Queen Sugar (2016) s03e04 Episode Script

1 Previously on Queen Sugar.
I sold the mill for 1% equity in Landry Enterprises.
Everything those people put you through, put us through? It's what Daddy would have wanted.
- They killed him.
- And I'm gonna make them pay! So why are you here? Do you miss being around your people that much? I've never really been around my people.
All of the articles we discussed, they're no longer available for your book.
You could write about the black farmers and their struggles.
If you wouldn't mind, I splurged on this.
No more Remy.
No more, darling.
- Mommy! - Yes, yes? - Look what I made you! - [GASPS.]
Oh, my gosh! - It's a coloring book.
- This is amazing.
- You made this for me? - Yes.
That's Pickles, the gerbil from our classroom.
- So cute! - That's him when he's swimming.
And there's Papa working on the farm.
Oh, we're making a bonfire on Friday.
A bonfire? Why? Blue set up a commemoration, celebrating Daddy's life.
So we write messages to Papa, we put them in the fire and then send them to heaven.
- Oh! - Are you coming? I can't make it this time.
But I made sure to get here for your birthday party.
Can you go grab some crayons so we can color it? - Sure.
- Thank you, thank you.
Love you much.
You cut your hair.
I needed a change.
Fits you.
Thanks.
So, how long you here for? I'm here to stay.
So what's happening with the party? I don't know.
Are we supposed to do this? I could start by picking him up in the morning.
No, I'm talking about I don't know how it's supposed to work.
As long as Blue's in St.
Jo, I'm staying in St.
Jo.
I'm going to be in my son's life.
And I'll do whatever I have to to make it work.
Dreams never die Take flight As the world turns Dreams never die Take flight As the world turns Keep the colors In the lines Take flight Dreams never die Keep the colors In the lines Keep the colors In the lines, take flight - Hey, Aunt Violet.
- Hey, Charley.
So, um Hold on.
Uh, I made an appointment for Prosper to see the doctor tomorrow morning.
But now I am up to my eyeballs in cherry pies, and I know if one of us don't take that man, he ain't going, so I need you to step in.
I would, uh, but tomorrow I've got a maintenance guy coming - to upgrade the turbine, so - Charley? Can't somebody else over there at that mill meet with the maintenance guy? Well, why can't Nova do it? Because Nova is shopping and preparing for your daddy's commemoration.
If you two were talking, and you came down off your high horse, you'd know that.
So, back to Prosper.
I need you to pick him up by 10:00, 'cause he has to be at Westside Memorial by 10:30.
All right? Thank you, and I love you, baby.
[BEEPS.]
This bitter bird What fruit it bears What good is love That no one shares? [CONTINUES, INDISTINCT.]
The glow of a rose What good am I? I'm only close This bitter bird It feels so good We are out of pie boxes.
No, there's more in my trunk.
My keys are over there next to my purse.
- Okay.
- [PHONE BUZZES.]
- Hey, Nova.
- Hey.
What are you doing, besides staring at that beautiful ring on your finger? [CHUCKLES.]
I'm getting a batch of cherry pies out the door.
How's it going? You got everything for Friday? Yep.
I was just seeing what you were up to.
- What you need, baby? - I could use some Aunt Vi wisdom.
I don't know what this book is supposed to be about.
Now, they gave you this book deal 'cause they want to know about you.
What's there to figure out? I know.
It It's just a case of writers' block.
Girl, I ain't got no time for writers' block.
Too much to say and not enough time to say it.
Here's what I know: You're the only writer I know from St.
Jo.
That means something.
Shoot, you got stories up and down this land.
- Uh, got to go.
- [PHONE BEEPS.]
Hey, Miss Effie.
I know it's a mess, but it'll all be clean in about an hour.
It's not about the mess.
Your time's up.
The Wednesday Supper Club is out there pouting like puppies.
I have the kitchen from 8:00 to 5:00 on Wednesdays.
It's on the calendar.
I've got another two batches to go.
Well, there must be some sort of misunderstanding, because they've been doing their supper club for as long as I've been here.
Good, churchgoing people.
Miss Effie, we have an agreement.
It seems that the checks I've been writing the church are clearing just fine.
I'm sure the good Lord appreciates that, but they'll still be coming in on Wednesdays at 4:00 p.
m.
So, whatever you need to do to finish up "Good Lord," my ass.
Right, so with Sam at 41% and his sister Frances at 35, you'd better believe that 6% divide put a rift between those two.
There's a history of tension on both sides of that family.
That pool of investors at 8% one of them makes more money than he reports, and, surprise, surprise, another one has a propensity for prostitutes.
Of course they do.
Oh, and, um, Frances' sons, Jacob and Paul, they're splitting their 5%.
I mean, you know that already.
I don't know.
Those Boudreaux boys, they keep it clean.
Well, when it comes to Jacob, there's no way he has a spotless record.
I'll keep digging on my end.
What else you got on Sam's son? Ooh.
Colton Landry, Sam's only son, with 10%.
He's this hotshot patent lawyer in Houston.
Ivy League.
Wife and kids.
Goes to church every Sunday.
Oh, and he also has a really nice piece on the side for the last five years.
- What a piece of work.
- Mm.
But everything else seems to be pretty legit.
No, there's got to be more.
This family's dirty.
I've seen it.
Four stories in, and he's finally asleep.
He was, uh, telling me about his field trip, asked if I could chaperone.
I already told his teacher I'd take him.
He's got plastic under his sheets.
He started wetting the bed a few weeks after you left.
Why didn't you tell me? He didn't want nobody to know.
- He embarrassed by it.
- That's something I should know.
Yeah.
Blue didn't want to celebrate his birthday because of what happened to Pops and his party last year.
But I suggested we do this bonfire thing for Pop instead.
It's got a spiritual meaning to it.
Something like that.
Said it'd help to make his birthday feel happy again.
I know that this is been hard for you and Blue.
I want to make things right.
I want to figure this out.
- You could've told me you was coming.
- I tried.
You wouldn't listen.
We'll figure it out.
They're here somewhere.
I I, uh, I found my insurance card with the medical records.
Well, we've got about half an hour to get on over there.
Claire had this system but I never understood it.
I mean, it's got to be in here somewhere.
Mr.
Prosper, you play? Yeah.
Yeah, your daddy used to find me down on Frenchman Street jamming with the fellas.
Yeah.
Yeah, it's been a while now.
A long while.
I don't mean to rush you, Mr.
Prosper, but I will face Aunt Vi's wrath if we don't make it to this appointment.
We really should get going.
Can I have just a second? Yeah.
Your aunties always used to talk about about you were so headstrong, and nothing could stand in your way.
Used to sing your praises to anybody that would listen.
I miss her.
Me too.
Now all I've got is a cane and a bad back.
Maybe we can reschedule for tomorrow, and I can come over early and help you find that paperwork.
I'm sorry to waste your time.
It's all right.
Marvin's in the freezer section.
I'll be right behind you.
I'm telling you, Vi, there's got to be a better way than this.
We're doing fine.
Just don't worry, now.
You need a real delivery truck.
I can't be spending that kind of money.
You ain't got to spend nothing.
[GRUNTS.]
Vi, some of these pies look smushed.
- You want me to take them all in? - No.
No, no.
I'm coming.
Let me see.
[GROANS.]
My belly hurts.
How many slices did you eat? [SCOFFS.]
That's why.
Mm-hmm.
I'm going to the bathroom.
Pop, I can do it myself.
Wash your hands.
I want to go on the field trip.
I already told you, I talked to his teacher.
Why can't we both go? Like I said, I already talked to Miss Santiago.
I shouldn't have to ask permission to spend time with my son.
Our son.
I'm still his mom.
And you're still his dad.
- That hasn't changed.
- Everything changed.
Everything changed.
Hey.
What you got there? Wait, hold on.
Let me help.
- Food for the bonfire.
- All right.
We're supposed to have some folks come build it.
What are you doing here? Today the farm is my classroom.
I got some students coming out.
I'm gonna teach 'em all about fertilization.
Fascinating.
I'm sure that'll keep 'em awake.
Oh-ho! You got jokes! Oh, wait a minute.
I'm as fascinating as Professor X.
Okay? My students love me.
- You keep telling yourself that.
- Wow! I know you're a great teacher.
Ra even told me so.
Oh.
Wasn't that long ago, your brother was sitting in my class.
Now look at him.
Almost looks like your daddy out there.
All right, lady.
I'm gonna head over there.
I'll see you tonight.
- All right, now.
- All right.
[DOORBELL RINGS.]
- Micah, your dad's here.
- Okay.
- [DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
- [DAVIS.]
What's up? - So what's the plan? - It's a surprise.
Okay.
Actually, I'm gonna grab my phone right quick.
- Be right back.
- Okay.
Hey, Charley.
How are you, Davis? The work never stops for you, huh? No, it does not.
You really added a nice touch to the place.
Nothing's changed since the last time you saw it.
Say, what's going on at Ralph Angel's place? Micah said you guys were doing something over there? Yeah, Grandpa's commemoration.
Oh.
Well, you two better get going.
- Have fun.
- Thanks.
Bye.
- Ready to go.
- All right.
What's all this? What you doing in here? Just one of Nova's healthy recipes.
Ooh, ooh, ooh.
Now, check it.
Boogie was telling me about this old delivery truck in a junkyard.
Says all it needs is a couple hundred dollars to fix it on up.
Put a refrigerator unit in there.
No more smushed pies, no more lost inventory.
I hear what you're saying, and I appreciate all this effort, but I want to do this my way, and I ain't ready to buy no delivery truck.
No, baby, I'm buying it.
Oh, no, no, no.
I mean for you to keep your wallet it in your pocket.
Uh-uh.
See, I already got a guy, right? He going to put the logo on a magnet.
Slap that sucker on the side of this thing, and the whole world will know that Vi's Prize Pies have arrived.
Well, I appreciate it.
But I started this business myself, and that's the way I want to keep it.
Ain't no shame in letting loved ones pitch in.
It's all beautiful, baby.
Really is.
But at this point in my life, I don't want to owe nobody nothing.
"Owe"? [SCOFFS.]
You know Jimmy Dale bought this house, and he let me know it every time I stepped foot through that door.
Held money over my head like he owned me.
Yeah, but me and Jimmy Dale are like night and day, so don't go there.
Now, look, all I'm trying to tell you is that this truck is going to do a whole lot of Baby, I see you out here.
You're doing some great things.
I also see that you need to take care of yourself.
Vi, you're gonna have to slow down somewhere, or you're going to have to let somebody help.
I seen Ernest work himself into the ground.
I just can't have you do the same thing.
Many people look at this land and think, "Long hours and hard labor.
" But actually, farming is a soul-enriching process that can be a viable career option.
I mean, there are 915 million acres of farmland in the U.
S.
Now, what percentage of that is owned by black farmers? 30%? Try .
3%.
Not 3%, .
3%.
And you're standing on part of that .
3% right here.
Now, this sister here is Nova Bordelon.
Hi, guys.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Her father, Ernest Bordelon, may he rest in peace, is one of the finest farmers I've ever known, and he owned this farm.
Now, Nova, her brother, Ralph Angel and her sister Charley continue that tradition.
How long has your family owned the land? My daddy worked it from the time he was a kid till last year, when he passed.
- You work on it? - No, my brother over there, Ralph Angel, he runs the farm now.
You didn't want to farm? Farming's my brother's calling.
I got my own thing.
How many of you want to be farmers? Well, maybe you are a good teacher.
[CHUCKLES.]
Whoo! I'm telling you, you couldn't touch me on this back when I was your age.
That's probably because it's the only thing you had to play.
And you're not even close to my score.
- So what? - Just give up.
[VIDEO GAME BEEPING.]
- See? [EXASPERATED GROAN.]
- That's just a warm-up.
- Oh, now it's just a warm-up? Yeah, now I'm about to start playing.
[PHONE BUZZING.]
Look, I'm about to go grab some soda.
You need anything? Oh, no, I'm going to stay here and beat your score.
[ALARM CHIRPS.]
My jacket's back in the kitchen.
You know, I can get it.
I can get it.
It's on one of the chairs.
Okay.
Are you good to All right.
I'm heading out.
I just wanted to say goodbye before going to wash up.
Look at this.
Oh, man.
- Is it Ernest's? - It was the family's.
We used to go fishing when I was a kid.
Nova Bordelon, activist, journalist and fisher woman? Ra was just a baby, and Charley didn't want to get dirty.
So it was me and Daddy.
I remember the last time we went out, I was maybe 10? We were on our way to Lake Verette.
We stopped at this Podunk gas station to grab bait.
He left me in the truck, and when he comes back, Daddy walked up with a busted lip.
He didn't have to say nothing, 'cause I saw three white men watching as he left the store.
I still remember the smug look upon them faces and how Daddy looked like he wanted to kill them.
He never said nothing about it that day.
Just Just wanted me to feel special, like nothing ever happened.
I remember sitting there so angry.
I, uh, I stopped fishing after that.
Sorry about that.
Yeah.
Me too.
So when you go in for surgery, do you have someone to look after you? Oh, I can call my daughter.
You haven't told her yet? She's, uh, she's busy with work and the kid, but I'm going to call her.
Does she know about your eviction? That's nobody's business but my own.
I'm sorry.
I just, I saw it on your kitchen table.
I've got it under control.
I thought you owned the land.
I've been leasing it for decades, until they cut my land lease.
Sam agreed to let us stay in the house for all those years.
I'd appreciate it if you kept this to yourself.
- [DOOR OPENS.]
- Yeah.
[MAN.]
Prosper Denton? They've got your number back there, Mr.
Denton.
You know the drill.
I'll knock in a few minutes.
- Hey.
- You work here.
Yeah, for a few years now.
Is Mr.
Denton your father? - No.
A family friend.
- Oh.
It's very nice of you to bring him in.
- Please don't think that I-I - You don't have to.
Really.
I didn't want you to think that I didn't want to call.
Things have just been a little crazy.
It's okay, really.
I just haven't had a chance to think about me, you know? Yeah.
Well, if things get less crazy, and you, um, have time to think about you, the offer still stands.
If you ever want to get a slice of pie or a cup of coffee, I know a great place.
It's an all-night joint, so But, seriously, they've got the best pie.
You really have your food spots down.
I do.
I do, so so anytime.
I will consider that.
- Thank you.
- All right.
I should, uh I should go then.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Okay.
- Okay.
Okay.
- I'll be here.
- All right.
[DOOR SHUTS.]
You got your grandpa's commemoration? Yep.
You know, Ernest meant more to me than most anybody realizes.
He came to all my big games.
And he would just call, just to shoot the breeze sometimes, or offer advice you know, just about life, love everything.
And I'd never experienced that.
Treated me more like a son than my own father.
Hey, Dad, what's up? [SIGHS.]
You have a sister, Micah.
I have a daughter.
What are you talking about? Her name's Tia, and, uh, her mother is a woman I was involved with a while ago.
- She passed away recently, and Tia - How old is she? Thirteen.
Thirteen? Yep.
Did you know about her the whole time? Yep.
Look, I'm ashamed of what I did, Micah.
Okay? But I'm not ashamed of her.
And I want you to know about her.
I want you to meet her.
Does my mom know? Not yet.
Come on, man.
Micah, come on.
We can at least talk about it.
Micah.
Come on.
Why are farmers who are leasing your land being kicked off? The Johnsons, Gibsons, Donald Hayes, Prosper Denton.
This is about the EPA, Charley.
This isn't us.
- Have a seat.
- I don't want to sit.
Why would the Environmental Protection Agency want to kick people off of your land? Those two hurricanes last year flushed runoff from the Watkins Mill that shut down, all the runoff, onto our farmland.
Hundreds of acres.
EPA said they found mercury in the soil.
They're having us move tenants off the farmland so they can do more testing.
We're victims here too.
This hurts us financially.
Why wasn't I notified? Two of those families who are milling with me just broke their contracts but were too prideful to say what was really going on.
We'll make that cost up.
It's not about the cost, Jacob.
It's about the people.
Prosper Denton.
A family friend is on that list.
He's lived in that house for decades.
Your family broke his land lease, and now the man is just hanging on by a thread.
And were trying to make good by compensating the farmers.
I don't know if five grand is compensation for being kicked out of your house.
[PHONE RINGS.]
Excuse me.
Hey, Nancy.
Yeah, I know.
She's here.
- Thanks.
- [PHONE BEEPS.]
Have a seat, please.
I want to help take care of this.
Charley, please, sit.
You're part of this too now.
Me and Papa would write messages to Grandma in heaven.
What was she like? Made the best cinnamon waffles.
[CHUCKLES.]
She would play with me and my stuffed animals for hours in this very room.
Which used to be my room.
How did she die? She got sick.
Like Mommy? Different kind of sick.
Do you miss her? Every day.
Yeah, I miss them both.
This one's gonna be mine.
I'm telling Papa thanks.
For what? For bringing Mommy home.
I missed her every day too.
Yeah.
We'd always spend Christmas Eve at the bonfire at the levy.
The whole town would come out to celebrate.
They told us kids that the fire would light the way for Santa Claus to come find us and bring us presents, but Mama said the fire was how we talk to our ancestors.
Create a pathway, send them messages in the flames.
And when our own granddaddy died, Ernest hugged me and said that a bonfire would light his way to heaven.
He always knew how to make you feel better.
Blue, baby, come here.
So it became a tradition that we passed on to this beautiful young man.
Him and Ernest would come out here every winter and build a fire.
Send messages to heaven.
With all those beautiful embers rising up.
You want to take it from here, Blue? This is how I'm celebrating my birthday.
By celebrating my papa.
We miss you, Daddy.
We miss you.
All right, everyone.
Go put your messages in now.
They'll go up to Papa.
Put your message in now.
[THINKING.]
Grandpa, I wish we had more time.
[DAVIS.]
Family means everything to me.
Every night I come home to this beautiful woman, this incredible young man.
I'm just thankful each day that God brought them into my life.
You know? I'm grateful, man.
- Family's everything.
- [KNOCK AT DOOR.]
I just wanted to say good night.
Good night, Mom.
Don't stay up too late.
All this stress Ain't helping at all Best way I know how [THINKING.]
Daddy, our story will live on.
Just stick to the rivers And the lakes That you're used to I know that you're gonna Have it your way Or nothing at all Your way [THINKING.]
Thank you for always taking care of me.
What's on your mind? I'm gonna take you up on that delivery truck.
But it ain't easy for me, baby.
I guess you're gonna have to let me figure some of this out as we go along.
Are you okay with that? [THINKING.]
Mom and Pop, I'll raise him in your name.
We will all find peace In our final Resting place Don't go chasing Waterfalls Just stick to the rivers And the lakes That you're used to I know that you're gonna Have it your way Or nothing at all [THINKING.]
Dear Daddy, I'll take care of him.
Don't go Don't go chasing Waterfalls Just stick to the rivers And the lakes That you're used to Don't go