Queen Sugar (2016) s02e07 Episode Script

1 Nova: Previously on "Queen Sugar" I ain't been telling y'all the truth.
There was more to the will.
The farm, he left it to just me.
- You were using me.
- That's not what he's been doing.
You knew about this, too? Daddy cleaning floors and scrubbing toilets - to keep your son in clothes.
- What? He was working as a janitor before he died.
You was living large in L.
A.
- And, Nova, you hardly ever passed by.
- How would you know?! Most of those years, you weren't here neither! You're not leaving until we settle this mess! He wouldn't have done this.
He wouldn't have just given you the farm, not like this! Yeah, he would.
And you know how I know? - 'Cause he did.
- Get off your high horse, Rah! Y'all act like Daddy wanting to leave something for me and Blue is wrong! Like him sweeping floors to hold onto the farm is my fault! Y'all could've did something to help him out.
Both of you! So you didn't know that Daddy was working as a janitor? I would've done it for him if I could.
Mm-hmm.
But I didn't know.
You the one he was calling.
Maybe had you done what he asked, he'd never have to do that.
You ever think about that, Charley? That's not fair.
I was on my way down When you was good and ready, right? And you wasn't no better.
You right on the other side of town.
Nothing.
Nothing.
Why'd you wait so long to tell us? I I was waiting for the right time.
(scoffs) You knew you wasn't trying to hear me.
I knew it.
I was trying to do this right.
I told my parole officer and he said - Wait a minute.
- Charley: What? Ralph Angel: He said Daddy's letter is real.
It's a good, enforceable will.
Wow.
- Wow? (scoffs) - Mm-hmm.
Okay, everybody slow down.
Nova: No, Aunt Vi.
We're okay.
Oh, yeah.
But I'm tired of talking about it! I need to see this letter for myself.
Now! (theme music playing) Dreams never die, take flight, as the world turns Dreams never die, take flight, as the world turns Keep the colors in the lines, take flight Dreams never die Keep the colors in the lines Keep the colors in the lines, take flight.
- Darla: Put your card - Blue: Kings.
- Go fish.
- (Hollywood chuckles) (door opens) Hollywood: Micah, do you have a 3? (chuckles) What happened? Are we leaving? I'll be right back.
(scoffs) They wanna see it to believe it, so I'm gonna show 'em and be done.
See you, boy.
It would be nice to see you, too, but I don't think I can get to Atlanta right now.
I've got a family situation.
Actually, I should go.
I'll give you a call later.
(door closes) So? What do you have to say about all this? What is there to say? End of the day, the farm was Daddy's to do with as he pleased.
Yeah? But the way you're acting can't all be about the farm.
You never even cared about it that much.
So what's really going on here? It was always the same thing with me and Daddy.
Didn't matter what it was.
We always found ourselves right back in that same place.
You know? No, baby, I don't know.
You are gonna have to let me in.
"When you gonna settle down? Girl, where my grandbabies at?" Could never seem to just let me be me.
Well, baby (chuckles) your daddy was just doing what fathers do.
You didn't have to pay that no mind.
That's what I thought.
Then Charley gave him one.
Then Ralph Angel.
After that, he stopped asking.
I thought he was satisfied with who I am.
But cutting me out of the farm? Feels like he's judging me.
(voice breaks) Pu punishing me.
Ben on phone: Photographer landed in town a couple of hours ago and should be joining us tomorrow for the rest of the interview.
Sounds great.
So, we were thinking we should do it at the family farm, really tap into the legacy angle you're pushing.
- The farm.
- Uh-huh.
Actually, let's start at the mill.
The updates I've made alongside the older equipment will make for a, uh, apt visual metaphor.
Can't argue with that.
See you tomorrow.
(beeps) "To my dear children I, Ernest Bordelon, in sound mind and body, am revising my last will and testament.
I hope no one needs this for a long time.
And I hope I can do this in person one day.
But if I can't this paper will have to stand in for me.
I've made the decision to pass this land land of my mother and her father before her and his father before him, to the child of mine who needs it and loves it most Ralph Angel.
You, Ralph Angel, are more than you know.
You and your sisters are the moon and the sky and the stars to me.
Each of you.
But this land is yours.
Whatever happened, whatever you've done in the past, never forget that you are better than you think, that you are smarter than you think.
You are stronger than you think.
Take this land.
Build a home here.
Build a family for you and Blue here.
Build our cane here stalk by stalk.
Build a good life here, Ralph Angel, so when you get to the end, you can look back and be proud of your days on this earth and on this land.
It's all yours, son.
Do right.
I know you can.
Until we meet again.
Pops.
" (sighs) (paper rustling) But he never took it to his lawyer.
Don't matter.
His meaning is clear.
Is it? Only thing that's clear is Daddy wrote this right after you got out.
Charley: He was in a state then.
Nova: Maybe it was some fantasy he was toying with.
I mean, he didn't tell anyone about it, including you.
Exactly.
Wanting to believe you're capable of doing all this and actually doing it are two very different things.
Just 'cause you two only see my mistakes it don't mean Pops felt the same way.
Huh? Hi, Remy.
What's up? It's the Jack Duvall situation.
- I don't know what that is.
- Oh, I'm sorry.
I thought Joe had spoken to you.
Jack's a local farmer.
He cut his cane and brought it to the mill.
- Without an agreement? - Yeah.
Joe says that he can fit Jack into the schedule tonight and still handle the rest of the inflow if you're okay with that.
Sure, as soon as we get a signed contract and a deposit from Mr.
Duvall, Joe can handle the rest.
I'm vouching for this man.
I appreciate that, and I hope you can appreciate that right now I prefer to do business with all the "I"s dotted and "T"s crossed.
- Mr.
Duvall's at the mill now? - Yeah, but listen Great, great, I'll handle the paperwork.
Okay, bye.
(door closes) I need you to go to the office to prep a contract for a farmer named Jack Duvall.
He's waiting to grind.
You know where the paperwork is? Yes.
I'll get right on it.
No.
What are you doing? I need you here.
Nova: She can go.
This is a family matter anyway.
She Blue's mom and my lady.
She is family.
She's also my employee, and I need her to handle an emergency.
Ralph Angel this is apples and oranges.
I ain't never heard of no paper emergency.
Nah, she mixing stuff up, trying to send Darla away so y'all could gang up on me.
- That's not what I'm doing.
- Yeah, it is! (scoffs) Go, please, before Mr.
Duvall's cane sours.
- Okay.
- No, Darla.
Stay.
You a part of this.
When they couldn't stand to look at you, I was there.
When they treated you like nothing, I stood by you.
- Why can't you do the same? - I'm right here.
Running off to the mill to help Charley is the same thing as taking her side! It's my job.
Look, Charley and me, we ain't seeing eye to eye on this thing, and I need you to stand by me.
Please.
I ain't got nobody else but you, Darla.
You can't go, Darla.
I can't go? - Listen to yourself.
- Listen to me.
I went to work for Charley because we needed money.
We needed money because I lost my parking lot job.
And I lost that job because I missed work to help scrub flies off of your cane.
(scoffs) You can see this as betrayal, but I see it as love.
(keys jingle) And I would never do to you what you're doing to me right now.
Never.
(engine starts) You've got those grey, grey eyes For a sunrise Mmm All of that rain that fell a while We could hum to Mmm But I'm letting it Yeah, I'm letting it go My mind is on fire, mind is on fire As hard as I try, still can't rewind I can't and I can't turn back time Yeah, and I'm so scared The change I thought we've made Gets washed away What if we never find a better place? Under the stars I always trace What if we never find a place? I don't wanna go, no Just to let you know I'm already home.
(door opens) - Hollywood: Hey, baby.
- (door closes) I'm gonna lay him down in our room.
Did he hear anything? He knows something's wrong, but he'll be okay.
We'll make sure of it.
Hey, Mom? Hmm? I'm gonna head to Dad's, give you some space if that's okay.
Yeah, okay, yeah.
- I'll see you later.
- Mm-hmm.
- Bye, Auntie.
- Bye, baby.
(door opens) (closes) You knew.
And you didn't tell me.
Baby I didn't ask for none of this.
I know.
I just I just didn't expect it.
When I would come down here for the summers, you were the one that made everything okay.
I mean, I didn't even have my own room at Daddy's.
But you kept one for me here.
You always made sure that I felt like I belonged.
I wasn't just Daddy's other daughter to you.
Never.
That meant a lot.
This was the first home that I had here.
I know that.
I remember that.
But since I got back, it's all about Ralph Angel.
All day, every day.
And no matter what it is, we're just supposed to bend over backwards for him.
'Cause you help the people who need help.
I need help, too.
Ralph Angel went to prison because he did something to make that happen.
But what did I do to deserve what I'm going through? Yeah, everyone thinks that I'm just I should just be okay.
(voice breaks) I want someone to fight for me.
They say time heals all wounds I don't agree Baby, I'm sorry.
They're all over me They remind us where we've been And they teach us where to go - If you haven't forgiven - (footsteps approach) It's time to let them know I know you're lost But it's okay We've all got scars You are not alone Don't turn your back Come on.
Don't look away I know your heart It's time to carry on No disrespect.
But how are you gonna run the farm if I don't fund it? I'll do what I gotta do.
What's that mean? I'll figure things out, just like Pop did.
Daddy never figured it all out.
Don't talk about Daddy like that.
I loved him just as much as you.
I'm just dealing with what is, not with how I want things to be.
- I'm talking about specifics.
- (door opens) Sooner or later, you have to be in the real world.
- I've been in the real world, Charley.
- I didn't mean You ain't gotta worry about how things gonna get done.
I'll do what I need to do.
Look, I won't be asking you for nothing.
Landrys might charge me an arm and a leg, but at least he don't waste my time like this.
What was it Ernest used to say? The only thing more frustrating about always having to do things Charley's way is usually having to admit that she's right.
(chuckles) Mr.
Duvall, I'm so sorry to keep you waiting.
(sniffles) Please look those over and let me know if you have any questions.
Hey.
- You okay? - Yeah, I'm fine.
It's just been a really long day.
I don't know what you want from me, Charley.
I ain't got no magic wand.
I can't just change the past.
It's not the past I'm worried about; it's the future.
I'm doing everything I know how to do! I'm picking up some classes from LSU, learn what I don't know.
- And I'm gonna find some extra work.
- You keep saying that.
But you're running a full-time business.
You don't have unlimited amounts of time.
A man can only work so much! If I say I'm gonna work, then that's what I'll do! - (door opens, closes) - (sighs) Y'all need to start trusting me.
- It's not about trust.
- Nova: We need to trust you? "I'm passing this land to the child of mine who needs it and loves it most.
" Why do you think Daddy said that? Man, I don't know what she talking about.
It's not a trick.
I'm just saying why did Daddy say you needed it the most? I think it's because you're the one who messed up the most.
- Nova - We're all thinking it, Aunt Vi.
Rah wants us to trust him when he's the one who's proven over and over again that he can't be trusted.
I can't be trusted? All right, that's your brother from the crib to the grave.
That's enough.
The real surprise is that we're surprised.
Daddy was always gonna do something like this.
- What the hell that mean? - Doesn't matter what Rah did.
It never changed the fact that all Daddy ever saw was you.
You can't put that on me.
It's been that way since before you were born.
Daddy didn't even commit to Mama until she was pregnant with you.
- You wanna talk about Mama now? - Fine.
Fine! You wanna talk about people not doing what they supposed to do?! - Talk about it.
- I was 10 when Pops told me I ain't got a mom no more! But he said I got the next best thing.
A big sister.
But you left.
Soon as you could.
Took your ass to New Orleans and never turned around.
She was my mother, too.
I got through the best way I could, so what happened to you is on you.
Okay, so now you both done said I'm sick of being looked down on! - We're not doing that.
- The hell y'all ain't.
Ralph Angel, do you honestly, honestly think you can run the farm and not lose it before the season's out? You're not ready.
You don't have the experience.
You don't have the means, not by yourself.
I think that's why Daddy never filed this letter.
He was waiting for you to grow up and sh-show up.
I hate to say it, baby.
But Charley might be right about this.
Ernest didn't mean to, but he put too much on you right now.
You need your sisters.
No, y'all are just mad I see what you see when you look at me.
Just some dumb convict.
- You're wrong.
- Ralph Angel: No.
You don't get to tell me how I feel.
And you don't get to tell me what to do.
Not anymore.
(paper rustles) (door opens, closes) Ralph Angel Beauty in the dark Where can I find you? Making grace with the sweep of your hand - Beauty in the dark - (door opens) Micah: Hey.
You speak so softly Have you caught another man? Thought you could use this.
Thanks, honey.
Is that coffee, too? It's a housewarming gift.
I do not wonder if you are coming You didn't have to do that.
Look, I'm gonna I'm gonna go check on Keke.
- Yeah.
See you later.
- Hey.
Thanks for everything.
- You know I got you, man.
- Yeah.
All right.
- Okay.
- (door opens) (door closes) Wow.
You got it looking pretty nice in here.
This really wasn't necessary.
Yeah, I know.
Open it anyway.
An ice cream maker.
I've always felt bad about talking you out of putting it on our wedding registry.
Well, anyway it's for your new beginning.
Thank you, Davis.
Since you're here, I should tell you.
I'm doing a piece with "Gallant Magazine.
" Charley, that's huge.
Congratulations.
I told them about the divorce.
Why is that you get to flip the script whenever the hell you feel like it? Listen, we can go back and forth about this all day, but it doesn't change anything.
This is what's happening.
The article won't be one-sided, Davis.
I promise you.
You'll get fair coverage.
That's nice of you.
Thanks.
Home, where the neckline blue Live and die in a mile A little something for the back pain Then another for the mind, though Can't grow on frozen ground Can't see through the pines, nah Forget about it on the weekend Need to get up out it for a while I feel, oh So numb Numb What's that? You tell me.
All day, you sat there listening to us argue over who owns this land.
You never say anything about the fact that you used to own this farm.
Used to.
I sold my half interest in the farm to your daddy over 30 years ago.
You just gave it up? (chuckles) 17 going on stupid.
Took up with a no-good, good-looking man.
Uncle Jimmy? Your daddy hated him.
Said he was bad news and forbid me to see him.
Forbid? What did you do? What any 17-year-old who thinks she's the first girl in the world to fall in love does I moved in with him, married him.
Bought this place.
Things between Ernest and I weren't the same.
And over time, got so we barely spoke.
At your grandmama's funeral, we literally did not say one word to each other.
I didn't know that night whether I was crying because my mama was dead and gone or because my brother was alive and gone.
What happened to Jimmy Dale? Ah, Jimmy Dale.
(snorts) Drink, drugs, and disappointment.
Then he started getting rough with me.
I kept that to myself.
When your daddy found out it didn't matter that we weren't speaking.
He came back from California and took Jimmy Dale fishing.
(laughs) When they came back, Jimmy was packing his bags.
(laughs) That sounds like Daddy.
(sighs) When I filed for divorce, I sold my half of the farm to your daddy, bought out Jimmy and paid up my mortgage.
But you had to give up your family inheritance to get it.
Mm-hmm, and I would do it again in a hot second.
I was angry at your daddy for years.
Then he apologized to me (voice breaks) for not protecting me.
I never got over that.
(clears throat) He was right.
I was wrong.
But when it counted, he was there.
Yeah, I lost the land, but I got back my freedom, independence, and, most important, I got my brother back.
So, frankly, I got the better part of the deal.
Baby compared to family, that land ain't nothing but a mess of pottage.
Love always comes first.
And in the end, choosing the only thing that matters is what matters.
- (chatter) - (phone ringing) (footsteps approach) Hey.
(sighs) That reporter's sniffing around about your divorce.
I know.
I had to give him the story.
Had to? It was a strategic move.
Control the narrative.
Hmm.
What? You know I had heard so much about you before we met.
Every time the farmers got together, your dad had at least one story about your last success.
Folks would say, "Well, of course, 'cause she's so smart.
" And Ernest said "smart" was the wrong word.
- No, he insisted on "thoughtful.
" - Hmm.
So when you decided to buy this place and stand up for the farmers, that made sense to me, 'cause it was both smart and considerate of your community.
- It was thoughtful, right? - Mmm.
But now I wonder if I misunderstood your father.
Yeah, maybe maybe "thoughtful" meant "calculating.
" You're using my father against me because you don't approve of a choice I made for my life? I'm just trying to figure out how a woman who's using her divorce as a part of her business plan is the same one that he was bragging about for all those years.
Makes me wonder what else you're being thoughtful about.
I mean, the mill? Farmers? Me? You need to walk out.
Please go.
If you're mad at me for leaving last night I can deal with it.
You can deal with it? Why you here? Because I'm not gonna let your anger get in the way of me seeing Blue.
If you're not gonna let me in the house I'll take him swimming.
So this is how it is now? Whatever you want? Never mind my feelings? You're not just punishing me, Ralph Angel.
Blue! Put your swimming trunks on! I'll wait in the car.
'Cause if you really rock with me the way you say you rock with me Then rock with me the way you say you rock with me - Yeah - (woman giggles) All right, baby.
'Cause you gonna have to make it up to me (line rings) - (beeps) - Nova: Hello, sir.
Choosing to take you up on your offer.
Who's gonna hold you tight like me? - Nova: I'll see you soon.
- Who's gonna stick around like me? After everybody left, you walked alone Who helped out like me? Why you gotta lie to me? What you say there, young blood? Brought you a cold one.
Aunt Vi send you? I don't need her to tell me to come see my partner.
She tell you about what happened last night? Enough.
All Daddy wanted was for me to raise my family on this land.
But it seem like everybody against me.
(scoffs) Even Darla.
- I don't know if we still together.
- Oh, don't say that.
Everybody goes through rough patches.
Nah, Wood.
This feels different.
Everything Pops thought I could be is falling apart.
I don't know what to do.
You're gonna wake up every day.
You're gonna work this land.
You're gonna be a good father to Blue.
You gonna do what every other farmer around here does.
And in due time, this too shall pass.
It's hard to take all of this hate It's less about reinvention than it is It's less about reinvention than it is about evolution.
The real goal is to help this community realize Hey, Charley, I thought we'd just continue with the interview while they finish setting up.
Okay, yeah.
(recorder beeps) How would your father feel about you reinventing yourself as a budding agricultural industrialist? Well, I'm not reinventing myself as much as I'm I'm, uh I'm using my Um I'm using my, uh uh Join with me, oh You asked what my father would feel, right? So, it's on me I don't know.
So, it's on Instead of something to break apart Instead, it's just broke apart Help me out, on me Help me out.