Godfather of Harlem (2019) s02e02 Episode Script
Sting Like a Bee
Oh!
The Italians have had me on the run
for three solid months.
I can't take this shit no more.
So what are you planning?
I'm gonna sever the French Connection.
Just tell me where he is,
and I don't have to hurt you.
Aah!
I'm ready to return to the Temple.
We've received no approval
from the Dear Holy Apostle.
I got a daughter in my house
who tried to kill herself.
I just need somebody
to keep an eye on her.
Captain Henry said you were defiant.
He's a liar.
Fucking guinea fuck!
You want to steal this fucking
duji just to get him to agree?
The Corsicans process
the duji in Marseille,
pack it into cars,
and then ship it to New York.
If my plan works, you'll get
the duji at half the price.
You stole the dope.
Let's just say I know
the people who did.
I'm assuming you leave me
no choice in the proposal.
I'm ready to tell the world
that I'm a Muslim.
The state would deny you
a boxing license.
Television would refuse your matches.
Your sponsors would flee.
Betty, can't you see what's happening?
The mosque is my home, and my
enemies are pushing me out.
When Teddy died, so did I.
What the fuck?
- You come here?
- Hey, that would not be wise.
Shut the fuck up!
If this commission votes
to take these sanctions
off of my head,
and I'll get you your dope back.
So, what's it gonna be, gentlemen?
500 keys of heroin
or one more dead Negro in Harlem?
One dead Negro.
Fuck you. I'd rather have my dope.
By the time I'm done,
Bumpy Johnson will rue the day
he fucked with me.
120th, 136, and that
other numbers spot on 140th.
- I wanna see nothin' but ash.
- We'll try, boss.
What do you mean?
What do you mean you'll try?
I'm just sayin' it ain't fucking easy.
He got some tough black
motherfuckers watching these spots.
What are you trying to say to me?
You know, our crews,
you know, they're
a little young and wild.
We could use Benny is
all I'm sayin', boss.
Oh Benny.
Benny Eggs.
Benny the noodge.
He hates fucking Miami.
He can't swim. He hates the sun.
He says the braciole down there
tastes like fucking horse meat.
- You believe this?
- Ernie.
Eeh!
How'd it go?
Look at that.
- That's what I'm talking about.
- Good job. Good job, Ernie.
Fuck Bumpy Johnson!
Mm-mm.
Merci beaucoup.
Por quoi?
The Italians are a little
pissed off, n'est pas?
Chin's attacking all of my
numbers spots and juke joints.
I expected that.
He got a lot of anger to burn,
and I'm just gonna let him burn it.
When are you returning the heroin?
By this time tomorrow.
I need access to yoursupply.
I wanna buy six times
what the Five Families get.
That's 3,000 kilos.
Impossible.
You could never ship that much
in a single load.
The Italians will never allow it.
I'm willing to fight them tooth and nail
for every inch of Harlem.
From Sicily?
The Sicilians,
they bring us the unrefined
morphine paste from Turkey.
Part of our understanding
is that we must deliver the heroin
to the Italian families here.
They would turn down
an order of 3,000 keys?
If we were to sell it to a Negro,
they'd skin us alive.
What if I had an Italian partner?
Thank you all for coming.
Harlem is my home,
and y'all know how the saying goes.
Some of you know each other
personally, some by reputation,
I'm sure.
That's Eugene with
the Purple Capsule Gang
from Kansas City.
There's Lamar Rockwell from
the Errol Flynns in Detroit.
Moses Temple outta Atlanta.
And, of course, y'all know
Sam Christian outta Philly,
who grabbed that guinea duji
a couple of weeks ago.
Some of us have been friends,
some enemies,
but we've all gotten our duji
from Italian sources for years.
I'm proposing a distribution network
that eliminates the Italians.
Guineas ain't gonna be
too happy about that.
They set the market.
The prices.
Kill anyone who steps outta line.
How? How do they get to do that?
They kept us separate.
This is about unity
and self-determination.
As long as you the king,
though, right, Bumpy?
Yeah.
And you the joker.
Here's the deal.
I formed an alliance with the Corsicans
for a direct supply.
Corsicans?
- Some hard motherfuckers.
- Maybe.
But they don't hate us
because of our skin.
And they bring in some big weight.
- Whoa.
- Well
We'll group together our buys
direct from Jean Jehan.
Your price per key will drop 60%!
That money buys you guns.
You can defend yourselves
against the Italians
in your respective cities.
Bumpy, um
maybe it's better if we
just keep the dope.
Went through a whole
lotta trouble to steal it.
- That duji's beautiful.
- Mm.
But we gotta think.
We We all gotta think.
We're playing the long game.
If we keep the duji,
the guineas will be on our ass.
I want them to think I'm their partner,
but we'll be in control.
Hmm.
Bumpy's right.
Our own distribution is the best play.
The new world is here, my brothers.
Alone, I'm just Harlem.
Together together
We're ten Harlems.
That big ol' ugly bear is scared.
I said I'd whup him in Miami.
All right, all right.
And how's the training going?
Oh, I'm doing 10 miles of road work
- and 12 rounds a day.
- Cassius!
- Mr. Dundee got me goin'.
- Come on.
Hey, all right, well,
that's a good thing.
You comin' down for the fight,
Brother Minister?
Uh, well, the Dear Holy Apostle
hasn't permitted me to go.
He ain't permitted you to go?
Ain't you still suspended
from the Nation?
Yeah, I guess I am.
Then get your black ass down here!
- Maybe I will.
- Well, you better.
It's gonna be the fight of the century.
They say Liston's great,
but he must fall in eight,
Brother Minister.
Clay swings to the left,
Clay swings to the right,
look at young Cassius
carry the fight.
Liston keeps backin',
but there's not enough room.
It's only a matter of time
before Clay lowers the boom!
Cassius! Cassius!
I'm comin', Dundee.
I'll see you at the fight,
Brother Minister.
- I gotta go.
- All right.
You were right.
He wants me there.
Cassius is the way you can
leverage yourself
back into the Nation.
Ah, that's a hustler's move, no doubt.
Nothing wrong with an alliance
if it helps out both parties.
There's only one problem with
your plan as I see it, though.
And what's that?
Clay ain't gonna win.
Nah, you wrong, Bumpy.
That boy's got speed, intelligence,
and the power of Allah on his side.
Allah ain't fought no Sonny Liston.
Oh, brother, it sure is good
to see you again.
How you been?
It's good to be back home,
back with Mayme and Margaret.
And you can ensure their safety?
Wouldn't have 'em in Harlem
if I couldn't.
But I may have to make me
one of them hustler moves.
Find me my own Cassius Clay.
That fucking dope!
When you're counting
those kilos, you make sure
that not so fucking much
as one is gone, you understand?
Yeah, boss.
Come on, knock that shit off.
You're never gonna beat Liston.
That's because no one can
beat fuckin' Sonny Liston.
Why do you think I got
50 large on the fight?
Gimme that.
Youse two, go start countin'.
Then we'll we'll fuckin'
start divvying up the dope
that the niggers gave back
to us among the families,
then we put a sanction back on Johnson.
Bumpy Johnson lived up to
his part of the agreement.
Come on.
He was behind the whole fucking thing.
I hear that you torched
some of his best numbers spots.
You're right. I did.
He's got to know where I stand.
What, are you stupid?
Now's not a time to start a war
with the niggers.
Do you know what guys like Johnson does
when you throw him a lifeline?
Huh? They twist it around
your fucking neck!
You heard what Malcolm X said.
They're coming after us.
What, you don't look outside
your boroughs?
You don't read the papers?
Come on, the world is changing, and
And it ain't changing for the better.
I don't read the papers?
Let me tell you something, Vincent.
My people in D.C. are telling me
that this facim Powell has
appointed a special prosecutor,
and he's gonna come after the families.
Oh, capisce?
He's right, and we don't
need the federal heat.
Fucking Johnson.
The guy is buyin' time.
He's got some kind of plan.
I know that fucker too well!
No camera, no TV man, no radio man,
and you right there and the whole world,
if Sonny Liston whups me,
I'll kiss his feet in the ring!
97 wins and zero losses
as a federal prosecutor.
That's why I chose you, Mr. Morgenthau.
I'm honored, Congressman.
For too long, the Mafia has kept Harlem
in a stranglehold with drugs,
extortion, arson, and a whole
lot of other things.
Let's knock 'em back on their heels
like Liston's gonna do to Clay.
I don't follow sports.
Well, the oddsmakers have it 7-1.
But if you'd like to make
a friendly wager,
I'll give you 20-1
that Liston's gonna
knock that loudmouth out.
Well, the one thing I do
know about sports
is that betting on them is illegal.
Just testing you.
Congressman Powell,
the Five Families operate
as a a bickering set of brotherhoods.
They don't like one another,
but they need one another to survive.
We need intelligence on
those internal divisions
to exploit them,
to use their unspoken
hatred against them.
Adam. It's Mayme again.
I think you should take it.
Put her on.
Give me a minute.
Hello, Mayme.
Hello, Reverend.
Look, I don't want this
to sound like sour grapes,
but you told me before
I left for South Carolina
that I'd be chair of the
Voter Registration initiative.
Well, you were gone and I didn't
know when you were coming back.
Look, I worked up a plan
to pay for Freedom Rider buses
to go from New York City
down to Mississippi
to help register voters there.
Now, I know you have a passion
for getting out the vote,
but I'm afraid I'm not
gonna change my mind.
Is this about my husband?
Is it? Just tell me,
so I know the truth.
Very nice talking to you, Mayme.
I'm very sorry.
Have a nice day,
and I'm sure we'll talk soon.
I've had to sever my relationship
with a very important
civil rights warrior
because her husband is a gangster
who might be persuaded
into helping us with our cause.
His name is Bumpy Johnson.
Hmm.
Bumpy, you tryin' to let me win?
Maybe.
Maybe it's a trap.
Trap my ass.
I now take your queen.
Check.
I'm getting old.
How come you're the only one
who consistently beats me at chess?
It's ironic 'cause you're the
one who taught me how to play.
Listen, my friend.
I was willing to to overlook
that Zambrano bullshit
because he was a fucking prick.
Now, I don't know if
you had anything to do
with stealing the heroin,
but if you did,
it was better than Geller's
Rook and Pawn endgame
in nineteen-forty-fucking-nine!
Frank, I need an Italian
partner to buy heroin
on account of the Sicilians.
I can bring you wholesalers
from 10 different cities.
How the hell did I not see that coming?
I want you to be my partner, Frank.
Bumpy.
I don't lead a borgata.
I got no soldiers.
I settle disputes among the families.
I got soldiers.
I need you to stand up
for me with Jehan.
I can make you some serious money.
Check.
Listen, I got five grandchildren.
I don't need the Five Families
coming at me over heroin.
What about, uh, Lucchese?
Gambino.
Partner with you?
They'd rather partner with a Chink.
Bonanno?
Chin would never stand for that.
That moves Bonanno right
up close to his turf.
Forget about it.
Checkmate.
Bafangu!
You bought tickets to Miami
without even askin' me?
When was the last time
we took a family vacation?
Never.
There you go.
You wanna see Cassius.
SupportCassius.
I have no interest in a prizefight,
and neither do the girls.
Well, the Hampton House has a pool.
We don't want a pool.
We want you
Your focus, your attention
On us, not Cassius Clay.
Betty, this is a vacation,
but it is also an opportunity.
There's not one prominent
Muslim going down to that fight.
- Do you know why?
- Because he's gonna lose.
Because they all think
he's going to lose.
And he's not.
These politicians talk out
of both sides of they mouth.
Reverend Powell said
I was the best person
to administer
the Harlem Vote Initiative.
Now he won't even talk to me.
Why would he replace you?
It's about Bumpy. I know it.
- Why you say that?
- I could hear it in his voice.
You need to find out for Daddy's sake.
How?
Well, I hear tell about Reverend Powell.
Some say red lipstick
and a cute little number
might allow you to find out more.
15 times I've told the crowd
what round he's going down
Oh, I don't like that
Cassius Clay's big mouth.
- will fall in eight
- I love it,
especially if he comes out as Muslim,
which Malcolm says is likely.
How's it been at the Temple without him?
I miss him, a lot.
Well, you have been such a dear,
and Margaret loves her
big sister so much.
Elise, I just want you to
know how much I appreciate
you assuming that role.
Makes the most sense right now.
But it's not gonna be forever.
Joe.
I want to thank you
for agreeing to see me.
Bumpy Johnson, this is my wife, Fay.
Bumpy Johnson.
Where do I know this name from?
You've probably heard me
cursing him in my sleep.
Well, do you boys want
to talk privately?
'Cause I'll wait in the car.
We're on our way to see "Tosca."
Puccini. That's my favorite.
Oh!
Oh, I'm sure we could
get another ticket!
No, no, honey.
Uh, he came here to hear
an answer on a business deal,
and my answer's still no.
I-I don't keep secrets from my wife.
It's true. I always know
where Joe stands,
especially if he's mad.
- I'm not mad, honey.
- All you have to do
is stand up for me with Jehan,
and you'll triple your income.
Look, if the Sicilians
don't want to sell to you,
my hands are tied.
It's this thing of ours, you know.
No colored allowed.
You're gonna make a ton of money
just for being my front man.
You're not listening to me, Bumpy.
I can't front for someone like you.
Capisce?
Capisce.
It was a pleasure to meet you,
and I hope you come visit us again.
It's nice to meet you,
too, Mrs. Bonanno.
Fay, come on.
We're gonna be late.
Come on, girl, show me what you got.
Yeah, that's a good fist right there.
Now, pull it back, let it fly. Oh!
- I did it, Daddy!
- You sure did.
You just knocked out the future
champion of the world.
Um, hey, why don't you, uh,
read one of those magazines
and maybe go on down by the pool?
I'm fine right here.
Hello?
Do you recognize my voice?
Yes, sir, Dear Holy Apostle.
I've seen a news report
that you're spending time with Malcolm.
- Is that true?
- Yes, sir.
I want to caution you about doing so.
You see, Malcolm hasn't
capitulated for his misdeeds.
There are rules. He has broken them,
and I suspect he will do so again.
For example, it is forbidden for him
to seek publicity at this time.
I understand.
So it would be wise for you
to stay away.
We're all rooting for you, Cassius.
Thank you, sir.
I got to go to the gym.
Barry Goldwater appeals to
the worst American traits
Anti-immigration, anti-civil rights,
anti-anything that gives
a poor person a decent chance
to make his way up in the world.
Now, you mark my words.
He's gonna appeal to
those Southern Dixiecrats.
Those sons of bitches
might as well be Republicans.
- Adam, uh, Mayme John
- Excuse me.
I'm sure Reverend Powell
can make time to see me.
President Johnson, uh,
can I call you later?
Well, yes, yes, it is an emergency.
How may I help you, Mayme?
I need answers.
Lillian is going to chair
the Harlem Vote
I'm talking about my husband.
- This has nothing to do with your husband.
- Yes, it does.
Otherwise, you'd have me
out there registering voters.
Bumpy has turned into
a liability that I can't ignore.
I promised President Johnson
I would help
get those Southern Dixiecrats
to end their filibuster
against the Civil Rights Act.
At the same time,
I've authorized a federal investigation
into the Italian Mafia in New York City.
So you can understand my dilemma.
My husband is not in the Italian Mafia.
But he associates with them.
And our voting effort can't
stand any bad publicity.
There will likely be federal prosecution
of select Italian gangsters
and their colleagues,
regardless of race, creed, or color.
Now is not the time for Black
men to turn on each other.
The rule of law holds,
regardless of one's skin color.
You of all people should know
it's not that simple.
I don't have to give you
a list of things
that Bumpy has done for this community,
but Harlem needs Bumpy.
Almost as much as they need you,
Reverend Powell.
Good day.
Man, they showed a warrant, Bump.
Go ahead. Knock yourselves out.
There ain't nothing here.
That's close enough.
Mr. Johnson, get in the car.
Get in.
Who are you?
Robert Morgenthau.
What are you waiting for,
an invitation in writing?
My guess is this raid will
turn up very little evidence.
I'm told you're not sloppy,
like some of your Italian brethren.
Palmetto is a legitimate business.
I'm sure it is.
So you just like to harass
Negroes for for sport.
I don't care about you, Johnson.
Let me rephrase that.
I don't care about busting you.
You're a toss-it-back.
Not enough meat in your claws and tail.
Why all this then?
Because you could help me
get the big fish that I'm after.
I don't rat not on my own
or even on the guineas.
I know you don't.
Go ahead.
That is an offer of full
immunity from prosecution
for any and all of your
past criminal offenses.
It also indemnifies you from prosecution
for any and all criminal
activity going forward,
such as whatever you may need
to participate in
to maintain your cover
with the Italians.
And in return?
You let us watch you
from afar, of course,
as a means of gathering
evidence against Italian
and that's only Italian
organized crime.
That's snitching.
I'll allow you to stay
in business, Mr. Johnson.
All the money you make from
these dealings, you keep.
It's not snitching.
It's elimination of the competition.
I'd be your partner.
We gotta head back, Stella.
I'm meeting someone at 22 West.
The Negro joint?
My father said he punished Benny.
What exactly did he do?
That's not my business nor yours.
- Did he kill him?
- What, are you crazy?
Benny's a made guy.
So he didn't.
What was this so-called punishment
he got for killing my boyfriend then?
He sent him to Florida.
And do yourself a favor
stop worrying about Benny.
Your father took care of it.
You'll never fuckin' see him again.
You know how great I am.
I don't have to tell you
about my strategy.
I'll let my trainer tell you.
Bundini, come here.
Bundini, tell 'em, what are we gonna do?
You gonna float like a butterfly
- and sting like a bee.
- Aah!
He floats like a butterfly.
He stings like a bee.
Yeah.
Thanks, baby.
That's my trainer. He'll tell you.
So, what are you going to do?
Without an Italian partner,
I got no protection.
And with one, you'll be
prosecuted by Morgenthau.
Morgenthau came at me
with an immunity deal.
That sound like somebody who's
trying to put me back in jail?
You're not going to take it.
No.
So, who's the partner going to be?
Costello and Bonanno turned me down.
Gambino and Lucchese, they'll
they'll never team up with me.
Chin, he's he's busy
burning down my numbers spots.
Then he's the one to try for.
Why?
Because once he gets over the anger,
he'll see it's in his best interest.
You need to be a diplomat.
Chin ain't one for diplomacy.
A real diplomat
is someone who can slice
his neighbor's throat
when he doesn't see it coming.
Come on, dance, Cassius, dance.
All right, circle left, circle left.
Keep movin'. Keep movin'.
All right, right, right, right!
Yeah, Liston won't be able to touch him.
What are you doin' here?
I'm here at the request of your fighter.
Yeah? You ever thought about
what he's about to face?
'Cause no one's gone more than
three rounds with Liston.
Ah, don't worry about that.
As long as Cassius believes
in Allah, he'll be just fine.
As long as he's distracted by
anything other than fighting,
and that's including you, I disagree.
He wants me here.
I am his spiritual advisor.
This kid's got an incredible future.
Even if he loses, he'll
have TV appearances,
endorsement deals, the works.
And you think his association
with me jeopardizes that?
I know it does.
Listen, he may not know what's
right for him right now,
but you you're
smart enough to get it.
If the corporate interests
of white America
have anything against me,
I couldn't care less.
This isn't about you!
This is about him.
I mean, Christ, between you
and the Elijah guy, you
You got this kid's head spinnin'.
And now he's confused, and when
he's confused, he can't box.
You understand?
I am the greatest.
I'm double greatness.
Listen, I, um
I mean no disrespect, Mr. Dundee,
but Cassius asked me
to be there ringside.
And I plan to be there.
But until then,
I'll stay out of his hair.
All right, all right, stop.
Get your rope. Five rounds.
Partner with Chin Gigante?
Are you crazy?
He's worried about the feds.
All the families are.
Or they will be soon enough.
Bump, it's a mistake.
Can't trust Chin Gigante.
I ain't trying to be his friend.
This is business.
This motherfucker tried to kill you
for three solid months.
He sent five times as many men
against you
as any of the other families.
And he almost killed your daughter.
He hates your ass.
They all hate me.
What's important is having
our own source to Marseille.
And to do that,
we have to have a guinea.
You think I don't have a plan?
Do you have a, uh,
little poetry for Sonny Liston?
If you like to lose your money,
then be a fool and bet on Sonny.
But if you want to have a good day,
then put it on Clay.
I knew it was a long shot.
He's a very interesting man.
A regular good Samaritan,
from what I hear.
I told him he was
a small fish, a toss-back.
But I realize that Ellsworth Johnson
is a lot more influential
than I thought.
How so?
We have over 30 federal agents in Harlem
tracking the Italian dons.
Bumpy Johnson met
with both Costello and Bonanno
in the last two days.
He's seeking an alliance,
would be my guess.
I want to put the screws to him, hard.
Do I have your permission?
I don't know why the fuck you're here.
I don't give a rat's ass
about your ten Harlems.
I'm not gonna partner up with you.
Not now, not ever.
I hate you, too, Chin.
But this is in our mutual interest.
Give me a reason why I shouldn't
shoot the both of you right now.
'Cause I have information
about what the feds are doin'.
Organized crime hearings,
special prosecutor.
Straight from the lips
of Adam Clayton Powell.
What, are you saying
Powell's on the take?
Definitely not.
But he's got a big mouth,
and I know how to play him.
I feed him misinformation,
and him and Morgenthau
will be chasing their own tails.
FBI! Hands up!
Oh, come on.
We was just gonna go to lunch.
Hands where I can see 'em.
Vincent Gigante, we have a warrant
to search these premises.
Okay, well, do what you gotta do.
Tear it apart.
Who's this?
Bumpy Johnson.
Ellsworth Johnson?
Yeah.
I have an arrest warrant
for you, Mr. Johnson.
Uh-oh!
Just saved me a trip of picking you up.
- What for?
- Selling narcotics.
Let me see.
Robert Morgenthau.
I thought you had that covered.
I'll be out by tonight.
Don't know if I can say the
same thing about you, though.
Let's go, Johnson.
Get me a fucking drink.
Can we get these cuffs off?
That motherfucker fell for it
hook, line, and sinker.
Thanks, Ray. You make a good narc.
Anytime.
Fun to be on the other side
of the badge for a change.
Get a message to Chin.
I want to meet him alone.
What makes you think he'll come?
You know he'll find out
it was a bogus raid.
Ray here scared the piss out of him.
Chin thinks I have an in with
Powell that could protect him.
He's desperate to stay out of jail,
plus he knows those 10 Harlems
will make him money,
so he'll come.
Okay.
But it ain't really about that.
What's it about then?
Him and me.
Can we go somewhere?
I need to stay here
in case Cassius calls.
Mr. Dundee asked you
not to distract him.
But if he calls, I want to be here.
You hear the girls in there.
They're climbin' the walls.
I know, but, Betty, this is important.
- Forgive me. I didn't mean
- Does Cassius know you intend
on using him to get yourself
back into the Nation?
I'm here for support.
Support or strategy?
Will you care as much
for his soul if he loses?
I'm sorry, Malcolm.
I know you're under a lot of pressure.
It's time I take the girls back home.
You stay here and do what you have to.
No matter what happens,
you know I love you.
Betty, wait.
You're right.
Malcolm.
It's fine.
Honestly, Stella, what
the fuck are we doing here?
I'm waitin' for someone.
Who's he?
Someone who won't leave me alone.
- I'm sorry.
- That's okay.
I'll wait outside.
- Good.
- Good.
To be honest, I'm not sure
what I'm doin' here.
- You got my letters?
- Yeah.
And I kept throwing them in the
garbage, but they kept coming.
I finally got up
the courage to read one.
"Teddy's music wasn't just in his voice.
It was in his eyes,
his hands, his touch.
His song never leaves me."
And so on.
You know, being a mother of a Black boy,
you worry from the moment they born.
You tell him how to behave
if he's stopped by a cop,
how not to be aggressive
around white folk.
When he started to sing, I was relieved.
I thought maybe, just maybe,
no one would see him as a threat.
Then he met you.
Please forgive me.
Please.
Why you think I'm here?
I figure anyone who
loved my son so much
shouldn't be my enemy.
Reverend Powell.
Mrs. Johnson.
Pardon the intrusion.
What are you doing here?
I was hoping to have a word.
I may have been hasty.
About what?
Well, they say in order
to do your best work,
you must surround yourself
with the best people,
and, well, you're the best people.
Will you come and work with me
on the Harlem Voter Initiative?
Mm, are you sure my husband
won't tarnish your reputation?
Well, although I don't condone
what your husband does,
you make a good point.
The people of Harlem look up to him,
and I represent the people.
And besides, anyone lucky enough
to have you as a wife
must have a lot of goodness
in his heart.
That is an awfully
sweet thing of you to say.
Well, if I was half as smart
as your husband,
maybe I wouldn't be on my third wife.
- I would love to work with you.
- Excellent.
Why don't you join us inside?
We're about to watch the fight.
Oh, well, just for a minute.
That's all it's gonna take
for Liston to knock him out.
Reverend Powell, please meet
Elise, Bumpy's daughter.
Oh, well, hello. Very nice to meet you.
Lovely to meet you, Reverend.
fight, one where Sonny, perhaps,
will want to get off fast,
one where Cassius,
who incidentally
is warming up right now
It's okay to be nervous.
Yeah.
Yeah, Liston's nervous, too, all right?
Listen, kid, you just move,
and you keep dancing,
and you're gonna do fine.
Let me see.
Brother.
You came.
That call I got was
from the Messenger
- I know.
- telling me
to stay away from you.
Cassius, I'm guilty, Brother.
I've thought to use you
for my own ends,
which is to convince
the Dear Holy Apostle
to reinstate me, and, for that,
I am truly sorry.
If the Lamb of God has
forbidden you to see me,
then I must leave.
I don't see him here, do you?
How much time do we have?
You got 10 minutes.
Let us pray for Allah
to give you the strength
and the skill you need to succeed.
Welcome to Miami Beach
and the giant Convention Hall
for what may be the richest
heavyweight championship fight
of all time. And into the ring now
comes the sombre and menacing figure
of Charles "Sonny" Liston,
the champion, aptly named
the most frightening man in the world.
He's looked on Clay's antics
with contempt.
When that next shipment comes in,
I'm selling out of 10 Harlems,
and you're gonna get a 20% cut.
Not good enough. Partners.
50-50, and the sanctions
on my head permanently lifted.
I ought to kick your ass!
Clay going around this ring
as fast as he said he would.
He said he was gonna be a dancer,
and that's the way
he is going to work it.
He's hurt him in the body
with a right hand.
Clay is hurt.
Liston here trying for
his third successive
- one-round win.
- Ooh, there it is, right?
And Clay's thinking.
He's felt one or two punches already.
Come on, Cassius!
Liston's going all out
for the finish here.
He's taking the punches in on Clay,
and Clay's taking more and more.
There's the bell,
and they're still fighting.
They haven't heard the bell,
and they're still going on!
Something has happened
in Liston's corner.
They're not going on.
And what's happened?
Clay has won! Clay has won!
Clay has won!
He won! Ahh!
But why has Liston retired?
What has happened?
I am the greatest!
Partners.
Equal partners.
All right.
All right.
All right.
The Italians have had me on the run
for three solid months.
I can't take this shit no more.
So what are you planning?
I'm gonna sever the French Connection.
Just tell me where he is,
and I don't have to hurt you.
Aah!
I'm ready to return to the Temple.
We've received no approval
from the Dear Holy Apostle.
I got a daughter in my house
who tried to kill herself.
I just need somebody
to keep an eye on her.
Captain Henry said you were defiant.
He's a liar.
Fucking guinea fuck!
You want to steal this fucking
duji just to get him to agree?
The Corsicans process
the duji in Marseille,
pack it into cars,
and then ship it to New York.
If my plan works, you'll get
the duji at half the price.
You stole the dope.
Let's just say I know
the people who did.
I'm assuming you leave me
no choice in the proposal.
I'm ready to tell the world
that I'm a Muslim.
The state would deny you
a boxing license.
Television would refuse your matches.
Your sponsors would flee.
Betty, can't you see what's happening?
The mosque is my home, and my
enemies are pushing me out.
When Teddy died, so did I.
What the fuck?
- You come here?
- Hey, that would not be wise.
Shut the fuck up!
If this commission votes
to take these sanctions
off of my head,
and I'll get you your dope back.
So, what's it gonna be, gentlemen?
500 keys of heroin
or one more dead Negro in Harlem?
One dead Negro.
Fuck you. I'd rather have my dope.
By the time I'm done,
Bumpy Johnson will rue the day
he fucked with me.
120th, 136, and that
other numbers spot on 140th.
- I wanna see nothin' but ash.
- We'll try, boss.
What do you mean?
What do you mean you'll try?
I'm just sayin' it ain't fucking easy.
He got some tough black
motherfuckers watching these spots.
What are you trying to say to me?
You know, our crews,
you know, they're
a little young and wild.
We could use Benny is
all I'm sayin', boss.
Oh Benny.
Benny Eggs.
Benny the noodge.
He hates fucking Miami.
He can't swim. He hates the sun.
He says the braciole down there
tastes like fucking horse meat.
- You believe this?
- Ernie.
Eeh!
How'd it go?
Look at that.
- That's what I'm talking about.
- Good job. Good job, Ernie.
Fuck Bumpy Johnson!
Mm-mm.
Merci beaucoup.
Por quoi?
The Italians are a little
pissed off, n'est pas?
Chin's attacking all of my
numbers spots and juke joints.
I expected that.
He got a lot of anger to burn,
and I'm just gonna let him burn it.
When are you returning the heroin?
By this time tomorrow.
I need access to yoursupply.
I wanna buy six times
what the Five Families get.
That's 3,000 kilos.
Impossible.
You could never ship that much
in a single load.
The Italians will never allow it.
I'm willing to fight them tooth and nail
for every inch of Harlem.
From Sicily?
The Sicilians,
they bring us the unrefined
morphine paste from Turkey.
Part of our understanding
is that we must deliver the heroin
to the Italian families here.
They would turn down
an order of 3,000 keys?
If we were to sell it to a Negro,
they'd skin us alive.
What if I had an Italian partner?
Thank you all for coming.
Harlem is my home,
and y'all know how the saying goes.
Some of you know each other
personally, some by reputation,
I'm sure.
That's Eugene with
the Purple Capsule Gang
from Kansas City.
There's Lamar Rockwell from
the Errol Flynns in Detroit.
Moses Temple outta Atlanta.
And, of course, y'all know
Sam Christian outta Philly,
who grabbed that guinea duji
a couple of weeks ago.
Some of us have been friends,
some enemies,
but we've all gotten our duji
from Italian sources for years.
I'm proposing a distribution network
that eliminates the Italians.
Guineas ain't gonna be
too happy about that.
They set the market.
The prices.
Kill anyone who steps outta line.
How? How do they get to do that?
They kept us separate.
This is about unity
and self-determination.
As long as you the king,
though, right, Bumpy?
Yeah.
And you the joker.
Here's the deal.
I formed an alliance with the Corsicans
for a direct supply.
Corsicans?
- Some hard motherfuckers.
- Maybe.
But they don't hate us
because of our skin.
And they bring in some big weight.
- Whoa.
- Well
We'll group together our buys
direct from Jean Jehan.
Your price per key will drop 60%!
That money buys you guns.
You can defend yourselves
against the Italians
in your respective cities.
Bumpy, um
maybe it's better if we
just keep the dope.
Went through a whole
lotta trouble to steal it.
- That duji's beautiful.
- Mm.
But we gotta think.
We We all gotta think.
We're playing the long game.
If we keep the duji,
the guineas will be on our ass.
I want them to think I'm their partner,
but we'll be in control.
Hmm.
Bumpy's right.
Our own distribution is the best play.
The new world is here, my brothers.
Alone, I'm just Harlem.
Together together
We're ten Harlems.
That big ol' ugly bear is scared.
I said I'd whup him in Miami.
All right, all right.
And how's the training going?
Oh, I'm doing 10 miles of road work
- and 12 rounds a day.
- Cassius!
- Mr. Dundee got me goin'.
- Come on.
Hey, all right, well,
that's a good thing.
You comin' down for the fight,
Brother Minister?
Uh, well, the Dear Holy Apostle
hasn't permitted me to go.
He ain't permitted you to go?
Ain't you still suspended
from the Nation?
Yeah, I guess I am.
Then get your black ass down here!
- Maybe I will.
- Well, you better.
It's gonna be the fight of the century.
They say Liston's great,
but he must fall in eight,
Brother Minister.
Clay swings to the left,
Clay swings to the right,
look at young Cassius
carry the fight.
Liston keeps backin',
but there's not enough room.
It's only a matter of time
before Clay lowers the boom!
Cassius! Cassius!
I'm comin', Dundee.
I'll see you at the fight,
Brother Minister.
- I gotta go.
- All right.
You were right.
He wants me there.
Cassius is the way you can
leverage yourself
back into the Nation.
Ah, that's a hustler's move, no doubt.
Nothing wrong with an alliance
if it helps out both parties.
There's only one problem with
your plan as I see it, though.
And what's that?
Clay ain't gonna win.
Nah, you wrong, Bumpy.
That boy's got speed, intelligence,
and the power of Allah on his side.
Allah ain't fought no Sonny Liston.
Oh, brother, it sure is good
to see you again.
How you been?
It's good to be back home,
back with Mayme and Margaret.
And you can ensure their safety?
Wouldn't have 'em in Harlem
if I couldn't.
But I may have to make me
one of them hustler moves.
Find me my own Cassius Clay.
That fucking dope!
When you're counting
those kilos, you make sure
that not so fucking much
as one is gone, you understand?
Yeah, boss.
Come on, knock that shit off.
You're never gonna beat Liston.
That's because no one can
beat fuckin' Sonny Liston.
Why do you think I got
50 large on the fight?
Gimme that.
Youse two, go start countin'.
Then we'll we'll fuckin'
start divvying up the dope
that the niggers gave back
to us among the families,
then we put a sanction back on Johnson.
Bumpy Johnson lived up to
his part of the agreement.
Come on.
He was behind the whole fucking thing.
I hear that you torched
some of his best numbers spots.
You're right. I did.
He's got to know where I stand.
What, are you stupid?
Now's not a time to start a war
with the niggers.
Do you know what guys like Johnson does
when you throw him a lifeline?
Huh? They twist it around
your fucking neck!
You heard what Malcolm X said.
They're coming after us.
What, you don't look outside
your boroughs?
You don't read the papers?
Come on, the world is changing, and
And it ain't changing for the better.
I don't read the papers?
Let me tell you something, Vincent.
My people in D.C. are telling me
that this facim Powell has
appointed a special prosecutor,
and he's gonna come after the families.
Oh, capisce?
He's right, and we don't
need the federal heat.
Fucking Johnson.
The guy is buyin' time.
He's got some kind of plan.
I know that fucker too well!
No camera, no TV man, no radio man,
and you right there and the whole world,
if Sonny Liston whups me,
I'll kiss his feet in the ring!
97 wins and zero losses
as a federal prosecutor.
That's why I chose you, Mr. Morgenthau.
I'm honored, Congressman.
For too long, the Mafia has kept Harlem
in a stranglehold with drugs,
extortion, arson, and a whole
lot of other things.
Let's knock 'em back on their heels
like Liston's gonna do to Clay.
I don't follow sports.
Well, the oddsmakers have it 7-1.
But if you'd like to make
a friendly wager,
I'll give you 20-1
that Liston's gonna
knock that loudmouth out.
Well, the one thing I do
know about sports
is that betting on them is illegal.
Just testing you.
Congressman Powell,
the Five Families operate
as a a bickering set of brotherhoods.
They don't like one another,
but they need one another to survive.
We need intelligence on
those internal divisions
to exploit them,
to use their unspoken
hatred against them.
Adam. It's Mayme again.
I think you should take it.
Put her on.
Give me a minute.
Hello, Mayme.
Hello, Reverend.
Look, I don't want this
to sound like sour grapes,
but you told me before
I left for South Carolina
that I'd be chair of the
Voter Registration initiative.
Well, you were gone and I didn't
know when you were coming back.
Look, I worked up a plan
to pay for Freedom Rider buses
to go from New York City
down to Mississippi
to help register voters there.
Now, I know you have a passion
for getting out the vote,
but I'm afraid I'm not
gonna change my mind.
Is this about my husband?
Is it? Just tell me,
so I know the truth.
Very nice talking to you, Mayme.
I'm very sorry.
Have a nice day,
and I'm sure we'll talk soon.
I've had to sever my relationship
with a very important
civil rights warrior
because her husband is a gangster
who might be persuaded
into helping us with our cause.
His name is Bumpy Johnson.
Hmm.
Bumpy, you tryin' to let me win?
Maybe.
Maybe it's a trap.
Trap my ass.
I now take your queen.
Check.
I'm getting old.
How come you're the only one
who consistently beats me at chess?
It's ironic 'cause you're the
one who taught me how to play.
Listen, my friend.
I was willing to to overlook
that Zambrano bullshit
because he was a fucking prick.
Now, I don't know if
you had anything to do
with stealing the heroin,
but if you did,
it was better than Geller's
Rook and Pawn endgame
in nineteen-forty-fucking-nine!
Frank, I need an Italian
partner to buy heroin
on account of the Sicilians.
I can bring you wholesalers
from 10 different cities.
How the hell did I not see that coming?
I want you to be my partner, Frank.
Bumpy.
I don't lead a borgata.
I got no soldiers.
I settle disputes among the families.
I got soldiers.
I need you to stand up
for me with Jehan.
I can make you some serious money.
Check.
Listen, I got five grandchildren.
I don't need the Five Families
coming at me over heroin.
What about, uh, Lucchese?
Gambino.
Partner with you?
They'd rather partner with a Chink.
Bonanno?
Chin would never stand for that.
That moves Bonanno right
up close to his turf.
Forget about it.
Checkmate.
Bafangu!
You bought tickets to Miami
without even askin' me?
When was the last time
we took a family vacation?
Never.
There you go.
You wanna see Cassius.
SupportCassius.
I have no interest in a prizefight,
and neither do the girls.
Well, the Hampton House has a pool.
We don't want a pool.
We want you
Your focus, your attention
On us, not Cassius Clay.
Betty, this is a vacation,
but it is also an opportunity.
There's not one prominent
Muslim going down to that fight.
- Do you know why?
- Because he's gonna lose.
Because they all think
he's going to lose.
And he's not.
These politicians talk out
of both sides of they mouth.
Reverend Powell said
I was the best person
to administer
the Harlem Vote Initiative.
Now he won't even talk to me.
Why would he replace you?
It's about Bumpy. I know it.
- Why you say that?
- I could hear it in his voice.
You need to find out for Daddy's sake.
How?
Well, I hear tell about Reverend Powell.
Some say red lipstick
and a cute little number
might allow you to find out more.
15 times I've told the crowd
what round he's going down
Oh, I don't like that
Cassius Clay's big mouth.
- will fall in eight
- I love it,
especially if he comes out as Muslim,
which Malcolm says is likely.
How's it been at the Temple without him?
I miss him, a lot.
Well, you have been such a dear,
and Margaret loves her
big sister so much.
Elise, I just want you to
know how much I appreciate
you assuming that role.
Makes the most sense right now.
But it's not gonna be forever.
Joe.
I want to thank you
for agreeing to see me.
Bumpy Johnson, this is my wife, Fay.
Bumpy Johnson.
Where do I know this name from?
You've probably heard me
cursing him in my sleep.
Well, do you boys want
to talk privately?
'Cause I'll wait in the car.
We're on our way to see "Tosca."
Puccini. That's my favorite.
Oh!
Oh, I'm sure we could
get another ticket!
No, no, honey.
Uh, he came here to hear
an answer on a business deal,
and my answer's still no.
I-I don't keep secrets from my wife.
It's true. I always know
where Joe stands,
especially if he's mad.
- I'm not mad, honey.
- All you have to do
is stand up for me with Jehan,
and you'll triple your income.
Look, if the Sicilians
don't want to sell to you,
my hands are tied.
It's this thing of ours, you know.
No colored allowed.
You're gonna make a ton of money
just for being my front man.
You're not listening to me, Bumpy.
I can't front for someone like you.
Capisce?
Capisce.
It was a pleasure to meet you,
and I hope you come visit us again.
It's nice to meet you,
too, Mrs. Bonanno.
Fay, come on.
We're gonna be late.
Come on, girl, show me what you got.
Yeah, that's a good fist right there.
Now, pull it back, let it fly. Oh!
- I did it, Daddy!
- You sure did.
You just knocked out the future
champion of the world.
Um, hey, why don't you, uh,
read one of those magazines
and maybe go on down by the pool?
I'm fine right here.
Hello?
Do you recognize my voice?
Yes, sir, Dear Holy Apostle.
I've seen a news report
that you're spending time with Malcolm.
- Is that true?
- Yes, sir.
I want to caution you about doing so.
You see, Malcolm hasn't
capitulated for his misdeeds.
There are rules. He has broken them,
and I suspect he will do so again.
For example, it is forbidden for him
to seek publicity at this time.
I understand.
So it would be wise for you
to stay away.
We're all rooting for you, Cassius.
Thank you, sir.
I got to go to the gym.
Barry Goldwater appeals to
the worst American traits
Anti-immigration, anti-civil rights,
anti-anything that gives
a poor person a decent chance
to make his way up in the world.
Now, you mark my words.
He's gonna appeal to
those Southern Dixiecrats.
Those sons of bitches
might as well be Republicans.
- Adam, uh, Mayme John
- Excuse me.
I'm sure Reverend Powell
can make time to see me.
President Johnson, uh,
can I call you later?
Well, yes, yes, it is an emergency.
How may I help you, Mayme?
I need answers.
Lillian is going to chair
the Harlem Vote
I'm talking about my husband.
- This has nothing to do with your husband.
- Yes, it does.
Otherwise, you'd have me
out there registering voters.
Bumpy has turned into
a liability that I can't ignore.
I promised President Johnson
I would help
get those Southern Dixiecrats
to end their filibuster
against the Civil Rights Act.
At the same time,
I've authorized a federal investigation
into the Italian Mafia in New York City.
So you can understand my dilemma.
My husband is not in the Italian Mafia.
But he associates with them.
And our voting effort can't
stand any bad publicity.
There will likely be federal prosecution
of select Italian gangsters
and their colleagues,
regardless of race, creed, or color.
Now is not the time for Black
men to turn on each other.
The rule of law holds,
regardless of one's skin color.
You of all people should know
it's not that simple.
I don't have to give you
a list of things
that Bumpy has done for this community,
but Harlem needs Bumpy.
Almost as much as they need you,
Reverend Powell.
Good day.
Man, they showed a warrant, Bump.
Go ahead. Knock yourselves out.
There ain't nothing here.
That's close enough.
Mr. Johnson, get in the car.
Get in.
Who are you?
Robert Morgenthau.
What are you waiting for,
an invitation in writing?
My guess is this raid will
turn up very little evidence.
I'm told you're not sloppy,
like some of your Italian brethren.
Palmetto is a legitimate business.
I'm sure it is.
So you just like to harass
Negroes for for sport.
I don't care about you, Johnson.
Let me rephrase that.
I don't care about busting you.
You're a toss-it-back.
Not enough meat in your claws and tail.
Why all this then?
Because you could help me
get the big fish that I'm after.
I don't rat not on my own
or even on the guineas.
I know you don't.
Go ahead.
That is an offer of full
immunity from prosecution
for any and all of your
past criminal offenses.
It also indemnifies you from prosecution
for any and all criminal
activity going forward,
such as whatever you may need
to participate in
to maintain your cover
with the Italians.
And in return?
You let us watch you
from afar, of course,
as a means of gathering
evidence against Italian
and that's only Italian
organized crime.
That's snitching.
I'll allow you to stay
in business, Mr. Johnson.
All the money you make from
these dealings, you keep.
It's not snitching.
It's elimination of the competition.
I'd be your partner.
We gotta head back, Stella.
I'm meeting someone at 22 West.
The Negro joint?
My father said he punished Benny.
What exactly did he do?
That's not my business nor yours.
- Did he kill him?
- What, are you crazy?
Benny's a made guy.
So he didn't.
What was this so-called punishment
he got for killing my boyfriend then?
He sent him to Florida.
And do yourself a favor
stop worrying about Benny.
Your father took care of it.
You'll never fuckin' see him again.
You know how great I am.
I don't have to tell you
about my strategy.
I'll let my trainer tell you.
Bundini, come here.
Bundini, tell 'em, what are we gonna do?
You gonna float like a butterfly
- and sting like a bee.
- Aah!
He floats like a butterfly.
He stings like a bee.
Yeah.
Thanks, baby.
That's my trainer. He'll tell you.
So, what are you going to do?
Without an Italian partner,
I got no protection.
And with one, you'll be
prosecuted by Morgenthau.
Morgenthau came at me
with an immunity deal.
That sound like somebody who's
trying to put me back in jail?
You're not going to take it.
No.
So, who's the partner going to be?
Costello and Bonanno turned me down.
Gambino and Lucchese, they'll
they'll never team up with me.
Chin, he's he's busy
burning down my numbers spots.
Then he's the one to try for.
Why?
Because once he gets over the anger,
he'll see it's in his best interest.
You need to be a diplomat.
Chin ain't one for diplomacy.
A real diplomat
is someone who can slice
his neighbor's throat
when he doesn't see it coming.
Come on, dance, Cassius, dance.
All right, circle left, circle left.
Keep movin'. Keep movin'.
All right, right, right, right!
Yeah, Liston won't be able to touch him.
What are you doin' here?
I'm here at the request of your fighter.
Yeah? You ever thought about
what he's about to face?
'Cause no one's gone more than
three rounds with Liston.
Ah, don't worry about that.
As long as Cassius believes
in Allah, he'll be just fine.
As long as he's distracted by
anything other than fighting,
and that's including you, I disagree.
He wants me here.
I am his spiritual advisor.
This kid's got an incredible future.
Even if he loses, he'll
have TV appearances,
endorsement deals, the works.
And you think his association
with me jeopardizes that?
I know it does.
Listen, he may not know what's
right for him right now,
but you you're
smart enough to get it.
If the corporate interests
of white America
have anything against me,
I couldn't care less.
This isn't about you!
This is about him.
I mean, Christ, between you
and the Elijah guy, you
You got this kid's head spinnin'.
And now he's confused, and when
he's confused, he can't box.
You understand?
I am the greatest.
I'm double greatness.
Listen, I, um
I mean no disrespect, Mr. Dundee,
but Cassius asked me
to be there ringside.
And I plan to be there.
But until then,
I'll stay out of his hair.
All right, all right, stop.
Get your rope. Five rounds.
Partner with Chin Gigante?
Are you crazy?
He's worried about the feds.
All the families are.
Or they will be soon enough.
Bump, it's a mistake.
Can't trust Chin Gigante.
I ain't trying to be his friend.
This is business.
This motherfucker tried to kill you
for three solid months.
He sent five times as many men
against you
as any of the other families.
And he almost killed your daughter.
He hates your ass.
They all hate me.
What's important is having
our own source to Marseille.
And to do that,
we have to have a guinea.
You think I don't have a plan?
Do you have a, uh,
little poetry for Sonny Liston?
If you like to lose your money,
then be a fool and bet on Sonny.
But if you want to have a good day,
then put it on Clay.
I knew it was a long shot.
He's a very interesting man.
A regular good Samaritan,
from what I hear.
I told him he was
a small fish, a toss-back.
But I realize that Ellsworth Johnson
is a lot more influential
than I thought.
How so?
We have over 30 federal agents in Harlem
tracking the Italian dons.
Bumpy Johnson met
with both Costello and Bonanno
in the last two days.
He's seeking an alliance,
would be my guess.
I want to put the screws to him, hard.
Do I have your permission?
I don't know why the fuck you're here.
I don't give a rat's ass
about your ten Harlems.
I'm not gonna partner up with you.
Not now, not ever.
I hate you, too, Chin.
But this is in our mutual interest.
Give me a reason why I shouldn't
shoot the both of you right now.
'Cause I have information
about what the feds are doin'.
Organized crime hearings,
special prosecutor.
Straight from the lips
of Adam Clayton Powell.
What, are you saying
Powell's on the take?
Definitely not.
But he's got a big mouth,
and I know how to play him.
I feed him misinformation,
and him and Morgenthau
will be chasing their own tails.
FBI! Hands up!
Oh, come on.
We was just gonna go to lunch.
Hands where I can see 'em.
Vincent Gigante, we have a warrant
to search these premises.
Okay, well, do what you gotta do.
Tear it apart.
Who's this?
Bumpy Johnson.
Ellsworth Johnson?
Yeah.
I have an arrest warrant
for you, Mr. Johnson.
Uh-oh!
Just saved me a trip of picking you up.
- What for?
- Selling narcotics.
Let me see.
Robert Morgenthau.
I thought you had that covered.
I'll be out by tonight.
Don't know if I can say the
same thing about you, though.
Let's go, Johnson.
Get me a fucking drink.
Can we get these cuffs off?
That motherfucker fell for it
hook, line, and sinker.
Thanks, Ray. You make a good narc.
Anytime.
Fun to be on the other side
of the badge for a change.
Get a message to Chin.
I want to meet him alone.
What makes you think he'll come?
You know he'll find out
it was a bogus raid.
Ray here scared the piss out of him.
Chin thinks I have an in with
Powell that could protect him.
He's desperate to stay out of jail,
plus he knows those 10 Harlems
will make him money,
so he'll come.
Okay.
But it ain't really about that.
What's it about then?
Him and me.
Can we go somewhere?
I need to stay here
in case Cassius calls.
Mr. Dundee asked you
not to distract him.
But if he calls, I want to be here.
You hear the girls in there.
They're climbin' the walls.
I know, but, Betty, this is important.
- Forgive me. I didn't mean
- Does Cassius know you intend
on using him to get yourself
back into the Nation?
I'm here for support.
Support or strategy?
Will you care as much
for his soul if he loses?
I'm sorry, Malcolm.
I know you're under a lot of pressure.
It's time I take the girls back home.
You stay here and do what you have to.
No matter what happens,
you know I love you.
Betty, wait.
You're right.
Malcolm.
It's fine.
Honestly, Stella, what
the fuck are we doing here?
I'm waitin' for someone.
Who's he?
Someone who won't leave me alone.
- I'm sorry.
- That's okay.
I'll wait outside.
- Good.
- Good.
To be honest, I'm not sure
what I'm doin' here.
- You got my letters?
- Yeah.
And I kept throwing them in the
garbage, but they kept coming.
I finally got up
the courage to read one.
"Teddy's music wasn't just in his voice.
It was in his eyes,
his hands, his touch.
His song never leaves me."
And so on.
You know, being a mother of a Black boy,
you worry from the moment they born.
You tell him how to behave
if he's stopped by a cop,
how not to be aggressive
around white folk.
When he started to sing, I was relieved.
I thought maybe, just maybe,
no one would see him as a threat.
Then he met you.
Please forgive me.
Please.
Why you think I'm here?
I figure anyone who
loved my son so much
shouldn't be my enemy.
Reverend Powell.
Mrs. Johnson.
Pardon the intrusion.
What are you doing here?
I was hoping to have a word.
I may have been hasty.
About what?
Well, they say in order
to do your best work,
you must surround yourself
with the best people,
and, well, you're the best people.
Will you come and work with me
on the Harlem Voter Initiative?
Mm, are you sure my husband
won't tarnish your reputation?
Well, although I don't condone
what your husband does,
you make a good point.
The people of Harlem look up to him,
and I represent the people.
And besides, anyone lucky enough
to have you as a wife
must have a lot of goodness
in his heart.
That is an awfully
sweet thing of you to say.
Well, if I was half as smart
as your husband,
maybe I wouldn't be on my third wife.
- I would love to work with you.
- Excellent.
Why don't you join us inside?
We're about to watch the fight.
Oh, well, just for a minute.
That's all it's gonna take
for Liston to knock him out.
Reverend Powell, please meet
Elise, Bumpy's daughter.
Oh, well, hello. Very nice to meet you.
Lovely to meet you, Reverend.
fight, one where Sonny, perhaps,
will want to get off fast,
one where Cassius,
who incidentally
is warming up right now
It's okay to be nervous.
Yeah.
Yeah, Liston's nervous, too, all right?
Listen, kid, you just move,
and you keep dancing,
and you're gonna do fine.
Let me see.
Brother.
You came.
That call I got was
from the Messenger
- I know.
- telling me
to stay away from you.
Cassius, I'm guilty, Brother.
I've thought to use you
for my own ends,
which is to convince
the Dear Holy Apostle
to reinstate me, and, for that,
I am truly sorry.
If the Lamb of God has
forbidden you to see me,
then I must leave.
I don't see him here, do you?
How much time do we have?
You got 10 minutes.
Let us pray for Allah
to give you the strength
and the skill you need to succeed.
Welcome to Miami Beach
and the giant Convention Hall
for what may be the richest
heavyweight championship fight
of all time. And into the ring now
comes the sombre and menacing figure
of Charles "Sonny" Liston,
the champion, aptly named
the most frightening man in the world.
He's looked on Clay's antics
with contempt.
When that next shipment comes in,
I'm selling out of 10 Harlems,
and you're gonna get a 20% cut.
Not good enough. Partners.
50-50, and the sanctions
on my head permanently lifted.
I ought to kick your ass!
Clay going around this ring
as fast as he said he would.
He said he was gonna be a dancer,
and that's the way
he is going to work it.
He's hurt him in the body
with a right hand.
Clay is hurt.
Liston here trying for
his third successive
- one-round win.
- Ooh, there it is, right?
And Clay's thinking.
He's felt one or two punches already.
Come on, Cassius!
Liston's going all out
for the finish here.
He's taking the punches in on Clay,
and Clay's taking more and more.
There's the bell,
and they're still fighting.
They haven't heard the bell,
and they're still going on!
Something has happened
in Liston's corner.
They're not going on.
And what's happened?
Clay has won! Clay has won!
Clay has won!
He won! Ahh!
But why has Liston retired?
What has happened?
I am the greatest!
Partners.
Equal partners.
All right.
All right.
All right.