Not everything that is faced can be changed,
but nothing can be changed until it is faced.
James Baldwin, writer, drinker, thinker,
a legend.
Ha, ha, ha...
Hello.
Denial...
You know this word?
- Do you?! - It's not I suffering from the affliction known as teetotalism.
I can't deal with this intoxication no more.
My memory's so bad I think Tuesday is Thursday,
and the, the bedroom the bathroom.
You likely got early dementia and there's nothing you can do about
that except eat more oily fish.
- Nah... - And as for staying sober...
- No man... - I is joking, man.
If you was losing your head, I would be the first to tell you.
You as sane as you always was.
Which ain't saying much.
You see...
- Shut up man. - Nobody can stay depressed around me.
We veterans now, we have to adjust.
We must believe that our best years are head of us not behind us.
The only way to deal with this non stop train hurtling towards
oblivion is to be positive.
The glass, either half full or half empty.
So let we make it half full.
Deal...
Nightcap?
No chance.
You on your own tonight.
Coward.
Stand up my man, stand up.
Yeah, yeah!
- Hey boss. - Mm-hmm..?
It's that one.
Into the lion's den.
Shush... Quiet Barry...
Go-wan, Barry. You're still a Saga Boy.
Oh look at you. Acting like a cat burglar in your own home.
Uh-oh...
Is morning time already, Barrington?
Statement, not a question.
Well you know how time does pass dear.
Does it?
Threat, not a question.
- Why don't you just go back to sleep dear? - Oh,
I'll have plenty of time to sleep when the good Lord comes for me
and that won't be long now, I am sure.
And emotional blackmail- pure and simple.
Um-hm. Bringing the stink of cigars into my bedroom again.
I sorry.
And that renk rum narsiness. When you go mend your ways?
You could have called at least...
I am... sorry.
I told you to get a mobile phone years ago.
So the ole girl can track me down day, or night? No sir!
Yes, my dear.
Me go get a mobile phone if it make you happy.
I just heard today my papi's had a second stroke and is in hospital.
He's nearly a hundred years old
and I've not seen him for...
nearly thirty of them.
He's asking for his little girl.
Why, he gonna get a mighty shock when him see you then, my dear.
Listen to me good, Barrington.
I flying home to see my father on Monday,
and when I return, things is goin' change round here.
I am not putting up with you putting your thing about
with those trampy cows no more.
How many times...
Hand on heart,
I swear mi have never slept with any other woman but you.
- Hum... - You is the only cow I know who is...
Ah...
God will damn you!
You and your narsiness.
Oh God did damn me the very day
I chose to enter this hellish so called marriage...
Why you read that rubbish.
It all sex and violence and gossip.
And that Shakespeare you love so much is what exactly...
Morris Courtney De La Roux, for an educated man
you is playing foolish, sometimes.
- Enough with the slurping there man. - Hm?
What happened to your brought-upsy?
Morris, ask me what's up now, man.
- What's on your mind? - Nothing. Why you ask?
These couple of hours Carmel at church
are usually you at your happiest.
She give you a hard time last night?
That's more like it.
- Or rather this morning? - She give me a hard time every night.
You give her a hard time too, don't forget.
No, she give me a harder time than I give her.
It's like she don't realise her man is one of the good ones.
All these years,
haven't I made sure that she and the girls were protected?
That them want for nothing?
Still she accuse me of "narsiness"
accuse me of being a cheat.
You are a cheat Barry.
But not in the way that she think.
There is honour
a loyalty to it that she can never understand.
Me can't either.
Morris, I'm serious.
There comes a time when the mask have for drop
and the charade have for stop.
You're the one who chose this life Barry.
I can't take it no more.
Alright, alright, me done. No more slurping, mm.
No,
I don't mean
look...!
I have decided to leave Carmel!
I decided last night. Seriously.
What happened?
Something did just shift between us.
And I can't keep on keeping on.
So...
finally come around to your idea.
Barry...
Yes my son...
I've been thinking.
I think we should move in together.
- Move in together? - Mm-hmm.
You're hearing me correctly.
My divorce is final.
Your children are older.
And mine don't talk to me no more...
Place of our own, yeah.
Together.
No more sneaking around.
Hm...
I made the wrong, wrong choice...
...all those years ago.
But I can make the right one now.
You're admitting it, finally?
Morris we're nearly seventy-five years old.
You can believe that?
Wha'd'ya say we spend the fourth quarter of our cycle together?
Discreetly - but together.
And you think we have got another 25 years on this earth? Hmmm?
We are 2 feet away the knackers yard my friend...
No, I gonna be around for at least anther 20 years. So you,
you stop your negativity. Remember what I always say to you man.
A glass half full...
Yeah? And we can live wherever we so choose.
How about Miami?
Mm-hm. Me hear the place is full of pooftahs.
Maybe we can live in a luxurious bungalow with sprinklers
on the lawn and naked butlers serving us our evening aperitif.
No, no, no, no, no, I'm not having you mess me around.
Not again.
I used to the way my life is.
Soon as Carmel is home from church, I goin' sit her down and tell her.
Divorcing her.
You just watch Morris.
You just watch.
- Woo! - Yes Morris!
Ha, ha, Barry.
My cup is full and running over...
Running over, running over, nice, running over, running over.
My cup is full and running over.
Behold, the ice queen returneth.
My cup is full and running over.
How many times I tell her not to bring the 5,000 back after...
...after church?
...running over, running over.
as can be.
My cup is full and running over.
Oh Carmel, you think there's safety in numbers.
But I still leaving you.
Drink, ladies? Water? Sarsaparilla? Sorrel?
Mi love some guinep juice if you have it.
Course you would. Anything to be difficult.
- Candaisy? - Oh, water's fine for me.
That sermon was powerful today.
His spirit went right through me from the top of me head
to the bottom of toes. I was all a quiver.
And you see this suit! - Please. Please.
He is a man of class.
He looks like young Harry Belafonte. - Yes.
We persist. - That's true.
Very tough that pastor. He was nice and...
No way am I listening to this crap.
What's crap, Mum, is the drink you're currently sucking into your system.
It's pure sugar,
which I'm sure you're well aware has long been
linked to a plethora of ailments such as cancer,
diabetes, and obesity to name but a few.
Not to mention the negative effect it's
bound to already have had on your current emotional state.
Oh, just listen to your damn song.
That hurricane nearly wipe out the whole of Antigua.
You know that ole rum shop that used to be on the corner, Boxes.
- Boxes? - Yeah, I hear it gone, Boxes blew away.
You remember Boxes?
Yes, I remember Boxes.
Completely...
How you feel about that?
- Who me? - Yes you.
I know of it.
- You know of it - You know of it
- You know of it. - You never went to Boxes?
You a liar tell... You don't remember you going with your gal then?
Which girls? What are you talking about?
- I never went to Boxes. - You went to Boxes.
- How do you mean? - You went to Boxes
ith your girls then and your pinafore that used to
- drop down by your knee. Remember? - What is he talking about?
- That is not true Morris. - They put on one Calypso,
come out of your skirt so short it looked like the tide just come in.
Morris, you're lying.
-You used to lime at Boxes like nobody lime at Boxes -Who me? Who me?
- Yes, you. - Carmel places some sauce on the table.
I never lime in my life.
- You liming. - Walk in as Drusilla, walk out Dru Dru.
I don't know... You are scandalous. Scandalous.
- Dru Dru. - You're scandalous Papi. Not true.
Lunch is ready. Help yourselves.
- Scandalous. - Dru Dru...
- One spoon is enough?- No, me have two. Carmel you did a good job here.
- Carmel just nods. - You put out a nice spread.
You must be looking forward to some fresh fish
waiting for you back in Antigua, Barry.
And the plantain how sweet it goin' taste.
You lucky soul...
You goin' to Antigua?
You know they have perfectly good fresh fish and plantain down
that Ridley Road if that's what I want.
Goat?!
Please.
And Morris, no, I am not going to Antigua.
Mm, so yuh just goin' abandon your wife
in her time of need most crucial?
"Him nah fly well."
Um-hm. Almost 75 years-old, still too scared to face him fear.
So whom is gonna say grace...?
Uhuh...
Bless the food, Amen.
- Amen. - Amen.
Uhum... There she go, five slices.
When statistically, we should each have 3...
Dear Lord. Who is this now?
What? Me say that out loud?
Hello... Mummy...
Donna! Donna! Oh baby...
Oh, look at them.
- Oh he's so handsome. So handsome... - Good to see you.
Daniel. Get yourself a chair now.
- Good to see you. - Oh my darling.
Here you go Mum.
The blue stool, you can get the blue stool Daniel.
- Okay. - Oh, thank you son. Thank you, that's nice.
I see Carmel must-a been on the phone with Donna first thing.
- You alright Uncle... - You good?
Hello grandfather.
Oh it's Grandfather now? What happened to Grandy...?
How is school?
It's okay.
Okay?
For what I pay it better be more than okay, my boy.
Okay. You decided what you go study at Uni?
Daniel's going to study PPE at Oxford, aren't you darlin'?
Oxford?!
Well done my darling.
Thank the Lord.
Thanks Granny, but I haven't got in yet!
You will get in.
- In the name of Jesus, that's wonderful. - Okay, okay...
Daniel, you going all the way to Oxford to study physical education?
Thank you Mum. PPE.
Uncle, it stands for Politics, Philosophy and Economics.
Oo...!
Or as I like to call it,Politrickery,
Pontification and E-criminal-omics.
Well if that doesn't deserve God's praise.
- A-men! - A-men.
I'm proud of you boy.
You know erm, I went to Oxford once, you know?
When?
I went to Oxford.
Which Oxford did you go to?
Street!
Man, you'll never guess what.
Oxford Street, that as far as him go.
Eh, voila!
- Maxine! - Hi Auntie. Hi.
Oh gosh...
- Hi sis. - Sis.
Mmm...
- Oh... - Auntie Dru...
That is an extraordinary thing you're wearin' love.
Ha, yes well one's clothes are merely an extension of one's self,
so I have to be extraordinary.
Chile. You do know Vanity is a sin?
Yes, but so is Envy, auntie.
- Darlin'... - Hello, Daddy.
Mmmmmm... it's good to see you.
- You too. - Hello Auntie.
Hello trouble. Smash jumper.
Thank you.
Maxi, you gonna eat something?
Erm.. No, I am okay thank you.. Hello Uncle Morris. I can't stay long.
Hello mummy...Eat something Maxi...
- Here. You're lucky I could find it. - Thank you so much.
And whatever you take, I want it back, Maxine.
- Yes. - Yes?
- Yes, understood. - Right.
- Oh, lifesaver. - Right, go on.
Err, want what back? What you taking?
Err, none of your business.
MUM!
- So this is what you're up to is it?! - Ah!
Jesus shitting Christ, Donna!
What? You thought I was gonna allow you just to walk up here and help
yourself to all of Mum's best stuff?!
Borrow! I am borrowing a few bits and pieces for a shoot.
No, you can't take that one. I want that one.
For what? Motivation...
Err excuse me... Rude!
Her eyes bulge with surprise.
Woo, Mumma!
No!
- Titty... - Yes Mumsy...
- Put it over your head. - No, what you doing?
- Just put it on. - Stop it, stop it! Silly.
Oh my God! Who knew she had it in her, eh?
I mean, it is probably how you were conceived.
Oh... That's not funny.
Just saying...
K. Love, bye everyone. Ciao. I'm off.
Wait, wait, wait. You're not staying?
- And have lunch with the *** of Eastwick? No thank you. - Ha...
Daddy, as much as I love you, life is far too short.
Oh. There she-a go. Me own little Plato.
You know Melissa?
She got fibroids.
Really? How big they are?
Well they are inside the lining of the womb.
So they can't be easily extracted...
This is a superb lunch time conversation you have started up dear
Melissa is menstruating three weeks out of four...
- Oh my goodness... - She got to have a hysterectomy.
- No... - She got pickney?
No Drusilla, she hasn't.
Oh well, once that womb come out, no babies for her.
You can't cheat nature.
Woman should have babies by twenty-five.
That way they pop out like golf balls.
You're full of noise, Drusilla.
Fifty-year-old women can have children these days.
I know, I know Merty,
Yes ladies. Slug it out.
But then the pickney comes out with two heads and ten legs, isn't it?
It isn't...
Anyways, how we don't know that Melissa hasn't had an abortion?
That's how those career women carry on.
Make baby, kill baby, make baby, kill baby, make ba-
Yes, but there's one person who knows everything.
Maybe he's punishing her.
Is everyone finished...
And another thing...
I hear from very good authority on the grapevine that Melissa is also
one of those women who lies down with women.
Oh yes, yes, I think I heard that too...
Like I always say, if woman was meant to lie down with woman,
then God would have given woman a penis.
Well, that's as good a mantra as any, Drusilla.
It is an abomination.
At first you must clean the inside
of the cup and the dish and then the outside will be clean -
Matthew 23:25.
With respect, auntie.
God also said eating shellfish such as shrimp
and lobster is an abomination.
And then there's all that nonsense about not wearing material
woven of two types of cloth, and that slavery is fine.
- Mm-hmm... - Do you see my point?
No.
I just think it's crazy that we base our opinions on
arguments written in Leviticus 3500 years ago...
And what does it matter what Melissa is...
Or isn't... It is her business.
A-men.
Antigua still cares.
That's right.
Maybe you're right Donna. Maybe it's not Melissa's fault.
After all, some women just can't seem to find,
or keep hold of a man, can they?
Some of us are just too busy trying to raise them,
auntie. Like loving, responsible parents should.
Because when I see that content online and the
social media stuff that my son is exposed too.
- Can you leave me out of it mum... - With it's violent,
sexist homophobic stupidness... I hit the roof, I really do...
I can do what I like...
Not on my watch you can't...
So, Donna, if Daniel was one of them,
an anti-man, you'd be happy with that?
Mum, I'd like you to meet Giles Smythe... my boyfriend.
I don't know if Daniel is "one of them", as you put it.
And if he is... it's up to him.
That's not what I asked. Would you approve? Look at him.
He could become an anti-man.
All his speaky-spooky and private schooling that everyone
knows is a breeding ground for sodomites.
That's it. Stop talking about me like I'm not here.
- Mum, I'll be outside. - Wait Daniel, Daniel!
Danny boy.
Why you do that?
You should be ashamed insinuating things.
How you think that make him feel?
And you see my daughter,
she don't have to justify herself to anybody in this room.
Like any disease, Mr Walker,
it's best to catch it and cut it out early,
lest it spread, or, God forbid, infect others.
Stupidness you saying now?
'Cause you see your Bible is supposed to be all about love,
love and forgiveness.
But all I'm hearing out of your sour mouths is bitterness and damnation!
Why are you defending them?
I'm not defending.
Those homosexuals are rightly suffering,
because suffering is part of their salvation.
The Lord says they must be beaten so they mayest be better.
Somebody goin' give you beats one of these days.
- Go on, go on with your crazy self man. - What?
Go on!
I thank God for your life Mr Walker.
And I bid you good afternoon.
Drusilla, wait, don't leave.
The Lord will judge you Barrington!
I personally think that we should live and let live.
- It's not their fault if- - You're right.
We should pray for their souls to be saved.
Now what I object to, what boils my blood...
...is the kind of married man
who sticks his business in any ole smelly, venereal,
baggy *** that's had more dingle dangles stuffed
up it than hot dinners.
Those kind of men should be publicly flogged in the town square.
Carm, there's no easy way of saying this...
So, it's just something that is erm...
well it's been weighing heavily on my mind for a while now and
I am feel like maybe it would be best for both of us
if we went ahead and erm thought about
y'know...
maybe getting divorced...
y'know?
Carmel, you heard what I said?
I would sooner kill us both than allow that.
You selfish ***.
For better or for worse. We are in this for life...
Understand?
Uhuh...
- Uhum... - Uhuh...
How you feeling Barry, are you okay?
Truthfully Morris,
I feeling a bit woozy. Maybe some fresh air would help?
No worry about them man.
No...
Barrington, Jedidiah, Walker!
Hey, tomorrow, tomorrow I go do the thing.
- Later. - Later.
- Carmel. - Morris.
Barrington...
As well you know, these mi friends,
lifelong friends, and I don't appreciate you threatening them.
- What them say to Daniel... - After all this time...
What them say to him.
You don't even know them properly.
You treat them like monsters, 'stead of real people who've
had a harder life than you'll ever understand
because you lacking in human decency,
sensitivity, compassion and good manners besides.
Why, that's some list.
Your problem is you don't go to church to get religious instruction.
Soon as I get back from seeing mi daddy,
we are going to get a new regime.
Oh yes, we are going to get a new regime. So don't waorry about that.
You've been walking on the dark side too long, Barrington, and now
I goin' drag you into the light.
What terminal are you flying from?
South.
Who are you flying with?
Virgin.
Go on Barry you know the truth will set you free.
How long are you gone for?
What happened to us, Barry?
Life happened, Carmel...
What if I asked you nicely?
If I really needed you to be there with me?
For me.
Would you come?
Would it have killed you to have gone to Antigua with Mum!
You have gone too far this time dad...
She can't take any more of your shenanigans...
Do you understand that you are this close to losing her.
And tearing our whole family apart
Unless you forget Barry, I was a man of means too.
I had it all. Odette, the boys.
The house.
The freedom you want my love...
'Causemy love comes at a cost!
You should-a seen what they did to him...
Just gonnahave to be more careful from now on...
Carmel!
So good to see you, cousin.
It a been too long.
Must feel good to be home now.
Hubert?
Look at you.
I think you need to go back in order to move forward.
You never let other people's narrow-minded expectations dictate -
Who you are..
Who you're going to be...
Or what life you should live.