06x12 - Talk Less

[bunniefuu]

You okay, Andre?

Previously onEmpire...

I would never thr*aten a woman.

You wouldn't.

I did.

Those blackouts you're having, I can do that whenever I want.

I'm in control.

This is my little brother Julian.

I told youhe was coming to visit.

How 'bout some diplomacy?

You stay away from my family and yours will keep breathing.

That's a deal.

You were born for that stage and that gift that makes you beautiful.

We need a Bossy sound.

That says, "You are listening to Bossy." Durrell.

I will never get over the coward that took him away from me.

Hey, Teri.

It smells good in here.

Did you prepare this meal yourself?

Yes, I did.

I love our new kitchen.

What meal, child?

I'm just saying, honey.

Cookie starts talking in third person when she ain't had nothing to eat and all you keep filling her up with is cheese and crackers.

Dinner will be out shortly.

We had a little issue with the frenching the rack of lamb, but it has all been resolved.

"Frenching"?

What, you in there trying to be fancy or something?

I mean, listen, girl, please.

That mattered, like,two hours ago.

We just need you to throwthat food on a plate and bring it out.

-Is it cooked?

Just bring it.

Amen.

Trust me, it'll be worth it.

Teri, you sureyou don't need some help?

Once you've had Juanita and then you go solo, it's...

You know what?

I think it's time we propose a new Lyon family dinnertradition.

And what's that?

Teri and I have decidedno business talk and no what, babe?

Drama.

Our home is all peace, love, and soulful conversations.

Oh, that is so cute, Donna Cornelius, but can it also be about some food?

See, that's a family tradition too.

-I'm sorry.

-I'll be right back.

-I'm just saying, child.

-Oh.

Just bring the lamb.

Don't French it.

Well, if it isn't my favorite artist.

So how did the gig go?

It was amazing.

The crowd ate it up.

I'm hyped right now.

Mm.

Hey.

Make sure y'all are availablefor this week, 'cause I'm having a showcasefor Yana over at the mansion.

All of the major labelsare gonna be there, and it's gonna be bidding w*r,so come early.

Pop, please, can you not?

Are you asking for a man who can't keep it in his pants to have a modicum of couth?

Those two things don't go together, nephew.

I'll call you back.

Bye.

Yeah, I'll drink to that.

Yeah, your ass will drink to anything.

I'm sorry--smoke anything.

All right, Lucious, don't be petty.

Why don't we have a toast to Cookie quitting a jobthat she's hated for years, AKA divorcing Lucious?

Ooh.

Cheers.

Then why am I still stuck with Ursula and her ugly twins?

You know, you about to get your ass b*at.

-Hey, hey.

Okay, okay, Okay, listen.

Can we please not-- tonight, can we please not-- -Please!

Damn!

-Okay, baby.

Where's Teri with the-- Teri, I'm so sorry, baby.

Uh...

I'll clean it up, Mom.

Don't worry about it.

Are you all right?

Uh, Teri, girl, you trying to give me a heart att*ck?

Uh, sis, seriously,you just screamed like somebody was sh**ting upthe joint.

I'm so sorry.

I know you worked so hard.

Thanks a lot, Andre.

I'm so sorry.

Here, baby, take this to the...

Okay.

-I spent hours preparing this food.

Amen, true story.

We can just--we can just order something.

Yeah, I got a friend, um, has an Italian spotaround the corner.

He'll fix us up real quick.

Teri, I'm so sorry, baby.

I wanted tonightto be perfect for you.

Wait, wait, now, Teri.

We don't haveto let this ruin the evening-- You know, I have stood by and watched the dysfunction in this family, the way you all go at each other like dogs in the street, and I thought, like a fool, that it would be different here, for Andre.

I had one--one rule, just one.

Look, Teri, on behalf of Dino and Marmaduke...

-Lucious, you know what?

-Oh.

You know what?

Them perms up in yo' head...

Stop!

Stop it!

Just stop!

Well, at least we kept up with tradition, another messy Lyon family dinner.

Happy?

Come on in here...sis.

What is going on?

Your nerves are bad.

I think you have PTSD.

Yep, sh**ting someone is a big deal.

You wouldn't be human if it wasn't still haunting you in some way.

Yeah, maybe-- maybe I should talk to my therapist about it.

I mean, it's beenon my mind a lot lately.

-Carol.

I found you something to wearfor the funeral.

-It's in an hour.

Sis, I can't do it.

I don't wanna bury him.

Sis, I can't.

Why'd they have to k*ll him like that?

Why'd they sh**t him like that?

He was my ride or die like Lucious is to you.

Why'd they have to do that to him, sis?

It ain't right!

It ain't right.

O-okay, Carol.

We--come on.

Let--let's take her Becky,all right?

-We gonna get Becky.

-I can't go.

-I can't do it.

We'll be right back.

Wow.

She is way worse than the last time she was on that stuff.

You really needto forgive yourself, sis.

You know that bitch Tracydid not give you a choice.

And bottom line, somebody wasgonna die that night, -and I'm glad it wasn't you.

- Exactly.

Sis, if you hadn't pulled that trigger when you did...

it might be only two of us standing here right now.

You need to lean on us.

We're here for you, sis.

That's what sisters are for.

You hear me?

I don't want you stressed outlike that.

We got you.

-Smack me.

No, I deserve it for destroying a meal that I know would have put Juanita's to shame.

Well, I guess we'll never know, right?

This is not the look I wanted to see on your face tonight,Teri.

I'll make this up to you,I promise.

Okay?

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry too, babe.

Let me get in the shower.

Andre.

Oh, what has gotten into you?

Andre.

You yelling at my familytonight...

was incredibly sexy.

Andre Lyon, we cannot do this.

Your mother and father are right downstairs...

-I don't care.

Yes, we can, baby.

Yes, we can.

Oh!

And we will.

Hey, y'all, Valentino's is all backed up, but they're gonna give us some plates.

Y'all hangry folks try not to k*ll each other while I'm out.

Nobody cares where your ass is going, Lucious.

Ugly mutt.

Damon.

You said we had a deal, Lucious.

You leave mine alone, I leave yours alone.

Yana came to me, man.

No, no, no.

We had a deal, Lucious.

Put the damn shotgun down, man.

Yana is a star.

You can knowwhere my son lives but you can't see thatyour baby girl has got a gift?

She sings like an angel.

I heard her sing.

I heard her sing in the hospital.

She's still singing.

She's singing right nowin the studio.

You come check for yourself.

I swear to you, man...

if it ain't legit, it's a wrap.

She's the brightest star I've ever seen.

Cook, what's up?It's late.

Carol and the babyain't even here right now.

Something wrong?

Yeah, you putting your hands on them.

That's what's wrong.

I know what you up to.

You ain't been nothing but a menace to my sister and your own damn kids.

I'm telling you, Durrell, if you don't stop treating 'em like that-- my hand to God-- this is gonna be bad for you.

Yo, you need to be careful who you roll up on,making threats-- I didn't come here to do this, Durrell.

Don't make me.

Bitch, if you dumb enough to pull a g*n on me, you better be smart enough to use it.

See, them threats and that talk, it don't work with me.

I'm not my sister.

And I'm not gonna come over here one more time to pick her up off the floor after you drop-kicked her.

Just leave her, okay?

Do everybody a favor and just leave.

Oh, you Holloway sistersgot a lot of mouth on you.

It's any wonder how y'allgot any teeth left at all.

I t-told you to leave, Durrell!

All right, Quincy, you're not only gonna earn extra cash these two weeks you're temping.

You're gonna go back to school knowing the art of the woo.

So is that, like, schmoozingor ass-kissing or something?

It's way more sexy, brother.

Wooing is customized to the individual.

It requires strategy.

So...

we're startingwith this guy?

Paul Bennett?

He's an ASA voter.

You're gonna escort his daughter Piper to Laviticus to see Treasure and Devon perform their ASA-nominated duet.

That's work, taking her out?

You're taking her for the Empire experience, pictures backstage with the artists, all that.

She'll run back to Daddy and tell him how awesome it was and, more importantly, how incredible Devon and Treasure are.

Oh, so he votesfor whoever his kids like.

-That's right.

-Yeah, okay.

-These old dudes are corny.

-Ah, corny and influential.

But if you woo her right, Empire won't be the only ones who get lucky.

You feel me?

-I feel you.

What the hellare you doing here?

Lucious, what's going on?

Look, I wanted your father to come by and see what kind of talent you are.

I came hereto make sure my baby girl wasn't gettingtaken advantage of.

You can be pissed off at meif you want, but I'm still gonna beyour father.

You-- So, what, you're protecting me now?

Is that what you're doing?

So who's gonna protect me from you?

I just thought that it would be best if your father got involved early on.

Then we could avoid obstacles that may occur in the future.

I'm sorry, am I all of a suddenin a different country or something, where I need a man's permission to make moves?

Lucious, I don't know what's going on with you, but whenever you get back to your senses, let me know so we can get back to business, okay?

My apologies.

You heard that.

So you're using herfor your comeback.

But what happens to herwhen you're done?

This ain't about no comeback.

Your daughter's the real thing, man.

Just keep it business, Lucious.

'Cause if I find windthat you're trying to screw me or screw her, I'll end you.

Yes, I'd like a drink.

Thank you very much.

You ain't gonna be here that long, and this ain't a date.

We both agree on that.

Why am I here?

Need you to do me a favor.

I'm already launderingyour dirty money.

What could you possibly wantfrom me now?

Sign Yana to your record label.

-If she gonna be working with shady-ass Lucious, I'ma need some eyes and ears on the inside.

You're forgetting that I'm notthe sole owner of Bossy.

I have partnerswho don't like it when I makeunilateral decisions, one of them being Cookie.

This isn't a request, Giselle.

This is what you will do, or Bossy Media will be several million in the hole.

You feel me?

Now, get everybody on board.

You owe me.

Ah.

I am loving what the newmarketing and press team is doing for our new song.

Cookie was pretty genius for putting us all on ittogether.

And she's about to find our new Bossy sound.

Mm-hmm.

Okay.

So we need to talkabout how my song that I wrote for methat Cookie made us sing like a girl group is somehowbenefitting everybody but me.

All right, I get no love but these hos get to shineon Twitter?

"These hos"?

I'm right here, Lala.

Okay, um, I don't know what's happening on social media, but this is the loudest and clearest I've heard you since you landed at JFK a few months ago.

They're sayingI can't hold my own next to Tiana and Melody.

But you should know there areplenty of other labels that are saying they could havealready made me a star.

So you need to come with it.

Wow, okay.

So I'm loving this passion.

What I'm not loving is the tone and the delivery or the implication that we somehow wronged you.

Exactly.

The song is an instant hit.

Why are you tripping?

We're doing everything that we can to ensure your success.

I know what you're going through.

I've been there before.

It just takes time, Lala.

All right.

All due respect, when you arrived at Bossy,you were already famous.

So real talk, what have theyreally done for you?

I'll tell you what I haven't done.

I haven't snatched up ungrateful artists that I signed, okay?

And you should go before that changes.

Yeah, she ain't playing with you.

Ugh!

She seemed smarter when she was quiet.

I know we've been at this all night, okay, but I think we onto something.

Ooh, Kev, whatever you doing with them drums, stay right there.

Z, you better be taking us back to Africa up in here!

Come on, harmony.

Come on.

Whoo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!

Yes, y'all better sing.

Sing, b*tches.

Uch--sing!

Yes!

All right, stay with it.

I'll be right back, okay?

Hey, they sound good.

Yeah.

Uh, this better be important.

Oh, yeah, so Giselle just had a really great idea that I loved, and we wanted your blessing.

Uh, look, Bossy really needsto be at the Yana showcase.

That chick can blow, and she isperfect for our roster.

You two heifers come in here and disrupt my flow for this?

Yana belongs to Lucious.

That's his artist.

Don't you know I just divorced him?

Why would I wanna work with her?

Well, I thought maybeyou could put your personal feelings asideand realize what a great business movethis is for Bossy.

Yeah, look, we both want it.

Are you in, Cookie?

Look, you guys like her, you sign her, okay?

I'm not leaving here until I find my magic.

-All right.

-"Heifers"?

Whoo!

Y'all gonna get me the Holy Spirit up in here!

Come on!

Baby.

What a nice surprise.

Everything okay?

We need to talk, Andre.

What's wrong?

Sexy.

I want more fun.

What do you mean?

Like in the bathroom, during dinner.

What else would I be talking about, Andre?

Teri...

Three people areabout to walk through that door for a meeting, Teri.

Seriously?

You can't push it back?

Listen-- I can't.

I can't.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry.

I can't.

But I can give you a rain check for tonight.

Okay?

You are beinga very...

bad boy.

I'm the worst.

Mm.

Tonight?

Tonight.

Okay.

Tonight.

Hey, guys, it's your girl Lala, and I'm herewith my boy Julian.

What's up?

What's up?

We are about to set it off.

So if you guys didn't know, I was told to domore self-promotion.

Apparently, even when you havea record deal, you have to fend for yourself.

So here I go.

Damn, Julian.

Julian?

Oh, my God, Julian.

Wake up!

Julian, wake up.

Oh, man.

Hey.

Hey, Julian, can you hear me?

Julian, wake up.

He's not even answering my texts, Becky.

Well, just calm down.

I'm sure he's okay.

Emergency room.

Hello.

Yes.

Do you have a Julian Sims admitted?

There was an accident wi-with a car.

Can you hold, please?

Yes, I'll hold.

He had no business being there in the first place.

This your girl.

Your girl, Becky.

You signed her.

You can un-sign her.

Well, okay,you're overreacting.

She gotta go.

We already spent a lotof money on her, Giselle.

I don't care how much money we spent.

Becky, you need to checkLala's IG.

Thank you.

Hey, guys, it's Lala.

I'm sorry if I let you all down, but Bossy hasn't been giving me the support -that I need, and...

-Wow.

Becky and Giselle just keep pressuring me.

So I had to do something.

I for real, though, feel like Bossy is burying me...

Burying you?

Wow.

-Are you freaking kidding me?

-Okay, burying her.

I'm sorry.

She's got to go!

-Okay, Giselle.

-Correction, I'm not sorry.

I just need a minute with her.

Let me talk to her.

Hello?

-Yes, hello?

-We do have a Julian Sims...

-Oh, you do?

But no one's listed on his emergency contact.

Emergency contact?

I'm his mother.

-Hello?

-Yes.

I'll be there right away.

-Thank you.

Okay.

-Wait.

Um, do--do you want meto go with you?

-No.

-'Cause I can go with you.

You know what I want.

I want you to get a handleon this little princess.

I want you to goto the showcase, and I want you to sign Yana.

-Okay.

-At least she can sing.

"Mother"?

Uh...

Empire really knowshow to throw a show, huh?

-That's-- -Treasure and Devon.

This song's kind of hot.

Tequila?

-So hot.

Look at you, trying to get me drunk.

Hey, it's a party.

Come on.

On the house.

-Cheers.

No, I-I can't find my...

What are you looking for?

My stuff.

You party?

Perfect.

You are a lifesaver.

You know, I wasn't even planning on coming out tonight.

Well, I'm glad you did.

That's what's up.

Your turn.

What?

Your nose.

You got a lot of nerve.

Hey.

I just wanna say-- No, no, no.

You are done talking.

Now's your time to listen.

First of all, you will beissuing a public apology.

You are not my mother.

Correct, I'm your boss.

Yeah, the same boss that has been giving all the promotions to Tiana as soon as she came to Bossy and then to Melody.

And now I hear you're trying to sign some Yana bitch.

I came to Bossy with 5 million followers, and you and Giselle have done nothing to push my projects.

It's a process, Lala.

Look, I know you worked with Lucious for years, but to me, it looks like you don't have a damn clue what you're doing...

boss.

Well, if it's promotionyou want, then I got you.

Say no more.

Effective immediately, you will be going on tour for the remainderof your contract.

Tour?

I only have one song.

Mm-hmm, and you will besinging that one song on a white linen tourwith 112 and Brownstone.

You can try to get out of itif you want to.

We'll just sue you.

I got places to be.

[Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway's "Back Together Again"] Welcome, everyone.

Now, all of you have known...

of my involvement over the last three decades in developing some of the hottest acts that's ever graced the music industry.

But this young woman right here, she made me believe in music again.

She made me rediscover in myself why I dedicated my life to music, and she's gonna make each and every one of you feel the same.

So without further ado...

Yana.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Uh, hey, Cookie.

Giselle had a family emergency, so I'm at this Yana thing by myself.

And, uh, she is k*lling it, but there are a lot of really important execs here, and so I could use some backup.

-Pop.

-Hey.

Nice show.

Thank you.

I wanna let you knowI appreciate you.

Yeah, I appreciate the hell out of you too, son.

I already sh*t a noteto the studio manager to block out a studiofor Yana's sessions.

I'm thinking Metro Boominfor starters, you know, maybe see if Dev Hynesis interested.

No, I'm--I'm confused.

I mean, all these other cats are here to bid for Yana.

The only people not bidding is Empire.

What?

You kicked me out of my own company, the company I built before I taught you how to walk.

You think I want Yana at a place like that?

So why'd you invite me?

'Cause I wanted you to see what you're gonna miss.

Enjoy.

Quincy, what's wrong?

What?

Okay, don't-- No, no, don't move.

-Thank you.

Thank you.

Isn't she something?

Now you see what I saw in her, and now I know that eachand every one of you is going to want to have Yanaon your label.

So this is howwe're gonna do this.

We've assigned individual roomsfor each label, where you can write down your bid, make it your best, and maybe one of youwill be lucky enough to sign Yana this evening.

Y'all better get at it.

Well, if it isn't the man who took down Def Jam.

Lucious.

So happy to have a chance at one of your artists.

She's amazing.

I call her extraordinary.

Hey, I hope you gotsomething good for me.

I do.

Are you serious?

Yeah.

We believe this is more than generous.

Well, that all depends upon your idea of generosity.

We do have one caveat.

It's kind of a major point.

There she is...

the queen of Epic Records herself.

How long have we known each other, Lucious?

Too many years for meto reveal our age.

-Have a seat, dear.

I'm comfortable with my years.

Are you comfortable with yours?

Murders, money laundering, public spats, and negative press?

Perhaps you have me confusedwith Suge Knight.

I've watched you run through this music industry like a bull in a china shop.

Then you sweep up the pieces, put it back together to deliver a hit.

There's a bit of methodto this madness, I assure you.

Of course.

It's called chaos.

Here's my offer.

And that comes with...

Epic is prepared to give Yana the world, but we're not prepared to do business with you.

We'll take her and only her.

So what are they saying?

Well, the general consensus is,everybody's in love with you.

Okay, but...

They want me out.

What do you me--all of them?

All of them.

But...

This ain't about me.

This is about you, Yana.

You're at the beginning of your career, and if I were you...

I would choose Epic.

She'll do right by you.

Where's the coke?

Hurry up.

That hers?

-Yeah.

-Put it in her purse, hurry up.

-What?

-Do it now, hurry up.

Make sure that goes outwith her.

What the hell were youthinking, man, cocaine?

-What, you're blaming me?

-Who else, Quincy?

Andre, you gave me the coke!

That's impossible.

What am I supposed to dowith this?

Show her a good time.

Trust me, she likes to party.

I mean, she doesn't go in and out of rehab for the avocado toast.

You're gonna do fine.

What's my mom gonna say, man?

You don't say a thing about this to anybody.

It never happened,you understand me?

-But, Andre, she-- -Do you understand me?

Yes.

Good, come on.

There's a back exit.

Let's go.

So...

Lucious, I don't know what to do.

Well, well, well, somebody scrounge me up a drink.

I'm parched.

No, you're actually late, Cook.

You missed her performance.

Well, it's better late than never.

Ah, Becky tells me you having the bigwigs up in here.

Well, I didn't wanna miss the party.

So I'm here to support my sisters.

-Go, Team Bossy.

-Hey.

Yana, you're a very special talent.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

We--we--we know that.

We know that.

So, uh, Yana...

you belong at Bossy.

Well, um, all the other execs are in private rooms, working out their final offer.

Maybe you shouldwrite something down.

That's really sweet, but they ain't here to offer what I am.

Why don't you go collect them losers and let's get this over with?

Excuse me.

Yana, I may not be able to offer you all the money thesemulti-conglomerates can, but I'm hereto offer you something that's worth more than money,honey, and that's control.

Wait a minute.

What are you saying?

What I'm saying is thatI am here to offer you what these snakes in the grass could never grow the balls and offer you, and that is 50-50.

And with Luciousproducing your project, you also get100% creative control.

-Now, top that, b*tches!

-That's nonsense.

Cookie, you're out of your mind.

I just might be, but you're outof the Yana business, honey.

And--you so cute-- take the rest of them losers, and y'all kick rocks.

I got this.

Bye-bye.

Thank y'all for coming.

Yeah, thank youbut no, thank you.

Yana, you are special.

Thanks.

A talent like yours only comes every once in a while...

and I know what to do with it.

So what you gonna do, Yana?

Ever since I met you, Cookie, you've only spoken truth to me,and I appreciate that.

You're welcome.

And you definitely have your things going on with Bossy and with Tea Talk...

and, um, you clearly get things done.

-I believe in you.

-You better.

And I believe in Lucious too.

So with that said...

I would like to work with both of you.

But let's just get this understood now.

I will not be in the middle of your relationship, okay?

-There's no relationship.

-It's kind of too late.

But hey...

I just wanna keep it business, just music.

Can we agree to that?

Hey, that's what I'm hereto talk about, baby.

-Agreed.

-Mm-hmm, cool.

-Welcome to Bossy, Yana.

Thank you.

Mr.

Lucious, you don't have to help.

Baby, I know that,but sometimes everybody needsa little bit of help.

Now, that is true.

You know, Juanita, why don't you take the rest of the night off?

Are you sure?

Absolutely.

All right, thank you, sir.

You better finish them dishesfirst, you know?

-Thank you.

-Hi, Miss.

-How you doing?

Okay.

You surprised me.

Oh, come on, Lucious.

You know damn well you're not surprised.

I know you're a big person,but the thing with Yana, that was really, really big.

Hey, look, I said what I said, and I meant it.

I-I didn't have a problem with you or your music or your talent.

I was just starting to doubt...

us.

There is a difference.

Then that deserves a drink.

No, Lucious, I'm good.

No, the fact that we can get to a place where we can just be grown folks like this, that's worth drinking to.

Cook, what in the hell is wrong with you?

The thing that happened with Tracy, you're gonna have to put that body behind you, 'cause she deserved that.

It's not Tracy.

It's not...

White Tracy.

Then what is it?

It's the White Tracy incident.

It's bringing somethingback to me that--that I thoughtI buried a long time ago, and it is k*lling me...

to keep it inside.

Whatever it is, you know you can talk to me about it.

I don't care if it's about the boys or whatever.

It's not about the boys.

Um...

it's about my sister Carol.

Where the hell are you?

Come out!

Show yourself!

No need to yell,little brother.

It's you, isn't it?

Answer me!

Calm down, Andre.

In regards to your question,yes, it's me, your loving brother.

I'm doing the workthat you're too soft to do.

I'm not soft.

Quincy could have gotten in serious trouble.

Had to be done.

It's my show now, Andre.

Do you still not understand that?

This, all of this, you in that chair, I did that for you...

For us.

You don't appreciate my handiwork...

But I'm pretty sure Teri does.

She said it was the best lay of her life.

You had no right.

Come on, Andre, when has Teri ever showed up in the middle of the dayfor a little afternoon delight?

Shut up.

Got a beautiful woman on your hands, Andre.

-Shut up.

-That little garter getup.

-What do you even do with that?

-Enough!

Why are you doing this?

It's a simple concept...

that all Lyons understand revenge.

Revenge for what?

See, you don't even think about her.

You pretend like she never existed.

Who?

My mother...

the woman you and your family k*lled.