Super Fly 1972

In the gritty underbelly of 1970s New York City, two desperate junkies lay in wait for their next score. Amidst the crumbling facades and decaying streets, they pounce on an unsuspecting Priest (Ron O’Neal), a stylishly attired man with a handle-bar mustache and relaxed locks. Having just concluded a romantic tryst with one of his numerous girlfriends, a White woman (Polly Niles), Priest sets out to make a lucrative “pickup.” Donning a designer fedora and an elegant long coat, he slips behind the wheel of his customized black Cadillac Eldorado convertible, its Rolls Royce-inspired grill gleaming in the city lights.

As Priest arrives at his destination, the junkies spring into action, ambushing him in a brutal fight. One of them manages to escape, prompting Priest to embark on a high-stakes chase through the city’s grimy back alleys and vacant lots. The soundtrack pulses with Curtis Mayfield’s frenetic beats as Priest pursues his quarry up a fire escape and crashes through an apartment window, finally subduing him in front of a startled family - a woman and two children.

Meanwhile, at Priest’s opulent pad, Fat Freddie (Charles MacGregor) and his drug-dealing partner arrive, bearing bad news. Freddie, one of Priest’s numerous dealers, has fallen short on his payments, and Priest is not pleased. With the threat of “whore’s row” hanging over Freddie’s young wife, Priest hands him a gun and demands he produce the cash by nightfall. Freddie protests, loath to involve himself in violence, but Priest remains resolute, insisting that Freddie meet him at Scatter’s nightclub, owned by his mentor and an old-school drug dealer, that very night. The stakes are high, and Priest will stop at nothing to collect what he’s owed.

As Eddie (Carl Lee) idles away with his gambling entourage, Priest’s sudden appearance signals that something more substantial than small talk is on the agenda. Eddie knows better than to ignore Priest’s visit when it disrupts his high-stakes game of chance, and he correctly assumes that this interruption will have far-reaching consequences. The unlikely duo retreats to Eddie’s apartment, where Priest reveals his intention to exit the lucrative yet toxic cocaine trade. Eddie’s initial skepticism gives way to incredulity as Priest outlines the stakes: their collective fortune of three hundred thousand dollars is sufficient to sustain them for a year, provided they keep their noses clean. However, Eddie recognizes that this path is inherently corrupt and acknowledges it’s the only game in town, a harsh reality he bluntly terms “the stone cold truth.” As Priest lays out his plan, the stakes escalate dramatically: by investing their fortune in thirty kilograms of cocaine, they can potentially turn a profit of one million dollars, yielding half a million each. The prospect is tantalizing, but Eddie’s doubts resurface as he questions whether they can secure such a large quantity at the proposed price. Priest reassures him that his mentor, Scatter, will provide the necessary supplies. Eddie remains unconvinced, but Priest’s urgency stems from a deeper concern: if they don’t extricate themselves from this life, someone else may ultimately “ice” them. With the gravity of their situation weighing heavily, Eddie finally affirms his support, his voice steady as he responds with an unequivocal “Solid.”

As night descends, Priest and Eddie converge at Scatter’s nightclub, where The Curtis Mayfield Experience is serenading the crowd with their soulful rendition of “Pusher Man”. Amidst the pulsating rhythms, Scatter (Julius Harris), the proprietor and culinary mastermind, beckons Priest and Eddie into his kitchen. Priest, ever the entrepreneur, offers Scatter a taste of his finest coke. The seasoned restaurateur takes a pinch: “Ah, now that’s what I need…What do you want to talk about with Scatter?” Priest reveals his intention to acquire thirty keys of cocaine, planning to deal them in four months and rake in a million dollars in cash, thereby securing his freedom from the streets. Scatter, however, is resolute in his decision to hang up his dealing boots, having retired from the game. Despite Priest’s persistence, promising to ensure Scatter’s financial security for life, the veteran dealer remains unmoved. He warns that any attempts to get him back into the business would be suicidal.

As a last resort, Priest asks Scatter to connect him with someone who can help him acquire the coveted keys. Scatter agrees, but only on one condition: it will be the last time he assists Priest in such matters. Priest, undeterred, senses that he has struck a deal and begins to plot his next move.

Meanwhile, at an exclusive after-hours club, Priest sips on a refreshing cold beer, a hint of optimism creeping onto his face. His associate Freddie arrives with his wife and dealer partner, boasting a substantial haul from their night’s work. Priest reciprocates the favor by returning some of the cash as a token of appreciation. Freddie’s wife takes the gesture for herself, stepping away to indulge in her favorite tune on the jukebox. The dealer partner then confides in Priest about having a connection with a major player who can provide the goods they need. When asked what he has planned for the following night, Priest reveals that he has a meeting scheduled with Scatter.

In a more intimate setting, Priest and his Black companion Georgia (Sheila Frazier) luxuriate in a bubble bath, sharing their deepest concerns and desires. Georgia is aware of the immense pressure Priest faces and longs to alleviate some of that burden. “Priest, let me in,” she implores, seeking a deeper connection with her troubled lover. As they embrace, their passion for each other bubbles over, culminating in a sensual tryst amidst the foamy waters.

Here is the rephrased section:

As Freddie’s brutal encounter with brass knuckles behind a building comes to a head, he finds himself cuffed and slumped in an interrogation room, his face a canvas of blood and tears. The four detectives closing in around him are relentless, their words laced with contempt as they force him to reveal the true extent of his involvement with Priest. Freddie’s confession is met with a barrage of blows and taunts, until finally, he cracks and reveals the details of Priest’s latest scheme. With his secrets spilled, Freddie is carted off to face the music downtown, only to make a desperate bid for freedom as he breaks free from his captors’ grasp - a move that proves fatal when he’s struck down by an oncoming car.

In the aftermath of Freddie’s tragic demise, Priest and Georgia find themselves huddled in a park, discussing their plans to escape the clutches of their ruthless overlords. Priest’s vision for a future beyond the drug trade is hazy at best, but Georgia senses his longing for a life free from the constant threat of violence and betrayal. Her words are laced with a mixture of hope and trepidation as she presses him for details on what lies ahead.

That same night, four plainclothes officers corner Priest on the street, their intentions far from benign. The tension is palpable as they muscle him and Eddie into a doorway, their conversation hinged on the tantalizing prospect of protection in exchange for a share of the action. For Eddie, it’s a dream come true - the promise of untold riches and a life of ease. But Priest’s mind is elsewhere, his thoughts consumed by the prospect of thirty keys and the limitless possibilities they represent.

In a vivid display of the cocaine trade’s sordid underbelly, a montage of images unfolds: the initial agreement that sets everything in motion; the procurement of the drugs themselves; the painstaking process of cutting and packaging; the artful arrangement of product for maximum profit; the distribution and sale of the drugs to an ever-hungry market; and finally, the inevitable consequences - the coke lines, spoons, snorting, and users from all walks of life, their faces a blur as they succumb to the allure of the white stuff.

In this pivotal scene, Priest and Eddie await arrival at a restaurant, where they’re suddenly confronted by three uninvited individuals who claim to be building a new nation for Black people. These self-proclaimed militants are adamant about collecting debts owed to the Black community by dope peddlers, but Priest remains unmoved, refusing to provide any assistance unless their words are backed up by action - specifically, armed action. The standoff ends with the militants departing and Priest’s own dealers arriving on the scene, eager to acquire his illicit substances. As they snort his product, they inquire about the price, and Priest responds with an enthusiastic “Let’s get it on!”

Meanwhile, at Cynthia’s apartment, a different scenario unfolds. Priest is visiting his White girlfriend when Scatter arrives, seeking assistance from Priest. Despite being in his own domain, Priest instructs Cynthia to retreat to the bedroom, revealing that he’s more concerned about protecting himself than respecting her space. Scatter soon discovers that he’s now being hunted by his former protector-turned-pursuer, necessitating a desperate bid for cash. Priest agrees to provide $20,000 later that night, but before Scatter departs, he hands over a manila envelope containing incriminating information about their shared contact and mastermind.

Tragically, Scatter meets a brutal end as three trenchcoat-clad men apprehend him on the sidewalk, injecting him with an unknown substance. His demise sends shockwaves through Priest’s world, prompting him to arm himself and seek out two White associates at a restaurant. Through the window, we observe these unlikely partners shaking hands before delving into conversation. In a gesture of solidarity, Priest passes them both envelopes - one containing incriminating evidence and another stuffed with cash. As they seal their agreement with a second handshake, Priest takes his leave, setting the stage for further developments in this gritty, high-stakes world.

Priest returns to Eddie’s abode, a black satchel slung over his shoulder, his expression beset by desperation. He urges a hasty exit, citing the dire circumstances that have only worsened since their previous encounter. Eddie, however, remains unmoved, his tone laced with defiance as he asserts his independence. “People have been using me my whole life,” he remarks with a mixture of resignation and resentment. “I’m just glad someone’s using me…because I’m gonna make a fortune.” The prospect of financial gain has seemingly seduced Eddie into complacency.

As Priest implores him to reconsider, hinting at the possibility of finding a way out for both of them, Eddie remains steadfast in his refusal. It is then that Priest makes a bold move, thrusting the satchel into Eddie’s chest with an air of quiet authority. “Fill it,” he orders, his voice low and even. The unspoken motivation behind this request becomes clear when Eddie responds with a hint of curiosity: “Why don’t you fill it?” To which Priest replies, “Because I want to keep my eyes on you every minute, Eddie.” The satchel is subsequently filled with cash, and Priest departs, leaving Eddie to his newfound prosperity.

Unbeknownst to Priest, however, Eddie has already anticipated a future without him. As the priest exits the apartment, he is unaware that a surveillance operation is in full swing. A call to the police sends a marked unit screeching to the scene, intent on apprehending Priest. Meanwhile, a woman clad in a headscarf and clutching a shopping bag enters the elevator, her face obscured from view. In a move that will have far-reaching consequences, she exchanges satchels with Priest, carefully concealing the contents beneath layers of fabric.

As the elevator doors slide open, Priest tenderly lifts her chin, planting a kiss on her lips. Georgia’s smile betrays the tension as she dispatches her companion in separate directions. The scene shifts to Priester’s Cadillac, where two uniformed officers have converged to take him into custody. The arrest is broadcast over the radio waves, accompanied by the news that the prized satchel has also been secured.

As Priest watches Georgia vanish into the distance, a bundle of cloth held precariously in place, the detectives arrive to claim their prize. With Priest securely ensconced in an unmarked police vehicle, one detective commandeers his Caddy, signaling the end of Priester’s freedom and the beginning of a new era of intrigue.

As Priest is led to a desolate riverside shipyard, he’s finally face-to-face with the enigmatic boss man, none other than Scatter’s former superior. The air is thick with tension as the boss, his voice laced with condescension, probes Priest about his sudden departure from the lucrative world of dealing. “You’re making more money than you ever did in your life,” he says, his words dripping with skepticism. Priest, unimpressed by the rebuke, responds by snorting a line of coke from the small spoon dangling from his neck. The boss, unfazed, takes it upon himself to remind Priest who’s in charge, his finger jabbing into Priest’s chest like a warning sign.

But Priest is no one’s pawn. He fires back at the boss with a barrage of insults, culminating in a daring challenge: “You don’t own me, pig.” The air is electric as the two men lock eyes, their animosity palpable. Suddenly, a detective steps forward and delivers a swift punch to Priest’s jaw, prompting a fierce fistfight that ends with Priest sending one of his attackers crashing into a nearby garbage can.

The boss, still seething, raises his gun, leveling it at Priest’s head. “You move a muscle,” he growls, “and I’ll kill you.” But Priest is undaunted, his response dripping with venom: “Kill me, Reardon. Kill me like you killed Scatter, and you’re one dead pig.” The boss’s eyes widen in shock as Priest reveals his true identity: Deputy Commissioner Reardon. And with that revelation, Priest drops a bombshell - he’s placed a $100,000 contract on Reardon’s life, as well as the lives of every member of his family.

“You choke on a chicken bone,” Priest warns, “and the entire Reardon clan dies.” The boss’s eyes dart nervously around the group, his confidence wavering. One of the detectives opens the satchel, revealing its contents: pieces of cloth. “I think you ought to know something, cap’n,” he says, his voice dripping with menace. “I hired the very best killers there are - white killers. So you better take good care of me, baby. Nothing…NOTHING better happen to one hair on my gorgeous head. Can you dig it?”

As Priest backs away, turns, and slips into his Caddy, the camera pans up, soaring high above the Empire State Building’s iconic spire, a haunting reminder that in this world of violence and betrayal, the stakes are always deadly.