05x04 - Love All, Trust a Few

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Empire This place is good for me.

I'm here learning how the street operates.

I'll be unstoppable.

He needs me to cover the Sub-Saharan desk.

In Lagos.

If you want it, it's yours.

It's a new song.

What you wrote, that's how it felt.

If Hakeem could just put out his emotions on the page like you did This is gonna be bigger than Empire.

Built by family.

LUCIOUS: Welcome, everyone, to the first Lyon Family Management event.

- Yes!

- We did that.

You must want something.

I think we're going to be very good friends.

- Damn, it's hot as what out here.

- Yes.

He should be coming out soon.

Man, if this was two years ago, we would've had the velvet rope at Laviticus, lines all around the back.

What happened to not looking back, huh?

'Cause it's our boy.

He's coming home.

- He deserves it.

- Yeah, well, we damn near ran through all of that money from the investors we shucked and jived for.

Look, baby, why don't you just take care of getting a hit maker and let me worry about raising the capital?

I got it.

(GATE BUZZES)

- Is that him?

- Yeah, I think that's him.

(SIGHS)

Promise me, Lucious, promise me you'll keep that boy out of jail.

You know if he do one small thing, they'll throw his ass - back in there I need to hear it.

- No, I promise you.

I promise you a Lyon will never go back behind them walls.

- Ooh, my baby is home.

- Hey, Ma.

- (LAUGHS)

- Thank God.

- Ooh.

- Hey, Pop.

- Son.

- Yes.

Come on, let's get out of here.

- I know you hungry.

- Oh, yeah.

- Boy, what you been doing?

- (ANDRE LAUGHS)

- (ALARM BUZZES)

- DIANA: You're back.

Two visits this week.

I would think being CEO to a Fortune 500's monument to coonery would keep you busier.

You know, clearly, I just couldn't get enough of your sparkling wit, Diana.

And yet, all you want to hear about are the Lyons.

Well, you've already taken their Empire.

What more do you want?

Blood?

Did you know that Empire's founded on a lie?

A number one album is nothing more than a series of decisions based on empirical data.

Lucious's instinct?

Cookie's golden ear?

- It's all garbage.

- Oh, please.

Who do you take me for?

Lucious embarrassed your little ass at your coming out party when he refused the invitation to be your puppet.

Ticked you off, didn't it?

Did Lucious remind you of all the bullies that used to b*at you up before you became a Silicon Valley star?

Oh, he showed you.

You're the Little Dipper to his Big Dipper.

And in front of all those people.

- If you're not gonna help me - I'm gonna help you, dear.

When you tell me the truth.

This is about your ego.

I am a little embarrassed that I didn't anticipate how troublesome he could be.

I might be inclined to give you Lucious's Achilles' heel.

But I'm gonna need something in return first.

Adelaide Shea has created the most amazing moisturizing cream.

It's rumored to be made of stem cells and fetal tissue.

Nothing short of miraculous.

You're worried about crow's feet in lockdown?

A lady must look her best no matter the circumstances.

Get me what I want and I'll get you what you need.

Thank God you finally got the A/C working.

Uh, you're telling me.

Porsha, who are all these people in my house?

Oh, these are my interns.

Uh, I did a background check, okay?

His mama go to church with my cousin.

Me and her, we got, like, ten mutual friends on Facebook.

Me and Joey, we got the same weed man.

- Okay - Look, ever since Lucious bitch-slapped Jeff Kingsley, we've been getting, like, 500 submissions a day.

I needed some help.

Okay, what I need you to do is get through this stack, okay?

Because if we don't have anybody to manage, we can't call ourselves a management company, now can we?

No.

That's why I want to show you something.

- Yeah - She blowing up.

It's no surprise Yeah, Cardi B-minus.

Pass.

What?

She come ready-made; she's got, like, 2 million followers.

Look, if we sign her, drop a single or three, we gonna be on and popping, get us some momentum going.

So you like taking shortcuts, huh?

Yeah, well, why don't you jump back in that half a cab you were driving?

Porsha, we are tastemakers.

That means we find talent, we develop them into greatness and the followers come.

Okay?

DEVON (OVER PHONE): Going round, been around Hey, what's that playing in the background?

She tagged him.

DEVON: I don't want to love you - I don't want to, no - (CHUCKLES)

Now, see, that?

That sound?

That voice?

That is talent.

What's his name?

Background dude is nobody named Devon.

COOKIE: Well, that's where we come in.

We take background dude and we put him in the foreground.

(LAUGHS)

We're gonna make him a star.

Find him.

And get through this.

Y'all better not have sticky fingers.

I know what's in my house.

Don't nobody want to take none of your COOKIE: Shut up, Porsha!

So where's Don Lemon Jr. ?

I thought I was here for his welcome back breakfast?

Kai is not back yet.

- Is his flight delayed?

- No.

Actually, I just got off the phone with his editor.

He hasn't checked in, or something.

But it's fine.

He's fine.

He hasn't checked in?

Are they saying he's missing?

No.

Missing?

Of course not.

They know he's somewhere, they just don't know exactly where that somewhere is.

But I'm not tripping, I'm not freaking out, so please, don't you, either.

I'm not freaking out, 'cause he's fine.

- Exactly.

- Everything's going to be fine.

Kai is probably perfectly safe, and you have nothing to worry about.

I bet he's gonna call you any second.

Y'all got almond milk?

Uh, yeah.

Usually, it's cold in the England So I think I'll fly somewhere different Usually, I work on the weekend What's that, a vodka soda?

Can I buy you another?

Uh, it's actually all soda, no vodka.

Thank you.

One night ting is not what I came for Now I'm moving through the race line Cheers.

Now, clearly you don't waste time, want mine Not shy, are you?

Excuse me.

Need a brother who move confident I wouldn't finish that drink if I were you.

You just got drugged, and I don't think this was the first - I just got drugged?

- Yeah.

From my-my soda?

(CHUCKLES)

- You're cute, thank you.

- No, no, seriously.

Okay.

Down there?

Fleet Street paparazzi.

Honestly, I know that we just met, but I think So what, you're here to save me, or something?

You my knight in a golden - Oh, no, no.

Okay.

- muscle shirt?

Come on, man.

What are you a, you a tourist, or something?

- You're not British.

- I'm American.

(ECHOING): I'm just based here.

(CAMERA CLICKING)

Whoa, hey, hey, hey.

All right, all right, come on, come on.

(ECHOING): Whoa, now.

Let's go, let's go.

LUCIOUS: You know what?

I'm done talking.

MAN (OVER PHONE): Lucious, I'm gonna get your money.

- You got 24 hours.

- Wait, Lucious (PHONE BEEPS)

Hey, Pop.

I've been going over the numbers.

Even with Thirsty's investment, LFM is gonna need a quick cash infusion.

Tell me something I don't know.

Is that the book?

What do you know about my book?

I used to sneak in here and look at it when I was a kid.

It's full of amounts, dates, uh, nicknames.

Boston Red, Roughhouse, Silky Slim.

I'd wish I could be in those streets with you, doing what you did.

What I did?

Never thought the day would come when I would have to be making runs again, but here it is.

- (g*n CLICKS)

- Desperate times, huh?

That's where you're going?

I see that look in your eye, Dre.

It's not happening.

Reacclimation is overrated, Pop.

I said I got this.

I never remember you going to collect without backup, Pop.

Let me roll with you.

I can handle myself.

Nobody's saying you can't.

But you ain't coming with me.

GISELLE: I will continue here at Empire as COO, if you still want me.

Your job was to help me with the transition, and I've made the transition, so (WHIRRING)

Please.

You need me.

Look, you don't know as much about this business or the music community as you think you do.

I see all your blind spots, and I'll make sure that no one else does.

You know the music business.

But I don't think you can work under me.

I don't think you're over it.

Over what?

Little nerdy boys' club?

Over the job, over us.

(LAUGHS SOFTLY)

There never was an "us.

" - Come on.

There was an "us.

" - I'll accept that we both played a little game and you won.

Bravo.

But from here on out, we're gonna be professional, okay?

Otherwise, I'm going to #MeToo all over your ass.

(KINGSLEY GRUNTS)

(STRAINED): All right, welcome back.

(EXHALES)

PORSHA: Why you walking so fast?

You think my cousin's gonna want to buy one of them cars?

COOKIE: Girl, ain't nobody thinking about your damn cousin.

I mean, his 'gram lists this as his job.

- You think that's him?

- I hope not.

Listen here.

Luther Vandross did not look like Denzel.

Okay?

We are here for the voice.

Get it together.

Hello, how you doing?

We're looking for Devon.

Devon!

Customers.

Hello!

How you doing?

Oh, snap.

Can I help y'all find something?

I think we found him.

Cookie Lyon, from Lyon Family Management.

- The Cookie Lyon?

- The only one, baby.

Wait till I tell my sister about this.

- Uh, this is Porsha, A&R.

- How you doing?

We heard you in the background of an Instagram video.

But it was your beautiful voice that cut through all of the clutter.

I've been praying for a sign, and here y'all are.

And I've been praying for a man Why don't you let me hear a little bit of that song?

Please.

What would you do if you knew Sometimes I'm hiding Sometimes I'm cool on you You, baby.

That's just a little bit of it.

I have a lot Mm-mm-mm.

I'm gonna make you a star.

A superstar.

I want to manage you.

God, you Twice in one day.

This is crazy.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, what you mean "twice in one day"?

BECKY: Oh, yeah, he's really excited.

All right, let me Okay.

I'm gonna bring him down right now.

I'll call you back.

Hi!

Hey, good "mornting.

" Hey, Becky.

Well, well, well.

Look at you, Becky.

Waking up bright and early, snatching up the next best thing.

How did you b*at us here, Becky?

Empire has an A&R algorithm, and Devon is trending.

Oh, so you're letting computers do the work for you now.

That's lazy.

Okay, look, I don't want to fight.

Kingsley's never gonna let me sign any of your artists, and I got here first.

You can get the next one.

No, no, this is far from over.

Because I'm not gonna let this talented young brother trade in one slimy, grimy junkyard for another.

Devon, why don't you tell Ms.

Cookie all about how I'm gonna take you down to Empire and give you the full-court press, just the way she and Lucious taught me.

You know what?

You are a very respectful young man, and I-I really appreciate that.

I want you to go down and check out this circus they gonna show you.

But make me a promise.

Don't sign anything until you let Cookie show you what she can do for you.

Okay?

All right?

Well, let me get him out of your kung fu grip.

- If I can just - Okay, you good, girl.

Go ahead There are more singers on Instagram, Cookie.

- You got it.

Next time.

- Bye.

Don't forget, I made my sons stars.

I did that.

All right?

I could take you to the top, baby.

- (SIGHS)

- You know when he see Empire, he gonna think he d*ed and went to hip-hop heaven.

- How we supposed to compete with that?

- You know what?

I am going to need you to be a little more professional.

Change that outfit.

You look like a box of Skittles.

You don't like this?

I thought you liked these.

Where did we park the car, Porsha?

Down there.

Stop, drop Shut 'em down, open up shop - Oh, no - Andre.

What are you doing here?

Damn.

Lucious Lyon.

Sonny.

You old head.

How you holding up?

Oh, bobbing and weaving, like I do.

Well, I think you remember my eldest.

Andre, I thought that was you.

A grown-ass man.

Heard you just got out.

- Welcome home.

- Thank you, Sonny.

Well, listen, Sonny, you know why I'm here, right?

Lucious, I got a couple of contenders, but I'm still living month to month.

Sonny, I wouldn't be here unless it was absolutely necessary.

For every 20 fighters I got training here, there's maybe one that's special.

You've got a couple of fighters with some pretty big wins in the last six months, and you definitely haven't invested those funds in the upkeep, that's for damn sure.

LUCIOUS: Well, you know how they say, it's like the music business, Andre, sometimes.

The hits pay for the many painful losses.

Exactly right.

I'll get your money.

I just need a little time.

I know we'll work something out.

Mm-hmm.

Stop, drop Shut 'em down, open up shop.

What the hell were you doing there?

I figured you'd come here first.

Sonny's got the biggest tab.

Boy, have you lost your mind?

First you disobey me, and then you're gonna interfere when I'm trying to collect?

"Boy"?

"Disobey you"?

Pop, I'm a man.

That's not how this works anymore.

- Oh, is that right?

- That's right.

And you let Sonny off easy.

- I was just trying to help you.

- You want to help me?

Learn how to keep your damn mouth shut.

An-And watch and listen and learn!

How do you know he doesn't have it, Pop?

Because I know Sonny.

You walked out of there empty-handed.

I didn't want you to look weak.

That would have got me k*lled on the inside, Pop.

I'm telling you, son, don't be one of them fools running around here wearing your time like it's some badge of honor!

You were in there 'cause you got caught.

Ain't no honor in that.

I walked in there, and I talked to Sonny my damn self.

I didn't send a bag man or a goon.

That speaks volumes for me.

Or does it mean you couldn't afford backup, Pop?

Didn't you tell the whole world the Lyons are flat-ass broke?

I'll tell you what, if Sonny tells the streets that Lucious Lyon has gone soft, Pop, we won't collect a dime.

Not a nickel!

You spent time in there, served time, did a bid.

Now you gonna tell me how the streets Man, get in the car.

KINGSLEY: True talent is rare.

But a triple thr*at presence, songwriting chops, and a voice to match it's one in a million.

- And you, Devon, are one in a million.

- (LAUGHS)

And what we need to do is take you from singing background on Instagram to winning Album of the Year at the Grammys.

That would be amazing.

Trust in love - (CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

- That's what they told me Or else you'll be lonely I just really want to touch someone That's my song right there.

How did y'all do that?

- A remix is easy.

- Mm-hmm.

Making you a star, it's a million times more complicated.

But Empire has something that nobody else has.

Proprietary analytics.

We know everything about your audience.

Where they live, what they eat, what they watch, and exactly who they're listening to.

And the data tells us that a male R&B singer - needs to have serious swag.

- Mm-hmm.

- Abs, condos, cars, women.

- Mm-hmm.

We'll mold you into what every man wants to be, and every woman wants to sleep with.

So, are you trying to turn me into a singer or a stripper?

Uh, I just I never saw Ne-Yo have to take off his clothes.

No offense, Mr.

Kingsley, I just I don't know if all of that is me.

- I mean - Luther, Marvin, Teddy, D'Angelo.

The Mount Rushmore of R&B.

And we knew them by only one name.

And despite the data and trust me, it's all legit there's still a little magic left in what we do around here.

See, what you get with Empire is our ability to make you a star.

But faster and bigger than anybody else.

We want to put your face on the mountain.

Marvin, Luther, Teddy, (WHISPERING): D'Angelo Devon.

(LAUGHING)

- That sounds good.

- Yeah?

(MOUTHING)

KINGSLEY: All right, Becky and Giselle will show you to the recording studios.

- Yes.

- We have 11.

Take your pick.

- Wow.

- Stop bragging.

He's always bragging.

It's like it's you, but it's not you.

Does that mean you like it or you don't like it?

It's dope, but it's different.

Yeah, it's for Kai.

It's like me and Tiana.

When we first met, she changed my sound.

You tell her that?

You know, Mal, when you love someone, they always put something on it.

Yeah, they do.

(PHONE CHIMES)

Hell no.

(BELL TOLLING)

(HORNS HONKING)

So what'd you do, you drugged me to get on TV?

- (SCOFFS)

Good morning to you, too.

- Nah, nah, nah.

I'm sorry, I'm sick of people like you.

You said all of that BS about paparazzi, about us not being in New York, but in actuality, you're the trash that's trying to be on tabloids.

What in the hell do you even get out of that?

Are you done?

Because if you are, you'd know that I didn't know we were being followed.

Oh, and if I did, I would have hidden my face with my sweatshirt, 'cause getting caught with a-a messy, drugged-out American pop star that's poison for a real journalist.

Wait.

Hold up.

What'd you save me for, then?

I don't like seeing people getting taken advantage of.

It's kind of my job.

Yo, um Look, that's my bad.

I I'm sorry.

I don't usually meet people that don't want anything.

That's a topic you could spend all day with your therapist on.

Probably.

(CHUCKLES)

Can I go?

Why don't you let me take you to dinner?

I don't think so.

All right, look, I promise I'll be 33% less messy.

- 33?

- That's a big deal for me.

How about I'll think about it?

33%.

(BOTH LAUGH)

(ELEVATOR BELL DINGS)

Jamal?

Eric Nelson.

Keem, this is Kai's assignment editor.

You got good news?

I promised Kai, uh, if we were ever in this situation What situation?

We haven't heard anything from him in at least 48 hours.

We're using every contact that we have.

But, in that part of the world, after this much time, I have to be honest, we're worried.

(CHUCKLES)

I get it.

You've been to the almighty Empire, so why in the hell would you sign with folks working out of their house, right?

Empire told you who they'd turn you into.

But did they ask you who you are?

What do you what do you mean?

I mean, what motivates you, son?

(SIGHS)

I love my sister.

That's sweet.

- And I love singing in church.

- Right.

No, okay, that's beautiful.

Where does your music come from, boy?

I don't, I don't know.

- You don't know?

- I don't know.

It It just comes.

Oh, no, no, no, no, no.

Nothing that inspired just comes.

Now, where does your music come from?

My heart.

It comes from my soul.

Yes.

God has blessed you, Devon.

(CHUCKLES)

But all the talent in the world ain't worth a hill of beans if it's used the wrong way.

Why don't you let this family guide you, and we'll take you right to the top.

(BOTH LAUGH)

Can I Can I get a minute to talk to my sister before I sign?

Sure.

Yeah.

- (SIGHS)

- Don't take too long now.

(CHUCKLES)

This is all you found?

Look, Kingsley's a Boy Scout, okay?

I could've googled this.

What am I paying you for?

Just wait for it.

See, I've been tailing him, and turns out dude loves a field trip.

He's been visiting a women's prison upstate.

Okay.

(ALARM BUZZES)

(DOOR LOCKS, KEYS JANGLE)

BATTAGLIA: Thank you, Remo.

Here's to new ventures.

Salut.

So I hear you're out collecting, Lucious.

Word gets around.

Well, you know how expensive new ventures can be, Mike.

You know, the two years ago Lucious Lyon, king of the world, walks in here, I'm shaking in my moccasins, but the today Lucious walks into my place begging for his money back?

My answer is you get bupkes, not a red cent.

Oh, you trying to be funny right now?

- What?

You want something, big man?

- Easy, Pop.

Gentlemen, if I may, maybe we can negotiate a settlement.

Now you got something to say, Mr. MBA?

(SCREAMING)

Where's the safe?

Safe!

- Behind the gold record!

- What's the combo?

- 3-2-1.

- Figures.

This all you got?

Where's the rest of my damn money?!

- I'll get you the rest, I swear.

- Do something.

I'm coming back here, man.

I want my money.

That's the money pulled out of that safe.

Now that's two grand, and it'll get us through a hard time or two, but at what cost?

What you did in that office was reckless.

- I know what I'm doing.

- Do you?

We will have no future, Pop, if we don't make it clear to anybody, anybody who gets in our way: we will get what's ours.

I'm the father!

If somebody's got to risk their life for this family, it's gonna be me.

That's my job.

Now, I know that you went in there and you learned a few things, but somehow along the way, when they took your name and gave you a number, you've forgotten your value to me, to this business, - to this family.

- I know my worth, Pop.

How can you create the next Empire XStream if you're b*ating somebody up in an alleyway?

Now, I told you I'm the one that put that fire in you.

Let me show you how to control it, how to hone it.

Okay.

CHILDREN: You're so beautiful KAI: Shake it, shake it CHILDREN: I don't care who knows Move it, move, go up, down, up, down, up, down Go up, down, up, down, up, down KAI: Shake it fast CHILDREN: You're so beautiful KAI: Shake it, shake it And I don't care who knows Move it, move, go up Down, up, down, up, down Go up, down, up, down, up, down Go up, down, up, down, up, down I would like some more, Mr. Lyon.

- Mm-hmm.

- (CHUCKLES)

Oh, all right, heavy hand.

(LAUGHS)

What is that?

(KAI CHUCKLES)

Vincit omnia veritas.

What is that?

- Truth conquers all.

- Mm.

They teach you that in journalism school?

Something like that.

(LAUGHS)

Okay, so it's not obviously not that.

So what is it?

What's the story?

Who said there's a story?

Oh, really?

You just gonna not tell me?

Eh, we're not there yet.

Oh, okay.

It's just a tattoo.

So which button is the autotune?

Oh, autotune, really?

- Is it, um, that one over there?

- You know, it's actually this button right here next to your teleprompter.

Yeah, there it is.

Ah, touché.

So what's your favorite place that you've ever been?

Dakar, Senegal.

- (MUSIC PLAYING)

- Mm.

- Tell me why it's so special.

- Oh, it-it's beautiful, loud, chaotic, and-and it's got the most fiery orange sunset I've ever seen in my life.

It's Dakar.

I mean, not exactly, but it's what I love to do with my music, make people feel what I'm feeling.

You want to go to the bedroom?

I've got to go to the office early tomorrow.

Oh, yeah, yeah, cool, cool.

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah, um A crazy early morning, too, so no worries.

- I'll call you.

- Yeah.

But this-this was fun.

We should, we should do this again sometime.

- JAMAL: Definitely.

- KAI: Okay, cool.

Yeah My life flashes Ahead is my desertion His trigger finger makes me contemplate if I deserve it I'd be damned if my family would take the hit So be a man and step in front Of this angry man without a purpose, yeah Tell me this ain't a conclusion My body can barely react I'm thinking it's just an illusion But the b*llet is telling me facts 'Cause my whole world is in a spin If they ain't breathing, I ain't living Can't express this feeling, praying Give me one more minute, yeah Lost all control in the blink of an eye Just a single thought went across my mind I'm asking, I'm begging, I'm pleading Just for one more minute One more minute Eyes open up No, it's not my time Need to make a choice - Am I willing to fight - Okay.

I'm asking, I'm begging I'm pleading just for one more minute - One more minute.

- Yo!

Okay, okay.

What you been doing?

I see what you been doing now.

I know, right.

- So, look.

- Yo.

This is your best work.

Nah, nah, your hook is what kills it.

- Yeah.

- Whatever.

It just feels good to finally get it out, you know?

Yeah.

That's why I hit you up so that we can cut the record today.

Okay, but this isn't for the world to hear.

W-Why not?

- (LAUGHS)

- It's our story.

It's real.

Yeah.

It's too real.

I'll record it with you, but only if you promise me that it's just for us, nobody but you and me.

- Okay.

You ready?

- Yeah.

- All right, let's do it then.

- Yeah.

Let's do it.

Start it from the top.

(LAUGHS)

(KNOCKING ON DOOR)

Uh, hi, I'm Cookie Lyon.

I'm looking for Devon.

- He was supposed to sign some papers.

- He's not here.

I'm his sister, Janae.

You want to come in?

Okay.

He's told me all about you and Lucious and Jamal and Hakeem.

(CHUCKLES)

He's so excited.

Yeah, he's really talented.

It's a gift.

Uh, is it just you two?

Yeah, we lost our parents a few years ago.

I'm so sorry.

Thank you.

Sit.

Okay.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Ugh, I move real slow, - but I get there eventually.

- Ah.

I need surgery on this hip, but Medicare won't cover it, and since I stopped working, Devon's working, like, four jobs.

I hate that he has to do all that for me.

I'm sure he's not keeping tally.

You'd do the same thing for him.

That's what family does, right?

(CHUCKLES): That sounds like something my mom would say.

He should be home soon.

You're welcome to wait.

Uh, you know, I have another meeting I should get to.

But, um, is there something you would like - for me to help you with in here?

- Oh, I'm good.

Um, you want to leave those papers?

Uh no, I'm okay.

Thank you.

Becky.

Come on in.

- You call me over here to gloat?

- (CHUCKLES)

Um Devon is yours, okay?

We're dropping out.

Why?

I can't give him what he needs right now.

Empire can.

And like Lucious says - The artist comes first.

I know.

- Yes.

- Mm-hmm.

- He said that to me when he hired me to be his assistant and you reminded me of that the day you promoted me to head of A&R.

Becky, promise me you'll get his contract signed.

Okay, get him that signing money ASAP.

Cookie, I promise you.

I'm gonna take care of him.

Okay.

Okay, we'll pick up same time tomorrow, okay?

- Yeah.

Mm-hmm.

- All right, good night.

Hey.

Where you going?

What are you doing here?

You do remember I used to work here, right?

Well, it's late, so, I'm-a just go home.

I've been home already.

I fed the babies, put them to sleep.

I even gave the nanny a little extra to stay.

Hakeem, you can't just do that.

Babe, you've been working hard.

I've got something for you.

I-I want to show you how much I appreciate you.

Come on, let me show you, look.

Just for you, babe.

Can you focus on me?

I know you like that, so I made sure the chef cooked that for you.

Hey, check it out.

Thank you.

Tee, I'm sorry I'm doing this on the fly, but I can hold you down.

Have the faucet's running and I keep looking at you Stuck on your phone and you're stuck in your zone You don't have a clue Look this is, this is really nice, but we can't, Hakeem.

Everybody went home, babe.

Lately I've been a little fed up Wish you would just focus on me No, nah, nah, tonight not about me.

It's about you.

Look me in my eyes Ooh.

LUCIOUS: Hey, how was Devon?

Did he hiccup at the contract?

(SIGHS)

We said no secrets, right?

Tell me we didn't lose him.

No, I just gave him up to Empire.

- You what?

- I couldn't look that boy in the face and tell him I didn't know when his money was coming.

His family's broke, he needs Baby, we're broke.

Look, I know your heart's in the right place, baby, but all we needed was one month and we could've got him a major label deal.

Well, he didn't have a month, okay?

And I made a decision.

How about that?

- Put some salt and pepper - Mr. Lucious.

- Ms. Cookie.

You have a guest.

- COOKIE: Devon.

Lucious, this is Devon.

You didn't have to come all the way out here to tell me you signed with Empire.

I know, I understand.

(SIGHS)

No, I came to tell you that I turned it down.

What are you saying?

Honestly, Empire showed me a whole nother world.

And it was everything that I could imagine, but you guys made me feel like I was home.

What about Janae?

She said you made her feel like family as well.

Well (CHUCKLES)

Well, come on, I know you hungry.

Welcome to the family.

Hey, Lucious, get an extra plate.

- Wow.

This kitchen is pretty crazy.

- (COOKIE CHUCKLES)

That was real honorable what you did, man.

Here, why don't you put that on them eggs until you can make some gold ones with us.

- Family comes first here.

- COOKIE: That's right.

Welcome to ours.

We got you.

Thank you, Mr. Lyon.

Thank you.

You're so welcome.

Now get some silverware.

You got to bring your sister over here sometimes.

I will.

Welcome home, baby.

(CHUCKLES)

(KNOCK ON DOOR)

You all right?

What's going on?

Um This is my reminder of a time when I-I didn't look out for myself.

I let somebody lie to me and this well, this tattoo is a reminder of the power of the truth.

You know it's, like, 6:00 in the morning, right?

When I was diagnosed three years ago, I I thought my world was gonna end.

I'm HIV-positive, but I'm undetectable.

If you don't know what that means, it's No, of course I know what it means.

The virus is really low in your blood, so it's hard to transmit.

Yeah.

I didn't want to have this conversation while we were kissing, so I-I just figured I'd 6:00 in the morning is the way to go.

(CHUCKLES)

Jamal, I don't want you to think that I'm not interested because I am very much.

But if-if you don't want to, if you don't want to do this Why wouldn't I want to?

I don't Some people got a problem with it and I was afraid you would, too.

I guess I should let you know that I'm negative, so I know how to stay that way.

So I don't have a problem with it.

I think you're perfect.

Mm.

Don't get excited.

We're going back to sleep.

Come on.

BECKY: Hey, hon.

What's going on?

You okay?

They can't find him and it's not some off-the-grid thing.

Okay, so that means to me that he's still out there somewhere - Please, come on, man, please.

- No, really.

Only reason why he took this stupid-ass gig is because I made him come here.

- Where the hell did I put it?

- What are you looking for?

- Just let me help you.

- I put it somewhere smart 'cause he's so damn nosy.

All he did was ever search Okay, Jamal, you need to calm down.

Did you find it?

I was gonna ask him, but before he left, but, um we got into a fight, so Jamal.

It was gonna be so perfect, though.

I called because I didn't know what to do.

- He's freaking out and - You did the right thing.

- Where are you going?

- Going to look for him.

Oh, no, no, no.

So, you gonna go to a w*r country and get yourself lost, too?

I don't think so.

JAMAL: What are they saying?

(LUCIOUS SIGHS)

Nobody's seen him for three days.

Exactly, so I'm going.

You can't go running off to another continent without a plan, Jamal.

No, that's all right, Mal.

I'll go with you.

- Wait, wait, no, no.

Everybody stop.

- Okay, now.

Now, look, Mal, I know how you feel about Kai.

And, I mean, if it was your mom or your brothers, I'd be the first one on the plane - Yeah, exactly, so please just let me go.

- No.

This ain't about to be a Lyon family production.

No, what we need to do is wait.

I've got a call into the State Department.

Somebody's gonna give me some more answers.

I promise.

Just be patient.

Patient, okay?

You're not telling me something, I know that.

Son, um they found his wallet and his cell phone on the side of a road.

Does that mean that he's dead?

What did they say?

Did they say that that means that he's dead?

That doesn't mean that he's No, it doesn't.

- No, baby.

It's just, we don't know yet, baby.

- No.

- So, who does know?

- Wait, wait, wait, wait, just Wait, Mom.

Hold on, I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

Hold on one second.

- We can't just wait, we - No, no, no, no, no.

- I need you to calm down.

- No, Mom.

It's okay.

There's nothing we can do right now.

- (CRYING): I love him so much.

- Okay?

I know.

(CRYING): I love him so much.

COOKIE: It's-it's okay.

We gonna get through this, all right?

(ALARM BUZZES)

Oh.

All of a sudden, I'm so popular.

(CHUCKLES)

Nice to make your acquaintance, Ms Giselle.

Sims.

Formerly Barker.

Oh, one of Eddie Barker's many widows.

May he rest.

It was all very tragic.

I haven't fully recovered yet.

If we're going to be friends, dear, there is one thing that is paramount and that is honesty.

How broken up about Eddie could you possibly be when you've been carrying on with Jeff Kingsley?

He told you that?

He told me many things.

He's got many secrets.

(SCOFFS)

He blindsided me, just like the Lyons did to you.

And I need them all to know that I will never let that happen again and I need your help.

The Lyons.

Oh, yes, the Lyons.

Kingsley promised me he would teach the Lyons.

They need to know how it feels to put one of your own into the ground.

(EXHALING): Oh, my God.

What did I do?