She's Gotta Have It (2017) s01e09 Episode Script

1 [HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
One, two, one, two, three Where Brooklyn at? Where Brooklyn at? Where Brooklyn at? Where Brooklyn at? [SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYS.]
Truth be told, 2016 was just a fucked-up year.
And the bogus election was the biggest fuck-up of all time.
2016, you bitch, you robbed us of Muhammad Ali, Prince, David Bowie, Maurice White, Rod Temperton, Leonard Cohen, Natalie Cole, George Martin, Phife Dawg, Harper Lee, Bill "Radio Raheem" Nunn, Afeni Shakur, and too many more to mention in this moment of time and space.
God bless.
2016, you motherfucker.
Well, you did make me reflect on the noble folks who have inspired me, and today, I pay homage and give thanks to them.
In closing, this pilgrimage has me thinking about my own transition.
I might get cremated, my gray ashes spread over my beloved Fort Greene Park.
I love you all dearly, except D.
T.
[INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PLAYING.]
- Settle down! Okay! - [PEOPLE CLAMORING.]
[BIANCA.]
All right, I appreciate all of you coming out tonight, I do.
Thank you.
There is one final order of business.
So, as you may know, some heartless thug has been defacing our homes and our businesses with a large green "G.
" For "gentrification.
" Don't leave that part out.
Graffiti was here before us.
It'll be here after we're gone.
- Say word! - [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Mr.
Max, are you suggesting we just accept the defacement of our brownstones? No, I'm saying we have bigger fish to fry.
Like why have they kicked all of the black and brown men out of Fort Greene Park simply for playing soccer? - There were noise complaints.
- [MAX.]
Oh, yeah, right.
However, right now, we are talking about vandalism.
- And it is clear who the culprit is.
- [MAN.]
Who? Papo.
Naw, uh-uh! You got that wrong, okay? You got the wrong Dominican! - Bianca, really? Come on.
- Leave the man alone.
No, he clearly has an agenda to scare the newer neighbors in Fort Greene.
Papo is a part of this community.
He's the mayor of our block.
He's not my mayor.
I did not vote for Papo.
- There goes the problem.
- The man is a mental case.
You're right, Bianca.
Papo does have mental issues.
He's seen all kinds of horrible things in Afghanistan, defending the red, white, and blue for everyone here, in BK and in the US of A.
[CHEERING.]
- Yes, Papo! - [BIANCA.]
All right, calm down.
I hear you, Nola, and I respect anyone who serves.
- But the man's a vagrant.
- No, he is an artist.
- Un artista.
- Have you even seen his work? No, I haven't, but I have smelled the mess he's made out of my garbage.
He does leave quite a mess.
We paid a lot to have our vestibule renovated, and to see it covered in trash Oh! The terror! The trashy mess! Children starving the world over! Patriarchy staining young minds and vaginas! The FBI classifies Black Lives Matter as a hate group! Black lives matter! White lives Sorry! - All lives matter! - Black lives matter! - [PEOPLE CLAMORING.]
- All lives matter! [CLAMORING CONTINUES.]
Black lives matter! [CLAMORING CONTINUES.]
- Stop it, please! - [STOKELY.]
Can I say somethin'? Stokes, please.
I, for one, did not come here to gang up on Miss Tate.
Thank you.
Sure, her designer panties are tightly bound.
[LAUGHTER.]
- That's no secret.
- But it's our differences that make Fort Greene great.
The new folks, you gonna keep on comin'.
And the old heads, well, we ain't goin' nowhere.
- [MAN.]
That's right.
- That's right.
But we have to Excuse me.
We have got to find a way to make it work.
We should have a potluck dinner, and we should use the day to get to know each other better.
- What do you say? - I wanna ask a question.
I-I just I-I wanna ask a question.
[BIANCA.]
Yes, Mr.
Darling, the floor is yours.
Okay, this'll be the last thing I'm gonna say.
To be or not to be? [LAUGHTER.]
That is the motherfuckin' question.
[CHEERING.]
Most of the people I grew up with moved away after college.
And who can blame 'em? You go away to get a degree, only to come home and pay three times the rent? And yet, you've vigilantly remained.
Brooklyn's home.
I ain't leavin'.
No matter how much it changes or how broke I get.
Being broke, that ain't no joke.
What I meant to say is that you are carrying a lot on your shoulders.
Your financial struggles, your friend Shemekka - She's doing a lot better.
- God bless.
But what about you? - You had that tough review.
- I'm okay.
Okay, I'm fine, but it isn't just the review.
My whole art life is just in struggle mode.
I'm creating all the time, but I can't help wondering if I'm ever gonna make it as an artist or if I'm just gonna end up like Papo.
He's my friend.
He was an Afghan war vet.
Damn good artist in high school, but just couldn't survive the changes.
That's an understandable fear.
Would you feel more secure if, uh, you didn't have to juggle your art aspirations and your many relationships? You say that like you think they're a distraction.
But can you focus with three boyfriends? - They're not my boyfriends.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
"Lovers," in addition to Opal.
That's four.
I admit I may have slipped up and called one by the other's name, but I never confuse their energies.
Is their energy feeding your voice as an artist? - All bring something different out.
- Tell me about that.
Mars makes me laugh until my sides hurt.
We just have fun together, you know? He makes me feel like a kid again.
- Greer? - Greer is spontaneous, surprisingly cultured.
Nothing is ever the same with him.
Definitely not the sex.
- Jamie? - It's a little more, um intricate.
Oh, of course, of course.
The estranged wife.
It was convenient at first.
Him taking my broke ass to The River Café? Buying my art when no one else would? But then something shifted.
I care about him.
And he cares about me in a way that no one ever has.
Not even your parents? Jamie's grown.
I like that energy.
He's a very nurturing parent.
A father figure.
Same thing with Opal.
She's the kind of woman I aspire to be.
Well, you'll get there, in your own time.
It sounds like, all together, your lovers make the perfect mate.
But you don't think that's smart.
I didn't say that.
I got it all under wraps, Doc Jamison.
For one, Opal's not even a problem.
I never see anyone more than twice a week, no two lovers in one day, no sex without a condom, and no sex - if it ain't in my lovin' bed.
- Got a lot of rules there.
Gotta maintain some kinda control.
Or what? Let's go back to your art opening.
- Do we have to? That was weeks ago.
- I know, I know, and I know it was tough, but I think it's a great opportunity for us to examine your ability to maintain control.
- Or lack thereof.
- How'd it feel having all your lovers - in one space? - Bananas! [CHUCKLES.]
Like I was putting out a lot of fires.
And what would have happened if you just let the fires burn? - I couldn't do that.
- But this was your big night.
And instead of being present for your art I chose to put out the fires.
Fuck.
Don't beat yourself up, Nola.
You are a vibrant black and beautiful young female artist.
- You should be enjoying your life.
- But isn't it time I grew up? You know, responsibilities and shit? Saturn's return means I could be making major decisions that could impact the rest of my life, like who I end up with.
And I'm over here putting out fires? I don't want you to feel pressured to choose, but the reality is that each lover will most likely want more of your time and heart and soul.
But what will you have left for yourself? For your art? Can I make a suggestion? Opal was always very transparent with you.
Maybe it's time to take a page out of her book.
Maybe full disclosure will help lift this burden that you've been carrying help you steer clear of making your male lovers a three-headed monster.
A three-headed monster.
If the truth hurts so be it.
Give me a big slide, my supergirl! Oh! Oh, goodness, when did you get so big, huh? Mmm.
You know I love you more than anythin', right? - Yeah.
- I love you, Nadia.
- I love you too, Mommy.
- Mm.
Give me a big kiss.
Mwah! - [SIGHS.]
Ready to play again? - Yes.
Okay, let's go.
[PHONE VIBRATING.]
Mekka! What's good, killah? Painting.
No boys today.
It's all about this work.
- Good for you.
- How you feelin'? Grindin', tryin' to get some bills paid.
Oh.
If a lady named Carmelita gives you a call, I was your assistant for, like, a year.
I was very polite, always on time, and mad stylish.
I'm glad you're You know, I'm glad.
[SIGHS.]
Come on, Nola, man.
Don't get all emo on me again.
We almost lost you.
I can't be happy that my hustlin'-ass friend is back from the dead? [SIGHS.]
Don't say "ass.
" [BOTH LAUGH.]
Naw, but seriously, you know I'm the bounce-back queen.
I got a baby to raise.
So, if that lady calls, hook it up.
I need the shmoney, bad.
You know they're hiring lunch staff at Tubman, right? Bitch, Harriet Tubman ain't free us to be slingin' no sloppy joes to no bad-ass kids.
Harriet ain't want that for me.
[MAN ON TV.]
Black girl booty magic! [NOLA.]
Hello? You still there? [MAN ON TV.]
Black girl booty magic! Yeah.
Uh, let me give you a call right back.
A'ight.
Season 3 is about to come.
You are invited to compete.
Get your booty competition on! Yo, Connie, turn that shit off.
Romare Bearden is the collagist of our day, and he's a black man.
How cool is that? This piece is called Young Students, and it depicts a street scene.
So, today, we're gonna make our own collages that show what our own neighborhoods look and feel like.
You've cut out the things you like.
Now, let's start to arrange them in a creative way.
Let's get to work.
- Reggie, are you on your phone? - But, Ms.
Darling - You know I do not allow phones - But, Ms.
Darling, it's you.
- What? - [BOY.]
That's really you? [NOLA.]
Shit.
Ooh! Shut up! Can't you see she's already shook? You famous now, Ms.
Darling? Ms.
Darling, how many likes you got? - Two thousand.
- [BOY.]
Damn, yo! It's been a long time since I've seen an artist like that.
It reminds me of a poem.
It's beautiful in the space.
- I really love it.
- Really, Clo? Really? I'm sorry, Tatyana.
Do you mind just giving us one second? - Sure.
- Thank you so much, thank you.
Do we have a problem? I've known Nola Darling for quite some time, but once I saw her powerful campaign, her My Name Isn't, I knew this street artist would be the art world's next force of nature.
- You're welcome? - I didn't want this out there.
Really? 'Cause that post got over 50,000 views.
Do you know how many times I've seen "My Name Isn't" as a hashtag? That's not the fucking point.
- Well, then, what is the point? - Look, I didn't Who told you? Who do you think? Mars.
He was concerned about how broke you've been.
And I'm trying to understand why you're so mad right now.
- Street artist? - Did I lie? It's one series of fucking work.
It came out of my assault.
It's not who I am! Okay, well, who else would know this other than me, your parents, and the folks that were here for the group show? You're a real talent.
It's just time for you to shine.
Not like this.
Well, then how? Like it or not, adversity serves you.
It brings out the best of you, and this is your best work yet.
I just don't know why you kept this from me for so long.
I mean, it's so bold and fierce and unapologetically feminist and fearlessly anti-misogynist.
I mean, this should've been at the group show.
That's not for you to decide.
Thanks to that post, several people are interested.
There's been a lot of inquiries in the last hour alone.
And one celebrity client, who I can't really reveal his identity, but let's just say his name rhymes with Shmenny Shmabitz.
[LAUGHING.]
Okay? You're not happy.
No, I'm not.
I just helped you launch your career in a big way.
Most artists would kill for that kind of exposure, and all you're giving me is an attitude.
Because you never asked me, Clo.
- Like you did with Mars? - Are you fucking kidding me? How many times are you gonna bring that up? Did you wanna share? Forget it.
I did this because this was the boost that you needed.
Well, you don't know everything, Clorinda Bradford.
No, but I know more than you about how this art world works, Ms.
Darling.
Word? You know me more than me? Did you know I'm about to walk the fuck out of the New Medina Gallery right now? Nola.
Nola! Okay, what? So, you're just gonna hide? Like some scared little girl? Nola, who do you think helped put this red dot on the wall? Good luck with that.
In my head - [MARS.]
You a'ight? - [NOLA.]
Why? You gonna rescue me again? What's up, ma? I get off in a few.
We could If I knew I couldn't confide one bit of information to you, I would have never Whoa, whoa, whoa.
What are we talkin' about? My street campaign, Mars.
I asked you not to tell anyone about it.
- I can explain.
- I'm listening.
First of all, my bad.
My intentions were 24 karat.
Me and Clo just wanted to help you with your art and commerce.
I never asked for your help.
I asked you to keep it between us, but maybe - Maybe? Maybe what? - I care about you, and I know you care about me, but maybe it's time we grow up, Mr.
Childs.
- Mr.
Childs? What the fuck that mean? - Fuck.
Yeah, I'm younger, - but I ain't no child.
- No, it's just - it's my Saturn return.
- No, no, stop! Saturn return? Fuck Saturn! I'm Mars and I'm here.
I ain't been "ride or die" from jump? I ain't had your back? - Yeah, you have, but - Nola, don't.
Bygones.
Let me get my bike.
Let's ride from this present fuckery into a Brooklyn sunset bliss.
[CHUCKLES.]
With you on the handle bars, swingin' your cocoa legs.
Wind blowin' in your shea butter kinks.
Get sodie pop, artisanal popcorn, then head back to your spot, have hot make-up sex.
No.
I got work to do.
- But, Nola - Just let it go, Mars.
It's was fun, right? It was fun.
Please, mami.
I am the black gold of the sun I am the tall oak tree I am the jungle stream I am the morning sun, ha-ha-ha Smiling on everyone I am the shining sea I am the mountain high I am so free I am the black gold of the sun [BIANCA.]
Oh, my God, I can't [IN SPANISH.]
- All the stoops in Brooklyn, you gotta pick mine? [SIGHS.]
[PAPO.]
Like Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers wrote "Oh, what a beautiful morning.
" - Really? - Really what? - [BIANCA.]
Are you kidding? - Nola, you want space? - [BOTH ARGUING.]
- I'mma give it to you.
I didn't want this.
- You're bugging, okay? - No, I'm not.
- How 'bout, "Buenos días, Papo"? - No, I'm not bugging.
- This is - No "buenos días"? This is my home.
This is my property.
And you're gonna come and spray stuff on it? I don't paint on your home, or whatever that is.
I make the neighborhood beautiful.
I don't know what you're talking about.
I'm sick of this.
I'm calling the cops.
- That's it.
- What are you calling the cops for? [BOTH ARGUING.]
- [DOORBELL RINGS.]
- This what you want? - We're done.
- Really? Don't even "really" with me.
- [BOTH ARGUING.]
- [DOORBELL RINGING.]
No, every day, I open my door and you're here.
- Where am I supposed to go? - I can't even sleep I was born and raised here.
This is my block.
This is where I've been all my life.
- [BOTH ARGUING.]
- What's goin' on? - Yo, all jokes aside - [SIREN WAILING.]
Oh, my God, you actually did call the cops.
[NOLA.]
No, Mars.
- What is goin' on? - [SIREN WAILING.]
You left me no choice.
- Somebody call? - Yes, I did.
What's the problem? - This man defaced my property.
- Lady, I ain't do nothin'.
Bianca, what are you doing? - I want you to arrest him.
- For what? For being homeless? - I'm not homeless, just in transition.
- You're right.
All right, sir, sir, can I see some ID? What happened? I thought stop-and-frisk was over.
- It's a new day in America.
- [IN SPANISH.]
Okay, officer? I was pushing my cart down the street, like I do every day, - minding my own business - You're scoping out your new victims? You know what? Why don't you go through his trashy cart? I am sure you are going to find green spray paint.
- Don't call my art cart "trash.
" - Papo is harmless, officer.
- He's the mayor of our block.
- Easy.
- Exactly.
- Yes.
My stoop has been defaced two times with this "G" for "gentrification," which is reverse racism.
- [ALL SHOUTING.]
- Okay, really? He is the one who's responsible for it! I didn't do anything.
Sir, sir, sir, we already asked you once.
Okay? I'm not gonna ask you again.
Stand up nice and slowly and show me some ID.
- Why would he have ID? - Stay out of it.
Come on.
Just want to see your ID.
Have a wallet? Go easy.
Just wanna ask you a few questions.
- Yo, he didn't do nothing, man.
- No ID? Not good.
- [NOLA.]
Papo? - What's going on? - Papo, are you okay? Papo? - [MAN.]
Papo? Could you officers just, like Could you - Whoa, he's - Could you back up a little bit? Maybe just give him some space? - Chill, chill, chill.
- Look, just I did it! Okay? I did it.
What'd you say, ma'am? Bianca, I defaced your brownstone.
We all know this was Papo.
- This was not you.
- Nola, what are you talkin' about? - I said I did it.
- Stop saying that.
Let's go.
We'll take a ride to the 87th.
Let's go, pal.
We're going to the 87th.
Look, just cuff me! Cuff me! Cuff me! Yo, stop! What are you doing? - Wait.
Cuff you? - Cuff me.
- That what you want? - Yes.
[ELLA.]
What are you doin'? Nola! Nola! [OFFICER.]
She's confessing.
- Why don't you just stay out of it? - [ALL CLAMORING.]
Whoa! Hey, hold on! Everybody shut up! Where you think you're goin'? I'm going home.
No, no, no.
You made the complaint.
You're comin' too.
All three of youse.
- Chill, man.
You're hurting her, man.
- Okay.
First, let me lock my door.
I'm coming.
Everything's fine.
Ahh! Okay, okay! They're tight! She didn't anything, man! You don't gotta arrest her! [MARS.]
Nola! I'm gonna call your parents.
You hear me, Nola? - Okay.
- She didn't do nothin'! - Tryin' to tell you! - [OFFICER.]
Back inside.
[MARS.]
Dude, I'm not going inside! Yo, that's my girl! Yo, officers! [BOTH, IN SPANISH.]
[OVERLAPPING CHATTER.]
This doesn't seem right.
I'm not the one who did anything.
So, she get VIP access? Y'all got bottle service in that cop car? Are you serious? What are you doin'? Yo, my man, don't treat him like that! - What's goin' on? - [OFFICER.]
Nothin' to see here.
What the fuck you mean there's nothin' to see here? And everybody's watchin'! - Everybody, take it easy, step back.
- Everybody, go home.
Let's go.
Everybody's takin' it easy! - Get back on the sidewalk.
- I am on the sidewalk! - You usin' your eyes? - Shut your mouth.
Yo, this motherfucker just told me to shut my mouth? Yo, you serious? ["THIS WOMEN'S WORK" PLAYING.]
Nola! Come on, Mars.
Let's go inside.
- This is fuckin' bullshit, man! - Mars, let's go! Mars! Get your ass in there.
Come on now.
[MAN VOCALIZING IN SONG.]
Pray God you can cope - [WOMAN.]
You have a lawyer? - I'll stand outside This woman's work This woman's world Ooh, it's hard on a man Now his part is over Relax your hands and let me do all the work, okay? Now starts the craft of the Father I know you've got a little life In you left I know you've got A lot of strength left I know you've got [IN SPANISH.]
Let's go, ma'am.
I know you've got A lot of strength left I should be cryin' But I just can't let it show I should be hopin' But I can't stop thinkin' Of all the things we should've said Hey, Joe, open up.
And all the things we should've done That we never did All the things we should've given But I didn't Oh, darlin', make it go Make it go away [LINE RINGING.]
I'm so glad you picked up.
Um it's Nola.
I'm, uh I'm at the 87th Precinct.
I know, I know.
I'll tell you about it when you get here.
Can you come? Okay.
Give me that little kiss Give me your Give me your hand, baby Give me that pretty hand I'm sure you understand My love, child Darling.
- [DOOR SLAMS.]
- Hmm? [OFFICER.]
Darling, let's go.
- Sorry? - [OFFICER.]
You're free to go.
Let's go.
Give me your hand [INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Oh, I should be cryin' But I just can't let it go I should be hopin' But I can't stop - Mm.
- Thinkin', thinkin' Thank you.
Of course.
I'm not sure why you called me and not one of your guys.
So they could think they were saving a damsel in distress? I'm good.
What you did was noble.
Luckily, you walk away with a desk appearance ticket, but Nola, you could've really gotten hurt.
Or worse.
You're right.
I'm sure I'm gonna hear all about it on my way home.
Oh, no.
I think they'd prefer to take you home.
- [STOKELY.]
Nola.
- Daddy.
Just make it go away [JAMIE.]
Great day to make some money, gentlemen.
- Good morning, Daisy.
- Good morning.
- Morning.
Hey.
- Daisy.
[SOFT PIANO MUSIC PLAYS.]
Jamie, I'm so grateful for meeting you on the promenade that day.
Who knows why the universe brings people together? Maybe it's to share these exchanges of light illumination to better see ourselves.
I don't know.
But you've been so supportive.
You've taught me that people really can give from a genuine place.
But what I need most right now is understanding.
If I'm gonna make it I need to know that the greatest lift is one I can give myself.
And I have to trust that - [GASPS.]
- the universe Oh, my goodness! gives us signals that we're on the right path.
Oh, God is great! I got the grant! I got the Catlett Grant.
Something's happening, Jamie.
And you're right.
To be perfectly honest, there is someone else.
Me.
["FAITHFUL" PLAYING.]
[SCREAMING.]
[GROANS.]
[SOFT JAZZ PLAYING.]