- 6 hours ago
The Landlady Who Raised an Aviation Genius
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Short filmTranscript
00:03The day after my sister, Nicole, ran off, her son, Mark, showed up at my door.
00:07Mark looked up at me cautiously, his little face stiff and serious.
00:12My mom doesn't want me anymore.
00:14Can you give me something to eat?
00:18I tossed him half a leftover pizza from the night before.
00:22Eat it, then take the trash downstairs.
00:25Nobody lives here for free.
00:27Your mom owes me a hundred grand.
00:28You'll work it off.
00:30He devoured the pizza in seconds, then actually carried the trash bag downstairs.
00:34Twelve years later, Nicole showed up dripping in jewelry.
00:37She was trying to take back Mark, the genius kid who'd just gotten into a top aviation program.
00:42Mark, now six foot one, stepped in front of me with a cold looking face.
00:46Ma'am, you're blocking my way.
00:49I'm trying to buy my mom a burrito.
00:52After taking out the trash, Mark came right back to my door.
00:55He was only six, tiny and skinny, all bones with barely any flesh on him.
01:00He just stared straight at me with those dark, serious eyes.
01:04He looked nothing like his mother, Nicole.
01:06What, still hungry?
01:08He shook his head.
01:09His voice came out rough and dry.
01:12If I work, will you feed me?
01:14I let out a cold laugh.
01:16His mom, Nicole.
01:17Nicole was always a damn mess.
01:19She got pregnant before she even finished high school and had a kid.
01:22She went through five different boyfriends, then ran off in the middle of the night with some shady used car
01:27guy.
01:28Before she left, she borrowed a hundred grand from me and never paid back a cent.
01:32All she dumped on me was this skinny little kid.
01:35That was five years of my saving.
01:36The whole block was watching, probably taking bets on when I'd toss the kid out and let him end up
01:41on the street.
01:42Just thinking about it pissed me off.
01:43What exactly can you do?
01:45Unclog drains?
01:46Chase down rent from the boxer upstairs?
01:50Mark pressed his lips together and turned away.
01:52I figured he got the message and left.
01:54But ten minutes later, I saw him down in the courtyard.
01:57He was squatting in some nasty corner, knee-deep in grease and dirty water,
02:01sorting the trash my tenants had dumped into neat piles by the wall.
02:05His fingers were filthy, and the back of his hand had a fresh cut from one of the boxes.
02:10This kid had Nicole's stubborn streak.
02:12Same hard-headed attitude and all.
02:14I walked over, pulled a hundred bucks out of my pocket, and tossed it at his feet.
02:21That's for today.
02:22Eat, then get your ass back to the fourth floor and sleep.
02:25Tomorrow, seven sharp, you're sweeping down here.
02:27Mark's eyes lit up.
02:28He grabbed the money, then took off toward the corner store.
02:31The next morning at seven, Mark was already down there with a broom taller than him, sweeping like crazy.
02:35Nicole used to hang around down in the yard, chatting up anybody who'd listen.
02:38She was always showing off some new outfit or bag, then throwing in a snarky comment about how I dress.
02:44So what if Helen's got money?
02:45A woman still needs a man with money.
02:48Look at my baby.
02:49He just had to buy me a gold necklace last night.
02:53My response was to shut off her power.
02:56So your baby's got money for gold, but he can't cover your rent?
03:00You've got tomorrow.
03:03If that money's not in my hand,
03:05I don't care if you're my own sister.
03:07Toss your ass out.
03:10Nicole went crazy, standing in the hallway, screaming that I was a cheap whore.
03:14And now her son was out there sweeping my courtyard to pay off her debt.
03:18A debt's a debt.
03:19She owes, he pays.
03:20I had to admit, it felt damn good.
03:23I went downstairs, walked up to Mark, and yanked the broom out of his hand.
03:28That's enough.
03:29Go change into something clean and come with me.
03:31Mark took half a step back, looking wary.
03:34Where?
03:34I didn't bother explaining.
03:36I grabbed him by his collar and took him to the kids' section at the mall nearby.
03:39Then I picked out two black tracksuits that wouldn't show dirt, shoved them into his arms.
03:43Here.
03:44These are your work clothes.
03:46Mark held the clothes tight and stared down at the price tags.
03:49His voice came out stiff.
03:51I'll work and pay you back.
03:53Hell yeah.
03:54You think I'm doing this for free?
03:55I rolled my eyes.
03:56Then I took him to Martin Luther King Elementary down the block.
03:59I walked straight into the principal's office.
04:04Lewis, I need this kid in school.
04:06Work something out?
04:09Lewis pushed up his glasses, looked at me, then at Mark.
04:12Helen, where the hell did this kid come from?
04:13We don't even have all his paperwork.
04:15My sister Nicole dumped him on me.
04:17Just let him start here for now.
04:18I'll deal with the district office later.
04:20The kid can't even read yet.
04:21How's he supposed to help me keep the books and collect rent?
04:24Lewis let out a sigh and dug up some old school books for Mark.
04:27I looked down at him and made it real clear.
04:30Listen, I'm paying to keep you in school.
04:33If you don't place in the top three in your class,
04:35that hundred grand your mother owes me doubles interest and all.
04:39Mark hugged the books tight.
04:41If I come in first, how much does that knock off?
04:45I raised a brow.
04:47You come in first, you get three meals a day.
04:51Mark nodded hard.
04:53Deal.
04:54And I'll give him this.
04:55The kid really was smart.
04:57By the end of the first term, he really did place first in the whole grade.
05:00And that still wasn't all.
05:02He was damn good with repairs too.
05:04Anything that broke in the building, Mark handled it.
05:06Light bulbs, busted locks, backed up toilets, all of it.
05:10Before long, people around the building started talking.
05:13Helen, you're really letting that little brat stay?
05:16Nicole was a slut.
05:17What do you think her kid's going to grow up to be?
05:19Keep him around, and one day he'll screw you over and take this whole building.
05:24Before I could even say anything, a rag flew over and smacked Marcus in the face.
05:29Marcus yelped.
05:31Mark came around the stairwell carrying a bucket, his face cold as ice.
05:35Your rent's been late for a week.
05:37Helen said it's 20 bucks extra for every day past due.
05:40You owe 140.
05:43Pay that first, then worry about who's stealing this building.
05:46Marcus lost it and started forward like he was going to swing.
05:49Try it.
05:49Lay one hand on him.
05:51Marcus was still mouthing off, but he pulled out his wallet and counted out the money anyway.
05:55Mark watched Marcus stomp off, then turned to me.
05:59Helen, do I get half the late fee?
06:02I smacked the back of his head.
06:04In your dreams.
06:05Now get upstairs and change the lightbulb on the second floor landing.
06:08He didn't even get mad, just picked up his bucket and headed upstairs.
06:12I watched him go upstairs and caught myself smiling.
06:15Nicole was an idiot for throwing away a kid like that.
06:21One night, when Mark was 12, I was downstairs in the courtyard checking the water and the power bill.
06:27The gate flew open with one hard kick.
06:29Three guys with tattoos all down their arms stormed in.
06:36The one in front was carrying a baseball bat.
06:39He walked straight to the big glass fish tank in the middle of the courtyard and smashed it.
06:44Glass exploded everywhere.
06:46Water rushed across the concrete.
06:48How goes that bitch Nicole living?
06:50Get her ass out here!
06:52Mark had been sitting in the yard doing homework.
06:54The second he heard the crash, he shot to his feet.
06:56Every muscle in his body locked tight.
06:59I yanked him behind me and grabbed the metal pipe by the wall.
07:02What the hell do you want?
07:05You collecting debts on my property now?
07:12So you're the landlord, Nicole's sister.
07:15The gigili she was keeping owes our boss 500 grand.
07:18Now both of them are gone.
07:20We heard her kid's still here.
07:22His mother's debt is his debt now.
07:26Yeah, the guy was a boy toy, but Nicole was the one paying for him.
07:31Hand the kid over.
07:32We'll take him to settle the debt.
07:34Or today, we tear this whole building apart!
07:38Who the hell do you think you are?
07:40Coming onto my turf and demanding I hand him over?
07:43If his mother owes you money, then go find his mother.
07:47Cut the crap!
07:48Don't stick your nose in this!
07:49Before Nicole ran, she told our boss herself!
07:53What did she say?
07:57She said she was tapped out.
07:59And she had left the kid here.
08:00If we had the balls, we could come to her sister and take him.
08:03She already sold the kid off to our...
08:07Mark went rigid behind me.
08:09He started breathing hard, his hands fisted in the back of my jacket.
08:13I smacked his hand.
08:15Hey, easy!
08:16You're wrinkling my coat!
08:18This is custom made!
08:20He froze.
08:20Then his grip loosened.
08:23So Nicole says she can sell him to you, and that makes it real?
08:27Let me make something very clear.
08:30This kid owes me a full hundred grand.
08:33He signed 12 years of his life over to work it off.
08:37He belongs to me now.
08:39He's my number one worker in this building.
08:45Who the hell do you think you are coming here for my kid?
08:48He raised the bat and charged straight at me.
08:50I dodged the swing.
08:52Then I whipped the pipe across his leg.
08:54It cracked hard against his shin.
08:56He screamed and dropped to his knees.
08:58I didn't survive on this street by playing nice.
09:00The other two came at me cursing.
09:02Then a dark blur shot past my shoulder.
09:05Mark.
09:05He had a screwdriver in his hand.
09:07And he slammed it straight into one guy's nose.
09:10The man staggered back, both hands flying to his face.
09:13Blood poured through his fingers.
09:14I shouted,
09:15Call 911!
09:17But Mark didn't reach for a phone.
09:19He ran straight for the breaker box in the corner of the yard and yanked a switch.
09:23Then the whole yard exploded with a shrieking alarm.
09:26Mark had just upgraded my security system a few days ago.
09:30The second it went off, windows started flying open all over the building.
09:34Neighbors leaned out and looked down.
09:36What the hell's going on?
09:38Who's messing with Helen?
09:39You got a death wish?
09:41Marcus from the third floor came running out with his boxing gloves on.
09:45The other tenants started grabbing whatever they could and rushing downstairs too.
09:49The three loan sharks saw the numbers, knew they were screwed, and bailed.
09:53They threw out a couple of threats, then stumbled over themselves getting out of the courtyard.
09:57I shut off the alarm and looked back at Mark.
10:01He was still standing there, breathing hard.
10:04The screwdriver in his hand was still dripping with that guy's blood.
10:08I walked over, peeled his fingers off it, took it away, and tossed it aside.
10:17Well, look at you.
10:18You've got some nerve now, huh?
10:20Using a weapon already?
10:23Mark looked up at me, his eyes full of too much all at once.
10:28She really sold me.
10:30His voice was shaking.
10:32One look at him, and most of my anger was gone.
10:35Back then, Nicole had taken off with that guy in a panic.
10:38It was rushed.
10:39Sloppy.
10:40Those guys were no joke.
10:41If she'd taken Mark with her, he probably would have gotten the hell beaten out of him by now.
10:45So she dumped him here instead.
10:46Left him alone in that room.
10:48Then made sure people knew the kid was under my roof.
10:50She was betting I'd soften up.
10:52Betting I wouldn't leave my sister's only son to die.
10:54I cursed under my breath.
10:56Idiot.
10:58She didn't sell you to them.
11:00She pawned you off on me.
11:03Remember this.
11:04The debt you owe me, you'll never pay me back for me this.
11:07And if anybody lays a hand on you, they go through me first.
11:11Mark's eyes went red.
11:13Then he stepped forward, wrapped his arms around my waist, and buried his face in my coat.
11:17I shoved him twice.
11:18He still wouldn't let go.
11:20So I sighed.
11:23If you get this dirty, you're washing it by hand.
11:27Dry cleaning costs money.
11:29Don't push me away.
11:30I'll wash your clothes for the rest of my life.
11:33Six years flew by.
11:35That skinny little kid grew into a tall, sharp-faced boy.
11:38In his school uniform, walking down the block, he had women turning their heads left and right.
11:44Too bad his attitude only got worse.
11:45At the start of the month, Mary from the first floor tried to stall on rent again.
11:51Mark slapped the rent ledger down on the table.
11:53Mary, your electric bill went up last month.
11:56And your store's been ordering more stock.
11:58That means you made 15% more than the month before.
12:01Your son got the newest iPhone yesterday.
12:06So spare me the business's bad excuse.
12:08The numbers don't lie.
12:10Mary just stood there, stunned.
12:12She looked embarrassed as hell.
12:13In the end, she paid up.
12:14Mark took the money and checked it off in the ledger.
12:16I peeled off my face mask and looked at him.
12:19Look at you.
12:20You're getting more and more like me.
12:22So, what's for dinner tonight?
12:24Mark threw on an apron like he always did.
12:26Over the past six years, his talent for math and science had fully kicked in.
12:30He kept winning prize money from science competitions too.
12:32All that prize money had become a pretty solid side income for us.
12:35And the first thing he did with his winnings, he bought me a better massage chair.
12:39At school, the teachers treated him like a golden child.
12:41One of them even came to our house to hint that I, as his mother, should stop making a genius
12:46kid do so much housework.
12:47Mark's in 10th grade now.
12:49This is a critical year.
12:51I heard he's still cleaning and fixing things for this whole building every day.
12:55I hadn't even had the chance to explain.
12:57Miss Carter, physical labor boosts dopamine and helps with mental fatigue.
13:02And honestly, rewiring a floor in this building does more for me than 10 physics problems.
13:07Most importantly, this is my home.
13:08If I don't do it, what, you want my mom to?
13:10The school counselor had nothing to say after that.
13:13He took a sip of coffee and left in silence.
13:18I looked at Mark and raised a brow.
13:21Excuse me?
13:21I'm not your mom.
13:22I'm the one you owe.
13:24Your mom's Nicole, the woman who bailed.
13:26Mark took off his apron and came over behind me.
13:28My dear creditor, all this month's rent has been collected.
13:30It's already in your account.
13:31I also calculated the interest at the highest rate.
13:34So, since I've been doing such a great job, can I get some funding approved?
13:38For what?
13:39I narrowed my eyes right away.
13:40There's an aero modeling competition at school.
13:43I need to buy some materials.
13:44First prize is 20 grand.
13:46By our usual split, you take 80%.
13:48I keep the other 20.
13:49I pulled out my phone and transferred the money right then and there.
13:52Buy the best stuff.
13:53And if you don't bring home first place, I'm docking the cost from your food budget.
13:56Mark looked at the transfer on his phone.
13:58The corner of his mouth lifted a little.
13:59Got it.
14:01Over the years, Mark and I hardly ever talked about Nicole.
14:04But both of us knew.
14:05When Mark was 13, I finally pulled some strings and tracked down that used car dealer from back
14:10then.
14:12He got locked up for fraud.
14:14And Nicole?
14:15Not long after she ran off with him, she found out he was a complete scam artist.
14:19That stormy night, she made the dumbest choice possible, but also the most desperate one.
14:24She used herself as bait to draw the debt collectors away.
14:27She knew me too well.
14:28We grew up together.
14:30She knew I talked mean, but I'd never leave her kid to fend for himself.
14:36When we finally got the truth, Mark was sitting right next to me, that short report in his
14:40hands.
14:41He didn't say a thing.
14:45I patted his shoulder.
14:47Your mom was vain, greedy, and barely knew a damn thing.
14:52But one thing's true.
14:54She left you the best shot you had.
14:57Mark folded the report nice and neat, then slid it into the drawer.
15:02Helen.
15:03He looked up at me.
15:04She gave birth to me.
15:05You raised me.
15:07Her debt is paid.
15:09Yours?
15:10I'll pay back slowly.
15:12From that day on, Mark pushed himself even harder, like he had a motor in him.
15:16Always studying, always getting better.
15:18Then he set his sights on the top aviation school in the country, the Dream School, the
15:22one that turns out astronauts and aerospace engineers.
15:24Its acceptance rate was even lower than Harvard's, and getting in meant surviving rounds of exams
15:28and project reviews.
15:30And his reason?
15:30200 grand.
15:31That's what he'd get if he made it in.
15:33I rolled my eyes and called him money hungry.
15:35But behind his back, I pulled out the deed to this building.
15:37I was already planning it.
15:38The second he turned 18, I'd add his name to it.
15:41Later, he took gold in a national physics competition and came in first in mass modeling.
15:45These rewards got him through the door for the final round.
15:47The day the results dropped, the whole neighborhood went nuts.
15:50The community board showed up with a huge congratulatory banner and made a whole celebration
15:54out of it.
15:55Mark got in early to Caltech's aerospace engineering program, number one aerospace program in the
15:59country.
16:00He scored almost perfect.
16:01That 200 grand scholarship?
16:03He transferred the whole thing straight into my account.
16:05Then he dropped a brand new bank card in front of me.
16:09Helen, this year's rent.
16:11I slipped the card into my bag, grinning to myself, and waved him along.
16:14Come on.
16:15My treat today.
16:16I'm taking you out for something good.
16:18Order whatever you want.
16:20If we don't eat 200, it doesn't count.
16:22Mark looked at me.
16:24Just a taco.
16:26Double beef.
16:27We'd barely reached the gate when a black G-wagon rolled up at the end of the block.
16:32It looked totally out of place there.
16:37The door swung open.
16:38A woman stepped out, dripping in jewelry from head to toe.
16:41She hadn't aged much at all.
16:42If anything, money had made her look even better.
16:44She carried herself like money now.
16:46The second she took off her sunglasses, I knew exactly who she was.
16:49Nicole.
16:5012 years, and somehow she'd struck it rich.
16:52Nicole saw me by the gate, then her eyes shifted to Mark beside me.
16:56He was a full head taller than me now.
16:58Her eyes turned red on the spot.
17:00She came hurrying over in her heels.
17:01My Mark!
17:03You're all grown up!
17:05Her voice trembled.
17:06She lifted her arms and went to hug Mark.
17:08Mark's eyes stayed cold.
17:10He took half a step back and dodged her hand.
17:12Nicole's hand hung there for a second.
17:14Then her eyes filled with tears.
17:16Mark!
17:16I'm your mom!
17:18I came back for you!
17:22Then Nicole turned to me, pulled a check out of her Hermes bag, and held it out.
17:26Helen, I know I wronged you back then.
17:28Thank you for raising Mark all these years.
17:29It's three million dollars.
17:30Take it as payback.
17:32For what I owed you, and for raising Mark all these years.
17:34I'm rich now.
17:35I'm taking Mark to New York.
17:37I can give him the best life, the best resources.
17:39I looked at the three million dollar check.
17:41So that was her game.
17:42Back then, she used me.
17:43Now she wanted to buy me off.
17:44I hadn't even said a word.
17:46Mark suddenly stepped in front of me.
17:47He put himself between me and Nicole, and shut her out completely.
17:50He looked down at Nicole from above.
17:52There wasn't a flicker of emotion in his eyes.
17:54Like she was a total stranger.
17:56Then Mark spoke.
17:57His voice was so calm, it was chilling.
18:00Ma'am, three million dollars?
18:02With today's interest rates and inflation?
18:06That doesn't even cover 12 years of food, housing, school, or Helen's sunk cost in me.
18:11Nicole froze.
18:13Mark, what are you talking about?
18:15Mark didn't even react to her shock.
18:17Second, whatever I do with my future has nothing to do with you.
18:20Nicole's eyes flew wide.
18:25And last, you're blocking the way.
18:26I'm trying to buy my mom a burrito.
18:28She covered her mouth and broke into sobs.
18:30How can you talk to your mother like that?
18:31I had no choice back then.
18:33I left you here to protect you.
18:36I know.
18:37Mark cut her off.
18:39It was the best move for you at the time.
18:40I get it.
18:41That doesn't mean I have to thank you for it.
18:44And it definitely doesn't mean I'm leaving Helen to go with you.
18:46He pointed at me behind him.
18:47Back then, you used me as collateral and left me with her.
18:50Now that the collateral has appreciated, you want to redeem me for three million dollars?
18:53Sorry.
18:55I'm not for sale.
18:56Then she looked at me like I might help her.
18:58Helen, talk to him.
18:59If he comes with me, he'll have a real future.
19:01Nicole, you're still just as full of yourself.
19:03What can you give him?
19:05All you can give him is a few lousy bucks and a fake image.
19:08What I gave him is backbone.
19:10Backbone.
19:12Three million dollars?
19:13Who are you trying to insult some guy sleeping on the street?
19:15Mark's a genius headed for the top aerospace program.
19:18And one day, this whole building's his.
19:20That money of yours?
19:21It wouldn't even cover his future rocket parts.
19:23Now take your check and get lost.
19:25You're in the way of our burritos.
19:26Nicole bit her lip and looked at Mark for a long, hard second.
19:29Mark, if you change your mind, you can come find me anytime.
19:33The SUV disappeared down the block.
19:35And just like that, the block went quiet again.
19:38I picked up the business card she'd dropped, glanced at it once, and tossed it straight
19:42into the trash.
19:43Well, look at you.
19:45Too good for three million now, huh?
19:47Mark turned and looked at me.
19:50Helen, what you said just now, you said I'm the sole heir to this building in the future?
19:56Is that legally binding?
19:58You little brat!
19:59So you really have been eyeing my property?
20:01Of course.
20:02I've worked for you for 12 years.
20:04I should get some equity out of it.
20:05And lately, your memory's been getting worse.
20:07You mess up the rent math all the time.
20:09It'd be safer if I took over management of the building from now on.
20:14Quit standing there and go get the burritos!
20:17I'm starving!
20:18Mark dodged my kick easy.
20:19Then a bright smile broke across his face.
20:22Okay, Mom.
20:23After all these years, he called me Mom for the first time.
20:26Just like that, I froze.
20:28Mark, in that loose white t-shirt, was running toward the burrito stand at the end of the block.
20:33Rude little bastard.
20:36A little while later, Mark came running back with two burritos.
20:42Helen, yours has double beef.
20:44No onions.
20:45He handed me the paper bag.
20:46I took it, bit in hard, and mumbled through a mouthful.
20:51Mark, when you leave for college, who's going to fix my plumbing?
20:55I'll come back on weekends, and I'll go over your books while I'm at it.
20:59You covering my gas?
21:02I'll take it out of the rent.
21:04We walked back together to that old building of ours.
21:07Nicole would never get it.
21:08Some bonds don't come from blood.
21:10And you can't buy them with money either.
21:12That hundred grand she owed me?
21:13In the end, her son paid it back for her, little by little, with the rest of his life.
21:18Not long after that, Mark got into Caltech for aerospace engineering.
21:21And me?
21:22I threw a huge party in the courtyard.
21:24I threw a huge party in the courtyard.
21:24I threw a huge party in the courtyard.
21:24I threw a huge party in the courtyard.
21:24I threw a huge party in the courtyard.
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