Queen Sugar (2016) s03e07 Episode Script
Study War No More
1 Previously on Queen Sugar I spent some time in prison.
I understand if it makes you feel some type of way.
Why would I be here if I did? Baby, I just want you to be open to love.
Just gotta give yourself permission.
What are you surveying the land for? I can't disclose that information, ma'am.
I'm telling you, there's something going on.
I want to invest in you, help you become bigger than you've ever dreamed.
[DARLA.]
You are letting that random guy stay here.
Why don't you start by doing right by your son? You know it all, huh?! Don't talk to my mommy like that! I want to stay with Mommy! [UPBEAT SONG PLAYING IN BACKGROUND.]
Look what we got chere.
Ooh, those are beautiful.
"A beautiful bounty of sunshine for the birthday girl.
Happy 60th.
Love Marqueena.
" She coming to the lunch? That boss of hers at Chevron act like the building's gonna fall apart if she took a day off.
You sure you don't want me to spring for something fancier? Celebrating at Mama's Italian Ristorante got me to 60.
Don't fix what ain't broke.
What's this? Oh.
Oh, that is my pie contract from Jarrett.
He wants 60% of the company.
I just get 40.
Well, he got the start-up money, the stores, and everything else, right? But they my pies.
That makes it seem like I'm working for him.
Yeah, that's one way of looking at it.
What's the other way to look at it? I'm gonna pitch to Rawlings my own pie shop.
I do not want to spend the rest of my life in somebody's kitchen, pumpin' out pies like a well-paid mammy.
Okay, Sojourner Truth.
Look here, I got this for you.
Baby, the box is empty.
Because you're a woman who knows what she wants.
And whatever you want for your birthday, I'm gonna fill that box up with it.
Because nothing is too good for Miss Violet Bordelon Desonier.
Violet Desonier.
That sound good, don't it? Mm-hmm.
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 You're a hard woman to find.
I stopped by your office to talk shop.
Your new girl told me to try you here.
You came all this way to discuss business? I wanted to see you.
About the other night, I ain't gonna lie.
I had a real good time.
Yeah, me, too.
I'm sorry if I scared you off.
I don't blame you for not returning my calls.
I wasn't scared.
I was tending to some family matters.
I heard.
I'm real sorry.
Let me take you out.
Proper.
We'll go somewhere fun where we don't have to worry about who's looking.
I like you.
But? I need some time alone to sort things out.
It's best we stick to business for now.
Well, I'll let you get back to your breakfast.
Look forward to seeing you again soon.
Business or otherwise.
Good day to you, Miss Bordelon.
What's the deal? I messed up.
Dishonoring your home like that.
I was just chillin' with a friend.
I had no idea he was bringing his friends.
I didn't mean no disrespect to you, your house, your little boy.
And I was wondering if I can still keep my job.
I don't play when it come to my son.
That being said, somebody gave me a second chance.
I'm gonna do the same for you.
Thank you.
Head out to the farm.
Tool shed could use some keepin'.
- [CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
- I'm on it.
Grab this.
Darla.
How are you? [RALPH ANGEL.]
I'm a'ight.
Blue good.
Ain't talkin' about leavin' no more.
Glad about that.
Kids say things they don't always mean.
Adults do, too.
What time should I come by tomorrow? What for? For Blue staying over at my place this weekend.
I got his room all ready.
And I got tickets to an art exhibit at the children's museum he was really excited about.
It's Vi's birthday tomorrow.
I see.
You never said anything.
That's my bad.
Um, came up last minute.
But she's gonna be expecting to see Blue.
I'm sorry.
I'll, uh pick him up the morning after for breakfast or something.
I'll talk to you later.
Bye.
Did you think as a young man farming was what you wanted to spend your life doing? [SCOFFS.]
As a young man, no.
[CHUCKLES.]
Nah, too restless like most of us back then.
Yeah, joined the military, wanted to see the world and play my music.
Yeah, but whenever tough times hit, found myself thinking of home.
Working on God's good earth.
Figured I wanted to pull something good up out of the ground, instead of helping Uncle Sam put dead bodies in it.
Yeah, when I got out of the military, I took what I made, and I leased as much acres as I could.
It was a proud day for me and my family.
Did you ever try to buy the farmland from the Landrys? Tried a few times.
After I got married and when my daughter was born, but [CHUCKLES.]
White folks ain't givin' up no land.
Huh.
No, I never owned, but did whatever I could to make sure my little girl had better.
Would you say it was harder to own than to lease? I mean, I know my daddy with property taxes and all.
Wasn't until after he died, I saw how hard owning really was.
'Cause he was under Landry's foot.
The only place he could mill his cane was with Sam.
Then you have a couple of years of bad crop, and, psh, that land, man, it'll break a man in two.
That's what brought you two together.
I think we were friends 'cause he could trust me.
He, um Your daddy went through, uh, a bad patch after Tru died.
Called me in the middle of the night one night and wanted to talk, so he came out, and we walked these fields for hours.
What were you talking about? Oh, his land, and he was having a hard time holding on to it.
Talked about struggling with money and supporting you kids and losing Tru.
I mean, it was too much.
He, uh He was starting to wonder if it was all worth it.
You mean the land? Everything.
I'm sorry? I I don't understand.
Your father was wandering the fields with a gun that night.
But Daddy was strong.
He None of us are so strong we can't find ourselves in dark places.
Just so many things you don't say.
Stuff only God and the land knows.
But I'm grateful Ernest called me that night.
He was brave to show me he was hurting.
Baby, where you been? It's lunchtime.
We have to be at the restaurant.
Look who showed up.
Well, bless your heart, Willa Mae.
Well, I wasn't gonna let no little bus ride keep me from coming to celebrate my future daughter-in-law's birthday.
So, surprise.
[LAUGHING.]
I surprised Hollywood.
Sure did.
- [LAUGHING.]
- [VIOLET.]
Well uh, after all that riding, you must be thirsty.
Can I get you some water? Oh, that'd be nice.
Thank you, Violet.
Right back.
Okay, now, Momma, be good.
You just shush.
I just come down here to help y'all celebrate.
You all right with that? Yes, ma'am.
Besides, it's not every day a woman reaches 60.
Past is the past.
And here we go.
All right.
And, Hollywood, baby? Um Where's your momma staying? I ain't gonna put my momma in no motel.
[WILLA MAE.]
Violet? This is for you.
[LAUGHS.]
Well Hollywood.
Whoa.
[WILLA MAE.]
I heard them pies of yours just been blowin' up in the grocery store, and I'm proud of you.
Well, thank you.
It's beautiful.
Come on.
Let's, um, put your stuff in the guest room.
Well, now, are you sure? I don't want to put y'all out none.
Absolutely, I insist.
Hollywood, get my bags off the porch.
Now, Violet, you gonna have to tell me how you make that sugar cookie cream pie - Hollywood brought me.
- [VIOLET LAUGHING.]
That is one of my best sellers.
In here, baby.
[LAUGHING.]
Oh, God.
Willa Mae, you should see all the venues he has us looking at.
I keep saying I don't need this fuss.
Well, you 'bout to get one right now! [ALL.]
Surprise! Oh! I told you I didn't need this! But we gotcha! We gotcha, gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.
Yes, you did.
You did.
Aw! Y'all didn't have to do this! We couldn't let you celebrate your 60th without blowin' it out.
And we got some more folks on the way, too.
All right? Are you ready to do this, or what? Yeah.
[VIOLET.]
Yes! Hey, I say let's burn this party down to the ground! Started out growin' up In the projects Saint Bernard, 7 Ward, Packin' steel objects Brothers talkin' trash 'cause It's all about a dollar - Y'all holla, y'all holla - You do it like this.
Hey-ay-ay-ay [LAUGHING.]
Okay.
Then you say, "Watch out now!" Watch out now! [HOLLYWOOD.]
And big 6 to the boy.
Big 6 to the boy.
Oh, you don't got big 6? - [DOMINO CLICKS.]
- What? What y'all think about that? I tell you what I think about that.
Can you hear that, 'Wood? Can you hear that? I can say it a little louder.
[HOLLYWOOD.]
I can hear real good if you start walkin' your ass home.
[LAUGHTER.]
- Come on, Melvin.
- Got somethin' for you.
There you go, there you go.
Hey.
Got that cool-ass 10.
Ah! [TRINH.]
Hello? You actually came.
- How are you? - Cool.
[HOLLYWOOD CLEARS THROAT.]
That's my Uncle Hollywood.
Hi.
I'm Trinh.
- Remy.
- Trinh.
Nice to meet you.
[RALPH ANGEL.]
Uh, Trinh she, uh she my Um, we work together.
Uh, we're work friends.
[RALPH ANGEL.]
We're friends.
Come on, let me show you around.
Yeah.
- Go on now.
- What friends? - Work friends.
- [CHUCKLES.]
I ain't got no work friends.
Um, these are for the birthday lady, so Did I hear somebody call my name? Aunt Vi.
Hey, man.
- Hey, Ralph Angel.
- Hi.
- Ooh, are those lovely flowers for me? - Yes, they are.
Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Um, I'm Trinh.
I work with Ralph Angel.
Ooh, well I'm Violet.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
And where are your manners? Here, take this.
You didn't offer this girl a drink? - Hmm.
- My bad.
Come on.
We're gonna go to the bar.
It's back here? - Yeah, baby, go on back.
- Oh, okay.
You know what, man? Let's go and get this party started.
Everybody's sitting around.
It's time to hit that dance floor, baby.
I want to find out about these work friends.
[LAUGHING.]
["WHO'S THAT LADY" BY THE ISLEY BROTHERS PLAYING.]
Who's that lady? Who's that lady? [HOLLYWOOD.]
Come on.
Stand back here on the floor.
Who's that lady? Lovely lady Who's that lady? Real fine lady [HOLLYWOOD.]
You got two left feet, Ralph A.
Ha! I got this! 'Cause it's all That I can do Your eyes tell me to pursue Follow them.
[SONG PLAYING IN DISTANCE.]
You all right all the way out here? Just some stuff about Daddy.
I'm not feeling very festive.
Want to talk about it? [VIOLET.]
Nova! Remy! Y'all best to get over here! Get on this dance floor! Come on! You know she just want me to come out there - 'cause I got all the moves.
- Mm.
You seen my moves? I don't know if I've seen your moves.
Girl, I got more moves than a U-Haul.
Come over here.
I think I'll just stay here, if that's all right.
All right.
- [BLUE, WHISPERING.]
Yah! Yah! Yah! - Hey.
Hey.
Blue? This is Miss Trinh.
Friend from work.
[WHISPERS.]
She's nice.
- Hello.
- Hello, Blue.
I, uh I like your shark socks.
Those are super cool.
Thanks.
- [VIOLET.]
Ralph Angel? - [RALPH ANGEL.]
In here.
Uh, baby, we just ran out of ice.
Would you mind running to the store and fetching some? I gotcha.
- Thank you.
- Yep.
All right, come on, Blue.
Wanna roll with? No, I don't have to go.
Ain't no big deal.
Be our little secret mission.
Come on.
- Yeah? - Come on.
Little adventure.
[HOLLYWOOD.]
There you go, Mom.
That's a double, ain't it? Yeah.
Thank you, Momma.
[LAUGHING.]
What you thankin' me for? Ahh.
Well, for being nice to Vi.
I know y'all don't always see eye to eye.
Oh, son, I told you, I'm not here to start no trouble.
But let me ask you this.
Where you fit in to all of this? You know, me and Vi, we want the same things.
Love, happiness, to have fun.
Yeah, she's my soul mate.
I can't help the package it comes in or what date is stamped on it.
It just is what it is.
No disrespect, but I don't remember seeing a whole lot of good times between you and Daddy.
Momma, the difference between me and that man is that even when he came off the rig, the man never came off the rig.
Your daddy worked hard, dealing with all that he did.
He was a good provider, and he gave us what he could.
Momma, I'm not gonna apologize for loving the way that I love.
For trying to treat a woman the way I think she should be treated.
I am so proud of the man you are.
But sometimes, you you get so wrapped up in all of it, you lose sight of you.
I told you long ago Leanne wasn't right, but you found out the hard way.
Momma, what are you talkin' about? This ain't Vi.
She got her own house, her own money.
She don't need a man, 'cept to tell him what to do.
Oh, that ain't what this is.
Well, what about you? What about all the things you always wanted to do? And I'm gonna say it.
Kids.
Yeah, well, we talked about it.
I'm okay with it.
Listen to me.
I put away a lot of my dreams to have a family and a home.
And I didn't have the luxury of nothing else.
You can do anything you want, but you're so busy taking care of her when you gonna take care of you? [TRINH.]
So, uh, what are these dance moves you promised me, huh? Okay, I'll show you this one kind.
- Super duper times four.
- Super duper times four? So you do this four times.
[TRINH.]
Four times? Like that? [RALPH ANGEL.]
Get in the car, Blue.
[TRINH.]
What's that? Is that the "duper" part? [BLUE.]
No.
That's the "duper" part.
I got it.
You do this four times.
[TRINH.]
You're a really good dancer.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Do you have other moves you can show me later? Maybe in an hour? Will it not be a secret anymore? - [LAUGHS.]
- [BLUE.]
Forever it will.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
[TIDUS.]
It's a different day Man what could I say And I've been patient Yeah but anyway When they in the way Can't stop my greatness Yeah we're on the way What you gonna say No limitations Watch me get away Watch me get away Up on my spaceship What's going on in here? And why is the door all closed? We were just talking.
Well, you get on back out to the party.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
[CELL PHONE CHIMES.]
It's Ant.
What are they up to? I guess him and the crew are hanging out at the levee later.
You wanna go? No.
I kind of feel like we should stay for the whole party.
Yes.
Yeah, you're right.
You spending a lot of time with them.
Yeah, I think they're cool.
And I think that you should spend more time with us.
I thought y'all was friends.
Back in the day, we were.
But we're different now, you know? They have their own way of doing things, and I have mine.
But you can still hang out with them, though.
[VIOLET.]
Are y'all still in here? Sorry.
- Keke? - Ma'am? That way.
["POOR PERSON" BY DENAI MOORE PLAYING.]
What makes a person poor? Do I fit the picture? May be short of gold But my mind's Far richer now Lifted off the ground My head can't fail me now There's so much I have to do So look at myself As shadows of others' feet So defeated Why is it easy To let someone Tell you who you should be? It's what you see That really matters It's what you see [VIOLET.]
Nova, you in here? That really matters It's what you see That really matters [CURTIS MAYFIELD.]
Only you, babe [BACKUP SINGERS.]
You, babe Only you, babe You, babe Only you, babe Only you, babe You, babe Only you, babe You, babe Only you, baby Beautiful night, isn't it? Yes.
Yes, it is.
I'm glad you can still see it.
Am I that obvious? No, but I know being lied to ain't fun.
How you doin'? You know Clare was the love of my life.
Never wanted to remarry after she passed.
But she was my second wife, not my first.
Really? Your love story doesn't have to be over, Charley.
It's up to you.
You can stay distracted by your past, or focus on your future.
- [TAPPING GLASS.]
- [HOLLYWOOD.]
All right, everybody.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for the birthday girl.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
All right! Thank y'all for such a beautiful surprise.
And, uh, if the rest of 60 is half as fun as today, I'm gonna be 60 for the next 30 years! [LAUGHTER.]
And, of course, I have to thank the man that made all this happen.
The man that makes my heart sing.
My Hollywood.
- Mmm.
- [CHUCKLING.]
Yeah, baby, this is all for you, chère.
Everybody put your damn glasses in the air! Vi, I love you so much.
And, baby, I couldn't be happier than knowing that I'm gonna become your husband.
So put your glasses in the air for the future Violet Desonier.
[LAUGHS.]
My future wife.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
Is she asleep? She's asleep.
Ha ha.
Well, all right.
Happy birthday To you Happy birthday [LAUGHING.]
To you Hollywood, baby, I'm tired.
Baby, it's your birthday.
You ain't never said that before.
Yeah? Well, I'm saying it now.
All right.
Now, what did I do now? You been acting funny style since everybody started leaving.
I don't want to hurt you, but the gift I want is something I already have.
My name.
What you talkin' about? My name is Violet Bordelon.
Uh-huh.
And I want to keep it that way, even after we're married.
Not Violet Desonier.
Not even Violet Bordelon-Desonier.
Just Violet Bordelon.
That's what I want for my birthday.
You're kidding, right? No, I'm not.
Vi, I don't ask you for much now.
No, you don't.
Whatever you say you want to do gets done.
You say don't want no big wedding.
Fine, we ain't gonna do that.
Say you don't want me to help you with your business.
It's cool.
It's yours, even though it's making you sick.
And when you say you don't need none of my money, hey, say no more.
Do you.
But, baby, it's getting to where all I got left to give you is my name, and now you tellin' me you don't want that, neither? It's like you are hell-bitch on telling me how much you don't need me and I don't fit in your life.
I don't need you.
I mean, not like most folks talk about.
But I want you.
With everything I got in me, I want you.
But I don't want to take your name, like somebody owns me.
Woman, ain't nobody ever said nothin' about that.
You taking my name lets the world know that I belong to you.
That I'm yours.
I didn't know it was that important to you.
Yeah, well, me neither, till right now.
When I was little, I used to, um, follow my grandmother around in the kitchen with my hands out like this.
She said I was her little taste tester.
Sometimes me and my brother would get into these huge fights over who would get to lick the spoon.
Mm.
Yeah, don't do that in Vi's kitchen if you know what's good for you.
Is she still with you? Your wela? Back in Mexico with my mom and dad and my brother and his family.
I don't see them much.
It's more dangerous going back and forth these days, and I've already been pulled aside for questioning a few times, so Must be hard being so far away.
Yeah.
I, um, tend to put everything into my work, to keep my mind off things, you know? Yeah.
But, yeah, I mean, I would love to bring them over eventually.
But my brother and his wife, uh, they take good care of everyone, so I'm grateful for that.
So, um, did Aunt Vi teach you how to cook growing up? [COUGHS.]
Um Uh, no.
No, uh My version of cooking is takeout.
Got that from my mom.
Well, then, um, I guess it's a good thing that my wela taught me a thing or two.
Yeah, for next time, when you, um, come over and I cook for you.
[GROANS.]
How that sofa workin' out? Ha ha ha.
You ain't funny.
[LAUGHS.]
I ain't tryin' to be.
What happened? Well, Vi don't want to be Mrs.
Desonier.
She want to keep her maiden name.
Well, that's not a big surprise.
I thought you was the one complaining about me getting married? I said don't give up your dreams for her.
What's that got to do with a 60-year-old woman not wanting to take your name? You know, Vi is just now getting to the place to where she want to be, and it wasn't 'cause she was lazy or stupid.
For us, we had to fight out there in the world and in our own house.
But that's the past, Momma.
We buildin' toward a future.
Well, that's good.
But remember this, just because a woman come through a battle, don't mean she ain't got no scars.
Some things you will never forget.
You just have to learn to live with it.
I love you, and I want you to have everything you ever wanted, and I want you to be happy.
But when it comes to getting married, you want to make sure that Vi gives you her heart, not her name.
Now, go get your girl.
I'm sorry for putting you on blast at your party.
I appreciate that.
But I'm still not changing my mind about my name.
I don't want you to.
I know I'm blessed to have a man who wants to be mine as much as he wants me to be his.
So let's show the world how we get down.
Biggest they ever seen.
So you want the big wedding? Let's blow it out.
Spend that money.
Oh, it's gonna get spent.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
Miss CEO.
Aah! [LAUGHS.]
Want me to bring you back a waffle? You ain't gotta bring me nothin' back.
Just have fun with your momma, all right? - Hi.
- Mommy! - Hey, B.
- [RALPH ANGEL.]
There she go.
You ready for a yummy breakfast? [BLUE.]
I just gotta brush my teeth and hair.
Okay.
Okay, get to it.
My bad about the mix-up.
Yeah.
Um we have to talk about that.
We need a schedule, an official one.
I just said you got him next weekend.
I don't need no schedule.
You can get Blue whenever you want.
I spent the entire week painting Blue's room.
I got him tickets to the museum.
You changed it at the last minute.
And you knew that I couldn't go to Vi's party.
It's unacceptable when it comes to me seeing our son.
You act like I'm trying to keep him from you.
You know that ain't true.
Who was she? A work friend.
Well, all I'm saying is that we need we need a schedule.
- Ready! - Ready! Bye, Pop! - Bye.
- [BLUE.]
Hello! [DARLA.]
Okay, so what are you gonna eat? [BLUE.]
I'm not sure.
[DARLA.]
They have really good waffles, and they have really good omelets.
I just got the goods from a friend in the Houston arm of a D.
C.
lobbying firm.
Yeah, they're real cozy over there in the statehouse.
Well, what'd they say? Well, the surveyors, the farm evictions it is all adding up.
Charley, you need to sit down.
Is everything okay, baby? When we found out that our land used to belong to the Landrys, we realized they didn't just want our land.
They wanted our land back.
Cold day in hell before that ever happens.
[CHARLEY.]
What they're doing is much bigger that we thought.
These are the visual specs of a planned government lease project that's coming to Louisiana.
The Landrys are working with the government to build a private jail here.
- In St.
Jo? - A private They're using their political connections to win the contract.
They're gonna lease their land to the government and cash out.
Our farm, Rah's farm, is surrounded by Landry property.
But they need that land to complete the deal.
They gonna try and take our daddy's land so they can build a jail on it? Hell, no.
That ain't about to happen.
A private jail in St.
Jo.
[WOMAN.]
Go, Ree Ree.
I understand if it makes you feel some type of way.
Why would I be here if I did? Baby, I just want you to be open to love.
Just gotta give yourself permission.
What are you surveying the land for? I can't disclose that information, ma'am.
I'm telling you, there's something going on.
I want to invest in you, help you become bigger than you've ever dreamed.
[DARLA.]
You are letting that random guy stay here.
Why don't you start by doing right by your son? You know it all, huh?! Don't talk to my mommy like that! I want to stay with Mommy! [UPBEAT SONG PLAYING IN BACKGROUND.]
Look what we got chere.
Ooh, those are beautiful.
"A beautiful bounty of sunshine for the birthday girl.
Happy 60th.
Love Marqueena.
" She coming to the lunch? That boss of hers at Chevron act like the building's gonna fall apart if she took a day off.
You sure you don't want me to spring for something fancier? Celebrating at Mama's Italian Ristorante got me to 60.
Don't fix what ain't broke.
What's this? Oh.
Oh, that is my pie contract from Jarrett.
He wants 60% of the company.
I just get 40.
Well, he got the start-up money, the stores, and everything else, right? But they my pies.
That makes it seem like I'm working for him.
Yeah, that's one way of looking at it.
What's the other way to look at it? I'm gonna pitch to Rawlings my own pie shop.
I do not want to spend the rest of my life in somebody's kitchen, pumpin' out pies like a well-paid mammy.
Okay, Sojourner Truth.
Look here, I got this for you.
Baby, the box is empty.
Because you're a woman who knows what she wants.
And whatever you want for your birthday, I'm gonna fill that box up with it.
Because nothing is too good for Miss Violet Bordelon Desonier.
Violet Desonier.
That sound good, don't it? Mm-hmm.
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 You're a hard woman to find.
I stopped by your office to talk shop.
Your new girl told me to try you here.
You came all this way to discuss business? I wanted to see you.
About the other night, I ain't gonna lie.
I had a real good time.
Yeah, me, too.
I'm sorry if I scared you off.
I don't blame you for not returning my calls.
I wasn't scared.
I was tending to some family matters.
I heard.
I'm real sorry.
Let me take you out.
Proper.
We'll go somewhere fun where we don't have to worry about who's looking.
I like you.
But? I need some time alone to sort things out.
It's best we stick to business for now.
Well, I'll let you get back to your breakfast.
Look forward to seeing you again soon.
Business or otherwise.
Good day to you, Miss Bordelon.
What's the deal? I messed up.
Dishonoring your home like that.
I was just chillin' with a friend.
I had no idea he was bringing his friends.
I didn't mean no disrespect to you, your house, your little boy.
And I was wondering if I can still keep my job.
I don't play when it come to my son.
That being said, somebody gave me a second chance.
I'm gonna do the same for you.
Thank you.
Head out to the farm.
Tool shed could use some keepin'.
- [CELL PHONE VIBRATING.]
- I'm on it.
Grab this.
Darla.
How are you? [RALPH ANGEL.]
I'm a'ight.
Blue good.
Ain't talkin' about leavin' no more.
Glad about that.
Kids say things they don't always mean.
Adults do, too.
What time should I come by tomorrow? What for? For Blue staying over at my place this weekend.
I got his room all ready.
And I got tickets to an art exhibit at the children's museum he was really excited about.
It's Vi's birthday tomorrow.
I see.
You never said anything.
That's my bad.
Um, came up last minute.
But she's gonna be expecting to see Blue.
I'm sorry.
I'll, uh pick him up the morning after for breakfast or something.
I'll talk to you later.
Bye.
Did you think as a young man farming was what you wanted to spend your life doing? [SCOFFS.]
As a young man, no.
[CHUCKLES.]
Nah, too restless like most of us back then.
Yeah, joined the military, wanted to see the world and play my music.
Yeah, but whenever tough times hit, found myself thinking of home.
Working on God's good earth.
Figured I wanted to pull something good up out of the ground, instead of helping Uncle Sam put dead bodies in it.
Yeah, when I got out of the military, I took what I made, and I leased as much acres as I could.
It was a proud day for me and my family.
Did you ever try to buy the farmland from the Landrys? Tried a few times.
After I got married and when my daughter was born, but [CHUCKLES.]
White folks ain't givin' up no land.
Huh.
No, I never owned, but did whatever I could to make sure my little girl had better.
Would you say it was harder to own than to lease? I mean, I know my daddy with property taxes and all.
Wasn't until after he died, I saw how hard owning really was.
'Cause he was under Landry's foot.
The only place he could mill his cane was with Sam.
Then you have a couple of years of bad crop, and, psh, that land, man, it'll break a man in two.
That's what brought you two together.
I think we were friends 'cause he could trust me.
He, um Your daddy went through, uh, a bad patch after Tru died.
Called me in the middle of the night one night and wanted to talk, so he came out, and we walked these fields for hours.
What were you talking about? Oh, his land, and he was having a hard time holding on to it.
Talked about struggling with money and supporting you kids and losing Tru.
I mean, it was too much.
He, uh He was starting to wonder if it was all worth it.
You mean the land? Everything.
I'm sorry? I I don't understand.
Your father was wandering the fields with a gun that night.
But Daddy was strong.
He None of us are so strong we can't find ourselves in dark places.
Just so many things you don't say.
Stuff only God and the land knows.
But I'm grateful Ernest called me that night.
He was brave to show me he was hurting.
Baby, where you been? It's lunchtime.
We have to be at the restaurant.
Look who showed up.
Well, bless your heart, Willa Mae.
Well, I wasn't gonna let no little bus ride keep me from coming to celebrate my future daughter-in-law's birthday.
So, surprise.
[LAUGHING.]
I surprised Hollywood.
Sure did.
- [LAUGHING.]
- [VIOLET.]
Well uh, after all that riding, you must be thirsty.
Can I get you some water? Oh, that'd be nice.
Thank you, Violet.
Right back.
Okay, now, Momma, be good.
You just shush.
I just come down here to help y'all celebrate.
You all right with that? Yes, ma'am.
Besides, it's not every day a woman reaches 60.
Past is the past.
And here we go.
All right.
And, Hollywood, baby? Um Where's your momma staying? I ain't gonna put my momma in no motel.
[WILLA MAE.]
Violet? This is for you.
[LAUGHS.]
Well Hollywood.
Whoa.
[WILLA MAE.]
I heard them pies of yours just been blowin' up in the grocery store, and I'm proud of you.
Well, thank you.
It's beautiful.
Come on.
Let's, um, put your stuff in the guest room.
Well, now, are you sure? I don't want to put y'all out none.
Absolutely, I insist.
Hollywood, get my bags off the porch.
Now, Violet, you gonna have to tell me how you make that sugar cookie cream pie - Hollywood brought me.
- [VIOLET LAUGHING.]
That is one of my best sellers.
In here, baby.
[LAUGHING.]
Oh, God.
Willa Mae, you should see all the venues he has us looking at.
I keep saying I don't need this fuss.
Well, you 'bout to get one right now! [ALL.]
Surprise! Oh! I told you I didn't need this! But we gotcha! We gotcha, gotcha, gotcha, gotcha.
Yes, you did.
You did.
Aw! Y'all didn't have to do this! We couldn't let you celebrate your 60th without blowin' it out.
And we got some more folks on the way, too.
All right? Are you ready to do this, or what? Yeah.
[VIOLET.]
Yes! Hey, I say let's burn this party down to the ground! Started out growin' up In the projects Saint Bernard, 7 Ward, Packin' steel objects Brothers talkin' trash 'cause It's all about a dollar - Y'all holla, y'all holla - You do it like this.
Hey-ay-ay-ay [LAUGHING.]
Okay.
Then you say, "Watch out now!" Watch out now! [HOLLYWOOD.]
And big 6 to the boy.
Big 6 to the boy.
Oh, you don't got big 6? - [DOMINO CLICKS.]
- What? What y'all think about that? I tell you what I think about that.
Can you hear that, 'Wood? Can you hear that? I can say it a little louder.
[HOLLYWOOD.]
I can hear real good if you start walkin' your ass home.
[LAUGHTER.]
- Come on, Melvin.
- Got somethin' for you.
There you go, there you go.
Hey.
Got that cool-ass 10.
Ah! [TRINH.]
Hello? You actually came.
- How are you? - Cool.
[HOLLYWOOD CLEARS THROAT.]
That's my Uncle Hollywood.
Hi.
I'm Trinh.
- Remy.
- Trinh.
Nice to meet you.
[RALPH ANGEL.]
Uh, Trinh she, uh she my Um, we work together.
Uh, we're work friends.
[RALPH ANGEL.]
We're friends.
Come on, let me show you around.
Yeah.
- Go on now.
- What friends? - Work friends.
- [CHUCKLES.]
I ain't got no work friends.
Um, these are for the birthday lady, so Did I hear somebody call my name? Aunt Vi.
Hey, man.
- Hey, Ralph Angel.
- Hi.
- Ooh, are those lovely flowers for me? - Yes, they are.
Happy birthday.
Thank you.
Um, I'm Trinh.
I work with Ralph Angel.
Ooh, well I'm Violet.
It's a pleasure to meet you.
And where are your manners? Here, take this.
You didn't offer this girl a drink? - Hmm.
- My bad.
Come on.
We're gonna go to the bar.
It's back here? - Yeah, baby, go on back.
- Oh, okay.
You know what, man? Let's go and get this party started.
Everybody's sitting around.
It's time to hit that dance floor, baby.
I want to find out about these work friends.
[LAUGHING.]
["WHO'S THAT LADY" BY THE ISLEY BROTHERS PLAYING.]
Who's that lady? Who's that lady? [HOLLYWOOD.]
Come on.
Stand back here on the floor.
Who's that lady? Lovely lady Who's that lady? Real fine lady [HOLLYWOOD.]
You got two left feet, Ralph A.
Ha! I got this! 'Cause it's all That I can do Your eyes tell me to pursue Follow them.
[SONG PLAYING IN DISTANCE.]
You all right all the way out here? Just some stuff about Daddy.
I'm not feeling very festive.
Want to talk about it? [VIOLET.]
Nova! Remy! Y'all best to get over here! Get on this dance floor! Come on! You know she just want me to come out there - 'cause I got all the moves.
- Mm.
You seen my moves? I don't know if I've seen your moves.
Girl, I got more moves than a U-Haul.
Come over here.
I think I'll just stay here, if that's all right.
All right.
- [BLUE, WHISPERING.]
Yah! Yah! Yah! - Hey.
Hey.
Blue? This is Miss Trinh.
Friend from work.
[WHISPERS.]
She's nice.
- Hello.
- Hello, Blue.
I, uh I like your shark socks.
Those are super cool.
Thanks.
- [VIOLET.]
Ralph Angel? - [RALPH ANGEL.]
In here.
Uh, baby, we just ran out of ice.
Would you mind running to the store and fetching some? I gotcha.
- Thank you.
- Yep.
All right, come on, Blue.
Wanna roll with? No, I don't have to go.
Ain't no big deal.
Be our little secret mission.
Come on.
- Yeah? - Come on.
Little adventure.
[HOLLYWOOD.]
There you go, Mom.
That's a double, ain't it? Yeah.
Thank you, Momma.
[LAUGHING.]
What you thankin' me for? Ahh.
Well, for being nice to Vi.
I know y'all don't always see eye to eye.
Oh, son, I told you, I'm not here to start no trouble.
But let me ask you this.
Where you fit in to all of this? You know, me and Vi, we want the same things.
Love, happiness, to have fun.
Yeah, she's my soul mate.
I can't help the package it comes in or what date is stamped on it.
It just is what it is.
No disrespect, but I don't remember seeing a whole lot of good times between you and Daddy.
Momma, the difference between me and that man is that even when he came off the rig, the man never came off the rig.
Your daddy worked hard, dealing with all that he did.
He was a good provider, and he gave us what he could.
Momma, I'm not gonna apologize for loving the way that I love.
For trying to treat a woman the way I think she should be treated.
I am so proud of the man you are.
But sometimes, you you get so wrapped up in all of it, you lose sight of you.
I told you long ago Leanne wasn't right, but you found out the hard way.
Momma, what are you talkin' about? This ain't Vi.
She got her own house, her own money.
She don't need a man, 'cept to tell him what to do.
Oh, that ain't what this is.
Well, what about you? What about all the things you always wanted to do? And I'm gonna say it.
Kids.
Yeah, well, we talked about it.
I'm okay with it.
Listen to me.
I put away a lot of my dreams to have a family and a home.
And I didn't have the luxury of nothing else.
You can do anything you want, but you're so busy taking care of her when you gonna take care of you? [TRINH.]
So, uh, what are these dance moves you promised me, huh? Okay, I'll show you this one kind.
- Super duper times four.
- Super duper times four? So you do this four times.
[TRINH.]
Four times? Like that? [RALPH ANGEL.]
Get in the car, Blue.
[TRINH.]
What's that? Is that the "duper" part? [BLUE.]
No.
That's the "duper" part.
I got it.
You do this four times.
[TRINH.]
You're a really good dancer.
- Yeah? - Yeah.
Do you have other moves you can show me later? Maybe in an hour? Will it not be a secret anymore? - [LAUGHS.]
- [BLUE.]
Forever it will.
[ENGINE STARTS.]
[TIDUS.]
It's a different day Man what could I say And I've been patient Yeah but anyway When they in the way Can't stop my greatness Yeah we're on the way What you gonna say No limitations Watch me get away Watch me get away Up on my spaceship What's going on in here? And why is the door all closed? We were just talking.
Well, you get on back out to the party.
[BOTH CHUCKLE.]
[CELL PHONE CHIMES.]
It's Ant.
What are they up to? I guess him and the crew are hanging out at the levee later.
You wanna go? No.
I kind of feel like we should stay for the whole party.
Yes.
Yeah, you're right.
You spending a lot of time with them.
Yeah, I think they're cool.
And I think that you should spend more time with us.
I thought y'all was friends.
Back in the day, we were.
But we're different now, you know? They have their own way of doing things, and I have mine.
But you can still hang out with them, though.
[VIOLET.]
Are y'all still in here? Sorry.
- Keke? - Ma'am? That way.
["POOR PERSON" BY DENAI MOORE PLAYING.]
What makes a person poor? Do I fit the picture? May be short of gold But my mind's Far richer now Lifted off the ground My head can't fail me now There's so much I have to do So look at myself As shadows of others' feet So defeated Why is it easy To let someone Tell you who you should be? It's what you see That really matters It's what you see [VIOLET.]
Nova, you in here? That really matters It's what you see That really matters [CURTIS MAYFIELD.]
Only you, babe [BACKUP SINGERS.]
You, babe Only you, babe You, babe Only you, babe Only you, babe You, babe Only you, babe You, babe Only you, baby Beautiful night, isn't it? Yes.
Yes, it is.
I'm glad you can still see it.
Am I that obvious? No, but I know being lied to ain't fun.
How you doin'? You know Clare was the love of my life.
Never wanted to remarry after she passed.
But she was my second wife, not my first.
Really? Your love story doesn't have to be over, Charley.
It's up to you.
You can stay distracted by your past, or focus on your future.
- [TAPPING GLASS.]
- [HOLLYWOOD.]
All right, everybody.
Ladies and gentlemen, let's give it up for the birthday girl.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
All right! Thank y'all for such a beautiful surprise.
And, uh, if the rest of 60 is half as fun as today, I'm gonna be 60 for the next 30 years! [LAUGHTER.]
And, of course, I have to thank the man that made all this happen.
The man that makes my heart sing.
My Hollywood.
- Mmm.
- [CHUCKLING.]
Yeah, baby, this is all for you, chère.
Everybody put your damn glasses in the air! Vi, I love you so much.
And, baby, I couldn't be happier than knowing that I'm gonna become your husband.
So put your glasses in the air for the future Violet Desonier.
[LAUGHS.]
My future wife.
[CHEERING AND APPLAUSE.]
Is she asleep? She's asleep.
Ha ha.
Well, all right.
Happy birthday To you Happy birthday [LAUGHING.]
To you Hollywood, baby, I'm tired.
Baby, it's your birthday.
You ain't never said that before.
Yeah? Well, I'm saying it now.
All right.
Now, what did I do now? You been acting funny style since everybody started leaving.
I don't want to hurt you, but the gift I want is something I already have.
My name.
What you talkin' about? My name is Violet Bordelon.
Uh-huh.
And I want to keep it that way, even after we're married.
Not Violet Desonier.
Not even Violet Bordelon-Desonier.
Just Violet Bordelon.
That's what I want for my birthday.
You're kidding, right? No, I'm not.
Vi, I don't ask you for much now.
No, you don't.
Whatever you say you want to do gets done.
You say don't want no big wedding.
Fine, we ain't gonna do that.
Say you don't want me to help you with your business.
It's cool.
It's yours, even though it's making you sick.
And when you say you don't need none of my money, hey, say no more.
Do you.
But, baby, it's getting to where all I got left to give you is my name, and now you tellin' me you don't want that, neither? It's like you are hell-bitch on telling me how much you don't need me and I don't fit in your life.
I don't need you.
I mean, not like most folks talk about.
But I want you.
With everything I got in me, I want you.
But I don't want to take your name, like somebody owns me.
Woman, ain't nobody ever said nothin' about that.
You taking my name lets the world know that I belong to you.
That I'm yours.
I didn't know it was that important to you.
Yeah, well, me neither, till right now.
When I was little, I used to, um, follow my grandmother around in the kitchen with my hands out like this.
She said I was her little taste tester.
Sometimes me and my brother would get into these huge fights over who would get to lick the spoon.
Mm.
Yeah, don't do that in Vi's kitchen if you know what's good for you.
Is she still with you? Your wela? Back in Mexico with my mom and dad and my brother and his family.
I don't see them much.
It's more dangerous going back and forth these days, and I've already been pulled aside for questioning a few times, so Must be hard being so far away.
Yeah.
I, um, tend to put everything into my work, to keep my mind off things, you know? Yeah.
But, yeah, I mean, I would love to bring them over eventually.
But my brother and his wife, uh, they take good care of everyone, so I'm grateful for that.
So, um, did Aunt Vi teach you how to cook growing up? [COUGHS.]
Um Uh, no.
No, uh My version of cooking is takeout.
Got that from my mom.
Well, then, um, I guess it's a good thing that my wela taught me a thing or two.
Yeah, for next time, when you, um, come over and I cook for you.
[GROANS.]
How that sofa workin' out? Ha ha ha.
You ain't funny.
[LAUGHS.]
I ain't tryin' to be.
What happened? Well, Vi don't want to be Mrs.
Desonier.
She want to keep her maiden name.
Well, that's not a big surprise.
I thought you was the one complaining about me getting married? I said don't give up your dreams for her.
What's that got to do with a 60-year-old woman not wanting to take your name? You know, Vi is just now getting to the place to where she want to be, and it wasn't 'cause she was lazy or stupid.
For us, we had to fight out there in the world and in our own house.
But that's the past, Momma.
We buildin' toward a future.
Well, that's good.
But remember this, just because a woman come through a battle, don't mean she ain't got no scars.
Some things you will never forget.
You just have to learn to live with it.
I love you, and I want you to have everything you ever wanted, and I want you to be happy.
But when it comes to getting married, you want to make sure that Vi gives you her heart, not her name.
Now, go get your girl.
I'm sorry for putting you on blast at your party.
I appreciate that.
But I'm still not changing my mind about my name.
I don't want you to.
I know I'm blessed to have a man who wants to be mine as much as he wants me to be his.
So let's show the world how we get down.
Biggest they ever seen.
So you want the big wedding? Let's blow it out.
Spend that money.
Oh, it's gonna get spent.
[BOTH LAUGHING.]
Miss CEO.
Aah! [LAUGHS.]
Want me to bring you back a waffle? You ain't gotta bring me nothin' back.
Just have fun with your momma, all right? - Hi.
- Mommy! - Hey, B.
- [RALPH ANGEL.]
There she go.
You ready for a yummy breakfast? [BLUE.]
I just gotta brush my teeth and hair.
Okay.
Okay, get to it.
My bad about the mix-up.
Yeah.
Um we have to talk about that.
We need a schedule, an official one.
I just said you got him next weekend.
I don't need no schedule.
You can get Blue whenever you want.
I spent the entire week painting Blue's room.
I got him tickets to the museum.
You changed it at the last minute.
And you knew that I couldn't go to Vi's party.
It's unacceptable when it comes to me seeing our son.
You act like I'm trying to keep him from you.
You know that ain't true.
Who was she? A work friend.
Well, all I'm saying is that we need we need a schedule.
- Ready! - Ready! Bye, Pop! - Bye.
- [BLUE.]
Hello! [DARLA.]
Okay, so what are you gonna eat? [BLUE.]
I'm not sure.
[DARLA.]
They have really good waffles, and they have really good omelets.
I just got the goods from a friend in the Houston arm of a D.
C.
lobbying firm.
Yeah, they're real cozy over there in the statehouse.
Well, what'd they say? Well, the surveyors, the farm evictions it is all adding up.
Charley, you need to sit down.
Is everything okay, baby? When we found out that our land used to belong to the Landrys, we realized they didn't just want our land.
They wanted our land back.
Cold day in hell before that ever happens.
[CHARLEY.]
What they're doing is much bigger that we thought.
These are the visual specs of a planned government lease project that's coming to Louisiana.
The Landrys are working with the government to build a private jail here.
- In St.
Jo? - A private They're using their political connections to win the contract.
They're gonna lease their land to the government and cash out.
Our farm, Rah's farm, is surrounded by Landry property.
But they need that land to complete the deal.
They gonna try and take our daddy's land so they can build a jail on it? Hell, no.
That ain't about to happen.
A private jail in St.
Jo.
[WOMAN.]
Go, Ree Ree.