04x09 - The Squared Circle

[bunniefuu]

Javi...

if you ever feeling down
and want some inspiration,

I want you to look
at this wall, man.

All these fighters
have one thing in common.

They all hail
from Brooklyn, man,

and nobody on this wall
ever gave up.

I think
that's two things, Dad.

Mark Breland,
Olympic gold medalist,

welterweight champion
of the world.

- We come from the same projects.
- Really?

He personally autographed
this picture for me.

Won more Golden Gloves
than Sugar Ray Robinson.

I would love to fight
in the Golden Gloves one day.

I know I'd win it.

Well, if you
really believe that, Javi,

we can make that happen.

Just the person
I was looking for.

- No.
- Mm-mm.

Plan B.
Don't you worry.

I'ma get you
in the Golden Gloves.

Until that happens,
I need to get your sizes

so I can get you
into a tux for prom.

Yeah, and I don't want no
funny business after the prom.

You hear me?
That's my little girl.

I want the same little girl
going, coming back.

No hotels, no motels,

no rec room sins,
especially no smush house.

Side of the road it is.

What?

You told me to never give up.

*THE LAST O.G.*
Season 01 Episode 09

Episode Title: "The Squared Circleple"
Aired on: December 14, 2021.

We are so grateful
to have Brooklyn's own

renowned street artist...

Fukwon.

Fukwon.

Yes!

Fukwon has chosen
our community center

as a canvas
for his latest installation,

"Pioneers
of the Civil Rights Movement."

My brother, my brother,

please tell us more about
this beautiful installation.

No.

Okay, y'all, he don't
want to say nothing else.

So you can just go on
ahead and reveal it.

On the count of three,
all right?

Three...

Two, one...

Go!

Who the hell
are these people?

What happened to John Lewis,

Malcolm X, Harriet Tubman,
Sojourner Truth?

These look like aliens
that impersonated them.

This is what they look like

in the world that I created.

This is some ugly sh*t, sir.

You're welcome.

This sh*t give me heartburn.

I think that's Harriet Tubman

- or Lil Wayne... one or the other.
- They're clowning it.

I'm sorry, but we gonna have
to paint over this sh*t.

You do, and you'll hear
from my lawyers.

No, no, my brother.

This wall is a part
of our community center.

It is within my rights
to paint over it.

This is art on a loan.

If you want to paint over it,

you're gonna have
to purchase it.

I ain't paying for sh*t.

Get the f*ck outta my face
with this dumbass...

Looks like the horn section
from Earth, Wind & Fire.

Ah, I don't understand it.

It looks like a yearbook
full of ab*rtion.

Are they dead?
They're dead.

They gotta be dead.

- Veesy.
- Hmm?

We need to talk
about getting some money

for a boxing trainer.

No, Tray, look, our budget
is stretched completely.

If you cannot pay him
in thank-yous

and good-looking-outs,
then you can't afford him.

But you can afford
this bullshit-a*s mural?

For your information, this
bullshit-a*s mural was free

'cause I promised to rename
the art room

after the b*tch-a*s artist,
Fukwon.

That's how it works, okay?

If you can't afford it,
gotta get them to donate it.

You know what, Veesy?
You just gave me an idea.

And don't be so hard
on yourself about that mural.

I love the joint he did about
Ben Vereen and Nell Carter.

Brought back a lot of memories.

Ideas, ideas... we all get 'em.
We all get 'em.

f*ck Fukwon.

You got to call
my cousin Lance, man.

He trained this kid who fought
in the Golden Gloves.

- He's nice.
- Well, where the kid at now?

He died, but listen...

Listen, what do I want
his number for?

The kid he was training
is dead.

Hater.

Yo, Tray,
I got what you need.

I found Teddy Atlas.

Ooh, Teddy Atlas,
the house DJ from Chicago?

I didn't know he was in town.

He's a professional
boxing trainer, Leah.

He trained Mike Tyson.

My boy cut Teddy
for a benefit

he's hosting in Staten Island.

Mark Breland's
supposed to be there.

Mark Breland? That's dope.
We from the same projects, man.

Yo, I need to get
into that benefit, man.

- Send me the information.
- Done.

It's Staten Island... my man
says dress appropriately.

What your tall a*s
doing in Staten Island?

You can't even fit
on the ferry.

I didn't take the ferry.

Your mom drove me
in her minivan.

Man, I thought this was
a black-tie event.

Ha ha.
You thought wrong.

Oh.

- B-Hop, AKA Primetime.
- That's me.

Wow, and in full effect, man.

- Your left hand is devastating.
- Thanks, kid.

- You fight?
- Every g*dd*mn day, man.

The struggle is real.

sh*t, you must be
from Brooklyn.

And you know that.

I'm from Brookline.

You look like Robert Kraft,

owner
of the New England Patriots.

- What you doing here?
- Teddy and I go way back.

I love what he does
for the kids.

We got something
in common, man, you know.

And I'm looking for him.
Have you seen him?

Oh, look, there he go.

Pleasure.

Oh, hey, cool, I'ma holla
at Teddy Atlas

in the bathroom
real quick, okay?

Not weird at all.

Uh, Mr. Atlas,
uh, Tray Barker...

Tompkins-Marcy
Community Center.

I'd like to say
I'm a big fan!

And, um...

I appreciate what you've done
for the sport of boxing!

Thanks, but this is no place
for a conversation, all right?

I know it seems awkward,

but I really would like for you
to look at my boxer.

Listen, buddy, I already hate
doing these fundraisers,

and right now you're making it
a lot harder.

Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry for bothering you.

Damn, Teddy, you making me
a little woozy, man.

I could use
a standing eight count.

Would you please leave?
Get out of here.

All right, I'm sorry
to bother you, man.

Have a mint?

I don't keep cash
in my tuxedo.

- Mr. Breland.
- Not this guy again.

The salmon is overcooked.
Trust me.

Now, see this guy right here?

He came back to the projects
when I was only waist-high.

He was unselfish with his time.

He even hung his gold medal
around my neck,

giving me hope.

I never forgot that.

All I want to do
is pass that hope

down to the kids
in the neighborhood.

See, now,
what I need you guys to do...

I want you to train
this fighter, right?

- 'Cause he is super...
- Hold on. Hold on. Hold on.

I don't train up-and-comers.

I didn't know you felt
that way, Mr. Breland.

Listen, can I get a waiter
not in a tuxedo, please?

You know what?

The guy in that photo is gone.

For the record,
I make better salmon in prison

using catfish
and curling irons.

Have a nice supper.

I don't get it...
Why don't you just say,

"Yo, you want to go
to the prom?"

'Cause the prom-posal
makes the girl feel special.

It's pretty cool.
They get really creative.

So it's like making a mixtape
for a girl.

I was a master of mixtapes,
you know what I mean?

You and your sister,
y'all wouldn't be here today

if it wasn't for mixtapes.

So Godspeed, young lion.

Ta-da!

What do we think?
Mom sent it from Paris.

- Stunning.
- Wow.

You look every bit
as beautiful as your mother.

I can't wait
until Javi sees it.

Before Javi see it,
maybe you should throw

on a turtleneck
or a goose-down shawl,

just to stay warm...
Cover up a little bit.

And besides, the weather
out there is funny.

It's funny, baby.

You know, it can go
from 100 degrees to 10 below

just like that.

You sure about this guy?

I'm telling you,
there's nobody like him.

Key to boxing is footwork.

Now, I want you to do as I do.
Put up your guards out.

Will, hit it!

- What?
- What the f*ck?

Come on, man.

Hakeem Olajuwon played soccer
for his footwork.

Herschel Walker, he did ballet.
Lance uses tap, man.

He's innovative, man.
Just give him a chance.

Lance, hit 'em
with the paradiddle.

- Holy sh*t.
- Yes, holy sh*t.

What are you guys doing here?

We wound up talking
at the benefit.

Figured if you're willing to go
through all that trouble

for a fighter,
we should take a look.

I hope that's not the guy
back there tap-dancing.

Oh, nah.
Nah, nah, nah.

Oh, yeah,
you forgot your picture.

Oh, wow.

Mark, I know
the perfect place for this.

You know, he does have
pretty good footwork, though.

Move with the last punch.

- There you go. Now...
- That's it.

Now you're doing it.

Not bad.
Actually, not bad at all.

All right, I'll set up
a fight for him.

I'm ready.

But if I do this,
I don't want it getting around.

I want it to stay between us,

because, otherwise, I'm gonna
have every rec center around

asking me to do
the same thing for them.

Yes, sir. Man, you know, just
a quiet little Brooklyn thing.

I'll come by later and give
you a few pointers if you like.

Oh, my God.
Thanks, sir.

A lot of kids look good
in the gym.

Taking a punch in the ring
is totally different.

Javi can take a punch
better than my uncle Michael

after he tried to tip a
stripper with a bag of nickels.

- I'm wearing this one.
- What are you wearing to prom?

My mom designed me
something in Europe.

- Ooh, a custom piece?
- Is that a flex?

- Yes, ma'am.
- Attention, everyone.

I believe we have
a special pop-quiz.

Hello, class.

What do you get
if you mix radium

with iodine

and top it off with nitrogen?

It spells "Rain," get it?

And I was hoping
she'll be my date to...

Oh, my God.

Is she smiling?

No.

- No?
- Tough break, buddy.

I thought we had
something special.

Shahzad, I'm sorry
if you misunderstood

when we hooked up, but...

I was just using you
for your body.

- Ooh.
- Ooh.

Okay, I'm gonna go get
the health teacher.

Nobody says a word
till I get back.

There you go.

That's it.

He don't look bad.

Still got a lot to learn,
but there's some talent there.

Told you he got
what it takes.

Excuse me.

I got to take this call, okay?

Dad.
Oh, my God.

You should've seen
Shahzad's prom-posal.

- How did it go?
- To put in boxing terms,

he got knocked out.

And then she kicked him.

Oh, no, don't worry
about it, son.

I mean, if it don't break you,
it's gonna make you stronger,

but you really should get rid
of that jacket...

'cause it sucks!

But I sewed it myself.

All right, I just got
some good news.

Just got a call from my friend.

He's got a fighter
that's looking to turn pro.

Just had a cancelation.
They need to fight next Friday.

They're willing to fight Javi
if we can do it right here.

Oh!
Oh, boy.

Friday is a bit quick,
but we'll be ready.

Wait, Dad!

You know, we can fix up
the ring a bit.

- Dad!
- Get some people in here,

fill it up, get the ring hot.

- Dad!
- Yes, baby?

My prom is next Friday.

What?

Can we change the fight
to another day?

Nah, it's gotta be Friday.
This kid's on a schedule.

Hey, it's the break you need.

Amira, what do you think?

I think we both know
what you're gonna choose,

and it doesn't matter
how I feel about it.

Amira.

Yo, my man.

You ain't gonna go after her?

Who raised you, son?

Amira.

That jacket sucks.

Hey, kiddo.

Hi.

We know
you sad and disappointed.

Nothing we can say
that's gonna change it.

But we love you,

and we're here to listen
and validate your feelings.

- Mom told you to say that.
- Absolutely.

- 100%.
- Yeah, that's right.

Now, our plan
was to bring doughnuts

and an Amazon gift card.

- Which is in the other room.
- Yeah.

Just in case
validating your feelings

doesn't cheer you up.

I mean, I know
he has to fight.

It's his big chance.

It just sucks.

- Let it out. Let it all out.
- That's it.

- That's all?
- Yeah.

I know it's disappointing
when someone's good thing

is a bad thing for you.

Like when your celly
gets early parole

and you find out that your new
celly is a high-pitched crier.

Let me tell you something,
little girl.

Your life is gonna be full
of excitement and adventure.

All this stuff
you going through now

is just gonna
make you stronger... that's it.

Mom again?

Mm-mm. That's all him.

Mm.

I love you guys.

Amira...

you're very important to us.

They did such a good job.

- Hi.
- Are you serious right now?

Did you honestly think
coming to the prom with my dad

was going to be
less embarrassing

than not having a date?

No, no, no.
I'm a... I'm a chaperone.

I'm a chaperone.

I thought the chaperones
were staying inside.

Okay, yeah, you got me...
I'm just a corny dad,

and I'm trying to help
my daughter feel better, okay?

Come on.

Can we at least take
a picture for your mother?

One?

Fine.

- Maybe five?
- One picture.

No, that's Cuba Gooding Jr.
And his brother Omar.

I think it's an homage

to "Family Matters"
season four, episode 10,

called, "It's Beginning
To Look A Lot Like Urkel."

Very underrated episode,
if I might add.

Oh, I see it.

And that's the daughter
from "Family Matters"

who went upstairs season one,
never came back down.

Hey, Judy.

All right.
Keep it moving.

Fight is inside.
There's nothing to see here.

- I see you, Judy.
- No pictures.

- Okay.
- All right, God bless.

- How you feel?
- They feel good.

I ain't talking about the
gloves; I'm talking about you.

How you feel?

Good.

Yo, Tray,
thank you for everything.

Thank me for nothing, man.

All I did was crack the door
open for you, young blood.

You decided to walk through.

All your hard work is gonna
bring a lot of attention

to this center,
help a lot more kids.

And pretty soon,
they gonna be thanking you.

Let's go.

Okay, smile.

I feel like I'm the only
one smiling.

That's 'cause you are.
She's not smiling.

Great. Next.

When we go in,
no eye contact.

Don't stand close to me.

Don't dance with me.
Don't even dance by yourself.

Don't sing and don't even
move your lips to the words.

Where are you guys going?

The DJ is only playing
the clean versions,

Mrs. Landers is measuring
everyone's dress length,

and the dean
has a breathalyzer.

Prom is officially lame.

We're going back
to the party bus.

Well, seems like you're not
missing much in there.

No, but I am missing
something.

Eso, Javito.

Hey, you.

- Whoa!
- Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!

Whoa, whoa.

You're doing great.
You're doing great, Javi.

Now relax.

Take a deep breath.

You won that round, but now
he's gonna be looking

to set you up for one shot.

- You understand?
- Mm-hmm.

He's gonna come out fast.

- Be alert.
- You got this, Javi.

Come on, Javi!

Javi?

Javi!

Now we'll find out
if he's a real fighter.

Javi.

I did not skip prom to watch
you get your a*s beat.

Come on, let's go.

- You okay?
- I'm good.

- Can you continue?
- Yeah.

Okay, box. Let's go.

- That's all you got?
- Tough kid.

Damn, I guess
he is a fighter.

I told you!
I told you!

- Yeah!
- Yeah!

We're on our way!

So good.

- Congratulations, Javi.
- Thank you.

Hey, I'm sorry
I didn't make it to prom.

I'm not. This was way better.
That was amazing.

- Thank you.
- Oh, you're sweaty.

Just a little bit.

I'm sorry. I was a jerk.

I should've said yes
to your prom-posal.

It was very sweet.

That's cool.

- Wanna go make out?
- Yeah.

Yeah, yeah, yeah!

Nice, boy. Nice work.

Told you he's the real deal,
and this is just the start.

Javi's gonna put this center
on the map.

Still got a lot to learn,
but you're gifted.

That's right,
and with y'all on,

we can raise money
for the center

for better equipment,
more space.

Fights on the regular.
This gonna be the spot.

That's not gonna work for me.

I think he has the talent
to turn pro.

There's no doubt about it,

but if he's gonna do it,
you got to do it right.

You have to get away
from all the distractions.

If you're interested, I have
a camp up in the Poconos.

Poconos?

He can't do that here?

You gotta be dedicated.
You know that.

You wouldn't have came to us
in the first place

if you didn't realize that.

That's right. I knew that.

You gonna be the best,
you got to train with the best.

Javi, when you win that belt,

just come back
to the neighborhood, man.

Show the kids, man, so they
can be inspired to work hard

- and be great just like you.
- I will.

- How would you like that, kid?
- I'd like that. Thanks, man.

You should go talk
to your mom about that.

Someone very smart
told me once,

"It's disappointing
when someone's good thing

"is a bad thing for you,

"but life is full
of exciting adventures.

This is just something that's
gonna make you stronger."

My dear daughter, I love you.

- I love you.
- I love you, too, Dad.

What's up, old head?

Can you teach me to fight?

Well,
it's not called fighting.

It's called boxing.

With a mouth like yours,

you gonna have to learn
how to defend it.

Let me see your stance.

Okay, that's a good stance,
right there.

Now let me see you
throw a jab.

A little harder.
Yeah.

Yeah.

Hey, what's going on?

Somebody painted dicks
all over the Jacksons.

Rebbie got it the worst.

Mm, I thought
that was La Toya.

Well, whoever it is,
this sh*t is vandalism.

So, unfortunately,

we're gonna have to paint
over this shameful display.

I feel you, queen.

I'ma go get some paint,
but, uh, you need me to get

some turpentine for this
yellow paint on your hand?

Get off my hand, boy,
and go on down there

- and get the paint.
- I don't know nothing. Ooh.

Damn, Jermaine got a huge
f*cking c*ck.