- (BREATHING HEAVILY) - FRANK: You fucking with me, Chicken!
And I don't let nobody fuck with me.
When I pull this trigger and put your lights out,
and you standing at the Pearly Gates,
- what you got to say to God? - I don't know, Frank.
You do believe in God, right?
With all my soul.
Then testify.
- Come on, Frank, please... - Testify!
(BREATH TREMBLING)
Amen, then.
- (GUN COCKS) - (GUNSHOT)
(MUSIC AND REWIND SOUND EFFECT PLAYING)
(BELL DINGS)
You know, they burned Atlanta to the ground.
Ol' General Sherman.
Burned it down to the ashes.
Just like they did in that Gone with the Wind motherfucker.
Yeah. But Atlanta rose up.
Rebuilt.
How we do that?
'Cause of us.
'Cause of Black folk. That's how we did it.
Mmm-hmm.
Did the same damn thing in Chicago, too.
Yeah, difference is we're not like Chicago.
Not one bit. We're not like Chicago, New York,
LA, no.
No, down here, we different.
You know why we different? We different 'cause niggas think different down here.
We move different.
We know our history, but we don't let that history fuck up our hustle.
Hmm.
Speaking of hustle.
This Muhammad Ali fight,
this here is when Atlanta turn them ashes into gold.
Do you hear me?
Yeah, I'll believe it when I see it.
You did good.
I don't think I've ever seen Earl look that good.
Should've charged his ass double.
(CHICKEN MAN SCOFFS)
What you doin'? You bettin' or what?
- Is water wet? - Mmm-mmm.
Mmm. My man.
(AM I BLACK ENOUGH FOR YOU PLAYING)
WOMAN: Hey, Chicken.
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
Five-eight-nine.
- As you should. - Four-nine-three.
Talk to me.
Two-one-five.
You know I do.
Why your license plate say "Chicken Man"?
Because that's my name, baby.
All I know is that hoe right there put $5 on two-four-nine,
and it hit. That means you owe me $50.
I gave her the money on the goddamn spot. I got it in my pad.
- It's in your pad? - It's in my pad. Look. Look.
I don't give a fuck what's on that pad!
Dee-Dee, I ain't got all goddamn day.
- Now play your number. - Okay.
Give me all nines.
That money's supposed to go to the pimp. She don't earn, I earn.
Hey, listen, man, whatever your business arrangement is with Coco,
- that's your bag. - This bi...
You ain't got to explain pimping to me.
- Good luck. - Wish me luck.
I just did, Dee-Dee.
Go on, what you gonna do?
- Go on and hit me with seven-eight-nine. - Yeah, there it is.
My man.
Sully, there he is.
Sully, why every time I see you shining that goddamn 50 cent pin
like it's your freedom papers?
You know what this means to me.
- Don't start. Okay. - This is a personal gift from Leroy Johnson...
- That's right. - BOTH: ...the first Black senator
in the statehouse since Reconstruction.
Yeah, I know.
That man's butt got to be red as a damn tomato from all the ass kissing
- you done done over the years. - Pardon me for knowing my history.
- Okay, come on. - And put me down for my usual.
Usual one, that's gonna be three-two-seven.
- That-That-That's me. - All right.
(SONG FADES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Hey, hey. Hey, baby.
Ooh.
(CHICKEN MAN SIGHS)
Uh, Chicken, these bags getting lighter and lighter.
Yeah, well, it's the number business, baby.
It's like any other business.
You gon' have your peaks and your valleys.
Right now, we're just in a little bit of a valley.
(SIGHS IN EXASPERATION) Viv.
- VIVIAN: Mmm? - What is this?
Life insurance.
Viv, you know how I feel about these goddamn pistols?
(SIGHS) That ain't my problem.
Well, then who problem is it, then?
What we gonna do about these cash flow problems, Chicken?
I think it's time we start diversifying.
We ain't goin' back to selling no goddamn smack.
Well, we need to figure out something fast, 'cause these politicians
is getting real serious about the state lottery,
and if that happens, we dead in the water, Jack.
I made promises, and I ain't going back on it.
Every time we get something, they take it and capitalize off of it.
Worried about everything but the right thing.
'Cause I don't tell you stuff, don't mean it ain't going. I got things percolating.
As a matter of fact, look, we gon' go down there to the Clermont.
We're gonna meet Silky there tonight.
Silky in town?
Yeah. He in town for that fight.
You ain't gon' believe who this nigga working for now.
- Who? - (SCOFFS) You ready for this?
Who?
Frank Moten.
- That gangster from the tabloids? - Mmm, Black Godfather himself.
I couldn't believe it when he told me.
- Go on, Silky with yo' bad self! - Mmm-hmm.
Same thing I said. So let me tell you how I'mma play it.
I'mma get Silky to introduce me to Frank, right?
After he do that, well, naturally, I'mma do my thing.
When I do it, Frank gonna want me to be his man down here in Atlanta.
And next stop is the moon, baby.
Goddamn.
All our dreams of being big time are about to come true.
- You hear me? - I hear you, Chicken.
I'm talking about moving up from all this penny ante shit for good.
All I need is a chance to prove myself to Frank.
- Well? - Well, all you do is talk.
Now, don't act like you don't know that this mouth is legendary.
Now what you think you're doing?
I'm about to give you a reminder. That's what I'm about to do.
Well, come on now.
- You want me to come on? - (VIVIAN GIGGLES)
Ask and you shall receive.
(VIVIAN LAUGHS, SQUEALS)
(SIGHS)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
This so called fight is a travesty
and I will do everything I can to stop it.
Muhammad Ali is a race-baiting traitor.
"Muhammad Ali."
- No good draft dodger. - OFFICER 1: After all this country gave him,
can't even be bothered to defend it.
Ungrateful dog.
- Hey, Huddie, didn't you serve? - Uh-huh.
OFFICER 2: And Ali's shitting all over it.
Nature calls.
TV HOST: This is Ali's first fight in three years.
He was stripped of his title for refusing military service in the Vietnam War.
Howdy, Miss Delores.
Detective Mason.
HUDSON: Hey.
DELORES: Detective Mason touched him up real good.
Boy can't be more than 17 years old.
The boy has a name.
David.
(SIGHS) Well, is David willing to testify in front of a grand jury?
- This ain't enough? - You a social worker,
you've been down this road enough times to know that it ain't.
I should've known.
When you took this job,
you promised change, Detective. It's been two years!
You can't put this kind of change on a clock.
Tell that to him.
I'll run it up the flagpole again.
Thank you.
- Meatloaf tonight, okay? - Yeah, it's fine.
- I'll see you at home. - Okay.
- (DINGS) - (FUNK MUSIC PLAYING)
- Fucking pig. - Sellout.
- HUDSON: Chief. - Hmm? Hudson.
Thank you for joining us.
You must be familiar with Senator Johnson.
- Who isn't? - Detective Hudson.
It is a pleasure to meet you. Please, have a seat.
Don't you just hate how much the camera love this guy?
It'll be sleeting in hell
before Governor Maddox allows those bow-tied Nation of Islam thugs here.
So you've been drafted, pun intended.
(BOTH LAUGHING)
- I don't quite follow. - Huddie.
You will be Ali's personal bodyguard
during his time here in our fair city.
Now, Chief, my caseload is piling up...
Ali's safety is now your priority.
(JOHNSON CLEARS THROAT)
I... I need to take a piss.
They tell me, you was one of the first Black cops on the force,
but you couldn't arrest white people.
Hell, you couldn't even shower at the damn station.
Now I know you got some stories.
I may be just a simple lawman, but I can smell bullshit a mile off, so...
Let's cut the shit. Now, something tells me
you'd rather eat a bowl of nails
than guard Ali. That sound about right?
- Picked up on that, did you? - I did.
Assignment like this, it'll help you rehabilitate
your standing in the community.
See, Black folks need to see another Black officer as an ally.
Look around. Go on.
Now inside of ten years, this gon' be a Black city.
With Black leadership just pumping in Black dollars.
So I suggest you find yourself a new act,
because this little John Wayne thing you got going,
ain't gonna work much longer.
All right then.
(FIRE PLAYING)
* Fire
* Fire...
SILKY: Damn, Vivian.
You looking good, girl.
- Hey. - VIVIAN: Thank you, sugar.
You look good, too. I see New York been good
- to you, ain't miss no meals. - (ALL LAUGHING)
Chicken tells me you hanging out with a heavy hitter.
They don't get much heavier than Frank Moten.
Hey, uh, what do you say I buy Frank a drink after the fight?
Now, why would he want to have a drink with your country behind?
No, but once Frank see what Atlanta got cooking,
- he gon' want in. - That's right.
Ain't nobody got more juice out here than ole Chicken.
- SILKY: Is that right? - Oh, you know that's right.
And what you gonna do for a businessman like Frank?
EMERSON: Silky.
Emerson, my man.
Don't worry about them. They cool.
Come on.
I'll be right back. Keep my seat warm for me.
VIVIAN: You got it, sugar.
* You make my body shiver, boy
* You make my head go bad
* You make my liver quiver, babe
* You make my eyes get red *
The fuck was that?
(CLICKS TONGUE)
(SQUEALING)
My daddy's gonna be working with Muhammad Ali.
I don't know about working with...
Hey, you, dishes.
- RENEE: But... - Did I stutter?
(HUDSON CHUCKLES)
I don't see Chief Jenkins asking any of the white detectives
to guard the most hated man in America.
That's 'cause Chief Jenkins want to put that bullseye on my Black ass...
Behind.
Well, uh, Leroy Johnson was saying he think this might actually lead to something.
What the Senator got to do with it?
Uh, he was at the mill, too, laying it on thick.
Talking about a...
This might be an opportunity for me to rehabilitate my standing in the community.
Slick son of a bitch.
They got this boy playing on damn near every TV in America.
I don't like how he carrying it.
Loud mouth, talking trash.
You know, when my number got called,
I showed up, all right? I served.
Baby, you served in Missouri.
That ain't the point, Dee.
I didn't know where they was gonna send me.
But I went. This man won't even do the reserves,
and these fools out here acting like I'm the one that got to be rehabilitated.
They using you.
- Trotting you out for shot. - I know.
But I'mma use them right back.
When this whole thing is over, they're gonna owe me a favor,
and I'mma use it to do some real police work.
- Like taking down Mason. - Like taking down Mason.
Baby...
I just wish you worked for people who didn't think you were expendable.
Well, I ain't gonna quit, Dee.
Be careful.
Hey, you got some dessert for me? (PATS BUTTOCKS)
(CHUCKLES)
- Ew! - HUDSON: Hey, hey, hey.
How do you think your little behind got here in the first place?
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
What do you think they're over there talking about, baby?
Do I look like I got supersonic hearing, nigga?
All right, they done. Look natural.
- Oh. - Okay.
What you over there talking to that pallbearer about?
He helping me put together a little party for Frank.
- A party? - Yeah.
- What kind of party? - Frank's throwing a post-fight shindig.
So where y'all gonna hold this shindig?
Well, my man, Emerson, has a line on the penthouse at the Biltmore.
- Biltmore. - The Biltmore?
You expect a bunch of Black bosses to get together and let their hair down
in a luxury hotel in Klan country?
You gotta go to a private location.
Somewhere outside the prying eyes of the law.
- This is just a little party for the bosses. Okay? - Shit!
- All you need is some liquor and some trim. - Frank Moten affair?
On the heels of an Ali fight?
No, that's got to be big.
You and I both know that's got to be big.
I'm talking flashy.
Something first-class, right?
I'm thinking Vegas. Mmm?
I'm thinking Black Vegas right here in Atlanta.
Now follow me, okay? When I say Black Vegas,
I'm talking about casino night with all the trimmings.
- Gambling, liquor, women. - That sounds like a lot of noise.
- Frank's a quiet guy. - Talking about making it a business conference.
While bleedin' niggas dry at the same time.
I got everything you need. I got the venue, I got the...
I got the goddamn women.
Yeah, more importantly, I got the goddamn vision.
Ain't nobody gonna see shit the way I see it.
All I need from you is Frank's blessing and his Rolodex.
I got all the rest. Fuck your man E.
Now, who's gonna be footing the bill?
'Cause it ain't gonna be Frank.
Okay, slow down, now.
You're going way too fast. Look, I... I done told you, I'm a professional.
I got the bread.
The bread ain't never been the problem.
All I need is my investment back, and another, what...
- Five percent. - Another five percent, yeah.
You on.
But you fuck this up, and I can't protect you.
Got his ass.
(MENACING MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey, it's me. Fat boy fucked us.
Throwing the party with one of his country-ass friends.
Oh, no, no, this makes the plan even better.
We've got the perfect patsy now.
This dumb motherfucker's got no idea what he just got hisself into.
* When Jesus washed
* He washed my sins away
(SINGING) * Oh, happy day
* Oh, happy day *
- (ALL APPLAUDING) - PASTOR: Praise the Lord.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
Now, on this most special of Sundays,
I would like to take a moment
- to acknowledge an angel walking amongst us. - JOY: Hi Daddy.
(CROWD AGREEING)
Brother Gordon Williams, would you please rise?
MAN: Come on, now.
PASTOR: Yes. Bless you! Get on up.
Brother Williams is a stalwart in the community,
and not only has he given his soul in service to the Lord,
he has graciously offered to finance the church's brand-new roof.
- (CROWD CHEERING) - (CHURCH BAND PLAYING UPBEAT MUSIC)
Faye, I can't pay for that roof.
Go on and put this on the table.
No, we agreed to pay for it months ago.
Yeah, I know we agreed on it.
I also know that church has had they hand in my pocket ever since I could walk.
- I don't ask you for much. - I know that.
I don't ask where you be at half the time
- or what you be up to. - I know. I know.
All I ask is that you provide a legitimate living for this family.
You pay your tithes,
and you have your behind in that pew 9:00 a.m. on Sunday.
Faye, now, I'm sorry I was late.
I really am. But ain't nothing I can do about that now.
I was out there handling business, big business.
Business that required my attention, and it's gonna require my funds.
- Unfortunately, that roof will have to wait. - What business?
I'm throwing a party.
I'm throwing a party that's gonna go down after that Ali fight.
(SCOFFS)
You must really think I just fell off the turnip truck.
Ain't nobody said nothing about you falling off no truck
and nothing like that.
Faye, Faye, listen, this ain't what you think.
I'm talking about throwing a high-class business affair with all the top businessmen,
from all over the country that's gonna come down here after the fight.
And how'd you come to know these businessmen?
Through Silky, that's how I know 'em.
Silky Brown? Who you was pushing drugs with back in the day?
Silky ain't doing that stuff, he done went legit,
- just like me. - I got you, Gwen!
Hey, y'all go on and wash up, now.
Hey! Hey, do what your mother said.
Faye, Silky is the assistant to one of the top businessmen out there in New York.
He about to put a million dollars into this city.
After he do that, he gonna need a handler.
That's my play. I'm the handler.
- I'm the man. - You?
That's what I do. That's my play.
Faye, see, you not listening to me. Faye.
Faye. Now listen to me, Faye, please.
Now you know damn well ever since I got out that joint, I've been working.
I've been working hard to earn your hand as a man.
And earn your love, right?
Now, this one here is the one that can put me on top, and I feel it.
I feel it. I know it is, and I want it.
I want it for us.
- No drugs. - No. What? Come on, Faye.
- It ain't got to do nothing with no drugs. - And no girls.
My girl right here.
- Are you not my girl? - Mmm-hmm.
- I'm your girl. - There you go. Say it one more time for me.
- I'm your girl. - All right, my girl.
That's what you are.
(KISSES)
My girl.
(KISSES)
I'mma square it with the pastor.
- Call them kids. - All right.
All right, I love you.
Hey, come on.
We takin' down Ali?
Nope. (CLEARS THROAT)
- We guarding him. - Wait, are we early or something?
'Cause I only count three guys here.
I decline on general principle.
No way I'd take a bullet for that fool.
Hey, Colt,
this is the detail.
Ali is the job. Now, you got a problem with it,
you go on down there and take it up with the suspension board.
That's the spirit. Dismissed.
All right now, Chicken. Listen up and listen good.
Go ahead and grab a pen, 'cause I'm only gonna say this shit one time.
Now, Frank controls New York.
Cadillac controls New Jersey, but they already coming.
You still need to reach out to the rest of The Firm members.
- You understand? - Who the hell is The Firm?
The Firm is a council of all the top Black bosses across the nation.
Mushmouth rules Detroit.
Now, he'll snatch a car straight off the assembly line.
- (TELEPHONE RINGING) - SILKY: That motherfucker's mouth never stops moving.
Don't mean you gonna understand a damn thing he's saying, though.
(MUTTERS)
Good morning, uh, Mushmouth.
I'm calling on behalf of Frank Moten
to invite you to Frank's party of the year.
(RINGS)
Bunker's Cuts.
Bunker Willis controls the South side of Chicago.
You fuck with that man and he will chop you in two.
Derrick Patterson goes by Tex.
Cowboy-boot wearing motherfucker.
He controls everything from Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas.
This is Tex.
Missouri Slim is holding down Kansas City.
Now, don't let his penchant for hot presses and manicures fool you,
- because that man is a real goon. - Slim.
I'm calling on behalf of Frank Moten.
Well, he's throwing one of the biggest parties ever, and he wants you there.
- You work for Frank? - Frank lookin' to do business.
I don't need no business opportunity.
You know who the fuck you talking to?
I'm a very important man, baby.
Oh, you're precious.
Now I want you to grab as many of the foxiest bitches as you can,
'cause The Firm's gonna want top of the line tail. You dig?
All I need is your number. I'm having myself a party. Hold on now!
Y'all can hear the same thing. I'm having a stone cold groove,
and that groove ain't nothing without the right people.
I don't know what this nigga saying.
I want some real invites printed up.
None of that scratch that you used to doing.
- Now who the fuck this is again? - I'm Chicken Man.
- Huh? - It's Chicken Man!
- Chicken wing? - It's Chicken Man!
What the fuck is a chicken man?
What kind of country name is that?
I don't do no poultry.
Party got one rule.
- No guns. - TEX: I gots to have my pistol.
I'm faster than Sammy Davis Jr, motherfucker.
I bathe with my piece.
Guns are too impersonal. I prefer the blade.
I hate to tell you this, but there ain't gonna be no knives either, okay?
This here is a networking opportunity.
That's how you got to look at it. All right?
It's time for you to goddamn get around some folk that you ain't normally around.
Just tell me what time to show up.
And it better not be in no chicken coop.
Fuck this up with The Firm, and you can
kiss your pie in the sky dream of being Frank's man in Atlanta goodbye,
'cause you'll be dead.
God damn it.
- Senator. Senator Johnson. - JOHNSON: Yes. Mmm-hmm.
Now, Ali's license has been rejected in 49 states.
Don't you think it's dangerous to have someone so hated in a city like Atlanta?
JOHNSON: Well, you know, Lo, that's a great question, and a very simple answer.
Okay, we are no longer the city of Jim Crow.
We are a vibrant, inclusive city that's open for business.
- (DOOR OPENS) - Great question, Lo.
Y'all can breathe now, the Black Adonis has arrived.
(CROWD CHEERING)
Look, I'm sorry I was tardy,
but I ain't scared of a fight. I'm a-scared of the flight.
And that plane was shaking, man.
(CROWD CHUCKLES)
I'm happy to see y'all. Y'all look beautiful.
REPORTER: Ali. Ali.
Do you think you'll be rusty after such a long hiatus?
Mmm, I don't know nothin' about no hiatus.
I got blackballed.
Jerry, do you feel any pressure to be
the so-called Great White Hope?
- Not at all. - MAN: Draft dodging piece of shit!
If you hate America so much, leave!
(CROWD CLAMORING)
HUDSON: Romel, get that other door.
ALI: Calm down, it's fine.
It's fine. He's entitled to his opinion.
Just like I'm entitled to mine.
Next question.
(CROWD CLAMORING INDISTINCTLY)
Look, that ain't gonna be good enough, okay?
If something happens to this man, it's gonna be on us.
This is Detective JD Hudson.
- He's gonna take good care of you. - Mr. Clay.
- (SIGHS) - (ALI CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Mr. Ali. I'm sorry.
"Mr. Clay."
Ain't that somethin'.
Now I done been called "Cassius," I done been called "Clay."
I done even been called "Boy."
But never in my life have I been called "Mr. Clay."
(ALI CHUCKLE)
Especially by no real live Black policeman in Dixie.
Wow.
Oh, and, uh, Mr. Clay? That's my father.
You call me Ali.
How y'all doin'? Y'all alright?
(SOFTLY) Let's go.
We are here at Morehouse College,
the mecca of Black excellence.
We got Black excellence everywhere.
- We got future doctors, lawyers, politicians. - (PROTESTORS CLAMORING)
This is greatness here.
I ain't never seen nothin' this beautiful.
This many beautiful Black people?
It must have taken the prettiest man alive to get them here.
Y'all got women here now. When's the last time y'all had women over here?
- (PROTESTERS SHOUTING) - (ALI CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
- (INDISTINCT CONVERSATION) - Romel! Romel!
- Whoa, whoa, hey, hey! - Hold on. What's your problem?
You pigs are always looking for a reason to fuck with us.
Everybody stay back! Come on, let's keep moving.
- Keep moving? I'm the Champ. These are my people. - HUDSON: Paul, get this guy.
CROWD: (CHANTING) Ali! Ali! Ali! Ali! Ali!
You hear 'em? You don't know nothing about nothing.
Go on, please!
- (CHANTING CONTINUES) - ALI: I'm the Champ!
HUDSON: It's a logistical nightmare, Chief.
Now all you give me is two rookies and a... And a burnout.
How are we supposed to protect this man?
You had a rough day, Huddie.
- It happens to the best of... - It ain't about having a rough day, chief.
- I need more resources. - Well, I can't do that.
- More men! - I can't get you more men. My hands are tied.
What's really happening here, Chief?
Is this some kind of a punishment?
A reprimand?
I'm telling you, he stays in Atlanta,
I can't keep him safe.
Huddie, do you remember the day I swore you into the department?
- Like it was yesterday. 1948. - Mmm.
I believe the words you used were "as a nigger police."
I... I know.
But it was a good day for the department.
And after Dr. King's assassination,
we can't afford another colored hero going down on our watch.
Now, look, I know this detail is a shit sandwich, I get it.
But I need you on this one, Huddie.
Fuck.
You're the only one I can trust with this assignment.
All right,
we do this thing, we got to do it my way.
There he is. You found it. Welcome to the cottage.
Listen, the Champ is gonna be in the main bedroom.
Everybody else, I've got cots in the garage.
Come on in. Make yourselves at home.
(CHUCKLES) Come on in.
If the press find out why I'm here, they gonna have a field day.
HUDSON: Better than an assassin's bullet.
Look here, Officer Mayberry.
I know you supposed to be in charge of my security,
but you really think bringing me up here with these sticks and ticks
- is gonna keep me safe? - Detective Hudson.
I didn't hear you. You say somethin'?
Detective Hudson.
That's my name, son. Just thought I'd clear that up for you.
JOHNSON: Gentlemen. Gentlemen, please.
Now, listen, as long as Ali win on the 26th,
ain't nobody gonna care where you slept on the 25th. Huh?
(CHUCKLES)
You're one smooth brother, Senator.
Smooth, man. Smooth as the peanut butter on my sandwich this morning.
Take notes, Detective...
Hudson.
Don't you let us down, Detective.
(SCOFFS) Uh-huh.
You see how it's like grass right here, but then it get brown?
I want the grass to flow through the goddamn yard.
Chicken, what you want me to do about it today, huh?
You know what helps grass turn green? Water.
- Uh, meat delivery. - What kind of meat is that?
I got chicken cutlets, I got prime ribs.
That's going to Charlene in the kitchen. Come this way.
- Charlene, he got the cutlet. - Yeah.
- You can't throw no party for niggas with no seafood. - Don't do it now.
- Don't do it now. - Don't do it with the grass, then.
- WOMAN: Chicken. - CHICKEN MAN: Peaches, hey baby. You look good.
One second. Uh, where y'all goin'?
Oh, we're the painters, ma'am. We just came here to drop off some paint.
- All right. Keep that shit down there. - Yeah.
- Thank you, Mama. - I ain't yo' mama, Jack.
Hey, Mrs. Jenkins, now I'm sorry for all the commotion.
We're just doing a little spring cleaning, that's all.
It's October, nigga.
Yeah, we just getting a head-start, Mrs. Jenkins.
This is a classy neighborhood.
- Yes, ma'am. - You best not be running no party house,
- or I'll call the authorities. - No need to do any of that.
(TIRES SCREECHING)
Damn it, Maxine.
Hey, baby.
Baby, what'd I tell you? Huh? You got to slow down now.
But you better hurry up over here and give me a kiss.
I missed you, Daddy. (KISSES)
(CONTINUES KISSING)
- CHICKEN MAN: You got everything? - MAXINE: Everything.
Then go on and get it. God damn it!
So, can I get one of you strong brothers to help a sister out?
What she... Hey, hey, why she got to ask y'all?
- Come on, man. - MAXINE: Don't hurt yo'self.
God damn it, everybody not focused around here.
That's my cousin.
- On my mother's side, we... - Mm-hmm.
Go in the house, Mrs. Jenkins. Goddamn!
ULYSSES: Last thing I wanna do on my day off is drive niggas around.
Especially live ones. Should've asked for 100 bucks.
Yeah, well, you didn't. You asked for 50, and a deal's a deal.
- The fuck is Ulysses doing here? - He driving.
Oh, hell no. I...
- Chicken, I know this ain't what I think it is. - What?
It's for the families. Ain't no dead bodies ridin' in there.
Well, that's gonna change real quick if Frank finds out.
Ulysses, hit the bricks. Chicken, you're driving.
You know what? I'm taking my ass to Waffle House.
- Have my shit back in one piece, hear? - I hear you.
- Where your ride at? - Parked out front.
Hit me with the keys. Come on.
I got the broads, you got the swinging dicks. All right?
What you gonna do? You wanna introduce me?
Hey, you just need to shut the fuck up, and drive.
* Get down
* Paid the cost to be the boss
* I've paid the cost to be the boss
* Look at me
* Know what you see
* See a bad mother
* Look at me...
SILKY: Mr. Moten, gentlemen,
I trust y'all had a smooth flight.
I want to welcome y'all to Atlanta.
I want to say, uh, Mr. Cadillac, Mr. Lamar, of course Mr. Moten,
listen, whatever you gentlemen need while you're here in Atlanta,
- I'm your man. - CADILLAC: And who are you?
You our party host?
Yes, sir.
Mr. Chicken Man?
Guilty as charged, yeah.
* Know what you see
* See a bad mother *
(CHUCKLES) I half expected his ass to cluck.
(LAUGHING)
Yeah.
I got that for you, Mr. Moten. Please.
- (CADILLAC LAUGHING) - (CHICKEN MAN CLEARS THROAT)
CADILLAC: Chicken Man don't cluck.
We're going to the Hyatt, right?
We gotta make a stop first.
Okay, yeah.
(SONG CONTINUES PLAYING)
(DOORS SLAM)
(FRANK SIGHS)
MAN 1: Hey, hey. I didn't know y'all was in town.
You know, you need anything while you're here, I'm your man.
Whatever it is you need done, I can get it done for you, Mr. Moten.
- (GLASS BREAKING) - (INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
You want me to put on some music?
- I like the quiet. - (SHOUTING CONTINUES IN DISTANCE)
(MAN 1 SCREAMING)
- MAN 2: I'm sorry! I'm sorry! - LAMAR: Yo, hey, sit your ass down!
(HEART BEATING)
(INDISTINCT SHOUTING)
- (SCREAMING) - (GLASS BREAKING)
(HEART BEATING LOUDER)
(MAN SCREAMING)
(CADILLAC SIGHING)
Can't steal with no fingers.
(FRANK CHUCKLING)
CADILLAC: (CHUCKLES) There you go.
Now the Hyatt.
FRANK: When I was a kid, I lived in the country with my grandparents.
One of my favorite things to do, dig in the dirt.
Whether I was in the field with my grandfather,
or in the garden with my grandma.
The first time I dug deep enough to hit red clay,
Big Daddy told me I had dug down to the devil's front door.
Scared the shit out of me. (LAUGHING)
Well, I told Big Mama, she said, "Oh, boy, he just playin' with you.
"But that clay is red because it's mixed with the blood of our ancestors.
"That mean this land belong to us."
That Georgia red clay is our birthright.
And it's our obligation to cultivate,
and protect it.
This land we standing on,
belong to us.
Hell...
I had no idea you was from these parts, man.
No.
Well, not here, but Brunswick,
down the Georgia coast.
Back then, (SCOFFS)
Atlanta might as well have been the moon.
CADILLAC: What you think about the moon now?
You call me Neil Armstrong.
I'm about to plant me and Big Mama's motherfucking flag.
- (GLASSES CLINK) - (BOTH LAUGH)
So you accessory to a murder now, Chicken?
I ain't got nothin' to do with no murder. See, what it was, it was a loyalty test.
Okay? You know what I did? I sat there, unfazed.
I looked them all right in the goddamn eye. You know what Frank did?
Frank looked at me goddamn back.
I passed that test, that's what I did.
- He trusts me. - So you a gangster now, huh?
Nigga, you won't even own a gun.
What's with you and these goddamn guns? What I need a gun for?
'Cause you think that damn mouth gonna get you out of a jam every time.
- Don't work like that, Jack. - Ain't I protect you all the time?
Hmm? Hmm? Haven't?
- Huh? Huh? - Come on Chicken, stop!
- Yeah, yeah, I ain't protect you? - Cut it out!
- I pop that every morning for you. - No, whatever.
Move before you get burned.
- Puttin' on a show in this goddamn kitchen. - (KNOCK ON DOOR)
VIVIAN: Always running your mouth.
You expecting somebody?
The fuck are you?
(BOTH GRUNT)
Is that all the cheese you gonna shred?
And where the rest of the collard greens? Y'all moving so...
- CHICKEN MAN: He ain't say nothin' to me, man. - Chicken?
(SCUFFLING)
(CAR DOOR SLAMS)
Chicken!
What we doing?
No, no, no, hold on! No, no! Get your hands off me!
Now what's going on, baby? Talk to me, tell me what's going on?
He said nothing to me, man.
Shit. Hold on, man.
(LAUGHS)
I am Javi Lopez.
You must be the infamous Chicken Man.
- (MIMICS CLUCKING) - Hey.
You a student of geography?
No. Not, not really, no.
Florida y Georgia are neighbor state.
Where I'm from, when a neighbor wanna throw a party,
he gets permission from all the other neighbors to not cause a disturbance.
Your party is the talk of Miami, mi hermano.
That's what it's about. Baby, here's what I'll do.
I can reach out to my bosses,
have my bosses reach out to you, get you an invite.
And we get this all squared away.
I don't want no invitation, you know. (SCOFFS)
I want a little neighborly courtesy.
Okay, so whatever you need, I... I'll square it away, I got it.
- It's settled. - Okay.
After the party, you pay me.
Fifty percent I think, is more than fair.
Fifty percent of what?
(SILKY AND CADILLAC CHUCKLING)
Come on, man. (SPLUTTERS) Now, cut the job, now.
I just got shook down by goddamn Ricky fucking Ricardo.
He put me in the back of the car and everything.
Did he have Lucy's fine ass with him?
Cadillac, look, maybe you can help me out? Huh?
Talk to Frank, maybe have Frank go talk to Javi.
Why the fuck would Frank wanna do that?
Hey, it's your party, it's your problem.
God damn it, Silky. You know I'm putting up my own money for this.
Okay? Now, I go pay this Puerto Rican man,
and then another goon come out and... and want me to do the same damn thing again?
Welcome to the big leagues, brother.
CADILLAC: Yeah, maybe you need to rustle up some extra chicken feed.
- (BOTH LAUGHING) - CADILLAC: I don't know.
Mon dieu.
- Yeah. - LOLA: Excuse me.
Would you happen to have Cool Breeze?
We don't have that brand here, sorry.
- LOLA: Thanks. - CADILLAC: That broad is a dead ringer for Lola Falana.
- That is Lola Falana. - Nigga, please.
Frank will lose his mind if he find out she here.
Frank a fan?
CADILLAC: Frank love that bitch.
He'd walk through hell with gasoline drawers on, just to drink her bathwater.
SILKY: He had me fly all the way to LA just to get a personal print of Lola Colt.
So, uh...
So, you're telling me that if I give Frank an introduction with Lola
that maybe, uh... maybe he'll help me settle this Javi situation?
Hell, you do that, Frank might know you alive.
Um, I overheard you downstairs at the bar looking for these.
So I went and... went and grabbed them for you.
You work for the hotel?
No. (CHUCKLES)
No, no, no. I just, uh...
I just like taking care of people.
I'm Gordon. I'm sorry, I'm Gordon Williams.
Are you attending the fight, Gordon?
Yeah, yeah, I mean, I wouldn't... I wouldn't miss it for the world.
- You? - I am.
Okay. Uh, excuse me, I'm sorry.
Just a question. It's gonna sound crazy, I know.
But a business partner of mine, a real good man,
he's a huge fan, loves you to death.
We're downstairs having a drink.
It would mean the world if you could just kind of stop down there and show face.
- He'll go crazy. - The answer is no.
- No? Yeah, long shot. - Mmm. Mmm-hmm.
- Yeah. - Yeah, okay.
Uh, wait. Uh, last thing.
I just want to tell you that you were amazing in Lola Colt.
You saw Lola Colt?
- You don't believe I saw Lola Colt? - No.
I'm a huge Lola Colt... Okay, all right. Um...
"And it's true.
"In Atlanta, they call me El Diablo.
"Let me ask you... Do I look like the devil to you?"
"You know, the devil appears in many forms to all of us."
- Wow. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
That's it. I mean, that's amazing.
That's it. I'm just a sucker for Westerns, and you just blew me away.
(CHUCKLES) Enjoy.
- Hey. - Uh, yeah?
Eight o'clock?
HUDSON: I don't know if I told you,
but my granddaddy used to bring me up to this lake to go fishing.
Catfish and crappie.
Forgot how quiet it was. It's... it's too quiet.
How's Ali doing?
He on his best behavior.
Ain't that many people out here for him to run his mouth to.
(HUDSON CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Well, he a different guy when he out of the lights, you know?
A little more to himself.
You know, quiet.
I mean, he's still Ali.
Oh yeah, yeah, I like the way that look.
(GRUNTING)
It sounds like you're warming to him.
(SIGHS) No.
The man clearly ain't no coward.
I mean, he takes his life into his hands every time he steps in that ring, but...
(CLICKS TONGUE) I just can't square it somehow.
Ain't like it's just a white man's war.
There's Black boys dying over there in the fields, too.
I just don't understand why he can't fight for them.
I can't speak for the man, JD.
- (CAR APPROACHING) - Why don't you ask him yourself?
Code red, Romel. Romel, get up!
(SHOUTING INDISTINCTLY)
- (WHOOPS) - Right there!
BOY: I'm gonna kill you, nigger!
- Detective! - Take cover, Romel!
Do not fire unless you're fired upon!
BOY: Get out of Georgia tonight!
Or you're gonna end up like your buddy, Martin Luther coon!
- (EGGS CRACKING) - ROMEL: Son of a bitch!
- HUDSON: No! - (GUNSHOT)
(WHOOPING TRIUMPHANTLY)
Yeah!
They're throwing eggs, Romel!
- I told you not to shoot. - I'm sorry, boss.
Go back in the house, god damn it!
- MAN: Guess we're out of it now. - HUDSON: Shit!
(LOUNGE MUSIC PLAYING)
You know, I wonder how long it would take a nigga to hit the ground
from way up here.
Last time, it took about nine seconds.
But I ain't never dropped no nigga from this high before, though.
Yeah, that shit they talk about you having a heart attack
before you hit the pavement, that's a fucking myth.
That nigga Silas, he screamed the whole way down.
CADILLAC: Hell, Chicken Man keep Frank waiting any longer, he gonna find out tonight.
- (BOTH LAUGHING) - (ELEVATOR DINGS)
- Hey, you made it. - Blame my agent.
(CHUCKLES) That man can talk.
Oh. You look absolutely breathtaking.
- Thank you. - Um, okay, so look,
I want to introduce you to my business associate I was telling you about.
His name is Frank, he a really good cat. He really adores you.
Hey, uh, Frank?
I want to introduce you to Lola Falana.
Miss Falana, pleasure's all mine.
Thank Gordon here.
He made this whole thing happen.
CHICKEN MAN: Oh, no, no, no.
Well, look, I don't want to be in the way, so I'm gonna go on and get.
Y'all need anything, please let me know. I'm your man.
- Uh, Gordon? - Yeah?
That little problem of yours,
ease your mind, I'm gonna handle it.
Everything's copacetic.
I appreciate you, Mr. Moten.
FRANK: Thank you so much for accepting my invitation.
(CADILLAC CHUCKLING)
- MAN: Oh, we're going right now. - ALI: How can it be
my headache when-- You know what, man, hey, let me go hear what he got to say.
- MAN: Fine, but don't ask him again... - (CONTINUES INDISTINCTLY)
Uh, so the sheriff caught up with them boys down the road away.
One of them saw you boxing on the dock down there, and...
Oh, so this is my fault?
Well, you're the one who brought me out here, away from my people.
- And now you trying to tell me this is my fault? - I'm not telling you that.
If anything, it's my fault.
I'm just telling you what they told me.
Them boys will probably just get suspended from school tomorrow.
Have to pick up trash off the side of the road one Saturday
- or something. - That ain't my jurisdiction, man.
You had them in your sights.
- Why ain't you fire? - Because they had eggs.
All right? I got bullets.
I'm more famous than the damn president of
- the United States of America. - Please.
I should have the National Guard protecting me.
Instead, I get saddled with the Black Andy Griffith.
Yeah, well, I live in the real world, okay? With real rules...
Well, you're real lucky my brothers from the Nation wasn't guarding me.
'Cause you'd have three body bags outside on that lawn.
- Oh, well then, you lucky. - (CHUCKLES)
I lost three years,
'cause I didn't want to go kill for king and country.
Every time I step out of my damn house, I'm in danger.
What the fuck do you think I've been doing out here for the last 20 years?
Playing overseer!
Well, if you don't like the service that we're providing,
feel free to go to the senator
and tell him you want to back out the fight.
ALI: All right, boys.
Y'all know it's past my bedtime.
Let's get some sleep.
I got a white boy to knock out tomorrow.
ALI: I'm good, man. Leave me. I've got it, man.
Just give me a minute, man.
WOMAN: Oh, my God, it's Liz!
PHOTOGRAPHER: Mr. Poitier.
(CROWD CLAMORING)
MAN: Over here, brother!
WOMAN: It's Aretha Franklin! Oh, my God!
Oh, come on, Faye.
Hey, Faye!
Faye, where my goddamn drawers at?
- FAYE: Gordon, I told you, they in the hamper. - In the hamper?
In the goddamn hamper? Hold on.
Come on, Faye, I can't...
Faye, I can't wear no goddamn long johns to the fight now.
FAYE: And why not? Ain't nobody gonna see 'em.
God damn it.
Hey... Hey, see... You seen my cufflinks?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
HUDSON: Hey, Colt, I want you posted in the upper deck.
See something strange, give us two squawks on the walkie.
And keep your eyes open for flares.
Could be light bouncing off a scope.
If I see a shooter, what good's a walkie?
If you see a shooter, and you got a...
(DOOR CLOSES)
Ooh! (MIMICS CLUCKING)
Hey, Silky.
He gonna go handle the Javi situation for me?
Man, be cool.
Hang back.
Why you squeezing poor Chicken Man so hard, Javi?
He's just a small-timer trying to make a buck.
El Señor Chicken throw big party
in my backyard
and doesn't invite me. (LAUGHS)
Miami about 600 miles from Atlanta.
And you're a long way from New York.
Why you messing with my business?
Did you know, this party Chicken Man is throwing is in my honor?
No.
- I did not know. - Well, now you do.
And that 50% you're trying to squeeze out of the yard bird
is coming out of my pocket.
No, no.
I didn't know aquel pollito worked for you.
Tonight he does.
So, we good?
Absolutamente, hermano.
It's okay.
You know...
perhaps next time you want to do business down here,
you reach out, you know?
Talk to me.
A little neighborly courtesy.
Like I said, you're a long way from New York.
(PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE PLAYING)
See you at the party.
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
PARTYGOER: Let's get this party going.
MAN 1: Big Tex is in the House.
WOMAN: Can we get some more chips through here?
Stunnin', just like my hoes, they keep coming back.
- On the move. - MAN (OVER RADIO): Copy that.
(CROWD CLAMORING)
(CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICKING)
Look at all these goddamn people.
- We ain't got no clear lane. - Yeah, and neither would a shooter.
- Look, I told you about this, man! How you supposed... - Hold on, hey, hey.
- Just get in the damn ring... - Hey! Hey!
Hudson leads the way.
Come on, Detective. After you.
All right, tight circle around the Champ.
Each man put a hand on the man in front of you and do not stop moving. Let's go.
(ALL CHEERING)
(CROWD BOOING)
Fuck you, Ali.
HUDSON: Get him out of here!
This way, this way, this way.
CROWD: (CHANTING) Ali! Ali! Ali! Ali!
- (TELEPHONE RINGING) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Baby?
CHICKEN MAN: Hey, baby, listen to this.
That Javi situation? It's settled.
Frank took care of the whole thing for me.
(GASPS) Oh, thank you, Jesus!
(LAUGHS)
Hey, how's the party?
Black Vegas, just like you said. Hold on, baby.
Go on in the back and make sure that keg of beer's back there.
(EXHALES) Oh, you did it, baby.
We did it, you hear me?
Gots to admit, I ain't think you was gonna pull it off.
Yeah, well, I want you to go on and get ready.
This here's gonna be a night that we ain't never gonna forget.
(PAPA WAS A ROLLING STONE CONTINUES)
* Papa was a rollin' stone
(ALL CHEERING)
* Wherever he laid his hat was his home
* And when he died
* All he left us was alone
* Oh, Papa was a rollin' stone
* My son, yeah
* Wherever he laid his hat was his home
* And when he died All he left us was alone...
(TELEPHONE RINGING)
This is Joy. Who is this?
Hey, baby, it's me. Put your momma on the phone.
JOY: Daddy.
What's wrong?
Nothing, baby. I'm just, uh...
I just wanted to call and tell you good night, that's all.
You can't hustle me. What is it?
I don't know.
You know, I'm, uh...
I just feel like everything is lining up.
After everything. You know, after all the moves
and all the hustles and the big ideas,
I just feel like this one here is...
This is it, you know?
And I want it, Faye. But then, at the same time, I'm thinking to myself,
like, what if it's not?
Well, you know, doubt is the devil's drug.
- And faith is the elixir. - Amen.
Amen.
* Folks say Papa never was much on thinking
* Spent most of his time chasing women and drinking
* Momma, I'm depending on you
* To tell me the truth
* Momma looked up with a tear in her eye and said, "Son...
* Papa was a rolling stone
* Well, well, well, well
* Wherever he laid his hat was his home
* And when he died
* All he left us was alone
* Papa was a rolling stone
* Wherever he laid his hat was his home
* And when he died
* All he left us was alone
* I say, yeah
- * Papa was a rolling stone - * Yes, he was, my son
* Wherever he laid his hat was his home
* And when he died
* All he left us was alone
* My daddy was
* Yes, he was, yeah *
(DOOR OPENS)
- (PEOPLE SCREAMING) - MAN 1: Everybody get on the fucking ground!
Get on the fucking ground!
MAN 2: Do what the fuck I say! Get down!