Be It Ever So Humble

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In Chapter 22 of FILLMORE, Slim visits his parents back in New Orleans with a few of his girls, which makes things more than a little uncomfortable ...


EXT. SLIM’S PARENTS’ HOUSE - DAY
A much nicer place
than they lived before.

In a much nicer neighborhood.
stories. A nice yard.

A giant yellow Cadillac sedan
sits parked in the driveway
next to a Buick.

INT. SLIM’S PARENTS’ HOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY
Slim stands in the middle
of the room with four girls.

ANGELA (20’s) a creamy blonde,
and JANICE (19), a fiery redhead,
along with Brenda and Lottie.

They’re all dressed fairly normally,
not like hookers.

John stares at them uncomfortably.
All the curtains are drawn.

Idola shuts the last one.
Looks at the girls. Sighs.

SLIM
I told ya, Pop.
They’re my background singers.
(points them out)
Brenda, Janice, Lottie and Angela.

They nod. Smile. Idola and John
shoot each other a look.

JOHN
We’re glad to see you, son.
(beat)
Good to meet you, ladies.

IDOLA
(brightly)
Can I get you ladies
anything to drink?

SLIM
While we’re here, Momma,
I don’t want you to lift a finger.
(gestures)
Angela and Janice
will take care of you.

They look at Slim.
Nod sweetly.

SLIM
(to the girls)
Why don’t you fix us
some ice tea, then straighten up
the kitchen and do the dishes?

IDOLA
But my kitchen’s clean --

SLIM
Well, then they can do the laundry,
clean up a bit.

He takes her hand.
Guides her over the sofa.
Makes her sit down.

SLIM
Now you just relax
and set a spell.

Brenda and Janice head off
toward the kitchen.

Slim sits down next to Idola.
Lottie and Angela sit
on the other couch.

Motions for John
to sit next to them.

He does, reluctantly, confused,
trying desperately to
hide his excitement.

SLIM
Sure is great to see you
after all this time.
We gotta lotta catchin’ up to do.

EXT. SLIM’S PARENTS’ HOUSE - FRONT PORCH - NIGHT
Slim sits on the porch
veranda with John.

They sip from cans of beer.
Look out at the night sky.

JOHN
That sure is a nice car, son.
I’m glad to see you
doin’ well for yourself.

SLIM
You want one?

JOHN
Thanks, but I’ll stick with my Buick.

An awkward silence.

SLIM
Say, if you want, you could
have some of that white stuff.

JOHN
White stuff?

SLIM
You know --

JOHN
I can’t do that, son.
I’m married.

Slim nods. Sips his beer.

SLIM
Look at your hands.
All fucked up from manual labor --
(off his look)
And they still call you 'boy.'
(shakes his head)
I ain’t gonna live like that.

JOHN
Colored folks never be equal
with white folks, son.

SLIM
Hey.
I got white girls
workin’ for me --

John shakes his head.
Looks off into space. Thinking.

SLIM
So how’s the cement business?