Lifted Page #3

No hiding.

[Rapid footsteps]

[Footsteps thundering]

Let's go.

We'll get him next time.

[Sighs]

Aren't these guys getting tired

of this already?

[Sighs]

I wish they would.

Mm.

Come on.

Sit down.

"Alabama Teen Starquest."

Think about taking part in this?

I don't know.

Of big-time

record executives there.

You should try it out.

Well...

I'm more interested

in the $5,000 prize money

It says you can win.

Hmm.

Well, you're certainly

good enough.

You think so?

Yeah.

Why don't we go downstairs

and make a copy of this flyer?

All right.

[Indistinct chatter]

[Cell phone ringing]

Hello?

Hi, baby.

Hi, darlin'.

Oh, my god!

I miss you so much.

It's so good to hear your voice.

It's good to hear yours too.

How are you?

I'm good.

I'm great.

How's Henry?

Oh, he's great.

He's counting the days

till you come home.

Tell me about it.

I can't wait to come home.

Is he back from school yet?

Uh, no, not yet.

He's been spending a lot of time

with pastor Johnson,

Which makes me

actually kind of glad,

'cause I'd rather

him be there than-

- What do you mean?

- [Stammers]

You know, nothing.

Nothing.

It's just he's been spending

Quite a bit of time in his room,

you know?

Behind the computer.

It can't be healthy.

Don't worry, babe.

The kid just loves his music.

Music ain't never been bad

for anybody.

Oh!

Speak of the devil!

Yeah, yeah,

here he comes a-running.

Come on, it's your dad.

Okay, hold on.

Here he is.

Dad?

Dad?

Hey, buddy.

What's going on?

- Guess what.

- What?

Okay, so pastor Johnson found

A singing competition for teens

in Birmingham.

I could win $5,000.

Really?

Well, you gonna do it?

I don't know.

I'm really nervous.

I wish you could be there

with me, you know.

Help me choose some songs,

freestyle some.

Well, when is it?

Uh, in a couple of months.

- Well, I could be back by then.

- Really?

Yeah, they're talking about

shortening our deployment.

We'll do it together.

Okay.

But if you're not here by then,

I might have to do it on my own.

'cause I really

want to win the money.

I will be there.

We'll win it together.

Cool.

[Alarm blares loudly,

phone crackles]

Hey, what's that?

It's just a gate call,

But I'm sergeant of the watch,

so I got to go.

Tell mom I love her, okay?

Okay, I will.

Bye.

Hi, baby.

No, mom.

He had to go.

Well...

I barely got to talk to him.

[Thunder crashes]

[Thunder continues rumbling]

[Rain pattering]

[Bird squawks]

[Rain pattering]

[Thunder rumbles]

[Alarm ringing]

Henry, you awake?

I'm gonna leave now.

Don't be late for school.

Hey, I met you at the meeting.

How are you?

Hey, isn't that Lisa?

Looks like she ain't coming.

Hey, Lisa!

I need to get high.

I got you.

[Sighs]

No worries.

Okay, not too much.

I have to be normal by the time

Henry gets back from school.

[Angry music blares loudly]

[Muffled hip-hop music

continues]

He been here all day, huh?

I'm not having his lazy ass

hanging round my house all day

Playing that n*gger music.

Now, you get him up,

or I'll do it, you hear?

[Sighs]

All right, then.

[Muffled hip-hop music thumping]

[Hip-hop music blares loudly]

Hey!

Smash!

I told you,

I don't want this music

in my house!

Didn't I?

Didn't I?

[Muffled shrieks

and smacking continue]

Stop!

Get off of me!

If I ever

hear this sh*t again,

I will shoot you.

You hear me?

Now get up and go to school!

[Whimpering

and sobbing quietly]

Mom?

Mom.

Thanks, sir.

Good night, now.

Bye.

[Horn honks]

[People talking indistinctly]

Wow.

[Sighs]

Can I have y'all's attention,

please?

The competition will begin

in here shortly.

Y'all then will be called

into the theater, uh...

One by one.

[Distant train whistle blowing]

[Ignition turns over]

[Sighs]

Damn, girl.

You done cleaned us out.

[Chuckles]

I'm gonna go

have to get us some more

So as I can join the party.

Lisa?

Henry?

[Pounds on door]

Travis!

It's will Matthews.

Lisa.

Lisa.

Damn, Lisa.

You promised me.

Where's Henry?

Henry?

Henry!

Where's Henry?

Hmm?

He wasn't in school today.

Where is my son?

[Panting]

What'd they do to you?

Sammy Jo Snyder, theater two.

We need to pray not to get

called into theater two.

Those judges are mostly blues

and urban-type music.

Theater two.

Theater two, please.

Theater two, please.

[Engine humming

and hissing loudly]

[Train whistle blows]

[Groans]

Henry?

Your dad will be home soon.

Hey, you want to come over

to my place and do some more?

No.

What?

No, not right now, Clayton.

I got to find Henry.

Dad?

Dad.

Now what?

Do you know where Henry is?

No, and I don't care to know.

Well, when's the last time

you seen him?

When I

beat the crap out of him

For playing his ghetto music

in my house.

[Laughter]

When was that?

Um...

Yesterday, I think.

Henry?

Have you seen my son, Henry?

[People talking indistinctly]

Josh french, theater three.

Henry?

Dad?

Dad!

You're here.

Come here.

I missed you so much.

You don't even know.

I can't believe you're here.

How are you here?

I told you I'd be here.

What did I miss?

Nothing.

Uh...

Just one person ahead of me,

then it's my turn.

What are you gonna sing?

Well, I was thinking about

either "My girl"

Or "Ain't No Sunshine."

What do we know

about the judges?

Well, um, I know theater two

is into blues,

So I'm trying

to get called into there.

Well, what about the others?

Um...

I have no idea.

I don't know anything.

You got to know your audience,

son.

All right, wait here.

I'm gonna go check it out.

Avery O'Brien,

theater two, please.

Henry Matthews, theater three.

Are you by yourself?

No, sir.

My dad's already in there.

[Indistinct shouting]

You people are absolute idiots.

Let's go.

Next.

Hey, wait. Wait.

What?

These judges

make white bread look dark.

I don't think you're gonna get

by with "My girl" or "Sunshine."

What should I do then?

"Battle Hymn?"

All right.

My name's Henry Matthews,

And I'm singing

"Battle Hymn of the Republic."

# Mine eyes have seen the glory

of the coming of the lord #

# He is trampling out

the vintage #

# Where the grapes of wrath

are stored #

# He hath loosed

the fateful lightning #

# Of his terrible swift sword

# His truth is marching on

# Glory, glory

# Hallelujah

# Oh, glory

# Glory

# Hallelujah

# Oh, glory

glory #

# Glory

# Hallelu-lu-lu-lu-jah

# His truth

# Is marching on

[Applause]

Young man,

You have definitely made it

through this round.

Yes!

Thank you so much.

Thank you.

- You're welcome.

- Thank you.

[Giggles]

[Gasping and sniffling]

[Panting]

Pastor Johnson.

I'm Henry's mom.

Come on in.

Come on.

Can I have y'all's attention,

please?

The competition will now begin.

Find a seat and wait

until you're called onstage.

Thank you.

Wow.

Let's find a quiet place

in the back.

[Applause]

Ladies and gentlemen,

I am Mr. Shelton,

The director

of the Alys Stephens Center

And the City Council for Arts.

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