!
What you looking at?
( R&B music playing softly )
Hello, sweetheart.
( R&B music playing softly )
( giggles )
( R&B music playing softly )
How'd you find me?
( R&B music playing softly )
Ah. Shorty Big-head.
( R&B music playing softly )
gave him a pack of Now & Laters--
( R&B music playing softly )
he gave you up like that.
( R&B music playing softly )
Hi, Khaila.
( R&B music playing softly )
Hi.
( R&B music playing softly )
EDDIE: Come on, guys.
( R&B music playing softly )
Ooh, your place is nice.
Yeah. All this furniture.
Ooh, your place is nice.
Why didn't you tell me you were moving?
Ooh, your place is nice.
You know, I would've helped or something.
Ooh, your place is nice.
This your boy's?
Ooh, your place is nice.
Mm-hmm.
Ooh, your place is nice.
Where he at?
Ooh, your place is nice.
I told you that a hundred times already.
Ooh, your place is nice.
Put that stuff down. That ain't yours.
Ooh, your place is nice.
EDDIE: Check it out.
Ooh, your place is nice.
I got four tickets
Ooh, your place is nice.
to the James Brown concert tonight.
Ooh, your place is nice.
I know you think my music is older than dirt,
Ooh, your place is nice.
but I'm going to show you that
Ooh, your place is nice.
it can still be funky.
Ooh, your place is nice.
( a la James Brown ): Hey!
Ooh, your place is nice.
Dirt-- that's something you should know a lot about.
Ooh, your place is nice.
Kids, sit tight.
Would you... outside, please?
Kids, sit tight.
Humor me.
Give me that.
Humor me.
You want to tell me something?
Uh-uh. Maybe you ought to tell me something.
You want to tell me something?
Okay. What do you want to know?
You want to tell me something?
Huh?
You want to tell me something?
Maybe about... your wife?
You want to tell me something?
Okay.
You want to tell me something?
We're separated... all right? We don't even talk.
Oh, you on vacation from that, too?
We're separated... all right? We don't even talk.
Khaila...
We're separated... all right? We don't even talk.
you know, it's a whole big mess, and...
We're separated... all right? We don't even talk.
I didn't want to get into...
We're separated... all right? We don't even talk.
But you still married.
We're separated... all right? We don't even talk.
It don't mean nothing.
Oh, it don't?
It don't mean nothing.
Don't mean nothing?
It don't mean nothing.
Don't mean nothing at all, huh?
It don't mean nothing.
I'm not trying to run a game on you, Khaila.
It don't mean nothing.
Somebody is always
It don't mean nothing.
trying to run a game on me.
It don't mean nothing.
You ain't no different.
It don't mean nothing.
Walking around here carrying groceries,
It don't mean nothing.
singing little silly songs and shit.
It don't mean nothing.
You ain't nothing.
It don't mean nothing.
You just like every other sorry ass man I ever knew--
It don't mean nothing.
bullshit!
It don't mean nothing.
Stay the hell away from me,
It don't mean nothing.
and stay away from them kids!
It don't mean nothing.
Shit.
( bell tinkling )
You're letting me wear these pearls?
Your pearls.
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Tell him what you need him to do ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ He's listening ¶ ¶ Tell him what you want ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Oh, he's listening ¶ ¶ Tell him what you want ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call on Jesus ¶ ¶ Tell him what you want ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Just him ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call out ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call him up and tell him what you want ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call him ¶ ¶ Call him up ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call him ¶ ¶ Tell him what you want ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call him ¶ ¶ Tell him what you want ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ 'Cause his line is never busy ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ No, no, no ¶ ¶ Tell him what you need ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call on Jesus ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Call him up and tell him what you need ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Oh, yeah, oh, yeah ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
¶ Are you ready for a miracle... ¶
You're letting me wear these pearls?
( quietly ): Just stay calm.
You're letting me wear these pearls?
He's going to try his best to get a rise out of you
You're letting me wear these pearls?
any way he can.
You're letting me wear these pearls?
That will only work to his advantage.
You're letting me wear these pearls?
CHARLES: Who's that?
Khaila.
CHARLES: Who's that?
So...
don't worry about it.
So...
Just... stay with it, okay?
So...
All right?
And how long have you been clean, Miss Richards?
Two years and one month.
And what made you stop?
Two years and one month.
( quietly ): Isaiah.
Could you please speak up, Miss Richards?
( quietly ): Isaiah.
What about Isaiah?
Isaiah.
How I left him.
Left him where, Miss Richards?
How I left him.
I just needed to get me a hit... so bad.
He was crying.
He was screaming.
He was crying.
Like he was calling my name.
He was crying.
And that's what made you stop?
Yes.
I wanted to hear my baby.
Yes.
I didn't want no drugs taking me out of my head.
Yes.
I wanted to fe... feel that pain.
I didn't want nothing to ease that for me.
I wanted to fe... feel that pain.
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
Objection! Relevance?
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
I'll allow it.
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
Please answer
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
the question.
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
Yes, ma'am, I do.
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
It's because of Him that I'm here today.
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
Could you explain what you mean, please?
Do you have a higher power, Miss Richards?
Because... it's because of Him...
that I have this second chance to make it up to Isaiah.
Because... it's because of Him...
Oh, shit! Momma, I'm thirsty!
Because... it's because of Him...
Watch it. Wait-wait-wait- wait-wait, oh, okay.
Because... it's because of Him...
There's broken glass everywhere.
Because... it's because of Him...
I want apple juice.
Because... it's because of Him...
I don't have apple, I just have orange.
Because... it's because of Him...
I told him that this morning. Can I have apple juice?
Because... it's because of Him...
I can get you some lemonade. I want apple juice.
Because... it's because of Him...
Sit down, Isaiah, you're going to fall.
Because... it's because of Him...
I want apple juice! I don't have apple.
Because... it's because of Him...
I want apple juice!
Because... it's because of Him...
Sit down! I want apple...
Because... it's because of Him...
Sit down! Sit down! Sit down!
Because... it's because of Him...
I'm going for apple juice.
Hannah, don't go near this. I'll be right back.
I'm going for apple juice.
( Isaiah crying ) ( whispering ): Sweetie, it's okay.
I'm going for apple juice.
She's a crack addict
who left her newborn baby in a garbage heap
She's a crack addict
in the dead of winter, and that damn lawyer
She's a crack addict
makes her look like Mother Teresa.
She's a crack addict
Shh.
She's a crack addict
Higher powers!
She's a crack addict
Tell me he was calling her name.
She's a crack addict
He was screaming from all the crack she pumped into him!
She's a crack addict
Charlie, how can they think about giving him back to her?
She's a crack addict
They're not going to.
She's a crack addict
I mean, she's not a mother.
She's a crack addict
She doesn't even know how to take care of him.
She's a crack addict
I mean, what, what if he got sick?
She's a crack addict
What if he got hurt or something? Shh, shh, shh.
She's a crack addict
She wouldn't know what to do.
She's a crack addict
I'm just so afraid we're going to lose him.
What if we lose him? We're not going to lose him.
I'm just so afraid we're going to lose him.
I couldn't bear to lose him. We're not going to lose him.
I'm just so afraid we're going to lose him.
No, but what if we do?
I'm just so afraid we're going to lose him.
Margaret, we're not, we're not going to lose him.
I'm just so afraid we're going to lose him.
( whispering ): Charlie, did you see how beautiful she was?
Shh... She was so beautiful.
( whispering ): Charlie, did you see how beautiful she was?
I was never no prostitute.
You never took money for sex?
I was never no prostitute.
That was for drugs.
I was never no prostitute.
Well, that makes it okay, then.
I was never no prostitute.
Objection. Sustained.
I was never no prostitute.
Who's Isaiah's father?
I was never no prostitute.
I don't know.
So I assume that he won't be helping you with child care.
I don't know.
Who will you turn to, Khaila?
I don't know.
Is there any kind of support system
I don't know.
that you can depend on to help you with Isaiah?
I don't know.
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
my sponsor,
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
my friends.
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
These people you've just mentioned,
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
aren't they all reformed drug addicts themselves?
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
They all been clean for at least five years.
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
Just answer the question, please, yes or no?
My counselor, Gussie Chestnut,
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
at any time?
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
I mean, there's no real assurance
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
that you yourself won't relapse, is there?
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
That's not going to happen.
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
"That's not going to happen."
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
The pledge
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
of a drug-addicted prostitute.
Yes. Couldn't they relapse
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
And all these can be the result of drug use
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
while the child is in utero?
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
Yes, and they're almost always low-birth-weight babies,
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
frequently premature, higher incidence of crib death.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
And later?
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
They're usually highly irritable.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
Some have severe learning disabilities,
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
moodiness, poor coordination.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
Stress usually aggravates these symptoms.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
Can anything be done to alleviate these problems?
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
We don't know for sure,
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
but calm, steady, dependable parenting
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
is certainly in the child's best interest.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
The kind he's receiving from the Lewins.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
I would say so.
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
( hip-hop music playing )
Seizures, inter-cranial bleeds, malformed kidneys.
Amir?
You going to let me in?
( sighs )
Hey.
Why are you here?
Came to see you.
That ain't no reason.
Came to see you.
Yes, it is.
Came to see you.
And I brought you something.
Came to see you.
That's his.
Came to see you.
Yeah...
but I brought it for you.
Yeah...
Hey, boy, who you talking to?
Yeah...
Well, well, well, if it ain't
Yeah...
Miss High-and-Mighty.
Yeah...
The rent gone way up, all right?
Yeah...
Now, wait, wait, hold on, wait up.
Yeah...
What, what, what, what you think I should charge her?
Yeah...
What you think I should charge her, huh?
Yeah...
Something high, right? $200?
Yeah...
$250! Mm-hmm.
Yeah...
$250. MAN: Make it $300.
Yeah...
You staying?
No, baby, I can't stay,
but I know you want me to,
No, baby, I can't stay,
but I can't.
No, baby, I can't stay,
Hey, hey! You holding up the program, now, boy.
No, baby, I can't stay,
Come on, now, and show your Uncle Tyrone
No, baby, I can't stay,
that dance you done for me last week.
No, baby, I can't stay,
Come on, now.
No, baby, I can't stay,
Amir...
I know things right now seem like
Amir...
it don't make sense to you, and you don't understand,
Amir...
but I've been just where you are
Amir...
and it ain't gonna be easy,
Amir...
but it don't mean you can't make it.
Amir...
Come on, boy, I'm waiting now.
Come on, boy, do it.
( cheering )
Come on, boy, do it.
That's my boy.
( sighs )
Who combs his hair?
( sighs )
What?
( sighs )
Who combs his hair?
( sighs )
Margaret.
( sighs )
Uh... we all do.
Who taught you how?
Uh... we all do.
Or did you read that in a book?
Uh... we all do.
( sighs )
Our black pediatrician.
( sighs )
So you know an African-American.
( sighs )
One with a professional degree.
( sighs )
Have you ever had your black pediatrician
over to dinner, Mr. Lewin?
Have you ever had your black pediatrician
Do you have your pediatrician over to dinner?
Answer my question, yes or no?
Do you have your pediatrician over to dinner?
No.
When's the last time you and your wife had dinner
No.
with anyone of color, Mr. Lewin?
No.
Please answer the question, Mr. Lewin.
I'm sorry, I can't remember the last time.
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
Oh, yes, very much.
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
How long you been married? 14 years.
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
And you love your daughter?
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
Of course. So this is a nice,
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
stable environment to bring Isaiah into, wouldn't you say?
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
Yes, I would say.
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
Yes.
You love your wife, Mr. Lewin?
Who's Suzanna Polaski, Mr. Lewin?
Uh, she's an architect who works in my office.
You having an affair with Suzanna Polaski?
Uh, she's an architect who works in my office.
( sighs )
No.
( sighs )
No?
( sighs )
Be careful, Mr. Lewin, you're under oath.
( sighs )
I'm not having an affair.
( sighs )
Have you ever had an affair with Suzanna Polaski?
( sighs )
Yes or no?
( sighs )
Yes.
I spent one evening with her.
Yes.
( toilet flushing )
( groaning )
( toilet flushing )
I'm sorry.
What exactly are you sorry for?
That you threw your baby in the trash?
What exactly are you sorry for?
That you dragged my family through hell?
What exactly are you sorry for?
No, I just want my son back.
Your son?
No, I just want my son back.
( laughs )
No, I just want my son back.
What makes him your son?
No, I just want my son back.
That you fucked some junkie in an alley
No, I just want my son back.
three years ago to get high?
No, I just want my son back.
Well, if you were all of that,
No, I just want my son back.
your husband wouldn't have fucked somebody else,
No, I just want my son back.
and maybe you'd have a baby of your own,
No, I just want my son back.
and you wouldn't be trying to take mine.
No, I just want my son back.
( laughs ) Look in the mirror.
No, I just want my son back.
Look at my face.
No, I just want my son back.
I'm his mother. God says so.
No, I just want my son back.
Take yours?
No, I just want my son back.
I didn't have to take him.
No, I just want my son back.
You threw him away, remember?
No, I just want my son back.
Any animal can give birth. That doesn't make it a mother.
No, I just want my son back.
Oh, so you calling me an animal?
No, I just want my son back.
If you think you just gonna walk up in this court
No, I just want my son back.
and take my baby
No, I just want my son back.
like you take some puppy from a pound,
No, I just want my son back.
you got another thing coming, lady,
No, I just want my son back.
'cause you ain't gonna take my baby from me.
No, I just want my son back.
( laughs )
No, I just want my son back.
He's not a baby.
No, I just want my son back.
You don't even know him.
No, I just want my son back.
You don't know anything about him.
No, I just want my son back.
Wait!
No, I just want my son back.
Don't do this.
No, I just want my son back.
Don't do this to Isaiah.
No, I just want my son back.
Don't do what?
Tell him the truth--
Don't do what?
that his real mama is as black as he is?
Don't do what?
Black?
Don't do what?
All you people think about is color.
Don't do what?
You people?
Don't do what?
You people?
Don't do what?
Well, me and Isaiah-- we the same kind of people...
Don't do what?
or didn't you notice?
Don't do what?
( sighs )
( door closing )
( sighs )
Margaret?
( whispering ): I'm not going to talk about this right now.
Margaret?
( sighs )
Hi, honey.
Hi, Mom.
Hi, honey.
Mom?
Hmm?
Mom?
Are they going to take Isaiah?
Mom?
Are you going to be okay?
Mom?
Oh, honey.
Mom?
I love you, Mommy.
Oh, Hannah, Hannah,
I love you, Mommy.
Hannah, Hannah.
I love you, Mommy.
There's never been anybody like you.
I love you, Mommy.
( door opens )
LEWIS: Is this policy
unique to your agency? No.
LEWIS: Is this policy
Most if not all agencies prefer
LEWIS: Is this policy
to place a child with a family of the same racial background.
LEWIS: Is this policy
Hmm.
LEWIS: Is this policy
Given the facts in this case as you understand them,
LEWIS: Is this policy
what would be your recommendation?
LEWIS: Is this policy
That the child should be returned
LEWIS: Is this policy
to his birth mother.
LEWIS: Is this policy
Thank you.
LEWIS: Is this policy
No further questions.
LEWIS: Is this policy
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
that your organization is opposed
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
to interracial adoptions.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
Does that mean you never place black infants
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
with white couples?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
Oh, no. We do this all the time, but these are temporary.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
These children stay temporarily in the white home
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
until a suitable black family comes along?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
That's right.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
How long does that take?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
It can take years. And the child is then
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
wrenched from the only family they've ever known...
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
and turned over to strangers because of the color
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
of their skin?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
It's the long-term interest of the child
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
we are trying to protect.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
Well, wouldn't you say
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
you were putting political policy
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
above the emotional health of these children?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
No.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
All things being equal,
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
the black child is better off with black parents.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
JONES: All things being equal.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
Well, what if all things are not equal?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
Miss Jones, I am sick and tired
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
of the attitude that says
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
that taking poor black children out
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
of their environment and placing them
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
in an affluent household
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
is better for the child.
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
What kind of values does that suggest?
JONES: Dr. Goldfein, you've stated
How much time do you got? Not much.
How about lunch? No.
How much time do you got? Not much.
Look, no strings or nothing.
How much time do you got? Not much.
Would you leave me alone?
How much time do you got? Not much.
I can't give them nothing
How much time do you got? Not much.
to use against me in there, or I'll lose my boy.
How much time do you got? Not much.
I don't want to do nothing
How much time do you got? Not much.
to hurt your chances.
How much time do you got? Not much.
Why didn't you answer my letters?
How much time do you got? Not much.
'Cause I didn't open them.
How much time do you got? Not much.
I cannot talk to you.
How much time do you got? Not much.
I want you to know something.
How much time do you got? Not much.
I filed for a divorce...
and I'm coming back when I get it.
I filed for a divorce...
( horn honks )
I filed for a divorce...
Okay, I just wanted to say that.
I filed for a divorce...
You said it.
LEWIS: Mrs. Lewin, does Isaiah play with dolls?
You said it.
Sometimes.
You said it.
Any of them black?
You said it.
Yes.
And some of them are green, and some of them are purple,
Yes.
and some of them are orange.
Yes.
It doesn't seem to matter to him.
Yes.
He plays with all of them. As you know, Mrs. Lewin,
Yes.
people don't have green or purple or orange faces.
Yes.
When you and Isaiah read together,
do any of the books you read have African-American characters
When you and Isaiah read together,
or pertain to African-American history or culture?
When you and Isaiah read together,
We read Isaiah all sorts of books in our home.
When you and Isaiah read together,
Oh, I'm sure you do,
When you and Isaiah read together,
but is there a black face in any of them?
When you and Isaiah read together,
For instance,
When you and Isaiah read together,
have you read The Planet of Junior Brown,
When you and Isaiah read together,
or The People Could Fly,
When you and Isaiah read together,
or Many Thousand Gone by Virginia Hamilton? Not yet.
When you and Isaiah read together,
Well, how about The Red Dancing Shoes by Denise Patrick
When you and Isaiah read together,
or Faith Ringgold's Aunt Harriet's Underground Railroad
When you and Isaiah read together,
in the Sky? Not yet.
When you and Isaiah read together,
Or maybe your husband has read him Fathers and Sons,
When you and Isaiah read together,
or Uncle Jed's Barbershop by Margeree King Mitchell.
When you and Isaiah read together,
No, I don't think so.
When you and Isaiah read together,
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
The orange-faced muppet?
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
Does he share its muppet history?
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
You ever stop to think how Isaiah must feel
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
living in a world
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
where he never sees anyone like himself?
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
Might be kind of troubling, don't you think?
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
Well, what's your point, Mr. Lewis?
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
That our skin isn't the right color?
Well, who do you think he identifies with, Mrs. Lewin?
That we're incapable of teaching this child
what he needs to learn?
That we're incapable of teaching this child
That I can't raise Isaiah up to be an honorable man
That we're incapable of teaching this child
because my skin is white?
That we're incapable of teaching this child
What about love?
( thunder rolling in distance )
What about love?
You haven't even spoken that word here.
What about love?
Or doesn't that fit into your equation
What about love?
of black and white?
What about love?
And what about Isaiah?
What about love?
How does he fit into all of this?
What about love?
Or is it more important that we be
What about love?
politically correct?
What about love?
( sighs )
What we should be thinking about here...
is what is going to happen...
to the spirit of this little boy...
is what is going to happen...
if he's...
taken away from us.
if he's...
So, what you're saying is,
if he's...
you're his only hope.
if he's...
What I'm saying is,
we are all he knows,
What I'm saying is,
and if you take him away from us, it'll kill him.
What I'm saying is,
( quietly ): Oh.
So only you can save him.
You're the great white hope.
No.
But I am his mother.
Are you?
But I am his mother.
( thunder rumbling )
( soft gasp )
( thunder rolling )
Shit.
Thank you.
You're welcome.
( thunder rolling )
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Vroom, vroom!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
( laughs )
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Vroom! I'm going to tickle you.
Higher, higher up. Faster.
I'm going to tickle you!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Bl-bl-bl-bleah!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
( giggling )
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Make it go really high.
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Mom, is that you?
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Hi, honey.
Higher, higher up. Faster.
ISAIAH: Mommy, Mommy!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Mommy, Mommy, Mommy!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Mommy! Oh... there's my boy!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
There's my boy.
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Oh, little boy-o.
Higher, higher up. Faster.
( mock growl )
Higher, higher up. Faster.
( laughs ): Mmm...
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Mommy!
Higher, higher up. Faster.
See you later, Mom.
Higher, higher up. Faster.
Gonna tickle you!
Gotcha. ( laughing )
( phone ringing )
( laughing )
Hello?
LEWIS: Khaila, the judge has asked us
Hello?
to be at the court at 11:00.
Hello?
Okay. Bye.
Hello?
BAILIFF: All rise.
This branch of the Circuit Court of Cook County
BAILIFF: All rise.
is now in session,
BAILIFF: All rise.
the Honorable Renata Silbowitz presiding.
BAILIFF: All rise.
Be seated.
BAILIFF: All rise.
This was not an easy decision.
BAILIFF: All rise.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
to his biological mother.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
When the mother is capable--
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
and I believe Miss Richards is functioning well enough
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
to parent this child--
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
it is usually in the child's best interest
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
to be with his natural mother,
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
especially when there is a racial issue involved.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
This may cause some initial trauma,
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
but Isaiah is young...
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
We're just going to take him away.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
...and should be able to deal with this...
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
Out of the state, out of the country.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
...if the adults conduct themselves thoughtfully.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
No. Oh, why not?
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
Our jobs can move.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
We'll go to California.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
You always wanted to go there.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
No, Charles.
I have decided to return the child, Isaiah,
Well, we're going to appeal.
No!
Well, we're going to appeal.
( sobbing )
Well, we're going to appeal.
It's over!
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
What you doing?
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
I said, "Nothing."
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
You a dinosaur?
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
I'm coming.
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
What you doing?
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
Nothing. Isaiah?
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
Come on, honey, it's time to go.
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
Let's get your jacket on, okay?
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
You're going to see Khaila now-- remember?
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
I told you about her.
( Isaiah speaks inaudibly )
You're going to live with her, Isaiah.
And then I'm coming back.
You're going to live with her, Isaiah.
No, honey, you're not coming back.
You're going to live with her, Isaiah.
I coming back.
You're going to live with her, Isaiah.
No, Isaiah, wait, wait!
You're going to live with her, Isaiah.
Wait a minute.
You're going to live with her, Isaiah.
Here.
Look.
Here.
This is Mama's.
Here.
I want you to keep it, okay?
No matter what happens.
I want you to keep it, okay?
I want you to know that we're always together...
I want you to keep it, okay?
that I'm always with you...
I want you to keep it, okay?
inside you, in here...
I want you to keep it, okay?
just like you're always with me...
I want you to keep it, okay?
in here, all right?
I want you to keep it, okay?
And nobody...
I want you to keep it, okay?
can ever change that.
You promise you won't forget?
( squeals )
Hey, kiddo.
Hannah? Kiddo?
Hey, kiddo.
Isaiah.
Hey, kiddo.
Isaiah, this is the lady that's going to take you
Hey, kiddo.
to Khaila's house, okay? Hi, Isaiah, you want to come with me?
Hey, kiddo.
No. It's going to be all right, Isaiah.
Hey, kiddo.
Let me just take him, all right?
Hey, kiddo.
I swear it'll be all right.
Hey, kiddo.
It's going to be all right. No.
Hey, kiddo.
Why don't you just let me take him?
Hey, kiddo.
It'll be better, and you'll get used to it. No, no.
Hey, kiddo.
Why don't you just let me take him, Mrs. Lewin, okay?
Hey, kiddo.
I promise you it'll be all right.
Hey, kiddo.
Let me just take him. No!
Hey, kiddo.
Mr. Lewin, this isn't helping.
Hey, kiddo.
And you are?!
Hey, kiddo.
Let me have him.
Hey, kiddo.
Just a minute. Mommy!
Hey, kiddo.
( screaming ) Just a minute! Just a minute!
Hey, kiddo.
Just a minute!
Hey, kiddo.
( screaming )
Hey, kiddo.
Well, what about his things?
Hey, kiddo.
They're not his things now.
Hey, kiddo.
Tell her he has to have a light on to sleep.
Hey, kiddo.
( screaming and crying )
Hey, kiddo.
( shrieking hysterically )
Hey, kiddo.
( sobbing )
Hey, kiddo.
( engine starts )
( shrieking continues )
( engine starts )
( sobbing and wailing )
( engine starts )
( shrieking continues )
( yawns )
( wind whistling gently )
( gasps )
Hi, Isaiah.
You scared? Don't be scared.
Hi, Isaiah.
I'm your mama... and I ain't gonna hurt you.
Hi, Isaiah.
I know what it's like to be scared.
Hi, Isaiah.
That's why I'm gonna give you all the time you need.
Hi, Isaiah.
All the time in the world.
Hi, Isaiah.
This is where you gonna live, you and me.
Hi, Isaiah.
I fixed this whole place up just for you.
Hi, Isaiah.
( metallic creaking )
Hi, Isaiah.
And your toys that you brought with you
Hi, Isaiah.
are right over there in a box.
Hi, Isaiah.
( creaking )
Hi, Isaiah.
That your boy?
Yeah.
That your boy?
What's his name?
That your boy?
Isaiah.
Hey, Isaiah.
Isaiah.
( chuckles ): He's deaf.
Nah, he ain't deaf.
( chuckles ): He's deaf.
Just a little tired right now.
( chuckles ): He's deaf.
Come back tomorrow.
( chuckles ): He's deaf.
He'll play with you then.
( chuckles ): He's deaf.
Something's wrong with him.
WOMAN: Hi. Who's this?
Isaiah.
WOMAN: Hi. Who's this?
Oh, hi.
WOMAN: Hi. Who's this?
( kids laughing )
You know where class 3B is?
( kids laughing )
I think... Do you know where 3B is?
( kids laughing )
Up the stairs and to your left.
( kids laughing )
So, you're new here, huh?
( kids laughing )
Yep. First day.
( kids laughing )
( laughs ): Welcome.
( kids laughing )
Come on, sweetie, don't be slow.
Come on.
Come on, sweetie, don't be slow.
WOMAN: Everyone pick up a piece of paper when you come in.
Come on, sweetie, don't be slow.
Okay, I got to go to work,
so I'm gonna leave you here, okay?
Okay, I got to go to work,
Now, all these kids here, you can play with them...
Okay, I got to go to work,
and have fun, okay?
Okay, I got to go to work,
I'll be back to get you later.
Okay, I got to go to work,
Go on and play.
Okay, I got to go to work,
Bye-bye.
Leave it there.
Okay.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
exactly the way it is, shall we?
Yeah, let's just leave everything
You can just sit right there, and I'll, uh...
Yeah, let's just leave everything
I'll sit...
Yeah, let's just leave everything
right here.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
And Hannah can lock herself in her room,
Yeah, let's just leave everything
and we don't ever have to talk to her again, do we?
Yeah, let's just leave everything
Remember her? Hannah? Your daughter!?
Yeah, let's just leave everything
Let go of me.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
I'm not going to, Margaret. I can't.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
Get out of my way! Margaret,
Yeah, let's just leave everything
what happened here is as bad as it gets,
Yeah, let's just leave everything
but you got to get over it.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
"Get over it"? Oh, oh, I'm sorry.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
Oh, I forgot, we're supposed
Yeah, let's just leave everything
to feel sorry for poor Margaret
Yeah, let's just leave everything
because she lives in an unjust world,
Yeah, let's just leave everything
and she's just going to have to live there.
Yeah, let's just leave everything
Hmm? What's the matter?
Yeah, let's just leave everything
Can't you fix this one, Maggie?
Yeah, let's just leave everything
You son of a bitch!
Yeah, let's just leave everything
No! No! No, no!
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no!
No! No! No, no!
Margaret,
No! No! No, no!
Margaret, maybe he's better off where he is.
No! No! No, no!
Maybe, just maybe, that lawyer was right.
No! No! No, no!
( crying ): I know he isn't ours.
I just...
( crying ): I know he isn't ours.
didn't know I'd miss him this much.
( crying ): I know he isn't ours.
Neither did I.
I didn't know.
( crying )
Thought you might like to read to him.
He don't even talk to me.
Thought you might like to read to him.
It's only been two weeks.
Thought you might like to read to him.
It's a tough thing for a child to understand all at once.
Thought you might like to read to him.
He'll come around.
Thought you might like to read to him.
And if he don't?
Thought you might like to read to him.
It happened to me.
I remember I used to sit under a chair
It happened to me.
when they used to come try to get me...
It happened to me.
take me from one foster place to another.
It happened to me.
I know what it's like...
to want to get inside yourself...
I know what it's like...
and just disappear.
I know what it's like...
But you didn't.
I know what it's like...
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Look, they gave you a car. Look.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Vroom, vroom, vroom, vroom.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
( imitates tires screeching )
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Okay. Want a French fry?
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Here, try a French fry. Go ahead.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Okay, wait a minute.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Here, here, try another one.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Come on, it's good. ( spits )
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Come on, Isaiah, please?
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Come on, look,
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
now you going to have to eat something,
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
'cause if you don't eat, you're going to get sick.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Now, look-look at Mama, I'm gonna eat.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Mmm, good. Good.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Come on, try your hamburger.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah. No. No.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Take a bite of your hamburger.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
No. No! Come on, please?
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah. No, go away!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah! Please, come on, turn around.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
No, no, no, no. Eat the hamburger.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Come on, please?
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah, eat the... Ouch!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
I want my mommy!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah! Isaiah, no!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
I want my mommy!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah, not the chair. No, Isaiah!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Please, Isaiah, come here.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah, no!
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
( Isaiah screaming )
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
( Isaiah crying )
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Oh, don't do this.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Don't do this.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
No. Don't do this.
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
( crying continues )
Okay, got you a hamburger and some French fries.
Isaiah.
Isaiah?
Isaiah.
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Stop playing games!
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Isaiah! Shit.
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Isaiah!
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Shit. Isaiah!
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Isaiah!
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Isaiah!
Isaiah, are you in here?
Isaiah!
Isaiah! Isaiah!
Isaiah!
( panting )
Okay.
( panting )
( phone ringing )
( ringing continues )
Hannah.
( ringing continues )
Why do I always have to get the phone?
( ringing continues )
( laughs ): 'Cause it's always for you.
( ringing continues )
( sighs )
Hello.
( sighs )
Mom.
( horn honks )
( tires screeching )
Thank you for coming.
Is he all right?
Thank you for coming.
No.
Thank you for coming.
I guess I just wanted him so bad that I wasn't thinking.
Maybe I was just hoping.
I guess I just wanted him so bad that I wasn't thinking.
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
and that I never would've given him up
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
if I'd have been clean and hadn't been all messed up,
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
and that I was going to always be there for him.
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
And I want him to stay in school, right here,
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
with these kids just like him.
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
Khaila, what are you talking about?
I wanted him to know who he was and where he came from,
I want you to go in there,
and hold him till he ain't scared no more.
I want you to go in there,
I'm not saying I'm giving him back to you.
I want you to go in there,
I'm just saying he's going
I want you to go in there,
to come live with you for a little while
I want you to go in there,
till he can understand all this.
I want you to go in there,
Now, some people are going to think
I want you to go in there,
that I'm crazy, but I don't care.
I want you to go in there,
All that matters to me is Isaiah.
I want you to go in there,
And you may not like me,
I want you to go in there,
but you're going to have to deal with me.
I want you to go in there,
I'm doing this because I love him.
I want you to go in there,
I really, really love him.
I want you to go in there,
I love him, too.
( Isaiah crying hysterically )
I love him, too.
( crying continues )
( crying hysterically )
Isaiah?
( crying stops )
Isaiah?
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
Mommy! Mommy!
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
Mommy!
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
Oh, my boy! Oh, Isaiah!
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
( laughs )
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
Oh...
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
Oh, I've missed you, I've missed you.
Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Oh, Isaiah!
Mommy.
Thank you.
( mumbles )
( laughs )
( mumbles )
Isaiah, this is a nice school you have here, hmm?
( mumbles )
Can you show me and Khaila what you like to do?
( mumbles )
Huh?
( mumbles )
He likes to play with blocks.
( mumbles )
Do you want to play with some blocks?
( mumbles )
Do you want to build something?
Oh, look. Khaila's got the blocks.
Do you want to build something?
Show me, Isaiah.
Do you want to build something?
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
A house?
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
Is that a house?
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
Which house is Khaila's house?
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
This one and this is yours.
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
Isaiah's tower.
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
You can have that room at the very top, huh?
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
All right.
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
Captioning sponsored by PARAMOUNT PICTURES
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH access.wgbh.org
Put that-- oop-- put that big one there.