Step Up: High Water (2017) s01e06 Episode Script
Episode 6
1 [UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC.]
[FOOTSTEPS CLIMBING STAIRS.]
[JUSTIN.]
Oh! Are you Odalie? - Whoa! - Fuck, Davis! Odalie, this is Justin.
Justin, this is Odalie.
It's your turn, papi.
What the fuck? Okay, look, I'm sorry, all right, but I had to get him out of there.
Get him out of where? The foster home.
It was so messed up.
Davis, did you kidnap your brother? [SIGHING.]
Do you want to tell me what you were thinking? Actually, no, let's start with this.
Why the hell didn't you call me back? I'm sorry.
I didn't call you 'cause I didn't want you - to get caught up in this.
- [SCOFFS.]
Then I realized I didn't have anywhere else to go.
So what's the deal? It was some Dateline NBC shit, I swear.
It was five kids in a room in a basement.
The shower was broken.
They didn't feed him for two days.
Shit.
Well, what about your parents? Does he have any family that he can go to? Our parents were deported.
Mexico.
But we got an aunt in LA.
I'm just trying to get some money together so I can meet her there.
Wait, so are you ever coming back? What about trying out for the tour? I'll be back.
Can we just stay here? - I don't know.
- Just for a couple days.
Please? Okay.
[JUSTIN WHEEZES.]
Thank you.
One thing I know I know 'bout dough Even know 'bout broke, been there before Was a long, long, long, long time ago - I never forget - [PHONE CHIMES.]
European whips and Cuban cigars Shorty hella mean but a really nice figure Platinum .
45 solid gold [MUSIC STOPS.]
Hey, you okay in there? You look a little insane.
- Hmm? - What's wrong? [SIGHS.]
It's-It's that guy I was telling you about.
You know, he hasn't called or text or DM'ed or anything.
Okay, well, chill.
He'll call or text or DM you or something, I'm sure.
- Boys are just - The fucking worst.
- Yes, they're terrible.
- [SOFT CHUCKLE.]
You know he's not gonna text you any faster just 'cause you're looking at your phone, though, right? Sorry.
What are you doing today? Good plan.
Hey.
Seeing you on this video, it was crazy.
I was so proud of you.
Thanks, J, it was.
And I've been proud watching you perform all my life.
You know that, right? [SIGHS.]
I gotta go.
- Don't eat too much shit, all right? - Yeah, no promises.
Shine in the winter time big and bold For the summertime I go find the snow [SIGHS.]
[MUSIC STOPS.]
[PHONE CHIMES.]
[JOHNNY-ONE.]
Hey, Tal, hey.
- Hey, what Hey.
- You, uh, you headed to class? Uh, no, just getting some extra practice.
Oh, cool.
I just wanted to apologize for being such a scatterbrain and not answering your texts.
Oh, yeah, man, it's cool.
Don't worry about it.
No, no, I had to fly to San Francisco for an emergency meeting.
Then I had back-to-back conference calls.
And then I had to approve some co-branding spots, so Anyway, forget about that.
How are you? What have you been up to? Uh, just, just hanging out.
Definitely nothing as exciting as you.
Stop.
It's just work, okay.
I would never blow you off.
Uh [CHUCKLES.]
Okay, that didn't come out right.
[PHONE RINGS.]
- Uh, I gotta take this.
- Yeah, sure.
- You sure? All right, cool.
- Yeah.
I'll catch you later.
Yo.
Yeah, you need them right now? - Yeah, okay.
- [COLLETTE.]
No, don't put me on hold.
I've already been on hold for ten minutes.
Hello? Damn it.
I can come back.
Hi, Odalie, have a seat.
Have you heard from Davis? No, I I mean, I haven't seen him in a while.
I just had a visit from Child Protective Services, and it appears that Davis' little brother Justin is missing.
What? That's crazy.
I mean, why would they come to you about it? Because he put his street address as High Water.
From what I understand, Davis has been homeless for several months.
Wow.
I had no idea.
If Davis doesn't come forward soon to clear himself, he could be in really big trouble.
And so could you if you know anything.
Look, I haven't seen Davis, and I don't know where he is.
Listen, Odalie, I know that getting in here feels like high stakes.
And everyone wants to put their best foot forward and constantly impress us.
But I also want you all to know that we're here to support you.
Like when things suck or you fall down.
We can help then, too.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, thank you.
You can go.
Okay, thanks.
[DEE.]
And one, two, three, and four.
[DANCE MUSIC.]
[DEE.]
Whoa! - [DEE.]
Cute.
- [TAL.]
Very nice.
What? Is Is this for rehearsal for an assignment, 'cause I definitely did not go over this.
We're just getting our shit together for the J-Sette battle - at the Roll-Out tomorrow night.
- The Roll-Out? The Roll-Out is the little shindig that the students get together and throw every few months.
No teachers, no faculty.
Okay, so what's a what's a J-Sette? [ALL LAUGHING.]
Hmm Now you really have to be there.
J-Sette is precision.
J-Sette is life.
And, uh, I peeped you over there talking to that fine-ass Johnny-One? Feel free to bring a friend if you want.
Ladies.
All right, come on.
Yo, my pops is ready for war.
He was ready to go to High Water and go at Sage.
But I had to tell him, "Yo, chill out.
" Yeah, I bet your pops was heated, man.
Yeah, when I think about everything my dad did to help Sage out, it only makes me hate him even more.
Yo, is that the Zoom R-8? This studio gonna be lit, man.
Hey, um, I know things got kinda heated.
Don't trip, don't trip, all right? Look, we boys.
We gonna be good always, you know what I mean? Besides, my dad wants me working on my own shit, 24/7.
He says Sage was just holding me back, anyways.
I feel him, man.
You gotta use this time to create some hot-ass music.
Man, if Sage would've just came with the fire in the first place, I would've never clowned his wack ass.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
I can't front, though.
The new track he dropped, joint is dope.
What I don't understand is how did he take a wack song and make it a hot-ass hit overnight? I guess that's what makes him the genius, right? - I just wish he woulda - It's whatever, man.
You ain't missing nothing at High Water, bro.
Man, I'm glad that's how you feel, bro.
'Cause I'm telling you, me and you, together, we tight, bro.
And once I set all this shit up, we gonna really make some shit happen.
Yeah, man, you know when we collab, we always bring the dopeness.
With your bars and my beats, man, come on, man, you know we got this.
- Ah! - Ah! [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, when that debut album is hot, Sage is gonna be mad that he kicked you out.
Word.
But, yo, check it, I got this song, right.
- [PHONE CHIMES.]
- Oh, hold on.
- [PHONE CHIMES.]
- Oh, hold on, man.
Oh, shit.
Uh, yo, Sage need me back at the studio, man.
So, what, you about to dip? Yeah, I gotta see what he want, right? - Yeah, cool.
- See you later, man.
Like a dog off the leash, you'll see Watch me Hey, my favorite twin brother is home.
- Hi.
- What? - Yeah.
- You mean your only twin.
- How are you? - What do you want? - What do you mean? - I mean, what do you want? So, how would you like to fill in for me at Wangs tomorrow? Uh, I feel like I want that as much as I want an enema.
Come on, please, Tal.
Dondre found this chick who was willing to pay us a lot of money to do her birthday party in Marietta, and we have to go location scouting.
Well, that's great, but I'm already doing my shift with Al tonight, so And besides, I What? Spill it.
I was thinking maybe I'd ask Johnny-One to this, like, party thing at school.
Oh, the Johnny boy.
Why haven't you asked him already? I don't know, 'cause he's like, he's like Sage's guy.
He's like a big deal.
And, he's, he's all like fancy and stuff.
- Oh, he's fancy.
- Yeah, shut up, he's fancy.
I don't know, he has, like, a virtual assistant and he has he's 19 and he has an apartment, okay.
And it's you know, it's lame.
He probably doesn't wanna go to a school party.
Well, you don't know.
He might wanna go.
You should ask him.
- Maybe, I - Yeah.
I don't know him that well, so Well, I think you should do what every other kid in the 21st century does when they like a guy.
- What? - Stalk his Instagram.
No, I'm serious, though.
You could find out what he's into.
Plus, you can see if he's dating anyone.
Yeah.
[SOFT CHUCKLE.]
Are you fucking kidding me? Obama? [SIGHS.]
Can this be so hard? Change of plan, I can absolutely take your stupid shift tomorrow.
- Seriously? - Yeah.
Well, what happened with the Johnny-One boy? He's busy.
Whenever I want her she come over Yeah, I got it like that I counted up ways at my door I made my figures bounce back She thought it over she ain't want me Now she gotta bounce back Bounce back Bounce back, yeah Yo, she sounding right.
- Yo, yo.
- [MUSIC STOPS.]
Hey, this is the kid, King, I was telling you about.
- King, this is - Kodie Shane, yeah.
I saw you at the Masquerade a while back at Raurfest.
- I've been a fan ever since.
- [KODIE LAUGHS.]
- What brings you to High Water? - It's you, man.
Sage called me up and said he wanted us to connect.
Yeah, yeah.
Hey, come here right quick.
See, you write and produce, which means the sky is the limit for somebody like you, if you know the right people.
So I'm gonna make sure that I put you in front of the up-and-coming, at least the ones I think are dope, anyway.
Definitely feel like you could learn something from Kodie.
That's high praise coming from somebody like you.
- What's up, bro? - What's up? - Nice to meet you.
- Yeah.
So, since you're here, why don't you, uh, get in there and get on them keys and show us what you got? Oh, um, no way, I couldn't.
Come on, you ain't gonna leave both of us disappointed, right? [CLEARS THROAT.]
King, get your ass in there - and show her something, come on, man.
- All right, all right.
Hey, Kodie, I'm gonna pull up the thing from earlier, yeah? - Let's do it.
- All right.
King, just vibe to it, whatever comes in your mind.
Can you hear me? Here we go.
- [KEYBOARD MUSIC.]
- [VOCALIZING ON TRACK .]
Yo, I'm feeling this already.
Can this be so hard? I like that bring it over here I like that Lookin' at my diamonds, she like that Lookin' at my diamonds, they bite back Yeah, they bite back, you like that I just came in and I'm right back My brother holds the door, he gon' bust back I just came in and he like that He like that, yeah, he like that You know that they're probably looking for you.
Yeah, but they don't know where I am.
I'm homeless.
I don't got no paper trail.
Yeah, well, they knew enough to come looking for you at High Water.
Look, I know I been asking you for a lot.
I just need a little time to get some cash to get him to California, okay? I got you.
You know, this is not what I want.
I wanna get custody, but I'm broke, and I just I just don't got my shit together right now.
I think I can get my hands on some cash.
- No.
- Come on.
I can, you said you needed only a couple hundred No, okay? Look, you're working way too hard to keep all this up.
Especially after all you've done for us, no.
I'll come up with the money somehow.
[SIGHS.]
You know, looking out at all this makes me feel like the city belongs to us.
Bigger the heart The harder they fall Yeah, the harder they fall It's all your fault Bigger the heart The harder they fall Yeah, the harder they fall Ooh, it's all your fault Locked eyes on the first day Tripped up in the worst way, yeah Lost my mind when I saw you lose your mind on me The energy between us, so magnetic The way your skin blends in I don't regret it Bigger the heart The harder they fall Yeah, the harder they fall It's all your fault And my heart go Oh, oh, oh And my heart go Oh, oh, oh And my heart wanna sing now, yeah Don't wanna separate no separate Then we can collaborate, collaborate That's love like the first grade, the first grade And my heart now wants to beat again Don't wanna separate, no separate Love it when we collaborate, collaborate Just like love at the first grade, the first grade First, grade, yeah, my heart wanna sing now, yeah The beginning of this shit is simplest.
It's paying dues.
That's it.
You stay patient, you stay steadfast, make it about the work, this thing can be a serious blessing, bro.
You know I can, man.
It's gonna be frustrating in the beginning.
What it's about, though, is making sure you're ready to seize that moment when it comes.
Yeah, hope I will be.
You're gonna be all right, you're gonna be fine.
I mean, you jumped right in with Kodie Shane.
You know, you held your own.
Okay, well, let's keep it funky, - you was a little shook.
- Oh, c'mon, man.
You were a little shook in the beginning, come on, man.
All right, I was shook a little bit.
But I know how to keep my cool around a dope lady.
Mm-hm, yeah, I'm sure you do.
[KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.]
Come in.
Oh, and the cavalry has arrived.
Ladies, are you all ready to go? [WOMAN.]
Oh, yes.
Brotha, good work today.
But if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go turn up.
Oh, but before I do, I'd like to introduce you to my lovely friend, Angel.
I think you all should be friends, too.
Yeah.
Have fun, have fun.
Ladies, let's go, let's go, let's go.
[SLOW TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
- Pain - Ain't no other way That's, um, that's a nice dress.
no other way now Oh oh oh - Pain - Yes, ain't no other way Ohh Pain It's a shame it's going to have to come off.
Oh oh oh From this mad love Don't release us Ohhh You're bad at struggle Your troubles are released I won't think about you Amen, so it be [SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE.]
You know, sometimes I think you're so beautiful it's painful.
That's a funny thing to say.
Yeah, I know, but it's the truth.
[ODALIE.]
We should check on Justin.
He's been watching TV for a while.
Yeah, he should be hungry by now.
- I'll grab us some dinner.
- Hell, no, you won't.
Look, I'm gonna go get us the best dinner 20 bucks can buy.
- Davis, don't be stupid.
- Just let me do this.
All right, and I swear to God I'm gonna fix this whole situation so we can get out of your business as soon as possible.
I gotta get him safe as soon as I can.
And, man, I would like a clean slate, just so we can figure us out, you know? Just give me some time to make it work.
Okay.
Come on.
- We have a lot to celebrate.
- Yes, I saw.
- Now I propose shot contests.
- Shot contests? So you're gonna have to take more shots.
You know I'm gonna win, right? Oh, you gonna let her, you gonna let her say that? Every time.
Uh, y'all wait in the car, okay? I'll be there in one second.
- Okay.
- I'll be there in a second.
So, when does construction start? - In a month.
- You know what, I still cannot believe that you found a donor and pulled this whole thing together.
But, then again, you are you, so, guess it makes sense.
Yeah, I, uh, I'm really excited.
- I think it's gonna be awesome.
- I think so, too.
I have to admit, this is, this is better than anything I could have ever imagined.
And I know I owe a lot of that to you.
Do you remember when we first, first started talking about putting this whole thing together? Yes.
Yes, I do.
I remember you were blowing up my phone all night with this crazy ass idea.
I thought it was a booty call.
But, no, you were right on time.
I was miserable, teaching in the public school system.
Everything was broken, and I didn't know how to fix it.
So you and this idea? It changed all that.
Couldn't have done it without you.
You inspire me.
Seriously, you're always talking about how important the arts are and what this means for the community.
Look, I don't gotta tell you that I've done a lot of trivial shit.
But, this place, I think this is the most important thing I've ever done.
That's why I'm here.
And I am extremely happy that you're here with me.
Me too.
[SOFT CHUCKLE.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Sage, let's go, baby.
Be there in a second.
We're killing it.
Yeah, yeah, we are.
[HIP-HOP PLAYING IN BACKGROUND.]
- Thanks.
- [GIRL.]
See you later.
- What's going on, man? - Hey, how's it going? - Davis? How's it going! - What's up, man? Where the hell have you been? I've just been taking care of some family stuff, man.
- You all right? - Yeah, yeah, I'm good.
- When are you coming back? - Soon, soon.
- Hopefully.
- Okay, what can I get you? Oh, I ordered the takeout, man.
Two number threes and a number four.
Oh, right.
Yeah.
Okay, that's $18.
64.
- $18.
64.
- [REGISTER BEEPING.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
Wigs and Wangs.
Al's Wigs and Wangs.
Yes, I did.
- One sec.
- Yeah.
Yes, I did.
Uncle Al, I put it back.
Davis! - What the fuck are you doing? - Fuck.
Nothing.
I'll do it.
All right, bye.
Hey, Odalie, what's up? - Hey, Tal.
- How's it going? - Good.
We gotta go.
Okay.
- Okay.
Okay, cool.
Yeah, well, I guess I'll see you at school.
See you there.
Uh, hey, Davis, did I give you your change? You keep it, man.
You sure? Thanks, man.
Hey, buddy, it's time to get ready for bed, okay? So what the hell was that about? - I fucked up, okay? - You almost fucked up royally.
Was that your big plan? Steal some money and then take Justin to California? Look, I gotta get us outta here, okay? And I'm not letting him go back to foster care.
Maybe if you just turn Justin over to CPS then they can figure something out and you won't get in trouble.
You clearly have no idea how this shit works, huh.
The fucking system, Immigration and Child Services, I mean, they're the reason why we're in this position to begin with.
Look, maybe I asked you for too much, I get it.
It's not that I don't want to help you.
I just don't think you sheltering him right now is the best idea.
What happens if you get caught? What happens to you and Justin? And you just got into High Water.
Listen, High Water's a luxury that I can't afford right now.
High Water is an opportunity of a lifetime.
Yeah, well sometimes opportunities of a lifetime are too expensive for people like me.
Fine.
If you're not gonna do the right thing, then at least let me keep you from adding robbery to the list of your fuck-ups.
Yo, I'm done taking charity.
And where the fuck do you keep getting so much money from? Hey, papi.
- Did you brush your teeth? - Yes.
Why you lying, huh? You gotta brush your teeth.
Come on, you don't want your teeth to fall out, do you? [JOHNNY-ONE.]
Excuse me, is there anything for vegetarians on your menu? Uh [LAUGHS.]
Hey, what are you doing here? Honestly? I was waiting to hear from you.
And when you didn't call, I got really freaking bummed out.
So I decided to come find you.
I hope that doesn't make me sound like a stalker.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
Look, I'm sorry, all right, I am.
Like, I wanted to call you.
I just, it's intimidating, you know? You work for one of the biggest stars on the planet.
Okay, you take business meetings halfway around the world.
You have like a real life and a job.
And I'm just trying to not fuck up in class, you know, so it's Yeah, I know.
My job is just that, a job.
It doesn't define who I am.
I really did want to call you.
I I was going to invite you this thing called the Roll Out.
- It's a party at school.
- Really? - Yeah, it was stupid, though.
- No, no, no, it's not stupid.
I've actually, uh, never been to a school dance before.
Right, me either.
I guess I always had bigger things on my mind.
And then I got this amazing offer from Sage.
Looking back, I guess I just skipped some of the important stuff.
Yeah, well, I spent all my school dances helping my sister get ready, so - You did? - Yeah.
I always said it was like silly bullshit, you know, but I guess I was kind of hiding, or something, you know? Yeah.
Well, the Roll Out sounds amazing.
Sure would be nice if someone were to ask me to go.
[POUNDING ON THE DOOR.]
Oh, shit.
Papi, get up, we gotta go, okay? Gotta go, get your stuff, come on.
Odalie, it's Child Services.
We'll hide in the back room until they go, okay? Come on, pa-pa, let's go, let's go.
Let's go.
I'm sorry.
What are you doing? How could you do this to us? - Davis, you have to trust us.
- [DAVIS.]
What? I'm sorry, but Justin has to come with us.
- I don't want to go.
- Man, you get the hell back.
- You're not taking him.
- They have to.
I'm sorry.
- I can't believe you told her.
- She did the right thing.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
King King! What's going on, boy? So, how was last night? Details, details, details, last night.
Come on, buddy, give it to me.
Um it was cool.
That's it, just cool? - Yeah.
- It's supposed to be hot, man.
You know, I remember my first time.
Oh, yeah.
So what makes you think last night was my first time? - Oh, my bad, I just - It's cool, man.
No, don't worry about it.
People usually make assumptions about my life.
It's Most of the time it's not true.
I feel you on that.
I gotta let you know, man.
I-I really admire you, bro.
Like, real talk, you inspire me.
Usually when people say that I inspire them, usually what that means is that if they were me, they probably would have killed themselves.
- Nah - Look, man, I'm not trying to inspire people 'cause I'm different.
I'm trying to inspire people because I'm good.
No, no, I feel you on that, I feel you.
You want your talent to shine through.
I get that, I completely get that, right, but, listen, our lives may not be exactly the same, but I've definitely been through some shit.
I know where you're coming from.
I mean, the violence, drugs, fucked-up family life.
Trust me, brother, I've been there.
Listen, all I have to say, I didn't let it stop me.
- You understand? - Yeah.
We got a lot in common.
We're both fighters.
And we both use pain to feel our creativity.
So check this out.
I got a little proposition for you.
I am headed to the Bahamas for the next two weeks or so, to finish up my album.
I think you should come with me.
Yeah, man, you'll be writing, producing, the whole nine.
So do I get like producer credits and royalties? Slow down.
No, no, not yet.
But what you do get, money cannot buy.
Access to genius.
Come on, man, you gonna be rolling with me, and I'm not talking just the studio.
Dinners, hanging out, clubbing, whatever.
Where I go, you go.
That's time, experience, mentorship, all that.
Now, as far as the music, maybe I use some of your stuff, maybe I don't.
That's not the important part.
What's important is that this is your golden ticket.
I feel like you should take it.
It sounds amazing, man, you know, um But I got loyalties, you know, people who I've been working with for forever.
Mm, okay, I get it.
So you feel like hanging around with East-O as he hustles mix tapes and struggle beats is gonna get you somewhere? And mind you, Rigo's talented.
But that fucking attitude on that dude? The two of them together? Nowheresville quickly.
Listen, bro, if you're gonna be successful in this life, it will because you stood on the shoulders of giants.
I'm the fucking giant.
Okay? But, listen, no pressure.
You wanna sit here, play small with your boys, it's your call.
I'm gonna be in the Bahamas.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna do some giant shit.
Think about what I said.
Golden ticket, they don't come around often.
Remember that.
I can't do it.
You're gonna have to arrest me.
- He'll be okay.
- Yeah, that's what they all say.
Davis, I know that it's hard for you to trust anyone right now.
You're damn right it is.
But Odalie did the right thing.
[DAVIS.]
Yeah, she may think so.
Davis, do you think I'm without resources? We deal with difficult situations like this with our students more than you know.
We're here to nurture you in every way.
So I made some calls, I pulled some strings.
I got Justin placed with a very credible family home.
It's one of the best in the area.
And I can help you if you want to work on getting custody.
- Are you serious? - Mm-hmm.
Okay, papi, it's time to go, okay? No! Hey, it's gonna be all right, I promise.
- They're gonna take care of you, okay? - No, I wanna stay.
Hey, no, no, no, no, look, this is just temporary, okay? I'm never gonna leave you behind.
I love you.
I love you, too, papi.
You did the right thing.
[SOBBING.]
[HIP-HOP PLAYING.]
[TAL.]
Hey! Hey, yo, she's in my class.
but it doesn't have me I feel so underdressed being here.
No, you look fine.
You look fine.
[RAPPING.]
[CHEERING.]
[WOMAN.]
Thank y'all, thank y'all, thank y'all.
All right, all right, now everybody clear out for the J-Sette dance battle.
Oh, this is it! This is it! This is the dance battle? [DANCE MUSIC.]
Okay, this is not what I was expecting.
I know, right, but it's cool.
[CHEERING.]
Yeah! Whoo! - [CHEERING.]
- yeah! [CHEERING GETS LOUDER.]
What's going on, everybody, eh? All right, all right, all right, everybody settle, everybody settle, everybody settle.
Listen, listen, I know that this is only supposed to be for the students.
I crashed the party, I'm sorry.
Nah, fuck it, I'm ain't sorry, damn it.
[CHEERING.]
But I am still on a high from my ridiculously successful live stream that we put on together.
Give yourselves a round of applause for that.
[CHEERING.]
So since I'm here to show my undying gratitude, I brought a little surprise with me, something that I feel like is going to add a little extra fire to this already hot-ass party.
Ladies and gentlemen, please show your love for one of the most talented upcomings I've seen in a very long time, Kodie Shane! [CHEERING.]
All right, so I wanna bring out the coolest cat here, somebody I definitely hope to be doing music with in the future, one of your own King, where you at? [CHEERING.]
Okay, so this song right here is something me and King put together last night.
I hope you guys love it.
Let's do it.
[CHEERING.]
[SOULFUL MUSIC PLAYS.]
And it's okay - Hey! - Are you in to me? Feel your energy I can feel your energy Pretend to be pretend to be If you're not into me I only give it to Am I right? So it's only me and you up inside Are you into me? Feel your energy I can feel your energy Pretend to be You pretend to be If you my enemy I only give it to Am I right? So it's only me and you up inside Yah, yah Yah, yah And now I only give you to Am I right? Hey But you're there for me So it's only me and you Yeah, it's only me and you Are you into me? Feel your energy I can feel your energy Pretend to be you pretend to be If you're not into me It's only me and you up inside [CHEERING.]
All right, all right, all right, show your love one more time for Kodie Shane! [CHEERING.]
This could be your whole life, man.
Listen, we heading to the Bahamas tonight.
You let me know, all right? And one more time for High Water's own, King! [CHEERING.]
Yeah! Let's keep this party going! Y'all, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up! Life ain't a game [PHONE CHIMES.]
Boy, I already told you It may be a shame But it isn't only for you Be strong Be strong Everything is gonna be All right [COUGHS.]
[CHEERING.]
- That was great.
That was cool.
- Yeah.
[SLOW-TEMPO DANCE MUSIC PLAYS.]
You, uh you wanna dance, or? Uh - No, it's fine.
- No, no, I want to.
I need you more than I would like to admit So cut the shit and let's just do it again I'm going, going you should go with me Roll a bit in my whip It smelled like potpourri [SONG CONTINUES, ELECTRONICALLY DISTORTED.]
I don't know you I don't know - Uh - What's up, what did I do? Nothing, nothing, you're fine.
- It's just, uh - What? Technically, I'm at work right now.
- So - What do you mean, you're? Can I talk to you later? - Um, okay, sure.
- All right.
I'm sorry.
I'm all faded by like ten I just hyped up in advance She just broke up with her man Can the choir say amen? We just fucked it up again [SUSPENSEFUL VIDEO GAME MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS.]
Where is it? [KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.]
[KING.]
Yo, yo! Yo, what's got you all hyped? Bro, you would not believe what just happened, man.
Oh, yeah, what happened? So, I got to meet and play with Kodie Shane, bro.
- What? How? - Yeah.
Sage set the whole thing up.
I show up to his studio and she's already there looking fine as hell, man.
So she starts talking to me about all this shit with Sage and stuff.
Oh, wait, so you and Sage, what, y'all friends now? Man, why are you even entertaining him and his bullshit, bro? I mean, it was cool when you two was chumming it up.
Now that he's helping me out, is there a difference? Yeah, that was before.
How can you kick it with this herb ass nigger, brother, especially after what he did to me? I still go High Water, man, what am I supposed to do? Man, where your loyalty at, bro? And whose side are you really on? You really wanna talk to me about loyalty, man? You really wanna bring that shit up? But why don't we talk about how you and East-O are the reason I'm in this fucking chair? Yeah, you remember that shit? We're on the way back from the park in your dad's car, and all of a sudden we hear gunshots, and it turns out it's for your father.
And maybe even you.
And the car flips over and yet I'm the only one who doesn't walk away.
I lose my legs, and I'm still here holding you down.
And you wanna talk to me about loyalty? Hey look, bro, I be holding you down, too, man.
Any opportunity that ever came my way, I always try to give you shine.
Man, fuck your shine.
I was the best dancer in Atlanta.
Yo, what the fuck do you want me to say, dog? What's wrong with you? 'Cause the way I see it, all I ever tried to do was help you out, bro.
Bullshit, because the way that I see it, things only matter when they're popping for Rigo.
When all of the opportunities put you at front and center and I'm the one in the back playing the music, but I'm done with that shit, man.
Oh, my God, Sage actually offered me to go to the Bahamas to work on his new album.
And I almost turned that shit down, just to stay here with your ass.
Bro, listen, all I'm trying to say is Sage ain't gonna look out for nobody but himself, bro.
Yeah, sounds like somebody else I know.
King You know what, man? I actually have an opportunity to do some shit for myself for once, to actually make some real money.
[SCOFFS.]
I'm done being your fucking flunky.
I've got a plane to catch.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, that J-Sette was fire, dude.
You guys are good.
Why, thank you, thank you.
I burn with a passion uncontested that is bright.
- Glad to see you made it.
- Thanks, man.
- Have a good one.
- Later.
- Hey, what's up? - Hey.
I I thought you, I thought you left.
No, I'm still here.
Look, I know, it's I wasn't sure if it was gonna if it was gonna be your thing, anyway, so Look, I wasn't expecting to see Sage here tonight, since the Roll Out's typically only for students.
- Right.
- So, I'm just not sure if Sage would be cool with me getting close to a student, you know? Yeah, no, yeah, I get it.
Sure yeah.
Yeah, but, for now, can we just keep this on the low? Just between us two? Uh, maybe starting now.
[LAUGHING.]
Right.
Should I act like we're friends? Yeah, no, totally.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Can we talk? I'm sorry.
I know.
I put you in a difficult position, and I know you were just trying to help.
I owe you so much, especially after everything you've done for us.
- You were right and I was - Just stop it! Just fucking stop! It's a copy of my lease.
It says I'm the sole tenant.
Of this? Okay, look, I'm a little freaked out right now.
You wanna tell me what's going on? Now you're not homeless.
It's the first step to getting Justin back.
Look, Odalie, I'm grateful, okay, I really am.
But you're obviously a little crazy, okay? I'm not crazy, I'm rich.
What? I'm I'm nothing.
But my parents have money.
- A lot of money.
- No But you go to High Water.
That's for low-income artists.
I don't get it.
I know.
And now you know my secret.
I just hope I don't end up being the one that's sorry.
Keys are on the counter.
Keys? Odalie.
Odalie, where you going? [HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
[PHONE CHIMES.]
Welcome to the rap game Let me tell you my name Y'all meeting with a point-blank range You wanna be a rapper Well, I thank you Some more rapping by gun Look, you ain't gonna shoot I'm-a tell you one thing Mic motherfucking check, one, two.
Welcome to the rap game Party like this? Our business is gonna catch fire.
Next on Step Up: High Water [POPPY.]
Dondre's throwing white-boy parties now? - [ODALIE.]
Can Davis come? - I missed you.
- When can we, uh - Uh [DONDRE.]
This party could put us on the map for real.
- We have a problem.
- We had a deal! Ashley! It's me, Rich.
Look, I don't know you.
[MAN.]
Made in Georgia.
Dooba da-da dee-dee dah
[FOOTSTEPS CLIMBING STAIRS.]
[JUSTIN.]
Oh! Are you Odalie? - Whoa! - Fuck, Davis! Odalie, this is Justin.
Justin, this is Odalie.
It's your turn, papi.
What the fuck? Okay, look, I'm sorry, all right, but I had to get him out of there.
Get him out of where? The foster home.
It was so messed up.
Davis, did you kidnap your brother? [SIGHING.]
Do you want to tell me what you were thinking? Actually, no, let's start with this.
Why the hell didn't you call me back? I'm sorry.
I didn't call you 'cause I didn't want you - to get caught up in this.
- [SCOFFS.]
Then I realized I didn't have anywhere else to go.
So what's the deal? It was some Dateline NBC shit, I swear.
It was five kids in a room in a basement.
The shower was broken.
They didn't feed him for two days.
Shit.
Well, what about your parents? Does he have any family that he can go to? Our parents were deported.
Mexico.
But we got an aunt in LA.
I'm just trying to get some money together so I can meet her there.
Wait, so are you ever coming back? What about trying out for the tour? I'll be back.
Can we just stay here? - I don't know.
- Just for a couple days.
Please? Okay.
[JUSTIN WHEEZES.]
Thank you.
One thing I know I know 'bout dough Even know 'bout broke, been there before Was a long, long, long, long time ago - I never forget - [PHONE CHIMES.]
European whips and Cuban cigars Shorty hella mean but a really nice figure Platinum .
45 solid gold [MUSIC STOPS.]
Hey, you okay in there? You look a little insane.
- Hmm? - What's wrong? [SIGHS.]
It's-It's that guy I was telling you about.
You know, he hasn't called or text or DM'ed or anything.
Okay, well, chill.
He'll call or text or DM you or something, I'm sure.
- Boys are just - The fucking worst.
- Yes, they're terrible.
- [SOFT CHUCKLE.]
You know he's not gonna text you any faster just 'cause you're looking at your phone, though, right? Sorry.
What are you doing today? Good plan.
Hey.
Seeing you on this video, it was crazy.
I was so proud of you.
Thanks, J, it was.
And I've been proud watching you perform all my life.
You know that, right? [SIGHS.]
I gotta go.
- Don't eat too much shit, all right? - Yeah, no promises.
Shine in the winter time big and bold For the summertime I go find the snow [SIGHS.]
[MUSIC STOPS.]
[PHONE CHIMES.]
[JOHNNY-ONE.]
Hey, Tal, hey.
- Hey, what Hey.
- You, uh, you headed to class? Uh, no, just getting some extra practice.
Oh, cool.
I just wanted to apologize for being such a scatterbrain and not answering your texts.
Oh, yeah, man, it's cool.
Don't worry about it.
No, no, I had to fly to San Francisco for an emergency meeting.
Then I had back-to-back conference calls.
And then I had to approve some co-branding spots, so Anyway, forget about that.
How are you? What have you been up to? Uh, just, just hanging out.
Definitely nothing as exciting as you.
Stop.
It's just work, okay.
I would never blow you off.
Uh [CHUCKLES.]
Okay, that didn't come out right.
[PHONE RINGS.]
- Uh, I gotta take this.
- Yeah, sure.
- You sure? All right, cool.
- Yeah.
I'll catch you later.
Yo.
Yeah, you need them right now? - Yeah, okay.
- [COLLETTE.]
No, don't put me on hold.
I've already been on hold for ten minutes.
Hello? Damn it.
I can come back.
Hi, Odalie, have a seat.
Have you heard from Davis? No, I I mean, I haven't seen him in a while.
I just had a visit from Child Protective Services, and it appears that Davis' little brother Justin is missing.
What? That's crazy.
I mean, why would they come to you about it? Because he put his street address as High Water.
From what I understand, Davis has been homeless for several months.
Wow.
I had no idea.
If Davis doesn't come forward soon to clear himself, he could be in really big trouble.
And so could you if you know anything.
Look, I haven't seen Davis, and I don't know where he is.
Listen, Odalie, I know that getting in here feels like high stakes.
And everyone wants to put their best foot forward and constantly impress us.
But I also want you all to know that we're here to support you.
Like when things suck or you fall down.
We can help then, too.
Mm-hmm.
Okay, thank you.
You can go.
Okay, thanks.
[DEE.]
And one, two, three, and four.
[DANCE MUSIC.]
[DEE.]
Whoa! - [DEE.]
Cute.
- [TAL.]
Very nice.
What? Is Is this for rehearsal for an assignment, 'cause I definitely did not go over this.
We're just getting our shit together for the J-Sette battle - at the Roll-Out tomorrow night.
- The Roll-Out? The Roll-Out is the little shindig that the students get together and throw every few months.
No teachers, no faculty.
Okay, so what's a what's a J-Sette? [ALL LAUGHING.]
Hmm Now you really have to be there.
J-Sette is precision.
J-Sette is life.
And, uh, I peeped you over there talking to that fine-ass Johnny-One? Feel free to bring a friend if you want.
Ladies.
All right, come on.
Yo, my pops is ready for war.
He was ready to go to High Water and go at Sage.
But I had to tell him, "Yo, chill out.
" Yeah, I bet your pops was heated, man.
Yeah, when I think about everything my dad did to help Sage out, it only makes me hate him even more.
Yo, is that the Zoom R-8? This studio gonna be lit, man.
Hey, um, I know things got kinda heated.
Don't trip, don't trip, all right? Look, we boys.
We gonna be good always, you know what I mean? Besides, my dad wants me working on my own shit, 24/7.
He says Sage was just holding me back, anyways.
I feel him, man.
You gotta use this time to create some hot-ass music.
Man, if Sage would've just came with the fire in the first place, I would've never clowned his wack ass.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
I can't front, though.
The new track he dropped, joint is dope.
What I don't understand is how did he take a wack song and make it a hot-ass hit overnight? I guess that's what makes him the genius, right? - I just wish he woulda - It's whatever, man.
You ain't missing nothing at High Water, bro.
Man, I'm glad that's how you feel, bro.
'Cause I'm telling you, me and you, together, we tight, bro.
And once I set all this shit up, we gonna really make some shit happen.
Yeah, man, you know when we collab, we always bring the dopeness.
With your bars and my beats, man, come on, man, you know we got this.
- Ah! - Ah! [CHUCKLES.]
Yeah, when that debut album is hot, Sage is gonna be mad that he kicked you out.
Word.
But, yo, check it, I got this song, right.
- [PHONE CHIMES.]
- Oh, hold on.
- [PHONE CHIMES.]
- Oh, hold on, man.
Oh, shit.
Uh, yo, Sage need me back at the studio, man.
So, what, you about to dip? Yeah, I gotta see what he want, right? - Yeah, cool.
- See you later, man.
Like a dog off the leash, you'll see Watch me Hey, my favorite twin brother is home.
- Hi.
- What? - Yeah.
- You mean your only twin.
- How are you? - What do you want? - What do you mean? - I mean, what do you want? So, how would you like to fill in for me at Wangs tomorrow? Uh, I feel like I want that as much as I want an enema.
Come on, please, Tal.
Dondre found this chick who was willing to pay us a lot of money to do her birthday party in Marietta, and we have to go location scouting.
Well, that's great, but I'm already doing my shift with Al tonight, so And besides, I What? Spill it.
I was thinking maybe I'd ask Johnny-One to this, like, party thing at school.
Oh, the Johnny boy.
Why haven't you asked him already? I don't know, 'cause he's like, he's like Sage's guy.
He's like a big deal.
And, he's, he's all like fancy and stuff.
- Oh, he's fancy.
- Yeah, shut up, he's fancy.
I don't know, he has, like, a virtual assistant and he has he's 19 and he has an apartment, okay.
And it's you know, it's lame.
He probably doesn't wanna go to a school party.
Well, you don't know.
He might wanna go.
You should ask him.
- Maybe, I - Yeah.
I don't know him that well, so Well, I think you should do what every other kid in the 21st century does when they like a guy.
- What? - Stalk his Instagram.
No, I'm serious, though.
You could find out what he's into.
Plus, you can see if he's dating anyone.
Yeah.
[SOFT CHUCKLE.]
Are you fucking kidding me? Obama? [SIGHS.]
Can this be so hard? Change of plan, I can absolutely take your stupid shift tomorrow.
- Seriously? - Yeah.
Well, what happened with the Johnny-One boy? He's busy.
Whenever I want her she come over Yeah, I got it like that I counted up ways at my door I made my figures bounce back She thought it over she ain't want me Now she gotta bounce back Bounce back Bounce back, yeah Yo, she sounding right.
- Yo, yo.
- [MUSIC STOPS.]
Hey, this is the kid, King, I was telling you about.
- King, this is - Kodie Shane, yeah.
I saw you at the Masquerade a while back at Raurfest.
- I've been a fan ever since.
- [KODIE LAUGHS.]
- What brings you to High Water? - It's you, man.
Sage called me up and said he wanted us to connect.
Yeah, yeah.
Hey, come here right quick.
See, you write and produce, which means the sky is the limit for somebody like you, if you know the right people.
So I'm gonna make sure that I put you in front of the up-and-coming, at least the ones I think are dope, anyway.
Definitely feel like you could learn something from Kodie.
That's high praise coming from somebody like you.
- What's up, bro? - What's up? - Nice to meet you.
- Yeah.
So, since you're here, why don't you, uh, get in there and get on them keys and show us what you got? Oh, um, no way, I couldn't.
Come on, you ain't gonna leave both of us disappointed, right? [CLEARS THROAT.]
King, get your ass in there - and show her something, come on, man.
- All right, all right.
Hey, Kodie, I'm gonna pull up the thing from earlier, yeah? - Let's do it.
- All right.
King, just vibe to it, whatever comes in your mind.
Can you hear me? Here we go.
- [KEYBOARD MUSIC.]
- [VOCALIZING ON TRACK .]
Yo, I'm feeling this already.
Can this be so hard? I like that bring it over here I like that Lookin' at my diamonds, she like that Lookin' at my diamonds, they bite back Yeah, they bite back, you like that I just came in and I'm right back My brother holds the door, he gon' bust back I just came in and he like that He like that, yeah, he like that You know that they're probably looking for you.
Yeah, but they don't know where I am.
I'm homeless.
I don't got no paper trail.
Yeah, well, they knew enough to come looking for you at High Water.
Look, I know I been asking you for a lot.
I just need a little time to get some cash to get him to California, okay? I got you.
You know, this is not what I want.
I wanna get custody, but I'm broke, and I just I just don't got my shit together right now.
I think I can get my hands on some cash.
- No.
- Come on.
I can, you said you needed only a couple hundred No, okay? Look, you're working way too hard to keep all this up.
Especially after all you've done for us, no.
I'll come up with the money somehow.
[SIGHS.]
You know, looking out at all this makes me feel like the city belongs to us.
Bigger the heart The harder they fall Yeah, the harder they fall It's all your fault Bigger the heart The harder they fall Yeah, the harder they fall Ooh, it's all your fault Locked eyes on the first day Tripped up in the worst way, yeah Lost my mind when I saw you lose your mind on me The energy between us, so magnetic The way your skin blends in I don't regret it Bigger the heart The harder they fall Yeah, the harder they fall It's all your fault And my heart go Oh, oh, oh And my heart go Oh, oh, oh And my heart wanna sing now, yeah Don't wanna separate no separate Then we can collaborate, collaborate That's love like the first grade, the first grade And my heart now wants to beat again Don't wanna separate, no separate Love it when we collaborate, collaborate Just like love at the first grade, the first grade First, grade, yeah, my heart wanna sing now, yeah The beginning of this shit is simplest.
It's paying dues.
That's it.
You stay patient, you stay steadfast, make it about the work, this thing can be a serious blessing, bro.
You know I can, man.
It's gonna be frustrating in the beginning.
What it's about, though, is making sure you're ready to seize that moment when it comes.
Yeah, hope I will be.
You're gonna be all right, you're gonna be fine.
I mean, you jumped right in with Kodie Shane.
You know, you held your own.
Okay, well, let's keep it funky, - you was a little shook.
- Oh, c'mon, man.
You were a little shook in the beginning, come on, man.
All right, I was shook a little bit.
But I know how to keep my cool around a dope lady.
Mm-hm, yeah, I'm sure you do.
[KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.]
Come in.
Oh, and the cavalry has arrived.
Ladies, are you all ready to go? [WOMAN.]
Oh, yes.
Brotha, good work today.
But if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go turn up.
Oh, but before I do, I'd like to introduce you to my lovely friend, Angel.
I think you all should be friends, too.
Yeah.
Have fun, have fun.
Ladies, let's go, let's go, let's go.
[SLOW TEMPO MUSIC PLAYS.]
- Pain - Ain't no other way That's, um, that's a nice dress.
no other way now Oh oh oh - Pain - Yes, ain't no other way Ohh Pain It's a shame it's going to have to come off.
Oh oh oh From this mad love Don't release us Ohhh You're bad at struggle Your troubles are released I won't think about you Amen, so it be [SIREN WAILS IN DISTANCE.]
You know, sometimes I think you're so beautiful it's painful.
That's a funny thing to say.
Yeah, I know, but it's the truth.
[ODALIE.]
We should check on Justin.
He's been watching TV for a while.
Yeah, he should be hungry by now.
- I'll grab us some dinner.
- Hell, no, you won't.
Look, I'm gonna go get us the best dinner 20 bucks can buy.
- Davis, don't be stupid.
- Just let me do this.
All right, and I swear to God I'm gonna fix this whole situation so we can get out of your business as soon as possible.
I gotta get him safe as soon as I can.
And, man, I would like a clean slate, just so we can figure us out, you know? Just give me some time to make it work.
Okay.
Come on.
- We have a lot to celebrate.
- Yes, I saw.
- Now I propose shot contests.
- Shot contests? So you're gonna have to take more shots.
You know I'm gonna win, right? Oh, you gonna let her, you gonna let her say that? Every time.
Uh, y'all wait in the car, okay? I'll be there in one second.
- Okay.
- I'll be there in a second.
So, when does construction start? - In a month.
- You know what, I still cannot believe that you found a donor and pulled this whole thing together.
But, then again, you are you, so, guess it makes sense.
Yeah, I, uh, I'm really excited.
- I think it's gonna be awesome.
- I think so, too.
I have to admit, this is, this is better than anything I could have ever imagined.
And I know I owe a lot of that to you.
Do you remember when we first, first started talking about putting this whole thing together? Yes.
Yes, I do.
I remember you were blowing up my phone all night with this crazy ass idea.
I thought it was a booty call.
But, no, you were right on time.
I was miserable, teaching in the public school system.
Everything was broken, and I didn't know how to fix it.
So you and this idea? It changed all that.
Couldn't have done it without you.
You inspire me.
Seriously, you're always talking about how important the arts are and what this means for the community.
Look, I don't gotta tell you that I've done a lot of trivial shit.
But, this place, I think this is the most important thing I've ever done.
That's why I'm here.
And I am extremely happy that you're here with me.
Me too.
[SOFT CHUCKLE.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Sage, let's go, baby.
Be there in a second.
We're killing it.
Yeah, yeah, we are.
[HIP-HOP PLAYING IN BACKGROUND.]
- Thanks.
- [GIRL.]
See you later.
- What's going on, man? - Hey, how's it going? - Davis? How's it going! - What's up, man? Where the hell have you been? I've just been taking care of some family stuff, man.
- You all right? - Yeah, yeah, I'm good.
- When are you coming back? - Soon, soon.
- Hopefully.
- Okay, what can I get you? Oh, I ordered the takeout, man.
Two number threes and a number four.
Oh, right.
Yeah.
Okay, that's $18.
64.
- $18.
64.
- [REGISTER BEEPING.]
[PHONE RINGING.]
Wigs and Wangs.
Al's Wigs and Wangs.
Yes, I did.
- One sec.
- Yeah.
Yes, I did.
Uncle Al, I put it back.
Davis! - What the fuck are you doing? - Fuck.
Nothing.
I'll do it.
All right, bye.
Hey, Odalie, what's up? - Hey, Tal.
- How's it going? - Good.
We gotta go.
Okay.
- Okay.
Okay, cool.
Yeah, well, I guess I'll see you at school.
See you there.
Uh, hey, Davis, did I give you your change? You keep it, man.
You sure? Thanks, man.
Hey, buddy, it's time to get ready for bed, okay? So what the hell was that about? - I fucked up, okay? - You almost fucked up royally.
Was that your big plan? Steal some money and then take Justin to California? Look, I gotta get us outta here, okay? And I'm not letting him go back to foster care.
Maybe if you just turn Justin over to CPS then they can figure something out and you won't get in trouble.
You clearly have no idea how this shit works, huh.
The fucking system, Immigration and Child Services, I mean, they're the reason why we're in this position to begin with.
Look, maybe I asked you for too much, I get it.
It's not that I don't want to help you.
I just don't think you sheltering him right now is the best idea.
What happens if you get caught? What happens to you and Justin? And you just got into High Water.
Listen, High Water's a luxury that I can't afford right now.
High Water is an opportunity of a lifetime.
Yeah, well sometimes opportunities of a lifetime are too expensive for people like me.
Fine.
If you're not gonna do the right thing, then at least let me keep you from adding robbery to the list of your fuck-ups.
Yo, I'm done taking charity.
And where the fuck do you keep getting so much money from? Hey, papi.
- Did you brush your teeth? - Yes.
Why you lying, huh? You gotta brush your teeth.
Come on, you don't want your teeth to fall out, do you? [JOHNNY-ONE.]
Excuse me, is there anything for vegetarians on your menu? Uh [LAUGHS.]
Hey, what are you doing here? Honestly? I was waiting to hear from you.
And when you didn't call, I got really freaking bummed out.
So I decided to come find you.
I hope that doesn't make me sound like a stalker.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
Look, I'm sorry, all right, I am.
Like, I wanted to call you.
I just, it's intimidating, you know? You work for one of the biggest stars on the planet.
Okay, you take business meetings halfway around the world.
You have like a real life and a job.
And I'm just trying to not fuck up in class, you know, so it's Yeah, I know.
My job is just that, a job.
It doesn't define who I am.
I really did want to call you.
I I was going to invite you this thing called the Roll Out.
- It's a party at school.
- Really? - Yeah, it was stupid, though.
- No, no, no, it's not stupid.
I've actually, uh, never been to a school dance before.
Right, me either.
I guess I always had bigger things on my mind.
And then I got this amazing offer from Sage.
Looking back, I guess I just skipped some of the important stuff.
Yeah, well, I spent all my school dances helping my sister get ready, so - You did? - Yeah.
I always said it was like silly bullshit, you know, but I guess I was kind of hiding, or something, you know? Yeah.
Well, the Roll Out sounds amazing.
Sure would be nice if someone were to ask me to go.
[POUNDING ON THE DOOR.]
Oh, shit.
Papi, get up, we gotta go, okay? Gotta go, get your stuff, come on.
Odalie, it's Child Services.
We'll hide in the back room until they go, okay? Come on, pa-pa, let's go, let's go.
Let's go.
I'm sorry.
What are you doing? How could you do this to us? - Davis, you have to trust us.
- [DAVIS.]
What? I'm sorry, but Justin has to come with us.
- I don't want to go.
- Man, you get the hell back.
- You're not taking him.
- They have to.
I'm sorry.
- I can't believe you told her.
- She did the right thing.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
King King! What's going on, boy? So, how was last night? Details, details, details, last night.
Come on, buddy, give it to me.
Um it was cool.
That's it, just cool? - Yeah.
- It's supposed to be hot, man.
You know, I remember my first time.
Oh, yeah.
So what makes you think last night was my first time? - Oh, my bad, I just - It's cool, man.
No, don't worry about it.
People usually make assumptions about my life.
It's Most of the time it's not true.
I feel you on that.
I gotta let you know, man.
I-I really admire you, bro.
Like, real talk, you inspire me.
Usually when people say that I inspire them, usually what that means is that if they were me, they probably would have killed themselves.
- Nah - Look, man, I'm not trying to inspire people 'cause I'm different.
I'm trying to inspire people because I'm good.
No, no, I feel you on that, I feel you.
You want your talent to shine through.
I get that, I completely get that, right, but, listen, our lives may not be exactly the same, but I've definitely been through some shit.
I know where you're coming from.
I mean, the violence, drugs, fucked-up family life.
Trust me, brother, I've been there.
Listen, all I have to say, I didn't let it stop me.
- You understand? - Yeah.
We got a lot in common.
We're both fighters.
And we both use pain to feel our creativity.
So check this out.
I got a little proposition for you.
I am headed to the Bahamas for the next two weeks or so, to finish up my album.
I think you should come with me.
Yeah, man, you'll be writing, producing, the whole nine.
So do I get like producer credits and royalties? Slow down.
No, no, not yet.
But what you do get, money cannot buy.
Access to genius.
Come on, man, you gonna be rolling with me, and I'm not talking just the studio.
Dinners, hanging out, clubbing, whatever.
Where I go, you go.
That's time, experience, mentorship, all that.
Now, as far as the music, maybe I use some of your stuff, maybe I don't.
That's not the important part.
What's important is that this is your golden ticket.
I feel like you should take it.
It sounds amazing, man, you know, um But I got loyalties, you know, people who I've been working with for forever.
Mm, okay, I get it.
So you feel like hanging around with East-O as he hustles mix tapes and struggle beats is gonna get you somewhere? And mind you, Rigo's talented.
But that fucking attitude on that dude? The two of them together? Nowheresville quickly.
Listen, bro, if you're gonna be successful in this life, it will because you stood on the shoulders of giants.
I'm the fucking giant.
Okay? But, listen, no pressure.
You wanna sit here, play small with your boys, it's your call.
I'm gonna be in the Bahamas.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna do some giant shit.
Think about what I said.
Golden ticket, they don't come around often.
Remember that.
I can't do it.
You're gonna have to arrest me.
- He'll be okay.
- Yeah, that's what they all say.
Davis, I know that it's hard for you to trust anyone right now.
You're damn right it is.
But Odalie did the right thing.
[DAVIS.]
Yeah, she may think so.
Davis, do you think I'm without resources? We deal with difficult situations like this with our students more than you know.
We're here to nurture you in every way.
So I made some calls, I pulled some strings.
I got Justin placed with a very credible family home.
It's one of the best in the area.
And I can help you if you want to work on getting custody.
- Are you serious? - Mm-hmm.
Okay, papi, it's time to go, okay? No! Hey, it's gonna be all right, I promise.
- They're gonna take care of you, okay? - No, I wanna stay.
Hey, no, no, no, no, look, this is just temporary, okay? I'm never gonna leave you behind.
I love you.
I love you, too, papi.
You did the right thing.
[SOBBING.]
[HIP-HOP PLAYING.]
[TAL.]
Hey! Hey, yo, she's in my class.
but it doesn't have me I feel so underdressed being here.
No, you look fine.
You look fine.
[RAPPING.]
[CHEERING.]
[WOMAN.]
Thank y'all, thank y'all, thank y'all.
All right, all right, now everybody clear out for the J-Sette dance battle.
Oh, this is it! This is it! This is the dance battle? [DANCE MUSIC.]
Okay, this is not what I was expecting.
I know, right, but it's cool.
[CHEERING.]
Yeah! Whoo! - [CHEERING.]
- yeah! [CHEERING GETS LOUDER.]
What's going on, everybody, eh? All right, all right, all right, everybody settle, everybody settle, everybody settle.
Listen, listen, I know that this is only supposed to be for the students.
I crashed the party, I'm sorry.
Nah, fuck it, I'm ain't sorry, damn it.
[CHEERING.]
But I am still on a high from my ridiculously successful live stream that we put on together.
Give yourselves a round of applause for that.
[CHEERING.]
So since I'm here to show my undying gratitude, I brought a little surprise with me, something that I feel like is going to add a little extra fire to this already hot-ass party.
Ladies and gentlemen, please show your love for one of the most talented upcomings I've seen in a very long time, Kodie Shane! [CHEERING.]
All right, so I wanna bring out the coolest cat here, somebody I definitely hope to be doing music with in the future, one of your own King, where you at? [CHEERING.]
Okay, so this song right here is something me and King put together last night.
I hope you guys love it.
Let's do it.
[CHEERING.]
[SOULFUL MUSIC PLAYS.]
And it's okay - Hey! - Are you in to me? Feel your energy I can feel your energy Pretend to be pretend to be If you're not into me I only give it to Am I right? So it's only me and you up inside Are you into me? Feel your energy I can feel your energy Pretend to be You pretend to be If you my enemy I only give it to Am I right? So it's only me and you up inside Yah, yah Yah, yah And now I only give you to Am I right? Hey But you're there for me So it's only me and you Yeah, it's only me and you Are you into me? Feel your energy I can feel your energy Pretend to be you pretend to be If you're not into me It's only me and you up inside [CHEERING.]
All right, all right, all right, show your love one more time for Kodie Shane! [CHEERING.]
This could be your whole life, man.
Listen, we heading to the Bahamas tonight.
You let me know, all right? And one more time for High Water's own, King! [CHEERING.]
Yeah! Let's keep this party going! Y'all, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up! Life ain't a game [PHONE CHIMES.]
Boy, I already told you It may be a shame But it isn't only for you Be strong Be strong Everything is gonna be All right [COUGHS.]
[CHEERING.]
- That was great.
That was cool.
- Yeah.
[SLOW-TEMPO DANCE MUSIC PLAYS.]
You, uh you wanna dance, or? Uh - No, it's fine.
- No, no, I want to.
I need you more than I would like to admit So cut the shit and let's just do it again I'm going, going you should go with me Roll a bit in my whip It smelled like potpourri [SONG CONTINUES, ELECTRONICALLY DISTORTED.]
I don't know you I don't know - Uh - What's up, what did I do? Nothing, nothing, you're fine.
- It's just, uh - What? Technically, I'm at work right now.
- So - What do you mean, you're? Can I talk to you later? - Um, okay, sure.
- All right.
I'm sorry.
I'm all faded by like ten I just hyped up in advance She just broke up with her man Can the choir say amen? We just fucked it up again [SUSPENSEFUL VIDEO GAME MUSIC.]
[GRUNTS.]
Where is it? [KNOCKING ON THE DOOR.]
[KING.]
Yo, yo! Yo, what's got you all hyped? Bro, you would not believe what just happened, man.
Oh, yeah, what happened? So, I got to meet and play with Kodie Shane, bro.
- What? How? - Yeah.
Sage set the whole thing up.
I show up to his studio and she's already there looking fine as hell, man.
So she starts talking to me about all this shit with Sage and stuff.
Oh, wait, so you and Sage, what, y'all friends now? Man, why are you even entertaining him and his bullshit, bro? I mean, it was cool when you two was chumming it up.
Now that he's helping me out, is there a difference? Yeah, that was before.
How can you kick it with this herb ass nigger, brother, especially after what he did to me? I still go High Water, man, what am I supposed to do? Man, where your loyalty at, bro? And whose side are you really on? You really wanna talk to me about loyalty, man? You really wanna bring that shit up? But why don't we talk about how you and East-O are the reason I'm in this fucking chair? Yeah, you remember that shit? We're on the way back from the park in your dad's car, and all of a sudden we hear gunshots, and it turns out it's for your father.
And maybe even you.
And the car flips over and yet I'm the only one who doesn't walk away.
I lose my legs, and I'm still here holding you down.
And you wanna talk to me about loyalty? Hey look, bro, I be holding you down, too, man.
Any opportunity that ever came my way, I always try to give you shine.
Man, fuck your shine.
I was the best dancer in Atlanta.
Yo, what the fuck do you want me to say, dog? What's wrong with you? 'Cause the way I see it, all I ever tried to do was help you out, bro.
Bullshit, because the way that I see it, things only matter when they're popping for Rigo.
When all of the opportunities put you at front and center and I'm the one in the back playing the music, but I'm done with that shit, man.
Oh, my God, Sage actually offered me to go to the Bahamas to work on his new album.
And I almost turned that shit down, just to stay here with your ass.
Bro, listen, all I'm trying to say is Sage ain't gonna look out for nobody but himself, bro.
Yeah, sounds like somebody else I know.
King You know what, man? I actually have an opportunity to do some shit for myself for once, to actually make some real money.
[SCOFFS.]
I'm done being your fucking flunky.
I've got a plane to catch.
[SIGHS.]
Hey, that J-Sette was fire, dude.
You guys are good.
Why, thank you, thank you.
I burn with a passion uncontested that is bright.
- Glad to see you made it.
- Thanks, man.
- Have a good one.
- Later.
- Hey, what's up? - Hey.
I I thought you, I thought you left.
No, I'm still here.
Look, I know, it's I wasn't sure if it was gonna if it was gonna be your thing, anyway, so Look, I wasn't expecting to see Sage here tonight, since the Roll Out's typically only for students.
- Right.
- So, I'm just not sure if Sage would be cool with me getting close to a student, you know? Yeah, no, yeah, I get it.
Sure yeah.
Yeah, but, for now, can we just keep this on the low? Just between us two? Uh, maybe starting now.
[LAUGHING.]
Right.
Should I act like we're friends? Yeah, no, totally.
[KNOCKING ON DOOR.]
Can we talk? I'm sorry.
I know.
I put you in a difficult position, and I know you were just trying to help.
I owe you so much, especially after everything you've done for us.
- You were right and I was - Just stop it! Just fucking stop! It's a copy of my lease.
It says I'm the sole tenant.
Of this? Okay, look, I'm a little freaked out right now.
You wanna tell me what's going on? Now you're not homeless.
It's the first step to getting Justin back.
Look, Odalie, I'm grateful, okay, I really am.
But you're obviously a little crazy, okay? I'm not crazy, I'm rich.
What? I'm I'm nothing.
But my parents have money.
- A lot of money.
- No But you go to High Water.
That's for low-income artists.
I don't get it.
I know.
And now you know my secret.
I just hope I don't end up being the one that's sorry.
Keys are on the counter.
Keys? Odalie.
Odalie, where you going? [HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
[PHONE CHIMES.]
Welcome to the rap game Let me tell you my name Y'all meeting with a point-blank range You wanna be a rapper Well, I thank you Some more rapping by gun Look, you ain't gonna shoot I'm-a tell you one thing Mic motherfucking check, one, two.
Welcome to the rap game Party like this? Our business is gonna catch fire.
Next on Step Up: High Water [POPPY.]
Dondre's throwing white-boy parties now? - [ODALIE.]
Can Davis come? - I missed you.
- When can we, uh - Uh [DONDRE.]
This party could put us on the map for real.
- We have a problem.
- We had a deal! Ashley! It's me, Rich.
Look, I don't know you.
[MAN.]
Made in Georgia.
Dooba da-da dee-dee dah