Queen Sugar (2016) s03e06 Episode Script
Delicate and Strangely Made
1 [NARRATOR.]
Previously, on Queen Sugar.
Thirteen years ago I had an affair.
- Charlie, I have a daughter.
- Get out.
- Just listen to me.
- Get out of my house.
Get out! Get out! - What you doing this weekend? - I'm off on Monday.
- Monday it is.
- Cool.
Your dad and I are not getting married.
You said forever.
- [SNIFFLING.]
- I'm so sorry.
You deserve to be with someone who wants to be with you.
Not Nova the activist, just Nova.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES AND VIBRATES.]
[CELL PHONE RINGS.]
- Hello? - [VIOLET.]
I need you down here at the fellowship hall as soon as you can.
Rhonda's kid's sick, Hollywood's in Baton Rouge with his mother, and I got a big order to fill today.
Well, I got writing to do, Aunt Vi.
It's my job, I can't just try Rah or Charley.
You know you the only one that can follow my recipes.
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES.]
- Baby, I wouldn't be asking if I didn't need it.
Nova? Nova! Yes, ma'am.
- I'm on my way.
- Thank you, baby.
[SIGHS.]
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 [CELL PHONE RINGS.]
[FOOTSTEPS.]
You going to work today? No, I just need a day off.
You know, I'm glad you met my friends.
It feels like I'm getting settled in at St.
Jo.
[BOTTLES RATTLE.]
Michael, we need to talk about your dad.
[SIGHS.]
We're out of milk.
I can grab some from the store.
It's fine.
I'm going to school.
Are you okay? Yeah.
Yeah.
Have a good day.
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Okay.
Okay, you have to go in now.
Okay.
Baby, you have to go in.
I'll see you soon.
Promise? Promise.
- Okay.
- Have a fun day at school.
Okay.
- Love you.
- Love you.
Miss Sutton, I was hoping to catch you.
Is everything okay? Blue had another incident with a student a few days ago.
We talked to Mr.
Bordelon, but I wasn't sure if you two talk - What kind of incident? - [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
Blue pushed Xavier off a swing.
- You sure it wasn't an accident? - I'm sure.
I couldn't get him to open up about why he did it I'll talk to him.
[SIGHS.]
Please, if anything else happens, you'll let me know? Of course.
I'm glad you're back.
I know Blue really missed you.
I should get in there.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- [NOVA.]
Aunt Vi? Oh, good.
I need you on the chess pie, the sweet potato and the lemon icebox.
You do remember I'm just a writer, right? Nova Bordelon, you grew up in my kitchen on my hip.
I taught you everything I know.
This ain't going to be no time for standing around.
I need you to finish whipping that cream.
Wash your hands.
Can I help you? I'm here to see Ralph Angel.
Yo! Check all that out.
What you doing here, Darla? Why didn't you tell me that Blue pushed a kid at school the other day? Because I handled it.
Let me talk to him.
I said I handled it.
He's fine.
[SIGHS.]
Ralph Angel let me pick him up from school and talk to him.
I'm just asking for a little trust here.
I've been respecting your space.
I'm not asking to keep him overnight.
Just after school, so that we can talk.
Mother to son.
All right.
Just get him back before bedtime.
Appreciate it.
[PHONE VIBRATES.]
[CAR DOOR CLOSES.]
[LAUGHS.]
[CAR STARTS.]
How are we looking? [LAUGHS.]
Wow! [DARLA.]
Okay, slow down.
- Whoa! Oh, my gosh! - [WATER TURNS ON AND OFF.]
That bathtub is huge.
[SIGHS.]
I love your house already.
It's your house too.
I'm going to have so much fun here.
- Want me to make some snacks? - Just no nuggets.
Because me and Uncle Hollywood got sick off nuggets.
- No nuggets.
Got it.
- No nuggets.
What's in the fridge? Let's see.
Carrots? [SOUL MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO.]
My head's spinning just watching you.
I can do pies in my sleep, baby.
It's running a business that's work.
Look how well you're doing.
Business is booming.
I waited my whole life for this.
Was this something you always wanted? Mama raised me to be a wife and mother.
Thought that was what I was supposed to do.
But it just wasn't me.
I wanted my own dream.
What was it? [LAUGHS.]
That was the problem.
I didn't know at the time.
I mean, Ernest? He always had that land.
Always was so sure about it.
Might as well have been born with a stalk of cane in his hand.
[CHUCKLES.]
All I knew is that I needed to survive.
Surviving and dreaming, two separate things, baby.
Hold on, I got to write this down.
Girl, I am just talking.
I know, but can I record it? [LAUGHS.]
So, what kinds of things you be writing in that book? Kinds of things you're talking about.
Black folks and their struggles with the land, our dreams, our family.
Okay, go on.
[SIGHS.]
Well, despite it all, those fields, that cane ended up bringing me and your daddy closer.
We always knew no matter what, we had each other.
See? And that what I'm hoping for you and your brother and your sister.
Y'all hardheaded as all get out.
So how'd you find your dream? I guess it found me.
I mean, I always knew I had good pies.
I couldn't keep y'all out the kitchen.
But I ain't never really thought that I would wind up owning my own business.
I realized I never dreamed big enough.
Didn't give myself permission.
Well this is my legacy now.
Your wrist still bothering you? Mm.
[SIGHS.]
- Here, do this.
- Yeah? How do you do all this and manage lupus? Oh, no.
We're not talking about that in your book.
Why not? Women should hear your story.
Having it all and managing an illness.
I am a black woman running a business.
People don't need to know that I got a weakness.
I understand all that, but so many women of all ages can be inspired by you.
Get back to work, Nova.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATES AND CHIMES.]
And don't be overworking that dough with whatever it is you're struggling with over there.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Damn, dude your daddy was doing a whole lot more than just balling, huh? They're just kids looking for something to gossip about.
You see the way everybody is looking at me? They'll be moving on to something else by lunch.
[BELL RINGS.]
I got to get to class.
Mr.
Evans deducts points when you're late.
Meet me at my practice after school.
We can talk about it.
Keep your head up, okay? So I'm thinking about a green wall there.
Okay.
- A yellow one there.
- Okay.
And then a purple one there.
And then planet light stickers for all of them.
What about that wall? You can leave that wall empty, so I can draw on it all the time.
Drawing on your walls? My goodness.
Oh, and don't forget about my bunk bed.
Okay.
I want it right here.
- There? - Yeah.
That's a good one.
That's a good place.
I wish I could stay here with you.
Got to get your room set up first.
I could sleep with you tonight, so you don't get lonely.
That's very sweet of you, but we can't tonight.
Soon, though, I promise.
She'll keep you company.
Aww, thank you.
That's very, very thoughtful.
Slide forward for a second.
Let me talk to you.
Come here.
You want to tell me what's going on at school? What happened with Xavier on the playground? - Let's go see the backyard.
- Okay, we can, but just not right now.
Come here for a second.
- Please! - Please, Blue.
One second.
One second, so we can talk, please.
- Come on! - Blue [DOOR OPENS.]
Come on! - [CAR STARTS.]
- [RADIO ANNOUNCER.]
Fans, listen up, Donkey of the Day is going to NBA bad boy Davis West.
He is out here, continuing to move the culture of debauchery forward, because allegedly he is a new dad to a 13-year-old daughter, and it ain't by his ex-wife.
- We want to have a word with - [SNAPS RADIO OFF.]
[CELL PHONE RINGS.]
Hi.
Excuse me.
You from the EPA? Can I help you? Oh, yeah, we met at the bar.
With Jacob.
Are you guys from the EPA? This land belongs to a friend of mine.
Prosper Denton.
Oh, yeah, with Mr.
Boudreaux.
No, ma'am, we're a surveying firm.
I thought there were environmental issues with the land.
No, I don't know anything about that.
I think Mr.
Boudreaux would know more.
Well, what are you surveying the land for? I can't disclose that information, ma'am.
Can I get a business card? It's just a business card.
Can I please just have a business card? All right.
Thank you, "Trent McCallum".
Ma'am.
Thank you! Yo, what you doing up here? Are you good? I'm all right.
Sometimes you just got to let it hurt.
That's what my mom says.
We're going out after school.
You should come.
You know, hang out.
Get a good shrimp po'boy.
Get your mind off things.
What do you say? Yeah.
Yeah, all right, I'll hit you up.
Cool.
[NOVA.]
The diet's not so bad, right? You want that on record? You might ask Hollywood that question.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
I already know.
Hollywood lives for Vi and her cooking.
Yeah, well, it's been an adjustment.
The diet, the business.
His mind's all over our wedding, and he's getting upset that mine ain't.
I got this big dinner with Rawlings tonight, and I just don't have time for all this.
The realities of having it all means you got to figure out how to balance it.
Hmm.
What they say? Be careful what you wish for? [CHUCKLES.]
Living the dream means staying strong, being superhuman and not letting folks know that sometimes you just want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over your head.
One thing I do know: that man's real proud of you.
Loves you more than anything.
I know.
I love that man more than words, but I just didn't know that I deserved all this good coming, and I want to take it.
That ain't wrong, is it? No, ma'am, it ain't.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATES AND CHIMES.]
You take it.
Now who's that got you so captivated over there? Why you say that? Because I know you like the back of my hand.
And whoever it is must be serious, the way you been fretting all day.
It's complicated.
It always is with you.
Baby, I just want you to be open to love.
If all this is coming to me, I know your happy's out there.
Just got to give yourself permission.
[TRINH.]
There were these squirrels in the public garden that were crazy huge.
I mean, bite-off-your-face huge.
- I didn't see none of that.
- I do not kid.
- This is incredible.
- Yeah.
I can't believe I've never been to this part.
Mom used to bring me when I was little.
Way different now.
Didn't have all these statues and stuff.
I love all this.
I majored in Business because I knew I'd eventually take over the plant, but I minored in Art History.
You draw and stuff? Nope.
I just admire and appreciate and stuff.
Thought I'd curate at some fancy museum, like MoMA in New York.
But I always knew I'd take over the family business eventually, so I feel that.
Ever since I was a kid, I knew I'd be working on the farm.
I was real good at track in high school.
Coach said I could probably qualify to be an Olympian or something like that - Oh, wow.
- had I stick to it.
- Seriously? - That's what he said.
Me and my boys would just hit the meets in the city, sneak into all the college parties.
[LAUGHS.]
Sneak in, get drunk and get all the girls.
That's how I went.
How old were you guys? [CHUCKLES.]
- Sixteen.
- [LAUGHS.]
You were those kids.
Them kids.
Them kids.
Real stupid, I will say that much.
Excuse the mess.
My ex-wife used to keep this place spotless.
So my dad's friend Prosper gets a letter telling him to vacate because of EPA issues.
But just now, there's a team of surveyors on his land who know nothing about any environmental concerns.
And not to mention I'm losing farmers at the mill who keep having to move last minute.
Farmers who lease from Landry.
That sounds like Landry needs his land cleared.
Did you get anything from Jacob? Yeah, he knows the surveyors.
They're on contract with him.
I'm telling you, there's something going on.
And we'll find it.
Look, in the meantime, I have got plenty of ammo for you to look over.
You come over here looking all chewed up and spit out.
I'm worried about you.
I know that look.
Same one I had.
And I lost everything.
I just want the truth.
Is that so much to ask? For everyone to just stop lying? I'm real sorry.
I saw it on the news.
Thirteen years.
I didn't see it on his face.
Not once in 13 years.
You need to realize, you can't change what Davis did.
You can only find peace with it.
I signed up for a class.
Like you.
You're going to school too? I am.
But not all day like you.
I'm taking accounting.
It teaches me how to be good with numbers.
Like my math class.
Exactly.
And it's important that when I'm in class, I'm well behaved.
That's like my school.
[DARLA.]
Mm-hmm.
Did Xavier say something or do something to make you push him the other day? It's okay.
You can tell me.
I won't get mad.
He said you left because you didn't love me anymore.
[BLUE SNIFFLES.]
I'm sorry he said that to you, Blue.
But you know that's not true.
Yeah, I know.
Look at me.
I love you more than anything in the entire world.
And nothing there is nothing that's going to stop me from loving you.
Do you understand? Just the other kids say stuff.
And when you were sick I just wasn't sure if you were coming home.
I just didn't know.
I was really sad when you went away.
I know, baby.
And I am so sorry.
I'm never going to leave you again, okay? I'm never going to leave you ever again.
I'm going to be right here.
[BLUE SNIFFLES.]
Appreciate you coming down with me.
I had fun.
I needed it.
Me too.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
Me too.
Between work and Blue, it's hard to find time to break away.
Yup.
Half the time I am running from the plant to my aunt's restaurant, and either way I smell like I'm catching fish or cooking them.
Mm, you smell good to me.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
- Okay.
- No, for real.
I like how much you're there for your family.
It's nothing.
It's not unlike you running the farm.
Working at the fish plant.
Taking care of Blue.
Most people leave, don't come back.
You did.
My parents, they put up a front.
Khanh told me things haven't been the same since the oil spill.
I think I was just naive.
You know, I thought, give it a few years.
The fish'll be back.
The community will rally like they did after Katrina.
I think I just trying to justify leaving.
So now I'm just doing what I can to make things right.
Sorry, we're on a date.
We're should be talking about favorite movies and worst jobs.
Nah.
I get it.
- Making up for lost time.
- Yeah.
Taking care of the ones we left behind.
You know, I spent some time in prison.
I know.
It's in your paperwork.
I was a whole different person back then.
I understand if it makes you feel some type of way.
You know, us hanging out.
I get it.
Why would I be here if I did? I don't know.
Good question.
When I got back I thought everything would be the same.
And it's not.
It's different.
I'm different, you know? Yeah.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- [TRINH.]
Thank you for today.
- [RALPH ANGEL.]
Uh-huh.
[TRINH.]
It was really fun.
- [HIP-HOP MUSIC BLARES ON RADIO.]
- Hey! Hey! - Okay.
- Hey! Hey! All right, all right.
[LAUGHTER AND CHATTER.]
All right, all right.
[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- All right, guys, guys, guys.
- [CELL PHONE RINGS.]
All right, all right.
[LAUGHTER.]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING OVER TRUCK RADIO.]
What the hell y'all doing in here? This is our spot.
Minding our own business.
You might want to keep it moving.
That's the problem with you people.
Think you can make yourself comfortable anywhere.
- "You people"? - You heard me.
This here's our country.
Around here, white lives matter.
What is wrong with these assholes? They ain't gonna do shit.
What you say? Huh? You better speak up, black bitch.
Excuse me? No, what did you say? No, say it again, dude.
Say it again.
[HORN HONKS.]
What do y'all think y'all doing? Huh? Huh? Y'all need to get off my property before I call the cops.
I don't want to see you kids back here, understand? Go on, now.
Get.
- That was dope, man.
- [CAR DOORS CLOSE.]
Trust me, what'll it be? Face it or run Even if we're missing From the beginning I know when we all Gonna find it again [CAR ENGINE STARTS.]
Everything looks so beautiful.
[LAUGHS.]
Thank you for this lovely meal.
Well, Jarrett goes on and on about you.
I feel like I know you already.
[LAUGHS.]
That's sweet.
And I'll have you know, Jarrett would eat your pies for breakfast, lunch and dinner if he could.
All right.
It's true.
It is true.
[ALL LAUGH.]
Well, I just appreciate him putting my pies in those stores.
I know good food when I see it.
It's an occupational hazard.
[CHUCKLES.]
Susy, she's the she's the brains of the business.
Oh, stop.
Seems like y'all have a good business team.
I think so.
Yeah.
Shall we say grace? Yes.
Thank you, Lord, for this meal you put before us for our wonderful visitor, Miss Violet, and all the blessings that you bestow upon us all year long.
Amen.
- Amen.
- Amen.
All right.
When we first started out, Rawlings looked more like a convenience store than a grocery.
I was the checker, bag boy and quality control all rolled into one.
When Susy and I got married, we finally had two checkers.
Ain't that the whole truth.
Well, I my niece was on pie duty today.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons I see so much in you, Violet.
You remind me of my mom.
Jarrett, I ain't that much older than you.
[ALL LAUGH.]
No.
I mean her determined spirit.
I see that same spirit in you.
That ability to create something special out of nothing.
Well, thank you.
She sounds like a wonderful woman.
Indeed.
Which is why I want to invest in you.
I couldn't make her dreams come true, but maybe I can help with yours.
I see Vi's Prized Pies in every store freezer.
Your face on the box.
You'd be huge.
[LAUGHS.]
You're not talking about putting my face on pancake boxes like Aunt Jemima, are you? [ALL LAUGH.]
I can assure you that is not what I mean.
No, we'd both benefit from your expansion.
In your favor, of course.
This is your business, your recipes, your ideas.
I just want to use know-how to help you become bigger than you've ever dreamed.
Just have to iron out the terms.
The split will be more than fair.
I can have my attorneys start on the paperwork.
[LAUGHS.]
Okay.
Let's do this.
- Okay.
- Let's do this.
[ALL LAUGH.]
Let's do this.
Can we eat pie now? [ALL LAUGH.]
I'm not waiting for you.
[KEYS JIGGLE.]
I heard.
I'm so sorry.
I don't want to talk about it, Nova.
And I don't need a lecture.
I'm not going to.
I'm here for you.
Well, I don't need you right now, okay? I'm tired, Nova.
Just go home.
[KEYS CLATTER.]
[SIGHS.]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MAN 1.]
Playing 500? Mm-hmm, yeah.
[MAN 2.]
I know you ain't got nothing.
[MAN 1.]
Shit, you don't know that.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Ralph Angel! [MAN.]
Who that? Where's Ralph Angel? [MAN.]
Who? - Hey, Benny.
- [BENNY.]
What's happening, man? What are you doing in here? I'm staying here.
Few of my homeys came to see me, stopped by.
They're going to be on their way as soon as they finish this Oh, hell, no, man! That's cheating.
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
[DARLA.]
You all need to get out! Get out of this house! Get out! [DOOR OPENS.]
[RALPH ANGEL.]
Yo! Benny! What the hell is going on? We was just playing some spades, man.
And I'm going to take care of all this mess, I promise.
You got to go.
You got to grab your shit and go.
Now.
All right.
Blue, go to your room.
What the hell were you thinking? You were letting that random guy stay here, and you're worried about me taking him? [LAUGHS.]
Are you kidding me? I was trying to help the brother out.
You know what I'm saying? I'm just trying to do the right thing.
Why don't you start by doing right by your son.
[SCOFFS.]
What's that supposed to mean, huh? You're working all the time.
This house is a wreck.
You've got strange men living here.
Blue's acting out in school, Ralph Angel.
And you lying ain't got nothing to do with that, huh? You just in and out his life.
And now all of a sudden you know it all, huh? I have spent the last three years repairing my life for our son, for you and for our family! For me? And look where it got us! What family? Don't talk to my mommy like that! - [RALPH ANGEL.]
Blue, not now! - Ralph Angel! No! Ain't nobody asked you to come out your room! Take your ass back in there! Ain't nobody asked you! - Ralph Angel! - I want to stay with Mommy.
[MUTTERS.]
You want to okay.
You happy now? Go pack your bags, Blue.
You can stay with me tonight.
I want equal stake in my son's life.
[FIRE CRACKLING.]
Ooh Time is just the melody Of fate I'm a second hand In a secondhand exchange Ooh Please don't tempt My heart again Weakness is a poor defense Please don't Please don't Please don't tempt My heart again Love like yours Ain't innocent Please don't Please don't I can feel your eyes Looking for another way To my body Temptation is the game You always play The house will win The rules will never change Ooh Please don't [SIGHS.]
Ooh Please don't tempt My heart again Weakness is a poor defense Please don't Please don't Please don't tempt My heart again Love like yours Ain't innocent Please don't Please don't I can feel your eyes Looking for another way To my body Go Ree Ree.
Previously, on Queen Sugar.
Thirteen years ago I had an affair.
- Charlie, I have a daughter.
- Get out.
- Just listen to me.
- Get out of my house.
Get out! Get out! - What you doing this weekend? - I'm off on Monday.
- Monday it is.
- Cool.
Your dad and I are not getting married.
You said forever.
- [SNIFFLING.]
- I'm so sorry.
You deserve to be with someone who wants to be with you.
Not Nova the activist, just Nova.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES AND VIBRATES.]
[CELL PHONE RINGS.]
- Hello? - [VIOLET.]
I need you down here at the fellowship hall as soon as you can.
Rhonda's kid's sick, Hollywood's in Baton Rouge with his mother, and I got a big order to fill today.
Well, I got writing to do, Aunt Vi.
It's my job, I can't just try Rah or Charley.
You know you the only one that can follow my recipes.
- [CELL PHONE CHIMES.]
- Baby, I wouldn't be asking if I didn't need it.
Nova? Nova! Yes, ma'am.
- I'm on my way.
- Thank you, baby.
[SIGHS.]
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 [CELL PHONE RINGS.]
[FOOTSTEPS.]
You going to work today? No, I just need a day off.
You know, I'm glad you met my friends.
It feels like I'm getting settled in at St.
Jo.
[BOTTLES RATTLE.]
Michael, we need to talk about your dad.
[SIGHS.]
We're out of milk.
I can grab some from the store.
It's fine.
I'm going to school.
Are you okay? Yeah.
Yeah.
Have a good day.
[DOOR OPENS AND CLOSES.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Okay.
Okay, you have to go in now.
Okay.
Baby, you have to go in.
I'll see you soon.
Promise? Promise.
- Okay.
- Have a fun day at school.
Okay.
- Love you.
- Love you.
Miss Sutton, I was hoping to catch you.
Is everything okay? Blue had another incident with a student a few days ago.
We talked to Mr.
Bordelon, but I wasn't sure if you two talk - What kind of incident? - [SCHOOL BELL RINGS.]
Blue pushed Xavier off a swing.
- You sure it wasn't an accident? - I'm sure.
I couldn't get him to open up about why he did it I'll talk to him.
[SIGHS.]
Please, if anything else happens, you'll let me know? Of course.
I'm glad you're back.
I know Blue really missed you.
I should get in there.
- Thank you.
- Okay.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- [NOVA.]
Aunt Vi? Oh, good.
I need you on the chess pie, the sweet potato and the lemon icebox.
You do remember I'm just a writer, right? Nova Bordelon, you grew up in my kitchen on my hip.
I taught you everything I know.
This ain't going to be no time for standing around.
I need you to finish whipping that cream.
Wash your hands.
Can I help you? I'm here to see Ralph Angel.
Yo! Check all that out.
What you doing here, Darla? Why didn't you tell me that Blue pushed a kid at school the other day? Because I handled it.
Let me talk to him.
I said I handled it.
He's fine.
[SIGHS.]
Ralph Angel let me pick him up from school and talk to him.
I'm just asking for a little trust here.
I've been respecting your space.
I'm not asking to keep him overnight.
Just after school, so that we can talk.
Mother to son.
All right.
Just get him back before bedtime.
Appreciate it.
[PHONE VIBRATES.]
[CAR DOOR CLOSES.]
[LAUGHS.]
[CAR STARTS.]
How are we looking? [LAUGHS.]
Wow! [DARLA.]
Okay, slow down.
- Whoa! Oh, my gosh! - [WATER TURNS ON AND OFF.]
That bathtub is huge.
[SIGHS.]
I love your house already.
It's your house too.
I'm going to have so much fun here.
- Want me to make some snacks? - Just no nuggets.
Because me and Uncle Hollywood got sick off nuggets.
- No nuggets.
Got it.
- No nuggets.
What's in the fridge? Let's see.
Carrots? [SOUL MUSIC PLAYING OVER RADIO.]
My head's spinning just watching you.
I can do pies in my sleep, baby.
It's running a business that's work.
Look how well you're doing.
Business is booming.
I waited my whole life for this.
Was this something you always wanted? Mama raised me to be a wife and mother.
Thought that was what I was supposed to do.
But it just wasn't me.
I wanted my own dream.
What was it? [LAUGHS.]
That was the problem.
I didn't know at the time.
I mean, Ernest? He always had that land.
Always was so sure about it.
Might as well have been born with a stalk of cane in his hand.
[CHUCKLES.]
All I knew is that I needed to survive.
Surviving and dreaming, two separate things, baby.
Hold on, I got to write this down.
Girl, I am just talking.
I know, but can I record it? [LAUGHS.]
So, what kinds of things you be writing in that book? Kinds of things you're talking about.
Black folks and their struggles with the land, our dreams, our family.
Okay, go on.
[SIGHS.]
Well, despite it all, those fields, that cane ended up bringing me and your daddy closer.
We always knew no matter what, we had each other.
See? And that what I'm hoping for you and your brother and your sister.
Y'all hardheaded as all get out.
So how'd you find your dream? I guess it found me.
I mean, I always knew I had good pies.
I couldn't keep y'all out the kitchen.
But I ain't never really thought that I would wind up owning my own business.
I realized I never dreamed big enough.
Didn't give myself permission.
Well this is my legacy now.
Your wrist still bothering you? Mm.
[SIGHS.]
- Here, do this.
- Yeah? How do you do all this and manage lupus? Oh, no.
We're not talking about that in your book.
Why not? Women should hear your story.
Having it all and managing an illness.
I am a black woman running a business.
People don't need to know that I got a weakness.
I understand all that, but so many women of all ages can be inspired by you.
Get back to work, Nova.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATES AND CHIMES.]
And don't be overworking that dough with whatever it is you're struggling with over there.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Damn, dude your daddy was doing a whole lot more than just balling, huh? They're just kids looking for something to gossip about.
You see the way everybody is looking at me? They'll be moving on to something else by lunch.
[BELL RINGS.]
I got to get to class.
Mr.
Evans deducts points when you're late.
Meet me at my practice after school.
We can talk about it.
Keep your head up, okay? So I'm thinking about a green wall there.
Okay.
- A yellow one there.
- Okay.
And then a purple one there.
And then planet light stickers for all of them.
What about that wall? You can leave that wall empty, so I can draw on it all the time.
Drawing on your walls? My goodness.
Oh, and don't forget about my bunk bed.
Okay.
I want it right here.
- There? - Yeah.
That's a good one.
That's a good place.
I wish I could stay here with you.
Got to get your room set up first.
I could sleep with you tonight, so you don't get lonely.
That's very sweet of you, but we can't tonight.
Soon, though, I promise.
She'll keep you company.
Aww, thank you.
That's very, very thoughtful.
Slide forward for a second.
Let me talk to you.
Come here.
You want to tell me what's going on at school? What happened with Xavier on the playground? - Let's go see the backyard.
- Okay, we can, but just not right now.
Come here for a second.
- Please! - Please, Blue.
One second.
One second, so we can talk, please.
- Come on! - Blue [DOOR OPENS.]
Come on! - [CAR STARTS.]
- [RADIO ANNOUNCER.]
Fans, listen up, Donkey of the Day is going to NBA bad boy Davis West.
He is out here, continuing to move the culture of debauchery forward, because allegedly he is a new dad to a 13-year-old daughter, and it ain't by his ex-wife.
- We want to have a word with - [SNAPS RADIO OFF.]
[CELL PHONE RINGS.]
Hi.
Excuse me.
You from the EPA? Can I help you? Oh, yeah, we met at the bar.
With Jacob.
Are you guys from the EPA? This land belongs to a friend of mine.
Prosper Denton.
Oh, yeah, with Mr.
Boudreaux.
No, ma'am, we're a surveying firm.
I thought there were environmental issues with the land.
No, I don't know anything about that.
I think Mr.
Boudreaux would know more.
Well, what are you surveying the land for? I can't disclose that information, ma'am.
Can I get a business card? It's just a business card.
Can I please just have a business card? All right.
Thank you, "Trent McCallum".
Ma'am.
Thank you! Yo, what you doing up here? Are you good? I'm all right.
Sometimes you just got to let it hurt.
That's what my mom says.
We're going out after school.
You should come.
You know, hang out.
Get a good shrimp po'boy.
Get your mind off things.
What do you say? Yeah.
Yeah, all right, I'll hit you up.
Cool.
[NOVA.]
The diet's not so bad, right? You want that on record? You might ask Hollywood that question.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
I already know.
Hollywood lives for Vi and her cooking.
Yeah, well, it's been an adjustment.
The diet, the business.
His mind's all over our wedding, and he's getting upset that mine ain't.
I got this big dinner with Rawlings tonight, and I just don't have time for all this.
The realities of having it all means you got to figure out how to balance it.
Hmm.
What they say? Be careful what you wish for? [CHUCKLES.]
Living the dream means staying strong, being superhuman and not letting folks know that sometimes you just want to crawl in bed and pull the covers over your head.
One thing I do know: that man's real proud of you.
Loves you more than anything.
I know.
I love that man more than words, but I just didn't know that I deserved all this good coming, and I want to take it.
That ain't wrong, is it? No, ma'am, it ain't.
[CELL PHONE VIBRATES AND CHIMES.]
You take it.
Now who's that got you so captivated over there? Why you say that? Because I know you like the back of my hand.
And whoever it is must be serious, the way you been fretting all day.
It's complicated.
It always is with you.
Baby, I just want you to be open to love.
If all this is coming to me, I know your happy's out there.
Just got to give yourself permission.
[TRINH.]
There were these squirrels in the public garden that were crazy huge.
I mean, bite-off-your-face huge.
- I didn't see none of that.
- I do not kid.
- This is incredible.
- Yeah.
I can't believe I've never been to this part.
Mom used to bring me when I was little.
Way different now.
Didn't have all these statues and stuff.
I love all this.
I majored in Business because I knew I'd eventually take over the plant, but I minored in Art History.
You draw and stuff? Nope.
I just admire and appreciate and stuff.
Thought I'd curate at some fancy museum, like MoMA in New York.
But I always knew I'd take over the family business eventually, so I feel that.
Ever since I was a kid, I knew I'd be working on the farm.
I was real good at track in high school.
Coach said I could probably qualify to be an Olympian or something like that - Oh, wow.
- had I stick to it.
- Seriously? - That's what he said.
Me and my boys would just hit the meets in the city, sneak into all the college parties.
[LAUGHS.]
Sneak in, get drunk and get all the girls.
That's how I went.
How old were you guys? [CHUCKLES.]
- Sixteen.
- [LAUGHS.]
You were those kids.
Them kids.
Them kids.
Real stupid, I will say that much.
Excuse the mess.
My ex-wife used to keep this place spotless.
So my dad's friend Prosper gets a letter telling him to vacate because of EPA issues.
But just now, there's a team of surveyors on his land who know nothing about any environmental concerns.
And not to mention I'm losing farmers at the mill who keep having to move last minute.
Farmers who lease from Landry.
That sounds like Landry needs his land cleared.
Did you get anything from Jacob? Yeah, he knows the surveyors.
They're on contract with him.
I'm telling you, there's something going on.
And we'll find it.
Look, in the meantime, I have got plenty of ammo for you to look over.
You come over here looking all chewed up and spit out.
I'm worried about you.
I know that look.
Same one I had.
And I lost everything.
I just want the truth.
Is that so much to ask? For everyone to just stop lying? I'm real sorry.
I saw it on the news.
Thirteen years.
I didn't see it on his face.
Not once in 13 years.
You need to realize, you can't change what Davis did.
You can only find peace with it.
I signed up for a class.
Like you.
You're going to school too? I am.
But not all day like you.
I'm taking accounting.
It teaches me how to be good with numbers.
Like my math class.
Exactly.
And it's important that when I'm in class, I'm well behaved.
That's like my school.
[DARLA.]
Mm-hmm.
Did Xavier say something or do something to make you push him the other day? It's okay.
You can tell me.
I won't get mad.
He said you left because you didn't love me anymore.
[BLUE SNIFFLES.]
I'm sorry he said that to you, Blue.
But you know that's not true.
Yeah, I know.
Look at me.
I love you more than anything in the entire world.
And nothing there is nothing that's going to stop me from loving you.
Do you understand? Just the other kids say stuff.
And when you were sick I just wasn't sure if you were coming home.
I just didn't know.
I was really sad when you went away.
I know, baby.
And I am so sorry.
I'm never going to leave you again, okay? I'm never going to leave you ever again.
I'm going to be right here.
[BLUE SNIFFLES.]
Appreciate you coming down with me.
I had fun.
I needed it.
Me too.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
Me too.
Between work and Blue, it's hard to find time to break away.
Yup.
Half the time I am running from the plant to my aunt's restaurant, and either way I smell like I'm catching fish or cooking them.
Mm, you smell good to me.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
- Okay.
- No, for real.
I like how much you're there for your family.
It's nothing.
It's not unlike you running the farm.
Working at the fish plant.
Taking care of Blue.
Most people leave, don't come back.
You did.
My parents, they put up a front.
Khanh told me things haven't been the same since the oil spill.
I think I was just naive.
You know, I thought, give it a few years.
The fish'll be back.
The community will rally like they did after Katrina.
I think I just trying to justify leaving.
So now I'm just doing what I can to make things right.
Sorry, we're on a date.
We're should be talking about favorite movies and worst jobs.
Nah.
I get it.
- Making up for lost time.
- Yeah.
Taking care of the ones we left behind.
You know, I spent some time in prison.
I know.
It's in your paperwork.
I was a whole different person back then.
I understand if it makes you feel some type of way.
You know, us hanging out.
I get it.
Why would I be here if I did? I don't know.
Good question.
When I got back I thought everything would be the same.
And it's not.
It's different.
I'm different, you know? Yeah.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
- [TRINH.]
Thank you for today.
- [RALPH ANGEL.]
Uh-huh.
[TRINH.]
It was really fun.
- [HIP-HOP MUSIC BLARES ON RADIO.]
- Hey! Hey! - Okay.
- Hey! Hey! All right, all right.
[LAUGHTER AND CHATTER.]
All right, all right.
[CAMERA SHUTTERS CLICK.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
- All right, guys, guys, guys.
- [CELL PHONE RINGS.]
All right, all right.
[LAUGHTER.]
[ROCK MUSIC PLAYING OVER TRUCK RADIO.]
What the hell y'all doing in here? This is our spot.
Minding our own business.
You might want to keep it moving.
That's the problem with you people.
Think you can make yourself comfortable anywhere.
- "You people"? - You heard me.
This here's our country.
Around here, white lives matter.
What is wrong with these assholes? They ain't gonna do shit.
What you say? Huh? You better speak up, black bitch.
Excuse me? No, what did you say? No, say it again, dude.
Say it again.
[HORN HONKS.]
What do y'all think y'all doing? Huh? Huh? Y'all need to get off my property before I call the cops.
I don't want to see you kids back here, understand? Go on, now.
Get.
- That was dope, man.
- [CAR DOORS CLOSE.]
Trust me, what'll it be? Face it or run Even if we're missing From the beginning I know when we all Gonna find it again [CAR ENGINE STARTS.]
Everything looks so beautiful.
[LAUGHS.]
Thank you for this lovely meal.
Well, Jarrett goes on and on about you.
I feel like I know you already.
[LAUGHS.]
That's sweet.
And I'll have you know, Jarrett would eat your pies for breakfast, lunch and dinner if he could.
All right.
It's true.
It is true.
[ALL LAUGH.]
Well, I just appreciate him putting my pies in those stores.
I know good food when I see it.
It's an occupational hazard.
[CHUCKLES.]
Susy, she's the she's the brains of the business.
Oh, stop.
Seems like y'all have a good business team.
I think so.
Yeah.
Shall we say grace? Yes.
Thank you, Lord, for this meal you put before us for our wonderful visitor, Miss Violet, and all the blessings that you bestow upon us all year long.
Amen.
- Amen.
- Amen.
All right.
When we first started out, Rawlings looked more like a convenience store than a grocery.
I was the checker, bag boy and quality control all rolled into one.
When Susy and I got married, we finally had two checkers.
Ain't that the whole truth.
Well, I my niece was on pie duty today.
Yeah, that's one of the reasons I see so much in you, Violet.
You remind me of my mom.
Jarrett, I ain't that much older than you.
[ALL LAUGH.]
No.
I mean her determined spirit.
I see that same spirit in you.
That ability to create something special out of nothing.
Well, thank you.
She sounds like a wonderful woman.
Indeed.
Which is why I want to invest in you.
I couldn't make her dreams come true, but maybe I can help with yours.
I see Vi's Prized Pies in every store freezer.
Your face on the box.
You'd be huge.
[LAUGHS.]
You're not talking about putting my face on pancake boxes like Aunt Jemima, are you? [ALL LAUGH.]
I can assure you that is not what I mean.
No, we'd both benefit from your expansion.
In your favor, of course.
This is your business, your recipes, your ideas.
I just want to use know-how to help you become bigger than you've ever dreamed.
Just have to iron out the terms.
The split will be more than fair.
I can have my attorneys start on the paperwork.
[LAUGHS.]
Okay.
Let's do this.
- Okay.
- Let's do this.
[ALL LAUGH.]
Let's do this.
Can we eat pie now? [ALL LAUGH.]
I'm not waiting for you.
[KEYS JIGGLE.]
I heard.
I'm so sorry.
I don't want to talk about it, Nova.
And I don't need a lecture.
I'm not going to.
I'm here for you.
Well, I don't need you right now, okay? I'm tired, Nova.
Just go home.
[KEYS CLATTER.]
[SIGHS.]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING.]
[MAN 1.]
Playing 500? Mm-hmm, yeah.
[MAN 2.]
I know you ain't got nothing.
[MAN 1.]
Shit, you don't know that.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
Ralph Angel! [MAN.]
Who that? Where's Ralph Angel? [MAN.]
Who? - Hey, Benny.
- [BENNY.]
What's happening, man? What are you doing in here? I'm staying here.
Few of my homeys came to see me, stopped by.
They're going to be on their way as soon as they finish this Oh, hell, no, man! That's cheating.
[GLASS SHATTERS.]
[DARLA.]
You all need to get out! Get out of this house! Get out! [DOOR OPENS.]
[RALPH ANGEL.]
Yo! Benny! What the hell is going on? We was just playing some spades, man.
And I'm going to take care of all this mess, I promise.
You got to go.
You got to grab your shit and go.
Now.
All right.
Blue, go to your room.
What the hell were you thinking? You were letting that random guy stay here, and you're worried about me taking him? [LAUGHS.]
Are you kidding me? I was trying to help the brother out.
You know what I'm saying? I'm just trying to do the right thing.
Why don't you start by doing right by your son.
[SCOFFS.]
What's that supposed to mean, huh? You're working all the time.
This house is a wreck.
You've got strange men living here.
Blue's acting out in school, Ralph Angel.
And you lying ain't got nothing to do with that, huh? You just in and out his life.
And now all of a sudden you know it all, huh? I have spent the last three years repairing my life for our son, for you and for our family! For me? And look where it got us! What family? Don't talk to my mommy like that! - [RALPH ANGEL.]
Blue, not now! - Ralph Angel! No! Ain't nobody asked you to come out your room! Take your ass back in there! Ain't nobody asked you! - Ralph Angel! - I want to stay with Mommy.
[MUTTERS.]
You want to okay.
You happy now? Go pack your bags, Blue.
You can stay with me tonight.
I want equal stake in my son's life.
[FIRE CRACKLING.]
Ooh Time is just the melody Of fate I'm a second hand In a secondhand exchange Ooh Please don't tempt My heart again Weakness is a poor defense Please don't Please don't Please don't tempt My heart again Love like yours Ain't innocent Please don't Please don't I can feel your eyes Looking for another way To my body Temptation is the game You always play The house will win The rules will never change Ooh Please don't [SIGHS.]
Ooh Please don't tempt My heart again Weakness is a poor defense Please don't Please don't Please don't tempt My heart again Love like yours Ain't innocent Please don't Please don't I can feel your eyes Looking for another way To my body Go Ree Ree.