Star (2016) s02e08 Episode Script
A House Divided
1 Okay, so last time you all saw Star CARLOTTA: Stay away from Simone.
You don't know a damn thing about that girl.
Ms.
Carlotta's not gonna like that you have custody over me.
- Hi, Dad.
- I've seen the quarterly reports.
- I thought I had a year.
- I want to know Star - won't get hurt by this.
- Just get the pictures off her damn phone.
I told you we were done.
You ain't never gonna be able to leave me, girl.
ARLENE (on phone): Hey, doll.
It's Arlene.
They know about those girls you set free.
They're coming for you.
Noah Brooks, you're going to close the showcase, with Alex in a duet.
STAR: Finally, we can stop with all the stunts.
You don't got to do that fake relationship with Noah anymore.
I never got a chance to thank you for earlier.
Is this your way of convincing me to do the duet? I like it when you lose it (Carlotta groans) I like it when you go there (Carlotta pants) I like the way you use it I like that you don't play fair Thought you was a church-going woman.
Damn.
We ain't in church.
Stroke is gettin' deep and faster (moaning, grunting) You're screamin' like I'm outta line Who came to make sweet love? Not me Who came to kiss and hug? Not me You miss that pastor you was messin' with? Now, why you trying to get me out the mood? No, I don't miss his ass.
Life is good.
Yeah.
Things are good.
Your girls got what they want.
But do you have what you want? We'll see.
You know, if they win, you back on the road.
Back on tour.
I think they gonna be big.
With you managing them, they will be.
Hurry up and put your shirt on, so I can get you out of here unnoticed.
Who said I was done? You love it when I lose it You love it when I go there.
I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me Boy, stop I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? I bring me I bring, I bring me.
What you doing, creeping so early? (Laughs) What are you even doing up this early? It's the crack of dawn.
We got a radio promo.
For the competition.
You know I'm not letting anybody else take that mic, right? (Cotton chuckles) Cott, what is that? - What? - What is that? - Did Elliot hit you? - No.
Cotton, you better tell me the truth.
You know I've been through this.
I will kill him, so you're gonna have to explain to me what's going on.
Just Just sit.
Just sit.
And be quiet.
It's not what you think.
So I met this dude in jail, and he just got out and we go hard.
Oh.
Oh, you kinky little bitch.
Oh, my God.
So what is it like? Is it dangerous? I mean, it's rough, but it's nothing I can't handle.
But you got a prison bae.
So now, what about Elliot? I love Elliot.
But Omari Spanks you.
- I get it.
- I just can't say no.
I don't need no more details.
Don't tell me nothing else.
- Hard, hard, hard.
- (laughing): Oka The fans are gonna get to choose who wins this showcase.
So the competition starts with this radio gig.
Which means, whatever beef y'all got going on between you two, you need to dead that right now.
I really didn't know Ayanna would choose me and Noah to close the showcase.
And I'm really not upset.
As long as Take Three wins, and we get Simone out of there.
I don't care.
Well, that means drumming up a lot of votes, ladies.
Lots of 'em.
Now, any chance you get to talk, take it.
You need to make these people who are gonna vote love you.
- All right.
-We got it.
- BRODY: Hey, Star.
I need to talk to you.
I know it's early.
Yeah, too damn early for you to be here, Brody.
It's all good, Carlotta.
I'll be right there.
What do you want? I couldn't sleep last night, all right? I found out about this Hunter guy.
And what he did to you.
How do you know about that? You know what, don't even tell me how you know about it.
Because I've let go of it, you go ahead and do that, too.
Listen to me.
I came here for you and Simone, and I'm not going anywhere.
Do you understand? I love you.
Okay.
I got it.
I got it.
I got to go.
Why you mad? - Talk to me nice - Talk to me nice ALEXANDRA: What is Ayanna doing here? STAR: Probably hand-delivering a script for us for this interview.
- Fake ass.
- (Carlotta laughs) What? Simone, I thought you were taking the bus.
What are you doing in Ayanna's car? She got me out of juvie.
I'm living with her now.
What? She got me out two weeks ago.
And she's looking into becoming my new foster mother.
Baby, I know we desperate, but that ain't the way.
I was rotting in there.
Being told when to eat and when to sleep.
I had girls killing themselves in front of me.
ALEXANDRA: Simone, we have a plan.
Okay? We win, you get out.
Really? What happens if we don't win? What happens to me? That's the point of the plan, Simone.
We will win.
- We're doing everything that we can.
- You think that I want this? I mean, she did what y'all couldn't do.
Everything about this is shady.
I told her to stay away from you, and she went behind my back.
Yeah, well, it's done.
Don't we got an interview to do or something? This morning, we got some very special guests in the house.
"Y'all say what's up to the âA.
" (cheering) Happy to be here.
Happy to be here.
So Midtown Sound got that fire coming out the gate, showcasing its top talent, ya dig.
But what they doing is letting the fans decide which new artist is gonna win that prize.
Now, Midtown's streaming this show live, and the fans vote on social media, right? - STAR: That's right.
- Yeah.
And when the fans vote for Take Three and we win, that means we get the album, the tour, and all that Midtown coin.
- And we'll be priority at the label.
- Yes.
And by the looks at this table, it's not gonna be that hard.
I think we got it in the bag.
- Right, well, that bag is fake.
- (laughs) - ANDY: My name is Andy.
- And I'm Angel.
- Yeah - ALEXANDRA: And if I recall, you didn't win Atlanta NextFest.
- Take Three did, right? - Ooh.
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
- All right.
All right.
- HEADKRACK: Okay, all right.
All right.
Well, I'm seeing some real live competition - up in here.
- Oh, no.
The competition is very real.
Me and my sister have been dreaming about making an album - since we were little girls.
- (clears throat) Keep dreaming.
There's no way we're letting anybody at this table - take that away.
-That's right.
- ALEXANDRA: And I want everybody to finally see me.
Not my father.
Not my name.
But my talent, my sound.
- And if we win - Which you won't, 'cause, uh, we're here.
When we win, I'm, uh, I'm-a shout out all the people that hated on me.
You know, all the big time haters out out there at Buckhead High.
ANGEL: My pops always called me a waste of space.
And if I win, he can't do that anymore, so - But you got to win, though.
- Oh, I will.
NOAH: And you won't, not while I'm here.
HEADKRACK: What, Noah Brooks is in the house.
Now listen, - my money's on you.
- Yeah.
Even though you almost pissed the ladies off last week with that Becky.
Yeah.
Oh, yeah, it's all good, though.
Ain't nobody for me but my baby Alex.
How does it feel being in this showcase with artists who haven't even recorded an album? I mean, I just think it's cute, you know? It's fun.
Um, you know, I-I want to inspire the children.
Well, with your girl by your side.
Now, I hear you and Alex are gonna close that joint out with a little performance.
Oh, yeah, it's gonna be fire.
- Uh, y'all official, right? - Oh, yeah.
We-We, you know, we're definitely official.
- DA BRAT: Okay.
- NOAH: Absolutely.
STAR: Super official.
- HEADKRACK: Okay, well, check this out.
- Thank you.
HEADKRACK: My man Hurricane Dave said Midtown sent over a little surprise.
So, uh, Atlanta, you are hearing it for the first time ever.
- It's a Hot 107.
9 radio exclusive.
- Yeah! (Whoops) And this is gonna be, uh, closing down the showcase.
- Here it is, y'all.
âSo Sick.
â - "So Sick.
" - Yes.
- Wait.
You're dropping our song? Ayanna Floyd told us to surprise y'all.
HEADKRACK: Yup.
And this is written and produced by the two love baes.
HEADKRACK: Noah Brooks and Alexandra Crane.
Alexandra Crane of Take Three.
Who's gonna win the showcase.
Thank you, Atlanta.
- HEADKRACK: You're welcome.
- Mm-hmm.
What? That got weird, but thank you all.
Dropping the single right before the show, smart PR.
This show has to set Atlanta on fire, - or my father is going to make changes.
- Like what? You have any idea what you're doing to that girl's head? (sighing): Oh, God.
Could you be more specific, Carlotta? (music stops) You had no right to take Simone in.
You making moves you not qualified to make.
That's ironic, since your past is the reason Simone is at my house.
You don't know nothing about my past.
Oh, please, it's public record at the county courts.
And who puts a painting of Kathy Griffin on their office wall? Kathy's a friend.
And I seriously doubt you know the artist I commissioned to do it.
It's called taste, Carlotta.
Something you have none of.
You need to learn it if you're going to manage these artists.
You can start with your ensembles.
Who has my latte?! Look, I know how you feel right now.
What is she trying to pull with Simone? Baby, she just gave her a place to stay.
You're letting whatever guilt you feel about Mary and Simone bleed together.
Stop overreacting.
This is my family.
My life.
And she did this behind my back.
You know what? Don't weigh in on my family like this.
The sex wasn't that good.
You happy? It sounded great on the radio.
You want me to be sad about what happened? I'm not.
This is supposed to be us right now.
We're supposed to be hearing our song on the radio for the first time, but it's you and Noah.
And he's doing this for his career, that's not even gonna include you.
It's crazy, right? Ayanna just dropped the single like that.
- Did you know? - You ain't never been on the radio, and you pissed right now.
Are you serious? Because this is not supposed to be with you.
- I have a group and Derek and - Derek? - What does this have to do with Derek? - Everything.
- You kissed me.
- You kissed me back.
Okay, now you're trippin'.
I don't want to do this duet thing with you.
Nor do I want to be in a fake relationship, either.
So I heard you on the show this morning.
Yeah, how are we supposed to compete? Noah's set for a comeback.
And the girls won Atlanta's NextFest, so we're obviously nobody in this situation.
We ain't nobodies, okay? But we are the underdogs.
We just got to be smart.
I mean, Noah he used to be the king, right? But now, he's in there scrapping with y'all.
You don't think that messes with his ego? So, that's what we do.
You mess with his head.
Mess with all their heads.
Okay, well, I'm-a get at those girls from Take Three.
You know, make them fall in love with this Latin lover.
Bro, you're barely Spanish.
Don't nobody want that little dirty chalupa.
- Can we keep going? - JAHIL: Latino light.
The reality is your show was hot.
Okay? We just got to come up with I don't know something that surprises the viewers.
ANDY: Okay, well, I've seen the books, and there is nothing in the budget for us to do anything extra.
You get the music right I'll get the money.
Who the hell do you think you are? Your sister had been languishing in hell for months, and I gave her a lifeline.
Ayanna stay away from my sister.
Don't you dare threaten me.
Go in there and do your job.
Please stop.
- If you hadn't have done this - All right.
- Let's see it.
- MAN: Okay.
ANDY: Yo, Noah, come on, man.
Man, shut up.
Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh - Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh - Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh Tell me, girl, do you know what you want? Tell me, girl Do you understand how rare it is indeed Just to know who you are? Oh-oh, tell me, girl, what's in your heart I know it's hard, can you play your part? Can you take your mind off the silly things - Keep your eye on the ball? - STAR: I know This inconsistent relationship trip is killing you It's killing me, too, believe it or not - AYANNA: Okay, cut the music.
- But you ain't gotta - Stop the music.
- ANGEL: Why? Why? Because this is a joke.
You have a showcase in a week, and you're supposed to be the baddest on my label.
You have a full dress rehearsal tomorrow.
Maurice, this is an embarrassment.
(keyboard keys clacking) (footsteps approaching) Jahil Hey, Brody.
We need to talk.
So what you want, man? Talk about old times? No.
Arlene Morgan and her coward-ass son.
What about 'em? You knew.
Look, man, I had no idea what Hunter was doing to Star up until the night that he died.
Star never told nobody.
And as far as Arlene is concerned, she's dirt.
Tried to set me up to be killed, so I got no love lost for that bitch.
Anyway, what do you care about Star and her well-being at this point anyway? That boy hurt her the same way you used to hurt Mary.
Hey, I never laid a hand on Mary, and you know that.
Look, let's cut to the chase, man.
All right, what's this got to do with Arlene? Well, she found me.
Found out I had debts.
Some big ones, in Vegas.
- So that's where you've been.
- She wanted me to get some info on Star's phone.
Said she'd give me 250 grand.
- (scoffs) - Don't judge me, Jahil.
I needed the money.
You and me we're both cut from the same cloth, brother.
I need your help.
You want something to drink? (grunts) Ayanna.
- Yes, Crane? - I I don't think closing the showcase is good for me or Noah, and on top of that, - it's confusing for Midtown.
- Don't tell me what's confusing for my company.
I pay you to sing.
- That's all.
- I get it.
I was just thinking, if I'm not paying you to think.
You two came up with the idea of a relationship and a love song.
I, then, went to the radio with it.
- Now, you want out.
- Yes.
But only because You're falling for him, aren't you? I thought you were smarter than that, Crane.
The duet stays.
(Angel sighs heavily) Show prep ain't no joke.
You want to rehearse? Just you and me? Um, mm, no, I-I got to rehearse my own thing, but thanks.
Ah.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey.
Why do you want to sing? Takes away the painful thoughts.
Makes me forget.
What about you? Me, too.
How about I count us in? - Okay.
- Yeah.
Let's do it.
("I Want You" starts playing) - Do you know the steps? - Kind of.
I know.
Me, too, - but I know this one part, so, okay.
- Okay.
- Want to start from this part? - That's perfect.
Okay.
Five, six, seven, eight.
- Boom.
Snap.
- - Ooh, I'm sorry.
- That's-that's okay.
- Okay.
Five.
- (clears throat) All right.
Six, seven, eight.
- Boom.
And seven - All my love I'll give to you She told me that she notice something different about me - And I know you feel - ANDY: Hey! Okay.
Mr.
Noah Brooks, I see you.
I like that.
Don't try to act like we cool now.
Noah, what are you talking about, man? I'm just showing you some love.
I get it.
My bad.
I understand.
Your brother just died.
Hey, man, don't speak on my brother.
- Punk ass.
- What?! What you say? - What? - What's up? - What you thought this was? Yeah.
- What you thought it was? - Don't let that Harvard fool you, boy.
- Well, you got a good time, - and boy, you about to get clocked.
- Yeah? Don't forget.
I know you.
That's how you lost your deal the first time.
And to think I was almost about to feel bad for your ass.
But now, I'm gonna have to mop your ungrateful, drunk behind all over that floor.
Oh, you sound funny right now.
You should go fetch me some water.
You better know your place, boy.
You know what place I'm in? The same place you are.
You ain't noticed that? Last year, you had everything.
So I know that that Lucky thing ain't got you shook.
You're afraid of the competition.
See, one thing I learned from working with Ayanna I can smell a bitch.
(door opens) You got balls coming in here.
So you tried to have me killed, huh? So how's Brody? I got him in my pocket.
Oh, do ya? That's funny.
Hmm.
Maybe that's why he's out trying to sell pictures of your son beating the crap out of Star.
See, I figured you should know, because without the foundation, you ain't got no money.
You got as much money as I do.
Where is he? Brody? He had a little run-in with my nine millimeter.
I'll tell you what, though.
You pay me, and I'll give you the phone with everything on it, and I'll even take care of Brody.
(laughing) I got the goods, Arlene.
HUNTER (recording): Baby, I'm I'm so sorry.
Come on, please call me back.
I don't know what came over me.
I didn't mean to hurt you.
JAHIL: I miss him, too.
You can have him back for 500 K.
The foundation ain't gonna miss it.
Meet me tomorrow.
I'll get it.
Now, get the hell out of here.
(billiard balls clacking) How you doing, baby? I'm cool.
Why you ain't tell me? Because I knew you'd think what you think.
And what am I thinkin'? That I'm not thinking things through.
That I'm doing things out of desperation just like my mom.
Like Mary, but that ain't the truth.
You just don't listen to me, Miss C.
I've been listening.
I don't do nothing but listen.
Really? Then you must not hear me.
I was dying in there.
I would sign out and come here, and nobody would ask me anything.
Nobody knew how messed up my life was in there.
And then when I lost Karen, I just She meant a lot to you, huh? Yeah.
I think I loved her.
Simone, are you high right now? I'm not talking about no pot.
What are you on? Oh, I'm gonna get my answer.
SIMONE: Come on.
Well, I mean, these don't do the closets any justice.
This is gorgeous.
Whose house is this? - I-I mean, I love - Where's my check? Look, I already mailed it.
It didn't come.
I want it now.
- Get out of my office.
- Stop playing with me, - China man.
I want my damn money.
- COTTON: You know what? - I'm sick of your redneck ass.
- Get off! -Hey, hey.
You want problems? Get I'm gonna kill your ass.
Wow, you sure do know how to take care of a man, don't you? (laughs) That house? That's our house.
- What? - Those plans are for our house.
Elliot, wait, wait.
No, look, look, look.
I love you.
I want everything for us.
A marriage.
A life.
That's why I'm showing you those plans.
I'm asking what you think I'm asking.
Why are you doing this to me? 'Cause I give a damn about you.
Oh, so you just happen to have a pee test lying around? I'm a ex-convict.
I got discounts on pee tests.
- Yeah, well, you're crazy if you - Sit your ass down.
You're crazy if you think that I'm actually gonna sit No, you're crazy if you think I'm-a let you out - in these streets with no check-in.
- Okay, fine.
- Well, I'll pee when you leave.
- No, you gonna pee right here, right now.
Go.
Nice.
(urinating) Simone, we so close to this showcase.
Learn from your mother's mistakes.
Think about your future.
(toilet flushes) - Miss C, I really d - Negative.
(water running) Stop reliving your past through us.
'Cause we ain't you.
(scrubbing hands) You know, I like living at Ayanna's.
So you done playing social worker now? 'Cause I got my future to think about.
What's up? Nothing.
(grunts) Don't seem like nothing.
Are you nervous about the show? It's not that.
You do realize if we win this, I'll be going on tour.
I feel like I'm working hard just to leave you behind.
You ain't leaving me.
I mean, I've known this was gonna happen at some point.
Sorry, I'm sorry a million times But we'll work it out.
We always do.
I know you mad, I know you mad Just promise me one thing.
I got some bad habits If this is something that you don't ever want, please just show me some respect and tell me first.
Don't say that.
You don't think I'm gonna walk again, do you? - Yes.
- RADIO HOST: Hey, yo.
We got a fresh new joint, only on Hot 107.
ALEXANDRA (on radio): Over and over and over I tried I don't need you and that boy singing in our bedroom, either.
(radio shuts off) SIMONE: Do you think about the times that we're together? And she said no, but I think about the times We ain't together - And I said, oh - ALEXANDRA: I said no This ain't right Said your hands got too much time Staying up all hours of the night - Checking my page, seeing who and what I like.
-Cut, cut! - What? - These two little ones can't just be improvising.
- They need instructions.
- You can't just call cut, bitch.
- We're in the middle of performing.
- (overlapping arguing) He didn't mean it.
He didn't mean it like that.
- (arguing continues) - NOAH: Yo.
Hey! Yo! Y'all think this is a joke?! We're a week away from the one shot we all got, and y'all up here trippin' like some fools.
Whenever y'all ready, y'all let me know, all right? But you know what, what do I know? I'm washed-up, aren't I? Sucka.
Guys, can we, uh can we just go one more time? No.
We need to take five.
Alex, trust me.
I know what Ayanna wants.
If we could just take it from the top I just got a text from my uncle.
He came through with it.
He's got some extra cash so we can make some noise - for this performance.
- That's what I'm talking about.
- Did you see Noah? - Yeah.
- That boy's losing it.
- Yeah, he is.
You're an ass.
Okay.
I got the wardrobe on lock.
We can talk hair and makeup based on this.
- Oh, word.
- Can you believe that witch tried to dis the way I dress? There ain't nothing wrong with the way you dress.
I mean, if you work in the salon.
What's that supposed to mean? Girl, I'm just saying, you stay on the girls about stepping their game up, you got to do the same thing.
You in the corporate world now, sister.
What's this? I got something to bury that bitch for good.
I love you so Where'd you get this, Bruce? Girl, you know I used to sing background for Luther Vandross back in the day.
The streets in the music biz are just as dirty as the streets we grew up in.
It was as easy as getting dirt on Harvey Weinstein.
I'm trying not to sink to Ayanna's level.
You got enough ammunition to get Simone back in this house.
And you talking about you don't want to sink? Bitch, you better sink.
Sink, bitch.
Come on.
Sink, bitch, sink Sink, bitch, sink, sink, bitch, sink - Let's go.
All right.
- Sink, bitch, sink - Sink, bitch, sink.
- I knew you was going there.
- (laughs) - I knew you was going there.
How much I love you so Lately hazy Girl, I'm goin' round Want you to see How much you mean to me You're the girl who makes me feel so good Cutie pie Nothin' but a cutie pie $500,000 cash.
Hand over the phone.
Hey.
No backup, no data in the cloud? It's like it never happened.
You're the girl who makes me feel so good Let me ask you something, Arlene.
How do you sleep at night, knowing you killed your son? I mean, after all, you made the call that sent those murderers to my apartment, even though you meant it for me, right? It's Star's fault that he's dead.
Star played him.
She never loved him.
All she wanted was his cash.
(Jahil chuckles) Yeah, just like you did.
Oh, still do.
But let me tell you something.
If word ever gets out, the truth about your son and what he is, this whole phony Hunter Morgan Foundation, it's finished.
It's over.
You're right.
It will be over.
So you got to kill him.
I want Brody dead, Jahil.
That's the new deal.
Now give me the phone.
- Give me the phone.
- Not gonna happen.
- What the - (grunting) - (Brody grunting) - (Arlene yelling) - The plan wasn't to kill the bitch.
- (Grunting) -(shouting) - Jahil Jahil! - Yo, Brody, stop.
Stop! Hey, man! (Brody panting) Gimme my half.
Noah, wait up.
Noah, wait up.
Look, I'm not really in the mood to be going another round - with you right now, okay? - Don't do that.
Stop doing this.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself and acting like you're washed-up.
Your first album was a classic.
You're gifted.
Nobody else in that room has that.
You're going through a lot, and you got a lot of pressure on you.
But you got it, Noah.
You do.
Is that all? Yeah.
(indistinct chatter, phones ringing) Hey.
I'm sorry.
You were right.
I was overreacting.
I should've stayed out of it.
Yeah, I guess I didn't give you a choice.
(chuckles) I got something here that'll ruin Ayanna.
I can get Simone back if I blackmail her with it.
Are you sure you want to go there with Ayanna? No.
I guess, when it comes down to it, I'm just jealous of her.
Ayanna? (scoffs) She ain't got nothing on you.
She got my baby girl in a better place than I could give her.
Carlotta, you're a good woman.
Never forget that.
- ANDY: What y'all talking about? - STAR: Not you.
- Buh-bye.
- Why's he always laying down? - STAR: He's getting in the zone.
- 'Cause he lazy.
- Get up, boy.
- I've had about enough of your ass.
- That's what's up.
Yeah, yeah.
- (grunts) - Hey, hey! Hey, hey.
- What's up? Chill out! I'm getting tired of you punks.
Chill out.
You know what, it's time for y'all to know what's really going on around here.
If you don't pull this off, the label'll be sold.
What's that supposed to be, some type of scare tactic? Charles Floyd is threatening to sell the label.
They don't know what they talking about.
If Charles Floyd was threatening to sell the label, then Ayanna would know.
- Best believe she ain't letting that - Andy, shut up.
She doesn't have a choice.
This comes down to how this showcase turns out.
Which means it comes down to you.
It's time to go hard, or y'all can go home.
Look, I know that we're all here to shine and get that album, but if we're supposed to open up the show and let them know that Midtown is here, then we got to make sure that song is hot.
We're all survivors.
We're all here because somebody didn't have our back or didn't believe in us.
So we need this.
You're right.
I still believe this showcase can be everything for us.
Okay.
So let's turn on the track and get this.
Opening number, dress rehearsal, take one.
Tell me, girl, do you know what you want? Tell me, girl, do you understand how rare it is Indeed just to know who you are? Tell me, girl, what's in your heart? I know it's hard, can you play your part? Can you take your mind off the silly things Keep your eye on the ball? I know this inconsistent Relationship trip is killing you It's killing me, too, believe it or not But you ain't got to worry about nobody Coming round here, getting none of this - Or taking your spot - Do you think about the times That we're together? And she said no But I think about the times We ain't together And I said oh I said no This ain't right Said your hands got too much time Staying up all hours of the night Checking my page - Seeing who and what I like - Ooh On my timeline seeing who is new Don't worry about who follows who Baby, here's the truth Yeah, I see a lot of people But, baby, I want you I'm trying to love you true Celebrate who you are Appreciate you for you Baby, I want you We need to let go of the jealousy 'Cause turning our back won't do Without compromise we lose Oh, baby, I want you It's you I really can't say enough about you Yeah, baby, I choose All I want to do is be around you Don't you worry about the old 'Cause we're on to the new Ain't studding them 'cause I'm thinking about you Know that nothing can come Between what we have and what we do - So, for the times that I'm gone - Yeah Know that this much is true Baby, it's true I'm-a see a whole lot of people But, baby, I want you Because I want you, because I want you Not 'cause I need you, I really want you Baby, oh Not 'cause I want you Happy to have you Not 'cause I need you Because I want you, babe Not 'cause I need you, I really love you I really want you, babe And I got to have you I want to lead you I kind of need you, babe I'm happy to have you I really love you, and I choose you, baby Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh Good job, guys.
WOMAN: Nice, ladies.
Nice, gentlemen.
MAN: All right, then.
That rehearsal.
- You're gonna love this place.
- I'm excited.
- Hey! - Best steaks ever.
You said you wasn't gonna see that fool no more.
Who's this? - Oh, he don't know? - This is Omari.
He was just helping me out when I was on the inside.
Nah, you was calling me something else last night.
Are you sleeping with him? And we together, fool.
Omari, stop.
Yeah, you know what to do, baby.
I'm sorry, O, but I can't be with you.
(laughs) You can't say no to me, girl.
But I can say no.
Baby, listen, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm with you, Elliot.
No, I can't keep getting hurt by you like this.
(footsteps approaching) NOAH: I've been looking for you.
Why? I'm sorry.
Okay, I'm really sorry.
I know what it's like letting somebody in your head, and I don't want that to happen to you before the show.
Who said you were in my head? Okay.
From here on out, I promise to keep things strictly professional.
Don't kiss me again.
(sighs) Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
You sounded great today.
Really.
- Thanks.
- So, after you got your album and you go on tour and you got all the money you need, what are you gonna do? Hmm.
Get me and Star a huge place.
What about you? I'll find my mom.
I'm gonna buy a studio for myself.
What happened to your mom? Nah, I don't want to talk about that.
What do you think about my uncle? I mean, he's shady as hell, but he's okay, I guess.
He stole my song.
- I'm I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
You know, you're the realest person I've met since I got here.
Uh, I saw you the other day with those, uh, pills.
I know how to take 'em.
I know what I'm doing.
Just don't get caught up.
I've been there.
You know? KAREN: What's going on, Superstar? Posted at the coffee shop We would sit and talk for hours Never thought in a million years Things would change Tied to my heart Like a kite to a string I followed you Where the wind would blow That was Mary's warm-up song.
I would play it for her.
You didn't know that? I'd ask what happened to your face, but I'm sure you deserved it.
You know, uh you were spot-on about me.
I'm everything you think I am.
What's this? I came to town because Arlene Morgan paid me to.
She said she needed something from you.
I had these people after me So I took her up on her offer.
When I realized what she wanted from me and what had happened to you, I stopped.
I just wanted to be honest with you.
Maybe we could start over sometime.
And why do you have my phone? I took it.
'Cause she wanted the pictures.
- Of what Hunter did to me? - Yeah.
But she didn't get them.
I made sure of that.
I promise you, she'll never bother you again.
You deserve better than me, Star.
Better than Hunter.
Do I? Yes.
You do.
So did your mother.
Driving by the park tonight I was stopping at the light And it reminded me of all those days Posted at the coffee shop We would sit and talk for hours Never thought in a million years Things would change Tied to my heart Like a kite to a string I followed you Where the wind would blow We were something But you were fronting Now I'm sitting here wishing I could get you out of my head Baby, I tried But I can't unlove you You know you got your hooks in my soul Feels like I'm dying slowly Because you And your love Will never let me go I keep turning the page And I turned out the lights But I'm back in the same old place A thousand and one times Takes all the breath out of me I just can't escape I can't do this no more BOTH: Baby, I tried - But I can't unlove you - And I tried No, no, no You know you got your hooks in my soul - Feels like I'm dying slowly - Dying - All because you - Oh, oh And your love will never let me go.
You don't know a damn thing about that girl.
Ms.
Carlotta's not gonna like that you have custody over me.
- Hi, Dad.
- I've seen the quarterly reports.
- I thought I had a year.
- I want to know Star - won't get hurt by this.
- Just get the pictures off her damn phone.
I told you we were done.
You ain't never gonna be able to leave me, girl.
ARLENE (on phone): Hey, doll.
It's Arlene.
They know about those girls you set free.
They're coming for you.
Noah Brooks, you're going to close the showcase, with Alex in a duet.
STAR: Finally, we can stop with all the stunts.
You don't got to do that fake relationship with Noah anymore.
I never got a chance to thank you for earlier.
Is this your way of convincing me to do the duet? I like it when you lose it (Carlotta groans) I like it when you go there (Carlotta pants) I like the way you use it I like that you don't play fair Thought you was a church-going woman.
Damn.
We ain't in church.
Stroke is gettin' deep and faster (moaning, grunting) You're screamin' like I'm outta line Who came to make sweet love? Not me Who came to kiss and hug? Not me You miss that pastor you was messin' with? Now, why you trying to get me out the mood? No, I don't miss his ass.
Life is good.
Yeah.
Things are good.
Your girls got what they want.
But do you have what you want? We'll see.
You know, if they win, you back on the road.
Back on tour.
I think they gonna be big.
With you managing them, they will be.
Hurry up and put your shirt on, so I can get you out of here unnoticed.
Who said I was done? You love it when I lose it You love it when I go there.
I bring me Get mine, 'bout mine, go hard Looking for another like me Boy, stop I bring me Whose love is the tightest? Whose kiss is the nicest? Me Whose touch is the rightest? I bring me I bring, I bring me.
What you doing, creeping so early? (Laughs) What are you even doing up this early? It's the crack of dawn.
We got a radio promo.
For the competition.
You know I'm not letting anybody else take that mic, right? (Cotton chuckles) Cott, what is that? - What? - What is that? - Did Elliot hit you? - No.
Cotton, you better tell me the truth.
You know I've been through this.
I will kill him, so you're gonna have to explain to me what's going on.
Just Just sit.
Just sit.
And be quiet.
It's not what you think.
So I met this dude in jail, and he just got out and we go hard.
Oh.
Oh, you kinky little bitch.
Oh, my God.
So what is it like? Is it dangerous? I mean, it's rough, but it's nothing I can't handle.
But you got a prison bae.
So now, what about Elliot? I love Elliot.
But Omari Spanks you.
- I get it.
- I just can't say no.
I don't need no more details.
Don't tell me nothing else.
- Hard, hard, hard.
- (laughing): Oka The fans are gonna get to choose who wins this showcase.
So the competition starts with this radio gig.
Which means, whatever beef y'all got going on between you two, you need to dead that right now.
I really didn't know Ayanna would choose me and Noah to close the showcase.
And I'm really not upset.
As long as Take Three wins, and we get Simone out of there.
I don't care.
Well, that means drumming up a lot of votes, ladies.
Lots of 'em.
Now, any chance you get to talk, take it.
You need to make these people who are gonna vote love you.
- All right.
-We got it.
- BRODY: Hey, Star.
I need to talk to you.
I know it's early.
Yeah, too damn early for you to be here, Brody.
It's all good, Carlotta.
I'll be right there.
What do you want? I couldn't sleep last night, all right? I found out about this Hunter guy.
And what he did to you.
How do you know about that? You know what, don't even tell me how you know about it.
Because I've let go of it, you go ahead and do that, too.
Listen to me.
I came here for you and Simone, and I'm not going anywhere.
Do you understand? I love you.
Okay.
I got it.
I got it.
I got to go.
Why you mad? - Talk to me nice - Talk to me nice ALEXANDRA: What is Ayanna doing here? STAR: Probably hand-delivering a script for us for this interview.
- Fake ass.
- (Carlotta laughs) What? Simone, I thought you were taking the bus.
What are you doing in Ayanna's car? She got me out of juvie.
I'm living with her now.
What? She got me out two weeks ago.
And she's looking into becoming my new foster mother.
Baby, I know we desperate, but that ain't the way.
I was rotting in there.
Being told when to eat and when to sleep.
I had girls killing themselves in front of me.
ALEXANDRA: Simone, we have a plan.
Okay? We win, you get out.
Really? What happens if we don't win? What happens to me? That's the point of the plan, Simone.
We will win.
- We're doing everything that we can.
- You think that I want this? I mean, she did what y'all couldn't do.
Everything about this is shady.
I told her to stay away from you, and she went behind my back.
Yeah, well, it's done.
Don't we got an interview to do or something? This morning, we got some very special guests in the house.
"Y'all say what's up to the âA.
" (cheering) Happy to be here.
Happy to be here.
So Midtown Sound got that fire coming out the gate, showcasing its top talent, ya dig.
But what they doing is letting the fans decide which new artist is gonna win that prize.
Now, Midtown's streaming this show live, and the fans vote on social media, right? - STAR: That's right.
- Yeah.
And when the fans vote for Take Three and we win, that means we get the album, the tour, and all that Midtown coin.
- And we'll be priority at the label.
- Yes.
And by the looks at this table, it's not gonna be that hard.
I think we got it in the bag.
- Right, well, that bag is fake.
- (laughs) - ANDY: My name is Andy.
- And I'm Angel.
- Yeah - ALEXANDRA: And if I recall, you didn't win Atlanta NextFest.
- Take Three did, right? - Ooh.
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
- All right.
All right.
- HEADKRACK: Okay, all right.
All right.
Well, I'm seeing some real live competition - up in here.
- Oh, no.
The competition is very real.
Me and my sister have been dreaming about making an album - since we were little girls.
- (clears throat) Keep dreaming.
There's no way we're letting anybody at this table - take that away.
-That's right.
- ALEXANDRA: And I want everybody to finally see me.
Not my father.
Not my name.
But my talent, my sound.
- And if we win - Which you won't, 'cause, uh, we're here.
When we win, I'm, uh, I'm-a shout out all the people that hated on me.
You know, all the big time haters out out there at Buckhead High.
ANGEL: My pops always called me a waste of space.
And if I win, he can't do that anymore, so - But you got to win, though.
- Oh, I will.
NOAH: And you won't, not while I'm here.
HEADKRACK: What, Noah Brooks is in the house.
Now listen, - my money's on you.
- Yeah.
Even though you almost pissed the ladies off last week with that Becky.
Yeah.
Oh, yeah, it's all good, though.
Ain't nobody for me but my baby Alex.
How does it feel being in this showcase with artists who haven't even recorded an album? I mean, I just think it's cute, you know? It's fun.
Um, you know, I-I want to inspire the children.
Well, with your girl by your side.
Now, I hear you and Alex are gonna close that joint out with a little performance.
Oh, yeah, it's gonna be fire.
- Uh, y'all official, right? - Oh, yeah.
We-We, you know, we're definitely official.
- DA BRAT: Okay.
- NOAH: Absolutely.
STAR: Super official.
- HEADKRACK: Okay, well, check this out.
- Thank you.
HEADKRACK: My man Hurricane Dave said Midtown sent over a little surprise.
So, uh, Atlanta, you are hearing it for the first time ever.
- It's a Hot 107.
9 radio exclusive.
- Yeah! (Whoops) And this is gonna be, uh, closing down the showcase.
- Here it is, y'all.
âSo Sick.
â - "So Sick.
" - Yes.
- Wait.
You're dropping our song? Ayanna Floyd told us to surprise y'all.
HEADKRACK: Yup.
And this is written and produced by the two love baes.
HEADKRACK: Noah Brooks and Alexandra Crane.
Alexandra Crane of Take Three.
Who's gonna win the showcase.
Thank you, Atlanta.
- HEADKRACK: You're welcome.
- Mm-hmm.
What? That got weird, but thank you all.
Dropping the single right before the show, smart PR.
This show has to set Atlanta on fire, - or my father is going to make changes.
- Like what? You have any idea what you're doing to that girl's head? (sighing): Oh, God.
Could you be more specific, Carlotta? (music stops) You had no right to take Simone in.
You making moves you not qualified to make.
That's ironic, since your past is the reason Simone is at my house.
You don't know nothing about my past.
Oh, please, it's public record at the county courts.
And who puts a painting of Kathy Griffin on their office wall? Kathy's a friend.
And I seriously doubt you know the artist I commissioned to do it.
It's called taste, Carlotta.
Something you have none of.
You need to learn it if you're going to manage these artists.
You can start with your ensembles.
Who has my latte?! Look, I know how you feel right now.
What is she trying to pull with Simone? Baby, she just gave her a place to stay.
You're letting whatever guilt you feel about Mary and Simone bleed together.
Stop overreacting.
This is my family.
My life.
And she did this behind my back.
You know what? Don't weigh in on my family like this.
The sex wasn't that good.
You happy? It sounded great on the radio.
You want me to be sad about what happened? I'm not.
This is supposed to be us right now.
We're supposed to be hearing our song on the radio for the first time, but it's you and Noah.
And he's doing this for his career, that's not even gonna include you.
It's crazy, right? Ayanna just dropped the single like that.
- Did you know? - You ain't never been on the radio, and you pissed right now.
Are you serious? Because this is not supposed to be with you.
- I have a group and Derek and - Derek? - What does this have to do with Derek? - Everything.
- You kissed me.
- You kissed me back.
Okay, now you're trippin'.
I don't want to do this duet thing with you.
Nor do I want to be in a fake relationship, either.
So I heard you on the show this morning.
Yeah, how are we supposed to compete? Noah's set for a comeback.
And the girls won Atlanta's NextFest, so we're obviously nobody in this situation.
We ain't nobodies, okay? But we are the underdogs.
We just got to be smart.
I mean, Noah he used to be the king, right? But now, he's in there scrapping with y'all.
You don't think that messes with his ego? So, that's what we do.
You mess with his head.
Mess with all their heads.
Okay, well, I'm-a get at those girls from Take Three.
You know, make them fall in love with this Latin lover.
Bro, you're barely Spanish.
Don't nobody want that little dirty chalupa.
- Can we keep going? - JAHIL: Latino light.
The reality is your show was hot.
Okay? We just got to come up with I don't know something that surprises the viewers.
ANDY: Okay, well, I've seen the books, and there is nothing in the budget for us to do anything extra.
You get the music right I'll get the money.
Who the hell do you think you are? Your sister had been languishing in hell for months, and I gave her a lifeline.
Ayanna stay away from my sister.
Don't you dare threaten me.
Go in there and do your job.
Please stop.
- If you hadn't have done this - All right.
- Let's see it.
- MAN: Okay.
ANDY: Yo, Noah, come on, man.
Man, shut up.
Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh - Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh - Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh Tell me, girl, do you know what you want? Tell me, girl Do you understand how rare it is indeed Just to know who you are? Oh-oh, tell me, girl, what's in your heart I know it's hard, can you play your part? Can you take your mind off the silly things - Keep your eye on the ball? - STAR: I know This inconsistent relationship trip is killing you It's killing me, too, believe it or not - AYANNA: Okay, cut the music.
- But you ain't gotta - Stop the music.
- ANGEL: Why? Why? Because this is a joke.
You have a showcase in a week, and you're supposed to be the baddest on my label.
You have a full dress rehearsal tomorrow.
Maurice, this is an embarrassment.
(keyboard keys clacking) (footsteps approaching) Jahil Hey, Brody.
We need to talk.
So what you want, man? Talk about old times? No.
Arlene Morgan and her coward-ass son.
What about 'em? You knew.
Look, man, I had no idea what Hunter was doing to Star up until the night that he died.
Star never told nobody.
And as far as Arlene is concerned, she's dirt.
Tried to set me up to be killed, so I got no love lost for that bitch.
Anyway, what do you care about Star and her well-being at this point anyway? That boy hurt her the same way you used to hurt Mary.
Hey, I never laid a hand on Mary, and you know that.
Look, let's cut to the chase, man.
All right, what's this got to do with Arlene? Well, she found me.
Found out I had debts.
Some big ones, in Vegas.
- So that's where you've been.
- She wanted me to get some info on Star's phone.
Said she'd give me 250 grand.
- (scoffs) - Don't judge me, Jahil.
I needed the money.
You and me we're both cut from the same cloth, brother.
I need your help.
You want something to drink? (grunts) Ayanna.
- Yes, Crane? - I I don't think closing the showcase is good for me or Noah, and on top of that, - it's confusing for Midtown.
- Don't tell me what's confusing for my company.
I pay you to sing.
- That's all.
- I get it.
I was just thinking, if I'm not paying you to think.
You two came up with the idea of a relationship and a love song.
I, then, went to the radio with it.
- Now, you want out.
- Yes.
But only because You're falling for him, aren't you? I thought you were smarter than that, Crane.
The duet stays.
(Angel sighs heavily) Show prep ain't no joke.
You want to rehearse? Just you and me? Um, mm, no, I-I got to rehearse my own thing, but thanks.
Ah.
Okay.
Okay.
Hey.
Why do you want to sing? Takes away the painful thoughts.
Makes me forget.
What about you? Me, too.
How about I count us in? - Okay.
- Yeah.
Let's do it.
("I Want You" starts playing) - Do you know the steps? - Kind of.
I know.
Me, too, - but I know this one part, so, okay.
- Okay.
- Want to start from this part? - That's perfect.
Okay.
Five, six, seven, eight.
- Boom.
Snap.
- - Ooh, I'm sorry.
- That's-that's okay.
- Okay.
Five.
- (clears throat) All right.
Six, seven, eight.
- Boom.
And seven - All my love I'll give to you She told me that she notice something different about me - And I know you feel - ANDY: Hey! Okay.
Mr.
Noah Brooks, I see you.
I like that.
Don't try to act like we cool now.
Noah, what are you talking about, man? I'm just showing you some love.
I get it.
My bad.
I understand.
Your brother just died.
Hey, man, don't speak on my brother.
- Punk ass.
- What?! What you say? - What? - What's up? - What you thought this was? Yeah.
- What you thought it was? - Don't let that Harvard fool you, boy.
- Well, you got a good time, - and boy, you about to get clocked.
- Yeah? Don't forget.
I know you.
That's how you lost your deal the first time.
And to think I was almost about to feel bad for your ass.
But now, I'm gonna have to mop your ungrateful, drunk behind all over that floor.
Oh, you sound funny right now.
You should go fetch me some water.
You better know your place, boy.
You know what place I'm in? The same place you are.
You ain't noticed that? Last year, you had everything.
So I know that that Lucky thing ain't got you shook.
You're afraid of the competition.
See, one thing I learned from working with Ayanna I can smell a bitch.
(door opens) You got balls coming in here.
So you tried to have me killed, huh? So how's Brody? I got him in my pocket.
Oh, do ya? That's funny.
Hmm.
Maybe that's why he's out trying to sell pictures of your son beating the crap out of Star.
See, I figured you should know, because without the foundation, you ain't got no money.
You got as much money as I do.
Where is he? Brody? He had a little run-in with my nine millimeter.
I'll tell you what, though.
You pay me, and I'll give you the phone with everything on it, and I'll even take care of Brody.
(laughing) I got the goods, Arlene.
HUNTER (recording): Baby, I'm I'm so sorry.
Come on, please call me back.
I don't know what came over me.
I didn't mean to hurt you.
JAHIL: I miss him, too.
You can have him back for 500 K.
The foundation ain't gonna miss it.
Meet me tomorrow.
I'll get it.
Now, get the hell out of here.
(billiard balls clacking) How you doing, baby? I'm cool.
Why you ain't tell me? Because I knew you'd think what you think.
And what am I thinkin'? That I'm not thinking things through.
That I'm doing things out of desperation just like my mom.
Like Mary, but that ain't the truth.
You just don't listen to me, Miss C.
I've been listening.
I don't do nothing but listen.
Really? Then you must not hear me.
I was dying in there.
I would sign out and come here, and nobody would ask me anything.
Nobody knew how messed up my life was in there.
And then when I lost Karen, I just She meant a lot to you, huh? Yeah.
I think I loved her.
Simone, are you high right now? I'm not talking about no pot.
What are you on? Oh, I'm gonna get my answer.
SIMONE: Come on.
Well, I mean, these don't do the closets any justice.
This is gorgeous.
Whose house is this? - I-I mean, I love - Where's my check? Look, I already mailed it.
It didn't come.
I want it now.
- Get out of my office.
- Stop playing with me, - China man.
I want my damn money.
- COTTON: You know what? - I'm sick of your redneck ass.
- Get off! -Hey, hey.
You want problems? Get I'm gonna kill your ass.
Wow, you sure do know how to take care of a man, don't you? (laughs) That house? That's our house.
- What? - Those plans are for our house.
Elliot, wait, wait.
No, look, look, look.
I love you.
I want everything for us.
A marriage.
A life.
That's why I'm showing you those plans.
I'm asking what you think I'm asking.
Why are you doing this to me? 'Cause I give a damn about you.
Oh, so you just happen to have a pee test lying around? I'm a ex-convict.
I got discounts on pee tests.
- Yeah, well, you're crazy if you - Sit your ass down.
You're crazy if you think that I'm actually gonna sit No, you're crazy if you think I'm-a let you out - in these streets with no check-in.
- Okay, fine.
- Well, I'll pee when you leave.
- No, you gonna pee right here, right now.
Go.
Nice.
(urinating) Simone, we so close to this showcase.
Learn from your mother's mistakes.
Think about your future.
(toilet flushes) - Miss C, I really d - Negative.
(water running) Stop reliving your past through us.
'Cause we ain't you.
(scrubbing hands) You know, I like living at Ayanna's.
So you done playing social worker now? 'Cause I got my future to think about.
What's up? Nothing.
(grunts) Don't seem like nothing.
Are you nervous about the show? It's not that.
You do realize if we win this, I'll be going on tour.
I feel like I'm working hard just to leave you behind.
You ain't leaving me.
I mean, I've known this was gonna happen at some point.
Sorry, I'm sorry a million times But we'll work it out.
We always do.
I know you mad, I know you mad Just promise me one thing.
I got some bad habits If this is something that you don't ever want, please just show me some respect and tell me first.
Don't say that.
You don't think I'm gonna walk again, do you? - Yes.
- RADIO HOST: Hey, yo.
We got a fresh new joint, only on Hot 107.
ALEXANDRA (on radio): Over and over and over I tried I don't need you and that boy singing in our bedroom, either.
(radio shuts off) SIMONE: Do you think about the times that we're together? And she said no, but I think about the times We ain't together - And I said, oh - ALEXANDRA: I said no This ain't right Said your hands got too much time Staying up all hours of the night - Checking my page, seeing who and what I like.
-Cut, cut! - What? - These two little ones can't just be improvising.
- They need instructions.
- You can't just call cut, bitch.
- We're in the middle of performing.
- (overlapping arguing) He didn't mean it.
He didn't mean it like that.
- (arguing continues) - NOAH: Yo.
Hey! Yo! Y'all think this is a joke?! We're a week away from the one shot we all got, and y'all up here trippin' like some fools.
Whenever y'all ready, y'all let me know, all right? But you know what, what do I know? I'm washed-up, aren't I? Sucka.
Guys, can we, uh can we just go one more time? No.
We need to take five.
Alex, trust me.
I know what Ayanna wants.
If we could just take it from the top I just got a text from my uncle.
He came through with it.
He's got some extra cash so we can make some noise - for this performance.
- That's what I'm talking about.
- Did you see Noah? - Yeah.
- That boy's losing it.
- Yeah, he is.
You're an ass.
Okay.
I got the wardrobe on lock.
We can talk hair and makeup based on this.
- Oh, word.
- Can you believe that witch tried to dis the way I dress? There ain't nothing wrong with the way you dress.
I mean, if you work in the salon.
What's that supposed to mean? Girl, I'm just saying, you stay on the girls about stepping their game up, you got to do the same thing.
You in the corporate world now, sister.
What's this? I got something to bury that bitch for good.
I love you so Where'd you get this, Bruce? Girl, you know I used to sing background for Luther Vandross back in the day.
The streets in the music biz are just as dirty as the streets we grew up in.
It was as easy as getting dirt on Harvey Weinstein.
I'm trying not to sink to Ayanna's level.
You got enough ammunition to get Simone back in this house.
And you talking about you don't want to sink? Bitch, you better sink.
Sink, bitch.
Come on.
Sink, bitch, sink Sink, bitch, sink, sink, bitch, sink - Let's go.
All right.
- Sink, bitch, sink - Sink, bitch, sink.
- I knew you was going there.
- (laughs) - I knew you was going there.
How much I love you so Lately hazy Girl, I'm goin' round Want you to see How much you mean to me You're the girl who makes me feel so good Cutie pie Nothin' but a cutie pie $500,000 cash.
Hand over the phone.
Hey.
No backup, no data in the cloud? It's like it never happened.
You're the girl who makes me feel so good Let me ask you something, Arlene.
How do you sleep at night, knowing you killed your son? I mean, after all, you made the call that sent those murderers to my apartment, even though you meant it for me, right? It's Star's fault that he's dead.
Star played him.
She never loved him.
All she wanted was his cash.
(Jahil chuckles) Yeah, just like you did.
Oh, still do.
But let me tell you something.
If word ever gets out, the truth about your son and what he is, this whole phony Hunter Morgan Foundation, it's finished.
It's over.
You're right.
It will be over.
So you got to kill him.
I want Brody dead, Jahil.
That's the new deal.
Now give me the phone.
- Give me the phone.
- Not gonna happen.
- What the - (grunting) - (Brody grunting) - (Arlene yelling) - The plan wasn't to kill the bitch.
- (Grunting) -(shouting) - Jahil Jahil! - Yo, Brody, stop.
Stop! Hey, man! (Brody panting) Gimme my half.
Noah, wait up.
Noah, wait up.
Look, I'm not really in the mood to be going another round - with you right now, okay? - Don't do that.
Stop doing this.
Stop feeling sorry for yourself and acting like you're washed-up.
Your first album was a classic.
You're gifted.
Nobody else in that room has that.
You're going through a lot, and you got a lot of pressure on you.
But you got it, Noah.
You do.
Is that all? Yeah.
(indistinct chatter, phones ringing) Hey.
I'm sorry.
You were right.
I was overreacting.
I should've stayed out of it.
Yeah, I guess I didn't give you a choice.
(chuckles) I got something here that'll ruin Ayanna.
I can get Simone back if I blackmail her with it.
Are you sure you want to go there with Ayanna? No.
I guess, when it comes down to it, I'm just jealous of her.
Ayanna? (scoffs) She ain't got nothing on you.
She got my baby girl in a better place than I could give her.
Carlotta, you're a good woman.
Never forget that.
- ANDY: What y'all talking about? - STAR: Not you.
- Buh-bye.
- Why's he always laying down? - STAR: He's getting in the zone.
- 'Cause he lazy.
- Get up, boy.
- I've had about enough of your ass.
- That's what's up.
Yeah, yeah.
- (grunts) - Hey, hey! Hey, hey.
- What's up? Chill out! I'm getting tired of you punks.
Chill out.
You know what, it's time for y'all to know what's really going on around here.
If you don't pull this off, the label'll be sold.
What's that supposed to be, some type of scare tactic? Charles Floyd is threatening to sell the label.
They don't know what they talking about.
If Charles Floyd was threatening to sell the label, then Ayanna would know.
- Best believe she ain't letting that - Andy, shut up.
She doesn't have a choice.
This comes down to how this showcase turns out.
Which means it comes down to you.
It's time to go hard, or y'all can go home.
Look, I know that we're all here to shine and get that album, but if we're supposed to open up the show and let them know that Midtown is here, then we got to make sure that song is hot.
We're all survivors.
We're all here because somebody didn't have our back or didn't believe in us.
So we need this.
You're right.
I still believe this showcase can be everything for us.
Okay.
So let's turn on the track and get this.
Opening number, dress rehearsal, take one.
Tell me, girl, do you know what you want? Tell me, girl, do you understand how rare it is Indeed just to know who you are? Tell me, girl, what's in your heart? I know it's hard, can you play your part? Can you take your mind off the silly things Keep your eye on the ball? I know this inconsistent Relationship trip is killing you It's killing me, too, believe it or not But you ain't got to worry about nobody Coming round here, getting none of this - Or taking your spot - Do you think about the times That we're together? And she said no But I think about the times We ain't together And I said oh I said no This ain't right Said your hands got too much time Staying up all hours of the night Checking my page - Seeing who and what I like - Ooh On my timeline seeing who is new Don't worry about who follows who Baby, here's the truth Yeah, I see a lot of people But, baby, I want you I'm trying to love you true Celebrate who you are Appreciate you for you Baby, I want you We need to let go of the jealousy 'Cause turning our back won't do Without compromise we lose Oh, baby, I want you It's you I really can't say enough about you Yeah, baby, I choose All I want to do is be around you Don't you worry about the old 'Cause we're on to the new Ain't studding them 'cause I'm thinking about you Know that nothing can come Between what we have and what we do - So, for the times that I'm gone - Yeah Know that this much is true Baby, it's true I'm-a see a whole lot of people But, baby, I want you Because I want you, because I want you Not 'cause I need you, I really want you Baby, oh Not 'cause I want you Happy to have you Not 'cause I need you Because I want you, babe Not 'cause I need you, I really love you I really want you, babe And I got to have you I want to lead you I kind of need you, babe I'm happy to have you I really love you, and I choose you, baby Ooh, ooh Ooh, ooh, ooh Ooh Good job, guys.
WOMAN: Nice, ladies.
Nice, gentlemen.
MAN: All right, then.
That rehearsal.
- You're gonna love this place.
- I'm excited.
- Hey! - Best steaks ever.
You said you wasn't gonna see that fool no more.
Who's this? - Oh, he don't know? - This is Omari.
He was just helping me out when I was on the inside.
Nah, you was calling me something else last night.
Are you sleeping with him? And we together, fool.
Omari, stop.
Yeah, you know what to do, baby.
I'm sorry, O, but I can't be with you.
(laughs) You can't say no to me, girl.
But I can say no.
Baby, listen, I'm sorry.
I'm sorry.
I'm with you, Elliot.
No, I can't keep getting hurt by you like this.
(footsteps approaching) NOAH: I've been looking for you.
Why? I'm sorry.
Okay, I'm really sorry.
I know what it's like letting somebody in your head, and I don't want that to happen to you before the show.
Who said you were in my head? Okay.
From here on out, I promise to keep things strictly professional.
Don't kiss me again.
(sighs) Okay.
Okay.
Okay.
You sounded great today.
Really.
- Thanks.
- So, after you got your album and you go on tour and you got all the money you need, what are you gonna do? Hmm.
Get me and Star a huge place.
What about you? I'll find my mom.
I'm gonna buy a studio for myself.
What happened to your mom? Nah, I don't want to talk about that.
What do you think about my uncle? I mean, he's shady as hell, but he's okay, I guess.
He stole my song.
- I'm I'm sorry.
- Yeah.
You know, you're the realest person I've met since I got here.
Uh, I saw you the other day with those, uh, pills.
I know how to take 'em.
I know what I'm doing.
Just don't get caught up.
I've been there.
You know? KAREN: What's going on, Superstar? Posted at the coffee shop We would sit and talk for hours Never thought in a million years Things would change Tied to my heart Like a kite to a string I followed you Where the wind would blow That was Mary's warm-up song.
I would play it for her.
You didn't know that? I'd ask what happened to your face, but I'm sure you deserved it.
You know, uh you were spot-on about me.
I'm everything you think I am.
What's this? I came to town because Arlene Morgan paid me to.
She said she needed something from you.
I had these people after me So I took her up on her offer.
When I realized what she wanted from me and what had happened to you, I stopped.
I just wanted to be honest with you.
Maybe we could start over sometime.
And why do you have my phone? I took it.
'Cause she wanted the pictures.
- Of what Hunter did to me? - Yeah.
But she didn't get them.
I made sure of that.
I promise you, she'll never bother you again.
You deserve better than me, Star.
Better than Hunter.
Do I? Yes.
You do.
So did your mother.
Driving by the park tonight I was stopping at the light And it reminded me of all those days Posted at the coffee shop We would sit and talk for hours Never thought in a million years Things would change Tied to my heart Like a kite to a string I followed you Where the wind would blow We were something But you were fronting Now I'm sitting here wishing I could get you out of my head Baby, I tried But I can't unlove you You know you got your hooks in my soul Feels like I'm dying slowly Because you And your love Will never let me go I keep turning the page And I turned out the lights But I'm back in the same old place A thousand and one times Takes all the breath out of me I just can't escape I can't do this no more BOTH: Baby, I tried - But I can't unlove you - And I tried No, no, no You know you got your hooks in my soul - Feels like I'm dying slowly - Dying - All because you - Oh, oh And your love will never let me go.