05x22 - Reasons To Quit

[bunniefuu]

Previously on Nashville.

Mom would have been so proud of you, Dad.

Look who's on the bill tonight.

Hello, Brad.

Our son. He's k*lling
his beautiful spirit.

Cruelty by cruelty.

When I heard that song I
felt like it had to be mine.

How could you?

It's about Maddie's commercial.

The client is asking to
change the lyrics to her song.

That's going too far.
We're done with branding.

You wiped out of this
and it's over. I'm done.

I heard the Opry was amazing.

Just shaking out the cobwebs.

Shut up. Stop being so modest.

Well, I'm sorry I missed it.

Well, you're a busy man.

I hear your inhouse
Zuckerberg is unhappy.

Even thinking about jumping ship.

Word travels fast.

Come on. Highway 65's financial struggles

over the years,

they haven't exactly been
a big secret, you know.

So if the label's in trouble,

I'd like to help out.

I think you and I have very different

definitions of the word "help."

Just so you know, off the record...

I'd be interested.

- In what?
- Buying Highway 65.

It's not for sale.

It will be if "Zacherberg" leaves.

You'd run it the same
way you do every day.

Just under the Shiny
New Records umbrella.

You wouldn't even know I exist.

You forgive me if I have
trouble believing that.

Deacon, I've never
known you to be a patsy.

Come on, here you are,

at the helm of a sinking
ship just watching

every label in town
just pick apart her dream

like vultures on a carcass.

We done here?

I just want what's best for you.

Why would you want that?

She was good, wasn't she?

At the benefit.

Can't I just stay with you?

Honey, you know I wish you could.

Hey, Jakey. Your dad's waiting for you.

- Mom, I don't want to.
- I know.

Jessie?

Deacon? What are you doing here?

Just leaving.

This is my son, Jake.

This is my good friend,
Deacon Claybourne.

Nice to meet you, Jake.

Give me a sec?

Mom, I just want to stay with you.

I just want you to stay with me too.

But it's not what the court says.

And we just have to listen, okay?

I love you so much.

All right, I'll see you later.

I'm real sorry about that, Jessie.

That's just gotta be so hard.

It's not fun.

He seems like a real sweet kid.

He is.

I just wish things were different.

I hear you.

Just four nights away from
the American Music Awards,

and we are in no shortage of drama.

That Tennessee tussle that
included Juliette Barnes

and Maddie Jaymes,

both nominated for
favorite pop rock song.

Hello?

- Hey.
- How's it going?

I'm in the Ninth Circle of Hell.

Betrayal.

What?

Dante's Inferno... Ninth Circle.

That's an actual thing?

Yeah.

What are you talking about?

I am talking about your daughter

and me dying of heat exhaustion,

because of some stupid condenser fan.

The AC broke?

Yep. They sent a guy.

He's here now doing who knows what?

- How's everything else going?
- Horrible.

Emily's not back till tomorrow.

Cadence is miserable. Maddie
still won't talk to me.

And I'm supposed to be finishing an album

with a label that may or may not exist!

Not to mention we have a
preawards show party tonight.

And it's all too much.

Listen, hon, my phone's about to die,

and we're trying to get into Albuquerque

before the storm hits, so...

Please, go!

- I'm sorry.
- You sure you're okay?

Peachy!

The phone just d*ed.

What's going on?

Deacon, you need to get over here.

The power's out.

- What?
- Yeah.

Lights, phones, everything.

I called the electric company.

Our account has been cancelled.

By who?

Zach Welles.

- Stay there.
- I'm on my way.

It takes three days to resume service?

- That's not all.
- What?

In order to start an
account, they need a deposit.

So?

Our bank account.

It's empty.

Zach cleaned it out.

Son of a...

Deacon...

with Juliette's studio time,

the promotional campaign for the girls.

We're about to be overdrawn.

Hey, it's Zach.

No one leaves these anymore.

But if you must...

- I'm sorry.
- It's okay.

What do we do?

I'll tell you what we don't do.

We don't have our people
standing around here

in the dark, all right?

So what we're gonna do
is we're gonna just...

move it all to my house,
the whole operation.

No, no, no.

You need a place to go home to.

Then what, Lori?

You know what? I might have an idea.

Let me make a phone call.

- Which one?
- Right.

Maddie, you didn't even look.

Okay, the left. Why are you freaking out?

This is THE end of the summer party.

Half the school's gonna be there.

And Flynn?

Yes. Flynn will be in attendance.

God, this is so stressful!

Do not even talk to me
about stressful, Daphne.

Hey, Dad, what's up?

What?

Okay, yeah, yeah, we'll be right over.

What's going on?

I guess something's
happening at Highway 65.

He's like calling the
entire office into Tracks.

Can't tell you how much
I appreciate this, Gary.

Man, whatever you need, Deac.

I'm just sorry this
is all happening, man.

- But she's all yours.
- Thank you, brother.

- Good luck, man.
- Thank you.

What's going on?

Well, Zach's just flexing
his muscles, sweetheart.

My God, I can't believe
everyone had to come here.

This is not because of
you. You know that, baby.

- Deacon?
- Anything?

I'm so sorry.

He's not returning my calls, my texts.

I had no idea about any of this, I swear.

I know that.

Gunnar's still out looking
at a few places, but...

I just wanted to be here with y'all.

Appreciate it.

Gunnar's back?

Yeah. He got in last night.

Excuse me, everybody.

I just got a text from Juliette.
I thought she was on her way.

Apparently, she is not at this point.

I'm not sure exactly
when she's gonna be here.

If you guys could just short
of hang out for a little while,

I sure would appreciate it.

- Sure.
- Thank you very much.

Look who I found wandering the halls.

Kacey, what are you doing here?

I'm cutting some new songs,

and I heard about what happened.

It's ridiculous.

- It's crazy.
- I'm gonna start a protest.

- You are? Okay, do it.
- Yeah, yes.

Hey, girls, how are you?

- How's it going?
- Good to see you.

- More good news.
- What's up?

Our credit card has been declined.

Well, if you see him, will you
please call me and let me know?

All right. Well, thank
you. I appreciate it.

Burgers and milkshakes, anybody?

Aw, lookee here.

- Hey, here you go.
- Thank you so much.

Hey, girls, will you pass those out?

Scarlett called and said
you guys could use some help.

- Thank you.
- Of course.

- Chocolate?
- Thank you.

No problem.

What do you think Dad will
do if we have to shut down?

I think he'll do what he did before.

Before he made music with Mom?

He'll still make music,
just not with Mom.

Do you think he'll make
music with somebody else?

I guess, yeah, eventually.

What do you think of Jessie?

I don't know yet.

I'll be back in a little while, girls.

Gunnar found Zach.

Zach, what is this? What are you doing?

You told me to do what I
will. So I'm doing what I will.

By cutting the power?
Turning off our damn cable?

Now I tried to be civil.
I tried to be nice.

I've spent my whole
life trying to be nice.

But when I am pushed too far, that ends.

Now listen to me.

I don't lose ever.

So now you are gonna watch

as I hold this label down by the throat

until every single one of you comes to me

begging for air.

You chose to have this fight!

I never realized how small you are.

It's funny. You confronting me

about a business that
you view as a chore.

I'm curious. What made you start caring?

Please tell me it wasn't the mascara.

- How you feeling?
- Not great.

Whoa. Look at me.

Honey, you deserve to be here.

It does not feel like it.

Come on, you are Juliette Barnes,

comeback artist of the decade.

So you borrowed a song.

But you made it a hit. You made it great.

You are here because of you, no one else.

Now let's walk over
there, congratulate Maddie,

and enjoy this party.

I'll be back.

- No, Dad, no!
- What?

- You can't!
- Daphne, whatever this is,

honey, I got to get to the bottom of it.

She doesn't want to talk about it.

What's going on?

She'll k*ll me.

Daphne, please!

That is enough, honey! Just tell me!

What is happening here?

Juliette stole Maddie's song.

What song?

What do you mean, stole?

Travis Stroud gave it to
Juliette to give it to Maddie.

And she never did. She
recorded it for herself.

Why didn't she tell me?

She knew you'd be mad.

She's right.

You ain't gonna outrun me!

Not in those heels.

I don't know why she
didn't tell you sooner.

How could you?

I don't think I could ever

try to explain it to you.

I can't even explain it to myself.

How far do we go back, you and me?

That's my daughter, Juliette,
who just happens to love you.

And you do this?

We're supposed to be family!

It was a horrible mistake!

I tried to apologize, but I
know that doesn't mean anything!

How can I make this right?

You can't.

Listen to me.

I'm gonna keep battling for Highway 65.

But not for you. For everybody else.

When the dust settles,
if there's still a label,

you are off of it.

So what do you want?

Who's she?

Hi. I'm Alyssa Greene,

chief strategy officer for Highway 65.

That sounds important.

I heard you turned the
lights out on your employees.

I mean, that's some strategy.

Deacon Claybourne has
set up shop at Tracks.

He's running his little label

despite it being handcuffed
by his outoftown investor.

I mean, it's inspiring, really.

Aren't you the soft touch.

You have managed to
create even more sympathy

for the Queen of Country's widower,

which I didn't think was even possible.

So, well done.

You know, whenever I think
of investing in a company,

I dive deep and learn things.

About the company, about the competition.

I obsess over it, actually.

My therapist says it's unhealthy.

What'd you find out about me?

That you are an impulsive,
egotistical narcissist

who masquerades as a nice guy.

What does that make you, you little twit?

But you're not stupid.

So what do you want, Brad?

I want the end of Highway
65 to benefit both of us.

What makes you so sure I still
want to be in this business?

Because you're sitting
in that chair right there

having a meeting with me.

What are you proposing?

A multiplatform media company.

Why should we get only
half the tour money?

Why not own the tour? Own the content?

Own every exploitation
of every artist brand?

Why not own a network?

Think we can't do better than CMT?

Dance girl! Woo yeah!

I miss playing with you.

Hey, guys.

- Hey, buddy.
- Hey, bud.

- How you doing?
- Good, good.

Hey, I heard you got in last night.

Yeah. Sorry I didn't call.

You wanna go for a walk?

How was Texas?

My grandma is still a wicked old bird.

Yeah...

The Bluebird asked us to play
their 35th anniversary show.

Is that something you're gonna do?

Well, they asked us.

Didn't know there was an "us" anymore.

I don't think either of us

really have the answer to that right now.

Well, listen, I'm ready to talk.

I mean, really talk this time.

Not just... you listen to me

try to convince us both
that I'm good enough.

Because I can't do that anymore.

You said that I needed
you to make me happy.

And maybe that used to be true,

but it's not anymore.

I don't need you to carry
me in this relationship.

Okay. Let's talk.

I can't believe Maddie got nominated

for an American Music Award.

I wish I had your family.

The only thing my
sister gets nominated for

is bitch of the century.

I'm so not going swimming.

Me either. How do I look?

- Like you're 25.
- Perfect.

Now you.

Come on, it's strawberry flavored.

Flynn will love it.

Louisa, nothing is gonna happen.

Jake Maitland is here.

Whoa, now there's a nut job.

How did he get invited?

I get such a totes creep vibe from him.

Hey.

- What's wrong?
- Nothing.

I can hear it in your voice.

All I said was, "Hey."

Babe, just tell me.

I just wish you were home.

I know. I wish I was home too.

Did you hear about Zach?

God, what now?

Well, apparently, he's in
talks with Brad Maitland.

Something about a new company.

If it's true, it really
is the end of Highway 65.

Juliette?

Yeah, I'm here.

Are you okay?

Yeah. I just...

can't believe that could be it.

You talked to Deacon?

I think it's important that
he knows we're here for him.

I can't imagine what he's
going through right now.

Trying to keep Rayna's dream alive.

There's got to be something...
something we can do.

I don't think there's
anything to do at this point.

I mean, Zach and Brad deserve each other.

Two vain, egodriven jerks.

What?

Are you sure you're okay?

Yeah, really. I'm... I'm fine.

Look, I love you so much.

Let's talk later.

- Okay. I love you too.
- Bye.

Bye

For your troubles?

Not really in the mood.

Must be bad.

What must be bad?

Nothing at all.

I'm not gonna keep
defending my relationship.

And I'm not asking you to.

Juliette makes me happy.

Yeah... You seem happy.

Why do you care so much anyway?

Because I've been in
this business long enough

to know the path of destruction

the Juliettes of this
world leave in their wake.

Makes me wonder why smart
people want to be a part of that.

It's not really any of
your business, is it?

It isn't.

Look, there's Flynn.

Why is he talking to Rebecca?

I knew you should have kissed
him when you had the chance.

So Ashley told me that she
saw him talking right now.

I just couldn't believe it.

So I told Chad we should break up.

He's just totally lame and uncool.

Really? Hey, have you seen Daphne?

No.

Do you want to see who can
hold their breath the longest?

What?

Daph, relax. They're just friends.

I'll go first, and then you. Count.

Eighth grade is really gonna suck!

What?

I mean, if it's anything like this party.

It's filled with stupid people.

Present company excluded.

How do you know I'm not stupid?

I don't. I was just being polite.

This is already the most
I've talked to anyone all day.

Being out here while everyone's
back there doesn't help.

I'm avoiding my fears.

I find it much easier than facing them.

Well, that's one way of handling things.

My dad calls it weak.

That's mean.

I don't know.

Sometimes I think he's right.

I'm Jake, by the way.

Yeah, I know who you are. I'm Daphne.

I know who you are too.

I think I've been running from
that feeling my whole life.

I'd die if I was ever alone again.

Even in high school, I couldn't be alone.

Ran into this girl back home.

She said I was constantly in
relationships even back then.

It's a real problem. But
I'm willing to work on it.

You spend time with this person?

Yeah, she helped me figure out a few...

What?

I hope one day for your sake

you can figure out how to
search your soul on your own.

Um, why couldn't my dad pick me up?

There was a lawyer coming over
to go through stuff with him.

And I thought I'd help him out.

Did you guys have fun?

Jakey, how was the party for you?

Fine.

Did you make any new friends?

- Mom.
- I'm just asking.

Can we talk about my social
anxiety some other time?

Excuse me, yes. I'm sorry.

We'll talk about it another time.

So what am I supposed to do?

I'm over at Highway 65

trying to smile and support my friends.

Meanwhile, I don't know what's going on.

I don't even know where you are.

Well, I didn't ask for any of this.

I did everything I
could to avoid it, Will.

You're being a real ass
to people that I love.

So whatever your reasons
are, Zach, I can't do it.

I'm looking out for your future.

- Doesn't feel like it.
- Do you really think

I'd let anything bad happen
to you as a result of this?

I don't think you're hearing me, Zach.

These are my friends.

Yeah, and where were you a
year ago with your friends?

You were waging w*r with Cynthia Davis,

begging for radio play.

Will, I made you the face of Budweiser.

People accept you now for who you are.

The people I care about have
always accepted me, Zach.

And they need me now.

Listen, I'll call you later, okay?

Don't...

Don't call me later.

- Hey, beautiful girl,
- Good to see you.

You too, and congratulations
on the nomination.

- I'm so proud.
- Thank you very much.

Thanks for coming out, everybody!

Amy, come on up here.

Ya'll, Amy opened The
Bluebird Café in 1982

as a place where people
could come and witness

the process of making music.

Tonight we're here to
celebrate the musicians,

fans, and the stories
that made it all happen.

I don't normally do this.

What's that? Smoke
cigarettes or ruin lives?

That's very funny.

Actually not. Where's your boss?

- Not here.
- Convenient.

You know, it doesn't
have to be over, Deacon.

You can still make peace with Zach.

By caving in to all his demands?

No. By living in the real world.

You know, sometimes people have
to do things they don't like.

For you, I guess that
means following Zach around

like a lost puppy to every
sleazy label in town?

No. You know what?

I am looking out for my future.
You should be doing the same.

I'm looking out for the
people I care about, Alyssa.

You know the difference
between you and me?

What's that?

I don't live in some fantasy world

where I think artistic
integrity comes without a price.

Okay, well, maybe you should
head back to computer valley

where you don't have to
worry about those things.

Why are you so impossible?

Because I believe in
something, maybe? Is that why?

No, because you don't
know what's good for you!

What's good for me,
Alyssa? Please enlighten me.

What is good for me?

What? What's so funny, Alyssa?

I can't even say it.

I don't know what's
going on here right now.

Wwhat are you doing...

What the hell was that?

What are you doing?

You looked like you needed it.

I look at you and I see this poor guy

who's been to hell and back, you know.

With the label and Rayna
and just everything.

It's just my way.

Your way of what?

I tend to see the pain in
people when I shouldn't.

That's how I am. It's exhausting really.

Good luck with Zach.

Hey, thanks.

I do have problems. I have a million.

And I'm committed to fixing them.

Okay.

Look, I understand you'll never trust me.

Gunnar, stop this.

But have you ever truly trusted anybody?

Okay, I'm not doing this now, not here.

Me? Caleb? Even Avery?

Who's been good enough?

Scarlett, you never completely
let anybody in your life.

You find faults

and you pick apart all
the people who love you.

And that's... that's on you.

It's time you realized
not everything is my fault.

Because...

I'm done trying.

I'm done trying with you, Scarlett.

And now please help me welcome a couple

that not only began making music,

but also actually met in this room.

Scarlett O'Connor and Gunnar Scott.

Thank you.

We're gonna play a song
called "As the Crow Flies".

Hello?

Hi. Zach Welles?

Speaking. Who is this?

This is Mackenzie Rhodes
from 33 1/3 Magazine.

How did you get this number?

I just want to do a quick
fact check on some quotes

about your leap into the music industry.

Quotes for what?

A story. I just told you.

Yeah. A story about what?

A story about a billionaire fan boy

that destroyed the
legacy of Rayna Jaymes.

Is this a joke?

Is it true that you're,

"withholding company funds,
cancelling ad campaigns.

And shutting off the power
on your own employees"?

Okay, who's your source?

I can't release my sources.
But I can quote them.

"He's an ineffective
and temperamental leader.

"Working for Mr. Wells

"is like working for
a spoiled sixyearold.

He's an outsider we wished
would have just stayed out."

You are not printing this.

You don't want to hear more?

You listen to me, Mackenzie.

When my lawyers are done with you,

you will never work again.

Is that on the record?

Okay, that is the weirdest
thing I've ever had to do.

I tend to bring that out in people.

You gave me all this information.

I can't print it.

Don't worry,

you will be very happy with
the story you can print.

We can expect the major
portion of the storms

to hit Albuquerque overnight...

Storm provisions,

or apology sandwiches.

- Whichever you prefer.
- Thanks.

Can I come in?

Sure.

I'm really sorry.

You're entitled to
whatever life you choose.

And I have no right to
project my beliefs onto you.

I appreciate that.

Sometimes I don't know when to shut up.

Kind of like someone else I know.

This is bombshell news
coming out of Music City.

Juliette Barnes has withdrawn herself

from her American Music Award nomination.

According to Mackenzie
Rhodes with 33 1/2 Magazine,

Juliette Barnes admitted
to recording a song

meant for friend and fellow
nominee, Maddie Jaymes.

The very song nominated
in the same category.

And this after an expl*sive night

at a release party a few weeks back.

Did you know that she did that?

- No.
- My God.

Where are you going?

- Home.
- Are you serious?

To clean up her mess again?

I thought you came here to apologize.

Forget about me, Avery.

Is this really what you want
for the rest of your life?

I need you to book me a
flight back to Nashville.

Have you looked outside?

No one's flying anywhere.
Everything is canceled.

- Get me a rental car.
- It's gonna take you forever

to drive to Nashville.

I don't care. I have to get home.

Building a fort?

No. I just lost my phone.

I can't find it anywhere.

I'm sorry, sweetheart.

Remember the last time that you saw it?

No.

I just hope I didn't leave
it at that stupid party.

The party was stupid?

No, it just...

reminded me of how complicated
eighth grade's gonna be.

Yeah, well, truth is,

life's just complicated
in general, you know?

But we roll with it.

The joy and the pain.

Why did Jessie pick me up from the party?

I had to meet with a lawyer.

It wasn't anything really.

She was just, you know, doing me a favor.

Is she gonna be like around?

Sweetheart, I got you,
and I've got your sister.

That's all I need.

- There it is.
- Thank you.

I told you I'd come get it.

It was no trouble. It was on my way.

Tell you what, Daphne about lost her mind

when she realized she forgot this.

I believe it. Kids and
their phones, right?

Yeah. Like we're any better.

That's true.

So what's next?

Los Angeles.

Right. Gosh. Wow.

Well, wish Maddie luck for me.

I'll do it. I'll tell her.

All right.

You take good care of yourself, Deacon.

You too, Jess.

I could sue you, you know.

On what grounds?

No one has ever treated me this way.

Yeah, the feeling's mutual.

The things you said... what you
want to put out in the press!

I don't know what you're talking about.

- Now don't lie to me!
- I'm not lying!

Now I might be an
ineffectual leader, Deacon.

But I am not an idiot!

You think you can run
this company without me!

You think you have the
ability to run anything!

And what is it you call yourself?

You call yourself a side man.

That is all you are! That
is all you will ever be!

And I feel sorry for Rayna

that you're all she had to depend on!

Zach, let me ask you a question.

All this cutting the power and the funds,

and cozying up with Brad...

it's just a smokescreen, isn't it?

What are you talking about?

Why are you still here?

How come you haven't left?

I told you! I don't lose!

I don't think that's why.

I think it's because you're lonely.

Shut up!

You have no right to
say that to me, okay?

You don't know me, Deacon!

I think I do, finally.

I think you're the
loneliest person I ever met.

Tell me all these months

with Will and Scarlett and the girls...

have you been happy?

I think you have maybe for
the first time in a long time.

Because you weren't lonely.
You were part of a family.

A family that betrayed me.

No, Zach, a family
that disagreed with you.

And went along with you anyway

till finally you asked too much.

You haven't left
because you love it here.

And you don't want it to end.

You keep making these empty threats,

and hoping somebody will
finally hear your desperation.

Zach, it doesn't have to end.

You have more money
than you will ever need.

Why don't you just let yourself be happy?

So what? Set this up as a charity?

Don't care about the money?
Let you do whatever you want?

I'm sure you'd love that, Deacon.

No, not a charity, a partnership.

Up till now, we've done
everything you're way

all the way down the line.

From here on out, I'm
saying we work together.

We make decisions together.

Do you expect me to accept that?

Zach, I think you already do.

Mackenzie called me and
told me what you did.

She told me how you sacrificed yourself.

I know how much it
meant to make it right.

What about the others?

They all feel pretty
much the same, I think.

It's just a real emotional time

for Deacon and Maddie
right now, that's all.

I keep trying to go back in time.

Wishing myself back to not do what I did.

I can't undo it.

I think you might have
made up for it now.

I don't think so.

I think I'm doomed to
make the same mistakes.

Never able to see them
before they happen.

Just constantly cleaning up the mess.

Like some darkness in
me that'll never go away.

Don't say that.

I think it's true.

Our next performance features the artist

that stole our hearts
at the CMT Music Awards

earlier this year.

And then had a song stolen from her.

Or something like that.

If you're just as confused as me,

please welcome to the
stage Maddie Jaymes.

That's all that's left.

Here's your spare.

You keep it.

In case there's an emergency.

Okay.

And the American Music Award

for Favorite Song Pop/Rock goes to...

Katy Perry!

Hello?

Juliette?

You came back.

Of course.

As soon as I heard what you did.

God, I've missed you.

I missed you.

How do you feel?

Free.