03x13 - I'm Lost Between Right and Wrong

[bunniefuu]

Previously on "Nashville"...

[Knock on door]

Pete: Listen, Sadie, I don't blame you for being mad at me.

I really screwed up.

I can't marry you.

I love you, Rayna.

Dr. Rand: With this type of cancer, your only option is a liver transplant.

Layla!

Jeff: I've got a small problem, and I'm gonna need your help handling it. I appreciate it.

As soon as you get out of here, I'm gonna give you that divorce.

Gunnar: Micah's not mine.

Kiley cheated on me with my brother.

You are signing Maddie to my label, period, end of story.

I don't think the good people of Nashville would take kindly to their mayor's salary being used for sex.

"Rayna James returns to roots with a riveting set at the Bluebird."

You're getting a lot of great press from that performance.

Well, that's not why I did it, but I know it makes you happy.

Well, what really makes me happy is the announcement of your 10th-year Opry induction anniversary show on Bobby Bones this morning.

Mm-hmm.

Show sold out in nine minutes.

Good, 'cause we need some money coming in to pay all these bills.

Sadie's studio fees are not cheap, and those big session players...

It's a big album.

Yeah.

And you know Avery's not the most experienced producer to be investing in.

I know, but you know what?

He's the kind of guy that I want producing for Highway 65.

He's a guy that's got something to say.

He brought so much out of Juliette when he worked with her, and with Scarlett, too.

Still, you might want to go check in on him.

Will do.

Thank you, Buck.

Yeah.

See you later.

See you.

Morning, Kurt.

What you got?

This came via messenger for your daughter, care of you?

That's weird. Thank you.

[Telephone ringing]

Deacon: This where I take a deep breath?

Dr. Rand: Yeah, mm-hmm. Take a few.

[Exhales deeply]

You have any more episodes of disorientation?

[Sighs] No.

How loss of appetite or mood swings?

No.

Oh, he's been swinging.

Mostly toward bad.

Is he talking to you?

I'm sure you're disappointed with your sister opting out.

Well, if there's one thing we can count on, it's not counting on her.

Scarlett, I told you. This is on me.

I asked for it. I got it coming.

No, what you got coming is a transplant.

Would you mind telling us a little bit more about the national organ transplant list?

All I care about is where I rank on the damn thing.

Your current MELD score is a 24, which is high, but it's not enough to make you a priority.

What does MELD stand for?

Model...

Model for end-stage liver disease.

Which sound a lot less hopeful than it should, which is why we prefer the acronym.

I prefer the truth, if that's all right. So, what is it?

I don't get this liver, how long I got?

Deacon.

What... years, months, weeks? What?

I really can't tell you.

Please, just give me a damn number, okay?

A number.

Mr. Claybourne, we prefer not to deal in absolutes, and we encourage patients to do the same.

That's a hell of a lot easier when you're not the one who's dying.

Sorry.

Juliette: Avery!

[Muffled] What now, baby?!

Avery, will you come rub my feet?

Avery, I'm thirsty!

Really?

[Door opens]

Avery, I can't find the remote.

Baby, I can't be your masseuse/manservant today, remember?

I'm starting Sadie's record like 10 minutes ago!

[Breathing heavily] Did you check your hand?

Never mind. I found it.

[Door slams]

[Knock on door]

[Sniffs] Luke.

What the hell you burning, son? Plastic?

Oh, it's... it's just some old stuff.

It's nothing.

Do you mind if I... ?

Uh, no, no. Come come on in.

Uh, w... what are you doing here?

What, on the hipster side of town?

I can do East Nashville.

[Chuckles]

My assistant said it was on the books.

Right.

Oh! Man, yeah. I'm... I'm sorry.

No, no. It's all right. Look.

I'm pulling a track from my record, "Good Woman."

I'm looking to replace it with something a little more accurate, seeing as the person it was written for was not all that good to me.

Well, I got plenty of source material for that.

Then how about sharing a little bit of this liquid inspiration and writing a song with me?

[Avery grunting]

Let me get that.

Thanks, man. I got some more stuff in the hallway.

A tube amp and... sorry I'm late, everybody!

So, you, uh, get caught in traffic? Oversleep?

Well, I, uh...

Okay, cut him some slack. He just got... married.

[Chuckles]

And he's got a pregnant wife at home.

What she said.

How's Juliette?

She's, uh, stir crazy. But right now, I'm focused on delivering a k*ller Sadie Stone record.

Great... well, that's why we got the best engineer in town backstopping you on this.

Mm-hmm.

Got sounds up on everything.

We can start laying down tracks.

Thanks. But, uh, I need to hear 'em first.

Want to start with the kick drum?

Then the snare.

Then, uh, move on to bass and guitars?

[Keyboard clacking]

[Sighs]

Scarlett: I'm going to the store to get more vitamins and milk thistle.

We've still got half a carton in there.

[Distorted] It's not to drink, silly.

It's a... it's a liver supplement.

I've been doing a whole lot of research on alternative therapies, and there are a lot of success stories.

I don't expect I'll be one of them.

[Smooches]

[Computer beeping]

Say hi to Maddie for me.

Why is she Facetiming me now?

'Cause you're her dad and she wants time with your face.

[Sighs]

[Beeping continues]

You can't avoid her forever.

No!

[Computer chimes]

[Indistinct conversations]

Hey, sweetie.

Finally.

Um, aren't you at school right now?

I... I don't want you to get in trouble.

No, I'm at lunch, and I was hoping that you'd actually pick up this time.

Hey, did you hear that me and Daphne sang at the Bluebird with mom?

No. No. That... that's great, baby.

I... I... I'm sorry I missed that.

Yeah. Me, too.

But maybe she'll let us start playing around town now.

And, if that's the case, I was hoping maybe we could start back up with our guitar lessons.

Baby, I'm a little busy right now.

I... doing what?

I just got a lot going on, you know?

You've been saying that for weeks, and I don't get it.

Is it something with mom?

No. Of course not, sweetie.

So, did I do something wrong? Are you mad at me, then?

No. No, no, no. No, baby. No. It... don't... don't say that. don't even think that, okay? It's just...

Look...

I'm gonna push a few things back, all right?

W... we'll just... we'll do one today.

We'll do one today, okay?

[Chuckles] Yeah, that's great.

I've really hated not seeing you, dad.

I miss you so much.

Baby, I got to go right now, okay?

You, uh, go on to lunch.

Okay.

[Computer chirps]

[Breathing deeply]

Well, here you go.

I'm gonna stay at Gunnar's house, so you got the place to yourself.

You sure you're gonna be okay here?

Yeah. I passed my psych evaluation.

I'm fine.

[Sighing] All right. Uh...

Well, you think you might get back on the horse?

Book yourself a few gigs?

I don't know what I'm gonna be doing.

But whatever it is, it's not gonna be in Nashville.

Here. Let me get that for you.

Thank you.

Ah, don't mention it.

So, you're really thinking about leaving?

Yes. I mean, you've seen the tabloids.

I'm now the 20-year-old spurned, divorced, reality TV show joke.

[Sighs]

I almost d*ed, and nobody cared.

Well, that's only 'cause we kept that part out of the press.

There's nothing really here for me anymore, you know?

Well, you still got your deal over at Edgehill.

Right.

Well, you know nobody over there really cares about me, either.

[Telephone ringing]

Ahh. Hey, you put wheat grass in this?

'Cause I got a major buzz going.

Of course, I don't know. Maybe it's just all the winning.

The necklace was delivered this morning.

Good. What else is on the books?

You have a budget meeting in an hour, lunch with the head of A&R...

Hey, did we hear anything on Layla Grant?

Oh, I believe she was released from the hospital this morning.

Do you want me to send flowers?

No. No.

Um... What else?

Chairman Benton flies in tonight for dinner and drinks, and tomorrow...

I present him with Edgehill's next big act.

Man: Ma'am!

Mr. Fordham, I tried to stop her.

Oh, speak of the devil.

Oh, enough about you.

What the hell kind of game is this, sending expensive gifts to my daughter?

She may be your daughter, but she is my artist.

She's been signed, Rayna.

She has not been signed, Jeff. She's a minor.

She would have to get parental consent from me, and there's no way I would ever give it.

Oh, you haven't.

But Maddie Conrad's father signed her recording contract, and, well, legally, that's all I need.

You are so delusional.

And there's no way Teddy would ever sign anything like that.

You just don't seem to get it. It's a done deal.

It is not a done deal. She's my daughter.

And she is wildly talented.

And unlike you, she has a home right here at Edgehill.

[Intercom beeps]

Please escort Ms. James from the premises.

[Guitar playing]

I want to re-mike that guitar.

Dude, that sound says top-10.

Yeah, which is why I don't like it.

Hold up in there, guys.

[Guitar stops]

I want you to use this neumann u47.

What about the strings?

[Sighs] We're not using them.

I'm... I'm trying to strip the song down.

Just go with the cello.

Your rookie producer just blew two hours.

I've got an all-star band out there that hasn't played a note.

Great.

Um, Avery, I've got an emergency at the office.

I expect you to be rolling when I get back.

Sorry it's taking so long. But got to get it right, right?

Mm-hmm.

Didn't write these great songs so they could sound like everybody else's.

I'm fine.

Just let me know when y'all are ready.

All right.

I'd rather be here than home anyway.

[Cellphone ringing]

Oh. It's, uh... the wife.

Hey.

Teddy: Okay. That works.

[Door closes]

Uh, Mark, got to call you back.

Yep. Bye.

What the hell is wrong with you? You signed Maddie to Edgehill?

Look. I... I... I was planning to discuss that with you.

Well, you didn't discuss it with me, and now I've got Jeff Fordham sending over jewelry for our daughter, and he's saying that she works for him.

How did this happen? Was this Maddie's idea?

Did y'all just decide to go behind my back?

No. No.

No. She doesn't know.

Well, then, why would you do it?

Because this is what she wants.

This is not what she wants.

She...

I am helping her pursue her dreams.

And while you have been M.I.A. on tour, all wrapped up in your Luke drama, I've become the parent she can count on to do that.

Are you thinking this is just gonna make you the cool dad, or do you really think this is a good idea?

Rayna?

Yes, I do, and I have every right to make decisions regarding my daughter's life.

Not if I can help it, you don't.

[Door opens, slams]

[Guitar plays]

Gunnar: Well, it's no Shakespeare, but...

"Bitch" does rhyme with "witch."

Luke: Yeah, I think we may be carrying this betrayal theme a little bit too far.

[Door closes]

Will: Hey.

Thought I heard you guys in here playing.

Gunnar: Hey.

[Chuckling] Hey! You know what?

Your boy Will here, he's got it right when it comes to love.

[Chuckles] You think?

Yeah, gets out there, raises hell, goes through women.

Love and loyalty be damned. [Chuckles]

How much y'all had to drink?

A lot.

You know, we could use him as a wingman on a tail-hunting expedition.

What do y'all say to a boys' night out?

Well, I... I would if it were night.

Well, that is the great thing about Nashville.

It is always dark somewhere.

What do you say, Will? You in?

Here you go. No problem.

Thank you. Hi.

I'm Sadie Stone.

I'm just, uh, recording in studio "A."

I think I have a phone call?

Yes, ma'am. Line one.

Thank you.

[Receiver clicks]

Hello?

Pete: Got your restraining order.

You're violating it by calling me.

Good luck proving that. It's a burner phone, babe.

You need to stop.

Not till I get what I deserve, and for you to get the same.

[Receiver slams]

I'm sorry.

It's okay.

Man: Sadie?

Yeah?

You've been served.

He sends his regards.

I pushed your lunch to dinner at 6:30, and you have drinks tonight at 9:00.

Thanks. Address?

Already set in your navi.

Hey, what the hell were you thinking, sending Maddie jewelry before I haven't even had the chance to discuss it with her?

Actually, I sent it to Rayna.

Yeah. Now Rayna's on a w*r path.

Hey, hey, all she can do is blow smoke.

Look, I have a whole floor of lawyers who made sure that contract is ironclad.

Look. There is more than just legalities here, Jeff.

This is my family we're talking about.

I know, Teddy.

And you're protecting them from having to publicly endure some very unsavory details about yourself.

[Horn honks in distance]

You know, I never should have helped you.

You should be in jail right now for what you did, instead of standing here with that damn smirk on your face.

We've all got to live with our choices.

And you've got to deliver on yours.

I need Maddie here tomorrow morning, 10:00 A.M.

Jeff, I haven't even had a chance to tell her yet, damn it.

Better make it quick.

The chairman is looking forward to meeting her.

Bucky: This goes beyond Edgehill.

We're talking about going up against a major corporation.

I'm not gonna be intimidated just because they're a corporation.

Tennessee law only requires one parent's signature to ratify a recording contract.

Even if I was never made aware of it to begin with?

I'm not saying we couldn't try.

But given the substantial resources Benton Media has...

That is irrelevant to me.

This is my daughter we're talking about.

And we'll do all we can.

Perhaps more than what you'd spend to fight this is the time you'd need to do it.

In all likelihood, we're looking at weeks before we could even get a hearing.

What happens in the interim?

Your daughter's under contract to Edgehill Republic.

There's no way she's setting foot in that building, no less making a record with them.

Then she'll be in breach of contract.

I'm sorry, but there is not a lot you can do to dispute a binding contract signed by your daughter's father.

Hi.

[Door closes]

Hey.

What you doing?

I'm just finishing off a little paperwork before Maddie comes over for a lesson.

Oh, cool.

I got you some carrot juice and some bee pollen to go with your milk thistle.

It's really good for your immune system.

Keep your receipt, 'cause I ain't drinking it.

None of that crunchy crap's gonna do anything for me anyway.

Well, it can't hurt. Neither could a little positivity.

Listen. Maddie's gonna get all my guitars and the cabin.

But I want you to get this house, all right?

And you'll get that piano, of course.

What?

In my will. I'm...

I just printed up one of these do-it-yourself jobs off the lnternet.

You trying to make me cry?

No, Scarlett.

That doctor wouldn't give me any kind of timetable, so I found one on the lnternet.

If I don't get this liver, I got six months, tops.

Okay? And I'm very sorry, but that does not give me a lot of time to handle my business.

So, y... you went online, and you got yourself a do-it-yourself medical degree?

Yeah, that's exactly what I did.

No! That's... you got to stop it.

Scarlett!

No! No, it's silly!

The fact is, you're on the transplant list.

All right, the fact is, Scarlett, I got cancer.

And I got it bad, all right? I got it real bad.

Fact is, I got me a daughter who says she hates not seeing me, and she's about to get a whole lot of that.

No...

And I'm not gonna see her either, okay?

I'm not gonna see her cut her first record or walk down the aisle.

I might not even see her finish this school year, all right?

You don't know any of that. You don't know that.

I do, Scarlett.

The important thing is that she doesn't know.

She's about to come over here in a little bit.

I don't want you saying nothing.

I don't want any of that, all right?

No, you probably won't even have to say anything...

Scarlett... 'Cause you're on the transplant list.

... would you just stop with the...

You could get a...

You could be cured.

Stop it!

[Breathing heavily]

Now you know where it is when you need it.

What do you want?

I heard you were out.

I wanted to check on you, see how you were.

I'm great. Thank you for asking.

Look.

Uh, I got a big meeting with Henry Benton tomorrow... owner of Edgehill, and...

Right. Um, let me guess.

You're dropping me from the label?

I want you to play for him.

I want you to show him what you showed me in that jam tent at the festival.

Why?

Is this because of me and my music, or is it because you feel guilty about what happened at the... party?

[Scoffs] I mean, does it matter?

It does to me.

[Clears throat] It's about a girl with a great voice and something to say.

I've seen the real you, Layla.

I just want the rest of the world to see that, too.

[Guitar playing]

Now, that is a guitar tone.

That's more townes van zandt than top-10.

That mean you're actually ready to roll?

Yeah.

Yeah, let's get Sadie in here.

I'll grab her. She took a call up front.

[Cellphone ringing]

Actually, uh, I got to take this.

[Beep] I just want to make sure it's not an emergency.

Uh-huh.

Take another five, people.

Something wrong?

I just wanted to talk. I'm lonely.

And I'm working.

When are you coming home?

[Sighs] When we're done.

You know how it is in the studio.

Wait. What are you doing?

Recording Sadie Stone. I told you this morning.

You sure you didn't hit your head?

I've got pregnancy brain, okay?

And I've got producer brain.

I got the biggest session players in town sitting in there, Rayna's manager's on my ass...

I haven't even tracked a single note.

Babe, I got to go.

Hey, wa...

[Beeping]

Hello?

[Sighs]

You guys find Sadie yet?

She's in the lounge, said she needs a minute.

She seems pretty upset.

Wait. When did that happen?

Oh, it was somewhere between you fiddling with knobs and fielding calls from your wife.

[Crowd cheering]

["Guest Star" playing]

Open tab on me!

[Cheering continues]

Hey, here comes the pied piper now.

Hey, gentlemen, I'd like you to meet these fine ladies.

I met them at the upstairs bar.

This is Lindsey, Donna, Cee-Cee, and... Raquel.

Rochelle.

Ha. Oh, well, nicely done. It is a pleasure to meet you.

Uh, these are my boys, Gunnar and Luke.

Oh, we know. Wheels up.

Oh, well, they are about to be, darling.

Okay. Okay. So, guess what these ladies do?

What do they do?

They're cheerleaders.

[Laughs]

Well, that is some sweet serendipity, 'cause me and the boys here, we could use some cheering up.

Especially this one right here. What did you say happened?

Uh, your girlfriend cheat on you?

Yeah, but it's a little more complicated than that.

Oh, you poor baby! When did you break up?

A little over 10 years ago.

Yeah. Well, hey, we're here to drink beers, not cry in 'em.

Come on. Y'all want to dance?

Yes!

Y'all want to dance?!

[Girls cheer]

Come on. Let's go.

All right! All right!

Go on. You, too.

I'll get your wheels up, darling.

Lindsey: Whoo!

Sadie?

I need some privacy, please.

Look, uh, I'm sorry for the delay.

But we're ready to go.

Just need you now.

You all right?

I don't want to talk about it.

Listen, I'm sorry. I can't do this today, all right?

Look, I... I don't know you all that well, but...

I can hear in your voice that something's wrong.

I... I'm fine if you want to cancel the session today.

But I'm not letting you leave here without knowing you're okay.

And that's your friend talking, not your producer.

Can I come in?

[Knock on door]

[Sighs]

Hey, there she is.

Hey.

It has been so long.

I'm sorry, sweetie.

Come on in.

How have you been?

I've been good.

Good.

Yeah, I've been busy, but good.

That's good.

How about you, Miss Bluebird?

Better since we played there.

I bet. Yeah.

I was thinking maybe we could play there together sometime.

And I've got some more free time coming up this summer, too, to play some music.

Yeah, yeah. Yeah.

You know, I was thinking now that you and your sister are, uh, playing these big-time venues, maybe it's time you got yourself a real guitar teacher, huh?

You're the best that there is.

I mean, you're freaking Deacon Claybourne.

And besides, you're my dad.

I know that. I just...

I don't know if I'm always gonna be here.

Where would you be?

On tour.

Up at the cabin or something.

Maybe retired up there. I don't know.

I just don't...

I don't want to leave you hanging.

Then don't. Stay right here.

[Chuckles] Not always that easy.

You want to play?

Yeah.

Let's do it.

Everything looks great.

Zero indication of any rejection.

Dr. Rand?

Scarlett.

He needs a better prognosis.

Excuse me?

My uncle.

Um, or you... you need to answer his question, 'cause he is hell-bent on finding out how long he's got to live.

He went online, found six months.

You need to tell him that that is wrong, please.

I'm not gonna do that. Okay?

I... I couldn't, anyway, not definitively.

Look, what your uncle could really use right now is a support group.

He could use the support of his doctor.

And I'm here when he needs to talk to me.

Okay. But he's not gonna talk to you.

That's the way he is. You've got to talk to him.

Just tell him to be positive, tell him, there... there's hope.

Okay, Scarlett...

No, no. I... I... I can't keep watching him like this.

He doesn't talk about anything but dying, when he should be doing everything he can to live.

He's got a daughter...

Scarlett...

No, no, no, no! Just talk to him! Do something!

Scarlett... I think I need to talk to you first.

Woman: Yeah!

Woman 2: Whoo!

♪ don't let go, let go of me ♪

Will: Come on, man.

Luke wants you to join in on the fun.

Gunnar: Is that what you're having... fun?

Well, at least I'm trying.

I'm not sitting around moping about some 10-year-old heartbreak.

The heartbreak may be old, but the betrayal, that is brand-new.

Oh, come on. What do they say about getting over somebody by getting under somebody else?

That's what Kiley did.

Only she didn't bother waiting till we broke up to do it.

Luke: Here he comes! Attaboy!

[Knock on door]

[Sighs]

I don't have time to fight, Rayna.

[Door closes]

Neither do I.

Just wanted to let you know that my lawyers are preparing to file an emergency injunction against you tomorrow, stripping you of your parental rights, seeing as how Deacon is Maddie's biological father.

You... you can't do this.

I have no choice.

I want that contract nullified.

Yeah, but Maddie is my daughter.

You think I want to explode our family?

You think I want to break her heart into a million pieces?

I do not.

I'm trying to protect our daughter from a decision that you made.

Yeah, but what you don't understand is I tried to protect her.

From what?

Me.

My choices, my...

I'm so sorry, but my hand was forced, too.

Jeff, uh...

He needed my help with a situation that... involved one of his artists... uh, Layla Grant.

I know who she is.

Anyway, he... he threw a party, and apparently...

Layla took too many pills and overdosed, and they found her floating in the pool, barely alive.

And Jeff panicked because she was underage.

So, I made the investigation go away.

Why would you do that?

[Sighs]

Because Jeff introduced me to this woman a... a few months ago.

And, you know, after I'd seen her a couple of times, I found out that she was, um... she was a professional.

A prost*tute?

Yeah.

So, Jeff threatened to expose you if you didn't sign the contract with Edgehill?

Yeah.

Rayna, if this comes out, there's gonna be a huge scandal.

It's not only gonna involve me, but...

Yep, the girls, too.

I can't put them through that.

No. And the situation you've put Maddie in is bad enough.

I'm aware of that. But what would you have me do?

You know what? At this point, Teddy, I'd appreciate it if you just don't do anything.

And certainly don't mention this to Maddie.

Yeah, well, I'm supposed to have Maddie at Edgehill tomorrow to meet with the board of directors and to announce the signing at 10:00 A.M.

So, this is the same guy who came by the studio a couple weeks ago.

And he's not just suing me for past royalties.

He's staking a claim to my entire career with this lawsuit.

It says you signed a partnership agreement with him?

On a napkin, in a bar, when we were first starting out.

You know what... losers like this, they always come out of the woodwork when you're successful.

This is probably just a nuisance lawsuit.

He's more than just a nuisance.

Haven't been able to find a decent latte since I've been here.

You haven't been to Crema.

Yeah, this job has a way of ruining a person's social life.

Sorry for ambushing you.

I've just been trying to stay positive, keep Deacon's spirits up, and, uh... it's not working.

Scarlett, you ever heard of the term "happiness bully"?

Your, uh, relentless optimism can be as much of a crutch as your uncle's pessimism.

You both need to find a balance, you know?

You've got to hope for the best, prepare for the worst.

You an oncologist or a therapist?

Uh, right now, I'm a friend.

I cannot get that.

Just keep trying, all right? I mean, you almost had it.

No, I didn't almost have it.

You did Al... you did.

No! I'm never gonna get it, Deacon!

You don't give me guitar lessons anymore.

Sweetie, calm down, all right?

You have no idea how long it took me to get all these chord transitions.

That's the hardest part. But you don't give up.

Not in guitar, not in life, not in anything, all right?

Look at me.

Take a breath.

[Both inhale deeply]

[Exhales deeply]

[Exhales deeply]

Now try again.

Okay.

[Guitar playing]

♪ Like the moon has got the tide ♪
♪ the river's got the sea ♪
♪ oh, I've got you, and you've got me ♪

[Chuckles]

♪ Oh, some things are guaranteed ♪
♪ oh, some things will always be ♪
♪ mm-mm-mm ♪
♪ oh, I've got you, and you've got me ♪

What's wrong? Why are you sad?

Oh, I'm not sad, sweetie. No.

Right now, I'm about the happiest guy you know.

[Laughs]

Very proud.

[Sniffles] You know what?

Maybe we can play some shows this summer.

I thought you might not be here.

On second thought, maybe I changed my mind.

Maybe I'm sticking around.

♪ Oh, darling, won't you believe me? ♪

[Indistinct conversations]

♪ I'll love you till the record stops ♪

[Laughter]

♪ the record stops, oh, darling ♪

I think you need some more to drink.

No, thanks. I don't feel like it.

I'll give you something to feel.

[Chuckles]

♪ The record stops, oh, darling ♪
♪ d-d-darling ♪

What's the matter?

♪ I'll love you ♪

I got to go.

♪ L-l-love you ♪
♪ yeah ♪

Hey! What's wrong with him?

Sadie, you shouldn't be hiding any of this.

You got to tell Rayna.

Do you know how humiliating it is to tell somebody something like this?

And Rayna has got her own problems.

You've got to promise me you're not gonna tell her, or Bucky.

What about the police?

I filed a restraining order.

I thought that it was gonna keep him away, but he just figured out a way around it.

So, in addition to everything else, he's playing mind games with you.

And he's winning. I can't sing like this.

I can't even think knowing he's right outside, making sure he stays just 100 feet away from me.

Wait. He's outside?

Yes.

What are you doing?

Gonna have a little talk with your ex.

Avery!

Hey, Pete!

Yeah, man, you.

Takes a real tough guy to hide out in his truck.

Mind your own, little man.

Do you mooch off all the women you're with?

Everything that bitch has, she owes to me.

That include the black eye you gave her?

Don't know what you're talking about.

You know, I always wondered what kind of guy gets off on hitting women.

Must be the pathetic, cowardly ones.

Now I'm gonna get off hitting on you.

Yeah, bring it!

Hey! Before you come any closer, you might want to smile for that surveillance camera.

You are within 100 feet of me.

This is entrapment.

What did you say on the phone?

"Good luck proving that"?

Now if you don't want me to call the cops, I suggest you get in that piece-of-crap truck of yours and start driving towards Virginia.

[Breathing shakily]

[Truck door opens, closes]

[Engine turns over]

Well, that took a hell of a lot of guts.

I'm gonna tell the musicians to head on home.

No.

[Truck departs]

I think I'm ready to sing that song now.

[unplugged guitar playing]

Can you turn that down, please?

It ain't even plugged in.

Mm. Pick lighter?

Hey, Luke say anything about me last night?

I mean, he must have been wondering why I, uh...

Luke: Morning, boys.

Anybody seen my pants?

Or sock?

Or that girl, Cee-Cee? [Chuckles]

Yeah, no. She left about an hour ago in a cab.

With, uh, yours.

You sure as hell bailed early last night.

Yeah, I did.

Solo, from what I could tell.

Hey, Luke, I got to be honest with you, man.

I'm not the guy you think I am.

I mean, I'm I'm...

I'm just not into hooking up with random women anymore.

What are you saying, son?

I mean, just that...

You know, I might have cheated on Layla once, but d... deep down, this... this whole playboy thing... man, it's not me.

Well...

[Inhales deeply]

... always had my suspicions, but, um, now you've confirmed them.

What, uh... what Will's trying to say is that...

You're sensitive. Well, guess what.

So am I.

As much as I wish I could play into this bad-boy thing and drinking and screwing around and writing mean songs...

Just doesn't sit right.

And it sure as hell doesn't make me feel any better, either.

But... it does make me feel something.

[Sighs]

Don't be drinking that on account of me.

I'm not. I'm drinking it for me.

I'm sorry for being such a dark cloud all week, okay?

Sorry for not letting you be what you needed to be.

Right back at you.

Thinking about what that doctor was saying... there's no sense in dealing in absolutes.

But there is one thing that I am absolute about.

You.

Your loving me, your supporting me.

For your positivity, too. I mean it.

I do, 'cause you're right. Anything can happen.

I mean, hell, I'm drinking bee pollen.

Mm.

[Groans]

[Voice breaking] I swear it's good for you.

It just tastes like crap.

[Guitar playing]

Luke: ♪ I can't help my heart ♪
♪ I can't catch the wind ♪
♪ so every night, I raise the dead ♪
♪ and face the ghost of us again ♪
♪ I can't stop the flood ♪
♪ drown your memory ♪
♪ and I can be a hurricane ♪
♪ a driving rain of misery ♪
♪ oh, we might be worlds apart ♪
♪ yeah, we might be worlds apart ♪
♪ but I can't help my heart ♪
♪ I can't help my heart ♪
♪ standing in the driveway ♪
♪ trying to see it your way ♪

Hell of a lot better than the "witch and bitch" song.

[Both chuckle]

It's pretty great.

And pretty personal.

Yeah.

Been a long time since I wrote one of those.

[Chuckles, sniffles]

Gonna be a while before I get over her.

That's the god's honest truth.

[Clears throat]

Before you get over the loss or the... the fact she stood you up at the altar?

Uh... both.

Uh, but more than anything, it's having to give up the idea of a love I thought we had.

You know, I thought it was real.

Well, it was for me, anyway, so...

Whew, man.

My head hurts, I'm sick to my stomach, and I'm, uh, pretty disgusted with myself, but I have to say, it felt great to write that song.

Yeah.

You should try writing one of your own.

Your first love sleeps with your brother?

Gunnar, it doesn't get any more country than that.

Another time.

Angie: Mr. Benton and the entire board is upstairs, but we're still waiting for Maddie Conrad.

Hi. I have an appointment with Jeff Fordham at...

Hi! Layla.

Uh, they're currently in a signing meeting upstairs.

Can I get you coffee while you wait? Water?

Yeah, that would be great. Thanks.

Uh, he'll be right back with that.

Okay. [Chuckles]

Maddie: ♪ won't let you sink ♪
♪ like a stone to the bottom, bottom ♪

And with an artist like Maddie Conrad,

Edgehill Republic can make a strong entry into the pop-country market. - ♪ Let me remind you of the you you've forgotten ♪

Now, between our musical muscle and Benton media's global reach, we have got the talent and the resources...

♪ it's just a road ♪

... to turn Maddie...

♪ it's just a wave that you're riding ♪

... into one of Edgehill's most profitable artists.

♪ I know it's rough ♪

[Music stops]

This all sounds very promising, Jeff.

Thank you.

And after the last three quarters you posted, a little profit would be nice for a change.

Well, uh, Mr. Chairman, I think you're in for a treat, 'cause she's coming here this morning for you to witness firsthand.

[Intercom beeps] Uh, is Maddie Conrad here?

And if so, please send her in.

Hey, y'all.

Rayna James.

Mr. Benton.

I am so happy to finally be meeting you.

How are you, sir?

And you, as well.

What are you doing? Where's Maddie?

Oh, my daughter couldn't make it to your little meeting this morning, so I thought I'd fill in for her.

What's going on here, Jeff?

Do you mind if I sit?

These heels are a k*ller, and I think we're gonna be here for a little while.

It's a solid, legally binding contract.

You forced Maddie's father to sign that.

You blackmailed him.

I wouldn't get too dramatic if I were you.

I don't think you want to air the mayor's dirty laundry.

Oh, really? You want to get into Teddy's transgressions?

'Cause they implicate you, too.

What are you saying?

Well, I'm saying that you might want to have a little look at Jeff Fordham's discretionary spending, 'cause I don't think he's used very much discretion.

And I'm not even talking about the $40,000 necklace you sent my daughter.

Is there something I should know, Jeff?

No, sir.

She's just upset because her daughter signed with a label that is better than her own.

She did not go with the label!

She doesn't even know about this recording-contract stunt that you've pulled.

Mr. Benton, what does it mean to you that your label president is signing people without their knowledge or consent?

Well, I won't speak to Jeff's recruitment methods, but I must say, I enjoyed what I heard.

And I'd be inclined to keep such a talented young woman under contract.

She's a 15-year-old girl.

You have a young woman on your label,

Layla Grant, who actually wants to be there.

I'm aware.

Jeff: She's right outside, sir.

Rayna: Well, you may not be aware that she is also underage and very recently overdosed on pills and almost drowned in Jeff Fordham's pool.

Mr. Benton, I... I...

You coerced my ex-husband so you could cover up the incident.

But I'm not gonna sit here and watch while he treats his female artists like this, and I sure as hell don't want my daughter having anything to do with it.

I'm asking you, please, to nullify this contract.

As far as I'm concerned, Ms. James, this contract never existed.

Thank you for your understanding.

And if we're through here, I think Jeff and I have some things to discuss.

We're done here.

[Door opens]

Avery, can I talk to you for a second?

Long as it's quick. The band's on fire.

Well, so am I.

So, I understand that you didn't start recording until almost midnight last night.

There were some issues yesterday.

Right.

Well hey.

Are you in over your head on this? I know it's a big project.

There's a lot of pressure. You got a lot going on at home.

Tell you what. Why don't we let the music do the talking?

[Guitar playing]

♪ There's a bottle of wine on the kitchen table ♪
♪ yeah, just hanging around ♪
♪ I could open it up and light a candle ♪
♪ just burn the whole thing down ♪
♪ I'll be damned if it ain't raining ♪

It's gonna be a bloodbath. Mr. Benton is furious.

♪ Perfect chance to feel the pain, but ♪

Excuse me. I've been waiting here for over an hour.

♪ I don't want to write a sad song ♪

Oh, I'm so sorry. Didn't anyone tell you?

The meeting's been canceled.

♪ I don't want to sing a sad song ♪

Wait. What?

Um, where's Jeff? I... I need to talk to him.

Mr. Fordham's currently unavailable.

♪ I don't want to be a sad song tonight ♪
♪ no, not tonight ♪
♪ I've been broken ♪

That's one of the only photos of your brother you got.

♪ God knows all the stories I could tell ♪

Think you might want to preserve those memories?

I don't have any, at least any I can trust.

I look at these smiling faces, and all I see are lies now.

♪ My guitar's so sick of me feeling sorry for myself ♪
♪ same, old heartache ♪

Scarlett, is everything okay?

♪ You again ♪
♪ did you come to party, do me in? ♪

Yeah. I, uh, just really wanted to thank you for yesterday and, um, save you from another evil vending-machine coffee.

It's from Crema.

♪ I don't want to write a sad song ♪

[Computer beeping]

♪ I don't want to sing a sad song ♪

Hey, sweetie.

Hey. Just practicing what you showed me.

That's right. That's how you do it.

♪ I don't want to be a sad song tonight ♪

So, what's up?

Nothing, really.

I just hate missing you.

♪ No, not tonight ♪

Nice to be reminded why I do this for a living.

Yeah, she's something else.

♪ Just one night ♪

I was talking about you, man.

♪ find peace in knowing ♪
♪ where I've been's, not where I'm going ♪
♪ and I don't want to write a sad song ♪

What could you possibly want right now?

I want to explain myself.

For what?!

I sat at your office like a fool while your assistants whispered about me.

♪ I don't want to sing a sad song ♪

They weren't whispering about you.

They were whispering about me!

Your meeting was canceled...

♪ I don't want to be ♪

... because I got fired.

♪ a sad song tonight ♪

What are you doing here right now?

♪ No, not tonight ♪

I've had a really bad day.

♪ Mm, mm, mm ♪
♪ no, not tonight ♪

[Song ends]

I got your message that you wanted to meet here.

[Sighs] Yeah, we should talk.

[Sighs]

The contract was voided.

[Sighs] Thank god.

Mm-hmm.

Thank you.

Look, Rayna, I...

I know that I compromised your trust.

Oh, forget about my trust. You did this to our daughter.

You put Maddie in an untenable situation because you wanted to cover up what happened to that poor girl at Jeff Fordham's house?

Because you were sleeping with prostitutes?

Rayna, please.

Come on. I... I made... I made a mistake, all right?

It was a hu... it was a big mistake, but...

[groans]

Once I realized what was going on, I just... I ended that whole...

I don't care what you do in your personal life.

I really don't. But it best not impact our girls.

And I mean ever.

What happened, it's not me... as a man, as a father.

Well, I'm gonna take that off the table for a little while.

What does that mean?

I'm home now.

I want the girls at home with me exclusively.

No.

Yeah.

That is not the solution.

I'm sorry.

Do not take my daughters from me.

Sorry.

Get yourself some help.

And I need you to get out of my office, please.