Doing Life (2026) Movie Script
["Hold On" by Tems plays]
[vocalizing]
I was one of the millions
Making anxious decisions
Looking for a remedy
Couldn't find a solution
And I was one of the people
Looking for every signal
Trying to find a memory
Of a time it was peaceful
Some people hate, some people lie
Some people love
To see a grown man cry
I made mistakes in like a million ways
All that I did, I didn't waste my time
'Cause I know I'd never trade my life
Maybe you laugh
But in your room, you cry
All from a distance, love is missing
Fighting for a chance, I said
Hold on
[security woman] Mm-hmm. Hmm.
I said hold on, you better hold on
It's gonna find you
It's gonna find you
It feels right now, ready to fight now
I'm moving in now
I'm breathing out now
I'm releasing this inhibition
I got advantage, no need to panic
You need reminding, let me remind you
You're gonna find it
It's gonna find you
Hey.
Oh. Glad you early,
so I can get out of here and get my kids.
Yeah, I told you I would be.
Child, half the folks around here lie.
So you know, just about what, six months?
Five.
I'll do you the same favor.
Yeah, I'mma hold you to that.
You ain't showing at all.
Girl, watch that book!
Louis is around here.
And you know he want you paying attention.
Especially 'cause these gangs,
they are at it this week.
[chuckles] I got it. Thanks.
But I do like you trying
to, you know, better yourself and shit.
Going to nursing school, though!
That's if I get a student loan.
You know I can't afford this.
Oh, and that's for you, from inmate White.
A little creepy if you ask me.
I was gonna throw it out,
but it's kinda good.
So after you look at it,
throw that shit away.
-I'll see you tomorrow.
-Yeah, see you tomorrow.
Bye, girl. Goodnight.
[men holler in distance]
[men chattering indistinctly]
Lights out!
[switches click heavily]
[conversations fade]
[radio buzzes]
[clicks]
[ominous music plays]
[clicks]
[clicks]
Officer Wilson,
I'm getting an indication
that cells 9, 12, and 18 are showing open.
-[walkie-talkie beeps]
-Looks locked up to me. Going to check.
-[banging]
-[man whimpers]
We have an inmate choking in cell 5.
Open cell 5!
That is a no-go. I can't open it.
We've got three other cells showing open.
[guard] Kid, open the fucking cell!
I'm not getting written up
'cause we have another damn inmate
not getting medical help.
Now open it, now!
I'm sorry, sir. Protocol says--
They ain't gonna say I didn't take care
of this son of a bitch. Open 5!
Officer Shane, I can't do that.
[breathing heavily]
[suspenseful music plays]
-Something seems wrong.
-[Shane] I'm your supervisor!
You want this damn job,
open the cell before he dies!
[clicks]
[Shane] Now, open it!
-[walkie-talkie crackles]
-It just started showing open.
[gasps]
It's not open, damn it!
[screams] Damn! Shit!
[gate rattles open]
[groans]
-[grunts]
-[groans]
[dramatic percussive music plays]
-[inmates yell]
-[guard groans]
[Shane yells]
Uncle Tom-ass nigga.
[all click]
[ominous music plays]
-[gates buzz]
-[men yell]
[man] You dead, motherfucker!
[dramatic music plays]
[commotion continues]
[glass shatters]
[inmate 1] Open up the fucking door!
[inmate 2] Open the door, man! Open the--
[breathes heavily]
[phone rings]
-[inmate 1] Open the door!
-Bitch, pick up the phone and he's dead.
-[guard] Don't do it!
-[inmate 1] Shut the fuck up.
[inmates yell indistinctly]
Open this motherfucker up!
This is Anika Morrison.
Two guards have been taken hostage
by inmates.
I am on Block B.
[inmate 3] Hey!
He got the damn keys on his hip.
Two guards down.
An inmate is trying to get into the booth.
I got the keys. Come on.
Come on, open this fucker up!
[breathing heavily]
[audio distorts]
He's in the booth.
No, please, I'm pregnant!
-Put her on! Clear the desk!
-[Anika] No, please! No!
Let's go. Put her on it,
put her on it right now.
No! No!
-No.
-Hurry up, nigga. I want my turn!
-Hurry up!
-Talk that shit now.
-I didn't-- No! No!
-Hurry up.
Let's go. The fuck? [groans]
[Anika] No!
No, no!
[sobbing] No, no!
[alarms blaring]
[screams] No!
[screams]
I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise!
[Anika exclaims]
I want that bitch, come on!
You have to share her! Come on.
[men yell indistinctly]
[dreamy ethereal music plays]
[man in cell] Help me!
Anika! Help me!
-[sobs]
-Anika!
[yells]
[inmate] Get out
of that motherfucking cell!
[yelling]
[man in cell] Help! Help!
[music stops, audio fades]
[high-pitched ringing]
[ethereal music plays]
[yells]
[Anika yells]
-Almost there. Come on.
-[doctor] Push!
Push, girl, push!
-She says push!
-Push, girl!
-[doctor] One big one! One more.
-Almost there, almost there.
-[doctor] There you go!
-Oh, my God!
[baby cries]
-[doctor] It's a girl!
-[gasps]
-Oh, my God!
-[cries]
[gentle uplifting music plays]
Oh, look at that head! [sniffles] Oh!
Aw!
[breathing heavily]
[Trina] Take a good look!
This is your baby!
Right now? No. Damn!
[Lisa] You joke!
[Trina] Coming in here
with that dumbass mama.
Sick and tired of them.
-[sighs]
-Was that Randy?
Yeah.
-Did he see the baby?
-[scoffs] Anika.
He came here to get a DNA test.
He didn't come here to see the baby.
Came here like he's 5 with his damn mama.
I almost slapped her ass.
Talking about, "That's not his child."
-"He ain't gonna take--"
-[Lisa] Okay.
-[Trina] He wasn't gonna!
-Okay, Trina.
What?
This girl is barely making it already.
I gotta take care of her and Mama,
and now I got another mouth to feed
along with Mama's bills!
I'm just-- It's just a lot, okay?
I'm not rich, you guys.
We're all gonna pitch in.
Everything's gonna be all right.
Anika, you need to make
better choices in men, okay?
If he ain't got nothing,
then he don't deserve none of your time.
-Trina, damn! Stop!
-How many times I gotta tell her?
-[Lisa] This can wait.
-[Trina] Lisa!
Okay. All right. A'ight.
[people chatter on TV]
You ready?
[mock gasps] Nia, who's that?
Who's that?
-Say, "Hi, Grandma."
-[Cathy] Mmm.
Say, "Hi."
Oh.
Is this too low for you?
[Cathy] I'm sick, I ain't dead.
Yet.
-Stop saying that, please.
-[chuckles]
Oh, I wish these folks would call me,
give me my money.
You call that lawyer?
Yeah, I keep calling him.
He don't call me back.
All right, I just changed her.
I left her bottles in the fridge.
There's two in there.
She likes this ring
when she gets fussy from teething.
-[cries]
-I'll give it to her now.
-If you need--
-You think I can't take care of a baby?
[sighs]
After you and your sisters?
-That was a long time ago, Mama.
-Oh, shut up.
[chuckles]
Go on, get out of here 'fore you be late.
At least now, you can help out
with some of these bills.
Matter of fact,
they right there on that table.
Go on, pick out.
See which one you can pay.
Tired of hearing
your sister bitch and moan
every time I ask her for something.
[Anika chuckles] Don't I know it?
All right. Uh, I'll come and check on you.
Love you.
Love you too, babe.
[intriguing jazz music plays]
[sighs] How the hell
am I supposed to get a cosigner?
[mellow introspective music plays]
[Carousel] Hi, Anika.
Well, I'm hoping this is you.
Honestly, I have sent 34 letters
to every house in town
with your last name.
So, if this is not you,
please trash this letter.
But if by one-in-a-million shot
that it is you
Hello.
I don't know if you remember me.
My name is Carousel White.
I'm the guy that grabbed you
and pulled you into my cell
during the riots last year.
I hope you don't mind me writing you.
The truth is, when I close my eyes,
I see you standing there,
scared and broken.
I'm not expecting you to write me back,
knowing what I'm in here for.
But if this is the right address
and this is Anika,
I hope you're safe and happy out there.
[man] Yo.
The thought of that
kind of sets my mind free.
[Anika] Hi, Carousel.
Thank you for writing me.
I have thought about you every day
since I left the prison.
I wondered if you survived.
[Nia cries]
You seemed to be in pretty bad shape
as I was being carried out.
You know, it's so crazy that you say that
about when you close your eyes.
For a long time,
I had nightmares about that day.
Actually, I still wake up at night
in a cold sweat from time to time.
[reflective jazzy music plays]
My heart races,
and all I can see is you on that floor.
I'm so glad you're okay.
I've wanted to tell you
thank you for saving my life
and quite possibly saving
my baby's life as well.
I was pregnant at the time.
Thank God she's fine,
and she's my everything.
I have to thank you for that.
Thanks for risking your life to save ours.
You will always be a hero to me.
I wish you all the best.
Whoo!
[Carousel] Wow.
Your letter is full of surprises.
One is that I found you.
And secondly, that you would take the time
to write me back.
[men chatter indistinctly]
Thirdly, I didn't know
you had a baby. Congrats.
I know she is as beautiful as her mother.
Her father is a lucky man
to have you both.
[Trina] You see that?
I gotta say, it's really hard
to hear you say I'm your hero.
Even after serving ten years,
it's kinda hard to see yourself that way,
when everyone in the world
tells you you ain't shit.
[Randy's mother] He got no damn job.
You ain't gonna
But thank you for saying that.
[Anika] No, I mean that.
Nobody else in there tried to help me.
You say you have 15 years
and you served ten?
You look really young.
[Carousel] I was 14 and in a gang.
We robbed a liquor store
and shot the owner.
Thank God he lived,
but I got tried as an adult.
To answer your question, I'm 25.
But I'd rather talk about what it's like
to be free out there.
A lot has changed
in these ten years, I'm sure.
But thanks again for writing me.
I don't wanna make your man mad,
so I can stop if you want me to.
[Anika] You know, Carousel,
some things have changed and some haven't.
You've mentioned my man twice.
Maybe you should just ask
what you wanna know rather than assume.
[guard] Lights out!
[switches click]
But I'm single, and I'm gonna be single.
My baby's father don't want
nothing to do with her or me.
So I'm just doing life as a single mother,
taking care of my baby
and my mother as best as I can,
while working at a gas station.
[Carousel] Sounds like you're doing
more than life.
You got your hands full,
and a gas station is not so bad.
I would take that any day over this place.
I wanna thank you
for telling me about your everyday life.
To be honest, though,
I was trying to see
if you had a man. [chuckles]
Wasn't so slick, huh? [laughs]
LOL.
[Anika] As long as you know
that I'm not interested
in having any kind of situation,
especially with these circumstances.
And if my sisters or mother knew
I was even writing a guy in prison,
they would have a fit.
I just need to be straight up with you.
I don't want you thinking any different.
[Carousel] Thank you for being honest.
I get it, and I understand.
I'm in here, and you're out there.
But it's really nice
to have you to write to. [chuckles]
I would always see you head down,
reading a book,
and I would wonder
what it would be like to talk to you.
What your world was like.
You may not know this, but
I drew a picture of you when we met.
I sent it up to you,
but I'm sure they tossed it
since it's contraband.
I wanted to give that to you
because sometimes,
life in here could be a bitch.
But you were one of the few
who smiled and helped me.
For a while,
I thought it was all bullshit,
but it felt like you saw me.
[Anika] Okay, so I did keep
that contraband. [laughs]
It was too good to throw away.
You're a really good artist.
And as for how I spoke
to the other inmates,
you didn't miss nothing.
And I wanted to go to nursing school,
but I don't have money for that.
It is what it is.
Stuck in this rat race,
I feel like I'm doing the same thing
over and over and over again,
every day.
There's gotta be more to life than this.
Yes, I was nice to everybody,
but I may have smiled at you
a little longer. [chuckles]
On another note,
I like the name Carousel White.
It sounds like you're supposed
to be famous or something.
[Carousel] Not too sure
about you saying that.
It's all relative, right?
Famous?
Nah.
But I do feel special being picked
to write you these past few weeks.
[Anika] I'm not sending mixed signals,
but it has been just as nice for me
to have someone to talk to,
especially one
I can't make a mistake with.
I haven't had good luck in relationships.
It's like I always pick the wrong guy.
So this feels safe for some reason.
[Carousel] You think
we can get on the phone?
-It would be nice to hear your voice.
-Hey, baby.
[Anika] I'm sorry.
I'm not putting money
on your books for a calling card.
I can't afford my own bills.
[Carousel] You know we barter in here.
I help some of these guys
with their cases.
I could work out a phone card.
[Anika] Sure. Let's talk.
[Cathy] Who is Carroosel White
from a prison?
[Anika] Uh
I used to work with him.
Well, why he writing you?
Just to see if I'm okay, I guess.
Anika.
Anika, look at me.
I don't want you messing
with none of these damn deadbeat-ass men.
I can't stand the thought
of all my daughters ending up
with sorry-ass niggas like they daddies.
Ain't none of y'all daddies shit.
Now you already got one baby.
-Don't let these fools--
-Mama, I'm not. Okay?
It's just a letter.
I got most of what you needed,
but we gonna have to wait
till next week to get the rest.
-Or ask Trina, I guess.
-No.
No, don't do that.
["Under Control" by The Internet
plays in salon]
Then I wake up and see
Frustration tracing
-Hey.
-Hey.
What you want?
I was just on my way to work,
so I wanted to stop by.
Why?
Do I have to have a reason?
[chuckles dryly]
I ain't got no money, girl.
Why is she like this with me?
[sighs] You know your sister.
And she is on one today.
Did you get the student loan
for nursing school?
I need a cosigner.
I know you wasn't about to ask her.
I'll see y'all later.
Bye.
[sighs] What she want?
Girl.
Tell me.
She needs a cosigner for her student loan.
You see?
See, her and these damn pipe dreams.
Didn't I tell her to come here
and work for us and braid?
Did I not? But no.
No, she wants to She wants to be a nurse.
I ain't signing for shit.
Thank you.
-Have a good one.
-[cell phone vibrates]
[automated voice] This is a call
from an inmate
at Holloway Correctional Facility.
Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Obviously better than I ever been.
I finally get to hear your voice.
Well, I'm a little raspy. I'm tired.
No, you sound great.
Thanks.
You sound different.
You mean 'cause I'm not screaming?
Yeah, that was a hard day.
Yeah.
But it's better now. What you up to?
I'm at work.
Oh, I can call you another time.
No, um, it's okay. It's slow in here.
Good.
So you say you help guys with their cases.
So much time in here.
I spent a lot of time studying the law
and wrote some briefs
to help some guys out.
Their lawyers were impressed.
Oh, that's great.
So you wanna be a lawyer?
[scoffs]
No. That ain't never gonna happen.
Yeah. Kind of like me with being a nurse.
No, no, no. Tell me.
White! Off the phone!
All right, I gotta go.
I'll reach out next time I can.
-Bye.
-Bye.
Where the hell's my stuff?
[guard] The warden didn't like
your paintings.
Yeah, he, uh, thought they were
inciting violence on the block, so
That's bullshit, man!
You can't take my paintings.
Who can't? Look, they're gone.
[chuckles] You know,
you oughta be grateful too.
He could take your books.
But you keep it up, and they're gone too.
Read up, lawyer.
All right! Lock 'em up!
[gates buzz and whir]
[breathes deeply]
[TV plays silently]
[phone vibrates]
Uh, hi.
[tender music plays]
-[chuckles]
-[Anika] Okay.
-[laughs]
-Yeah, I got you.
-What's up? What you thinking--
-[line beeps]
[automated voice]
You're talking to an inmate
from Holloway Correctional Facility.
You have one minute remaining
on your call.
Oh, man, where does the time go
when we're talking?
I know. Burning up money I don't have.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Are you kidding me?
I can't wait to see you.
You ever think about that one day?
Maybe you can come visit me.
Uh, Carousel,
I don't know anyone
that I owe more to than you, but
I don't ever want to go back
to that prison again.
[melancholic music plays]
Not even for me?
[dial tone pulses]
Hello?
-[line beeps]
-Hello?
[gentle dreamy music plays]
Shit.
[dispirited music plays]
Hi.
Hi.
It's me. Carousel.
Yeah.
When did you get out?
Uh
I got paroled two weeks ago.
Congrats.
-[mouthing]
-[Carousel] Yeah.
I was gonna call you,
but they got a lot of rules
and no privacy at this halfway house.
I just got a job, but I don't get
my first check until next week.
I was gonna try to get a phone.
That's good.
-Yeah.
-You live around here or something?
No, I'm staying over
at the halfway house on Jefferson.
I know you're wondering why I'm here.
Uh
Uh, I came by your house a couple times,
but I didn't have the nerve to knock.
Mmm, so today I got the nerve to do it,
but then I saw you here.
Yeah. Uh, I don't think
that would've been a good idea.
[chuckles] Yeah.
What would somebody think
of an inmate knocking on your door?
You know, I thought I offended you
when I said I wouldn't come to visit.
Nah.
I was sick
because I didn't have another card.
But I understood that.
Actually, I thought
I offended you by asking.
Hmm.
Your eyes look so different
without fear in them.
[tender music plays]
I hope that's a good thing. [chuckles]
It's a beautiful thing.
Speaking of beautiful,
this your baby girl?
Yeah, this is Nia.
[Carousel chuckles]
She's beautiful like her mother.
I have to get her back home to my mother
'cause I gotta go to work.
Yeah.
Well, um, thanks for saying hi.
And I appreciate you
not being creeped out.
If
If you wanna wait,
I could drop her off to my mother
and you could walk me to work?
I would love that.
Okay.
[sighs]
[Anika] So you say you got a job?
Yeah. Uh, sanitation.
Why'd you say it like that?
I'm not complaining.
I'm doing whatever I gotta do
to never go back.
'Cause this right here feels so good.
To be walking free like this with you.
After ten years, there ain't nobody
telling you what to do no more.
I've never been an inmate,
but I do know how you feel
'cause of my mom and sisters.
I'm the baby,
so they're really protective of me.
Yeah, well, they just looking out for you.
I wish that was all it was.
I'm not getting into that.
Um, my job is right here, though, so
Well, I sure hope I can see you again.
Call me when you get that phone.
You'll be my first call.
[chuckles] Bye.
Bye.
I'm telling you, sometimes, uh, I have
my wife Denise follow me
in my pickup truck.
Half of my house is decorated
from the shit out there.
Rich people throw out some crazy shit.
Let me ask you something.
When's the last time
you had a home-cooked meal?
[sighs] Man, it's been a while
since I had some good food.
I ain't had a good meal
since my grandmama died.
Okay, well, I like to know
who I'm working with. All right?
So I'mma get you my address.
One day this week,
I want you to stop by the house.
Let me tell you, my wife can cook now.
She can burn.
She from New Orleans, baby.
-All right?
-Yeah.
Yo, Terry! Let's go!
Make sure you hold on now.
Do what I told you, all right?
Just hold on. Don't jump off till it comes
to a sudden stop. You hear me?
[Carousel] Yes, sir.
[upbeat soul music plays]
[Quinn] Make sure you use your back.
Yeah, these cans will mess you up.
Hey! Nigga, you paying attention
to what I'm saying?
-Yes, sir.
-What are you doing?
Hey, nigga. Focus, all right?
-You good?
-Yes.
-Keep your head on a swivel, right?
-Yes, sir.
Hey, hey!
You gotta stay focused, yeah?
[upbeat soul music continues playing]
[phone vibrates]
Hello?
Hey, as promised, you're my first call.
I see.
How does it feel to have a phone?
Uh
I'm still trying
to figure out how to work it.
But I figured out how to call you.
Um
Uh, maybe you could show me?
Now, I know they taught you
how to work that phone at that store.
But if this is your way
of getting to see me, then
I might be interested.
You're the only person I have to call.
You and my supervisor.
Yeah, I didn't wanna ask,
but you don't have any family?
Um, it was just my grandmother and me.
But, uh, she died when I was in there.
Couldn't even go to the funeral.
Wow. Um, I'm sorry.
[sighs] Life, right?
My supervisor asked me if I wanted
to come by tonight for a home-cooked meal.
He said I could bring somebody.
So, do you wanna come with me?
I can't move that easy. I have a baby.
Uh, bring her.
Did he say bring a baby too?
Uh, he's cool.
He'll be fine.
Are you sure?
[chuckles] Yeah. I wanna see you.
Oh, to learn how to work the phone, right?
Uh, y-- yeah.
[chuckles]
And I feel good when I'm with you.
Can you try?
Okay, um
Let me figure something out.
I'll call you back.
[chuckles] I'll try
to figure out how to answer it.
Okay. Bye.
Bye.
[dishes clatter softly]
[breathes deeply]
Here you go.
Oh, thank you, baby.
So, uh, I'm gonna take Nia to the fair.
You got money for that?
I got tickets from someone at work.
It ain't a man, is it?
Mama, you know I'm grown, right?
And living in my house.
No. It's not a man.
I just wanna take her to see the lights.
-Mmm.
-We won't be gone long.
Uh, that's if you're feeling okay.
I'm fine.
Okay.
["Ruler of My Heart" by Irma Thomas plays]
Ruler of my heart
Robber of my soul
[laughs]
Where can you be?
[laughs]
I wait patiently
My heart cries
So, how is it?
-[Denise laughs]
-[Carousel] Mmm.
I ain't never had nothing this good.
-Thank you.
-That's that New Orleans, baby.
-[all laugh]
-[Carousel] Mmm.
Uh, so, please, finish telling us
how you two met.
Mmm. He tried to play me.
-Now you know I've always loved you.
-[laughs]
I had to teach him how to love me.
So, how'd you two meet?
Oh! This look like this gonna be good.
[all chuckle]
-Um
-I'll let her tell you.
He's too busy stuffing his face.
-[Denise] Right.
-Right. [chuckles]
Uh, I worked at Holloway Correctional,
and there was a riot.
Um, I was about to be
Um, he grabbed me,
and he hid me in his cell.
And he fought like hell.
Um
I shouldn't really s-- say this
at the dinner table.
It's fine.
It's all right.
He got stabbed.
Pretty bad.
[Denise] Hmm.
But he saved me and my baby's life.
I didn't even know him.
He was a complete stranger, and
So, I don't know
why he would even do that, but
All right, kid. I'm impressed.
Anika.
Did he tell you how he got out?
-No.
-[Quinn chuckles] Let me tell you.
So, he writes this letter
to the parole board.
Blew their minds.
He knows that law.
Shit. I was even impressed.
He using them big words and shit.
[laughs]
He's smart. Very smart.
That's why I think he should go
to law school and be an attorney.
Just a thought.
-I hear you.
-And what about you, Miss Anika?
Um, well, I wanted
to go to nursing school,
but I can't get a student loan.
The semester starts in a f-- few months,
and I'm gonna miss it.
I miss it every year.
-Well, maybe you'll get the money by then.
-[Quinn] Mm-hmm.
$8,000?
Nah. Um
But
Well, I'm impressed with the both of you.
And I like you together.
Oh, we're not together.
We're just friends.
That ain't the energy
I'm pickin' up at this table.
[Quinn and Denise laugh]
[Quinn] Know what it is?
[Denise] Mm-hmm.
-[laughs]
-That's right. That's exactly what it is.
[laughs]
Don't tell me,
"That's a New Orleans thing, baby!"
No, no. Not at all.
Okay, he didn't know how to ride a bike.
Oh. [sighs] Now look, don't judge me,
but, well, my pops wasn't
around us much either.
Well, so, I had to teach him.
And the whole time,
this man is holding on to the brakes.
And I'm like,
"Hands off the brakes, baby!"
-[laughs]
-Finally, he got it.
[both chuckle]
[Quinn] So this
means, "Hands off the brakes," son.
You're young,
got a lot of life ahead of you.
Don't waste time.
Go for it.
Yeah.
I like them.
[gentle music plays]
Denise is so encouraging.
[chuckles] Yeah.
Quinn is like that too.
[laughs]
When I was on the yard
I would watch buses or planes passing.
And I would wonder where they were going.
I would wish I could be there with them.
If you could go anywhere in the world,
where would you go?
What's the point of dreaming like that
when my reality is what it is?
I can't go anywhere.
[Carousel sighs]
Well
I get my first check this Friday.
And I wanna take you out.
It ain't much.
So don't expect a lot.
I think you should save your money.
And I think you should say yes.
Come on. That $43 is gonna burn
a hole in my pocket.
I had to lie to be here tonight.
Which I don't like doing.
My mother thinks I'm at the fair.
I'm sorry.
I didn't want you to do that.
You didn't make me do anything.
I feel like I needed this
or I was gonna lose my mind.
She really likes you.
[sighs] Well, I'm hoping
her mother likes me too.
[hopeful, mellow music plays]
What do you see in me?
I should be asking you the same thing.
I'm fresh out, I got nothing.
Carousel, if this is about sex,
then that's off the table.
I've got my own shit
to worry about right now.
I've got a baby.
I'm struggling.
So now that that's off the table,
what do you see?
Everything.
[door opens softly]
[door closes]
How was the fair?
It was good.
You need anything?
No.
I'mma go put her down,
then I'll check on you.
All right.
[door rattles]
Uh, I'm sorry, deliveries are around back.
I wanna talk to you about that painting.
I can't hear you.
I'm Carousel White.
-I painted that painting.
-I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I have a client.
Lady.
[groans]
[TV plays silently]
[wheezes] I-- I thought you was off today.
Yeah, I got called in.
It's just for a few hours, though,
but I just changed her.
Here are her diapers
and some bottles next to you.
In case you're not feeling well.
-I'm fine.
-Are you sure?
'Cause she was wet
when I came home the other day, Mama.
You think I'm not changing her?
You don't want me to watch her,
you can get somebody else to do it.
I didn't mean it like that.
-I love you.
-Mmm.
Mommy loves you. Bye.
Bye.
[door closes]
[Carousel] Hey.
-[Anika] Hi. Mmm.
-[chuckles]
You lied to your mother.
Yeah. Look, I'm sorry,
we don't have to do this.
No, no, it's fine.
I'm here. Let's go see a movie.
[sighs] Sorry the movie's so old.
I'm balling on a budget
and the popcorn's free.
I haven't been to the movies in forever,
so whatever it is, I haven't seen it.
[sighs happily] All right. Let's go.
[driving jazz music plays]
Uh, can I get two tickets?
[continues indistinctly]
[both laugh]
[Carousel laughs]
'Cause they sure is empty now!
[Carousel laughs]
[characters continue
speaking indistinctly]
Hey, what's going on? Is something wrong?
You weren't enjoying that.
You thinking about your mother?
[sighs] Look, I wanna be here, I just
I guess I'm not in the comedy mood today.
[sighs]
I knew I should have picked
a romantic movie.
It's fine, I'll watch whatever.
You like romance, huh?
I gotta be back by 11:00.
I don't
I don't wanna waste time.
Especially with the situation
with your mom, so
Let's make the most of this.
[mellow intriguing music plays]
Where are we?
I wanna show you something.
Carousel, are we supposed to be here?
This ain't legal.
Are we safe?
You asking the inmate
that saved your life?
Stop calling yourself that.
You're always safe with me.
Come on.
All right.
Keep your eyes closed.
All right.
This is about all I got for surprises.
Open your eyes.
[Anika] Shit!
Damn it! Oh, sh-- Um, I'm sorry.
Never mind, let's go.
[laughs] Okay.
That's not funny.
It's cute.
Really cute.
Man, I thought about this for days.
I even asked Quinn.
He said, "Take her to New Orleans, baby."
[chuckles]
[sighs]
I just wanted my first date to be right.
You said your first date.
You mean our first date?
No. This is my first date ever.
[tender music plays]
I have never been on a date.
Um
Okay, wait.
How about this?
You tell me how you wanted it to go.
I wanted to
bring you up here, and
have some soda
'cause I'm on parole and I can't drink.
I wanted to watch
the planes taking off and landing.
I just wanted to come up here
and talk to you
before I have to go back
to the halfway house.
But them damn rats ruined all my shit.
Hey. It's not all ruined.
We're still here.
I know dudes be coming at you like crazy.
I don't have shit.
The dudes checking for me
are running game.
All these Insta-hos.
[music stops]
"Insta-hos"?
You missed out on so much. [laughs]
I keep talking to you
like you've been in the world. I'm sorry.
Um
Don't be sorry.
Teach me.
Men have so much access now.
All these pages of women to choose from.
You know what?
I'm actually not gonna say
the rest of it to you.
Ooh.
What?
-I'm just--
-Why?
Yeah, it's for your own good.
So you're not gonna tell me
about Insta-hos
'cause you don't want me to have access?
[sighs] Whatever.
I'm sorry.
[tender music resumes playing]
And I'm sorry this is, uh [sighs]
I just wanted to impress you.
You already impressed me
the day you saved my life.
That's kind of hard to top, right?
-Mm-hmm.
-[both chuckle]
Um
I should probably get home.
I gotta check on my mother and my baby.
[sighs] Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. Come on.
Uh
Uh, just watch out for the rats.
["Win or Lose" by Windy City plays]
-[women laughing]
-[Lisa] You see me.
[Trina] Did you arrange it?
[Lisa] It's the only thing
I know how to do.
[Trina] Barely.
Hi.
Oh, this is nice. Mmm.
We ain't done this in a long time.
I thank y'all for coming
because I know you busy.
You know we love you, Mama.
Well, you sure don't
act like it sometimes.
-Oh, stop.
-I do.
-Mmm, okay.
-Okay.
-Well, do better.
-[Lisa chuckles]
All them years at that chemical plant,
and they ain't even tell us.
Now they fighting us in court.
When I'm gone
I want y'all to fight
to get my money, you hear me?
Y'all hear me?
-Yes, ma'am.
-We will, Mama.
Welp, potato salad's done, y'all.
Don't this look good?
It's done?
It ain't even got no seasoning on it.
-Don't do that.
-Bring it here.
Ma! Ma, you are not supposed
to have all that salt.
-Shh! Be--
-Okay.
-[knocking at door]
-Well, who is that?
Probably Donovan. Forgot something again.
Oh, Lord. [chuckles]
-Don't do me like that.
-Puttin' a little bit.
Can I help you?
Hi, is Anika here?
-[Trina] And who are you?
-I'm Carousel.
Hey, uh, let's talk out here.
Uh, uh, uh. No, no, no.
-Come on in.
-[Anika] Trina.
I said, come on in here.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome here. Let's go.
Hey, y'all. Go, go, go.
Go ahead, go on in.
[chuckles] This is, um
-I'm sorry, what was your name again?
-Uh, I'm Carousel.
[Trina] Carousel.
Oh, well, you the one
that work at the prison with Anika.
[laughs] Work? Nah.
Mama, he don't work there.
Aren't-- Isn't that the name of the inmate
you said helped you during the riot?
-[Cathy] Inmate?
-Mm-hmm.
What you doing here?
Um, my phone was stolen at the half--
[Carousel sighs]
This is my last day there.
I just wanted you
to know why you didn't hear from me.
Yeah, okay.
W-- W-- Well, wait a minute now.
You really an inmate?
Attempted murder, Mama.
-Carousel, I'll see you later, okay?
-Yeah, okay. Sorry.
Excuse me.
[Cathy grunts]
[door opens]
[door closes]
Now it makes sense to me.
Well, shit, make it make sense to me.
Anika, I went to your job last night
to get gas and you weren't there.
[Cathy] No.
You went to work last night, didn't you?
You came downstairs.
You had on your uniform.
I watched the baby.
So where were you?
Were you with that man?
[Trina scoffs] See?
See, this is what she do.
She lies.
-Then she ends up pregnant.
-[Cathy] Anika.
I'mma ask you one more time.
Where were you?
Yeah, I was with him.
Anika, are you on the pill?
-What?
-She better not be fucking this nigga.
Watch your mouth!
So when you said you went to the fair
was that a lie too?
It had to be,
'cause there ain't no fair in town.
See, that's the shit I'm talking about.
You gonna end up just like me,
raising three damn daughters by yourself,
and taking whatever job you can get
even if it's at a damn chemical plant
that give you cancer.
[coughs]
[scoffs] I wanted more for you.
I wanted more for all of you.
And here you are, hanging out
with a nigga that's been in prison.
-Mama--
-You already got one baby daddy
that don't do shit for you.
And now, oh, you done
found yourself a convict.
Me and Donovan have been struggling
to pay these bills.
And you out here running around with him?
That's not all I do, Trina.
I work. I take care of my baby.
I take care of Mama.
-Okay, wait a minute, y'all.
-No, no, no, no. No.
-Okay? This is bullshit.
-[coughs]
'Cause Mama is sick.
And you got her taking care of your child
when she don't have to.
Oh, so you don't think I know she's sick?
I'm the one here taking care of her
when y'all are out at dinners
and doing parties and shit.
I'm here with her, cleaning out
the blood from her nightgowns,
and getting up all hours of the night,
making sure she takes her medications--
You think you're doing me a damn favor?
I don't mean it like that, Mama.
I worked my ass off
to give you everything you needed.
Then you sitting here complaining.
-I'm not complaining.
-She's not complaining, Mama.
Since you know every damn thing,
you go on and be with his ass.
You see where that leads you.
You gonna end up like Lisa.
Struggling to take care of her kids
'cause of Charles.
And like me 'cause of Norman.
But you know every damn thing, you just
just go on.
Carousel is not Charles or Norman.
And I'm not you, Lisa, or Trina.
'Cause I take care of my kids.
And I pay my own bills.
-That's why.
-Anika.
You lied.
You said you was going to work
and you had me watching the baby.
I ain't doing it no more.
[solemn music plays]
I ain't doing it no more.
-You know I can't afford daycare.
-[Trina] Mmm.
Yeah, well, you shoulda thought about that
when you were sneaking around here,
lying to her
about where the hell you been.
[Cathy coughs]
[sniffles] Come on, Nia.
[grunts]
[Nia cries]
[door closes]
Thank you.
[door chimes]
[door chimes]
Hey.
I'm so sorry.
I-- I j-- I just didn't want you to think
I was ghosting you. I had to come by.
You okay?
[Nia cries]
Hey, Nia.
You wanna come take a walk in the park?
No, she's all right.
We'll be right across the street.
You can see us out the window.
It's okay.
Give her to me.
[Nia continues crying]
[gentle sentimental music plays]
Can I have that legal pad and pen?
It's okay.
It's okay, it's okay. Look.
Don't be sad. I got you.
It's okay.
We're gonna go get some fresh air.
-[door chimes]
-It's just me.
[car engine revs]
[dog barks]
[ominous music plays]
[dog continues barking]
[breathing heavily]
Carousel!
[Anika whispers] Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
[music turns gentle]
[shushing]
She's gotta be cold.
No.
She's sweating.
Tell me the truth.
Do you have her here at work today
because I came by your house?
My mother got mad and said
she's not watching her anymore.
Look at me.
I said
if I ever got the chance
to have you in my life,
I would make sure
I never saw that fear in your eyes again.
And I see it right now.
And it's because of me.
What you see in my eyes is about my baby.
Not about you.
You're the only person
who makes me feel safe.
[tender music plays]
[breath trembles]
That's 'cause you're safe with me.
If y'all need the bathroom,
it is right down the hall.
And, uh, if you need something to wear,
I might have something to fit you. Okay?
Now, make sure y'all get some rest.
You gotta get up at 6:00
'cause Quinn leave the house on time,
every time, all right?
-Thank you so much.
-Y'all get some sleep.
We can't stay here.
It's just for now.
No, Carousel, you don't get it.
I feel like I'm spinning and not moving.
Nursing school starts in five months,
and I don't have a dollar to my name,
let alone 8,000.
I feel like I'm in the same situation
over and over again.
[sighs] Um
When I was in jail
I thought I'd never be free.
But now,
here I am with you.
[sighs]
And this feels like a dream come true.
Even if we out on the streets
we gotta keep trying.
I'm tired.
I'm really tired.
I'm-- I'm--
I'm tired too,
b-- but we gotta keep trying.
I just wanna be happy.
[breathes deeply]
I'm sorry they hate me so much.
It doesn't matter.
Because they can never hate you
as much as I love you.
[romantic music plays]
You love me?
Yes, I love you.
You're such a good man.
And a lot of bad shit has happened to you.
And you're still a good man.
-[breath trembles]
-This shit is hard. Uh, it's
It's really hard.
[Anika's breath trembles]
I love you too.
We're gonna do this hard shit together.
The three of us.
I promise I got you.
[music fades]
[sighs sadly]
I'm, uh I'm
I'm sorry.
-For what?
-Um
I-- I d-- don't--
Uh, I don't know what I'm-- I'm doing.
I-- I'm not really experienced.
Are you a virgin?
[inhales nervously] Y-- Yeah.
But I could try to kiss you again
if I'm doing it wrong.
No, no.
You're doing too much right, right now.
Well
Yeah, uh
[romantic music resumes playing]
If-- If I'm doing it right, then, uh, w--
[door closes]
[sighs]
Mama has been calling us
all day and all night.
We cannot leave her here like this,
and I don't wanna hear shit
about your booth rent 'cause I done
already canceled three of my clients.
We both need to work.
The doctor says somebody need to be here
with her around the clock, so
I'mma tell Anika to come home.
No, no. She's not coming here with--
-Trina.
-No.
-I'm gonna talk to her.
-No.
No. I don't even know
why I'm talking to you about this
because Mama ain't gonna go for it either.
Okay? So stop.
[Cathy] Girls, where's my water?
[Lisa sighs]
[lively New Orleans soul music plays]
Hey. Little nigga, you weak, huh?
What, you must've got you some last night?
-Hey, she's special.
-[laughs]
-She's special?
-Yeah.
This nigga's in love. Look at you.
Just a-smiling and grinning.
You better get your special ass
and pick up these cans.
-[laughs]
-Wait till I tell my wife this.
[brakes squeak gently]
All right. [grunts]
Hey, what you doing?
Coming right back.
[bottles clattering]
-Coming.
-[Quinn] We gotta go. We gotta go.
[Cathy] Who is it?
It's Carousel.
[lock clicks]
What you want?
Hi. Uh
I came to talk to you. Can I come in?
Look.
I know you don't like me.
Hopefully,
I can explain who I am.
And how much I love your daughter.
Anika really misses you.
Attempted murder.
Uh, yes, ma'am.
That's what I went to jail for,
but I paid my debt.
I learned my lesson.
But you still
attempting murder.
Uh, ma'am?
'Cause that's what
you doing here right now.
My daughter had dreams before she met you.
She wanted to be a nurse.
And she wanted to be with a man
who could pay a bill.
You ever asked her about her dreams?
You ever asked her
what kind of man she dreams of being with?
'Cause it ain't you.
He got a good job.
And he ain't never been to jail.
So, yeah.
You attempting murder all over again,
'cause you are murdering her dreams.
And you murdering me,
by being here telling me this bullshit.
If you learned your lesson in prison,
like you say you did
then you would stop murdering people.
And you would stop being with her
'cause it is killing her.
And she don't even know it.
Now, if you love her,
I mean, love her like you say you do,
then let her go on
and be with somebody else.
Somebody who can take care of her
and her child.
Where she ain't gotta sit
behind bulletproof glass,
scared to death that she gonna get killed
like she almost did in that prison.
[melancholic music plays]
I know everything
I need to know about you, nigga.
Now, get the fuck off my porch.
[Denise laughs]
-Oh, my goodness.
-That's crazy.
[Denise] You like your paint? Mm-hmm.
-Hey, Nik.
-[Denise] Hey.
[Anika] Hi, baby.
[Carousel] Hi.
Hi, Nia.
-Hi.
-[adults chuckle]
Hi.
[Carousel] Hey, baby.
What's the matter?
Uh, my mother's getting worse.
My sister's asked if I could come home
and take care of her.
[Quinn] Hmm.
Uh, then that's what you gotta do.
I told them that if I'm coming,
you gotta come too.
[somber music plays]
[chuckles sadly]
[oxygen tank hisses]
Turn it down some.
Hi.
[Cathy] I don't wanna talk to you.
Her room is upstairs. [coughs]
That's where you stay.
When I go to work,
he's gonna have to help you.
Don't need his help.
That convict better stay
the hell away from me.
-Mama.
-[Cathy] You heard me!
[coughs]
Convict.
You can go upstairs. It's to the left.
That's your new name to me.
Convict.
Convict! [coughs]
Convict.
[coughs mildly]
[Cathy sighs]
Just give it to me.
Come on, give me that.
[Anika groans softly]
[melancholic music plays]
[sighs heavily]
[Cathy wheezes]
[coughing]
You need anything?
For you to leave me the fuck alone.
Get away from my bed.
Convict.
[coughs]
[continues coughing]
[Carousel grunts]
[Cathy sighs]
[coughs]
-You want that?
-[Nia] I want, um, that one.
-Use it.
-[cell phone vibrates]
Hello?
[Nia] I want this here
-[Carousel] Uh, you got him.
-[Nia] and paper.
[Carousel] Um, yeah. Tomorrow.
-Delaney Restaurant. Tomorrow at 4:00.
-[phone chimes]
-[phone vibrates]
-[women chatter]
["Space" by Mario plays in salon]
-Hold on. Mama just texted me.
-What'd she say?
"I overheard him upstairs
talking to someone."
"They're gonna meet
at Delaney's tomorrow at 4:00."
How the hell can he afford Delaney's?
I bet you it's a woman.
Yeah. You see?
You see what the hell I'm talking about?
This nigga ain't shit. [scoffs]
Okay. Delaney's at 4:00. Got you.
Sorry.
Ooh.
[heavy thudding and clattering]
[groaning]
[Cathy sobs]
Get away from me, Convict.
Don't you touch me!
[Cathy breathes heavily]
-Um
-[winces]
[groans]
Are you hurt?
[weakly] No.
[sobs]
No.
-You have to let me help you up, please.
-No, it's
I was
-It's okay.
-I was trying to make it to the bathroom.
[sentimental music plays]
[sobs]
It's okay.
Let me help you up, p-- please.
[sobs and whimpers]
-It's okay.
-[whimpers]
Come on.
It's okay. I got you.
[weakly] No.
You okay? You're doing good.
-I'm gonna take your dress off. You okay?
-No, no.
Now, Miss Morrison,
you're weak and I'm blind.
But with your eyes and my strength,
I can help you.
-No.
-But first we gotta take this dress off.
No, no.
Come on.
Put my hands where they need to go.
This is so embarrassing.
I don't know what you talking about.
I can't see anything.
Okay, yeah.
Put your hand on my shoulder.
[softly] Okay.
[groans]
Okay. All right, okay.
[groans]
[sighs]
I need the shower hose.
Okay.
[grunts]
[water runs]
Is that warm enough for you?
Yeah.
[Carousel] Okay.
-I'm gonna close the curtain.
-Okay.
Okay.
You okay?
-Mm-hmm.
-All right.
[sighs]
I'm right out here if you need me.
-[door closes]
-[Anika sighs softly]
[calming jazz music plays in restaurant]
But I've been calling and calling.
Well, I'm just gonna come down there th--
If--
Well, why won't he call me back?
I, well-- [sighs]
[exhales heavily]
Convict.
Convict.
Convict. [coughs]
Convict!
You know you hear me calling you.
[sighs]
Carousel.
[sighs]
Carousel.
Carousel.
Ma'am?
Carousel.
That's a stupid name.
I like Convict better.
[coughs mildly]
My grandma said my mama named me Carousel
'cause I was always spinning
around in her belly.
She thought it was cute.
I bet she ain't know
your ass was gonna go to jail.
No, ma'am.
Had my mother lived,
I'd like to think that I'd have somebody
other than a 82-year-old grandma
to take care of me.
But I was, um
[clicks tongue] 13 and mad,
'cause my daddy wasn't there
and my mama died.
I wouldn't listen, so when I was 14,
I was caught up in the wrong crowd
and tried as an adult.
My daughter can do better than you.
No, she can't.
Oh, arrogant ass.
-Nobody can love her like I do.
-[scoffs]
A man told me that once.
He wasn't shit.
James?
What-- What Anika been telling you?
You talk in your sleep.
Something about James and Freaknik?
O-- Oh, uh Get your ass outta here.
[coughs]
[warm music plays]
[chuckles softly]
-Have a nice day.
-[door chimes]
Shit.
Do you know who that woman is?
No, she don't. Look at her face.
Anika, why is he with this woman?
Mama overheard them talking, making plans.
He thought she was sleeping.
Are you done?
[scoffs mildly]
Girl, this-- this man is playing you.
[chuckles] Look, Trina, I get it.
Donovan ain't shit.
So it'll help you feel better
if my man ain't shit too.
That's not what I'm doing, Anika.
You've been doing this
since I was a little girl, Trina.
You always have and you always will.
So you mad at me because of that nigga?
Is that what's happening right now?
Bye.
Okay, yeah, let him play you
like a fool, then, Anika. Go ahead.
Come on, Lisa.
[door chimes]
[Cathy coughs]
Mmm.
What was the name
of the plant you worked for?
Do you have any records or anything?
[sighs]
He got all that.
Well, I know you have
your thoughts about me,
but I know a little about the law.
[Cathy chuckles dryly]
Damn.
A prison lawyer?
Shit.
I'm actually pretty smart, Miss Morrison.
And I think I can help you.
Is it okay if I call him?
Just to see?
I don't care.
You'll have to call him
and tell him it's okay to talk to me.
He ain't gonna answer.
He never do.
I bet he will.
[grunts softly]
I see why my daughter like you.
[moans]
Your mom's lawyer
what do you know about him?
He's a joke.
I don't think he knows what he's doing.
Well, I'm gonna try to talk to him.
Okay.
Hey.
You okay?
Is there something you wanna tell me?
[chuckles] What do you mean?
Like, are you seeing another woman?
[scoffs]
What are you talking about?
I just wanna know
if there's something you wanna tell me.
That I love you.
And there's no one else?
Where's this coming from?
I've been cheated on before,
and that's not happening again.
Good.
[tense music plays]
I gotta go shower.
Baby.
I gotta shower.
Anika.
"provision is not inconsistent with law."
"The regulation of internal affairs
of the corporation"
"plan of emergencies."
Crazy.
[breathing shallowly]
Where's Carousel?
-He should be getting off work soon.
-Huh.
Hand me that photo album
underneath that unicorn.
[coughs]
[Cathy] Mmm.
[sighs]
[gentle nostalgic music plays]
[Cathy breathes deeply]
Come here, look at me.
[chuckles]
I was so young,
and fine!
[both laugh]
Oh.
Anika.
Time
and life,
they are thieves.
And I didn't get out of this life
what I thought I wanted.
And I'm angry.
It ain't fair.
[sniffs]
[coughs]
I'm sorry.
I was so mean to you.
I know I've been a lot.
But that boy,
he love you.
I was so wrong.
He came here, uh,
a little while ago
to tell me all about himself.
And to ask if he could date you.
He-- He probably didn't tell you
how I treated him, did he?
'Cause I embarrassed him.
But when he get here today,
I'm gonna tell him I'm sorry.
Baby.
I know you scared.
But you ain't gotta be.
[Anika sniffles]
[sniffles] I'm embarrassed to say,
when I look at you
when I look at y'all, I--
I get jealous.
'Cause I know what you and that boy got
is real.
It's real.
[Anika sniffles]
[sighs]
I don't know. Trina
told me that she saw him with some woman,
and she showed me a picture of them.
Well, did you ask him about it?
I asked him if there was another woman,
and I asked if he would ever cheat on me,
but he said no.
But you know how heartbroken
I was with Randy.
-Oh!
-And
Carousel, he ain't Randy.
[coughs]
[Cathy] That boy treat your baby good.
Better than any man I ever seen
treat a baby that ain't his.
He got a good heart.
And you know it.
Trust that. [sniffles]
Now
Well, your sisters [scoffs]
they just jealous.
[sniffles]
They jealous 'cause
your daddy
he was the only one that came around.
And I was too damn hurt
by the other two
that I didn't realize it
till it was too late.
He-- He was gone.
You're too young to remember
but Carousel remind me of him.
He took good care of you.
They just jealous, baby.
But y'all gonna be all right.
Y'all gonna be all right. Just
[both sniffle]
Just talk to him.
[all chattering]
I-- Look, I'm telling you the truth,
and you know it.
-Can I talk to you outside, please?
-What the fuck are you doing in my shop?
I need to talk outside.
-Go. Donovan, please.
-Yo, man.
-Don't put your hands on me!
-Don't talk to him like that!
How about you go
and talk to that bitch you was with
at a restaurant? How 'bout that?
-What?
-[Trina] Yeah, we saw you.
And Mama overheard y'all talking.
And we told Anika.
So what? She put you out?
And that's why you mad?
-Shit.
-Oh, "shit."
-Okay. This makes sense.
-Right. Nigga, go, go, go. Go talk to her!
'Cause she's believing your bullshit
and I'm not, with your low-down ass.
-Fuckin' idiot.
-You know what's low?
You working with a crooked-ass lawyer
to get a settlement,
and he making you the guardian
of your mother's money,
and you not telling her.
That's what's fucking low!
So you wanna talk outside
or you wanna talk in here?
[Lisa] Trina.
You wanna tell your sister
where your mother's settlement money is?
The $348,000 that you
and this motherfucker behind me
been spending?
[customer] Damn!
Trina?
-What the fuck is he talking about?
-Lisa.
[inhales sharply]
Look, I took care of her, Lisa.
I paid off that fucking house. Okay?
[inhales] Look,
she would've spent it. Okay?
A-- Anika would've spent it.
Somebody would've fucking spent it
if I didn't intervene.
And you know that, Lisa.
You took her settlement money
and you didn't tell her?
It's not that simple. It's--
You know what?
Wait. Carousel, hold on. Hold on.
If you tell her
it will kill her.
I wouldn't tell her that.
-What are you g-- What are you gonna do?
-[phone vibrates]
Carousel, what you finna do?
Hey.
Anika, what's wrong, baby?
[sniffles]
-[Trina] I'm sick and tired.
-Wait, what? Wait. What?
[Lisa] What, Trina?
Ani-- Anika, slow down.
[Trina speaks indistinctly]
I'm on my way.
-[Trina continues]
-[Lisa] Trina, shh!
Your mother just died.
[breathing heavily]
[somber music plays]
[sobbing]
-I'm so sorry.
-[Quinn] I'm here if you need, all right?
-Yeah. Thank you.
-Yeah, man.
[Trina sobs]
I'm so sorry.
[Lisa] Anika.
You remember how Mama used to always say
you can always tell that family member
who didn't do right by somebody
by all that whooping and hollering
they do at the funeral?
I think she was right.
Look at you.
Solid.
Because you did everything right.
Come on, Lisa. We all did.
I didn't do as much as you did.
[Anika] Let's not do this, okay?
You had to work.
Trina had to work. It's fine.
[sighs]
Trina.
You wanna tell her what you
and that crooked-ass lawyer did?
-[Trina sniffles]
-[Lisa] Hmm?
[sobs] She and that
crooked-ass motherfucker
took the settlement money
and didn't tell Mama.
I did what was best for her.
Okay?
I paid off this house.
Stop lying! I verified that!
Tell the truth!
Baby, I'm sorry.
You got that settlement money?
Look, I took c-- care of Mama
before that money.
She owes me.
You know she does. She owes me.
[melancholic music plays]
Anika.
[Lisa sobs] You are disgusting.
-You going to work?
-Gotta pay the mortgage, right?
Why wouldn't you tell me?
Baby, I found out the day she died.
I couldn't.
Yeah, just like you couldn't tell me
about that lady at the restaurant.
Anika, let's take a ride.
I gotta go.
No, no, no. Come, come, come. Please.
Let's take a ride.
[Carousel clears throat]
Hi. I thought I would see you a week ago.
Something came up.
This is my girlfriend, Anika.
Hi.
Hi. Uh, I'm Keke.
And-- And who is this pretty girl?
My daughter, Nia.
[Keke] Hi. Hi.
Should we just go into my office?
You got my money?
-Can I get you to sit for a moment?
-Uh, I don't have time for this.
You already had an extra week
and we're dealing with something.
What is going on?
Tell her why we were
in that restaurant last week,
and tell her what we were talking about.
Well, your boyfriend is quite the artist.
He sold a painting--
It was stolen.
A painting was sold,
and he's owed a lot of money.
And he gonna get his money.
Yes. I spoke to the gallery owners,
and they agreed to a settlement
in exchange for the release
of the painting's chain of title.
I don't think you're hearing me well.
Ain't no settlement.
And I said I want all my money.
But right now, I need $8,000 in cash.
I told you last week I needed the $8,000.
Fine. You win.
Here is the contract.
You can have a lawyer look it over.
Although the way you wrote
that demand letter, you'll be fine
repping yourself.
[clears throat]
Fix this language. It's too vague.
And there's three typos
in the first paragraph.
I think you're testing me.
I'm not signing it
until it's all the money,
and I want $8,000 right now.
-Let's go, baby.
-[Keke] One more thing.
Whatever it is, we'll discuss it
when I get my money.
Okay, but the position might be filled.
You are better and more bullish
than all of my paralegals.
Call me if you want a job.
Let's go.
-[sighs]
-She just offered you a job.
If we hurry, we can make the deadline
to get you in this semester.
-It's too late.
-No, it's not.
I already called them
and told them you're on the way.
Carousel.
When I told you I got you,
I got you.
You hear me?
[breathes heavily]
Look, I, um
I never believed you were cheating.
I just got triggered.
We all do.
I'm sorry.
We can leave all that in the past.
Right now,
we just need to get you registered.
["Live While We're Young"
by Johnnyswim plays]
I love you so much.
I love you too.
Hands off the brakes.
Come on, say it.
Hands off the brakes.
[both laugh]
What is happening?
We're doing life.
Just better now.
Make no mistake
Come on.
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
We can die when we're done
Let's live while we're young
Live while we're
Live while we're young
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Got my hand on my Bible
Hold it firm like a gun
While you pray for revival
I'm already livin' in one
I won't pass up on the danger
I'd miss out on the fun
Won't miss out on the fun
-Make no mistake
-Make no mistake, make no mistake
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
Oh, we can die when we're done
Let's live while we're young
Let's live while we're
Live while we're young
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
You can barricade these walls
And seek surrender
We'll taunt enough
To turn a raging sea
But the only way you'll find
to quench these embers
Is killin' me, killin' me, killin' me
Oh, let the stages burn
And the tears turn into scowls
Oh, live the glory of the past
Is all I ever see
Oh, still the only way you'll find
To quench these embers
Is killin' me, is killin' me
Is killin' me
Oh, so make no mistake
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
Oh, we can die when we're done
Let's live, let's live, let's live
Make no mistake
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
We can die when we're done
Let's live while we're young
Let's live while we're
Live while we're young
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
We can barricade these walls
And seek surrender
Taunt enough to turn a raging sea
The only way you'll find
To quench these embers
Is killin' me
[intriguing jazz music plays]
[mellow lilting classical music plays]
[sweeping solemn classical music plays]
[vocalizing]
I was one of the millions
Making anxious decisions
Looking for a remedy
Couldn't find a solution
And I was one of the people
Looking for every signal
Trying to find a memory
Of a time it was peaceful
Some people hate, some people lie
Some people love
To see a grown man cry
I made mistakes in like a million ways
All that I did, I didn't waste my time
'Cause I know I'd never trade my life
Maybe you laugh
But in your room, you cry
All from a distance, love is missing
Fighting for a chance, I said
Hold on
[security woman] Mm-hmm. Hmm.
I said hold on, you better hold on
It's gonna find you
It's gonna find you
It feels right now, ready to fight now
I'm moving in now
I'm breathing out now
I'm releasing this inhibition
I got advantage, no need to panic
You need reminding, let me remind you
You're gonna find it
It's gonna find you
Hey.
Oh. Glad you early,
so I can get out of here and get my kids.
Yeah, I told you I would be.
Child, half the folks around here lie.
So you know, just about what, six months?
Five.
I'll do you the same favor.
Yeah, I'mma hold you to that.
You ain't showing at all.
Girl, watch that book!
Louis is around here.
And you know he want you paying attention.
Especially 'cause these gangs,
they are at it this week.
[chuckles] I got it. Thanks.
But I do like you trying
to, you know, better yourself and shit.
Going to nursing school, though!
That's if I get a student loan.
You know I can't afford this.
Oh, and that's for you, from inmate White.
A little creepy if you ask me.
I was gonna throw it out,
but it's kinda good.
So after you look at it,
throw that shit away.
-I'll see you tomorrow.
-Yeah, see you tomorrow.
Bye, girl. Goodnight.
[men holler in distance]
[men chattering indistinctly]
Lights out!
[switches click heavily]
[conversations fade]
[radio buzzes]
[clicks]
[ominous music plays]
[clicks]
[clicks]
Officer Wilson,
I'm getting an indication
that cells 9, 12, and 18 are showing open.
-[walkie-talkie beeps]
-Looks locked up to me. Going to check.
-[banging]
-[man whimpers]
We have an inmate choking in cell 5.
Open cell 5!
That is a no-go. I can't open it.
We've got three other cells showing open.
[guard] Kid, open the fucking cell!
I'm not getting written up
'cause we have another damn inmate
not getting medical help.
Now open it, now!
I'm sorry, sir. Protocol says--
They ain't gonna say I didn't take care
of this son of a bitch. Open 5!
Officer Shane, I can't do that.
[breathing heavily]
[suspenseful music plays]
-Something seems wrong.
-[Shane] I'm your supervisor!
You want this damn job,
open the cell before he dies!
[clicks]
[Shane] Now, open it!
-[walkie-talkie crackles]
-It just started showing open.
[gasps]
It's not open, damn it!
[screams] Damn! Shit!
[gate rattles open]
[groans]
-[grunts]
-[groans]
[dramatic percussive music plays]
-[inmates yell]
-[guard groans]
[Shane yells]
Uncle Tom-ass nigga.
[all click]
[ominous music plays]
-[gates buzz]
-[men yell]
[man] You dead, motherfucker!
[dramatic music plays]
[commotion continues]
[glass shatters]
[inmate 1] Open up the fucking door!
[inmate 2] Open the door, man! Open the--
[breathes heavily]
[phone rings]
-[inmate 1] Open the door!
-Bitch, pick up the phone and he's dead.
-[guard] Don't do it!
-[inmate 1] Shut the fuck up.
[inmates yell indistinctly]
Open this motherfucker up!
This is Anika Morrison.
Two guards have been taken hostage
by inmates.
I am on Block B.
[inmate 3] Hey!
He got the damn keys on his hip.
Two guards down.
An inmate is trying to get into the booth.
I got the keys. Come on.
Come on, open this fucker up!
[breathing heavily]
[audio distorts]
He's in the booth.
No, please, I'm pregnant!
-Put her on! Clear the desk!
-[Anika] No, please! No!
Let's go. Put her on it,
put her on it right now.
No! No!
-No.
-Hurry up, nigga. I want my turn!
-Hurry up!
-Talk that shit now.
-I didn't-- No! No!
-Hurry up.
Let's go. The fuck? [groans]
[Anika] No!
No, no!
[sobbing] No, no!
[alarms blaring]
[screams] No!
[screams]
I'm not gonna hurt you, I promise!
[Anika exclaims]
I want that bitch, come on!
You have to share her! Come on.
[men yell indistinctly]
[dreamy ethereal music plays]
[man in cell] Help me!
Anika! Help me!
-[sobs]
-Anika!
[yells]
[inmate] Get out
of that motherfucking cell!
[yelling]
[man in cell] Help! Help!
[music stops, audio fades]
[high-pitched ringing]
[ethereal music plays]
[yells]
[Anika yells]
-Almost there. Come on.
-[doctor] Push!
Push, girl, push!
-She says push!
-Push, girl!
-[doctor] One big one! One more.
-Almost there, almost there.
-[doctor] There you go!
-Oh, my God!
[baby cries]
-[doctor] It's a girl!
-[gasps]
-Oh, my God!
-[cries]
[gentle uplifting music plays]
Oh, look at that head! [sniffles] Oh!
Aw!
[breathing heavily]
[Trina] Take a good look!
This is your baby!
Right now? No. Damn!
[Lisa] You joke!
[Trina] Coming in here
with that dumbass mama.
Sick and tired of them.
-[sighs]
-Was that Randy?
Yeah.
-Did he see the baby?
-[scoffs] Anika.
He came here to get a DNA test.
He didn't come here to see the baby.
Came here like he's 5 with his damn mama.
I almost slapped her ass.
Talking about, "That's not his child."
-"He ain't gonna take--"
-[Lisa] Okay.
-[Trina] He wasn't gonna!
-Okay, Trina.
What?
This girl is barely making it already.
I gotta take care of her and Mama,
and now I got another mouth to feed
along with Mama's bills!
I'm just-- It's just a lot, okay?
I'm not rich, you guys.
We're all gonna pitch in.
Everything's gonna be all right.
Anika, you need to make
better choices in men, okay?
If he ain't got nothing,
then he don't deserve none of your time.
-Trina, damn! Stop!
-How many times I gotta tell her?
-[Lisa] This can wait.
-[Trina] Lisa!
Okay. All right. A'ight.
[people chatter on TV]
You ready?
[mock gasps] Nia, who's that?
Who's that?
-Say, "Hi, Grandma."
-[Cathy] Mmm.
Say, "Hi."
Oh.
Is this too low for you?
[Cathy] I'm sick, I ain't dead.
Yet.
-Stop saying that, please.
-[chuckles]
Oh, I wish these folks would call me,
give me my money.
You call that lawyer?
Yeah, I keep calling him.
He don't call me back.
All right, I just changed her.
I left her bottles in the fridge.
There's two in there.
She likes this ring
when she gets fussy from teething.
-[cries]
-I'll give it to her now.
-If you need--
-You think I can't take care of a baby?
[sighs]
After you and your sisters?
-That was a long time ago, Mama.
-Oh, shut up.
[chuckles]
Go on, get out of here 'fore you be late.
At least now, you can help out
with some of these bills.
Matter of fact,
they right there on that table.
Go on, pick out.
See which one you can pay.
Tired of hearing
your sister bitch and moan
every time I ask her for something.
[Anika chuckles] Don't I know it?
All right. Uh, I'll come and check on you.
Love you.
Love you too, babe.
[intriguing jazz music plays]
[sighs] How the hell
am I supposed to get a cosigner?
[mellow introspective music plays]
[Carousel] Hi, Anika.
Well, I'm hoping this is you.
Honestly, I have sent 34 letters
to every house in town
with your last name.
So, if this is not you,
please trash this letter.
But if by one-in-a-million shot
that it is you
Hello.
I don't know if you remember me.
My name is Carousel White.
I'm the guy that grabbed you
and pulled you into my cell
during the riots last year.
I hope you don't mind me writing you.
The truth is, when I close my eyes,
I see you standing there,
scared and broken.
I'm not expecting you to write me back,
knowing what I'm in here for.
But if this is the right address
and this is Anika,
I hope you're safe and happy out there.
[man] Yo.
The thought of that
kind of sets my mind free.
[Anika] Hi, Carousel.
Thank you for writing me.
I have thought about you every day
since I left the prison.
I wondered if you survived.
[Nia cries]
You seemed to be in pretty bad shape
as I was being carried out.
You know, it's so crazy that you say that
about when you close your eyes.
For a long time,
I had nightmares about that day.
Actually, I still wake up at night
in a cold sweat from time to time.
[reflective jazzy music plays]
My heart races,
and all I can see is you on that floor.
I'm so glad you're okay.
I've wanted to tell you
thank you for saving my life
and quite possibly saving
my baby's life as well.
I was pregnant at the time.
Thank God she's fine,
and she's my everything.
I have to thank you for that.
Thanks for risking your life to save ours.
You will always be a hero to me.
I wish you all the best.
Whoo!
[Carousel] Wow.
Your letter is full of surprises.
One is that I found you.
And secondly, that you would take the time
to write me back.
[men chatter indistinctly]
Thirdly, I didn't know
you had a baby. Congrats.
I know she is as beautiful as her mother.
Her father is a lucky man
to have you both.
[Trina] You see that?
I gotta say, it's really hard
to hear you say I'm your hero.
Even after serving ten years,
it's kinda hard to see yourself that way,
when everyone in the world
tells you you ain't shit.
[Randy's mother] He got no damn job.
You ain't gonna
But thank you for saying that.
[Anika] No, I mean that.
Nobody else in there tried to help me.
You say you have 15 years
and you served ten?
You look really young.
[Carousel] I was 14 and in a gang.
We robbed a liquor store
and shot the owner.
Thank God he lived,
but I got tried as an adult.
To answer your question, I'm 25.
But I'd rather talk about what it's like
to be free out there.
A lot has changed
in these ten years, I'm sure.
But thanks again for writing me.
I don't wanna make your man mad,
so I can stop if you want me to.
[Anika] You know, Carousel,
some things have changed and some haven't.
You've mentioned my man twice.
Maybe you should just ask
what you wanna know rather than assume.
[guard] Lights out!
[switches click]
But I'm single, and I'm gonna be single.
My baby's father don't want
nothing to do with her or me.
So I'm just doing life as a single mother,
taking care of my baby
and my mother as best as I can,
while working at a gas station.
[Carousel] Sounds like you're doing
more than life.
You got your hands full,
and a gas station is not so bad.
I would take that any day over this place.
I wanna thank you
for telling me about your everyday life.
To be honest, though,
I was trying to see
if you had a man. [chuckles]
Wasn't so slick, huh? [laughs]
LOL.
[Anika] As long as you know
that I'm not interested
in having any kind of situation,
especially with these circumstances.
And if my sisters or mother knew
I was even writing a guy in prison,
they would have a fit.
I just need to be straight up with you.
I don't want you thinking any different.
[Carousel] Thank you for being honest.
I get it, and I understand.
I'm in here, and you're out there.
But it's really nice
to have you to write to. [chuckles]
I would always see you head down,
reading a book,
and I would wonder
what it would be like to talk to you.
What your world was like.
You may not know this, but
I drew a picture of you when we met.
I sent it up to you,
but I'm sure they tossed it
since it's contraband.
I wanted to give that to you
because sometimes,
life in here could be a bitch.
But you were one of the few
who smiled and helped me.
For a while,
I thought it was all bullshit,
but it felt like you saw me.
[Anika] Okay, so I did keep
that contraband. [laughs]
It was too good to throw away.
You're a really good artist.
And as for how I spoke
to the other inmates,
you didn't miss nothing.
And I wanted to go to nursing school,
but I don't have money for that.
It is what it is.
Stuck in this rat race,
I feel like I'm doing the same thing
over and over and over again,
every day.
There's gotta be more to life than this.
Yes, I was nice to everybody,
but I may have smiled at you
a little longer. [chuckles]
On another note,
I like the name Carousel White.
It sounds like you're supposed
to be famous or something.
[Carousel] Not too sure
about you saying that.
It's all relative, right?
Famous?
Nah.
But I do feel special being picked
to write you these past few weeks.
[Anika] I'm not sending mixed signals,
but it has been just as nice for me
to have someone to talk to,
especially one
I can't make a mistake with.
I haven't had good luck in relationships.
It's like I always pick the wrong guy.
So this feels safe for some reason.
[Carousel] You think
we can get on the phone?
-It would be nice to hear your voice.
-Hey, baby.
[Anika] I'm sorry.
I'm not putting money
on your books for a calling card.
I can't afford my own bills.
[Carousel] You know we barter in here.
I help some of these guys
with their cases.
I could work out a phone card.
[Anika] Sure. Let's talk.
[Cathy] Who is Carroosel White
from a prison?
[Anika] Uh
I used to work with him.
Well, why he writing you?
Just to see if I'm okay, I guess.
Anika.
Anika, look at me.
I don't want you messing
with none of these damn deadbeat-ass men.
I can't stand the thought
of all my daughters ending up
with sorry-ass niggas like they daddies.
Ain't none of y'all daddies shit.
Now you already got one baby.
-Don't let these fools--
-Mama, I'm not. Okay?
It's just a letter.
I got most of what you needed,
but we gonna have to wait
till next week to get the rest.
-Or ask Trina, I guess.
-No.
No, don't do that.
["Under Control" by The Internet
plays in salon]
Then I wake up and see
Frustration tracing
-Hey.
-Hey.
What you want?
I was just on my way to work,
so I wanted to stop by.
Why?
Do I have to have a reason?
[chuckles dryly]
I ain't got no money, girl.
Why is she like this with me?
[sighs] You know your sister.
And she is on one today.
Did you get the student loan
for nursing school?
I need a cosigner.
I know you wasn't about to ask her.
I'll see y'all later.
Bye.
[sighs] What she want?
Girl.
Tell me.
She needs a cosigner for her student loan.
You see?
See, her and these damn pipe dreams.
Didn't I tell her to come here
and work for us and braid?
Did I not? But no.
No, she wants to She wants to be a nurse.
I ain't signing for shit.
Thank you.
-Have a good one.
-[cell phone vibrates]
[automated voice] This is a call
from an inmate
at Holloway Correctional Facility.
Hi.
Hi.
How are you?
Obviously better than I ever been.
I finally get to hear your voice.
Well, I'm a little raspy. I'm tired.
No, you sound great.
Thanks.
You sound different.
You mean 'cause I'm not screaming?
Yeah, that was a hard day.
Yeah.
But it's better now. What you up to?
I'm at work.
Oh, I can call you another time.
No, um, it's okay. It's slow in here.
Good.
So you say you help guys with their cases.
So much time in here.
I spent a lot of time studying the law
and wrote some briefs
to help some guys out.
Their lawyers were impressed.
Oh, that's great.
So you wanna be a lawyer?
[scoffs]
No. That ain't never gonna happen.
Yeah. Kind of like me with being a nurse.
No, no, no. Tell me.
White! Off the phone!
All right, I gotta go.
I'll reach out next time I can.
-Bye.
-Bye.
Where the hell's my stuff?
[guard] The warden didn't like
your paintings.
Yeah, he, uh, thought they were
inciting violence on the block, so
That's bullshit, man!
You can't take my paintings.
Who can't? Look, they're gone.
[chuckles] You know,
you oughta be grateful too.
He could take your books.
But you keep it up, and they're gone too.
Read up, lawyer.
All right! Lock 'em up!
[gates buzz and whir]
[breathes deeply]
[TV plays silently]
[phone vibrates]
Uh, hi.
[tender music plays]
-[chuckles]
-[Anika] Okay.
-[laughs]
-Yeah, I got you.
-What's up? What you thinking--
-[line beeps]
[automated voice]
You're talking to an inmate
from Holloway Correctional Facility.
You have one minute remaining
on your call.
Oh, man, where does the time go
when we're talking?
I know. Burning up money I don't have.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Are you kidding me?
I can't wait to see you.
You ever think about that one day?
Maybe you can come visit me.
Uh, Carousel,
I don't know anyone
that I owe more to than you, but
I don't ever want to go back
to that prison again.
[melancholic music plays]
Not even for me?
[dial tone pulses]
Hello?
-[line beeps]
-Hello?
[gentle dreamy music plays]
Shit.
[dispirited music plays]
Hi.
Hi.
It's me. Carousel.
Yeah.
When did you get out?
Uh
I got paroled two weeks ago.
Congrats.
-[mouthing]
-[Carousel] Yeah.
I was gonna call you,
but they got a lot of rules
and no privacy at this halfway house.
I just got a job, but I don't get
my first check until next week.
I was gonna try to get a phone.
That's good.
-Yeah.
-You live around here or something?
No, I'm staying over
at the halfway house on Jefferson.
I know you're wondering why I'm here.
Uh
Uh, I came by your house a couple times,
but I didn't have the nerve to knock.
Mmm, so today I got the nerve to do it,
but then I saw you here.
Yeah. Uh, I don't think
that would've been a good idea.
[chuckles] Yeah.
What would somebody think
of an inmate knocking on your door?
You know, I thought I offended you
when I said I wouldn't come to visit.
Nah.
I was sick
because I didn't have another card.
But I understood that.
Actually, I thought
I offended you by asking.
Hmm.
Your eyes look so different
without fear in them.
[tender music plays]
I hope that's a good thing. [chuckles]
It's a beautiful thing.
Speaking of beautiful,
this your baby girl?
Yeah, this is Nia.
[Carousel chuckles]
She's beautiful like her mother.
I have to get her back home to my mother
'cause I gotta go to work.
Yeah.
Well, um, thanks for saying hi.
And I appreciate you
not being creeped out.
If
If you wanna wait,
I could drop her off to my mother
and you could walk me to work?
I would love that.
Okay.
[sighs]
[Anika] So you say you got a job?
Yeah. Uh, sanitation.
Why'd you say it like that?
I'm not complaining.
I'm doing whatever I gotta do
to never go back.
'Cause this right here feels so good.
To be walking free like this with you.
After ten years, there ain't nobody
telling you what to do no more.
I've never been an inmate,
but I do know how you feel
'cause of my mom and sisters.
I'm the baby,
so they're really protective of me.
Yeah, well, they just looking out for you.
I wish that was all it was.
I'm not getting into that.
Um, my job is right here, though, so
Well, I sure hope I can see you again.
Call me when you get that phone.
You'll be my first call.
[chuckles] Bye.
Bye.
I'm telling you, sometimes, uh, I have
my wife Denise follow me
in my pickup truck.
Half of my house is decorated
from the shit out there.
Rich people throw out some crazy shit.
Let me ask you something.
When's the last time
you had a home-cooked meal?
[sighs] Man, it's been a while
since I had some good food.
I ain't had a good meal
since my grandmama died.
Okay, well, I like to know
who I'm working with. All right?
So I'mma get you my address.
One day this week,
I want you to stop by the house.
Let me tell you, my wife can cook now.
She can burn.
She from New Orleans, baby.
-All right?
-Yeah.
Yo, Terry! Let's go!
Make sure you hold on now.
Do what I told you, all right?
Just hold on. Don't jump off till it comes
to a sudden stop. You hear me?
[Carousel] Yes, sir.
[upbeat soul music plays]
[Quinn] Make sure you use your back.
Yeah, these cans will mess you up.
Hey! Nigga, you paying attention
to what I'm saying?
-Yes, sir.
-What are you doing?
Hey, nigga. Focus, all right?
-You good?
-Yes.
-Keep your head on a swivel, right?
-Yes, sir.
Hey, hey!
You gotta stay focused, yeah?
[upbeat soul music continues playing]
[phone vibrates]
Hello?
Hey, as promised, you're my first call.
I see.
How does it feel to have a phone?
Uh
I'm still trying
to figure out how to work it.
But I figured out how to call you.
Um
Uh, maybe you could show me?
Now, I know they taught you
how to work that phone at that store.
But if this is your way
of getting to see me, then
I might be interested.
You're the only person I have to call.
You and my supervisor.
Yeah, I didn't wanna ask,
but you don't have any family?
Um, it was just my grandmother and me.
But, uh, she died when I was in there.
Couldn't even go to the funeral.
Wow. Um, I'm sorry.
[sighs] Life, right?
My supervisor asked me if I wanted
to come by tonight for a home-cooked meal.
He said I could bring somebody.
So, do you wanna come with me?
I can't move that easy. I have a baby.
Uh, bring her.
Did he say bring a baby too?
Uh, he's cool.
He'll be fine.
Are you sure?
[chuckles] Yeah. I wanna see you.
Oh, to learn how to work the phone, right?
Uh, y-- yeah.
[chuckles]
And I feel good when I'm with you.
Can you try?
Okay, um
Let me figure something out.
I'll call you back.
[chuckles] I'll try
to figure out how to answer it.
Okay. Bye.
Bye.
[dishes clatter softly]
[breathes deeply]
Here you go.
Oh, thank you, baby.
So, uh, I'm gonna take Nia to the fair.
You got money for that?
I got tickets from someone at work.
It ain't a man, is it?
Mama, you know I'm grown, right?
And living in my house.
No. It's not a man.
I just wanna take her to see the lights.
-Mmm.
-We won't be gone long.
Uh, that's if you're feeling okay.
I'm fine.
Okay.
["Ruler of My Heart" by Irma Thomas plays]
Ruler of my heart
Robber of my soul
[laughs]
Where can you be?
[laughs]
I wait patiently
My heart cries
So, how is it?
-[Denise laughs]
-[Carousel] Mmm.
I ain't never had nothing this good.
-Thank you.
-That's that New Orleans, baby.
-[all laugh]
-[Carousel] Mmm.
Uh, so, please, finish telling us
how you two met.
Mmm. He tried to play me.
-Now you know I've always loved you.
-[laughs]
I had to teach him how to love me.
So, how'd you two meet?
Oh! This look like this gonna be good.
[all chuckle]
-Um
-I'll let her tell you.
He's too busy stuffing his face.
-[Denise] Right.
-Right. [chuckles]
Uh, I worked at Holloway Correctional,
and there was a riot.
Um, I was about to be
Um, he grabbed me,
and he hid me in his cell.
And he fought like hell.
Um
I shouldn't really s-- say this
at the dinner table.
It's fine.
It's all right.
He got stabbed.
Pretty bad.
[Denise] Hmm.
But he saved me and my baby's life.
I didn't even know him.
He was a complete stranger, and
So, I don't know
why he would even do that, but
All right, kid. I'm impressed.
Anika.
Did he tell you how he got out?
-No.
-[Quinn chuckles] Let me tell you.
So, he writes this letter
to the parole board.
Blew their minds.
He knows that law.
Shit. I was even impressed.
He using them big words and shit.
[laughs]
He's smart. Very smart.
That's why I think he should go
to law school and be an attorney.
Just a thought.
-I hear you.
-And what about you, Miss Anika?
Um, well, I wanted
to go to nursing school,
but I can't get a student loan.
The semester starts in a f-- few months,
and I'm gonna miss it.
I miss it every year.
-Well, maybe you'll get the money by then.
-[Quinn] Mm-hmm.
$8,000?
Nah. Um
But
Well, I'm impressed with the both of you.
And I like you together.
Oh, we're not together.
We're just friends.
That ain't the energy
I'm pickin' up at this table.
[Quinn and Denise laugh]
[Quinn] Know what it is?
[Denise] Mm-hmm.
-[laughs]
-That's right. That's exactly what it is.
[laughs]
Don't tell me,
"That's a New Orleans thing, baby!"
No, no. Not at all.
Okay, he didn't know how to ride a bike.
Oh. [sighs] Now look, don't judge me,
but, well, my pops wasn't
around us much either.
Well, so, I had to teach him.
And the whole time,
this man is holding on to the brakes.
And I'm like,
"Hands off the brakes, baby!"
-[laughs]
-Finally, he got it.
[both chuckle]
[Quinn] So this
means, "Hands off the brakes," son.
You're young,
got a lot of life ahead of you.
Don't waste time.
Go for it.
Yeah.
I like them.
[gentle music plays]
Denise is so encouraging.
[chuckles] Yeah.
Quinn is like that too.
[laughs]
When I was on the yard
I would watch buses or planes passing.
And I would wonder where they were going.
I would wish I could be there with them.
If you could go anywhere in the world,
where would you go?
What's the point of dreaming like that
when my reality is what it is?
I can't go anywhere.
[Carousel sighs]
Well
I get my first check this Friday.
And I wanna take you out.
It ain't much.
So don't expect a lot.
I think you should save your money.
And I think you should say yes.
Come on. That $43 is gonna burn
a hole in my pocket.
I had to lie to be here tonight.
Which I don't like doing.
My mother thinks I'm at the fair.
I'm sorry.
I didn't want you to do that.
You didn't make me do anything.
I feel like I needed this
or I was gonna lose my mind.
She really likes you.
[sighs] Well, I'm hoping
her mother likes me too.
[hopeful, mellow music plays]
What do you see in me?
I should be asking you the same thing.
I'm fresh out, I got nothing.
Carousel, if this is about sex,
then that's off the table.
I've got my own shit
to worry about right now.
I've got a baby.
I'm struggling.
So now that that's off the table,
what do you see?
Everything.
[door opens softly]
[door closes]
How was the fair?
It was good.
You need anything?
No.
I'mma go put her down,
then I'll check on you.
All right.
[door rattles]
Uh, I'm sorry, deliveries are around back.
I wanna talk to you about that painting.
I can't hear you.
I'm Carousel White.
-I painted that painting.
-I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I have a client.
Lady.
[groans]
[TV plays silently]
[wheezes] I-- I thought you was off today.
Yeah, I got called in.
It's just for a few hours, though,
but I just changed her.
Here are her diapers
and some bottles next to you.
In case you're not feeling well.
-I'm fine.
-Are you sure?
'Cause she was wet
when I came home the other day, Mama.
You think I'm not changing her?
You don't want me to watch her,
you can get somebody else to do it.
I didn't mean it like that.
-I love you.
-Mmm.
Mommy loves you. Bye.
Bye.
[door closes]
[Carousel] Hey.
-[Anika] Hi. Mmm.
-[chuckles]
You lied to your mother.
Yeah. Look, I'm sorry,
we don't have to do this.
No, no, it's fine.
I'm here. Let's go see a movie.
[sighs] Sorry the movie's so old.
I'm balling on a budget
and the popcorn's free.
I haven't been to the movies in forever,
so whatever it is, I haven't seen it.
[sighs happily] All right. Let's go.
[driving jazz music plays]
Uh, can I get two tickets?
[continues indistinctly]
[both laugh]
[Carousel laughs]
'Cause they sure is empty now!
[Carousel laughs]
[characters continue
speaking indistinctly]
Hey, what's going on? Is something wrong?
You weren't enjoying that.
You thinking about your mother?
[sighs] Look, I wanna be here, I just
I guess I'm not in the comedy mood today.
[sighs]
I knew I should have picked
a romantic movie.
It's fine, I'll watch whatever.
You like romance, huh?
I gotta be back by 11:00.
I don't
I don't wanna waste time.
Especially with the situation
with your mom, so
Let's make the most of this.
[mellow intriguing music plays]
Where are we?
I wanna show you something.
Carousel, are we supposed to be here?
This ain't legal.
Are we safe?
You asking the inmate
that saved your life?
Stop calling yourself that.
You're always safe with me.
Come on.
All right.
Keep your eyes closed.
All right.
This is about all I got for surprises.
Open your eyes.
[Anika] Shit!
Damn it! Oh, sh-- Um, I'm sorry.
Never mind, let's go.
[laughs] Okay.
That's not funny.
It's cute.
Really cute.
Man, I thought about this for days.
I even asked Quinn.
He said, "Take her to New Orleans, baby."
[chuckles]
[sighs]
I just wanted my first date to be right.
You said your first date.
You mean our first date?
No. This is my first date ever.
[tender music plays]
I have never been on a date.
Um
Okay, wait.
How about this?
You tell me how you wanted it to go.
I wanted to
bring you up here, and
have some soda
'cause I'm on parole and I can't drink.
I wanted to watch
the planes taking off and landing.
I just wanted to come up here
and talk to you
before I have to go back
to the halfway house.
But them damn rats ruined all my shit.
Hey. It's not all ruined.
We're still here.
I know dudes be coming at you like crazy.
I don't have shit.
The dudes checking for me
are running game.
All these Insta-hos.
[music stops]
"Insta-hos"?
You missed out on so much. [laughs]
I keep talking to you
like you've been in the world. I'm sorry.
Um
Don't be sorry.
Teach me.
Men have so much access now.
All these pages of women to choose from.
You know what?
I'm actually not gonna say
the rest of it to you.
Ooh.
What?
-I'm just--
-Why?
Yeah, it's for your own good.
So you're not gonna tell me
about Insta-hos
'cause you don't want me to have access?
[sighs] Whatever.
I'm sorry.
[tender music resumes playing]
And I'm sorry this is, uh [sighs]
I just wanted to impress you.
You already impressed me
the day you saved my life.
That's kind of hard to top, right?
-Mm-hmm.
-[both chuckle]
Um
I should probably get home.
I gotta check on my mother and my baby.
[sighs] Yeah.
Yeah, yeah. Come on.
Uh
Uh, just watch out for the rats.
["Win or Lose" by Windy City plays]
-[women laughing]
-[Lisa] You see me.
[Trina] Did you arrange it?
[Lisa] It's the only thing
I know how to do.
[Trina] Barely.
Hi.
Oh, this is nice. Mmm.
We ain't done this in a long time.
I thank y'all for coming
because I know you busy.
You know we love you, Mama.
Well, you sure don't
act like it sometimes.
-Oh, stop.
-I do.
-Mmm, okay.
-Okay.
-Well, do better.
-[Lisa chuckles]
All them years at that chemical plant,
and they ain't even tell us.
Now they fighting us in court.
When I'm gone
I want y'all to fight
to get my money, you hear me?
Y'all hear me?
-Yes, ma'am.
-We will, Mama.
Welp, potato salad's done, y'all.
Don't this look good?
It's done?
It ain't even got no seasoning on it.
-Don't do that.
-Bring it here.
Ma! Ma, you are not supposed
to have all that salt.
-Shh! Be--
-Okay.
-[knocking at door]
-Well, who is that?
Probably Donovan. Forgot something again.
Oh, Lord. [chuckles]
-Don't do me like that.
-Puttin' a little bit.
Can I help you?
Hi, is Anika here?
-[Trina] And who are you?
-I'm Carousel.
Hey, uh, let's talk out here.
Uh, uh, uh. No, no, no.
-Come on in.
-[Anika] Trina.
I said, come on in here.
-Thank you.
-You're welcome here. Let's go.
Hey, y'all. Go, go, go.
Go ahead, go on in.
[chuckles] This is, um
-I'm sorry, what was your name again?
-Uh, I'm Carousel.
[Trina] Carousel.
Oh, well, you the one
that work at the prison with Anika.
[laughs] Work? Nah.
Mama, he don't work there.
Aren't-- Isn't that the name of the inmate
you said helped you during the riot?
-[Cathy] Inmate?
-Mm-hmm.
What you doing here?
Um, my phone was stolen at the half--
[Carousel sighs]
This is my last day there.
I just wanted you
to know why you didn't hear from me.
Yeah, okay.
W-- W-- Well, wait a minute now.
You really an inmate?
Attempted murder, Mama.
-Carousel, I'll see you later, okay?
-Yeah, okay. Sorry.
Excuse me.
[Cathy grunts]
[door opens]
[door closes]
Now it makes sense to me.
Well, shit, make it make sense to me.
Anika, I went to your job last night
to get gas and you weren't there.
[Cathy] No.
You went to work last night, didn't you?
You came downstairs.
You had on your uniform.
I watched the baby.
So where were you?
Were you with that man?
[Trina scoffs] See?
See, this is what she do.
She lies.
-Then she ends up pregnant.
-[Cathy] Anika.
I'mma ask you one more time.
Where were you?
Yeah, I was with him.
Anika, are you on the pill?
-What?
-She better not be fucking this nigga.
Watch your mouth!
So when you said you went to the fair
was that a lie too?
It had to be,
'cause there ain't no fair in town.
See, that's the shit I'm talking about.
You gonna end up just like me,
raising three damn daughters by yourself,
and taking whatever job you can get
even if it's at a damn chemical plant
that give you cancer.
[coughs]
[scoffs] I wanted more for you.
I wanted more for all of you.
And here you are, hanging out
with a nigga that's been in prison.
-Mama--
-You already got one baby daddy
that don't do shit for you.
And now, oh, you done
found yourself a convict.
Me and Donovan have been struggling
to pay these bills.
And you out here running around with him?
That's not all I do, Trina.
I work. I take care of my baby.
I take care of Mama.
-Okay, wait a minute, y'all.
-No, no, no, no. No.
-Okay? This is bullshit.
-[coughs]
'Cause Mama is sick.
And you got her taking care of your child
when she don't have to.
Oh, so you don't think I know she's sick?
I'm the one here taking care of her
when y'all are out at dinners
and doing parties and shit.
I'm here with her, cleaning out
the blood from her nightgowns,
and getting up all hours of the night,
making sure she takes her medications--
You think you're doing me a damn favor?
I don't mean it like that, Mama.
I worked my ass off
to give you everything you needed.
Then you sitting here complaining.
-I'm not complaining.
-She's not complaining, Mama.
Since you know every damn thing,
you go on and be with his ass.
You see where that leads you.
You gonna end up like Lisa.
Struggling to take care of her kids
'cause of Charles.
And like me 'cause of Norman.
But you know every damn thing, you just
just go on.
Carousel is not Charles or Norman.
And I'm not you, Lisa, or Trina.
'Cause I take care of my kids.
And I pay my own bills.
-That's why.
-Anika.
You lied.
You said you was going to work
and you had me watching the baby.
I ain't doing it no more.
[solemn music plays]
I ain't doing it no more.
-You know I can't afford daycare.
-[Trina] Mmm.
Yeah, well, you shoulda thought about that
when you were sneaking around here,
lying to her
about where the hell you been.
[Cathy coughs]
[sniffles] Come on, Nia.
[grunts]
[Nia cries]
[door closes]
Thank you.
[door chimes]
[door chimes]
Hey.
I'm so sorry.
I-- I j-- I just didn't want you to think
I was ghosting you. I had to come by.
You okay?
[Nia cries]
Hey, Nia.
You wanna come take a walk in the park?
No, she's all right.
We'll be right across the street.
You can see us out the window.
It's okay.
Give her to me.
[Nia continues crying]
[gentle sentimental music plays]
Can I have that legal pad and pen?
It's okay.
It's okay, it's okay. Look.
Don't be sad. I got you.
It's okay.
We're gonna go get some fresh air.
-[door chimes]
-It's just me.
[car engine revs]
[dog barks]
[ominous music plays]
[dog continues barking]
[breathing heavily]
Carousel!
[Anika whispers] Oh, my God.
Oh, my God.
[music turns gentle]
[shushing]
She's gotta be cold.
No.
She's sweating.
Tell me the truth.
Do you have her here at work today
because I came by your house?
My mother got mad and said
she's not watching her anymore.
Look at me.
I said
if I ever got the chance
to have you in my life,
I would make sure
I never saw that fear in your eyes again.
And I see it right now.
And it's because of me.
What you see in my eyes is about my baby.
Not about you.
You're the only person
who makes me feel safe.
[tender music plays]
[breath trembles]
That's 'cause you're safe with me.
If y'all need the bathroom,
it is right down the hall.
And, uh, if you need something to wear,
I might have something to fit you. Okay?
Now, make sure y'all get some rest.
You gotta get up at 6:00
'cause Quinn leave the house on time,
every time, all right?
-Thank you so much.
-Y'all get some sleep.
We can't stay here.
It's just for now.
No, Carousel, you don't get it.
I feel like I'm spinning and not moving.
Nursing school starts in five months,
and I don't have a dollar to my name,
let alone 8,000.
I feel like I'm in the same situation
over and over again.
[sighs] Um
When I was in jail
I thought I'd never be free.
But now,
here I am with you.
[sighs]
And this feels like a dream come true.
Even if we out on the streets
we gotta keep trying.
I'm tired.
I'm really tired.
I'm-- I'm--
I'm tired too,
b-- but we gotta keep trying.
I just wanna be happy.
[breathes deeply]
I'm sorry they hate me so much.
It doesn't matter.
Because they can never hate you
as much as I love you.
[romantic music plays]
You love me?
Yes, I love you.
You're such a good man.
And a lot of bad shit has happened to you.
And you're still a good man.
-[breath trembles]
-This shit is hard. Uh, it's
It's really hard.
[Anika's breath trembles]
I love you too.
We're gonna do this hard shit together.
The three of us.
I promise I got you.
[music fades]
[sighs sadly]
I'm, uh I'm
I'm sorry.
-For what?
-Um
I-- I d-- don't--
Uh, I don't know what I'm-- I'm doing.
I-- I'm not really experienced.
Are you a virgin?
[inhales nervously] Y-- Yeah.
But I could try to kiss you again
if I'm doing it wrong.
No, no.
You're doing too much right, right now.
Well
Yeah, uh
[romantic music resumes playing]
If-- If I'm doing it right, then, uh, w--
[door closes]
[sighs]
Mama has been calling us
all day and all night.
We cannot leave her here like this,
and I don't wanna hear shit
about your booth rent 'cause I done
already canceled three of my clients.
We both need to work.
The doctor says somebody need to be here
with her around the clock, so
I'mma tell Anika to come home.
No, no. She's not coming here with--
-Trina.
-No.
-I'm gonna talk to her.
-No.
No. I don't even know
why I'm talking to you about this
because Mama ain't gonna go for it either.
Okay? So stop.
[Cathy] Girls, where's my water?
[Lisa sighs]
[lively New Orleans soul music plays]
Hey. Little nigga, you weak, huh?
What, you must've got you some last night?
-Hey, she's special.
-[laughs]
-She's special?
-Yeah.
This nigga's in love. Look at you.
Just a-smiling and grinning.
You better get your special ass
and pick up these cans.
-[laughs]
-Wait till I tell my wife this.
[brakes squeak gently]
All right. [grunts]
Hey, what you doing?
Coming right back.
[bottles clattering]
-Coming.
-[Quinn] We gotta go. We gotta go.
[Cathy] Who is it?
It's Carousel.
[lock clicks]
What you want?
Hi. Uh
I came to talk to you. Can I come in?
Look.
I know you don't like me.
Hopefully,
I can explain who I am.
And how much I love your daughter.
Anika really misses you.
Attempted murder.
Uh, yes, ma'am.
That's what I went to jail for,
but I paid my debt.
I learned my lesson.
But you still
attempting murder.
Uh, ma'am?
'Cause that's what
you doing here right now.
My daughter had dreams before she met you.
She wanted to be a nurse.
And she wanted to be with a man
who could pay a bill.
You ever asked her about her dreams?
You ever asked her
what kind of man she dreams of being with?
'Cause it ain't you.
He got a good job.
And he ain't never been to jail.
So, yeah.
You attempting murder all over again,
'cause you are murdering her dreams.
And you murdering me,
by being here telling me this bullshit.
If you learned your lesson in prison,
like you say you did
then you would stop murdering people.
And you would stop being with her
'cause it is killing her.
And she don't even know it.
Now, if you love her,
I mean, love her like you say you do,
then let her go on
and be with somebody else.
Somebody who can take care of her
and her child.
Where she ain't gotta sit
behind bulletproof glass,
scared to death that she gonna get killed
like she almost did in that prison.
[melancholic music plays]
I know everything
I need to know about you, nigga.
Now, get the fuck off my porch.
[Denise laughs]
-Oh, my goodness.
-That's crazy.
[Denise] You like your paint? Mm-hmm.
-Hey, Nik.
-[Denise] Hey.
[Anika] Hi, baby.
[Carousel] Hi.
Hi, Nia.
-Hi.
-[adults chuckle]
Hi.
[Carousel] Hey, baby.
What's the matter?
Uh, my mother's getting worse.
My sister's asked if I could come home
and take care of her.
[Quinn] Hmm.
Uh, then that's what you gotta do.
I told them that if I'm coming,
you gotta come too.
[somber music plays]
[chuckles sadly]
[oxygen tank hisses]
Turn it down some.
Hi.
[Cathy] I don't wanna talk to you.
Her room is upstairs. [coughs]
That's where you stay.
When I go to work,
he's gonna have to help you.
Don't need his help.
That convict better stay
the hell away from me.
-Mama.
-[Cathy] You heard me!
[coughs]
Convict.
You can go upstairs. It's to the left.
That's your new name to me.
Convict.
Convict! [coughs]
Convict.
[coughs mildly]
[Cathy sighs]
Just give it to me.
Come on, give me that.
[Anika groans softly]
[melancholic music plays]
[sighs heavily]
[Cathy wheezes]
[coughing]
You need anything?
For you to leave me the fuck alone.
Get away from my bed.
Convict.
[coughs]
[continues coughing]
[Carousel grunts]
[Cathy sighs]
[coughs]
-You want that?
-[Nia] I want, um, that one.
-Use it.
-[cell phone vibrates]
Hello?
[Nia] I want this here
-[Carousel] Uh, you got him.
-[Nia] and paper.
[Carousel] Um, yeah. Tomorrow.
-Delaney Restaurant. Tomorrow at 4:00.
-[phone chimes]
-[phone vibrates]
-[women chatter]
["Space" by Mario plays in salon]
-Hold on. Mama just texted me.
-What'd she say?
"I overheard him upstairs
talking to someone."
"They're gonna meet
at Delaney's tomorrow at 4:00."
How the hell can he afford Delaney's?
I bet you it's a woman.
Yeah. You see?
You see what the hell I'm talking about?
This nigga ain't shit. [scoffs]
Okay. Delaney's at 4:00. Got you.
Sorry.
Ooh.
[heavy thudding and clattering]
[groaning]
[Cathy sobs]
Get away from me, Convict.
Don't you touch me!
[Cathy breathes heavily]
-Um
-[winces]
[groans]
Are you hurt?
[weakly] No.
[sobs]
No.
-You have to let me help you up, please.
-No, it's
I was
-It's okay.
-I was trying to make it to the bathroom.
[sentimental music plays]
[sobs]
It's okay.
Let me help you up, p-- please.
[sobs and whimpers]
-It's okay.
-[whimpers]
Come on.
It's okay. I got you.
[weakly] No.
You okay? You're doing good.
-I'm gonna take your dress off. You okay?
-No, no.
Now, Miss Morrison,
you're weak and I'm blind.
But with your eyes and my strength,
I can help you.
-No.
-But first we gotta take this dress off.
No, no.
Come on.
Put my hands where they need to go.
This is so embarrassing.
I don't know what you talking about.
I can't see anything.
Okay, yeah.
Put your hand on my shoulder.
[softly] Okay.
[groans]
Okay. All right, okay.
[groans]
[sighs]
I need the shower hose.
Okay.
[grunts]
[water runs]
Is that warm enough for you?
Yeah.
[Carousel] Okay.
-I'm gonna close the curtain.
-Okay.
Okay.
You okay?
-Mm-hmm.
-All right.
[sighs]
I'm right out here if you need me.
-[door closes]
-[Anika sighs softly]
[calming jazz music plays in restaurant]
But I've been calling and calling.
Well, I'm just gonna come down there th--
If--
Well, why won't he call me back?
I, well-- [sighs]
[exhales heavily]
Convict.
Convict.
Convict. [coughs]
Convict!
You know you hear me calling you.
[sighs]
Carousel.
[sighs]
Carousel.
Carousel.
Ma'am?
Carousel.
That's a stupid name.
I like Convict better.
[coughs mildly]
My grandma said my mama named me Carousel
'cause I was always spinning
around in her belly.
She thought it was cute.
I bet she ain't know
your ass was gonna go to jail.
No, ma'am.
Had my mother lived,
I'd like to think that I'd have somebody
other than a 82-year-old grandma
to take care of me.
But I was, um
[clicks tongue] 13 and mad,
'cause my daddy wasn't there
and my mama died.
I wouldn't listen, so when I was 14,
I was caught up in the wrong crowd
and tried as an adult.
My daughter can do better than you.
No, she can't.
Oh, arrogant ass.
-Nobody can love her like I do.
-[scoffs]
A man told me that once.
He wasn't shit.
James?
What-- What Anika been telling you?
You talk in your sleep.
Something about James and Freaknik?
O-- Oh, uh Get your ass outta here.
[coughs]
[warm music plays]
[chuckles softly]
-Have a nice day.
-[door chimes]
Shit.
Do you know who that woman is?
No, she don't. Look at her face.
Anika, why is he with this woman?
Mama overheard them talking, making plans.
He thought she was sleeping.
Are you done?
[scoffs mildly]
Girl, this-- this man is playing you.
[chuckles] Look, Trina, I get it.
Donovan ain't shit.
So it'll help you feel better
if my man ain't shit too.
That's not what I'm doing, Anika.
You've been doing this
since I was a little girl, Trina.
You always have and you always will.
So you mad at me because of that nigga?
Is that what's happening right now?
Bye.
Okay, yeah, let him play you
like a fool, then, Anika. Go ahead.
Come on, Lisa.
[door chimes]
[Cathy coughs]
Mmm.
What was the name
of the plant you worked for?
Do you have any records or anything?
[sighs]
He got all that.
Well, I know you have
your thoughts about me,
but I know a little about the law.
[Cathy chuckles dryly]
Damn.
A prison lawyer?
Shit.
I'm actually pretty smart, Miss Morrison.
And I think I can help you.
Is it okay if I call him?
Just to see?
I don't care.
You'll have to call him
and tell him it's okay to talk to me.
He ain't gonna answer.
He never do.
I bet he will.
[grunts softly]
I see why my daughter like you.
[moans]
Your mom's lawyer
what do you know about him?
He's a joke.
I don't think he knows what he's doing.
Well, I'm gonna try to talk to him.
Okay.
Hey.
You okay?
Is there something you wanna tell me?
[chuckles] What do you mean?
Like, are you seeing another woman?
[scoffs]
What are you talking about?
I just wanna know
if there's something you wanna tell me.
That I love you.
And there's no one else?
Where's this coming from?
I've been cheated on before,
and that's not happening again.
Good.
[tense music plays]
I gotta go shower.
Baby.
I gotta shower.
Anika.
"provision is not inconsistent with law."
"The regulation of internal affairs
of the corporation"
"plan of emergencies."
Crazy.
[breathing shallowly]
Where's Carousel?
-He should be getting off work soon.
-Huh.
Hand me that photo album
underneath that unicorn.
[coughs]
[Cathy] Mmm.
[sighs]
[gentle nostalgic music plays]
[Cathy breathes deeply]
Come here, look at me.
[chuckles]
I was so young,
and fine!
[both laugh]
Oh.
Anika.
Time
and life,
they are thieves.
And I didn't get out of this life
what I thought I wanted.
And I'm angry.
It ain't fair.
[sniffs]
[coughs]
I'm sorry.
I was so mean to you.
I know I've been a lot.
But that boy,
he love you.
I was so wrong.
He came here, uh,
a little while ago
to tell me all about himself.
And to ask if he could date you.
He-- He probably didn't tell you
how I treated him, did he?
'Cause I embarrassed him.
But when he get here today,
I'm gonna tell him I'm sorry.
Baby.
I know you scared.
But you ain't gotta be.
[Anika sniffles]
[sniffles] I'm embarrassed to say,
when I look at you
when I look at y'all, I--
I get jealous.
'Cause I know what you and that boy got
is real.
It's real.
[Anika sniffles]
[sighs]
I don't know. Trina
told me that she saw him with some woman,
and she showed me a picture of them.
Well, did you ask him about it?
I asked him if there was another woman,
and I asked if he would ever cheat on me,
but he said no.
But you know how heartbroken
I was with Randy.
-Oh!
-And
Carousel, he ain't Randy.
[coughs]
[Cathy] That boy treat your baby good.
Better than any man I ever seen
treat a baby that ain't his.
He got a good heart.
And you know it.
Trust that. [sniffles]
Now
Well, your sisters [scoffs]
they just jealous.
[sniffles]
They jealous 'cause
your daddy
he was the only one that came around.
And I was too damn hurt
by the other two
that I didn't realize it
till it was too late.
He-- He was gone.
You're too young to remember
but Carousel remind me of him.
He took good care of you.
They just jealous, baby.
But y'all gonna be all right.
Y'all gonna be all right. Just
[both sniffle]
Just talk to him.
[all chattering]
I-- Look, I'm telling you the truth,
and you know it.
-Can I talk to you outside, please?
-What the fuck are you doing in my shop?
I need to talk outside.
-Go. Donovan, please.
-Yo, man.
-Don't put your hands on me!
-Don't talk to him like that!
How about you go
and talk to that bitch you was with
at a restaurant? How 'bout that?
-What?
-[Trina] Yeah, we saw you.
And Mama overheard y'all talking.
And we told Anika.
So what? She put you out?
And that's why you mad?
-Shit.
-Oh, "shit."
-Okay. This makes sense.
-Right. Nigga, go, go, go. Go talk to her!
'Cause she's believing your bullshit
and I'm not, with your low-down ass.
-Fuckin' idiot.
-You know what's low?
You working with a crooked-ass lawyer
to get a settlement,
and he making you the guardian
of your mother's money,
and you not telling her.
That's what's fucking low!
So you wanna talk outside
or you wanna talk in here?
[Lisa] Trina.
You wanna tell your sister
where your mother's settlement money is?
The $348,000 that you
and this motherfucker behind me
been spending?
[customer] Damn!
Trina?
-What the fuck is he talking about?
-Lisa.
[inhales sharply]
Look, I took care of her, Lisa.
I paid off that fucking house. Okay?
[inhales] Look,
she would've spent it. Okay?
A-- Anika would've spent it.
Somebody would've fucking spent it
if I didn't intervene.
And you know that, Lisa.
You took her settlement money
and you didn't tell her?
It's not that simple. It's--
You know what?
Wait. Carousel, hold on. Hold on.
If you tell her
it will kill her.
I wouldn't tell her that.
-What are you g-- What are you gonna do?
-[phone vibrates]
Carousel, what you finna do?
Hey.
Anika, what's wrong, baby?
[sniffles]
-[Trina] I'm sick and tired.
-Wait, what? Wait. What?
[Lisa] What, Trina?
Ani-- Anika, slow down.
[Trina speaks indistinctly]
I'm on my way.
-[Trina continues]
-[Lisa] Trina, shh!
Your mother just died.
[breathing heavily]
[somber music plays]
[sobbing]
-I'm so sorry.
-[Quinn] I'm here if you need, all right?
-Yeah. Thank you.
-Yeah, man.
[Trina sobs]
I'm so sorry.
[Lisa] Anika.
You remember how Mama used to always say
you can always tell that family member
who didn't do right by somebody
by all that whooping and hollering
they do at the funeral?
I think she was right.
Look at you.
Solid.
Because you did everything right.
Come on, Lisa. We all did.
I didn't do as much as you did.
[Anika] Let's not do this, okay?
You had to work.
Trina had to work. It's fine.
[sighs]
Trina.
You wanna tell her what you
and that crooked-ass lawyer did?
-[Trina sniffles]
-[Lisa] Hmm?
[sobs] She and that
crooked-ass motherfucker
took the settlement money
and didn't tell Mama.
I did what was best for her.
Okay?
I paid off this house.
Stop lying! I verified that!
Tell the truth!
Baby, I'm sorry.
You got that settlement money?
Look, I took c-- care of Mama
before that money.
She owes me.
You know she does. She owes me.
[melancholic music plays]
Anika.
[Lisa sobs] You are disgusting.
-You going to work?
-Gotta pay the mortgage, right?
Why wouldn't you tell me?
Baby, I found out the day she died.
I couldn't.
Yeah, just like you couldn't tell me
about that lady at the restaurant.
Anika, let's take a ride.
I gotta go.
No, no, no. Come, come, come. Please.
Let's take a ride.
[Carousel clears throat]
Hi. I thought I would see you a week ago.
Something came up.
This is my girlfriend, Anika.
Hi.
Hi. Uh, I'm Keke.
And-- And who is this pretty girl?
My daughter, Nia.
[Keke] Hi. Hi.
Should we just go into my office?
You got my money?
-Can I get you to sit for a moment?
-Uh, I don't have time for this.
You already had an extra week
and we're dealing with something.
What is going on?
Tell her why we were
in that restaurant last week,
and tell her what we were talking about.
Well, your boyfriend is quite the artist.
He sold a painting--
It was stolen.
A painting was sold,
and he's owed a lot of money.
And he gonna get his money.
Yes. I spoke to the gallery owners,
and they agreed to a settlement
in exchange for the release
of the painting's chain of title.
I don't think you're hearing me well.
Ain't no settlement.
And I said I want all my money.
But right now, I need $8,000 in cash.
I told you last week I needed the $8,000.
Fine. You win.
Here is the contract.
You can have a lawyer look it over.
Although the way you wrote
that demand letter, you'll be fine
repping yourself.
[clears throat]
Fix this language. It's too vague.
And there's three typos
in the first paragraph.
I think you're testing me.
I'm not signing it
until it's all the money,
and I want $8,000 right now.
-Let's go, baby.
-[Keke] One more thing.
Whatever it is, we'll discuss it
when I get my money.
Okay, but the position might be filled.
You are better and more bullish
than all of my paralegals.
Call me if you want a job.
Let's go.
-[sighs]
-She just offered you a job.
If we hurry, we can make the deadline
to get you in this semester.
-It's too late.
-No, it's not.
I already called them
and told them you're on the way.
Carousel.
When I told you I got you,
I got you.
You hear me?
[breathes heavily]
Look, I, um
I never believed you were cheating.
I just got triggered.
We all do.
I'm sorry.
We can leave all that in the past.
Right now,
we just need to get you registered.
["Live While We're Young"
by Johnnyswim plays]
I love you so much.
I love you too.
Hands off the brakes.
Come on, say it.
Hands off the brakes.
[both laugh]
What is happening?
We're doing life.
Just better now.
Make no mistake
Come on.
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
We can die when we're done
Let's live while we're young
Live while we're
Live while we're young
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Got my hand on my Bible
Hold it firm like a gun
While you pray for revival
I'm already livin' in one
I won't pass up on the danger
I'd miss out on the fun
Won't miss out on the fun
-Make no mistake
-Make no mistake, make no mistake
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
Oh, we can die when we're done
Let's live while we're young
Let's live while we're
Live while we're young
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
You can barricade these walls
And seek surrender
We'll taunt enough
To turn a raging sea
But the only way you'll find
to quench these embers
Is killin' me, killin' me, killin' me
Oh, let the stages burn
And the tears turn into scowls
Oh, live the glory of the past
Is all I ever see
Oh, still the only way you'll find
To quench these embers
Is killin' me, is killin' me
Is killin' me
Oh, so make no mistake
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
Oh, we can die when we're done
Let's live, let's live, let's live
Make no mistake
We'll live while we're young
We'll chase down the sun
Hands off the brake
We can die when we're done
Let's live while we're young
Let's live while we're
Live while we're young
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh, ooh
Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh, ooh
We can barricade these walls
And seek surrender
Taunt enough to turn a raging sea
The only way you'll find
To quench these embers
Is killin' me
[intriguing jazz music plays]
[mellow lilting classical music plays]
[sweeping solemn classical music plays]