Greenleaf (2016) s02e15 Episode Script
Two By Two
1 GRACE: Previously on Greenleaf I just think you should calm down on the groupies at the cotillion.
- Isaiah.
- Get off! Ow! I promise you I will never do this again.
WOMAN: Excuse me, First Lady? - BOTH: Yes? - I meant First Lady Skanks.
When Kerissa and I were doing Real Church, we met some amazing people, and we need them here.
Creating new programs at a time like this? It may be better to wait on your Real Church integration.
CHARITY: Tamela Mann asked me to sing backup for her.
I do not want to see you throw away your dignity.
- Mama! - The one good thing about your mother leaving us the way she did.
She knew about you, too.
All of them.
MAE: I could have ended my marriage.
You are disgusting.
Tell Mae I'm sorry.
- [music playing.]
- JAMES: Enchanté, madame.
[giggles.]
Monsieur.
Three little words Oh, what I'd give for that wonderful phrase To hear those three little words That's all I'd live for [all laughing.]
Wow! Wow, look at you two.
Still got it, huh, Daddy? Well, time hasn't taken everything.
Mama, take a look at these two.
- MAE: Yes.
- Astaire and Rogers, right? - [James chuckles.]
- Yes, just poetry in motion.
Wow.
All right, baby.
All right, all right.
You're gonna be late for school.
Fine, I guess I'll go to school.
Come on, come on, come on.
Practice again tonight? Only two weeks until cotillion.
Anytime you want to dance, you just tell me, huh? I'm there.
[sighs.]
You two should join a dance club or something, Grandma.
He's good! Oh, don't you know I know it.
- No, dear, I just wanted - GRACE: Go, go, go.
Maricel called early this morning and she's in the hospital with Quico.
- Well, what happened? - Meningitis.
- JAMES: What? - Is he going to be okay? Thankfully, yes.
But she's not going to be here today and possibly not for the week.
But isn't she supposed to go on tour with Charity - starting Friday? - Well.
Well, that was Satan's plan, but seems like the Lord has intervened.
Can't we just keep Nathan with us? Help out for two weeks? This is for the best.
She's staying home now, and don't help.
I think she should go.
- Excuse me? - I think Gigi's right.
We should all chip in.
Oh, you gonna pitch in with a baby? Or pay someone else to.
And who'll lead praise and worship? Charity said Carlton can do it.
- Carlton? - Yeah.
I don't have a problem with that.
Is that a problem for you? - James? - You see, we're just trying to give your daughter the same access to her own happiness that you've taken so freely for yourself over the years.
Hmm.
Well, I tell you what.
Charity and I will go and visit them both in the hospital this morning and get a better sense of the situation.
- Mmm.
- Brilliant idea.
Yes, because what is the sense in trying to make decisions when we don't know what the hell we're talking about.
Amen [vocalizing.]
Amen [vocalizing.]
Well [vocalizing.]
Amen, amen [vocalizing.]
Bishop? Yes, Karine? Miss Cross is here to see you.
Oh, marvelous.
[chuckles.]
Send her in.
I was praying for some distraction.
[chuckles.]
Well, here I am.
Karine, you can go now.
Thank you.
Open or? Closed will be fine, thank you.
[chuckles.]
In all seriousness, I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
I see you have your big Bible open.
I was just preparing some thoughts for my message on Sunday.
What are you preaching on? Well, the text is the story of the Flood, but I'm still waiting to see what I'm gonna be preaching.
The Lord hasn't revealed that to me yet.
Well, I'm sure you'll find something to shake the walls.
- You always do.
- [chuckles.]
- May I? - Oh, make yourself at home.
Thank you.
So, to what do I owe this surprise? [laughs.]
Well I wanted to stop and drop this by.
Well What's this for? You put good things out, good things come back, right? Well, at least we hope they do, right? Is there some sort of problem? You know me, don't you? Everyone else in my life thinks of me as the, you know, every hair in place, but you see through all of that.
[chuckles.]
It's nice, actually, having someone who sees the real me.
I'm sure you have that with Mae.
Hmm.
What's this big check really about? Nothing, hopefully.
I went and had my five-year cancer screening the other day.
Mm.
And this morning, they asked me to come in.
That's not necessarily a bad thing.
No, but usually when it's good, they give you the results over the phone.
- So, we'll see.
- When's this big appointment? 10:00.
I was actually headed that way.
Might I accompany you? You sure you're not too busy? No.
I'll be back in a couple of hours.
Okay? So, what brings you by, Skip? You just happen to be in the hood? No.
No one knows this yet, but the mayor is stepping down at the end of this term, and I'm gonna be running.
- Mayor Leonard.
- Could be.
Anyway, Basie was gonna be my spiritual advisor.
You know, support me publicly, sit by my right hand, make sure the community knows I'm God's man in Memphis.
Okay.
He didn't mention this to you before he pyew.
Oh, no.
Anyway, I just dropped by to find out if I can count on Triumph.
- Triumph? - The handsome, fresh face of Triumph.
Could be mutually beneficial.
Hmm.
Say what you want about church and state, but there's a lot of overlap.
What kind of overlap are we talking? Well, like, there's all kinds of community development block grants.
Programs like this homeless thing of yours.
People love to hate on the government nowadays, but there's a lot of cash waiting to be claimed.
Well, I tell you what.
I'll pray on it.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
And in the meantime, you can send over any stuff you have for me to take a look at.
You know, any position papers, policies.
Just to be sure we're on the same page.
- Thank you for the time.
- Thank you.
- [door opens.]
- I can't believe you're doing this.
Charity, I'm not doing anything.
You won't let me take Maricel after we agreed it was going to be okay.
That was before her husband was parked outside death's door.
Oh, they said he's gonna be fine, Mama.
He's going home in a couple of days.
He's through the worst of it, Mama.
That's what the doctor said.
The doctor said it would take two weeks for him to fully recover.
But you know that is not the plan.
The answer is no.
[exhales.]
ROCHELLE: Thank you for coming with me today.
[chuckles.]
Of course.
[chuckles.]
It actually gave me some ideas about my message on Sunday.
Oh, well, feel free to share.
I'd rather think about almost anything else.
[Chuckles.]
Well, I was thinking about the animals on Noah's ark.
How all the animals entered the ark two by two.
Mm.
How God made us to need each other.
Well, I need you today.
Hmm.
Even if it didn't occur to me to ask.
- [door opens.]
- WOMAN: Miss Cross? Oh, yeah, go on.
[PA chatter.]
[door closes.]
[Grace knocks.]
Mama? - You wanted to see me? - I did I do I mean yes.
Well, what's up? Maricel's husband is illegal.
I think you mean undocumented.
I'm just trying to help, Grace.
All right, go ahead.
Sorry.
Well, the reason that he just waited so long and let himself get so sick before he went to a hospital was he was afraid.
Scared that he'd be, you know, sniffed out or deported.
- Can you imagine? - No, I can't.
I don't want to, and that's why I'm asking you if we can do something to help him get - Documented.
- Yeah, yes.
Is there any way we can get this on the fast track? Because if I had to give up Maricel on top of everything else, I just don't know.
I'll see what I can do.
Mama? Is something wrong between you and Daddy? Yes.
But you take care of that because that will give me the joy that I need to persist.
- Good morning, Karine.
- Good morning.
[door opens.]
Where's Bishop? With Miss Cross.
- [chatter.]
- [exhales.]
- Hey.
- All clear.
- JAMES: Oh, praise God.
- I know.
Oh, thank you.
So, why did they want to see you? Oh, just some kidney stuff they want to keep, you know, eyes on.
No big deal.
I'm sure it's just an aftereffect of the chemo.
- But I'm cancer-free.
- I knew you would be.
[chuckles.]
You know, my daughter Gigi tells me that I I shouldn't tell folk that, but I knew it.
[sighs.]
I'm so glad that God decided to put you in my life.
And thank you for being open to letting Him do that.
Well I'm happy to be of service.
[chuckles.]
So, you want to go to dinner or have a light drink to celebrate? - You know? - Um, I - Should be getting back.
- I probably should.
I know, it was silly to ask.
I've been hogging you all day and want you for the nighttime, too? Who am I? One of many, I'm sure.
[sighs.]
Come on.
Okay.
Best be getting you back.
You have a sermon to write, mister.
CHARITY: It'll just be two weeks.
Yeah, but two weeks is two weeks.
But I'll learn the parts.
You know that.
And who's going to sing them till then? I'll have to hire somebody to cover.
Right, but just for two weeks, and then I can come meet up with the tour.
- It - But the money I'll have to spend for someone to rehearse Charity, for you, I'd spend extra, but it's not just me.
It's the promoters, Tamela's people.
It's okay just not to do it.
- We'll have other chances.
- No! I'll make it work.
It's really okay to say you can't.
I'll make it work.
Okay? I'll see you Friday for rehearsal.
I'll see you Friday.
Bye.
[gasps, sighs.]
- KERISSA: Z! - [knocking on door.]
Mom! One sec.
Just give me a minute.
- Yes? - What were you doing? I was folding laundry.
You can help.
Just grab some underwear.
So, what's the big emergency? Well, there's no big emergency, but Mr.
Dorsey came to see me about you today.
[stutters.]
Why? I'm pulling a B average, or near that.
It wasn't about your grades.
He says you're not participating.
It's 'cause he's a great teacher.
Getting it all in here.
Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Yes, I'm sure.
I'm as good as it gets.
[chuckles.]
Are you sure, Zora? Mom, you're being weird.
I wear a long-sleeve, and you have a problem with it.
Then I used to get grief for talking too much, and now, apparently, I don't talk enough.
I'm maturing.
- Maturing? - Yeah.
I'm becoming serious.
[sighs.]
Okay, well, clean up.
That's what I was doing before you rang.
Mwah.
I'll unlock it.
GRACE: Gosh, have you seen my earring? Yeah.
Here you go.
- Thank you.
- Oh, wow, good hands.
- Nice.
- Nice everything.
- Ooh.
- [both laughing.]
I'm sorry I can't stay the night, but, you know, Sophia.
Nah, that's cool.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I mean, I I obviously wish you could stay.
- Yeah.
- But I get it.
Is she okay with me coming to dinner tomorrow? Yeah, she is.
But? I just wonder if we should go out somewhere.
You know? Just the three of us.
Isn't normalizing this whole thing with your family, uh - you know, kind of the point? - Well, yeah.
- Yeah.
- Oh, come here.
- Mm, but - Okay, but what? - No, it's just - What? Say it.
My parents.
Something's going on with them.
Well, I mean, they can fight in front of me.
- Yeah? - Yeah, my parents did it all the time.
[chuckles.]
Lasted 24 years, that marriage.
Well, we'll see.
I just don't know if it's the right time to "cross the streams.
" - You know? - Well, whatever, I'm down.
Thank you.
For being perfect.
And thank you for being you.
[sighs.]
Good evening.
[zipper unzips.]
You saw Miss Cross today.
As a matter of fact, I did.
She was off to get the results from her five-year cancer screening and needed some spiritual support.
I see.
[chuckles.]
As to the compassionate question that your suspicion prevents you from asking, she's fine.
She also brought us a check.
Did Karine tell you that, too? - She did.
- Good.
I'd hate to think that you were being denied any crucial information.
Good night.
What did Zora have to say about Dorsey? KERISSA: Just what you'd expect.
But when I went to go see her, her room was locked.
She was acting very strange.
Maybe she was high.
You don't think she's doing that.
I was at that age.
I'm not saying it was good, but that's how it was.
[groans.]
It didn't smell like marijuana.
Maybe it was edibles.
[Jamaican accent.]
Well, listen to you, Bob Marley.
I'm just going off what you said.
Skip Leonard shouldn't trust you.
- [sighs.]
- Just, um bring me back some if you find some.
Not with you.
I cannot.
You are terrible.
[sighs.]
[sighs.]
[sniffs.]
[sniffs.]
[object thuds.]
[scoffs.]
What are you doing in my stuff? What are you doing with this? [sighs.]
Kevin's gone.
He's not coming back.
Yeah, it looks like that, doesn't it? I have to get on with my life.
And you have the right to do that.
Even if I am partly doing this to be with Jabari? Daddy, what's wrong with that? People like other people.
I think your mother's just worried.
I know she is, but, Daddy, it's my life.
When I'm standing on that stage singing and the spirit of God falls on me I can't explain.
It's it's life.
And I know I'm just singing background on this tour, but I don't want to just sing at Calvary.
I want to sing to the nations.
And this is a step toward that.
I mean, she is playing Madison Square Garden.
Then you have to do that.
I know I'm leaving you in a lurch when it comes to worship, Daddy, and I'm sorry, but Carlton is available.
And all you have to do is go over and ask.
Whatever Mama or Betty Wilcox thinks That's a whole nother can of worms.
But what about Nathan? I'll make it work.
I can't be the first woman to bring her baby on tour with her, so we'll figure it out.
What? I'm just proud of you.
Don't worry about leading worship.
I'll take care of that.
I'll handle it.
You just go.
- I love you.
- Love you back.
[chuckles.]
How could you be so irresponsible? I mean, we were using protection.
That's the definition of responsible.
[scoffs.]
I knew that boy was no good.
- It was my decision.
- And it was stupid! When are you going to learn that I'm not like you? I'm not you.
I don't want you to be me.
I want you to be you, Zora.
But I want you to be the best you that you can be.
And this is not it.
I know you think I'm uptight and uncool and the opposite of lit or whatever it is you kids are saying these days, but I can tell you this.
Making your father wait until we were married earned me his respect.
[scoffs.]
Did it? [gasps.]
Zora? [sighs.]
I'm sorry.
[sighs.]
Sweetie, look at me.
Look at me.
All I'm saying is that there's a lot of sex to be had, but it's never a measure of a woman's worth.
I need you to understand that.
You are young and smart and of much value.
Are you gonna tell Dad? [sighs.]
I don't know.
I don't know what I'm gonna do yet.
But in the meantime, that boy is not to be in this house ever again, end of story.
And I want you to read Corinthians chapter seven.
Now, the strong housing and job training initiatives in the second and third phase of this plan are built on the foundation of phase one's focus.
Regular church attendance, which starts with busing.
- Pastor Greenleaf? - Sister Weaver.
When were you thinking about setting all this in motion? Oh, as soon as possible, I hope.
This Sunday? Well, as treasurer, it falls to me, unfortunately, to talk about the financial realities here.
We already have the buses and we can get volunteers to drive them.
I mean, so for phase one, we're literally just talking about the cost of gas.
- And insurance.
- And insurance.
For the drivers and passengers.
- That's correct.
- Which is no small thing.
Plus, when Pastor Skanks launched his Open and Inclusive Coalition, we gained four new members total and lost 200 old ones.
Now you're talking about bringing in potentially an even less desirable element, which, by definition, will cost us more money, and don't add a dime? Sister Weaver Pastor Greenleaf, I'm not the one who's in charge.
The money's in charge.
No, the Lord is in charge.
And He told me the city's gonna pay for it.
All in favor, say aye.
Group: Aye.
- Aye.
- Aye.
Aye.
JAMES: I had a talk with Charity today.
Oh, tell me that she has made her peace, please.
- Well, I'd say she has.
- Mm.
She's going on tour.
And Carlton's coming back to lead worship.
- Says who? - Me.
I'm gonna talk to him about it tomorrow.
Well And like everything else in your family, it's not a conversation.
- Ah! - What's in the box? Oh, just a little something for your boyfriend.
Oh, really? Look at you.
[both sighing.]
Look at you.
Such a girl.
This is not gonna be one big tease-your-mom-about- her-boyfriend night, okay? - I don't know what it's gonna be.
- [doorbell rings.]
- Okay, he's here.
- [giggles.]
- [knocking on door.]
- [exhales.]
- Hi.
- Hey.
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
Come on in.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- [laughs.]
Excellent help you have there.
- [Grace chuckles.]
- SOPHIA: Oh, we aim to please.
Sophia, you remember Mr.
Nash.
From the night of the car accident.
- Yes, that's right.
- [chuckles.]
Well, look at you with all these flowers, huh? Yeah, they're for your mother.
- And this is for you.
- SOPHIA: Oh.
- Thank you.
- GRACE: You're thoughtful.
And this is for you.
- Oh.
- Mm.
[giggles.]
I thought music would be a safe bet.
- Totally.
- Oh, what is this? A playlist.
Great minds.
Yeah? What kind of music? All kinds of gospel, contemporary.
- Okay, cool.
Thank you.
- [Sophia and Grace laughing.]
Well, you ready to go get raked over the coals for doing your job? Uh, there's still gonna be food, right? - Oh, there's gonna be food.
- Okay.
We're gonna take care of you in that department, okay? - I see chocolate cake.
- [laughs.]
- Before we go into this breakfast - Uh-huh.
I just want to dial in the message.
- Of course.
- Jesus, great.
Church, great.
Homeless, great.
Brother Leonard, God's man in Memphis, even better.
Okay, I think I can do that.
Just maybe lay off the, you know the gay stuff.
- Seriously? - Just for this morning.
I'm cool with it.
I'm more than cool with it.
But some of these cats Stick to the common ground.
Inclusivity is what we do here.
Pastor, if these guys get me into the mayor's office, and they're the ones that can do it, those block grants will be rolling in so fast, you'll have to swim to keep from drowning in all that money.
Amen? One mountain at a time.
Okay.
See you in there, preacher man.
[door opens.]
[door closes.]
DARIUS: Here's my father in a nutshell.
Atlanta City Council was trying to prove they didn't have to pass any more laws to desegregate.
This was back in the 1960s.
My father gave a passionate speech that threatened to change all their minds.
My uncle says it's some of the finest words he's ever heard outside of pulpit.
He sounds like a remarkable man.
Too bad he's passed.
So, now, what church did your parents attend? - Oh, First Presbyterian.
- Oh.
JAMES: Is your mother still alive? No, my parents were one of those couples you hear about.
My father passed away and my mother passed shortly thereafter just a few days later.
- Aw, that's beautiful.
- Isn't it? To have a bond like that with another person.
Yes.
I can't imagine.
Well I think we should probably move inside because I have a feeling that roast is ready.
- DARIUS: Yeah.
- [chuckles.]
- [laughs.]
- Mm.
[moans.]
You were great tonight.
- Thank you.
- You were.
Something is up with your parents, though.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- You have no idea what? I have no idea.
I've never seen them like this before.
Something tells me it's gonna get worse before it gets better, but Thank you.
Thank you for coming.
It was my pleasure.
- Oh.
- [chuckles.]
[phone buzzing.]
Hello? Hey, baby.
[gasps.]
Where are you? - Nikki said that - Never mind what Nikki said.
It's it's better you don't know where I'm at.
Basie, baby, just come back.
Yeah that's not the plan.
I'm never gonna see you again, am I? I'm never gonna see you.
Just tell me you love me.
- I love you.
- That's my girl.
Don't trust them, baby.
They conned us out of our church and they murdered my father.
Tasha, baby, when it comes to the Greenleafs - Yes, Basie? - Make them pay.
I will.
I will, I promise.
Ulrick is the best immigration lawyer in Memphis, bar none.
Oh, you are too kind, Rochelle.
Rochelle knows everybody.
- [Rochelle giggles.]
- She's the one who got Sophia and Zora into the cotillion after all that mix-up.
- Mm, yes, I remember.
- [Rochelle giggles.]
ULRICK: So, tell me about this gentleman's story.
Yes, well, the husband of our housekeeper Maricel, he came from Honduras with absolutely nothing and he worked his way from dishwasher all the way up to head chef.
And let me guess, when he was a dishwasher, they paid him in cash, and once he became a chef, they could no longer pay him off the books, so he made up his own social security number.
Exactly, and he paid taxes with that number for years.
But then last month, he nearly died staying away from the hospital with meningitis because he was afraid they would report him.
In this new climate of ours.
We just want to get him documented before it really becomes a problem.
We'll pay your fee.
Full freight.
Hmm.
Ulrick, please.
Well, you know, these two are a one-two punch.
[chuckles.]
Mm.
Good afternoon.
Bishop Greenleaf, good afternoon.
You got a minute to talk? I do.
Charity's going on tour for a few months with Tamela Mann.
I'm aware.
Now, we're all very happy for her.
But it leaves us without a director for our music ministry.
You haven't found a replacement? No.
I was wondering if you'd consider coming back to join us, with full benefits of course.
- What as? - What do you mean, "what as"? I mean, what as? As a friend of the court? As your pet homosexual? As who you are! Doing what you do best.
Putting your gifts into the service of our most holy Lord.
[chuckles.]
You still don't get it.
No, I guess I don't.
What? I am not interested in coming back as the exception, even a beloved one.
Now, until Calvary can join Triumph in being open and inclusive, I won't be coming back.
I actually can't.
The man I love won't let me.
Two by two.
What's that, Bishop? The Lord just finally gave me my message for Sunday.
It's crazy how that happens.
- Listen - Now, don't tell me the church will change quicker if I'm in there getting beat up.
I've already heard that.
The church isn't mine to fix.
No, brother! But the world is.
The church can still change the world in a way that only the church can.
- That was good, shorty.
- [sighs.]
Will you think about it? Let's do it together.
[sighs.]
I'll do it.
- God bless you.
- Thank you, Bishop.
[music playing.]
Glory, hallelujah We're gonna shout all our troubles over Oh, we gotta thank, thank God for being So good to me [music continues.]
Oh, whoa, I wanna thank Him - Thank Him - Thank God - Thank Him - Thank God - Thank God - Thank Him - Thank Him - He woke me up - Up - This morning - This morning - He woke me up - Up - This morning - This morning - I wanna thank Him - I thank Him - And then I rose - He rose - I rose this morning - Rose this morning - And now I feel - I feel - Like shouting - I feel like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - I wanna thank God - Wanna thank Him - For being - For being - God So God be so good - To - So good - So good to - So good - To me, yeah - To me, yeah [all cheering.]
[laughs.]
Yeah! Let's hear it for our special guest, Joshua Nelson, and our very own minister of music, the lovely Miss Tasha Skanks.
JACOB: That's an old-school classic.
- CROWD: Yeah! - Yes, sir! Now, as most of you know, Triumph has moved very aggressively these last couple months to a greater inclusivity.
One of the things we've been pressing forward on with a passion is our outreach to the homeless.
CROWD: Yeah! Which brings me to another special guest.
- Deputy Mayor Skip Leonard.
- [audience cheers.]
Brother Leonard, please stand.
Now, Deputy Mayor Skip Leonard and the fine city of Memphis have arranged for Triumph to receive a very generous grant.
WOMAN: All right, now.
Worth $75,000.
$75,000 to start.
That's incredible work.
Let's show him how thankful we are.
[crowd cheering.]
Now, there are some folks who said this couldn't be done.
But obviously, they haven't met my God! You ready to talk now? Are you? I know you had an affair with Lionel.
I saw it when he was here.
- What matters is that - When? James, what matters is that when he asked me - to leave you - [scoffs.]
- I didn't.
- When was it? The summer we spent at Nags Head.
I used passion to fill the pit of pain you left in me with what you did with my sister.
That was a onetime thing.
And I confessed immediately after.
You kept this from me for years.
- I know.
- I had this man in my home.
And you looked down on me the whole time, the both of you.
Like I was some kind of oblivious insect in a jar.
I was terrified to tell you because I didn't want you to hate me.
But I don't know if I love you right now.
Or if I ever will again.
Oh, James.
Do you think you could really afford to give this all up? I don't know what this is.
This.
This struggle.
This family, this fight.
I didn't choose you because you were perfect.
No, all I ever wanted was this us, you.
That the battle I would fight to be the best I could be would be fought with you.
And if you question that love, then you question life itself, so please don't do it.
James, please.
[sighs.]
[sighs.]
- [knock on door.]
- TASHA: Hey.
You got a minute? Oh, of course.
Come on in.
[door closes.]
- Have a seat.
- Thank you.
So, how you been? You feeling any better? I am.
Thank you for asking.
I just wanted to come by and tell you that I have cleaned out all of my things out of the office, so it's free and clear, and Kerissa can have it now.
Oh, well, you know that wasn't necessary.
Of course it was.
Come on, we both know that she needs it.
That was thoughtful.
Thank you.
I'll let her know.
And I just want you to know that I'm here to do whatever I can do to make your job easier.
That's why I stayed on.
Well, that's, um that's great.
I believe in you, Jacob.
- Really? Thank you.
- Yeah.
- Of course.
- Thank you.
You know, if we if we both keep believing in Jesus, we'll all make it to Heaven together.
[laughs.]
Amen.
- Amen.
- Hmm.
Well, I should let you get back to it.
I know a pastor's day is full.
[chuckles.]
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thanks for coming by.
Of course.
- Isaiah.
- Get off! Ow! I promise you I will never do this again.
WOMAN: Excuse me, First Lady? - BOTH: Yes? - I meant First Lady Skanks.
When Kerissa and I were doing Real Church, we met some amazing people, and we need them here.
Creating new programs at a time like this? It may be better to wait on your Real Church integration.
CHARITY: Tamela Mann asked me to sing backup for her.
I do not want to see you throw away your dignity.
- Mama! - The one good thing about your mother leaving us the way she did.
She knew about you, too.
All of them.
MAE: I could have ended my marriage.
You are disgusting.
Tell Mae I'm sorry.
- [music playing.]
- JAMES: Enchanté, madame.
[giggles.]
Monsieur.
Three little words Oh, what I'd give for that wonderful phrase To hear those three little words That's all I'd live for [all laughing.]
Wow! Wow, look at you two.
Still got it, huh, Daddy? Well, time hasn't taken everything.
Mama, take a look at these two.
- MAE: Yes.
- Astaire and Rogers, right? - [James chuckles.]
- Yes, just poetry in motion.
Wow.
All right, baby.
All right, all right.
You're gonna be late for school.
Fine, I guess I'll go to school.
Come on, come on, come on.
Practice again tonight? Only two weeks until cotillion.
Anytime you want to dance, you just tell me, huh? I'm there.
[sighs.]
You two should join a dance club or something, Grandma.
He's good! Oh, don't you know I know it.
- No, dear, I just wanted - GRACE: Go, go, go.
Maricel called early this morning and she's in the hospital with Quico.
- Well, what happened? - Meningitis.
- JAMES: What? - Is he going to be okay? Thankfully, yes.
But she's not going to be here today and possibly not for the week.
But isn't she supposed to go on tour with Charity - starting Friday? - Well.
Well, that was Satan's plan, but seems like the Lord has intervened.
Can't we just keep Nathan with us? Help out for two weeks? This is for the best.
She's staying home now, and don't help.
I think she should go.
- Excuse me? - I think Gigi's right.
We should all chip in.
Oh, you gonna pitch in with a baby? Or pay someone else to.
And who'll lead praise and worship? Charity said Carlton can do it.
- Carlton? - Yeah.
I don't have a problem with that.
Is that a problem for you? - James? - You see, we're just trying to give your daughter the same access to her own happiness that you've taken so freely for yourself over the years.
Hmm.
Well, I tell you what.
Charity and I will go and visit them both in the hospital this morning and get a better sense of the situation.
- Mmm.
- Brilliant idea.
Yes, because what is the sense in trying to make decisions when we don't know what the hell we're talking about.
Amen [vocalizing.]
Amen [vocalizing.]
Well [vocalizing.]
Amen, amen [vocalizing.]
Bishop? Yes, Karine? Miss Cross is here to see you.
Oh, marvelous.
[chuckles.]
Send her in.
I was praying for some distraction.
[chuckles.]
Well, here I am.
Karine, you can go now.
Thank you.
Open or? Closed will be fine, thank you.
[chuckles.]
In all seriousness, I hope I'm not interrupting anything.
I see you have your big Bible open.
I was just preparing some thoughts for my message on Sunday.
What are you preaching on? Well, the text is the story of the Flood, but I'm still waiting to see what I'm gonna be preaching.
The Lord hasn't revealed that to me yet.
Well, I'm sure you'll find something to shake the walls.
- You always do.
- [chuckles.]
- May I? - Oh, make yourself at home.
Thank you.
So, to what do I owe this surprise? [laughs.]
Well I wanted to stop and drop this by.
Well What's this for? You put good things out, good things come back, right? Well, at least we hope they do, right? Is there some sort of problem? You know me, don't you? Everyone else in my life thinks of me as the, you know, every hair in place, but you see through all of that.
[chuckles.]
It's nice, actually, having someone who sees the real me.
I'm sure you have that with Mae.
Hmm.
What's this big check really about? Nothing, hopefully.
I went and had my five-year cancer screening the other day.
Mm.
And this morning, they asked me to come in.
That's not necessarily a bad thing.
No, but usually when it's good, they give you the results over the phone.
- So, we'll see.
- When's this big appointment? 10:00.
I was actually headed that way.
Might I accompany you? You sure you're not too busy? No.
I'll be back in a couple of hours.
Okay? So, what brings you by, Skip? You just happen to be in the hood? No.
No one knows this yet, but the mayor is stepping down at the end of this term, and I'm gonna be running.
- Mayor Leonard.
- Could be.
Anyway, Basie was gonna be my spiritual advisor.
You know, support me publicly, sit by my right hand, make sure the community knows I'm God's man in Memphis.
Okay.
He didn't mention this to you before he pyew.
Oh, no.
Anyway, I just dropped by to find out if I can count on Triumph.
- Triumph? - The handsome, fresh face of Triumph.
Could be mutually beneficial.
Hmm.
Say what you want about church and state, but there's a lot of overlap.
What kind of overlap are we talking? Well, like, there's all kinds of community development block grants.
Programs like this homeless thing of yours.
People love to hate on the government nowadays, but there's a lot of cash waiting to be claimed.
Well, I tell you what.
I'll pray on it.
Wouldn't have it any other way.
And in the meantime, you can send over any stuff you have for me to take a look at.
You know, any position papers, policies.
Just to be sure we're on the same page.
- Thank you for the time.
- Thank you.
- [door opens.]
- I can't believe you're doing this.
Charity, I'm not doing anything.
You won't let me take Maricel after we agreed it was going to be okay.
That was before her husband was parked outside death's door.
Oh, they said he's gonna be fine, Mama.
He's going home in a couple of days.
He's through the worst of it, Mama.
That's what the doctor said.
The doctor said it would take two weeks for him to fully recover.
But you know that is not the plan.
The answer is no.
[exhales.]
ROCHELLE: Thank you for coming with me today.
[chuckles.]
Of course.
[chuckles.]
It actually gave me some ideas about my message on Sunday.
Oh, well, feel free to share.
I'd rather think about almost anything else.
[Chuckles.]
Well, I was thinking about the animals on Noah's ark.
How all the animals entered the ark two by two.
Mm.
How God made us to need each other.
Well, I need you today.
Hmm.
Even if it didn't occur to me to ask.
- [door opens.]
- WOMAN: Miss Cross? Oh, yeah, go on.
[PA chatter.]
[door closes.]
[Grace knocks.]
Mama? - You wanted to see me? - I did I do I mean yes.
Well, what's up? Maricel's husband is illegal.
I think you mean undocumented.
I'm just trying to help, Grace.
All right, go ahead.
Sorry.
Well, the reason that he just waited so long and let himself get so sick before he went to a hospital was he was afraid.
Scared that he'd be, you know, sniffed out or deported.
- Can you imagine? - No, I can't.
I don't want to, and that's why I'm asking you if we can do something to help him get - Documented.
- Yeah, yes.
Is there any way we can get this on the fast track? Because if I had to give up Maricel on top of everything else, I just don't know.
I'll see what I can do.
Mama? Is something wrong between you and Daddy? Yes.
But you take care of that because that will give me the joy that I need to persist.
- Good morning, Karine.
- Good morning.
[door opens.]
Where's Bishop? With Miss Cross.
- [chatter.]
- [exhales.]
- Hey.
- All clear.
- JAMES: Oh, praise God.
- I know.
Oh, thank you.
So, why did they want to see you? Oh, just some kidney stuff they want to keep, you know, eyes on.
No big deal.
I'm sure it's just an aftereffect of the chemo.
- But I'm cancer-free.
- I knew you would be.
[chuckles.]
You know, my daughter Gigi tells me that I I shouldn't tell folk that, but I knew it.
[sighs.]
I'm so glad that God decided to put you in my life.
And thank you for being open to letting Him do that.
Well I'm happy to be of service.
[chuckles.]
So, you want to go to dinner or have a light drink to celebrate? - You know? - Um, I - Should be getting back.
- I probably should.
I know, it was silly to ask.
I've been hogging you all day and want you for the nighttime, too? Who am I? One of many, I'm sure.
[sighs.]
Come on.
Okay.
Best be getting you back.
You have a sermon to write, mister.
CHARITY: It'll just be two weeks.
Yeah, but two weeks is two weeks.
But I'll learn the parts.
You know that.
And who's going to sing them till then? I'll have to hire somebody to cover.
Right, but just for two weeks, and then I can come meet up with the tour.
- It - But the money I'll have to spend for someone to rehearse Charity, for you, I'd spend extra, but it's not just me.
It's the promoters, Tamela's people.
It's okay just not to do it.
- We'll have other chances.
- No! I'll make it work.
It's really okay to say you can't.
I'll make it work.
Okay? I'll see you Friday for rehearsal.
I'll see you Friday.
Bye.
[gasps, sighs.]
- KERISSA: Z! - [knocking on door.]
Mom! One sec.
Just give me a minute.
- Yes? - What were you doing? I was folding laundry.
You can help.
Just grab some underwear.
So, what's the big emergency? Well, there's no big emergency, but Mr.
Dorsey came to see me about you today.
[stutters.]
Why? I'm pulling a B average, or near that.
It wasn't about your grades.
He says you're not participating.
It's 'cause he's a great teacher.
Getting it all in here.
Are you sure there's nothing wrong? Yes, I'm sure.
I'm as good as it gets.
[chuckles.]
Are you sure, Zora? Mom, you're being weird.
I wear a long-sleeve, and you have a problem with it.
Then I used to get grief for talking too much, and now, apparently, I don't talk enough.
I'm maturing.
- Maturing? - Yeah.
I'm becoming serious.
[sighs.]
Okay, well, clean up.
That's what I was doing before you rang.
Mwah.
I'll unlock it.
GRACE: Gosh, have you seen my earring? Yeah.
Here you go.
- Thank you.
- Oh, wow, good hands.
- Nice.
- Nice everything.
- Ooh.
- [both laughing.]
I'm sorry I can't stay the night, but, you know, Sophia.
Nah, that's cool.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
I mean, I I obviously wish you could stay.
- Yeah.
- But I get it.
Is she okay with me coming to dinner tomorrow? Yeah, she is.
But? I just wonder if we should go out somewhere.
You know? Just the three of us.
Isn't normalizing this whole thing with your family, uh - you know, kind of the point? - Well, yeah.
- Yeah.
- Oh, come here.
- Mm, but - Okay, but what? - No, it's just - What? Say it.
My parents.
Something's going on with them.
Well, I mean, they can fight in front of me.
- Yeah? - Yeah, my parents did it all the time.
[chuckles.]
Lasted 24 years, that marriage.
Well, we'll see.
I just don't know if it's the right time to "cross the streams.
" - You know? - Well, whatever, I'm down.
Thank you.
For being perfect.
And thank you for being you.
[sighs.]
Good evening.
[zipper unzips.]
You saw Miss Cross today.
As a matter of fact, I did.
She was off to get the results from her five-year cancer screening and needed some spiritual support.
I see.
[chuckles.]
As to the compassionate question that your suspicion prevents you from asking, she's fine.
She also brought us a check.
Did Karine tell you that, too? - She did.
- Good.
I'd hate to think that you were being denied any crucial information.
Good night.
What did Zora have to say about Dorsey? KERISSA: Just what you'd expect.
But when I went to go see her, her room was locked.
She was acting very strange.
Maybe she was high.
You don't think she's doing that.
I was at that age.
I'm not saying it was good, but that's how it was.
[groans.]
It didn't smell like marijuana.
Maybe it was edibles.
[Jamaican accent.]
Well, listen to you, Bob Marley.
I'm just going off what you said.
Skip Leonard shouldn't trust you.
- [sighs.]
- Just, um bring me back some if you find some.
Not with you.
I cannot.
You are terrible.
[sighs.]
[sighs.]
[sniffs.]
[sniffs.]
[object thuds.]
[scoffs.]
What are you doing in my stuff? What are you doing with this? [sighs.]
Kevin's gone.
He's not coming back.
Yeah, it looks like that, doesn't it? I have to get on with my life.
And you have the right to do that.
Even if I am partly doing this to be with Jabari? Daddy, what's wrong with that? People like other people.
I think your mother's just worried.
I know she is, but, Daddy, it's my life.
When I'm standing on that stage singing and the spirit of God falls on me I can't explain.
It's it's life.
And I know I'm just singing background on this tour, but I don't want to just sing at Calvary.
I want to sing to the nations.
And this is a step toward that.
I mean, she is playing Madison Square Garden.
Then you have to do that.
I know I'm leaving you in a lurch when it comes to worship, Daddy, and I'm sorry, but Carlton is available.
And all you have to do is go over and ask.
Whatever Mama or Betty Wilcox thinks That's a whole nother can of worms.
But what about Nathan? I'll make it work.
I can't be the first woman to bring her baby on tour with her, so we'll figure it out.
What? I'm just proud of you.
Don't worry about leading worship.
I'll take care of that.
I'll handle it.
You just go.
- I love you.
- Love you back.
[chuckles.]
How could you be so irresponsible? I mean, we were using protection.
That's the definition of responsible.
[scoffs.]
I knew that boy was no good.
- It was my decision.
- And it was stupid! When are you going to learn that I'm not like you? I'm not you.
I don't want you to be me.
I want you to be you, Zora.
But I want you to be the best you that you can be.
And this is not it.
I know you think I'm uptight and uncool and the opposite of lit or whatever it is you kids are saying these days, but I can tell you this.
Making your father wait until we were married earned me his respect.
[scoffs.]
Did it? [gasps.]
Zora? [sighs.]
I'm sorry.
[sighs.]
Sweetie, look at me.
Look at me.
All I'm saying is that there's a lot of sex to be had, but it's never a measure of a woman's worth.
I need you to understand that.
You are young and smart and of much value.
Are you gonna tell Dad? [sighs.]
I don't know.
I don't know what I'm gonna do yet.
But in the meantime, that boy is not to be in this house ever again, end of story.
And I want you to read Corinthians chapter seven.
Now, the strong housing and job training initiatives in the second and third phase of this plan are built on the foundation of phase one's focus.
Regular church attendance, which starts with busing.
- Pastor Greenleaf? - Sister Weaver.
When were you thinking about setting all this in motion? Oh, as soon as possible, I hope.
This Sunday? Well, as treasurer, it falls to me, unfortunately, to talk about the financial realities here.
We already have the buses and we can get volunteers to drive them.
I mean, so for phase one, we're literally just talking about the cost of gas.
- And insurance.
- And insurance.
For the drivers and passengers.
- That's correct.
- Which is no small thing.
Plus, when Pastor Skanks launched his Open and Inclusive Coalition, we gained four new members total and lost 200 old ones.
Now you're talking about bringing in potentially an even less desirable element, which, by definition, will cost us more money, and don't add a dime? Sister Weaver Pastor Greenleaf, I'm not the one who's in charge.
The money's in charge.
No, the Lord is in charge.
And He told me the city's gonna pay for it.
All in favor, say aye.
Group: Aye.
- Aye.
- Aye.
Aye.
JAMES: I had a talk with Charity today.
Oh, tell me that she has made her peace, please.
- Well, I'd say she has.
- Mm.
She's going on tour.
And Carlton's coming back to lead worship.
- Says who? - Me.
I'm gonna talk to him about it tomorrow.
Well And like everything else in your family, it's not a conversation.
- Ah! - What's in the box? Oh, just a little something for your boyfriend.
Oh, really? Look at you.
[both sighing.]
Look at you.
Such a girl.
This is not gonna be one big tease-your-mom-about- her-boyfriend night, okay? - I don't know what it's gonna be.
- [doorbell rings.]
- Okay, he's here.
- [giggles.]
- [knocking on door.]
- [exhales.]
- Hi.
- Hey.
- Good evening.
- Good evening.
Come on in.
- Thank you, ma'am.
- [laughs.]
Excellent help you have there.
- [Grace chuckles.]
- SOPHIA: Oh, we aim to please.
Sophia, you remember Mr.
Nash.
From the night of the car accident.
- Yes, that's right.
- [chuckles.]
Well, look at you with all these flowers, huh? Yeah, they're for your mother.
- And this is for you.
- SOPHIA: Oh.
- Thank you.
- GRACE: You're thoughtful.
And this is for you.
- Oh.
- Mm.
[giggles.]
I thought music would be a safe bet.
- Totally.
- Oh, what is this? A playlist.
Great minds.
Yeah? What kind of music? All kinds of gospel, contemporary.
- Okay, cool.
Thank you.
- [Sophia and Grace laughing.]
Well, you ready to go get raked over the coals for doing your job? Uh, there's still gonna be food, right? - Oh, there's gonna be food.
- Okay.
We're gonna take care of you in that department, okay? - I see chocolate cake.
- [laughs.]
- Before we go into this breakfast - Uh-huh.
I just want to dial in the message.
- Of course.
- Jesus, great.
Church, great.
Homeless, great.
Brother Leonard, God's man in Memphis, even better.
Okay, I think I can do that.
Just maybe lay off the, you know the gay stuff.
- Seriously? - Just for this morning.
I'm cool with it.
I'm more than cool with it.
But some of these cats Stick to the common ground.
Inclusivity is what we do here.
Pastor, if these guys get me into the mayor's office, and they're the ones that can do it, those block grants will be rolling in so fast, you'll have to swim to keep from drowning in all that money.
Amen? One mountain at a time.
Okay.
See you in there, preacher man.
[door opens.]
[door closes.]
DARIUS: Here's my father in a nutshell.
Atlanta City Council was trying to prove they didn't have to pass any more laws to desegregate.
This was back in the 1960s.
My father gave a passionate speech that threatened to change all their minds.
My uncle says it's some of the finest words he's ever heard outside of pulpit.
He sounds like a remarkable man.
Too bad he's passed.
So, now, what church did your parents attend? - Oh, First Presbyterian.
- Oh.
JAMES: Is your mother still alive? No, my parents were one of those couples you hear about.
My father passed away and my mother passed shortly thereafter just a few days later.
- Aw, that's beautiful.
- Isn't it? To have a bond like that with another person.
Yes.
I can't imagine.
Well I think we should probably move inside because I have a feeling that roast is ready.
- DARIUS: Yeah.
- [chuckles.]
- [laughs.]
- Mm.
[moans.]
You were great tonight.
- Thank you.
- You were.
Something is up with your parents, though.
Yeah.
- Yeah.
- You have no idea what? I have no idea.
I've never seen them like this before.
Something tells me it's gonna get worse before it gets better, but Thank you.
Thank you for coming.
It was my pleasure.
- Oh.
- [chuckles.]
[phone buzzing.]
Hello? Hey, baby.
[gasps.]
Where are you? - Nikki said that - Never mind what Nikki said.
It's it's better you don't know where I'm at.
Basie, baby, just come back.
Yeah that's not the plan.
I'm never gonna see you again, am I? I'm never gonna see you.
Just tell me you love me.
- I love you.
- That's my girl.
Don't trust them, baby.
They conned us out of our church and they murdered my father.
Tasha, baby, when it comes to the Greenleafs - Yes, Basie? - Make them pay.
I will.
I will, I promise.
Ulrick is the best immigration lawyer in Memphis, bar none.
Oh, you are too kind, Rochelle.
Rochelle knows everybody.
- [Rochelle giggles.]
- She's the one who got Sophia and Zora into the cotillion after all that mix-up.
- Mm, yes, I remember.
- [Rochelle giggles.]
ULRICK: So, tell me about this gentleman's story.
Yes, well, the husband of our housekeeper Maricel, he came from Honduras with absolutely nothing and he worked his way from dishwasher all the way up to head chef.
And let me guess, when he was a dishwasher, they paid him in cash, and once he became a chef, they could no longer pay him off the books, so he made up his own social security number.
Exactly, and he paid taxes with that number for years.
But then last month, he nearly died staying away from the hospital with meningitis because he was afraid they would report him.
In this new climate of ours.
We just want to get him documented before it really becomes a problem.
We'll pay your fee.
Full freight.
Hmm.
Ulrick, please.
Well, you know, these two are a one-two punch.
[chuckles.]
Mm.
Good afternoon.
Bishop Greenleaf, good afternoon.
You got a minute to talk? I do.
Charity's going on tour for a few months with Tamela Mann.
I'm aware.
Now, we're all very happy for her.
But it leaves us without a director for our music ministry.
You haven't found a replacement? No.
I was wondering if you'd consider coming back to join us, with full benefits of course.
- What as? - What do you mean, "what as"? I mean, what as? As a friend of the court? As your pet homosexual? As who you are! Doing what you do best.
Putting your gifts into the service of our most holy Lord.
[chuckles.]
You still don't get it.
No, I guess I don't.
What? I am not interested in coming back as the exception, even a beloved one.
Now, until Calvary can join Triumph in being open and inclusive, I won't be coming back.
I actually can't.
The man I love won't let me.
Two by two.
What's that, Bishop? The Lord just finally gave me my message for Sunday.
It's crazy how that happens.
- Listen - Now, don't tell me the church will change quicker if I'm in there getting beat up.
I've already heard that.
The church isn't mine to fix.
No, brother! But the world is.
The church can still change the world in a way that only the church can.
- That was good, shorty.
- [sighs.]
Will you think about it? Let's do it together.
[sighs.]
I'll do it.
- God bless you.
- Thank you, Bishop.
[music playing.]
Glory, hallelujah We're gonna shout all our troubles over Oh, we gotta thank, thank God for being So good to me [music continues.]
Oh, whoa, I wanna thank Him - Thank Him - Thank God - Thank Him - Thank God - Thank God - Thank Him - Thank Him - He woke me up - Up - This morning - This morning - He woke me up - Up - This morning - This morning - I wanna thank Him - I thank Him - And then I rose - He rose - I rose this morning - Rose this morning - And now I feel - I feel - Like shouting - I feel like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - Like shouting - I wanna thank God - Wanna thank Him - For being - For being - God So God be so good - To - So good - So good to - So good - To me, yeah - To me, yeah [all cheering.]
[laughs.]
Yeah! Let's hear it for our special guest, Joshua Nelson, and our very own minister of music, the lovely Miss Tasha Skanks.
JACOB: That's an old-school classic.
- CROWD: Yeah! - Yes, sir! Now, as most of you know, Triumph has moved very aggressively these last couple months to a greater inclusivity.
One of the things we've been pressing forward on with a passion is our outreach to the homeless.
CROWD: Yeah! Which brings me to another special guest.
- Deputy Mayor Skip Leonard.
- [audience cheers.]
Brother Leonard, please stand.
Now, Deputy Mayor Skip Leonard and the fine city of Memphis have arranged for Triumph to receive a very generous grant.
WOMAN: All right, now.
Worth $75,000.
$75,000 to start.
That's incredible work.
Let's show him how thankful we are.
[crowd cheering.]
Now, there are some folks who said this couldn't be done.
But obviously, they haven't met my God! You ready to talk now? Are you? I know you had an affair with Lionel.
I saw it when he was here.
- What matters is that - When? James, what matters is that when he asked me - to leave you - [scoffs.]
- I didn't.
- When was it? The summer we spent at Nags Head.
I used passion to fill the pit of pain you left in me with what you did with my sister.
That was a onetime thing.
And I confessed immediately after.
You kept this from me for years.
- I know.
- I had this man in my home.
And you looked down on me the whole time, the both of you.
Like I was some kind of oblivious insect in a jar.
I was terrified to tell you because I didn't want you to hate me.
But I don't know if I love you right now.
Or if I ever will again.
Oh, James.
Do you think you could really afford to give this all up? I don't know what this is.
This.
This struggle.
This family, this fight.
I didn't choose you because you were perfect.
No, all I ever wanted was this us, you.
That the battle I would fight to be the best I could be would be fought with you.
And if you question that love, then you question life itself, so please don't do it.
James, please.
[sighs.]
[sighs.]
- [knock on door.]
- TASHA: Hey.
You got a minute? Oh, of course.
Come on in.
[door closes.]
- Have a seat.
- Thank you.
So, how you been? You feeling any better? I am.
Thank you for asking.
I just wanted to come by and tell you that I have cleaned out all of my things out of the office, so it's free and clear, and Kerissa can have it now.
Oh, well, you know that wasn't necessary.
Of course it was.
Come on, we both know that she needs it.
That was thoughtful.
Thank you.
I'll let her know.
And I just want you to know that I'm here to do whatever I can do to make your job easier.
That's why I stayed on.
Well, that's, um that's great.
I believe in you, Jacob.
- Really? Thank you.
- Yeah.
- Of course.
- Thank you.
You know, if we if we both keep believing in Jesus, we'll all make it to Heaven together.
[laughs.]
Amen.
- Amen.
- Hmm.
Well, I should let you get back to it.
I know a pastor's day is full.
[chuckles.]
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Thanks for coming by.
Of course.