Greenleaf (2016) s03e07 Episode Script
That Was Then
1 Previously on "Greenleaf" They had to remove your ovaries.
I can't have children? You know the rules No contacting that boy.
Or have I not been clear? What do you know about cryptocurrencies? Nothing.
- People are getting rich.
- Can we? You can have the house.
I'll take care of the IRS bill.
But you have to leave the church.
MAE: I am sorry that you were scared.
But you know what? Don't beat me up.
It won't fix it.
Fix you.
- We're divorcing.
- [CONGREGATION GASPS.]
We will always be family.
And I'm still your Bishop.
I will continue on as your first lady up through "a day with Lady Mae.
" Where we will have a very, very special guest, my dear, dear friend Maxine Patterson.
Is that legal defense fund of yours operational yet? Why? Woman in Collierville just killed her husband while he was sleeping.
She's saying it was self-defense.
GRACE: So, she killed him with a hammer, which sounds unattractive if you're someone who's thinking about backing her, but apparently, it's something he'd used on her a few times before.
If you say that this is the case, then this is the case.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
[SCREAMING.]
No! [GRUNTS.]
SOPHIA: Mom? Mom.
What are you doing? Nothing.
Was that about the lady who killed her husband? The one on the news? [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Yeah, I'm going to meet with her tomorrow, see if about I don't know If I can help her.
Uh We can talk later.
No, no, no.
I'm gonna go to bed soon, so What do you need, babe? [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Can you talk to Pastor Rona? About what? Little saints.
Mm.
She's not taking no for an answer, huh? Nope, but I don't want to do it.
I know you going through a lot right now, baby.
I know it.
I do.
I'm never gonna be able to talk to them the way I used to.
I don't even know if I believe in God anymore.
Has your grandmom heard you say that? 'Cause she's gonna have you up at 6:00 A.
M.
with Zora if you're not careful.
[CHUCKLES.]
Will you talk to her or not? [SIGHS.]
Yeah, I'll talk to her.
[SIGHS.]
Thank you.
Amen All right Amen Uh-huh, hmm Ooh-ooh, ooh Well Oh-ohh, ohh Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Amen, amen oh Yeah [GEESE HONKING.]
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Young lady.
[MUTTERING.]
[GROANS.]
Yes.
It's my birthday.
I know.
- [SMOOCHES.]
Happy birthday.
- Thank you.
Now, your parents are coming over at 8:00 for breakfast, and that will give us less time with the text than usual.
- No, no, no! - Okay, but - [GRUMBLING.]
- Mm! [GROANS.]
No, no.
Rise! [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
I haven't seen very much of you lately.
Seems like some days you don't even leave this room.
Well, I'm on vacation.
Your brother and Kerissa are on their way over, with winkie, for Zora's little birthday thingy.
In the morning? Well, your mother has her on 7:00 P.
M.
lockdown.
This was the only time.
Wow.
When is she gonna get it together? When are you? When are you moving out? It's hard to find a place when every spare penny is in the sights of the internal revenue service.
But if my presence is that troubling to you, I'll just Daddy.
[SIGHS.]
It's just that I, uh [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
I'll miss you.
I'm gonna miss you, too.
See if you can make it down.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[SIGHS.]
Happy birthday, dear Zora Happy birthday to you [JAMES LAUGH.]
- Oh.
Mwah.
- Yeah.
Mwah.
- Happy birthday, sweetheart.
- Thanks.
Super-sweet, super-sweet.
- Mm.
Happy birthday.
WINKIE: I get to eat cake for breakfast? If you put the word "coffee" in front of it.
[LAUGHTER.]
But don't get used to it, you hear? We got a surprise for you.
[GASPS.]
Is it my phone? Your phone? Yeah, that's funny.
Tickets to see "Hamilton"? - Yes.
- Oh! Okay, so, there are only two tickets, so I thought we could make a mommy-and-daughter date.
- Mm, yes, yes! - Yes? [LAUGHS.]
When's the performance? It's tomorrow night.
- Oh.
- I'm excited.
What a shame.
Why is that a shame? Well, Zora's on punishment.
Well It's her 18th birthday.
Actions have consequences.
Well, aren't you gonna say something? Mom, you're being a little tough.
A clear understanding of how deeply your family cares about your safety is a thing of great value, Jacob.
One whose worth might outlast even that of seeing a Broadway musical.
I agree.
I cannot believe you.
Are you ready for some cake, little man? [LAUGHS.]
Sorry, baby.
I've got all the vendors from last year saving the date, and the Templeton is holding the ballroom while we finalize the schedule.
Perfect.
I'm sorry.
The Templeton? What's the problem now? After working with Maxine all these years, bigger is better.
I'm just worried the Templeton's not gonna do it.
That woman draws a crowd.
Do you know, I was thinking the same thing.
Can't we just do it here? At the church? I love that idea.
That's the Bishop's silver jubilee.
Since when? He told me a few days ago.
He's gonna have a whole celebration.
While we're having "day with Lady Mae" at the Templeton across town? That's not gonna work.
I just meant that we'd have to ask him.
I'm sure he'll say yes.
[DOOR OPENS.]
You wanted to see me? Yes.
Oh, Karine, I will talk to the Bishop about it.
I'm perfectly willing to do that.
Karine, let me caution you about overvaluing Bishop's opinion in this time of rapid evolution.
Understood.
My mistake.
What do you need? Well, we are coordinating with the boys and girls club of Memphis some programs for "a day with Lady Mae," and their c.
E.
O.
Is coming over this morning.
Of course, I'm up to my ears in all of this, and I Well, I can't meet today.
But you're the director of outreach.
I have an appointment at the county jail with Coralee Hunter.
Wait.
With the murderess? The accused.
Grace.
I am working my fingers to the bone to try to breathe some new life into this church that your father nearly vanquished himself with all of his negligence and pride.
Now, I want "a day with lady Mae" to be what everybody is talking about over the next six weeks when they hear the name "Calvary" And not some tawdry woman who bludgeoned her husband to death in his sleep with a hammer.
Mama, the D.
A.
Is talking death penalty.
A life is at stake.
And defending the rights of a victim of abuse That's as good a calling card for a church as some glorified pep rally.
- Pep rally? - Yeah.
Is that what you and your new best friend Ms.
Cross [CHUCKLES.]
Call the flagship event for our church year? Mama, I have my reasons for working with Rochelle on this project.
Mm-hmm.
Sadism and spite, both aimed directly at me.
Gosh.
You understand me perfectly.
And you don't understand me at all.
[CELLPHONE RINGS.]
Thompson, casket funeral services.
Percy? James.
How many times do I have to tell you? When you call, use your cellphone.
You had me talking all like white folks for nothing.
[CHUCKLES.]
Uh, listen, I got to talk to you about Well, I'll have to call you back.
Yeah, okay.
Ms.
Cross, I presume.
- Percy.
- Mm.
And he sends his love.
And, well And your concern today is? Are you aware of the latest indignities our daughter has dragged like a rat to our doorstep? Which daughter, and which indignity? Grace And this murderess that she's decided to sponsor like some child from Africa.
And with church money.
I heard.
Don't you think it's bad enough that everyone knows about your troubles with the tax man? I mean, do you think this is good p.
R.
Right now? Mae Have a seat, please.
- What? - Please.
[SIGHS.]
Now, the Lord has provided us a way to pay what we owe to the tax man.
At least to get started, anyway.
I'm listening.
But, James, this is you.
- Mae - It's not me.
Your name was on those returns.
Whatever you say, you knew.
Well, how do you propose to pay for it? [SIGHS.]
By making a substantial- but-short-term investment in cryptocurrency.
Oh.
This is Rochelle's genius at work.
Ms.
Cross assures me That strumpet waltzed into our church, James, with a bad reputation and earned it all over again.
Now, isn't it enough that she has broken our family in half? Do you have to let her take all of our money, too? She's trying to help us both.
Oh, you know what? That preacher was right.
Oh, what preacher? The one who wrote ecclesiastes.
"Better to be a poor, wise youth than an old, foolish king who can no longer heed advice.
" Your blindness in regards to this woman is truly astonishing.
Mae I will speak to Grace and call her off if you'll meet me halfway in this.
Now, I've already put most of my personal account into it.
What What we have in our shared account will get us where we need to go.
Where you need to go.
Not in a billion years.
You made all these beds.
You lie in them.
[SIGHS.]
Hey.
[WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
Thank you.
- That's it? - Yes.
Just third down the hallway.
Thank you.
Pastor Greenleaf.
Weston Price.
The D.
A.
Who elected not to try you for manslaughter.
Right.
Thank you.
What brings you down here? Coralee Hunter.
She goes to Calvary? No.
We just recently started a legal defense fund for victims like her.
Coralee Hunter is no victim.
She murdered her husband in his sleep with a hammer he had used just hours earlier to hang a picture of his family.
Then I assume you know what he also did with that hammer in the past.
There isn't even a shred of admissible evidence that he ever abused her.
Well, I'm content to let a judge decide what's admissible and inadmissible.
Excuse me.
Grace.
You know, you're starting to sound like you're the one without a case here, counselor.
Sometimes I hand a case off to another D.
A.
Because I can't be objective.
That pond you're about to step into, it might be a lot deeper than you think.
Sorry, Phoebe.
I forgot my key.
[CELLPHONE RINGS.]
Whenever there's a ring at the door, I don't like to answer it in case it's a policeman standing there - with another summons.
- [RINGING CONTINUES.]
There'll be a policeman at the door, all right.
Hello? Yeah, Charity, this is Percy Lee.
Percy, Daddy's friend? Yeah.
So, how are you, angel? I'm I'm fine, I guess.
Why are you calling me? I got this memorial service here tonight, and the singer just called and says she has the flu that everybody's got.
So I thought maybe you would step in and offer some musical comfort.
Hope it's all right to ask.
Yeah.
Um, but Percy, I don't know.
I'm I'm not sure I can be of comfort right now.
This family just lost their great-great-grandmother, and she's the heart and soul of the family, and they're all tore up, and all I got is some prerecorded organ music and spotify.
[CHUCKLES.]
So, just one or two songs? Or am I gonna have to call that Daddy of yours and get him to come up there and harass you to do all this? [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Your mother is being too strict.
My mother is being firm.
That's the point.
If you weren't being so prideful about this, you'd see the wisdom in it.
Isn't being strict your whole brand? Zora is 18.
If she decides to leave, there's nothing me, you, or your all-seeing, all-knowing mother can do about it.
My mother knows what she's doing.
If your mother knew what she was doing, it wouldn't have taken me nearly 20 years to get you to straighten up and fly right.
I'm gonna go talk to her.
Go ahead.
I wasn't asking for permission! - [DOOR OPENS.]
- Sorry.
My mistake.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[POUNDING ON DOOR.]
- [GRUNTS.]
- [SCREAMS.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Thank you.
Hi, Coralee.
You don't look so good.
I'm fine.
[CHUCKLES.]
This [CLEARS THROAT.]
This room just got a little small there for a minute.
Do you know why I'm here? You're from some church.
- Yeah.
- Mm.
We have a fund that provides legal aid to people with cases like yours.
I don't believe in God.
That's why you're here To save my soul.
It's not.
I'm here to help, Coralee.
'Cause I was very I was once very close to sitting exactly where you are.
How? [SIGHS.]
Let's talk about you.
[WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
He had me pinned down.
He was choking me.
If he hadn't been blind drunk, I'd probably be the one dead today.
[GRUNTS.]
And that's when you decided.
I never decided anything.
I don't even remember doing it.
Understood.
I'm glad it happened, though.
For the kids' sake if nothing else.
He abused the kids, too, huh? No, he just threatened to all the time to get me to You know Whatever he wanted to do.
GUARD: Time's up.
I'm gonna see you soon.
Will you really? Yeah.
[INTRO TO "WHEN YOU HEAR OF MY HOMEGOING" PLAYS.]
When you hear of my homegoing Don't you worry about me Oh, Lord When you hear of my homegoing Don't you worry about me When you hear of my homegoing Don't you worry about me 'Cause I'm packed right now Oh, right now And I'm on my way home Ooh I'm packed right now Oh, right now And I'm on my way home [DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
If you could just sign these.
I'd be happy to.
How you doing, Karine? How's your day going? Just busy showing the ropes to Maxine Patterson's Ms.
Something.
I'm sorry, but that girl is slow.
I see.
[CHUCKLES.]
I just keep praying for Patience.
"Steel security.
" What's that for? Uh, security for "Day with Lady Mae.
" Security? So, "day with Lady Mae" is gonna be at Calvary this year.
That big, huh? It may very well be, yes.
And when were you going to tell me about it? Well, I just only got the deposit back from the Templeton, and I didn't want to say anything until I found Oh, you didn't want to say anything period, Mae.
Just admit it.
Well, since you're here, you should know that, with Maxine, there will be extra costs this year.
Well, then let Maxine pay for it.
Why not have her rent the fedexforum while she's at it? I mean, if you're expecting such a flood of people.
James, having Maxine's presence is a boon for the church.
Oh, pfft.
Better to have her here, where it really counts.
And what about my Silver Jubilee? Oh, you mean the Silver Jubilee that I was just informed about this morning? What about it? Just don't you forget our deal.
And what deal is that, dear? After this "day with Lady Mae," you're gone.
[KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS.]
GLORIA: Sorry.
Lady Mae.
The committee is gathered in the conference room.
Thank you, Gloria.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
And as for me and my future plans, I will go where the Lord leads me to go, and I assume you'll do the same.
All right.
There you go.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
What? Don't "what" me.
You know I know when something's going on with you.
So, you want to talk about it? Probably shouldn't.
You know I'm married to the one and only Basie Skanks, right? I know how to keep a secret, Jacob, so talk to me.
Come on.
Talk to me, Jacob.
Tell me what's going on.
You ever Have somebody that you know treat you like the person that you used to be back in the day, but you're not that person anymore? Are you kidding me? You know what I'm talking about? Yeah, I know what you're talking about.
Jacob, do you think I've always been this holy church lady you see in front of you? Like I didn't go out every Saturday night, trying to get my swerve on.
Walking into church on Sunday, eyes barely open, praying other people was thinking I was really praying.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
And, you know, those people would love to bring me down and remind me of that every day, but I know I've been forgiven, so Yeah, see, that's just the thing.
I know Kerissa forgives me, but she'll never forget.
And then she won't let me forget either.
And I'm sick of it.
Hmm.
Bring it in.
Come on, bring it in.
Oh, God.
It'll be okay.
It'll be all right.
[LIQUID POURING.]
Bishop? - Hey.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
Just the woman I want to see.
[CHUCKLES.]
I can't say I mind meeting in person, but it does have me curious.
What's my Bishop up to now? Oh.
You found more cash.
I found more cash.
Cash I wouldn't give to anyone else.
But I trust you And your expertise.
Thank you.
[GLASSES CLINK.]
Do you believe her story? What, that her husband abused her? Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
That part rings true.
And there's a string of emergency-room bills and 911 calls, yes.
So, what's the problem? This D.
A.
He's gonna use my story against her Against me.
He said as much right to my face.
So what? That was self-defense, too.
I mean, I know it was hellish, but It was self-defense, too, right? - Call somebody.
- I'm not calling anybody Till you tell me where my daughter is.
[CHOKING.]
Right? [BIRDS CAWING IN DISTANCE.]
Right.
[HORN HONKING.]
[HORN HONKING.]
All right, all right! I'm goin', I'm goin'.
I'm goin'.
You want to put that down? [LAUGHS.]
Hmm? No.
I've had enough alcohol for the minute, so I'll stick with my water.
Well, if that's your pleasure.
What a day, though.
Yeah.
You know, I thought I'd come here and sing a few songs and then skip on out.
Yeah.
[CHUCKLES.]
I feel run over.
Drained.
Being in the midst of all that grief.
Yeah.
Well, you know, people come here reeling from the worst thing that's happened to them, and you soak it in.
Wow.
I don't know how you do it.
I drink.
Lady Mae, thank goodness we caught you before you left for the day.
The caterer needs a deposit today, or they won't commit.
What, at six weeks out, they need our money? They're the only ones big enough to handle the job, and they're popular.
And Bishop's already left for the day.
Oh, no problem.
I will just transfer my money from my personal account and then have the church write me a check tomorrow.
Thank you so much.
One moment, and let me log in.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
Wait.
Uh Is something wrong? Uh I don't know, but There is definitely something amiss.
They need the check by the close of business.
Gloria.
Yes? Would the two of you excuse me? [KEYBOARD CLACKS.]
Talk to my mother? Nope.
I was just trying to figure out what it was I wanted to say when you walked in.
Why? Well I thought we should both go over there tomorrow and bring Zora home.
What made you change your mind? Prayed about it.
Thank you.
Sorry I got so dug in.
It's okay.
I am sorry that I brought up all that stuff about you not flying right.
That wasn't fair.
It's okay.
We all make mistakes.
Yes, we do.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's true.
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
You emptied our shared account? It'll be full in two weeks' time.
More than full if all goes well.
Says Ms.
Cross.
Says CNBC and everyone else.
Insider trading is not illegal yet, so the word on the street is that we'll be I want you out of this house tonight.
I've already made arrangements to stay with Percy for the short term.
I'll be leaving in the morning.
You'll leave tonight.
And, this time, take it all, James.
Every last tie and purple robe and gaudy knickknack.
I want you out of here.
I want you gone.
As you wish, dear.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- [CRYING.]
GRACE: You okay, baby? [SOBBING.]
Sweetie, what are you doing? What are you doing? - Leave me alone! - No, stop it, stop it.
Give me that.
Stop that! Stop it! What is wrong with you, honey? What's goin' on? The Bible is all lies! Your granddad gave you this Bible.
[SOBBING.]
Sweetheart.
You feel what you want to feel, you be upset, but this is not a lie.
He loves you.
He gave this to you.
Don't throw that away.
You will regret it.
I hate that I can't go back.
To what, honey? Go back to what? To before I got saved.
I just want to not know God's real so I can just live my life.
Come here.
I can't forget how I felt the day in the church when I went down in the water.
I don't want to love someone who treats me this badly.
I just want to let God go.
I just want him to let me forget and leave me alone.
Why won't he just let me go? He's not gonna let you go.
And I'm not gonna let you go.
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
[BUZZER.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Hey.
Never thought I'd see you again.
Well, you should have more faith.
I told you that isn't my thing.
I know.
I'm here to bail you out.
Hey.
Y'all ready? Just about.
I don't like this one.
You didn't like the last three either, honey.
Come on, we got to go.
You know he doesn't want to wear that anything Zora doesn't handpick? Mm-hmm.
My little gq man.
His big sister kept him fresh, though.
Yes, she did, and she will again.
Mwah.
[CHUCKLES.]
Hey, maybe we can start some kind of a game night or something.
Something fun.
Uh, yeah.
As long as it's not chess, 'cause you know that little boy's got an unfair advantage.
Mm.
Thanks for doing this.
No need to thank me.
It's all good.
We just have so little time left with her that I want her to go out into the world knowing that we love her and that we support her 100%.
She'll know.
I love you so much.
[CHUCKLES.]
I love you, too.
Mm.
[CHUCKLES.]
Are you having a hard time deciding? Uh, on what? What you're gonna wear.
Kind of.
[SIGHS.]
What did I do now? Oh, nothing.
No, I was just thinking that it might be a good idea for you to take over the little saints while Sophia's healing.
Yeah, it's a no for me, though.
Come again? I'm not good with kids.
Zora, I think it's come to a point now where taking care of the souls of others will give you a deeper sense of value of your own.
Do you not agree? Well, I know how it feels to be young.
Oh, you feel like you have all the time in the world to try things out, make mistakes, but Zora, I can tell you from experience that the moment to be your best self is right now.
I don't want to do it, grandma.
And even if I did, I can't.
Why not, Zora? I'm 18 now.
I'm leaving.
And when, pray tell, is this grand escape of yours taking place? In about 10 minutes.
Zora? Zora!
I can't have children? You know the rules No contacting that boy.
Or have I not been clear? What do you know about cryptocurrencies? Nothing.
- People are getting rich.
- Can we? You can have the house.
I'll take care of the IRS bill.
But you have to leave the church.
MAE: I am sorry that you were scared.
But you know what? Don't beat me up.
It won't fix it.
Fix you.
- We're divorcing.
- [CONGREGATION GASPS.]
We will always be family.
And I'm still your Bishop.
I will continue on as your first lady up through "a day with Lady Mae.
" Where we will have a very, very special guest, my dear, dear friend Maxine Patterson.
Is that legal defense fund of yours operational yet? Why? Woman in Collierville just killed her husband while he was sleeping.
She's saying it was self-defense.
GRACE: So, she killed him with a hammer, which sounds unattractive if you're someone who's thinking about backing her, but apparently, it's something he'd used on her a few times before.
If you say that this is the case, then this is the case.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
[CLEARS THROAT.]
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
[SCREAMING.]
No! [GRUNTS.]
SOPHIA: Mom? Mom.
What are you doing? Nothing.
Was that about the lady who killed her husband? The one on the news? [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Yeah, I'm going to meet with her tomorrow, see if about I don't know If I can help her.
Uh We can talk later.
No, no, no.
I'm gonna go to bed soon, so What do you need, babe? [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Can you talk to Pastor Rona? About what? Little saints.
Mm.
She's not taking no for an answer, huh? Nope, but I don't want to do it.
I know you going through a lot right now, baby.
I know it.
I do.
I'm never gonna be able to talk to them the way I used to.
I don't even know if I believe in God anymore.
Has your grandmom heard you say that? 'Cause she's gonna have you up at 6:00 A.
M.
with Zora if you're not careful.
[CHUCKLES.]
Will you talk to her or not? [SIGHS.]
Yeah, I'll talk to her.
[SIGHS.]
Thank you.
Amen All right Amen Uh-huh, hmm Ooh-ooh, ooh Well Oh-ohh, ohh Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Amen, amen oh Yeah [GEESE HONKING.]
[KNOCK ON DOOR.]
Young lady.
[MUTTERING.]
[GROANS.]
Yes.
It's my birthday.
I know.
- [SMOOCHES.]
Happy birthday.
- Thank you.
Now, your parents are coming over at 8:00 for breakfast, and that will give us less time with the text than usual.
- No, no, no! - Okay, but - [GRUMBLING.]
- Mm! [GROANS.]
No, no.
Rise! [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
I haven't seen very much of you lately.
Seems like some days you don't even leave this room.
Well, I'm on vacation.
Your brother and Kerissa are on their way over, with winkie, for Zora's little birthday thingy.
In the morning? Well, your mother has her on 7:00 P.
M.
lockdown.
This was the only time.
Wow.
When is she gonna get it together? When are you? When are you moving out? It's hard to find a place when every spare penny is in the sights of the internal revenue service.
But if my presence is that troubling to you, I'll just Daddy.
[SIGHS.]
It's just that I, uh [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
I'll miss you.
I'm gonna miss you, too.
See if you can make it down.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
[SIGHS.]
Happy birthday, dear Zora Happy birthday to you [JAMES LAUGH.]
- Oh.
Mwah.
- Yeah.
Mwah.
- Happy birthday, sweetheart.
- Thanks.
Super-sweet, super-sweet.
- Mm.
Happy birthday.
WINKIE: I get to eat cake for breakfast? If you put the word "coffee" in front of it.
[LAUGHTER.]
But don't get used to it, you hear? We got a surprise for you.
[GASPS.]
Is it my phone? Your phone? Yeah, that's funny.
Tickets to see "Hamilton"? - Yes.
- Oh! Okay, so, there are only two tickets, so I thought we could make a mommy-and-daughter date.
- Mm, yes, yes! - Yes? [LAUGHS.]
When's the performance? It's tomorrow night.
- Oh.
- I'm excited.
What a shame.
Why is that a shame? Well, Zora's on punishment.
Well It's her 18th birthday.
Actions have consequences.
Well, aren't you gonna say something? Mom, you're being a little tough.
A clear understanding of how deeply your family cares about your safety is a thing of great value, Jacob.
One whose worth might outlast even that of seeing a Broadway musical.
I agree.
I cannot believe you.
Are you ready for some cake, little man? [LAUGHS.]
Sorry, baby.
I've got all the vendors from last year saving the date, and the Templeton is holding the ballroom while we finalize the schedule.
Perfect.
I'm sorry.
The Templeton? What's the problem now? After working with Maxine all these years, bigger is better.
I'm just worried the Templeton's not gonna do it.
That woman draws a crowd.
Do you know, I was thinking the same thing.
Can't we just do it here? At the church? I love that idea.
That's the Bishop's silver jubilee.
Since when? He told me a few days ago.
He's gonna have a whole celebration.
While we're having "day with Lady Mae" at the Templeton across town? That's not gonna work.
I just meant that we'd have to ask him.
I'm sure he'll say yes.
[DOOR OPENS.]
You wanted to see me? Yes.
Oh, Karine, I will talk to the Bishop about it.
I'm perfectly willing to do that.
Karine, let me caution you about overvaluing Bishop's opinion in this time of rapid evolution.
Understood.
My mistake.
What do you need? Well, we are coordinating with the boys and girls club of Memphis some programs for "a day with Lady Mae," and their c.
E.
O.
Is coming over this morning.
Of course, I'm up to my ears in all of this, and I Well, I can't meet today.
But you're the director of outreach.
I have an appointment at the county jail with Coralee Hunter.
Wait.
With the murderess? The accused.
Grace.
I am working my fingers to the bone to try to breathe some new life into this church that your father nearly vanquished himself with all of his negligence and pride.
Now, I want "a day with lady Mae" to be what everybody is talking about over the next six weeks when they hear the name "Calvary" And not some tawdry woman who bludgeoned her husband to death in his sleep with a hammer.
Mama, the D.
A.
Is talking death penalty.
A life is at stake.
And defending the rights of a victim of abuse That's as good a calling card for a church as some glorified pep rally.
- Pep rally? - Yeah.
Is that what you and your new best friend Ms.
Cross [CHUCKLES.]
Call the flagship event for our church year? Mama, I have my reasons for working with Rochelle on this project.
Mm-hmm.
Sadism and spite, both aimed directly at me.
Gosh.
You understand me perfectly.
And you don't understand me at all.
[CELLPHONE RINGS.]
Thompson, casket funeral services.
Percy? James.
How many times do I have to tell you? When you call, use your cellphone.
You had me talking all like white folks for nothing.
[CHUCKLES.]
Uh, listen, I got to talk to you about Well, I'll have to call you back.
Yeah, okay.
Ms.
Cross, I presume.
- Percy.
- Mm.
And he sends his love.
And, well And your concern today is? Are you aware of the latest indignities our daughter has dragged like a rat to our doorstep? Which daughter, and which indignity? Grace And this murderess that she's decided to sponsor like some child from Africa.
And with church money.
I heard.
Don't you think it's bad enough that everyone knows about your troubles with the tax man? I mean, do you think this is good p.
R.
Right now? Mae Have a seat, please.
- What? - Please.
[SIGHS.]
Now, the Lord has provided us a way to pay what we owe to the tax man.
At least to get started, anyway.
I'm listening.
But, James, this is you.
- Mae - It's not me.
Your name was on those returns.
Whatever you say, you knew.
Well, how do you propose to pay for it? [SIGHS.]
By making a substantial- but-short-term investment in cryptocurrency.
Oh.
This is Rochelle's genius at work.
Ms.
Cross assures me That strumpet waltzed into our church, James, with a bad reputation and earned it all over again.
Now, isn't it enough that she has broken our family in half? Do you have to let her take all of our money, too? She's trying to help us both.
Oh, you know what? That preacher was right.
Oh, what preacher? The one who wrote ecclesiastes.
"Better to be a poor, wise youth than an old, foolish king who can no longer heed advice.
" Your blindness in regards to this woman is truly astonishing.
Mae I will speak to Grace and call her off if you'll meet me halfway in this.
Now, I've already put most of my personal account into it.
What What we have in our shared account will get us where we need to go.
Where you need to go.
Not in a billion years.
You made all these beds.
You lie in them.
[SIGHS.]
Hey.
[WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
Thank you.
- That's it? - Yes.
Just third down the hallway.
Thank you.
Pastor Greenleaf.
Weston Price.
The D.
A.
Who elected not to try you for manslaughter.
Right.
Thank you.
What brings you down here? Coralee Hunter.
She goes to Calvary? No.
We just recently started a legal defense fund for victims like her.
Coralee Hunter is no victim.
She murdered her husband in his sleep with a hammer he had used just hours earlier to hang a picture of his family.
Then I assume you know what he also did with that hammer in the past.
There isn't even a shred of admissible evidence that he ever abused her.
Well, I'm content to let a judge decide what's admissible and inadmissible.
Excuse me.
Grace.
You know, you're starting to sound like you're the one without a case here, counselor.
Sometimes I hand a case off to another D.
A.
Because I can't be objective.
That pond you're about to step into, it might be a lot deeper than you think.
Sorry, Phoebe.
I forgot my key.
[CELLPHONE RINGS.]
Whenever there's a ring at the door, I don't like to answer it in case it's a policeman standing there - with another summons.
- [RINGING CONTINUES.]
There'll be a policeman at the door, all right.
Hello? Yeah, Charity, this is Percy Lee.
Percy, Daddy's friend? Yeah.
So, how are you, angel? I'm I'm fine, I guess.
Why are you calling me? I got this memorial service here tonight, and the singer just called and says she has the flu that everybody's got.
So I thought maybe you would step in and offer some musical comfort.
Hope it's all right to ask.
Yeah.
Um, but Percy, I don't know.
I'm I'm not sure I can be of comfort right now.
This family just lost their great-great-grandmother, and she's the heart and soul of the family, and they're all tore up, and all I got is some prerecorded organ music and spotify.
[CHUCKLES.]
So, just one or two songs? Or am I gonna have to call that Daddy of yours and get him to come up there and harass you to do all this? [BREATHES DEEPLY.]
Your mother is being too strict.
My mother is being firm.
That's the point.
If you weren't being so prideful about this, you'd see the wisdom in it.
Isn't being strict your whole brand? Zora is 18.
If she decides to leave, there's nothing me, you, or your all-seeing, all-knowing mother can do about it.
My mother knows what she's doing.
If your mother knew what she was doing, it wouldn't have taken me nearly 20 years to get you to straighten up and fly right.
I'm gonna go talk to her.
Go ahead.
I wasn't asking for permission! - [DOOR OPENS.]
- Sorry.
My mistake.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[INDISTINCT CONVERSATIONS.]
[MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
[DOOR SLAMS.]
[POUNDING ON DOOR.]
- [GRUNTS.]
- [SCREAMS.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Thank you.
Hi, Coralee.
You don't look so good.
I'm fine.
[CHUCKLES.]
This [CLEARS THROAT.]
This room just got a little small there for a minute.
Do you know why I'm here? You're from some church.
- Yeah.
- Mm.
We have a fund that provides legal aid to people with cases like yours.
I don't believe in God.
That's why you're here To save my soul.
It's not.
I'm here to help, Coralee.
'Cause I was very I was once very close to sitting exactly where you are.
How? [SIGHS.]
Let's talk about you.
[WOMAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
He had me pinned down.
He was choking me.
If he hadn't been blind drunk, I'd probably be the one dead today.
[GRUNTS.]
And that's when you decided.
I never decided anything.
I don't even remember doing it.
Understood.
I'm glad it happened, though.
For the kids' sake if nothing else.
He abused the kids, too, huh? No, he just threatened to all the time to get me to You know Whatever he wanted to do.
GUARD: Time's up.
I'm gonna see you soon.
Will you really? Yeah.
[INTRO TO "WHEN YOU HEAR OF MY HOMEGOING" PLAYS.]
When you hear of my homegoing Don't you worry about me Oh, Lord When you hear of my homegoing Don't you worry about me When you hear of my homegoing Don't you worry about me 'Cause I'm packed right now Oh, right now And I'm on my way home Ooh I'm packed right now Oh, right now And I'm on my way home [DOOR OPENS, FOOTSTEPS APPROACHING.]
If you could just sign these.
I'd be happy to.
How you doing, Karine? How's your day going? Just busy showing the ropes to Maxine Patterson's Ms.
Something.
I'm sorry, but that girl is slow.
I see.
[CHUCKLES.]
I just keep praying for Patience.
"Steel security.
" What's that for? Uh, security for "Day with Lady Mae.
" Security? So, "day with Lady Mae" is gonna be at Calvary this year.
That big, huh? It may very well be, yes.
And when were you going to tell me about it? Well, I just only got the deposit back from the Templeton, and I didn't want to say anything until I found Oh, you didn't want to say anything period, Mae.
Just admit it.
Well, since you're here, you should know that, with Maxine, there will be extra costs this year.
Well, then let Maxine pay for it.
Why not have her rent the fedexforum while she's at it? I mean, if you're expecting such a flood of people.
James, having Maxine's presence is a boon for the church.
Oh, pfft.
Better to have her here, where it really counts.
And what about my Silver Jubilee? Oh, you mean the Silver Jubilee that I was just informed about this morning? What about it? Just don't you forget our deal.
And what deal is that, dear? After this "day with Lady Mae," you're gone.
[KNOCK ON DOOR, DOOR OPENS.]
GLORIA: Sorry.
Lady Mae.
The committee is gathered in the conference room.
Thank you, Gloria.
[DOOR CLOSES.]
And as for me and my future plans, I will go where the Lord leads me to go, and I assume you'll do the same.
All right.
There you go.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
What? Don't "what" me.
You know I know when something's going on with you.
So, you want to talk about it? Probably shouldn't.
You know I'm married to the one and only Basie Skanks, right? I know how to keep a secret, Jacob, so talk to me.
Come on.
Talk to me, Jacob.
Tell me what's going on.
You ever Have somebody that you know treat you like the person that you used to be back in the day, but you're not that person anymore? Are you kidding me? You know what I'm talking about? Yeah, I know what you're talking about.
Jacob, do you think I've always been this holy church lady you see in front of you? Like I didn't go out every Saturday night, trying to get my swerve on.
Walking into church on Sunday, eyes barely open, praying other people was thinking I was really praying.
[BOTH LAUGH.]
And, you know, those people would love to bring me down and remind me of that every day, but I know I've been forgiven, so Yeah, see, that's just the thing.
I know Kerissa forgives me, but she'll never forget.
And then she won't let me forget either.
And I'm sick of it.
Hmm.
Bring it in.
Come on, bring it in.
Oh, God.
It'll be okay.
It'll be all right.
[LIQUID POURING.]
Bishop? - Hey.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
Just the woman I want to see.
[CHUCKLES.]
I can't say I mind meeting in person, but it does have me curious.
What's my Bishop up to now? Oh.
You found more cash.
I found more cash.
Cash I wouldn't give to anyone else.
But I trust you And your expertise.
Thank you.
[GLASSES CLINK.]
Do you believe her story? What, that her husband abused her? Yeah.
Oh, yeah.
That part rings true.
And there's a string of emergency-room bills and 911 calls, yes.
So, what's the problem? This D.
A.
He's gonna use my story against her Against me.
He said as much right to my face.
So what? That was self-defense, too.
I mean, I know it was hellish, but It was self-defense, too, right? - Call somebody.
- I'm not calling anybody Till you tell me where my daughter is.
[CHOKING.]
Right? [BIRDS CAWING IN DISTANCE.]
Right.
[HORN HONKING.]
[HORN HONKING.]
All right, all right! I'm goin', I'm goin'.
I'm goin'.
You want to put that down? [LAUGHS.]
Hmm? No.
I've had enough alcohol for the minute, so I'll stick with my water.
Well, if that's your pleasure.
What a day, though.
Yeah.
You know, I thought I'd come here and sing a few songs and then skip on out.
Yeah.
[CHUCKLES.]
I feel run over.
Drained.
Being in the midst of all that grief.
Yeah.
Well, you know, people come here reeling from the worst thing that's happened to them, and you soak it in.
Wow.
I don't know how you do it.
I drink.
Lady Mae, thank goodness we caught you before you left for the day.
The caterer needs a deposit today, or they won't commit.
What, at six weeks out, they need our money? They're the only ones big enough to handle the job, and they're popular.
And Bishop's already left for the day.
Oh, no problem.
I will just transfer my money from my personal account and then have the church write me a check tomorrow.
Thank you so much.
One moment, and let me log in.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING.]
Wait.
Uh Is something wrong? Uh I don't know, but There is definitely something amiss.
They need the check by the close of business.
Gloria.
Yes? Would the two of you excuse me? [KEYBOARD CLACKS.]
Talk to my mother? Nope.
I was just trying to figure out what it was I wanted to say when you walked in.
Why? Well I thought we should both go over there tomorrow and bring Zora home.
What made you change your mind? Prayed about it.
Thank you.
Sorry I got so dug in.
It's okay.
I am sorry that I brought up all that stuff about you not flying right.
That wasn't fair.
It's okay.
We all make mistakes.
Yes, we do.
[CHUCKLES.]
It's true.
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
You emptied our shared account? It'll be full in two weeks' time.
More than full if all goes well.
Says Ms.
Cross.
Says CNBC and everyone else.
Insider trading is not illegal yet, so the word on the street is that we'll be I want you out of this house tonight.
I've already made arrangements to stay with Percy for the short term.
I'll be leaving in the morning.
You'll leave tonight.
And, this time, take it all, James.
Every last tie and purple robe and gaudy knickknack.
I want you out of here.
I want you gone.
As you wish, dear.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- [CRYING.]
GRACE: You okay, baby? [SOBBING.]
Sweetie, what are you doing? What are you doing? - Leave me alone! - No, stop it, stop it.
Give me that.
Stop that! Stop it! What is wrong with you, honey? What's goin' on? The Bible is all lies! Your granddad gave you this Bible.
[SOBBING.]
Sweetheart.
You feel what you want to feel, you be upset, but this is not a lie.
He loves you.
He gave this to you.
Don't throw that away.
You will regret it.
I hate that I can't go back.
To what, honey? Go back to what? To before I got saved.
I just want to not know God's real so I can just live my life.
Come here.
I can't forget how I felt the day in the church when I went down in the water.
I don't want to love someone who treats me this badly.
I just want to let God go.
I just want him to let me forget and leave me alone.
Why won't he just let me go? He's not gonna let you go.
And I'm not gonna let you go.
[BREATHES DEEPLY.]
[BUZZER.]
[DOOR CLOSES.]
Hey.
Never thought I'd see you again.
Well, you should have more faith.
I told you that isn't my thing.
I know.
I'm here to bail you out.
Hey.
Y'all ready? Just about.
I don't like this one.
You didn't like the last three either, honey.
Come on, we got to go.
You know he doesn't want to wear that anything Zora doesn't handpick? Mm-hmm.
My little gq man.
His big sister kept him fresh, though.
Yes, she did, and she will again.
Mwah.
[CHUCKLES.]
Hey, maybe we can start some kind of a game night or something.
Something fun.
Uh, yeah.
As long as it's not chess, 'cause you know that little boy's got an unfair advantage.
Mm.
Thanks for doing this.
No need to thank me.
It's all good.
We just have so little time left with her that I want her to go out into the world knowing that we love her and that we support her 100%.
She'll know.
I love you so much.
[CHUCKLES.]
I love you, too.
Mm.
[CHUCKLES.]
Are you having a hard time deciding? Uh, on what? What you're gonna wear.
Kind of.
[SIGHS.]
What did I do now? Oh, nothing.
No, I was just thinking that it might be a good idea for you to take over the little saints while Sophia's healing.
Yeah, it's a no for me, though.
Come again? I'm not good with kids.
Zora, I think it's come to a point now where taking care of the souls of others will give you a deeper sense of value of your own.
Do you not agree? Well, I know how it feels to be young.
Oh, you feel like you have all the time in the world to try things out, make mistakes, but Zora, I can tell you from experience that the moment to be your best self is right now.
I don't want to do it, grandma.
And even if I did, I can't.
Why not, Zora? I'm 18 now.
I'm leaving.
And when, pray tell, is this grand escape of yours taking place? In about 10 minutes.
Zora? Zora!