All American: Homecoming (2022) s03e09 Episode Script

1
[SIGHS] I'm ready.
ALL: Surprise!
[APPLAUSE]
What are y'all doing here?
I thought we were supposed
to have brunch back at the loft.
Girl, try again. This is a
major moment for you, Simone.
KEISHA: Yeah, we all had to be here
for your final day of radiation.
And by all, we mean all.
I got Dr. P. and Nathaniel on the phone.
- THEA: Aw.
- LANDO: You stayed strong,
you made it through.
For that, we celebrate.
Y'all have really been there
for me every step of the way,
and I feel like the
luckiest person in the world
because I have the best
family blood and chosen
so period. Actually, scratch that.
I'm gonna say exclamation point!
- KEISHA: Oh, that's right.
- THEA: Boop!
TINA: It's time.
"An ended fight,
a lifted weight.
I ring this bell to celebrate.
It's time for treatment to conclude.
I ring this bell in gratitude.
There's life to live
out there for me.
I ring this bell with hope.
I'm free!"
THEA: Yay!
SIMONE: Oh.
- CAM: Bring it in, bring it in.
- [THEA CHUCKLES]
SIMONE: Oh, my God. [CHUCKLES]
[CHUCKLES]
I'm so proud of you.
I'm so proud of me, too.
I cannot believe I don't have to wake up
for radiation tomorrow.
Hmm, well, sleep late. In fact,
I'll make you breakfast in bed.
- Oh, thanks, Mom.
- [CHUCKLES]
I'm ready to put all this
treatment in my rearview, but
I am gonna miss you taking care
of everything when you're gone.
Well, I am so glad you
feel that way because
I am thinkin' of stickin' around.
- Oh, OK. For how long?
- Well,
- I'm lookin' at condos. [CHUCKLES]
- Mom
- that sounds permanent.
- Honey,
you have been through a lot,
and treatment may be over, but
I can still support you.
SIMONE: OK, but what about Dad?
TINA: Oh, it was his idea.
He wants me to keep an eye on you,
so it's settled. [CHUCKLES]
Great! Oh, wait until you see
the condo that I have had my eye on.
Ooh, it has a pool.
- SIMONE: I can't wait.
- [TINA GIGGLES]
It's gonna be so good!
Baby, you have rewritten these lyrics
at least a hundred times at this point.
CAM: Yeah, I know.
Look, I'm just trying
to make sure I'm giving
the label the best I got.
- [SIGHS]
- You can pump out a chorus in your sleep.
That's the thing. It's
not just the chorus.
Wait, is
is Basswood letting
you write a whole song?
CAM: Mm-hmm. The label
signed this new artist,
so this is my chance to prove myself.
I know how much you've been
wanting more responsibility at work,
and they'll finally get to
see how talented you are.
- Damn straight.
- I'm so proud of you.
Thank you. What about you?
You ready to take it to the
streets in tonight's battle?
KEISHA: Yeah.
I haven't been this excited
about dance in a while,
and this could be
really big for my crew.
And the streets are
saying Luam's in town
- and might come in as a guest judge.
- Hold up.
Luam, like, Kelly Rowland and
Alicia Keys' choreographer Luam?
- Yeah.
- Babe,
what if your dance idol gets
to see you do your thing?
I would literally
die. [SNICKERS, LAUGHS]
Well, you better show
up and show out tonight.
That's all I know how to do.
Ooh, oh, I gotta go to class.
- CAM: Y'all looking casket sharp.
- [JR AND LANDO CHUCKLE]
We got our meeting with
the Board of Trustees.
Wait. Your pitch is today?
Yeah. We been up all night working
on this presentation with Coach Marcus.
Yeah, we bringing
baseball back to Bringston.
Well, I'm loving the confidence.
OK, you all got this.
Finish what you started.
- Sorry.
- It's OK.
LANDO: OK, that was awkward.
This can't be residual
Friendsgiving drama?
What? That was 100%
residual Friendsgiving drama.
And Keisha and I both promised to
keep our distance and we have, but
I still think Cam don't trust me.
- Should he?
- Yeah.
Keisha and I are just friends, bro.
Always have been, always will be.
Man, I do not envy you.
[FOLDER SLAPS SHOULDER]
- KEISHA: Oh, hey.
- SIMONE: Hey.
Guess who I saw earlier.
Lando, and he was looking fine.
Jacket, tie,
broad shoulders.
- Keisha?
- Hmm?
you know you don't have to tell
me every time you see Lando, right?
KEISHA: But after the epic day
you two had before Christmas,
doesn't that warrant a mention?
No, 'cause he's focused
on his girlfriend,
I'm focused on tennis.
Mm, but his girlfriend doesn't have
anything on you, Mrs. Photo Shoot.
But, you know, I'll mind my business.
Are you training tonight with Thea?
Yeah, tonight and tomorrow morning.
I want to get in as
many sessions as I can
before practices start next week,
so I'm sorry I can't make
it to your competition.
KEISHA: No, it's OK. I get it.
We're both fighting for our dreams.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
- Oh.
- TINA: Hi.
- Hi. Let me help you.
- [CHUCKLES] Oh.
Uh Mom?
I wasn't expecting you today.
Ah, well, thought you
could use a restock.
Oh, my God. [SETS DOWN BAG]
[GASPS] My favorite granola bars.
- Thank you, Mrs. Hicks.
- TINA: I got you, Keisha.
[CHUCKLES] I will put
these in the closet.
OK. Thanks, Mommy.
- TINA: You're welcome, honey.
- KEISHA: Oh.
[FOOTSTEPS RETREAT]
Don't encourage her.
What is wrong with you?
How can we possibly eat all this food,
especially with Nate away with Ryan?
Damn. OK, your mom is doing the most.
I just want to be a
normal college student,
but normal college students
don't have their moms
hanging around, and
this sounds so horrible,
but it's like she's a constant
reminder that I was sick.
How do I tell her it's time to go?
You need to be easy on her.
She loves you. She just wants to help.
What, is she buying you
off with granola bars?
KEISHA: And if she was?
TINA: I was thinking I should
have a copy of the housekey.
[CHUCKLES] This way, I can come
and go without bothering you.
I'll get a copy made today.
[SIGHS]
I'm gonna miss you.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
[MALE SINGER BEATBOXING]
Got the heart of a lion
lying next to his kill ♪
EMCEE: Give it up for our next crew!
[CROWD CHEERING]
[INDISTINCT CHANTING]
[WHISTLING]
[DIFFERENT MUSIC BEGINS]
[INDISTINCT SINGING]
[DISTANT SIREN WHOOPING]
- 5-0, 5-0!
- Go, go, go
- What the hell is going on?
- Somebody called the cops.
- Y'all don't have permits?
- Cam, be serious.
Hey, we got to boogie.
JVDE: I've been on
my grind as of lately ♪
They wanna copy, but they
know they can't trace me ♪
No, I don't fold, you can't break me ♪
My vision too clear, it's
like HD, can't make sense ♪
Out of nonsense, why
they worry 'bout me ♪
THEA: I don't know why
I do that every time.
- Good job.
- [SIMONE CHUCKLES]
- SIMONE: Thanks.
- THEA: Well, you're ready.
You'll be back on the court next week,
and Coach Loni will
never know you were sick.
Well, I couldn't have
done it without you, but
- I need one more favor.
- What?
I was hoping I could
train with Coach Bartlett.
THEA: Simone, training with
my coach was just a cover story
to buy you time for treatment.
It was never part of the plan.
SIMONE: No, I know, but Coach Loni
already thinks I'm training with him,
- so it could make a difference. Please.
- I mean,
you don't need it. I just
told you you're ready.
Besides, Coach Bartlett is,
like, really busy right now.
COACH LONI: Well, this
is a sight for sore eyes.
Nice to see you back on these courts.
I'm glad to be back.
Can't wait to see the
skills you've gained
over these last few months.
Thea, you ready for the Atlanta
Tennis Championships this weekend?
Bonus that you don't
have to travel, huh?
Yeah, I'm always ready,
but I got to go rest
and hydrate before my
afternoon session, so
- I'll see you guys later.
- COACH LONI: Have a good session.
I am proud of you.
Makes me happy seeing you
encouraging each other,
- making each other better.
- SIMONE: Yeah,
she's been very supportive, not
just of me but the whole squad,
so what if we go to her
tournament, like, as a team?
I love that idea.
I'll call Coach Bartlett
to ask about tickets.
No.
Well, the season's about
to start, and I'm sure
you have so many
things to do. I can ask.
Simone, I can handle a phone call.
I'll arrange the tickets.
You focus on training.
SINGER: Yeah ♪
[MUSIC CONTINUING THROUGH HEADPHONES]
- Yo, Big Hank.
- Cam, what up?
All is good.
Aye, I got some heat for you
if you're ready to hear it.
BIG HANK: Bruh, can I
take a sip of my coffee
before we start talking business?
- My bad.
- [CHUCKLES]
I just want to get a jumpstart
on these songs for Kyro.
Thanks, by the way,
for giving me a chance with this artist.
I won't let you down.
I'm taking you off the Kyro project.
Oh.
The label wants to sign J-Marx.
J-Marx?
He's straight selling out
stadiums on his current tour.
His latest single, "Blood on
My Heart," stays on repeat.
I mean, he's dope as hell.
Aye, man, look,
the label agrees with you,
so much so that they
want all hands on deck
to create a demo that proves
Basswood is the right home for him.
I get to write a song for J-Marx?
Yo! [CHUCKLES]
Let's go, boy!
Actually, we need you to
do what we know you do best.
You just need me on the chorus?
Bruh, it's a big deal you
even get to write the chorus.
- CAM: But you said my break was coming.
- BIG HANK: And it is.
But right now, this takes
priority, you feel me?
- [LINE RINGS]
- THEA: You've reached Thea Mays.
- Leave a message if you must.
- SIMONE: Thea?
Hey, it's me, again.
Look, Loni's gonna
call Coach Bartlett, so,
if, in the off chance she asks,
he's gonna say that he's
been training me, right?
Call me back.
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
SIMONE: Hey.
Uh, I was wondering if
you wanted to celebrate.
Uh, well, pre-celebrate.
I take it that the pitch with
the Board of Trustees went well?
Oh, we knocked it out the park.
You should have heard my closing lines.
I did hear your closing lines.
You rehearsed it here, like, 9 times.
[BOTH CHUCKLE]
But, to be honest,
I'm a little stressed.
I suggested the whole team
go and see Thea's tournament,
so now Coach Loni is calling
Coach Bartlett for tickets.
Oh, damn.
Well, Coach Bartlett
would lie for you, right?
I don't know.
Why did I even open my
mouth in the first place?
I was this close to making it back
to the team without
anyone knowing I was sick.
TINA: Excuse me. What?
Mom
how did you get in here?
We agreed yesterday that I should have
a copy of the key, remember?
I took Keisha's and got mine made.
No, I don't remember it like that.
Coach Loni doesn't know
about your diagnosis?
Coach Loni doesn't have to know.
- I'm finished with treatment.
- TINA: Oh,
so this is why you opted for 3 weeks
of radiation instead of 5?
And you knew?
SIMONE: Mom, do not bring him
in the middle of this, please.
LANDO: Yeah, I'm just gonna
I'll text you later.
When did this family get
so good at keeping secrets?
And, yes, I am referring
to you and your aunt.
[TEXT NOTIFICATION CHIME]
Coach Loni wants to see me.
- We're not done here.
- Mom,
can we please talk about this later?
I have to figure out how
to save my tennis career,
and since you have a key,
please lock up on your way out.
I don't know. It's just like
I feel like I'm finally
getting traction with dance,
and then the battle was canceled,
and now I don't know when
we're gonna dance again.
Hello?
Hello? Earth to Cam.
- What's up?
- I've been talking for, like, 5 minutes.
- Have you not been listening?
- My bad, babe.
I'm just trying to do
some research on J-Marx
so I can come to Big
Hank prepared with ideas.
I got to show him I'm more
than just the chorus guy.
Did you know that
J-Marx only likes to work
with real instruments in the
studio? Like, no plug-ins.
It's just raw sound. It's crazy.
Cam.
Cam.
We implemented these weekly dates
to make sure we're connecting.
I know, and they're
very important to me,
for real, but this is just such
a career-defining moment, bae.
It's taking up most of
my mental space right now.
Why don't I let you
get back to work, then?
I promise to make it up to you.
How 'bout tomorrow, I'll
take you to L'Cherie, hmm?
You'll have my undivided attention.
I owe you that.
OK.
Tomorrow.
All right, bet.
JR: Thank you.
Heard your dance battle got shut down.
I heard your presentation to
the Board went really well.
Congratulations.
You know you can tell me
how you really feel, right?
I'm not trying to rain on your parade.
You can call me New Edition 'cause
[STOMPS IN RHYTHM] I can stand the rain.
[LAUGHS]
You know it's part of the territory.
There'll be other dance competitions.
It's not just about the
dance competition. It's
[SIGHS]
This could have been my chance
to really make a name for myself
and potentially meet Luam.
All I've ever wanted to
do is be an inspiration
to other Black dancers,
like she was for me,
but if feels like every time I try,
I just end up taking an L.
Why don't you just try to find
a new location for
the dance competition?
Like, Luam is in town
for the next couple days,
so your dreams of
meeting her ain't dead.
And how do you know how
long Luam's in town for?
I mean, I maybe, uh,
followed her on socials, so
- KEISHA: Hmm.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
Like, don't judge me
for having good taste.
There is no judgment here.
I mean, you got a good point.
I should just look for a new location.
Yeah, and maybe get a permit this time.
- Shut up.
- No, seriously.
- Shut up.
- Keisha, you can do this.
We promised Cam and Gabby
that we wouldn't do this,
you know, be overly
supportive to each other.
JR: Yeah, I know, but
I miss my friend.
I miss you, too.
[CHUCKLES]
[SIGHS]
Close the door.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
- Take a seat.
I had a very interesting conversation
with Coach Bartlett this morning.
Thea, you haven't
been training with him.
You haven't been training
with your professional coach?
Excuse me. No, you are
not asking the questions,
especially when he said you haven't
been training with him, either.
Coach Loni, I can explain.
Good, 'cause I want answers.
What have you been doing
for the last few months?
- Um
- And you're not training?
Are you even competing?
I know you left this team,
but you still represent
me and this school.
Well, Simone has cancer.
Is that true?
Breast cancer.
Stage 1.
Are you OK?
- Do you need anything?
- SIMONE: I'm doing really well.
I had a lumpectomy and radiation,
and I finished treatment
about a month ago.
A month ago?
Right.
So
you concocted a story about training
with Coach Bartlett so you could hide
your cancer diagnosis from me?
THEA: I know it sounds bad, but
COACH LONI: I can't believe you
would lie about something so serious.
Both of you are dismissed.
- I need to think.
- SIMONE: Well
- Coach, what does that mean?
- It means I need to think, Simone.
Actions have consequences.
How could you do that?
You betrayed my trust! Friends
don't do that to friends, Thea!
SIMONE: Oh, so you don't
have anything to say?
Thea, I am talking to you!
Simone, it was that or
admit that I'm a failure.
I don't know if you didn't
notice, but I haven't played
a professional match since Homecoming.
Why do you think I've
been around so much?
I don't know.
- I thought you were helping me.
- I was, Simone.
I promise you I was, but I've
I have also been taking this time
to reconsider my future.
I'm thinking of leaving the pro-circuit.
And if you're leaving, then
that means there's no need
for a coach or training.
- Yeah.
- Why, though?
- Why do you want to quit?
- THEA: It's just not
everything I thought it'd be
but you're right. I should have
never told anyone your secret.
It wasn't my place,
and I'm really sorry.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
[SWITCHES TRACKS,
DIFFERENT MUSIC PLAYING]
All these beats is wack as hell.
Hmm. It just keeps cycling through.
There's got to be at least
one solid beat in there.
[SWITCHES TRACKS,
DIFFERENT MUSIC PLAYING]
- That's hot.
- BIG HANK: Mm
[SWITCHES TRACKS, FASTER MUSIC PLAYING]
All right, yeah, that's it right there.
Dope.
Finally, this is the one for J-Marx.
You sure? I mean, I was
doing some recon on J-Marx,
and he likes a more modern synth sound.
I'm not so sure he'll rock with this.
- [STOPS MUSIC]
- Cam
your job was to come up
with a chorus for the demo.
- That's it.
- CAM: I know, but
Ain't no buts.
I been in this game and at
this label way longer than you.
This project is a very big deal.
If we don't land J-Marx,
the label's gonna start making cuts.
Just focus on writing the
best chorus of your life.
Do that, you won't have
to worry about your job.
[MUSIC RESUMES]
Ah.
Dinner's almost ready.
Is Keisha joining us?
I don't know, Mom.
I take it things didn't
go well with Coach Loni?
[SETS DOWN KEYS]
I think I might lose
my spot on the team.
- Oh.
- What should I do?
Accept it. Lying was a poor choice.
OK, Mom, I was looking
for a little sympathy.
Simone.
Honey, I love you. I do, but
I
sympathize with Coach Loni on this.
I know what it's like
to be left in the dark.
You told me you understood why
I kept my diagnosis a secret.
I was protecting you.
TINA: It's not your job to protect me.
- I am the parent.
- And I am an adult,
which means I don't need
you to cook and to clean
and to do my laundry. It's too much!
Mom, you're literally here all the time!
[SCOFFS] Wow. Well,
forgive me for wanting to help
my daughter who's
recovering from cancer.
Not a cold, Simone, cancer.
And don't get me started on
your poor decision-making,
adult or not.
You just finished treatment.
You shouldn't be rushing back to tennis.
Says the woman who made
me pick up a racket at 4
and then pushed me to
my first tournament at 7.
I think I need space.
Tsk. Clearly.
I will book a flight back to L.A.,
because you don't need anyone, right?
[FOOTSTEPS RETREAT]
I was, um I was
hoping nobody was here.
Well, it is my thinking spot.
Really? Mine, too.
Well, after you showed
me during midterms
[CHUCKLES] it just stuck with me.
Cam is working, and
Simone had drama of her own, so
I decided that solitude
was the best answer.
Oh, [CHUCKLES] OK, I, um,
I'll leave you to your solitude.
KEISHA: Mm-mm, JR.
Stay.
Oh.
- It's like that?
- KEISHA: Mm-hmm.
Mm.
[GULPS, SIGHS]
I tried bringing
the battle to Bringston.
Fail.
Ooh, and
I got a rejection letter
from the final grad school
that I applied to, so double fail.
- I'm sorry, Keisha.
- I've already lost my dream
of going to grad
school for dance, and
street dance was all I had left,
and I don't really know when
I'm gonna get that back, so
[SCOFFS]
life sucks.
- Well
- Your turn.
[CHUCKLES]
Why not?
Mm.
We heard back from the Board,
and they loved our presentation, but
can't bring back baseball.
They said all the funds
have been reallocated
for the next few years, and
there's nothing they can do.
- KEISHA: Wait. So does that mean that
- JR: Yep.
Bringston baseball is over for good.
JR,
I know how much that
meant to you. I'm
- I'm really sorry.
- JR: Don't be.
I gave it everything I had.
I left nothing on the table.
Well, I'm glad you feel that way.
I don't know if I can
say the same for me.
Hmm?
I feel like nothing I did even mattered.
Keisha, you literally saved my life.
You are the reason I was
able to fight for baseball.
And your dance career isn't over.
Well, not unless you quit,
and come on. [CHUCKLES]
That's not you.
- JR
- [PHONE RINGING]
Oh.
I, uh [CHUCKLES]
- I got to get this. Um, it's Gabby.
- Yeah.
[RINGING STOPS]
I've been waiting for your explanation.
No offense, but I don't
owe you an explanation.
- You're not my coach.
- COACH LONI: Lil' girl,
understand this.
Once you play for me, you're family.
I may not be your coach anymore,
but that doesn't mean that
I am not rooting for you.
That doesn't mean that I
don't want the best for you.
That doesn't mean that I don't love you,
so you can keep running your
mouth and being disrespectful,
or you can start being
honest and tell me
what the hell is really going on.
[SIGHS]
I'm getting my ass
kicked on the pro-circuit.
You said I was representing Bringston.
I'm not doing it well
and it's embarrassing.
I left the team, where I was a star,
to struggling playing
against 15-year-olds.
I think I just started too late.
Thea, you are not the
first player to have
a difficult time on the circuit.
Your problems are not special.
- Is that supposed to make me feel better?
- [CHUCKLES]
Yes, because this is
a part of the process.
There is always pain on this journey
to the seemingly impossible dream.
You just get better at handling it,
and when you find someone else
traveling along that same road,
you reach out and you
help them if you can.
Well, does that mean you'll
give Simone a second chance?
What? I'm a tennis player.
I'm great at a return.
Yeah, well, I am
focused on you right now.
Compete this weekend. See what happens.
I am here to support you.
I'll think about it.
[TURNS ON MUSIC]
Uh, I thought you were
staying at Keisha's tonight.
[SIGHS]
All right. Ahem.
Remember when we first
moved in together,
and I gave you that one "vent
to your roommate" session?
[SIGHS, TURNS OFF MUSIC] All right,
but this stays between us.
We're trying to sign
J-Marx to the label.
J-Marx?
- Bro, that's major.
- CAM: Yeah, I know.
And my boss wants me to
do the hook for this demo,
and this is the beat that he gave me.
[MUSIC RESUMES]
- That's not bad.
- Mm.
Now, this beat, on the other hand
[DIFFERENT MUSIC PLAYING]
- OK. [CHUCKLES] Yeah.
- Yeah.
- Yeah, this is straight fire.
- Yeah.
See, my boss thinks the first
beat is what's gonna land J-Marx.
He said I need to just trust
him, and usually I do. I just
Basically, you think that
if you write the song your
boss wants, J-Marx won't sign
- and you'll lose everything.
- CAM: But if I write the song
I know he'll love, then I
burn a bridge with Big Hank,
and I'm fired anyway.
[SIGHS] All right, look,
from one artist to another,
you got to trust your
creative instincts,
especially when you got nothing to lose.
[BIG HANK'S PREFERRED TRACK PLAYING]
CAM: I can't explain it ♪
My mind is racing ♪
Cam, my man,
this might be the best
thing you've ever done.
- Proud of you, lil' bruh.
- CAM: Thanks, Big Hank.
[TURNS OFF MUSIC] Big
HANK: You know what?
I want you to introduce
the song in the meeting.
No, it's all good. This is your thing.
Nah, there's no greater feeling
than having an artist like J-Marx
hear a song you're proud of.
[LINE RINGS ON SPEAKER]
- WOMAN: Hello. You're on with J-Marx.
- BIG HANK: Mr. Marx,
Big Hank here.
I got our songwriter Cam
Watkins on the phone as well.
CAM: It's nice to meet you.
I'm a real big fan.
WOMAN: Mr. Marx is
ready to hear the song.
BIG HANK: Cam, take it away.
Um, so we created a demo here for you
to show you what we're
all about here at Basswood.
A fire beat with a punchy chorus
that'll be stuck in
all the audience's head.
Here we go.
- [CAM'S PREFERRED TRACK PLAYING]
- CAM: Come on, let's go ♪
We can take it slow ♪
Girl, we can get lost ♪
In the fog ♪
- Girl, let's go ♪
- BACKGROUND SINGERS: Let's go ♪
- We can't take ♪
- [TURNS OFF MUSIC]
So, uh, what you think of the demo, J.?
WOMAN ON PHONE: Mr. Marx
will get back to you.
[PHONE BEEPS]
- [DOOR OPENS]
- Big Hank, wait.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SIGHS]
[KNOCK KNOCK]
Coach, do you have a minute?
- Are you ready to be honest?
- Yes.
[SIGHS]
When I was first
diagnosed with cancer
I just felt like everything
was spinning out of control.
And honestly, I thought
you'd redshirt me,
and I just wanted one part of
my life to just stay normal,
so I kept it from you and others.
I made a decision that I felt was right
for my health journey,
and I realize now that
the impact of that was me hurting you
and my mom and everyone
else who cares about me
that I left in the dark, and
for that, I am really sorry.
This isn't just about my
personal feelings, Simone.
I'm responsible for the health
and well-being of this team.
I need to know what's
going on with my players.
- What if you'd been drug-tested?
- SIMONE: I did research.
There are medical
exemptions for medication.
The NCAA wouldn't punish
me for having cancer.
Yet you thought I would.
Thought we had a better
relationship than that.
That aside
I don't know if you're
physically able to play.
I am.
I haven't been training
with Thea's coach,
but I have been training.
COACH LONI: You see, that's the
problem with keeping secrets, Simone.
I can't take your word for it.
OK, well, then I'll show you.
I'll play anybody
Molly, Tootie, or Thea.
Who do you want me to go up against?
Me.
[NEW TEXT MESSAGE ALERT]
[SIGHS]
Man, Keisha's gonna kill me
if I'm distracted tonight,
but I can't stop thinking about
why Big Hank hasn't fired me yet.
LANDO: Bro, I don't know
what you want me to say.
I'm not necessarily
Team Cam on this one.
Why not? You're the one who told me
to follow my creative instincts.
I didn't tell you to pull
a fast one on your boss.
What you did was insane.
- CAM: So I am getting fired. Great.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
So this is where you live, huh?
So, what time should I clean
out my workstation tomorrow?
[SCOFFS] Don't be so dramatic.
What you did today was
stupid and immature,
but it took a lot of guts and passion
and you're gonna need that
to make it in this industry.
J-Marx wants to sign to the label.
Please don't be playing with
me right now, man. You serious?
I knew he'd like that demo!
But I didn't go about it the right way.
You bet your ass you didn't.
J-Marx was happy, but
the label heads were not.
They expected to pay one producer,
but because somebody
decided to use another beat,
- they had to pay two.
- I I didn't know.
Cam, my man, there's still
a lot you got to learn
about how this industry works
and your training begins
on this next project.
I'm putting you on J-Marx.
You wanted more
responsibility. Now you got it.
CAM: I won't let you down.
You better not.
[CHUCKLES]
- Now, come on. Let's go.
- CAM: Go where?
It's a Big Hank tradition.
Anytime we land a new artist,
we gotta take 'em to dinner.
J-Marx is meeting us in an hour.
Bruh, what's the problem?
You got somewhere more important to be?
No. Not at all.
Just let me go get my jacket.
[NEW TEXT MESSAGE ALERT]
"Hey, babe, I hate to
do this, but I have a
meeting with a client.
Raincheck? I love you."
[KNOCK ON DOOR]
Keisha, right?
- Luam?
- [CHUCKLES] Yeah. Can I come in?
Yes. Sorry. Yes. Please.
LUAM: Oh, I love the art in here.
- Thank you.
- [CHUCKLES]
Um
so I I know who you are.
How how do you know me?
Well, I saw your reel,
and I had to find you.
I mean, I know it sounds like
a dance movie or whatever,
but you are one hell of a dancer.
I'm so sorry. I'm still
tripping over the fact
that you are in my loft
right now. Ha ha ha!
Thank you. That that
means a lot, coming from you.
You are literally the
reason why I dance.
Keisha, girl, women like you
are the reason that I dance.
I mean, the fact that
there are more Black dancers
getting their shine, it's
it's all I've ever wanted.
I literally can't right now.
- This is unbelievable.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
Well, it gets better.
So, I used to train
with the program director
here at Fulton Dance
Institute in Atlanta.
I'd love to put in a word for you.
That's wonderful, um
but I already applied there, and
- they rejected me.
- LUAM: But you're incredible.
I mean, your street-dancing reel
is one of the strongest I've seen.
I don't have a street-dancing reel.
[CROWD CHEERING AND WHISTLING ON VIDEO]
Where'd you get this?
Your agent, JR. He's really persistent.
My agent.
[CHUCKLING] JR, yeah.
Yeah, yeah, he's wonderful. [CHUCKLES]
Listen, Keisha, take it from me.
You're gonna have a big career,
and I'm putting in that call to Fulton.
Ha ha! Thank you.
[SIGHS] How good of a
player is Coach Loni?
[CHUCKLES]
Elaine Loni.
Played 7 years on the pro-tour,
All-American at BU with a
career-high of 47 in the world.
Plus, she's been coaching
for the last 10 years.
[GRUNTS]
- Put it up ♪
- Damn.
MALE SINGER: Look how I'm comin' up ♪
They celebrating like
they good at something ♪
In my opinion ♪
I ain't done enough, so I ♪
Yeah, many lessons and
I still haven't let up ♪
Like the old me, I
still haven't sped up ♪
[SPECTATORS MURMURING]
SINGER: Run it up ♪
Run it up ♪
Hey ♪
Look how I'm coming up ♪
- LANDO: Simone is down.
- THEA: Yes, but if she wins this point,
she's still in it. Come on!
SINGER: Marathon ♪
Said I'm mastered
the long or a minute ♪
Odds are this and that ♪
Yeah, I get it, many
said you would ♪
Run it up [ECHOES]
[APPLAUSE]
In the mirror and I'm seeing it ♪
- THEA: Good job, Simone!
- TINA: Oh, she's still in it.
All right, Simone!
SINGER: In the mirror,
and I'm seeing it go ♪
Run it up [ECHOES]
THEA: It's match point
for Coach Loni again.
Simone can't lose this point.
SINGER: Run it up ♪
[COACH LONI AND SIMONE GRUNTING]
TINA AND LANDO: Ooh!
SPECTATOR: Oh! Ha ha!
SPECTATORS: Aw.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[SIGHS]
That was a good game, Simone
- even though you lost.
- [SIMONE BREATHING HEAVILY]
Are you kicking me off the team?
I've seen what I needed to see.
You're ready.
Did you ever expect me to win?
You can keep your place
on the team, Simone,
but there are consequences
for keeping secrets.
I'm removing you as captain.
I understand.
I'll earn back your trust and
the position that comes with it.
I promise you that.
COACH LONI: We'll see.
- THEA: See ya.
- LANDO: Yeah.
Congratulations.
- Thea, I lost.
- I know, but,
I mean, you didn't give up, and
even though you were outmatched and
your chances of winning
were extremely low
SIMONE: OK, OK, I get it.
Thanks. Um, I had to fight,
but I didn't beat
cancer just to give up.
Well, you inspired me.
I set up a training session
with Coach Bartlett tomorrow.
10:00 if you want to join.
So you going back to
the pro-circuit, huh?
I have to fight, too.
I'll be there.
- Uh, where's Lando?
- Um, he had to go meet up with Eva,
but he said to tell you
that you were amazing.
TINA, CHUCKLING: Bye. Oh!
Ha ha ha!
Oh!
You were remarkable.
- [CHUCKLES]
- SIMONE: Thanks, Mom.
- Look, about yesterday, I was just
- TINA: You were right.
- It's time that I left.
- SIMONE: What?
I just wanted to know
if you'll be OK,
and you proved that.
You proved that you're a fighter,
and if it'd been up to me,
I'd have stopped you from playing and
you never would have known
what you're capable of.
And I'm sorry,
'cause you were right, too, and
I shouldn't have lied
to you about being sick.
And I need to let you parent,
- so I promise
- TINA: Hmm.
SIMONE: I will keep you involved.
I'll update you on all
my follow-up appointments,
- and I'll forward you all these bills.
- TINA: Ha ha ha!
Well, that works for me,
- along with weekly calls?
- Mom,
- I will call you every Sunday.
- I said "calls," plural.
OK, Tuesday and Sunday.
- OK. [CHUCKLES]
- Love you.
Oh, I love you more, sweetheart.
MALE SINGER: I try, I try ♪
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
- Always feeling like ♪
There's more required ♪
BACKGROUND SINGER: More required ♪
JR: Hey.
KEISHA: Did you make a reel of my
street dancing and send it to Luam?
Yeah, but not just Luam.
Sent it to a dozen
different choreographers,
but, after seeing how
distraught you were,
I just pulled up on
Luam's dance intensive and
talked to her in person.
Well, she came to see me.
[CHUCKLING] Wait, really?
She loved it. [GIGGLES]
She's gonna help me
get into grad school.
- [BOTH LAUGH]
- JR: Oh, I'm so proud of you.
- I can't believe you did that for me.
- Of course.
I mean, you helped me fight for
my dreams; it only makes sense
for me to help you fight for yours.
SINGER: Hoping to rest ♪
In your warm embrace ♪
You say, you say ♪
It's never enough ♪
Never enough ♪
Never too much ♪
Never enough ♪
Never enough ♪
Greg, move your head!