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What does sueiito mean?
Suenito? It means "little dream.”
That's it? No story?
Can we go in the water now?
Let him explain.
All right, all right. Everybody sit down, sit down.
- Yes! Yeah! - All right.
All right.
Bueno.
It's the story of a block that was disappearing.
Once upon a time, in a far away land called nueva York...
En un barrio called Washington heights.
Say it, so it doesn't disappear.
Washington heights!
All right, all right. Oye, oye, oye.
The streets were made of music.
Ooh!
Imi gente! It's your boy, the kid mero.
It's 5:30 am, and here's today's news.
In a record-breaking heat wave, the mayor's urging residents to what?
Limit air conditioner use, as brownouts continue in the Bronx.
Check it out, this weekend's highly anticipated block party,
fiesta in the heights, is about to get you out of your homes
and into the clubs.
Hey, pop.
Best days of my life.
Don't forget to take your medicine.
Love you.
Lights up on Washington heights
up at the break of day
yo, what are you doing, bro?
I wake up and I got this little punk I gotta chase away
pop the grate at the crack of dawn
sing while I wipe down the awning
hey, y'all. Good morning
ice cold piragua, parcha, China, cherry, strawberry and just for today I got mamey.
- Oye, piragiero, ;como estas? - Como siempre, sefior usnavi.
Ice cold piragua, parcha...
I am usnavi and you prob'ly never heard my name
reports of my fame are greatly exaggerated
exacerbated by the fact that my syntax is highly complicated
'cuz I emigrated from the single greatest little place in the Caribbean
Dominican Republic I love it
Jesus, I'm jealous of it and beyond that
ever since my folks passed on I haven't gone back
goddamn, I gotta get on that
on! The milk has gone bad
hold up just a second
why is everything in this fridge warm and tepid?
I'd better step it up and fight the heat
'cuz I'm not makin' any profit if the coffee isn't light and sweet
hoo-hoo!
Abuela, my fridge broke.
I got café but no con leche.
Ay, dios. Try my mother's old recipe.
One can of condensed milk.
Nice.
Oh, hey. Your lottery ticket.
That was abuela she's not really my abuela
but she practically raised me
this corner is her escuela
now, you're probably thinkin' I'm up shit's creek
[I've never been north of 96th street
well you must take the a train
even farther than Harlem to northern Manhattan and maintain
get off at 181st and take the escalator
I hope you're writin' this down I'm gonna test you later
I'm getting tested
times are tough on this bodega
two months ago somebody bought Ortega's
our neighbors started packin' up and pickin' up
and ever since the rents went up
it's gotten mad expensive but we live with just enough
in the heights I flip the lights and start my day
there are fights and endless debts
and bills to pay
in the heights
I can't survive without café
I serve café
'cuz tonight seems like a million years away
en Washington...
Next up... ding! Kevin rosario
he runs the cab company
he struggles in the barrio
see, his daughter Nina's off at college
tuition is mad steep so he can't sleep
everything he get is mad cheap
good morning, usnavi
pan caliente café con leche
put twenty dollars on today's lottery
- okay! Must be your lucky day - Gotta be
oh, my god, you're so excited
my Nina flew in at three am last night
sweet! Abuela's been cooking all week
are we gonna eat!
So then Yesenia walks in the room
aha
she smells sex and cheap perfume
oh, no!
It smells like one of those trees that you hang from the rearview
Jay, no!
It's true! She screams, "who's in there with you, Julio?"
Daniela!
Grabs a bat and kicks in the door
Carla!
He's in bed with Jose from the liquor store!
Ino me diga!
And that's cuca. The salon ladies.
Thanks, usnavi!
Cuca.
Adiés, papi.
Bye!
Sonny, you're late.
Chillax, you know you love me.
Me and my cousin runnin'
just another dime-a-dozen mom-and-pop stop-and-shop
and oh, my god it's gotten too darn hot
like my man Cole Porter said
people come through for a few cold waters
and a lottery ticket just a part of the routine
everybody's got a job everybody's got a dream
they gossip, as I sip my coffee and smirk
the first stop as people hop to work
bust it, I'm like: "One dollar, two dollars
one fifty, one sixty-nine I got it
you want a box of condoms? What kind?
That's two quarters, two quarter waters the New York times
you need a bag for that? The tax is added”
once you get some practice at it
you do rapid mathematics automatically
sellin' maxi-pads fuzzy dice for taxicabs
practically everybody's stressed, yes
but they press through the mess bounce checks and wonder what's next
in the heights I buy my coffee and I go
I buy my coffee and...
Set my sights
on only what I need to know
what I heed to know
in the heights
money is tight, but even so
even so
when the lights go down I blast my radio
- you ain't got no skills! - Benny!
- Yo, let me get a... - Milky way
- yeah, and let me also get a... - Daily news
- and a... - Post
- and most important my... - Boss's second coffee
one cream - five sugars
- I'm the number one earner - What?
The fastest learner - what?
My boss, he can't keep me on the damn back burner
- yes he can - I'm makin' moves, I'm makin' deals
- but guess what? - What?
You still ain't got no skills
- har-de-har - Yo, Vanessa show up yet?
- Shut up! - Hey, little homie, don't get so upset
- man... - Tell Vanessa how you feel
buy the girl a meal on the real
or you ain't got no skills
nooo! No, no, nooo!
No, no, nooo, no-no-no! Nooo, no-no-no!
No, no-no, no-no, no-no no-no, no-no, no-no!
Mr. Johnson I got the security deposit
it's locked in a box in the bottom of my closet
it's not reflected in my bank statement
but I've been savin' to make a down payment
and pay rent
- no, no, I won't let you down - You got this. You got this.
Yo, here's your chance ask her out right now!
I'll see you later we can look at that lease
bro, do somethin' make your move, don't freeze!
Hey!
You owe me a bottle of cold champagne!
Are you movin'?
Just a little credit check and I'm on that downtown train!
Well, your coffee's on the house
okay
usnavi, ask her out - no way
I'll see you later, so...
L, uh...
Oh, whoa, whoa...
Yo, smooth operator oh, damn, there she goes
yo, bro, take five take a walk outside
you look exhausted, lost don't let life slide
the whole hood is struggling times is tight
and you're stuck to this corner like a streetlight
yeah, I'm a streetlight chokin' on the heat
the world spins around while I'm frozen to my seat
the people that I know all keep on rollin' down the street
but every day is different so I'm switchin' up the beat
"cuz my parents came with nothing they got a little more
and sure, we're poor but yo, at least we got the store
and it's all about the legacy they left with me, it's destiny
and one day I'll be on a beach with Sonny writing checks to me
in the heights I hang my flag up on display
we came to work and to live and we got a lot in common
/t reminds me that I came from miles away
dr, PR we are not stoppin'
- in the heights - Every day, paciencia y fe
until the day we go from poverty to stock options
in the heights I've got today
today's all we got, so we cannot stop
this is our block
in the heights I hang my flag up on display
it reminds me that I came from miles away
my family came from miles away
in the heights it gets more expensive every day
every day
and tonight is so far away
but as for mafiana, mi pana ya gotta just keep watchin'
- you'll see the late nights - In the heights
you'll taste beans and rice
- the syrup and shaved ice - In the heights
I ain't gonna say it twice
- turn up the streetlights - In the heights
we're takin' a flight
to a couple of days in the life of what it's like
Jen Washington heights!
Come on, stack that right there, beside the mangoes.
Let's just keep those boxes in order, too.
Ah, the hustle never ends.
- Alejandro, how you doing? - ; Qué lo qué?
- How's the law office? - Ah, still going, thank god.
- You're spitting image of your old man. - Oh, man, come on.
Yeah, so how was the dr?
I got to visit some old friends. You know how it is.
I wish I could go back more often.
That's facts.
Hey, so you get to check out my dad's old place?
Mm.
Same story as last time?
You ready?
Oye, no me relajes.
Don't play!
Now, it's probably not how you remember it,
but it could be an opportunity to bring it back to life.
Ah, diablo.
My pops would be rolling in his grave if he saw what came of his bar.
The electricity's shot.
Half the roof got taken in the hurricane.
Thus the low asking price, the quick sale.
"El suenito."
Pop's little dream.
Yo, I remember, man, when...
I used to be working in the back on a soda gun.
And I was like John wick. I'd be like
jfuacata, fuacata, fuacata, fuacata!
I've been saving up all my pennies in my piggy bank for this day.
Yeah, on these blocks, you can't walk two steps
without bumping into someone's big plans.
Mijo...
Okay, I'm in.
Thank you, man.
I'll see you, papa.
- Nos vemos. - Come on.
Here we go.
This is crazy!
Let's go!
Mine was a... quaint little suedito.
If I made it back to the Dominican Republic,
then we retained our roots.
But Nina rosario's dreams were all about reach.
Spelling bee champ, valedictorian,
managed her dad's business and basically...
She was like a little sister to me.
Girl was a rocket, determined to go far.
What?!
The genius is back!
- I missed you! - Me, too. Did you just get in?
Yeah, late last night.
- In a week? - Yeah, it's really happening.
Yo, so much to catch up on.
- Come over for a free mani-pedi, yeah? - I need it.
Mm-hm. Oh, and Benny's on the dispatch today.
Just sayin'.
Check one, two, three
check one, two, three
this is Benny on the dispatch yo
atencién, yo, attention
it's Benny, and I'd like to mention
I'm on the microphone this mornin'
honk your horn if you want it
ha-ha!
Okay, we got traffic on the West Side
get off at 79, and take the left side
of riverside drive, you might slide
west end's your best friend if you catch the lights
and don't take the Deegan
yo, big papi is in town this weekend
sorry Dominicans, take route 87
you ain't getting back in again
hold up a minute
- Benny, hey - Nina, you're home today
- any sign? - Of your dad, he's on his way
- anyway - It's good to see your face
- anytime - Hold up a minute, wait
you used to run this dispatch, right?
Once or twice
okay, well, check the technique
yo! There's a traffic accident I have to mention
at the intersection of 10th ave and the Jacob javits convention center
and check it, don't get stuck in the rubber-neckin' on 192nd
there's a double-Decker bus wreck
now listen up, we got a special guest
- live and direct from a year out west - Benny
welcome her back 'cause she looks mad stressed!
Nina rosario, the barrio's best
whoo! Honk your horns
- no, no, no, no... - Go, go, go.
She's smiling
say hello
hello
- whoo! - Good morning
I ought to let you work
thanks for the welcome wagon
anytime
anytime, Nina
Stay here with me
it's getting hot outside
turn up the ac
stay here with me
you thirsty as hell.
You used to date?
No way, the boss's daughter?
Nina rosario!
- Oh... yo! - What's up?!
Whoa, whoa...
Yo, hold up.
Don't get hit by a car, girl, you just got here.
Oh, man.
Yo, mad changes happening on the block since you've been at school.
Oh, yeah. I mean, at least your dad kept half the storefront.
Yo, the cleaners next door, nine dollars a shirt.
What? Yo! I ook who's home!
Look at youl!
Why are you taller than me?
I know, my man grew a couple inches, he think he a man.
- Man, shut up. - I see you.
Listen, you down to march next week?
I ike we used to?
What's the cause?
They're talking about kicking out all the dreamers.
It's time to make some noise. You want to come?
I know that voice!
\whoo-hoo!
Ven p'acal
count me in. Yo. Later
well, you do good? You done? Yeah.
My man, who's watching the store? “What?
Yo! Shit!
Pete! You can't just take that!
Bro! Get back here, man!
That's on your tab, bro! Both of y'all.
Oh, yes.
Hand-embroidered by your mother.
May she rest in peace.
We'll use them for the party.
They're beautiful.
Abuela Claudia never had kids,
so she adopted the whole block as her own.
Adopted our suenitos, foo.
When I got to Stanford...
The isolation, abuela.
The loneliness.
I was, like, "what am I doing here?"
Ay, mija, yo sé.
Mira, when my mama came from Cuba...
Ay, dios mio.
She felt like one tiny grain of sand from the beaches we left behind.
What did she do?
She bought a winter coat and a pair of velvet gloves.
Her hands were cracked from the cleaning fluids.
But the gloves hid that.
We had to assert our dignity in small ways.
That's why these napkins are beautiful.
That's why my mother's gloves were beautiful.
Little details that tell the world we are not invisible.
Sigue andando El camino por toda su vida
respira
- breathe - Y si pierdes mis huellas
que dios te bendiga
respira
this is my street
I smile at the faces
- I've known all my life - Hey, Nina. Como estas?
They regard me with pride
and everyone's sweet
they say, "you're going places”
so how can I say that while I was away
- I had so much to hide? - Hey, Nina!
Hey, guys, it's me
the biggest disappointment you know
the kid couldn't hack it
she's back and she's walkin' real slow
welcome home - just breathe
sigue andando El camino por toda su vida
respira
- just breathe - Y si pierdes mis huellas
que dios te bendiga
respira - as the radio plays
old forgotten boleros
I think of the days when this city was mine
I remember the praise
- "ay, te adoro, te quiero” - Te adoro
the neighborhood waved and said
"Nina, be brave and you're gonna be fine"
and maybe it's me
- but it all seems like lifetimes ago - Respira
so what do I say to these faces that I used to know?
"Hey, I'm home?"
Mira, Nina
- hey... - No me preocupo por Ella
they're not worried about me
Mira, alli esta nuestra Estrella
they are all counting on me to succeed
Ella si da la talla
I am the one who made it out!
The one who always made the grade
but maybe I should have just stayed home
when I was a child I stayed wide awake
climbed to the highest place
on every fire escape
restless to climb - respira
I got every scholarship
saved every dollar
the first to go to college
- how do I tell them why - Respira
I'm coming back home?
With my eyes on the horizon
just me and gwb
asking, "gee, Nina
what will you be?"
Straighten the spine
smile for the neighbors
everything's fine
everything's cool
the standard reply
lots of tests, lots of papers
smile, wave goodbye
and pray to the sky, oh, god
- and how do I dare to say? - Nina
- can I go in there and say - Nina
I know that I'm letting you down
Nina!
Just...
Breathe
The reality of an elite school...
It's no joke, pop.
Mm.
Yeah, when I left, y'all were, like,
"it's gonna be great. Go show 'em who we are. Go represent."
The truth is.
Is that most of the time I'm at Stanford feels like a betrayal.
¢;de verdad? Of who?
Of my family.
My community.
Like the Dean, he invited me to this diversity dinner.
Super-wealthy donors, trustees, the whole nine.
And I wore this black cocktail dress and I was walking to my seat,
and one of the patrons shoved her plate into my arms
and said, "I ordered the vegetarian option."
No. Yeah
and all the servers, all latino, shot me this look,
like, "ooh, what's this triguefia gonna do?"
"Ooh, what's she gon' do? Is she with us? Or is she with them?"
Ah, bueno. There's no shame in waiting tables.
And there's no shame in having a different path.
Hm? Like you.
Dad... the deadline passed.
The extension on spring tuition.
;de verdad?
- Yeah. - But I didn't receive notice.
Yeah, they let me finish off my classes, but we owe them.
No, don't you give it a second thought. I'mon it. Mm?
Dad
the deadline to pay and enroll for next semester also passed.
How come you know about all this before I do?
I switched the info. I gave the finance office my dorm address.
Well, why would you do that?
Because you sold half the business, and it barely covered freshman year.
I don't want you doing something else crazy.
- Espera, that sale pulled us out of debt. - No, no.
You and I both know that finances were tenuous before getting into this.
And this might not be feasible.
- I'm gonna call them right now. - Dad, Stanford's over.
Stop overreacting, Nina.
- Please. - Dad, I'm serious.
Joye!
You don't tell me how much we can afford.
You're not the parent. Mm?
God bless you. Dios te bendiga.
Igracias!
; Qué es esto?
What's all over those pipes?
- Rust. - Rust?
Lovely.
- ¢2y esto? - That's the roof.
On the floor?
Ay, usnauvi.
Tu eres un workaholic.
You think it will be different in the Dominican Republic?
Just like my mama.
Morning and night, year after year... To what end?
To wake up and scrub another floor till the day she died.
Yeah, but... here I work to survive.
El suenito will be a labor of love.
The bodega was only supposed to be temporary,
but now... I'm like, almost 30.
The plan was always to go back.
Hopefully, I won't be going alone.
You, me and Sonny?
¢y Sonny? Is he on board?
He's my next ask.
I'm not going without him.
Look, I got Sonny.
You know I can't go nowhere without you.
I took care of my community, no?
Hell, yes!
El sueidito 2.0.
Caramba, buy me a bikini!
Let's go!
I don't know, man. Leave Washington heights?
I'd have to talk to my dad...
You're just a kid.
You don't even know. For real.
Dominican Republic's gonna blow your mind.
I ook
you do you. It's all good. But don't be roping me into your thing.
Yo
Beach. Merengue. Carnaval.
Summer all year "round.
Who's gonna greet you in dr?
Some cousin you saw two christmases ago?
Best days of my life were there.
That's the corniest thing I've ever heard.
You came here when you was eight.
You got...
"Island memories."
Not me. I was in pampers on that plane.
NYC's my spot.
I got my island, okay? Go get yours.
Don't forget how you got your name.
- Yo... - Just, fix the fridge.
Yeah, all right. Bro, you think you're funny?
What's "usnavi" mean, anyway?
That sounds weird.
No, it doesn't.
- Shut up. - All right.
All right, all right, all right.
On my dad's first trip to nueva York...
He saw a passing ship on the horizon.
And... he was, like, "wow, that's gonna be my son's name."
Usnavi!
Ohh!
Usnavi...
I like it.
Thank you.
- Hi, Mr. rosario? - Yes, yes, I'm here.
Yes, I'm not sure the information you received was correct.
In actuality, we're still accepting tuition payments up until June.
So the deadline hasn't passed?
No, it has not passed.
Would you like to know the remaining balance?
Uh, yes. I have a pencil.
Sure, the balance that's due for the fall semester...
Now, remember, the block was disappearing.
Exhibit a: Daniela's salon.
Moving in a week, after decades of makeovers..
The skin-deep kind and the emotional kind.
No one could fill her shoes.
Literally, they were like four inches high.
He doesn't have an apartment. He doesn't pay rent anywhere.
He's bouncing between two girls' houses.
- Of course he is. - Mm-bhbm. Mm-hhm. Mm-hm_
You know what? It's mad we allow ourselves to be hurt
- we need to have a better standard. - That's what I'm saying.
Tres paradas...
- And you're at the new spot. - Mira, ;qué parte es la que no entiendes?
I'm too old, and the Bronx is too far.
¢ qué voy a hacer? I was priced out.
Y yo no soy la unica.
Most of my clients already up and moved to the grand concourse.
Hey, built in customers.
My lunch break isn't long enough for that trip, Dani.
Jessica...
One: Swipe the fare card.
Two: Ride three stops.
Three: Arrive at my new location.
Ten minutes Max.
Ten minutes? Carino.
What are you riding, a time machine?
Excuse me?
No, she didn't, right?!
Our people survived slave ships.
We survived taino genocide.
We survived conquistadores and dictators.
You're telling me we can't survive the d train to the grand concourse?
Okay, okay, okay.
And who cuts your hair better than me?
Yo-ho!
Hello, hello...
How long's the wait?
For you, mamita, front of the line! Joye!
Emergency, coming through!
Imira, Nina!
Gorgeous! - Jilinda!
Tell me something I don't know
- jvieja! - Isucial
- jcabrona! - Tell me something I don't know
a little off the top “a little on the side
a little bit of news you heard around the barrio
tell me something I don't know
bueno you didn't hear this from me
but some little birdie told me
ushavi had sex with yolanda
ino me diga!
Lay, no!
He'd never go out with a skank like that
- please tell me you're joking - Okay
just wanted to see what you'd say
tell me something I don't know
mmm-hmm-mmm “what? I don't care!
Jay, bendito!
So, Nina
I hear you been talking to Benny
- and what do you hear? - Ihear plenty
they say he's got quite a big...
Taxij!
- Ino me diga! - Okay
I don't wanna know where you heard all that
I don't think I know what you mean
Carla, he's packing a stretch limousine
tell me something I don't know
long as he keeps it clean
oh, god.
Lay, dios mio!
Nina, seriously, we knew you'd be
the one to make it out
I'll bet you impressed them all out west
- you were always the best, no doubt - True.
We want front row seats to your graduation
they'll call your name and we'll scream and shout
- you guys! - I
I... dropped out.
No me diga.
Yeah. I should go.
Well, that's a shitty piece of news.
She probably flunked out.
Or she got a little bun in the oven, you know?
What the hell happened?
I don't know
tell me something I don't know
c qué sé yo?
Dani, I'm taking lunch.
Go get me a soda, please?
- Yeah. - Where's she sneaking off to?
That was real quick.
Okay, so we're gonna shave the whole thing.
Vanessa.
Vanessal!
Vanessa, tough as nails.
Dreamed of being a downtown fashion designer.
To her, a suenito was something you keep a secret.
The elevated train by my window doesn't faze me anymore
the rattling screams don't disrupt my dreams
it's a lullaby in its way
the elevated train drives everyone insane
but I don't mind, oh, no
when I bring back boys they can't tolerate the noise
and that's okay "cuz I never let them stay
and one day I'm hoppin' that elevated train
and I'm riding away
it won't be long now
the boys around the way holler at me
when I'm walking down the street
their machismo pride doesn't break my stride
hey, good morning to you too, sweetheart.
It's a compliment so they say
the boys around the way holler at me every day
but I don't mind, oh, no, no
if I'm in the mood it will not be with some dude
who is whistling 'cuz he has nothing to say
or who's honking at me from a Chevrolet
one day I'm hoppin' in a limousine
and I'm driving away
yeah, yeah, yeah
it won't be long now
I'm sorry. Had to rush to get here.
I e-mailed you a few days ago, but I brought an extra copy.
Here, just in case. It's right here.
Ah, miss morales.
- Yeah... yes. - Right.
I'm sorry, honey. I meant to call you.
Oh, uh... I got bank checks.
First month, last month and security. Good as cash.
It's that without a solid credit check, there's not much I can do.
Maybe your parents could co-sign.
Assuming they can prove income forty times the rent.
You know what? Get it to me by five.
I'll see what I can do.
- So glad you could make it. - So good to see you.
- Thanks for having us. - Good to meet you, yeah.
These are the windows I was telling you about.
Oh, fabulous.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Yo, how'd it go?
Are we popping champagne?
The realtor took one look at this, and was, like... "No."
Well, nope on her.
There's something on your shirt.
Just this.
Uh, my cousin over there, with his tongue hanging out...
Has been meaning to ask...
Yeah?
What a lady like yourself...
Would be doing this weekend.
Does your cousin dance?
Like a... drunk chita Rivera.
Stop.
Tell your cousin... fiesta in the heights.
We can hit a few clubs.
Check out the fireworks.
Keep it.
- Thanks. - Have a good day.
Oh snap! Who's that?
Don't touch me, I'm too hot! Yes!
; Qué Paso? Here I go
so dope! Y tu lo sabes
no pare - sigue, sigue
did you see me? Freaky, freaky
what a way to begin the weekend
Sonny, anything you want is free, man
and my dearly beloved Dominican Republic
I haven't forgotten you you
gonna see this honey gon' make a little money
- and one day I'll hop jet blue - Jet blue
but until that fateful day I'm grateful I got a destination
I'm running to make it home
and home's where Vanessa's running away from
I'm running to make it home
and home's where Vanessa's running away from
the neighborhood salon is the place I am working for the moment
Every day who's doin' who and why
the neighborhood salon doesn't pay me what I wanna be making
but I don't mind
as I sweep the curb
I can hear those turbo engines
blazing a trail through the sky
I look up and think about the years gone by
one day I'm walkin' to jfk
and I'm gonna fly
It won't be long now
Any day
Girl, what the hell?
Look what you did.
Yes, that's my hair, girl. What you gonna do about it?
And in the middle!
You got me walking around here looking like a cockatoo!
Chita Rivera? You said drunk chita Rivera.
Who's that?
Banana hat lady?
No, that's Carmen Miranda.
Unibrow artist lady?
- What? No. - Shut up!
What did they teach you for hispanic heritage month?
Listen, and repeat after me.
Chita, Rita, Frida,
Celia, Dolores, Isabel,
Sandra, Julia, rigoberta, mirabal.
- Ready? - Yes!
- Go. - Chita, Rita, Frida,
Celia, Dolores...
Isabel, Sandra, Julia...
Rigoberta, mirabal.
Eso es.
Plus, Sonia. Supreme court justice.
Come on! Let's go.
Thank you.
Yo, you all still open, man? Everybody closed early 'cause of the heat.
- We headed to the pool. - Let's go.
Oh-ho! There is a god!
Yo, don't take nothing from there without my permission.
Yo, come on, let's go, man.
All right, all right.
- Yo, Sonny, come on. - Yeah, I'm coming!
Yo, answer that.
Hello?
Holy shit!
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Yo, why these chancletas make my toes wrinkle?
Move, come on.
It's like they're squeezing my joints together.
Usnavi! Take 5!
Phone call! I Otto office.
What, are these lotto numbers? “We sold... a winner.
Yesterday. “What?
Oh, shit, I played, bro.
Yo, let's talk profit sharing.
- I want a cut of your cut. - Yeah, my cut is zero.
- Man. - What's the payout?
And don't tell me no $500. I spent a lot of money on these tickets.
Ninety-six thousand
damn
ninety-six thousand
dollars? Holla!
Ninety-six thousand
that's a lot of spray cans
ninety-six thousand
yo, if I won the lotto tomorrow
well, I know I wouldn't bother goin' on no spendin' spree
I pick a business school and pay the entrance fee
and maybe if you're lucky you'll stay friends with me
I'll be a businessman richer than Nina's daddy
Tiger Woods and I on the links and he's my caddy
my money's makin' money I'm goin' from po' to mo' dough
keep the bling I want the brass ring, like Frodo
oh, no, here goes Mr. braggadocio
next thing you know you lying like Pinocchio
if you're scared of the bull stay out the rodeo
yo, I got more flows than Obi-Wan Kenobi, oh
oh, you better stop rappin' you not ready
it's gonna get hot and heavy and you already sweaty
- yo-yo-yo! - Yo, yo! I'm sorry was that an answer?
Shut up, go home and pull your damn pants up
as for you, Mr. Frodo of the shire what?
96 g's ain't enough to retire... c'mon!
I'll have enough to knock your ass off its axis
you'll have a knapsack full of Jack after taxes
- ninety-six thousand - Jay, alabanza!
- Ninety-six thousand - Ino me diga!
- Ninety-six thousand - I never win shit
ninety-six thousand!
For real, though whoo!
Imagine how it would feel goin' real slow
down the highway of life with no regrets
and no breakin' your neck for respect or a paycheck
for real, though
I'll take a break from the wheel and we'll throw
the biggest block party everybody here
a weekend when we can breathe take it easy
yo! Ma, it's me, check my ticket
check one, two, three
what would you do with ninety-six g's?
Who, me?
I mean, if it's just between you and me
esa pregunta es tricky
I know
with ninety-six g's
I'd start my life with a brand new lease
Atlantic city with a Malibu breeze
and a brand new weave
ay, maybe just bleach
y'all are freaks
- yo, I'm just sayin' - Look at her.
It's silly when we get into these crazy hypotheticals
you really want some bread? Then go ahead, create a set of goals
and cross them off the list as you pursue 'em
and with those 96 I know precisely what I'm doing
- what you doing? - What am I doing? What am I doing?
It takes half of that cash just to save my ass from financial ruin
Sonny can keep the coffee brewin'
I'll spend a few on you
"cuz the only room with a view is a room with you in it
and I could give abuela Claudia the rest of it
just fly me down to puerto plata I'll make the best of jt
- you really love this business? - No
tough, merry Christmas
you're now the youngest tycoon in Washington hiznits
yo, with ninety-six thousand I'd finally fix housing
give the barrio computers and wireless web browsing
your kids are living without a good edumacation
change the station teach 'em about gentrification
the rent is escalatin' “what?
The rich are penetratin' “what?
We pay our corporations when we should be demonstratin'
- what? - What about immigration?
- What? - Politicians be hatin'
- what? - Racism in this nation's
gone from latent to blatant
I'll cash my ticket and picket invest in protest
never lose my focus "til the city takes notice
and you know this, man! I'll never sleep
because the ghetto has a million promises for me to keep
ohh!
You are so cute.
I was just thinking off the top of my head.
- What's your name? - Jen.
Ninety-six k... go
if I win the lottery
you'll never see me again
damn, we only jokin' stay broke, then
I'll be downtown
get a nice studio
get out of the barrio
for real, though
- imagine how it would feel - If I win the lottery
goin' real slow down the highway of life with no regrets...
And no breakin' your neck you'll wonder where I've been
for respect or a paycheck
- ninety-six thousand - It's silly when we get
into these crazy hypotheticals I'll take a break from the wheel
- ninety-six thousand - We'll throw the biggest block party
- everybody here - Ninety-six thousand!
I'll see you around “and with those 96
I know precisely what I'm doing
- check one, two, three - And with the dolla, dolla
- ninety-six g's - We get to holla, holla
- between you and me - We rock the hot impala
- breakin' your neck for respect... - Why-oh!
Ninety-six g's I'll be downtown
- a brand new lease - We rock beyond mafana
- a Malibu breeze - See you around!
A weekend when we can breathe take it easy
around
whoa-oh-oh! Whoa!
- Whoa-oh-oh! - Yeah
whoa-oh-oh! Whoa-oh-oh! “I'll be downtown
- whoa-oh-oh! Whoa-oh-oh! - We could pay off the debts we owe
- we could tell everyone we know - Whoa-oh-oh!
I could get on a plane and go
we be swimmin' in dough, yo
no tip-toeing we'll get the dough and
once we get going we're never gonna
stop tip-toeing we'll get the dough and
once we get going we're never gonna
- ninety-six thousand - No tip-toeing
- ninety-six thousand - We'll get the dough and
ninety-six thousand
- once we get going - We got the numbers, let's go!
Ninety-six thousand
- five! - Ninety-six thousand
- seven! - Ninety-six thousand
- sixteen! - Ninety-six thousand
- twenty-six! - Ninety-six thousand
- ninety-six thousand - We'll get the dough and
once we get goin' we're never gonna
- stop! - Thirty-three!
- Nobody? - You put in ten dollars?
Oh, shit. This is the one.
Oh, man.
- This is it! This is it! - Wait, wait, wait...
So who won?
That's what everyone was wondering.
But the ticket was never turned in.
What? Now you talking crazy, boy.
- Yo, you lying. Tell us, man. - Yeah, tell us.
If I knew, I would. The point is not who won...
But that we all had a sueniito.
And when it comes to dreams... We had to keep scraping by.
Oh, qué calor, qué calor
qué calor, qué calor
oh, piragua, piragua
new block of ice, piragua
piragua, piragua - mm-mm_
So sweet and nice, piragua
tengo de mango, tengo de parcha
de pifia y de fresa
tengo de China, de limén
de peso y de peseta, jhey!
Piragua, piragua
new block of ice, piragua
piragua, piragua
so sweet and nice, piragua
it's hotter than the islands are today
and mister softee's trying to shut me down
but I keep scraping by till I can say
hey, pana, I run this town!
- You hit my truck? - Keep scraping by, piragua
- get out of here! This is my block. - Piragua, piragua
keep scraping by, piragua
keep scraping by, keep scraping by
lai, lo, le, lo, lai!
- Lal, lo, le, lo, lai! - Eww!
Keep scraping by, keep scraping by
lo, le, lo, lai! Keep scraping by
oh, qué calor, qué calor
qué calor, qué calor, qué calor
hal
punk!
Stitchwork like this doesn't exist anymore.
Mm-hm.
Handmade by an old friend.
How much will you take for 'em?
Oh, no, no. Not for sale.
They're for a special occasion this weekend.
- Does tomorrow by 4:00 work? - Oh, perfect!
- Gracias. - All right, that's nine apiece times 12...
Plus tax. I'll waive the rush fee.
Oh.
Cash or credit?
Bueno.
- Let me think about it. - Of course.
Welcome to the block.
Admit it.
You're happy I didn't make it at Stanford.
I mean, Nina, I'm not gonna lie.
This feels great.
Girl gets into nyu, she gets into Columbia...
- But she had to go to the farthest place. - Who broke up with who?
Nina, I'm not gonna be a ball and chain.
Right, I told you... we talked ab...
- Here we go. - What do you mean, "here we go"?
Shh. Let me just listen to my block.
I used to think
we lived at the top of the world
when the world was just a subway map
and the one-slash-nine
climbed a dotted line to my place
there's no nine train how
right.
I used to think
the Bronx was a place in the sky
when the world was just a subway map
and my thoughts took shape
on that fire escape
can you remind me
of what it was like
at the top of the world?
Come with me
oh, no.
Let's go.
We begin July with a stop at my corner fire hydrant
you would open it every summer
I would bust it with a wrench till my face got drenched
till I heard the sirens - yep.
And then I ran like hell you ran like hell
- yeah, I ran like hell - I remember well
to your father's dispatch window
"hey, let me in, yo they're coming to get me!"
You were always in constant trouble
no, I wasn't.
Then your dad would act all snide but he'd let me hide
you'd be there inside
life was easier then
Nina, everything is easier when you're home
the street's a little kinder when you're home
can't you see that the day seems clearer
now that you are here or is it me?
Maybe it's just me
we gotta go I wanna show you all I know
the sun is setting and the light is getting low
are we going to castle garden?
Maybe, maybe not, but way to take a shot when the day is hot
I got a perfect shady spot a little ways away
- that oughta cool us down - Cool us down
welcome back to town - hey!
Now, back in high school when it darkened
you'd hang out in Bennett park
and usnavi would bring his radio
as I walked home from senior studies
I'd see you rapping with your buddies
- with the volume high - I walked on by
you walked on by
- hey! - Hey-hey!
Ino pare! Jsigue, sigue!
- Ohhh! - Ino pare! Jsigue, sigue!
- Get in here, girl! - No
come on!
Ino pare! Jsigue, sigue!
Jno pare! Jsigue, sigue! Ino pare! Jsigue, sigue!
Jno pare! Jsigue, sigue! Ino pare! Jsigue!
When you're home
the summer nights are cooler when you're home
now that you're here with me
and that song you are hearing
is the neighborhood just cheering you along
don't say that - what's wrong?
Don't say that!
When I was younger I'd imagine what would happen
if my parents had stayed in Puerto Rico
who would I be if I had never seen Manhattan
if I lived in Puerto Rico with my people
my people
I feel like all my life I've tried to find the answer
working harder, learning Spanish
learning all I can
I thought I might find the answer out at Stanford
but I'd stare out at the sea
thinking, where am I supposed to be?
So please don't say you're proud of me
when I've lost my way
Then can I say
I couldn't get my mind off you all day
now, listen to me that may be how you perceive it
but Nina please believe that when you find your way again
you are gonna change the world and then
we're all gonna brag
and say we knew her when
yeah
this was your home - I'm home
- welcome home - When you're here with me
- welcome home - I used to think we lived
at the top of the world welcome home
you're finally home
I'm home.
Hey, boss, I got your caffeine.
I'm in a meeting.
Oh, hey, pike.
Everything okay?
Thank you, Benny. Thank you very much.
- Need anything else? - No, no. We're good, thank you very much.
If you need...
- Good kid. - Yes.
Café con leche.
Number twelve
it's better than his current school.
I can pay for his flights, to and from.
Christmas, summers...
Just so that he doesn't go too long without seeing you.
And, you know, I know you're his dad,
and I'm just his big cousin, but...
I mean... this could be good for him.
You're unsure.
Talk to me.
Chill out. You're hovering.
You're doing that thing, you should...
That's your first of the day?
Listen, if I could be like...
"Out you go, Sonny," I would.
I thought about it.
But, I can't.
The kid doesn't listen to shit I say, anyway.
- So is that a yes? - Is it a yes?
Tio... come on, man.
He's a good kid. He's smart. He's funny.
He cares.
That kid does well in school, he works hard.
And I could tell you.
I'm with him every day. Working in my store.
I got that kid working to the bone, but look, I'm...
He has an opportunity to have a life that you and me didn't have.
Come on, tio.
How do you pay him?
Cash.
Ever wonder why?
Fver?
- Perdon, Alejandro. - Hey.
Thank you for letting me come in last minute.
I was just wondering about the status of the deposit.
Oh! We got good news, mijo.
The check is cashed.
Es tuyo.
So there's no chance, like, if I wanted to hold off
just to tie up some loose ends before... Before I go.
Tu no me oiste?
The place is yours, mijo.
Yeah, well...
You got cold feet?
No no.
No, man. I mean, that's amazing.
That's amazing. Thank you again.
You know, just, life throws you curve balls, but...
I'll figure it out. Thank you again.
Felicitaciones, mijo.
- A dream come true, right? - Of course.
So... Sonny's dad is okay with him leaving?
Yeah he's fine with it.
That's great.
Pero you wore your papi's hat?
Yeah it fits.
Ay, qué guapo!
Ioh, qué lindo!
Oye, llévame ese pan y esas galleticas a la mesa.
- Okay, okay. - Okay? Gracias, mi amor.
- Abuela. - Mira lo que hice.
Hey.
I want to talk to you. Not now, but... you know.
Oh, yeah. Okay.
It's open!
Oh, we're in trouble now.
- How cute! - Oh, my god, I love that dress.
I love your dress.
Yo, look at this.
Good luck.
You're gonna need it.
Hey.
What?
I'm sorry, you just... You look amazing.
- Thanks. - My favorite color.
Well, I...
Have a date tonight, so...
Word.
Right. That's right.
You have a date.
- I have a date, too. - Oh, you do?
We we have a date.
We have a date. This is a date.
Let me get you a drink.
Think fast.
All right, let's clean this up before abuela gets here.
Usnavi, Vanessa. Ven, baila.
No te vayas
- si me dejas - No, not this song again!
Si te alejas
de mi
sequiras en mis recuerdos
para siempre... para siempre...
Para siempre...
That scratch on the record is her favorite part.
Para siempre...
The scratch on the record is my favorite part.
Hey!
Wow.
You don't want any of it?
Oh, yeah, you're trying to be vegan, right?
Let me give you a vegan pastel.
Nina! You got sauce on my sleeve!
Tsk! Pass me a tissue or something.
No, I got you.
You're good. “Wow.
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
- Mirenlo. - Now you know.
- Be generous. - Yeah, we're gonna get it out.
- Wow. - You know what I'm sayin...
Nice.
I take note.
You know, my first business, I was, like, seven or eight.
You know what? Every time you tell the story,
you're a different age, and you get younger
- and younger and younger. - I was seven or eight...
I took a rag and a coffee can,
I went to the Plaza in arecibo to shine shoes for a nickel.
But every nickel went to shoe Polish, right?
Because the next time I could charge a dime.
- Wow, my man was a hustler. - 'Cause you got that investment brain.
- Hey, Benny! - Hey, yo!
- The party's just starting, siéntate. - Sorry I'm late.
- Let me make you a plate. - No, no, I'm not hungry.
Benny, not hungry?
Pero come. Hay tanta comida.
Yo, Kevin, that meeting I walked in on with you and pike Phillips...
Is that what I thought it was?
'Cause, you know, I keep playing it on loop, and...
Adios. I was saving that news for dessert.
What news?
You know, when pike originally approached me, he wanted the whole space.
So today, I reopened the conversation.
Felicidades, papi.
- What? - I knew it.
I guess we're gonna do this now, huh?
Nina... it was about your age
that your mother and I, god rest her soul, we came here
and we emptied our savings to put a down payment on rosario's.
Two burgundy Cadillacs, that was your fleet!
Mm. Start small, dream big.
Mm.
I look at you, mija, I see her.
Y te lo juro, if she were here,
she would've done the same thing that I did today.
Dad
I sold rosario's.
Jfelicidades! “What?
- Raise a glass. - Jfelicidades!
Yes, get that schmoney!
To Nina, hm? Who can now finish what she started at Stanford.
To Nina!
- To Nina. - To Nina.
Nina, say, "thank you, papi."
Dad... the deadline passed.
- I don't know what you're talking about. - Imentira, mentira!
Stop with the lying, huh? I called them.
I called them! Stop trying to protect me here.
There were other things other than the finances.
Did you not hear what I said?
Yes, about the ignorant idiotas...
That's the same thing that we foresaw when we came!
No, it's not the same thing, dad.
It is not the same.
When you came here and mom came here, you all had a latino community
ready to welcome you, open arms, babies and abuelas,
and teachers and lawyers, first generation, fifth generation...
There's no community for me at school.
I got searched.
Yeah
I got searched.
On moving day...
My roommate lost her Pearl necklace and...
The ra and her parents came in...
And searched me and they...
Emptied my drawers, turned over my purse...
And I just stood there.
I stood there and didn't say anything.
And then eventually, they found it... In her bag.
You're the best we've got, Nina.
If you can't stay in the ring, what's that gonna say about us?
You can't keep putting your life's work on my shoulders, dad.
Dile, mi gente, isn't she the best we got?
And then I apologize like an idiot.
I stood there, I didn't do anything, and then I apologized.
Well, you keep getting a's, baby, that's your revenge.
- My god, you're not hearing her, Kevin. - I'm not going back!
- ¢.coémo? - I'm not going back!
So all of my decisions can just go to hell here?
- I'm doing this for you! - No, you're doing it for you!
What if I refuse your money?
What if I don't want it?
Mirame en los ojos.
I refuse.
She refused.
Okay, se acabé todo. Get out!
Fiesta in the heights!
Vanessa!
Damn, this is nice
I really like what they've done with the lights
so, the hot club in Washington heights
you might be right this music's tight
yo, did I mention that you look great tonight
- because you do you really... - Usnavi, relax!
- Relax, qué relaxed? I'm relaxed - Wepa, Vanessa!
So you've been here before
I don't go out I get so busy with the store
y cada dia it's a brand new chore
my arms are sore no time for the dance floor
but maybe you and me should hang out some more
- I'm such a dork, but I... - Let's go get a drink
something sweet you know me
- a little bit of cinnamon - Wepa, Vanessa!
- Here's to getting fired - To killing the mood
salud!
- Without so much as a thank you - After all these years
cheers!
To finally getting Vanessa
boy, fix your collar - holler!
To doing shots on the weekend
as long as you buy 'em I'Chaim!
Hey you. You - who? Who, me?
- You wanna dance? - Naw, man
okay, I took my chance
it's cool, it's cool hey, if you want to
- you don't mind? - I'm fine, I'm fine
- who's Vanessa talkin' to? - Some dude
some dude?
That's messed up she's tryin' to make you jealous
jealous? I ain't jealous I can take all these fellas, whatever
oh, shit!
Hmm.
Vanessa let me get the next one
Vanessa, let me interject some
the way you sweat the way you flex on the floor
it makes me want you more
Vanessa, let me get the next one
Vanessa, let me interject some
the way you sweat the way you flex on the floor
it makes me want you more
Vanessa, let me get the next one
Vanessa, let me interject some
the way you sweat the way you flex on the floor
it makes me want you more
bartender!
Let me get an amaretto sour for this ghetto flower
how are you so pretty? You complete me
you had me at "hello" you know you need me
truly, madly, deeply let's get freaky
oh, I get it you're the strong and silent type
well, I'm the Caribbean island type and I can drive you wild all night
but I digress say something so I don't stress
no hablo inglés
yes!
Whoa!
- Te iba a buscar. - Where you been?
Yo, you been doing your thing all night!
You owe me a dance.
Yeah, hold up. Wait, wait. Let's take a shot.
- You want a shot? - No, it's fine.
Let me get you a shot.
- I'll be right back, I'll be right back! - No, stay! Usnavi!
Two shots, please! Same thing.
Oye, qué Paso? Blackout, blackout!
Vino El apagon iay, dios!
- Oye, ¢squé Paso? - Blackout! Blackout!
Vino El apagon iay, dios!
We are powerless
somebody better open these goddamn doors
- we are powerless - I can't find usnavi!
- Vanessa! - Nina, where'd you go?
- Has anyone seen Benny? - Nina, where'd you go?
- Benny! - Nina, where'd you go?
- I can't find you! - Usnavi!
It's hotter in the street everybody is nervous
hey, yo, we gotta be usnhavi streetlights out of service
because we're powerless our hour is at hand
- it's you and me - You know what we gotta do?
Illuminate the community
when the sparks ignite we gon' light up the night
bottle rockets loco locus everybody, let's focus
gather 'round, these are free grab your ammo and stack up
give me a light till the power comes
back up, back up, back up!
Look at the fireworks
look at the fireworks fly
light up the night sky
look at the fireworks
look at the fireworks fly
light up the night sky
- when was the last time you saw her? - On the dance floor, man!
- Did she text you? Did she call you? - That taxi is mine!
I called her twice and I texted her.
- She not hittin' me back. - Get out of my car!
I gotta get to the dispatch, man.
Yo, I gotta wait for Vanessa, man. I gotta find her.
- What are you talking about? - Look, I might not have a job tomorrow,
but I still got one tonight, Nina.
Let it go.
I can't. Just stick with usnauvi. I'll see you later, all right?
We are powerless oh, god so much panic
the crowd was manic
with everybody screaming and shoving and shouting and slapping
and everyone's frantic! What's happening with you?
- Usnavi! - Yeah!
Vanessa!
- You abandoned me - Yo, what are you talking about?
Usnavi, all night you barely even danced with me
don't make me laugh I've been trying all night
you've been shaking your ass with like half of the heights
real nice
you barely gave me a chance all evening
- what? - Do I get another dance?
I'm leaving - Vanessa
I gotta go
don't walk away from us tonight
I don't need anything tonight
I can find my way home
- keep running away from home - Without you
without you
look at the fireworks look at the fireworks fly
light up the night sky
look at the fireworks look at the fireworks fly
light up the night sky
nagle at Broadway, I got a woman in labor,
she needs to go to Columbia presbyterian hospital.
Can you get her there? Thank you and happy birthday.
Yo, Kevin, I, um... I routed all the incoming calls through my cell
and I got the generator covering the outgoing.
You smart.
- You so smart. - Hi, baby.
You got here mad quick. What's going on?
Arroz con pollo.
- Yeah, long night at the club. - Usnavi, what's wrong?
- Forget about it. - Have a drink.
Toast to drama.
Ay, but you're too comfortable.
- G-51. - Bingo, mother-lovers!
Look at the fireworks
abuela, are you all right?
Light up the night sky
the stars are out tonight!
Look at the fireworks
you're not alone tonight
light up the night sky
you're not alone tonight
atencion, if you don't have a fare, I want you over on 125th.
At the synagogue and head up to regiment.
So if you're crossing the bridge,
- pick up multiple riders. - Go up to dyckman, then.
Do what you gotta do.
I'll get you some water in a minute.
All right. Put your feet up.
- That's better. - All right.
- That's better. - You okay?
- Yes, thank you. - All right.
Look at the fireworks look at the fireworks
look at the fireworks
light up the night sky
in Washington...
Look at the fireworks
light up the night sky
- I'm done. I'm done. - Are we touching each other?
Calor, calor
calor
calor, calor
calor
ay, mama
the summer's hottest day
paciencia y fe
it was hotter at home in la vibora
the Washington heights of Havana
a crowded city of faces the same as mine
back as a child in la vibora
I chased the birds in the Plaza
praying, mama you would find work
combing the stars in the sky
for some sort of sign
ay, mama
so many stars in Cuba
en nueva York we can't see beyond our streetlights!
To reach the roof you gotta bribe the supa
ain't no cassiopeia in Washington heights
but ain't no food en la vibora
I remember nights anger in the streets
hunger at the windows
women folding clothes
playing with my friends in the summer rain
mama needs a job mama says we're poor
one day you say "vamos a nueva York"
and nueva York was far but nueva York had work
and so we came
and now, I'm wide awake
a million years too late
I talk to you imagining what you'd do
remembering what we went through
inueva York! Jay, mama!
It wasn't like today you'd say
paciencia y fe
- paciencia y fe - Paciencia y fe
- paciencia y... - Fresh off the boat in America
freezing in early December
a crowded city in 1943
learning the ropes in America
en espanol, I remember
dancing with mayor la guardia
all of society welcoming mami and me
you better clean this mess
- paciencia y fe - You better learn inglés
paciencia y fe you better not be late
you better pull your weight
are you better off than you were with the birds of la vibora?
Sharing double beds trying to catch a break
struggling with english
listening to friends finally got a job working as a maid
so we cleaned some homes polishing with pride
scrubbing the whole of the Upper East Side
the days into weeks the weeks into years
and here I stayed
paciencia y fe, paciencia y fe paciencia y fe
and as I feed these birds
my hands begin to shake
and as I say these words
my heart's about to break
- and Jay, mama! - And Jay, mama!
What do you do when your dreams come true?
- And Jay, mama! - I've spent my life
inheriting dreams from you
I made it through I survived
I did it
now do I leave
or stay?
All right, mama
okay
paciencia y fe
calor, calor
calor
Abuela.
Abuela, abuela.
Daniela!
Abuela.
Daniela!
Call 911!
- Okay, okay, okay. - Call 911!
- Wait, what? - I got you, I got you, I got you...
- What's going on? - No, no...
Daniela!
- What's happening? - Bring her some towels!
Come here with some towels!
Okay, okay.
It's gonna be okay.
Abuela, it's gonna be okay. I'm right here.
I'm right here, abuela, I'm right here. I'm right here.
I'm right here, I'm right here.
She was found and pronounced...
At the scene she was already lying in bed
paramedics said that her heart gave out
I mean that's basically what they said
they said a combination of the stress and the heat
why she never took her medicine I'll never understand
I like to think she went out in peace
with pieces of bread crumbs in her hand
abuela Claudia had simple pleasures
she sang the praises of things we ignore
glass coke bottles, bread crumbs
a sky full of stars
she cherished these things
she'd say, "alabanza”
alabanza means to raise this thing to god's face
and to sing quite literally "praise to this"
when she was here the path was clear
she was just here
alabanza
alabanza a doa Claudia, senor
alabanza
alabanza a doa Claudia, senor
alabanza
alabanza -
alabanza
alabanza a dofia Claudia, sefior
alabanza
alabanza a doa Claudia, senor
alabanza
alabanza a doa Claudia, senor
alabanza
paciencia y fe - alabanza
- paciencia y fe - Alabanza a dofia Claudia, sefior
- paciencia y fe, dora Claudia - Alabanza
alabanza
Alabanza
Should we take a break?
No, daddy, keep going.
Hey, pop.
Best days of my life.
It's creepy quiet.
Usually, the one train's up there, screeching.
Yo, I was thinking... There's so much stuff going on.
And all it just got me thinking about is, like...
All the people I care about the most.
And I just thought about you.
You're about to change zip codes.
Country codes, actually.
Yeah, but that's not till August.
I mean, you know, we got time.
Usnavi...
I'm the girl who paints nails.
There's plenty like me, here and over there.
Stop!
Yo, you're an artist.
Yo, your senior year lab book...
I should've been paying attention to the board, but...
All them doodles you made.
Yo, it was like...
Wonder woman meets...
The Simpsons meets...
Guernica.
And I would.
I would watch, like...
I just want to see the whole world through her eyes.
Mira para alla.
Benny, you know, before I bought rosario's...
It was o'hanrahan's.
The whole block was Irish.
You know why I bought it?
My dad, he pulled me out of high school,
so that I could work on the same farm as him.
Making the same pennies.
I thought to myself, "no, no, no, papi."
"That don't make no sense."
I'm gonna drop out so somebody else could get rich off of my work?
I came here.
So I could make my own damn work.
But, you never finished high school?
But Nina did.
You asked me, "what a suenito means?"
I'm not gonna sit here and give you some fairy tale version.
You know, a dream isn't some sparkly diamond we get.
You know, sometimes, it's... it's rough.
And it's not so pretty.
Yeah!
Ivivan los inmigrantes!
Daca was not a gift from some benevolent Saint, right?
You made it happen, you fought for it. Yes!
And that's why it still continues now.
'Cause what about the people who don't qualify, like my niece, right?
She gets into college without papers, but...
No work-study for her.
No federal aid for her.
So she doesn't get to go to college. It's not right.
What did she say?
She said her niece couldn't go to college.
We can dream bigger and better, right?
Yo, Sonny!
What's going on?
I et's do this. Yes!
I knew I couldn't get a license.
But no college?
She was talking about undocumented folks.
I remember when I was your age, they used to say...
"If you work hard and you live by the rules,
the money will come, the things will come.
And that, those things will complete you."
But, they won't.
We work so hard to try and get there, that we forget about what's right here.
I was gonna be like you.
Share your stories!
Share your stories. There's nothing to be ashamed of!
Tell our stories!
Tell our stories! Tell our stories!
Dad, I know what I have to do.
You've given me this amazing education and I just need to use it,
and figure out how every undocumented kid gets a pathway.
Maybe Stanford isn't a way out. Maybe it's a way back.
Like abuela always used to say...
Asserting our dignity in small ways.
Wow.
This is it, huh, mija?
What?
This is the moment when you do better than me.
Not because of some fancy degree...
It's 'cause you can see a future that I can't.
Hey...
Hmm?
You're nuyoricua.
We're a people on the move, so yeah...
Bring us with you.
Ignore anyone who doubts you.
You take all the bruises, baby, but you stay in the ring.
I called, and it's still available.
But Vanessa needs a co-signer,
and not one who's about to leave the country.
Would you?
As a personal favor?
We're all ready, ma'am.
That's seforita to you.
Yes. Yes, ma'am... senorita. Yes.
Listas. We'll follow behind.
- It's hotter in here. - Put on the ac.
Adios, mi gente!
Come find me in the Bronx.
3843 grand concourse.
Where the hell is everybody?
Diablo. It's like they've given up.
Bye, people!
Bye!
Carajo.
Ungrateful!
Our matriarch bites the dust, and this is how we move on?
We are not power-less. We are power-full.
If Claudia was here, she'd say, "p'alante."
In Puerto Rico, blackouts happen all the time, and we still threw a fiesta.
This is like gilligan's ghetto island.
Mi amor, calmate, huh? What would Jesus do?
Do I look like Jesus to you?
I mean, sometimes when I squint. “True.
Hey!
What's this tonteria that I'm seeing on the street?
I never thought I'd see the day
since when are Latin people scared of heat?
Ahh!
When I was a little girl growing up in the hills of vega alta
my favorite time of year was Christmas time
ask me why - why?
There wasn't an ounce of show
but oh, the coquito would flow
as we sang the aguinaldo the carnaval would begin to grow
business is closed and we're about to go
let's have a carnaval
del barrio
iwepa!
Carnaval del barrio
carnaval del barrio
we don't need electricidad! Get off your butt, javanza!
Saca la maraca, bring your tambourine come and join the parranda!
Carnaval del barrio
carnaval del barrio
me, me, me! Dani I have a question
I don't know what you're cantando
just make it up as you go we are improvisando
lai, le, lo, lai, lo, le, lo, lai
- you can sing anything - Wait, what?
Carla, whatever comes into your head just so long as you sing
uh, my mom is Dominican-Cuban
my dad is from Chile and PR which means
I'm Chile-domini-curican...
But I always say I'm from queens
- hey! - Carnaval del barrio
carnaval del barrio
why is everyone so happy? We're sweating and we have no power
you can't even go to a club with a friend
without having somebody shove you
iay, por favor!
Vanessa, don't pretend that usnavi's your "friend"
we all know that he love you
wow.
Now that you mention that sexual tension it's easy to see
- yo, this is bogus - Haven't you noticed
you get all your coffee for free
carnaval del barrio
here comes usnavi!
Yo! Yo! Yo, y-y-yo-yo
now, now, everyone gather round
sit down, listen I got an announcement
wow, there's nothing here holding me down
the word is out tell the whole town I'm bouncin'
atencion, I'm closin' shop Sonny, grab everybody a soda pop
twist off the bottle kiss it up to god
I miss abuela Claudia it's time to fly, though
Daniela, Carla, pack up the carro
I'm booking a flight for dr tomorrow!
Oh, my god!
Alza la bandera la bandera dominicana
alza la bandera la bandera puertorriquefia
alza la bandera la bandera mexicana
alza la bandera la bandera cubana
- jp'arriba esa bandera! - Hey!
- Jalzala donde quiera! - Hey!
Recuerdo de mi tierra
me acuerdo de mi tierra
- jesa bonita bandera! - Hey!
- Jcontiene mi Alma enteral! - Hey!
Y cuando yo me muera
entiérrame en mi tierra
Hey!
Ooh! Whoo!
Hey, Mr. Benny have you seen any horses today?
What do you mean?
I heard you and Nina went for a roll in the hay!
Hey! Ohhhhhhh
- Benny and Nina, sitting in a tree - That's not true.
- K-1-s-s-i-n-g - It's your fault.
Qué bochinche Nina and Benny
k-1-s-s-i-n-g - okay, okay.
Hold up, wait a minute
usnavi's leavin' us for the Dominican Republic
and Benny went and stole the girl that I'm in love with
she was my babysitter first!
Listen up, is this what y'all want?
We close the bodega the neighborhood is gone
they selling the dispatch and they closin' the salon
and they'll never turn the lights back on 'cuz
we are powerless we are powerless
and y'all keep dancin' and singin' and celebratin'
and it's gettin' late and this place disintegratin'
we are powerless we are powerless
all right, we're powerless so light up a candle
there's nothing going on here that we can't handle!
Maybe you're right, Sonny call in the coroners
maybe we're powerless a corner full of foreigners
maybe this neighborhood's changing forever
maybe tonight is our last night together
however how do you want to face it?
Do you wanna waste it
when the end is so close you can taste jt?
Y'all could cry with your head in the sand
I'MMA fly this flag that I got in my hand
- jp'arriba esa bandera! - Hey!
- Jalzala donde quiera! - Hey!
Can we raise our voice tonight?
- Can we make a little noise tonight? - Hey!
Esa bonita bandera contiene mi Alma entera
in fact can we sing so loud and raucous
they can hear us across the bridge in east secaucus?
P'arriba esa bandera
alzala donde quiera
from Puerto Rico to Santo Domingo
wherever we go we rep our people and the beat go
esa bonita bandera
contiene mi Alma entera
Vanessa, forget about what coulda been
dance with me one last night in the hood again
jwepa!
Carnaval del barrio
carnaval del barrio
p'arriba esa bandera
carnaval del barrio
y cuando yo me muera
- carnaval del barrio - Entiérrame en mi tierra
del barrio “alza la bandera
la bandera dominicana
alza la bandera “alza la bandera
la bandera puertorriquefia
- alza la bandera, la bandera mexicana - Iadiés, adios, adiés!
Alza la bandera la bandera
la bandera, la bandera, la bandera
jalza la bandera, hey!
We love you! We love you! Bye!
All right. Watch your hand, move... You push.
- Okay, okay, okay... got it... - There you go. There you go.
- My finger! - Oh, my gosh. Yo.
Listen, I got this. Just push. Just push down.
Oh, my gosh.
Whoo!
Oh, my gosh. You're only gone to Thanksgiving.
Nina.
Shh.
Let me just listen to my block.
Sunset looked better in the blackout.
Well, how about...
We pretend we're still in it?
I like that. Yeah?
Early July...
The whole summer is ahead of us.
When the sun goes down
you're gonna need a flashlight
you're gonna need a candle
I think I can handle that
when you leave town
I'm gonna buy you a calling card
- 'cuz I'm falling hard for you - For you
I go back on labor day
and I will try to make my way
out west to California
so we've got the summer
and we've got each other
perhaps even longer
when you're on your own
and suddenly without me
will you forget about me?
I couldn't if I tried
when I'm all alone
and I close my eyes
that's when I'll see your face again
and when you're gone
you know that I'll be waiting
when you're gone
but you're here with me
- right now - We'll be working hard
but if we should drift apart
- Benny - Let me take this moment
just to say - no, no
you are gonna change the world some day
I'll be thinking of home
and I'll think of you every night
at the same time
When the sun goes down
when the sun goes down
Nina didn't even let them drive her to the airport.
She had to take that step on her own.
An independent, stubborn lady.
Like you, hija.
And that's good.
What?
No, you didn't!
No, you did not!
Yo, you playing tricks on me!
Yo, you playing tricks on me, man!
Yo, abuela...
Hello? Yes, what time do you close?
Word! Yes!
Okay, thank you so much. Thank you, bye.
Whoa!
Hi!
Were you just standing there, just...
I... I heard you fly out tomorrow.
Yeah
- come in, come in, come in. - Thanks.
Yeah
so how's the new spot?
It's great.
My fingers won't budge.
I haven't sewn a single thing since I moved.
You will. Yeah.
Just... waiting for inspiration to strike, I guess.
Well, you're pretty creative and artistic, I mean...
So... it's gonna hit you, I think.
So...
I got you a present
I went next door to get it
doing anything tonight?
- Cleaning - You're done for the day
no way - 'cuz we got a date
okay
before you board that plane
I owe you a bottle of cold champagne
no - yeah, cold champagne
damn, the bottle's all sweaty and everything
you went and got this
- pop the champagne - I don't know if we have coffee cups
or plastic cups I already packed the cups
tonight we're drinking straight from the bottle
usnavi - yeah
Daniela told me what you did for me
and it's honestly the sweetest thing anyone ever did for me
now, what can I say or do to possibly repay you for your kindness?
How do you get this gold shit off?
Usnavi - yeah
before you go leave town
before the corner changes and the signs are taken down
let's walk around the neighborhood and say our goodbyes
- usnavi, are you all right? - I'm fine
I'm trying to open this champagne
you see the twisty thing is broken
but I'm gonna open this damn champagne
let me see it - no, I got it
yo, usnavi, drop the champagne
I mean you went to all this trouble to get us a little bubbly
and it's gonna be okay
I'm sorry, it's been a long day
You oughta stay - what?
You could stay uptown maybe save this place
ha, ha, very funny
and it's not like Sonny's got role models
- yo, what are you talking about? - I'm just saying
I think your vacation can wait
vacation? Vanessa, you left us too
and I moved down to west fourth street
- you can take the a - What are you trying to say?
You're leaving the country
- and we're never gonna see you again - So what are you trying to say?
You get everyone addicted to your coffee and off you go
Vanessa, I don't know why you're mad at me
I wish I was mad
I'm just too late
How long does this process take?
Well, from the original application to court,
appearances, appeals, to a final decision..
Could be five months.
Or five years.
- Five years? - Yeah.
For a green card or a rejection.
See, the courts work at their own speed.
Then we start today.
This is worth 96,000.
How much fight does this buy us?
I want to pay for your fee, and the rest put in a trust for Sonny.
- Dude. - It don't matter.
Holy shit, that's a lot of money.
- Watch your mouth, bro. - When did you get that?
What you mean, when did I get it? Don't worry about when I got it.
Why you always asking questions?
You know, payment in checks is more common.
I leave on the first flight in the morning.
I don't have time to cash in now.
I wish I did, but I like...
Please.
All right.
Bueno, mijo...
This is gonna be an emotional rollercoaster.
It may end in heartbreak.
But, there's a chance, right? Yeah.
But it's my responsibility to make sure that he knows...
The odds are against you.
Understood.
I still want to fight, though.
Okay.
Pete!
Seriously?
My bad. Use one of those rags.
Hey...
How much for this?
Free. I got tons like that.
You hear that?
The voices of the gods.
My last morning... The one train...
Sounded like Juan Luis guerra.
And the garbage trucks smelled like island flowers.
Best days of my life.
Here I come.
No te vayas
si me dejas
si te alejas
de mi
sequiras en mis recuerdos
para siempre...
Para siempre... para siempre...
Para siem... para siem...
- Para siempre - Lights out on Washington heights
and now the crack of dawn
I pack as life goes on and on and on
time to go, but I'm doing the math
on this cash money to have Sonny stay on his path
abuela really wanted me up on a beach with margaritas in my reach
and soon that's how it's gonna be
and look at me, leavin' today
on a seven-forty-seven boardin' jfk
the hydrants are open
cool breezes blow
the hydrants are open
cool breezes blow
- good morning - Piragua, piragua
- cool breezes - New block of ice, piragua
- blow - So sweet and nice, piragua
piragua, piragua
- the hydrants are open - Piragua, piragua
- cool breezes - New block of ice, piragua
- blow - So sweet and nice, piragua
piragua, piragua
- siempre - The hydrants are open
- cool breezes - New block of ice, piragua
- blow - So sweet and nice, piragua
it won't be long now
there's a breeze off the Hudson and just when
you think you're sick of living here the memory floods in
the morning light off the fire escapes
the nights in Bennett park blasting big pun tapes
I'MMA miss this place to tell you the truth
Kevin dispensin' wisdom from his dispatch booth
and at dawn Vanessa at the salon
we gotta move on but who's gonna notice we're gone?
When our job's done
as the evening winds down to a crawl, son
can I ease my mind when we're all done?
When we've resigned in the long run
what do we leave behind?
Most of all I'll miss abuela's whispers
doin' the lotto pick six every Christmas
in five years, when this whole city's rich folks and hipsters
who's gonna miss this raggedy little business?
Hey, you.
Hey.
Do you have two minutes?
You said you wanted to see the world through my eyes, right?
- Yeah. - Come with me.
- No peeking. - All right.
- Okay. - All right.
Watch it.
Where am I going?
Just stand right here. Where?
- No peeking. - I'm not...
I can feel you trying to open your eyes, okay?
- I'm not trying... - Just don't.
Hold on.
Okay, open.
After I left your place last night, I just...
Walked around for a while.
And then I ran into Pete.
And I saw one of his dropcloths, and...
I thought that this is my next piece.
So I called Sonny and I told him to open up the bodega,
'cause my fingers needed to move.
She started working and was like, "I need more dropcloths."
So I started painting.
Yo, how did you...
That's my dad's beach.
Yeah. You had all those photos by the register.
I worked from memory.
Um... I did the crab in the corner.
What's so funny?
Who cares about the crab in the corner?
What you mean, the crab is like the best part.
No, it is not. It's in the corner for a reason.
So what, are you saying you don't like my crab?
I may be saying a lot of things,
that just looks like a fourth-grader drew that.
- You could sell that. - No, I cannot. For how much?
- Twenty-five cents? - No, I think a couple of grand.
What?
- Yeah. - I'm saying... just... shh!
- He hates it. - Shh.
He's forming an artistic opinion.
You did this last night?
Yeah
there goes my flight
what?
Graffiti Pete you're gonna need some new cans
here's some money, finish up
- there's been a slight change of plans - Nice.
Listen up guys, you got a job I'm not playin'
you gotta go now tell the whole block I'm stayin'
so go ahead, tell everyone we know Sonny...
All right, go
yo! Usnavi's stayin'!
Yeah, I'm a streetlight chillin' in the heat
I illuminate the stories of the people in the street
some have happy endings some are bittersweet
but I know them all and that's what makes my life complete
- yeah! - And if not me
who keeps our legacies?
Who's gonna keep the coffee sweet with secret recipes?
Abuela, rest in peace you live in my memories
but Sonny's gotta eat this corner is my destiny
brings out the best in me we pass a test and we keep pressin'
and yes indeed you know I'll never leave
if you close your eyes that hydrant is a beach
that siren is a breeze
that fire escape's a leaf on a palm tree
abuela, I'm sorry but I ain't goin' back because I'm telling your story
and I can say goodbye to you smilin' I found my island
I been on it this whole time I'm home
Until then...
I thought it was past tense.
What?
The best days of my life.
So I stayed.
And I built my little dream, my suéiito,
here, in Washington heights.
Say it, so it doesn't disappear.
Washington heights!
Because this place... this is it.
You... you, nena.
You're it.
Para siempre...
I have a date tonight.
I take note.
But, there's a chance, right?
We sold... a winner!
Start small, dream big.
Little details...
That tell the world we are hot invisible.
Can we go to the water now?
Man, you've been talking forever.
Yeah, come on, Iris.
Please, daddy? Can I go, too?
Ask your mother.
Mami, can I?
Please?
Yes, mi vida, qo.
Yes!
Love you, daddy.
The hydrants are open
cool breezes blow
- we're home - The hydrants are open
cool breezes blow
it's a wonderful life that I've known
merry Christmas you ol' building and loan!
I'm home - the hydrants are open
cool breezes blow
abuela that ain't a stoop that's your throne
long after your birds have all flown I'm home
where the coffee's non-stop and I drop this hip-hop
in my mom and pop shop I'm home
where people come, people go
let me show all of these people what I know
there's no place like home
and let me set the record straight
I'm steppin' to Vanessa I'm gettin' a second date
I'm home
where it's a hundred in the shade
but with Patience and faith we remain unafraid
I'm home
you hear that music in the air?
Take the train to the top of the world and I'm there
I'm home!
It's hotter than the islands are today
and mister softee's truck has broken down
send somebody over here. I don't...
And here come all his customers my way
I told you, I run this town
piragua, piragua
- ain't that some shit. - One twenty-five, piragua
piragua, piragua
two twenty-five, piragua
new block of ice hike up the price
lai, lo, le, lo, lai! Lai, lo, le, lo, lai!
Blackouts on ice blackouts are nice
lo, le, lo, lai! Keep scraping by
ipiragua!
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