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[distant sirens blaring]
[man] Cancel the noise.
Listen.
Music's everywhere.
We breathe and we swallow with the place.
Pay attention to it.
Do let it connect.
There's a pleasing combination of elements.
They all have different callers and different sounds.
Listen to them.
There is a deep structure.
Music aligned.
The harmony that complements the melody.
Don't pay attention to the noise.
That is only noise.
Concentrate your attention.
Recalibrate your mind.
Music is inside.
It resides inside of you.
Just feel it.
Just sense it.
Embrace it.
It's coming from you. It's coming from your heart.
Music is right there.
That's what I learned from you.
[emcee] Hello, everyone. Welcome to Minton's Playhouse,
the most iconic jazz parlor in Harlem, New York City,
the United States, and the world.
Minton's was established in 1938.
We are celebrating 81 years of musical legacy.
Today we have a very special guest,
He is a great Cuban-American singer,
so please, help me welcome Mr. Nico Quevedo.
[cheers and applause]
[whooping]
Thank you for that.
You know, this moment...
...right here, right now...
...is all we have.
It's all we are.
This night.
So let's have fun tonight. Right?
[cheering]
Let's give it up for the band.
[cheering continues]
Now this song,
this one's special for me,
because I couldn't sing this song in a while.
And as we said, tonight is the night.
As the old ones used to say in Cuba,
if you want your rumba to be profound,
you have to learn how to sing out of your own pain.
You want your rumba to be heard,
let the drums cry your sorrow.
Allow your heart to sing your blues.
I made this song
when I learned how to transform my pain into music.
[singing in Spanish]
[in English] You have to help me on this.
I really need you.
[man] Nico!
Nico.
[speaking Spanish]
Yeah.
♪
[singing in Spanish]
[speaking in Spanish]
[in English]
Yeah, why not? I'll take it to go, though.
-Thank you. -Go?
[speaking Spanish]
[chuckles]
Good old days, huh? Good old days are gone, Chino.
I'll pay for it next week. Thank you.
♪
[indistinct chatter]
[pensive music playing]
[chatting in Spanish]
[in English]
[speaking Spanish]
[in English]
You're cheating on the world.
[argument continues in Spanish]
What are you talking about?
♪
I don't get it.
I don't fucking get it!
You said you were gonna help me on this.
You told me that.
You're full of shit.
Full of... Fuck.
I have to endure all this by myself,
and you can't even keep your word?
What's wrong with you?
What's the matter?
I stayed here because of you.
We had something. It was something special.
It was real.
What do I have now?
Nothing. I have nothing.
You don't wanna talk to me. You don't wanna listen to me.
You don't wanna pay attention to me. You don't wanna help me.
What do you want? What the fuck do you want?!
You want rum?
Let me get you a little bit of rum.
[exhales deeply]
[sniffles, exhales deeply]
[inhales sharply] You wanna go to the beach?
Hmm?
I can take you to a baseball game if you want.
We can have drinks.
We can go out.
We can have fun. Is that what you want?
Huh?
[blowing air]
[shells rattling]
[exhales heavily]
What do you want? What the fuck do you want?!
What do you want?!
You...
You're not clear with me.
There's just no communication at all.
You don't wanna be my friend no more?
Why?
Why are you doing this to me? Why?
I can't sing.
I can't... write.
I can't... I cannot play because I don't feel it.
I don't have it no more.
I don't have...
Don't take that away from me, bro.
Don't take it away from me because that's all I have.
That's all I have.
Don't take it away.
Don't take it away from me.
[sobbing]
[sad music playing]
Don't take it away from me.
[whispering] Don't take it away.
♪
[drumming in distance]
[indistinct chatter in Spanish]
[drumming continues]
[chatter continues]
[singing in Spanish]
[crowd singing in Spanish]
[speaking Spanish]
Thank you.
Hey, really cool music, Nicolas. Nicolas, is it?
Yeah. Yeah.
Man, I heard you're not even from around here.
I was born in Jersey, but I'm Cuban.
And what brought you back out here?
Well, you know, oh, music.
Well, listen. You got that music thing down.
Is it all, like, your music?
-[greeting in Spanish] -Eh.
Wrote it with my best friend.
Anyway, listen. Really, really cool music.
-I'm Bob Arenas, by the way. -Ah, Nicolas [indistinct].
So which one was he in the band,
your friend in the band?
He's dead. Passed away three months ago.
Sorry about that, man. I-I didn't know.
What was his name?
Celso.
Celso Quiñones.
-It was nice meeting you. -Um...
Hey, you know...
I'm a music manager and producer in New York.
Check it out.
[children shouting playfully in distance]
Listen, I would like to discuss with you the possibility
of bringing you back out there, man.
I really like what you have, seriously,
and I think New York is a better market--
Look, I'm-- I'm not interested.
You must be the only Cuban musician
that has no interest in getting out of here.
-Gotta go. Thank you. -Hey, Nico.
Just... Listen, think about it.
The number in the back is where I'm staying.
Check out the back.
If you change your mind, hit me up.
I can help you. Trust me.
Nico!
[emotional music playing]
I thought I would never see you again.
I promised I was gonna come back.
Yeah.
That was four years ago.
I never said when.
[speaking Spanish]
[replying in Spanish]
And I had a good teacher.
♪
I can't believe he's gone.
[sighs] Yep.
[sighs] We had good times together.
Ahh.
We wanted to change the world with music.
We wanted to take all this...
our roots, our background, the poetry,
and to put it out there.
I wanted to understand who I was, and now...
I don't even know who I am.
And then... cancer.
Cancer took everything from him.
I took care of him all the way to the end, you know.
One day...
One day we were celebrating his last birthday,
and I sang a song I wrote for him.
When I finished, he looked at me in the eye and he said...
"You have to promise me. You have to promise me that
no matter what,
you'll never stop doing this." And I said, "I promise."
And then, his last day...
...his last day,
the pain was killing him.
I didn't know... [clears throat]
I didn't know what to do to relieve his pain, you know?
And I sang that song for him.
He was calm. He was...
He was... breathing.
He smiled... again.
That was the last song I could write.
♪
That was the last time I could sing from my heart.
♪
I needed this.
Me?
[laughing]
No.
I needed to be back home.
My life there is not what it used to be here.
Sometimes I...
I feel out of place.
We're always gonna feel out of place.
We're always gonna need something
because we're immigrants.
When are you heading back to New York?
Tomorrow.
If you ever go back, you should call me.
-I will. -Right!
-Yeah, I promise I will. -Mm-hmm.
That's what you said when I left.
You and Celso were gonna make it to the States.
You wanted to bring all your music to New York.
What happened to that dream?
[percussion beating]
[singing in Spanish]
Hey, Bob, it's me. Nicolas.
Yeah. You blew me away with your talent, Nicolas.
No, man, you're very special.
You have something really special, man.
-Thanks. -Nah, don't thank me.
We're doing business, my friend.
Aha!
Now, see, I usually charge my clients 50%
for management and production and that type of thing,
but I understand your particular situation,
so I'm willing to lower my fee to 30% of your profits.
-Thirty percent? -Off the gross, of course.
But... hey, look,
the good thing is, as soon as you get to New York,
you'll have a job.
-Huh? Isn't that somethin'? -Yeah.
Isn't it crazy how two Americans can close on a deal
out here in this place, out in Cuba?
-Yeah. It's a new time. -Hell, yeah. [chuckles]
Listen, I gotta talk to you about something else.
What's that?
I don't have a place to stay in New York.
Say no more. You look for me.
Okay? Mi casa es su casa,baby.
You got that right. You got it right.
-You know what I'm saying? -Right. Yes.
-Huh? -Yeah, you got it right.
Excuse me, sir. There's someone waiting for you.
I have to go, man. I have to get out.
It's my last night, and I got a very special date,
but I'll see you in New York. Yes?
-Yes, sir. -All right.
You're very special, Nicolas. Don't forget it.
[background chatter]
Looks like we're going to New York.
[fast tempo music playing]
[women] ♪ Come on, come on
[singing in Spanish]
[sirens blaring in distance]
[women continue singing in Spanish]
♪
[women continues singing in Spanish]
[woman] Hey, can you open the door?
[knocking]
[woman] Hey, are you fucking deaf?
Answer the door.
[child] Mom! I'm in the bathroom.
[woman] Fuck!
This is the third time you've been in bathroom today.
I swear you spend more time on the toilet than anywhere else.
Hey.
-What do you fucking need? -Oh! Is, uh, Bob here?
No. I haven't seen that piece of shit in months.
-What do you need him for? -Well... I'm-- My name is Nico.
And Bob and I met a few months ago in Cuba.
He offered me a contract to come and work with him.
-I'm sorry. Did you say Cuba? -Yeah.
Yeah, Cuba. I was... I was living in Cuba,
and he saw me perform in the streets when he approached me.
-In Cuba? -Yes, in Cuba.
Yeah. When was this?
Well, as I said, a few months ago.
Fuck. I told you your father was a piece of shit!
[child] What?
He was supposed to be at a spiritual retreat,
trying to find himself, and you're telling me he was
messing around with you, blowing lines
and banging whores in Cuba, you fucking piece of garbage!
[child] What? Mom, who's that?
Oh! There's some fucking animal here that says
he's been with your father in Cuba a few months ago
when your fucking father was supposed to be in Ohio,
saving his fucking soul. -What are you talking about?
He's been fucking whoring around behind my back?
Again?
Seriously?!
Again?
You know, he told me after Colombia he wouldn't do it,
but here we are. You fucking piece of cocksucker!
-I-I-I-- -Don't talk to me, you pervert.
You were what, making a mockery of me with him?
-No. I-- -Down in Cuba, having a party.
Now you're coming to my house. What, you wanna do it here?
-No, I'm just a musician. -Stop!
I'ma musician.
He was supposed to be my manager,
and look where that got me.
He can't even manage his own life.
How's he supposed to manage your life?
My family won't even look at me after being with him.
So let me do you a favor.
If you don't want me to fuck you up,
get the fuck outta here right now!
Get the fuck out! Fucking monkey!
I'm gonna throw your dirty ass down the stairs!
How dare you come to my house?!
If I ever see your face again, I'm gonna call the fucking cops!
If you're lucky.
♪
[phone ringing]
Here's your water. No ice.
-[phone ringing] -Thank you.
[ringing continues]
Temerario Restaurant.
[Nico] Hi, I'm looking for Telmaris.
-Is she there? -Who is this?
This is Nico. I'm her friend from Cuba.
I am sorry, but we're not allowed
to take personal calls while we work.
I know. I know. I know.
It's just that this is really important.
Let me see what I can do. Hold on.
What's happening?
Uh, it's that guy that only Telmaris can understand.
He wants to place an order.
[Telmaris] That one? Yeah, that's amazing.
-It comes with the ice. Uh... -It's a guy from Cuba. Nico.
He wants to talk to you. He says it's kind of urgent.
-I'll be back in a minute. -Okay.
[waitress] This is today's special.
-Is everything good? -Good.
-Hello? -Hey.
I promised I'd call you as soon as I get to New York.
Nico.
This is Celso.
What do you mean, this is Celso?
Yeah.
I... kept his ashes.
What?
Look.
I use four seashells to communicate with him.
So if I throw 'em, and the four of them,
they land facing down, that means no.
If they face up, that means yes.
If I have three of them facing down, one down--
-You out of your mind? -No, no, no. This is serious.
I can talk to him.
And everything makes sense now
because he's not really happy lately.
We went back. You came to Cuba.
You mentioned his dream.
I realized that this is exactly what he wanted.
He always wanted to be here in New York.
He wanted to be closer to you.
♪
I'm not going to--
This is the completion of his dream, Telmaris.
-Stop, Nico. This is insane. -This is not insane.
-He's dead. -I'm just trying to explain--
-Is everything okay? -Yeah.
-Need some more coffee? -No. Just the check.
-Ah. Okay. -Thanks.
-He's dead. -No, he's not.
-He's gone. -He's not.
He was your best friend,
and what you guys lived together was incredible,
but you have to realize that he's no longer with you.
What I had with him was beautiful.
It's in the past. It was over many--
-He wanted you back in his life. -What are you talking about?
You and I had sex only a few months ago,
and now you're telling me all this?
What you're doing to yourself is sick.
What you're doing to him is disrespectful.
Telmaris. Listen. Telmaris!
Here's the check.
[shells clatter]
[door squeaks]
Hi, Norman. I'm back.
How'd it go?
It wasn't what I expected.
Guys are fucking retarded.
The only head they have is their dick.
Speaking of dickheads...
Thought you were gonna be gone an hour.
It's barely 30 minutes.
Yeah.
What kind of emergency is that?
Never mind. It's all good now.
-I can't stand him. -I know.
You can quit anytime.
I can't. I have to send money to my mom.
She's taking care of my kid.
But you're by yourself. It's better that way.
The minute you don't have someone depending on you,
there is no freedom in this place.
-That's all bullshit. -[dishes clatter]
When I came to this country, I wanted to build my dreams.
I wanted to become an actress, and look at me.
Six years later, I keep on doing this shit.
We come here to become slaves, to work our asses off
so someone else has that freedom we pursue.
But if I think of my four-year-old back home smiling,
maybe it's worth this crap.
[dish clatters]
What's going on, ladies?
What is this, social club? Get to work.
♪
-Cancel the noise. -[vehicles passing]
Listen.
We breathe and we swallow with the place.
Pay attention to it.
Do let it connect.
Don't pay attention to the noise.
That is only noise.
Concentrate your attention.
Recalibrate your mind.
Music is inside.
It resides inside of you.
Just feel it.
Just sense it.
Embrace it.
It's coming from you.
Coming from your heart ticking.
Well, this is it.
The Big Apple.
[boat horn blowing]
The place you always wanted to come and see.
It's a nice view, isn't it? Huh?
What do you think?
[man] Big Apple. [speaking Spanish]
Is it really that big of a city?
Not really.
Man, think about it. It's just an island.
-Just like Cuba. -[chuckles]
-Isn't that paradoxical? -What?
You and me, we come from similar places.
[grunts]
Isolated, surrounded by water,
and very different backgrounds. [grunts]
Different conditions.
One of us is dying,
and the other one is full of commitments.
-Dreams. -[chuckles]
You talking about Cuba and New York,
or are you... you're talking about you and me?
[coughing]
It's the same.
[continues coughing]
All right.
I would have loved to have seen Manhattan.
We can still go.
When? I have two weeks.
-Maximum. -Listen, don't--
-don't believe everything-- -I know, I'm not.
I know. I know what's going to happen.
I'm not blind.
I would have loved to have seen my father,
look him in the eyes...
...tell him that he was my inspiration
for being in the music.
My mama always said he was a unique man.
You think he will have that jazz place?
[TV chatter in background]
I prefer to believe what my mom used to say...
but at least for the next two weeks.
[both laughing]
-[coughing] -Come on.
[wheezing and groaning]
[man speaking in Spanish]
Look, I wanna tell you, that thing with Telmaris,
I didn't plan it. It just happened, you know?
[sirens blaring in distance]
[shushing]
Shut the fuck up!
What is the matter with you?
Can't you see there are people sleeping around here?
You wanna practice your fucking monologue,
go someplace else, Shakespeare.
Sorry. I was just having a conversation.
-With who? With your penis? -No. I was talking--
Never mind.
What the fuck are you doing sitting in my spot, in my park?!
Your spot? Your park?
I didn't know this is private property.
-Get the fuck out of my park! -Listen, buddy--
-I'm not your buddy. -Well, listen...
I'm also homeless, okay?
Oh, yeah?
-Well, go find your own park. -This is a public park.
You're not gonna kick me out.
-Fuck you! Get out of my park! -What's the matter with you?
-You have your spot right there. -Fuck you! Get out of my park!
Okay, that's fine. I'm moving on.
-Get the fuck outta my spot! -Okay!
Okay. I'm moving to that one. Okay?
Is that gonna make you happy?
Freaking asshole.
-What did you say? -Nothing.
If I see you back on my spot or I hear your snoring at night,
I'll beat the shit outta you!
-[under breath] Fuck me. -I heard that!
[sirens blaring in distance]
Damn it!
[muttering] Sick and tired of fucking bums,
invading my goddamn park.
Every single night, the same thing.
Every fucking park,
invaded by bums and useless scum!
Not one night...
♪
[piano chords playing descending scale]
[boat horn blowing]
[horn continues blowing]
[boat horn sounding]
[trumpet playing mournful music]
Fuck!
[upbeat drums playing]
[tires screeching, horn blowing]
-[man shouting indistinctly] -Sorry.
[groaning]
[grunts]
Shit.
[sighs]
Hey! Hey!
Hey, I'm talking to you! Where you going?
Hey! Hey!
♪
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Stop! Stop!
Hey!
Hey! Hey!
Hey! Stop! Stop!
-I swear! -What?
I swear if you come any closer,
-I'll stab the shit out of you. -Whoa, whoa, whoa.
-I wanna get my stuff. -I warned you yesterday,
and you didn't listen. I told you not to snore!
-What? -Yesterday I said don't snore,
or there will be consequences, but you little piece of shit--
Wait, wait. I'm sorry that my snoring
is louder than the city, okay? I'm sorry.
I didn't mean to intrude. Look, just let me get my stuff.
I'm gonna walk away, and you will never
-hear my snoring ever again. -You stole my place,
I have the right to steal from you.
That's how it works! A tooth for a tooth!
-I didn't steal from you. -[groaning]
Wait, wait! Wait! Wait! Wait!
Look, you said it. You said it.
A tooth for a tooth. I took your place for a couple of hours.
You took my stuff for a couple of hours.
-We're even now. -It doesn't work that way.
You know, I am Prince Roman from Asturias!
No motherfucker can dare come and take my place!
Okay! Okay!
Okay, Prince Roman from whatever the place--
Athurius.
I'm-- I'm sorry. I'm-- I'm sorry.
Look...
Look, here's the deal. You can take everything I have.
It belongs to you now. Just give me Celso.
-What? -The handkerchief!
A fucking handkerchief!
The handkerchief I have in my backpack.
Ha ha! The fucking backpack! I don't have it anymore.
-What do you mean? -Sold it!
What do you mean, sold it? Sold it to who?
Some fucking bum needed it to move to the East Side.
It's a good thing he's gone.
I hate these fucking homeless invading my park!
Well, what's his name? Where can I find him?
He's a bum!
I know he's a fucking bum! I know that! I need more.
He wears a Yankees cap all the time. That's it.
Get the fuck outta here!
And don't let me see you back in my park again.
And if I hear you snoring at night, there'll be consequences.
Freaking weirdo!
[upbeat music playing]
Sir?
Can I have a chat with you?
Excuse me. Can I have a conversation with you?
Sir? Sir?
Hey? Hello!
Can I have a-a--
Can I have a conversation with you for a second?
I-I don't want to bother you, sir.
Sir, can I have a chat with you?
Look, it's really gonna be quick.
I just need to know,
did you buy a backpack from a homeless guy this morning?
Why would I buy a backpack from a homeless person?
I don't know. The only reason why I'm asking this
is because the homeless guy told me that he sold it
-to another homeless guy-- -I look like a homeless person?
No. No, no. I didn't mean to say that. I just...
All I'm saying is that...
He told me that he sold it to this trashy person--
This trashy person?
Look, buddy, I ain't got what you want, all right?
-I didn't buy a backpack. -I'm sorry.
-Forget about it. -I didn't mean to insult--
Sir!
♪
Hey, pops. What's shaking?
You know, um...
Look, um...
I'm looking for a friend of mine.
He's my bro.
He has a backpack that he's trying to sell.
I have some gas. I have some cash on me.
I wanna give it to him. You probably know him
because he's always wearing this Yankees cap.
-Nice ass, pal. -[pats butt]
Well, just give us the cash, and we'll get it to him.
It doesn't work like that, you know.
I gotta find him.
I thought you said he was your bro?
Yeah. Yeah, he is my bro.
He's my brother, you know. He's my pal.
He's actually waiting for me.
[woman] I know the guy.
You do?
I blow him whenever he has a few bucks and a clean penis.
What's in it for me if I take you to him?
-Five bucks. -[laughing]
-Piece of shit. - Pendejo.
Five bucks won't even buy us a beer,
and I stopped drinking cheap a while ago.
-Ten, but that's gonna be it. -[laughing]
You gotta get serious.
Nah! Go 20, and we may have a deal.
Top it off with ten, I'll throw in a blow job.
-No, thank you. -You're the monster.
-Tony! -Charles, he's a number 12.
He's here to fuck you in the ass.
Sir, I'm sorry. I don't know what's going on here,
but do we have a deal?
I'll give you money, give you 20 but you have to take me to him.
Hell, no. Can't you see I'm playing chess?
Just give me the 20, and I'll tell you where he hangs out.
He hangs out over there,
and we all call him Prince Armand.
[upbeat music playing]
Hey! That's mine.
Stop right there, okay! That's mine.
Stop right there! Just give me that!
-Hey! -Just give me my bag.
Come on! Gimme that! Gimme that!
That's all I need. Just gimme that--
-It's what you want? -Yes. Gimme Celso.
You don't get it. That's my friend!
That's my friend. Give it to me.
What, are you fucking crazy? It's a fucking rag, man.
No, it is not a rag! That's my friend. You don't understand.
-Just give it to me, okay? -Fuck you.
-Fuck your rag, too. -No, no, no!
♪
Don't come here no more, you or your rag, okay?
There'll be big trouble. Big fucking trouble.
[grunting]
[man shouting indistinctly]
♪
[woman singing in Spanish]
Yes. [clapping]
Bravo.
It seems you've got something special.
Let's hope we hit the mark tonight
like we did in the rehearsal.
Well, Jim. We always do.
Well, I'm not concerned about you.
That music is something special.
Yeah, yeah.
Sorry, we're not open yet.
Hey, Joe. Get me another shot of rum, please.
-You got it, boss. -Thank you.
Somebody told me once that when you play it right,
the music really turns into magic...
-We're closed. -Nah, it's okay.
...you're not aware of the instrument that you're playing
or the notes that you're singing...
...because you're just another instrument.
A channel...
to bring it down to earth.
That is what music is all about. Nothing else.
-I wish everybody knew-- -Endowment is not for everybody.
That is true.
They always play Latin jazz here?
Mondays and Saturdays.
-Mondays and Saturdays. -Mm-hmm.
It's a good thing I come back to see them Saturday, then.
Where you from?
Cuba.
Nice.
I had a great time in Havana, a long time ago.
You did?
Yeah. Yep.
I went down there for a music program.
Spent a couple of months,
and had the, uh, full Cuban experience.
You know, food, music, people.
Man, I love that place.
But reality hit, and here I am.
When did you get here?
Like, 24 hours ago.
Twenty-four hours ago?
[laughs] You're still fresh.
-Yes. -Joe, give my friend...
Nico.
Give my friend Nico a shot.
-Rum? -Rum is always good.
Come on.
Come on. It's on the house. It's okay.
Thank you.
-Thanks. -Okay.
Cheers.
Salut.
So, Nico... [clears throat]
what brings you back?
This place.
[sighs]
Somebody told me about this place a few years ago.
I always wanted to come and see it by myself.
[saxophone playing]
Interesting...
how life gives you what you need at the right time you need it.
I remember when I was a kid...
my father used to play sax right here in this place.
I'd run out from the house in the middle of the night
and stand right there,
by the bar entrance and watch him play.
I can assume clearly because the place was packed,
but, oh, I could hear him play that sax, man.
That was magic to my ears.
Those nights...
after watching him play for two hours...
I ran back home after his last solo,
and... I got home and...
...later on I didn't hear the door slam behind him like usual.
♪
Never came back home.
That was the last time I saw him.
You never heard from him?
No. Never again.
But the Blue Bird was always on my mind.
I wanted to be a musician, but I didn't have the skills,
didn't have the endowment.
But, man, did I have the skills to make money.
That's what I did. I made a lot of money,
and bought this place.
How did you get that flyer?
My friend, Celso.
He gave it to me.
Celso?
-Yeah. -That's a strange name.
-How'd he get it? -His mom.
Hmm.
So I printed these flyers back in '82.
After I acquired the place,
I took some of these down to the island.
You know, do a little advertising, stuff like that.
Matter of fact, I was planning to hire some locals,
great musicians, come back here, but it was the '80s, so...
It's a cool thing that your friend kept this.
-He like jazz? -He loves jazz.
That makes sense.
As a matter of fact, he's so...
well...
He was... a great composer.
Really? What kinda music?
Rumba Cubana.
Yeah, Rumba Cubana.
I love Rumba Cubana.
Yes, I know.
You do?
I do... know a lot of things about you.
I didn't think I was that famous.
See my friend, Celso...
he always wanted to come here to New York,
He was fascinated, he was mesmerized, he was obsessed
with the idea of the Blue Bird.
He passed away a few months ago.
Yeah.
Sorry to hear that.
You know what's interesting? This place, the Blue Bird,
was the only connection that he had with his father.
He went away without even knowing about him.
It was this flyer right here...
the only thing he ever got from his dad.
You gave this flyer to Mercedes,
the beautiful woman you met and fell in love with,
when you went to Cuba.
This flyer...
was the only thing that Celso got to see from you.
You had a son in Cuba.
But you never came back.
Never came back.
And all those years, Mercedes only hoped
that one day you would come back to see your son.
Almost a year and a half ago...
Celso got cancer, and she died.
I always knew what his biggest dream was,
that's why I'm here.
This...
...is Celso's ashes.
This is your son.
[saxophone playing continues]
It's time for you to leave.
Leave.
Get the fuck outta here!
[saxophone stops playing]
[woman] Is everything okay, Jim?
It's fine. It's fine. Fine.
My friend Nico is... is leaving.
Take that with you.
[sad music playing]
[saxophone music playing]
Hey, shithead.
Don't even think about sitting on that bench
for one more second.
Now I gave you your fucking do-rag.
Now I don't wanna see you in my park,
or these guys are gonna break your face.
-Look, brother, I'm not-- -Do I look like you?
I ain't your brother.
We ain't family.
So I don't wanna see you in my park.
You understand? I run these parks.
I own these benches, and if you ain't paying me rent,
I don't wanna see your face here.
-You understand me? -I do. Yeah.
I'm leaving right now, okay?
I'm leaving.
[sighs]
I'm leaving. Just leave me right now. I'm leaving.
Leaving. Easy.
We're cool. Right?
-Are we? -We're not cool.
We're cool. I mean, I'm leaving right now.
It's your park. The bench.
That's fine.
[man] Did you tell her what I told you to tell her last week?
Yes, but she's incapable of straightening out things
on her calendar.
We have been planning this trip to Portugal forever.
Last time we talked about it
we both agreed on staying at Lisboa just for three days.
And then the plan was driving.
Now she's afraid to drive because she's afraid
of her insurance working in Europe.
Who cares?
What's up with this guy?
Well, do something! Tell someone.
Yeah.
Sorry, but you gotta leave.
Yeah, man. Sorry about that.
[soft piano music playing]
Hold on.
-How's your coffee? -Good.
-Okay. Milk? -Yes.
You got a call.
[sighs]
Hello?
[Nico] I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm hungry and I'm homeless.
Meet me at the same place in 15 minutes.
I gotta go.
Where is Lewis?
-He's in the kitchen. -Tell him that I have to go.
-It's an emergency. -Again?
I have to do this.
He won't let you come back this time. You know that, don't you?
I know, but I really have to do this.
Go.
Thanks.
[jazz saxophone playing]
Hey, what'd you think?
Are you trying to connect spiritually with rum?
You don't have anyone else to connect to,
rum becomes the best company.
Can I sit and talk to you,
so you have someone else to connect with besides the bottle?
I wanted to...
I wanted to thank you for what you did for me.
-What did I do? -Well...
-You know, my tuition. -Tuition? What tuition?
You covered my semester's tuition at the university.
They called me from the office, Jim. They said you covered it.
Well...
-Somebody made a mistake. -Why?
Why do you do that?
I mean, I am so thankful for what you did for me.
But why did you help me?
Why do you help everybody?
You know, everybody tells stories about you
helping them out with something,
paying for something without them asking or...
just giving, giving without being even asked for it.
Why did you help me? Why do you help everybody?
I should help.
I need to help. It's an obligation.
-But why? -Because I can.
And because I got nothing else to do.
And probably because you have no one else to help.
I'm sorry.
Can I ask you something? Who was the guy from yesterday?
You've been acting weird ever since.
Stop. Just a kid looking for a job.
And you didn't help him?
It's complicated.
He brought back memories that, uh...
Bad memories?
No.
Matter of fact, they were...
[sighs]
They were good memories.
Probably the best memories I've ever had,
and that's why I reacted the way I did.
Yeah. I had lost something, and I didn't notice it, and...
I'm trying to bury the past, and he just brought it back.
That's... buried now.
And you don't want to see those memories
-you enjoyed so much, again? -No.
No.
Why?
It's too late.
No, Jim.
It's never too late. Trust me.
As long as we're here,
it's never too late to reconnect with your happiest memories.
It's okay to make yourself happy, too,
to give to yourself the way you give to others.
[solemn piano music playing]
Why didn't you call me before?
I didn't want to bother.
You don't bother me.
Thanks for the food.
Seriously?
[speaking Spanish]
-[coughs] -Can I take your plate?
Yes. Yes.
[exhales deeply]
I want to talk to you about, you know, us.
Nico, don't.
Just forget everything.
You can't do anything to bring him back, right?
You can do something for yourself
and make him feel proud of you.
After that night with you in Cuba, I felt guilty.
But then I thought about him, and I remember how he was.
And I know that if he would have been watching us
from some faraway place,
he would have felt happy that I was with you.
-Let me take you home. -No. No. [clears throat]
Nico. Look at me.
You're homeless.
You gotta take a shower. You gotta eat.
You gotta sleep in a warm place.
You have to move on.
-You have to change, Nico. -I gotta finish first.
Then I'll change.
[jazz music playing]
-Twenty five. -Twenty five? That's bad.
-How about white? -Uh, 30.
Thirty? Cases of beer?
Fifteen, but I think we started out with 20.
-Then Mikey was telling me-- -Shh. Hold on a second.
[distant singing]
[Nico signing in Spanish]
Keep counting. Give me a total, okay?
You got it.
[Nico continues singing in the distance]
[continues singing in Spanish]
-Thanks, shithead. -Hey! Hey!
-You don't listen, do you? -Just gimme that!
What's with you and this stupid rag anyway?
Hey, that's him!
Crazy motherfucker, who two days ago
assaulted me after he invaded my park!
-What'd you do to my lady? -I didn't do anything to her.
-Hold it. -No, no, no.
Hey! Shut up.
-You don't belong here. -He's a monster, a number 12.
You have to pay the price
if you don't respect our community.
We have rules to follow here.
-Can't just invade our space. -I'm not invading your space.
We gave you a few chances already.
You just ignored us, blew us off.
-I wonder what this crazy-- -No!
-[Nico protesting] -[group arguing]
Hey! Hey.
-Stop that now! -Who the fuck are you?
-Hey, Jim. -Charles, don't do that.
Hey, Jim. He--
We're just teaching this guy a lesson. He--
He doesn't follow the rules.
Rules?
What the hell you talking about, Prince?
Um, our rules. He's an intruder.
-He is enemy. -No, he's not.
He's my son.
Your son?
I didn't know you had a son.
But he doesn't look anything like you.
-Do you resemble your mama? -Hey! Hey!
Take it easy, Jim. We were trying--
No, I'm not gonna take it easy, Prince.
I feed you guys and make everything possible
so you have a place to stay.
I give you money, I give you clothes,
and this is the way you treat my family?
So no, I'm not gonna take it easy.
Give it to me.
I-- I'm sorry, Jim. We-- We-- We're sorry.
Yeah.
Just don't let it happen again.
It won't. It won't happen again.
Here.
Let's go. Everybody, let's go.
Thank you.
You need a shower. You stink.
I'm sorry.
Don't be sorry. It's okay.
Yeah.
Come on. Come with me.
Come on. Let's go.
[soft music playing]
-I see my clothes fit you. -Yeah.
Sit down. Dinner's ready.
Okay?
When was the last time you had a decent hot meal?
I don't remember.
Look, I wanna thank you for everything.
That song...
the one you were singing in the park...
where'd you learn that?
He told me it was his mom's favorite song.
He said that she used to sing that song for him every night
to make him go to sleep.
When did you guys meet?
About six years ago when I moved to Cuba.
I wanted to learn all about my roots and my background,
plus my father.
My father wanted me to learn Rumba Cubana,
but I knew I'm not gonna get that here.
Where's your father now?
He's also in heaven.
I'm sorry.
Go ahead. Eat now.
You guys have the same personality.
I mean, you and my dad.
When I saw you the other day...
...it was just like looking at him.
Eat. It's getting cold.
-Do you have a place to stay? -Not really.
[sniffles]
I mean, I know somebody.
Hmm. But it's complicated.
-A girl. -Yeah.
With them, it's always complicated.
Do you love her?
[clears throat]
It's very complicated.
I understand.
[siren blaring in distance]
If you love her...
...you go and get her.
Don't be a pussy.
You can't change the past...
...but you can change the present and the future.
Don't make the same mistake I made.
You...
You got out and get her.
In the meantime you can stay here. You can crash here.
You sure?
-Of course. -What about him?
He's gonna be okay now.
Besides, he's probably tired
of you getting him lost in the city.
You know, I always imagined this moment.
I always knew...
that one day...
I would have a shot of rum with my son...
...and talk about life.
I never thought it would be like this.
[glasses clinking]
I--
I've been waiting for this moment for a long time.
I've even imagined
every single piece of you in my head.
Your face...
...your eyes...
...your hair...
...even your habits,
your words.
I knew you would come back because I...
I never had the courage to go meet you.
[sniffles]
I knew all about you.
Yeah.
Your mother used to call me at first and tell me.
She called me to tell about your illness.
♪
Your mother is a wonderful woman, and you know that.
[sniffing]
Your mother...
...was the love of my life, and I...
never had the strength or...
...or balls to go back to her and to you.
[sniffles]
I...
[scoffs]
[exhales deeply]
I'd send the money every year.
And in my stupid mind, I thought I was doing the right thing.
I was doing...
...the same thing my father did to me
when he left and never came back home.
I...
I'd love to see you alive, but...
...I never did.
And I am a fucking selfish,
full of shit coward.
And I am so sorry.
I...
I'm so sorry.
[sobs]
I-- You...
you did...
teach me a great lesson.
You taught me, and you taught Nico there,
you should never give up.
Because you came all the way over here...
...to teach me that lesson.
And here we are.
It's never too late...
...to love someone.
I will always love you, son.
[sniffles]
Our children come into this world with a mission,
and that mission is to teach us.
It's time to let go.
[rumba music playing]
[speaking Spanish]
You made his dreams come true.
Now it's time to let go.
[rumba music playing]
[singing in Spanish]
[song ends, cheers and applause]
[woman singing in Spanish]
[instruments playing]