Riches (2022) s01e01 Episode Script

1
[music playing]
[Stephen] No-one
who knows anything about Black women
and their commitment to looking good
would ever think there was anything
high-risk about my ambitions.
[chattering indistinctly]
When I started back then,
I reached out to investors
that I'd read about.
None of them would lend me a penny.
[laughs]
I imagine they regret that now.
The Black hair and beauty industry
generates upwards of £5 billion
for the UK economy in a year.
Now, everyone is trying to scramble
for a piece of the Black pound.
Usually without involving
any Black people, of course.
[laughs]
What do the kids call that now?
Cultural appropriation.
And that woman, that posh woman
who said that Black models
don't sell magazines
They never featured us.
And yet, here I am,
finally graced with interest
from your esteemed publication.
[Gavin] Do you believe you were
held back in the early years
because of discriminatory practices?
What do you think?
- Well, er
- [Stephen] It's a British specialty,
tying Black people into knots
by asking them again and again
if racism is real.
Why do you think
that we have never been featured? Eh?
A home-grown British success story
like ours?
Do you think that bias
could have been a factor?
Flair And Glory is an outlier
in the landscape, still family-run,
although your children
from the first marriage,
Nina and Simon,
they're not involved. Why is that?
Any more questions?
[theme music playing]
[siren blaring in distance]
[horn hoots]
A toast.
To Nina Richards,
who has just closed the largest
merchandising deal in our history.
- [woman] To Nina!
- [all applaud]
Thank you. Guys, thank you. Thank you.
[Nina] But this was a team effort.
I am proud of all of us,
and I cannot wait to show them
what the next level looks like.
[all cheering and applauding]
Everyone, I want you to take
the rest of the day off.
[man] Yay!
That was nice of you.
Oh, I can do nice on occasion.
[chuckles]
[Malcolm] You'll be losing that "Vice"
in Vice President any day now.
Malcolm
You've earned it.
Seriously, I'm proud of you.
I know you've been restless, but
trust me,
your future here is very bright.
[music playing]
[mobile buzzing]
Nina speaking.
[Stephen] Nina, it's me.
It's your father.
How did you get this number?
[Stephen] We need to talk.
We have nothing to talk about.
But you're doing so well in America.
A chip off the old block. [chuckles]
- Okay, I'm not doing this. Okay?
- [Stephen] Nina, please.
Where's Nina?
Are you actually still working?
You okay?
Yeah, er, wrong number.
What are you doing here?
Dragging my godchild to a bar
As an HR professional,
I wanted to ensure the convivial drinks
didn't get out of control.
- [Nina] Mm-hm!
- And I need to have some vicarious fun.
- I would kill for a shot of tequila.
- I'll buy you an iced lemonade.
This is tragic!
[Nina] Come on!
Hell, no.
Why do you always choose the wrong guys?
- I'm not trying to marry him.
- That's the problem right there.
I've gotta save you from yourself.
- I don't wanna be saved.
- [both laugh]
[knocking on door]
Do you need anything else tonight?
Go home, Maureen.
You look tired.
'Night, Stephen.
[tense music playing]
[grunts]
Argh!
[gasps]
Maureen Maur
[wheezing]
[thuds]
[mobile vibrates]
[sighs]
It's not me.
Hm. Turn it off.
[dance music playing]
- Hi, bring me another bottle, yeah?
- Make it two!
That's £400 a bottle!
[man 1] Better make it
three, then. [chuckles]
- Shall I start a new tab?
- [man 1] Nah, nah, nah, nah.
It's on him, innit?
[woman] Yeah, and five mojitos
or me and the girls.
- [man 2] Mojitos, yeah!
- Can I get you anything?
Nah, I'm good.
You know they're all
rinsing your card, yeah?
Yeah, that's fine.
Hey, what's up?
[Wanda] Gus, Dad collapsed.
Oh, God, I'm at the hospital.
- What?
- Mum's not picking up.
- You need to get here.
- Okay, I'm coming now.
- I'm out!
- Bruv, where are you going?
He's still paying, right?
A truly great smoky eye
can take you from day to night,
without skipping a beat.
And the Shimmer range
- is my absolute favourite
- [mobile vibrates]
Oh, shit.
[sighs]
Not today, Satan.
Thank you. Right.
[monitor beeping]
Do you know who that is in there?
Call the consultant and tell them
I would like to speak to them
about my father's care immediately.
Erm, we're monitoring his
[beeping quickens]
What What's happening?
He's okay, he's okay.
He's okay, he's okay. Come on.
[fast beeping continues]
[nurse] He's crashing.
You can't be in here.
I'm sorry. Come with me.
- Wanda!
- Mum!
- What happened?
- He collapsed in his office.
Where have you been?
I've been calling you for ages.
Lord Jesus.
- What is happening?
- I'm his wife.
I'll be out to talk to you shortly.
I promise you,
we're doing the best we can for him.
Okay, get the PADs out!
- Charge with 300.
- [nurse] Charging.
[siren wailing]
Not today, not today, not today.
Jeez!
[blows]
[officer] 0.01. You're below the limit.
Yeah, so can I go now?
Nice car.
Look, Officer,
I need to get to the hospital.
I just got a call, my dad collapsed.
Sure. Wait here.
I'm just gonna run
the registration number of this vehicle.
[Gus] This is my car.
I wasn't speeding,
and I'm below the limit. What is this?
Are you refusing to obey
a lawful instruction from an officer?
Wait here.
Mum!
Wanda?
He's dead, Gus. Dad's dead.
[sobbing]
[crying]
Girl! What is happening here?
[woman] Life has been crazy, Simon.
- Hm.
- [woman] I've had production,
and then fashion week, Cannes
- Who has time for deep conditioner?
- Girl, make time!
Or you'll be crying
about your bald edges.
- I know. You're right.
- [mobile chimes]
But you're gonna style me for
the premiere next month? All right?
- Of course, darling.
- [woman] Hm.
Jesus!
What the hell?
[panting and moaning]
Where are you going?
Look, it's late.
So, what, you want me to go?
Sharing a bed with someone,
it's a pretty intimate thing,
and we don't know
each other like that, so
Oh, and thank you.
Fuck you!
This is awkward.
Who the fuck is this?
- Hey, Si.
- Hm.
What? What happened?
Stephen's dead.
[sighs]
You had me worried.
[Nina] You came
all the way to Brooklyn for that?
It could have waited till morning.
Water?
Our father is dead.
I don't care.
[Nina] We're talking in circles, Si.
- You can't just brush this off.
- Watch me!
Seriously,
why are you so worked up about this?
He's been dead in my head for years.
The actual fact of his death
changes nothing.
[Simon] His lawyer, Gideon, called me.
Why?
- [Simon] I said we'd go for the funeral.
- Ah-ah.
[Simon] Nina, we haven't spoken
to Stephen in years.
No. No!
I mean,
go halfway across the world for what?
He was our father.
A glorified sperm donor.
Why would I do anything for that man?
[Simon] Because you need the closure!
We should go and say goodbye.
And we gotta tell Mom.
If you have already decided,
why come to me?
We thought you'd wanna know.
Well, now I know.
That man abandoned us with nothing.
I brought us to America.
My sister had to take us in
[speaking foreign language]
[sighs]
We understand what you're saying,
Mom, but
But what? And you?
You are very quiet.
It's only a couple of days in London.
He was your father.
Go to London, then.
See the woman he chose over us.
[sucks teeth]
[Simon] God!
[Alesha]
You love the sound of your own voice!
[Wanda] I do love the sound of my voice.
Because, sometimes,
we need intelligent conversation!
- [Alesha] Oh, wow, Okay!
- [Wanda] You cannot say anything.
Because you were making some stupid
make-up videos whilst our dad was dying!
- Wanda!
- Oh, shut up!
- You think you're the only one hurting?
- [Wanda] Are you hurting now, Alesha?
It doesn't look like you're hurting.
Enough! Both of you.
[Claudia] He wouldn't want this.
He wouldn't want us fighting.
- Yes, he would.
- Alesha!
Mum's right. Everyone just calm down.
[Claudia] I was just a girl on road,
and your father told me,
"With me, you can be somebody."
He was true to his word.
We are going to celebrate his life
and honour everything he did
to raise this family up.
And I'm not here for any
of this fighting. None of it.
You're the man of the family now, Gus,
you're gonna have to step up
like your father always intended.
I know.
Ma'am I'm sorry to interrupt.
I have some paperwork
that needs signing.
Andre, give us a minute.
This is family time.
[Andre] The cars are here to take you
when you're all ready.
We are a family,
and we're gonna stay united.
You hear me now?
[priest] A time to be born,
and a time to die,
a time to plant,
and a time to uproot the plant.
A time to kill,
and a time to heal,
a time to tear down,
and a time to rebuild.
May he rest in peace.
[woman 1] Amen.
[woman 2] Amen. [crying]
This cursed isle.
- Uh-oh.
- [phone chimes]
What?
Stepmommy dearest changed the time
of the funeral.
- [sighs]
- It was this morning. We missed it.
I didn't even wanna be here.
Welcome home.
He's not cold
and they're already spending his money.
- Mm-hm.
- Hm.
[woman] And she has not worked
one day in her life,
and now see everything she has.
[Andre] Who's the executor?
Gideon!
Stephen knows I hated that man.
His white self
always looking down on me.
Hey, hey Calm down, Claud.
He can't touch you.
[Andre] Get through the will reading
and it's done.
Stay calm, okay?
She is a piece of work.
I mean, who changes the time
of a funeral?
I really hoped that we
What? That we'd play happy families
with some randoms?
What are you thinking?
Excuse me, sir, we're ready.
Uh, Nina
You still wanna go?
Oh, yeah.
Hey.
I should have known you'd be here.
[Alesha] Hey.
How are you doing?
I should have been there when he died.
I let him down.
You didn't let him down.
[Gus] Everyone is saying
that I'm the man of the family now.
[Alesha] Just ignore those aunties.
Yeah, but the business is just so big.
What if I'm not good enough?
I can't do everything Dad did.
Hey. You just have to be you.
Do your thing, yeah?
It's your business now.
Yeah. I know. It's just
[Wanda] Do I have to do
everything myself?
Are you taking the piss?
Better check it.
I asked for party jollof rice!
Who asked for carrots in the jollof?
Do you see any Ghanaians here?
This is a Nigerian house!
Oh, my God, everything's a mess!
Shouting at them won't help.
Well, you know,
you could actually do something to help.
You know mum's in bits 'cause
someone's invited Dad's other kids?
- For real?
- [Wanda] Yeah.
They didn't show for the funeral
so they're not coming.
If they even show up here,
they are greedy gold diggers.
Gus, Wanda, Alesha.
It's time for the will reading.
[Simon] You're quiet.
Why don't they want us at the funeral?
What are they hiding?
[Simon] They probably think
we want something.
How are you feeling?
Remember, play nice.
Good. Just in time for the will reading.
[Simon] Here we go.
[Gideon] My deepest condolences
to you all for your loss.
However, I do think the will reading
could have been left for another day.
Why wait, Gideon? Let's settle it now.
- Everyone is here.
- Not quite.
Please welcome Nina and Simon Richards.
What?
What? I don't understand.
Hi.
It's good, fam!
- Let's just get on with it.
- [Gideon] Gladly.
Stephen was a dear friend to me
for many years.
Despite some tensions,
I'm glad he trusted me
to be the executor of his will.
I'll leave him to explain things.
So I must be dead, then. [chuckles]
What is this? This isn't the will.
[Stephen] The full written particulars
of my last will and testament
are with Gideon.
He knows what I want
and what my intentions are,
so please, listen to him.
So
Maureen, you have been my secretary,
loyal and steadfast to the last.
To you, I leave you the sum
of £1 million.
To my sisters and brother,
to each of you I leave £500,000.
To Claudia, my wife, the house is yours
together with an appropriate income.
I have tried to be a a good husband
and a good father,
not always with success.
It is what it is.
To our children, my genetic bloodline,
I leave the sum of £30 million,
to be divided equally between you.
Your inheritance will be held in trust
until your respective 40th birthdays.
It is my hope that
freed of the burden of money
that you will build meaningful lives
and careers for yourselves.
Now finally, to the company.
The success of Flair And Glory
is the culmination of everything
that I have worked for.
It stands as a beacon
a symbol of
what a poor African boy can achieve
regardless of the obstacles placed
in his way.
But it's now time to entrust it
to the safekeeping
of the next generation.
Accordingly I leave
all my shares in the company
to Nina and Simon.
[Nina] Wait. Wait. What?
- What?
- This is a joke, right?
Mum!
Gideon,
he's trying to make a fool out of me.
- You bitch!
- Whoa! Claudia!
Mum.
[Gideon] Claudia, compose yourself.
You did this! You turned him against me.
That isn't the will.
You changed it!
Okay, listen, Claudia
Shut up! All of you. Get out!
- Let's go.
- Damn straight.
[Claudia] You haven't won, little girl.
You hear me? I will drag you to court
and get what's mine.
I'm not like your mother.
I won't take this lying down.
Say it again.
Say it again.
Nah, she ain't about it.
[chattering indistinctly]
She threw the fruit
The fruit got out of the wig!
[both laugh]
You can take the girl out of Edmonton
[both] but you can't take Edmonton
out of the girl.
- Come on, girl.
- Eyes.
[chuckles]
- Serves her right.
- Mean.
She put up with him for all those years,
and he screws her from beyond the grave.
All he left her was the house!
Mm-mm. She is a thief.
Flair was Mum's idea, her baby,
and Stephen and that snake stole it.
They broke Mum's heart,
so no, I feel zero sympathy for her.
So much for closure.
I told you I didn't wanna come.
Why do you think he did this?
Who cares?
He's just caused more trouble.
Mm. So, what do we do?
About our inheritance?
Um, I will set a meeting with Gideon
and we'll figure out
how to get rid of it,
- sell it back to them.
- Ooh, child!
You know I always wanted
to be an heiress, girl!
Can you see it?
[both chuckle]
Do you know what kind of tax nightmare
that'll create?
We need to talk to a lawyer.
Do not talk to me about taxes.
Just handle it.
I'll sign whatever you say.
[Nina] What?
Can you imagine those kids
running anything?
They will be bankrupt in a year.
Good luck to them.
[both giggle]
[Wanda] Gus is supposed to be CEO?
Why would Dad do this?
This is exactly the kind of
Hunger Games warfare he loves to pull.
He didn't trust me.
That's what it means.
He didn't want to leave
the family business to me
so he gave it to some strangers.
No. Baby.
I can't believe that. Hm?
The will must be fake.
We can't trust Gideon.
This is his doing.
That video looked pretty legit to me.
You think they're gonna let you
just live in your nice flat
and spend like you do?
[Gus] The houses are owned
by the company
and now they're majority shareholders
of the company.
They control everything.
Dad left it all to them.
They've got the keys to Flair,
and we're screwed.
We are at war.
What does that mean?
It means that whatever it takes,
we are going to get back what's ours.
[Nina] I understand
your position, but
we wanna be shot of it
as quickly as possible
with as little personal expense.
The capital gains tax issue
plus US liabilities would be sizeable.
Oh, I know.
- But I do wish you'd reconsider.
- Gideon
Your father left it to you for a reason.
He hasn't been my father
since a sunny day in 1993,
two weeks before my seventh birthday,
when he told me he had a new family
and a baby on the way.
Stephen wasn't the easiest of men.
That's quite the understatement.
But I do know that all these years,
he's wanted to make amends.
He's followed your progress.
Both of you.
But you especially, his firstborn
Gideon, Stephen is dead.
And the time for this is long past.
Besides, what makes you think
I'm ready to be CEO?
[Gideon] Stephen had no doubt
in your abilities.
And I could guide you.
Claudia and that inside man she's got
I don't trust them.
They'll destroy that business.
They're welcome to all of it.
This isn't what Stephen wanted.
It's not what your mum would want.
I'm not getting sucked into this.
[phone ringing]
[woman] Mrs Richards.
I'm very sorry for your loss.
How did you miss this?
- Claudia, I
- Don't "Claudia" me.
I got rid of Gideon
and put you in this job
so you could see trouble coming.
Stephen kept this a secret!
You're supposed to know all his secrets.
Dre, what did you think
you were here for?
- Babe, listen, I'm just trying
- What is this?
My husband just died. Show some respect.
This isn't my area,
but the will looks legit.
It was witnessed
and they registered its existence
with probate and legal.
- How do I challenge it?
- You can't.
There are no grounds.
You better find a way.
Everything I put up with,
I did for my children.
No-one is taking away their inheritance.
Gideon is the executor
and he's watching my every move.
Say Stephen was mad,
Gideon was a thief
Whatever it takes, get me results.
You think you're safe here?
Remember this,
if Nina or Simon take over,
you'll be the first one out.
[dance music playing]
Yo! Bring me another bottle, please.
Look, this party's lit.
Listen, Gus, when are you gonna
talk to Sarah for me, bro? Gus!
Hey, can you close my tab?
- I'm out.
- Sure thing. Hey.
I'm sorry about your dad.
Thanks.
Sasha, right?
None of them even mentioned it.
Death is awkward for people.
It's real vibe killer, you know?
I'll get the bill.
[sighs]
[sad tone playing]
- Mummy?
- Mm-hmm?
Why is he following us?
Because
Why are you following us?
Explain to my daughter why you are
following all the Black people in here?
I don't want any trouble.
We come here and we give you our money
and you treat us like thieves.
Stop shouting or I call the police.
She's not shouting!
Baby, come. Let's go.
They will always treat us like nothing.
But why?
Because
until Black people have their own shops,
have their businesses,
become their own bosses, these people
whites, brown,
they will keep their foot on our neck.
Nina.
Never let these people hold you back.
Okay?
[Andre] They're booked
on the 10:00pm flight back to New York.
Are you sure?
- Gideon's confirmed.
- Great!
Stephen didn't plan for that.
I wouldn't give it up for anything.
Well, not everyone lives
for a fight like you.
Thank you for coming.
- [Gus] Thanks for doing the right thing.
- [Simon] It's the least we could do.
Great.
[Gideon] Paperwork's ready.
[Claudia] Stephen was a genius.
He saw the future
when he founded this company.
My mother founded this company
in the kitchen of our flat
in Finsbury Park.
She couldn't hold on to it or her man.
What did you say?
Let's just get this signed, yeah?
[Nina laughs]
I've changed my mind.
- [Simon] Nina, don't
- Uh-uh-uh.
This is our birth right.
I'm not signing over anything.
Deal's off.
Excuse me.
[Gus] Mum, calm down.
Calm down for what?
Do something, Mr Executor. Fix it!
- You just can't help yourself.
- You're trying to blame me
[Gideon] Who else is there?
She's not coming back.
I don't deserve this!
We didn't deserve to miss
our father's funeral.
I'll be in touch
if the owners change their minds.
So what, we just let them walk out?
All you had to do
was shut up and let her sign.
Big man,
you can't talk to my mum like that.
I apologise.
If she doesn't change her mind,
then you've got an expensive fight
on your hands.
We're ready to fight.
You won't win.
- [Wanda] Screw them.
- Babe, why should you lose out
because of some greedy strangers?
I mean, knowing your dad,
this is probably what he wanted,
for you to fight for it.
I am so lucky to have you.
There's no reason not to look your best
with a natural, daytime,
contoured look
as we transition into spring
Nice car.
Babe, it was a shit show,
but kinda fabulous.
Damn, I wish I was there.
- Hi, Ido.
- Hey, girl!
Hi!
- Stop. You need to stop. Okay?
- [laughs]
I'll call you later, babe. I love you.
Ah Girl, you really decided
to drop a grenade on everything.
It's a lot.
[sighs]
You're not actually changing
your mind, are you?
It's our inheritance, Si.
And we decided we didn't want any of it.
If he'd just signed a cheque, sure,
but to stay here and run things?
We have lives in the States.
[Nina] I know, I know, I know
But?
Come on. There's more to this
than just that bitch Claudia.
Our mother started this company
and they stole it from her.
Yes.
Yes. This company is a poisoned chalice.
You're about to be the youngest
president of marketing,
and you hate it here,
so what are we talking about?
Something doesn't feel right.
Why did he leave it to us?
Why, after all this time?
Doesn't that seem weird to you?
No.
Yes. I don't know.
Where's all this coming from, Neen,
what's going on in your head?
He called me for the first time
in 20 years.
Nina speaking.
Nina, it's me. It's your father.
How did you get this number?
We need to talk.
We have nothing to talk about.
Oh, you're doing so well in America.
A chip off the old block. [laughs]
Okay, I'm not doing this. Okay?
Nina, please.
There's something I need you to know.
Someone is trying to hurt the company,
to hurt me.
[Nina] I don't care.
Don't ever call this number again.
The next thing I knew, he was dead.
Why didn't you tell me?
What did he mean,
that someone was trying to hurt him?
I don't know.
But he sounded scared.
You think they
He left us the business for a reason.
You really think someone hurt him?
I don't know. I don't know.
I don't know what to think.
I mean, maybe him calling
was-was a coincidence?
You know this is crazy, right?
He is dragging us into God-knows-what!
[sighs]
You wanna stay, don't you?
I wanna find out what's going on.
I wanna figure out what happened
or it'll eat at me, Si.
- Well, it might be I can't.
- Si, Si, I need you.
Okay? I can't do this without you.
We need to find out what happened.