1 00:00:52,090 --> 00:01:05,514 Subtitle Added By MohammaD [SHoCk] 2 00:01:13,475 --> 00:01:15,739 My name is Claireece "Precious" Jones. 3 00:01:18,247 --> 00:01:22,411 I wish l had a light- skinned boyfriend with real nice hair. 4 00:01:22,484 --> 00:01:25,044 And l wanna be on the cover of a magazine. 5 00:01:25,120 --> 00:01:28,487 But first, l wanna be in one of them BET videos. 6 00:01:28,591 --> 00:01:30,923 Momma said l can 't dance. 7 00:01:30,993 --> 00:01:34,485 Plus, she said, who wants to see my big ass dancing, anyhow? 8 00:01:34,597 --> 00:01:38,260 Well , if there's no volunteers, then I'm going to have to call people. 9 00:01:38,334 --> 00:01:42,168 Okay, Leticia, you got number one. Leticia! 10 00:01:42,271 --> 00:01:43,636 Jess Wesley, number two. 11 00:01:43,739 --> 00:01:46,833 I like math. I don't say nothing. 12 00:01:47,676 --> 00:01:51,112 I don't open my book, even. I just sit there. 13 00:01:51,180 --> 00:01:52,738 - You down? - Number six. 14 00:01:52,815 --> 00:01:56,774 Every day I tell myself something's gonna happen. 15 00:01:56,852 --> 00:01:57,978 I'm. . . I'm dead serious. 16 00:01:58,087 --> 00:02:00,419 Like, I'm gonna break through. 17 00:02:00,956 --> 00:02:03,686 Or somebody's gonna break through to me. 18 00:02:04,126 --> 00:02:06,424 I'm gonna be normal 19 00:02:06,495 --> 00:02:09,430 and pay attention, and sit ln the front of the class. 20 00:02:09,498 --> 00:02:11,693 Distributive principles. . . 21 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:12,858 Someday. 22 00:02:12,968 --> 00:02:15,198 . . .are principles that you can do in your head. 23 00:02:15,304 --> 00:02:17,363 I like Mr. Wicher. 24 00:02:18,340 --> 00:02:22,709 l pretend he my husband and we live someplace like Westchester. 25 00:02:23,812 --> 00:02:27,441 Look at him. He like me, too, l know it. 26 00:02:28,217 --> 00:02:32,984 I can tell by his eyes. He always looking at me and smiling at me. 27 00:02:33,055 --> 00:02:35,148 Boys! Boys ! Boys! 28 00:02:35,224 --> 00:02:36,452 I'm not your fucking boy! 29 00:02:36,525 --> 00:02:37,651 You're disrupting the class. 30 00:02:37,726 --> 00:02:40,160 Yeah, well, I'm talking now, so you listen. 31 00:02:41,063 --> 00:02:43,827 Shut the fuck up ! I'm trying to listen ! 32 00:02:47,069 --> 00:02:49,401 Mr. Wicher know i got his back. 33 00:02:49,838 --> 00:02:51,362 One twenty- two. 34 00:02:53,008 --> 00:02:55,033 Why are we barking , Jess? 35 00:02:55,577 --> 00:03:00,014 Monday's assignment. I'm assuming everybody did it. 36 00:03:00,416 --> 00:03:02,407 - No. - No. 37 00:03:05,754 --> 00:03:10,487 Please. . . Quiet. Precious, get your things. 38 00:03:10,559 --> 00:03:12,652 I have. . . Come here for a second. 39 00:03:12,728 --> 00:03:13,854 Now this shit. 40 00:03:13,929 --> 00:03:16,921 Is there anybody who didn't do their homework? 41 00:03:19,435 --> 00:03:24,236 Why? These aren't requests. These are requirements. Okay? 42 00:03:27,910 --> 00:03:30,845 You have to go to the principal's office. 43 00:03:41,623 --> 00:03:42,851 Go to the principal's office! 44 00:03:42,925 --> 00:03:45,860 All right, that's enough . That's enough. 45 00:03:46,228 --> 00:03:49,288 No, he's not allowed on campus. Where was he seen? 46 00:03:49,431 --> 00:03:51,296 Could you get Mr. Tork from Room 25, 47 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:53,800 tell him to go to Room 1 6 right away? Thank you . 48 00:03:53,902 --> 00:03:56,632 No. He was seen on the second floor. 49 00:03:57,940 --> 00:03:59,464 Yes. Thank you. 50 00:03:59,641 --> 00:04:01,734 Send Claireece in here! 51 00:04:04,980 --> 00:04:06,971 She's ready for you now. 52 00:04:10,652 --> 00:04:12,950 Mr. Taylor? Ms. Lichenstein. 53 00:04:13,455 --> 00:04:14,752 Come in. 54 00:04:15,157 --> 00:04:17,489 Matthew Will iams, second floor. 55 00:04:18,327 --> 00:04:21,626 ln front of his locker. Yes. Suspended last week. 56 00:04:24,399 --> 00:04:25,559 Yeah. 57 00:04:26,168 --> 00:04:28,295 Yes, absolutely. Thank you. 58 00:04:29,505 --> 00:04:31,268 Hello, Claireece. 59 00:04:36,345 --> 00:04:38,074 Are youpregnant? 60 00:04:45,354 --> 00:04:49,415 You're 1 6. You're still in junior high school, 61 00:04:51,193 --> 00:04:54,128 and you're pregnant with your second child. 62 00:04:54,196 --> 00:04:56,357 ls that correct, Claireece? 63 00:04:59,134 --> 00:05:01,102 Are youpregnant again? 64 00:05:08,443 --> 00:05:10,775 What happened, Claireece? 65 00:05:10,846 --> 00:05:13,542 l had sex, Ms. Lichenstein. 66 00:05:18,987 --> 00:05:23,014 Do you have any other thoughts about your situation , Claireece? 67 00:05:28,230 --> 00:05:29,629 Claireece? 68 00:05:29,998 --> 00:05:31,727 Am I in trouble? 69 00:05:33,569 --> 00:05:36,333 Thank you. I gotta get back to math. 70 00:05:36,405 --> 00:05:39,499 Sit down , Claireece. Sit down right now. 71 00:05:41,710 --> 00:05:45,510 We should have a parent- teacher's conference with you, me and your mother. 72 00:05:45,581 --> 00:05:47,674 My mother's busy. 73 00:05:47,749 --> 00:05:50,081 All right. Well then, how about if l come to your house? 74 00:05:50,185 --> 00:05:52,153 lf l were you , l wouldn't. 75 00:05:52,221 --> 00:05:54,917 l . . . I'm going to have to suspend you. 76 00:05:56,091 --> 00:05:59,083 That ain't fair! I didn't do nothing ! I do my work! 77 00:05:59,194 --> 00:06:00,252 My grades is good ! 78 00:06:00,362 --> 00:06:02,262 ls something going on at home? 79 00:06:02,364 --> 00:06:06,494 lf something's going on at home, l want you to tell me right now. 80 00:06:18,280 --> 00:06:20,271 You get my cigarettes? 81 00:06:20,716 --> 00:06:22,547 No, they didn't have it. 82 00:06:22,618 --> 00:06:25,883 I played the number, though. I couldn't box it. 83 00:06:53,415 --> 00:06:55,383 Yes. Yeah. 84 00:06:57,252 --> 00:07:00,050 Right there. Yeah. Daddy loves you. 85 00:07:09,164 --> 00:07:11,098 Precious, what did you think of the film? 86 00:07:11,166 --> 00:07:12,326 I thought it was fabulous. 87 00:07:12,434 --> 00:07:14,925 - What's next for you? - What? 88 00:07:15,003 --> 00:07:17,597 - How are you feeling? - l feel great! 89 00:07:19,574 --> 00:07:21,098 J ust one more, just one more, quick! 90 00:07:21,176 --> 00:07:22,803 I love you , too! 91 00:07:25,180 --> 00:07:26,408 You know i love you ! 92 00:07:26,481 --> 00:07:28,073 Hey, boo! 93 00:07:36,358 --> 00:07:38,588 I ain't gonna say it no more. 94 00:07:43,799 --> 00:07:45,926 The door was open, so I let myself in. 95 00:07:46,001 --> 00:07:49,368 Well, there goes my chance to tell you I'm not home. 96 00:07:49,938 --> 00:07:51,667 Now, Mary, this is important. 97 00:07:56,645 --> 00:07:58,203 Now, come on, Mary, she'll have a great time. 98 00:07:58,313 --> 00:08:01,714 I'd enroll myself, but l became ineligible for teen pageants a few days ago. 99 00:08:02,718 --> 00:08:05,619 Yeah, l see your acne's cleared up. 100 00:08:06,555 --> 00:08:08,853 You know, this pageant can do Brenda a world of good, Mary. 101 00:08:08,957 --> 00:08:12,620 And the man in charge, he's tops in his field. A brilliant promoter. 102 00:08:12,894 --> 00:08:14,794 How long have you two been dating? 103 00:08:16,231 --> 00:08:18,324 A dance teacher. 104 00:08:20,235 --> 00:08:23,204 Tell them assholes to stop ringing my bell. 105 00:08:23,905 --> 00:08:25,964 I hate crackheads. 106 00:08:26,742 --> 00:08:29,540 No one ever ring this bell ex cept for crackheads. 107 00:08:29,644 --> 00:08:31,737 Why they fucking with us? 108 00:08:36,251 --> 00:08:39,652 Stop ringing the goddamn buzzers, motherfuckers! 109 00:08:39,721 --> 00:08:41,882 Give the ghetto a bad name. 110 00:08:47,729 --> 00:08:50,095 Stop ringing the goddamn buzzer! 111 00:08:59,708 --> 00:09:00,936 Stop it! 112 00:09:01,576 --> 00:09:02,838 Stop it! 113 00:09:03,278 --> 00:09:05,269 press ''listen ,'' stupid. 114 00:09:10,619 --> 00:09:14,453 lt's Sandra Lichenstein for Claireece and Ms. Mary Johnston. 115 00:09:17,559 --> 00:09:19,459 Who is that, Precious? 116 00:09:20,062 --> 00:09:22,053 White bitch from school. 117 00:09:29,438 --> 00:09:31,133 What do you want? 118 00:09:31,640 --> 00:09:35,132 Claireece, I want to talk to you about your education . 119 00:09:38,980 --> 00:09:40,914 Eighty- six that bitch. 120 00:09:41,750 --> 00:09:43,741 My mother don't wanna get cut off welfare. 121 00:09:43,819 --> 00:09:46,379 And that's just what this visit gonna result in. 122 00:09:49,257 --> 00:09:52,420 Ms. Lichenstein , get out of here before l kick your ass. 123 00:09:52,494 --> 00:09:54,758 All right, Claireece, l spoke to Mr. Wicher, 124 00:09:54,830 --> 00:09:57,663 and he told me that you're one of his best math students. 125 00:09:57,766 --> 00:10:00,735 lf your fat ass don't get that bitch away from here. . . 126 00:10:00,802 --> 00:10:03,430 ...like a, like a potential for math. 127 00:10:03,505 --> 00:10:05,063 So l called Mrs. McKnight 128 00:10:05,140 --> 00:10:09,270 from Higher Education Alternative Each One Teach One. 129 00:10:10,112 --> 00:10:12,273 It's an alternative school. 130 00:10:13,014 --> 00:10:15,346 Claireece, are you listening to me? 131 00:10:16,017 --> 00:10:16,984 Yeah. 132 00:10:17,085 --> 00:10:20,953 Okay. Mrs. McKnight. Each One Teach One. 133 00:10:21,156 --> 00:10:27,026 lt's located at the 1 1 th floor, Hotel Theresa, 1 25th Street. 134 00:10:27,596 --> 00:10:29,996 - Get rid of that bitch . - The semester started a few days ago, 135 00:10:30,098 --> 00:10:31,122 so you're not too late. 136 00:10:31,199 --> 00:10:32,757 Eleventh floor. 137 00:10:33,168 --> 00:10:34,829 l heard you the first time. 138 00:10:35,704 --> 00:10:36,966 Okay. 139 00:10:38,373 --> 00:10:42,707 I don't know what an alternative school is, but l feel l wanna know. 140 00:10:44,679 --> 00:10:46,943 My heart is all warm inside. 141 00:10:47,849 --> 00:10:50,443 Mr. Wicher think I'm a good student. 142 00:10:51,987 --> 00:10:53,955 I knew that he liked me. 143 00:11:14,042 --> 00:11:16,476 School ain't gonna help none! 144 00:11:16,545 --> 00:11:19,070 Take your ass down to the welfare. 145 00:11:19,181 --> 00:11:21,411 Who the fuck she think she is? 146 00:11:22,350 --> 00:11:27,185 So I guess you think you cute now, right? Uppity bitch. 147 00:11:27,255 --> 00:11:30,247 You should have kept your fucking mouth shut. 148 00:11:32,160 --> 00:11:34,151 Just 'cause he gonna give you more children than he give me, 149 00:11:34,229 --> 00:11:36,493 you think you something fucking special? 150 00:11:36,565 --> 00:11:38,556 Fuck you and fuck him ! 151 00:11:43,038 --> 00:11:44,335 Precious! 152 00:11:46,441 --> 00:11:48,739 Precious! Precious! 153 00:11:49,778 --> 00:11:51,370 Get down here, bitch ! 154 00:11:51,446 --> 00:11:53,846 You brought that white bitch up in my house ! 155 00:11:54,749 --> 00:11:56,683 You . . . Why would you bring that bitch up in here? 156 00:11:56,751 --> 00:11:57,775 I didn't bring her here. 157 00:11:57,886 --> 00:12:00,753 Well, why the fuck did she ring my buzzer? 158 00:12:02,357 --> 00:12:03,585 I can't hear you, Precious. 159 00:12:03,692 --> 00:12:05,717 Since you got so much motherfucking mouth, 160 00:12:05,794 --> 00:12:07,455 and you gonna bring a bitch up in my house, 161 00:12:07,562 --> 00:12:09,587 why would that bitch ring my goddamn buzzer? 162 00:12:09,698 --> 00:12:11,393 I didn't tell her to come here. 163 00:12:11,466 --> 00:12:15,197 See, i think right now, you feeling like you're becoming a grown woman. 164 00:12:15,270 --> 00:12:17,101 'Cause of that shit you pulled in the kitchen . 165 00:12:17,205 --> 00:12:20,572 I should've fucked you up, but i let you walk away, 166 00:12:20,642 --> 00:12:22,576 and l let you come get yourself together. 167 00:12:22,644 --> 00:12:25,704 But, bitch, I'm gonna let you know if you ever pull that shit on me again, 168 00:12:25,780 --> 00:12:28,305 that will be your last motherfucking day standing, 169 00:12:28,416 --> 00:12:29,405 I promise you that. 170 00:12:29,484 --> 00:12:32,044 You gonna send a white bitch to my motherfucking buzzer? 171 00:12:32,120 --> 00:12:33,747 Talking about some higher education? 172 00:12:33,822 --> 00:12:37,087 You're a dummy, bitch, you will never know shit. 173 00:12:37,158 --> 00:12:39,456 Don't nobody want you. Don't nobody need you. 174 00:12:39,561 --> 00:12:42,155 You done fucked around and fucked my motherfucking man 175 00:12:42,264 --> 00:12:44,164 and had two motherfucking children, 176 00:12:44,266 --> 00:12:45,927 and one of them is a goddamn animal, 177 00:12:46,001 --> 00:12:49,095 running around, looking crazy as a motherfucker. 178 00:12:49,170 --> 00:12:53,163 Bitch, you know what? See, I think you. . . I think you're trying me. 179 00:12:53,842 --> 00:12:57,778 I think you're really trying to fuck with me. You're fucking with my money. 180 00:12:57,846 --> 00:12:59,939 And you're gonna stand up there and look down at me 181 00:13:00,015 --> 00:13:01,607 like you're a motherfucking woman. 182 00:13:01,683 --> 00:13:03,651 I'm gonna show you what real women do, bitch. 183 00:13:03,752 --> 00:13:06,186 See, you don't know what real motherfucking women do. 184 00:13:06,288 --> 00:13:08,256 Real motherfucking women sacrifice. 185 00:13:08,323 --> 00:13:11,690 I should've aborted your motherfucking ass. 'Cause you ain't shit. 186 00:13:11,793 --> 00:13:14,353 I knew it the day the doctors put you in my goddamn hand 187 00:13:14,462 --> 00:13:15,952 you wasn't a goddamn thing, 188 00:13:16,031 --> 00:13:18,329 and you have that smirk on your face, bitch? 189 00:13:18,433 --> 00:13:20,128 Get it off your fucking face! 190 00:13:20,201 --> 00:13:23,796 Now smile about that! Smile about that, you fat bitch. 191 00:13:27,375 --> 00:13:29,502 I'm gonna kill you , bitch ! 192 00:13:39,387 --> 00:13:41,150 Get off me, bitch ! 193 00:13:43,391 --> 00:13:44,824 And ''blank'' and eggs? 194 00:13:44,893 --> 00:13:46,224 - Bacon? - Right. 195 00:13:46,328 --> 00:13:48,853 - And ''What's up, Doc?'' He eats these. - Carrots. 196 00:13:48,963 --> 00:13:52,330 - Right. And ice, it comes in a tray. - Ice cubes. 197 00:13:52,400 --> 00:13:55,335 Right. And the best part of the steak. The. . . 198 00:13:55,403 --> 00:13:56,870 - The T- bone. The. . . - No. 199 00:13:56,971 --> 00:13:58,302 - Filet mignon. - Right! 200 00:13:58,373 --> 00:14:01,831 - And an English. . . Thomas' English. . . - Muffin! 201 00:14:01,910 --> 00:14:03,707 - Right. - That's it! 202 00:14:12,354 --> 00:14:14,822 You really need to get some rest. 203 00:14:14,889 --> 00:14:17,687 You have such a big day ahead of you tomorrow. 204 00:14:17,759 --> 00:14:20,922 And remember, Mommy loves you. 205 00:14:24,265 --> 00:14:29,601 Describe these things that are planned. Things that are planned. Ready? Go! 206 00:14:32,774 --> 00:14:35,902 Precious, you know i love you. 207 00:14:36,010 --> 00:14:39,002 I'm gonna kick that white lady out of my house, 208 00:14:39,080 --> 00:14:40,911 move you in with me. 209 00:14:41,015 --> 00:14:43,108 Wanna live in Westchester? 210 00:14:44,953 --> 00:14:46,284 - Commit a. . . - Crime. 211 00:14:46,388 --> 00:14:48,356 And this is you get back together again. 212 00:14:48,423 --> 00:14:49,447 - A class. . . - Reunion. 213 00:14:49,557 --> 00:14:51,047 And this is when you're like this, 214 00:14:51,126 --> 00:14:52,388 - you're expecting. . . - Pregnant. 215 00:14:52,460 --> 00:14:54,928 - Yeah. And this is you make a fast. . . - Escape. 216 00:14:55,029 --> 00:14:56,758 - Right. - That's it! 217 00:15:29,297 --> 00:15:30,924 Where you going? 218 00:15:31,566 --> 00:15:33,261 Where you going? 219 00:15:33,501 --> 00:15:37,494 Make sure youplay my 852 and tell them to box it. 220 00:15:41,075 --> 00:15:43,168 And get some kitty litter. 221 00:15:47,582 --> 00:15:49,447 Ethel, where you at? 222 00:15:53,421 --> 00:15:54,615 Precious, what are we gonna play? 223 00:15:54,689 --> 00:15:55,678 Girl , get the fuck out of here. 224 00:15:55,790 --> 00:15:57,257 Ain't you supposed to be at school or something? 225 00:15:57,325 --> 00:15:58,952 You said we was gonna play. 226 00:15:59,027 --> 00:16:01,154 That's exactly why we ain't gonna be playing. 227 00:16:01,262 --> 00:16:02,820 I never said noth ing like that. 228 00:17:04,993 --> 00:17:08,690 You would say some shit like that to me, and you don't even mean it? 229 00:17:08,763 --> 00:17:12,927 No, I'm not playing with you. No, and she call . . . Hold on. 230 00:17:13,935 --> 00:17:16,403 Eaoh One Teach One, hold , please. 231 00:17:16,938 --> 00:17:20,396 Yes. She called my house. l know it wasn't your sister, Trey. 232 00:17:21,075 --> 00:17:23,043 Because it wasn't her. 233 00:17:26,748 --> 00:17:28,511 What this is here? 234 00:17:29,117 --> 00:17:30,448 Each One Teach One. 235 00:17:31,352 --> 00:17:33,377 I'm looking for an alternative school. 236 00:17:33,454 --> 00:17:35,251 This is an alternative. 237 00:17:35,356 --> 00:17:37,449 What alternative is? 238 00:17:37,559 --> 00:17:40,027 What exactly are you asking me? 239 00:17:40,094 --> 00:17:42,119 Lady at my other school told me to come here. 240 00:17:42,230 --> 00:17:45,563 Hotel Theresa. Said it's an alternative school. 241 00:17:45,633 --> 00:17:51,697 An alternative sohool, it's like a choice. lt's a different way of doing th ings. 242 00:17:51,773 --> 00:17:55,436 So, ineed your discharge papers saying that they discharged you. 243 00:17:55,543 --> 00:17:58,444 l got kicked out of school 'cause l was pregnant. 244 00:17:58,546 --> 00:18:01,413 Well, l still need your discharge papers, otherwise we can't let you in. 245 00:18:01,482 --> 00:18:03,541 Ms. Lichenstein didn't say all that. 246 00:18:03,618 --> 00:18:05,950 You the one she called about. 247 00:18:07,755 --> 00:18:09,484 Claireece P. Jones? 248 00:18:09,991 --> 00:18:13,324 They al ready sent over your discharge papers and stuff. 249 00:18:13,428 --> 00:18:15,055 l could start today? 250 00:18:15,129 --> 00:18:18,462 Yeah. Are you currently receiving AFDC? 251 00:18:18,566 --> 00:18:21,592 My mother get AFDC for me and my daughter. 252 00:18:21,669 --> 00:18:24,900 So your mother has custody of you and your daughter, and you're on her budget? 253 00:18:24,973 --> 00:18:27,942 Okay, well, I'm gonna need a copy of your mother's budget, 254 00:18:28,009 --> 00:18:31,001 and a copy of your phone bi ll and your utility bill . 255 00:18:31,112 --> 00:18:34,411 We gotta give you a few tests, test your reading and your math level, 256 00:18:34,482 --> 00:18:36,143 see where to place you. 257 00:18:36,784 --> 00:18:39,651 Hold on , baby. Each One Teach One, hold. 258 00:18:40,588 --> 00:18:45,116 To enter into the GED classes, you gotta get an 8.0 or better on the TABE. 259 00:19:16,557 --> 00:19:19,720 There's always somethIng wrong with these tests. 260 00:19:21,829 --> 00:19:23,956 These tests paint a picture of me with no brain. 261 00:19:25,233 --> 00:19:27,326 These tests paint a picture of me and my mother, 262 00:19:27,402 --> 00:19:29,870 my whole famiIy, as Iess than dumb. 263 00:19:29,971 --> 00:19:34,032 Just ugly, bIack grease to be wiped away, find another job for. 264 00:19:35,810 --> 00:19:38,040 Sometimes l wish l was dead. 265 00:19:39,714 --> 00:19:43,411 l'll be okay, I guess, 'cause I'm looking up. 266 00:19:45,653 --> 00:19:48,178 I'm Iooking up for a piano to fall. 267 00:19:48,256 --> 00:19:52,215 Or a desk, couch, TV. . . Momma, maybe. 268 00:19:53,227 --> 00:19:55,422 Always something in my way. 269 00:19:56,764 --> 00:19:57,753 Yeah, man. 270 00:19:57,865 --> 00:20:00,095 Yo, make sure you get that for me, too, man. 271 00:20:00,201 --> 00:20:01,691 Alternative. 272 00:20:01,769 --> 00:20:03,760 Man, you gotta stop smoking them shits, man. 273 00:20:03,871 --> 00:20:06,169 That ain't the only thing that's gonna fucking kill you. 274 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:08,105 Hustling in these streets gonna kill you. 275 00:20:08,910 --> 00:20:10,172 lt is what it is. 276 00:20:10,244 --> 00:20:12,337 Then my mind come back down to Earth. 277 00:20:13,181 --> 00:20:15,945 Let me get some of that sweet ass, orca! 278 00:20:16,451 --> 00:20:17,440 What up, mama? 279 00:20:17,552 --> 00:20:19,577 Why boys always grabbing on themselves? 280 00:20:19,687 --> 00:20:23,521 You heard what the fuck I said? l said give me some fucking ass. 281 00:20:23,591 --> 00:20:26,389 I'm serious! When you gonna let me hit that? 282 00:20:26,461 --> 00:20:27,519 That bitch is laughing. . . 283 00:20:27,595 --> 00:20:28,960 l wish they'd leave me alone. 284 00:20:29,063 --> 00:20:31,054 - She's stupid. - Yeah . 285 00:20:33,735 --> 00:20:35,600 Yo, that's not even funny. 286 00:20:36,137 --> 00:20:38,469 That's what she'd get anyway, no. 287 00:20:41,209 --> 00:20:42,471 Precious! 288 00:22:42,263 --> 00:22:45,232 Ma, ineed some money! 289 00:22:49,537 --> 00:22:51,164 Ma, I'm hungry! 290 00:22:53,241 --> 00:22:55,766 Come take care of Mommy, Precious. 291 00:23:00,848 --> 00:23:03,078 l wish she'd stop this shit. 292 00:23:10,091 --> 00:23:12,082 The other day l cried. 293 00:23:13,127 --> 00:23:16,858 l felt stupid. But you know what? 294 00:23:17,398 --> 00:23:19,059 Fuck that day. 295 00:23:20,368 --> 00:23:24,202 That's why God, or whoever, makes new days. 296 00:23:24,939 --> 00:23:26,634 Still hungry, though. 297 00:23:32,446 --> 00:23:34,812 Nigger wants me to leave my kids. 298 00:23:36,050 --> 00:23:37,540 They're my kids. 299 00:23:40,755 --> 00:23:43,588 - What d'you want, baby? - Give me a basket, please. 300 00:23:43,658 --> 00:23:45,489 - Sides? - l don't know yet. 301 00:23:45,593 --> 00:23:49,222 Still thinking about it. Trying to watch my figure. 302 00:23:53,067 --> 00:23:56,059 Butchie, you got a 1 0- piece ready? 303 00:24:17,825 --> 00:24:19,349 potato salad. 304 00:24:19,860 --> 00:24:21,020 Thank you. 305 00:24:27,034 --> 00:24:28,865 Hell, no, she didn't! 306 00:24:29,470 --> 00:24:31,938 Get her ass! Get that big bitch ! 307 00:25:05,406 --> 00:25:08,034 No, i am not the one. 308 00:26:14,875 --> 00:26:16,308 You in ABE? 309 00:26:18,379 --> 00:26:19,471 Yeah. 310 00:26:21,148 --> 00:26:22,877 Time's a- wasting. 311 00:26:46,173 --> 00:26:47,902 What's your name? 312 00:26:48,742 --> 00:26:50,175 Claireece. 313 00:26:51,412 --> 00:26:53,141 Are you coming in? 314 00:26:59,587 --> 00:27:02,021 That door closes in 20 seconds. 315 00:27:07,428 --> 00:27:09,692 How are you guys doing today? 316 00:27:11,198 --> 00:27:13,792 Would you like to join us, Consuelo? 317 00:27:14,935 --> 00:27:17,460 Consuelo, class is beginning. 318 00:27:20,608 --> 00:27:23,771 You guys know that you are in the ABE class. 319 00:27:24,278 --> 00:27:27,770 Th is is not GED . This is to get youready for your GED. 320 00:27:48,903 --> 00:27:52,361 These journals are very important to this class, so do not forget them. 321 00:27:52,473 --> 00:27:54,839 You will need to use them every day that you are here. 322 00:27:54,909 --> 00:27:56,376 They are the key to this class. 323 00:27:56,477 --> 00:27:57,808 lt's 9: 07 , Joann. You're late. 324 00:27:57,878 --> 00:28:00,506 You're the one who said breakfast is the most important meal of the day. 325 00:28:00,581 --> 00:28:03,550 Tomorrow, that door wil l be looked at 9: 00. 326 00:28:06,720 --> 00:28:10,520 l want you to state your name, where you were born , 327 00:28:10,591 --> 00:28:15,255 your favorite color, something you do well and why you're here. 328 00:28:16,497 --> 00:28:18,158 l'll go first. 329 00:28:18,232 --> 00:28:19,756 When you due? 330 00:28:20,668 --> 00:28:22,829 - My name. . . - What you mean, you don't know? 331 00:28:22,903 --> 00:28:24,564 . . . is Blu Rain. 332 00:28:24,672 --> 00:28:26,902 - That's your real name? - Yes, it is. 333 00:28:27,007 --> 00:28:29,441 Your first name's Blu? 334 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:36,946 My favorite color is pu rple. l sing well. 335 00:28:38,219 --> 00:28:39,880 And I'm here 336 00:28:42,723 --> 00:28:44,782 because l love to teach. 337 00:28:44,892 --> 00:28:46,359 She like to sing. 338 00:28:46,427 --> 00:28:47,894 Rhonda? 339 00:28:47,962 --> 00:28:51,955 l wish l could sIng. Go to church and sing in the choir. 340 00:28:52,866 --> 00:28:54,231 Show them how it's done. 341 00:28:54,301 --> 00:28:59,034 All right. My name is Rhonda patrice Johnson. 342 00:29:00,908 --> 00:29:02,239 Problem? 343 00:29:03,611 --> 00:29:05,545 - l should smack her. - What? 344 00:29:05,613 --> 00:29:11,142 l was born in Kingston , Jamaica, and my favorite color is blue. 345 00:29:11,652 --> 00:29:13,244 And l cook good. 346 00:29:13,320 --> 00:29:15,948 My mother, she used to have a restaurant over on 7 th Avenue. 347 00:29:16,056 --> 00:29:18,616 Before she get sick, she teach me everything. 348 00:29:18,726 --> 00:29:22,560 So I'm here to get my reading up, so l can get my G ED. 349 00:29:27,768 --> 00:29:31,329 My name is Rita Romero. l was born here in Harlem. 350 00:29:32,773 --> 00:29:36,675 I'm here 'cause l was an addict and I dropped out of school. 351 00:29:37,511 --> 00:29:40,639 So l never got my reading and writing together. 352 00:29:41,181 --> 00:29:42,978 My favorite color's black. 353 00:29:43,083 --> 00:29:44,448 What do you do good? 354 00:29:44,518 --> 00:29:47,282 ''Well,'' Joann. ''What do you do well?'' 355 00:29:47,354 --> 00:29:50,289 - What do l do well? - No. Rita? 356 00:29:50,924 --> 00:29:53,620 I'm a good mother. Very good mother. 357 00:29:57,031 --> 00:30:00,091 My name's Jermaine. My favorite color is red. 358 00:30:00,167 --> 00:30:02,294 Tell us where you were born first. 359 00:30:02,369 --> 00:30:05,532 l was born in the Bronx. Still live there. 360 00:30:05,639 --> 00:30:09,541 My favorite color is red. Used to be blue. 361 00:30:10,944 --> 00:30:13,139 l can dance real good. 362 00:30:13,213 --> 00:30:15,443 Homie of mine told me about Each One Teach One, 363 00:30:15,516 --> 00:30:18,280 so l came here to stay out of trouble. 364 00:30:18,352 --> 00:30:21,150 So you came here to Harlem to stay out of trouble? ls that right? 365 00:30:21,221 --> 00:30:22,620 Yeah. 366 00:30:22,690 --> 00:30:25,352 - Consuelo? - This is bul lshit. 367 00:30:25,459 --> 00:30:26,983 You think so? 368 00:30:31,732 --> 00:30:33,131 Claireece? 369 00:30:35,736 --> 00:30:37,397 Can l skip, too? 370 00:30:39,406 --> 00:30:40,873 Joann? 371 00:30:40,974 --> 00:30:44,410 Okay. I'm Joann . Hey. 372 00:30:47,047 --> 00:30:49,242 My favorite color is fluorescent beige 373 00:30:49,350 --> 00:30:52,217 and my ambition is to have my own record layer. 374 00:30:52,319 --> 00:30:53,343 What's a record layer? 375 00:30:53,420 --> 00:30:56,355 Tell us where you come from and why you come to this school. 376 00:30:56,423 --> 00:30:58,391 l was born in Kings Cou nty Hospital, 377 00:30:58,492 --> 00:31:00,892 but my mother moved us to Harlem when l was nine. 378 00:31:00,994 --> 00:31:06,022 I'm here to get my G ED, and then . . . Well, I'm already into the music industry. 379 00:31:06,100 --> 00:31:09,695 I'm just trying to take oare of this little education thing so l can move up. 380 00:31:09,770 --> 00:31:14,833 Let's beg in . This is ABE. 381 00:31:14,908 --> 00:31:16,239 Can l go? 382 00:31:21,849 --> 00:31:25,114 l wish I could sit in the back of the class again. 383 00:31:33,627 --> 00:31:37,688 My name Claireece ''Precious'' Jones. 384 00:31:38,799 --> 00:31:40,562 l go by Precious. 385 00:31:42,302 --> 00:31:45,703 l live in Harlem . I like yellow. 386 00:31:46,774 --> 00:31:52,804 And l had problems at my other school, so l come here. 387 00:31:55,149 --> 00:31:57,083 Something you do well? 388 00:31:59,586 --> 00:32:00,951 Nothing. 389 00:32:01,655 --> 00:32:03,987 Everybody's good at something. 390 00:32:07,060 --> 00:32:08,459 Come on. 391 00:32:12,065 --> 00:32:15,796 Well , l oan cook. And. . . 392 00:32:18,272 --> 00:32:21,070 l never really talked in class before. 393 00:32:24,945 --> 00:32:27,175 How does that make you feel? 394 00:32:34,588 --> 00:32:35,748 Here. 395 00:32:39,526 --> 00:32:41,517 lt makes me feel here. 396 00:32:43,964 --> 00:32:45,989 Everybody open their journal. 397 00:32:46,099 --> 00:32:50,126 Write the date at the top of the page, and write. 398 00:32:51,672 --> 00:32:53,936 l don't care if you spell everything wrong. 399 00:32:54,007 --> 00:32:56,134 l don't care if it's grammatically incorrect. But just write. 400 00:32:56,210 --> 00:32:57,939 Write anything that you're feeling. 401 00:32:58,011 --> 00:33:00,343 This class will be a revolving door. 402 00:33:00,447 --> 00:33:03,610 Some of you will make it and some of you won't. 403 00:33:05,319 --> 00:33:07,048 Fifteen min utes. Go. 404 00:33:09,857 --> 00:33:15,056 Before, l got a A- minus at English, and l didn 't have to say nothing. 405 00:33:16,363 --> 00:33:20,493 Ms. Rain saId we gonna read and write in our notebooks every day. 406 00:33:20,567 --> 00:33:22,728 How we supposed to do that? 407 00:33:25,405 --> 00:33:28,340 But then she see the worry on my face and she say, 408 00:33:28,408 --> 00:33:31,571 ''The longest journey begin with a singIe step. '' 409 00:33:33,981 --> 00:33:36,882 Whatever the fuck that's supposed to mean. 410 00:33:38,018 --> 00:33:39,508 Come on , come on , do the work. 411 00:33:39,586 --> 00:33:43,022 You love it, love it, learn it. 412 00:33:44,057 --> 00:33:45,490 Consuelo? 413 00:33:46,193 --> 00:33:48,093 ''C'' for Consuelo. 414 00:33:48,562 --> 00:33:50,325 ''C'' for kiok your ass. 415 00:33:50,397 --> 00:33:52,729 lt's ''K'' for kick your ass, stupid. 416 00:33:52,833 --> 00:33:54,824 l got the ''D,'' Ms. Rain. 417 00:33:59,172 --> 00:34:00,662 ''D'' for dick. 418 00:34:01,508 --> 00:34:03,601 Ms. Rain , tell this little- ass bitch that she don't know me. 419 00:34:03,710 --> 00:34:05,678 Which you wish you had. 420 00:34:13,754 --> 00:34:15,085 - Help her. - ''E.'' 421 00:34:15,188 --> 00:34:16,280 ''E.'' 422 00:34:18,692 --> 00:34:19,784 ''E.'' 423 00:34:46,320 --> 00:34:47,878 ''F'' for fat. 424 00:34:49,323 --> 00:34:50,551 What? 425 00:34:50,991 --> 00:34:52,151 Good. 426 00:34:55,762 --> 00:34:58,822 Hey! Hey! Hey! Q u it it! Hey! 427 00:34:59,967 --> 00:35:01,832 - What? - Hey, you stop it right now! 428 00:35:01,935 --> 00:35:03,459 - You fucking. . . - Q uit it! 429 00:35:03,570 --> 00:35:04,662 - She just hit me! - Drop it! 430 00:35:04,771 --> 00:35:05,897 Shut the fuck up! 431 00:35:07,140 --> 00:35:08,232 She just slapped me! 432 00:35:08,308 --> 00:35:09,639 Get out. 433 00:35:10,344 --> 00:35:12,972 We don't fight in my class. Sit down. 434 00:35:17,851 --> 00:35:19,682 ''C'' for cold. 435 00:35:29,262 --> 00:35:31,253 Do you live with anybody? 436 00:35:32,599 --> 00:35:33,998 My mother. 437 00:35:34,701 --> 00:35:36,362 What does she do? 438 00:35:38,538 --> 00:35:40,438 She don't do nothing. 439 00:35:44,011 --> 00:35:46,878 l want you to read a page from this book. 440 00:35:55,155 --> 00:35:56,315 Try. 441 00:35:58,058 --> 00:36:01,892 All l need you to do is sound out these words for me. 442 00:36:01,995 --> 00:36:03,519 You don't have to know every word. 443 00:36:03,630 --> 00:36:07,327 You just have to. . . lt doesn't matter if you stumble or. . . Try for me. . . 444 00:36:07,401 --> 00:36:11,531 . . .or trip up on it. You just need to say what you know. 445 00:36:11,638 --> 00:36:15,233 Come on . You can do this. Try. Take it word by word . 446 00:36:16,309 --> 00:36:17,901 - Are you listening to me? - Precious! 447 00:36:18,011 --> 00:36:21,003 l just wanna know where you are in your reading skills. 448 00:36:21,081 --> 00:36:22,378 'Cause I'm looking at your test scores. . . 449 00:36:22,482 --> 00:36:24,973 Some higher fucking learning. You're a dumb bitch! 450 00:36:25,052 --> 00:36:26,679 Try to read, okay? 451 00:36:26,753 --> 00:36:29,085 Just help me and then I can help you. 452 00:36:29,690 --> 00:36:31,590 We'll start from scratch. Word for word. 453 00:36:31,692 --> 00:36:34,217 l want you better than your mother. 454 00:36:35,262 --> 00:36:37,696 - I'm gonna call the nurse. - No. 455 00:36:42,736 --> 00:36:45,102 lt all look the same to me. 456 00:36:48,775 --> 00:36:50,367 What's this? 457 00:36:52,746 --> 00:36:55,112 l can't do that, Ms. Rain. 458 00:36:56,183 --> 00:36:57,844 push yourself. 459 00:37:00,420 --> 00:37:01,614 A. 460 00:37:03,457 --> 00:37:04,890 What's this word? 461 00:37:10,097 --> 00:37:12,930 Do you know the letters? Come on. 462 00:37:14,534 --> 00:37:15,626 ''D .'' 463 00:37:18,905 --> 00:37:20,270 ''A.'' 464 00:37:21,875 --> 00:37:23,240 ''Y.'' 465 00:37:23,977 --> 00:37:25,968 Do you know that word? 466 00:37:28,482 --> 00:37:29,710 ''Day.'' 467 00:37:31,818 --> 00:37:33,615 What word is that? 468 00:37:35,655 --> 00:37:37,486 Ate. Ate. 469 00:37:37,591 --> 00:37:39,991 Good . Almost. The word is ''At.'' 470 00:37:41,828 --> 00:37:43,056 ''At.'' 471 00:37:45,665 --> 00:37:46,927 ''The.'' 472 00:37:49,636 --> 00:37:50,728 Sound it out. 473 00:37:50,804 --> 00:37:52,294 ''Beach.'' 474 00:37:52,405 --> 00:37:55,499 The word is ''Shore.'' lt's almost like ''Beaoh.'' 475 00:37:56,243 --> 00:37:57,676 Very good. 476 00:37:58,311 --> 00:38:00,836 Now, read the whole thing for me. 477 00:38:02,849 --> 00:38:04,009 ''A 478 00:38:05,585 --> 00:38:06,984 ''Day 479 00:38:09,589 --> 00:38:11,750 ''At The 480 00:38:12,793 --> 00:38:14,192 ''Shore.'' 481 00:38:21,968 --> 00:38:24,027 Get your big ass in here. 482 00:38:36,716 --> 00:38:39,014 Where was you at this morning? 483 00:38:45,692 --> 00:38:48,183 You hear me talking to you? Where was you at this morning? 484 00:38:48,295 --> 00:38:50,661 School. l was at school. 485 00:38:50,730 --> 00:38:52,163 You a lying whore. 486 00:38:52,232 --> 00:38:54,223 - I'm not lying. - You is. 487 00:38:54,835 --> 00:38:57,326 The welfare done called here saying they gonna remove you from my budget 488 00:38:57,404 --> 00:38:59,304 'cause you ain't been attending school regularly. 489 00:38:59,372 --> 00:39:01,067 l told you l got kicked out. 490 00:39:01,174 --> 00:39:03,199 l been home nearly every day for two weeks now. 491 00:39:03,310 --> 00:39:06,677 You ain't told me nothing about no damn school today. 492 00:39:06,746 --> 00:39:09,738 l told you l was going to school this morning. 493 00:39:11,418 --> 00:39:14,649 Youplan on putting some food in that frying pan? 494 00:39:20,160 --> 00:39:22,492 Precious, you got something you wanna say? 495 00:39:22,562 --> 00:39:24,689 - No. - Then don't be slamming shit down in here. 496 00:39:24,764 --> 00:39:26,356 You u nderstand? 497 00:39:27,267 --> 00:39:28,734 Yes, ma'am. 498 00:39:30,437 --> 00:39:33,873 You need to forget about that school shit and take your ass down to the welfare. 499 00:39:33,940 --> 00:39:35,771 I'm getting a stipend from school. 500 00:39:35,876 --> 00:39:38,071 Fool, what the fuck is a stipend? What is that? 501 00:39:38,178 --> 00:39:41,739 Fuck a sti pend . l said take your ass down to the welfare. 502 00:39:41,848 --> 00:39:42,940 Right now? 503 00:39:43,049 --> 00:39:46,712 Why in the fuck would you go right now? It's at n ighttime. Shit is closed. 504 00:39:46,786 --> 00:39:48,048 You gotta be there by 7:00 a. m. 505 00:39:48,121 --> 00:39:50,715 in the morning if you wanna talk to somebody. 506 00:39:50,790 --> 00:39:52,417 Fucking stupid. 507 00:39:56,096 --> 00:39:59,759 You thin k you're too good now? ls that what it is? 508 00:40:00,567 --> 00:40:03,468 You think you is too good for the welfare? 509 00:40:06,740 --> 00:40:11,109 There's more wh ite folk getting assistance than it is niggers, Ms. Onassis. 510 00:40:12,946 --> 00:40:14,538 l think l said therapy. . . 511 00:40:14,614 --> 00:40:18,380 Hurry your ass up. i am in here fucking starving. 512 00:40:19,119 --> 00:40:20,746 Now what you gonna do if l die of starvation? 513 00:40:20,820 --> 00:40:22,981 Where you gonna go after that? 514 00:40:24,157 --> 00:40:26,125 l forgot. School. 515 00:40:27,594 --> 00:40:30,427 Eaoh. . . What that bitch say? Each one do what? 516 00:40:30,497 --> 00:40:32,590 Each one teach one? 517 00:40:32,666 --> 00:40:34,133 Well, they don't know who the fuck they teaching, 518 00:40:34,234 --> 00:40:36,395 'cause you can't learn shit. 519 00:40:36,937 --> 00:40:39,804 Keep on listening to them white people. 520 00:40:39,906 --> 00:40:42,568 That's what's gonna get you fucked up. 521 00:40:45,111 --> 00:40:47,409 Precious, I'm hungry. 522 00:41:13,373 --> 00:41:17,207 You ain't cooked no col lard g reens with the fucking pigs' feet? 523 00:41:17,711 --> 00:41:20,703 Like, how am l supposed to eat pigs' feet with no collard greens? 524 00:41:20,814 --> 00:41:24,648 And why in the fuck does that pigs' feet have so much hair in it? 525 00:41:24,718 --> 00:41:28,017 You eat it. You come eat this shit. 526 00:41:28,121 --> 00:41:30,385 - I'm not hungry, though. - Yes, you is. 527 00:41:30,490 --> 00:41:33,653 Precious, if you don't get this goddamn plate. . . 528 00:41:39,065 --> 00:41:43,559 You just fix mine when you get done. Since you fucked it up, you gonna eat it up. 529 00:41:44,070 --> 00:41:47,005 Hurry up and eat, Precious. I'm fucking hu ng ry, too. 530 00:41:49,075 --> 00:41:53,478 And don't let it get cold , 'cause cold- ass pigs' feet is nasty as shit. 531 00:44:02,142 --> 00:44:05,339 So, tell me about. . . Tell me about your home life. 532 00:44:08,381 --> 00:44:10,872 Ain't nothing to really talk about. 533 00:44:11,384 --> 00:44:13,875 You're in a safe place. Just talk. 534 00:44:14,220 --> 00:44:15,209 What's going on? 535 00:44:15,321 --> 00:44:16,652 What's the first thing that comes to your mind 536 00:44:16,723 --> 00:44:18,850 when you think about home? 537 00:44:18,958 --> 00:44:22,655 l just wish l had my own TV, so l could watch it in my room. 538 00:44:23,396 --> 00:44:26,957 lf l had my own TV, l wouldn't have to watch it with my mother. 539 00:44:27,033 --> 00:44:29,831 And what's it like, watching TV with your mother? 540 00:44:29,903 --> 00:44:32,667 You enjoy watching TV with your mother? 541 00:44:32,739 --> 00:44:37,733 l need to know about your home life. l need to know what it's like where you live. 542 00:44:38,745 --> 00:44:40,872 My mother's like a whale on the couch. 543 00:44:40,980 --> 00:44:44,973 She say I eat al l the time, but she always making me eat. 544 00:44:45,051 --> 00:44:47,246 Then she call me a fat mess. 545 00:44:47,353 --> 00:44:50,481 She say the apartment is little 'cause of me. 546 00:44:50,557 --> 00:44:53,355 Only time she ever leaves is to play her numbers. 547 00:44:53,426 --> 00:44:56,361 l feeI like l cou ld just sit in the house with her every day, 548 00:44:56,429 --> 00:44:57,862 the shades drawn, 549 00:44:57,931 --> 00:45:02,163 watch TV, eat, watch TV, eat again. 550 00:45:03,036 --> 00:45:05,266 Can you help out with that? 551 00:45:06,506 --> 00:45:09,168 Can we talk about something else now? 552 00:45:15,448 --> 00:45:17,382 How about your firstborn? 553 00:45:17,450 --> 00:45:18,781 Mongo? 554 00:45:20,620 --> 00:45:22,713 Mongo is her. . . ls that. . . 555 00:45:23,389 --> 00:45:26,051 Mongo. That's short for ''mongoloid.'' 556 00:45:26,926 --> 00:45:31,260 ls that what you call her? Or that's. . . What is that? A nickname? 557 00:45:31,965 --> 00:45:33,899 She got Down's syndr ome. 558 00:45:42,108 --> 00:45:43,075 How you doing, Precious? 559 00:45:43,142 --> 00:45:45,736 My grandmother Toosie bring little Mongo over to our house 560 00:45:45,812 --> 00:45:50,146 on days when the social worker come, so it look like she live with us. 561 00:45:51,651 --> 00:45:53,710 Answer the fucking door. 562 00:45:55,388 --> 00:45:57,618 Do you see what you did? God damn it. 563 00:45:57,724 --> 00:46:00,989 Then my mother gets money and the food stamps for me and Mongo. 564 00:46:01,094 --> 00:46:02,493 Who is it? 565 00:46:03,096 --> 00:46:04,723 It's Ms. Turner. 566 00:46:05,765 --> 00:46:06,789 Social worker's here. 567 00:46:06,899 --> 00:46:10,596 Why didn't you tell me that bitch was coming so fucking early? 568 00:46:10,670 --> 00:46:13,332 My fucking wig . Come get my wig ! 569 00:46:13,439 --> 00:46:14,770 Come up! 570 00:46:19,512 --> 00:46:21,343 Where's my lipstick? 571 00:46:25,118 --> 00:46:27,746 Thank you, thank you. 572 00:46:37,664 --> 00:46:40,929 - Get off of me. - Leave that chi ld alone, please. 573 00:46:41,000 --> 00:46:43,195 Mind your goddam n business. 574 00:46:45,104 --> 00:46:47,095 - H i , Precious. - Hey. 575 00:46:47,507 --> 00:46:50,305 - Hello, Ms. Turner. How you doing? - H i , Mary. How are you? 576 00:46:50,376 --> 00:46:53,641 Please excuse that. My sweet grandbaby just knocked it over. 577 00:46:53,713 --> 00:46:56,011 please, have a seat. Excuse the mess. 578 00:46:56,115 --> 00:46:57,639 - Thank you. - Than ks. 579 00:46:57,717 --> 00:46:58,979 How are you, Mary? 580 00:46:59,052 --> 00:47:02,044 I'm doing really good, Ms. Turner. Thank you . 581 00:47:02,889 --> 00:47:05,449 When was the last time you've taken her to the doctor? 582 00:47:06,559 --> 00:47:08,891 Precious, when. . . When did we take her? The baby? 583 00:47:08,995 --> 00:47:10,019 Last month. 584 00:47:10,129 --> 00:47:13,530 Yeah. . . On the 1 6th. On the 1 6th . Yes, yes, ma'am. 585 00:47:14,133 --> 00:47:16,693 Okay, and what did the doctor say? 586 00:47:19,305 --> 00:47:22,240 They said that she's progressing really good. 587 00:47:22,342 --> 00:47:24,139 She's doing really good. 588 00:47:24,210 --> 00:47:26,371 - That's good . - Yes, ma'am. 589 00:47:26,479 --> 00:47:28,208 And have you been looking for a job? 590 00:47:28,314 --> 00:47:32,580 I have, Ms. Turner. i am. But they've all been saying the same thing. 591 00:47:32,685 --> 00:47:36,177 You know, they'll call me back. They'll get back to me. 592 00:47:38,558 --> 00:47:40,685 When did you go looking for the job? 593 00:47:40,760 --> 00:47:44,924 l went last week and l filled out several appl ications. 594 00:47:45,031 --> 00:47:48,728 And they all said the same thing, that they would call me. 595 00:47:50,837 --> 00:47:52,099 Mommy! 596 00:47:52,505 --> 00:47:54,996 No ! No! 597 00:47:56,275 --> 00:47:58,539 ls that a new microwave oven? 598 00:47:58,945 --> 00:48:00,913 A. . . A microwave? 599 00:48:01,948 --> 00:48:05,611 No, ma'am. We warm our things up in the oven. 600 00:48:06,953 --> 00:48:09,421 - l see. lt's a toaster oven. - Yes. Yes, ma'am. 601 00:48:09,522 --> 00:48:13,788 Okay. l wi ll be seeing and speaking with you 602 00:48:15,094 --> 00:48:16,083 in a week or so. 603 00:48:16,195 --> 00:48:17,219 - l n a week or so? - Yes. 604 00:48:17,296 --> 00:48:20,788 Okay, do you know what time you'll be. . . You'l l be coming? 605 00:48:20,900 --> 00:48:22,128 - I'l l let you know. - Okay. 606 00:48:22,235 --> 00:48:23,600 - l'l l let you know. - Thank you so much. 607 00:48:23,703 --> 00:48:26,467 Precious, any questions for me? 608 00:48:28,875 --> 00:48:30,638 How are you, Precious? 609 00:48:30,743 --> 00:48:33,803 I'm doing good . How you doing? 610 00:48:34,580 --> 00:48:36,571 I'm good, thank you. 611 00:48:37,717 --> 00:48:39,742 Ladies, thank you for your time. 612 00:48:39,819 --> 00:48:41,753 Thank you so much, Ms. Turner. Have a great day. 613 00:48:41,821 --> 00:48:43,982 - And you . Bye, Sheila. - Bye. 614 00:48:49,095 --> 00:48:51,563 Come get this motherfucking . . . Get her. 615 00:48:51,631 --> 00:48:54,498 Moving all around and shit while I'm trying to talk to this bitch. 616 00:48:54,600 --> 00:48:56,500 Makes me fucking itch. 617 00:48:57,770 --> 00:49:00,568 She done threw her fucking candy on the floor. 618 00:49:00,640 --> 00:49:02,164 Goddamn animal. 619 00:49:03,810 --> 00:49:06,938 And now you gonna give it to her? put the fucking candy back on the floor! 620 00:49:07,013 --> 00:49:08,571 Then you go and pick it up and let her have it. 621 00:49:08,648 --> 00:49:11,845 You're so fucking stupid. Just like her dumb ass. 622 00:49:11,951 --> 00:49:15,648 That bitch gonna come up in here and l gotta fucking make pretend? 623 00:49:15,755 --> 00:49:17,086 I'm so sick of it. 624 00:49:17,156 --> 00:49:19,624 l don't know what the fuck you shaking your head for. 625 00:49:19,692 --> 00:49:21,159 You didn't do no goddamn better. 626 00:49:21,260 --> 00:49:23,319 You know what? Let's tal k about your father. 627 00:49:23,429 --> 00:49:25,863 Tell me about your relationship with him. 628 00:49:25,965 --> 00:49:28,433 I don't know much more than you do, Ms. White. 629 00:49:28,501 --> 00:49:30,162 lt's Ms. Weiss. 630 00:49:30,269 --> 00:49:32,931 Talk to me about the little you do know about your father, 631 00:49:33,005 --> 00:49:36,270 'cause it is im portant, whether you know it or not. 632 00:49:37,043 --> 00:49:39,637 He give me this baby and my one before it, but l. . . 633 00:49:39,712 --> 00:49:42,306 What did you say he gave you? 634 00:49:42,381 --> 00:49:43,814 - Noth ing . - No, Claireece, you just said 635 00:49:43,883 --> 00:49:45,043 your father gave you something. 636 00:49:45,151 --> 00:49:47,142 - l heard you just say. . . - You didn't hear shit. 637 00:49:47,220 --> 00:49:50,018 - l heard you say your father. . . - l ain't say nothing . I ain't say shit like it. 638 00:49:50,122 --> 00:49:51,953 - l don't care, honey. - l d idn't say nothing like that. 639 00:49:52,024 --> 00:49:53,616 - l need to know this. - Let's move on . 640 00:49:53,693 --> 00:49:55,058 l need to know th is to help you. 641 00:49:55,161 --> 00:49:58,153 - Bitch , can we change the subject? - Okay. 642 00:49:58,231 --> 00:50:01,394 Well , l'll see you next time, then. Or maybe you'll see someone else. 643 00:50:01,501 --> 00:50:06,063 But you're gonna have to talk to somebody if you want your check, sweetie. 644 00:50:16,315 --> 00:50:18,340 l see vampires, too. 645 00:50:21,187 --> 00:50:24,520 They come at night. They tell me I'm one of them. 646 00:50:25,892 --> 00:50:29,020 They say, ''Precious, you belong with us.'' 647 00:50:31,430 --> 00:50:33,921 And then they go downstairs through the floor. 648 00:50:34,033 --> 00:50:36,866 The people that live under us, they is vampires, 649 00:50:36,936 --> 00:50:39,268 so that's where they should go. 650 00:50:39,839 --> 00:50:42,000 They be so nasty, though, 651 00:50:42,074 --> 00:50:44,440 leaving thei r dirty tampons and shit in the garbage. 652 00:50:44,544 --> 00:50:46,944 Don't even offer to take it out. 653 00:50:47,046 --> 00:50:49,571 They got no fucking home training. 654 00:50:52,618 --> 00:50:56,384 l been going to the doctor, too. lt's nice. 655 00:50:57,790 --> 00:51:02,124 Ms. Rain fall out when she Found out l ain't never been to no doctor before. 656 00:51:05,298 --> 00:51:07,698 Don't know how l had my first baby on the kitchen floor 657 00:51:07,767 --> 00:51:10,702 with my momma kicking me upside my head . 658 00:51:13,372 --> 00:51:14,737 Them the kind of things you're talking about 659 00:51:14,807 --> 00:51:17,640 when you say, say whatever come to my mind? 660 00:51:22,214 --> 00:51:24,944 That's the end of them welfare checks. 661 00:51:25,051 --> 00:51:29,078 l just couldn 't lie no more. I shouIdn't have said none of that. 662 00:51:32,625 --> 00:51:34,422 Momma gonna kill me. 663 00:51:43,269 --> 00:51:44,827 Motherfuckers! 664 00:51:48,474 --> 00:51:50,101 Are we done? 665 00:51:50,176 --> 00:51:51,939 I'm not doing this with you today. 666 00:51:52,011 --> 00:51:54,673 At night, we went out on a field trip. 667 00:51:59,852 --> 00:52:01,786 These girls is crazy. 668 00:52:02,188 --> 00:52:05,521 Ain 't nobody ever grabbed my hand like that before. 669 00:52:22,274 --> 00:52:24,708 ...as a candidate for the Democratic nomination 670 00:52:24,810 --> 00:52:27,802 for the presIdency of the United States of America. 671 00:52:28,481 --> 00:52:32,212 ...and by havIng destroyed it, now we don't know. . . 672 00:52:34,620 --> 00:52:39,557 ...and the testimony you're about to give wilI be the truth, the whole truth. . . 673 00:52:39,659 --> 00:52:41,524 I stiIl have a dream. 674 00:52:43,362 --> 00:52:46,991 It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. 675 00:52:48,234 --> 00:52:52,000 l have a dream that one day 676 00:52:53,506 --> 00:52:58,671 this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of. . . 677 00:52:58,744 --> 00:53:00,871 I'm gonna teach my baby all of this. 678 00:53:00,980 --> 00:53:04,006 ''We hold these truths to be seIf- evident, 679 00:53:04,083 --> 00:53:06,176 ''that all men are created equal. '' 680 00:53:06,252 --> 00:53:08,516 No fear. That's bullshit. That's bu llshit. 681 00:53:08,587 --> 00:53:09,679 You mean , write a whole new one? 682 00:53:09,755 --> 00:53:12,656 No, girl , if ineed to explain myself to you. . . 683 00:53:12,725 --> 00:53:14,488 - You'll figure it out. - You think that I'm stupid? 684 00:53:14,560 --> 00:53:17,586 Oh , my God . That l believe in you? 685 00:53:19,598 --> 00:53:21,156 That l think you're incredible? 686 00:53:21,233 --> 00:53:22,928 Yes, but l don't know what to do. 687 00:53:23,035 --> 00:53:26,061 All rig ht, pull it together. Okay. Who's next? 688 00:53:27,039 --> 00:53:28,370 I'm happy to be writing. 689 00:53:28,441 --> 00:53:31,433 - Go ahead , Rhonda. - I'm happy to be In school, too. 690 00:53:31,544 --> 00:53:34,877 Ms. Rain say we gonna write every day in our notebook. 691 00:53:34,947 --> 00:53:36,915 She gonna wrlte back to us every day, too. 692 00:53:37,016 --> 00:53:40,782 ''Yesterday l went to church for the first time since l come to this country. 693 00:53:40,886 --> 00:53:42,183 ''l got all the way to Brooklyn. 694 00:53:42,254 --> 00:53:45,052 ''The church was up the block and around the corner upon the 3 train . 695 00:53:45,124 --> 00:53:46,785 ''The preacher preached two and a half hours 696 00:53:46,892 --> 00:53:49,383 - ''about Jehovah . - Rhonda ! Rhonda! 697 00:53:49,462 --> 00:53:52,898 ''And how Lord Jesus, Son of God, Messiah, Jehovah delivers.'' 698 00:53:52,965 --> 00:53:54,956 ls that a fairytale? 699 00:53:56,535 --> 00:53:57,866 Sit down. 700 00:53:57,937 --> 00:53:59,234 Did anybody do this assign ment? 701 00:53:59,305 --> 00:54:01,796 Momma say this school ain't shit. 702 00:54:01,907 --> 00:54:04,375 She say you can 't Iearn nothing writing in no book. 703 00:54:04,443 --> 00:54:09,642 - This is a fai rytale called ''Enchanted.'' - She wrong about that. l is learning. 704 00:54:12,418 --> 00:54:15,876 ''Once upon a time, in a faraway land, 705 00:54:16,288 --> 00:54:20,418 ''there lived a beautiful princess named Joan n- a. 706 00:54:20,993 --> 00:54:25,293 ''She was very, very fly and extra, extra tall, 707 00:54:25,898 --> 00:54:29,390 ''and every single boy loved her, big and small . 708 00:54:30,169 --> 00:54:34,265 ''Except for one idiot boy who was so stupid and dumb. 709 00:54:34,340 --> 00:54:38,572 ''And out of all the cute boys who loved her, he was the cutest one.'' 710 00:54:39,678 --> 00:54:42,977 - That's all l got so far. - That's a good beginning. 711 00:54:43,082 --> 00:54:46,609 Thinking about littIe Mongo, too. l miss her. 712 00:54:46,986 --> 00:54:48,453 That's how you start a fairytale. 713 00:54:48,521 --> 00:54:50,819 I'm happy my baby coming up. 714 00:54:51,957 --> 00:54:55,791 I'm gonna read to this baby, too, and hang coIors on its wall. 715 00:54:56,695 --> 00:54:59,630 Listen, baby. Mother not dumb. 716 00:54:59,698 --> 00:55:01,996 Mother Iove you. Listen. 717 00:55:02,501 --> 00:55:06,164 ''Once upon a time, there was a mag ical princess 718 00:55:06,272 --> 00:55:09,435 ''who lived in a magical bubble under the sea. 719 00:55:09,975 --> 00:55:12,034 ''And she was from land.'' 720 00:55:27,293 --> 00:55:28,954 Stop screaming. 721 00:55:49,915 --> 00:55:53,749 His name's AbduI Jamal Lewis Jones. 722 00:55:54,753 --> 00:55:57,586 He heaIthy. His mother Iove him. 723 00:56:13,739 --> 00:56:15,934 The food in this hospital's nasty. 724 00:56:16,609 --> 00:56:17,735 lt's not from here. 725 00:56:17,843 --> 00:56:19,401 Where it from? 726 00:56:19,511 --> 00:56:22,036 A little shop by my house where 727 00:56:22,114 --> 00:56:24,548 I get my organic food , so l don't have to eat that 728 00:56:24,617 --> 00:56:27,211 nasty mystery- meat stuff they got downstairs. 729 00:56:27,286 --> 00:56:30,278 Can you bring me something? l don't like fru it. I like McDonald's. 730 00:56:30,389 --> 00:56:32,584 First of al l , l don't eat McDonald's. 731 00:56:32,691 --> 00:56:35,353 Second of all, you don't need to be eating McDonald's, either. 732 00:56:35,427 --> 00:56:36,451 lt's not healthy. 733 00:56:36,562 --> 00:56:38,757 But l like McDonald's. We all like McDonald's, right? 734 00:56:38,864 --> 00:56:41,458 We like McDonald's, too, over here. 735 00:56:41,567 --> 00:56:43,057 l don't like no damn McDonald's. 736 00:56:43,135 --> 00:56:46,229 l want some of that organio shit like you got. 737 00:56:46,639 --> 00:56:48,106 Well , l tell you what, 738 00:56:48,207 --> 00:56:50,732 when you get up out of here, you go with all your l ittle friends, 739 00:56:50,809 --> 00:56:51,776 and you go to McDonald's, 740 00:56:51,877 --> 00:56:53,742 and you get as much McDonald's as you want. 741 00:56:53,812 --> 00:56:56,280 But right now, you're gonna take care of your health. 742 00:56:56,382 --> 00:56:58,077 Are you a doctor? 743 00:56:59,151 --> 00:57:01,119 - Are you her doctor? - Am l a doctor? 744 00:57:01,220 --> 00:57:03,882 - Yeah . - i am a nu rse's aide. 745 00:57:03,956 --> 00:57:05,753 Nurse John- John. 746 00:57:05,824 --> 00:57:07,485 Oh , that's funny? 747 00:57:07,993 --> 00:57:09,756 Well, you're a man. 748 00:57:10,496 --> 00:57:13,158 - You've never seen a male nurse? - No. 749 00:57:13,332 --> 00:57:15,425 Not looking like you do. 750 00:57:16,235 --> 00:57:20,331 I am a male nurse. i am Nurse John McFadden. 751 00:57:20,439 --> 00:57:22,999 So was you up in the room when she popped the baby out? 752 00:57:23,108 --> 00:57:24,132 You was like, all up in between her. . . 753 00:57:24,243 --> 00:57:26,268 Joan n , don't be nasty! 754 00:57:26,345 --> 00:57:27,937 How was it? Was he screaming? 755 00:57:28,013 --> 00:57:29,105 lt hurt. 756 00:57:29,181 --> 00:57:30,773 Tough gaI like you had to scream? 757 00:57:30,849 --> 00:57:35,115 Not so tough with a baby coming out of me. lt hurt. And it burned. 758 00:57:35,187 --> 00:57:36,449 - Are you married? - Shut up! 759 00:57:36,522 --> 00:57:38,183 You got a girlfriend? 760 00:57:38,290 --> 00:57:40,690 - Why you asking? He don't want you. - How would you know? 761 00:57:40,793 --> 00:57:42,454 Why don't you stop being a ho for 1 0 minutes? 762 00:57:42,528 --> 00:57:43,688 What's wrong with these people? 763 00:57:43,796 --> 00:57:45,161 You don't want her, right? 764 00:57:45,264 --> 00:57:48,028 l wish l was a cantaloupe in that cup. 765 00:57:48,133 --> 00:57:49,623 So he could eat you? 766 00:57:49,702 --> 00:57:53,331 Okay, no. l gotta go. l gotta go. 767 00:57:53,772 --> 00:57:56,536 No, that's all right. That's all right. 768 00:57:59,812 --> 00:58:01,780 Can l get a kiss, too, Nurse John? 769 00:58:01,847 --> 00:58:04,611 - Good afternoon , ladies. - Bye, N urse John . 770 00:58:04,683 --> 00:58:07,550 - Bye ! - Good night, Nurse John- John ! 771 00:58:08,988 --> 00:58:11,286 Precious and John- John 772 00:58:11,357 --> 00:58:13,325 Sitting in a tree 773 00:58:13,392 --> 00:58:17,192 - F- U- C- K- I- N- G - Shut up! Y'all are nasty. 774 00:58:20,899 --> 00:58:23,561 You thin k he's spending the night up in here? 775 00:58:25,738 --> 00:58:28,969 Now she gonna write about Nurse John in her book! 776 00:58:30,242 --> 00:58:31,903 ''Dear Ms. Rain, 777 00:58:32,411 --> 00:58:35,574 ''AlI the years I sit in class, l never learned. 778 00:58:35,881 --> 00:58:38,748 ''Now I got a baby again by my father. 779 00:58:39,518 --> 00:58:42,146 ''I wIsh I had a boyfriend like other girls. 780 00:58:42,221 --> 00:58:45,384 ''Then I'll feel right that l have to quit school. 781 00:58:45,491 --> 00:58:48,983 ''I love my baby, but l want school, too. 782 00:58:49,061 --> 00:58:51,427 " Social worker ask me if l wanna give littIe Mongo 783 00:58:51,530 --> 00:58:55,057 ''and Abdul up for adoption. l could kilI her. 784 00:58:55,501 --> 00:58:59,232 '"She never helped before. Now she wanna take my kids away? 785 00:58:59,938 --> 00:59:03,203 ''lf she takes AbduI, l won 't have nothing no more. '' 786 00:59:03,156 --> 00:59:05,124 ''Dear Precious, 787 00:59:05,225 --> 00:59:08,490 ''I think your first responsibility has to be to yourself. 788 00:59:08,728 --> 00:59:11,253 ''If you keep Abdul, you might have nothing. 789 00:59:11,331 --> 00:59:13,799 ''You're learning to read and write. That's everything. 790 00:59:13,900 --> 00:59:16,562 ''You come back to school when you get out of the hospital. 791 00:59:16,636 --> 00:59:17,762 ''You're onIy 1 7. '' 792 00:59:17,837 --> 00:59:20,271 This looks like a big- ass condom. 793 00:59:22,142 --> 00:59:24,235 Use that for Nurse John. 794 00:59:24,744 --> 00:59:26,905 Not looking like that. Your hair looks a mess. 795 00:59:26,980 --> 00:59:29,676 - I'm giving you banjee. - Shut up! 796 00:59:29,783 --> 00:59:31,273 l got your journal. 797 00:59:31,351 --> 00:59:32,841 Thank you. 798 00:59:38,124 --> 00:59:39,648 What's wrong? 799 00:59:39,759 --> 00:59:41,090 Nothing. 800 00:59:41,161 --> 00:59:42,753 Are you sure? 801 00:59:42,829 --> 00:59:43,853 Yeah , I'm sure. 802 00:59:43,964 --> 00:59:48,367 All right. I'm bored. I'm about to leave. Bye. 803 00:59:50,036 --> 00:59:51,697 Bye, Ms. Toosie. 804 00:59:52,205 --> 00:59:53,797 You got a nasty- ass mouth. 805 00:59:53,873 --> 00:59:55,966 You got a nasty- ass hat. 806 00:59:58,378 --> 01:00:01,176 That's what's wrong , you hanging out with bitches like that. 807 01:00:01,281 --> 01:00:02,839 Here's your baby. 808 01:00:02,949 --> 01:00:05,315 lt's probably the last time you're gonna ever see him. 809 01:00:05,385 --> 01:00:06,818 Grandmother come and visit and say, 810 01:00:06,886 --> 01:00:09,480 ''Only a dog would drop a baby and walk off. '' 811 01:00:09,556 --> 01:00:10,853 Not even a dog. 812 01:00:11,157 --> 01:00:13,557 Say later, '"Not even a dog. " 813 01:00:13,660 --> 01:00:16,720 I'm proud of you . Ain't nothing like your mother. 814 01:00:16,830 --> 01:00:20,163 ''Where was your grandmother when your father was abusIng you? 815 01:00:20,233 --> 01:00:22,326 ''Where is IIttle Mongo now? 816 01:00:23,069 --> 01:00:25,833 ''What is going to be the best thing for you in this situation ?" 817 01:00:25,905 --> 01:00:28,203 ''Ms. Rain, you ask too many questions. 818 01:00:28,308 --> 01:00:30,833 ''Sometimes l wish l could stop breathing. 819 01:00:30,910 --> 01:00:33,310 ''I just wanna be a good mother. '' 820 01:00:34,347 --> 01:00:36,508 ''Being a good mother mIght mean letting Abdul be raised 821 01:00:36,583 --> 01:00:40,246 ''by someone who's better abIe than you to meet his needs. " 822 01:00:40,987 --> 01:00:44,479 ''Ms. Rain, I is the best to meet my chiId's needs. '' 823 01:00:53,867 --> 01:00:55,698 ''Who's gonna heIp you? 824 01:00:56,236 --> 01:00:58,534 ''How wIll you support yourself? 825 01:00:59,739 --> 01:01:02,765 ''How wiIl you keep learning to read and write?'" 826 01:01:03,843 --> 01:01:05,902 ''The weIfare helped Momma. '' 827 01:01:06,713 --> 01:01:10,274 ''You look and see how much welfare has helped your mom. 828 01:01:12,585 --> 01:01:14,212 ''You could get your GED, 829 01:01:14,287 --> 01:01:16,949 ''and go to college. You can do anything, PrecIous. '' 830 01:02:39,105 --> 01:02:40,504 You back? 831 01:02:41,107 --> 01:02:42,472 What's his name? 832 01:02:42,976 --> 01:02:44,534 Can l hold it? 833 01:03:48,374 --> 01:03:49,932 Hey, Precious. 834 01:03:53,713 --> 01:03:54,941 Hey. 835 01:03:58,418 --> 01:04:00,113 You had the baby? 836 01:04:00,720 --> 01:04:02,017 A boy. 837 01:04:03,256 --> 01:04:05,520 Where you been all this time? 838 01:04:12,131 --> 01:04:13,792 Let me see him. 839 01:04:21,040 --> 01:04:22,769 Can l hold hi m? 840 01:04:42,295 --> 01:04:44,286 He look like his daddy. 841 01:04:49,836 --> 01:04:51,326 He named Abdul. 842 01:04:52,639 --> 01:04:56,234 put all this shit down and go get me something to drink. 843 01:05:14,694 --> 01:05:16,161 You bitch ! 844 01:05:16,763 --> 01:05:18,958 - You fucking bitch ! - You crazy, Mom ma? 845 01:05:19,032 --> 01:05:21,523 Am l crazy? Bitch , if l was to. . . 846 01:05:22,535 --> 01:05:24,264 You ruined my fucking life! 847 01:05:24,337 --> 01:05:26,999 You done took my man , you had those fucking babies, 848 01:05:27,106 --> 01:05:28,334 and you got me put off the welfare 849 01:05:28,441 --> 01:05:30,705 for running your goddamned stupid- ass mouth ! 850 01:05:30,843 --> 01:05:34,677 l ain't stupid and l didn't take your man. Your husband raped me ! 851 01:05:34,781 --> 01:05:36,271 Didn't no- fucking- body rape you ! 852 01:05:36,349 --> 01:05:38,681 Bitch, don't youput your fucking hands on me! 853 01:05:59,305 --> 01:06:01,569 Mary, leave that gi rl alone! 854 01:06:40,179 --> 01:06:42,113 Can l see the baby now? 855 01:08:53,713 --> 01:08:56,841 B. . . C. . . D. . . 856 01:08:57,750 --> 01:09:02,187 E. . . F. . . G . . . H. . . 857 01:09:02,855 --> 01:09:05,551 l . . . J . . . K. . . 858 01:09:12,598 --> 01:09:14,190 I'm tired of shopping. 859 01:09:14,267 --> 01:09:16,235 Yes, because they all trying to take your money. 860 01:09:16,335 --> 01:09:18,200 They don't. . . 861 01:09:28,848 --> 01:09:30,748 I'm calling the cops. 862 01:09:35,955 --> 01:09:38,446 Tell me what you see back there. 863 01:09:50,870 --> 01:09:55,364 l could tell by Ms. Rain 's face l ain't gonna be homeless no more. 864 01:09:55,441 --> 01:09:57,466 l just don't know where I'm gonna end up, though. 865 01:09:57,577 --> 01:09:59,135 l'll hold. 866 01:10:01,080 --> 01:10:02,809 I feel bad for her. 867 01:10:02,915 --> 01:10:06,646 She just an ABC teacher. She ain't no social worker. 868 01:10:08,287 --> 01:10:09,549 What's going on? 869 01:10:09,622 --> 01:10:10,782 But she all l could think of. 870 01:10:10,890 --> 01:10:13,324 Look, when the others get here, tell them to start writing . 871 01:10:13,426 --> 01:10:15,587 And whichever one of you is older is in charge, okay? 872 01:10:15,661 --> 01:10:17,322 Consuelo, l know that's not you. Come here. 873 01:10:17,430 --> 01:10:19,557 Ms. Rain , l can't stay. I'm serious. l've tried to talk. . . 874 01:10:19,632 --> 01:10:22,226 Consuelo, you're not leaving class and I'm not dealing with this right now. 875 01:10:22,301 --> 01:10:24,633 Take this money. Go get something for Precious to wear. 876 01:10:24,737 --> 01:10:27,171 Quick. And bring back my change. 877 01:10:27,273 --> 01:10:30,970 Sixteen years old . A three- day- old infant. 878 01:10:31,611 --> 01:10:33,738 The baby not bleed ing . l think this is Precious' blood. 879 01:10:33,813 --> 01:10:36,680 Well, why didn't you tell me that before? 880 01:10:38,017 --> 01:10:40,485 We'll find you a place to live. 881 01:10:43,689 --> 01:10:45,418 Joann , you're late. 882 01:10:45,491 --> 01:10:47,686 Rhonda, you ain't the teacher. 883 01:10:47,827 --> 01:10:50,159 Joan n , Ms. Rain is busy with Precious today, 884 01:10:50,262 --> 01:10:52,355 so i am the teacher today. 885 01:10:52,465 --> 01:10:54,330 Okay. Why? 886 01:10:54,800 --> 01:10:56,529 - Where's Preoious? - J ust sit. Pull out your notebook. 887 01:10:56,636 --> 01:10:59,036 Joann , you wanna say one of your raps to the baby? 888 01:10:59,138 --> 01:11:00,537 What's the baby doing here? 889 01:11:00,640 --> 01:11:02,335 - Joann's gonna rap for you. - Let me see. 890 01:11:02,541 --> 01:11:04,839 She all right. She's doing good. 891 01:11:05,544 --> 01:11:08,513 Why is the baby wrapped up in a blood- covered blanket? 892 01:11:08,614 --> 01:11:11,344 - Joann, what's so funny? - For real . What happened? 893 01:11:11,450 --> 01:11:12,849 You don't wanna know is how it got on the blanket. 894 01:11:12,952 --> 01:11:14,010 You know what your problem is, Joann? 895 01:11:14,120 --> 01:11:15,883 That you can't take anything serious enough. 896 01:11:15,988 --> 01:11:18,388 - Jermaine, me expect better from you. - Okay, Rhonda. 897 01:11:18,491 --> 01:11:21,016 Joann, stop laughing at this baby. 898 01:11:22,695 --> 01:11:23,992 Queens. 899 01:11:26,332 --> 01:11:28,061 Let me call you back. 900 01:11:28,167 --> 01:11:29,464 J ust tell me what happened ! 901 01:11:29,535 --> 01:11:30,866 No, it's not funny. 902 01:11:30,970 --> 01:11:33,803 But Joann, there's nothing funny about a baby with blood on it. 903 01:11:33,873 --> 01:11:35,670 I got a West Ind ian friend who's a Council member. 904 01:11:35,741 --> 01:11:37,868 Let me see what she can do. Hold on a second. 905 01:11:37,977 --> 01:11:41,242 l found a lesson plan in our notebooks. We're gonna. . . 906 01:11:42,815 --> 01:11:44,510 Claireece Jones. 907 01:11:44,583 --> 01:11:46,881 Hey, Ms. Lisa. How you been? 908 01:11:47,720 --> 01:11:48,914 l don't know. 909 01:11:49,021 --> 01:11:52,923 l went to see that movie, Barfly, last night. piece of shit. 910 01:11:53,926 --> 01:11:57,054 - I'm sorry. - It's on my desk. Can you hold? 911 01:11:57,163 --> 01:11:59,427 Something's wrong with you, Precious. 912 01:11:59,532 --> 01:12:01,056 This baby stink. 913 01:12:01,167 --> 01:12:03,431 Well, we don't have a pamper, so have a seat with the baby. 914 01:12:03,536 --> 01:12:06,198 - i am sitting. - l n your seat, please. 915 01:12:06,272 --> 01:12:08,365 The first thing 916 01:12:08,441 --> 01:12:14,107 is shut the bumba- ros- clot. . . 917 01:12:15,014 --> 01:12:17,505 Ms. Rain , why did you let Rhonda teach the class? 918 01:12:17,583 --> 01:12:19,210 She don't even know how to speak English. 919 01:12:19,285 --> 01:12:20,343 Let Rhonda take over. 920 01:12:20,419 --> 01:12:24,048 - Shut the bumba- ros- clot up. - What the fuck is a ''ros clot''? 921 01:12:24,123 --> 01:12:26,057 Yeah, Brenda, you there? 922 01:12:26,125 --> 01:12:28,719 The last four of the Social are. . . 923 01:12:28,794 --> 01:12:31,388 2- 4- 2- 1 . 924 01:12:31,464 --> 01:12:33,591 - Rita? - l just wan na know how to spell ''Aquarius.'' 925 01:12:33,699 --> 01:12:36,566 - Anybody know how to spell ''Aquarius''? - lt's A- Q- U- A- R- l- U- S. 926 01:12:36,635 --> 01:12:37,863 Can you spell ''boy'' then? 927 01:12:37,937 --> 01:12:39,199 Can you spell ''slut'' then? 928 01:12:39,271 --> 01:12:40,898 Let's explore that. 929 01:12:40,973 --> 01:12:44,306 You wanna spel l ''slut,'' Consuelo, I'l l give you the first letter. 930 01:12:44,410 --> 01:12:46,537 Can you spell ''illegal immigrant,'' then? 931 01:12:46,612 --> 01:12:48,637 Great, thank you. 932 01:12:50,249 --> 01:12:52,740 Can youplease use ''slut'' in a sentence? 933 01:12:52,818 --> 01:12:54,217 Consuelo is a slut. . . 934 01:12:54,286 --> 01:12:57,084 - You the one who's the ho up in here. . . - Joann is not a slut. 935 01:12:57,156 --> 01:12:59,556 perfect. You get a gold star. 936 01:13:01,393 --> 01:13:03,088 But you know she likes that. 937 01:13:03,162 --> 01:13:05,460 Well, she's just insecure. 938 01:13:05,564 --> 01:13:07,156 - You think? - Yeah. 939 01:13:07,666 --> 01:13:11,261 - That chicken was good . - Real ly good . Did you have enough? 940 01:13:11,337 --> 01:13:13,271 There ain't more, is there? 941 01:13:13,339 --> 01:13:15,000 - ls there more? - Yeah . 942 01:13:15,341 --> 01:13:17,639 Maybe later. Not now. 943 01:13:17,743 --> 01:13:19,677 l don't want you to thin k I'm greedy. 944 01:13:19,779 --> 01:13:22,111 You're not greedy. lf you're h u ngry, let's get you some more. 945 01:13:22,181 --> 01:13:25,344 l guess l kind of eat too much sometimes, though. 946 01:13:25,451 --> 01:13:26,679 No, you don't. 947 01:13:26,786 --> 01:13:28,651 - Blu , is that you? - Not always. 948 01:13:28,754 --> 01:13:30,813 What are you doing here? 949 01:13:31,290 --> 01:13:33,952 l live here. Why didn't you tell me? 950 01:13:34,026 --> 01:13:36,824 - Hey, sweetie. - ls this. . . ls this. . . 951 01:13:38,430 --> 01:13:40,625 This is Katherine, Precious. 952 01:13:40,699 --> 01:13:42,758 - Are you okay? - lt's so nice to meet you , finally. 953 01:13:42,835 --> 01:13:46,271 Oh, my God. These straight- up Iesbians. 954 01:13:46,338 --> 01:13:49,933 - This is Abdul. - He's gorgeous. He looks just like you. 955 01:13:50,976 --> 01:13:52,307 Precious, can l hold him? 956 01:13:52,378 --> 01:13:54,141 You know how to? 957 01:13:54,213 --> 01:13:56,204 They stilinIce enough to let us stay in their home 958 01:13:56,315 --> 01:13:58,647 untiI l get situated, though. 959 01:13:58,717 --> 01:14:02,813 - He's heavy. Oh , my God ! - You wanna hold him? 960 01:14:02,888 --> 01:14:05,379 l guess thIs is how the peoples on TV feel at Chrlstmastime. 961 01:14:05,491 --> 01:14:08,051 - Don't drop him. - Come on. l on ly work with children. 962 01:14:08,160 --> 01:14:09,184 You know how you are. I saw you. . . 963 01:14:09,295 --> 01:14:11,320 When we were putting up the tree, you dropped half the top of it. 964 01:14:11,397 --> 01:14:12,989 They're so nice to me and Abdul. 965 01:14:13,065 --> 01:14:15,158 - Be careful . Hold him with both hands. - please. 966 01:14:15,234 --> 01:14:16,963 Oh, Abdul. 967 01:14:18,904 --> 01:14:21,065 Merry Christmas, Precious. 968 01:14:21,907 --> 01:14:23,033 Thank you. 969 01:14:23,142 --> 01:14:24,473 Why peoples that barely know me 970 01:14:24,543 --> 01:14:27,876 should be nicer to me than my mother and my father? 971 01:14:28,514 --> 01:14:29,913 I felt warm. 972 01:14:30,249 --> 01:14:31,477 - What? - I'm j ust. . . 973 01:14:31,550 --> 01:14:34,713 I'm just concerned about the baby and the cats upstairs. 974 01:14:34,820 --> 01:14:35,980 They're fine. 975 01:14:36,055 --> 01:14:38,046 Grandmother's scared of Momma. 976 01:14:38,157 --> 01:14:40,557 l know that's why she ain't letting me stay with her. 977 01:14:40,659 --> 01:14:42,559 lf Ronald McDonald were running things. . . 978 01:14:42,661 --> 01:14:45,425 Ms. Rain say don't be afraid of nothing. 979 01:14:46,098 --> 01:14:48,566 I bet she ain't scared of Momma. 980 01:14:48,667 --> 01:14:51,261 Wouldn't you be a little bit suspicious? 981 01:14:51,370 --> 01:14:52,598 J ust write the book. 982 01:14:52,705 --> 01:14:55,936 - Well , who's gonna read it? - Nobody, if you don't write it. 983 01:14:56,041 --> 01:14:59,568 You know, Precious writes every day. You should try it. 984 01:14:59,678 --> 01:15:02,909 ls that right? What do you write about, Precious? 985 01:15:03,716 --> 01:15:04,944 Stuff. 986 01:15:06,051 --> 01:15:08,451 My life. Abdul. 987 01:15:10,890 --> 01:15:13,051 How come y'all don't like McDonald's? 988 01:15:13,125 --> 01:15:14,956 Katherine was just drawing a comparison 989 01:15:15,094 --> 01:15:17,119 so that her point could be more easily understood . 990 01:15:17,229 --> 01:15:18,218 Yes. 991 01:15:18,297 --> 01:15:20,788 They talk like TV channels l don't watch. 992 01:15:20,900 --> 01:15:22,265 My U ncle Clayton. 993 01:15:22,368 --> 01:15:25,804 I'm gIad Abdul here to listen in on them, though, 'cause l know they're smart. 994 01:15:25,905 --> 01:15:27,304 Before he got saved, 995 01:15:27,406 --> 01:15:30,068 he used to smoke like a ch imney and drink like a fish. 996 01:15:30,142 --> 01:15:32,201 l don't understand a word they're saying. 997 01:15:32,278 --> 01:15:33,870 You u nderstand? 998 01:15:37,449 --> 01:15:38,916 Y'all be watching Oprah? 999 01:15:38,984 --> 01:15:41,919 No. l don't, actually. You know what time l get home from work. 1000 01:15:41,987 --> 01:15:45,115 - l watch it. - Momma say homos is bad peoples. 1001 01:15:45,824 --> 01:15:48,258 But Momma, homos not ones who raped me. 1002 01:15:48,327 --> 01:15:50,625 And what do that make you? 1003 01:15:50,729 --> 01:15:54,825 Homos not ones who let me sit in class all them years and never Iearn nothing. 1004 01:15:54,934 --> 01:15:57,801 The homos not ones who seIl crack to peoples in HarIem. 1005 01:15:57,903 --> 01:15:59,894 - . . .that l have ever seen. Tell her! - That doesn't work. 1006 01:15:59,972 --> 01:16:02,566 I wonder what Oprah got to say about that. 1007 01:16:02,641 --> 01:16:05,007 Ms. Rain is the one who put the chaIk in my hand, 1008 01:16:05,110 --> 01:16:07,578 made me queen of the ABC's. 1009 01:16:10,516 --> 01:16:12,450 After l settled at the halfway house, 1010 01:16:12,518 --> 01:16:14,952 l worked my hardest to memorize letter sounds, 1011 01:16:15,020 --> 01:16:18,012 writing in the journal, and reading smaller and fatter books. 1012 01:16:18,157 --> 01:16:21,354 Then I found out the Mayor's office give me a literacy award 1013 01:16:21,460 --> 01:16:23,189 and a check for progress. 1014 01:16:25,631 --> 01:16:27,360 One, two, three. 1015 01:16:27,466 --> 01:16:29,195 The party is on. 1016 01:16:29,501 --> 01:16:30,866 Go, Joann ! 1017 01:16:34,173 --> 01:16:36,266 Let me see what you got! 1018 01:16:36,342 --> 01:16:41,439 Everybody come. Nurse John, Cornrows, all the staff was out there. 1019 01:16:41,981 --> 01:16:44,211 Even Ms. Katherine showed up. 1020 01:16:44,550 --> 01:16:45,847 Precious. 1021 01:16:49,054 --> 01:16:50,487 What's up? 1022 01:16:50,990 --> 01:16:52,480 What's that? 1023 01:16:53,058 --> 01:16:54,719 What does it look like? 1024 01:16:54,827 --> 01:16:56,727 plastic stupid apple. 1025 01:16:59,898 --> 01:17:01,559 A little something for you. 1026 01:17:01,667 --> 01:17:04,363 - ls there more money in it? - You're so greedy. 1027 01:17:04,470 --> 01:17:07,200 Yo, who's that? 1028 01:17:10,142 --> 01:17:11,370 What? 1029 01:17:14,246 --> 01:17:16,237 - What? - Come on. 1030 01:17:16,749 --> 01:17:19,217 Precious, where are you taking me? 1031 01:17:20,652 --> 01:17:24,349 What am l supposed to do, diva? Yeah? Wait a minute. Hold on, girl. 1032 01:17:24,423 --> 01:17:25,981 Yeah . . . 1033 01:17:30,162 --> 01:17:32,255 My mom called last night. 1034 01:17:34,933 --> 01:17:38,232 And we don't really have a relationship. 1035 01:17:38,704 --> 01:17:41,537 We don't talk, because she really has a problem with. . . 1036 01:17:41,607 --> 01:17:45,373 Some folks got a light around them that shine for other peoples. 1037 01:17:45,444 --> 01:17:48,538 l think maybe some of them was in tunnels, 1038 01:17:48,614 --> 01:17:51,344 and in that tunnel, maybe the only light they had 1039 01:17:51,417 --> 01:17:52,941 was inside of them. 1040 01:17:53,052 --> 01:17:56,283 Then l thought about how strong you've had to be. 1041 01:17:58,891 --> 01:18:02,622 And then, even Iong after they escaped that tunnel. . . 1042 01:18:03,962 --> 01:18:06,795 - l'l l help you clean up. - Okay. 1043 01:18:07,466 --> 01:18:10,458 ... they stilI be shining for everybody else. 1044 01:18:14,706 --> 01:18:16,731 That's Ms. Rain to me. 1045 01:18:19,711 --> 01:18:21,235 ''Awar d for Outstanding Achievement.'' 1046 01:18:21,313 --> 01:18:24,942 In a book I read, this Iady escaped to a halfway house. 1047 01:18:25,050 --> 01:18:26,244 And when she was there, 1048 01:18:26,318 --> 01:18:29,253 she asked the peopIe there what a halfway house was. 1049 01:18:29,321 --> 01:18:33,655 They told her it was halfway between her old Iife and where she wanna be. 1050 01:18:33,759 --> 01:18:35,659 That's kind of nice. 1051 01:18:37,329 --> 01:18:40,423 That also mean l can't stay here forever. 1052 01:18:40,499 --> 01:18:42,660 There's still a way to go. 1053 01:18:43,402 --> 01:18:46,337 lt'd be something to get my own apartment. 1054 01:18:47,172 --> 01:18:50,664 Abdul nine months and aImost walking. He's smart, too. 1055 01:18:51,343 --> 01:18:54,437 l've been reading to him since the day he was born. 1056 01:18:54,513 --> 01:18:57,573 He 's barely taIking, but he's already counting. 1057 01:18:58,517 --> 01:19:00,348 Momma, Daddy, 1058 01:19:01,120 --> 01:19:05,523 IS 1 1 1, 4 4 4 Lenox all seem like some old, bad dream. 1059 01:19:07,693 --> 01:19:11,686 I wish l could've just started out here, but still with Abdul. 1060 01:19:13,132 --> 01:19:17,296 I'm gonna get Mongo, too. l gotta get Mongo back. 1061 01:19:19,371 --> 01:19:20,463 Hey, Miss Cassidy. 1062 01:19:20,539 --> 01:19:22,769 Hey, Precious, somebody downstairs for you. 1063 01:19:22,841 --> 01:19:24,604 - Who is It? - l didn 't ask who it was. 1064 01:19:24,676 --> 01:19:25,870 You want me to watch the baby? 1065 01:19:25,978 --> 01:19:28,845 No, l gotta go down and get him anyway. 1066 01:20:03,248 --> 01:20:04,909 Your daddy dead. 1067 01:20:06,852 --> 01:20:08,319 That's all? 1068 01:20:13,392 --> 01:20:15,257 He had that Al DS virus. 1069 01:20:30,776 --> 01:20:32,038 There you go, dreaming again.r 1070 01:20:32,110 --> 01:20:34,772 Precious, do you hear me taIking to you? 1071 01:20:36,215 --> 01:20:37,341 Did you hear what l said? 1072 01:20:42,287 --> 01:20:43,720 You got it? 1073 01:20:44,957 --> 01:20:46,584 Got what? 1074 01:20:46,692 --> 01:20:48,626 - The Al DS virus. - No. 1075 01:20:49,628 --> 01:20:51,289 How do you know? 1076 01:20:51,396 --> 01:20:54,263 We never did it up in the ass, so l know. 1077 01:20:58,637 --> 01:21:01,105 You better get to a doctor, Mom. 1078 01:21:03,809 --> 01:21:05,538 You coming home? 1079 01:21:22,494 --> 01:21:23,984 Yo, Preoious! 1080 01:21:42,648 --> 01:21:45,640 Rita, what do l mean when l say the author 1081 01:21:45,751 --> 01:21:50,415 descri bes her protagonist's circumstances as ''unrelenting''? 1082 01:21:51,423 --> 01:21:53,755 l don't k now. l don't know. 1083 01:21:56,128 --> 01:21:59,689 lt's like, say, like if Rita, she tries to do something, 1084 01:21:59,798 --> 01:22:02,266 and she's going and she's going, and me, l try to stop her 1085 01:22:02,334 --> 01:22:04,962 and she no stop, she keep on going. 1086 01:22:05,604 --> 01:22:07,367 Relentless- un. 1087 01:23:00,092 --> 01:23:02,560 l'll see you tonig ht. Bye. 1088 01:23:51,643 --> 01:23:53,133 Come with me. 1089 01:23:54,579 --> 01:23:55,978 Precious? 1090 01:23:57,816 --> 01:23:59,283 Excuse me? 1091 01:24:01,219 --> 01:24:03,312 Nurse say I'm H lV positive. 1092 01:24:09,961 --> 01:24:12,486 l ain't got nothing to write today. 1093 01:24:14,332 --> 01:24:15,993 ls your baby okay? 1094 01:24:17,068 --> 01:24:20,435 He all right. l just got to stop breastfeeding him. 1095 01:24:24,142 --> 01:24:26,303 Remember, you once told me 1096 01:24:26,812 --> 01:24:29,679 you never really got to tell your story. 1097 01:24:31,149 --> 01:24:33,174 - Write. - Fuck you ! 1098 01:24:33,685 --> 01:24:36,677 You know nothing of what l've been through. 1099 01:24:37,856 --> 01:24:40,188 l ain't never had no boyfriend. 1100 01:24:42,861 --> 01:24:45,455 My daddy said he gonna marry me. 1101 01:24:46,131 --> 01:24:49,430 How he gonna do that? lt wou ld fucking be illegal ! 1102 01:25:05,684 --> 01:25:06,878 Write. 1103 01:25:09,020 --> 01:25:11,545 I'm tired , Ms. Rain. 1104 01:25:12,457 --> 01:25:15,620 lf not for yourself, then for the people who love you. 1105 01:25:15,694 --> 01:25:17,491 Nobody loves me. 1106 01:25:17,562 --> 01:25:19,826 people do love you, Precious. 1107 01:25:20,298 --> 01:25:22,732 please don't lie to me, Ms. Rain. 1108 01:25:23,568 --> 01:25:25,968 Love ain't done nothing for me. 1109 01:25:27,005 --> 01:25:30,406 Love beat me, raped me, 1110 01:25:31,843 --> 01:25:35,836 called me an animal , make me feel worthless. 1111 01:25:36,515 --> 01:25:38,073 Make me sick. 1112 01:25:40,418 --> 01:25:42,511 That wasn't love, Precious. 1113 01:25:44,589 --> 01:25:46,420 Your baby loves you. 1114 01:25:49,728 --> 01:25:51,195 l love you. 1115 01:25:58,503 --> 01:25:59,731 Write. 1116 01:26:08,680 --> 01:26:10,614 What are you thinking? 1117 01:26:12,784 --> 01:26:17,016 You never told me about your relationship with your mother. 1118 01:26:19,758 --> 01:26:21,419 l didn't, did l? 1119 01:26:22,127 --> 01:26:24,721 Really, I'm here to help you. 1120 01:26:24,796 --> 01:26:27,959 You can talk to me. This is a safe environment. 1121 01:26:29,301 --> 01:26:30,700 You're right. 1122 01:26:30,769 --> 01:26:33,294 We could talk about your daddy instead. 1123 01:26:33,405 --> 01:26:36,238 We could talk about my mother, my father, 1124 01:26:36,308 --> 01:26:40,711 my aunts or my sister or my brother, but none of it's gonna help you . 1125 01:26:41,379 --> 01:26:42,869 You don't even like me. 1126 01:26:42,948 --> 01:26:45,974 Have we not been in this room together 1127 01:26:46,084 --> 01:26:49,315 for, like, a year, discussing your life? 1128 01:26:49,421 --> 01:26:52,413 Does that mean we like each other, because we discuss my l ife? 1129 01:26:52,490 --> 01:26:53,957 l can't speak for you. 1130 01:26:54,059 --> 01:26:58,496 l can only speak for me, and l do like you . l do. 1131 01:26:59,164 --> 01:27:00,995 So, are you ltalian, or. . . 1132 01:27:01,099 --> 01:27:02,396 What color are you , anyway? 1133 01:27:02,467 --> 01:27:04,560 Are you some type of black or Spanish? 1134 01:27:04,636 --> 01:27:06,831 What color do you think i am? 1135 01:27:08,807 --> 01:27:12,140 No, l'd like to know. What color do you think i am? 1136 01:27:12,978 --> 01:27:14,673 My throat is dry. 1137 01:27:15,513 --> 01:27:17,276 Your throat is dry? 1138 01:27:17,682 --> 01:27:19,411 lt's really hot in here. 1139 01:27:19,484 --> 01:27:21,577 lt is kind of hot in here. 1140 01:27:22,120 --> 01:27:24,987 I'm gonna go get a soda. What do you want? 1141 01:27:25,357 --> 01:27:27,188 Soda sou nds fine. 1142 01:27:27,292 --> 01:27:28,691 All right. 1143 01:27:59,224 --> 01:28:00,714 Thank you. 1144 01:28:01,326 --> 01:28:02,793 No problem. 1145 01:28:06,498 --> 01:28:09,695 So, I have to talk to you about your mother, 1146 01:28:10,235 --> 01:28:12,567 and l don't know how you're gonna feel about this, 1147 01:28:12,671 --> 01:28:15,401 but she says she wants to see you 1148 01:28:15,507 --> 01:28:20,137 and she wants to be reu n ited with you and her grandchildren. 1149 01:28:20,712 --> 01:28:23,681 She wants to come and have a session here with you. 1150 01:28:23,748 --> 01:28:25,340 What did you tell her? 1151 01:28:25,417 --> 01:28:28,250 l said l had to speak to you about it. 1152 01:28:30,889 --> 01:28:32,322 lt's up to you. 1153 01:28:32,390 --> 01:28:35,359 l don't know. l never thought about it before. 1154 01:28:36,895 --> 01:28:39,386 Ms. Weiss said in that file l got HIV. 1155 01:28:39,497 --> 01:28:41,897 She said l was supposed to die from it. 1156 01:28:42,000 --> 01:28:44,025 l ain't worried about dying. 1157 01:28:44,102 --> 01:28:48,061 Shit, l gotta worry about how I'm supposed to raise these kids. 1158 01:28:49,074 --> 01:28:51,565 l was just writing , like, about. . . 1159 01:28:52,277 --> 01:28:54,370 l wanna open up this clinic 1160 01:28:54,446 --> 01:28:57,677 about, like, mothers and their children. 1161 01:28:58,516 --> 01:29:01,542 You know, just, if they're sick or something like that. 1162 01:29:01,619 --> 01:29:05,282 l always wanted to do that, give back to the community. 1163 01:29:05,390 --> 01:29:08,257 Because I know my mom would be proud of me if l did that, 1164 01:29:08,359 --> 01:29:10,020 and my children, too. 1165 01:29:10,095 --> 01:29:13,792 l want my children to be proud of their mother, you know? 1166 01:29:14,933 --> 01:29:19,461 - That's always what l wanted to do, so. . . - That's good. That's really nice. 1167 01:29:23,074 --> 01:29:27,534 l don't really want to read the whole thing, l kind of just wanna say what it's about. 1168 01:29:28,780 --> 01:29:32,409 Okay, the counselors at Advanoement House, 1169 01:29:34,252 --> 01:29:36,743 they were quizzing me about my mother and my father, right? 1170 01:29:36,821 --> 01:29:38,584 But it's not really about them. 1171 01:29:38,656 --> 01:29:40,749 They're trying to get me to do workfare. 1172 01:29:40,825 --> 01:29:43,225 - They want me to be a home attendant. - How do you know? 1173 01:29:43,294 --> 01:29:45,592 Because I stole my file and l read it. 1174 01:29:45,663 --> 01:29:47,597 All they want me to do is work. 1175 01:29:47,665 --> 01:29:50,930 Now, l do wanna work, but not for no welfare check. 1176 01:29:51,002 --> 01:29:52,435 What kind of sense that make, 1177 01:29:52,504 --> 01:29:55,439 for somebody like Precious to quit school before she got her G ED 1178 01:29:55,507 --> 01:29:58,135 and go work for some old white people somewhere? 1179 01:29:58,243 --> 01:30:01,303 She ain't never gonna be nothing if she gets stuck in some shit like that. 1180 01:30:01,412 --> 01:30:02,902 Rhonda used to home attend. 1181 01:30:02,981 --> 01:30:05,973 She used to have to go all the way out to Brighton Beach. 1182 01:30:06,084 --> 01:30:09,417 Yeah , okay, Rhonda wou ld be working there all day and night. 1183 01:30:09,487 --> 01:30:11,512 She'd be on call , right? 1184 01:30:11,956 --> 01:30:16,154 She made $6 . 3 7 an hour, but for only eight hours. 1185 01:30:16,761 --> 01:30:18,854 That eq ual out to $50. 96. 1186 01:30:19,864 --> 01:30:21,297 But that's not a whole lot of money, 1187 01:30:21,366 --> 01:30:24,494 especially 'cause, for real , she there for 2 4 hours. 1188 01:30:24,602 --> 01:30:29,301 So, $50.96 divided by 2 4 1189 01:30:29,374 --> 01:30:33,310 is $2. 1 2 an hou r. That's not a lot of money. 1190 01:30:33,378 --> 01:30:37,781 She said that old bitch wou ld ring a bell, like, a real- life, actual bell 1191 01:30:37,849 --> 01:30:39,680 when she wanted something from her in the middle of the n ight. 1192 01:30:39,784 --> 01:30:42,480 - You don't want to do that shit. - Rhonda, is that true? Rhonda! 1193 01:30:42,554 --> 01:30:45,614 Them home attendants be working for, like, six days a week. 1194 01:30:45,690 --> 01:30:49,558 l'd only see Abdul on Sunday. plus, l'd have to leave class. 1195 01:30:49,894 --> 01:30:53,193 Well, that's not an option. You're not leaving class. 1196 01:30:53,298 --> 01:30:56,392 plus, I'm gonna start going to insect survivor meetings. 1197 01:30:56,501 --> 01:30:57,991 lt's ''incest.'' 1198 01:30:59,737 --> 01:31:02,900 - That ain't what l said? - No, you said ''insect.'' 1199 01:31:03,508 --> 01:31:04,805 What's the difference? 1200 01:31:04,876 --> 01:31:06,673 Well, one's where your family molests you, 1201 01:31:06,744 --> 01:31:09,406 the other's like a roach or bugs. 1202 01:31:12,083 --> 01:31:14,711 - So, you a scientist now? - I'm just saying. 1203 01:31:14,819 --> 01:31:17,583 No, that's cool. Thank you . Thank you. 1204 01:31:23,761 --> 01:31:27,356 lt was hard telling them strangers there what my father did. 1205 01:31:27,432 --> 01:31:29,423 Sometimes it felt good. 1206 01:31:34,706 --> 01:31:38,904 Last week, Ms. Rain asked us to write down what we wanna be like. 1207 01:31:39,344 --> 01:31:42,871 l wrote that I be real skinny, 1208 01:31:43,615 --> 01:31:45,845 with IIght skin and long hair. 1209 01:31:47,285 --> 01:31:48,946 Loretha Holloway? 1210 01:31:50,188 --> 01:31:51,280 Go on back there. 1211 01:31:51,389 --> 01:31:53,220 She read it and said I'm beautifuI like i am. 1212 01:31:53,291 --> 01:31:56,783 But, there's no kids back there for me to play with . 1213 01:31:58,963 --> 01:32:00,931 J ust shut up and sit there, then. 1214 01:32:01,032 --> 01:32:04,399 Gonna talk to this lady before my shit gets cut off. 1215 01:32:04,469 --> 01:32:05,936 But somehow, 1216 01:32:07,071 --> 01:32:10,302 right now. . . And I don't know why, but. . . 1217 01:32:12,443 --> 01:32:14,206 l think she right. 1218 01:32:20,585 --> 01:32:21,643 Here. 1219 01:32:30,328 --> 01:32:31,955 Claireece Jones? 1220 01:32:37,936 --> 01:32:39,927 l think she right. 1221 01:32:45,176 --> 01:32:47,269 Okay, Mrs. Johnston , let's tal k about the abuse. 1222 01:32:47,345 --> 01:32:49,575 There were no drugs in my house. 1223 01:32:49,647 --> 01:32:51,615 l didn't play that. There weren't no drugs in my house. 1224 01:32:51,683 --> 01:32:53,344 Precious knew l wou ld whup her ass 1225 01:32:53,451 --> 01:32:54,941 if she gonna bring some d rugs up in my house. 1226 01:32:55,019 --> 01:32:57,419 You know what I'm talking about. 1227 01:32:58,523 --> 01:33:03,688 I'm referring to specific sexual and physical acts 1228 01:33:04,262 --> 01:33:06,025 involving Precious. 1229 01:33:06,698 --> 01:33:08,689 Why you ain't say that? 1230 01:33:09,434 --> 01:33:11,026 Yes, that. 1231 01:33:13,104 --> 01:33:15,004 What do you wanna know? 1232 01:33:15,106 --> 01:33:17,097 According to Precious' files, 1233 01:33:17,175 --> 01:33:21,202 she has now had two ch ildren by your boyfriend, 1234 01:33:21,312 --> 01:33:25,544 the late Carl Kenwood Jones, who was also her father. 1235 01:33:31,856 --> 01:33:33,847 - Yeah . - This is accurate? 1236 01:33:36,294 --> 01:33:38,057 Yes, Ms. Weiss. 1237 01:33:38,563 --> 01:33:41,657 l need to know why you're here. You've been calling this office 1238 01:33:41,733 --> 01:33:45,669 saying you want to be reunited with Precious and your grandchild. 1239 01:33:45,737 --> 01:33:49,229 Now, l really need to know what's gone on in that home. 1240 01:33:49,340 --> 01:33:51,467 Ms. Weiss, l understand we need to discuss it, 1241 01:33:51,542 --> 01:33:52,873 but I'm just telling you. 1242 01:33:52,977 --> 01:33:55,707 You said l've been call ing here and l've been wanting to see 1243 01:33:55,813 --> 01:33:57,246 Precious and my grandson. 1244 01:33:57,348 --> 01:34:01,842 You're goddamn right I wanna see them. Because they belong to me. Okay? 1245 01:34:01,919 --> 01:34:04,979 Now, there was a time Precious had everything, 1246 01:34:05,056 --> 01:34:06,853 and l done told her that. 1247 01:34:06,924 --> 01:34:10,553 And me and Carl, we loved Precious. And you need to know that. 1248 01:34:10,661 --> 01:34:13,357 We loved Precious and we had dreams. 1249 01:34:13,431 --> 01:34:18,164 Precious was born around the same time Ms. West's son got kil led . 1250 01:34:19,670 --> 01:34:23,606 The su mmertime. She was born in the summertime. 1251 01:34:23,708 --> 01:34:25,699 Remember? Remember that? 1252 01:34:26,010 --> 01:34:27,944 l was born in November. 1253 01:34:28,446 --> 01:34:30,004 November. 1254 01:34:30,882 --> 01:34:33,350 Yeah, that's right. 1255 01:34:34,619 --> 01:34:36,519 My Scorpio child. 1256 01:34:38,689 --> 01:34:40,122 You know. . . 1257 01:34:40,858 --> 01:34:44,885 Scorpios, they can be tricky. 1258 01:34:46,097 --> 01:34:50,625 And, I'm not saying that they lie. I'm not saying that. 1259 01:34:51,202 --> 01:34:53,534 But you just gotta watch them. 1260 01:34:57,475 --> 01:35:01,275 Can we talk about the actual acts 1261 01:35:01,379 --> 01:35:04,075 of physical and sexual abuse 1262 01:35:04,148 --> 01:35:06,616 that occurred in your household? 1263 01:35:07,218 --> 01:35:08,742 When it first began, 1264 01:35:08,820 --> 01:35:11,812 where it happened and how did yourespond? 1265 01:35:18,229 --> 01:35:20,390 Precious was a little girl. 1266 01:35:21,833 --> 01:35:24,825 Try and remember how old you think she was. 1267 01:35:29,140 --> 01:35:30,664 She was three. 1268 01:35:32,643 --> 01:35:36,101 And l had been giving her the bottle 1269 01:35:38,015 --> 01:35:40,483 and l was g iving Carl the tittie 1270 01:35:40,852 --> 01:35:44,913 because my m ilk hadn't d ried up in my breasts 1271 01:35:46,023 --> 01:35:49,356 but not from her, but because Carl was. . . 1272 01:35:50,528 --> 01:35:52,462 Because Carl was sucking on them 1273 01:35:52,530 --> 01:35:56,364 and that's what kept my milk in my breasts. 1274 01:35:59,103 --> 01:36:01,867 And l thought that that was for hygiene. 1275 01:36:02,807 --> 01:36:05,537 l did what my mother told me 1276 01:36:06,144 --> 01:36:10,012 that l was supposed to do with my child, so that's what l d id . 1277 01:36:10,481 --> 01:36:13,143 And you're sitting up there and you're trying to judge me. . . 1278 01:36:13,217 --> 01:36:16,050 I'm not judging you, but you're asking me for money 1279 01:36:16,154 --> 01:36:18,554 and you're asking me to be reunited with your grandson. 1280 01:36:18,656 --> 01:36:21,056 But, Ms. Weiss, l don't like you looking at me like that. 1281 01:36:21,225 --> 01:36:24,683 You got this bitch looking at me like I'm some kind of fucking monster. 1282 01:36:24,795 --> 01:36:26,695 We don't talk like this in my office, okay? 1283 01:36:26,797 --> 01:36:30,324 l didn't want her suoking behind him, because that was nasty. 1284 01:36:30,401 --> 01:36:34,132 And th ings that he was. . . lt was just nasty, Ms. Weiss. 1285 01:36:39,744 --> 01:36:43,373 l had a man , and l have a ch ild 1286 01:36:45,183 --> 01:36:49,017 and l had to take care of both of them. Okay? 1287 01:36:50,688 --> 01:36:55,682 Did l want Carl to touch my baby? 1288 01:36:57,762 --> 01:37:00,094 Because l would lay my baby. 1289 01:37:00,198 --> 01:37:04,828 l would lay her on the side of me, on this pillow 1290 01:37:06,571 --> 01:37:08,732 and it was pink 1291 01:37:09,440 --> 01:37:12,500 and it had this little white writing on it 1292 01:37:12,577 --> 01:37:16,707 and it had her name, because she was Precious. 1293 01:37:17,615 --> 01:37:19,947 And l would lay my baby on that pillow 1294 01:37:20,051 --> 01:37:23,418 and Carl would be laying on the other side 1295 01:37:24,855 --> 01:37:28,723 and then we would . . . We would start doing it 1296 01:37:28,793 --> 01:37:30,920 and he reached over 1297 01:37:33,231 --> 01:37:35,222 and he touched my baby. 1298 01:37:35,299 --> 01:37:36,857 And l asked him, 1299 01:37:37,635 --> 01:37:40,229 l said, ''Carl, what are you doing?'' 1300 01:37:40,304 --> 01:37:42,738 And he told me to shut. . . 1301 01:37:42,807 --> 01:37:45,799 To sh ut my fat ass up, and it was good for her. 1302 01:37:45,910 --> 01:37:49,141 - And what did you do then? - I sh ut my fat ass up. 1303 01:37:49,647 --> 01:37:52,980 And l don't want you to sit there and judge me, Ms. Weiss. 1304 01:37:53,084 --> 01:37:54,813 You shut up and you let hi m abuse your daughter? 1305 01:37:54,919 --> 01:37:56,887 l did not want him to abuse my daughter. 1306 01:37:56,988 --> 01:37:58,455 - l d id not want hi m to hurt her. - But you al lowed hi m 1307 01:37:58,556 --> 01:38:00,421 - to hurt her. - I d id not want him to do nothing to her. 1308 01:38:00,491 --> 01:38:02,425 l wanted h im to make love to me. 1309 01:38:02,493 --> 01:38:05,485 That was my man. That was my fucking man. 1310 01:38:05,663 --> 01:38:08,496 That was my man and he wanted my daughter. 1311 01:38:09,800 --> 01:38:12,098 And that's why l hated her. 1312 01:38:12,169 --> 01:38:15,161 Because my man, who was supposed to be loving me, 1313 01:38:15,273 --> 01:38:18,106 who was supposed to be making love to me, 1314 01:38:19,176 --> 01:38:21,440 was fucking my baby. 1315 01:38:21,512 --> 01:38:25,141 She made him leave. She made him go away. 1316 01:38:25,683 --> 01:38:26,809 So, whose fault was it, then? 1317 01:38:26,917 --> 01:38:30,080 lt's this bitch's fau lt because she let my man have her 1318 01:38:30,154 --> 01:38:31,746 and she d idn't say nothing. 1319 01:38:31,822 --> 01:38:33,813 She didn't scream. She didn't do nothing. 1320 01:38:33,924 --> 01:38:37,451 So, those things she told you l did to her, 1321 01:38:37,528 --> 01:38:40,691 who else was gonna love me? 1322 01:38:43,701 --> 01:38:47,330 Since you got your degree and you know every- fucking- thing, 1323 01:38:47,438 --> 01:38:51,465 who was gonna love me, who was gonna make me feel good? 1324 01:38:51,542 --> 01:38:55,205 Who was gonna touch me and make me feel good late at night? 1325 01:38:55,313 --> 01:38:57,838 And she made him go away, so. . . 1326 01:38:58,616 --> 01:39:02,108 When you sit there and you write them fucking notes on your pad 1327 01:39:02,186 --> 01:39:06,213 about who you think i am , and why l did it, all of that. 1328 01:39:07,558 --> 01:39:09,788 Because l didn't have nobody. 1329 01:39:18,569 --> 01:39:21,732 The people from 1330 01:39:23,374 --> 01:39:25,399 Each One Teach One, 1331 01:39:26,143 --> 01:39:29,078 they had . . . They called me 1332 01:39:32,049 --> 01:39:35,143 and they told me that my baby was writing poems. 1333 01:39:35,219 --> 01:39:36,709 ln fact, you know what, l got. . . 1334 01:39:36,821 --> 01:39:38,379 Wait a minute. 1335 01:40:04,382 --> 01:40:05,849 I'm sorry. 1336 01:40:06,851 --> 01:40:10,218 I'm sorry. And, Ms. Weiss, l don't want no checks. 1337 01:40:10,287 --> 01:40:14,519 l don't need no more money. please. I'm so sorry. 1338 01:40:15,426 --> 01:40:17,587 l took that TABE test again. 1339 01:40:18,796 --> 01:40:19,922 And what happened? 1340 01:40:20,030 --> 01:40:21,691 l scored a 7. 8. 1341 01:40:23,401 --> 01:40:25,301 Last time it was 2. 8. 1342 01:40:27,705 --> 01:40:29,070 According to that test, 1343 01:40:29,140 --> 01:40:31,870 I'm reading at a seventh- and eighth- grade level. 1344 01:40:33,144 --> 01:40:36,307 Next year, high school. Atter that, college. 1345 01:40:42,887 --> 01:40:44,650 Well, i like you, too. 1346 01:40:46,991 --> 01:40:49,050 But you can't handle me. 1347 01:40:50,828 --> 01:40:53,160 You can't handle none of this. 1348 01:41:01,105 --> 01:41:04,506 You know, l never knew what you was until this day. 1349 01:41:04,608 --> 01:41:07,338 Not even atter all them things you did. 1350 01:41:08,846 --> 01:41:12,338 Maybe l was too stupid , or maybe l just didn't want to. 1351 01:41:14,819 --> 01:41:17,151 You ain't gonna see me no more. 1352 01:41:20,758 --> 01:41:22,020 Bye! 1353 01:41:25,763 --> 01:41:27,628 l didn't want him to h urt my baby. 1354 01:41:27,698 --> 01:41:30,132 Please, God , l didn't want him to h urt my baby. 1355 01:41:30,201 --> 01:41:33,102 Ms. Weiss, l didn't want him to h urt my baby. 1356 01:41:33,170 --> 01:41:34,967 l would say to him , l would say. . . 1357 01:41:35,039 --> 01:41:38,304 ''Carl, what are you doing? What are you doing? What are you doing?'' 1358 01:41:47,384 --> 01:41:48,976 Can you go get her back? 1359 01:41:49,053 --> 01:41:51,647 You can do that, because that's what you do. 1360 01:41:51,722 --> 01:41:53,553 That's what you do. 1361 01:41:53,991 --> 01:41:57,688 l need you to go and l need you to get my baby back. 1362 01:41:57,795 --> 01:42:01,390 You told me that I could come in here and you cou ld get. . . 1363 01:42:01,866 --> 01:42:03,333 You could get Precious to say. . . 1364 01:42:03,400 --> 01:42:05,891 Ms. Weiss? Ms. Weiss? Ms. Weiss? 1365 01:42:54,436 --> 01:43:10,304 Brought To You By MohammaD [SHoCk Movies]