The Fighting Temptations Page #4

- No. I've been there and done that.

- Look, I'll take care of Paulina.

- I'd love to see that one.

- I'm the choir director.

- For six weeks.

- If she gets all Christian on you...

She is not a Christian.

My mama said hollerin' in a church

don't make you a Christian.

I can't let them look down

at me just because I...

Sing sexy songs for a living.

- Exactly. And because I...

- Dress like that.

- What's wrong with it?

- Just finishing your sentence.

- Because I...

- Cheat with hot choir directors?

- Stop...

- Finishing your sentences?

I know your kind. You came here

'cause you wanted something.

Tomorrow you'll want something else.

I can smell when a man is tryin'

to use me. And, mister, you stink.

OK. Is that how you feel about it? Fine.

This town is full of singers.

I don't need you, anyway.

Remember, everybody, Handy's Funeral

Home offers limousines for all occasions.

Why not get in one while you still livin'?

Now that we done paid the bills...

Ladies and gentlemen, sittin' directly

across from me I have Mr Darrin Hill,

all the way from New York City.

Tell the good people of Montecarlo

what bring you down here.

I'm responsible for rebuilding the choir

at Beulah Baptist Church.

I'm holding auditions tomorrow morning.

Anyone with any musical ability

can come by,

as long as they're fully committed

to God's work.

Whoa!

Auditions for the church choir

are still open.

Applicants need not be

fully committed to God's work,

but shouldn't be against it.

You gotta be kiddin' me!

Auditions for the Beulah Baptist

Church Choir. Atheists may now apply.

- Thanks for comin', Lucius.

- No problem. Where to?

You just need to print up more flyers.

Paulina says Jimmy B's printer

is running up her light bill.

Folks in the South believe

some crazy stuff.

When it's storming,

she doesn't even use the electricity.

You don't play with God.

Right.

- You don't sing, do you, Lucius?

- Do I sing? Yeah.

They say I sound like a black Al Jarreau.

- You're in the choir!

- Wait a minute. Pump your brakes!

I'm not joinin' the church

until I sown my wild oats.

Then I'm gonna get me a young virgin

and settle down.

Besides, Paulina's bad enough.

You done pissed her off.

Nobody want to be a part

of that mix made in hell.

The only way I can join is...

is if you payin'.

- The prize money? 50-50?

- Done deal.

50-50.

- Are you Joseph?

- Yeah. Can I line you up, sir?

I came by to post flyers

for my choir auditions, if that's OK.

Sure. Seein' how you're new

in these parts,

it's gonna be hard

for you to attract people.

Most folks around here

don't trust an outsider.

It was years before I told anyone

I'm not from Mississippi.

Guy here needs his ears lowered.

Dean, my man!

Come on, I'll get the seat.

- That's Dean?

- He's big and jealous. So watch yourself.

I see you met

the big-time music producer.

- Music producer?

- Lilly has the best voice in town.

- I know.

- You don't have to wait with me.

No one else's mom waits for them.

- He'll be fine.

- OK. I'm gonna be next door, all right?

Dean, don't talk to strangers.

You want us to sing you a song

like we did last time?

- Yes, please.

- It'll cost ya.

- I'll give you 1,000 money.

- Deal.

Lilly?

I actually feel safer knowing

you're not in the same room with my son.

- To answer your next question...

- You're not married.

- Don't finish my sentences.

- That's why you're a sinner.

Stay far away from me.

No, no! I'm saying that's no reason

to treat you badly.

How dare they? It's not your fault.

No.

It's a pity you don't have

a complete family, but...

Don't talk to me about family,

Mr Didn't-Call-Aunt-Sally-For-20-Years.

- Hi.

- Hi.

Sorry. I'm starting to see

how tough things are for you.

Boo-hoo for the poor

black mother without a man.

- Whatever shall I do?

- I didn't mean it that way.

Lilly, I'm sorry,

but your card's maxed out again.

Forgot to put my pay cheque in.

Thank you. Excuse me.

Hey, try this one.

- Sorry, Dr Hill, yours declined, too.

- Dr Hill? You a doctor?

No, that's just my music name.

Like Dr John, Dr Dre... Try this one.

- That's cleared.

- Course.

Sign here.

Thank you. That was nice.

You didn't have to do that.

I'm a nice guy! I usually get along better

with beautiful women.

I'll give you a cheque tomorrow.

Oh, um, cash. Cash.

Reverend.

Hey, Darrin.

Thanks for meetin' me here.

How's it goin' with the choir?

Still havin' trouble

recruiting new members.

Son, it's at times like these

I suggest listenin' to God's voice.

- Sorry, I'm not into the spooky stuff.

- Just open it up.

- And these people can sing?

- Oh, yes!

Please don't tell my sister.

I'd like you to welcome

the new members of our choir.

- When is this competition?

- In a few weeks.

And our new organist!

You touch my keyboard,

I kick your drunk ass.

Homer, to stand any chance

of getting into the Gospel Explosion,

we need all the help we can get.

These drunks comin' to the church

with hats on.

OK, everyone, please. OK.

Good. I'd like to...

I'd like to try a new song.

Tasha, can you get rid of

the gum, please?

Sure.

OK. That was nasty.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

Homer, please. Scooter?

Wait. Wait, wait, wait. Stop. Wait.

- This is not working.

- You need to pick a lead singer.

You'd know that

if you knew what you were doin'.

Could I maybe try?

Bessie, would you like to try?

No.

My dear departed husband said that

when I sing, it made him think of heaven.

Probably meant he wanted

to blow his brains out.

- Paulina, you've sung lead before?

- I have. It gave me great joy.

Good. It'll hurt that much more

when I find someone else.

Dean, baby, don't hurt yourself.

Let the boy be. He's already wearin'

more protection than I had in the war.

Hey! You're the pain in the butt

from the barbershop.

Dean must've heard that somewhere.

- Hi there. I'm Lilly's grandfather.

- Hello, sir.

I been waitin' for a nice young man

to whisk Lilly away.

- Somebody did that, remember?

- She shouldn't be wasting her life

takin' care of an old man.

No, she should have a life of her own.

Cool! Sammy Sosa!

- What do you say?

- He said, "Cool."

- Dean?

- Thank you.

- Grandaddy, I got a Sammy Sosa!

- Changed your mind about the choir?

- 'Cause you gave Dean a toy?

- No. Yes.

- Why is this so important to you?

- It's what Aunt Sally wanted me to do.

I keep getting an image of her helping

my mom out when I was little.

And because it was her last wish.

And because...

Because you're getting $150,000.

I thought I'd finish your sentence.

That is the truth, right?

Yeah. Yes.

Thanks for being honest. But I can't.

You mean

I just told the truth for nothing?

Thank you for the loan yesterday.

I know you want cash.

This truth stuff is highly overrated.

I don't care who started it.

You both should be ashamed.

Let's try it once more from the top.

- Hey! Thank you.

- I'm not doin' this for you.

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