06x13 - Come Undone

Episode transcripts for the 2015 TV show "Empire". Aired January 2015 - April 2020.*
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Hip-hop artist and CEO of Empire Entertainment receives a medical diagnosis predicting he will be incapacitated within three years, prompting the sharks to circle. Without further damaging his family, he must decide which of his three sons will take over...
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06x13 - Come Undone

Post by bunniefuu »

COOKIE: Previously on Empire...

What you and I once were is done.

We're gonna start a new business relationship.

It's Adderall.

Can you just go do your dr*gs at your desk - like a normal person?

- Okay.

Do you have Adderall?

- Paul Bennett?

- He's an ASA vote.

ANDRE: You're gonna escort his daughter Piper to Laviticus.

Perfect.

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

It's my show now, Andre.

Do you still not understand that?

- (CORK POPS)

- (SCREAMS)

What in the hell is wrong with you?

It's about my sister Carol.

COOKIE: His face was just so evil.

I mean, all I could think was, "He's putting hands on my sister, and he's gonna k*ll her." He was shouting at me.

Got a lot of mouth on you.

COOKIE: I just felt cold all of a sudden.

Ice cold.

I wanted to turn away and run, but then he came at me.

(g*nsh*t)

And I k*lled him, Lucious.

And then I just stood there in shock.

I mean, shock, because I couldn't believe what I had just done.

Damn, I mean, why didn't you ever tell me that?

I was scared.

I mean, what if the cops found out?

You know, I couldn't have you involved.

We'd just started the music thing, and I didn't want to let anything get in the way of that.

No, no, no, no.

m*rder is a dirty and ugly business, but sometimes it's necessary.

(BREATHES DEEPLY)

I know.

Okay, the...

the thing with Tracy, I know I didn't...

I didn't have a choice, But Durrell, probably had a choice.

Doesn't sound like it to me.

We lost Carol after that to dr*gs.

She still talks about this man to this day like he's the love of her life.

I thought I was saving her, but did I?

See, that's that damn therapy, man.

It's messing with your mind?

No, no, no, no, Lucious, therapy is working, okay?

Because through therapy, I've realized I don't wanna live in any more secrets or lies.

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

I wanna live a clean life, and whatever I did wrong, I wanna make right.

But that's the point of the community center, right?

Exactly, but my therapist says That you're only as sick as your secrets.

This thing with Carol, how do I make it right?

Look, all I know is you don't go digging up bones, Cook.

Something ugly always comes up with it.

I don't get it, okay?

Julian seems like a really nice guy.

Why don't you want anyone to know that he's your son?

Because he doesn't know, Becky.

He doesn't know any of it.

Okay?

He doesn't know that I was in my senior year at Stanford.

He doesn't know that I had my whole future mapped out on index cards.

He doesn't know that when his father found out, he transferred to another school, just like that.

He ghosted us.

Damn, that's cold.

You see, I thought I was a superwoman.

I thought I could do anything, so I chose to have him anyway, but when reality hit, I realized I wasn't ready, - so I...

I called on my mom., - Oh, okay.

So your moms took him.

Well, that's actually...

THOMASINA: You've got the graphic designer up waiting in the conference room.

Okay, thank you.

(SIGHS)

Are you gonna tell him?

I want to.

I want him to know that all of this success was for him.

But how am I supposed to let him know that he's been lied to his entire life?

Well, it's better that he hear it from you Get to your meeting.

♪ ♪ You run a hole right through my brain, yeah ♪ Okay, you've piqued my interest, Lucious.

When would we go wide with her?

Actually, Adele is looking for someone to open up for her arena tour, and I think that Yana would be the perfect mixture...

No, no, no, no.

Adele can wait.

You have to understand, Becky, I have a very precise and slow roll-out plan for Yana.

I wanna give the world just a taste of her, just enough to build this insatiable craving for the very nature of her warmth.

It's all about timing, people.

I mean, Yana's potential value in the marketplace is boundless, and with the help of the right people from this room, under my guidance, we can accelerate her towards superstardom.

Yana has the voice, the composure, that makes her the perfect fit for billboards, selling makeup.

You're thinking she's a brand?

LUCIOUS: You're damn right, she's a brand.

A lasting brand.

I chucked my entire company so that I can grow this one particular artist.

Lucious, you're staking your name and reputation on this girl?

(TENSE MUSIC)

♪ Absolutely.

Who's in?

♪ That's my man.

Can I get another?

(CHUCKLES)

Yeah.

(LUCIOUS CHUCKLING)

Can we get everybody in here?

That's what I'm talking about.

Now we are in the Yana business.

Take it again, Treasure.

(TREASURE CLEARS THROAT)

Listen, Porsha, I have sang this song, like, I don't know, 30 times and if he doesn't like it, then I don't know what to do.

I'll talk to him, okay?

I just need you to do your part.

Throat is k*lling me.

PORSHA: Stall.

Do stretches or something.

- Maybe do breathing exercises.

- TREASURE: Okay.

Andre, you've been going at this for hours, okay?

She's tired.

I need a star.

Treasure, you need to make a big splash at this Music Weekly show.

You understand me?

I'm talking to you!

Do you understand me?

Okay.

Do it again.

You know, showing some support is the best way to get more from your artist.

Their egos can be fragile, and so can their voices.

I can't use fragile.

I need amazing.

MAYA: Excuse me, Andre.

So Kendra G.

from E!

is dying to get a peek at rehearsal.

No cameras, just an exclusive.

- Bring her in.

- PORSHA: Not today.

Andre, are you serious right now?

KENDRA: This is amazing.

Andre, thank you for letting me come in.

ANDRE: Absolutely.

You understand I am so excited about the lineup for the Music Weekly spring break event.

You can get a sneak peek at Treasure right now.

- She'll blow your mind.

- Yes!

- Have a seat.

- Thank you.

Treasure, take it from the top.

You got this.

(PIANO PLAYING)

(COUGHING)

- (TREASURE: OW!)

- PORSHA: Treasure, you okay?

- Ow!

- Are you okay?

- Treasure...

- My throat!

- (COUGHING)

Ow!

- Are you okay?

TREASURE: It's my throat.

PORSHA: I know, but don't say nothing.

(COUGHING)

Wait, is that blood?

Can I get a...

can I get a medic?

- TREASURE: What is that?

- PORSHA: I need a medic!

- Why don't you come with me?

- Is she okay?

I'm sure she's...

I told you it was too much, Andre!

Whatever this is, Porsha, fix it.

Quick.

(TENSE MUSIC)

♪ ♪ But never are the lucky ones ♪ (LAUGHS)

I gotta be honest.

This sounds much more like a hit single than it does a demo.

I was thinking the exact same thing.

I just wish Lucious was on board.

He thinks I should have a whole roster of bulletproof, surefire hits before I even step out there.

He's so overprotective, you know?

Mm, overprotective.

(LAUGHS)

That's one word for it, okay.

Look, I worked with that man...

That's for that man for years, and he is a control freak, okay?

Even though it works for him.

♪ If you find that special thing ♪ - Hey, girl.

- Oh, uh, hi!

Hey, Giselle said that you wanted to see me.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

Um, how are rehearsals said for the Music Weekly show going down at Laviticus?

Eh, it's a little weird for me to be over there, but it's okay.

It is a bit of a sausage fest since Treasure's voice gave out.

- Did it?

- MELODY: Yeah.

Doctors told her to stop singing, stop talking.

- Did they?

- MELODY: Mm-hmm.

Are they replacing her?

No idea, but I doubt the promoters have time.

Huh...

(CELL PHONE BUZZING)

Excuse me.

I need to take this.

Oh, yeah.

Go ahead, go ahead, go ahead.

You take that.

I'll take this.

(HIP-HOP MUSIC)

♪ Hey, are you ready to fly?

I've never been more ready in my entire life.

Okay.

And I don't like being held back, either.

Okay, well, uh, no guarantees, but theoretically, if I could secure you a spot on that Music Weekly bill, what would Lucious think of that?

If I cared, theoretically?

(CHUCKLES)

Well, let's just say, theoretically...

Uh-huh.

I don't like asking for permission, Becky.

Well, theoretically, neither do I, 'cause we're grown-ass women.

- Period.

- Period, boo.

Let's do what we want.

(LAUGHS)

Wait, hold on.

Let's turn that jam back on.

♪ Once in a lifetime want.

(LAUGHS)

♪ (OMINOUS MUSIC)

Look what you've done.

Empire can't afford to lose Treasure.

Not now.

Give it up, Kingsley..

- Shut up.

- Give it up, Kingsley.

I know how to run this company.

- Come on, give it up.

- Better than you.

- (LAUGHING)

- Watch me.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Andre, the doc says Treasure gonna be out of commission four to six weeks.

You gotta be kidding me.

I wish I was, boss, and it could be longer.

- She might need surgery.

- Damn it, Porsha.

This is your job to get the artist up to speed and keep them there.

Your job to make sure they don't hurt themselves in the process.

You right, it is my job, and you didn't let me do it.

(SIGHS)

You're right.

I'm sorry.

- So Andre...

- Not now, Maya.

Porsha, how would you have handled Treasure?

Treasure's a home girl.

You push her, she push back.

So I would have played it to her strengths.

Make her feel confident.

Make her feel strong.

Make her wanna do more while respecting her limits.

That's what you were trying to tell me?

Pretty much.

(EMOTIONAL MUSIC)

I underestimated you, usurped your authority, and ignored your experience.

I'm not doing that again.

- You f*ring me?

- No, the opposite.

Empire's lucky to have you, Porsha.

As of today, your promotion and new title of head of A&R are in place.

- ANDRE: Congratulations.

- Thank you, Andre.

I'll announce it at the next team meeting, okay?

- Keep me posted on Treasure.

- You got it, boss.

Thank you.

(LAUGHS)

♪ BECKY: The thing about the choreography is you wanna keep it really simple and really classy, you know what I mean?

'Cause if we don't...

oh, I got it.

Hi, hi, hi.

Thank you.

Let me sign that IOU.

Thank you so much.

- LUCIOUS: Becky.

- Just have to...

hey.

What the hell is going on here?

Your assistant tells me that you're setting up Yana's stage concept for the Music Weekly show?

- She's not ready for that.

- BECKY: Oh, no.

I think it'd be a really great way to get her ready for bigger venues.

No, no, no.

I completely disagree, Becky.

BECKY: Oh, no, you don't have to agree.

You know, Yana's contract is with Bossy, and that's me.

Hey, Lucious, I wanna do this.

No, no, you don't understand, and I don't expect you to understand.

That's not your job.

I mean, your job is to listen to the 30 years' experience I have in this business and to follow my advice.

Ooh, like a good little girl, huh?

Please, give me a minute.

You're good.

I'm good.

Yana, that's my artist.

And this is my label.

Oh, you gonna play that game?

Oh, I'm not playing any game.

The thing is, you spoke your piece, and I heard you; I hope you felt heard.

But at the end of the day, you know, I work for the artist.

The artist looked at me in my face and told me that she was ready, and you know what?

I believe her.

Wait, wait, wait...

did you stop and and consider that maybe she might be wrong?

Did I stop to think that maybe...

you know what?

I did.

I did.

I stopped, and I thought about it, and then I made a judgment call, and you know what?

That is called a boss move.

And you know what?

You taught me that.

No, I've got plans for Yana.

It's thought out, it is measured, so either you take her out of that damn set, or I will.

Oh, okay, so I don't really appreciate that tone, because if you'll of that just take a look around, you'll see that you're in my office, okay?

I don't dance for you.

This ain't Empire.

This is Bossy, and at Bossy, you work for me.

Girl, what the hell are you doing up there?

Andre just text me and told me I'm supposed to be meeting a potential artist here.

Uh, I actually sent that text.

Uh, ex-squeeze me?

Just listen.

(SMOOTH MUSIC)

- Maya, I don't have ti...

- MAYA: Just...

just listen.

Please, just a second.

Uh, you can, um...

thank you.

♪ ♪ I got so caught up in the "what ifs" ♪ ♪ That I'm stuck with "what now" ♪ ♪ I lost all my patience ♪ ♪ Need to find it somehow ♪ ♪ Can you imagine ♪ ♪ What life could be ♪ ♪ If being honest ♪ ♪ Was easy ♪ ♪ ♪ I just wanna be a superstar ♪ ♪ Fly around the world and drive fancy cars ♪ ♪ Buy my mom a crib 'cause she my rock star ♪ ♪ is that so wrong?

♪ ♪ I just wanna write a song like Billie Jean ♪ ♪ Hope when I die one day that y'all would sing ♪ ♪ I just wanna know that y'all gonna miss me ♪ ♪ Is that so wrong, is that so wrong?

♪ ♪ Oh, if...

(MUSIC STOPS)

Uh, did I...

did I overdo it?

Uh... (CHUCKLES)

No, actually, that was pretty good.

- Really?

- Yeah, I'm impressed.

Maya, you can really blow.

But you have no idea how this business work, and you can't ambush me like this.

I just got this job, and if you were my first sign as A&R head, how would that make me look?

You haven't even earned it.

Porsha, come on.

You and I both know I have kissed my fair share of Lyon family ass and probably made coffee for, like, half of them.

And?

Maya, I spent seven years for this kind of power, influence, and respect.

You hear me?

Seven years.

And I'm not about to be abusing it the way I seen people do it in the past, hiring a weed man and nepotism nonsense.

- PORSHA: I'm not doing that.

- Wow.

(SOLEMN MUSIC)

PORSHA: I'm the weed man now?

Wow.

♪ Cool.

Thanks for nothing, Porsha.

You're welcome.

I don't know what you thought you was doing with your little Diana Ross dress on anyway.

What you thought this was?

♪ - (GLASS SHATTERING)

- (EXHALES SHARPLY)

GISELLE: Damn it.

- Hey, hey, no, no, no.

- (GROANS)

I'll help you.

I got you, I got you, I got you.

Hey, you just got out of the hospital.

Look at you, sounding like Mom.

Here.

Sit down.

Oh.

I miss her, you know?

Mom was always so, like, colossal.

Like a superhuman.

Well, she scared the hell out of me sometimes.

(CHUCKLES)

There was this one time where I cheated on a spelling test.

Yes, and when she found out...

(EXHALES SHARPLY)

She laid into me about what cheaters are, where they come from...

BOTH: And the snake-filled cave in hell..

That are waiting for all the cheaters.

After that, I never cheated again.

(LAUGHS)

And I vowed never to get anything less than a perfect score on everything I did.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

She always thought you were so brilliant.

No.

Just scared.

Hey, hey.

I miss her too.

- GISELLE: Oh.

- (JULIAN SNIFFLES)

It's gonna be okay.

It's gonna be okay, baby.

GISELLE: Oh.

(SIGHS)

WOMAN ON TV: Talk about is what it's like to work with family.

Cookie, you have famously worked with yours.

What is it like to manage your boys?

- COOKIE: Well, you know...

- Hey.

Cute.

What's going on?

Nothing, Mom.

Just going back to school.

What?

Wait.

But break isn't over for another week.

What's the rush?

Is this about some girl?

Look, I just gotta leave, okay?

No, actually, it's not okay, and what is up with that tone?

You've been snippy all day.

(KNOCKING)

Ma'am, we need to speak to Quincy Barrow.

I'm Quincy.

What do you want?

Ma'am, is there a place we can sit down?

No.

Tell us what you want.

This girl, Piper Bennett, was found overdosed in the club the other night.

She's in a coma.

Photos and texts from her cell phone indicate that she was with you.

Yeah.

I mean, I got her into the club, but I didn't see her after that.

Come on, kid.

What really happened?

- Did you give her the dr*gs?

- TERI: Okay, enough.

Unless you have a warrant, It is time for you to get off of my property.

- No, ma'am...

- TERI: My son Has no obligation to answer anything.

Okay?

We know our rights.

Thank you very much.

Bye-bye.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ Carol, no, no, no.

No need to come up, girl.

It's pouring down.

S-stay down there.

I'm on my way.

Yes.

I'm on my way down.

I'm coming, I'm coming.

Oh, and I got tickets for you and Candace for Tea Talk.

Girl, En Vogue.

No, no, no, no, no.

I'm coming down now.

I promise.

Stay in the car.

It's too wet, girl.

Bye.

(EXHALES)

- I need to talk to you, Cook.

- Okay, okay.

(CHUCKLES)

How many times we gotta have this conversation, huh?

You cannot come up here unannounced, Lucious.

No, I need you to put Becky's ass in check.

Yana is not ready for the Music Weekly show.

That's not the right venue for her.

You debuted her on late night television.

No, no, no, no.

That's a completely different audience.

This one will eat her ass alive.

Okay, listen, Lucious, Carol and I have a meeting at the community center.

I really don't have time for this.

No, no, no, can you focus for a minute, please?

I know you got a lot going on trying to put your past behind you, but right now I need you focused on the present.

- I trusted Yana with you.

- You what?

n*gro, please.

Do you know what this means to me?

Ah.

Do you have any idea?

I mean, I'm not gonna have a whole lot more chances, Cookie.

I just need you for five minutes, please, to put the community center and the therapy, sh**ting Durrell, all that stuff behind you.

Okay.

LUCIOUS: I need your help, Cookie.

I don't know why I confided in you.

You know damn well I did not mean to k*ll Durrell, but I will k*ll your ass if you don't get out of my way.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

LUCIOUS: Hey, Carol.

Lucious, leave, please, now.

You said you wanted to tell her.

Ain't no time like the present.

♪ You?

You?

You k*lled him?

You k*lled Durrell?

Carol, just come in.

Let me explain, okay?

Please, just come in.

Carol.

No, no, no.

He was hurting you.

I...

I just went there to tell him to leave you alone, I swear.

All this time, I thought it was gangs.

Carol, I tried to protect you.

He was b*ating you.

And the dr*gs, Carol.

There were so many dr*gs.

I'm sorry.

I'm so sorry.

♪ Carol, please, just say something.

(SNIFFLING)

I'm okay.

I just, um...

Whew.

I need to think.

I...

I need to go home.

That's what I need to do.

I think I'm gonna go home.

You go to the meeting by yourself, and, um, I...

I'll see you later, okay?

- Carol, please.

- CAROL: I'm okay.

I'm okay.

Okay.

I love y...

♪ I'm sorry.

♪ Carol, I said I love you, Carol.

I'm sorry.

(CRYING)

Car...

Car...

Right this way.

Have a seat, gentlemen.

We'd like to see the security tapes for your club the other night.

A girl O.D.'d there.

Tainted dr*gs.

We wanna see what your cameras saw.

You gentlemen do know I'm the CEO, not the night club manager.

Why are you bringing this to me?

The girl's dad thinks you'd do him a favor and cut through any red tape to get this info for us quickly.

Paul Bennett.

He's on the voting board.

He's on the ASA committee.

He's a good man.

And he's right.

I would do anything to help him.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

I can get you that tape within an hour.

Anything else I can do?

Should I ask around, see if anybody saw anything?

That would be helpful.

Excellent.

- Have a good day.

- MAN: You do the same.

Um, Andre, it's Teri on the phone for you.

- Not now.

- MAYA: She says it's urgent.

I said not now.

Wait.

You didn't happen to be at Laviticus last night?

Sure, why?

Come in.

♪ (HIP-HOP MUSIC)

♪ Just to feel the touch ♪ ♪ Love has the power to stick to you ♪ ♪ Just like a stain ♪ ♪ And then you're never the same ♪ ♪ Some people walk for miles ♪ LUCIOUS: Find your light, Yana.

♪ For 1,000 hours ♪ ♪ And never are the lucky ones ♪ Keep your line of sight above the stage lights, otherwise they will blind you.

♪ Right here...

♪ Chin up.

Greet your audience.

♪ For us ah No, no, get back in your spotlight.

♪ Once in a lifetime ♪ There you go.

♪ Feels so right ♪ No, no, stay inside your spotlight.

You've gotta remember your boundaries because this stage is a whole lot different from those little coffee shops.

- ♪ Once in a lifetime ♪ - Perfect, perfect.

All right, we're gonna start it one more time from the top.

Yeah, okay, no, wait.

Lucious, wait a second.

We don't even have...

Wait, no, no, no, there's...

there is no "wait a second." Oh, God.

You have got to be absolutely flawless tonight.

I've invested so much time and money into you.

- I cannot risk...

- Money and time, Lucious?

Is that what I am to you?

Can y'all give me, like, a quick second, please?

Thanks.

You wanna know what you are to me?

You're the face of my dream.

Of course.

No, but you've gotta use everything I've told you, I've taught you, I've showed you, if you're gonna win over a crowd like this tonight.

Lucious, you are smothering me with your fear and all of this negative thinking.

I am going to go out there tonight, and I'm gonna make it mine, not yours.

Yana.

Yana, get back here!

(CLAPPING)

Bravo, Lucious.

I see you still have your magic touch.

Excuse me?

You know, you used to be more convincing at making your artists think you were working for them, but the truth is, is we're all just slaving away for you.

Let me ask you something, Melody.

Where have you been for the last 20 years?

If I ever need to know how to work a karaoke machine, I will ask for your advice.

You got that?

Good to see you, Lucious.

DJ Quarry.

(CHUCKLES)

You doing this venue tonight?

Oh, man, you know it, man.

I'm in my bag.

LUCIOUS: Good, good.

- This is gonna be nice.

- (LAUGHS)

Melody, you got a minute?

Yeah.

Exactly one minute.

Melody, (DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Yeah.

One minute.

So that's why you been blowing up my phone?

Come on, Melody.

I...

I need this.

The blog says that we were a couple.

Come on, Melody.

A...

a romantic couple.

And we were.

Melody, I'm married.

Q, you were married then too.

But I have kids now.

I...

(HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING)

I will lose them and my wife if you say that's true.

So what do you want me to do?

You want me to sit back and say, "Ooh, yummy.

I wish it was true, but it isn't"?

I mean, if you could do that for me.

Look, I stopped lying a long time ago.

I'm not about to start now for you.

♪ But I also don't need anybody in my business, either, so if that blog comes to me, they'll get no comment.

That's the best that I can do for you, your wife, an your kids.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ MAN: You sure it was Piper?

The girl in the photo?

Yeah.

Uh, she came up to me asking me if she could cop, and I told her to chill, 'cause I work here, and then she split.

Later, I did see her with some skinny white dude, and I'm pretty sure she left with him..

Thank you.

This is very helpful.

If that's all, gentlemen, this way.

And please let us know what happens.

MAN: Oh, yeah.

Sure.

Great job.

I am just glad I could help, boss.

Now can we talk my payment?

I'm assuming you want a raise?

No.

I want a record deal.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(SCOFFS)

You want to sing?

I'm good.

♪ You'll have to stay on as my assistant until you can be replaced.

- I can do that.

- You will do that.

And Maya, if you're no good, deal's off.

♪ Got it.

♪ (LAUGHS)

♪ Wow, that's good.

You looking for Andre?

You just missed him.

Look, Maya, I know your audition...

You know what, Porsha?

Don't even worry about it.

- 'Cause you know what?

We're good.

'Andre just signed me to Empire.

- What?

- I know what you're thinking.

We both said some things we didn't mean, clearly, but now I'm signed, so we're good.

Maya, you ain't nothin' but a con!

What's going on?

Andre, you hire me as your head of A&R and then you force me on?

to babysit your lapdog assistant as my first sign?

Maya's talented.

I've heard her tape.

She'll be an asset.

What happened to you not underestimating me or usurping my authority?

I'm head of A&R, Andre!

I can't sign that girl!

You don't have to.

I've already done it.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)


♪ Okay, that's what we doing?

Andre, I'm putting in too much time to be disrespected like this.

If this the new Empire, you can count me out.

This some BS, Andre, and you know it.

♪ (CLACKING)

(CHIMES)

(CHIMES)

(SIGHS)

(KEYS JINGLING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ So what really happened?

And don't you even think about lying to me!

- Nothing happened, Mom!

- What happened?

What, is this about dr*gs?

'Cause you know it just takes one misstep...

one mistake...

for those cops to throw you back in prison, and I can't go through it again.

- Wait, you can't?

- What...

just tell me.

What happened?

It's Andre, Ma.

What do you mean, "it's Andre"?

He set the whole thing up.

I was supposed to take the girl to the club and offer her coke.

Andre gave you coke?

He's not the same person you think he is.

Okay, I want you to go.

Go now.

- Go back to school.

- Wait, what about you?

I've got some things I need to take care of.

Mom, I'm not leaving...

I want you to do exactly what I said.

Now go.

I will call you later.

I love you.

(TENSE MUSIC)

♪ (DISTANT CARS HONKING)

Damn, Mel.

It's cold out here.

You know what?

Don't call me Mel, okay?

Ever.

You are such a coward.

I had to say something.

Oh, you had to say this?

"Trannies ain't my thing.

"Maybe it fantasized about me, "but hell no, that never happened.

This bitch lying." - Just calm the hell down.

- Don't tell me to calm down.

You called me an it.

Yo, yo, just shut up.

Don't make a scene.

No, you're not gonna shut me up ever again.

- (BLOW LANDS)

- (DJ QUARRY SHOUTS)

Bitch!

- (BLOW LANDS)

- (MELODY GROANS)

Come here!

- (MELODY GROANS)

- From now on, you don't know me.

Get it?

- (BLOW LANDS)

- (DJ QUARRY GROANING)

Son of a bitch!

- (BLOWS LANDING)

- LUCIOUS: No, Melody!

Melody, stop!

Stop!

(COUGHING AND GROANING)

Get your ass inside.

Take that board...

stick with you.

- (BLOW LANDS)

- (GRUNTS)

- (SIRENS WAILING)

- Officer!

- (SIRENS WAILING)

- Come here.

Get up.

Officer, hurry!

Hurry!

The thugs!

They was trying to att*ck a bum and he was trying to save them!

Where?

Which way did they go?

Uh, that way.

Big...

big guy who hit me.

Yeah, they went that way!

You all right?

♪ Damn it!

(BREATHING HEAVILY)

You all right in here?

You know what, Lucious?

I don't need some damn knight in corsets and wrist ties, okay?

I can fight my own fights.

Your fighting days are behind you, Melody.

Says who?

That bastard?

There's always gonna be bastards out there, but you're a huge star now.

You can't be in the middle of no brawl.

You made Q look like a hero out there.

No, no, I flipped the narrative and kept you out of the story, and trust me, he's not gonna try and bring you back into it.

What you need to focus on right now is being this huge star that you've always deserved to be.

And I did what I did tonight because I owed you.

(HIP-HOP MUSIC)

♪ (THUNDER CLAPS)

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

(UPBEAT MUSIC)

Guys, I...

oh, my God.

I'm so excited.

Me and my sisters used to love this group back in the day.

- COOKIE: Remember, girl?

- Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.

COOKIE: And here they are.

Give it up for En Vogue!

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

(BOTH MOUTHING WORDS)

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

(EN VOGUE'S "MY LOVIN' (YOU'RE NEVER GONNA GET IT)")

♪ Ooh, bop ♪ (CROWD CHEERING)

♪ ♪ No, you're never gonna get it ♪ ♪ Whoo ♪ ♪ Never, never gonna get it ♪ ♪ No, not this time ♪ ♪ No, you're never gonna get it ♪ ♪ My love ♪ ♪ Never, ever gonna get it ♪ ♪ See ♪ ♪ You done messed around on me for the last time, babe ♪ ♪ Now, bye-bye ♪ ♪ Never, ever gonna get it ♪ ♪ Ooh, bop ♪ ♪ I remember how it used me ♪ ♪ You never was this nice you can't fool me ♪ ♪ Ooh, bop ♪ ♪ Now you're talking like you made a change ♪ ♪ Well, the more you talk ♪ ♪ The more things sound the same ♪ ♪ What makes you think you can just walk back into her life ♪ ♪ Without a good fight, oh ♪ ♪ I just sit back and watch you make a fool of yourself ♪ ♪ 'Cause you're just wasting your time, oh ♪ Yeah, baby, yeah!

♪ No, you're never gonna get it ♪ Ain't never gonna get it, never gonna get it, yeah!

Damn it!

I know you ain't trying to trip me, bitch.

- That bitch trying to trip me.

- Carol!

Yeah!

Never gonna get it, bop!

Bop!

Cut, go to commercial!

Go to commer...

CAROL: Hey, wait a second, now.

They my jam.

Candy.

- I'm so sorry.

- I'm gonna kick your ass.

(DISTANT SHOUTING)

CAROL: I'm gon' cut your ass!

I could never afford to eat here.

Well, when you're a big-time attorney, you can treat me.

- Yeah.

- So listen.

I have something I wanted to...

- I have so...

- No, I'ma go first.

I'ma go first.

Um, so I've decided to drop out of law school.

Julian!

Just wanna stay here and work with you, and just think how happy Mom would be that we're back together right now.

It's, like, amazing.

Okay.

First of all, this isn't what Mom would want for you.

You saying you don't want me here?

(SCOFFS)

I want you here more than you will ever understand.

Okay.

All right, fine.

Then what's the problem?

Mom's dream for you was for you to be successful.

For you to be your own man, dependent on no one, and law school was the way to make that happen.

That's Mom's dream.

That's not my dream.

Well, you owe her that dream, Julian.

And you owe it to yourself.

I love you.

And when you pass that bar, I will be right here.

Waiting.

Are you serious?

You're telling me no?

Yes, I am.

I can't let you do something I know you'll regret later.

You don't know what I'm gonna...

you don't know what I'm gonna regret.

Trust me.

I know.

You know, for you and Mom not getting along, you're starting to sound just like her.

Come on.

No, wait, Julian.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Damn it.

ANNOUNCER: Up next, Yana!

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Oh, yeah ♪ ♪ Mm ♪ ♪ I knew somebody who said they never felt the rush ♪ ♪ Just with somebody ♪ ♪ Yeah, just to feel the touch ♪ ♪ Love has the power to stick to you just like a stain ♪ ♪ And then you're never the same ♪ ♪ Some people wait for years ♪ ♪ What we found right here ♪ ♪ For what only took a moment for us ♪ (CLEARS THROAT)

♪ Oh ♪ - ♪ Once in a lifetime ♪ - Try to smile.

♪ Ooh, feels so right ♪ ♪ When you know, you know, and we know it ♪ ♪ Let it overflow with emotion ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ ♪ Once in a lifetime ♪ Just still working out a few kinks.

We're out, Lucious.

♪ Special thing ♪ ♪ Don't give up hope ♪ ♪ 'Cause timing is everything ♪ - ♪ And I, I've had my share ♪ - (AUDIENCE BOOING)

This is what you staked your name and reputation on?

♪ But they can't keep us apart ♪ ♪ Some people wait for years what we found right here ♪ ♪ For what only... Oh.

♪ (MICROPHONE SCREECHING)

(AUDIENCE BOOING)

♪ Once in a lifetime ♪ I told you she wasn't ready!

(CROWD BOOING)

♪ When you know, you know, and we know it ♪ ♪ Let it overflow with emotion ♪ ♪ Ooh ♪ Let it overflow ♪ Get off the stage, Erykah Ba-don't!

(CROWD BOOING)

Mm, let's go.

MAN: Get off the stage!

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ (FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING)

I'm sorry.

Don't be.

You okay?

No.

I ruined it.

I ruined all of it before it even started.

LUCIOUS: No, no.

When you said that I was controlling and not letting you breathe, you were right.

Because I was trying to turn you into what you could be.

But you've gotta decide if that's what Yana wants to be.

It's never been my choice.

It's always yours.

I, uh...

I will be in the studio first thing tomorrow, and I will be ready to work.

Good.

(HIP-HOP MUSIC)

Thank you.

♪ How do you mend when you're worlds apart ♪ ♪ Ooh, carry on ♪ ♪ Ooh, from the start ♪ ♪ Somehow we fell in love ♪ First thing in the morning.

♪ And fell right out of touch ♪ ♪ And ooh, that was hard but ooh, here we are ♪ ♪ And it's easier to walk away ♪ (SOBBING)

♪ ♪ Remember when we first met ♪ ♪ We were having so much fun...

♪ Okay, sweetheart.

You gave Quincy dr*gs?

You son of a bitch!

- I can explain.

- No!

You could have sent him back to prison!

Now, I know that you are having issues with your meds and you need help, but I will not let you put my sons at risk.

(FOREBODING MUSIC)

I can't stay here.

I'm leaving, Andre.

♪ You can go if you want.

My son's staying with me.

Andre, what are you do...

no, Andre.

Mommy's going bye-bye, Walker.

Say bye-bye.

Unless she wants to stay and help plan our pretty wedding.

What do you say, Mommy?

y - (BABY COOING)

- Huh?

Yeah.

You wanna pick out china?

♪ Carol, look.

I'm sorry.

Please don't let what I did 20 years ago affect your life now.

Cookie, please kiss my ass.

Carol, don't start.

No, she can kiss my ass.

Carol...

You know why?

You destroyed my life.

That's what you did.

Talking about you were scared for me?

- CANDACE: Wait.

- Oh, no.

You took the one man that ever really loved me.

Yeah, he had his problems.

He had his problems, but we had kids!

We had a family.

We had a life, and you took that.

Carol, what are you talking about?

♪ She k*lled Durrell.

She k*lled Durrell.

- She did.

- What?

CAROL: She did that.

Cookie.

I mean, he...

he b*at her, and he kept her doped up.

Oh, okay.

I'm doped up, right?

Yeah!

Don't nobody pay no mind to Carol, right?

'Cause she high.

Go and mess up her life.

Go ahead, mess it up, 'cause she high anyway, right?

- No!

- Yeah, guess what, though.

(CHUCKLES)

I got something that you might better pay some mind to.

Hmm.

'Cause we messed up your life, too, bitch.

Didn't we, Candace?

- Come on, Candace!

- Shut up, Carol.

COOKIE: What is she talking about?

- Come on, Candace!

- Shut up, Carol.

Your 17 years!

- I said shut up!

- No!

(BOTH SHOUTING)

Wait a minute!

Wait a minute!

What are you talking about?
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