The Porter (2022) s01e07 Episode Script
Episode 7
1
It's double to play,
but we triple the payout.
TUFFY: We're just asking for trouble.
Dinger told me to come get you.
ZEKE: I know you a fucking rat.
You're running back to Edwards
telling him all our business
It's not like that!
LUCY: I should have known better
than to put my future in your hands.
We're through!
I got circumcised.
Provident is a training hospital
for Negro students
and patients.
This is real life,
and this is no one's business.
JUNIOR: We make our own lives.
Pack light, Mrs. Massey.
ZEKE: Serious ain't just
showing up it's signing up.
JEFFRIES: We don't wish to give you
or your men any false hope.
The answer is no.
DINGER: Thanks to them you
have double the work tonight.
- Git!
- [DOG WHIMPERING]
[INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
[HARMONIZING] [INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
[HARMONIZING] [INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
[GROUP CHANTING]
[CHANTING] Strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike, strike!
Strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike!
[HARMONIZING] [INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
You can't hide
You can't run
You can't hide for long
You can't hide
You can't run
You can't hide for long
[CHANTING] [HARMONIZING]
RADIO ANNOUNCER: As the labour strike
all across the city
rolls into its fifth day,
the public outrage is growing.
Garbage, postal and railways
are all at a standstill
with no end in sight.
How long can labour
unions starve to strike?
Buck up boys.
We did the right thing
stepping out on that platform.
Right or wrong,
when the train stops the work stops.
Well we ain't on the bread line yet.
There's still time to get things sorted.
We just gotta
What's going on?
Nothing we want the company to know,
so go on and get walking.
You still on that?
I told you,
I'm not the rat.
[SUCKS TEETH]
Hey, listen y'all,
we just need to keep
the end goal in mind.
Us refusing to cross their picket line
is us defending our
own right as workers.
As men.
WINCHESTER: Lookin' to
the future is all well and good,
but what happens now?
You never told us what went down
at that union Congress meeting.
GLENFORD: So when the company
tries to retaliate,
they're gonna step in for us, right?
It ain't that simple.
GLENFORD: What's that supposed to mean?
You said Moschel was on board.
WINCHESTER: You crazy?
We walked out there
for the world to see.
You really think he's
gonna do us any favours?
It's fine.
It's fine.
I just still got a few
moves I need to make.
That's all.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[WATER SPLASHING]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
LUCY: Mama?
BERNICE: Clean or not,
these clothes need to go on the line!
Coming mama!
POPSY: Those crates in the back,
you count every bottle.
You ready to tell me what this is for?
Didn't realize a cash transaction
required an explanation.
Listen Junior,
I don't profess to be a
man with clean hands.
But back when all this was just a dream,
I ran my shit with one goal in mind.
Make what I need to open,
and then walk away.
That's what I'm doing, Popsy.
Is it?
Why do you think I
asked you for the car?
Well I can't rightfully say.
But where do you think that you're going
where the Queen can't find you, hmm?
Especially when that's
her money in your pocket.
I think it's best for the both of us
you don't know the
answer to that question.
I just need out of here quick.
[KEYS JINGLE]
Car in the alley?
You're a good man, Popsy Reed.
I appreciate you.
[SOFT JAZZ MUSIC]
[DOOR BANGS]
[RHYTHMIC JAZZ MUSIC]
Well this is a
an interesting choice for a meeting.
Public support for the
strike is real high.
This is one of the few
places still open.
To real working men, that is.
Coffee, please.
I know that this labour disruption
is hurting your pocketbook.
So don't worry, lunch is on me.
Try the chicken feet, you'll love them.
Trust me, this, uh,
this communist invasion
masking itself as a
legitimate labour movement
it's already in the process
of being dismantled.
How's that?
Oh, tomorrow's headline.
Arrest warrants have
already been issued,
and the Mounties are rounding
up Reds as we speak.
We wouldn't want a repeat
of Bloody Saturday,
would we?
Lost a few of your kind in
that debacle, as I recall.
You try that red scare bullshit
they pulled in Winnipeg,
and it'll be your blood
running in the streets,
not ours.
Public support is nowhere near as strong
as the stench of their
uncollected trash.
The tide is turning away from labour
so I suggest you tell your
union boys to play along.
Yeah?
And what are you gonna do
about your porter problem?
I assure you,
I am not worried about that
little show on the platform.
Hm, what about the star of the show?
You don't know?
Spit it out Moschel,
and try not to choke on whatever that is
you're cramming down your throat.
[MOSCHEL CLEARS THROAT]
Before your porter
Zeke Garrett broke ranks
to join the picket line,
he was in Ottawa meeting with
the union congress board.
Brought a list of signatures of porters
ready to unionize.
A long one.
It may seem like a complicated affair,
but it's actually quite simple Edwards.
Either you're with us,
or we're with them.
Choke on that.
You son of a bitch.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
DINGER: Good afternoon Mrs. Massey.
My name is Ruben Miller,
I'm the, uh,
[CHUCKLES] I'm the conductor on the,
the train your husband works.
I was hoping to have a word with him.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Oh, well,
Junior isn't in at the moment,
but I'd be happy to
pass along a message.
Well that's very kind of you,
but this really is a matter
that's best kept between gentlemen.
Well in that case Mr. Miller,
I will be sure to let
him know you came by.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I'll wait.
[OMINOUS MUSIC SWELLS]
[CROWD SHOUTING]
Oh honey, you've got a
little bit of cream cheese.
Here you go.
- You all right?
- Thank you.
ZEKE: Oh isn't that beautiful.
Please, pardon the intrusion.
Rebekah, am I right?
That's right.
I'm sorry, have we met?
Uh, no, ma'am, Zeke Garrett.
Sweetheart, if you wouldn't mind.
There's a baker outside
selling sponge cake,
would you mind picking
us up a few pieces?
Yeah.
Thank you, sweetheart.
[LOUD SHOUTING]
What the fuck do you want, Zeke?
Just a moment of your time,
Mr. Four Hundred.
What?
Gotta have at least four
hundred dollars in the bank
to comfortably play a white man,
ain't that how it go?
I don't know what you're talking about.
ZEKE: Oh, you don't.
Provident Hospital.
I mean, you mentioned it
when my friend and I
saved your sorry ass.
And I'm guessing that your
intended don't know about that.
And she's not going to,
so why don't you get
the hell out of here?
Yeah, after you do something for me.
You have an annual
union meeting coming up
where you're gonna talk to Moschel,
and convince him to put the
porter admission up for a vote.
The hell I am.
Moschel only tolerates me
'cause his sister loves me.
You really think I can
convince him on this?
Besides, the charter says
the union's for whites only.
Mmmhmm, it also says that
every clause in the charter
can be changed with a majority vote.
Come on now,
don't you think you have an
obligation to your people?
You expect me to live my
life as a Black man, yeah?
Where the best I can
hope for after twenty years
of running up and down
this country is what?
Porter instructor?
Or maybe I should be like you, yeah?
On my knees begging the
white union to let us in.
Look, we had a shot at something better.
You know, when you and your
boys walked off that train.
We could have took your jobs, Steven,
but we stood by you.
Now it's time for you to do the same.
Come on Zeke, if I do that,
they're gonna know something's up.
Oh yeah? Well the way I see it,
is you're already a
pretty damn good liar.
I'm sure you'll figure it out.
She really is lovely.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
DINGER: Mr. Massey,
good of you to join us.
[DINGER LAUGHS]
Only kidding,
your, uh, lovely wife here was
good enough to invite me in.
You headed to work?
I was on my way out when
Mr. Miller stopped by.
All right, well
get going.
Pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Massey.
Wonderful cook your wife.
Understand now why you boys bring your
your meals into the station.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
What the fuck you doing in my house?
You moving, uh, up or, uh, out?
I ain't gonna ask you again.
Well, yesterday was, uh,
watching you on the train,
working hard and attending
to the passengers,
taking tips, and well then it hit me.
Junior Massey,
he doesn't take tips.
[BOTH LAUGH]
And then,
then I took the liberty of
going through your jacket.
Oh, you went through my stuff?
All right.
When you were occupied on the train
and uh
Well, I found, uh,
found this.
[DINGER LAUGHS]
Now what would you say
if I showed this little
betting book of yours
to Mr. Edwards?
Well I'll say
you didn't come here to threaten me
for something you could
have already done.
So what do you want?
Ooh, a percentage.
A percentage of my money?
[BOTH LAUGHING]
- Of my money.
- Yeah.
See, I've, uh, added up the, uh,
numbers, uh, for the duration
of your little endeavour
and I thought, well, uh, well
six hundred would be fitting.
Well that sounds like a hundred percent.
And I'd also say
that you can go fuck
yourself out of my house
if you think that's gonna happen.
[BOTH LAUGH]
You know, not a half century ago
your daddy probably was a slave
and he would've been whipped
if he dared think about
talking to his master that way.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[IN PATOIS] Well,
I'm Jamaican.
And no white man has ever conquered us.
Not the Spanish, or the British.
So if you ever come in my house again,
I will skin you alive
like my forefathers did
every redcoat that set
foot on these shores.
You hear what me say,
you little fuck, you, hmm?
Whatever you're paying the other men
I hope it covers their legal fees
because lawyers can be costly
and after I throw every porter
that helped you run numbers into prison,
I can't imagine that
the scales of justice
will tip in their favour.
Can you?
[GASPS]
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I don't have it here.
It's on the train.
Get it then.
What you think
the picket lines are just
gonna part like the Red Sea
for a company man walking through?
[DINGER CHUCKLES]
I think those trains
are gonna run sooner than you think.
[IN JAMAICAN ACCENT] And
when they do Mr. Massey,
I want my money.
All of it.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DOOR BANGS]
Nights with you in Harlem
When the moon recedes from view
And daybreak brings the
promise of loving you
You loving me
[FOOTSTEPS STOMPING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
Those nights
MOSCHEL: We raised our voices,
stood our ground!
And showed those sons of bitches
that the city can't run without us.
[CROWD CHEERING]
I'll buy you lazy bastards
a round of drinks. Eh.
[CROWD CHEERING]
There you go. How you boys doing, eh?
What's wrong with you?
You knock up my sister or something?
- You schtupping my sister?
- No, no, no, no, no.
No I would never do that.
Relax, I'm kidding!
Unlike me, she's a good Jew.
Never ate a pork dumpling.
Come on Steven, lighten up.
It's a celebration!
Zeke Garrett came to see me.
He asked me to talk to you about
putting integration on the
agenda at the annual meeting.
He can't be serious.
A lot of the men are talking about
how the porters stood by
us when we walked off.
You think they rolled out the red
carpet for a Jewish union leader?
They're barely tolerating us.
I'm not gonna stand up
for negroes. Smarten up.
Tommy's got his eye on your seat.
If you're not gonna listen to your men,
I can guarantee you he will.
All I'm saying is put it on the agenda.
What happens next is up to the men.
Let them decide.
Fine.
If nothing else,
it's a good show of faith
to keep the porters in line
until negotiations are over.
How you boys doing in here, eh?
[CROWD CHEERING]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
MARLENE: Junior?
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
What's going on?
I'm trapped Mar.
That man that came here, Dinger,
he wants the money I
make from the train,
but it belongs to Queenie.
Queenie?
The woman they call
the Southside Butcher?
If I pay the man we can't leave.
If we leave,
then every single porter that
lifted a finger to help me
be left in the lurch.
Not to mention what happens
if I don't show up with Queenie's money.
Baby, baby, what you doing?
Come on.
Sell it.
Sell everything we own.
Pay that man, and let's
get the hell outta here.
You can't help anyone
from the grave, Junior.
As long as I have you and I have Teddy,
I have everything I need.
The rest we'll figure out together.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
RADIO ANNOUNCER:
There was a rush of employees
eager to get back to their
old positions this morning,
as the strike ends with a
modest victory for the unions.
After an all night session,
the general strike committee
decided to accept the city's proposal
to appoint a commission
to investigate the strike
and settle all disputes.
[RHYTHMIC DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Which track?
Track number 8, Ma'am.
Thank you.
No problem.
Well, you got what you wanted.
Moschel's putting it on the agenda.
Hey! Your blackmail stunt
nearly threatened my entire life!
What do you think would happen
if people found out the truth?
We both know nooses
travel north of the border.
Well no one forced you to pass.
I did what I had to do for my people.
Right.
So I'm one of your people
when you need something,
theirs when you don't.
I guess who we really are shows
up when no one is looking.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[SOULFUL JAZZ MUSIC]
I must confess Mr. Massey,
I wasn't entirely sure this
was all real until now.
Well, it looks like
you're good for something
after all.
See you next week,
same time, same place.
This isn't gonna stop, is it?
DINGER: No.
Like you, I do not intend
to invest all my years
on these damn trains.
I'm out.
Oooh.
You see what uniform you're wearing?
You're a porter, Mr. Massey.
You clean shit and you eat
it at the ring of a bell.
And the only authority that
you have is what I give you.
Come on [LAUGHS].
Can't you see I'm offering you a gift.
I can be your new very
best fucking friend.
Get back to work.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
FRANKLIN: I know Dianne
takes a long lunch on Thursday,
so I thought I'd bring you,
a little something to read.
Well it was certainly
a considerate gesture,
but this is old news.
Not so old that they wouldn't
care about the real story.
You know.
The one that tells how you preach
protecting the Canadian worker
from the "immigrant scourge",
but, tsk, tsk, tsk,
you pay off the government officials
to just whip them past your borders.
This was an isolated incident.
I've got a paper trail
that begs to differ.
You will release my trust funds,
or I walk right out this building
and right into the
office of the Daily Record.
This is you trying to
get back into the house?
No.
No.
This is me through trying.
I'm not asking for anything
that doesn't belong to me.
This what I'm owed and
it's what she deserves.
You do realize this act of insolence
will end the very idea of
you taking a position here.
Stop by the bank at the end of the day,
I'll have it sorted by then.
[SOFT OPERATIC MUSIC]
[LIVELY BACKGROUND CHATTER]
Hey.
You startin' to regret this arrangement?
I mean, these girls that
It's not them.
Well something's got you shook.
What is it? Might as well spit it out.
Junior.
He has always been the type of man
to chase after his dreams.
But now it feels like
we're just running away
from his problems.
You don't wanna run with him?
MARLENE: It's just
What if it doesn't work?
You know what you need?
You need to get outta
your head a little while.
I got just the tonic for you. Come on.
All right. All right.
Marlene.
You worry too much, honey.
Put that to your mouth, pull it in.
[MARLENE COUGHS]
Now, what was I sayin'?
Oh yeah right, my first time.
Wait, do you mean my "first first"?
Or the first time it was good?
Both?
My very first time was my husband,
and it was as awful as the man himself.
Now the real deal was Ray Badger.
How should I say this?
He had trouble getting the badger
to come out of the tunnel.
By the third song,
that badger was on duty, baby.
[FAY CACKLES]
He had me so wet I thought
I had sprung a leak.
My first was my husband.
My only, as a matter of fact.
Your only?
How you know he know what he doin'?
Girl, you eat prime rib,
do you need to taste any other meat?
[BOTH LAUGH]
[SIGHS] I just love him so much.
What's that?
Hey, that's your going away present.
[SOFT GROOVY MUSIC]
It make no sense at all
To say how much you earn
It make no sense at all
To say how much you used to earn
It make no sense at all
["GROW MAMA GROW" BY
DOMINIQUE FILS-AIMÃ]
[SOFT RHYTHMIC CLAPPING]
You should know better
than to wait so long
Who said the world will be
here right after you're gone
You should know better
than to take so long
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
FAY: You know what?
You've got that room
down there for a clinic,
but that's your money
maker right there, baby.
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Feelin' now what you feeling now
Grow mama grow Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow Grow mama grow
Grow
Grow mama grow Grow mama grow
Momma
Grow mama, grow mama grow
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
Know you heard them calling
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
All night long
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
POPSY: I told you to get
your ass outta my club.
All I'm asking for is her
address, dammit! Please!
Well that ain't happening.
The last thing Lucy needs
is for you to show up there
and cost her another job.
- Popsy
- Hey!
That is Mr. Reed to you.
Mr. Reed, I know how
much you mean to Lucy,
so I could only imagine
that the feeling is mutual.
But you have to understand,
I promise you, this is good news.
Something Lucy would
definitely want to hear.
Well, boy, this is a bar.
Not an information desk.
So I ain't gotta tell you shit.
Mr. Reed, no matter what you think,
I love her.
And I'm going to come
back here every day
until she shows up or you
tell me where I can find her.
[SUCKS TEETH]
And you'll find I'm very
persistent when I want something.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I thought my services
were no longer needed.
How'd you put it?
"I've got Zeke Garrett under control."
Things have changed.
Unless you're no longer
in need of my money?
That depends.
What kind of information
are you looking for?
I heard Garrett has a list of porters
who are angling to get into the union.
I'd be very interested
in obtaining that list.
How interested?
Name your price.
What are you gonna do with it?
I suspect you don't really
want to know the answer to that.
You have until tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
I don't know if I can get to
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Sticks.
How long you think I got?
You know what time your train leaves.
No.
No, I mean until she's done
playing with the porter.
A woman in her position
can't afford to keep friends.
Family?
Bobby had no loyalty.
Yeah.
Boy had more mouth than sense.
But all he wanted to do was
get out of the box he got put in.
Isn't what every man wants?
[TENSE SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Well if you decide you
wanna get out the box,
I got a proposition for you.
A real partnership, fifty-fifty split.
You take Chicago and
I'll take the trains.
You got no idea what I want.
I know you wanna be makin'
moves, but she's got you makin' drinks.
So maybe when you count up
the money from the power-ball,
you'll think different.
[TENSE SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[CAR HONKING]
KATHERINE: I'd rather be in
here than entertaining Roger.
Last time he took his socks off
and the stink was so bad
my eyes started to water.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
FAY: I told him the sex was so good
it was bringing me to tears.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
Marlene, sit down.
Come on.
Relax, honey.
Madam stays out of the
house for this very reason.
She'll bail us out
with a big gratuity so
we're not charged.
Charged?!
Is, uh, that the woman who claimed
she was a Black Cross Nurse?
OFFICER: Yep.
Kept saying she didn't belong here.
Eli, please.
I know we've had our differences but,
[WHISPERS] you know I'm not one of them.
[WOMAN GASPS]
OFFICER: Is that how
your Black Cross Nurses
usually dress?
In that kinda whorehouse get up?
ELI: They most certainly do not.
OFFICER: So she's not one of yours?
She used to be one of our nurses.
So sad to see how far she's fallen.
Eli!
[DOOR SHUTS]
Must be a hard fall from
such a high horse, I suppose.
I didn't mean it like that
Oh, I know exactly what you meant.
You know what?
The next time you wanna
play in the dirt little girl,
you go find yourself a garden.
Leave me the fuck out of it.
Sister Massey.
[SUCKS TEETH]
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CHILDREN GIGGLING]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
[ZEKE GASPS]
You wanna tell me what
you're doing in here Lucy?
I mean, you know the landlady
don't take kindly to wom
Oh, now I hope those tears
ain't for that Edwards boy.
Because I'm sure he don't
deserve a one of them.
LUCY: It's not just him.
It's my whole rotten life.
Oh come on. Come here.
It ain't rotten Luce.
And-and you can't let a few bad spots
make you toss the whole apple.
I put my whole trust in Franklin.
Quit my job at Stardust and everything.
Talk to Popsy.
I mean, I'm sure he'll understand
But he won't give me the stage.
And I can't keep being a maid,
or I'll end up just like my mama.
Nothing to show for my
talent but a record
that gets tossed in the trash.
So what you going to do?
- Can I stay here tonight?
- Come on Lucy.
I-I know it's against the rules,
but I just need some time to think.
Find myself a fresh start somehow.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I sent a little to my family,
but if they won't take it, you should.
- No, I shouldn't
- Come on.
You're family too, Luce.
And fresh starts don't come cheap.
Thank you.
And just don't snore, or step on me.
All right, I'm be right here.
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
I guess you're telling the truth.
Madam never leaves any
of her girls behind.
You're letting me go?
Someone else came to pay your fine.
Let's go.
I promise I will pay you
back every last penny.
Nonsense.
I was glad to do it.
I'm sorry.
I should've told you that I
was still going to the brothel.
What were you thinking, Marlene?
At first I was as mad as you
at Eli for sending us there.
But he wasn't wrong.
He sent us to a place with real need.
There's plenty of people in the world
who could use your help.
Why would you want anything to
do with those kind of people?
Those "kind of people"
are all kinds of people.
Daughters. Sons. Husbands.
- Gwen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean
- It's getting late.
Gwen
Bring back the coat when you can.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Ever think of trying to
make it as a trumpet player?
Music might feed the soul,
but it don't put food on the table.
You can move to Chicago.
You can live in luxury.
Your son can learn from
the best musicians.
And you could be my right hand.
And what about my wife.
What's her name again?
Marlene.
Pretty name.
Everything added up?
STICKS: Ledger looks good.
I gotta be getting off,
or I'll miss my train.
Just remember porter-man,
as long as you work for me,
you'll never go hungry.
[RHYTHMIC TRUMPET MUSIC]
Thank you.
[SUSPENSEFUL JAZZ MUSIC]
I saw your face.
I know the money didn't add up.
Why'd you cover for me?
Used to work for a gangster
name of "Slick" Teddy Sims.
He had the whole
Southside in his pocket,
but his woman was
always in his ear about
taking on the Italians for more.
Slick wasn't big on that.
What a man won't do for
love or pussy, right?
I know that's right.
[BOTH LAUGH]
So I'm lookout while Slick
meets with the Italians,
next thing I know,
the cops are everywhere.
I get locked up,
Slick gets shot up and the
whole city's up for grabs.
Let me guess,
the love of his life is now
rolling with the new gangster.
No, new occupation.
Queen of the whole fucking city.
Ten years inside. I get out,
Queenie gives me a job
as a jack-of-all trades.
And that was generous.
Yeah, I think that most days.
And other days?
Well I think who the
fuck tipped the cops off
about our meeting?
Maybe she was generous,
maybe Slick shoulda seen her coming.
Either way I'm making
the first move this time.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Proposition accepted, porter.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC] [PANICKED BREATHING]
[LOUD BANGING] [PANICKED BREATHING]
[DOOR KNOCKING]
MAN: Hey Zeke.
You've got a telegram from Edwards.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CHATTERING] [TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Thank you for travelling with us, ma'am.
[SOMBRE MUSIC]
You have yourself a good day.
[SOMBRE MUSIC]
Porters!
If you hear your name called,
please come forward.
What's going on?
I don't know but it don't look good.
EDWARDS: Joining the Welfare Committee.
Using the Ice Cream Social Fund
as a cover to collect names and dues.
You're a little man with big dreams,
aren't you Mr. Garrett?
Only wanted what was
deserved, Mr. Edwards.
Job security protection
and a decent living.
You're like David,
one shot at Goliath,
only you missed the mark, Mr. Garrett.
And now your fellow
porters will have to pay.
Now hold on, you can't
punish then for what I did.
I most certainly can.
And I imagine in the future
you might find it a little
more difficult to entice
these hardworking men to
follow your foolish mission.
Rufus Wells.
Glenford Brown.
Winchester Barnes.
Wesley Clark.
- EDWARDS: Hutchinson Colby.
- Oh, these are good men.
Sidney Grizzle.
That have dedicated
years to this company.
Blanchard McLean.
They have families goddammit!
Ezekiel Garrett.
You know what I remember
about David and Goliath,
Mr. Edwards?
David used one stone,
but he picked up five.
Just in case.
[RHYTHMIC DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Gentlemen, be aware as of today
the railway no longer
requires your services.
You all get to go home.
What?
Be sure to turn in your uniforms
to the station manager before you leave.
Hey, Mr. Miller.
No, Mr. Miller.
DINGER: Otherwise the cost
will be deducted from your pay.
Mr. Miller you can't do this.
Excuse me gentlemen.
Mr. Miller, I got a wife!
Good thing you didn't
sign that union list.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
It's double to play,
but we triple the payout.
TUFFY: We're just asking for trouble.
Dinger told me to come get you.
ZEKE: I know you a fucking rat.
You're running back to Edwards
telling him all our business
It's not like that!
LUCY: I should have known better
than to put my future in your hands.
We're through!
I got circumcised.
Provident is a training hospital
for Negro students
and patients.
This is real life,
and this is no one's business.
JUNIOR: We make our own lives.
Pack light, Mrs. Massey.
ZEKE: Serious ain't just
showing up it's signing up.
JEFFRIES: We don't wish to give you
or your men any false hope.
The answer is no.
DINGER: Thanks to them you
have double the work tonight.
- Git!
- [DOG WHIMPERING]
[INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
[HARMONIZING] [INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
[HARMONIZING] [INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
[GROUP CHANTING]
[CHANTING] Strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike, strike!
Strike, strike, strike,
strike, strike, strike!
[HARMONIZING] [INTENSE DRUM MUSIC]
You can't hide
You can't run
You can't hide for long
You can't hide
You can't run
You can't hide for long
[CHANTING] [HARMONIZING]
RADIO ANNOUNCER: As the labour strike
all across the city
rolls into its fifth day,
the public outrage is growing.
Garbage, postal and railways
are all at a standstill
with no end in sight.
How long can labour
unions starve to strike?
Buck up boys.
We did the right thing
stepping out on that platform.
Right or wrong,
when the train stops the work stops.
Well we ain't on the bread line yet.
There's still time to get things sorted.
We just gotta
What's going on?
Nothing we want the company to know,
so go on and get walking.
You still on that?
I told you,
I'm not the rat.
[SUCKS TEETH]
Hey, listen y'all,
we just need to keep
the end goal in mind.
Us refusing to cross their picket line
is us defending our
own right as workers.
As men.
WINCHESTER: Lookin' to
the future is all well and good,
but what happens now?
You never told us what went down
at that union Congress meeting.
GLENFORD: So when the company
tries to retaliate,
they're gonna step in for us, right?
It ain't that simple.
GLENFORD: What's that supposed to mean?
You said Moschel was on board.
WINCHESTER: You crazy?
We walked out there
for the world to see.
You really think he's
gonna do us any favours?
It's fine.
It's fine.
I just still got a few
moves I need to make.
That's all.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[WATER SPLASHING]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
LUCY: Mama?
BERNICE: Clean or not,
these clothes need to go on the line!
Coming mama!
POPSY: Those crates in the back,
you count every bottle.
You ready to tell me what this is for?
Didn't realize a cash transaction
required an explanation.
Listen Junior,
I don't profess to be a
man with clean hands.
But back when all this was just a dream,
I ran my shit with one goal in mind.
Make what I need to open,
and then walk away.
That's what I'm doing, Popsy.
Is it?
Why do you think I
asked you for the car?
Well I can't rightfully say.
But where do you think that you're going
where the Queen can't find you, hmm?
Especially when that's
her money in your pocket.
I think it's best for the both of us
you don't know the
answer to that question.
I just need out of here quick.
[KEYS JINGLE]
Car in the alley?
You're a good man, Popsy Reed.
I appreciate you.
[SOFT JAZZ MUSIC]
[DOOR BANGS]
[RHYTHMIC JAZZ MUSIC]
Well this is a
an interesting choice for a meeting.
Public support for the
strike is real high.
This is one of the few
places still open.
To real working men, that is.
Coffee, please.
I know that this labour disruption
is hurting your pocketbook.
So don't worry, lunch is on me.
Try the chicken feet, you'll love them.
Trust me, this, uh,
this communist invasion
masking itself as a
legitimate labour movement
it's already in the process
of being dismantled.
How's that?
Oh, tomorrow's headline.
Arrest warrants have
already been issued,
and the Mounties are rounding
up Reds as we speak.
We wouldn't want a repeat
of Bloody Saturday,
would we?
Lost a few of your kind in
that debacle, as I recall.
You try that red scare bullshit
they pulled in Winnipeg,
and it'll be your blood
running in the streets,
not ours.
Public support is nowhere near as strong
as the stench of their
uncollected trash.
The tide is turning away from labour
so I suggest you tell your
union boys to play along.
Yeah?
And what are you gonna do
about your porter problem?
I assure you,
I am not worried about that
little show on the platform.
Hm, what about the star of the show?
You don't know?
Spit it out Moschel,
and try not to choke on whatever that is
you're cramming down your throat.
[MOSCHEL CLEARS THROAT]
Before your porter
Zeke Garrett broke ranks
to join the picket line,
he was in Ottawa meeting with
the union congress board.
Brought a list of signatures of porters
ready to unionize.
A long one.
It may seem like a complicated affair,
but it's actually quite simple Edwards.
Either you're with us,
or we're with them.
Choke on that.
You son of a bitch.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[KNOCKING ON DOOR]
DINGER: Good afternoon Mrs. Massey.
My name is Ruben Miller,
I'm the, uh,
[CHUCKLES] I'm the conductor on the,
the train your husband works.
I was hoping to have a word with him.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Oh, well,
Junior isn't in at the moment,
but I'd be happy to
pass along a message.
Well that's very kind of you,
but this really is a matter
that's best kept between gentlemen.
Well in that case Mr. Miller,
I will be sure to let
him know you came by.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I'll wait.
[OMINOUS MUSIC SWELLS]
[CROWD SHOUTING]
Oh honey, you've got a
little bit of cream cheese.
Here you go.
- You all right?
- Thank you.
ZEKE: Oh isn't that beautiful.
Please, pardon the intrusion.
Rebekah, am I right?
That's right.
I'm sorry, have we met?
Uh, no, ma'am, Zeke Garrett.
Sweetheart, if you wouldn't mind.
There's a baker outside
selling sponge cake,
would you mind picking
us up a few pieces?
Yeah.
Thank you, sweetheart.
[LOUD SHOUTING]
What the fuck do you want, Zeke?
Just a moment of your time,
Mr. Four Hundred.
What?
Gotta have at least four
hundred dollars in the bank
to comfortably play a white man,
ain't that how it go?
I don't know what you're talking about.
ZEKE: Oh, you don't.
Provident Hospital.
I mean, you mentioned it
when my friend and I
saved your sorry ass.
And I'm guessing that your
intended don't know about that.
And she's not going to,
so why don't you get
the hell out of here?
Yeah, after you do something for me.
You have an annual
union meeting coming up
where you're gonna talk to Moschel,
and convince him to put the
porter admission up for a vote.
The hell I am.
Moschel only tolerates me
'cause his sister loves me.
You really think I can
convince him on this?
Besides, the charter says
the union's for whites only.
Mmmhmm, it also says that
every clause in the charter
can be changed with a majority vote.
Come on now,
don't you think you have an
obligation to your people?
You expect me to live my
life as a Black man, yeah?
Where the best I can
hope for after twenty years
of running up and down
this country is what?
Porter instructor?
Or maybe I should be like you, yeah?
On my knees begging the
white union to let us in.
Look, we had a shot at something better.
You know, when you and your
boys walked off that train.
We could have took your jobs, Steven,
but we stood by you.
Now it's time for you to do the same.
Come on Zeke, if I do that,
they're gonna know something's up.
Oh yeah? Well the way I see it,
is you're already a
pretty damn good liar.
I'm sure you'll figure it out.
She really is lovely.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
DINGER: Mr. Massey,
good of you to join us.
[DINGER LAUGHS]
Only kidding,
your, uh, lovely wife here was
good enough to invite me in.
You headed to work?
I was on my way out when
Mr. Miller stopped by.
All right, well
get going.
Pleasure meeting you, Mrs. Massey.
Wonderful cook your wife.
Understand now why you boys bring your
your meals into the station.
[OMINOUS MUSIC]
What the fuck you doing in my house?
You moving, uh, up or, uh, out?
I ain't gonna ask you again.
Well, yesterday was, uh,
watching you on the train,
working hard and attending
to the passengers,
taking tips, and well then it hit me.
Junior Massey,
he doesn't take tips.
[BOTH LAUGH]
And then,
then I took the liberty of
going through your jacket.
Oh, you went through my stuff?
All right.
When you were occupied on the train
and uh
Well, I found, uh,
found this.
[DINGER LAUGHS]
Now what would you say
if I showed this little
betting book of yours
to Mr. Edwards?
Well I'll say
you didn't come here to threaten me
for something you could
have already done.
So what do you want?
Ooh, a percentage.
A percentage of my money?
[BOTH LAUGHING]
- Of my money.
- Yeah.
See, I've, uh, added up the, uh,
numbers, uh, for the duration
of your little endeavour
and I thought, well, uh, well
six hundred would be fitting.
Well that sounds like a hundred percent.
And I'd also say
that you can go fuck
yourself out of my house
if you think that's gonna happen.
[BOTH LAUGH]
You know, not a half century ago
your daddy probably was a slave
and he would've been whipped
if he dared think about
talking to his master that way.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[IN PATOIS] Well,
I'm Jamaican.
And no white man has ever conquered us.
Not the Spanish, or the British.
So if you ever come in my house again,
I will skin you alive
like my forefathers did
every redcoat that set
foot on these shores.
You hear what me say,
you little fuck, you, hmm?
Whatever you're paying the other men
I hope it covers their legal fees
because lawyers can be costly
and after I throw every porter
that helped you run numbers into prison,
I can't imagine that
the scales of justice
will tip in their favour.
Can you?
[GASPS]
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I don't have it here.
It's on the train.
Get it then.
What you think
the picket lines are just
gonna part like the Red Sea
for a company man walking through?
[DINGER CHUCKLES]
I think those trains
are gonna run sooner than you think.
[IN JAMAICAN ACCENT] And
when they do Mr. Massey,
I want my money.
All of it.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DOOR BANGS]
Nights with you in Harlem
When the moon recedes from view
And daybreak brings the
promise of loving you
You loving me
[FOOTSTEPS STOMPING]
[DOOR CLOSES]
Those nights
MOSCHEL: We raised our voices,
stood our ground!
And showed those sons of bitches
that the city can't run without us.
[CROWD CHEERING]
I'll buy you lazy bastards
a round of drinks. Eh.
[CROWD CHEERING]
There you go. How you boys doing, eh?
What's wrong with you?
You knock up my sister or something?
- You schtupping my sister?
- No, no, no, no, no.
No I would never do that.
Relax, I'm kidding!
Unlike me, she's a good Jew.
Never ate a pork dumpling.
Come on Steven, lighten up.
It's a celebration!
Zeke Garrett came to see me.
He asked me to talk to you about
putting integration on the
agenda at the annual meeting.
He can't be serious.
A lot of the men are talking about
how the porters stood by
us when we walked off.
You think they rolled out the red
carpet for a Jewish union leader?
They're barely tolerating us.
I'm not gonna stand up
for negroes. Smarten up.
Tommy's got his eye on your seat.
If you're not gonna listen to your men,
I can guarantee you he will.
All I'm saying is put it on the agenda.
What happens next is up to the men.
Let them decide.
Fine.
If nothing else,
it's a good show of faith
to keep the porters in line
until negotiations are over.
How you boys doing in here, eh?
[CROWD CHEERING]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
MARLENE: Junior?
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
What's going on?
I'm trapped Mar.
That man that came here, Dinger,
he wants the money I
make from the train,
but it belongs to Queenie.
Queenie?
The woman they call
the Southside Butcher?
If I pay the man we can't leave.
If we leave,
then every single porter that
lifted a finger to help me
be left in the lurch.
Not to mention what happens
if I don't show up with Queenie's money.
Baby, baby, what you doing?
Come on.
Sell it.
Sell everything we own.
Pay that man, and let's
get the hell outta here.
You can't help anyone
from the grave, Junior.
As long as I have you and I have Teddy,
I have everything I need.
The rest we'll figure out together.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
RADIO ANNOUNCER:
There was a rush of employees
eager to get back to their
old positions this morning,
as the strike ends with a
modest victory for the unions.
After an all night session,
the general strike committee
decided to accept the city's proposal
to appoint a commission
to investigate the strike
and settle all disputes.
[RHYTHMIC DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Which track?
Track number 8, Ma'am.
Thank you.
No problem.
Well, you got what you wanted.
Moschel's putting it on the agenda.
Hey! Your blackmail stunt
nearly threatened my entire life!
What do you think would happen
if people found out the truth?
We both know nooses
travel north of the border.
Well no one forced you to pass.
I did what I had to do for my people.
Right.
So I'm one of your people
when you need something,
theirs when you don't.
I guess who we really are shows
up when no one is looking.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS]
[SOULFUL JAZZ MUSIC]
I must confess Mr. Massey,
I wasn't entirely sure this
was all real until now.
Well, it looks like
you're good for something
after all.
See you next week,
same time, same place.
This isn't gonna stop, is it?
DINGER: No.
Like you, I do not intend
to invest all my years
on these damn trains.
I'm out.
Oooh.
You see what uniform you're wearing?
You're a porter, Mr. Massey.
You clean shit and you eat
it at the ring of a bell.
And the only authority that
you have is what I give you.
Come on [LAUGHS].
Can't you see I'm offering you a gift.
I can be your new very
best fucking friend.
Get back to work.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
FRANKLIN: I know Dianne
takes a long lunch on Thursday,
so I thought I'd bring you,
a little something to read.
Well it was certainly
a considerate gesture,
but this is old news.
Not so old that they wouldn't
care about the real story.
You know.
The one that tells how you preach
protecting the Canadian worker
from the "immigrant scourge",
but, tsk, tsk, tsk,
you pay off the government officials
to just whip them past your borders.
This was an isolated incident.
I've got a paper trail
that begs to differ.
You will release my trust funds,
or I walk right out this building
and right into the
office of the Daily Record.
This is you trying to
get back into the house?
No.
No.
This is me through trying.
I'm not asking for anything
that doesn't belong to me.
This what I'm owed and
it's what she deserves.
You do realize this act of insolence
will end the very idea of
you taking a position here.
Stop by the bank at the end of the day,
I'll have it sorted by then.
[SOFT OPERATIC MUSIC]
[LIVELY BACKGROUND CHATTER]
Hey.
You startin' to regret this arrangement?
I mean, these girls that
It's not them.
Well something's got you shook.
What is it? Might as well spit it out.
Junior.
He has always been the type of man
to chase after his dreams.
But now it feels like
we're just running away
from his problems.
You don't wanna run with him?
MARLENE: It's just
What if it doesn't work?
You know what you need?
You need to get outta
your head a little while.
I got just the tonic for you. Come on.
All right. All right.
Marlene.
You worry too much, honey.
Put that to your mouth, pull it in.
[MARLENE COUGHS]
Now, what was I sayin'?
Oh yeah right, my first time.
Wait, do you mean my "first first"?
Or the first time it was good?
Both?
My very first time was my husband,
and it was as awful as the man himself.
Now the real deal was Ray Badger.
How should I say this?
He had trouble getting the badger
to come out of the tunnel.
By the third song,
that badger was on duty, baby.
[FAY CACKLES]
He had me so wet I thought
I had sprung a leak.
My first was my husband.
My only, as a matter of fact.
Your only?
How you know he know what he doin'?
Girl, you eat prime rib,
do you need to taste any other meat?
[BOTH LAUGH]
[SIGHS] I just love him so much.
What's that?
Hey, that's your going away present.
[SOFT GROOVY MUSIC]
It make no sense at all
To say how much you earn
It make no sense at all
To say how much you used to earn
It make no sense at all
["GROW MAMA GROW" BY
DOMINIQUE FILS-AIMÃ]
[SOFT RHYTHMIC CLAPPING]
You should know better
than to wait so long
Who said the world will be
here right after you're gone
You should know better
than to take so long
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
FAY: You know what?
You've got that room
down there for a clinic,
but that's your money
maker right there, baby.
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Feelin' now what you feeling now
Grow mama grow Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow
Grow mama grow Grow mama grow
Grow
Grow mama grow Grow mama grow
Momma
Grow mama, grow mama grow
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
Know you heard them calling
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
All night long
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
Wake up mama tell me
what's on your mind
POPSY: I told you to get
your ass outta my club.
All I'm asking for is her
address, dammit! Please!
Well that ain't happening.
The last thing Lucy needs
is for you to show up there
and cost her another job.
- Popsy
- Hey!
That is Mr. Reed to you.
Mr. Reed, I know how
much you mean to Lucy,
so I could only imagine
that the feeling is mutual.
But you have to understand,
I promise you, this is good news.
Something Lucy would
definitely want to hear.
Well, boy, this is a bar.
Not an information desk.
So I ain't gotta tell you shit.
Mr. Reed, no matter what you think,
I love her.
And I'm going to come
back here every day
until she shows up or you
tell me where I can find her.
[SUCKS TEETH]
And you'll find I'm very
persistent when I want something.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I thought my services
were no longer needed.
How'd you put it?
"I've got Zeke Garrett under control."
Things have changed.
Unless you're no longer
in need of my money?
That depends.
What kind of information
are you looking for?
I heard Garrett has a list of porters
who are angling to get into the union.
I'd be very interested
in obtaining that list.
How interested?
Name your price.
What are you gonna do with it?
I suspect you don't really
want to know the answer to that.
You have until tomorrow.
Tomorrow?
I don't know if I can get to
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Sticks.
How long you think I got?
You know what time your train leaves.
No.
No, I mean until she's done
playing with the porter.
A woman in her position
can't afford to keep friends.
Family?
Bobby had no loyalty.
Yeah.
Boy had more mouth than sense.
But all he wanted to do was
get out of the box he got put in.
Isn't what every man wants?
[TENSE SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
Well if you decide you
wanna get out the box,
I got a proposition for you.
A real partnership, fifty-fifty split.
You take Chicago and
I'll take the trains.
You got no idea what I want.
I know you wanna be makin'
moves, but she's got you makin' drinks.
So maybe when you count up
the money from the power-ball,
you'll think different.
[TENSE SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC]
[CAR HONKING]
KATHERINE: I'd rather be in
here than entertaining Roger.
Last time he took his socks off
and the stink was so bad
my eyes started to water.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
FAY: I told him the sex was so good
it was bringing me to tears.
[WOMEN LAUGHING]
Marlene, sit down.
Come on.
Relax, honey.
Madam stays out of the
house for this very reason.
She'll bail us out
with a big gratuity so
we're not charged.
Charged?!
Is, uh, that the woman who claimed
she was a Black Cross Nurse?
OFFICER: Yep.
Kept saying she didn't belong here.
Eli, please.
I know we've had our differences but,
[WHISPERS] you know I'm not one of them.
[WOMAN GASPS]
OFFICER: Is that how
your Black Cross Nurses
usually dress?
In that kinda whorehouse get up?
ELI: They most certainly do not.
OFFICER: So she's not one of yours?
She used to be one of our nurses.
So sad to see how far she's fallen.
Eli!
[DOOR SHUTS]
Must be a hard fall from
such a high horse, I suppose.
I didn't mean it like that
Oh, I know exactly what you meant.
You know what?
The next time you wanna
play in the dirt little girl,
you go find yourself a garden.
Leave me the fuck out of it.
Sister Massey.
[SUCKS TEETH]
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CHILDREN GIGGLING]
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
[ZEKE GASPS]
You wanna tell me what
you're doing in here Lucy?
I mean, you know the landlady
don't take kindly to wom
Oh, now I hope those tears
ain't for that Edwards boy.
Because I'm sure he don't
deserve a one of them.
LUCY: It's not just him.
It's my whole rotten life.
Oh come on. Come here.
It ain't rotten Luce.
And-and you can't let a few bad spots
make you toss the whole apple.
I put my whole trust in Franklin.
Quit my job at Stardust and everything.
Talk to Popsy.
I mean, I'm sure he'll understand
But he won't give me the stage.
And I can't keep being a maid,
or I'll end up just like my mama.
Nothing to show for my
talent but a record
that gets tossed in the trash.
So what you going to do?
- Can I stay here tonight?
- Come on Lucy.
I-I know it's against the rules,
but I just need some time to think.
Find myself a fresh start somehow.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
I sent a little to my family,
but if they won't take it, you should.
- No, I shouldn't
- Come on.
You're family too, Luce.
And fresh starts don't come cheap.
Thank you.
And just don't snore, or step on me.
All right, I'm be right here.
[DOOR CREAKS OPEN]
I guess you're telling the truth.
Madam never leaves any
of her girls behind.
You're letting me go?
Someone else came to pay your fine.
Let's go.
I promise I will pay you
back every last penny.
Nonsense.
I was glad to do it.
I'm sorry.
I should've told you that I
was still going to the brothel.
What were you thinking, Marlene?
At first I was as mad as you
at Eli for sending us there.
But he wasn't wrong.
He sent us to a place with real need.
There's plenty of people in the world
who could use your help.
Why would you want anything to
do with those kind of people?
Those "kind of people"
are all kinds of people.
Daughters. Sons. Husbands.
- Gwen, I'm sorry. I didn't mean
- It's getting late.
Gwen
Bring back the coat when you can.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Ever think of trying to
make it as a trumpet player?
Music might feed the soul,
but it don't put food on the table.
You can move to Chicago.
You can live in luxury.
Your son can learn from
the best musicians.
And you could be my right hand.
And what about my wife.
What's her name again?
Marlene.
Pretty name.
Everything added up?
STICKS: Ledger looks good.
I gotta be getting off,
or I'll miss my train.
Just remember porter-man,
as long as you work for me,
you'll never go hungry.
[RHYTHMIC TRUMPET MUSIC]
Thank you.
[SUSPENSEFUL JAZZ MUSIC]
I saw your face.
I know the money didn't add up.
Why'd you cover for me?
Used to work for a gangster
name of "Slick" Teddy Sims.
He had the whole
Southside in his pocket,
but his woman was
always in his ear about
taking on the Italians for more.
Slick wasn't big on that.
What a man won't do for
love or pussy, right?
I know that's right.
[BOTH LAUGH]
So I'm lookout while Slick
meets with the Italians,
next thing I know,
the cops are everywhere.
I get locked up,
Slick gets shot up and the
whole city's up for grabs.
Let me guess,
the love of his life is now
rolling with the new gangster.
No, new occupation.
Queen of the whole fucking city.
Ten years inside. I get out,
Queenie gives me a job
as a jack-of-all trades.
And that was generous.
Yeah, I think that most days.
And other days?
Well I think who the
fuck tipped the cops off
about our meeting?
Maybe she was generous,
maybe Slick shoulda seen her coming.
Either way I'm making
the first move this time.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Proposition accepted, porter.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[TENSE MUSIC] [PANICKED BREATHING]
[LOUD BANGING] [PANICKED BREATHING]
[DOOR KNOCKING]
MAN: Hey Zeke.
You've got a telegram from Edwards.
[SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CHATTERING] [TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Thank you for travelling with us, ma'am.
[SOMBRE MUSIC]
You have yourself a good day.
[SOMBRE MUSIC]
Porters!
If you hear your name called,
please come forward.
What's going on?
I don't know but it don't look good.
EDWARDS: Joining the Welfare Committee.
Using the Ice Cream Social Fund
as a cover to collect names and dues.
You're a little man with big dreams,
aren't you Mr. Garrett?
Only wanted what was
deserved, Mr. Edwards.
Job security protection
and a decent living.
You're like David,
one shot at Goliath,
only you missed the mark, Mr. Garrett.
And now your fellow
porters will have to pay.
Now hold on, you can't
punish then for what I did.
I most certainly can.
And I imagine in the future
you might find it a little
more difficult to entice
these hardworking men to
follow your foolish mission.
Rufus Wells.
Glenford Brown.
Winchester Barnes.
Wesley Clark.
- EDWARDS: Hutchinson Colby.
- Oh, these are good men.
Sidney Grizzle.
That have dedicated
years to this company.
Blanchard McLean.
They have families goddammit!
Ezekiel Garrett.
You know what I remember
about David and Goliath,
Mr. Edwards?
David used one stone,
but he picked up five.
Just in case.
[RHYTHMIC DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Gentlemen, be aware as of today
the railway no longer
requires your services.
You all get to go home.
What?
Be sure to turn in your uniforms
to the station manager before you leave.
Hey, Mr. Miller.
No, Mr. Miller.
DINGER: Otherwise the cost
will be deducted from your pay.
Mr. Miller you can't do this.
Excuse me gentlemen.
Mr. Miller, I got a wife!
Good thing you didn't
sign that union list.
[TENSE DRAMATIC MUSIC]