04x01 - Graduation Day

[bunniefuu]

Tee, we about to take over
the whole f*cking nation.

I'm talking about a
half a ton in each state.

Atlanta is officially
our distribution hub.

You do so much better without
Meech calling the shots.

All this time, I've been
trying to outshine Meech.

n*gga, Meech is always
gonna be the face of BMF.

I'ma forever be in his shadow.

[MARKISHA] We got shot at
because of our relationship.

Boom is still my husband.

I want a fresh start at a new church.

Sister Lucille has accepted the role

as assistant pastor... glory to God!

[NICOLE] And y'all are getting a divorce

because Pops cheated with Miss Mabel.

A promoter friend booked us
on a six-week gospel circuit.

You should ride with us, Charles.

Does this mean you'll
come on tour with me?

The only man that I
need in my life right now

is my Heavenly Father.

- Friends?
- Forever.

That's really sweet.

Yeah, 'cause I really care about you.

I've been thinking... I want
to go to cosmetology school.

Be a hairstylist like I always wanted.

- [LAMAR] That's from surgery.
- Does it hurt?

No, no. I'm good. Come on.

[MEECH] We took care
of Lamar's b*tch a*s

just the way you wanted.

But now I'm asking you to respect

the way I handle B-Mickie.

Meech, you know I could never stand

your little second grade buddy, right?

n*gga, is that why your
b*tch a*s tried to set me up?

Look, I could never trust
you no more. You dead to me.

[BRYANT] My boy is dead 'cause
of those f*ck' dope dealers.

- [JIN] What are you gonna do?
- Probably heading south.

[JIN] Is that where Meech is?

- Hey, Remi!
- Milton!

Let's get these m*therf*ckers, man!

- Man, get the f*ck out of here!
- [g*nf*re]

You said you would protect us.

Look... at what you've done.

- Big Meech, Motor City.
- J-Pusha, Hustle City.

I'm actually trying to expand
my pipeline down to St. Louis.

This is my town, and my plan.

So you came looking
for me to be my plug.

- Sina says you're my guy.
- Loco got arrested in Mexico.

No más supply until he free.

We're two Black men in a foreign country

trying to break a f*cking
drug kingpin out of jail.

Tee, when the f*ck we ever
cared about the laws, huh?

We always ran by our own rules
and stuck to our own playbook.

'Cause there's no turning back.

♪

_

[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYS]

[BREATHING HEAVILY]

[TIRE POPS]

_

[g*nf*re]

_

[TERRY] How the f*ck I
let you talk me into this?

- Meech!
- _

- [g*nf*re]
- [INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

_

[MUSIC ENDS]

[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYS]

[BIRDS CHIRPING]

[LOCO] Ah. Demetri.

We go.

[TERRY] Ah, f*ck!

Damn, Loco you run faster in a dress.

That had to be the craziest
disguise I ever seen in my life.

You gotta be the ugliest damn
woman I've ever seen in my life.

[LAUGHTER]

[MEECH] But your escape
plan worked, Loco.

So I guess the DEA y los
Federales son estúpidos.

[TERRY] I dunno why
y'all laughing and sh*t.

You know they not going
to stop hunting us down

till they gets this
n*gga back in custody.

[LOCO] No, no, no, no.

We go to, uh, mi casa
en las montañas...

mountains.

- [TERRY] The mountains?
- Mm-hm.

How far?

Tres dias, walking.

[TERRY] Three days? That's
more like a dead man walking.

Man, Tee, cut the sh*t

and get your f*cking
head in the game, man.

[LOCO SPEAKING IN SPANISH]

You gonna stop speaking to me

in front of my face
in Spanish like that.

[ARGUING IN SPANISH]

[TERRY] No entiendo, no
entiendo papa, don't do that...

- [SNAKE HISSES]
- Ah! f*ck!

[LOCO] Demetri!

[TERRY] Yo, is that
a m*therf*cking snake?

- [LOCO] It's a serpiente.
- [TERRY ] sh*t.

[LOCO] It's most deadly, Demetri.

Oh, sh*t. Hey, Meech, stay right here.

Stay right here. Yo,
Meech, just hold still.

Loco. Loco, get us help!

[LOCO] Terry, just find some
cover... [SPEAKING SPANISH]

Do not move him. I'll be back.

Meech, come on, stay
with me. Stay with me.

Meech, Meech! Stay with
me. Come on, come on.

You can't go like this. Come on.

Loco, hurry up!

Oh, sh*t. sh*t.

Oh, f*ck. Oh, damn.

[OLDER TERRY] We had
cheated death before,

but this time, sh*t was different.

We was in the middle of nowhere,

and the invincibility that
fueled us was fading fast...

along with bruh.

♪ I got everything on the line ♪

♪ Out here I'm on the
grind, trying to get mine ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ A n*gga movin' weight,
trying to get the cake ♪

♪ I'm in and out of state ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many n*gg*s fake,
it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ I don't go hand to hand,
it go gram after gram ♪

♪ Yeah, holla at me, man ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many n*gg*s fake,
it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ The D's ain't that good,
these n*gg*s is rattin' ♪

♪ They tell 'em what's goin' on ♪

♪ That's how they
know what's happenin' ♪

♪ I'm ridin' with the top
down, trunk full of yola ♪

♪ Ghetto pharmaceutical,
I move that Coca-Cola ♪

♪ Thousand grams of pure
though, I f*ck with the weirdos ♪

♪ They snort away the pain,
bang their dope in their vein ♪

♪ Shorty crying,
Christmas ain't coming ♪

♪ Her pops locked up
when it hurts the worst ♪

♪ Your ace find out she knocked up ♪

♪ Welfare ain't an option
when the Feds come knocking ♪

♪ It's all f*cked
up, so wish me luck ♪

♪ A n*gga movin' weight,
tryna get the cake ♪

♪ I'm in and out of state ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many n*gg*s fake,
it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ I don't go hand to hand,
it go gram after gram ♪

♪ Yeah, holla at me, man ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Too many n*gg*s fake,
it's hard to tell a snake ♪

♪ One more flip and I'm straight ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ At least you could wish me luck ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, wish me luck ♪

♪ All you gotta do is
wish me luck, yeah ♪

- [UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC PLAYS]
- _

♪ All the ladies wanna
know where he goes ♪

♪ And where did he come from? ♪

♪ Diamond in the back sitting low ♪

♪ Yeah, he got his own flow ♪

Seven! Winner!

I probably shouldn't admit this, but...

a part of me was rooting for you.

I thought in places like these,

you shouldn't be rooting
for anyone outside yourself.

Well, one of the perks
of being the house

is that I'm afforded the
freedom to do whatever I like.

[CHUCKLES] The house, you?

Since you the house, you
could also be thinking,

the longer I play,
the better the chances

you winning all my money back.

True as well.

Imani.

- [TERRY] Tee.
- [IMANI CHUCKLES]

Oh, I make it a point to know

who all the important players
are in the D, Mr. Flenory.

I am hosting a private game next week.

I would love to extend to
you a personal invitation.

I'll definitely think about it.

I hope you do.

Good luck.

[DEALER] The dice are to you, sir.

Right.

[DEALER] Alright, folks...

What up doe?

Your man in the Lou, J-Pusha,

he's saying he ain't
gonna pay for it again.

He got it, but he's not paying?

Oh, he did.

From Duffy in ATL.

Make sh*t worse, Sharp
heard J-Pusha ain't pay,

so now the 'Bama's payments
are coming in short and late.

What the f*ck you
think I'm gambling for?

To make up for all the
L's we've been taking.

So, what you wanna do?

Is the sh**ter taking another throw?

I'ma take care of this.

Marjorie, if I had known
a church elder was coming,

I would've made you a plate.

Oh, well, you know a
house visit only works

if I can catch the host off guard.

Well, all you caught
is a half-empty kitchen.

- [BOTH LAUGH]
- Goodness.

[MARJORIE] Oh, Lucille...

I have some news.

Pastor Fleming's mother is terminal

and she's stepping down.

I'm so sorry to hear this.

[MARJORIE] Yes, we're
keeping her in prayer.

Lucille...

the board would like to interview you

for the lead pastorship.

- Me?
- Yes. You have many gifts.

You know the scripture
forward and backwards.

You're a beautiful soprano

and you're a brilliant preacher...

one that people can relate to.

Wow. Thank you. I mean...

That means so much,
especially coming from you.

Well, we're interviewing
candidates tomorrow

and we would be graced
to have your presence.

- Wait. Tomorrow?
- Mm-hmm.

Oh! Nicole.

Nicole is graduating
from Southwestern High.

[MARJORIE] Children are
a heritage from the Lord,

but we have a potential
donor coming on Sunday,

and we need to have our
new pastor in the pulpit.

The only question is,

is whether you're ready
to fly this plane...

or leave it for someone else.

[THUNDER RUMBLES]

Knock, knock, n*gga. It's that time.

[J-PUSHA] Who dis is?

[TERRY] It's Tee from
the m*therf*cking D.

Meech little brother?

Why you interrupting me?

I'm in the middle of
something over here.

How much for this one right here?

Normally 50, but for you,

- I'll let it go for 30.
- [J-PUSHA] My man.

Yo, I know good and damn
well that you ain't over there

paying some other
m*therf*cker with my money.

Southside projects
are slapping right now

and I'm liquid as hell.

And seeing how possession is


And you ain't got no right to claim it.

Look, man, why you wasting my time?

I got things to be doing over here.

Look, you or one of your peoples

need to hop your a*s in the car

and take your a*s to Detroit right now.

Look, I don't deal
with outsiders, alright?

I deal with your brother,

and I'll pay him when I hear from him.

Alright? We ain't got
much to talk about.

You St. Louis m*therf*ckers
got a real slick tongue.

I ain't gonna deal with
that disrespect any longer.

You understand me?

[J-PUSHA] I've been in the
game a lot longer than you.

You want respect, you gotta earn it.

You want your money that bad,

bring your a*s to the Lou and
come get it your damn self.

[TERRY] His a*s hung up on me.

Damn!

[TERRY] If it wasn't
for Nikki's graduation,

I'd be down there
right now my damn self.

I'ma hit up Sterl.

I need some muscle to go to the Lou

and grab J-Pusha to bring his a*s to me

so I can deal with him personally.

You think that's the best move?

J-Pusha ain't just some corner boy

that can be pushed around.

That's the move.

You ever gonna tell me
what's up with Meech?

Hoop, please. Let's just focus
on the task at hand right now.

And that's bringing J-Pusha here

so we can deal with
the disrespect, alright?

I get it.

But Meech being missing

is like Jesus not being
a part of the Last Supper.

That's the f*cking problem!
[HAND BANGS ON TABLE]

You-you m*therf*ckers are treating him

like he's the chosen one.

Who's the one that's been
putting all the food on the table?

You.

And we appreciate you stepping up.

I know you got a lot on your plate.

- I'll take care of J-Pusha.
- [TERRY] Thank you.

[PIANO MUSIC PLAYS]

♪ We shall overcome ♪

♪ We shall overcome ♪

♪ We shall overcome ♪

♪ Someday ♪

♪ Deep in my heart ♪

♪ I still believe ♪

♪ We shall overcome ♪

♪ Someday ♪

Oh, who needs Ray Charles
when you have Lamar Silas?

Just amazing.

God bless you, Miss Joann.

[JOANN] And speaking of amazing,

you guys have spent the last


and digging deep to
get to the root causes

of your drug addiction.

Now, I know coming to this
program wasn't optional,

but court-ordered.

Still, I hope you take
away more than that.

What do we say we must have?

[ALL] The courage to heal
and the courage to change.

And the courage to use the
tools you developed here

to lead meaningful, law-abiding lives

as you re-enter society.

I believe in you.

But do you believe in yourselves?

That wasn't rhetorical.

Do you believe in yourselves?

[ALL] Yes!

Are you stronger than your struggles?

[ALL] Yes!

- [JOANN] Can you overcome?
- [ALL] Yes!

In that case, let's graduate.

Mr. Silas, come on down.

[CHUCKLES]

If you put in as much work out there

as you did in this program
for the last three months,

there is no telling where you can go.

I'm proud of you.

Thank you. Um...

I-I've been addicted to
a lot of stuff in my life.

Um...

Women.

Money. Power.

Revenge.

[g*nsh*t]

[CHUCKLES LIGHTLY]

That revenge sh*t, that... that...

that's what really
brought me to my knees.

Um...

Led me to losing everything
and everyone I've ever loved.

And then, uh...

good old crack became
a-a new addiction.

No, no.

Well, it was... a tool of destruction

used against me.

But I beat my addiction before
my addiction could beat me.

Ain't nothing ever gon' beat me.

Never again.

[APPLAUSE]

[SIREN WAILING IN DISTANCE]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[DOOR OPENS]

[SIGHS]

Hey, Tee.

So, this means...

that I'm forgiven for Miami?

And bailing to Mexico?

Mm-mm.

I'm here to talk business.

I got a proposition.

Sounds intriguing.

I'm tired of relying on men
for my financial security.

I want my independence.

[CHUCKLES] Wait. Hold on.

Um, is this... is this a sales pitch?

What the f*ck is so funny about a woman

wanting to stand on her own two?

[TERRY] I'm-I'm not...
I'm-I'm not laughing at you.

It's just...

Baby, I could take care
of you if you let me.

[MARKISHA] I'm not playing, Tee.

If you want any chance
of getting back with me,

then you'll help me get in the game.

You wanna hustle?

I got connections on
both sides of the law,

and I can make introductions for you.

Well, I got the D on lock.

We're aiming for half
a ton in every state.

I don't have time or room for
anybody who's not under me.

Look, Tee, I've been around
this sh*t way longer than you.

You watched the game, but never played.

There's a big difference.

[MARKISHA] But I know the playbook.

Who do you think told Boom

to expand to the west side

and switch from H to coke, huh?

Me.

And who told you to
scope out the airports

for your car service business? Me.

And when it came down to
fixing your little CPS problem,

who helped you with that?

Hint... It wasn't you.

So if you want me up
under you anytime soon,

then you'll respect my value
and what I bring to the table.

Yeah, Markisha, you're... you're...

you're helpful behind the scenes.

You're-you're a hell
of an asset. For real.

But to convince all the other hustlers

that you're just more
than a pretty face,

it's a uphill battle.

Good luck.

You know what? f*ck you, Tee.

I'm tired of dealing
with little a*s boys.

I'ma start f*cking with
some real men from now on.

[MID-TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS]

[TRAIN HORN BLOWS]

[STEEL GUITAR PLAYING]

I mean, it's a lot more math
and science than I expected,

but I am loving cosmetology school.

Oh, ex-except for the drama.

It's this one girl, and
when I tell you she...

Charles! Please.

I'm trying to get
ready for my interview.

This song is important to me too.

Oh, my goodness. So
help me, Jesus. Help me.

So, first client,
how'd I do? You like it?

[NICOLE] LaWanda, I...

I wanted this... not this.

[LUCILLE] It looks
just like the picture.

Just like that to me.

Oh, my gosh, you look beautiful.

I mean, LaWanda, you did a great job.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Well, it's my house, Charles!

Oh, my gosh. Okay. Okay. Hi.

I have a delivery for a Lucille Flenory.

That's me.

Okay, that'll be $70

for the cake delivery, and a tip.

Twenty extra dollars just
to go around the corner?

Ma'am, would you like the cake?

- What kind of cake, Mama?
- Uh, it's vanilla.

- I like chocolate.
- [LUCILLE] Yummy.

So, listen, I did not get a chance

to go to the bank today, so
if I can just give you this,

and then I will give
you the rest later, okay?

I'm sorry.

Here.

Don't worry about it.

- Keep the change.
- [DELIVERY GUY] Thank you.

Alright.

Oh, unh-unh. "Keep the change"?

Where's the child support?

The Lord calls on us to be
generous and cheerful givers.

When I get on the road,
we'll be in the black

before the tour is done.

Yeah, when exactly is that gonna be?

Nicole, you look good,
baby. Graduation good.

- Told you.
- Hey, what's up, Pops?

Oh, sh*t. You look like... [LAUGHING]

- You look like Tito Jackson.
- [LUCILLE] Terry!

Terry, come on now. You
know that's my dream.

Don't laugh.

I'm just playing. You
know I gotta humble Nikki

so that big head could
fit in that cap and gown.

Terry, is Meech gonna
make it to the graduation?

I don't know, Ma.

[LUCILLE] Well, have you talked to him?

No! And besides, this is Nikki's day.

We don't need Meechie
raining on her parade, Ma.

- Come on. Excuse me.
- [SCOFFS]

[TERRY] Look, this for you.

[LUCILLE] Well, I didn't
expect this from you, Terry.

Come on.

Oh!

[LUCILLE] My goodness. Oh, wow.

This is way too nice

for some high schooler to
be running around with...

Lucille, she's the
graduate. Let her have it.

Yeah, she deserves it.

Oh, and, uh, next time you
go to the jewelry store,

don't forget about your baby mama.

[TERRY] Oh, my God. Here we go.

[LAWANDA] I'm just saying, you
can't even give me a compliment.

[TERRY] LaWanda, it was a joke.

I was just playing. Damn.

Oh, my gosh, you guys are gonna
make me late for my interview

with all this foolishness!

- I'll take you, Mom.
- Wanda!

The old Lamar just would've
thrown his sh*t in a sack.

This program really made an impression.

Not everything's changed.

Come on.

Let's break one off for the road.

In here? That's against the rules.

- Never stopped you before.
- Lamar.

Now, don't tell me you
tryin' to get caught up

so you don't have to leave sober house.

Your d*ck even work?

The bag's gone, and I'm hard as f*ck.

Mnh-mnh.

n*gga, I may be a freak,

but I ain't a fool.

You did the same sh*t when you
was leaving the institution.

Man, nothing works
for me on the outside.

Even when things are looking up,

tide's always turning.

Not this time.

Look, the system may have
failed you when you was young,

but now you got the power to change.

You do want to change, right?

More than you ever know.

Good. Now get your mood swing meds.

Mental health and
sobriety go hand in hand.

And don't try hiding
it under your tongue.

Especially since I plan to
put that tongue to work later.

Oh, that's my girl.

[DOOR CREAKS]

- Lamar.
- Huh?

You have another visitor.

Mm-hmm. Yeah.

The one thing I missed
while being on the road

are your haircuts.

Yeah, I always had you clean, Pops.

And you never charge me.

You know how much a good cut costs now?

Hey, uh, how's that
little girl of ours doing?

[TERRY] Oh, she's walking now.

Whew! Already?

- Yeah.
- You know, us Flenorys

don't take long to
be about our business.

[BOTH LAUGH]

Terry.

You know, your mother
and I have been trying

to get answers from you
about Meech for months.

I told you, he's in Mexico on business.

Is he safe? It's been six months.

Oh, I hope so.

[LUCILLE] I am a... a God-fearing woman

and a mother.

And now that I'm sitting
in this room with you,

I feel like I've been preparing
for this moment my whole life.

You're also recently divorced,

and it's publicly known

that your sons do not walk a holy path.

Well...

I have no desire to
stand above our people

and... and... and
preach from the pulpit.

I want to sit where they sit,

I want to pray where they pray,
so that when I ask them to...

to commit to love and... and
forgiveness and sacrifice,

when I ask them to commit to...
to the works of this church,

they will receive me, and
they will want to follow me,

because they will know
that I am one of them.

[UPBEAT FUNK MUSIC PLAYS]

[TERRY] Here you go.

God damn, Tee!
Get your head in the game.

How you gonna cut me like that?

Yo, who taught you how to play?
You should've threw off.

You knew I had the ace of spades.

Nah, y'all can't be
talking across the table.

Y'all got on me about that last game.

- Shut up.
- Relax, Tee.

I know you stressing about
the homie in the Lou and all,

but Hoop and my guys are on it.

I appreciate it, man.

It's just I need that bread
sooner rather than later.

[STERL] We got you, Tee.

It's just taking a little
bit longer than expected.

[TERRY] Hey, you didn't get the memo?

- What memo?
- Our new dress code rule, n*gga.

You m*therf*ckers are
a representation of me

and my organization.

And with that being
said, I need everybody

to be rocking the same
sh*t and be on one accord.

How we supposed to get
hoes all dressed alike?

It's my crew, my f*cking rules.
Matter of fact,

since you ain't wanna
comply, I'ma dock your pay.

Hey, you militant!

What? We in the army now?

Yeah, n*gga, we in the army.

And this is my business, my rules.

And going forward, this
is how sh*t's gonna move.

That's game.

What you wearing that
colorful a*s shirt for, anyway?

Be all you can be.

- [GATE CREAKS, SLAMS]
- [BUZZER]

You still my boo. Always and forever.

Wasn't acting like it before, was you?

And neither was you when
your boy Saint came through.

I ain't had sh*t to do with that.

Whatever.

Me and Tee been over for months.

And despite everything
we've been through,

I'm still your wife, Boom.

How about you remember that now?

And as my man

and the father of our kids...

we locked down for life.

- [BUZZER]
- [GATE BANGS]

I'm asking for an infusion.

We almost out of everything you left.

Well, I ain't got it.

Guess I'll just have to go
to the welfare office, then.

f*ck that. Ain't no wife of mine
finna be in no welfare office.

Is Isaac Roberts still
holding any of your chips?

Yeah.

From what I remember,
he had this side piece

that worked at records
at the courthouse.

- [BOOM] Yeah. Kiki.
- I'ma start there.

Don't forget...

[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]

you my woman, alright?

You hear me?

And you the prize, not the player.

So keep your f*cking legs closed

and your eyes open.

Okay. I got you.

Alright, everyone, I am happy to say

that the lady of the hour is ready.

Presenting the graduate. [LAUGHS]

- Ooh!
- Oh, my!

[CHARLES] Nicole, you've
never looked so beautiful.

I'm so proud of you.

Oh! All the strife,
struggle, and challenges

we went through to get
to this moment right here.

We did this. Come here, baby.

- [CHARLES] Mm.
- [LUCILLE] Mm, mm, mm.

[LAWANDA] Oh, watch the
hair! Watch the hair, y'all.

Can you-can you get a
picture, baby? Thank you.

Yeah, yeah. Okay.
Alright, y'all, get close.

Get close. Say cheese!

Cheese!

[LAUGHTER]

Look at you, girl.

You know, you're my first graduate.

I just wish that Meechie
was here to celebrate

this glorious moment with us, you know?

Thank you, Mama.

Me too.

[DOOR OPENS]

Kiki.

- Markisha?
- [MARKISHA] Hey.

I haven't seen you since the
night Boom went off on Isaac.

Yeah, that was a wild f*cking night.

Yeah.

Boys'll be boys, though, right?

You know, I really thought
Boom was gonna k*ll him

or some sh*t, and then you...

I don't know, you whispered
something in his ear

and saved the damn day.

They pretend like they don't
want to hear what we got to say,

but they ain't sh*t without us.

Ain't that the truth. [CHUCKLES]

I've always respected you.

Gotta respect yourself too, Kiki.

You could do better than this.

Think I don't know that?

Me and Isaac had big plans, okay?

And then he decided
not to leave his wife.

He was never proud of me the
way Boom was proud of you.

Did he at least pay for you
to go to college like he said?

No. He didn't. You know what he did?

He moved out of state with that
b*tch and left me high and dry.

[MARKISHA] That's f*cked
up. I'm sorry, Kiki.

Listen, I need to get
in touch with Isaac.

Can you help me?

I don't want to talk to
that b*stard ever again.

I just need a number.

Look, I'm not gonna tell him
how I got it, who I talked to.

I don't know, Markisha. That's...

[MARKISHA] Just a number.

Look, I'll float you some cash.

You could use it to go
to community college.

Why are you telling me
how to spend my money?

Girl, 'cause I want to see us get ahead.

The less we gotta rely on
these m*therf*ckers, the better.

Just the number.

Okay.

Here.

I'll be in touch.

[ANNOUNCER] Nicole Danielle Flenory.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

[UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS]

So, what's next for you?

I'll be starting football practice

over at Clark this summer.

Gives us a little extra
time for campus life.

Now, how far is that from Morris Brown?

Oh, it's not that far.

Uh, we excited about being close.

You know, Nicole, we
are all so proud of you.

You rose above your circumstances.

Thank you.

Did you meet anybody famous?

sh**t, we ran into some
of everybody. [LAUGHS]

Well, come on, cuz, give us some names.

Come on now, I ain't one to brag.

Don't brag, then. Just tell us.

You know, we ran across The Winans...

- Kirk Franklin.
- That's great.

When you going on again?

It's in the works, brother.
It's in the works.

Charles, you deserve every
piece of gold you dig up.

Yeah, it's a pot of
gold over every rainbow.

[LAUGHTER]

CeCe got some yams in person?

She got some yams,
ham, sweet potato pie,

collard greens, and
cornbread, I ain't gonna lie!

- Straight to hell, man.
- [LAUGHTER]

The Lord know I love yams!

I'm going! We all going together!

[LAUGHTER]

[LUCILLE] Hey, y'all!

Everybody having a good time?

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

I see y'all cuttin' a rug up in here.

[LAUGHS]

Thank you all for coming out.

You mind if we say a quick blessing

before we have some food?

- [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
- Alright, now. Alright.

Alright, if we can bow our heads.

Lord God, we just thank you so much

for this momentous graduation.

Raising a daughter
in this space and time

has been a blessing, Lord,
and we just thank you for it.

And we just ask you that we may all be

ever mindful of others' needs,

and that you may bless this food
that we are about to partake in.

In Jesus' name, amen.

- Amen!
- Amen!

Okay, the food is on the table,
but Nicole has something to say.

Okay, before y'all dig in...

Um, Dad, could you come up?

First, I have to thank my parents

and Terry for this party.

I've worked really, really
hard to get to this moment.

It's been a long-time dream
of mine to attend college,

make my parents proud, and
some of you already know

I will be attending
Morris Brown in the fall.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

But what I really wanted
to share with you all is...

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYS]

Meech!

Oh, my goodness. Hi, baby?

[MEECH] Hey, Mama.

[LUCILLE] I was so worried about you.

[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]

Welcome back, boy! [LAUGHS] Look at you!

- Hey!
- Hey!

I'm so proud of you, baby sis.

- Thank you.
- First Flenory to graduate.

Terry, you gonna say hi to your brother?

Nikki, I got something to show you.

- Can you come outside?
- Yeah! What's outside?

Come on, come on, come on,
come on, come on.

Terry, come on.

[B-MICKIE] Welcome home, Meech.

[WHISTLES]

It's, uh, been a minute.

Who invited you?

This is Vee and Aisha.

- You ain't 'posed to be here, dawg.
- Come on, now.

Hi, beautiful. How are you?

Welcome, Aisha. I'm Lucille.

I've heard so much
about you, Miss Lucille.

You've been like a
second mother to Brian.

[LUCILLE] It's a pleasure to meet you.

Vee's next surgery is
coming up, and I had to come

stop by and give Nicole
a little something.

We family, right?

That's cool. I'll take it.

Thank you.

Let's go, Nicole.

Listen.

Don't be a stranger, sweetie.

And thank you so much for the gift.

I appreciate it, okay.

Hold 'em, Nikki. Hold 'em.

My... My eyes are closed!

- Nikki, stop cheating.
- I'm not cheating!

- Okay, okay. Open 'em.
- Where are we going?

Open up. It's all yours.

New sound system and all.

Yo, Meechie, you're the best!

I have my own car and my own freedom!

[SQUEALS, LAUGHS]

So now you don't ever have to
ask Mom and Pops for a ride.

Oh, my goodness. I got all my babies.

You outdone yourself on this one, boy.

- [CELLPHONE RINGS]
- Thank you, Pops.

[LUCILLE] Meechie, that is
so generous of you, baby!

Hello?

[HOOP] Yo, we couldn't
find Pusha in the Lou,

but his a*s just showed
up to the restaurant.

For real?

Alright, I'm on my way.

[CHARLES] Terry, where you going?

Terry, come back here!

[CHARLES] Hey, Meech just got here.

Man, just let the little diva
have his temper tantrum, Pops.

He good.

What is going on with you and Terry?

I love you, Mama.

That sh*t between me and him.

[DOOR OPENS]

[LOCK CLICKS]

I don't care how loud this puta screams.

Don't open the door until I tell you.

[J-PUSHA] Hey, little bro.

This all you?

What's your take?

None of your f*cking
business. Where's my money?

That bad, huh?

See, don't nobody wanna eat

some sh*t they mama could make at home.

You gotta sell 'em the
fantasy, not the food.

You know, like, uh... Chinese. French.

Change the name to something fancy.

Mark up the prices. Stack your paper.

Now you either give me
back my money in bones...

or we gonna get it back in blood.

[WERM] Yo, Meech is here!

[TERRY] No, don't open the
door. Don't open the f*ck...

[MEECH] What up doe? Ha!

- Look at this. Mm!
- Werm.

[STERL] My main man!
Man with the master plan.

Tell me somethin' good.

[HOOP] How them señoritas
south of the border?

- Muy caliente?
- Hell yeah!

But you know, ain't
nothing like no Detroit a*s.

Ah! [CHUCKLES]

Yo, Tee, can you tell me
why you got the lights off

like you on some Candyman
sh*t or something?

Just handling business.
Stay the f*ck out of this, Meech.

Little bro on some ol'
fake Uncle Paulie sh*t.

- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah, but you know,

Carter step out of line
too every now and then.

But he know not to f*ck up no
business over no phantom debts.

The f*ck you talking about?
You haven't paid in months.

No, I just collected it.

That's why he came
into town... to pay me.

- You collected it?
- Yeah, I collected it.

Now we about to take BMF to
a whole nother level, Tee.

And J-Push, he helping expand business.

I had it covered, just like
I had everything covered

when you was on your little
playdate in Mexico with Loco.

n*gga, you lost your g*dd*mn mind!

Someone had to put
this n*gga in his place,

like I'm 'bout to put
you in your f*cking place.

n*gga, shut the f*ck up, little brother.

- Who the f*ck you think you is?
- What you gonna do?

Tee, we ain't doing this.

- [GRUNTING]
- Oh, sh*t! sh*t!

[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]

[GRUNTING]

Damn!

[GRUNTING]

Ah!

- Ah!
- [BLADE CLICKS]

[MEECH] What the f*ck
you gonna do with that?

What the f*ck happened in Mexico?!

Get the f*ck out!

All y'all, get the f*ck out!

Man, f*ck you, little n*gga.

Mexico got you deaf,
n*gga? That's you, too.

Get the f*ck out, Meech.

You a b*tch, n*gga.

[DOOR SLAMS]

We found another gift for
you on the kitchen doorstep.

I love being the graduate.

"For our new pilot,

- "Pastor Lucille"...
- [GASPS]

"Take us higher. With love,
your Cornerstone flock."

Oh, thank you, Jesus. Thank you.

[CHARLES] Congratulations, Lucille.

[LAUGHING]

Here, open it, Mama.

Oh, my goodness.

Okay.

Oh, my. Oh!

[NICOLE] We both got new robes today.

Mm.

- I'ma go try it on.
- [NICOLE] Okay.

[LAUGHTER]

And I just want to say
again how proud I am of you

for being the first Flenory to graduate,

for being smart and beautiful...

having a good head on your shoulders.

You have a bright future ahead of you.

And never let anything get in the way

of you fulfilling your dreams.

Is that 'cause of what
happened to your pops?

Mm.

He was a hard-working man
and a hell of a musician.

Ended up on the wrong
end of a nightstick

during a civil rights protest.

A night that, uh...

destroyed his hand and his dreams.

Oh, Pops, I'm-I'm glad you
finally get to chase that dream

for the both of you.

And even though you're touring,

I'm glad that you could
take some time away

and spend some time with us, too.

- What?
- Well, today was your day.

I didn't want to upstage you...

but I got a call that
we're back on tour.

- We leave next week.
- [NICOLE] Good for you.

I don't want you to worry about

making enough money to
send me to college, either.

I'm your father, I'm supposed
to worry about your education.

I was trying to tell
everybody at the party

before Meech came in, but I...

I got a full scholarship
to Morris Brown.

[CHARLES] You did what?

- Yeah.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]

You're full of surprises, aren't you?

Yeah, I'm a chip off the old block.

Baby girl...

you're the best
representation of us all.

Well, since your dad isn't here,

I want to say on behalf
of both of us that...

I'm proud of you too, Pops.

[ORGAN MUSIC PLAYS]

♪ Jesus, he loves me ♪

♪ This I know ♪

♪ For the Bible ♪

♪ It tells me so ♪

♪ Oh, little... ♪

This your cut, and I'm
coming to get mines.

- So, what now?
- n*gga, "what now?"

I'm going back home to
Atlanta, that's what.

[g*nf*re]

f*ck!

f*ck! I'm cooked! I'm out! sh*t.

Let's just make a run for it.

n*gga, we won't get to two feet.

Yeah, but sitting
here is death for sure!

- [g*nf*re]
- sh*t.

- [GATE CLATTERING]
- f*ck! It's locked!

Watch out, watch out!

[BANGING]

Oh! What the f*ck?!

Addiction is a powerful drug, ain't it?

And y'all boys thought you won. Hmm?

Man, we should've
k*lled his crackhead a*s

- when we had the chance.
- But I beat my addiction, man!

- [g*nshots]
- Aah! Aah!

Who the f*ck?!

What the f*ck?

- sh*t! B-Mickie!
- Get the f*ck out of here.

I followed y'all from the
party so we could talk.

n*gga, this don't mean sh*t.
Ain't nothing to talk about.

Man, please f*cking hear me out!

n*gga, get the f*ck out of here, n*gga!

[TERRY] He done lost his f*cking mind.

[MEECH] I'm getting
the f*ck out of Detroit.

[TIRES SQUEALING]

[SIRENS WAILING]

[SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[MARKISHA] Hey. It's me.

Everything okay?

[SIGHS]

Yeah, it was just...

It was a lot at Nicole's graduation.

Fine.

So, listen, I met up with my guy,

and he got a plug in South Carolina.

I could connect y'all,
since you gunnin' on

half a ton in every state.

Alright. Thank you.

- I'll be reaching out.
- [DOOR OPENS]

I'm just trying to be respectful.

You said this is business,
not pleasure, right?

[DOOR CLOSES]

[LOCK CLICKS]

[ABE] I've been told he'd
visit me in my dreams.

Still, I see nothing.

Milton would have been


I needed a drink.

There was another drunk at the bar.

Bartender said he had been
a regular since forever.

Asked him how old he was.

You know what he said?



That drunk got 73
years, and my boy got 13

'cause those goddamned
drug dealers brought

violence to my doorstep
and it gotten my son k*lled.

He was at home, at Techwood.

He loved playing
hopscotch on the sidewalk.

Then those animals...

I want them all in cages.

Thank you, Abe.

We want Atlanta PD to get
justice for Milton, too.

Mark, would you like to go next?

[MID-TEMPO HIP-HOP
MUSIC PLAYS]

♪ Have you ever ran from
the block when it was hot? ♪

♪ Have you ever seen your
homeboys getting shot? ♪

♪ Have you ever lost
everything that you got? ♪

♪ Probably not, but
I've seen a lot ♪

- ♪ Have you ever... ♪
- [MUSIC FADES]

[FLAMES CRACKLING]

[COYOTES HOWLING]

[LOCO] Traje ayuda.

[TERRY] Who's this?

Why the f*ck he got a
chicken in his hands?

[SPEAKING IN SPANISH]

What are you... What the
f*ck are you doing, Loco?

Es un sanador. He needs
the watch for payment.

He knows many things, from many places.

[CHICKEN CLUCKS]

- [CHICKEN CLUCKS]
- Yo, what the f*ck?

[LOCO] Gonna take care of Demetri.

Nah, nah, nah, man.
Yo, we-we Christian.

We ain't grow up doing this sh*t.

- Nah, I'ma stop this.
- [SHOUTING IN SPANISH]

[THUD]

[MATCH STRIKES]

[AIR WHOOSHES]

[TERRY] Loco, what the f*ck is he doing?

[GASPS]

Oh, sh*t. He's-He's up. Are you good?

[HEALER] Tiene mucha vida por delante

y va a ser una leyenda.

Hey, he said he's gonna
live long, and what else?

He says Demetri...

- Demetri will be a legend.
- A legend?

Como Escobar.

The Black Pablo Escobar.

[HEALER] Y tú, serás un líder

y tendrás una familia
con una casa en la colina.

What the f*ck is he
saying about my family?

He says, uh, he will be a leader.

Con una familia, una casa on a hill.

[MEECH] See, Tee?

God got great plans for us.

Meech, Meech. Don't
put God in this sh*t.

This is the devil.

In the Bible it says, "Don't
put no other gods before me."

- Come on, man.
- Tee.

I'm doing whatever I gotta do to
make it out of this sh*t alive.

Meech, that's blasphemy.
He didn't save you.

God did, and God is
gonna punish us for this.

Tee, God ain't mad at me.

He's mad about me.

- [ANIMAL GROWLING]
- [SPEAKING IN SPANISH]

[WOLVES GROWLING]

Ah!

Vámonos.

[MEECH] Thank you. Gracias.

[OLDER MEECH] Shiiiit.

Surviving Mexico changed
me and Tee forever.

Even though it led us to
being on different paths,

I knew the old dude was right about me.

Thing is, I realized I'd
been thinking too small.

The only way to fulfill my destiny

was to graduate to the next level

and make the world my b*tch.

[MID-TEMPO HIP-HOP
MUSIC PLAYS]

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]

♪ You better run,
mad and I got my g*n ♪

♪ In broad day and
it's not the sun ♪

♪ Full clip and I'm not for losing ♪

♪ Ten toes in, no
socks and shoes in ♪

♪ We be down, I don't think
these n*gg*s want to test my ♪

♪ Wrong word and I'm at
your throat like a necktie ♪

♪ It's the one bringing
pain, so it gotta be ♪

♪ Number one policy,
leaving no apology ♪

♪ So you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ Say you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ So you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ Say you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ So you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ Say you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ So you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

♪ Say you wanna be down? ♪
♪
I don't think they want that ♪

[RECORD SCRATCHING]