Boogie (2021) Movie Script
1
[instrumental music playing]
[in Mandarin]
Oh. Allow me. I'm the youngest.
[fortune teller] Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
This baby is a mistake!
-Will it be a son?
-I cannot say.
-What is the probability that it's a son?
-I cannot say with any certainty.
Just a guess. Fifty-fifty?
Of course it's 50/50!
What else would it be? You moron!
[sighs] Nothing is for sure.
All I can say,
if you guys choose to stay together,
you should be kind to each other.
Love will melt the sharpest sword.
["Mr. Chin" playing]
Eh, Mr. Chin
Everyday you gimme Pepsi, Pepsi
[horn blaring]
What happened to the Red Stripe beer
And Lion Stout?
Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh?
Mr. Chin
[in Mandarin]
Jackie. You should eat fresh fruit.
I can't eat fresh fruit. Too much fiber.
It gives me diarrhea.
I miss the Taiwanese sugar apples.
You always talk about Taiwanese
sugar apples, small steamer buns,
oyster omelet.
I can't eat those things. I have IBS!
Son, after you graduate,
I will take you home.
[in English] Isn't this home?
Mr. Chin, you fi sell the right thing
Say all you got to do
You got to do your own thing
[in Mandarin]
Three thousand dollars this month.
Never knew Mr. Chin could sing
They never knew Mr. Chin could sing
[in English]
For the book or the Town Car?
[in Mandarin] Both.
To be honest,
business has been a mess
since you went to prison.
[Mr. Chin in English] Keep taking bets
through football season.
Then I want to wash my hands of it.
We're in the basketball business now.
[Jackie] It's all on you, Alfred.
[Mr. Chin] That's right.
Listen to your Uncle Jackie, Alfred.
Him have one daughter
She named Ting Ling, hey
That the girl live a Constants Spring
Me make love to her
Yes she starts sing
Un lang shang lang un lang pai
Yellowman, darling, why?
You be the husband
Me be the wife
[in Mandarin] Son of a bitch!
You can't gamble.
[in English] It's for lunch money.
[in Mandarin]
These kids are all going to college, huh?
[in English] Says "Prep."
They're definitely not
in the basketball business.
["Exhibit C" playing]
Ladies and gentlemen, this time around
The revolution will not be televised
-Whoo!
-Cross my heart that I love her
As we proceed
To give you what you need
'09, mother
Get live, mother
Ladies and gentlemen of the court
In the hearing against
The State of Hip-Hop vs. Jay Electronica
I present Exhibit C
When I was sleepin' on the train
Sleepin' on Meserole Ave
Out in the rain
Without even a single
Slice of pizza to my name
Too proud to beg for change
Mastering the pain
When New York was calling
Southern rappers lame
But then jacking our slang
I used to get dizzy spells
Hear a little ring
The voice of an angel
Telling me my name
Telling me that one day
I'mma be a great mane
Transforming with the Megatron Don
Spittin' out flames
Eating wack rappers alive
Out chains
I ain't believe it then
I was homeless
Fightin', shootin' dice
Smokin' on the corners
Trying to find the meaning of life
In a Corona
Till the Five Percenters rolled up on
And informed him
You either build or destroy
Where you come from?
The Magnolia Projects
In the Third Ward slum
Good morning, AP English class.
Yeah. "Good morning, Mr. Richmond."
[door opening]
[Mr. Richmond] Whether you know it or not,
you are a coming-of-age story.
That's right.
This moment right here, right now,
you are coming of age.
Now, give me an example of
a coming-of-age story that you relate to.
[humming] All right, Miss Eleanor.
What is a coming-of-age story
that's affected you?
-Free Willy.
-[laughter]
[Mr. Richmond] Um, I'm not familiar.
It's a movie about releasing
a killer whale into the wild.
-Man, free Max B.
-[all laugh]
Mister Alfred, welcome to AP English.
-I prefer my stripper name, Boogie.
-[laughter]
[Mr. Richmond] Okay. No--
No, all right, all right, that'll do.
-Max B is in jail for murder.
-You got to hear both sides.
[soft hip-hop music playing]
[sighs] Mr. Boogie,
one day, we all meet our match.
So [exhales]
I present to you
Holden Caulfield.
-That's not what it says.
-[all laugh]
[sighs] Oh, Lord. I missed you.
I'm gonna keep telling myself
that I missed you.
[giggles, inhales]
[weights clattering]
[Eleanor grunts]
-'Ey, yo.
-[Alissa] Mm?
Tell me this nigga ain't
staring straight into my trap.
[Alissa] You mean this Hunan beef
on the curl machine?
-[Eleanor] Yeah.
-That's Boogie Chin.
What's he doing here?
Don't he go to Bishop Molloy?
[Alissa] Mm, he tested into City Prep
so he could play Monk.
[inhales] Personally,
I think he's wrapped like a wonton.
[grunts] Fuck Monk.
And fuck ballplayers. [exhales]
You know I can't quit ballplayers.
Man, it was quiet for ball
till you transferred here.
Now you got these little Asian niggas
pressing up your jersey
like you Jeremy Lin.
Man, Jeremy Lin can suck my dick.
Man, what?
I thought y'all fucked with him.
Nah, he more model minority
Jesus freak than he is Asian.
-Chill, man.
-No shade, though.
Yo. Who is that?
Oh, that's Eleanor.
He could get it if he stopped staring.
[Alissa] I really don't care.
He could watch me suck
that sweet and sour sparerib.
Girl, you just hungry talking
about all this Chinese food. [giggles]
-Come on, man, back me up.
-[Eleanor] How much is that?
[Alissa] I don't know,
probably like three pounds?
[giggles] Shut the fuck up.
-Nice pants.
-You got a staring problem.
[Boogie] You got a pretty vagina.
-[weight thuds]
-Hey, yo.
-[chuckles]
-[Eleanor] Get the fuck out of here
with all that bullshit.
You better respect my mind.
[Richie] Yo, facts, though.
Hold on. I know this stew chicken
didn't say "facts" to my face.
-All the beef's gone bad.
-[Alissa] Mm-hmm. I'm 'bout to go vegan.
-She wants it.
-[Eleanor] My vagina?
[basketball thumping]
Get up.
Use your eyes.
Let's show 'em you can focus.
I am focused.
They give everybody else credit
for being passionate,
but look at me like I have an illness.
[chuckles]
They're not gonna give us shit
in this country. You understand?
No one believes
in an Asian basketball player.
It's a joke.
We can cook, clean, count real good,
but anything else, we're picked last.
But if you stick to our plans
and we beat Monk,
we'll get our shot at the NBA.
Well, I wish I could just beat
Memphis Houston and prove 'em wrong.
Memphis? Come on.
Memphis is soft.
If you want to be the best,
you got to beat Monk.
That's why I transferred you to City Prep.
You got to show those recruiters
you're better than Monk.
That you're the best in the city.
["AP" playing]
[music concludes]
[mumbling]
[soda can opening]
What's up, Mom?
Nothing.
Same old fucking ji bai bullshit,
inshallah.
-You got to relax.
-Relax?
Why don't you tell me how to relax, huh?
You and your father have
this crazy NBA dream
[in Mandarin]but you still don't have
a scholarship offer.
-[in English] How to relax?
-I can walk on at Georgetown.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] You walk?
Let me see how you walk.
Go on. Walk. Hmm?
You think money falls from the sky?
[in English] How are we gonna pay for it?
All we have are unpaid bills.
Who cares? It's my problem, not yours.
You're always so miserable.
I'm miserable?
-I--
-What?
I can get financial aid.
[sighs]
[in Mandarin]
Your wings are strong now, huh?
Hmm?
[somber music playing]
Don't learn from American kids
talking shit to your parents.
This is how you talk to your mom?
[speaking Mandarin]
Why don't you try to be
your father's wife?
Then you'll see who the miserable one is.
[basketball thumping]
[in English] Boogie, run the play.
[indistinct chatter]
-Yo, float to the corner, fam.
-Boogie, use the screen.
-Use the screen!
-[student 1] Throw the ball, bro.
[student 2] Pass it.
[Hawkins] Come on.
-[whistle blows]
-What happened?
-That's selfish basketball.
-Look at this fucking cornball.
What'd I tell
you about snitching, man?
-[Hawkins] All right.
-You got a wire on you?
-Everybody, relax. Come on.
-You want to borrow my phone, call 911?
He's just doing the play you called.
Come on.
All right, everybody, hit the showers.
That's it for today.
Think that's funny? Huh?
I mean, a little bit.
See next practice if it's funny.
Go take a shower.
And you, I want to have a conversation.
[door opening]
Come on, guys, keep it moving.
Nothing to see here.
Chill out on the rubbernecking.
Come on, speed it up.
Snitches get stiches.
Let's get this Axe body spray going.
[door closing]
We're all excited.
We have a chance to win every game
with you playing on this team.
But if you want to beat
Monk and Brooklyn
and let's be honest,
it's the reason why you're here
you have to start playing team ball.
This team is hot trash.
You can't say that.
It's a fact.
You won three games last year.
You can't reduce people to hot trash,
regardless of how many games
they lost last year.
I'm not talking about them as people.
On the court, team is hot trash.
We didn't ask you to come here.
You're here for your own selfish reasons.
You chose this family
when you transferred here.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] Your lovely son
got in an argument with the coach.
-Here you are.
-Thank you, brother-in-law.
[cutlery clattering]
The future NBA star gets the bigger bowl.
Beat Monk at City Prep,
and those college scholarships
will come pouring in.
-You guys put the egg in raw?
-Cools the noodles down just right.
Ah! Raw egg.
What was the argument?
Hmm. Hey! Tell your dad,
tell him what you said!
He actually told the coach
his teammates were trash!
What were you thinking?
-What did you say to the coach?
-What else could I say after that?
"Sorry, Coach, but my son isn't lying.
His teammates are trash!"
-[cutlery clatters]
-What the fuck are you two thinking?
[Mr. Chin] So, are we compatible?
[fortune teller] The dragon
cannot bear suffering.
And the stubborn dog sees this as weak.
Please, you can't curse in Taiwanese
and you can barely speak Chinese,
yet all day you walk around like a punk
muttering "Fuck you, fuck you."
If you want to throw chopsticks,
go throw them at the school!
Keep talking!
This stupid idea of Alfred going
to City Prep to beat Monk was yours.
You're the one who wanted him to transfer
to this stupid school
and play with this garbage team!
[speaking Mandarin]
-I'll slap your fucking face!
-What are you going to do? Slap me?
But, as always with the sun and the stars,
there are strengths and weaknesses
with which to build a potential life,
if you so choose.
-[Mrs. Chin] I knew you couldn't do it!
-Keep talking!
You walk around all day eating
instant noodles in your underwear
while your business is rotting!
-I dare you to keep talking!
-Don't do this! Stop it!
Hey!
It's all because of him
our son has become like this!
We made the decision together!
Bullshit! Fuck off!
It's all weaknesses.
[dish crashes]
[indistinct chatter]
["When It's All Over" playing]
[Boogie in English] Oh, shit.
[coughs] Damn.
Yo, I always forget
the south-side exit got the fishmongers.
Yo. How is Chinatown next to SoHo?
These gremlin keepers,
they ain't learned to boutique their shit.
Yo, I need to see a white chick
cop a durian, for real.
[laughs] You been to this spot before?
[Richie] Nah, but my mom wrote it up
for the Times, though.
Damn, your mom works for
The New York Times?
Yeah. What your parents do?
Man, my mom talks shit,
and my dad drives a Town Car.
[chuckles] Hey, I mean, my pop's Dominican
so you know I never met him.
-[laughs] Man, you stupid.
-[chuckles] Hey, can't stop us now.
-[Boogie] Yo, that's Eleanor.
-[Richie] Oh, shit, it is.
You still want to go in?
Yeah, I mean, she kind of bad
when she not dressed
like Capone-N-Noreaga.
[Richie laughing]
-I love this.
-Mmm, I don't know.
I think you're kind of
swimming in it. It's like
Yeah? I really like it.
Oversized is cute, no?
Oversized is cute, but you got
them sleeves looking like used condoms.
-Excuse me?
-Out. Get the fuck out.
-[Boogie] Damn.
-I'm sorry.
-Get-- get out.
-I'm trying to buy that.
-He just gets like that sometimes.
-Sorry.
-Uncalled-for. Uncalled-for.
-So what's good?
-You're a fucking asshole.
-Don't front. You know that was funny.
That girl and her little influencer
friends help keep the shop open.
-She got bread like that?
-[Eleanor] She's 18 and sells Fit Tea.
She don't spend money on nothing
but vintage and wet wipes.
[chuckles] So you hate this chick
more than I do.
Of course I hate this chick.
I hate all these fucking thirst traps
with their spray tans
and their butt injections
fucking up the game.
Who doesn't hate a thirst trap?
Don't front.
You should come to the game
this weekend, though.
I don't fuck with ballplayers.
You ever huff spray paint before?
-Spray what?
-[Alissa] Hmm?
-Go on.
-[Richie] Shit, nah, but
I'm 'bout-- I'm 'bout it all.
This what you got to do to get daddy mad?
[sniffs] Oh, shit. Damn, this is crazy.
I like freaky girls like you.
-All right.
-This is what I'm talking about.
-Freaky like y'all do exciting stuff.
-[Alissa] Nah. Mm-hmm.
Like, you're doing good work out here.
Like, you living life.
'Ey, yo. Richie, you too.
Get the fuck out.
Okay.
Damn, girl, I was actually
gonna cop something.
-But now I'm not.
-Bye.
Sorry.
You will all present
your own coming-of-age stories,
but as we see in the literature,
while you may one day stand
singular and triumphant,
no one ever gets there alone.
Except maybe Bilbo Baggins.
John Wick?
John Wick. Good.
I'm culturally relevant again.
So, let's all break into pairs.
I'll leave it to you
to choose your copilot.
Don't be shy.
[indistinct chatter]
Can you believe I'm hungry again?
I need eat something right now.
Good day, madam.
-Yo, so what's up?
-About what?
-Being partners.
-Don't play yourself.
What do you want?
I-- I want to be partners.
I want to read the book together.
We'll, like
we'll get mad A's together.
I'm spoken for.
Damn, though. That was close.
Good try, Arroz Con Pollo.
You know, you a little bit racist.
You know that, right?
Nah, I'm just hungry.
-Oh.
-Mm-hmm.
[sighs]
I feel like the game is strong.
I don't know what it is.
Is it strong?
I feel like a left-handed layup right now.
[chuckles]
[audience cheers on TV]
-[Boogie] What year was this again?
-[Mr. Chin] June 5, 1989.
One day after Tiananmen.
Greatest moment in Asian American history.
[scoffs] This tennis match? Come on.
[Mr. Chin] Name another.
-[audience cheers]
-[commentator] Unbelievable
'08 Olympics.
You cried when Yao Ming carried the flag
for the opening ceremony.
Eight-eight-oh-eight was emotional,
but it was a ceremony.
Plus, not Asian American.
-Linsanity.
- [scoffs]
He gave the credit to Jesus.
[chuckles] He did.
What about the girl
that designed the Vietnam War Memorial?
[Mr. Chin] Oh. That was big.
Maya Lin was only 21
when she designed that.
But Michael Chang won a Grand Slam.
[Boogie] How old was Michael Chang
when he won this?
[Mr. Chin] Seventeen, same as you.
I'm 18, man. You know what? Whatever.
You've been watching
this old-ass tennis match from 1989
over and over again.
[commentator] Against the number-one seed
If you were Chinese in America in 1989,
this match would matter to you.
[commentator] who literally
should not be on the court.
If you are just joining us,
you are joining us
at one of the magic moments in this sport.
[audience cheers]
[commentator] Double fault!
Michael Chang has won the match.
I don't believe it.
[rattling]
-[Mr. Chin] Is the coach coming?
-[Mrs. Chin] He said 5:00.
-It's 5:10.
-He's gonna be here soon, okay?
[in Mandarin] What is this?
[in English]
He's not gonna sit in this chair, is he?
What's wrong with the chair?
What's wrong with this chair?
It looks like fuck.
-Dining room chair?
-We're not a Chinese restaurant.
-Xiao Ming?
-No.
-[Boogie] It's my chair.
-No!
-I like my chair.
-No, this is ridiculous.
-It's the best chair we have.
-This is not a spa.
It's a great chair. Don't worry about it.
-[knocking on door]
-[whispering] Get ready.
-[Boogie whispering] It's a good chair.
-[Mr. Chin whispering] It is a good chair.
-[Patrick] Hey.
-[Mrs. Chin] Oh, hey.
-Welcome.
-[Patrick] What's happening?
[Mrs. Chin] Thanks for coming.
-[Patrick] Thank you for having me.
-[Mrs. Chin] Yeah.
-Come in. Good to see you.
-How are you today?
-All right.
-Oh, I'm sorry. Um, no shoes in the house.
-Oh! Not a problem at all.
-Yeah.
Hold on. Not a problem.
-I'll put some respect on the house.
-Thank you. Thank you.
-Absolutely. Boogie!
-Patrick.
-What's up, my guy?
-Nice to see you.
-How are you?
-Good.
-The man of the house.
-Hey, Coach. Thank you for coming.
Thank you for having me.
How's the day going?
Just hanging. Would you like some tea?
Oh, nah, that's the official
beverage of the Sunken Place.
-I'm cool on that.
-Oh, do you want some coffee, then?
Uh, it's a little too late for coffee,
but thank you.
-Beer? Yeah?
-Beer.
A man after my own heart.
I'd definitely take a beer.
Everyone likes beer.
This chair is very comfortable, man.
-Yeah.
-[Mrs. Chin] Oh, thank you.
-[Mr. Chin] Chinese beer.
-Chinese beer? It says, "Taiwan beer."
-Oh, um, it's complicated.
-[Patrick] Oh.
Okay. Well, look, man,
thank y'all for having me.
-I know you got a big game this weekend.
-Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
Yeah, man. Hey.
Dennis Thompson, he's tough,
but I know you got some tricks
up your sleeve.
-Yeah, we'll see. I feel pretty good.
-Yeah, I'm not even worried about that,
but when you going against
the Dennis Thompsons of the world
and the Monks, like, you know, you just,
you can't keep your foot
on the gas the way that you do.
You know, you got to
switch up your speeds.
You know, put some trust
in your teammates, stay focused.
At the highest level, it's mental.
You dig?
-Yeah.
-Thank you.
-Hey, that's right.
-[Mr. Chin] Thank you.
-Pops likes that.
-Okay, I'm sorry, Patrick, but, uh
I mean, are you gonna give him
a scholarship or not?
-Shh, shh. Hey, hey.
-No, wait.
I mean, this is a valid question.
We've been talking
for over a year now, but
there's still no scholarship offer.
Hey, Mrs. Chin, you know,
like this beer, it's complicated.
But we can give Boogie
a first-class education at Georgetown,
and a walk-on spot on the team,
and I'll connect him
with some of our financial aid advisors
and, you know,
see what can happen, but unfortunately,
there are no scholarships
available right now.
["Big drip" playing]
[announcer] Welcome to the Barracks,
where, if you're not going hard,
you should've stayed on the FDR.
You know how NY gets it cracking.
And by the way, this is Monk's house,
so if you trying to be the best,
you got to beat the best.
And that's word to Artest. Let's go.
Oh, shit. Monk is here.
The champ came to stake his claim.
Let's go, baby.
-Everything good?
-No doubt.
Y'all look at this nigga right here.
[announcer] I see you, Chin!
[man] He ain't shit.
That nigga ain't worth shit, man.
-[announcer] That ain't nothin'.
-Little cute-ass nigga.
-Word. What up?
-[announcer] Fire his ass up today.
Let's get it poppin'.
Monk, let's get it, baby.
Let's go!
A'ight, hit Monk.
Spin on 'em. Serve it up.
-Banzai!
-[all cheer]
[announcer] Look who we have here.
The Vanilla Gorilla.
Memphis Houston is in the building.
The young Jedi has arrived.
Try to pull a sword out
of stone on Monk's court.
A'ight, what you gonna do,
Vanilla? Gotcha!
A'ight, let's go, Monk.
This your crib. Let's get it.
-[all cheer]
-[announcer] Welcome to the party!
-Ah!
-[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Get 'em.
Caught 'em. Split 'em both.
Oh!
What the fuck?
[song concludes]
[chuckles] Sure fucked this nigga, man.
Somebody get this nigga
some crutches, man.
Fuck it, he need a wheelchair.
What the fuck is wrong with you guys?
Are you okay?
-Here.
-[Monk] Patch him up. [chuckles]
[Eleanor] That's what it means
to you niggas, huh?
Who's fucking each other up?
I don't enjoy doing it,
but if it's what I got to do,
I'mma do it.
I wouldn't hurt someone
just to win a game,
and I hope you wouldn't, either.
Why you so upset about it, though?
He's a bully.
It's one thing to cross someone.
It's another to break their ankles
and then laugh at them.
It's just a game.
Yeah, I like talking about this
with you, though.
That's just game.
It's not game. I've been consistent.
Okay.
I'm into you.
["Astronauts" playing]
What else are you into?
Dominoes.
-You play dominoes?
-Yeah. I mean, I used to.
What happened?
My Uncle Jack, he don't want me
taking people's lunch money.
[giggles] He right, though. You nice?
Not as nice as I am at basketball,
but I don't really care.
I just like counting 'em up.
-That's the most Asian shit you've said.
-[chuckles]
-She shoots
-Flying down.
-she doesn't score.
-[chuckles]
So, don't go too far left.
That make sense?
Yeah, but Yeah.
So, I know you want to go,
like, down the middle
-and, like, Michael Jordan airtime it.
-[chuckles]
-You know what I mean?
-Yeah, why not?
So just go from over here, here
You're good.
-Yeah.
-But it looks so cool when you go fast.
You know, when they're, like
-when you're, like [laughs]
-[Boogie] Oh, oh. Okay.
-Oh!
-Oh, I got it.
Get it.
Shoot a couple.
Feel like I need to put some swag into it,
you know?
[Boogie] Let's go.
You got it. Put the swag in it.
-Aw.
-Damn, I suck.
It's like I'm going too high.
-It's a miracle.
-[Eleanor] Shut up.
-[Boogie] We out.
-Did you guys see that? [chuckles]
[Boogie] We out. We out.
That's what I'm talking about.
["Plug Speak Taiwanese" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Hawkins] Stay focused. Team defense.
Close out! Close out!
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. Chin in Mandarin] Who is he?
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] One of the top
college basketball recruiting agents.
[girl] Oh, you fucked up now.
You know what it is!
[Hawkins] All right, stay focused.
[man] This is our first
big test against Midtown Tech.
Fuck it, we passing this test.
Box, box.
Clear it. Clear it. Clear it.
[woman] And all these scouts
that came out to see Dennis Thompson
and doubted my baby,
can choke on a ham bone.
[man] Listen, as a self-hating Chinaman,
I was skeptical about this
Boogie character coming to City Prep.
Why? 'Cause he wasn't
playing Jenga with you in the boba spot?
-[scoffs] Perhaps.
-Terry, you got to stop hating.
Do you see them yellow thighs? Mm!
I see you, zaddy!
What's "zaddy"? Is that an app?
It's like "daddy," but it's sexy.
You just put some twang on it. "Zaddy."
[Terry] There he goes. There he goes.
-All right.
-[crowd cheering]
[Terry] Boogie has busted Midtown,
so now they're playing
Dennis on him mano y mano.
A'ight, stay focused.
Get that zone set up on the defense.
Yo, man, scouts is here
for Dennis Thompson,
your man got us playing
this weak-ass zone.
-He ain't my mans.
-Call the shot, nigga.
One, one, one.
Come on, don't go rogue.
Stick to the plan!
Play the zone!
[referee] Time out.
[whistle blows]
Reading you like a menu, son.
Come on. Too easy!
Sit your ass down.
-Don't play yourself.
-What?
I'm the coach of this team.
You respect the plays that I call.
-That's a weird flex, Coach, but a'ight.
-Excuse me?
-We're up 11. It don't matter if I sit.
-You know what? Get out of here.
[Terry] With about three minutes left,
Coach Hawkins has sent Boogie
to the locker room.
Did you not agree with that?
[in Mandarin] The roof is not straight.
That's why the bottom is crooked.
-He got all his bad temper from you!
-My bad temper?
Of course, it's not from me.
-Who's the one losing their temper now?
-[door opening]
[in English]
Why don't you go handle the coach again?
[in Mandarin] Fuck you!
Don't put everything on me.
He started fine!
When you got out of prison,
you'd tell him,
"Beat Monk. Play in the NBA!"
Next time you're in prison,
I hope you are never released!
[in English] Shit.
Mrs. Chin. I'd like to introduce you
to Josh from St. John's.
Mrs. Chin, Josh. Nice to meet you.
Hi. Nice to finally meet you in person.
[Josh] Yeah, well, it worked out this time
because I'm here
to see Dennis Thompson.
-Okay.
-[Josh] Oh, I mean,
Boogie put on a hell of a show,
for sure. That's why I'm here now.
Well, thank you.
We really appreciate that.
[Josh] Now, I'm gonna have to
confirm this with the coach,
but I think we could guarantee Boogie
a non-scholarship spot
at St. John's next season.
-A non-scholarship spot?
-Yeah. Yeah, exactly that.
With all due respect, Boogie could
walk on at any college and start.
As I said inside,
we're looking for a scholarship offer.
Hmm. Look, I love Boogie, I really do,
but you saw him self-destruct,
-at the end of the game.
-Well, I--
Now, physically, he's all there,
but, mentally, he's raw.
Maybe he's just passionate
about winning, Josh.
[scoffs]
Uh, let's keep in touch, okay?
Mrs. Chin, it was a pleasure.
Talk to you soon.
[man] Don't look at me like that.
-What'd he say?
-[in Mandarin] What else is there to say?
He said your temper is as bad as shit.
No scholarship.
How long do you want me
to keep defending you?
When are you going to learn?
I don't have a problem.
[Mrs. Chin]
When are you going to fucking learn?!
[in English] Meet Uncle Melvin.
He can help you get
a scholarship into a Division I school.
-[chuckles]
-He'll clean up your mess.
[in Mandarin]
Hello, Uncle. Nice to meet you.
-He doesn't speak Chinese.
-[Melvin] It's nice to meet you, Alfred.
He's your new manager.
-[in Mandarin] Does Dad know about this?
-We're not doing it his way anymore!
This is your life, not his!
Mr. Chin, Alfred,
pleasure to meet with you both today.
[Mr. Chin] Hmm. The pleasure is ours.
And Alfred would like to begin
by saying something.
[in Mandarin] Apologize.
Well, if Boogie's not ready,
there are a few things
I want to get off my chest.
Xiao Ming.
[school bell ringing]
I'm sorry, Coach Hawkins
and Principal Kodak.
That's not necessary.
This is our culture.
I sincerely regret
embarrassing the school,
my family and my ancestors.
I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity
to play at City Prep
and won't take it for granted again.
And we are happy to have you, Alfred.
[Mr. Chin] I hope this is satisfactory,
and assures both of you
that Alfred has strong parents,
who value respect and discipline.
These are things
our culture is founded on,
and without them, we are nothing.
[Hawkins] It's water under the bridge.
I mean, it's good to know
that Alfred values respect and discipline
and I look forward to coaching him.
-Two. Two million.
-Give me that back.
Don't be mad.
[Richie] Yo, you ain't even
shuffled right, son.
Oh, you're gonna blame it on the shuffle.
Clearly, bro, you got all
the money, you got all the--
-This is not right.
-All right, well, you know,
how about next time,
you shuffle the deck?
Let's just get to the book real quick,
you feel me?
You really want to read this
book over playing this game?
Look, I don't want to read the book.
I just kind of have to read the book
if I'm finna get into college.
Like, I need to pass this class, homey.
I'm just saying, bro, like,
none of these books
-[Richie] Uh-huh?
-that none the school has given me
did I connect to.
Not one. None of the characters,
none of the stories, nothing.
-It's fake, man.
-Man, we don't got to connect.
We just got to get some grades,
you feel me, man?
Have you ever connected to
anybody in a story like this?
Legit, have you, in any book?
I mean, my mom put me onto
this one dude Oscar Wao.
He a Dominican cat, and, uh,
he had to go back to the DR
and live with his family over there,
and that shit was
pretty cool, actually, so
you know, if you keep looking,
there might be something.
I need to pass this class, homey.
We'll finish this shit after, bro.
-I'll take your money afterwards.
-[Richie chuckles] I should've bet.
[chuckles]
So, um, you don't think it's likely
that Alfred gets a scholarship
to one of the top-ten schools
at this point, huh?
No, I don't. The blowup in the last game
really hurt him.
Oh, come on, Melvin.
He's just aggravated because
his father has him on this suicide mission
to beat the number-one player
in the five boroughs.
Don't think that's the issue.
Okay. Listen. Alfred is my only son,
and I've sacrificed everything for him,
so I'm not gonna allow him to fall
through the cracks like his father did.
You got to trust me.
You brought me in to look out
for Boogie's best--
"Alfred," please.
Right. Alfred's interests.
You know, it was actually a very astute
move to transfer to City Prep.
-Excuse me?
-That game against Dennis Thompson,
that's what opened the door to China.
-China?
-Yeah.
See, this is actually what
I wanted to speak with you about
before we got side-tracked
with scholarships.
I took it upon myself
to send Alfred's tape
from the game against Dennis Thompson
to a few teams in the CBA.
-CBA is?
-The Chinese Basketball Association.
-[chuckles] Okay.
-Alfred checks a lot of boxes for China.
-Yeah?
-He speaks Mandarin.
-Mm-hmm.
-He has Chinese values.
But he looks culturally American,
and he's good enough to play here.
I spun it as Alfred bypassing the NCAA
and choosing China over America.
The teams ate it up.
They're going to make offers.
Offers?
Look, I know it's a lot to take in,
but you got to trust me.
[school bell ringing]
[Mr. Richmond] How did everyone feel
about Catcher in the Rye?
Mr. Todd.
It's real. It reads like it could be
written by one of my friends.
The observations he makes
about, um, other students
and adults and just phonies in general,
I can literally feel it
on my skin as I read.
God, that's great that you had
such a visceral reaction.
Even-- even just your description of it
is very, um very touching.
Thank you, Todd.
-Uh Miss Eleanor.
-I agree with Todd.
Holden questions.
Questions what we're told
should matter to us,
and he sees through them
as meaningless and phony.
And it makes me think whether
we actually have meaning in our lives
or if we're just
playing a game.
[chuckles] Y'all crazy.
Excuse me?
Uh, Mr. Boogie, I am excited
to hear what you have to say,
but let's honor decorum.
-Word.
-Please continue.
-I can't stand Holden.
-[Mr. Richmond] That's interesting.
-I do like Mr. Antolini, though.
-Huh? That's weird.
He's usually the parents' favorite.
-And most kids like Holden?
-[Mr. Richmond] Yeah.
Your other classmates
look at him as a hero,
or at least an antihero of sorts.
He's not a hero. He's just privileged.
Anyone with that much free time
is gonna be good at complaining.
You're a nihilist.
You think life is basketball.
Playing basketball is gonna
save my broke-ass family.
[Mr. Richmond] Okay, okay. Decorum.
Mr. Boogie.
Look, I'mma just speak for myself.
There are a lot of kids like me
that have a lot of
stuff going on at home,
and they have no choice
but to grow up fast.
I resent Holden
'cause he's looking for meaning
and he's dying for responsibility,
but doesn't have the slightest idea
of how that actually feels.
[Mr. Richmond] Hmm.
I want you to speak up more in class
like that, okay? That was really smart.
You're lucky you have purpose.
You don't want to know
what's going on in my house.
Try me.
Hello?
I don't want to count it up.
Does that make sense?
-No.
-I'm not trying to play struggle Olympics.
I'm not either, but you the one
that wanted to ask me
about my trash-ass life.
Yeah, I want to know your shit,
but I didn't think
you'd have to know mine.
My mom, she's a controlling psychopath
that doesn't love or believe in me,
but she's responsible.
My dad is irresponsible,
but he loves and believes in me.
-Your mom loves you.
-How do you know that?
It's just one of them things.
Parents love you.
I really don't think she fucks with me
unless I succeed.
-Why's your life trash?
-[chuckles] My dad loves me,
but it's kind of like
how a dog loves their owner.
It's unconditional, but it's unconscious.
And my mom
she just wants me to be
more like my older sister.
She thinks I'm "unnecessarily difficult
and opinionated,"
and I'm just trying to keep it real.
-[Boogie chuckles]
-Just want to be real.
-What's so funny?
-We sound like losers. [chuckles]
Have you seen these docs like
The Jinx or The Staircase?
Yeah, but what you trying to say?
How does someone that loves you
end up throwing you down a staircase?
How does O.J. become O.J.?
-[Eleanor] O.J.?
-How'd I get to this point with my mom?
-You don't have to smile about it.
-Nah, I mean, it
it's just funny.
It doesn't have to be funny
if you don't find it funny.
-That was like a thank you kiss.
-[chuckles] What's a thank you kiss?
Like, "Thanks for listening, friend."
[scoffs] I want you to kiss me
because you like me.
I always liked you.
You're annoying.
Yeah, but I think you like it.
-Just a little bit.
-I got to pee.
-Again?
-What you mean, "again"?
-We just-- Goddamn.
-You're so rude.
We got to navigate around tai chi lady,
but we out. Come on.
[Eleanor chuckles] I actually really want
to learn tai chi.
["Stylin" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Eleanor] Oh, you think
you got me sewed up now?
[Boogie] What? I'm not pump-faking you.
I'm here with both feet on the ground.
You getting gold or red?
-[Eleanor] Red.
-[Boogie] Done.
-The gold look kind of cool.
-[Eleanor] Don't you like the red?
[Boogie] All right, all right.
-Y'all didn't want the smoke.
-[Alissa laughing]
-Alissa, you
-[all laugh]
Uh-huh. Yo. You looking nice from here.
[chuckles]
[Eleanor] I didn't see you knock.
-[Alyssa chuckles]
-[Richie] A'ight.
[crowd cheering]
Got 'em.
Hey, come here, come here.
Look, relax.
Look at the scoreboard. We're winning.
[Boogie] That was actually really smart.
Because I can't go.
That was a good move.
[indistinct chatter]
-Going into your little fortress.
-Stop judging my style.
[all laugh]
[Eleanor] You really think you slick, huh?
-You want to see the show?
-Aquariums are like Rikers for dolphins.
I do want to show you
my coming-of-age story, though.
Okay.
[song continues]
[Eleanor] You're not scared at all?
[Boogie] I've never been allowed
to be scared. Why you scared, though?
[Boogie] Are you out?
-[Eleanor] Cut the check!
-[all laugh]
[Boogie] Have you ever been in love?
[Eleanor] Hmm nah.
[chuckles] Mm. That's so good.
-[bell buzzing]
-[crowd cheering]
[song concludes]
-Yeah!
-[Eleanor] I want to show you something.
-[giggles]
-[Boogie] That's real romantic. I like it.
[Eleanor] That's a funny story that
I don't feel like getting into right now.
[Boogie] Fine. My bad.
[pop music playing on speakers]
I love this dolphin collection.
[Eleanor chuckles] From Trinidad.
Dolphins are my thing.
[Boogie] All this stuff kind of fits,
but why the cat?
It was from my grandma.
She passed away.
This was always
on her coffee table.
I don't even fuck with cats,
but I fuck with this one.
[Boogie] It's Grandma,
so I get it. It's cool.
[Eleanor] What is wrong with you?
-[Boogie] Wrong with me?
-Yeah.
What's up with this ice-skating music?
Quit stalling
and just pull it out. [laughs]
-Don't laugh.
-[laughs] What?
I never done this.
That's cool,
but you still gonna have to pull it out
if we gonna do this.
[music continues]
You done this before?
-Once.
-With who?
None of your business with who.
You gonna talk yourself out of this
if you keep playing.
All right. [sighs]
I measured my shit hard,
and I'm above average,
-[chuckles]
-but [exhales]
I'm soft right now.
Let me see the wick.
Damn. We might just need to be friends.
-Fuck you.
-[Eleanor laughing]
-I'm sensitive about this.
-I'm just playing. Why you so sensitive?
You got this crazy music pumping,
and it's my first time.
-It's a lot of pressure.
-[inhales] Relax.
-You ever fucked with an Asian dude?
-Nah. I don't know why you tripping.
I'm tripping 'cause
my dick might be trash.
[music continues]
I'm good?
You good, babe.
[music continues]
[Mrs. Chin] Hey, Alfred.
[music stops]
-[Boogie] Yo, what's up?
-Alfred. How are you?
[Boogie] I'm good.
Three weeks till we play Monk.
[in Mandarin] Sit down.
We're having Tang Yuen.
[Boogie in English] Tang Yuen.
What's the occasion?
Hmm. What's the occasion?
Well
Me and Uncle Melvin
are working on a big plan
to let you play basketball in China.
[suspenseful music playing]
-China?
-Yeah.
China's an amazing opportunity, baby.
It's a chance of a lifetime. Right?
Alfred, maybe we should start
at the beginning
so you can get a sense of, um, context.
Allow me. I'm the youngest.
Okay.
Thank you, Alfred. Cheers.
So, I sent several teams in the CBA
a tape of your game
against Dennis Thompson.
-Everyone was thoroughly impressed.
-Mm-hmm.
And the Shanghai Sharks came through
with a one-year contract.
Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Guaranteed.
-That's a lot of money.
-I knew you'd be impressed.
-What's the catch?
-Vivian asked the same thing.
There's no catch.
Well, you'd relinquish
your college eligibility,
but you can enter the NBA draft at 19,
once you satisfy your year.
-[door opening]
-[automatic voice] Moshi, moshi.
[door closing]
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] You're early.
[Mr. Chin in English]
What's going on here?
[Melvin] I was just in the middle
of telling Alfred some good news.
-You're, um, just in time.
-Who doesn't like good news?
As I was telling Alfred,
the Shanghai Sharks have offered
a one-year contract to play in China.
He's a good son.
Absolutely. A great son.
So, you think my son
is gonna go behind my back
and sign this contract?
-We have our own plan.
-Nobody's going behind anybody's back.
We're all here to discuss this together.
Xiao Ming
did you know
we were going to discuss this?
-I didn't know.
-Melvin can save our fucking family.
Save our family?
Did you hear that, Xiao Ming? Melvin
Melvin is gonna save our family.
With all due respect,
Alfred doesn't even have
a college scholarship offer right now.
The NBA is very unlikely for him.
-Knock on wood.
-Knock on wood?
Lawrence, I'm not
knocking on wood.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] Lawrence, enough!
-[in English] Knock on wood.
-[in Mandarin] Lawrence, enough!
[in English] Lawrence, this isn't the time
to go all Chinese and superstitious.
We need to be practical.
-[grunts]
-[Mrs. Chin] Hey! Stop!
-[screaming] Lawrence, no! Lawrence!
-[Melvin] Get off!
[in Mandarin] Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
What are you doing?
You stupid rice bucket!
Have you lost your mind?
This is Xiao Ming's dream!
If he goes to China,
he'll never get back to the NBA!
It's not his dream, Lawrence! It's yours!
[in English] It is my dream!
You never thought I was good enough
to make it, because you weren't.
All you do is talk shit and blame Dad.
[in Mandarin] What are you saying? Huh?
Mother cannot hear it. Say it again.
Speak louder!
It's a misfortune of eight lifetimes
to have a son like you!
[Melvin in English] Ask your dad
who's gonna pay these bills, huh?
You can't walk on anywhere.
-He's fucking broke.
-You don't know shit.
Yeah, yeah, come. [chuckles]
You want to hit me too?
You have trash genes,
just like your father.
He's not like his father!
You assholes are gonna be
homeless without me.
I got you a deal for 750,000 dollars.
Cash money.
Wait. Melvin, hang on a second. Melvin!
-[automated voice] Moshi, moshi.
-[door closing]
I'll get the money.
You just beat Monk in three weeks.
If you beat Monk
none of this matters.
["AP" playing]
-[man] Let's go!
-[crowd cheers]
Yo, AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
[Mr. Chin in Mandarin] Watch his eyes.
Tell me what you see.
[Boogie in English]
He doesn't look anyone in the eye.
Exactly.
He's not playing the defenders.
He's playing the floor.
[man] Let's go!
[Jackie] I know your parents are putting
a lot of pressure on you,
but it's generational.
Their parents put it on them,
their grandparents put it on them,
and so on and so forth.
-You know why we're in this country.
-I know, Uncle Jackie. We lost the war.
We lost the war. That's why we're here.
That's why we're second-rate citizens
in a country that resents us.
You know, me and your dad,
we never expected to have freedom
or independence or equality,
or any of these things you ABCs
expect to have in this country.
-I don't really have it, either.
-You don't.
You don't have it like these Americans,
but you got more than we do.
That's what we all sacrificed for.
But, I mean, if I sign that deal,
I'd be giving it all back now.
-Back at zero.
-You could still play in the NBA, right?
-Yeah.
-Well
then you're still
in the basketball business.
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
I got 52 shots in this Glock
And an infrared up
On the opp if he let off
Trey Suvy hold the chop
Yellow tape when it pop
Knock his head off
[music stops]
[police radio chatter in distance]
What's going on? He didn't do anything.
-Please step aside.
-[Boogie] We were just watching--
I said step aside!
[engine starts]
[in Mandarin] You need to hurry up
and sign the deal with Melvin!
-What happened?
-What happened?
Melvin said if you don't sign,
he's pressing charges!
-For getting slapped?
-[in English] Yes!
[in Mandarin] Who presses charges
over getting slapped?
Those non-Chinese-speaking bananas.
Just sign it!
[in English] I got to keep my mind clear.
This shit is fucked up.
[Eleanor] I mean, can they even keep him
on these charges?
It's usually not a big deal,
but my dad's on parole.
-For what?
-Assault. Twice.
-So, if you sign, your dad walks?
-Yeah. He'll drop the charges.
-What's the downside?
-Determines where I play ball.
-Oh, so I ain't get a say in this?
-[Boogie] Don't put more pressure on me.
-You think I want to leave you?
-Who said anything about leaving?
I'm not trying to put pressure on you.
I understand how difficult
this family shit is.
It's not just about family.
I owe like 5,000 years
of fucking Chinese history.
What you mean, "5,000 years
of fucking Chinese history"?
You don't understand.
Your parents don't hold it over your head
that they sacrificed everything
to give you this opportunity in America.
Okay. Not the exact same thing,
but do you know how fucking hard it was
for me to find out where I come from?
My history was fucking ripped from me.
I was cut off from my ancestors.
You're not the only one
who deals with these problems.
-Okay. Do you like beef with broccoli?
-Yeah. Who doesn't?
Italians, they got broccoli rabe
on the menu right next to the braciole.
[man] This motherfucker said
"beef and broccoli."
Okay.
The Greek, they have garlic broccoli
right next to the shell steak.
-[chuckles] So?
-So, anyone could have put them together,
but only the Chinese were willing
to bow their heads,
and serve something as stupid and basic
as beef with broccoli.
Okay, there's nothing stupid
about beef and broccoli.
Beef and broccoli isn't stupid.
It's fed neighborhoods,
and it's sustained us,
but Chinese people could be so much more,
if this country didn't reduce
us down to beef and broccoli.
-You can be so much more, too.
-It's hard.
I feel like a piece of beef
surrounded by sprouted greens and MSG.
[soft music playing]
I need you to fight for yourself
the same way you fight for being Chinese.
Alfred, you made it.
[music continues]
Two signatures.
You're doing the right thing, Alfred.
You should look this over.
There's a bunch of stipulations.
It potentially limits
your playing time with City Prep.
Just drop the charges.
Get my fucking money.
["4r Da Squaw" playing]
Yeah, if I can pay my bills
I'm good, I'm comin' over
Found a message in my bottle
Your son is comin' up
"By the beer, by ear, by boo"
What Yari saying?
You ain't nothin' but a baby
Your fear is growin' up
Listen here, I say, my dude
And what you call it
It was heaven at the bottom
And peace from throwin' up
"By the beer, by ear, by boo"
My Yari saying
You ain't nothin' but a baby
Your fear is growin' up
I think I do this shit
For real, dawg, hey
I ain't no motherfuckin' maybe
I'm for motherfuckin' real, dawg
[chuckles] What's up, little man?
I seen you taking notes at the Barracks.
Now it's time for me to take my notes.
Know what I'm saying?
Take it easy, man.
Nice new haircut. [chuckles]
Just got a report.
They say you was an angry little dude.
Come on, guys.
-Guys, it's not necessary.
-We good.
I ain't worried about this little kid.
Yeah, grab your backpack.
-Hey, tell Juicy I said, "What's up?"
-Who the fuck is Juicy?
Oh, your girl didn't tell you
I used to call her Juicy?
["Faded" playing]
Hey, well, ask her
how my dick taste, nigga. [laughs]
Catour, fuck it up!
Tried my hardest not to hate you
Should've known
She wasn't faithful, no
Thought you was real
Must've mistaked you
Just like your friends
Them hoes is fake too, no, oh
I took my Bentley 'round the city
Thinkin' 'bout you
But you know them hoes is with me now
I get out my feelings quickly
But I get high and then just think
'Bout how you did me
-Faded
-So if I ain't your nigga
-Then that ain't my booty
-Faded
-And if this ain't real love
-Faded
-Then I'll keep it movin'
-Faded
One thing's for certain
And two thing's for sure
Been 'bout my money
Give a fuck 'bout no hoe, oh
Last time I seen your face
Leavin', you packed your things
I thought that you would change
I was a fool, I stayed
Playin' in this cruel love game
Take a shot to ease the pain
Wish I could fast forward
This ain't what I asked for
[song fades]
[Richie] Yo. You know I don't
give a fuck if you smoke.
The game's tomorrow night, B.
Yeah, fuck it. Doesn't really matter
what happens in the game tomorrow.
-How you figure?
-My dad's in jail again.
My mom sold me to China. My girl's a liar.
Who cares anymore?
She ain't lie to you.
She should've told you,
but she ain't lie to you.
Word. I should've known
it's "don't ask, don't tell."
So you ain't tell Eleanor
about China yet?
Fuck you.
[chuckles] My man, I'm trying to help you
pick up the pieces here.
I don't give a fuck anymore, man.
I got nobody.
Who am I picking up the pieces for?
Look, I know that even if
I play my best tomorrow night,
I'm not touching Monk.
You're the only one
who has a shot at beating him.
All right, don't be like that white boy
Colden Haulfield or whatever the fuck.
A'ight, that's not you. Don't you want
to know if you can beat him?
-Fuck Monk.
-My man, fuck you.
Everyone on that team wishes they was you,
but they not,
so they give up shots,
they play defense.
We do the dirty work all season long
so that you get your shot.
-It's a team game. Ain't about me.
-Oh, so now you a team player.
-I've been a team player.
-My man, this has always been about you.
Your plan to beat Monk,
your shot at college,
your dream to make it
into the NBA, a'ight?
Everyone here is here for you.
And now you're not even here
for your goddamn self.
[basketball thumping]
[keypad tapping]
[Hawkins] Does he realize
how important this game is?
[assistant coach] Man, he's gonna
get here. It's just, you know
[cellphone vibrates]
Richie, Boogie's gonna miss shootaround.
You know where he is?
Yo, you pressing on me
like a 7-Eleven Cuban, Coach.
-Yo, he'll be here.
-Chill out, man.
-7-Eleven Cuban?
-You're making these kids nervous, man.
[Hawkins] Come on.
What's a 7-Eleven Cuban?
[assistant coach] It's a sandwich.
[sighs]
You ready?
You ready? You?
It's simple. This game, this moment,
all the hard work,
all the sweat, all the drills,
it's what we've been working for.
And we did it as a team.
Not as one person, as a team.
-Let's go. Come on!
-Let's get it. Let's get it. Let's get it.
-Richie, come here.
-We're gonna get it rollin' and roasted.
Listen, level with me. Where's Boogie?
-I don't know.
-You told me he'll be here.
Look, Coach, I'm here, a'ight?
I can't speak for nobody else,
but I'm here, Coach.
[door opening]
Get dressed.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd chanting] Boogie! Boogie!
Boogie! Boogie! Boogie!
[crowd cheering]
-Let's go.
-Alfred, what the hell are you doing?
Your deal with the CBA
strictly forbids you
-from playing in this game.
-What deal?
-What?
-You should've read the contract.
He needs to play in this game.
What is he talking about?
I just want to play ball.
-He signed a deal.
-Hey, hey. Do you not speak English?
-What'd he just say?
-I do. I-- What-- what's going on?
-Relax. Take it easy.
-What are they talking about?
[referee] Fellas, what's going on
over here? Listen, we got a game to play.
-Listen, if you don't play on time
-I know.
-you forfeit.
-We just need a couple of minutes.
[Melvin] He's supposed to go to China,
that's what the problem is.
-[Hawkins] So?
-You signed the deal, right?
-[player] Yo, so we playing or?
-[Melvin] He can't play in this game.
-Yo.
-[spectator] Just let him play!
You here for me or Monk?
-What did you say?
-You heard me.
What's up, Juicy?
I see you chose this egg roll.
Shut the fuck up, you big-head biscuit.
Your sister give you
that busted-ass lineup?
She always did talk a lot.
[Hawkins] All right, guys, come on,
back in the locker room.
-[referee] All right, all right--
-[indistinct shouting]
Let's get 'em, nigga!
[whistle blows]
This game is disqualified! Everybody!
This team's supposed to be
in the locker room!
-I don't want to hear it.
-[Hawkins] Good!
I don't care! This game is forfeited.
Let's go. Everybody out! Out!
We'll settle this shit at the Barracks.
[in Mandarin] Xiao Ming! Stop it!
[in English] Whatever you want
to do, Wonton Soup.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] Xiao Ming!
Stop it! You're going to China anyway!
-Xiao Ming, no! Xiao Ming!
-[all shouting]
[in English] Enough.
You made this always about you.
You let the school down.
You let this team down.
-Saturday, I'mma be at your house.
-[chuckles] I'mma be home.
-[guard] Guys, guys. Please.
-[team laughing]
[all clamoring]
Yeah, a'ight. Sound good. Sound good.
[guard] Come on, come on.
Let's go! Let's go!
[voices fade]
[instrumental music playing]
[in Mandarin] So this is what happens
when a dragon and a dog meet.
-They make a snake.
-I'm a snake.
-I know. I don't see many snakes.
-[Boogie] Why not?
Snakes are very intuitive beings.
They don't seek the input of others.
Thank you.
-What bothers you, snake?
-I don't want to do the wrong thing.
-Wrong for who?
-My parents, my ancestors,
my teammates, my girlfriend
I feel like anything I do
is wrong to someone.
Right is relative.
Ancestors, parents, friends, books even,
can only get you to the desert's edge.
In the important moments,
you have to make the right choice
and drink the water for yourself.
["Welcome To The Party"
by Pop Smoke playing]
This is a Melo beat
Baby, welcome to the party
I'm off the Molly, the Xan, the lean
That's why I'm movin' retarded
That's why I'm movin' retarded
Baby, welcome to the party
I hit the boy up
And then I go skate in a 'Rari
Baby, welcome to the party
Bitch I'm a thot, get me lit
Gun on my hip
One in the head, ten in the clip
-[Monk] One, two, three.
-[teammates] Barracks!
-[Monk] Four, five, six.
-Make it, baby!
Just lower your tone
'Cause you could get hit
Don't let that Henny in my system
I catch a body
Next day I forget it
[announcer over microphone] And we're off!
Who will reign supreme?
-Who will be the king of the Barracks?
-[player] Hold on, look.
Who will be the coco bread
to Juicy's patty?
Ew! Fucking pervert.
[announcer] A'ight, Boogie,
what you gonna do?
Put it in.
Oh, yeah, shorty.
-That's all you got?
-Yeah.
Watch this. Look, look.
[announcer] A'ight, let's go. Bring it up.
That's why I'm movin' retarded
Baby, welcome to the party
Look, look. You a baby. Look.
Baby, welcome to the party
[announcer] Oh, there it is.
Monk with the bucket. Four-zip.
Gun on my hip
One in the head, ten in the clip
[announcer] What you gonna do, Boogie?
Oh, the trap.
Richie!
[announcer] Bad pass. Guess who's there.
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] Oh, Monk for two!
[quietly in Mandarin]
Watch his eyes. Watch his eyes.
-[announcer] Backdoor, Monk. Bucket-bound!
-[crowd cheering]
Got a ten pack up in my jeans
I'm in Manhattan in these stores
[announcer] Bring it up. Lock up.
Oh, Monk for three. Wow!
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] That's two.
-[player] Block that.
-[announcer] Boogie on the layup.
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] Oh, Monk for three!
-Hey, man, watch your corner.
-Hey, watch corner.
[grunts]
[announcer] Arthur looking
like food out here.
-Step back, shot, cha-ching!
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] That's the first half, folks.
-[applause, whistles]
[grunts]
-Fuck basketball.
-Mm-hmm. I might even quit ballplayers.
-They're exposing me. I can't stop him.
-They're not exposing you.
They're exposing the entire
right side of the zone.
Just give us what you got.
Look, let's play a box and one.
You take Monk at the top of the key.
You'll have him one-on-one
like you always wanted.
Coach, he's better than me.
I don't want to play him one-on-one.
I want to win. You was the one
talking about team all year.
I'll stop pushing buttons.
-Come on, man, let's go.
-Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!
Dragons on three.
-One, two, three.
-Dragons!
[cheering]
-[Richie] Oh, shit.
-Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
-Let's do it. Get it.
-Let's go.
[Eleanor] You good?
I'm good.
-Game's over.
-You got the game. It's over.
Let's go, man. Let's get this done.
["Fashion" playing]
Get straight
To the cash
Looking good in all this fashion
Looking good in all this fashion
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] Oh! Boogie with the three.
[Monk] Hey, look out.
Looking good in all this fashion
[announcer] Oh, Boogie off the rebound!
Oh, there it is.
-[cheering]
-[Monk] Hey, yo, look.
Lowe-- Throw-- Give it up, bro.
Look.
Bro, what?
Yo, what are you doing, bro?
Richie. Richie.
-Oh, you want me to bring it up?
-Trust me.
[Monk] Hey, step up. Step up.
Boom. Boogie with the bucket,
pulling City Prep within four, 50-46.
They on a comeback.
-Richie with the bucket.
-Yo, you took my chair, B.
You missed the whole second half, man.
I thought you ditched.
I had to take a shit in the bush.
I got IBS.
[announcer] Harden step-back,
Cash App, cha-ching!
[crowd cheering]
[Boogie] Go, go, go, go, go.
Ay! Boogie with the two,
pulling it closer.
[crowd cheering]
[Monk] Pick up. Pick up.
[announcer] Richie for three. Splash!
And with 57-52,
City Prep is creeping on 'em.
All this aggression
And all of this action
Looking good in all this fashion
It's looking good in all this fashion
He got one. He got one.
Pick up. Pick up.
I got you. I got you.
Block party. Block party.
That's two. A'ight. Let's go. Bring it up.
Get away, dirty
You won't look good with this fashion
[announcer] Whoa!
-Boogie on the layup.
-[crowd cheering]
Yeah!
You won't look good with this fashion
My moves sturdy
[announcer] Monk with the three.
[Hawkins] Two minutes left.
Looking good in all this fashion
-[announcer] Boogie with the put-back.
-Yeah!
City Prep is on a comeback.
Barracks on top, 60-59.
-Set one. Set one.
-[announcer] Pass it off, top of the key.
Oh. Oh, long range.
Chicken and Cashew Nuts
puts the Dragons up two.
Good gracious.
City Prep with their first lead.
-Come on. Clear out. Clear out.
-[Monk] Clear what out?
-I'm going left.
-Go wherever you want.
[announcer] Richie taking it to the box.
Oh! He just covered his hot spot.
-[whistle blows]
-What? Where's the foul?
Where's the foul?
-Where's the foul?
-[referee] He got him with the body.
Stop crying, little ninja.
-Well, that chain weighing you down.
-[scoffs] Yeah, a'ight.
[announcer] Still 62-60.
-You know that shit ain't no foul.
-More like a love tap.
-Yeah, that soft shit.
-[chuckles]
-I wasn't soft when I was in Juicy.
-[referee] Cut the shit out, fellas.
Eighteen seconds left in the game.
Let's go.
[smooches]
[cheering]
[Boogie] Oh, we gonna get lucky.
[scoffs] Don't worry about 'em.
Cute-ass nigga. Watch this.
[suspenseful music playing]
[announcer] It's all tied up, 62-62.
[referee] Eighteen seconds left
in the game. Come on, come on, come on.
[Monk] Hey, what you gonna do?
-Yo, Richie.
-[Monk] What you gonna do now?
What you gonna do now?
[scoffs] You better off
taking it yourself.
Do something with it.
[crowd cheering]
-Told you--
-[announcer] Don't let Boogie get it.
-Got him.
-[Monk] Hey, step up.
-[cheering]
-[announcer] Boogie with the slam!
City Prep up 64-62 with seconds left.
Give it up, Monk, here.
[suspenseful music playing]
[shouting]
[Monk] Pick up that D!
[thuds]
[whistle blows]
[referee] Ball game, fellas.
City Prep wins, 64 to 62.
[cheering]
["Fear Over Love" playing]
Me dead or in jail
But that's what they want
And that's what they need
Look, you know it get worse
Before it get better
Still holdin' my head up
Expectin' the worst
[announcer] That's it. The Dragons win.
Still holdin' my head up
Me dead or in jail
But that's what they want
But that's what they need
But that's what they need
Just to lie
And throw labels on me, nigga
What do you see when you look at me?
I'd rather fear over love
Loyalty come before royalty
I know that they sick of me now
Glock movin' like medicine
Look, I know that they missin' me now
But never tried look for me then
I know that these niggas pretend
So I gotta
Stay with the Smith like Wesson
Mama, I'm sorry, still movin' around
I'm still movin' with weapons
Been through the shelter
We been through the struggle
We been through it all
Don't want your problems
Just tell me your problems
I'm solvin' 'em all
I'm solvin' 'em all
You know it get worse
Before it get better
Yeah, still holdin' my head up
Expectin' the worst
Still pray for the better, yeah
Still holdin' my head up
Me dead or in jail
But that's what they want
But that's what they need
But that's what they need
Just to lie and throw labels on me
You know it get worse
Before it get better, yeah
Yo, you good, bro?
Yeah, we good. Chin, what up?
-First one's for free.
-Yeah?
-We gonna see you again.
-Mm-hmm.
[song concludes]
[Eleanor] So, let me get this straight.
-You got a D1 scholarship?
-[Boogie] Yeah.
It wasn't to a top ten, but I got one.
-[cutlery clattering]
-Mm. Let me pour. I'm the youngest.
My parents took it hard too,
so I didn't say anything.
Feel that.
Only Holden Caulfield would
give his parents an invoice.
[chuckles] You feel me?
So, when were you gonna
tell me about China?
I didn't think
you cared about China.
-Don't be like that.
-Be like what?
Monk happened before I met you.
You can't hold that against me.
-You lied to me.
-I did not lie.
-You knew it would hurt me.
-You didn't tell me about China.
-Fuck it, then. We're both liars.
-Why are you doing this to me?
People are doing it to me.
I did everything I'm supposed to,
and I'm still being sent to China.
Shit happens to everybody.
You can't keep feeling bad for yourself.
-China could be a real blessing.
-A blessing without you.
China is an amazing opportunity,
but it isn't shit without you.
I love you.
[voices fade]
[Eleanor] You mean it?
[Boogie] I really mean it.
[Eleanor] You still want to
hear about dolphins?
[Boogie] Yeah.
When I was a little kid,
my parents took me to SeaWorld,
and I saw these dolphins
with flawless skin,
and I thought, "Those are dolphins."
But when I was 15,
we went back to Trinidad,
and we saw these wild dolphins in a pod.
So I jumped off the boat,
and everybody thought I was buggin',
but I didn't care.
And I swim toward the pod,
and there's these dolphins
around me just swirling.
But they're not like
the dolphins at SeaWorld.
I look down,
and they all got buck 50s.
They're all scarred, but they're
still chirping, swimming,
living like the dolphins
at SeaWorld will never know.
Never know.
You cut me.
But we wild.
And we still here.
[cutlery clatters]
[soft music playing]
[fortune teller in Mandarin]
All I can say
if you guys choose to stay together
you should be kind to each other.
Love will melt the sharpest sword.
[baby fussing]
Every part of the chicken
in one bowl for you.
[soft music continues]
Every part of us in you, Xiao Ming.
Look, AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Get to sprayin' niggas
'Cause I hate niggas
Fuck niggas, I ain't playing with them
I don't really wanna hear niggas
I don't got nothing to say, nigga
I'm with bae eatin' steak dinner
Just know he got a K with him
And my little mama got it in her purse
All I gotta say is, "Bae get 'em"
If I run down, it's a drum round
All you gonna hear is gun sounds
Niggas know I bring them guns out
I make it hot when it's sundown, uh
Fever, shawty wanna act like a diva
Shawty wanna suck on my nina
I leave that shit wet, Aquafina
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
I got 52 shots in this Glock
With an infrared up
On the opp if he let off
Trey Suvy hold a chop
Yellow tape when it pop
Knock his head off
Load up the chop, it go dumb
Niggas see me and they run
Silencer up on the gun
Niggas'll shoot you for none
Trey Suvy
Boy playin' with the toolie
I bet he'd make a movie
Whoo, whoo
Pop dripped up in Louis
Couple hundred in some jewelry
Spent 55 on her booty
Touch her ass and niggas shootin'
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
[song fades]
["Plug Speak Taiwanese"
by Bad Boy Raco playing]
[song concludes]
[instrumental music playing]
[in Mandarin]
Oh. Allow me. I'm the youngest.
[fortune teller] Thank you.
[indistinct chatter]
This baby is a mistake!
-Will it be a son?
-I cannot say.
-What is the probability that it's a son?
-I cannot say with any certainty.
Just a guess. Fifty-fifty?
Of course it's 50/50!
What else would it be? You moron!
[sighs] Nothing is for sure.
All I can say,
if you guys choose to stay together,
you should be kind to each other.
Love will melt the sharpest sword.
["Mr. Chin" playing]
Eh, Mr. Chin
Everyday you gimme Pepsi, Pepsi
[horn blaring]
What happened to the Red Stripe beer
And Lion Stout?
Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh?
Mr. Chin
[in Mandarin]
Jackie. You should eat fresh fruit.
I can't eat fresh fruit. Too much fiber.
It gives me diarrhea.
I miss the Taiwanese sugar apples.
You always talk about Taiwanese
sugar apples, small steamer buns,
oyster omelet.
I can't eat those things. I have IBS!
Son, after you graduate,
I will take you home.
[in English] Isn't this home?
Mr. Chin, you fi sell the right thing
Say all you got to do
You got to do your own thing
[in Mandarin]
Three thousand dollars this month.
Never knew Mr. Chin could sing
They never knew Mr. Chin could sing
[in English]
For the book or the Town Car?
[in Mandarin] Both.
To be honest,
business has been a mess
since you went to prison.
[Mr. Chin in English] Keep taking bets
through football season.
Then I want to wash my hands of it.
We're in the basketball business now.
[Jackie] It's all on you, Alfred.
[Mr. Chin] That's right.
Listen to your Uncle Jackie, Alfred.
Him have one daughter
She named Ting Ling, hey
That the girl live a Constants Spring
Me make love to her
Yes she starts sing
Un lang shang lang un lang pai
Yellowman, darling, why?
You be the husband
Me be the wife
[in Mandarin] Son of a bitch!
You can't gamble.
[in English] It's for lunch money.
[in Mandarin]
These kids are all going to college, huh?
[in English] Says "Prep."
They're definitely not
in the basketball business.
["Exhibit C" playing]
Ladies and gentlemen, this time around
The revolution will not be televised
-Whoo!
-Cross my heart that I love her
As we proceed
To give you what you need
'09, mother
Get live, mother
Ladies and gentlemen of the court
In the hearing against
The State of Hip-Hop vs. Jay Electronica
I present Exhibit C
When I was sleepin' on the train
Sleepin' on Meserole Ave
Out in the rain
Without even a single
Slice of pizza to my name
Too proud to beg for change
Mastering the pain
When New York was calling
Southern rappers lame
But then jacking our slang
I used to get dizzy spells
Hear a little ring
The voice of an angel
Telling me my name
Telling me that one day
I'mma be a great mane
Transforming with the Megatron Don
Spittin' out flames
Eating wack rappers alive
Out chains
I ain't believe it then
I was homeless
Fightin', shootin' dice
Smokin' on the corners
Trying to find the meaning of life
In a Corona
Till the Five Percenters rolled up on
And informed him
You either build or destroy
Where you come from?
The Magnolia Projects
In the Third Ward slum
Good morning, AP English class.
Yeah. "Good morning, Mr. Richmond."
[door opening]
[Mr. Richmond] Whether you know it or not,
you are a coming-of-age story.
That's right.
This moment right here, right now,
you are coming of age.
Now, give me an example of
a coming-of-age story that you relate to.
[humming] All right, Miss Eleanor.
What is a coming-of-age story
that's affected you?
-Free Willy.
-[laughter]
[Mr. Richmond] Um, I'm not familiar.
It's a movie about releasing
a killer whale into the wild.
-Man, free Max B.
-[all laugh]
Mister Alfred, welcome to AP English.
-I prefer my stripper name, Boogie.
-[laughter]
[Mr. Richmond] Okay. No--
No, all right, all right, that'll do.
-Max B is in jail for murder.
-You got to hear both sides.
[soft hip-hop music playing]
[sighs] Mr. Boogie,
one day, we all meet our match.
So [exhales]
I present to you
Holden Caulfield.
-That's not what it says.
-[all laugh]
[sighs] Oh, Lord. I missed you.
I'm gonna keep telling myself
that I missed you.
[giggles, inhales]
[weights clattering]
[Eleanor grunts]
-'Ey, yo.
-[Alissa] Mm?
Tell me this nigga ain't
staring straight into my trap.
[Alissa] You mean this Hunan beef
on the curl machine?
-[Eleanor] Yeah.
-That's Boogie Chin.
What's he doing here?
Don't he go to Bishop Molloy?
[Alissa] Mm, he tested into City Prep
so he could play Monk.
[inhales] Personally,
I think he's wrapped like a wonton.
[grunts] Fuck Monk.
And fuck ballplayers. [exhales]
You know I can't quit ballplayers.
Man, it was quiet for ball
till you transferred here.
Now you got these little Asian niggas
pressing up your jersey
like you Jeremy Lin.
Man, Jeremy Lin can suck my dick.
Man, what?
I thought y'all fucked with him.
Nah, he more model minority
Jesus freak than he is Asian.
-Chill, man.
-No shade, though.
Yo. Who is that?
Oh, that's Eleanor.
He could get it if he stopped staring.
[Alissa] I really don't care.
He could watch me suck
that sweet and sour sparerib.
Girl, you just hungry talking
about all this Chinese food. [giggles]
-Come on, man, back me up.
-[Eleanor] How much is that?
[Alissa] I don't know,
probably like three pounds?
[giggles] Shut the fuck up.
-Nice pants.
-You got a staring problem.
[Boogie] You got a pretty vagina.
-[weight thuds]
-Hey, yo.
-[chuckles]
-[Eleanor] Get the fuck out of here
with all that bullshit.
You better respect my mind.
[Richie] Yo, facts, though.
Hold on. I know this stew chicken
didn't say "facts" to my face.
-All the beef's gone bad.
-[Alissa] Mm-hmm. I'm 'bout to go vegan.
-She wants it.
-[Eleanor] My vagina?
[basketball thumping]
Get up.
Use your eyes.
Let's show 'em you can focus.
I am focused.
They give everybody else credit
for being passionate,
but look at me like I have an illness.
[chuckles]
They're not gonna give us shit
in this country. You understand?
No one believes
in an Asian basketball player.
It's a joke.
We can cook, clean, count real good,
but anything else, we're picked last.
But if you stick to our plans
and we beat Monk,
we'll get our shot at the NBA.
Well, I wish I could just beat
Memphis Houston and prove 'em wrong.
Memphis? Come on.
Memphis is soft.
If you want to be the best,
you got to beat Monk.
That's why I transferred you to City Prep.
You got to show those recruiters
you're better than Monk.
That you're the best in the city.
["AP" playing]
[music concludes]
[mumbling]
[soda can opening]
What's up, Mom?
Nothing.
Same old fucking ji bai bullshit,
inshallah.
-You got to relax.
-Relax?
Why don't you tell me how to relax, huh?
You and your father have
this crazy NBA dream
[in Mandarin]but you still don't have
a scholarship offer.
-[in English] How to relax?
-I can walk on at Georgetown.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] You walk?
Let me see how you walk.
Go on. Walk. Hmm?
You think money falls from the sky?
[in English] How are we gonna pay for it?
All we have are unpaid bills.
Who cares? It's my problem, not yours.
You're always so miserable.
I'm miserable?
-I--
-What?
I can get financial aid.
[sighs]
[in Mandarin]
Your wings are strong now, huh?
Hmm?
[somber music playing]
Don't learn from American kids
talking shit to your parents.
This is how you talk to your mom?
[speaking Mandarin]
Why don't you try to be
your father's wife?
Then you'll see who the miserable one is.
[basketball thumping]
[in English] Boogie, run the play.
[indistinct chatter]
-Yo, float to the corner, fam.
-Boogie, use the screen.
-Use the screen!
-[student 1] Throw the ball, bro.
[student 2] Pass it.
[Hawkins] Come on.
-[whistle blows]
-What happened?
-That's selfish basketball.
-Look at this fucking cornball.
What'd I tell
you about snitching, man?
-[Hawkins] All right.
-You got a wire on you?
-Everybody, relax. Come on.
-You want to borrow my phone, call 911?
He's just doing the play you called.
Come on.
All right, everybody, hit the showers.
That's it for today.
Think that's funny? Huh?
I mean, a little bit.
See next practice if it's funny.
Go take a shower.
And you, I want to have a conversation.
[door opening]
Come on, guys, keep it moving.
Nothing to see here.
Chill out on the rubbernecking.
Come on, speed it up.
Snitches get stiches.
Let's get this Axe body spray going.
[door closing]
We're all excited.
We have a chance to win every game
with you playing on this team.
But if you want to beat
Monk and Brooklyn
and let's be honest,
it's the reason why you're here
you have to start playing team ball.
This team is hot trash.
You can't say that.
It's a fact.
You won three games last year.
You can't reduce people to hot trash,
regardless of how many games
they lost last year.
I'm not talking about them as people.
On the court, team is hot trash.
We didn't ask you to come here.
You're here for your own selfish reasons.
You chose this family
when you transferred here.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] Your lovely son
got in an argument with the coach.
-Here you are.
-Thank you, brother-in-law.
[cutlery clattering]
The future NBA star gets the bigger bowl.
Beat Monk at City Prep,
and those college scholarships
will come pouring in.
-You guys put the egg in raw?
-Cools the noodles down just right.
Ah! Raw egg.
What was the argument?
Hmm. Hey! Tell your dad,
tell him what you said!
He actually told the coach
his teammates were trash!
What were you thinking?
-What did you say to the coach?
-What else could I say after that?
"Sorry, Coach, but my son isn't lying.
His teammates are trash!"
-[cutlery clatters]
-What the fuck are you two thinking?
[Mr. Chin] So, are we compatible?
[fortune teller] The dragon
cannot bear suffering.
And the stubborn dog sees this as weak.
Please, you can't curse in Taiwanese
and you can barely speak Chinese,
yet all day you walk around like a punk
muttering "Fuck you, fuck you."
If you want to throw chopsticks,
go throw them at the school!
Keep talking!
This stupid idea of Alfred going
to City Prep to beat Monk was yours.
You're the one who wanted him to transfer
to this stupid school
and play with this garbage team!
[speaking Mandarin]
-I'll slap your fucking face!
-What are you going to do? Slap me?
But, as always with the sun and the stars,
there are strengths and weaknesses
with which to build a potential life,
if you so choose.
-[Mrs. Chin] I knew you couldn't do it!
-Keep talking!
You walk around all day eating
instant noodles in your underwear
while your business is rotting!
-I dare you to keep talking!
-Don't do this! Stop it!
Hey!
It's all because of him
our son has become like this!
We made the decision together!
Bullshit! Fuck off!
It's all weaknesses.
[dish crashes]
[indistinct chatter]
["When It's All Over" playing]
[Boogie in English] Oh, shit.
[coughs] Damn.
Yo, I always forget
the south-side exit got the fishmongers.
Yo. How is Chinatown next to SoHo?
These gremlin keepers,
they ain't learned to boutique their shit.
Yo, I need to see a white chick
cop a durian, for real.
[laughs] You been to this spot before?
[Richie] Nah, but my mom wrote it up
for the Times, though.
Damn, your mom works for
The New York Times?
Yeah. What your parents do?
Man, my mom talks shit,
and my dad drives a Town Car.
[chuckles] Hey, I mean, my pop's Dominican
so you know I never met him.
-[laughs] Man, you stupid.
-[chuckles] Hey, can't stop us now.
-[Boogie] Yo, that's Eleanor.
-[Richie] Oh, shit, it is.
You still want to go in?
Yeah, I mean, she kind of bad
when she not dressed
like Capone-N-Noreaga.
[Richie laughing]
-I love this.
-Mmm, I don't know.
I think you're kind of
swimming in it. It's like
Yeah? I really like it.
Oversized is cute, no?
Oversized is cute, but you got
them sleeves looking like used condoms.
-Excuse me?
-Out. Get the fuck out.
-[Boogie] Damn.
-I'm sorry.
-Get-- get out.
-I'm trying to buy that.
-He just gets like that sometimes.
-Sorry.
-Uncalled-for. Uncalled-for.
-So what's good?
-You're a fucking asshole.
-Don't front. You know that was funny.
That girl and her little influencer
friends help keep the shop open.
-She got bread like that?
-[Eleanor] She's 18 and sells Fit Tea.
She don't spend money on nothing
but vintage and wet wipes.
[chuckles] So you hate this chick
more than I do.
Of course I hate this chick.
I hate all these fucking thirst traps
with their spray tans
and their butt injections
fucking up the game.
Who doesn't hate a thirst trap?
Don't front.
You should come to the game
this weekend, though.
I don't fuck with ballplayers.
You ever huff spray paint before?
-Spray what?
-[Alissa] Hmm?
-Go on.
-[Richie] Shit, nah, but
I'm 'bout-- I'm 'bout it all.
This what you got to do to get daddy mad?
[sniffs] Oh, shit. Damn, this is crazy.
I like freaky girls like you.
-All right.
-This is what I'm talking about.
-Freaky like y'all do exciting stuff.
-[Alissa] Nah. Mm-hmm.
Like, you're doing good work out here.
Like, you living life.
'Ey, yo. Richie, you too.
Get the fuck out.
Okay.
Damn, girl, I was actually
gonna cop something.
-But now I'm not.
-Bye.
Sorry.
You will all present
your own coming-of-age stories,
but as we see in the literature,
while you may one day stand
singular and triumphant,
no one ever gets there alone.
Except maybe Bilbo Baggins.
John Wick?
John Wick. Good.
I'm culturally relevant again.
So, let's all break into pairs.
I'll leave it to you
to choose your copilot.
Don't be shy.
[indistinct chatter]
Can you believe I'm hungry again?
I need eat something right now.
Good day, madam.
-Yo, so what's up?
-About what?
-Being partners.
-Don't play yourself.
What do you want?
I-- I want to be partners.
I want to read the book together.
We'll, like
we'll get mad A's together.
I'm spoken for.
Damn, though. That was close.
Good try, Arroz Con Pollo.
You know, you a little bit racist.
You know that, right?
Nah, I'm just hungry.
-Oh.
-Mm-hmm.
[sighs]
I feel like the game is strong.
I don't know what it is.
Is it strong?
I feel like a left-handed layup right now.
[chuckles]
[audience cheers on TV]
-[Boogie] What year was this again?
-[Mr. Chin] June 5, 1989.
One day after Tiananmen.
Greatest moment in Asian American history.
[scoffs] This tennis match? Come on.
[Mr. Chin] Name another.
-[audience cheers]
-[commentator] Unbelievable
'08 Olympics.
You cried when Yao Ming carried the flag
for the opening ceremony.
Eight-eight-oh-eight was emotional,
but it was a ceremony.
Plus, not Asian American.
-Linsanity.
- [scoffs]
He gave the credit to Jesus.
[chuckles] He did.
What about the girl
that designed the Vietnam War Memorial?
[Mr. Chin] Oh. That was big.
Maya Lin was only 21
when she designed that.
But Michael Chang won a Grand Slam.
[Boogie] How old was Michael Chang
when he won this?
[Mr. Chin] Seventeen, same as you.
I'm 18, man. You know what? Whatever.
You've been watching
this old-ass tennis match from 1989
over and over again.
[commentator] Against the number-one seed
If you were Chinese in America in 1989,
this match would matter to you.
[commentator] who literally
should not be on the court.
If you are just joining us,
you are joining us
at one of the magic moments in this sport.
[audience cheers]
[commentator] Double fault!
Michael Chang has won the match.
I don't believe it.
[rattling]
-[Mr. Chin] Is the coach coming?
-[Mrs. Chin] He said 5:00.
-It's 5:10.
-He's gonna be here soon, okay?
[in Mandarin] What is this?
[in English]
He's not gonna sit in this chair, is he?
What's wrong with the chair?
What's wrong with this chair?
It looks like fuck.
-Dining room chair?
-We're not a Chinese restaurant.
-Xiao Ming?
-No.
-[Boogie] It's my chair.
-No!
-I like my chair.
-No, this is ridiculous.
-It's the best chair we have.
-This is not a spa.
It's a great chair. Don't worry about it.
-[knocking on door]
-[whispering] Get ready.
-[Boogie whispering] It's a good chair.
-[Mr. Chin whispering] It is a good chair.
-[Patrick] Hey.
-[Mrs. Chin] Oh, hey.
-Welcome.
-[Patrick] What's happening?
[Mrs. Chin] Thanks for coming.
-[Patrick] Thank you for having me.
-[Mrs. Chin] Yeah.
-Come in. Good to see you.
-How are you today?
-All right.
-Oh, I'm sorry. Um, no shoes in the house.
-Oh! Not a problem at all.
-Yeah.
Hold on. Not a problem.
-I'll put some respect on the house.
-Thank you. Thank you.
-Absolutely. Boogie!
-Patrick.
-What's up, my guy?
-Nice to see you.
-How are you?
-Good.
-The man of the house.
-Hey, Coach. Thank you for coming.
Thank you for having me.
How's the day going?
Just hanging. Would you like some tea?
Oh, nah, that's the official
beverage of the Sunken Place.
-I'm cool on that.
-Oh, do you want some coffee, then?
Uh, it's a little too late for coffee,
but thank you.
-Beer? Yeah?
-Beer.
A man after my own heart.
I'd definitely take a beer.
Everyone likes beer.
This chair is very comfortable, man.
-Yeah.
-[Mrs. Chin] Oh, thank you.
-[Mr. Chin] Chinese beer.
-Chinese beer? It says, "Taiwan beer."
-Oh, um, it's complicated.
-[Patrick] Oh.
Okay. Well, look, man,
thank y'all for having me.
-I know you got a big game this weekend.
-Yeah, I'm looking forward to it.
Yeah, man. Hey.
Dennis Thompson, he's tough,
but I know you got some tricks
up your sleeve.
-Yeah, we'll see. I feel pretty good.
-Yeah, I'm not even worried about that,
but when you going against
the Dennis Thompsons of the world
and the Monks, like, you know, you just,
you can't keep your foot
on the gas the way that you do.
You know, you got to
switch up your speeds.
You know, put some trust
in your teammates, stay focused.
At the highest level, it's mental.
You dig?
-Yeah.
-Thank you.
-Hey, that's right.
-[Mr. Chin] Thank you.
-Pops likes that.
-Okay, I'm sorry, Patrick, but, uh
I mean, are you gonna give him
a scholarship or not?
-Shh, shh. Hey, hey.
-No, wait.
I mean, this is a valid question.
We've been talking
for over a year now, but
there's still no scholarship offer.
Hey, Mrs. Chin, you know,
like this beer, it's complicated.
But we can give Boogie
a first-class education at Georgetown,
and a walk-on spot on the team,
and I'll connect him
with some of our financial aid advisors
and, you know,
see what can happen, but unfortunately,
there are no scholarships
available right now.
["Big drip" playing]
[announcer] Welcome to the Barracks,
where, if you're not going hard,
you should've stayed on the FDR.
You know how NY gets it cracking.
And by the way, this is Monk's house,
so if you trying to be the best,
you got to beat the best.
And that's word to Artest. Let's go.
Oh, shit. Monk is here.
The champ came to stake his claim.
Let's go, baby.
-Everything good?
-No doubt.
Y'all look at this nigga right here.
[announcer] I see you, Chin!
[man] He ain't shit.
That nigga ain't worth shit, man.
-[announcer] That ain't nothin'.
-Little cute-ass nigga.
-Word. What up?
-[announcer] Fire his ass up today.
Let's get it poppin'.
Monk, let's get it, baby.
Let's go!
A'ight, hit Monk.
Spin on 'em. Serve it up.
-Banzai!
-[all cheer]
[announcer] Look who we have here.
The Vanilla Gorilla.
Memphis Houston is in the building.
The young Jedi has arrived.
Try to pull a sword out
of stone on Monk's court.
A'ight, what you gonna do,
Vanilla? Gotcha!
A'ight, let's go, Monk.
This your crib. Let's get it.
-[all cheer]
-[announcer] Welcome to the party!
-Ah!
-[crowd cheering]
[announcer] Get 'em.
Caught 'em. Split 'em both.
Oh!
What the fuck?
[song concludes]
[chuckles] Sure fucked this nigga, man.
Somebody get this nigga
some crutches, man.
Fuck it, he need a wheelchair.
What the fuck is wrong with you guys?
Are you okay?
-Here.
-[Monk] Patch him up. [chuckles]
[Eleanor] That's what it means
to you niggas, huh?
Who's fucking each other up?
I don't enjoy doing it,
but if it's what I got to do,
I'mma do it.
I wouldn't hurt someone
just to win a game,
and I hope you wouldn't, either.
Why you so upset about it, though?
He's a bully.
It's one thing to cross someone.
It's another to break their ankles
and then laugh at them.
It's just a game.
Yeah, I like talking about this
with you, though.
That's just game.
It's not game. I've been consistent.
Okay.
I'm into you.
["Astronauts" playing]
What else are you into?
Dominoes.
-You play dominoes?
-Yeah. I mean, I used to.
What happened?
My Uncle Jack, he don't want me
taking people's lunch money.
[giggles] He right, though. You nice?
Not as nice as I am at basketball,
but I don't really care.
I just like counting 'em up.
-That's the most Asian shit you've said.
-[chuckles]
-She shoots
-Flying down.
-she doesn't score.
-[chuckles]
So, don't go too far left.
That make sense?
Yeah, but Yeah.
So, I know you want to go,
like, down the middle
-and, like, Michael Jordan airtime it.
-[chuckles]
-You know what I mean?
-Yeah, why not?
So just go from over here, here
You're good.
-Yeah.
-But it looks so cool when you go fast.
You know, when they're, like
-when you're, like [laughs]
-[Boogie] Oh, oh. Okay.
-Oh!
-Oh, I got it.
Get it.
Shoot a couple.
Feel like I need to put some swag into it,
you know?
[Boogie] Let's go.
You got it. Put the swag in it.
-Aw.
-Damn, I suck.
It's like I'm going too high.
-It's a miracle.
-[Eleanor] Shut up.
-[Boogie] We out.
-Did you guys see that? [chuckles]
[Boogie] We out. We out.
That's what I'm talking about.
["Plug Speak Taiwanese" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Hawkins] Stay focused. Team defense.
Close out! Close out!
[crowd cheering]
[Mr. Chin in Mandarin] Who is he?
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] One of the top
college basketball recruiting agents.
[girl] Oh, you fucked up now.
You know what it is!
[Hawkins] All right, stay focused.
[man] This is our first
big test against Midtown Tech.
Fuck it, we passing this test.
Box, box.
Clear it. Clear it. Clear it.
[woman] And all these scouts
that came out to see Dennis Thompson
and doubted my baby,
can choke on a ham bone.
[man] Listen, as a self-hating Chinaman,
I was skeptical about this
Boogie character coming to City Prep.
Why? 'Cause he wasn't
playing Jenga with you in the boba spot?
-[scoffs] Perhaps.
-Terry, you got to stop hating.
Do you see them yellow thighs? Mm!
I see you, zaddy!
What's "zaddy"? Is that an app?
It's like "daddy," but it's sexy.
You just put some twang on it. "Zaddy."
[Terry] There he goes. There he goes.
-All right.
-[crowd cheering]
[Terry] Boogie has busted Midtown,
so now they're playing
Dennis on him mano y mano.
A'ight, stay focused.
Get that zone set up on the defense.
Yo, man, scouts is here
for Dennis Thompson,
your man got us playing
this weak-ass zone.
-He ain't my mans.
-Call the shot, nigga.
One, one, one.
Come on, don't go rogue.
Stick to the plan!
Play the zone!
[referee] Time out.
[whistle blows]
Reading you like a menu, son.
Come on. Too easy!
Sit your ass down.
-Don't play yourself.
-What?
I'm the coach of this team.
You respect the plays that I call.
-That's a weird flex, Coach, but a'ight.
-Excuse me?
-We're up 11. It don't matter if I sit.
-You know what? Get out of here.
[Terry] With about three minutes left,
Coach Hawkins has sent Boogie
to the locker room.
Did you not agree with that?
[in Mandarin] The roof is not straight.
That's why the bottom is crooked.
-He got all his bad temper from you!
-My bad temper?
Of course, it's not from me.
-Who's the one losing their temper now?
-[door opening]
[in English]
Why don't you go handle the coach again?
[in Mandarin] Fuck you!
Don't put everything on me.
He started fine!
When you got out of prison,
you'd tell him,
"Beat Monk. Play in the NBA!"
Next time you're in prison,
I hope you are never released!
[in English] Shit.
Mrs. Chin. I'd like to introduce you
to Josh from St. John's.
Mrs. Chin, Josh. Nice to meet you.
Hi. Nice to finally meet you in person.
[Josh] Yeah, well, it worked out this time
because I'm here
to see Dennis Thompson.
-Okay.
-[Josh] Oh, I mean,
Boogie put on a hell of a show,
for sure. That's why I'm here now.
Well, thank you.
We really appreciate that.
[Josh] Now, I'm gonna have to
confirm this with the coach,
but I think we could guarantee Boogie
a non-scholarship spot
at St. John's next season.
-A non-scholarship spot?
-Yeah. Yeah, exactly that.
With all due respect, Boogie could
walk on at any college and start.
As I said inside,
we're looking for a scholarship offer.
Hmm. Look, I love Boogie, I really do,
but you saw him self-destruct,
-at the end of the game.
-Well, I--
Now, physically, he's all there,
but, mentally, he's raw.
Maybe he's just passionate
about winning, Josh.
[scoffs]
Uh, let's keep in touch, okay?
Mrs. Chin, it was a pleasure.
Talk to you soon.
[man] Don't look at me like that.
-What'd he say?
-[in Mandarin] What else is there to say?
He said your temper is as bad as shit.
No scholarship.
How long do you want me
to keep defending you?
When are you going to learn?
I don't have a problem.
[Mrs. Chin]
When are you going to fucking learn?!
[in English] Meet Uncle Melvin.
He can help you get
a scholarship into a Division I school.
-[chuckles]
-He'll clean up your mess.
[in Mandarin]
Hello, Uncle. Nice to meet you.
-He doesn't speak Chinese.
-[Melvin] It's nice to meet you, Alfred.
He's your new manager.
-[in Mandarin] Does Dad know about this?
-We're not doing it his way anymore!
This is your life, not his!
Mr. Chin, Alfred,
pleasure to meet with you both today.
[Mr. Chin] Hmm. The pleasure is ours.
And Alfred would like to begin
by saying something.
[in Mandarin] Apologize.
Well, if Boogie's not ready,
there are a few things
I want to get off my chest.
Xiao Ming.
[school bell ringing]
I'm sorry, Coach Hawkins
and Principal Kodak.
That's not necessary.
This is our culture.
I sincerely regret
embarrassing the school,
my family and my ancestors.
I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity
to play at City Prep
and won't take it for granted again.
And we are happy to have you, Alfred.
[Mr. Chin] I hope this is satisfactory,
and assures both of you
that Alfred has strong parents,
who value respect and discipline.
These are things
our culture is founded on,
and without them, we are nothing.
[Hawkins] It's water under the bridge.
I mean, it's good to know
that Alfred values respect and discipline
and I look forward to coaching him.
-Two. Two million.
-Give me that back.
Don't be mad.
[Richie] Yo, you ain't even
shuffled right, son.
Oh, you're gonna blame it on the shuffle.
Clearly, bro, you got all
the money, you got all the--
-This is not right.
-All right, well, you know,
how about next time,
you shuffle the deck?
Let's just get to the book real quick,
you feel me?
You really want to read this
book over playing this game?
Look, I don't want to read the book.
I just kind of have to read the book
if I'm finna get into college.
Like, I need to pass this class, homey.
I'm just saying, bro, like,
none of these books
-[Richie] Uh-huh?
-that none the school has given me
did I connect to.
Not one. None of the characters,
none of the stories, nothing.
-It's fake, man.
-Man, we don't got to connect.
We just got to get some grades,
you feel me, man?
Have you ever connected to
anybody in a story like this?
Legit, have you, in any book?
I mean, my mom put me onto
this one dude Oscar Wao.
He a Dominican cat, and, uh,
he had to go back to the DR
and live with his family over there,
and that shit was
pretty cool, actually, so
you know, if you keep looking,
there might be something.
I need to pass this class, homey.
We'll finish this shit after, bro.
-I'll take your money afterwards.
-[Richie chuckles] I should've bet.
[chuckles]
So, um, you don't think it's likely
that Alfred gets a scholarship
to one of the top-ten schools
at this point, huh?
No, I don't. The blowup in the last game
really hurt him.
Oh, come on, Melvin.
He's just aggravated because
his father has him on this suicide mission
to beat the number-one player
in the five boroughs.
Don't think that's the issue.
Okay. Listen. Alfred is my only son,
and I've sacrificed everything for him,
so I'm not gonna allow him to fall
through the cracks like his father did.
You got to trust me.
You brought me in to look out
for Boogie's best--
"Alfred," please.
Right. Alfred's interests.
You know, it was actually a very astute
move to transfer to City Prep.
-Excuse me?
-That game against Dennis Thompson,
that's what opened the door to China.
-China?
-Yeah.
See, this is actually what
I wanted to speak with you about
before we got side-tracked
with scholarships.
I took it upon myself
to send Alfred's tape
from the game against Dennis Thompson
to a few teams in the CBA.
-CBA is?
-The Chinese Basketball Association.
-[chuckles] Okay.
-Alfred checks a lot of boxes for China.
-Yeah?
-He speaks Mandarin.
-Mm-hmm.
-He has Chinese values.
But he looks culturally American,
and he's good enough to play here.
I spun it as Alfred bypassing the NCAA
and choosing China over America.
The teams ate it up.
They're going to make offers.
Offers?
Look, I know it's a lot to take in,
but you got to trust me.
[school bell ringing]
[Mr. Richmond] How did everyone feel
about Catcher in the Rye?
Mr. Todd.
It's real. It reads like it could be
written by one of my friends.
The observations he makes
about, um, other students
and adults and just phonies in general,
I can literally feel it
on my skin as I read.
God, that's great that you had
such a visceral reaction.
Even-- even just your description of it
is very, um very touching.
Thank you, Todd.
-Uh Miss Eleanor.
-I agree with Todd.
Holden questions.
Questions what we're told
should matter to us,
and he sees through them
as meaningless and phony.
And it makes me think whether
we actually have meaning in our lives
or if we're just
playing a game.
[chuckles] Y'all crazy.
Excuse me?
Uh, Mr. Boogie, I am excited
to hear what you have to say,
but let's honor decorum.
-Word.
-Please continue.
-I can't stand Holden.
-[Mr. Richmond] That's interesting.
-I do like Mr. Antolini, though.
-Huh? That's weird.
He's usually the parents' favorite.
-And most kids like Holden?
-[Mr. Richmond] Yeah.
Your other classmates
look at him as a hero,
or at least an antihero of sorts.
He's not a hero. He's just privileged.
Anyone with that much free time
is gonna be good at complaining.
You're a nihilist.
You think life is basketball.
Playing basketball is gonna
save my broke-ass family.
[Mr. Richmond] Okay, okay. Decorum.
Mr. Boogie.
Look, I'mma just speak for myself.
There are a lot of kids like me
that have a lot of
stuff going on at home,
and they have no choice
but to grow up fast.
I resent Holden
'cause he's looking for meaning
and he's dying for responsibility,
but doesn't have the slightest idea
of how that actually feels.
[Mr. Richmond] Hmm.
I want you to speak up more in class
like that, okay? That was really smart.
You're lucky you have purpose.
You don't want to know
what's going on in my house.
Try me.
Hello?
I don't want to count it up.
Does that make sense?
-No.
-I'm not trying to play struggle Olympics.
I'm not either, but you the one
that wanted to ask me
about my trash-ass life.
Yeah, I want to know your shit,
but I didn't think
you'd have to know mine.
My mom, she's a controlling psychopath
that doesn't love or believe in me,
but she's responsible.
My dad is irresponsible,
but he loves and believes in me.
-Your mom loves you.
-How do you know that?
It's just one of them things.
Parents love you.
I really don't think she fucks with me
unless I succeed.
-Why's your life trash?
-[chuckles] My dad loves me,
but it's kind of like
how a dog loves their owner.
It's unconditional, but it's unconscious.
And my mom
she just wants me to be
more like my older sister.
She thinks I'm "unnecessarily difficult
and opinionated,"
and I'm just trying to keep it real.
-[Boogie chuckles]
-Just want to be real.
-What's so funny?
-We sound like losers. [chuckles]
Have you seen these docs like
The Jinx or The Staircase?
Yeah, but what you trying to say?
How does someone that loves you
end up throwing you down a staircase?
How does O.J. become O.J.?
-[Eleanor] O.J.?
-How'd I get to this point with my mom?
-You don't have to smile about it.
-Nah, I mean, it
it's just funny.
It doesn't have to be funny
if you don't find it funny.
-That was like a thank you kiss.
-[chuckles] What's a thank you kiss?
Like, "Thanks for listening, friend."
[scoffs] I want you to kiss me
because you like me.
I always liked you.
You're annoying.
Yeah, but I think you like it.
-Just a little bit.
-I got to pee.
-Again?
-What you mean, "again"?
-We just-- Goddamn.
-You're so rude.
We got to navigate around tai chi lady,
but we out. Come on.
[Eleanor chuckles] I actually really want
to learn tai chi.
["Stylin" playing]
[crowd cheering]
[Eleanor] Oh, you think
you got me sewed up now?
[Boogie] What? I'm not pump-faking you.
I'm here with both feet on the ground.
You getting gold or red?
-[Eleanor] Red.
-[Boogie] Done.
-The gold look kind of cool.
-[Eleanor] Don't you like the red?
[Boogie] All right, all right.
-Y'all didn't want the smoke.
-[Alissa laughing]
-Alissa, you
-[all laugh]
Uh-huh. Yo. You looking nice from here.
[chuckles]
[Eleanor] I didn't see you knock.
-[Alyssa chuckles]
-[Richie] A'ight.
[crowd cheering]
Got 'em.
Hey, come here, come here.
Look, relax.
Look at the scoreboard. We're winning.
[Boogie] That was actually really smart.
Because I can't go.
That was a good move.
[indistinct chatter]
-Going into your little fortress.
-Stop judging my style.
[all laugh]
[Eleanor] You really think you slick, huh?
-You want to see the show?
-Aquariums are like Rikers for dolphins.
I do want to show you
my coming-of-age story, though.
Okay.
[song continues]
[Eleanor] You're not scared at all?
[Boogie] I've never been allowed
to be scared. Why you scared, though?
[Boogie] Are you out?
-[Eleanor] Cut the check!
-[all laugh]
[Boogie] Have you ever been in love?
[Eleanor] Hmm nah.
[chuckles] Mm. That's so good.
-[bell buzzing]
-[crowd cheering]
[song concludes]
-Yeah!
-[Eleanor] I want to show you something.
-[giggles]
-[Boogie] That's real romantic. I like it.
[Eleanor] That's a funny story that
I don't feel like getting into right now.
[Boogie] Fine. My bad.
[pop music playing on speakers]
I love this dolphin collection.
[Eleanor chuckles] From Trinidad.
Dolphins are my thing.
[Boogie] All this stuff kind of fits,
but why the cat?
It was from my grandma.
She passed away.
This was always
on her coffee table.
I don't even fuck with cats,
but I fuck with this one.
[Boogie] It's Grandma,
so I get it. It's cool.
[Eleanor] What is wrong with you?
-[Boogie] Wrong with me?
-Yeah.
What's up with this ice-skating music?
Quit stalling
and just pull it out. [laughs]
-Don't laugh.
-[laughs] What?
I never done this.
That's cool,
but you still gonna have to pull it out
if we gonna do this.
[music continues]
You done this before?
-Once.
-With who?
None of your business with who.
You gonna talk yourself out of this
if you keep playing.
All right. [sighs]
I measured my shit hard,
and I'm above average,
-[chuckles]
-but [exhales]
I'm soft right now.
Let me see the wick.
Damn. We might just need to be friends.
-Fuck you.
-[Eleanor laughing]
-I'm sensitive about this.
-I'm just playing. Why you so sensitive?
You got this crazy music pumping,
and it's my first time.
-It's a lot of pressure.
-[inhales] Relax.
-You ever fucked with an Asian dude?
-Nah. I don't know why you tripping.
I'm tripping 'cause
my dick might be trash.
[music continues]
I'm good?
You good, babe.
[music continues]
[Mrs. Chin] Hey, Alfred.
[music stops]
-[Boogie] Yo, what's up?
-Alfred. How are you?
[Boogie] I'm good.
Three weeks till we play Monk.
[in Mandarin] Sit down.
We're having Tang Yuen.
[Boogie in English] Tang Yuen.
What's the occasion?
Hmm. What's the occasion?
Well
Me and Uncle Melvin
are working on a big plan
to let you play basketball in China.
[suspenseful music playing]
-China?
-Yeah.
China's an amazing opportunity, baby.
It's a chance of a lifetime. Right?
Alfred, maybe we should start
at the beginning
so you can get a sense of, um, context.
Allow me. I'm the youngest.
Okay.
Thank you, Alfred. Cheers.
So, I sent several teams in the CBA
a tape of your game
against Dennis Thompson.
-Everyone was thoroughly impressed.
-Mm-hmm.
And the Shanghai Sharks came through
with a one-year contract.
Seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
Guaranteed.
-That's a lot of money.
-I knew you'd be impressed.
-What's the catch?
-Vivian asked the same thing.
There's no catch.
Well, you'd relinquish
your college eligibility,
but you can enter the NBA draft at 19,
once you satisfy your year.
-[door opening]
-[automatic voice] Moshi, moshi.
[door closing]
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] You're early.
[Mr. Chin in English]
What's going on here?
[Melvin] I was just in the middle
of telling Alfred some good news.
-You're, um, just in time.
-Who doesn't like good news?
As I was telling Alfred,
the Shanghai Sharks have offered
a one-year contract to play in China.
He's a good son.
Absolutely. A great son.
So, you think my son
is gonna go behind my back
and sign this contract?
-We have our own plan.
-Nobody's going behind anybody's back.
We're all here to discuss this together.
Xiao Ming
did you know
we were going to discuss this?
-I didn't know.
-Melvin can save our fucking family.
Save our family?
Did you hear that, Xiao Ming? Melvin
Melvin is gonna save our family.
With all due respect,
Alfred doesn't even have
a college scholarship offer right now.
The NBA is very unlikely for him.
-Knock on wood.
-Knock on wood?
Lawrence, I'm not
knocking on wood.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] Lawrence, enough!
-[in English] Knock on wood.
-[in Mandarin] Lawrence, enough!
[in English] Lawrence, this isn't the time
to go all Chinese and superstitious.
We need to be practical.
-[grunts]
-[Mrs. Chin] Hey! Stop!
-[screaming] Lawrence, no! Lawrence!
-[Melvin] Get off!
[in Mandarin] Stop it! Stop it! Stop it!
What are you doing?
You stupid rice bucket!
Have you lost your mind?
This is Xiao Ming's dream!
If he goes to China,
he'll never get back to the NBA!
It's not his dream, Lawrence! It's yours!
[in English] It is my dream!
You never thought I was good enough
to make it, because you weren't.
All you do is talk shit and blame Dad.
[in Mandarin] What are you saying? Huh?
Mother cannot hear it. Say it again.
Speak louder!
It's a misfortune of eight lifetimes
to have a son like you!
[Melvin in English] Ask your dad
who's gonna pay these bills, huh?
You can't walk on anywhere.
-He's fucking broke.
-You don't know shit.
Yeah, yeah, come. [chuckles]
You want to hit me too?
You have trash genes,
just like your father.
He's not like his father!
You assholes are gonna be
homeless without me.
I got you a deal for 750,000 dollars.
Cash money.
Wait. Melvin, hang on a second. Melvin!
-[automated voice] Moshi, moshi.
-[door closing]
I'll get the money.
You just beat Monk in three weeks.
If you beat Monk
none of this matters.
["AP" playing]
-[man] Let's go!
-[crowd cheers]
Yo, AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
[Mr. Chin in Mandarin] Watch his eyes.
Tell me what you see.
[Boogie in English]
He doesn't look anyone in the eye.
Exactly.
He's not playing the defenders.
He's playing the floor.
[man] Let's go!
[Jackie] I know your parents are putting
a lot of pressure on you,
but it's generational.
Their parents put it on them,
their grandparents put it on them,
and so on and so forth.
-You know why we're in this country.
-I know, Uncle Jackie. We lost the war.
We lost the war. That's why we're here.
That's why we're second-rate citizens
in a country that resents us.
You know, me and your dad,
we never expected to have freedom
or independence or equality,
or any of these things you ABCs
expect to have in this country.
-I don't really have it, either.
-You don't.
You don't have it like these Americans,
but you got more than we do.
That's what we all sacrificed for.
But, I mean, if I sign that deal,
I'd be giving it all back now.
-Back at zero.
-You could still play in the NBA, right?
-Yeah.
-Well
then you're still
in the basketball business.
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
I got 52 shots in this Glock
And an infrared up
On the opp if he let off
Trey Suvy hold the chop
Yellow tape when it pop
Knock his head off
[music stops]
[police radio chatter in distance]
What's going on? He didn't do anything.
-Please step aside.
-[Boogie] We were just watching--
I said step aside!
[engine starts]
[in Mandarin] You need to hurry up
and sign the deal with Melvin!
-What happened?
-What happened?
Melvin said if you don't sign,
he's pressing charges!
-For getting slapped?
-[in English] Yes!
[in Mandarin] Who presses charges
over getting slapped?
Those non-Chinese-speaking bananas.
Just sign it!
[in English] I got to keep my mind clear.
This shit is fucked up.
[Eleanor] I mean, can they even keep him
on these charges?
It's usually not a big deal,
but my dad's on parole.
-For what?
-Assault. Twice.
-So, if you sign, your dad walks?
-Yeah. He'll drop the charges.
-What's the downside?
-Determines where I play ball.
-Oh, so I ain't get a say in this?
-[Boogie] Don't put more pressure on me.
-You think I want to leave you?
-Who said anything about leaving?
I'm not trying to put pressure on you.
I understand how difficult
this family shit is.
It's not just about family.
I owe like 5,000 years
of fucking Chinese history.
What you mean, "5,000 years
of fucking Chinese history"?
You don't understand.
Your parents don't hold it over your head
that they sacrificed everything
to give you this opportunity in America.
Okay. Not the exact same thing,
but do you know how fucking hard it was
for me to find out where I come from?
My history was fucking ripped from me.
I was cut off from my ancestors.
You're not the only one
who deals with these problems.
-Okay. Do you like beef with broccoli?
-Yeah. Who doesn't?
Italians, they got broccoli rabe
on the menu right next to the braciole.
[man] This motherfucker said
"beef and broccoli."
Okay.
The Greek, they have garlic broccoli
right next to the shell steak.
-[chuckles] So?
-So, anyone could have put them together,
but only the Chinese were willing
to bow their heads,
and serve something as stupid and basic
as beef with broccoli.
Okay, there's nothing stupid
about beef and broccoli.
Beef and broccoli isn't stupid.
It's fed neighborhoods,
and it's sustained us,
but Chinese people could be so much more,
if this country didn't reduce
us down to beef and broccoli.
-You can be so much more, too.
-It's hard.
I feel like a piece of beef
surrounded by sprouted greens and MSG.
[soft music playing]
I need you to fight for yourself
the same way you fight for being Chinese.
Alfred, you made it.
[music continues]
Two signatures.
You're doing the right thing, Alfred.
You should look this over.
There's a bunch of stipulations.
It potentially limits
your playing time with City Prep.
Just drop the charges.
Get my fucking money.
["4r Da Squaw" playing]
Yeah, if I can pay my bills
I'm good, I'm comin' over
Found a message in my bottle
Your son is comin' up
"By the beer, by ear, by boo"
What Yari saying?
You ain't nothin' but a baby
Your fear is growin' up
Listen here, I say, my dude
And what you call it
It was heaven at the bottom
And peace from throwin' up
"By the beer, by ear, by boo"
My Yari saying
You ain't nothin' but a baby
Your fear is growin' up
I think I do this shit
For real, dawg, hey
I ain't no motherfuckin' maybe
I'm for motherfuckin' real, dawg
[chuckles] What's up, little man?
I seen you taking notes at the Barracks.
Now it's time for me to take my notes.
Know what I'm saying?
Take it easy, man.
Nice new haircut. [chuckles]
Just got a report.
They say you was an angry little dude.
Come on, guys.
-Guys, it's not necessary.
-We good.
I ain't worried about this little kid.
Yeah, grab your backpack.
-Hey, tell Juicy I said, "What's up?"
-Who the fuck is Juicy?
Oh, your girl didn't tell you
I used to call her Juicy?
["Faded" playing]
Hey, well, ask her
how my dick taste, nigga. [laughs]
Catour, fuck it up!
Tried my hardest not to hate you
Should've known
She wasn't faithful, no
Thought you was real
Must've mistaked you
Just like your friends
Them hoes is fake too, no, oh
I took my Bentley 'round the city
Thinkin' 'bout you
But you know them hoes is with me now
I get out my feelings quickly
But I get high and then just think
'Bout how you did me
-Faded
-So if I ain't your nigga
-Then that ain't my booty
-Faded
-And if this ain't real love
-Faded
-Then I'll keep it movin'
-Faded
One thing's for certain
And two thing's for sure
Been 'bout my money
Give a fuck 'bout no hoe, oh
Last time I seen your face
Leavin', you packed your things
I thought that you would change
I was a fool, I stayed
Playin' in this cruel love game
Take a shot to ease the pain
Wish I could fast forward
This ain't what I asked for
[song fades]
[Richie] Yo. You know I don't
give a fuck if you smoke.
The game's tomorrow night, B.
Yeah, fuck it. Doesn't really matter
what happens in the game tomorrow.
-How you figure?
-My dad's in jail again.
My mom sold me to China. My girl's a liar.
Who cares anymore?
She ain't lie to you.
She should've told you,
but she ain't lie to you.
Word. I should've known
it's "don't ask, don't tell."
So you ain't tell Eleanor
about China yet?
Fuck you.
[chuckles] My man, I'm trying to help you
pick up the pieces here.
I don't give a fuck anymore, man.
I got nobody.
Who am I picking up the pieces for?
Look, I know that even if
I play my best tomorrow night,
I'm not touching Monk.
You're the only one
who has a shot at beating him.
All right, don't be like that white boy
Colden Haulfield or whatever the fuck.
A'ight, that's not you. Don't you want
to know if you can beat him?
-Fuck Monk.
-My man, fuck you.
Everyone on that team wishes they was you,
but they not,
so they give up shots,
they play defense.
We do the dirty work all season long
so that you get your shot.
-It's a team game. Ain't about me.
-Oh, so now you a team player.
-I've been a team player.
-My man, this has always been about you.
Your plan to beat Monk,
your shot at college,
your dream to make it
into the NBA, a'ight?
Everyone here is here for you.
And now you're not even here
for your goddamn self.
[basketball thumping]
[keypad tapping]
[Hawkins] Does he realize
how important this game is?
[assistant coach] Man, he's gonna
get here. It's just, you know
[cellphone vibrates]
Richie, Boogie's gonna miss shootaround.
You know where he is?
Yo, you pressing on me
like a 7-Eleven Cuban, Coach.
-Yo, he'll be here.
-Chill out, man.
-7-Eleven Cuban?
-You're making these kids nervous, man.
[Hawkins] Come on.
What's a 7-Eleven Cuban?
[assistant coach] It's a sandwich.
[sighs]
You ready?
You ready? You?
It's simple. This game, this moment,
all the hard work,
all the sweat, all the drills,
it's what we've been working for.
And we did it as a team.
Not as one person, as a team.
-Let's go. Come on!
-Let's get it. Let's get it. Let's get it.
-Richie, come here.
-We're gonna get it rollin' and roasted.
Listen, level with me. Where's Boogie?
-I don't know.
-You told me he'll be here.
Look, Coach, I'm here, a'ight?
I can't speak for nobody else,
but I'm here, Coach.
[door opening]
Get dressed.
[upbeat music playing]
[crowd chanting] Boogie! Boogie!
Boogie! Boogie! Boogie!
[crowd cheering]
-Let's go.
-Alfred, what the hell are you doing?
Your deal with the CBA
strictly forbids you
-from playing in this game.
-What deal?
-What?
-You should've read the contract.
He needs to play in this game.
What is he talking about?
I just want to play ball.
-He signed a deal.
-Hey, hey. Do you not speak English?
-What'd he just say?
-I do. I-- What-- what's going on?
-Relax. Take it easy.
-What are they talking about?
[referee] Fellas, what's going on
over here? Listen, we got a game to play.
-Listen, if you don't play on time
-I know.
-you forfeit.
-We just need a couple of minutes.
[Melvin] He's supposed to go to China,
that's what the problem is.
-[Hawkins] So?
-You signed the deal, right?
-[player] Yo, so we playing or?
-[Melvin] He can't play in this game.
-Yo.
-[spectator] Just let him play!
You here for me or Monk?
-What did you say?
-You heard me.
What's up, Juicy?
I see you chose this egg roll.
Shut the fuck up, you big-head biscuit.
Your sister give you
that busted-ass lineup?
She always did talk a lot.
[Hawkins] All right, guys, come on,
back in the locker room.
-[referee] All right, all right--
-[indistinct shouting]
Let's get 'em, nigga!
[whistle blows]
This game is disqualified! Everybody!
This team's supposed to be
in the locker room!
-I don't want to hear it.
-[Hawkins] Good!
I don't care! This game is forfeited.
Let's go. Everybody out! Out!
We'll settle this shit at the Barracks.
[in Mandarin] Xiao Ming! Stop it!
[in English] Whatever you want
to do, Wonton Soup.
[Mrs. Chin in Mandarin] Xiao Ming!
Stop it! You're going to China anyway!
-Xiao Ming, no! Xiao Ming!
-[all shouting]
[in English] Enough.
You made this always about you.
You let the school down.
You let this team down.
-Saturday, I'mma be at your house.
-[chuckles] I'mma be home.
-[guard] Guys, guys. Please.
-[team laughing]
[all clamoring]
Yeah, a'ight. Sound good. Sound good.
[guard] Come on, come on.
Let's go! Let's go!
[voices fade]
[instrumental music playing]
[in Mandarin] So this is what happens
when a dragon and a dog meet.
-They make a snake.
-I'm a snake.
-I know. I don't see many snakes.
-[Boogie] Why not?
Snakes are very intuitive beings.
They don't seek the input of others.
Thank you.
-What bothers you, snake?
-I don't want to do the wrong thing.
-Wrong for who?
-My parents, my ancestors,
my teammates, my girlfriend
I feel like anything I do
is wrong to someone.
Right is relative.
Ancestors, parents, friends, books even,
can only get you to the desert's edge.
In the important moments,
you have to make the right choice
and drink the water for yourself.
["Welcome To The Party"
by Pop Smoke playing]
This is a Melo beat
Baby, welcome to the party
I'm off the Molly, the Xan, the lean
That's why I'm movin' retarded
That's why I'm movin' retarded
Baby, welcome to the party
I hit the boy up
And then I go skate in a 'Rari
Baby, welcome to the party
Bitch I'm a thot, get me lit
Gun on my hip
One in the head, ten in the clip
-[Monk] One, two, three.
-[teammates] Barracks!
-[Monk] Four, five, six.
-Make it, baby!
Just lower your tone
'Cause you could get hit
Don't let that Henny in my system
I catch a body
Next day I forget it
[announcer over microphone] And we're off!
Who will reign supreme?
-Who will be the king of the Barracks?
-[player] Hold on, look.
Who will be the coco bread
to Juicy's patty?
Ew! Fucking pervert.
[announcer] A'ight, Boogie,
what you gonna do?
Put it in.
Oh, yeah, shorty.
-That's all you got?
-Yeah.
Watch this. Look, look.
[announcer] A'ight, let's go. Bring it up.
That's why I'm movin' retarded
Baby, welcome to the party
Look, look. You a baby. Look.
Baby, welcome to the party
[announcer] Oh, there it is.
Monk with the bucket. Four-zip.
Gun on my hip
One in the head, ten in the clip
[announcer] What you gonna do, Boogie?
Oh, the trap.
Richie!
[announcer] Bad pass. Guess who's there.
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] Oh, Monk for two!
[quietly in Mandarin]
Watch his eyes. Watch his eyes.
-[announcer] Backdoor, Monk. Bucket-bound!
-[crowd cheering]
Got a ten pack up in my jeans
I'm in Manhattan in these stores
[announcer] Bring it up. Lock up.
Oh, Monk for three. Wow!
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] That's two.
-[player] Block that.
-[announcer] Boogie on the layup.
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] Oh, Monk for three!
-Hey, man, watch your corner.
-Hey, watch corner.
[grunts]
[announcer] Arthur looking
like food out here.
-Step back, shot, cha-ching!
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] That's the first half, folks.
-[applause, whistles]
[grunts]
-Fuck basketball.
-Mm-hmm. I might even quit ballplayers.
-They're exposing me. I can't stop him.
-They're not exposing you.
They're exposing the entire
right side of the zone.
Just give us what you got.
Look, let's play a box and one.
You take Monk at the top of the key.
You'll have him one-on-one
like you always wanted.
Coach, he's better than me.
I don't want to play him one-on-one.
I want to win. You was the one
talking about team all year.
I'll stop pushing buttons.
-Come on, man, let's go.
-Yeah, that's what I'm talking about!
Dragons on three.
-One, two, three.
-Dragons!
[cheering]
-[Richie] Oh, shit.
-Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
-Let's do it. Get it.
-Let's go.
[Eleanor] You good?
I'm good.
-Game's over.
-You got the game. It's over.
Let's go, man. Let's get this done.
["Fashion" playing]
Get straight
To the cash
Looking good in all this fashion
Looking good in all this fashion
-[crowd cheering]
-[announcer] Oh! Boogie with the three.
[Monk] Hey, look out.
Looking good in all this fashion
[announcer] Oh, Boogie off the rebound!
Oh, there it is.
-[cheering]
-[Monk] Hey, yo, look.
Lowe-- Throw-- Give it up, bro.
Look.
Bro, what?
Yo, what are you doing, bro?
Richie. Richie.
-Oh, you want me to bring it up?
-Trust me.
[Monk] Hey, step up. Step up.
Boom. Boogie with the bucket,
pulling City Prep within four, 50-46.
They on a comeback.
-Richie with the bucket.
-Yo, you took my chair, B.
You missed the whole second half, man.
I thought you ditched.
I had to take a shit in the bush.
I got IBS.
[announcer] Harden step-back,
Cash App, cha-ching!
[crowd cheering]
[Boogie] Go, go, go, go, go.
Ay! Boogie with the two,
pulling it closer.
[crowd cheering]
[Monk] Pick up. Pick up.
[announcer] Richie for three. Splash!
And with 57-52,
City Prep is creeping on 'em.
All this aggression
And all of this action
Looking good in all this fashion
It's looking good in all this fashion
He got one. He got one.
Pick up. Pick up.
I got you. I got you.
Block party. Block party.
That's two. A'ight. Let's go. Bring it up.
Get away, dirty
You won't look good with this fashion
[announcer] Whoa!
-Boogie on the layup.
-[crowd cheering]
Yeah!
You won't look good with this fashion
My moves sturdy
[announcer] Monk with the three.
[Hawkins] Two minutes left.
Looking good in all this fashion
-[announcer] Boogie with the put-back.
-Yeah!
City Prep is on a comeback.
Barracks on top, 60-59.
-Set one. Set one.
-[announcer] Pass it off, top of the key.
Oh. Oh, long range.
Chicken and Cashew Nuts
puts the Dragons up two.
Good gracious.
City Prep with their first lead.
-Come on. Clear out. Clear out.
-[Monk] Clear what out?
-I'm going left.
-Go wherever you want.
[announcer] Richie taking it to the box.
Oh! He just covered his hot spot.
-[whistle blows]
-What? Where's the foul?
Where's the foul?
-Where's the foul?
-[referee] He got him with the body.
Stop crying, little ninja.
-Well, that chain weighing you down.
-[scoffs] Yeah, a'ight.
[announcer] Still 62-60.
-You know that shit ain't no foul.
-More like a love tap.
-Yeah, that soft shit.
-[chuckles]
-I wasn't soft when I was in Juicy.
-[referee] Cut the shit out, fellas.
Eighteen seconds left in the game.
Let's go.
[smooches]
[cheering]
[Boogie] Oh, we gonna get lucky.
[scoffs] Don't worry about 'em.
Cute-ass nigga. Watch this.
[suspenseful music playing]
[announcer] It's all tied up, 62-62.
[referee] Eighteen seconds left
in the game. Come on, come on, come on.
[Monk] Hey, what you gonna do?
-Yo, Richie.
-[Monk] What you gonna do now?
What you gonna do now?
[scoffs] You better off
taking it yourself.
Do something with it.
[crowd cheering]
-Told you--
-[announcer] Don't let Boogie get it.
-Got him.
-[Monk] Hey, step up.
-[cheering]
-[announcer] Boogie with the slam!
City Prep up 64-62 with seconds left.
Give it up, Monk, here.
[suspenseful music playing]
[shouting]
[Monk] Pick up that D!
[thuds]
[whistle blows]
[referee] Ball game, fellas.
City Prep wins, 64 to 62.
[cheering]
["Fear Over Love" playing]
Me dead or in jail
But that's what they want
And that's what they need
Look, you know it get worse
Before it get better
Still holdin' my head up
Expectin' the worst
[announcer] That's it. The Dragons win.
Still holdin' my head up
Me dead or in jail
But that's what they want
But that's what they need
But that's what they need
Just to lie
And throw labels on me, nigga
What do you see when you look at me?
I'd rather fear over love
Loyalty come before royalty
I know that they sick of me now
Glock movin' like medicine
Look, I know that they missin' me now
But never tried look for me then
I know that these niggas pretend
So I gotta
Stay with the Smith like Wesson
Mama, I'm sorry, still movin' around
I'm still movin' with weapons
Been through the shelter
We been through the struggle
We been through it all
Don't want your problems
Just tell me your problems
I'm solvin' 'em all
I'm solvin' 'em all
You know it get worse
Before it get better
Yeah, still holdin' my head up
Expectin' the worst
Still pray for the better, yeah
Still holdin' my head up
Me dead or in jail
But that's what they want
But that's what they need
But that's what they need
Just to lie and throw labels on me
You know it get worse
Before it get better, yeah
Yo, you good, bro?
Yeah, we good. Chin, what up?
-First one's for free.
-Yeah?
-We gonna see you again.
-Mm-hmm.
[song concludes]
[Eleanor] So, let me get this straight.
-You got a D1 scholarship?
-[Boogie] Yeah.
It wasn't to a top ten, but I got one.
-[cutlery clattering]
-Mm. Let me pour. I'm the youngest.
My parents took it hard too,
so I didn't say anything.
Feel that.
Only Holden Caulfield would
give his parents an invoice.
[chuckles] You feel me?
So, when were you gonna
tell me about China?
I didn't think
you cared about China.
-Don't be like that.
-Be like what?
Monk happened before I met you.
You can't hold that against me.
-You lied to me.
-I did not lie.
-You knew it would hurt me.
-You didn't tell me about China.
-Fuck it, then. We're both liars.
-Why are you doing this to me?
People are doing it to me.
I did everything I'm supposed to,
and I'm still being sent to China.
Shit happens to everybody.
You can't keep feeling bad for yourself.
-China could be a real blessing.
-A blessing without you.
China is an amazing opportunity,
but it isn't shit without you.
I love you.
[voices fade]
[Eleanor] You mean it?
[Boogie] I really mean it.
[Eleanor] You still want to
hear about dolphins?
[Boogie] Yeah.
When I was a little kid,
my parents took me to SeaWorld,
and I saw these dolphins
with flawless skin,
and I thought, "Those are dolphins."
But when I was 15,
we went back to Trinidad,
and we saw these wild dolphins in a pod.
So I jumped off the boat,
and everybody thought I was buggin',
but I didn't care.
And I swim toward the pod,
and there's these dolphins
around me just swirling.
But they're not like
the dolphins at SeaWorld.
I look down,
and they all got buck 50s.
They're all scarred, but they're
still chirping, swimming,
living like the dolphins
at SeaWorld will never know.
Never know.
You cut me.
But we wild.
And we still here.
[cutlery clatters]
[soft music playing]
[fortune teller in Mandarin]
All I can say
if you guys choose to stay together
you should be kind to each other.
Love will melt the sharpest sword.
[baby fussing]
Every part of the chicken
in one bowl for you.
[soft music continues]
Every part of us in you, Xiao Ming.
Look, AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Get to sprayin' niggas
'Cause I hate niggas
Fuck niggas, I ain't playing with them
I don't really wanna hear niggas
I don't got nothing to say, nigga
I'm with bae eatin' steak dinner
Just know he got a K with him
And my little mama got it in her purse
All I gotta say is, "Bae get 'em"
If I run down, it's a drum round
All you gonna hear is gun sounds
Niggas know I bring them guns out
I make it hot when it's sundown, uh
Fever, shawty wanna act like a diva
Shawty wanna suck on my nina
I leave that shit wet, Aquafina
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
I got 52 shots in this Glock
With an infrared up
On the opp if he let off
Trey Suvy hold a chop
Yellow tape when it pop
Knock his head off
Load up the chop, it go dumb
Niggas see me and they run
Silencer up on the gun
Niggas'll shoot you for none
Trey Suvy
Boy playin' with the toolie
I bet he'd make a movie
Whoo, whoo
Pop dripped up in Louis
Couple hundred in some jewelry
Spent 55 on her booty
Touch her ass and niggas shootin'
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
AP, spicy
I bust a check in my Nikes
Am I a killer? Might be
Two tone, icy
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
Talk to me nice
Or don't talk at all
I make a call and it's war
I'm off that Adderall
[song fades]
["Plug Speak Taiwanese"
by Bad Boy Raco playing]
[song concludes]