04x06 - Getting Home

[bunniefuu]

MARY JANE: Previously,
on "Being Mary Jane"...

Everyone in my family
wants me to talk about

what happened... again.

That cop goin' back to
work is all over the news now,

but it's gonna die down.

Treyvion's having nightmares.

I'm ready for it to be over.

Your pose with Orlando
Lagos was so cool.

I showed it to everyone at school.

Really?

He's one of our favorite players.

How do you know him?

He's just a friend.

- Why don't you just admit it?
- Admit what?

That this is all a lie, Dante!

You used me.

It's gone, Dante.

The money... I had to give it all back.

What do you mean
you gave it all back?

Congratulations.

You're about to celebrate your th.

It looks like you might
be in a real relationship.

What?

["Great Day USA" theme music playing]

The northeast states
are still in a deep freeze

following three days of record
breaking low temperatures.

We have full coverage.

But, first, let's check
in with Mary Jane Paul

who's outside with
fans braving the cold.

Mary Jane?

The crowd outside is
a bit thinner than usual.

But I've been joined by a group
of some very daring young men

who don't mind the cold.

Tell us where you're from,

and why you're outside
dressed like this.

Hey, yeah, we're students
from New York City University

and we're from Canada.

For Canuks this is beach weather.

Well, there you have it, America.

According to these guys,

we should all be out
here in our bikinis.

[snowball thuds]

Live from outside the
newsroom of "Great Day USA,"

I'm Mary Jane Paul.
Ronda, Aaron, back to you.

Which one of you no-home-
trainin' ass clowns threw it?

- Who threw it?
- KARA: Mary Jane.

Inside now, please.

Mary Jane you cannot lose your cool

every time some idiot catcalls you.

That wasn't a catcall. That was as*ault.

And I'm pressing charges.

It was a friggin'
snowball and you know what?

It was funny and it's probably gonna

make the year end bloopers.

Hopefully, even TMZ, if we're lucky.

And that's a good thing.

Anything that ingratiates
you with the audience

is a good thing, yes.

Sorry, I think I've got
seasonal affective disorder.

Well, I've got the
perfect remedy for that.

This year marks the th anniversary of

Thurgood Marshall's confirmation
to the Supreme Court,

and the Racial Justice Coalition
is throwing a huge gala,

and I got Garrett to send
us to Atlanta to cover it.

That sounds like a gig

with Ronda's name written all over it.

Forget about Ronda because
Aaron's on vacation next week,

so, if Ronda's in Atlanta...

I'd get to sit in the anchor chair.

Exactly. And you know Ronda
ain't gonna let that happen

- without a fight.
- Right

[snapping fingers] Let's
look on the bright side.

Here we come, Atlanta!

[snapping fingers] Hello? Hello?

- Wait!
- What?

We've gotta start researching.

There's gonna be a ton of
civil rights leaders there,

the mayor of Atlanta.

[snapping fingers] Done.

- Oh...
- Mm-hm.

And this is why you're the
best producer in the game.

[blows air on knuckles]

Tell me, bitch, how
did you get Garrett

to let you go instead of Justin?

Well, I was on my
way to Atlanta anyway

to go and see the boys,

and, girl, since I have
started working with Orlando,

I have finally cracked
that damn office boys' club.

- It's a beautiful thing.
- "Working with Orlando."

Is that what we're
calling it these days?

We fly in the
morning, chica. Be ready.

♪ Pick up the phone baby ♪

♪ I know you're home baby ♪

- ♪ I'm in the zone baby ♪
- Hello?

Anybody home?

- Hey! It is you!
- Hey!

PAUL SR: [laughing]

- How are you?
- PAUL SR: Oh...

- Oh, my goodness.
- Hi, Mom.

Oh, a sight for sore eyes.

- Hey, sis.
- Hey, how are ya?

- You still with that job?
- Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

Where's the show puttin' you up now?

- Four Seasons.
- ALL: Oh...

"Great Day USA" does not play.

- Auntie!
- Hey!

- Hi, baby.
- Hi!

You look so good!

I'm sorry to be running off
like as soon as you get here,

but I've gotta go get
Treyvion from school.

- Okay.
- It's not time yet.

School's not out.

Yeah, he had a little incident.

- He bit some kid.
- Oh, he's just overtired.

That's why he's acting out like that.

Is he still having nightmares?

Almost every night. It's crazy.

Maybe I can just stay here

and then that way I
can help with Treyvion.

- HELEN: Oh.
- You'd do that?

Of course. It's
only a couple of days.

- I'll get your room ready.
- Thanks, Mom.

LEE: [on phone] You settling in okay?

Yeah. Sure.

LEE: Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Do I detect the slightest
bit of trepidation?

Babe, you were so looking
forward to this trip.

You were over the moon about this trip.

No, I still am.

It's just... being back
at home in my old room...

I'm sort of afraid of
falling back into old habits.

LEE: Ah, yeah, the binge
drinking and the chain smoking.

No, more like meddling and judging...

Things my family brings out in me.

- [doorbell rings]
- LEE: Look, babe,

everyone reverts to
their -year-old self

when they're around family.

Nope, not gonna let that happen.

LEE: You can't control everything, MJ.

[doorbell continues ringing]

LEE: There may be something
unexpected coming your way.

Oh, God, I hope not. I detest surprises.

- [doorbell continues ringing]
- Anybody gonna get that?

Hold on.

[sighs]

Surprise.

[chuckling]

[delighted squeal]

- Aww...
- LEE: [chuckles]

- ♪♪

I can't believe you flew
all this way to surprise me.

It's no big deal. My agent
booked a last-minute gig

and I thought, since you were here...

Well, I wish you would've told me

before I gave up my hotel room.

Yes, I'm still here.

Okay, thank you.

No luck.

There's three conventions in town,

so, unless you wanna stay at
a roach-infested no-tell motel,

you've gotta bunk here.

Sex in your parents' house. Taboo.

- I like that.
- [kissing]

LEE & MARY JANE: [giggling]

PAUL SR: [clears throat]

MARY JANE: Hey.

HELEN: Pauletta,
who is this young man?

Oh, I'm just the delivery guy.

She was giving me my tip.

He's kidding.

This is Lee and he flew
down to surprise me.

PAUL SR: How are you, young man?

I'm Pauletta's father, Paul Patterson.

This is my wife, Helen.

Such a pleasure to meet you both.

You flew all this way
to surprise my daughter?

- It sounds serious.
- No, Mom.

And where are you staying
while you're here, Mr. Lee?

- In the guest room with me?
- Nice try, little Pauletta.

The guest bedroom has a leak
and your father's patching it.

Mr. Lee, you stay down
here in the family room,

and you can stay with
Treyvion... he'll love that.

Bring this young man into the kitchen

so I can get to know
him while I'm cookin'.

[whispers] Pauletta?

Yeah, I'll explain later.

So, how did you two meet?

At a comedy club in Manhattan.
I was performing...

Yeah, Lee's a stand up comedian.

He's really funny.

Mm, why I ain't laughed yet?

I was performing when I saw

this radiant woman sat at the bar.

Of course, she sh*t me
down at the first approach.

You don't have to tell us that.

There's nothing
wrong with being picky.

My aunt is too successful to
end up with any old riffraff.

Well, I'm glad you were persistent,

but she can be a little stubborn.

But you seem to have the
temperament that can handle her.

I'm not that stubborn.

Lee, sweetie, have you had enough?

Would you like another helping?

Well, what's this?

Oh, that's, uh, that's
hog's head cheese...

As suggesting as it may suggest.

They tried to get us to
eat that when we were kids,

but we wouldn't go near it.

Yeah, Granddad tricked me

into eating some when I was little.

I was so sick. Ugh,
I can still taste it.

LEE: Come on, cut me up a slice.

NIECY: Don't do it.

- It can't be that bad.
- It looks like pâté.

OTHERS: [groaning, gasping]

What's in this hog's head cheese?

Nothing that actually
resembles cheese.

It's more of a jelly made from

the meat of a hog's head.

That ain't all that's in it.

The hog's feet, the hog's heart,

and the hog's tongue.

- LEE: Um...
- NIECY: Mmm!

My compliments to
you, Mrs. Patterson.

Well, well... Actually,
it's Paul's specialty.

Yep, my grandfather
taught me how to make it.

It's a Southern delicacy.

Unfortunately, our saditty
children are too good to enjoy

the food of our ancestors.

- Saditty?
- What does that mean?

All right, guys, well, I'm
gonna let you all teach Lee here

all about sl*ve cuisine
and Southern slang

while I go get my press credentials.

Or maybe you should come with me.

HELEN: He's in good hands.

- Bye. Go on.
- [kisses]

So, saditty?

[jazzy music playing]

♪♪

KARA: Great.

Hey, Mary Jane!

I got your credentials ready, mama.

- Oh, thank you.
- You're welcome.

Here you go. Look who's here.

- Scott, Max, come here.
- Oh, my God. Hi!

- I know, right?
- Look at you.

- What's up?
- How are you?

Look how grown you two have gotten.

Listen, why don't
you guys go check out

the refreshment table, grab your stuff,

and can you get me a lemonade?

- Okay. Sure.
- All right? Say goodbye.

- MAX & SCOTT: Bye.
- MARY JANE: Bye.

Max is officially a grown man.

Yeah, and that man is having sex.

I'm about to have the talk with him.

Well, if he's already having sex,

isn't it a little late to
be having a talk with him?

Oh, no, no, no, no, not
the birds and the bees talk.

The don't knock anybody up talk.

I thought I at least had one more year.

- I can't believe this.
- It's gonna be okay, mama.

We'll talk about that later.
I've gotta get them home.

- So, I'll be back in a bit.
- Just wrap him in a condom.

- Mary Jane.
- Oh, my goodness.

Vladimir Fredrick, how are you?

Good. You?

Oh, Sophia! Hi, how are you, and Luke.
My goodness.

Mary Jane, back from the Big Apple..

You know...

Tell us all about "Great Day USA."

Is that Aaron as hot in
person as he is on screen?

Okay, the show is amazing and, yes,

Aaron is equally as hot in person.

I'm having the time of my life.

It sure looks like it.

Your wardrobe budget must
be, what, astronomical?

Girl, those designers give
us all that stuff for free.

No, I so hate you. I hate her right now.

Show us some pix of little Carlo

so I can hate on you, too.

I have had two more since you left.

- What?
- Elaina and Amelia.

Oh, my God, they're so cute.

How do you do it?

I'm weekend anchor now.

With three kids, something had to go.

What's the biggest change you
had to make for morning TV?

Probably forging a
deeper connection to

the sunnier side of my disposition.

Well, that can't be easy for you.

Oh, Vlad, as charming as ever.

Are you still the man
over at "Today's Top News"?

Ten years in September
and, um, it's not public yet,

but I've been promoted...
Evening anchor.

- What?
- You got the anchor chair?

I knew it. After your series on
the Orlando nightclub sh**ting,

they had to give it to you.

Vlad, that's amazing.

Okay, yeah, that plastic
smile don't fool me.

I know. It burns. I got there first.

I'm glad to know some
things never change.

- HELEN: [laughing]
- PATRICK: Look at this one.

Can you imagine an eight year old

obsessed with Sam Cooke?

Letta, she was just such an odd child.

Okay, yeah, storytime's over.
We're gonna get outta here.

Good. Show him some Atlanta.

Hey, y'all should check
out a couple of the new spots.

HELEN: No, none of
that hippity hoppity mess.

Helen's right. That's not the way
to get the flavor of the city.

How about this? How about
you guys let me figure it out?

HELEN: But don't stay out too late.

Go get your groove on, man.

- Have a good time.
- Thank you.

Already I cannot wait to break out.

Come on. I think they're amazing.

Hm...

I know where I wanna take you.

♪♪

♪ There's something about you girl ♪

♪ You've got me ♪

♪♪

♪ Love me love me love me ♪

- ♪ Don't stop me ♪
- Oh, yes.

I love this.

[sighs]

Oh, man, I started sneaking
out here when I was .

There's something so
romantic about drive-ins.

Do you guys have these in the UK?

No, this is strictly
an American phenomenon.

Really?

God, I have so many memories out here...

like my first date, my first kiss.

Oh.

My first... [clicks tongue]

- Really?
- Oh, yeah.

- You lost your...
- Oh.

- ...here.
- Oh, yeah.

In the back seat of Dwayne
Payton's Toyota Celica.

" Poetic Justice" was
playing in the background.

[laughs] You know what?
This makes perfect sense.

It's why you love movie
theater popcorn so much.

- Aww...
- LEE: [laughs]

You're so cute.

♪ Makes me love her and support her ♪

[quietly sobbing]

What's wrong, baby?

Is it the kids?

No.

It's Redd...

Redd Turner...

he passed away.

[sobbing]

He was my old friend.

Oh, baby, I'm sorry.

I know how much he
meant to you to this day.

[sniffling]

Let's not discuss this around the kids.

I don't wanna put a
damper on Letta's visit.

I understand.

I'm gonna be okay. [sniffles]

♪♪

_

♪♪

_

[chuckles]

♪♪

♪♪

- HELEN: [gasps]
- Mrs. Patterson!

- HELEN: Oh?
- LEE: Uh...

HELEN: Lord have mercy!

Oh... Oh!

[sighing] God...

I have a husband and two sons.

This is not my first
run-in with male anatomy.

However, if I catch you
whippin' that thing out here,

under my roof,

I'm gonna have to chop it off. Snip!

I understand. I am so sorry.

Mm hm. Mary Jane, a minute, please.

Mom, I'm so sorry.

I know how serious you take
the whole separate beds thing.

Pauletta, how serious
are you about Lee?

I'm not seeing anybody
else, and neither is he,

and he wants me to meet his kids.

He has kids?

Yeah, mom, he's got two
with a baby mama in the UK.

Okay...

This isn't a bad thing 'cause
you're about to turn ,

and your egg carton empty,
and even if you had any left,

they'd probably cr*ck.

Is he a good father?

Very good, from what I can tell.

Okay, he's already got kids,

he came here to visit your family, uh...

I'm gonna... gonna stop you right there.

I can assure you, Lee came to Atlanta

to perform, not to propose.

Well, I don't know.

He's already got your father

teaching him to make hog's head cheese.

Now you just wait and see, mm-hm?

A man can't be that interested
in hog's head cheese.

Uh, I understand the rules. I just...

[sighs]

Okay, I will.

You, too.

You all right?

That was Treyvion's school.

They said if he has another incident,

they're gonna kick him out.

What? For biting a kid?

[heavy sigh] This isn't the first time.

It happened before. He's
been suspended twice.

What? When?

A couple of weeks ago and
then another time before that.

Jesus, Niecy, you
didn't wanna tell anybody?

And admit that I'm
failing Treyvion...

After all that's happened
with that settlement money.

Niecy, you're not a bad mom.

Treyvion is not a bad kid.

This is about his nightmares.

Yeah, well, try
telling the school that.

Treyvion cannot be the only
kid who misbehaves this way.

Well, Darlene's son
has the same biting issue,

but she and her husband
are major donors,

and if the school loses their
kid, they lose their coin.

This isn't about money.

It's partly about
money, but, let me guess.

- Darlene's White.
- Yeah.

You haven't been
watching the morning show?

- [sighing]
- Niecy, this kind of thing

has been happening all over the country.

Black kids are receiving
harsher punishment

for the exact same infractions.

Treyvion's just the latest example.

So, what should I do?

You fight for your kid

to get the same treatment as his peers.

You got this.

NIECY: [sighs]

Here you go, Mom.

Cue cards all numbered and in order.

- Wonderful.
- Can I go now?

- The dance is about to start.
- That's fine.

Listen, but before you go,
I just... I wanna talk to you.

Okay? One minute. [sighing]

- Mom, what are you doing?
- Take it.

Your dad told me you were having sex.

So, you're giving me this... here?

- Yes.
- Right now?

Max, I've been trying to have

this conversation with you for two days.

Look at me. Do you know about safe sex?

Huh? Are you being careful?

Like you're being
careful with Orlando?

Don't try and pretend
you guys are just friends.

I'm not four years old.

What I do in my private
life is my business, okay?

But my sex life is your business?

Yes, it is my job
to be in your business.

I am your mother.

My business is a
year old girl with braces.

I think I can handle it.

Come over here.

I'll see you later, Mom.

Be careful.

A lot of the
traditional Black cuisine

was born out of sl*very.

They had to make do with

the leftover parts from
the cow and the pigs.

Stuff White folks didn't want.

That's right.

That's where tripe and
chitlins and hog maws

and pig's feet and hog's
head cheese come from.

It's amazing, the resilience
of our people in this country.

I remember, as a little boy,

knee-high to a grasshopper,
my grandfather,

whose face, arms, and body
bore the scars of sl*very.

He would take me to market with him.

I can't tell you how
many times I witnessed

this strong, dignified man

turn into a cowering submissive

in front of those White shop owners.

The humiliation...

was hard to watch.

Uh, anyway, uh, that's why I make this.

My kids think it's nasty. [chuckling]

But it reminds me of my
Papa and all the things

he went through to
give us a better life.

Oh...

I still can't believe
this is happening.

My two favorite men...

bonding over hog's head cheese.

PAUL SR: [laughs]

Well, you'd better get ready because

in about eight hours,

you'll get to taste my
first official batch.

PAUL SR: Excuse me,
I'm gonna go wash up.

Thank you.

Oh, jeez, it's almost : .
I've gotta get changed.

All right, you go on. Do your thing.

- I'll see you in an hour.
- All right.

[kissing]

Ohhh!

Oh, this looks good.

I do not mind if I do.

You cannot be hungry again.

Ravenous.

- What did you just say?
- Ravenous?

Famished.

Dude, can't you just say hungry?

All right, hungry.

What are you up to?

I'm dealing with
my son's preschool...

Something you wouldn't
know nothing about,

'cause I know you probably went
to some fancy boarding school,

or something like that.

Unh unh, no, no.

You and me have much more
in common than you know.

How's that?

I'm a single father.

Years ago, my son was acting out.

He was fighting.

He, uh, got kicked
out of three nurseries.

- You got a kid?
- Kids. Plural.

How are you dealing
with the preschool issue?

Ooh!

I've heard your, uh,
tweets have gotten you

in a bit of a pickle before.

A kielbasa fried pickle.

Look, do you mind if we take
this in a different direction?

I am, after all, the
man with a good humor.

- Well, humor me, then.
- Okay.

- _
- [laughs] Okay.

You a'ight for a foreigner, Lee.

I'm gonna take that as a compliment.

You should.

Don't eat all the pie, dude.

Oh, I cannot guarantee that.

NIECY: [chuckles]

How do I look?

Ooh. Ooh. Ooh.

I know what Niecy would say.

Damn, girl, you look fine!

Oh, that's what I like to hear.

What were you guys talking about?

[kissing]

- Oh, Treyvion.
- Hm...

Now I don't mean to pry, but

have you guys ever
thought about therapy for him?

No, Black families here,

we don't normally do
the whole therapy thing.

Ah, yes, that makes sense.

Why get the mental health
care you so desperately need,

when you can suffer in silence?

Exactly.

I mean, truth be told, my mom thinks

all Treyvion needs is Sunday School,

you know, to pray the
nightmares out of him.

That sounds like a plot
from an ' s horror movie.

Exactly. You ready?

I'm Mary Jane Paul live

from the Thurgood Marshall
dedication here in Atlanta.

Mayor Reed, Mayor Reed,

Hi, Mary Jane Paul from "Great Day USA."

Can you explain to our viewers
the significance of this event

and what it means to you?

Well, Thurgood Marshall was
the first African-American

appointed to the US Supreme Court.

He played an essential role
in ending legal segregation.

I'm just thrilled to be here tonight

to celebrate his legacy.

You actually knew Thurgood Marshall.

In fact, in , Judge
Marshall swore you in

as the first African-American
ambassador to the UN.

Can you tell us a little something about

the man you knew
Thurgood Marshall to be.

When I was in the
sixth grade class in ,

we had a teacher take us
down to a federal courtroom,

and I heard this tall, skinny young man

arguing the case for equal salaries

between Black and White teachers,

so, when I started working
with Martin Luther King in ' ,

I knew that there was
years of legal foundation

that he had prepared
that made it possible

for us to do the demonstrations we did.

We've got Dr. C.T. Vivian here.

It's such an honor.

You were so instrumental in
the Civil Rights Movement,

riding some of the first Freedom
Buses throughout the South

and working very closely along
side Dr. Martin Luther King.

Tell us, what does Thurgood Marshall's

legacy mean to you?

It was his understanding
of law, and his courage

to force the courts into
doing what, in the South,

they did not want to do.

It's that combination
that made it possible

for him to go on later, but
for all of us to move forward.

Can I get a beer? Thanks, man.

Are you having fun yet?

I'm thoroughly enjoying watching you.

You're k*lling it.

Oh, wow, look who's here.

Who?

It's Judge McAllister.

Kara's been circling him for months.

Oh, the guy who's been
nominated for the Supreme Court.

Yeah, it's looking
like he is turning down

every producer here.

He's here celebrating Thurgood
Marshall, so he's aware of the optics.

Maybe I have a sh*t?

- ...or at your chambers.
- Honored. Honored. Honored.

Uh, don't waste your
time there, Mary Jane.

I am this close to getting
the judge to sit down with me.

Close is not a done deal, Vlad.

Oh. Mary Jane thinks
she's gonna score

this interview for "Great Day USA."

I'm definitely gonna try.

Oh, are you gonna fit it
in between cooking segments?

SOPHIA: [laughs]

You won't be laughing when
I get a seat at his table.

I want in on this.

Me, too. Count me in.

You do know I have more game

than all of you put together, right?

Well, then, let's
let the best "man" win.

Easy money, honey.

Good luck.

GUESTS: [mixed conversations]

I have to figure out a way
to get Vlad away from the judge.

What are you doing?

If I told you, what fun would that be?

[quietly] You know
I detest surprises.

Shh.

Sorry, I'm Lee Truitt.

You're that famous
cable news anchor, right?

Ah, Vladimir Frederick.

Did you hear Reverend Jackson's

making a special appearance?

He's pulling up now.

Where'd you hear that?

Oh, manager. He was
talking to that White guy.

What's his name? The Silver Fox.

Anderson Cooper?

Next drink's on me, man.

Reverend Jackson. All right.

MARY JANE: Judge McAllister.

Hi, I'm Mary Jane Paul
from "Great Day USA."

Miss Paul, a pleasure.

You have some proper
manners, Your Honor.

Well, my mother always told me:

good manners show
people you respect them,

and their feelings.

Your mother sounds like a wise woman.

Well, I owe her everything.

[sighs] This is a
remarkable event, isn't it?

It is.

As a judge, yourself,
you must feel pretty honored

just to be here tonight.

I do. I'm truly honored to be here.

And to quote the late President Johnson,

Justice Marshall symbolized
what is truly best

about our American society.

The belief that human
rights must be satisfied

through the orderly processes of law.

I'm sure you have been approached by

every journalist here tonight,

Then you're aware of my reservations

regarding interviews.

I am aware, sir, but you must be aware

that these cable outfits,
they need ratings,

and to get those ratings,

they will excoriate your
record like bloodhounds,

and yet, still, magically
only pull in , viewers.

Now "Great Day USA," we've
got five million viewers.

Our show is friendly, and relatable.

It's the perfect
opportunity for the public

to meet the man behind the robe.

I appreciate your candor, Miss Paul.

You make a strong argument.

Have you thought about going into law?

[laughs] Yeah, I considered it.

But we both know that the law...

is not about the truth.

I'm someone who believes
that the news still is.

I'm impressed, Miss Paul,

and like good manners,
I appreciate that.

Well...

- To good manners.
- [glasses clink]

To good manners.

- Lee Truitt.
- A sh*t of that.

Was it her plan or yours...

Distracting me while
she goes in for the k*ll?

Guilty as charged.

- A'ight.
- [chuckles]

Man, that Mary Jane.

She always gets exactly what she wants.

What is it about her?

When we were cub reporters,

I must have asked her
out a half a dozen times.

She only dates ballers, sh*t-callers,

men with deep pockets that
can do something for her.

I mean, that's Mary Jane.

You know, always lookin'
out for number one.

Screw everybody else.

Maybe she's changed.

Women like that don't change.

Okay, second thought. They do change.

But not for very long.

I'll take it from here, Mary Jane.

Judge McAllister.

There's someone I'd like you to meet.

I think you'd really like him.

Excuse me, Miss Paul.

He is layin' it on thick tonight.

You know Vlad.

He can't stand to lose a bet.

It seems like him and McAllister

are already old friends.

It's so good to see you, Mary Jane.

- Bye.
- Yeah, bye.

Good luck.

I am so sorry. I really
thought we had him.

Don't worry, we've got bigger
fish to catch in New York.

Oh. Wait. Hold up. I
still may have a pulse.

You know all that research

you did on McAllister and his family?

KARA: Yes.

I'm about to put it to good use.

A powerful image.

A powerful man.

Madam Attorney
General, Mary Jane Paul.

Oh, it's so nice to meet you.

You know, I noticed you standing

not too far away from
your husband earlier, and

I've gotta say your
receiving line rivaled his.

[laughs] Don't tell him that.

Tonight, I am simply here
as Judge McAllister's wife.

You must be so proud of your husband.

I really am.

He's gotta be proud of you as well.

I hear your next move may be taking over

the National Women's
Health Organization?

Where did you hear that?

That's not public knowledge yet.

I've got my sources.

You know, it's always good keeping tabs

on women who make a real difference.

Mm.

You look familiar.

Now what do you do for a living?

I'm a journalist and a correspondent

with "Great Day USA."

- Do you know it?
- Do I know it?

Of course. I watch it every morning.

I just love that Ronda
Sales. Smart cookie, that one.

Ronda was my idol.

It has been a dream working with her.

You know, we were trying
to convince your husband

to come on our show.

I think that is a fantastic idea.

Your husband does not think so.

Oh, leave that to me.

We'll be in touch, hm?

[chuckles]

A toast to you, MJ,

for landing the biggest
whale of the night.

And to you, Lee, for
that valuable assist.

- [glasses clink]
- Hear! Hear!

I am happy to dust off
the old improv skills

for a good cause.

It hurts.

Here's to the best "man"
with the prettiest face.

You know, if I had your tits,

I would have scored McAllister, too.

[smacks hand]

Come on, Vlad. Come on.

Don't be a sore loser.

Why don't you listen
to your mate and piss off.

Oh... what? [laughing]

She's tough. She can take it...

right, MJ?

- [heavy punch]
- VLAD: [groans]

sh*t, man.

I appreciate you defending me, babe.

Where did all that come from?

Darth Vlad-er.

He had pretty harsh words for you.

Yeah, he was drunk.

He said you were a self serving bitch,

who only looks after number one.

Damn.

You really shoulda hit him harder.

Is there anything to it?

Or is Vlad just salty you
never gave him the time of day?

Salty might be a good word, but...

the Mary Jane that he described...

that was in the past.

I'm different.

- Are you?
- I am.

And the biggest difference is
I'm actually making an effort.

Well, if you can...

so can I.

Yeah.

[kissing]

Did I ever tell you getting
in a bar fight in the South

has always been one of my fantasies.

- Really?
- BOTH: [laugh]

Well, remind me to never question

your masculinity ever again.

When you told me about
your trip down here,

I asked my agent to book me a gig.

I wanted to meet your family.

- I'm glad you did.
- Me, too.

Oh, wait, I've got something for us.

- ♪ Yeah yeah ♪
- MARY JANE: [laughs]

- Wow.
- ♪ Ooh wee ♪

♪♪

♪ The way you touch, mmm ♪

♪ The way you kiss, ah yeah ♪

♪ Girl, you know, you know ♪

♪ I'm in, I'm into this, all right ♪

♪ And girl you know, mmm ♪

What Vlad said...

I'm so sorry.

No, shhh.

♪ How and where and when to make ♪

♪ To make a move ♪

♪ Baby you know ♪

♪ You need only touch me girl ♪

♪ And I'm a sl*ve for you ♪

♪ Yeah yeah ♪

♪ And I lose all self control ♪

♪ And I do what I do ♪

♪ 'Cause I'm so into you ♪

♪ I can't let go ♪

♪ Yeah yeah oh ♪

Tell me what you want.

Tell me you love me.

I love you.

I love you, too.

♪ Oh oh ♪

♪ In your bed, in your bed ♪

♪ Making love ♪

♪ Making sweet love, sweet love ♪

Oof!

HELEN: That album has
to be here somewhere.

Oh, Mom...

I found out why Lee
really came to Atlanta.

Oh?

Oh, no, no, not to
propose, Mom. Sorry.

Oh.

He did wanna meet my family.

He... loves me.

I'm so happy for you.

Now, now, this... this Lee,

he... he just might be the one.

Now don't go muckin' it up.

Oh, yeah, yeah.

Oh, you found it!

♪ There ain't nothin' I can do ♪

[sighing]

- ♪ Or nothin' I can say ♪
- [laughing]

Mom, is that you?

Yeah, years ago. [laughing]

Mmm, I was singing with a blues band

with a man named Redd Turner,

and he passed just a few days ago.

It brought back a flood of memories.

Oh...

I gave up doing what I love

because I fell in love with your Daddy.

But don't get me wrong.

I wanted to get married
and have a family.

But I've always regretted

that I gave up my singing career.

Always.

Now I want you to have this.

Mm-hm, as a reminder.

It doesn't have to be
that way with you, Letta.

You can have it all.

Remember that.

Baby girl... [patting]

NIECY: Auntie?

- Hey, you all packed up?
- Well, I'm gettin' there.

- How's Treyvion?
- He's better.

You being here this
weekend really helped.

You know, before I leave,
I wanted to ask you something.

Would you ever consider taking Treyvion

[heavy sigh] I... I would...

I just... I don't want him to be
labeled some kind of mental case.

No, they would never
label him that way.

I promise.

- [heavy sigh]
- But, Niecy, he needs help.

I'm willing to pay for it.

[sighs] Yeah, I'll do it.

He needs it. I'll do it.

Thank you. I appreciate it.

I love you. It was good having you.

Thank you, Atlanta,
Georgia, for the humidity.

Damn, it's hot down here!

- For the bar fight.
- AUDIENCE: Oooh...

And, most of all, for
the hog's head cheese.

- PAUL SR: [laughs]
- AUDIENCE: [applauding]

Oh, my God, Auntie,

Beyoncé just liked my tweet.

Wait, let me see that.

My tweet. [giggles]

Damn, girl, you wrote that?

Lee helped me out.

He's really dope.

Yeah, he is.

AUDIENCE: [cheering, laughing]

Now I have a very
special guest for you,

ladies and gentlemen.

Atlanta's very own,

ladies and gentlemen, give it up

for Miss Helen Patterson,

who's gonna come up here
and sing us a blues number.

- AUDIENCE: [cheering]
- LEE: Come on, Miss Helen.

Come on.

I'd like to dedicate this song

to a very dear friend of years,

Redd Turner.

[blues piano]

♪ There ain't nothin' ♪

♪ I can do ♪

♪ Or nothin' I can say ♪

♪ That folks don't criticize me ♪

[blues piano]

♪ But I'm gonna do ♪

♪ Just as I want to ♪

[blues piano]

♪ Anyway ♪

[blues piano]

♪ I don't care ♪

♪ Just what people say ♪

♪ If I should take a notion ♪

♪ To jump up into the ocean ♪

♪ Ain't nobody's business ♪

♪ If I do ♪

[blues piano]

♪ If I go to church on Sunday ♪

♪ Then cabaret all day Monday. ♪

♪ Ain't nobody's business ♪

♪ If I do ♪

[blues piano]

♪ Ain't nobody's business ♪

♪ If I do ♪

AUDIENCE: [cheering]

yeh... Woo

AUDIENCE: [cheering]