Chico & Rita Page #2

Of course, in your case

it would be a shame.

You see those girls over there?

I could take any one of them

and make a star out of her.

They're dying for somebody

to discover them.

Like I've done with you.

What's your price?

The price of success is success.

I mean real success.

And I'm not talking Havana.

I'm talking New York!

New York?

My dream!

Is that a "yes"?

It's an "of course"

as in "when do we leave?".

Now you're talking!

But where's Chico's name?

Chico?

Hey, honey,

how can I leave without him?

New York is full of piano players.

Chico's not just a piano player.

Chico is...

well, Chico.

Wait.

Leave me alone!

Is that what you like?

Having these guys

at your beck and call?

I'm sure you didn't tell him

to get lost.

You were straight in there.

And where are you going with him?

Oh, let me guess.

Why settle for

a sh*t-hole of a room

when you can have

a suite at the Nacional?

All settled.

I still don't see Chico's name.

Two names or none!

Chico!

Chico!

What's up?

- I'm looking for Chico.

- I didn't hear him arrive.

She hears what she wants to hear.

She says she's deaf,

but she doesn't miss a thing.

- Well, you two sure keep her busy.

- They keep me up every night.

If you want to come up here,

we can wait for him together.

- Pour me another!

- Ok, but this one's your last.

C'mon, man, why don't you

go home and sleep it off?

Hey, Juana.

Do me a favor

and take him home with you.

No problem.

Hey, baby.

Don't worry.

Mommy's gonna take good care of you.

She'll put you to bed,

tuck you in...

Juana, I can walk on my own, ok?

Who loves you, baby?

Who loves you, Chico?

Exactly, who loves me, huh?

Your Juanita...

Chico.

Ramon!

So you were leaving

without saying goodbye?

Do you want me

to say anything to him?

Yeah.

Tell him I don't ever want

to see him again!

You know something?

I never would have let you go.

It's a pity

I didn't fall in love with you.

A pity.

Ok, so we're all square!

Chico!

I know how to find Chano Pozo.

His sister gave me a letter for him.

He can make it happen

for us over there in New York.

My name is Chico!

It used to be.

Chico!

Chico, get up!

Chico!

Chico, get up!

- Get up, brother!

- What's going on?

Guess what?

We're arriving!

New York!

New York!

Dammit!

Careful, bro.

Let's go. Rita should be

getting ready for the first show.

- Rita Labelle?

- La-belle.

I like it. Sounds classy.

Follow me!

Come on.

For Rita Labelle?

I'll take them, thanks.

Here!

Wait.

I'll do the honors!

Scram!

"I needed to kiss you again"

What are you doing here?

Didn't Ramon tell you that

I never wanted to see you again?

- I need to talk to you.

- Where's your girlfriend?

- Why didn't you bring her?

- She means nothing to me!

That's what you said,

and then I found you two making out!

Enough already!

One day you drop me,

the next you come looking for me!

You think you can do

what you want with me?

Rita, I know I've been a jerk,

but I'm here now and I love you.

We're not... in Cuba and

I'm not the girl you used to know!

You're still the same girl to me!

Don't you realize

that everything's changed?

Look at me!

That girl you reduced to tears

stayed back in Havana!

Go away!

Get outta here!

Go and don't come back!

Whatever you say.

Come on,

it's not the end of the world.

Hey, we're in New York!

Look... I think this is the place.

It's Charlie Parker!

Look, that one over there

is Chano Pozo!

Chano Pozo!

Hey, who's the guy with the hat?

Where did you two escape from?

Did Cuba sink or something?

I was supposed to be down South

right now with Dizzy Gillespie.

But you know why I'm here?

Because we're not allowed

in a lot of places down there either.

We have to use

the service entrance at hotels,

sit in the back of buses.

There are even different bathrooms.

There are more sons of b*tches

there than in Cuba, man.

Sh*t, be careful!

Gotta keep movin'.

You did right in coming.

Machito, Mario Bauza,

Miguelito Valdes, Arsenio...

They're all here.

People are crazy about Cuban music.

All they wanna dance

is mambo, conga...

Our time has come!

Let's get high!

- What the hell is this?

- Let me see.

Sh*t!

I think they sold you oregano!

- Oregano?

- Oregano!

Gimme that!

That son of a b*tch!

- C'mon, man, let's go!

- Where?

If you think you can cheat me,

you better think again!

Listen up, Cabito!

Nobody cheats Chano Pozo!

Tell your friends.

Nobody screws with Chano Pozo!

Here, rule number one is: respect!

Your beers are gonna get warm!

It's party time! Cuba!

New York!

What's that Bebop sh*t?

Cu-bop!

That's what it is!

Mantecaaa!

Chano!

Chano...

Chano!

Chano Pozo,

To your memory I sing

this rumba as a tribute

to your work

May God take you in His bosom

and offer you His goodness

May the Holy Spirit

help you rest in peace

Chano Pozo, Chano Pozo,

Cuba and the rumba mourn for you

Those juicy contracts

will be coming soon. Trust me.

This is just

to keep you finely tuned.

What now?

Another birthday for white kids?

It's a private party on Park Avenue

for some big fish.

I think a Hollywood producer

is gonna be there.

At least, you'll eat well!

- Where did you leave the car?

- We'll go in yours!

We'll do what?

Kidney beans!

Eat, baby, eat!

- That's delicious!

- Sit down, sit down!

It's an honor to have you

right here in my kitchen!

You look like a Yankee!

But I still like kidney beans.

I've seen you in magazines.

You're headed for Hollywood, right?

Aren't you tired

of playing Miss Charming?

Don't you like me

sitting by your side

eating kidney beans?

I like it so much it frightens me.

- What are you frightened of?

- Same thing as you.

Why should I be frightened?

Of listening to your heart for once.

Of leaving your cage

and not finding your way back.

You really believe that?

Come with me!

Don't tell me you're gonna

leave without finishing.

Yes!

Are you coming or not?

Oh, Mary, Mother of God,

what is this?

Easy does it!

Careful!

- Sh*t! Damn American cars!

- Careful!

- What are you looking at?

- Nothing, nothing!

- So wipe that smirk off your face!

- Ok.

Rita Martinez.

What are you mumbling about?

Rita...

"I needed to kiss you again"

Yeah, same ol' sh*t!

Yes, yes, yes.

Don't tell me that horse finally won?

What's its name?

Do you remember

that investor I told you about?

No.

Well, our hard times are over, Chico.

From now on,

- straight to the top!

- Maybe you are.

So are you.

Look.

- What is this?

- It's a contract.

Dizzy Gillespie needs

a piano player for his band.

Tomorrow you fly to Europe.

A month in Paris and then a tour!

The opportunity of a lifetime, Chico!

Sorry, dear, for being late.

- I had no-one to take care of Lily.

- Lily?

My puppy. She's like a baby.

She can't be left alone.

Are you sure

you don't want to go for a stroll?

No! I've been told

this film is really good!

Oh, c'mon.

The music is so lovely,

and she's such a good performer!

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