Riches (2022) s01e02 Episode Script

1
He called me for the first time
in 20 years.
There's something I need you to know.
Someone is trying to hurt the company,
to hurt me.
I don't care.
I just got a call. My dad collapsed.
Are you refusing to obey
a lawful instruction from an officer?
They are greedy gold-diggers.
What are they hiding?
I leave all my shares in the company
to Nina and Simon.
Wait, wait, wait. What?
You bitch!
We are at war.
Why do we need to be in so early?
- I was wondering the same thing.
- Wow.
- Our company's really running on BMT.
- Looks like it.
- I guess Brits start work later.
- Mmm.
Oh, wait, here's Maureen.
Nina.
We weren't expecting you this early.
I can see that.
What's this?
Are you packing?
Listen, I was Stephen's secretary.
I'm sure you'll want to find someone
of your own.
Maureenyou know
everything about this business.
You've been with him
since almost the beginning.
I need you.
No, you don't.
Look, Stephen was very kind to me
in his will.
Maybe it's time for me to take a break.
Give me a few weeks,
a couple of months.
I just need some sort of continuity.
Please.
- A couple of months. Okay.
- Great.
And can you send an email out for me?
All-staff meeting, 11:00 am.
I expect everyone to be there on time.
I'll make that clear.
Let's go!
You think this will work?
She's the best in London.
This will is rock solid.
They said these things are open
to interpretation.
I've had a chance
to go over the paperwork thoroughly.
Your late husband crossed every
and dotted every single I.
There are no loopholes?
The will was witnessed,
registered, plus the video,
which doesn't indicate
any infirmity or duress.
There are no viable grounds
to challenge the legitimacy.
What am I supposed to do?
How am I supposed to live?
I'd advise you to talk
to an estate planning lawyer.
But Mr Richards has ensured
that you have a home and an income
Income? What am I supposed to do
with 20K a month?
I am sympathetic,
but in the circumstances,
now might be the time to think about
downsizing.
- Who do you think you're talking to?
- Mrs Richards
You're out of your damn mind.
We came to you for a solution.
Yes. And on these facts,
you won't win.
Anyone who tells you otherwise
is just out for a payday.
That'll be £7.90, then, please.
You're gonna kill that audition, babe.
You're damn right.
Oh. Sorry, shall I try that again?
- Sorry, declined.
- Seriously?
- Do you have another card?
- Yeah, but
It's all right. I've got this.
Cheers.
What was that?
Was it because of the will?
We're not quitters.
Mum, get real.
You heard what she said.
Don't talk to me like we're size.
I'm sorry
- But I'm out.
- What?
You want to give it to them on a plate?
Mum, they already have it.
Dad gave it to them.
Flair & Glory is ours,
and they'll get no peace
until they give it back. You hear?
This is what's gonna happen.
You're gonna walk into that office,
and you're gonna show that girl
that this is your house,
and she don't get to put her foot
under the table. Understood?
And tell myself that I'm the best
I know exactly who I am
I ain't accepting nothin' less
We rose from the bottom to the top
We ain't about to stop
Put the whole globe on smash
Put the planet on lock
My goal
My goal is to minimise disruption.
Flair & Glory is a legacy brand,
and I'm not here to mess
with what y'all have built.
- Yes.
- Are there gonna be redundancies?
Do we all need to
start looking for new jobs?
I'm familiarising myself
with everything,
but I wouldn't listen to rumours.
Is that a yes or a no, though?
It's a "bear with me".
The thing that makes Flair special
is that we're a family.
That's right.
Flair & Glory is a family,
- and you
- I hear you.
I do.
Stephen Richards, my father,
built something very special here.
And my father put me in charge
because he believed
I am the best person to run this place.
If you trusted him,
then you have to trust me.
No business can survive with infighting,
so let me be clear.
I'm the boss,
and that's how
we're going to move forward.
Bullshit.
That was a good speech.
They're a tough crowd,
but I'm sure you'll win them over.
Thank you.
I appreciate the vote of confidence.
Hey, Andre.
You know, the thing
about good leadership, Andre,
is that it starts from the top.
Sure. Er
- Yeah.
- Yeah.
So, when the CFO and the Deputy CEO
don't stroll in
until practically
the middle of the day,
it doesn't set the best example now,
does it?
Understood.
I'm here to assist
with whatever you need.
Great. I need access to everything.
Business papers, inventory lists,
cost reports, R&D,
accounts, employee records.
I want a full overview
of all of Flair's activities.
- Has the board approved access to
- I'm the CEO,
and my brother and I
hold the majority interest
in this company, in case you forgot.
Yes, boss.
I'll have those records sent up.
Wonderful.
Nina, there's something
you need to see.
"F&G Tru Condition
burnt all my edges off."
"F&G Tru Condition
made me look like a chemo patient."
Girl, her edges really are gone.
This page is amateur hour.
There's only
146 members in this group.
Nin, you know you don't mess
with a Black woman's edges.
I know.
We need to get this shut down.
Time to put my Deputy CEO to work.
That's his title?
Maureen,
can you get Gus in here, please?
- Oh, Gus, thanks for coming in.
- Hey.
Dad didn't allow food in here.
Okay
I'll give you both a second to talk.
Gus, hey, have a seat.
Okay.
Listen, we have a problem.
There's a group online
making some serious allegations
about one of our products.
I need you to look into it,
handle the situation,
and get the page taken down.
I'm not some errand boy.
Right. You're my number two,
and while I get up to speed,
I need you to step up.
You know the lie of the land here,
I don't.
Yeah, that's for sure.
This is awkward for everyone.
The will was a shock,
but Stephen did what he did,
and now we have to work together.
I put some extra collagen
in your smoothie.
Thank you.
And, oh, my God,
your video about winter skin saved me.
That oil facial thing?
I haven't had a break out for weeks.
Ah, yes, girl!
Well, I've got another one
coming out soon that you'll love.
Cool.
I hate them.
- Who do they think they are?
- Are you okay?
To come and disrespect me like that.
- They must be mad.
- Shh! Gus
Coming into our house,
taking our things,
and we're supposed to just smile.
Hear this. She calls me,
summons me into Dad's office,
and tells me she wants me
to handle some products issue.
- Wait, what are the issues?
- Some crap on Facebook.
- Nothing.
- Okay.
I can't stay there.
Well, maybe give it some time
to settle down?
Mum's still trying
to overturn the will.
This is madness.
Why would he do this?
- I was supposed to take over.
- Gus, it's
And to top it off,
the FEDs wrote to me today.
"Officer acted in accordance
with force policy."
How many times
have I been pulled over?
I'm done with everything.
What does that mean?
Simon.
Claudia.
What's that look? We're family.
Right. Yeah, erm
You wanna
Sit.
- You know I need your expertise.
- Girl, bye!
Your lace front is a masterwork
and you know it.
- Well, only the best.
- Mmm-hmm.
So, what are you doing out here?
- Hmm? They couldn't find you an office?
- Ugh.
I'm not an office kind of guy.
So, how are you gonna
run the whole company? Hmm?
Or is it just your sister
doing the business?
And we were having
such a fun conversation.
This can be fun, too.
Simon
You don't have to take on
all this responsibility
if you don't want to.
If we put our heads together,
we can work something out.
Like what?
Figure a way to break the will.
Your sister can't force you
to accept it.
- We could even
- Stop.
- But
- You wanna talk about the will,
Claudia, talk to the lawyers.
Don't pump me for information.
- I wasn't trying to
- Girl
This queen has been
to the rodeo before.
Don't try to play me.
Cute shoes.
Peace of mind
That's just what I seek to find
Oh, Maureen.
Here's more
of that paperwork you requested.
It's a fire hazard.
Stephen used to say
if you can't hold it in your hand,
it doesn't exist.
What was he like as a boss?
Direct.
He was always very fair with me.
Right.
Do I have access to his emails,
call logs, et cetera?
- IT are working on it.
- Okay.
You You've also had another call
from Gavin Heaton, that journalist.
He wants your response
to the products issue.
No. Decline.
He was here, you know,
the night Stephen collapsed.
He'd interviewed him.
It's still a no, but maybe
we can circle back in a few months.
Okay.
There is no-one better than you
to run that place.
- Gideon
- I see that spark.
Your dad was the same.
He would never
back down from a challenge.
- I am nothing like him.
- Well, you didn't know him.
You got that right.
Was there anything bothering him
before he died?
Things had been strained between us
after I wasforced out of the company
and Claudia got her way.
I meanthe books are a mess.
Margins are down.
Oh, and the overheads
Stephen was more "big picture".
I tried while I was there, but
I can imagine what it looks like now.
Erm
He called me.
When?
The night he died.
I always thought
there'd be a time for
Answers from him.
Six months ago, he changed everything.
Had me witness
and execute a whole new will.
What was different about the old will?
You and Simon
weren't mentioned at all.
It all went to Claudia and their kids.
Why the change?
I have no idea.
I asked, but like I said, he
He kept his own counsel
about these things.
Hmm.
- Are you not gonna get that?
- Sorry.
Stephen Ri
Sorry, Nina Richards's office.
So he wants us to inherit this? Why?
I don't know what it is,
but I know I don't like it.
Hey Hey, listen. I know
I know that I forced you into this.
London air is shit for my skin.
Girl, what about your new accountants?
What did they say?
Totally incompetent record keeping
for the past year Come in.
You should have everything you need.
I'm still missing the cost reports
for the last three years.
I inherited a lot of this mess
from Gideon,
but I've implemented
a cloud-based back-up system and
I'm not questioning your work.
Why did Stephen keep spending?
Excuse me?
Well, I'm still sorting
through the numbers,
but it's clear that
the profits were down, often losses,
and yet, you guys moved into
these crazy expensive new offices.
You don't know your father very well.
- Meaning?
- He listened to no-one.
He had this vision in his head.
Growth, expansion into Europe,
into North America.
Well, never mind
the reality of things.
I still need those cost reports.
You'll have them.
You're still in bed?
How was, erm, your audition?
Waste of my frickin' time.
I'm sorry, babe.
I don't even know
why they called me in.
It's like I never even had a chance.
Jeez
Hey.
Have you been
to see Mum this week?
Hi, Wanda, how are you today?
Don't "hey" me.
Mum needs our support.
I've been busy with work.
Ugh, yeah,
posting about freebies is not work.
Er, what would you know?
Is this your fourth
or your fifth internship?
Seriously?
You know what?
You're being really irritating today.
But I'm not gonna be irritated.
I'll call Mum later, Okay?
Alesha, my card was declined today!
These people are
trying to take what's ours!
- I know.
- Good!
Because I'm not letting them
mess with our trust funds.
They're not trustees.
They can't do anything
with our trust funds.
Well, I don't care.
I I want them gone.
Just call Mum!
Today.
Still here?
What's up with you?
You need to go back to work.
Who are you calling?
- These are nice.
- Yes.
- Mmm.
- The detailing would suit you so much.
Mmm! Yeah.
I've got the right outfit for this, too.
Give us a minute.
Blowing up my phone
and now following me, Dre.
You're too grown
to be acting like this.
I messed up,
but I can make it up to you.
- I can get rid of Nina and Simon.
- Really?
Do it now. I'm waiting.
It's not that simple.
Oh Chat, chat, chat.
You know I can't take your chat
to the bank.
What if
What if we get you more shares?
Shares from where?
Stephen's family won't sell to me.
I'm working on it.
We have to work together.
No. Bring me more shares,
then we'll talk.
He's leaving.
I want to try this one. Yeah.
It's been a great month.
Web impressions are up,
and you hit a site record last week.
Ugh. That's what I like to hear.
- Great. Talk later, Lily.
- Bye!
[Magic Man by Worlasi
playing on stereo]
Shit.
Is anyone dealing with the mess
brewing on Facebook?
Hi, Alesha. Nice to see you again.
Gus is handling it.
- Is he?
- Yes, I asked him to.
It's only a few people.
Wait. 3,000 people?
- Yeah.
- When did this happen?
- What?
- Hey, Alesha.
So, the products thing,
it's spiralling.
Yeah a journalist is talking to people,
looking for stories.
Shit. Maureen
- Who's Head of Products?
- Emmanuel.
- Ugh.
- Where the hell is Gus?
Well, I graduated with a first class
in Business Administration,
and since then, I've been
right hand man at Flair & Glory.
We have a turnover of 350 million,
and we managed to expand
in a fiercely-competitive market.
This all sounds great,
but I've gotta ask,
why are you leaving?
Well, four years postgraduation,
I'm ready for a new challenge.
To be honest, mate, we'd expect more
varied experience under your belt.
Maybe an MBA?
Well, as deputy CEO,
I was across a range of decisions.
- Production, managerial, HR
- Deputy CEO?
Basically, you worked for your dad.
I was lead on several product launches
and would have been point
on our international expansion.
Then why leave before that expansion?
Now's not the time to be moving.
The economy is volatile.
So you're saying I'm unemployable?
- You're a great guy.
- What does that mean?
Look, you've had a nice set-up
in the family business.
But can you cut it in the real world?
I've gotta go.
Some of us only have an hour for lunch.
But chin up.
If a more appropriate opportunity
arises, I'll be in touch.
What's going on?
A journalist is talking to people
and looking for stories.
People always complain.
This isn't the consumer.
The product is nasty and you know it.
Ms Richards, why are you here?
I asked her to be here.
There are thousands of people
in this group.
They have pictures
of their messed up hair.
Pictures equals eyeballs.
Eyeballs equals going viral.
We don't want that. I need answers.
We have press calling.
So someone, anyone, give me answers.
- Someone.
- Wait.
- Shut your mouth.
- Mmm-mmm!
- I'm listening.
- Some of the batches were off.
We rushed into a new partnership,
but with some of the conditioners,
the formula was flawed.
And you let them
through quality control?
We were within
acceptable margins of error.
Great.
Tell that to Aunty with no hairline.
- Stephen didn't interfere.
- He should've.
We need to shut this down.
The victims need to feel listened to
and compensated.
- Compensated?
- Nina
- What What now?
- So sorry.
- I just had a call from OPSS.
- Who?
Office For Product Safety
And Standards.
They've received multiple complaints.
- Oh, God.
- They'll investigate,
and that's how people get shut down.
Mmm! This is early for you.
Yeah. I had a meeting round here.
Job hunting.
- Cool.
- Not really.
Turns out no-one thinks I'm a
Everything's a mess.
Oh, I'm sorry.
Ignore me.
You feel how you feel.
That's grief.
Can I get you anything?
Do you want to have dinner sometime?
I like talking to you.
Management doesn't like us mixing
with VIPs, and
And I'm not really dating right now.
Let me know
if you need anything, okay?
I'll fix the credit cards.
Take one of mine for now, okay?
Why would Daddy do this?
Your father was a mystery.
I'm not sure he knew
why he did the things he did.
I haven't been able to reach Gus,
but you've also had calls from Pride,
The Voice,
The Independent and Buzzfeed.
Okay. Let's get started.
I heard Patricia Bright's
gonna do an Insta live
- for anyone who's been affected.
- Who's Patricia Bright?
Influencer royalty.
She gets onto this
and this thing is gonna properly blow.
Damage limitation.
Ideas? Suggestions?
Products, where do we stand?
We estimate no more than 2,000,
maybe 3,000 bottles affected.
The product is now
within our normal standards.
Whatever that means.
Okay. We do a limited products recall.
We issue a statement.
Apologise unequivocally
and compensate.
And you have to talk
to the journalist.
No.
The story he wants is you.
Respectfully, I say we give him that.
Okay. Maureen, set it up,
and I'll do it.
Mmm-hmm.
What's all this?
This wasn't on my calendar.
- Gus
- Alesha!
Are you drunk?
Everyone was in that room, trying to
avert a scandal, and where were you?
Where was my Deputy CEO?
I gave you one job,
and you couldn't even do that!
Don't try it.
You've been here, what, one minute,
and you think you know everything?
This is my company.
"Your company"? "Your company". Cool.
So, then tell me
what the fuck is going on here.
- Oh
- Hmm?
What was going on here? Hmm?
What were you and Stephen doing?
- Don't bring him into this
- He brought me into this.
You need to think
about your future, Gus.
- Are you trying to fire me?
- Is that what you want?
Hello, Mum.
Yeah. Gimme a minute
Gimme a minute.
Mum?
Mum!
Why are you shouting like that?
Did you know that was there?
Let's keep this between us.
- Slow down.
- Don't tell me to calm down.
A A few days in London,
that's what you said.
Look, I took a leave of absence. I
I I was gonna call you tonight
and explain
You want to throw away
all your hard work?
I'm not throwing
anything away anything.
He left us the business.
Your business!
He's still trying to control us.
Mum, he's dead.
He's not controlling anything.
You didn't know him.
He stole Flair from you,
and now it's ours again.
It hasn't been ours for a long time.
- But they'll destroy it.
- Good!
This is your legacy, Mum.
I'm I'm doing this for you.
Eh-eh!
I didn't ask you to do anything for me!
Eh?
- I don't want it!
- I I can't just run away, Mum.
That's exactly what you should do.
Come home
You are overreacting
right now, and I
You don't understand.
He poisons everything he touches.
We were lucky to get away. Eh!
You should leave before
they drag you into their wahala.
That woman has always been trouble.
Is everything Okay?
Do you have any solutions for me?
We have set a meeting
for you and the journalist.
I've already made contact with
the person running the Facebook page,
and they've agreed to meet.
- What about OPSS?
- I'll handle that.
- An old friend from uni works there.
- Good.
- Okay, let's move.
- One more thing.
As a family-run business,
our reputation is everything.
Today, our brand took a hit.
An unnecessary one
because our systems failed.
So, when we put out a statement
saying that we're listening
and we've learned,
our customers need to believe us.
- You're fired.
- What?
Are you kidding me?
This isn't over.
We're done here.
- I won't ignore the complaints.
- I'm not asking you to.
I just wanted you to know
we're under new management,
and all our protocols
are being reviewed, hmm?
Everything's under control.
That's good to know.
I'm pretty busy right now.
I've a couple of weeks in Mallorca
with my wife.
- Yeah?
- Yeah.
Nice! Nice, nice.
Yeah, we can hold off,
schedule an inspection,
say, in a few months?
Hmm. Perfect. Perfect. Thanks, man.
- You owe me.
- Mmm.
The product issue
has been resolved,
but what about the tensions
within the family?
- The messy, unexpected succession
- That sounds very dramatic.
With any change of leadership,
there's a period of adjustment.
I have an MBA and extensive experience
in business,
so succeeding my father
was a logical decision.
So this was always his plan.
- You want to be CEO?
- I wouldn't be here otherwise.
So, what next for Flair & Glory?
Well, I plan to build on
what's already been established.
We won't be coasting on past glories.
Aggressive expansion,
innovative product development,
all of the above.
You have a very American style.
Is that a question?
Well, this is a British business.
This is a Black British business.
An immigrant business.
We are British, American,
Nigerian, Caribbean.
A true international melting pot.
And I intend for the business
to reflect that.
What? What?
The complaint page is gone!
Thank God.
You really handled business today.
- Cheers.
- Nina!
- Cheers!
- Cheers!
- Eyes. Eyes. Eyes. Eyes.
- Cheers, boo.
- Mmm!
- Mmm.
Emmanuel did not see that coming.
Everyone there is just so comfortable.
- I can see that.
- Okay.
Who do we replace Emmanuel with?
Er, that young guy, Patrick, is good.
Smart on the science,
- but people management, maybe not.
- Mmm.
There's this
amazing woman at Klaxon's.
- If we could afford to poach her
- Or
- You could do it.
- Well, right.
- Nina!
- No, no, no! You can do it.
Why don't you already work there?
I've seen your socials.
You understand the business.
Yeah, if I wanted to get the tea, sure,
but bad dyslexia,
zero qualifications
Dad wouldn't have it.
- We didn't get on.
- Oh.
- I'm sorry.
- It is what it is.
You know, daddy issues feel
even more shit when your dad's dead.
He was no father of the year.
Butyou know that.
Yeah.
Uh-uh, I'm opening another bottle.
Always bringin' me down.
Oh! Tipsy.
You've never been good at that.
Girl, I'm good at drinking champagne,
not pouring it.
What should we toast to?
- Bad dads.
- Bad dads.
Eyes.
I cannot believe you snitched to Mum.
If we're only here
for a couple months,
what does it matter if she knows?
It I have a life in New York, okay?
I have clients. I have a man.
We've got IVF plans.
Okay, I get it. Okay, I get it.
- You have commitments.
- So do you.
Sir, can you add a stop?
Kingdom Street. Thanks.
You're going back to work?
- Can't it wait?
- No.
Thank you.
Mum.
What were you doing in that boardroom?
Helping them out?
I was helping the business.
You know,
the thing we're trying to get back.
Did they tell you anything?
We talked about work, about products.
Hmm.
She's really getting her foot
under the table.
Firing Emmanuel, pushing Gus out?
Gus flopped
and then he came to work drunk.
Whose side are you on?
Ours.
But she's smart.
She could rescue this business,
make Flair matter again.
They're using you, you know that?
To get to me. To get to your brother.
Or maybe they think
I've got good ideas.
Darling Hmm?
I don't want
anyone messing with your head.
They're our enemy.
You can't trust them.
She offered me a job.
See?
Using you.
Don't let them.
Call your brother.
Hey, Nina.
Hey, Nina. It's me.
If you're serious, I'm in.
I want the job.
Hey, Maureen. You still here?
- It's late.
- Yeah. I'm almost done.
And, erm, I called IT again.
You should have everything you need
by the morning.
Thank you.
- Get home safe.
- Thanks.
- Yes, you can.
- I can't.
Ninayou know these strokes.
I did it!
Mum's going to kill me.
My hair's ruined.
Hair can be fixed, now. Nina
You faced your fears,
that's what really matters.
Okay. Give me five.
Give me five again!
Give me five again!
So, you want
a full background check,
surveillance, plus phone hacking?
- Sure.
- Yeah, well, that's extra.
Money's not an issue.
I wanna know everything.
What he's Googling,
what drugs he's doing,
if his wife is happy,
how much he has on his credit card.
This is a serving police officer.
Is that a problem for you?
No.
Read between the lines
and you gonna get the message
Most will stop the car
if they see a wreckage
You've got no reason being here
unless you've got something I can keep.
Seriously, though,
it's about the will.
What?
Gideon's hiding something.
- Oh, Gideon's always hiding something.
- This is big.
Nina. We have a problem with probate.
Stephen left you and your brother
the controlling interest in the company.
- Yes?
- Except he didn't.
These numbers are not adding up.
He didn't have
all those shares to give.
Some years ago
Your father sold a percentage
of the company from his shares.
But we're still
the majority shareholders.
Yes.
But if that shareholder ever
joins forces with any of the others
Gideon's trying to hide
the fact there's a secret shareholder.
Nina and Simon have lost total control
of the business.
We need to find this person.
This is how we get you more shares.
You can come in.
Who is it? Who's the shareholder?
Stephen went to great lengths
to conceal the sale.
So far, I have nothing,
but I am digging.
Jesus.
We have to keep this to ourselves,
of course, until we know more.
Yeah, of course.
We have another problem.
God. Bigger than this?
I have spent all night going through
the workings of this business.
According to my calculations,
at least £20 million
is missing from this company.
- What?
- Yes.
Someone has been embezzling
on a massive scale.
We have a hole the size
of the Grand Canyon in our finances.
One wrong move and Flair goes under.