Always Outnumbered (1998) Movie Script
Stop! Stop it!
Murderer! Murderer!
You murderer!
Socrates Fortlow.
His mother named him Socrates,
after the wise man.
Since she couldn't teach him to read,
she gave him a philosopher's name.
He had a violent temper.
Life had hardened him,
and he gave everything he had.
His rage landed him in prison.
But this time, they couldn't
rein in his anger.
Socrates was a loner.
His only company
was his scars
and vague memories
of his family and friends.
Good morning, Miss Walker.
Bottles and cans.
Bottles, cans.
Alleys, gutters.
Dumpsters and front yards.
That's all we have left to get by
with a little dignity.
Socrates roamed the streets
with his shopping cart,
because at least he could say
he was his own boss.
When they released him from prison,
he ran as if he were escaping.
They paid him 733 dollars
for 18 years of hard labor.
He pocketed the money
and took the bus to Los Angeles.
That was ten months ago.
He'd been told Los Angeles
was a big, bustling city
where people are too busy
to remember your face.
And an ex-convict needs
that kind of anonymity.
I met Socrates at a construction site
in Crenshaw.
He was looking for work,
but they told him he was too old,
that construction
is young men's work.
It took three men
to remove Socrates.
I saw that he had lived on the edge
for so long
that it was bound
to end badly.
Have a good day, Socco.
- Yeah, as long as it doesn't rain.
How are you?
- Still this damn cold.
A cold?
- Don't you want to play dominoes?
No, I have to go to West L.A.
- What are you going to do over there?
Look for work.
- Where?
At the Bounty supermarket.
- You think they'll hire you?
I sure hope so. I can't spend my whole life hauling this junk.
Give that back to me.
I know karate.
What's going on?
- Marlon...
Leave him alone.
Stay out of this, old man.
Or else...
I didn't do anything.
- You see what you did to my hand?
What's going on?
Nothing.
- There's no problem, Mr. Keene.
Socco, do you need anything?
We don't deal with troublemakers.
- You're the troublemaker!
What?
- Come on, Mr. Keene...
33, 34, 35, 36...
36.75 dollars. There you go, Socco.
Why are you giving me scrap metal?
We still have to get rid of the change
from the compactor.
If you don't want the money,
leave it and take your cans back.
Why are you so on edge?
- Marlon is getting on my nerves.
Markham is driving me crazy.
He doesn't fight back.
Not everyone
fights back like you, Burke.
I don't mind us being scared,
but we don't have to act like fools.
They didn't listen to anything I said.
- What did you tell them?
What I told the white guy.
- What did you say?
Don't mess with me.
- What's gotten into you, Socco?
Socrates had applied at nearly
every supermarket in South Central.
He was looking farther west to escape
his reputation as 'Mr. Cans'.
Because even though we work hard
recycling cans,
we're still
considered bums.
Can I help you?
I've come to apply.
- For what?
A job.
How old are you?
- It's illegal... to ask my age.
The law prohibits discrimination
based on race, sex, religion,
disability, or age.
I know that,
but there are no openings.
Come back in the fall, when
the young people have gone back to school.
Wait.
I came to apply.
- I already told you...
You have to give me an application form.
It's the law.
Wait right here.
Here you go.
What?
I don't have a pencil.
- You'll send it.
I didn't come for a scrap of paper, I came for a job.
Thank you.
I'm Miss Grimes. Can I help you?
I have a few questions.
- What don't you understand?
Why do you want to know whether I have a car?
Where is this street?
- In Watts.
It's much too far by bus. We have other stores.
I can manage.
Fine, I'll send it to head office. If there's any news, I'll call you.
There's a small problem...
I don't have a phone.
We need a number to verify your address.
All you have to do is send it to my address.
Send it anyway.
- I just told you...
I'll come by for news.
- You don't understand.
Send it!
- Fine. It won't change anything.
Close the door, Mr. Fortlow. These flies are an invasion.
How are you doing, Yula?
- Fine.
Did you collect any cans?
Yes.
I have my addresses. Seventeen regular customers.
And I made close to $37.
- In change.
Yeah. That damn recycling center treats people like dogs.
I have to find a real job, or I'm going to do something terrible.
That's just like whites.
- It's not only whites.
I tried to teach respect to a Black guy, but it was a waste of time.
My God! Did you go to the emergency room?
You should. You could catch tetanus.
I might get bad luck, but certainly not tetanus.
Where are you looking for work?
- Supermarkets.
I'm perfectly capable of bagging groceries.
Bagging groceries? No. You're far too gifted for that.
I'm not too good at paying the rent.
You can work for me.
Yes, work with me.
You killed him!
No... I can't work in a confined space.
No, I'd go crazy.
Good. What do you want to eat?
- One of your good meatloaves.
I've clocked a lot of miles today.
What's that?
Meatloaf.
It's not the usual.
- It's what my regular customers get.
The big portion is for the special customers.
Every night, Socrates would give himself a grade.
He had once made a promise,
a dark vow
never to hurt anyone again, except to do good.
'Failure' meant hurting someone
without any good coming of it.
Teresa was the woman who loved him
before he went bad.
But even a Black woman
with the patience of an angel will leave you
after a murder and a rape.
She never wrote to him in prison,
but he kept her photo
and wished her good night every evening.
What do you think you're doing?
I asked you a question.
Where are you going like that?
What's in this box, huh?
Put it down.
Let go of me!
Pick it up.
Pick it up.
Did you hear what I said?
Pick it up.
Move on.
Sit down.
Why did you kill Dexter, you bastard?
- What?
You know exactly what I mean.
I didn't kill anyone.
They've told you a load of nonsense.
Park your ass on that chair.
Dexter was my friend.
He's just a chicken. You can't
be friends with a bird.
You killed him, so now
you're going to pluck him. Pick him up!
Go on, I'm not joking.
What's this?
- I plucked it.
If you can't even pluck a rooster,
why did you kill it?
I don't know.
Maybe some old lady
will want to buy it.
Why did you kill this rooster?
I hated it. It wouldn't stop
crowing like some old pervert.
Do you live around here?
Hooper's place.
You can't hear a rooster from that far.
Finish plucking it.
Then gut it with the knife by the sink.
And I want every drop of blood drained. Every last drop.
What's your name?
- Darryl.
You're going to use that knife, Darryl?
We're making chicken fricassee with green beans and rice.
It'll all have to be cooked separately, but it'll be good.
Finish cleaning those feathers.
Are you hungry?
Yes.
Good. A boy like you should have an appetite.
What's that supposed to mean?
- Appetite shows you what you're missing.
Is that a friend of yours too? Appetite is your friend?
Yes. Appetite and lust are both my friends.
My best friends.
You need good friends to end up in jail.
My father was in prison too.
Well, he was.
He's dead.
Can I go now?
Not until you tell me.
- Tell you what?
You don't scare me.
- Oh, you should be. You're not crazy.
Come on, Darryl...
Tell me and I'll let you go.
- Tell you what?
You killed someone.
I won't turn you in.
But you didn't know Dexter was a rooster's name.
You thought I was talking about you.
No.
I'm not a judge, son, but you're going to have to talk to me about it.
Nobody's coming to save you.
It wasn't my fault.
I was with Philip and some friends in Baldwin Hills.
No way!
- Shut up.
Darryl, go take his pants.
Go on.
Hey! How's it going?
Shit.
- Hey you, come over here!
I'll get you!
Come back.
My cousin sent me packing. Can I come with you?
Get lost.
Beat it, idiot.
Scram.
Please!
Get lost, jerk!
You're starting to get on my nerves.
- Don't do that.
Stay out of this.
Leave that fat guy alone.
Leave him alone!
Is he dead?
Have they already found him?
Philip said he'd kill whoever talked first.
I have to go to the bathroom.
Socrates believed that everyone
has a burden to carry.
The other killers
never moved him.
But when he thought about that kid,
he realized he had been wrong.
What?
You and your friends did wrong.
I'm going to talk to you
man to man...
If you don't know when you did wrong,
then life isn't worth anything.
Can I go now?
Do you live with your mother?
- No, with my adoptive parents.
I'm not going to prison.
- I understand, it doesn't help.
You'd be better off blowing your brains out
than going to jail.
Does your adoptive mother cook for you?
Most of the time she doesn't even know where I am.
You can come back whenever you want,
and we'll cook together.
Why did you go to prison?
I killed a man and a woman.
- White people?
Goodbye.
Bye.
Sorry about the rooster.
It wasn't mine,
it was Miss Walker's.
Bye.
He began to think about the kid
and the rooster that had woken him up
every morning for the last ten months.
The rooster had become hoarse. Sometimes
its crowing was nothing more than a murmur.
But at least that bastard was doing his best.
Corina?
What are you doing here? I mean... hello.
Mr. Fortlow, have you seen Howard?
- He's gone missing?
We had a fight.
- And he walked out?
That wasn't smart of him.
- He was just angry.
You haven't seen him by any chance?
- Come on, have a coffee.
No, I just want to know
if you've seen him.
No, but if you want,
I'll go see where he might be.
Thanks.
Are you sure you don't want
to come have a coffee?
My kids are waiting for me at home.
- Okay.
If you see him, don't tell him
I came by here.
Call me if you find him.
- You can count on me.
Ted is sick, he won't be coming
today. Come back tomorrow.
And what are we supposed to do with these cans
until tomorrow?
We need our money now.
Okay, but wait outside
for Mr. Jonah to arrive.
When's he coming?
- I don't know. Sometime soon.
What's that supposed to mean?
In 2, 4, 6 hours?
I'm sorry,
but there's nothing I can do.
You're supposed to take these cans back.
- Yes, from our customers.
But you're not our customers.
Do you think we don't need to eat?
They leave us waiting around
like a couple of mangy dogs.
He's seen my face fifty times
and still doesn't know my name.
Did you tell him your name?
- You bet I did.
I should have wrung his neck.
Did they turn you down at Bounty?
- I'm going to wring his neck.
We'll see what that jerk has to say
when I smash his face in!
Socrates!
Socco, let's get out of here.
Let's find someone who's willing
to do business with us.
You want to go?
- Yeah, we're wasting our time.
Poor bastard!
Socco, you forgot your cart.
Let them keep it!
I don't need it anymore.
Damn it!
It's not just Bounty and Pickford.
As soon as you push a cart,
they treat you like crap.
I'm too old to keep hauling garbage around my whole life.
Don't come complaining to me.
You wouldn't have to go out there anymore if you worked for me.
I'm starving. What are the pies of the day?
Cherry, apple, and coconut cream.
Give me all three.
- Three slices?
No, three whole pies.
It's sold by the slice. That's $12 a pie.
And a big pot of coffee, please.
How's business?
- It depends.
You live from day to day. I used to be like you.
Thank you, ma'am.
What's your name?
Socrates.
He was a famous guy, right?
Yeah, a very long time ago.
See, I'm not stupid. I know things.
I'm Wilfred. Willy to my friends.
What are you eating, Socrates?
I was kidding, man.
Yula! Bring my friend Socrates some more chicken. Put it on my tab.
Not bad, huh? I bet she's giving you that on the house.
Nothing in this life is free.
Where do you work?
- I'm looking for work.
What do you think I do?
Your hands carry combat scars.
You've got a bullet mark on your neck.
You don't deal, and you're probably not on drugs.
You've got sharp eyes and a quick tongue.
That would make you just a common thief, and I don't really like thieves.
I'm looking for a job and people treat me like a lunatic.
And looking at you, people figure work is for idiots.
That's excellent, Socrates. Very well observed.
I see you've got an eye, but you really don't see who I am.
You don't read my game at all.
I put on a jogging suit.
I hop on a bus
and make a dash for the mall to lift a wallet.
I tie a bandana on my head,
because with that, nobody can tell one Black guy from another.
I learned that in prison.
Then I grab some rich white bitch or an old Chinese lady.
I grab her by the tongue and cut it a little.
That way, she'll have time to bleed out before she calls the cops.
I once saw some slut piss in her panties.
Then I take off my jogging suit and split, nobody the wiser.
The cops are looking for some shady nigger.
But me...
I look like a businessman.
What's so funny?
I don't rob Black people.
I don't rob the corner shops.
Asshole!
You're sitting there dressed like a clown, spitting on the food I paid for!
Dressed like a clown, with a nigger's appetite.
My clothes are secondhand, but you won't find a hole in them.
I don't have big bills and I don't have blood on my hands.
Murderer!
You're overthinking it, man.
Screw you.
Screw me? You don't even have to like me.
How about you pay for your own food with your own money?
I have a better idea.
I'm going to pay for your food.
I'm not stupid either, Willy.
We all have to pay. Nothing in life is free.
It's my turn to pay.
You're crazy.
Your turn will come soon enough.
Wilfred... just go.
You think you're tough enough?
Seize the opportunity.
Come on, do it.
- Go away, Wilfred.
Go on.
- Shit...
You're crazy.
- Get out.
That's enough.
You stupid jerk.
Why did you pay for him?
- Because you can't let yourself be bought.
He was going to pay for you.
- No, it's the complete opposite.
My whole life I've paid for guys like that. And his father is paying for me.
I don't follow you.
If you're so upright and honest, why don't you work for me?
Because I'm a woman?
- Yes, down to your fingernails.
You were ready to throw boiling oil on Willy if he bothered me.
What are you doing outside in this weather?
Come inside or you'll catch a cold.
Chopped sassafras.
Thyme leaves.
That'll make a good okra soup.
Do you ever dream?
Sometimes.
What do you dream about?
About everything I don't have
and would like to have.
Do you ever dream about things
you don't like, things you hate?
About things that scare you
and make you want to run away?
Do you dream about that?
I was in a dark room.
Total darkness, but I could see him.
He had a wound in his stomach,
he was naked, and he was chasing me.
Then I ran away.
Did he catch you?
I always wake up before that.
But if he ever catches me, I'm dead,
because I did nothing to help him.
Your dream means
you have to make things right.
So I'll be able to sleep?
- I think so.
Finish eating.
Then you'll try to sleep
in my bed.
I'll watch over you.
Socrates could see that Darryl respected him
and wanted to hear his opinion.
But the idea that Darryl wanted
to know what he thought scared him.
Socrates wanted to tell the kid
that everything would be all right.
But things might never
turn out right.
Because problems creep into your mind
and dig in there.
You don't have time?
Two children have already been killed.
It's a dangerous crossroads...
No.
Is this Miss Warren's?
Yes. Who's calling?
Is your husband there?
I don't have a husband. Who is this?
I don't know how to tell you this.
Is it about Felix? You're calling about my son?
Near derrick 22, Baldwin Hills, there are some thickets.
That's where he is, in the thickets.
I'm calling because I know you'll want to get to the bottom of this.
I nearly called the police, but they might not check.
Are you okay?
Sorry I hit you, but I couldn't stand hearing that woman cry.
You and your friends broke that woman's heart.
I'm sorry.
- I know you are.
I know you've been having nightmares.
And they'll haunt you for a very long time.
Can I sleep over here tonight?
Oh, no...
It's him again.
Can I help you?
- Has headquarters already called you back?
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
- I want to speak to your boss.
I said...
- Don't make me angry.
You can't work here without a phone number.
If you don't contact your head office
to get an official response,
I'll come back every day
to find out why I was turned down.
Mr. Fortlow, I'm calling the police.
- I'll be back in a few days.
Corina!
How are you doing?
Did you see him?
- Come in. Don't just stand there.
Sit down.
I don't have time to hang around here,
Socrates Fortlow.
You called to say there was news. What is it?
Okay, but just for a minute.
Do you want some coffee?
Your husband shouldn't leave a beautiful woman like you alone.
Where is he?
I don't know exactly, but...
I think I know where to find him.
What is it?
I'm scared.
I really need you to help me.
He hasn't called?
I suggested he apply at McDonald's
while he waits for the IT job.
It's been nine months
since he last worked.
And they cut my hours.
Doesn't he want to work or what?
- He's just too proud, that's all.
But he's not too proud to let his wife work.
Winnie and little Howard should stop growing up
while he waits to find a job worthy of him?
He's way off base.
If you were my wife,
I'd be straight over to work at McDonald's or Burger King.
You have kids.
If he's not careful, Howard's going to find another man in his bed.
No, there's nothing like that.
I know.
What I mean is, he should treat you well.
He should pay more attention to you.
Thank you, Mr. Fortlow.
Did you lose someone?
Is that why you're worried about me and Howard?
Sugar and milk?
- Just sugar.
Did you lose someone?
Do you want me to find Howard?
I'll find him.
But...
First of all,
there's something I need to tell you.
I'm going to go look for Howard.
I'll tell him to quit his nonsense
and come home tonight.
Because in a day or two,
I'll be knocking on his door.
And if he's not there,
I'm getting you and the kids out.
You'd better
go home, Corina.
Go home, and I'll go
looking for Howard.
I'll find him, don't worry.
If he doesn't come home,
then I'll come see you.
You can come out now, Howard.
Why are you talking to Corina
like you're angry with her?
And you, are you angry?
- Why are you hitting on my wife?
She's not your wife.
- What are you insinuating?
There's whisky under the sink.
Help yourself before you hurt yourself.
Why did you say that nonsense
to Corina? She's my wife!
As long as you're not home,
she's not your wife anymore.
I took you for my friend.
You don't have any friends left when it comes to a woman like that.
Go to hell. - She's a woman, not a dog.
You can't just dump her like a car.
If you don't go home, I'll be there.
Me or someone else.
You meddle in my problems, then you chase after my wife.
You said you didn't want her anymore!
No, I said she was always on my back.
I wouldn't mind that.
A woman who shakes me up when I screw up,
who kisses me when I do something right. I wouldn't hesitate for a second.
LUVIAS NURSING HOME
Hey, Socco.
Did you land that job? - Not yet.
Hello, Luvia.
Don't pay any attention to her.
Once Luvia has you in her sights, she won't let go.
I don't blame her. She can sense I'm bad luck.
Come on, let's go get a beer.
You wanted to talk to me? - It's about that junkie.
Which one? - Petis Mulgrew.
So what? - Petis has always been a small-time crook.
But now he's hooked on crack, and he robbed two old ladies.
If they talk, he'll kill them. - Did he assault them?
No, he just scared them, but we have to do something.
Maybe the cops will catch him, maybe not.
What are you getting at? - We have to stop him.
We?
A junkie either gets clean, or he ends up in jail or dead.
I could kill him.
Yes, Burke, I believe you. But that's not your call to make.
You all right, Winnie? - Mom, someone's here.
Howard, Socrates is here.
Come in, Mr. Fortlow.
Corina, please take the kids into the other room.
Sit down. - What's wrong, Howard?
Last night, around 6 p.m., Winnie decided
to go out looking for me.
I was at Stony's while my little girl
was searching for me in a dark alley.
What happened?
She saw Petis Mulgrew
kill Leroy Wade.
Scumbag, hand over the money.
We have to kill him.
That's what we should do.
You don't agree, Socrates?
Tell me if I'm wrong.
Let's put a bullet in his head.
- We can't do that.
Nothing proves he actually did it.
My daughter wasn't lying.
She saw Petis attack Leroy
with a knife.
She told Corina
before we found him.
If she recognized Leroy,
she recognized the one who did it.
She could have been mistaken.
- What's wrong with you?
Nothing, it's this cold.
I can't shake it.
And even if it's true,
we should call the cops.
Would Corina let me talk to Winnie?
- No, she doesn't want to scare him.
Tell me what else Winnie saw.
That lunatic lives right near
me. Corina is terrified.
It's war out there.
Listen to this.
They hunt them down like slaves.
And they have dogs.
What do you want us to do,
Howard?
I have to get going.
Five people have been robbed
over the past few weeks.
We all know Petis is the one doing it.
Now he's killing people.
Let's call the police.
A junkie only stops when he's dead.
We have to kill him.
We can't kill him.
- Why not?
Because a murder is something
you have to live with your whole life.
And we don't hand a Black man over to the cops.
Better to kill him.
So there's nothing to be done.
You'll help us, Socco?
I'll see what I can do
if you go see a doctor.
Remember,
you let me do the talking.
Who's there?
It's me, Petis...
Socco.
- What do you want?
I know how we can
make a lot of money.
We were only supposed to talk to him.
- That's the only way he listens.
Let go of me!
- Go get dressed.
Are you a friend of my father's?
- Yes, get dressed and get out.
What are you going to do with him?
- Get lost. Go!
She's gone, right?
We know what you did, Petis.
- I didn't do anything, damn it...
Sit him back down.
Let me tell you something...
Shut up.
- I'm really going to lose it...
Shut your mouth.
- ...if you don't get the hell out of here!
Shut up!
Nobody cares what you have to say. You just listen.
What?
We've reached our verdict. One of us wants to kill you.
Another wants to turn you over to the cops.
We've made a decision.
Oh, yeah? What?
- You're getting out of here.
I didn't do anything. What are you talking about?
- Stop!
You leave this neighborhood right now. If you don't go, you're a dead man.
I don't know what you're talking about, damn it!
You need to be gone by 6 p.m.
- By 6?
Got it?
First I have to go say goodbye to my mother.
If you're not gone by 6, it's your mother who'll be saying goodbye to you.
Come on.
Come on... Come on!
Damn it.
What do we do?
It's time
for you to go home.
I thought we were a team.
- Yes, but you have to go.
What are you going to do, Socco?
I'm going to hang around here until 6.
Wright?
Are we going to the hospital together afterward?
Socrates had of course heard him gasping in that container.
But seeing that madman's head bleed was too heavy a burden for his conscience.
Good morning, Mr. Fortlow.
- Hi, Corina.
You might be a little hungry.
- Thanks, Corina.
You're welcome.
- How's Winnie?
Very well.
I wanted to thank you
for your help.
Thanks again.
Is Howard still at home?
He's here.
But he's still out of work
and he's in a bad mood.
He told me not to come here.
But I told him I owed you
a breakfast and a thank-you.
Howard is ashamed...
Because he feels his dignity has been hurt.
But it'll work out.
Besides, he knows full well...
...that a bunch of men
would be ready to look out for you.
A bunch of men.
Corina couldn't know
how moved he'd been by that gesture.
But she knew things
he would never know.
Every morning,
she caught a glimpse of a better life.
And perhaps Socrates also glimpsed
a more peaceful future.
Hey! I saw you. Come here!
Grab him.
You snitched on me?
- No.
Yes, you did. You told them where
the body was. You sold me out to the cops.
You told them everything.
- No.
I don't want to see you hanging around
here again. Runt.
It's nothing, let him run.
I know where that little brat lives.
Socrates had been through
difficult times,
but the worst was powerlessness.
Mr. Fortlow?
He had never liked doctors,
because they're only good
for telling lies.
What lies were they
making up for him now?
Have you ever fixed furniture?
If you put a little glue on it,
and hold the whole thing together
with some kind of strap,
the legs will be
even stronger than before.
I learned that in prison.
It can come in handy,
if you don't get torn apart in the street.
Socrates could see
that Darryl was scared.
He was afraid of doing what he had to
do to become a man.
Your parents don't mind
not seeing you at home?
Once, I was gone four days.
They didn't notice anything.
Help me turn the table over. Ready?
It's not easy to earn respect
in South Central.
Here, you don't need to enlist
in the army to be at war.
Remember our conversation?
- About Philip?
Set it down gently. There.
Today's the big day.
Are you scared?
Is it them?
Stay where you are.
You should keep an eye on your friend.
I told you not to cross my path again.
- You don't scare me.
You're not going to help him?
Don't talk to me, you little punk.
Let's see what you've got.
The kid's in big trouble, Mr. Fortlow.
Kill him!
You little brat, you're going to pay for this!
Do you hear me? Can you see me now?
- Who are you?
Socco, watch out!
Don't look at me!
Shit!
- Get down!
I was scared.
But you really clocked him. Right on the chin.
Don't make that face.
You fought like a man, and that's all a Black man can do.
You'll always be part of the minority.
They'll always come after me.
- Yes, but you faced them.
And for the rest of your life, you'll be able to look yourself in the eye.
What good does that do me?
You did your job, Darryl.
Now it's up to me to find a job.
Then maybe I can help you.
Bad news. They faxed me that you didn't get the job,
because you don't have a phone and you live too far away.
Could I see that fax?
- I threw it away. Leave.
Or I'll call the police if you keep harassing us.
Wanting to work is harassment?
- Come back and the police will arrest you.
What do you want?
You have no business here, Socrates Fortlow.
We've come to pay a visit.
Don't sneak in behind a kid. You're not welcome here.
I'm his best friend, Luvia. You can't deprive him of that.
Are you armed?
- What?
I don't want any guns in my house.
I'm not armed, ma'am.
I don't want any trouble.
- Fine, ma'am.
I'll be back in twenty minutes.
Mr. Burke needs to rest.
Hey, Burke.
Don't push yourself.
How are you feeling?
When they told me
it could be cancer,
I suddenly felt faint.
And after a week of tests...
Damn.
Are you in pain?
Could you lend me a gun?
What for?
You know what for.
According to the doctors,
I've got three to six months left.
They say they can't give me
any decent painkillers
until they've tried
chemotherapy.
Now they're telling me...
...that they can't treat me anymore,
because I don't have the right insurance.
You want to kill yourself?
I can't do that.
I'll pay you, Socco.
I've saved some of
my benefits
since I've been living here.
If I bring a gun in here,
I'll have the cops on my back.
Then get me out of here.
- How? Have you seen yourself?
Luvia says you won't eat anything.
It's because of the pain.
It's what stops me from walking,
from eating... the pain.
Darryl?
Go wait for me downstairs.
The twenty minutes are up.
I need a few more minutes.
Mr. Burke needs to rest.
- I have to talk to him. Excuse me.
How much money do you have?
- Over 1,700 dollars.
I've been saving it
for the past five years.
It's in the bottom drawer.
I was setting that aside for Luvia.
But take it
and buy me a gun.
When I'm dead,
you give her the rest.
Okay, Burke, I'll take your 200 dollars. And if need be, I'll buy you a gun.
But first I'll try to help you. Hang in there for a few days.
Don't give up just because you can't afford the doctors.
It's not just the doctors.
They say it's you I have to see. - Is that what Reba told you?
The woman behind the bar?
Because if that's the case, I'd advise you to clear out.
I'll leave.
Once I've got what I came for.
Are you looking for me?
You'll know soon enough when I come looking for you.
I'll grind you to a pulp.
What do you want?
Any news from the hospital?
They say it's cancer. No doubt about it.
Don't you dare call long distance from here.
I've got the local number handy.
Valley Enterprises. - My name is Socrates Fortlow.
Can I help you?
Yes, I applied at your store in Beverly Glen.
Last name? - Fortlow. F-O-R-T-L-O-W.
I have no record of your application.
But Miss Grimes claims you can't hire me
because I don't have a phone and I live too far away.
That's not one of our requirements, and I have nothing on you.
Are you sure you didn't throw out my application?
All applications are entered into the computer.
Thank you very much, ma'am.
Mr. Fortlow, I'm Parker, this is Weems. Kingman Security Services.
Would you like to come up?
No. - Just to talk, that's all.
Have a seat, Mr. Fortlow.
Coffee?
What do you want? - What do you have against Miss Grimes?
I'm looking for work, that's all. - She says you're harassing her.
Without a phone, she can't do a thing.
That's all nonsense!
Am I supposed to starve because I don't have a phone?
I need to make a living.
What do you hope to gain by intimidating people?
What am I supposed to do?
- You can't work here.
Grimes is scared to death of you showing up with a gun.
What are you playing at, Fortlow?
What do you mean?
- Are you really looking for a job?
Yes, that's why I'm here. I need to work.
I'm not going to sit around doing nothing just because they don't like my face.
There's a supermarket five blocks from here.
The manager's name is Bobby Gonzalez. You don't intimidate Gonzalez.
We might have a word with him. But I just have one question.
I found a job.
At the supermarket?
What did you say?
About what?
During your interview.
What do you mean?
- Your time in prison.
There were two security guards, Parker and Weems, ex-cops.
They saw right away that I'd done time.
And what did you tell them?
That I wanted a job, that's all.
And what if they check?
I'll wait for them to fire me and look for another job. Or not.
What do you want to eat?
- That's what I was about to ask you.
What?
Am I taking you out to dinner?
No way.
- What?
All this time you've been coming here, and you've never invited me.
Before, I didn't have a job, nothing to offer.
You can't go out with a woman if you can't pay for her.
Do you want to go or not?
Put that back in the box.
Mom, we knocked.
Hi, Corina.
- Hello.
This is Darryl... Corina.
- Hi.
We brought you something.
Mr. Fortlow has something for us.
Hi, Howard.
Are you moving?
Howard got a job as a computer technician at Silicone Studies.
We're going to live there.
That's great. Really great, Howard.
Then consider it a farewell gift.
I don't understand. Why are you giving us this?
It's a table I found, and it was completely falling apart.
I fixed it, glued it back together, and sanded it down.
I did all of that.
Yeah. And now I'm giving it to you.
Because every time you sit at it, I want you to thank God
for everything you have, Howard.
I don't know what to say.
I just wish we could do something for you.
There is one thing you could do for me.
Let's go, Darryl.
- Just a minute.
All right, but hurry up.
Do you have all your things?
Why do I have to go with them?
You're not safe here anymore with Philip and his gang.
It's a chance to start over fresh, to have a new school.
But I like it here.
- I know.
But I'll never be given custody of you.
Howard and Corina already have a family.
And they get good allowances to take care of you.
Are you scared of going to a new neighborhood?
A little.
- That's normal.
There are gangs there too, so watch yourself.
Don't mess around with gangs.
- Of course not.
Are you ready?
You're going to see Mr. Burke?
- Yes, right after.
Tell him I hope he gets better.
Sit in the back, Darryl. I saved you a spot.
Corina...
- Hello, Mr. Fortlow.
So, see you Saturday, Darryl.
I'll teach Howard how to barbecue.
Dream on.
Thanks for looking after Darryl.
- We've already enrolled him in a school.
I'll send you $100 a month. He doesn't eat that much.
Don't worry, we'll take good care of him.
I'm still a bit out of it.
It's the drugs. It's pretty strong stuff.
How much did you take?
- Enough to ease the pain.
Three or four every four hours.
You're not drinking, are you?
- Just a few sips of wine.
And a shot of whiskey before I go to bed.
You drink too much.
Alcohol and morphine don't mix.
Are we going out tonight?
- Where?
To Dilly's Bar.
Dilly's? You're not going there in your state.
I want to have a drink at a bar
where I can admire women with long legs.
Damn! This whiskey has me seeing double.
And only one of you is enough, and that's not very pretty.
Yeah... Do you know why I like you, Socco?
No.
- Because you don't overthink things.
'Open the door.'
- What?
'Open the door.' That's what we always said in Paris.
'Open up, for God's sake, it's Uncle Sam.'
Those were the good days.
A gun in hand, a pretty girl on my lap. I could have died.
I should have died.
- No, we would have missed you.
It's you we would have missed.
In the whole war, I never met anyone like you.
What do you mean, 'someone like me'?
A hero.
I don't know anyone who comes as close to it.
You're drunk.
My dear Charla...
Here's 50 for the whiskeys and 20 for the quick service.
Thank you. Is it your birthday?
No, it's my farewell party. I'm going back to my people.
Where?
- Down South.
That's nice. When are you leaving?
- Tonight.
What are you talking about, Burke?
Yes, Socco. You really are a hero.
There aren't many left like you.
- Stupid ones, you mean.
You're far from stupid, Socrates Fortlow.
I've never said anything you don't already know.
That's because you're a philosopher.
There's nothing I know that you don't know.
At least, not until now.
What else do you know?
About death.
I could tell you a thing or two about death.
Are you scared, Burke?
Suffering scares me, but not death. Not anymore.
Is it the drugs?
- No, it came before that.
When I was lying in bed with ice on my stomach.
If I didn't move too much, I could feel them.
What?
They felt like silver, icy snakes wriggling through my body.
If I lay completely still,
that feeling took over and carried me to the other side.
As I die, something else comes to life.
I was afraid of dying, but now I'm ready.
There were one or two things I wanted to do before.
What?
- Have a drink.
Flirt with a pretty girl.
And talk with my best friend.
Burke...
Here.
Damn...
You want to go home?
- That's what I told Charla.
What do you think of me?
- What?
What am I to you?
I've always wanted to know, but men don't ask that kind of thing.
What do you want to know?
- Tell me what I am to you.
I don't know.
I don't know. What do you want me to say, Burke?
You're my friend.
My friend.
I'll call a cab. Wait for me here.
No, let's wait for the bus.
I like watching the lights.
I know what I am to you.
I know it.
I know you love me.
I love you too.
Yes.
Help me get my pills out of my pocket, please.
Give me ten.
No, twelve. And take the bottle back.
You know you've taken enough
for today.
You have to wait until tomorrow morning.
Here comes the bus.
Leave me here.
You take the bus and go home.
I'm not leaving you here.
- You won't be able to save me.
Not this time.
You're my friend.
The doctor said I was a dead man.
I'm going to die.
I'll never again have
an evening as beautiful as this one.
I owe this to you.
You did your job, Socrates.
My time has come.
Don't worry.
Go on.
Don't worry.
Hurry up.
What's wrong with you?
Are you getting on or not?
I couldn't see him,
but I could feel his presence.
He would always watch over me,
even after my death.
That bus was taking him to places
most people can't imagine.
Because Socrates had hit rock bottom.
But he had come back stronger,
his heart full of love.
A rich man will never
know that strength.
And very few lovers
will ever reach that fullness.
Murderer! Murderer!
You murderer!
Socrates Fortlow.
His mother named him Socrates,
after the wise man.
Since she couldn't teach him to read,
she gave him a philosopher's name.
He had a violent temper.
Life had hardened him,
and he gave everything he had.
His rage landed him in prison.
But this time, they couldn't
rein in his anger.
Socrates was a loner.
His only company
was his scars
and vague memories
of his family and friends.
Good morning, Miss Walker.
Bottles and cans.
Bottles, cans.
Alleys, gutters.
Dumpsters and front yards.
That's all we have left to get by
with a little dignity.
Socrates roamed the streets
with his shopping cart,
because at least he could say
he was his own boss.
When they released him from prison,
he ran as if he were escaping.
They paid him 733 dollars
for 18 years of hard labor.
He pocketed the money
and took the bus to Los Angeles.
That was ten months ago.
He'd been told Los Angeles
was a big, bustling city
where people are too busy
to remember your face.
And an ex-convict needs
that kind of anonymity.
I met Socrates at a construction site
in Crenshaw.
He was looking for work,
but they told him he was too old,
that construction
is young men's work.
It took three men
to remove Socrates.
I saw that he had lived on the edge
for so long
that it was bound
to end badly.
Have a good day, Socco.
- Yeah, as long as it doesn't rain.
How are you?
- Still this damn cold.
A cold?
- Don't you want to play dominoes?
No, I have to go to West L.A.
- What are you going to do over there?
Look for work.
- Where?
At the Bounty supermarket.
- You think they'll hire you?
I sure hope so. I can't spend my whole life hauling this junk.
Give that back to me.
I know karate.
What's going on?
- Marlon...
Leave him alone.
Stay out of this, old man.
Or else...
I didn't do anything.
- You see what you did to my hand?
What's going on?
Nothing.
- There's no problem, Mr. Keene.
Socco, do you need anything?
We don't deal with troublemakers.
- You're the troublemaker!
What?
- Come on, Mr. Keene...
33, 34, 35, 36...
36.75 dollars. There you go, Socco.
Why are you giving me scrap metal?
We still have to get rid of the change
from the compactor.
If you don't want the money,
leave it and take your cans back.
Why are you so on edge?
- Marlon is getting on my nerves.
Markham is driving me crazy.
He doesn't fight back.
Not everyone
fights back like you, Burke.
I don't mind us being scared,
but we don't have to act like fools.
They didn't listen to anything I said.
- What did you tell them?
What I told the white guy.
- What did you say?
Don't mess with me.
- What's gotten into you, Socco?
Socrates had applied at nearly
every supermarket in South Central.
He was looking farther west to escape
his reputation as 'Mr. Cans'.
Because even though we work hard
recycling cans,
we're still
considered bums.
Can I help you?
I've come to apply.
- For what?
A job.
How old are you?
- It's illegal... to ask my age.
The law prohibits discrimination
based on race, sex, religion,
disability, or age.
I know that,
but there are no openings.
Come back in the fall, when
the young people have gone back to school.
Wait.
I came to apply.
- I already told you...
You have to give me an application form.
It's the law.
Wait right here.
Here you go.
What?
I don't have a pencil.
- You'll send it.
I didn't come for a scrap of paper, I came for a job.
Thank you.
I'm Miss Grimes. Can I help you?
I have a few questions.
- What don't you understand?
Why do you want to know whether I have a car?
Where is this street?
- In Watts.
It's much too far by bus. We have other stores.
I can manage.
Fine, I'll send it to head office. If there's any news, I'll call you.
There's a small problem...
I don't have a phone.
We need a number to verify your address.
All you have to do is send it to my address.
Send it anyway.
- I just told you...
I'll come by for news.
- You don't understand.
Send it!
- Fine. It won't change anything.
Close the door, Mr. Fortlow. These flies are an invasion.
How are you doing, Yula?
- Fine.
Did you collect any cans?
Yes.
I have my addresses. Seventeen regular customers.
And I made close to $37.
- In change.
Yeah. That damn recycling center treats people like dogs.
I have to find a real job, or I'm going to do something terrible.
That's just like whites.
- It's not only whites.
I tried to teach respect to a Black guy, but it was a waste of time.
My God! Did you go to the emergency room?
You should. You could catch tetanus.
I might get bad luck, but certainly not tetanus.
Where are you looking for work?
- Supermarkets.
I'm perfectly capable of bagging groceries.
Bagging groceries? No. You're far too gifted for that.
I'm not too good at paying the rent.
You can work for me.
Yes, work with me.
You killed him!
No... I can't work in a confined space.
No, I'd go crazy.
Good. What do you want to eat?
- One of your good meatloaves.
I've clocked a lot of miles today.
What's that?
Meatloaf.
It's not the usual.
- It's what my regular customers get.
The big portion is for the special customers.
Every night, Socrates would give himself a grade.
He had once made a promise,
a dark vow
never to hurt anyone again, except to do good.
'Failure' meant hurting someone
without any good coming of it.
Teresa was the woman who loved him
before he went bad.
But even a Black woman
with the patience of an angel will leave you
after a murder and a rape.
She never wrote to him in prison,
but he kept her photo
and wished her good night every evening.
What do you think you're doing?
I asked you a question.
Where are you going like that?
What's in this box, huh?
Put it down.
Let go of me!
Pick it up.
Pick it up.
Did you hear what I said?
Pick it up.
Move on.
Sit down.
Why did you kill Dexter, you bastard?
- What?
You know exactly what I mean.
I didn't kill anyone.
They've told you a load of nonsense.
Park your ass on that chair.
Dexter was my friend.
He's just a chicken. You can't
be friends with a bird.
You killed him, so now
you're going to pluck him. Pick him up!
Go on, I'm not joking.
What's this?
- I plucked it.
If you can't even pluck a rooster,
why did you kill it?
I don't know.
Maybe some old lady
will want to buy it.
Why did you kill this rooster?
I hated it. It wouldn't stop
crowing like some old pervert.
Do you live around here?
Hooper's place.
You can't hear a rooster from that far.
Finish plucking it.
Then gut it with the knife by the sink.
And I want every drop of blood drained. Every last drop.
What's your name?
- Darryl.
You're going to use that knife, Darryl?
We're making chicken fricassee with green beans and rice.
It'll all have to be cooked separately, but it'll be good.
Finish cleaning those feathers.
Are you hungry?
Yes.
Good. A boy like you should have an appetite.
What's that supposed to mean?
- Appetite shows you what you're missing.
Is that a friend of yours too? Appetite is your friend?
Yes. Appetite and lust are both my friends.
My best friends.
You need good friends to end up in jail.
My father was in prison too.
Well, he was.
He's dead.
Can I go now?
Not until you tell me.
- Tell you what?
You don't scare me.
- Oh, you should be. You're not crazy.
Come on, Darryl...
Tell me and I'll let you go.
- Tell you what?
You killed someone.
I won't turn you in.
But you didn't know Dexter was a rooster's name.
You thought I was talking about you.
No.
I'm not a judge, son, but you're going to have to talk to me about it.
Nobody's coming to save you.
It wasn't my fault.
I was with Philip and some friends in Baldwin Hills.
No way!
- Shut up.
Darryl, go take his pants.
Go on.
Hey! How's it going?
Shit.
- Hey you, come over here!
I'll get you!
Come back.
My cousin sent me packing. Can I come with you?
Get lost.
Beat it, idiot.
Scram.
Please!
Get lost, jerk!
You're starting to get on my nerves.
- Don't do that.
Stay out of this.
Leave that fat guy alone.
Leave him alone!
Is he dead?
Have they already found him?
Philip said he'd kill whoever talked first.
I have to go to the bathroom.
Socrates believed that everyone
has a burden to carry.
The other killers
never moved him.
But when he thought about that kid,
he realized he had been wrong.
What?
You and your friends did wrong.
I'm going to talk to you
man to man...
If you don't know when you did wrong,
then life isn't worth anything.
Can I go now?
Do you live with your mother?
- No, with my adoptive parents.
I'm not going to prison.
- I understand, it doesn't help.
You'd be better off blowing your brains out
than going to jail.
Does your adoptive mother cook for you?
Most of the time she doesn't even know where I am.
You can come back whenever you want,
and we'll cook together.
Why did you go to prison?
I killed a man and a woman.
- White people?
Goodbye.
Bye.
Sorry about the rooster.
It wasn't mine,
it was Miss Walker's.
Bye.
He began to think about the kid
and the rooster that had woken him up
every morning for the last ten months.
The rooster had become hoarse. Sometimes
its crowing was nothing more than a murmur.
But at least that bastard was doing his best.
Corina?
What are you doing here? I mean... hello.
Mr. Fortlow, have you seen Howard?
- He's gone missing?
We had a fight.
- And he walked out?
That wasn't smart of him.
- He was just angry.
You haven't seen him by any chance?
- Come on, have a coffee.
No, I just want to know
if you've seen him.
No, but if you want,
I'll go see where he might be.
Thanks.
Are you sure you don't want
to come have a coffee?
My kids are waiting for me at home.
- Okay.
If you see him, don't tell him
I came by here.
Call me if you find him.
- You can count on me.
Ted is sick, he won't be coming
today. Come back tomorrow.
And what are we supposed to do with these cans
until tomorrow?
We need our money now.
Okay, but wait outside
for Mr. Jonah to arrive.
When's he coming?
- I don't know. Sometime soon.
What's that supposed to mean?
In 2, 4, 6 hours?
I'm sorry,
but there's nothing I can do.
You're supposed to take these cans back.
- Yes, from our customers.
But you're not our customers.
Do you think we don't need to eat?
They leave us waiting around
like a couple of mangy dogs.
He's seen my face fifty times
and still doesn't know my name.
Did you tell him your name?
- You bet I did.
I should have wrung his neck.
Did they turn you down at Bounty?
- I'm going to wring his neck.
We'll see what that jerk has to say
when I smash his face in!
Socrates!
Socco, let's get out of here.
Let's find someone who's willing
to do business with us.
You want to go?
- Yeah, we're wasting our time.
Poor bastard!
Socco, you forgot your cart.
Let them keep it!
I don't need it anymore.
Damn it!
It's not just Bounty and Pickford.
As soon as you push a cart,
they treat you like crap.
I'm too old to keep hauling garbage around my whole life.
Don't come complaining to me.
You wouldn't have to go out there anymore if you worked for me.
I'm starving. What are the pies of the day?
Cherry, apple, and coconut cream.
Give me all three.
- Three slices?
No, three whole pies.
It's sold by the slice. That's $12 a pie.
And a big pot of coffee, please.
How's business?
- It depends.
You live from day to day. I used to be like you.
Thank you, ma'am.
What's your name?
Socrates.
He was a famous guy, right?
Yeah, a very long time ago.
See, I'm not stupid. I know things.
I'm Wilfred. Willy to my friends.
What are you eating, Socrates?
I was kidding, man.
Yula! Bring my friend Socrates some more chicken. Put it on my tab.
Not bad, huh? I bet she's giving you that on the house.
Nothing in this life is free.
Where do you work?
- I'm looking for work.
What do you think I do?
Your hands carry combat scars.
You've got a bullet mark on your neck.
You don't deal, and you're probably not on drugs.
You've got sharp eyes and a quick tongue.
That would make you just a common thief, and I don't really like thieves.
I'm looking for a job and people treat me like a lunatic.
And looking at you, people figure work is for idiots.
That's excellent, Socrates. Very well observed.
I see you've got an eye, but you really don't see who I am.
You don't read my game at all.
I put on a jogging suit.
I hop on a bus
and make a dash for the mall to lift a wallet.
I tie a bandana on my head,
because with that, nobody can tell one Black guy from another.
I learned that in prison.
Then I grab some rich white bitch or an old Chinese lady.
I grab her by the tongue and cut it a little.
That way, she'll have time to bleed out before she calls the cops.
I once saw some slut piss in her panties.
Then I take off my jogging suit and split, nobody the wiser.
The cops are looking for some shady nigger.
But me...
I look like a businessman.
What's so funny?
I don't rob Black people.
I don't rob the corner shops.
Asshole!
You're sitting there dressed like a clown, spitting on the food I paid for!
Dressed like a clown, with a nigger's appetite.
My clothes are secondhand, but you won't find a hole in them.
I don't have big bills and I don't have blood on my hands.
Murderer!
You're overthinking it, man.
Screw you.
Screw me? You don't even have to like me.
How about you pay for your own food with your own money?
I have a better idea.
I'm going to pay for your food.
I'm not stupid either, Willy.
We all have to pay. Nothing in life is free.
It's my turn to pay.
You're crazy.
Your turn will come soon enough.
Wilfred... just go.
You think you're tough enough?
Seize the opportunity.
Come on, do it.
- Go away, Wilfred.
Go on.
- Shit...
You're crazy.
- Get out.
That's enough.
You stupid jerk.
Why did you pay for him?
- Because you can't let yourself be bought.
He was going to pay for you.
- No, it's the complete opposite.
My whole life I've paid for guys like that. And his father is paying for me.
I don't follow you.
If you're so upright and honest, why don't you work for me?
Because I'm a woman?
- Yes, down to your fingernails.
You were ready to throw boiling oil on Willy if he bothered me.
What are you doing outside in this weather?
Come inside or you'll catch a cold.
Chopped sassafras.
Thyme leaves.
That'll make a good okra soup.
Do you ever dream?
Sometimes.
What do you dream about?
About everything I don't have
and would like to have.
Do you ever dream about things
you don't like, things you hate?
About things that scare you
and make you want to run away?
Do you dream about that?
I was in a dark room.
Total darkness, but I could see him.
He had a wound in his stomach,
he was naked, and he was chasing me.
Then I ran away.
Did he catch you?
I always wake up before that.
But if he ever catches me, I'm dead,
because I did nothing to help him.
Your dream means
you have to make things right.
So I'll be able to sleep?
- I think so.
Finish eating.
Then you'll try to sleep
in my bed.
I'll watch over you.
Socrates could see that Darryl respected him
and wanted to hear his opinion.
But the idea that Darryl wanted
to know what he thought scared him.
Socrates wanted to tell the kid
that everything would be all right.
But things might never
turn out right.
Because problems creep into your mind
and dig in there.
You don't have time?
Two children have already been killed.
It's a dangerous crossroads...
No.
Is this Miss Warren's?
Yes. Who's calling?
Is your husband there?
I don't have a husband. Who is this?
I don't know how to tell you this.
Is it about Felix? You're calling about my son?
Near derrick 22, Baldwin Hills, there are some thickets.
That's where he is, in the thickets.
I'm calling because I know you'll want to get to the bottom of this.
I nearly called the police, but they might not check.
Are you okay?
Sorry I hit you, but I couldn't stand hearing that woman cry.
You and your friends broke that woman's heart.
I'm sorry.
- I know you are.
I know you've been having nightmares.
And they'll haunt you for a very long time.
Can I sleep over here tonight?
Oh, no...
It's him again.
Can I help you?
- Has headquarters already called you back?
I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
- I want to speak to your boss.
I said...
- Don't make me angry.
You can't work here without a phone number.
If you don't contact your head office
to get an official response,
I'll come back every day
to find out why I was turned down.
Mr. Fortlow, I'm calling the police.
- I'll be back in a few days.
Corina!
How are you doing?
Did you see him?
- Come in. Don't just stand there.
Sit down.
I don't have time to hang around here,
Socrates Fortlow.
You called to say there was news. What is it?
Okay, but just for a minute.
Do you want some coffee?
Your husband shouldn't leave a beautiful woman like you alone.
Where is he?
I don't know exactly, but...
I think I know where to find him.
What is it?
I'm scared.
I really need you to help me.
He hasn't called?
I suggested he apply at McDonald's
while he waits for the IT job.
It's been nine months
since he last worked.
And they cut my hours.
Doesn't he want to work or what?
- He's just too proud, that's all.
But he's not too proud to let his wife work.
Winnie and little Howard should stop growing up
while he waits to find a job worthy of him?
He's way off base.
If you were my wife,
I'd be straight over to work at McDonald's or Burger King.
You have kids.
If he's not careful, Howard's going to find another man in his bed.
No, there's nothing like that.
I know.
What I mean is, he should treat you well.
He should pay more attention to you.
Thank you, Mr. Fortlow.
Did you lose someone?
Is that why you're worried about me and Howard?
Sugar and milk?
- Just sugar.
Did you lose someone?
Do you want me to find Howard?
I'll find him.
But...
First of all,
there's something I need to tell you.
I'm going to go look for Howard.
I'll tell him to quit his nonsense
and come home tonight.
Because in a day or two,
I'll be knocking on his door.
And if he's not there,
I'm getting you and the kids out.
You'd better
go home, Corina.
Go home, and I'll go
looking for Howard.
I'll find him, don't worry.
If he doesn't come home,
then I'll come see you.
You can come out now, Howard.
Why are you talking to Corina
like you're angry with her?
And you, are you angry?
- Why are you hitting on my wife?
She's not your wife.
- What are you insinuating?
There's whisky under the sink.
Help yourself before you hurt yourself.
Why did you say that nonsense
to Corina? She's my wife!
As long as you're not home,
she's not your wife anymore.
I took you for my friend.
You don't have any friends left when it comes to a woman like that.
Go to hell. - She's a woman, not a dog.
You can't just dump her like a car.
If you don't go home, I'll be there.
Me or someone else.
You meddle in my problems, then you chase after my wife.
You said you didn't want her anymore!
No, I said she was always on my back.
I wouldn't mind that.
A woman who shakes me up when I screw up,
who kisses me when I do something right. I wouldn't hesitate for a second.
LUVIAS NURSING HOME
Hey, Socco.
Did you land that job? - Not yet.
Hello, Luvia.
Don't pay any attention to her.
Once Luvia has you in her sights, she won't let go.
I don't blame her. She can sense I'm bad luck.
Come on, let's go get a beer.
You wanted to talk to me? - It's about that junkie.
Which one? - Petis Mulgrew.
So what? - Petis has always been a small-time crook.
But now he's hooked on crack, and he robbed two old ladies.
If they talk, he'll kill them. - Did he assault them?
No, he just scared them, but we have to do something.
Maybe the cops will catch him, maybe not.
What are you getting at? - We have to stop him.
We?
A junkie either gets clean, or he ends up in jail or dead.
I could kill him.
Yes, Burke, I believe you. But that's not your call to make.
You all right, Winnie? - Mom, someone's here.
Howard, Socrates is here.
Come in, Mr. Fortlow.
Corina, please take the kids into the other room.
Sit down. - What's wrong, Howard?
Last night, around 6 p.m., Winnie decided
to go out looking for me.
I was at Stony's while my little girl
was searching for me in a dark alley.
What happened?
She saw Petis Mulgrew
kill Leroy Wade.
Scumbag, hand over the money.
We have to kill him.
That's what we should do.
You don't agree, Socrates?
Tell me if I'm wrong.
Let's put a bullet in his head.
- We can't do that.
Nothing proves he actually did it.
My daughter wasn't lying.
She saw Petis attack Leroy
with a knife.
She told Corina
before we found him.
If she recognized Leroy,
she recognized the one who did it.
She could have been mistaken.
- What's wrong with you?
Nothing, it's this cold.
I can't shake it.
And even if it's true,
we should call the cops.
Would Corina let me talk to Winnie?
- No, she doesn't want to scare him.
Tell me what else Winnie saw.
That lunatic lives right near
me. Corina is terrified.
It's war out there.
Listen to this.
They hunt them down like slaves.
And they have dogs.
What do you want us to do,
Howard?
I have to get going.
Five people have been robbed
over the past few weeks.
We all know Petis is the one doing it.
Now he's killing people.
Let's call the police.
A junkie only stops when he's dead.
We have to kill him.
We can't kill him.
- Why not?
Because a murder is something
you have to live with your whole life.
And we don't hand a Black man over to the cops.
Better to kill him.
So there's nothing to be done.
You'll help us, Socco?
I'll see what I can do
if you go see a doctor.
Remember,
you let me do the talking.
Who's there?
It's me, Petis...
Socco.
- What do you want?
I know how we can
make a lot of money.
We were only supposed to talk to him.
- That's the only way he listens.
Let go of me!
- Go get dressed.
Are you a friend of my father's?
- Yes, get dressed and get out.
What are you going to do with him?
- Get lost. Go!
She's gone, right?
We know what you did, Petis.
- I didn't do anything, damn it...
Sit him back down.
Let me tell you something...
Shut up.
- I'm really going to lose it...
Shut your mouth.
- ...if you don't get the hell out of here!
Shut up!
Nobody cares what you have to say. You just listen.
What?
We've reached our verdict. One of us wants to kill you.
Another wants to turn you over to the cops.
We've made a decision.
Oh, yeah? What?
- You're getting out of here.
I didn't do anything. What are you talking about?
- Stop!
You leave this neighborhood right now. If you don't go, you're a dead man.
I don't know what you're talking about, damn it!
You need to be gone by 6 p.m.
- By 6?
Got it?
First I have to go say goodbye to my mother.
If you're not gone by 6, it's your mother who'll be saying goodbye to you.
Come on.
Come on... Come on!
Damn it.
What do we do?
It's time
for you to go home.
I thought we were a team.
- Yes, but you have to go.
What are you going to do, Socco?
I'm going to hang around here until 6.
Wright?
Are we going to the hospital together afterward?
Socrates had of course heard him gasping in that container.
But seeing that madman's head bleed was too heavy a burden for his conscience.
Good morning, Mr. Fortlow.
- Hi, Corina.
You might be a little hungry.
- Thanks, Corina.
You're welcome.
- How's Winnie?
Very well.
I wanted to thank you
for your help.
Thanks again.
Is Howard still at home?
He's here.
But he's still out of work
and he's in a bad mood.
He told me not to come here.
But I told him I owed you
a breakfast and a thank-you.
Howard is ashamed...
Because he feels his dignity has been hurt.
But it'll work out.
Besides, he knows full well...
...that a bunch of men
would be ready to look out for you.
A bunch of men.
Corina couldn't know
how moved he'd been by that gesture.
But she knew things
he would never know.
Every morning,
she caught a glimpse of a better life.
And perhaps Socrates also glimpsed
a more peaceful future.
Hey! I saw you. Come here!
Grab him.
You snitched on me?
- No.
Yes, you did. You told them where
the body was. You sold me out to the cops.
You told them everything.
- No.
I don't want to see you hanging around
here again. Runt.
It's nothing, let him run.
I know where that little brat lives.
Socrates had been through
difficult times,
but the worst was powerlessness.
Mr. Fortlow?
He had never liked doctors,
because they're only good
for telling lies.
What lies were they
making up for him now?
Have you ever fixed furniture?
If you put a little glue on it,
and hold the whole thing together
with some kind of strap,
the legs will be
even stronger than before.
I learned that in prison.
It can come in handy,
if you don't get torn apart in the street.
Socrates could see
that Darryl was scared.
He was afraid of doing what he had to
do to become a man.
Your parents don't mind
not seeing you at home?
Once, I was gone four days.
They didn't notice anything.
Help me turn the table over. Ready?
It's not easy to earn respect
in South Central.
Here, you don't need to enlist
in the army to be at war.
Remember our conversation?
- About Philip?
Set it down gently. There.
Today's the big day.
Are you scared?
Is it them?
Stay where you are.
You should keep an eye on your friend.
I told you not to cross my path again.
- You don't scare me.
You're not going to help him?
Don't talk to me, you little punk.
Let's see what you've got.
The kid's in big trouble, Mr. Fortlow.
Kill him!
You little brat, you're going to pay for this!
Do you hear me? Can you see me now?
- Who are you?
Socco, watch out!
Don't look at me!
Shit!
- Get down!
I was scared.
But you really clocked him. Right on the chin.
Don't make that face.
You fought like a man, and that's all a Black man can do.
You'll always be part of the minority.
They'll always come after me.
- Yes, but you faced them.
And for the rest of your life, you'll be able to look yourself in the eye.
What good does that do me?
You did your job, Darryl.
Now it's up to me to find a job.
Then maybe I can help you.
Bad news. They faxed me that you didn't get the job,
because you don't have a phone and you live too far away.
Could I see that fax?
- I threw it away. Leave.
Or I'll call the police if you keep harassing us.
Wanting to work is harassment?
- Come back and the police will arrest you.
What do you want?
You have no business here, Socrates Fortlow.
We've come to pay a visit.
Don't sneak in behind a kid. You're not welcome here.
I'm his best friend, Luvia. You can't deprive him of that.
Are you armed?
- What?
I don't want any guns in my house.
I'm not armed, ma'am.
I don't want any trouble.
- Fine, ma'am.
I'll be back in twenty minutes.
Mr. Burke needs to rest.
Hey, Burke.
Don't push yourself.
How are you feeling?
When they told me
it could be cancer,
I suddenly felt faint.
And after a week of tests...
Damn.
Are you in pain?
Could you lend me a gun?
What for?
You know what for.
According to the doctors,
I've got three to six months left.
They say they can't give me
any decent painkillers
until they've tried
chemotherapy.
Now they're telling me...
...that they can't treat me anymore,
because I don't have the right insurance.
You want to kill yourself?
I can't do that.
I'll pay you, Socco.
I've saved some of
my benefits
since I've been living here.
If I bring a gun in here,
I'll have the cops on my back.
Then get me out of here.
- How? Have you seen yourself?
Luvia says you won't eat anything.
It's because of the pain.
It's what stops me from walking,
from eating... the pain.
Darryl?
Go wait for me downstairs.
The twenty minutes are up.
I need a few more minutes.
Mr. Burke needs to rest.
- I have to talk to him. Excuse me.
How much money do you have?
- Over 1,700 dollars.
I've been saving it
for the past five years.
It's in the bottom drawer.
I was setting that aside for Luvia.
But take it
and buy me a gun.
When I'm dead,
you give her the rest.
Okay, Burke, I'll take your 200 dollars. And if need be, I'll buy you a gun.
But first I'll try to help you. Hang in there for a few days.
Don't give up just because you can't afford the doctors.
It's not just the doctors.
They say it's you I have to see. - Is that what Reba told you?
The woman behind the bar?
Because if that's the case, I'd advise you to clear out.
I'll leave.
Once I've got what I came for.
Are you looking for me?
You'll know soon enough when I come looking for you.
I'll grind you to a pulp.
What do you want?
Any news from the hospital?
They say it's cancer. No doubt about it.
Don't you dare call long distance from here.
I've got the local number handy.
Valley Enterprises. - My name is Socrates Fortlow.
Can I help you?
Yes, I applied at your store in Beverly Glen.
Last name? - Fortlow. F-O-R-T-L-O-W.
I have no record of your application.
But Miss Grimes claims you can't hire me
because I don't have a phone and I live too far away.
That's not one of our requirements, and I have nothing on you.
Are you sure you didn't throw out my application?
All applications are entered into the computer.
Thank you very much, ma'am.
Mr. Fortlow, I'm Parker, this is Weems. Kingman Security Services.
Would you like to come up?
No. - Just to talk, that's all.
Have a seat, Mr. Fortlow.
Coffee?
What do you want? - What do you have against Miss Grimes?
I'm looking for work, that's all. - She says you're harassing her.
Without a phone, she can't do a thing.
That's all nonsense!
Am I supposed to starve because I don't have a phone?
I need to make a living.
What do you hope to gain by intimidating people?
What am I supposed to do?
- You can't work here.
Grimes is scared to death of you showing up with a gun.
What are you playing at, Fortlow?
What do you mean?
- Are you really looking for a job?
Yes, that's why I'm here. I need to work.
I'm not going to sit around doing nothing just because they don't like my face.
There's a supermarket five blocks from here.
The manager's name is Bobby Gonzalez. You don't intimidate Gonzalez.
We might have a word with him. But I just have one question.
I found a job.
At the supermarket?
What did you say?
About what?
During your interview.
What do you mean?
- Your time in prison.
There were two security guards, Parker and Weems, ex-cops.
They saw right away that I'd done time.
And what did you tell them?
That I wanted a job, that's all.
And what if they check?
I'll wait for them to fire me and look for another job. Or not.
What do you want to eat?
- That's what I was about to ask you.
What?
Am I taking you out to dinner?
No way.
- What?
All this time you've been coming here, and you've never invited me.
Before, I didn't have a job, nothing to offer.
You can't go out with a woman if you can't pay for her.
Do you want to go or not?
Put that back in the box.
Mom, we knocked.
Hi, Corina.
- Hello.
This is Darryl... Corina.
- Hi.
We brought you something.
Mr. Fortlow has something for us.
Hi, Howard.
Are you moving?
Howard got a job as a computer technician at Silicone Studies.
We're going to live there.
That's great. Really great, Howard.
Then consider it a farewell gift.
I don't understand. Why are you giving us this?
It's a table I found, and it was completely falling apart.
I fixed it, glued it back together, and sanded it down.
I did all of that.
Yeah. And now I'm giving it to you.
Because every time you sit at it, I want you to thank God
for everything you have, Howard.
I don't know what to say.
I just wish we could do something for you.
There is one thing you could do for me.
Let's go, Darryl.
- Just a minute.
All right, but hurry up.
Do you have all your things?
Why do I have to go with them?
You're not safe here anymore with Philip and his gang.
It's a chance to start over fresh, to have a new school.
But I like it here.
- I know.
But I'll never be given custody of you.
Howard and Corina already have a family.
And they get good allowances to take care of you.
Are you scared of going to a new neighborhood?
A little.
- That's normal.
There are gangs there too, so watch yourself.
Don't mess around with gangs.
- Of course not.
Are you ready?
You're going to see Mr. Burke?
- Yes, right after.
Tell him I hope he gets better.
Sit in the back, Darryl. I saved you a spot.
Corina...
- Hello, Mr. Fortlow.
So, see you Saturday, Darryl.
I'll teach Howard how to barbecue.
Dream on.
Thanks for looking after Darryl.
- We've already enrolled him in a school.
I'll send you $100 a month. He doesn't eat that much.
Don't worry, we'll take good care of him.
I'm still a bit out of it.
It's the drugs. It's pretty strong stuff.
How much did you take?
- Enough to ease the pain.
Three or four every four hours.
You're not drinking, are you?
- Just a few sips of wine.
And a shot of whiskey before I go to bed.
You drink too much.
Alcohol and morphine don't mix.
Are we going out tonight?
- Where?
To Dilly's Bar.
Dilly's? You're not going there in your state.
I want to have a drink at a bar
where I can admire women with long legs.
Damn! This whiskey has me seeing double.
And only one of you is enough, and that's not very pretty.
Yeah... Do you know why I like you, Socco?
No.
- Because you don't overthink things.
'Open the door.'
- What?
'Open the door.' That's what we always said in Paris.
'Open up, for God's sake, it's Uncle Sam.'
Those were the good days.
A gun in hand, a pretty girl on my lap. I could have died.
I should have died.
- No, we would have missed you.
It's you we would have missed.
In the whole war, I never met anyone like you.
What do you mean, 'someone like me'?
A hero.
I don't know anyone who comes as close to it.
You're drunk.
My dear Charla...
Here's 50 for the whiskeys and 20 for the quick service.
Thank you. Is it your birthday?
No, it's my farewell party. I'm going back to my people.
Where?
- Down South.
That's nice. When are you leaving?
- Tonight.
What are you talking about, Burke?
Yes, Socco. You really are a hero.
There aren't many left like you.
- Stupid ones, you mean.
You're far from stupid, Socrates Fortlow.
I've never said anything you don't already know.
That's because you're a philosopher.
There's nothing I know that you don't know.
At least, not until now.
What else do you know?
About death.
I could tell you a thing or two about death.
Are you scared, Burke?
Suffering scares me, but not death. Not anymore.
Is it the drugs?
- No, it came before that.
When I was lying in bed with ice on my stomach.
If I didn't move too much, I could feel them.
What?
They felt like silver, icy snakes wriggling through my body.
If I lay completely still,
that feeling took over and carried me to the other side.
As I die, something else comes to life.
I was afraid of dying, but now I'm ready.
There were one or two things I wanted to do before.
What?
- Have a drink.
Flirt with a pretty girl.
And talk with my best friend.
Burke...
Here.
Damn...
You want to go home?
- That's what I told Charla.
What do you think of me?
- What?
What am I to you?
I've always wanted to know, but men don't ask that kind of thing.
What do you want to know?
- Tell me what I am to you.
I don't know.
I don't know. What do you want me to say, Burke?
You're my friend.
My friend.
I'll call a cab. Wait for me here.
No, let's wait for the bus.
I like watching the lights.
I know what I am to you.
I know it.
I know you love me.
I love you too.
Yes.
Help me get my pills out of my pocket, please.
Give me ten.
No, twelve. And take the bottle back.
You know you've taken enough
for today.
You have to wait until tomorrow morning.
Here comes the bus.
Leave me here.
You take the bus and go home.
I'm not leaving you here.
- You won't be able to save me.
Not this time.
You're my friend.
The doctor said I was a dead man.
I'm going to die.
I'll never again have
an evening as beautiful as this one.
I owe this to you.
You did your job, Socrates.
My time has come.
Don't worry.
Go on.
Don't worry.
Hurry up.
What's wrong with you?
Are you getting on or not?
I couldn't see him,
but I could feel his presence.
He would always watch over me,
even after my death.
That bus was taking him to places
most people can't imagine.
Because Socrates had hit rock bottom.
But he had come back stronger,
his heart full of love.
A rich man will never
know that strength.
And very few lovers
will ever reach that fullness.