03x18 - Descell

[bunniefuu]

Sign that for me?

It just states that, uh

you decline your
right to counsel.

Good, you know, 'cause
sometimes those lawyers

they seem to get in the way.

See, now you and I can
have a nice little chat.

You know, uh, man to...

Man to k*ller.

Roll your eyes all you want to,

but we both know it's true.

See, not too many people
would do what you did

and not to one of the
richest men in New York City.

I got to give it to you. You
made this case a real b*tch.

You almost got away with it.

You know why?

Because we were looking
for an average k*ller.

Right from the start, that's
what we were looking for.

And right from the start,
that was our biggest mistake.

[James Desmond singing
"ready when it's on"]

♪ Yo

♪ always believe, if
there's a will, there's a way ♪

♪ gotta take it day by day

♪ ring the alarm ♪
a champion, train away

♪ ring the alarm

♪ I pour this
blood in my veins ♪

♪ ring the alarm

♪ right until my
very last breath ♪

♪ nothing less the
best, giving it my all ♪

♪ yeah, I woke up
feeling rather different ♪

♪ on the block, my clarity
changes right this instant ♪

♪ plagued by my
own bad choices ♪

♪ my failures puts a
sea of negative voices ♪

♪ that'll derail ya'
had to block 'em out ♪

♪ regroup, regain focus

♪ still leaving no doubts,
this word will take notice ♪

♪ reaching my potential,
something quite amazing ♪

♪ up from out the ashes,
rise to the occasion ♪

♪ until all it takes is some
discipline and Patience ♪

♪ now I walk out and
no time is being wasted ♪

♪ making my imprint,
removing all obstacles ♪

♪ plus got k*ller instincts,
making me unstoppable ♪

♪ it won't be easy, but
believe me that's the moment ♪

♪ to make it count, boy,
every ounce, you gotta own it ♪

♪ as for a promise doing
they best to tear me down ♪

♪ feel the sting,
return of a king ♪

♪ ring the alarm

♪ ring the alarm ♪
add the world to my palm

♪ ring the alarm ♪ it's the calm

♪ before the storm it's on

♪ ready when it's on,
it's on ♪ ring the alarm

♪ a champion, train
away ♪ ring the alarm

♪ I pour this blood in
my veins ring the alarm ♪

♪ right until my very
last breath, nothing less ♪

♪ the best, giving it my all ♪

[expl*si*n]

[Theme music]

Most people meet
somebody that rich,

they start to pucker
up and kiss a*s.

I guess they figure
that, you know

if they befriend
someone like a Bill Gates,

a Donald Trump or a
sterling Montgomery...

They just hit the lottery.

But see, that's not you.

No, that's not your style.

Now, why would somebody like
you befriend a man like sterling...

A man who has
everything that you deserve,

a man that you
decided, had to go?

Sit your a*s down!

I don't give a damn if you
think you've heard enough!

'Cause guess what? You
and I, we're just getting started.

Man 1: Watch your
back! Watch your back!

[Siren wailing]

[Indistinct chatter]

Officer mccreary, give
me the play-by-play.

Fourth quarter, president
of descell was letter-bombed.

Still some time on his clock.

- Well, reverend rapkin, right?
- That's right.

You see anything
that happened here?

- Not at all.
- Yeah, I figured as much.

Alright, I want names
of everybody here.

Do that for me, you.

Besides Mr. Montgomery,

you would be the big
cheese around here, right?

I'm the vice president,
if that's what you mean.

Uh, do you mind telling me who
he would have had problems with?

He had problems with everyone.

Sterling was not an
easy man to work for,

but he does sign the paychecks.

[Chuckles] Which I
understand are pretty hefty.

Well, you won't find many of
us waving tin cups out there.

Yeah.

Don't you think this
is kind of unusual?

It's not a surprise.

Sterling approaches life the way

he approaches
his favorite hobby.

- Which is?
- Pool.

The white ball knocks
around all the colored ba*ls,

but the game isn't won
until the eight ball is sunk.

- Well, you'rehere.
- Ha-ah, as luck would have it.

Well, I guess there's
no love lost between

him and the protesters, right?

Just this morning, I was in
the lobby with Alan and Cordell

and sterling's car pulled up.

One of the protesters
threatened him.

So, Alan and Cordell
had to bring him inside.

I guess rapkin decided
to keep his promise.

What promise is that?

He vowed to shut us down.

Guess he decided to
chop away at the top.

There are mail
chutes on every floor.

This one has interoffice mail.

People can drop
it off in that box.

What do you do with it then?

Deliver it throughout
the building.

- That's what you did today?
- Yes.

Let me ask you something.

To drop off mail in here
do you need some kind

of employee ID or some sort?

[Chuckles] Detective,
this place gets so busy

Darryl strawberry could walk in
and we would never even notice.

[Instrumental music]

Cooper: Talk to me, torres.

b*mb was sent
through interoffice mail.

That could have been
somebody who works there

or somebody who
walked in off the street.

The b*mb squad said is that

it was sixth-grade stuff,

stuff called semtex.

Now, there wasn't enough

to attempt a decent m*rder.

- Elaborate.
- Probably trying to scare him.

Send him a message,
warning of some kind.

Okay, torres, I want you to
check out all the employees

and ex-employees
of descell, alright?

Check for priors. Start out
with whoever's closer to him.

Williams...

Bring reverend rapkin
down here to me, please.

Williams: Yes, ma'am.

Nice to see you again, reverend.

If I said the
feeling was mutual,

I'd be as big a liar as you are.

Oh, that's right, of course.

You'd be more comfortable
barging into this precinct

demanding justice and accusing
us of not serving the community.

I didn't do that because
it was comfortable.

I did that because
it was necessary.

Like the descell boycott?

Exactly.

How long has that
been going on now?

- Three months.
- Three months?

You must be getting
a little impatient, huh?

The Montgomery bus
boycott lasted for a full year.

Yeah, that's right, but
that was nonviolent.

As is ours.

Yeah, well until today, that is.

Lieutenant, there's a black-lash
from corporate america.

We have every right
in the world to be angry,

but not violent.

Come on, reverend.
Even against descell?

I mean, there's not a "whites
only" sign on the building,

but everyone knows that
they rarely hire people of color.

We're not looking for a
boarding pass, just an upgrade.

Of the higher-level jobs?

Only two percent of
descell's minority employees

make over 50,000 a year.

And there's only one high-level

African-American
at that company.

[Slams table]

And that coupled
with your rhetoric

can really infuriate
people, right?

I mean, really
fire them up, huh?

So much so that
one of your protesters,

got up into Montgomery's
face today, right?

Not unprovoked.

Listen, lieutenant, the people
who are marching with me,

are college students who are
concerned about their futures.

You can accuse them of being
enthusiastic and determined

but don't accuse them of
trying to blow that man up.

Talking to cops is
one big pain in the a*s.

I mean, it's not like
talking to a psychiatrist

or a bartender.

But then again,

you should have
thought about that before.

You know what I think?

I think that at
some point in time,

we all fantasize about
canceling someone.

You know, be it our boss,
someone we're sleeping with

or someone we hardly know.

And as sick as it sounds...

I think it's normal.

But when the fantasy
becomes a reality...

That's when I come in.

Yo, my man.

There are 780
employees in the building.

Well, then I guess that means

you're gonna take all day
to check for priors. Damn.

That means wehave
our work cut out for us.

Yeah, alright, whatever.
But check it out.

I gotta make a run first.

- Where you making a run to?
- My son, man.

Ever since he's got
this new French teacher,

he keeps forgetting everything.

Oh, he's got a
schoolboy crush, huh?

Yeah, I told him
he can have a party,

and now guess who
he wants to bring?

- Not the teacher?
- Exactly.

Now, the kid's got good
taste, I hand it to him.

But this time he really
did leave his homework.

Oh, not to worry, because,
you see this pile here?

Yeah.

It's for you.

You want to hand
me my jacket, please?

[Instrumental music]

Let me tell you
something, mister,

next time you wanna leave
your homework at home,

you're gonna be out of luck.

Dad, this is French.

I can't disappoint
miss claybourne.

I don't care about
miss claybourne.

- Mr. Williams. Hi.
- Hey. Alright.

Miss claybourne, how you doing?

I'm good. Bonjour, gregory.

Bonjour, mademoiselle.

My son, he left his homework,

so I had to bring it
down here for him.

- Oh, that's so sweet.
- Yeah.

Williams: You know parents
they have to have their priorities

in order, you know?

So, I just dropped
everything I was doing

and [inhales deeply] came
down to help my man out.

Yeah, right.

- Can I ask you something?
- What is it?

Well, my dad said
I could have a party

and he told me I
could invite you.

He said that?

Yeah. I... i'd...

Be delighted if you came.

Now, you know, you just
let me know what time it is

and where it is and I'll
try to be there, okay?

[School bell ringing]

And Mr. Williams...

You needn't be so shy.

Bonjour.

What did she mean by that?

She means you
need to go to school

and learn something,
bro, alright?

G: Yeah, right.

Thanks for leaving
your homework.

Bonjour.

[Instrumental music]

[Ambulance siren wailing]

- Thank you.
- Sure.

- Mr. Montgomery?
- Yes.

I'm lieutenant Cooper, fourth
precinct. How you feeling?

Well, both my hands are
burned, I've to keep the sun

out of eyes. Other
than that, never better.

I just want you to
know that I have

my best detectives
working on your case.

Let me save you the time.

It was that black
preacher who did this.

Well, if you're referring
to reverend rapkin,

I'm not so sure he had
anything to do with it.

You're kidding me, right?

No, I'm not kidding, sir.

As a matter of fact,
we need your help.

We'd like to place
two undercover

detectives at descell.

And then, maybe
by the time you return

to work we'll
have it figured out.

Yeah, unless the
doctors strap me down

I'll be returning
to work tomorrow.

Well, I wouldn't recommend that.

Look, lieutenant, I'll be glad

to help you out anyway I can.

But I'm not gonna run and hide

until the coast is clear.

I mean, you have an
investigation to carry out.

I've got a corporation to run.

Fine. I suggest you be very
careful, Mr. Montgomery.

Because whoever did this
to you probably isn't finished.

The lieutenant
was right on point.

She said we had to catch you
before you could strike again.

But as the investigation went on

one thing became clear.

Our perp wasn't
reverend rapkin. Hell, no.

I mean, it was one of you, uh...

Nose-in-the-air,
head-in-the-clouds executives.

Nina: Now, we'll tell
everyone I'm your temp.

The other detective
is in the mail room.

But you should treat us
like any other employee.

These people have no shame

or class.

Is there anyone else who
might have had a motive?

- What? You mean from here?
- Yeah.

[Laughs]

Well, let's see,
about three years ago,

I beat out Alan Wakefield
for my current position.

The stockholders wanted me
to run the company, and Alan...

Well, Alan was furious.

- Did he threaten you?
- No. No.

He shook my hand
and wished me luck...

But I knew what he was thinking.

Nina: What was that?

That he was the better man.

Those reports
were supposed to be

on my desk first
thing this morning.

I got delayed.

Yeah, and if sterling had
requested those reports

you would have bent over
backwards notto get delayed.

Alan, please don't
take this so personally.

If the report's not on my
desk in an hour, Elaine,

you'll see how
personally I willtake it.

We'll keep our eyes on him.

Now, is there anyone
else you can think of?

Oh, yeah. There's
Cordell Thomas.

He's a very interesting man.

How so?

He's one of our top executives.

That's a very enviable
position, but for whatever reason

he carries a chip
on his shoulder.

I wouldn't trust him as
far as I could throw him.

Excuse me, excuse me.

Please let me pass.
May I pass, please?!

Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Just a second, brother.

Now, listen, we're not trying
to jeopardize your position

at this plantation.

But it wouldn't k*ll you
to show us a little respect.

There's only one
thing you're going to get

by marching in
front of this building.

And what's that?

Blisters on the
soles of your feet.

Now, may I pass, please?
Excuse me, excuse me.

Michelle: Here are your
messages, Mr. Thomas.

Thanks a lot, Michelle.

Oh, excuse me, are
you Cordell Thomas?

Yeah.

Oh, man, back in the
mail room you are a legend.

[Chuckles] I certainly
served my time in that place.

Three years, right?

Three long years while
I earned my master's.

Word is, no one ever
worked as hard as you.

I... I'm sorry. Chris Lewis.

- You're new, right?
- Yeah, well...

But I hope to walk in
your shoes one day.

Be careful what you ask for.

Oh, no, sir, I'm not
asking for nothing.

But I sure could
use some advice.

I'm trying to work my way up.

Best thing I can tell
you is to be the first

in to work and
the last to leave.

Now, if you'll excuse
me, I've got a meeting.

Oh, of course.

Maybe we'll do
lunch, Mr. Thomas.

And the only other person
who probably hates my guts,

I mean, more than most people...

Is Elaine Mayer.

What does she have against you?

She hates men.

I don't know, maybe
she's a l*sbian.

Just because someone's a
l*sbian doesn't mean they hate men.

Oh! Sorry. Are you, uh...

No, I'm not.

Well... good.

Anyway, a couple weeks ago,

Elaine asked for a
raise and a promotion.

When I said, "hell,
no," she got upset.

I'm surprised she didn't resign.

Well, maybe there's
a reason she didn't.

Hi.

Hello.

Ah, I can't believe
how clumsy I am today.

Orange soda.

Happens to the best of us.

By the way, i'm,
I'm Alicia espinar.

Elaine Mayer.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Thank you.

I haven't seen you before.

Well, though, maybe
that's a good thing.

[Chuckles] You know,
I'm just a little nervous.

I'm filling in as a temp, but
they say if I do a good job,

they might be able to
find something for me.

Can I give you a
piece of advice?

Yeah.

If you want to get ahead,
don't rely on a tight skirt.

Not unless you want
to embarrass yourself.

See, that's what made
this whole thing a trip.

See, everyone at
descell was uptight

and every one of you comomierdas
had a damn good motive.

First order of business,
the rapkin boycott.

Has it hurt us significantly?

Sales are down in all
the major urban areas.

- How much? Have any numbers?
- Uh, 4.3 percent.

Which translates to
around 50 million a year.

I call that significant.

Perhaps we should be
smart about this, sterling.

Excuse me?

I took the initiative
to draw up a proposal.

Wow. Hear that, everybody?

Cordell here, is going to
tell me how to be smart.

Well, please, enlighten me.

We invite rapkin over,
listen to his demands,

two days later, we concede.

Are you out of your mind?

We can set up a
tolerance committee.

Give scholarships to
minority grad students

majoring in
business and put forth

a profile that shows
how we plan to diversify.

Whether the company
actually diversifies is irrelevant.

All rapkin wants is
to look like a hero

and that's what this
proposal will accomplish.

And how much will this cost?

Cordell: At the most,
two million a year.

And instead of
losingmoney in urban areas,

we can increase our profit
and get rapkin off our backs.

It's all right here.

May I?

Cordell: Sure.

Sterling: Yeah, I
must admit, this is

the most ridiculousproposal
I've ever heard in my life.

Look, I'm not kowtowing to
some reverend who thinks he can

tell mehow many black
people to put in my boardroom.

After all, the black guy we
do have is so much smarter

than the rest of us why on earth
would we need another one?

[Intense music]

Cordell...

Sterling...

Now, one of these days,
you're going to have to work

on your managerial skills.

You're not stillwaiting
in the wings, are you?

This isn't about me,
this is about our staff.

No, no. Mystaff, Alan.

I stand corrected.

You know, I'll wager
there's only one thing

that frustrates you more than
being the number-two man.

What would that be?

The fact that I've
hired a bodyguard.

[Instrumental music]

So, I've checked all
the names on that list,

and there's only
one exec with a prior.

- Which one?
- Alan Wakefield.

Tax evasion, five years
ago. Tell me something.

How does somebody so rich
end up with money problems?

Mmm, that smells good.

Ah, well... it was me.

So, how, uh, how
did you make out?

Uh, I spent the whole day

watching those people
turn their noses up at me.

Are you saying my
baby had a bad day?

Hmm, I've had better.

Well, I'm not so
sure about that.

Why not?

Well, because it ain't over yet.

Come here.

Oh, Eddie, you
smell like garlic.

It's that Cologne you
bought me, baby. Come here.

You said you liked that.

I, I lied.

[Laughs]

[Instrumental music]

[Panting]

That was different.

What are you talking about?

What we just did.

I don't know what it was but it
sure as hell wasn't making love.

I can't knock it
out of the ballpark

every time I'm up to bat.

What is going on with you?

What do you think
about that stuff

sterling said about me
being out of my mind?

I think sterling is a
self-absorbed jerk

who's threatened by you.

So, that's why you came to
my defense in the boardroom?

What was I supposed to say?

I don't know.

Maybe you should
just get dressed.

Maybe we should talk about this.

What's there to talk about?

Just come by any
time you want to play

and we'll make sure
our fair-skinned friends

don't find out about it.

Where's all this coming from?

You couldn't begin
to understand.

Fine.

But as I remember
it we both agreed

to keep this
relationship private.

[Sighs] You don't want people
whispering behind your back

any more than I do.

Why wouldn't I?

I mean, what do I have
to lose? It's not like I'm in.

I don't go to their
houses for dinner.

They don't invite
me out for drinks.

I'm just somebody
they've learned to tolerate.

I'm not them, Cordell.

Do you hear me?

Yeah, I hear you.

[Instrumental music]

No, you don't.

But you will.

Nina: Mr. Montgomery?

[Dramatic music]

The lieutenant was furious.

I mean, she thought we'd
be able to protect sterling...

Or at least catch your a*s
before you made another move.

See, we were playing on
your home turf, weren't we?

And you knew at
the end of the week,

that sterling always
went to work early.

You knew, and we didn't.

I'll tell you something
you didn't know.

See, solving a double homicide

is always a nice
notch on my belt.

Maybe that means,
uh, I have a big ego.

But unfortunately for you,

that means I did my homework.

Our medical examiner
believes, that Mr. Montgomery

may have been m*rder*d
between 7:00 and 7:45 A.M.

Did anybody come in that early?

I don't start work until
the building is open.

- And what time is that?
- 8:00 A.M.

Does that mean he
has a key to the place?

Sort of.

No matter what time it is,
he and the other bigwigs,

can just slide their I.D.
cards into that slot over there.

The door pops
open, and they're in.

So, is there a way to see if
anybody else used that card?

"E. Mayer. 7:03 A.M."

Elaine: Because I came in
early, you think I'm a k*ller?

Well, we figured you still
might be a little upset about

not getting that raise
a couple of weeks ago.

How do you know about that?

There's little we don't
know, miss Mayer.

Besides, your ex-boss
fingered you as one of the people

that may have sent him the b*mb.

That's ridiculous.

Look, I was still angry at him,

so I came in to talk to him.

About?

My resignation.

Oh, yeah? What did he
have to say about that?

He told me to clear my
desk and get the hell out.

You asked for a
raise two weeks ago

and then all of a
sudden you just quit?

I have some interviews set up.

And I was tired of Cordell and I

having to sneak
behind everyone's back.

Hmm.

You two were involved?

I thought you knew everything.

So, what did Cordell
feel about you quitting?

He didn't have much
of a reaction at all.

I told him about it when I
came out of the building.

- He just walked inside.
- Now, wait a minute.

You passed him when
you were walking out,

which means you let him in.

Well, yeah.

Well, what time was that?

About 7:30.

Cordell: We weren't
exactly going to be crowned

prom king and queen, so we
kept our relationship private.

Williams: How upset was
she exactly when she found out

she wasn't getting that raise?

Cordell: Oh, now, wait a
minute, if you're implying that...

Torres: Yo my man, do me a
favor, just answer the question.

Cordell: Elaine was
upset but not upset enough

to commit m*rder.

- What about you?
- What about me?

I was angry, but I'm no k*ller.

Angry about what?

The way he treated people.

Alright, so why don't you
tell me exactly what you did

when you got to
work early today?

[Chuckles] "Early"?
I came in at 9:15.



Wait a second.

Elaine said that
she ran into you

at 7:30 on her way
out of the building.

Oh, you must have
misunderstood her

because I haven't
seen her since last night.

Really?

Really.

He's telling the truth.

How do you know for sure?

'Cause when he came in
he asked me what time it was.

I said it was 9:15. He
joked about being late.

Matter of fact, he didn't
even know what happened

to Mr. Montgomery
until I told him.

Williams: So, what do you
think, she tried to set him up?

Did they have a
falling out or what?

Well, neither one
of them mentioned it

but it'd be easier to
believe a black man did it

instead of a white lady.

Alright, I want you to
stay on both their trails.

I'm going to see what
else moreno can dig up

and I'm gonna see what
happens if McNamara

pushes Cordell's buttons.

[Instrumental music]

Stuart, I'll have a Turkey
sandwich and an iced tea.

Is that you, Mr. Thomas?

Yeah. Chris, right?

Yeah. I, uh, you don't
mind if I join you, do you?

Well, actually,
somebody was going to...

You know, I heard that
this is where you have lunch

and I figured, you know, if i'm
going to become an executive,

then I got to start doing
what they do, right?

- That's very wise.
- Right.

Although, I don't know
of as many executives

who moved up as
fast as you did. Cheers.

You won't find very many people

who work as hard as me, either.

That's true, but you got
to admit, Mr. Thomas,

there are so few educated
black guys out here

that when one of you shows up,

the system just pushes
you right through.

I wasn't pushed through.

I fought my way through.

Right. With affirmative
action as your corner man.

[Chuckles]

[Chuckles] Don't
bite your tongue.

Did I say something wrong?

No. Uh, I'm enjoying
this. Please, go on.

Well, like I was saying...

A lot of people are
qualified to do your job,

most of us just don't
get the chance to prove it.

Reverend rapkin says
it's African-Americans

who don't get the chance.

You sound like
you're trying to say

it's poor, white boys
who can't catch a break.

What do you say?

I have zero tolerance
for crybabies.

I moved up as fast as I
did, because I'm smarter

and I work harder than
anybody else at descell.

Huh, I don't mean to
be rude, Mr. Thomas,

but you're also blacker.

And if you think that
doesn't make a difference,

then you must smoke as
much crack as they do uptown.

This is really good.
You want some?

No. Go ahead and
knock yourself out.

I trust you at least
have enough for the tip.

Oh, yeah, I got it covered.

Let's do lunch next
week, Mr. Thomas.

Williams: So Tommy said then
the man got up and paid the bill.

Torres: That doesn't
make him a k*ller?

Williams: Man, that
makes him weird.

Now, most guys would have
hooked off or swung at him.

Yo, maybe he didn't want
to mess up his manicure.

I still say we got to look
at the girlfriend, man.

She's like acting
like she loves him,

maybe she's
playing a brother out.

Alright, alright, so,
then explain this to me.

Cordell asked the security
guard what time it was.

- Yeah.
- He was wearing a rolex.

They do stop, you know?

- A rolex, ed.
- I mean, I'm sorry.

Look, Elaine gets my vote.

Yeah, you are sorry, man.

Besides, the fact is I got
a party to get to, alright.

A party? Look, do you
see this? This is a file.

- No, you see the teacher.
- No, no, no.

- This is called "work."
- Ah-haha.

- Where are you going?
- Yo money, my man.

Torres: How can you
justify gettin' a paycheck?

[Instrumental music]

♪ Oh baby

♪ let it go

What's everybody waiting for?

I don't know. You
know how little kids are.

They're probably just
afraid to get their groove on.

Then let's show 'em by example.

- Come on, come on.
- Oh, come on, now, why not?

Williams: This is
a little kids' party.

I'd rather just, you
know, be chaperone.

I see.

So, cops can't dance, huh?

Why you going trying
to play me lie that?

Of course, I can move, girl.

Well, why don't
you prove it then?

Well, why don't
you make me, then?

Come on, show me what you got.

Hey, what you... What
you going to do, huh?

- Ahh! G: Dad.

Dad!

Williams: Yeah! Ah!

Ah! Come on, now.

Dad, what are you doing?

Hey, g, check it out.
Watch your old man.

What you gonna do, baby? Huh?

- Yeah, yeah!
- You're crazy.

[Music continues]

♪ I insist that you
understand right now ♪

Hi, g.

What's up?

- You having fun?
- Yeah, right.

The only people that are
dancing are my dad and my date.

I mean, my French teacher.

♪ So let it go

I'll dance with you, g.

For real?

Come on.

♪ Every now and then
it seems hard to find ♪

What's up, pop?

- Yeah. Yo, g!
- Oh, oh. Yeah!

♪ And if there's any
pain or hostility ♪♪

[Police siren wailing]

[Knocking on door]

Yes. Come in.

Lieu, we went through
the files at descell,

and I think we got something.

- Alright, what am I looking at?
- A copy of descell's payroll.

We highlighted
Cordell's earnings for you.

[Scoffs] Half a million dollars?

That's twice the amount of
the other execs are making

and there's also a contract
he signed two weeks ago.

Which doubles his salary
in the next three years?

He's raking in just as much
money as the vice president.

And there are at least four
other people above Cordell.

Alright, you two get
back over to descell.

I'm going to put torres
and Williams on this.

Alan: I don't see
what this has to do

with the investigation, guys.

Hey, just humor us.

I'm sorry. I'm
late for a meeting.

Ah, let 'em wait.

You're the man now, aren't you?

Or you're afraid Cordell
might start without you?

You know, it was my
idea to give Cordell

such a great contract, okay?

And why is that?

Sterling made some racial
remarks at a board meeting.

He called rapkin
and the protesters

a bunch of black jelly beans.

Now, Cordell wasn't
present, but somehow he got

a copy of this
whole thing on tape.

So, what did he do?

He threatened to
go to the press, okay.

So, I convinced sterling to give
him a new contract and a raise.

So, you basically
just paid him off then?

Alan: Look, we had no choice.

There was no denying he
was the best man for the job.

Sterling resented him
anyway and he's tried to make

life miserable for the
guy, whenever he can.

So, wait a minute,
so, you're saying that

this contract was intended to...

Have them kiss and make up?

On the contrary.

Once we got him to
sign on the dotted line,

we owned him.

Because if he ever tried
to bring descell down,

we'd say he accepted a bribe,

and he'd go right
down along with us.

Well, sterling must have been
pretty proud of himself, right?

Look, about a week ago,

Cordell found a gift-wrapped
package on his desk.

When he opened
it up inside he found

a jar of black jelly beans.

It was anonymous, but I'm sure

he could figure out
where it came from.

So, uh, what did he do?

He got mad and he stormed out.

The next day, he did
what he always does.

Williams: Which is?

He swallowed his pride
and he came back to work.

I got to... go.

Why do you insist
on embarrassing

yourself, detective?

Torres: Why should
I be embarrassed?

You're wasting your
time as well as mine.

No, Cordell, because,
see we both know

that you're the k*ller.

- I've been called
worse. Torres: Yeah?

What was that that,
uh, sterling called you?

Never "n*gg*r," and never "boy."

Yeah, but instead he just
treated you like one, right?

He may have attempted
to... On occasion.

Torres: [Chuckles] I had
a teacher like that once.

You don't say.

Yup. Eighth grade.

She figured since half
her class was puerto rican,

that we'd have a hard time
comprehending English.

So, every book that
she assigned to us

was practically "see d*ck run."

[Both laughing]

That's pretty funny, huh?

I'm sure it wasn't at the time.

Not in the least.

I was furious at my teacher.

Anybody ever accuse
you of k*lling her?

No. No, but I...

I was determined to make
sure I could prove her wrong.

So, I busted my a*s in her
class until I ended up with an "a."

[Clapping]

Torres: Thank you!

You're absolutely
welcome, detective.

You know, it's amazing
thing what you can do

when you put your mind to it.

Mind-boggling.

Yeah, I mean,
especially if you have...

A teacher that
appreciates your talent,

or in your case, a boss.

In my case, I don't
need a pat on the back.

My work at descell has been
exemplary and unheralded

whether sterling
acknowledged it or not.

It was evident.

Well, I'm sure, uh,

Elaine recognized
your brilliance, right?

I'm quite sure you're right.

[Chuckles]

So, uh... do you always
date white women?

[Both laughing]

- You're a funny man.
- No, man.

I'm... I'm just asking, you
know, I mean, 'cause, uh...

Maybe that's the only
beat you dance to.

Jealous?

Oh, is that why you
date white women,

to make people jealous?

My brother.

Most black women
are intimidated by me.

Really?

And, as a matter of fact,

most white women
are intimidated by me.

Huh!

[Torres chuckling]

But see... Elaine wasn't?

Not at first.

But eventually.

Why do you keep pushing me away?

Look, you gotta deal with
your own own insecurities.

- I can't pamper you anymore.
- I don't want you to pamper me!

I just want to know
what's going on.

I don't even know
who you are anymore!

The same man I've always been.

Fine, Cordell. You don't have
to push me away anymore.

- I am gone.
- Where you going? Come here!

[Grunts]

[Intense music]

Is Elaine the one that
gave you the tape?

What tape?

Oh, you know.

Thetape.

I see Alan entrusted
you with his copy.

Something like that.

Sterling on recording:
Yeah, well, I don't care

what reverend
rapkin and the rest

of those black jelly beans say.

No way am I bringing in
any more black people.

This is a corporation,
not a crack house.

Damn.

I mean, to live with
that day in and day out.

That must have drove you crazy.

I mean, I know
I couldn't take it.

It's been a challenge.

A challenge?

When I was 8 years old, uh,

[chuckles] I got lost
in a department store.

I then went up to these
two security guards

and I said, uh, "I can't find
my mother, and I'm lost."

Then one of the guards
turned to the other and said, um,

"hey, Charlie, how do you
get to the jungle from here?"

[Laughs]

They laughed themselves crazy.

That was the last time
I ever let some, uh...

Ignorant white man get to me.

So, what, you got
some sort of a...

Force field that protects
you from racists?

Basically.

And sterling never
broke through?

Sterling?

[Chuckles] Hell, no.

Even after he gave
you that present?

[Instrumental music]

[Glass shatters]

I suppose I got a little angry.

Angry at him or yourself?

What are you talking about?

I'm talking about
you being a jackass

and making the wrong choice.

And when did I do that?

When you decided not
to go to reverend rapkin

or the press with that tape.

When you just let them buy
you out just to fill your pockets.

It wasn't about money.

Oh, then what was it about?

Respect.

Are you crazy?

Now, I'm asking
you are you crazy?

Because you must have
been nuts to think that

that would make a
difference, my man.

For once, he had to
pay attention to me.

Recognize that I'm a man...

You know what, the
minute you signed,

the only thing they recognized
was that you were a sellout!

Signing that contract
was a statement.

No other executive ever
made that kind of money.

That money was just
as good as a shackle.

They coughed up
half a million dollars.

- Would you have passed that up?
- Half a million dollars?

Not to be able to look
my boss in the eyes?

Not to stand up straight?
Having to beg for humiliation?

Half a million dollars
not to be a man?

Hell, yeah, I'd pass
that up in a heartbeat.

Humiliation is
cabs passing you by

for some bummy-dressed
cr*cker. No, no, no, listen!

For being followed
around in stores.

For being treated
like a criminal

because the face of a black
r*pist made the evening news.

For having to bear the burden of
every downtrodden black person

who ever walked this earth.

Now, I wasn't put
here to have my nose

pressed against the
window looking in.

I am in.

I am the only high-level

African-American executive

at descell and the only
thing I ever asked for

was a fair shot.

Not to be Jackie
freakin' Robinson!

So, instead you
chose to be a n*gg*r.

I have never been
a n*gg*r in my life!

And I wasn't about to let
sterling make me into one.

What the hell are you doing?

[g*nshots]

Torres...

We got him.

I think it's finally
over, Cordell.

Look, I hated sterling's guts

but I didn't k*ll him.

Now, may I leave?

No, you may not. Sit down.

'Cause you're not
going anywhere.

Why not?

Well, you see, cord...

I mean, I can call you
cord, right, brother?

You lied about
coming to work at 9:15.

You walked in as
Elaine was coming out.

Then you went around
the back and you exited.

An hour and a half later,

you come out and you make
sure the security guard sees you.

See, when we found out
that you blackmailed sterling,

we got a warrant to
search your apartment.

Guess what we found?

The m*rder weapon.

And semtex in your carpet.

Now, that's the same stuff
that was used to make the b*mb.

[g*nshots]

- Sterling!
- Are you insane?

Yeah.

[g*n firing]

May I, um...

May I see that, please?

See, that's what
initially got us hung up

on this case in the first place.

See, we were looking
for someone whose motive

was greed, revenge, love.

But you k*lled sterling
because you just

couldn't take it anymore.

Because... you thought

it would somehow make you free.

Not that I can't understand
where you're coming from.

But let me tell you something.

Even Jackie Robinson
had to be Jackie Robinson.

Come on.

[Instrumental music]

Alright, dad, just
square up the back, then.

Alright.

I don't know why you just don't

get it all cut off
like your old man.

I don't want that much off.

So, you like miss
claybourne, don't you?

Well, she's a nice lady and
she likes bald heads, too.

[Chuckles] You know what I mean.

Why, you still got
a crush on her?

Nope. I'm looking at Nikki.

Oh, yeah, who's that? The young
lady you dance with all night?

She's kind of cute.

Yeah, well, anyway,

so, if you do like Ms.
Claybourne don't sweat it.

You can have her.

Oh, really?

Thank you very much.
Take a look at that.

[Instrumental music]

♪ It's a family affair

♪ well

♪ it's a family affair

♪ boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo-boo

♪ it's a family affair

♪ whoa, wh-whoa, whoa

♪ it's a family affair

♪ one child grows up to be

♪ somebody that
just loves to learn ♪

♪ and another child

♪ grows up to be

♪ somebody you'd
just love to burn ♪

♪ mom loves the both of them

♪ you see, it's in the blood

♪ both kids are good to mom

♪ blood's thicker than mud

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ family affair

♪ it's a family affair

[instrumental music]

What's up, dawg?

Hey, what's up?

Let me get a
cranberry juice, please.

Where's your lady?

I'm going solo tonight.

Mmm!

You hear about descell?

What happened?

They replaced Cordell
with another black man.

They're all heart, huh?

Ah, you know how they do.

At least, they have one token
black man in the boardroom.

♪ It's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair
♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ newly weds a year ago

♪ still checking
each other out yeah ♪

♪ nobody wants to blow

♪ Still checking
each other out yeah ♪

♪ nobody wants to blow

♪ nobody wants to be left out

♪ oh, oh

♪ you can't leave

♪ 'cause your heart is there

♪ but you can't stay 'cause
your heart's somewhere else ♪

♪ you can't cry

♪ 'cause you'll
look broke down ♪

♪ but you're crying anyway

♪ 'cause you are broke
down it's a family affair ♪

♪ it's a family affair
♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair ♪ o-over

♪ all over

♪ It's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair

♪ it's a family affair ♪

[Howling]