(BIRDS CHIRPING)
Man... is Dad about to die?
- I knew something was going on. - What do you mean you knew?
- I had an idea. - And you didn't tell me?
Good morning.
Yo, when were you gonna tell us you were dying? We saw your video.
What? I'm not dying.
- Dad, I didn't tell him anything. - Mom, what's going on?
- Did you know about this? - About your father's health? Yes.
About this video? (SIGHS) No.
I thought there were no secrets in this house.
Dad needs a kidney transplant.
I said I may need a kidney transplant, and y'all weren't supposed to see that.
Okay, look. Your father's health is not the best right now,
but he is not dying.
'Kay? We're gonna do everything we can. Okay?
Gonna do more exercising and better eating. Right, Chuck?
Exactly. Starting right now at breakfast. And one thing I never wanna do...
is let down the team, all right?
I'm gonna do everything that I can to make sure
- that this net stays together... - Hmm.
BELL BROTHER 2: Heroes are big and strong.
- ...tight. - BELL BROTHER 2: They leap and soar.
But when the lights go down, they're just people.
They breathe. They laugh. They cry. They hurt.
- Hey. - BELL BROTHER 2: They die.
- The thing about heroes is... - It's all right.
...they're just like you.
(THEME MUSIC PLAYING)
- (THEME MUSIC CONCLUDES) - (BIRDS CHIRPING)
- He doesn't even look sick. - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- It just feels... unreal. - (WHISTLE BLOWING)
- Yeah. - (BALL THUMPING)
My aunt had heart problems couple years back.
She's crushing it now, though. Running marathons, swimming, hiking...
dead lifts 325.
Three hundred and twenty-five? Pounds?
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY) I'm just seeing if you're paying attention.
Look, Filthy... if anyone can beat this, it's Coach.
You're right. And maybe us getting into Beacon is just the medicine he needs.
(HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING)
(CROWD CHEERING)
Look at those kicks... Aniq Hale.
ESPN Top Ten, High School All-American.
He has offers from, like, every major in the country.
He's like a mix of Kobe and Curry.
- Straight dirty. - Averages 25 points per game for Beacon?
- I know, Filthy. You tell us every week. - Right.
(BUZZER BUZZING)
- Still can't believe he has those kicks. - Man, he's wild.
Is he walking towards us? (COUGHS NERVOUSLY)
Josh Bell, right? Heard about that comeback. Nice game, yo.
- Thanks. It's Filthy. - Filthy, huh?
As in Chuck "Da Man" Bell's kid.
- First round draft picks. - Five time all-star. We know the man.
- Let's see if your skills match your name. - Say less.
(SOFTLY) Hold this for me.
Let's go.
Come now, Filth. That's all you got?
You're supposed to be the man. Come on now. What about "Da Man" Bell?
- (FLOOR SQUEAKS) - (CROWD GASPS)
- (CROWD EXCLAIMS) - (CHEERS)
FILTHY: Ooh...
How are those ankles?
All right. You clean with it. Coach Howard ain't lying.
Young buck might be coming to play with us next year. (CHUCKLES)
But do you got range, Filthy?
(CROWD CHEERING)
- Y’all should come through tonight. - At the Roll Call?
Every Saturday night. Beacon After Dark.
- We skate, bowl... and we eat good. - (BOTH CHUCKLE)
And don't forget the girls. After Dark, baby.
Sounds good. Me and the squad will slide through.
All right then, wodie. Pull up. Bring big man here too.
- Get some squad if you want to. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY) All right.
(SOFTLY) You just snapped Aniq's ankles.
Dad is gonna freak when he hears that I talked to Aniq Hale.
For sho. And after tonight, there is no doubt Aniq will vouch for us.
- Beacon, here we come. - VONDIE: For real.
Come on, let's get it. Come on...
(HIP-HOP MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (CRICKETS CHIRPING) - (KNOCKING ON DOOR)
- I promise I'll clean it soon. - CRYSTAL: Mm-hmm.
I wanted to talk to you about your assignment.
Mom, I can explain. Filthy was just trying to help me out.
He wanted to make sure I could go to the party and...
CRYSTAL: He told me this morning.
As much as I love you all finishing each other's sentences,
finishing each other's essays is called plagiarizing.
- There will be consequences. - It won't happen again.
Oh, I know it won't.
And you'll have plenty of time to think about it in after-school study hall
for the next two weeks. No more shortcuts.
Now, I noticed you've been a bit more productive
since we've gone to the doctor.
You were right. I shouldn't have tried to stop taking my meds cold turkey.
It was messing with my head.
Baby, it is nothing wrong with taking a little bit of extra help.
I'm proud of you.
Oh! You're really being productive.
- Oh! - Can I see?
- No. No previews. It's not ready yet. - Okay.
I'm just glad you understand it's okay to have more than one passion.
Yeah, but I might be better at basketball.
- (BOTH CHUCKLE) - That's okay. It's not a competition.
It's just about what's in here and letting life do the rest.
Your father and I will be here for the unveiling when it's ready.
- Thanks, Mom. For everything. - I love what you're doing. (CHUCKLES)
Hey, Mom. Be honest. Is Dad gonna be okay?
He is. There's a few lifestyle changes he needs to make.
(SOMBER MUSIC PLAYING)
Baby, your dad is strong.
And sometimes real strength is letting others shoulder the burden.
That's what we gotta do. He needs that tonight.
- You mean the anniversary? - Fifteen years.
Fifteen long years. (CHUCKLES)
(SOMBER MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS)
Chuck... let's go!
- (INHALES) - FILTHY: Mama!
What'd I tell you about yelling in my house?
Weren't you just yelling in your house?
See, here we go again with these double standards.
- Mm. Whatever. Hey, Vondie. - Dr. Bell!
- You definitely understood the assignment. - Mm... Did I?
- Chill, that's my mom. - VONDIE: Hey.
My dear sweet mother...
we were initially gonna hang around here tonight,
but I fear that we need to get out more, you know?
Do some different things, other than playing ball all the time.
What do you want, child?
- Dad, guess who I met today. - CHUCK: Hmm.
Aniq Hale. And he's gonna need a podiatrist the way I crossed him up.
- It was nasty. - The Aniq Hale?
- Yes, sir. - Beacon's golden child?
Exactly why I need your permission to go to the Roll Call tonight.
Get some more face time with Aniq.
Was there some secret family meeting I don't know about?
(SCOFFS) Shouldn't y'all be gone by now?
(CHUCKLES) Nah, there's no family meeting.
Your brother wants to go hang out with the boys from Beacon
and go to the Roll Call.
But if y'all keep asking, we may be staying.
- CRYSTAL: Mm-hmm? - No, I didn't even mean it like that.
- CRYSTAL: Mm. - I'm just saying I want y'all to have
a lot of fun 'cause it's your anniversary.
Mm-hmm? Fifteen... beautiful years.
- (BOTH CHUCKLE) - You mean long years.
Can y'all keep the romantic stuff to yourselves?
- How do you think you two got here? - (ALL GROAN)
Chill on that, Mom.
(CHUCKLES) Are all you guys going skating tonight?
- Yes. - No.
What he means to say is not all of us are skating.
Some of us wanna bowl too.
- CRYSTAL: Mm. - It's convivial.
As in "jovial," as in "festive." As in a bunch of joyfulness.
Well, y'all know what I'm going to say 'cause your dad was the king of bounce!
- Oh, please. - (FILTHY LAUGHING)
Chuck, why are you lying to these boys? (CHUCKLES)
- Why? - Dad, you are a trip.
- (CHEERS) - So, can we go?
- Hmm... Leave together, return together. - Let's go!
Back by 10:00. No excuses.
- No excuses. - Mm-hmm. Tell Aniq I said what's up.
You know, with the three of y'all at Beacon, sure championship.
Sir.
- Thanks, Dad. - CRYSTAL: Chuck, let's go!
- Have fun. - Bye.
(HIP-HOP MUSIC STOPS)
See, this is exactly what I'm talking about, man.
Just like with Dad's video, all you care about is you and your time.
Look, JB, it's not even...
Nah! Did you even consider that I might have plans, too?
Alexis was supposed to come over, so we...
Oh, I get it. You wanted a little alone time.
A little kissy wissy. It's all good, bro.
Look, I'm not saying that you and Alexis cannot spend time together.
All I'm saying is, look at it from a different angle.
You got couple's skating, dim lights, slow music and waffle fries.
Come on. That sound like an opportunity to me.
- All right. I'll see what she says. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
You gonna thank me later. Not all Filthy's ideas are bad ideas.
- Just most of 'em. - (ALL CHUCKLE)
All right. Follow me, gentlemen. Beacon and our roller skates await.
Waffle fries on me!
- (JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
(LAUGHS)
- CHUCK: Mm-mm. - Mr. Romance. (GIGGLES)
That's right, baby. The night is young. We're just getting started.
(CRYSTAL CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
- How you feeling? - I told you I am fine.
Besides the fact that I am dying.
- That's not funny, Chuck. - Come on, babe. It's a little funny.
We can't lose our humor.
Tonight, we just breathe, relax.
Tonight's our night.
- First one in a long time, too. - Mm-hmm.
Remember our first Mardi Gras out here?
I mean, I never seen anybody clean up so many beads.
You were the definition of bling-bling. You got beads over here, beads over there.
Yeah, that was Keisha Jones.
- Remember? - Uh...
That was the summer you almost lost the best thing you ever had.
- (JAZZ MUSIC STOPS) - Babe, come...
(UPBEAT R&B MUSIC PLAYING)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
You sure you guys don't wanna bowl first? I'm not breaking my neck on the rink.
Be cool, fondue. We in here.
- So, this is high school? - Definitely leveling up.
Then why'd you grab your Hughes sweatshirt?
Oh, well, it's my last chance to rep it before I'm dripped down in Beacon gear.
I didn't think high school would have this much tongue kissing. I can't wait!
- Is that glitter in their mouth? - Yo.
(CHUCKLES)
- Yeah, I'm gonna get a ten. - What's up, Alexis?
- Hey! - Heard your boy Zuma
- might be here tonight. - He's not my boy, and he's a friend.
And for the hundredth time, I was trying to do the right thing, okay?
Turn the page, dude.
- Are they always like this? - Yup.
- Got it. - Yo.
I know we all came here together,
but do you wanna head out a little early, just you and me?
Are you kidding me? This is amazing. It's been forever since I've been skating.
All right. Showtime.
(UPBEAT R&B MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - (CHUCKLES)
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
Can I start you off with anything to drink?
- Wine. - Old fashioned.
Wine for me. Water for him.
And you know what? We'll both do the grilled salmon.
(CHUCKLES)
- What's this? Punishment for Keisha? - (CHUCKLES) Lifestyle changes, remember?
The only sugar you're allowed to have are these lips.
Uh-huh?
It's funny you should say that 'cause I got a sweet tooth.
- Oh. Do you? - Yeah, baby.
- (GIGGLES) - Got anything that can help me out?
I don't know. Maybe. I don't know if it's gonna be sweet enough.
Try me.
(GIGGLES)
You know, I know we're not talking about the elephant in the room tonight.
I don't even wanna think about what I'd do without you.
Hey, you never have to, okay?
I'm not going anywhere.
- What are you doing? - Girl, you know.
- (CHAIR SLIDES) - I'm showing off.
Look, I will do whatever it takes.
I will take any vitamin... and I will do any yoga routine.
- Even the one that makes me gassy. - (GIGGLES)
Please don't do anything that makes you more gassy.
- Hmm. - For all our sakes.
(CHUCKLES)
- See? - (CRYSTAL GIGGLES)
- CHUCK: Like that. Look at you. - (JAZZ MUSIC STOPS)
- (UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING) - (INDISTINCT CHATTER)
VONDIE: I'd go for bowling. Last time I skated, I broke my...
Yo, it's them.
- Filthy in the house. - What's up, my dude?
Hey, you remember I was telling you about my brother, right?
- Oh, what's up, dude? - JB: How you doing, man?
I'm glad y'all came through. Let's get it.
Let's go!
- (ALL LAUGH) - Yeah!
(BOTH LAUGH)
(LAUGHS)
Man.
Shawty's cute. Who is she? I ain't see her around.
Think she came here with your boy Filthy and his clique.
Oh. Word?
Yo, I didn't know y'all skate like this every Saturday.
Why don't you introduce me to your girl over there?
Oh, Alexis? Yeah, nah, that's... that's JB's girl.
They just started talking, like, a few weeks ago.
It's nothing too serious.
I hear that. Good for him.
Yeah. Alexis is good peeps, but I don't know what she sees in JB.
(BOTH CHUCKLE)
(SKATES RATTLING)
Tell you one thing, shawty ain't leaving without my number.
VONDIE: About time.
- Here you go. - All right.
Who's ready to catch a bowling fade?
- Let's do it. - All right, I got us in lane four so...
- (CHUCKLES) Let's go. - Let's go.
I'm gonna go to the bathroom. I'll meet y'all there.
VONDIE: All right.
(UPBEAT MUSIC STOPS)
- (POP MUSIC PLAYING) - (PINS RATTLING)
Alexis, right? I saw your moves.
I know this ain't your first time. The name's Aniq.
I've heard of you. Pretty much all of New Orleans has.
I'll take that as a compliment.
- (PINS RATTLING) - You ride up at Beacon next year?
Maybe. It depends. Was thinking of going to City Arts.
Well, hopefully, after tonight... you change your mind.
- Come on. Let's chill. - (CROWD CHEERING)
Hey, what is he doing?
Aniq knows that you and Alexis are talking.
He don't care.
Beacon varsity, they're all used to getting whatever they want.
You know, none of this would've happened if you hadn't changed plans.
So what? This is on me now? I didn't make Alexis talk to Aniq.
You don't get it, man.
We had a good thing going and instead, you made tonight about you.
About me? Bro, this is about us. Us getting the upper hand in Beacon.
Would you stop with Beacon?
This is so whack, man. I knew we shouldn't have come here.
(POP MUSIC CONCLUDES)
BELL BROTHER 2: Calamity, as in an unexpected, undesirable event.
(UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING)
FILTHY: Yes!
VONDIE: Hey, Filth, why don't you go talk to Maya?
Come on, Filth. She's had a crush on you since first grade.
Look, Vondie, I don't know what they put in that Slurpee,
but Maya's like a sister to me.
Have you ever thought that maybe she brought Zuma to make you a little...
- Little what? - Jealous?
(CHUCKLES) You need to put the drink down.
- Your brain is frozen for real, fammy. - (CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Just letting you know.
(UPBEAT MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - (SMOOTH SOUL MUSIC PLAYING)
Hey, everything okay?
Sorry. Comes in waves.
Sometimes our future is all I can think about, and sometimes I...
What? You forget the reality?
Maybe you should consider reaching out to Kelli.
She is still family after all.
Hmm. Kelli...
You think that's a good idea?
Baby, I just don't want you to rule anyone or anything out.
You do realize that...
you're asking me to open the Pandora's box.
- I know. - Here you go. Plates are hot.
Thank you.
Can we save this conversation for later?
You know, and instead toast to our anniversary?
I'll raise my glass to that.
(SMOOTH SOUL MUSIC CONCLUDES)
- (HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING) - (CROWD CHEERING)
- Hey. - (PINS RATTLING)
You done bowling?
And I'm getting hangry.
FILTHY: Mm.
(ANNOUNCER SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY OVER SPEAKERS)
Look, Maya.
I know that these past few months haven't exactly been easy,
and I know we haven't really talked since the dance with Zuma,
but I really wanna say that I totally and I completely forgive you.
- Pause. You forgive me? - (CHUCKLES) I'm kidding.
Look, what I really mean to say is that I'm sorry.
- FEMALE VOICE: Three! Order's up! - Vondie told you to come over here, huh?
- Nah. But he is tripping. - What do you mean?
Nothing at all. And again, I really am sorry. So, are we good?
Nah. Not until you get us these waffle fries you promised us.
- (CLICKS TONGUE) Oh, say less. I got you. - (CHUCKLES)
Can I hold four dollars?
- I'm not about to play with you. - (BOTH LAUGH)
- So, you gonna let me get that IG? - I'll think about it.
(CHUCKLES SOFTLY)
Let's go back.
- (MAYA LAUGHING) - (LAUGHS)
- Yeah! - (CHEERS, LAUGHS)
Hey, y'all.
Did y'all have a good chat? Seems like you were enjoying yourself.
Is that shade? Why are you tripping?
ANIQ: Hit you all in your feelings?
(SCOFFS) Thought you said it wasn't serious.
- Yo, what is he talking about? - I...
Filthy told us y'all wasn't really that serious.
Let me talk to you.
I should've never invited y'all. You ain't ready for Beacon After Dark.
No matter who you or your dad is. Dusty old career.
- (UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING) - (CROWD GASPS)
The Man? More like The Big Bust Man.
- (INDISTINCT CHATTER) - Yo, say another thing about my dad.
I ain't Zuma.
- Trust me, you don't want this smoke. - Maybe I do.
'Cause one thing you not about to do is disrespect my family and my crew.
- Man, if you don't step back... - FEMALE VOICE 1: Hey.
- FEMALE VOICE 2: Stop playing! - Putting your hands on me, bro?
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
- Hey, what are you guys doing? Stop! - STAFF MEMBER: If you keep throwing
those hands, I'm gonna have to call security.
- (BOTH GRUNT) - MAYA: Get off him! Get off him!
- Wait! What's going on? Stop! Stop! - (ALL GASP)
- MAYA: Stop recording! Stop! - They're gonna get us kicked out, stop!
- Hey, back up. Back up. - What you doing?
- Hey, hey, chill out, bro. Calm down. - Cut it out!
What's going on? Get off him! Stop playing!
(CROWD CLAMORING)
- You gotta get off him! Stop! - Yeah!
(INDISTINCT CLAMORING)
Ain’t no fighting in the Roll Call!
(UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC CONCLUDES)
(INDISTINCT CHATTER)
Um... I needed this.
- (PHONE RINGING) - Hmm.
(JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING)
CHUCK: Hmm.
Hello?
MALE VOICE: Your boys were involved in a fight at the Roll Call.
If you don't pick them up, I'm gonna call the police.
No, sir. No, don't call the police.
Yep, we'll be there in 15 minutes.
- What? What happened? - It's the boys.
BELL BROTHER 2: Be careful hanging with your heroes,
following in their footsteps, trying to be who you're not.
It never ends well.
(JAZZ MUSIC CONTINUES)
This is what you wanted, right? To be the center of attention?
Well, now everybody's looking.
Yo, I was trying to help you get some face time, all right?
Nobody needs your help, man. Stop trying to help, all right?
If it's not about the paper, it's about getting into Beacon.
When will you learn to just focus on your own life?
- Aniq better not have told Coach Howard. - JB: Are you kidding me?
- Is that all you think about? - Could you be quiet?
You're always talking about what I'm doing wrong.
Where was this energy when Aniq was hugged up on Alexis?
- What'd you say? - Yeah, you heard me!
Hey, hey. Enough!
If your name ain't Miles Davis, I don't wanna hear another sound
until we get home.
(SIGHS)
(CRICKETS CHIRPING)
- CHUCK: Have y'all lost your mind? - (JAZZ MUSIC CONCLUDES)
We did not raise you like this.
- Dad, he was talking trash about you. - I don't care who was talking to who.
People talk. You can't control them, but you can control yourselves
both on and off the court.
I'm sorry. I didn't mean for it to go down like that.
You are two Black boys in America. That call your mother and I got?
That could have gone a lot differently.
What happened? I don't wanna hear nothing about no game.
Life is about pressure.
High school, the next level. That's about pressure, son.
LeBron, Kobe, those guys are masters of handling pressure.
We gonna spend some time, you mastering your emotions,
and that's how you get character.
You're grounded. No friends, no video games, no going out.
- Wait. What'd I do? - Dad, you weren't even there.
- You don't get it. - Hey.
- Upstairs.
Now.
It never gets easy, huh?
Happy anniversary.
(EXHALES HEAVILY)