The Panthers

Do you have the support of your husband?

Oh, yes. My husband's fully supportive.

One day soon, we will be able to call this place...

God's Own!

Gonna shut that racist little Oompa Loompa up.

- Power to the people! - Power to the people!

- Why would you do that, huh? - It doesn't mean...

Why don't you just fuck off, then, if you're gonna be a grumpy bitch, eh?

- I-I'll look after you both. - That's not happening.

- What the hell are you doing here? - Uh, sorry. I thought you were coming to the party.

I'll put the jug on.

Ice! Ice! Ice! Look, I'll get you your money. I swear to God.

Oh.

You're the bo's, eh? Fah. That's cool, Uncle Willo.

My mate, Stretch, said you're the leader of that new gang... the Black Panthers.

- Are you gonna take out the Huns? - We're the Polynesian Panthers, Rome.

And we're not a gang. Gangs aren't cool anyway.

Do you get girls? How many have you pashed?

Heaps, eh? I can tell.

When can I join?

- I want to be like you, Uncle! - You want to be like me?

All right, help me suss out your Dad's passports this week so he can get that job he's keen on.

In the meantime, go get Uncle a drink. Yeah?

Vave!

Masi'i.

Tsh! Hey! Think Roman's your slave?

Congratulations.

What's with the beret? You want to be a soldier too?

Nah, Kenny.

Yeah, I heard you and, uh, your little kiddie crim mates started a political club.

Are you gonna change the world, are ya?

You can't even keep your undies clean, boy.

Bro, can you clarify something for me?

So, in 'Nam you were a brown man killing the yellow man, on behalf of the white man. Right?

Do you know what I had to do to earn this? You don't, do you?

Because you've never had to work hard for anything in your life.

Mum has made you pathetic.

And you have the cheek to question my service to this country. Hmm?

You're an embarrassment to our parents.

You come in here late, smelling like dak, wearing that stupid costume,

embarrassing Mum and Dad in front of our guests.

Did you apologise to them?

- Not yet. - Mm.

Cos your dumb arse is too busy running around playing toy soldier

to realise the sacrifices they've made for you, eh?

How do you think Dad felt, having to beg his boss to get your arse out of jail, you spoilt little shit?

- So keep your head down. Do some fucking work. - I am fucking working.

I'm fighting against the coloniser, while you're fighting for them.

- What exactly did those Vietcong do to you anyway, Kenny? - Shut your mouth, boy.

You don't know shit.

What exactly did they do to you... to your Tongan arse?

Enough to deserve the bullets that you and your Yankee mates sprayed them with. Huh?

To earn that fucking worthless medal of yours?

Kota, don't be so selfish for once in your life. Hmm?

Drop the toy-soldier act and be that fancy doctor Mum has always wanted you to be.

Mahino?

Hey, Kenny, go fuck yourself!

Hey!

I'm gonna be on TV tonight.

- Really? - Yeah.

Melani teed it up.

I'll be, uh, live to the nation.

- Wow. Famous guy, eh? - That's amazing.

One day, you know, we could...

just pack up and leave...

just you, me and Jerome.

We could be together, properly.

What are you talking about? We're just friends, remember?

And anyway, the Panthers need you, Mr Chairman.

Yeah.

Totally. Just... Yeah, just friends. I was... I was just playing around.

I should get out of here.

I've got to get back to J. Sub Miss Lulu out.

You should get some sleep. It's a huge opportunity for you tonight.

Do us all proud,... Mr Panther.

Mm. Cool.

I mean, I'll come and see you at the docks, anyway, later, so...

No. Don't come down there. If people see us together, it will be really bad.

But we're... just friends, remember?

- OK. No. I really have to go. - What?

- I do. I do. - Why? Just stay.

See ya.

Well, well. Santa Claus. What the hell are you doing here at the crack of dawn?

- Cops move in over the fence? - Yeah. Cos you keep coming over. - OK. Um...

These are for you.

And I thought you might want to go for a ride today?

- Ride where? - To see Shug.

- You boost a car or something? - No. I've got a bus.

Panther Bus. Yeah? Express to Parry.

Well, aren't you the big man?

Nah, I'm... I'm feeling too tired to go out there. And, I mean, I look like shit. So...

I... I know he'd really love to see you.

Don't come at me like that, Will. I've got shit I'm dealing with here.

- I don't need you coming at me like that. OK? - I was just saying...

- It's just... Yeah. Know your place. - Uncle, can I come?

Your interview will close out tonight's broadcast.

It's rather a big deal... the first time a Pacific Island youth has been in that slot.

What's that supposed to mean, brother?

- You're doing us a favour by putting my young black arse on TV? - No, no, no, no.

- That's not what I meant at all. Uh, I was merely saying... - Timothy is just saying

it is rather a big deal and not an opportunity we're going to waste, is it?

OK. I'll see you at the studio at 6pm, for a 6.45pm go live.

Hey, Will! You didn't give me enough money for the driver.

Look, kei te pai. All right? I'll talk to him. Then you guys better get going.

- What do you mean, 'you guys'? - I've got to prep for the big TV appearance tonight.

I don't want to be the first Pacific Island Youth to screw it up for old Tea-Bag Johnson over there.

Hey, um, I'll catch you later. OK?

Look, I get it, sis. OK? You've done an amazing job setting all this up.

It's our best chance yet at taking some decent shots at Piggy. Yeah? Hence I've got to swat and write.

Racist, ageist prick.

- Hey, Nige! - Hey! - My man.

They just said on the radio that Muldoon's popularity is at an all-time high,

off the back of Kirk's passing and his punch-up at the Town Hall.

Man,... Palagis sure do love a scrapper, don't they, bo's?

Hey, Siana. Siana.

For the families, brother?

- Malo. Malo. - Vakai na oku elo eni.

- Almost time to go, you lot! - Hey. Give my love to Shuggie and the other brothers. OK, bo's?

- You remember Uncle Kong, eh, Tina? - Hey, bubba.

- OK. Say, 'Bye, Uncle Will.' - Bye, Uncle Will. - Bye.

OK.

What time are you going to work today?

Sio mai, I only want what's best for you.

I know.

But the work I'm doing right now; that's what's best for me.

He?

I know you think you are a man now.

Fighting last night in front of everyone? That tells me you're still a boy.

I wasn't even the one who started that.

What have the Palangi ever done to you?

I'm trying to make a difference, Mum.

- It's more nuanced than that, though, Mum. - Nuanced?

Yeah. I-It's not a level playing field.

So your palangi classmates look down on you, do they? Son?

- We're not here to serve them. We are here to serve our people. - I'm serving my people.

OK? They're just not the people you want them to be.

Who got you out of prison last month? Your people... or your family?

Look, um, I think we should just wrap this up.

It's not quite the birthday I had in mind.

Your father and I have given up a lot so that you could have these opportunities, Will.

I had everything back in Tonga. We turned our backs on our families,

and we came here so that you could have a chance at being successful.

You didn't make those sacrifices for me, though. All right? You made them for you.

You fell in love and sacrificed everything to be with Dad. He was the bloody village guitar player.

Not quite the noble your family had lined up for you, was he? No.

But you gave up everything to be with him, all right? To follow your heart.

And what, now that you're old and sensible,

I have to play by the exact kind of rules that you and Dad didn't? This is...

How dare you.

Shit.

- Caro? - You're off today, aren't you?

Yes. I, uh... I just left my purse in my locker.

End of a shift, I'd forget my head if it wasn't screwed on.

I'll see you tomorrow, eh?

It's specifically an Islander issue. As you know, they... don't hold their liquor.

Well, what this adds up to, more often than not, is public disturbance...

a lack of safety on the streets for your ordinary New Zealander.

That's where this new task force comes in. OK?

This group will deliver a message, in no uncertain terms, that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

We live in a civilised society. If you don't assimilate, then you shouldn't be walking the streets.

You act like a monkey, we'll put you in the zoo.

Now, Davis, you be the lead on this Task force, all right?

Havili, you be 2IC.

Any questions?

Go well out there.

- Well done, mate. Good job. - Yeah, good on you, Jimmy. Good effort, mate.

Hey, Mike. We've got a Mrs, uh... Ilolahia here for you?

Yeah.

What the fuck does she want?

Lusitania.

To what do I deserve this honour?

You've done really well for yourself, haven't you, Michael?

Especially after all that you've been through.

You know,... I was one of the ones that believed you deserved a second chance.

Our people can be so cruel, can't they?

But look at you now. You've grown into a strong,...

respectable man, a great example for our young ones.

Humbled to be asked. What is it?

- You know my son Will? - Of course.

He's destined for greatness, that one.

Reminds me of my father.

But he's determined to throw it all away. I don't even know if he's telling me the truth.

I see.

I was hoping... that you could find out for me.

You know, I could do that for you. Of course, Lusitania.

And I would never say no to someone of your standing. But you need to understand...

If I do,...

I might find some things you don't like.

And if those things are criminal, I would be obligated to take the appropriate action.

Do you understand?

Now, I'm sure things won't get to that, but let's just say, if they do,

I'll come see you first, before I do anything.

Malo, Michael.

We'll get that young prince back on track, one way or another.

OK.

What do you want?

Don't be like that, Tess.

What do you want?

Nice to see you too.

I've paid my rent to Ice already. Bloody vultures, you two. Worse than palagi landlords.