Monarch (2022) s01e04 Episode Script

1
Previously on Monarch
So you stayed out of
the spotlight because you thought
you'd outshine me?
Well, there can only be one queen.
The deal was, you pay them
- what they demand every month.
- What guarantee
do we have that they'll give us
the documents after I'm gone?
I'm dying Saturday night,
right after the concert.
- And you're gonna help me do it.
- What did you do?
The prelim tox screen showed us
some questionable results.
Then a member of my
family is going to jail.
Mama wrote this song.
Yeah, I think Daddy cheated on her.
Isn't anyone's marriage
what it's supposed to be?
Mine is.
We have to stop this.
You're not eating sushi
and you're not drinking sake.
How far along are you?
Luke doesn't even know yet.
Evening, Ms. Roman. Mind if I have
a few words with your father?
They're either gonna show
up here with a warrant
or they're gonna go back out there
and start digging.
We better get to that body
before they do.
Oh, hell.
Somebody got here first.
Oh, my God.
One job.
You had one job
just get rid of the damn body.
- Watch yourself, boy.
- Or what?
What are you gonna do, old man?
I prefer to show, not tell.
Hey. What are you doing?
Stop it. The only way we're
gonna get through all this
is if we stick together and stay calm.
Calm?
There's a dead body
out there, somewhere,
and we're complicit. All of us.
Let me remind everybody
who we're protecting here.
I think we all know it ain't just me.
Just one, Earl.
Um, Geeg, have you seen Luke?
No.
- Actually.
- He would never miss a signing party.
Hey.
I can't believe this is all for me.
You deserve it.
You okay?
Totally.
I'm lying. I'm so nervous.
Don't be.
We're just like any other super famous,
overprivileged,
always-in-the-public-eye family.
Excuse me. If I could have
all your attention just for a minute.
Ana.
We would like to introduce Ana
to our Monarch label.
- Whoo-whoo!
- When we sign
a new artist, we have
a little Monarch tradition.
Tatum has collected slips of paper.
Each one has a song on it.
You're gonna stick your
little hand in there.
Yeah. And you're gonna pick one out.
And whichever one you pick,
- you have to sing.
- Drumroll.
Hmm?
What'd you get?
That one's mine.
"Sugar" in "G."
One, two, three.
Tastes like strawberries ♪
On a summer evenin' ♪
And it sounds just like a song ♪
I want more berries ♪
And that summer feelin' ♪
It's so wonderful and warm ♪
Breathe me in ♪
Breathe me out ♪
I don't know if I
could ever go without ♪
I'm just thinking out loud ♪
I don't know if I
could ever go without ♪
Watermelon sugar high ♪
Watermelon sugar high ♪
Watermelon sugar high ♪
Watermelon sugar high ♪
Breathe me in ♪
Breathe me out ♪
I don't know if I could ever go ♪
Hey.
I need to talk to you right now.
Where have you been?
Watermelon sugar high ♪
Watermelon sugar high ♪
I just wanna taste it ♪
I just wanna taste it ♪
Watermelon ♪
Why would you do that?
Why would you go and tell
the coroner about Mama?
I told you I wanted answers.
She had months left to live.
They found oxycodone in her blood, Nick.
Someone gave her the pills that night.
Someone tried to kill her, Nick!
Not someone! It was me-me.
I gave her those pills. I-I did that.
What are you talking about?
Because she wanted to
go out on her own terms.
And when's the last time
someone talked Mama out
of doing what she wanted?
Nick, who else knows about this?
- Only Gigi.
- Why didn't you come to me first?
I know. I don't
No, you don't.
Assisted suicide is
a felony in Texas, Nick.
That means, if the D.A. files
What, that the cops are coming for me?
Now, I know we've all
been through a lot lately.
Some of us more than others.
But I've got a prelim schedule
for the Founder's Day Rodeo.
I need y'all to take a good look
and make sure that
y'all are comfortable.
Page four. What's
- "Gigi or Nicky" mean?
- We all know
that, every year, Mama debuted
a new song at the rodeo.
It means only one of
you is gonna pick up
Mama's mantle and debut a new single.
- One of us?
- One of us?
If you go by the metrics,
Gigi's on fire right now.
- I'm sorry, what?
- Gigi literally
has notebooks full
of new material
the fans have never heard.
It's true. I have been
writing up a storm.
Right. And what about my
new song called "Hell No"?
Nicky, have you got a new song?
Yes. I have.
And it has number one
written all over it.
Good. It's settled then.
You're both gonna sing.
May the best song win.
Oh, hey, baby. What are you doing?
I'm trying to pick a song
to perform at the rodeo.
Okay, you can't pick some
old song from a notebook.
You need something,
you know, incredible.
I guess.
- You guess?
- I know.
You got a lot of heat
on you right now, Geeg.
It's rare, and it's fleeting.
This is a pivot point.
All eyes are on you right now.
Hey.
Be honest.
With both of us.
Do you want to be a star like your mama?
You know I do.
Okay, then.
We need to level up and release
the most jaw-dropping song
they have ever heard.
I've got an idea for one.
It really tears your heart out.
- But
- No, no, no. No buts.
Just do it.
You work on the song.
I'll handle the rest.
Starting with your look.
Trying to write
a song for the rodeo, huh?
How's it going?
It is going well.
Really? 'Cause it looks like
a serial killer wrote that.
Writing is a process, Tatum.
Well, your process is pretty wack.
You've been scribbling on
that pad for hours, Mom.
Has it really been that long?
Let's just be honest
Aunt Gigi's gonna win this competition.
It is not a competition.
Keep telling yourself that.
Maybe you should just ask
Gigi for one of her songs.
Let's be honest
about how every single time I
think it's my moment, it's not.
And about how if I don't get out
of my family's shadow
very soon, I never will.
Too honest?
I mean, you always tell me
it's okay to ask for help.
Yeah. And I think I need help
from some of the best
songwriters in the business.
Gas up the jet, 'cause
Mama's going to Nashville.
Oh, yeah. Thank you.
And tell me now ♪
How do I live without you? ♪
I want to know ♪
- How do I ever ♪
- Ever ♪
Ever survive? ♪
- How do I ♪
- How do I ♪
How do I ♪
Oh, how do I live? ♪
So, what'd you think, Mama?
What I think, baby,
is we got a hit.
I've quietly set pitches with
Nashville's best and brightest.
They're all coming to
give you what you need.
Which is a new look.
Lillian Tsai's the best
stylist in all of Austin.
But I need you
To keep an open mind.
What I'm looking for is a power
ballad. Something that's, like,
strong and sexy, undeniable.
Say no more.
Damn.
Forgot to charge it.
Got a power cord?
These outfits are They're nice.
Well, at least you didn't say "pretty,"
like that Maren Morris.
I don't work with her anymore.
This is our mama's favorite.
It's like an older, white lady version
of "Old Town Road."
All the Real Housewives love it.
I want something that'll
blow people's minds.
Something outrageous.
- Bold?
- Please.
- Vicious?
- Yeah.
Just finished one last night,
and you're the first to hear it.
These are for the risk takers.
Keep up ♪
- Ooh.
- Keep up ♪
Oh, yeah, keep up ♪
Keep up ♪
I bet you can't keep up. ♪
Sometimes ♪
I get a little too high ♪
And I can't see ♪
Myself through the
fire and the smoke ♪
But you ♪
You're like a neon light ♪
Shining through a door ♪
That I can't keep closed ♪
I still feel high. ♪
Well, it's I-I don't even
know what to say. It's perfect.
It's absolutely, exactly
what we're looking for.
Sorry, Nicky, but
I think I need to keep it for myself.
I do have a song
that I wrote about my
grandma's rocking chair
that I think would be perfect.
You want to hear that one instead?
Did you know, when
John Anderson played this
for the record company, they
told him it was a B-side?
'Cause suits wouldn't know a hit
if it kicked them in the jewels.
Forgive the intrusion, Mr. Roman.
I'm Jamie Burke.
Let me guess, music producer.
Well, go ahead, do your thing.
Tell me how you're gonna change my life.
Reinvent Albie Roman.
It's nothing I ain't heard
before from guys like you
sitting on stools like that.
Yup.
You're right. I'm in the business.
I know your story.
Three years behind
bars for manslaughter,
a dozen top tens after that,
each one better than the last. Shoot,
I should know, I grew up listening
to every damn record you ever made.
Before your music
turned to crap, anyway.
What'd you just say?
Come on now.
Last 20 years, you've
been getting screwed
by 28-year-old record execs
who've been yessing you to death.
- Look, when your wife passed
- Oh.
Be very careful what you say next.
When Dottie Roman passed, the world
they lost the Queen of Country.
But you lost your North Star.
She focused you, polished you,
pointed you to stardom.
But I got to ask, Mr. Roman,
do you even know who
you are without her?
If you ever want some help
remembering who Albie Roman was
And who he still can be
Give me a call.
Is this where we come
to pitch songs to the
legendary Nicky Roman?
- Word's out, you're on the hunt.
- Wade.
- You got a song for me?
- You'll tell me.
But my style does tend
more towards the, uh
Lovesick young cowboy?
Ouch.
Did I offend you?
We'll call it even if
You agree to have
a drink with me tonight.
Sorry. Hey.
I'm just checking in.
How's it going up there?
It's going well. I've, um
I have lots of-of good options.
That's good because bar's been set high.
I'm at the church now, I'm
listening to Gigi's song.
I got to tell you, it's
it's haunting and sweet.
It's heartbreaking.
Now, is that her in the,
in the, in the background?
Hold the-the phone up so I can hear.
Have a listen.
Ooh ♪
You broke my heart ♪
My body and mind ♪
Yeah, you ♪
No.
That's Mama's song.
What was that?
- That's Mama's song.
- Anyway,
it's amazing.
Honestly, I didn't
think Gigi had it in her.
Neither did I.
All right.
Well, if that's how you want to play it,
game on, little sister.
She has no right. If anybody
should sing that song,
it is me. It is a cheating
song, for God's sake.
All good country songs
are cheating songs.
Nobody knows more about heartbreak
and betrayal than I do.
I'm sorry, I'm so mad at her,
I can't even think straight right now.
Luckily, you don't have to.
The bar's right there, for
that drink you promised me.
I'm sorry, it's been an exhausting day.
Aren't you sober, anyway?
I still need fluids.
Look, normally I'd say fine,
bail on my ass, I can
take a hint, but
you still need a song, right?
I can be useful to you.
What you need is a break,
dinner maybe, get your energy back.
Ugh. What I need is room
service and a bath, and
I don't even know what floor I'm on.
I could be talked into that.
Talked into what?
Bath.
Room service.
Right. I didn't, I didn't say that.
Now, my guess would be you're staying
the penthouse.
Well, thank you. That is very helpful.
Now, my only other question
is, just how fast do
you want to get there?
Not very fast.
When's the band getting here?
I sent 'em home.
You did what now?
I'm not gonna let you hide
behind the best session players
in the business. It's just
me and you in here today.
Listen, hoss, this
truth-teller Rick Rubin act of yours
is starting to wear a little thin.
Really?
Thought that was the exact
reason that you called me.
I saw that Insta video of
you and your daughter Gigi
playing in the truck.
That wasn't nothing.
That was just a daddy
singing with his little girl.
Yeah, well, someone
leaked it for a reason,
and I'm happy about that because that's
the old Albie Roman again.
And that's what we're
gonna find in here today.
Take your time. Feel it.
Let it flow.
A cowboy ain't easy ♪
To love, he's harder ♪
To hold ♪
He'd rather give you ♪
A song than silver or gold ♪
Budweiser buckles and soft faded ♪
Wranglers, and each night ♪
Begins a new day ♪
If you can't understand him ♪
And he don't die young ♪
He'll probably just ride away ♪
Mamas ♪
Don't let your babies grow up to be ♪
Cowboys ♪
'Cause they'll never stay home ♪
And they're always alone ♪
Even with someone ♪
They love ♪
'Cause they'll never stay home ♪
And they're always alone ♪
Even with someone ♪
They love. ♪
Yeah.
Hey, Dad.
Hey, son.
Jamie Burke, producer out of Atlanta.
Yeah, charmed. Dad, can I have a word?
I'll just go check out the hydrangeas.
What's so important?
Come on.
You have seen a thousand
pied piper producers come and go.
Why didn't you come to me?
- You?
- Yeah. I'm your son.
And that's why I came
to you to get an answer
- about the music rights.
- And I told you,
she sold them. Publishing and masters.
- Sold them? Why?
- I don't know.
She must have had her reasons.
That's not an answer.
See? Businessmen are the problem.
They're not the solution.
Guess you wouldn't understand that.
Why? 'Cause I'm not an artist?
I'm not a real Roman?
Okay, fine, you know what?
You want to hear the truth? Here it is.
Ever since Mama died
no, no, it was long before that,
you've been lost, and that makes you
an easy target for sharks
like that Jamie what's-his-name.
I mean, can't you see
what he's trying to do?
Yeah. Make me relevant again.
I got to go.
Good morning.
Hi. That is not fair.
Waking up before me.
Why? 'Cause now you can't sneak out?
Uh, no, 'cause it's my hotel room.
Okay. I'm busted.
But I do have to get back to Austin.
Start rehearsing something, anything.
- You know, it's gonna be okay.
- Is it?
'Cause it's supposed
to be my moment, and
my little sister, who I've
protected and cared for
my entire life, is trying to
take it from me, so
Well, listen,
like I was telling you
yesterday, before we got, uh
sidetracked,
I think I can help.
But I got to tell you,
this song is not just for you,
it's about you.
Take a listen.
Check it out ♪
Got a girl from the Southside ♪
Got braids in her hair ♪
That's you. First time I seen her ♪
Walk by, man, I about
fell up out my chair ♪
I had to get her ♪
Number ♪
It took me, like, six weeks ♪
Yeah, now me and her go way back ♪
Like Cadillac seats ♪
Body like a back road ♪
Driving with my eyes closed ♪
I know every curve ♪
Like the back of my hand, you know ♪
Doing 15 in a 30 ♪
I ain't in no hurry ♪
I'm-a take it slow,
just as fast as I can ♪
That's right.
Na, na, na, na ♪
Na, na, na ♪
Come on. Na, na, na, na ♪
Na, na, na, na, na Do you like it?
- Mm-hmm.
- Na, na, na, na ♪
Na, na, na ♪
Na, na, na, na ♪
Na, na, na, na, na. ♪
I can, um
Push that jet back by, like,
two, three hours.
- You can?
- I can.
That would certainly interest me.
- That sounds good.
- Oh!
It just doesn't make any sense,
why Dottie would sell those songs.
You do know something about this.
Albie, I've worked for the Roman family
longer than I've had one of my own.
Dottie trusted me implicitly.
I swore I'd take this to my grave.
Which may be sooner than you think.
A few years back, Dottie needed money.
A lot and quickly. She
didn't want anybody to know.
- Money for what?
- Dottie was being blackmailed.
Started about five years back.
$50,000 a month, every month.
Paid to who?
If she knew, she wasn't telling.
I tried to get to the bottom of it.
Hell, I even put a P.I. on
it. I never could find out.
I swear, it's all I know.
All right, well, here's
what you're gonna do now.
You reach out to those
spineless bastards,
and you tell them that this ends today.
You tell them that Albie Roman
ain't paying them another cent.
- Hey.
- You're back.
Yeah. I got to start rehearsing
my song for the rodeo.
So you found something?
I did. I'm not gonna
say much about it yet,
but I hear that yours is great.
You want to want to, um
You want to give me a sneak preview?
I'd rather not.
It's, um, something very personal to me.
I bet.
You know, uh, all the
time I was in Nashville,
I kept thinking about Mama's song.
You know, the one that
she left for Daddy.
Just kept
going around and around in my head.
Like she knew all the pain I was
I was going through with Clive.
I'm
real sorry you've been feeling that.
Me, too.
Being betrayed by someone
you trust is painful.
I hope you never have to feel that.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Monarch Entertainment presents
the Austin Founding Days
Rodeo. Welcome, everyone.
- Hi!
- Hi!
- Hi, Dad.
- Hey, Luke.
Remember Jamie Burke?
Yeah, how could I forget?
Seems like you're
everywhere all of a sudden.
I was just thinking,
you remember when you taught
me to ride those things?
Remember that?
That was a lifetime ago.
Come on, boy, I'll show you around.
- See you later, son.
- Yeah.
Hey, baby.
So excited for her.
Following in her mother's footsteps.
Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!
It's-it's on. Nicky's song is on.
All right, babe.
And tell me now ♪
How do I live without you ♪
I want to know ♪
Nicky, that ain't you.
That's Mama.
Without you, if you ♪
Ever go, how do I ♪
Ever, ever survive? ♪
Hello? Come in.
Ms. Roman?
- You decent?
- Yup.
Sorry to interrupt. I-I know
you're about to go on. I
I-I just wanted to introduce myself.
- I'm Jamie Burke.
- Yeah, I-I know who you are.
My brother warned me about you.
Oh. Guess I made quite
the impression, then.
Us Romans can be
a very protective bunch.
Don't take it personally.
Hey, can I ask you
- what song are you singing today?
- I'm
I'm singing something I've had
tucked away for a long time and,
well, thinking of recording it.
May I ask why you haven't?
Because it wasn't ready.
Now, are you fooling yourself
or are you trying to fool me?
- Excuse me?
- Come on.
We both know what's at stake here today.
You're singing in your mother's shadow
first year she's been gone,
and so is your sister, the
overnight viral sensation.
My sister and I are not in competition.
Well, that's not what I hear.
Nicky, you're so talented and beautiful.
In fact, you're spectacular.
But you're not your mama.
Well, now I know why my
brother loves you so much.
No, what I'm trying to
tell you is, don't be
some Gen Y clone of Dottie Roman.
If you go out there
and serve these folks
some recycled song that you-you
meant to record way back when,
but there's probably a damn
good reason why you didn't,
your sister's gonna
leave you in the dust.
With all you've been through,
what you need is to
is to let your heart bleed out there.
Or you're better off
not going on at all.
Anyway
I want you to know it really
is a pleasure meeting you.
You're on in 15, Ms. Roman,
right after your sister.
Change of plans.
Folks, put your loving
hands together
for the one and only
Nicky Roman!
What the hell? I'm supposed to be next.
How y'all doing?
Now, as you all know,
my mama used to perform here
every year for her most loyal fans.
And today I'm gonna
continue that tradition
by singing a song that was
real close to her heart.
This one's for you, Mama.
- Whoo!
- Nicky, we love you!
Our love was built on lies ♪
The truth is, I closed ♪
My eyes ♪
I see the red taillights ♪
Of our life fade away ♪
That bitch stole my song.
'Cause I can say that ♪
You ♪
You broke my heart ♪
My body and mind ♪
Yeah, you ♪
Tore me apart ♪
What gives you the right? ♪
I'm drowning in all
of the tears I can cry ♪
You threw us away
for a moment in time ♪
Now I got to carry
this pain till I die ♪
The truth can't be spoken ♪
But God knows I am broken ♪
I am broken ♪
- How dare you? You stole Mama's song!
- What?
You mean before you could? What
did you think I was gonna do?
Huh? You think I was gonna sit
back quietly and let you take
every single thing I've worked
for my entire life?
I even gave you the
chance to come clean.
- All you had to do was be honest.
- And then what?
Screw me in plain sight,
instead of behind my back?
You'll do anything to get what you want.
- No, I wouldn't.
- And you don't care who you hurt.
Of course you helped Mama die.
You're just like her.
Gigi!
The queen is dead.
Long live the queen.
You sure about this?
Yup.
Eight seconds can feel like forever.
Whatever he's got, I can take it.
Coming up next,
a late entry in the amateur
bull-riding competition.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Mr. Luke Roman!
Did you hear that? Mom?
I-I did. Come on.
Come on, Tatum, hurry up.
Daddy? Daddy, have you heard?!
Have you heard what Luke's doing?
Well, I didn't think I heard right.
Oh, my goodness.
- Yeah.
- Watch your arms, though.
Watch your arms.
As we get ready to go
now to the next bucking champ.
Lord, is that boy
trying to kill his self?
Well, Luke Roman is ready.
He nods his head.
Hang on, son!
Oh, man, he is hurt.
This cowboy is down.
- Oh, my God. Luke!
- As soon as we get
the bull back in the chute,
please stand by, paramedics.
Dr. Saffron, please report to ER 1.
Oh, come on, Daddy.
You know why he did
this, don't you, right?
Boys will be boys, I reckon.
No, Daddy, he was trying
to prove something to you.
He was Well, it's not fair.
No one should have to fight
for their father's love. It's
He's never gonna be like you.
Okay? No matter how many bulls he rides.
Anything? Any news?
No, we're still waiting for
him to come out of surgery.
You-you should sit,
Gigi. It could be a while.
I'm sorry. Did somebody say something?
You okay, baby?
Of course.
I'm just worried for
all of you, you know?
Good. You're all here.
Is-is is he is he gonna be okay?
Well, there was more internal
bleeding than we anticipated.
But he came through fine.
Well, can we see him?
He's resting. Just one at a time.
All right.
You sit back down.
I got this.
- Hey.
- Hey, son.
Hey, Dad.
You got your sisters
in a panic out there.
Not a very nice thing to do to 'em.
I'm sorry.
Well, the good news is,
you're gonna be okay.
But maybe
Maybe we rethink
this bull-riding thing, huh?
I don't think it's a good
career move for you, hoss.
I can't replace you as CEO.
What would Monarch do
without you?
Hmm. Yeah.
- I'm gonna let you rest.
- Okay.
Look, Luke, I'm not very good
at putting things into words.
Unless it's song lyrics.
But you know how I feel, don't you?
Yeah.
All right.
Uh, I'm gonna get a soda.
Give you two a minute.
Can I get you guys something?
Other than a new sister, no.
Right. Okay, I am not
sorry for what I did.
You do not understand
the pressure I'm under.
I'm not a new, fresh discovery.
And thanks to you, neither am I.
Oh, come on. There's gonna be
other songs and other chances.
So I should sit patiently
and wait for my chance?
Like you waited for Mama?
How'd that work out for you?
No, it's-it's different for
you. You're just beginning.
You think it's my fault
she never made good on
any of the promises to you?
And you think it's helped you?
Always doing everything on her terms,
playing by her rules?
News flash, Nicky.
She made up those rules to
ensure that she'd always win.
No. I think she did what
she did to stay on top.
She had to be ruthless.
Now you are, too.
Mission accomplished.
You may not feel it now,
but today you got a little bit stronger.
Now come on down
and celebrate Mama's bit hit.
Put your prettiest smile on, okay?
Show must go on.
I can't.
I can't ever sing that song
again. She broke my heart.
Yes, you can, Nicky, because
I'm gonna be right next to you.
No matter what she ever makes you do,
I'll always be here for you.
I just thought you should know.
- Hey.
- I better go.
How you doing, soldier?
- I'm good.
- Yeah?
Yeah. Mm.
So, I'm guessing, um,
she told you about the pregnancy?
Yeah, she told me.
And, uh, how do you feel about that?
Happy? Scared?
I don't know.
I'm on a lot of morphine.
Well, we'll deal with it
when you're back up and about.
All right?
- Mm.
- Good?
- I think there's something else.
- What?
The D.A.'s been read in
on the oxycodone levels
in Mama's blood.
He's not gonna let it go.
So, what next?
We do the only thing we can do. We wait.
Come on, Marty.
Well, I delivered the message
that you're done paying.
And?
They didn't take too kindly to it.
Now they want double.
Next payment's due tomorrow.
All right. It's all clear.
Come on.
This, too.