Christmas Flow (2021) s01e02 Episode Script

A NETFLIX SERIES
["Fk You" by Lily Allen playing]
Fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you very, very much ♪
'Cause we hate what you do
And we hate your whole crew ♪
So please don't stay in touch ♪
Na, na, na, na, na, na, na
Fuck you ♪
Hey, can you roll up the window?
I'm starting to lose feeling in my toes.
If I roll this one up,
the other one's open. Check it out.
don't stay in touch ♪
-Shit
-[Alice] Okay, man.
Ah, it's freezing, damn!
losing control a bit
And it's really distasteful ♪
Hey, how did you get that guy
to give you Marcus's parents' address?
I don't get it.
I told him that we had switched
the gift bags again.
- He believed you?
- He didn't care.
I started by offering
to go out with him for a drink.
I think he would have said anything.
- What an idiot.
- Good work!
stay in touch ♪
Fuck you, fuck you
Fuck you very, very much ♪
'Cause your words don't translate
And it's getting quite late ♪
So please don't stay in ♪
[man] Verno. What do you think
about Marcus's last track?
VERNO UR THE BES
I don't really have time
for this bullshit.
Which one? The track where he says
women should keep their mouths shut?
- [man] Yeah, what do you say?
- Tell you what, hey, buddy.
Hey, Marcus.
If anyone should shut it, it's you.
We heard enough from you.
If you have something to say,
say it to my face. Stop hiding in Paris.
[man] So go on, tell us.
Why do you hate him?
You know what?
That's enough, stop filming, please.
love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells ♪
Oh, those holiday J-I-N-G-L-E bell s ♪
All those happy J-I-N-G-L-E
B-E double L-S ♪
I love those J-I-N-G-L-E bells ♪
[ringing]
- [Zack] Hello?
- I just saw Verno's video.
- I haven't seen it. What does it say?
- He's not in a Christmas spirit.
What's that guy's problem anyway?
I don't even wanna play his game.
- Whatever. Have you heard from Mel yet?
- Yeah, she's still mad as hell.
She's not coming.
You'll have to do without her.
Fuck, man,
my mom's going to be bummed out.
Come on, man.
She's happy just to have you.
- Her son.
- I guess you're right.
Given the situation with Pops, it may not
be the best idea to introduce Mel now.
- Is she not the perfect daughter-in-law?
- Anyway, I'm not the perfect son.
Later, bro.
Jingle bells all the way ♪
Jingle all the way ♪
- [doorbell ringing]
- [jazz music playing]
CHRISTMAS MAGIC
Hey, Marcus, my son!
Come in, quick. It's cold out.
- I have the prettiest mother.
- You sure do, boy.
Two years without you.
How could you do that to your mother?
- It's work, Ma.
- I'm sure you're busy.
Here.
So beautiful. You must know you're guilty.
Everyone's been dying
to see you, you know.
- Everyone, really?
- Everyone.
It's Christmas, so remember.
- No talk of sore subjects. You hear me?
- Yeah.
Good. I'll put these in some water.
- [Marcus] Hey, everybody.
- Marcus!
[man] You finally found a slot
in your schedule to come see us?
[clock chiming]
Glad to know the atmosphere around here
is still such a delight.
Looks like you've lost your trial,
but not your sense of humor, huh?
- Jean-Louis.
- It's okay, Mom.
Good to see you, Pops.
Hey, bro.
Less handsome than I recalled.
- Time's not been kind?
- Ignore him.
I think you look more handsome than ever.
[upbeat music playing]
[Lila] We're here.
- All right. Hey, let's get to work.
- [Alice] Yeah.
What are all these presents?
It's for all the Christmases I missed.
Some are from Mel.
- Ooh, can we open them?
- Absolutely not. We're waiting for Mel.
Hey, he thought
he could buy himself The Simones? Ha!
- Bastard.
- Not on my watch.
- That's right. Go, go, go!
- Game on!
You think you can just use us like that?
It's an insult to all women.
Including your own mother. I'll mention
his mother. That's a good one.
No messing 'round
So let's go ♪
Any word yet?
- No, Mama. Mel isn't
- [doorbell rings]
That must be her. It must be her!
- I'll get it.
- Nah, it's not her.
I can't wait.
It's so great to have her here.
- [Mom] Here she is!
- Who is it?
Well, your fiancée, Mel.
Oh no, oh no ♪
No
Oh no, no, no, no, no
Oh no, oh no ♪
Hello! Well, I I
I'm delighted to meet you.
- A pleasure to meet you.
- You as well, young man.
You must be Marcus's brother.
Is that right?
- [clears throat] My husband, Jean-Louis.
- Jean-Louis.
- My oldest, Jean-Luc.
- Nice to meet you.
- [Lila] Jean-Luc.
- His wife, Chance.
- Chance
- And my youngest daughter.
- Marie-Jeanne.
- MJ!
MJ.
- And you already know Jean-Marc.
- [Marcus] Yo.
I think we're all done. Right, Mom?
- We're good.
- Ah, Jean-Marc.
I'll show you the bathroom.
You wanna freshen up? Sure you will, babe.
- Come on. Right this way.
- I don't need to freshen up. Stop it.
What's wrong with you? Cool it, Jean-Marc!
Ha, ha, ha. Cut it out!
It's from my father's side. So what?
I actually like it, Jean-Marc.
On second thought,
it's much better than Marcus.
[mocking] Why are you here?
Oh, crashing a Christmas party
with your family, and talking nonsense?
Sound familiar?
- I didn't pretend to be your boyfriend.
- Yeah, but you did try and become him.
- What kind of game are you playing?
- Let me ask you the same question.
Why not tell them I'm not Mel?
What game are you playing?
You don't know them! They wouldn't get it.
Actually, I don't even get it.
- When is Mel coming?
- She's not coming.
It's way more complicated than that.
[phone ringing]
What the hell
am I supposed to tell them now?
[phone ringtone] Game on, bitches.
Fuck
Oh!
- Yeah?
- Dude, what are you doing?
- Are you spending the night or what?
- We're freezing our butts off.
- Did you talk to Marcus? Are we good?
- It's more than we could have hoped for!
Uh, just a sec.
It's a lengthy process
getting ready, you know.
Women, you know [laughs]
[muffled] What are you doing?
His family thinks I'm his girlfriend.
- Bullshit. You don't even look like her.
- Clearly.
I know. It's insane.
I don't get it, but they do.
He's totally embarrassed.
You should see his face. Hilarious.
I think I'll drag it out
just to piss him off.
Open the door. What are you doing?
- Oh, no way. We got to cash in on this.
- Yeah.
- Mission of infiltration.
- What do you mean?
[Jeanne] Well, stay in character.
Take the opportunity
to look around his room
and go through his stuff.
There must be some clues around.
Yeah, she's right,
that's where we should be looking.
Question his parents.
- They'll give you a lead.
- Yeah.
Yeah, but I don't know about all that,
girls. His family isn't really involved.
Well, it's not them
we're trying to expose.
And don't forget what he tried
to do to us, damn it.
Well, he wanted to play. Well, let's play.
Game on, bitches.
[whispering] Game on, bitches!
I'll call you back.
[sighing]
Mel.
[dog barking]
ONLY THE SUN CAN WARM ME UP
Wow, I really don't look like her.
White shirt now red
My bloody nose ♪
Sleepin'
You're on your tippy toes ♪
Creepin' around
Like no one knows ♪
Think you're so criminal ♪
[music stops]
Yeah, it's fine.
So you're a tough guy
Like it really ♪
Shit.
Just can't get enough guy
Chest always so puffed guy ♪
I'm that bad type
Make your mama sad type ♪
Make your girlfriend mad tight
Might seduce your dad type ♪
I'm the bad guy ♪
Hello, Mel.
Thank God, finally.
Listen, okay? I have an idea.
Here's what we'll do. You're gonna pretend
to be Mel for 10-15 minutes, okay?
And then act like you got
an important text or something and leave.
- Is it me, or did you change something?
- Everything's fine, baby.
You worry too much.
["Bad Guy" by Billie Eilish playing]
Bad ♪
- Is there a problem?
- No, no, no.
Tell us the story
of how you two met each other.
- Oh yeah, we want to know everything.
- Yeah, tell us everything.
- One of my videos.
- At one of my concerts, Mel was
You guys. First times are just like that.
Everyone remembers differently.
Yes. Actually,
Marcus is a big fan of mine.
And he contacted me for a collab.
- A collab?
- Yeah, it's like a duet
Actually, she was a fan of my music.
At first.
- You sure? I don't remember that.
- Oh yeah, she knows all my songs.
- No, I don't.
- Yes, you're a big fan.
- I'm not a fan.
- You are.
- No.
- [alarm beeping]
Ah, that means the food is done.
Who's ready for some dinner?
Ah!
Oh no, no! Can we open gifts?
- No, no, no, not now. We're hungry.
- Yes, we're hungry.
- [MJ] What?
- [indistinct chatting]
You too, MJ, I know you heard me. Come on.
Oh, looks delicious.
Stop! Hey, hey, hey, hey, stop.
Look up, lovebirds.
- You're under the mistletoe.
- [Chance chuckling]
- Nah, Ma. It's okay.
- There's no need.
- Not while Dad's watching.
- That's right.
- [Jean-Luc] Kiss.
- [Chance] Come on.
Didn't you want to kiss every girl
in the family as a kid?
[Jean-Luc] That's right. [laughs]
Awkward.
- That's true, but Mel's a bit timid.
- Oh, really.
Ha! With all those followers of yours?
I don't believe it.
Come on, do me a favor.
My camera is waiting.
- [MJ] Hurry up!
- [Jean-Luc] Kiss her, bro!
- There's no way out.
- [Mom] Come on. Just a kiss.
What was that?
I didn't even have time to take a photo.
- Come on, do a real kiss, so we can eat.
- Come on, was that supposed to be a joke?
I'd like to eat sometime today.
[Mom] Okay.
- [Jean-Luc] Hurry up.
- [Chance] Come on.
[rhythmical music playing]
[Jean-Luc] There you go!
[camera clicks]
[Mom] There, I've got it on camera.
I'll send it to my cousins.
They won't believe me
when I tell them you have a fiancée.
Huh! But I got proof.
Huh! I got proof. Oh yeah.
Be careful, or you two
are gonna get glued together.
- All right, our turn.
- I think so.
- Our turn.
- Mom? Are you ready?
[Mom] I'm ready. Go ahead.
[camera clicking]
- Did you get it?
- [Mom] One more time.
- [camera clicking]
- How about now?
It's good! Yes, that one's a keeper.
I like that one.
Ah.
- [dog barking]
- [engine roaring]
Did you know
they make a foie gras that's vegan?
Oh?
- Fake foie gras. Faux gras, they call it.
- No way.
[Jeanne] Yeah, it's not that bad.
Victoria buys it.
- She's been into veganism lately.
- No way.
[phone chiming]
That's mine.
Fuck, I have to go. Victoria's family
is about to start dinner.
We're not gonna hang around here
forever anyway, freezing our asses off.
- Okay, go.
- Yeah.
Let's go. Transfer.
- Can you drop me off?
- At your place?
Um, no, I have plans.
Oh.
- You're more flexible.
- Yeah, you noticed. It's from Pilates.
[Jeanne] Lila can handle it anyway.
She'll dig up some serious dirt, I know.
- [Chance] Delicious.
- [Mom] It's Christmas.
- [Chance] We're in for a treat.
- Hey, you need any help?
- Um
- Oh, thanks, Mel. You're very sweet.
- But you're our guest. Let us handle it.
- Okay.
Um, maybe I'll help
with the service then?
Guess we were right to invite you, eh?
[laughing] We've been dying to meet
this famous Mel. Right, Gloria?
Awaiting the chance.
Uh, well, me too, uh
I just couldn't wait to meet you.
- [indistinct chatter]
- [laughing]
Anyway, it's
It's wonderful for Marcus,
I mean Jean-Marc,
to spend Christmas with his family.
Mm-hmm.
With the trial and everything,
he's been kind of down recently.
Mmm.
And a good thing
nothing else has been discovered.
I mean, to add to the trial.
- Like Like old stories, for instance Or
- Poor thing. It's hard for him.
Mmm.
It's hard for everyone.
But today it's Christmas.
No sore subjects.
Positive vibes! Positive vibes only.
Positive vibes.
- Would you give me a hand?
- Ah, yes.
- It looks delicious. What is it?
- It's chicken mafe. His favorite dish.
- Oh, of course.
- [Gloria] Shall we?
- [Chance] Yes!
- [Gloria] Let's go.
- [Chance] You in front.
- [Gloria] Dinner's ready!
Fuck!
Twelve days of Christmas
Means busy times ♪
Candy on Christmas
Cards to write ♪
Have to decorate
The house with lights ♪
I'm so happy you came.
Oh, this is so good.
[Gloria] Thank you, Mel.
The sauce with the manioc leaves.
It's called saka-saka. And we sing
[Gloria, Marcus, Jean-Luc singing]
- You remember?
- Of course I remember. Are you crazy?
Anyway, Mom
- This here is out of this world.
- It sure is.
So, how's your music, Marco?
- Oh, it's fine, it's fine. Good.
- Well, tell us more.
Nothing special.
I'm wrapping up some tracks. It's good.
Do you plan on getting sued
for your next album too?
Or was one trial enough?
Jean-Louis? You made a promise.
What? I'm interested.
- Today, keep your interest to yourself.
- No, let him be, Mom.
Dad's right. Anyway,
I have to settle it once and for all.
We filed an appeal.
The lawyer says it's cool.
- Ah.
- So it's cool.
[Jean-Louis] Yeah, it's so cool.
We work ourselves to the bone
so our children can have better.
So that they can get a degree.
And so they can lead fine,
honorable lives. But
it's cool.
- Thank goodness we have Jean-Luc.
- [Jean-Luc] Dad, please.
- Can we eat in peace?
- [Jean-Louis] What?
Can't I be proud
that you've become a dentist?
Yes, but we're having dinner.
Guess all my diamond records mean nothing
compared to our great dentist.
- The reward of a lifetime
- [family sighs]
is earned by the sweat of your brow.
What defines us
are the values we embody and uphold.
The part we play in society
cannot be measured in diamond records.
And even less in lawsuits
and court convictions.
- You're a bit harsh, don't you think?
- [Jean-Louis] Excuse me?
I mean, writing
and composing your own songs,
making millions of young people dance,
allowing them to dream, that's something.
It's like Nietzsche used to say,
"Without music, life would be a mistake."
I doubt Nietzsche meant
making music videos packed
with shameless girls
squirming around half-naked.
I agree with you on that one.
Talk about the representation of women.
I have to say it's a bit
How can I put it?
- [Gloria] Degrading.
- Hm.
To say the least.
And don't get me started on the lyrics.
Those lyrics are something.
What is this? My second trial?
- No, but I mean, Mel is right.
- Enough.
Are we done? Can we eat in peace now?
But the videos Marcus makes
aren't the only ones
where the representation of women
Just look around. They're all doing it.
- It's systematic.
- I'd go so far as to say it's systemic.
Consider the message
it sends out to the youth. Right, MJ?
- Huh?
- [Lila] And it goes way beyond that.
What we're really talking about
is a woman's place in society
and the family.
Actually, tell me what it's like in yours.
I'm sure you saw. The boys didn't
set a foot in the kitchen once all day.
- I'm telling you.
- More like in the last 30 years.
- [Dad] Oh, listen
- [Jean-Luc] Total bull, it's not true.
- It's the truth.
- [family arguing]
I've never seen you or your brother
in the kitchen, just like your father.
- When did you lend a hand in the kitchen?
- I have to work!
You have to work! And doesn't your mom?
The problem is
that you do everything too fast.
[arguing]
[ringing]
- [Zack] Hello?
- Yeah.
- You holding up?
- No, I'm fed up with this Christmas.
I'm in over my head.
That's why I draw the line
at Christmas Eve.
It's like running two races in a row.
And you know I'm in no physical condition.
- It's worse than that. Mel turned up.
- Seriously?
- Isn't that great news though?
- No, it's the wrong Mel.
What do you mean?
She's in the middle
of turning my mom into Simone de Beauvoir.
- What?
- Hey, listen, listen, listen.
I can't have the real Mel show up.
Or there will be a war. You get me?
No, no, no, I didn't get that. Anyway,
it doesn't look like she wants to come.
Okay, but stay on guard, man.
This Christmas is packed with surprises.
- Don't worry, I'm on it.
- Gotta go.
Hello there, my sunshines!
All right, today,
we're doing Christmas meditations, eh?
To finish off the past year positively.
And then we can turn off social media
until next year, all right?
- [serene music playing]
- Let's begin.
AWESOME!
SHE'S PERFEC
ZACK CELLPHONE
Oh, what a pain.
What a fucking pain.
I'm still here. Sorry.
Okay, let's start.
Let's all take a deep breath
[inhales deeply]
Now let's reach for our little wisdom box.
[exhales]
You all know it by now, right?
We're going to lock up
anything that's negative.
As well as the assholes whom we trusted
although we shouldn't have.
And we throw it away. There. Let go.
- [laughing]
- Should we open your presents now?
Uh Oh, I guess I forgot them
on the way this morning.
Oh no, don't worry, Marcus brought them.
They're under the Christmas tree.
- Oh, he did?
- Yes, I brought them along with me.
They are safe under the tree.
Mm-hmm, yeah.
Okay. Well, that's great.
I'm saved.
[Lila laughing nervously]
- Right.
- [Lila] Okay. Great.
Uh, well, we can Uh, well
- I'll hand them out?
- Yeah, go ahead. Yeah.
- Uh, the first one
- [Chance laughing]
Uh, Chance.
Oh!
- You're too kind. Thank you.
- [Lila] It's my pleasure.
- Next is
- [Chance and Jean-Luc] Surprise!
Gloria. There's two for you.
Oh, thank you.
- Lovely. You're spoiled, eh?
- [Gloria] Oh, I am. Thank you.
- Uh, Jean-Luc.
- [Jean-Luc] Oh, thanks.
[Lila] And Jean-Louis.
- Thank you, how sweet of you.
- There.
And the last one is for MJ.
- There.
- I'm spoiled this year, huh?
[Lila] Merry Christmas!
[Gloria] Thanks, Mel!
Ah! [laughing nervously]
Thanks, Mel.
Oh, it's a It's a sex toy. What the fuck?
- [Jean-Luc] It's beautiful. What is it?
- It I don't know.
Ah, I got a candle. Pretty.
It smells lovely, delightful.
"This smells like your vagia"
"Vagitay?" Did I say that right?
- Tell me, son.
- Huh?
- [Gloria] What does this mean?
- [MJ] That it smells like muff.
- Like what?
- You know, pussy.
- Vagina.
- MJ.
- Ah, there! I got it. Obviously.
- Oh
- It's a Bluetooth earbud.
- No, no, no, no.
- Yes, it is!
- [Jean-Louis] "Voucher for a make-over."
- [vibrator vibrating]
- "Men have a right to be sexy too."
- I totally agree.
- Well, yes, they do.
- Hmm.
- [Jean-Luc] "From the legs to your chest."
"Not to mention eyebrows,
back, and cleftal horizon?"
The cleftal horizon? What is that?
Just a second, I will look it up.
I'll tell you right now what it means. Uh
"Cleavage of the buttocks." Oh.
All right. I see.
- [slow music playing]
- It's for hair removal.
[Lila laughing nervously]
Oh, here, Mom. You have one more left.
- [Gloria] Another candle.
- Well!
I have a collective present for you.
- [Chance] Oh yay!
- [Lila] Really?
- [whispers] Listen.
- [sleigh bells jingling]
A little Christmas carol.
- Oh, how cute.
- It's cute, yeah.
[soft piano music playing]
[heavy beats]
One, two three, MJ's in the house
I, too, can rap, so I'm the next star ♪
This year, I'm Santa Claus
I'll grant all your wishes ♪
Mom, Dad, I can't help
If the bedroom's dead ♪
Jean-Luc, who you laughing at? ♪
Put down your spoon, you've gotten fat ♪
Shut it, I'm in charge
All you say is nonsense ♪
You, big brother, put a lid on it
I'm the big one now ♪
Sir Marcus, blinded by ambition ♪
Play it tough
When shit goes down, you play dead ♪
When Verno calls
You're on airplane mode ♪
It's easy to be a champion
When you pick your fights, huh ♪
[music fading]
That was excellent, MJ!
[muffled] Oh, my God
- [Lila] I loved it. It's great.
- Thank you.
- Why would you say such horrible things?
- What?
- Are you out of your mind?
- It's a reply to Verno.
- What's going on this time with Verno?
- You all know him then?
I won't stand for it.
- I want you to stop that right now.
- Why don't you speak up, huh?
I wrote it for you!
- I wrote that rap! Do you like it?
- It's not that, MJ
Isn't it enough,
to bring shame on your family?
You have to drag your sister into it too?
Do you want her
to end up in court as well?
I get it. Whatever happens in this family,
it's always my fault.
[clanging]
You know what, Dad? You can keep
your comments to yourself from now on.
I hate Christmas.
But with you, it's even worse.
Mom, aren't you sick of pretending?
You know this place is a mess.
MJ. Do me a favor. Stop rapping.
Don't you see it's not for chicks?
What?
Bro, your wife's present
is a fucking sex toy. Yeah.
[door slams]
- I need a cig.
- Oh, so you smoke now?
[Marcus] Argh!
[front door slams]
Excuse me.
- A sex toy?
- [Gloria] What does it do?
Good question.
[sighing]
[ringing]
Hey, girls
- So, where you at?
- Not sure.
Between the family melodrama
and orgasm candles, it's a roller coaster.
Hey, your Christmas sounds like a blast.
- Yeah, sure.
- [Jeanne] Did you dig up some dirt?
- I'm ready to write.
- [Lila] No, nothing.
Are you serious?
Honestly, I'm wiped out.
I'm tired of this.
Are you still a journalist or not?
- Yeah.
- [Jeanne] Then dig.
Ask some questions, investigate.
Do your job, Lila.
Look at that guy.
He has to have some secret vice.
- Obviously.
- Okay, okay.
[jarring music playing]
Okay.
[camera clicking]
The kid on the picture
next to Marcus is Verno.
The guy trashing him on Insta.
Turns out they're childhood friends.
They're childhood friends.
[dog barking]
- What'cha doing?
- [Lila screams]
[laughing nervously] You scared me.
- Nothing. I'm not doing anything.
- You're not doing anything?
- Nope.
- Fine, then I'll call Marcus.
- Marcus!
- No! No, no, no. Uh
I'm busy preparing a
A surprise birthday party.
And I'm gonna make him a video.
And you're ruining everything.
- [MJ] Ah, a video?
- Yes.
You think I'm some kind of idiot?
I know you're not Mel.
- It's not even you on Insta.
- It is.
It's me on Insta.
The thing is that I use filters
that alter my face, but it is me.
[MJ] Filters? Mm-hmm.
Okay, what do you want?
Hmm.
Make me an offer.
I don't know, do you want candy?
- Candy? You sound like a pedophile.
- [gasps]
I want cash. Give me 20 bucks.
Come on.
- Do you have change for a 50?
- What am I, Target?
- This is extortion, you know.
- [MJ] Hey
Well, at that price, I want you
to tell me what went down with Verno.
There's nothing to tell.
He's bashing my brother on Insta.
And worse, Marcus rolls over.
It's such a shame.
What happened between them?
Weren't they childhood friends?
Verno says
Marcus was out of line with Salomé.
Hey, he's jealous, is what it is.
- Salomé?
- [MJ] Yeah.
Okay.
And he was out of line in what sense?
What did he do?
That's enough for 50 bucks.
Are you kidding?
I'm cleaned out. I'll pay you later.
Hey, I don't give credit. [smacking lips]
She's insane.
Fifty bucks. Not too shabby.
What is it with this family?
- [car passing by]
- [birds chirping]
[tapping on phone]
- [ringing]
- [Jeanne] Yeah?
I think I have a lead. A certain Salomé
with whom something supposedly happened.
That's why
he had a falling out with Verno.
We'll find her.
And see what she has to tell us.
Yeah, I'll look into it.
- Hey, where are you going?
- To defend my brother's honor.
- Who was that?
- His sister.
- Doesn't sound like she's messing around.
- You don't say.
And now? What do we do?
I have a source. I'll let you know.
[rhythmical music playing]
[doorbell rings]
Hello.
[rap playing]
Alice
Yeah.
- [spluttering] You all right?
- Fine. And you?
- Yeah, yeah, yeah, I wasn't expecting you.
- I can tell.
- Can I come in?
- Here?
- Yeah.
- Absolutely. Make yourself at home. Yeah.
Oh wow, there's money in music, huh?
Yeah. Feels big or what?
Want some Kellogg's?
[Jean-Louis] Look at me
clearing the table.
[Marcus] Stay here, I'll go get her.
Yo. Have you seen MJ?
She was outside five minutes ago.
And she left to defend your honor.
What?
- Don't tell me she went to Verno's.
- She's trying to get your attention.
Why don't you support her instead of
holding her back because she's a girl?
- Fuck, she's going to stir up trouble.
- She's not going to fight. Chill out.
No? She wrecked up
a guy in school who's twice her size.
- For real?
- I have to go.
[upbeat music playing]
If you're going to Verno's,
I'm coming with you. Wait, wait, wait!
Wait up!
Hey, there.
Well, here we are.
Thank you all for tuning in.
I wish you all a beautiful holiday.
And I say goodbye to social media.
And I'll see you next year.
POOR MEL
TRAITOR
IT'S SO SAD FOR YOU MEL
Farewell.
No.
CHECK YOUR INSTA!
- [phone continuously beeping]
- No. No.
Mel, no, no, no, don't give in.
TAGGED YOU IN A STORY
73 PEOPLE SENT YOU A MESSAGE
Protective, please.
JADE - MEL ANSWER ME PLZ
CALL MARCUS
YOU OKAY? SAW THE PHOTO
- [gasps loudly]
- [alarm beeping]
No!
It's weird. This morning,
my only followers were my cousins.
Now I have 250.
[rhythmical music playing]
Marcus has a new girl!
No, it says 523!
[gasps]
1,075?
[screaming] They hooked up!
He can't help himself, for fuck's sake.
I see 2,500.
Hey! My aunt's dating Marcus!
What?
When does it stop?
Guess it doesn't stop, Mom,
it keeps going.
[phone dinging]
SAFIA - MOM CHECK THIS OUT!
Ah, well done. A kiss.
You moved up to 3,000, look.
So
Believe me, I know.
A relationship isn't like a bed of roses.
You have to hang in there.
I'm launching
the hashtag
"Mel and Marcus challenge."
WE'RE HERE FOR YOU
You're going to post
our most beautiful photos,
and you're gonna send him lots of love
to remind him that we're meant
to be together, you know?
Asshole.
- Hold on, hold on. Wait, wait, wait, easy.
- Yeah.
Okay, okay. I get it. Easy.
No I mean, let's get to know each other.
- Yeah. Let's ask each other questions.
- Okay. I get it now.
- Yeah.
- I'll start.
For how long have you known Marcus?
Easy. Since middle school.
- My turn?
- Mm-hmm.
Um
Who's your favorite Marvel super-hero?
That's a lame question.
No judgment, otherwise, you know
Sure, don't worry, don't worry.
My turn again.
Um, what about Verno,
you've known him since middle school too?
- Wait, how do you know about Verno?
- From his videos. The Internet.
Like everyone.
And how do you know
we were all childhood friends?
[hesitating] Because he says so
at some point.
- He does?
- Mm-hmm, he says so, yeah.
- I've never seen that before. Let me see.
- He does.
Anyway, who cares?
[upbeat music playing]
[Lila] Oh, sorry.
Wait up.
Weren't you and Verno best pals?
What happened with that?
I'll explain later.
[doorbell ringing]
Hello, Grandma. How are you?
I don't have much time.
- I'm looking for MJ, my little sister.
- [woman speaking Arabic]
No, no, no. MJ, my sister.
[in Arabic] Sorry to bother you,
madam, but
Grandma? Go to the living room.
Okay? Thanks, Grandma.
[in English] What the fuck you doing here?
You outta your mind?
Man, I'm looking for my sister.
Well, then go look somewhere else,
or you'll find me.
- You still got that big mouth.
- Wait, wait, what did you say?
You come over here, you disrespect me.
What the fuck? Wanna die today?
Whoa, whoa, whoa.
Calm down. What's with the cockfighting?
Your grandmother's right in there,
and you're starting a fight?
Who are you anyway?
Well, I'm a friend of Marcus.
Listen. We're looking for MJ, please.
You can see his little sister isn't here.
But something may be up with Mehdi.
- Who's Mehdi?
- His little brother.
Yeah. He showed up
at her school a few months ago.
Talking shit. They kept
getting into fights on our account.
They were even suspended from school.
Yo, do you know anything?
Okay. Where are they now?
I see your buddy has forgotten everything.
Where did we go at that age?
- [funky music playing]
- [dog barking]
#MELANDMARCUSCHALLENGE
Oh, it's beautiful.
[phone dings]
You guys are fantastic, okay?
Keep using the hashtag. I
I have to go, I have to go win him back.
Wish me luck, I love you all.
Stay tuned. I'm taking you with me.
Oh, they're perfect.
I got this. Okay, let's go.
[upbeat music playing]
Here it is, come on.
YOUTH CULTURAL CENTER
[crowd cheering]
They're upstairs. Upstairs!
[Mehdi rapping] You got nothing to say ♪
Your brother makes more dough
But Verno's dope ♪
One slap sends you to Bali
No, I don't hit girls ♪
You got something to say?
Open your mouth, I dare you ♪
[crowd] Whoa!
Why bring up my brother?
This is me against you ♪
Me up here, you down there
You're a failure, I'm a star ♪
I'm the best
You want to argue? ♪
You're gonna be eating dirt
Down in the dumps ♪
She's kicking your brother's ass.
- [boy 1] Marcus is over there!
- [girl] No way!
[boy 2] Marcus, come rap!
[kids chanting] Marcus! Marcus!
Marcus! Marcus! Marcus!
Marcus! Marcus! Marcus! Marcus! Marcus!
So, Salomé, who's that?
- Salomé who?
- You know who I mean.
Hey, I'm not that kind of guy.
I promise, there's nobody else.
I know, but Salomé with Marcus and Verno.
What's up with her?
Hold on.
You want to get to know me or Marcus?
If you're a group of guys
who mess with women, I'd like to know.
What? That's not it at all.
Well, go on, then. I'm listening.
Something happened with Salomé.
You're right.
I knew it.
But it's not a girl.
It's a guy?
Huh?
Nope.
So what then?
- [kids] Marcus! Marcus! Marcus! Marcus!
- Okay. All right. I'm in.
But I want a worthy opponent.
- [boy] Come on, Verno!
- [kids chanting] Verno! Verno! Verno!
Come on. Let's go!
[girl] Come on! Hey!
Let's honor Salomé.
[crowd cheering]
Hey!
Hey, that's enough now.
You had your fun.
Put the equipment back in the studio.
Turn the lights off.
- And you, Mehdi.
- [Mehdi] What?
Come on, go home.
- [Verno] Come on, hurry up.
- A pain in the
You're a major pain.
I was in the middle of kicking his ass!
Mom's gonna kick your ass
if you don't get home.
- But
- Shut it.
Go on, go home.
[microphone creating feedback]
So who's Salomé?
Verno's sister?
His ex? Your ex?
What?
What's the deal? Did you treat her badly
when you were together?
[scoffs] Is that what you think of me?
You think I'm a son of a bitch
who beats up women?
Well, you tell me.
[microphone hitting floor]
- [phone rings]
- [Alice] Yeah, it's me.
"Salomé" is a song.
It's a track they wrote together.
Verno's accusing Marcus
of ripping it off him. Gotta go.
Shit, shit, shit! Of course!
What a moron. Fuck!
- [phone beeping]
- ["Salomé" playing]
WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING ON INSTA?
Fuck!
Oh man.
Oh shit.
[phone beeping]
DEAL WITH IT!!!
- That view is insane!
- Yeah, it is. Hey, look.
I'm sorry, there's an emergency,
I have to go.
- Can you close the door on your way out?
- You sure? We're strangers.
Yeah, it's fine, don't worry.
You can steal, set the place on fire,
I don't care, as long as you see me again.
I'll see you?
[door closes]
[upbeat music playing]
[music fading]
What are you doing up there?
I knew someone wise who said
you had to go high to see clearer.
You should try it.
[Lila sighs]
Okay.
So I messed up.
- I admit it.
- So you came to apologize?
Why would I say sorry?
[scoffs]
If you don't wanna be taken
for an asshole, don't talk bullshit.
Why didn't you ask me?
I would have told you the story behind it.
[calm music playing]
Well, let's hear it then, right now.
Mm-mm.
It's too late.
How about a bet?
Let's bet our stories.
We can play for cash.
Bet how? What game?
Okay. Missed.
Tell me what went down with Verno.
Okay.
Verno and I were like brothers.
We began making music together.
We even wrote a song called "Salomé"
which blew up around here.
People were so into the track
that in the end I struck a deal
with a record label.
Pascal entered the picture.
He was the one that produced it,
but he wanted an image
that was more provocative.
- Right.
- [Marcus laughing]
At the time, I was all for it.
I thought we had to, to make it big.
But Verno didn't see it that way.
So we clashed.
"Salomé" became "The Hourglass."
- Jean-Marc became Marcus. [giggling]
- [Lila giggling]
And Verno just stayed Verno.
That's it.
You're getting carried away. It's nothing.
You kidding? Some chick sticks her tongue
in my man's mouth in front of the world,
and I should relax?
It's a misunderstanding. Let's meet,
have a coffee, talk it through.
No, no. I'm on my way to Marcus's parents'
right now, as we speak.
Where are you? I'll come pick you up.
The whole community is behind me,
leave me alone. I'm going to get him back.
Can't believe it pisses me off.
[Marcus] Tell me your biggest secret.
No way. It's too big. Only if you reach
the top first. But you won't.
- [laughing] No, sorry, honey. Worst date?
- With a guy?
That's close, that's close,
but it doesn't count. Cheater.
[Lila] Loser!
- No, no, no. Come on, move over. Look.
- [Lila] No.
- Ah, missed.
- Damn it.
Let's talk about something more cheerful.
Um, when was the last time
you felt really free?
Have you heard me in any of my interviews?
This guy is free.
Um, I didn't say "free to say bullshit."
Just free.
[Marcus sighing]
Well, that's not so easy.
I have responsibilities.
Anyway, people expect too much.
The fans, the media, the journalists.
- Your family.
- Yeah, my family.
I feel like each one of them
has a set image of who I am.
It freaks me out.
But it's the life I've chosen.
I have to own it.
But I feel good right now. I feel free.
I don't know if it's because
I'm with you, but [chuckles]
- Let's hope it lasts, then.
- Yeah.
- But it's my turn now.
- I know.
- It's not your turn.
- Hush.
Whoo!
- But that's not fair. It was my turn.
- Yeah, but that's what freedom is about.
- No, that's cheating, my friend.
- Hey!
[Lila sighing]
Now, tell me about
your deep, dark
secret.
- So that's how you play?
- [Marcus] Yup.
[Lila sighing]
My mom told you
my dad left without warning.
Well, it's not true.
Well, it is.
He had told me before.
Only me.
I was little.
I wanted to protect my mom and sister.
So I didn't say anything.
And a week later, he left.
[sniffling]
And I kept it to myself
because it was already too late.
And they still don't know.
[rhythmical music playing]
Thanks.
Mel! Mel! Mel! Mel! Mel! Mel! Wait, stop!
- Are you stalking me?
- [Zack] Not at all. Wait!
- Hey, no use showing up.
- I don't have time.
Okay, but it's a good idea
to show up while it's still raw.
- You're gonna fight.
- Why would we fight? We love each other.
- Let's talk about it.
- We love each other.
- Stop it!
- Mel!
- [Gloria] Zack?
- Oh, Auntie.
- [Gloria] Is that you?
- It's me.
- What are you doing here?
- You know
- We're just walking the dog.
- Hello.
- And you are?
- I'm Mel.
- It's Mel.
- [Gloria] Which "Mel"?
- What do you mean?
- Okay.
So, do you often steal
other people's identities?
- I'm not the bad guy here.
- [Marcus chuckles]
I only did it because you tried
to buy us behind our backs.
That's right.
Excuse me, I have to make a phone call.
- Okay, so should I wait?
- No, no, it's fine, go ahead.
Okay. see you.
[dialing]
[ringing]
[Lila] Hey, Jeanne. Listen, forget it.
Turns out "Salomé" is just a song.
Yeah, I know.
Alice already told me. It's good too.
I edited the article
to expose the plagiarism.
That's not what we agreed upon.
- It's not the point.
- Now it is.
Do we wanna bring Marcus down or not?
Everything in the article is true. Relax.
Maybe, but it's not what we do.
The Simones don't do
gossip and copyrights.
We don't have time to ponder
those kinds of questions, Lila.
Do you think he thought twice for us? No.
And why is that?
Because he knows everything goes.
So we're publishing it,
and we're doing it tonight, okay?
No. No, I don't agree.
Not this time. Final decision.
- [Lila hangs up]
- Uh
Fuck
[calm music playing]
[sighs]
- You almost finished?
- Yes, yes. I'm coming, I'm coming.
Okay, let's go.
- All right.
- Well done.
[music turning upbeat]
Oh man.
[phone beeping]
THE SIMONES JUST POSTED A VIDEO
CHRISTMAS WITH MARCUS
PLAGIARISM AND MISOGYNY, HATS OFF!
Fuck
- [Marcus] There you are.
- Marcus! There's
I have to tell you something.
I'm sorry about earlier.
- The truth is you nailed it.
- What?
I swear, you were right there! Your flow,
your lyrics. Plus, in front of Jean-Luc.
Look at you go.
I'm gonna tell Mom and Dad.
- Wait! Marcus, hold on!
- They have to hear this.
- [MJ] Don't go.
- Dad? We have to talk. [laughs]
Yes, we do. You have things to explain.
Could we know
who just spent Christmas at our home?
I'll bet it was the same girl
that wrote this.
"Christmas at Marcus's.
Plagiarism and misogyny."
"Hats off!"
- How about that? Mm-hmm.
- [dog barks]
- Well done.
- With her candles that smell like vagina.
What? You opened the gifts?
Okay, well.
- I can explain.
- [Mel] You can try, yeah.
Because I, for one,
need a good explanation!
[family arguing, yelling at Marcus]
[pop music playing]