Empire (2015) s04e02 Episode Script
Full Circle
1 Previously on Empire Lucious! Did somebody do this to me? I can't remember.
As y'all can see, I got lucky.
But I will never be the same.
We took Lucious out 'cause you said - we'd be running things.
- It's gonna happen.
(gagging) Anika Lyon? You're under arrest for the murder of Tariq Cousins.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you're up to something.
CLAUDIA: He's redirecting his feelings and his desires onto me.
Lucious.
You're gonna remember me.
I'm Cookie Lyon, baby.
I'm unforgettable.
CLAUDIA: Dwight? We're all set.
Are you ready? Okay, um Maybe I should try doing it by myself, for once.
That's good.
That's really good.
I mean, it's an important first step.
Well, if you need me, I'll be close by.
(grunts) (exhales) (straining) LEAH: Mona Lisa (echoing): Mona Lisa Mona Lisa, men have named you You're so like the lady with the mystic No, no, no, no, what are you doing? - This is your son! - God told me Dwight needed my help! - (coughing) - CLAUDIA: No I know what I know, sister.
- Evilness is in him.
- Enough.
Evilness is in him! (panting) (door opens) Hello? Excuse me.
Excu what's going Can-can I help you? COOKIE: That's right, fellas, take it all to the west wing.
Cookie, what's going on? I- t's 11:00 at night.
- Oh, I know what time it is, sweetie, I'm moving in like I should've did when he came home from the hospital.
- See, this is my house.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey! You bust it, you buy it, and I know you can't afford it.
MAN: Sorry about that, ma'am.
- That's fine.
- Look, I-I know that you may not fully trust me, - but I want to assure you - No, no, no, no, no.
Let me assure you.
I understand that you got a job to do, okay? I hired you to do it.
That man is everything to me and my boys.
And we need him back I need him.
So I'm moving in to supervise.
Don't worry about it.
Come on! Right on around, you know where to go.
Be careful, those are very expensive.
Shh, shh, shh.
No, you shush.
You hurry up and fix my man, or we gonna have a problem.
That's right, fellas, keep going.
Keep going you drop my bag again, baby, that's your ass.
Know I'm okay I just wan-Na Y'all, this song is too good to just be playing at the end of the damn credits.
Everybody's gonna be walking out of the theater.
The hell they will; they gonna sit they asses down - and listen till the song is over.
- Hmm.
Yeah, Jamal, forget the ASAs.
You could win an Oscar for Best Original Song.
WARREN: That's right.
Move over, Celine Dion.
(laughter) Okay.
I am so glad that you finally buried the hatchet with Tory.
I mean, did I really have a choice? Calling me every second, talking about (high-pitched): "Come on, forgive Tory.
Forgive her, Jamal.
" - Okay, that kind of sounds like me.
- (chuckles) But I'm about to start using my powers of persuasion for a job, since I'm only A&R on an interim basis while Cookie looks for someone to replace me.
I don't know why you even stressing over that.
You know my mom.
You gonna get this A&R position, you're gonna help me with my new album it's all love songs.
Love? I wonder what inspired that decision.
You did.
(laughs) (both laugh) ANDRE: Empire XStream is already on track to surpass the competition.
And we have a list of telecommunication companies ready to partner with our artists' releases.
MAN: If you're looking to sell off parts of Empire XStream, Commonpoint Capital wants in.
You can expect a formal offer tomorrow.
- Thank you, sir.
Thank you very much.
- All right.
- All right, thank you.
- Absolutely.
But I'm in love with it I'm in love with you How you doing, Sam? - I'll have the usual.
- Sure.
Are you alone? Not anymore.
(laughs softly) What are you drinking? Whatever you're buying.
Ooh Give me a reason 'Cause I ain't going home - (laughs) - You don't want to start I ain't swinging low I'm just leaning.
(panting) Looks like it's not our night.
My doctor has me on new medication.
Well, tell him he just cost you the best piece of ass you would've ever had.
(claps hands) Okay.
Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind.
Philly.
Excellent.
How about this one? Liberty Bell is near Rittenhouse Square.
CLAUDIA: Excellent.
- COOKIE: Hey, Lucious.
- Hey.
COOKIE: How about we get some breakfast, huh? I want to get your thoughts on, um, us selling Empire XStream.
Andre got a great offer.
I don't have any thoughts on anything like that.
Cookie, Dwight and I are right in the middle of a session.
I can see that.
Uh Look.
You got to remember this one.
This is us, in Philly, where we started.
Is that a gun right there? Cookie, can you excuse us? Well, ask your doctor.
She got all the damn answers.
(sighs) (door opens) All rise.
Be seated.
MYRA: Good morning, Your Honor.
In light of the fact that my client has already spent five months in jail Counselor, is there anything you're about to say That'll make me forget that Ms.
Calhoun is accused of murdering a federal agent? Former agent, Your Honor.
Ms.
Calhoun is not a flight risk.
She wants to clear her name.
I'll take that as a no.
The trial's in six months.
Ms.
Calhoun will remain in custody until then.
No, Your Honor, please! I am innocent! With all due respect, Your Honor, I don't think my client's circumstances are being considered at all.
We would appreciate a chance to be heard.
Hakeem, go get Cookie.
- Tell her to see me now.
- What is she gonna do? Tell her I remember January 7, 2015.
Tell her I remember.
JAMAL: I will ride for you Without a destination I'd die a thousand times for you, yeah (music volume lowers) Guys, I love it.
It's amazing.
I'm on the red-eye to Paris tonight, and I'm taking it with me.
Oh, we can get it to you immediately - if you need - Yeah, no doubt.
Well, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on.
I got a few tiny changes.
This is gonna be the main title theme song to the movie.
Uh, it's a hero's journey.
It needs to be epic.
Add a string section.
A whole orchestral thing.
Uh, lose the falsetto altogether, uh, and the piano in the middle; add more strings there, too.
Whoa, wait, wait, wait, uh (chuckles) Um, the orchestral thing sounds-sounds pretty cool, but if you if you take out the falsetto and the piano, y-you change the whole arrangement, you really change the whole song.
Which we can do before your flight tonight.
Perfect.
Can't wait.
Thanks.
BECKY: Oh, my God.
(door opens) Yo, man.
What's up, man? H-Have my back, Becky.
Have your b (laughs) Boy, you know I got your back.
But we have a client, and we have to do what he wants, right? We in this together.
Can you make this deadline tonight? All right, let's go get this Oscar.
Get it! COOKIE: All right, where is she? I have a company to run.
(door buzzes, opens) (Thirsty clears throat) - (Cookie scoffs) - Rough.
- Yeah, well, jail ain't for the weak.
- Legit.
(Cookie and Thirsty chuckle) - (clears throat) - (door closes) I see y'all got my message.
Yeah, I managed to crack your code, James Bond.
January 7, 2015.
That's when Bunkie died.
I think you mean killed.
- THIRSTY: Okay.
(clears throat) Okay.
- (sighs) Okay.
Look, you got our attention, we're here.
What do you want? To get the hell up out of here.
Okay, slow your roll, bitch.
For all we know, you did kill Tariq.
You been a snake since day one.
You want this snake to bite? We paid you $25 million to bounce and keep your mouth shut.
But here you are, still around, - still running your mouth, still in the way.
- Okay, okay.
Let's loosen, let's loosen the bra straps, all right? Let's just get to a resolution.
I can get you in front of the U.
S.
Attorney as early as this afternoon.
But to get you out of here - (door buzzes) - you're gonna have to play nice.
Shut up and do exactly what I say.
You okay with that? Nah, it doesn't look familiar at all.
Let's just give it some time.
This is one of your favorite places.
Look, this is the exact booth we're sitting in right now.
Just see if there's some tastes or smells that might trigger some memories.
CLEM: How y'all doing? We got a brick chicken special so good, you'll smack your own mama.
(chuckles) Lucious? Lyon? What's up, L? (laughs) Look at you, coming into my joint all incog-negro.
Boy, you know this is your home.
You gonna feed this woman? How you doing, lady? I'm Clem.
Well, Clem, nice to meet you.
I'm Claudia.
Yeah, you must be some kind of special to be up in here with L.
He only ever comes here with Eddie.
Eddie? Um, I don't know Eddie.
Eddie Barker.
Come on, you trying to tell me you don't know the great composer, arranger and super producer? (chuckles) You know, there was this one time, right after Lucious had won a Grammy, he and Eddie came up in here.
Both of 'em had, on both arms, two of the finest, big-boned sisters You know what, Clem, I think that we should move onto the menu, and we'll hold off on the old stories for now.
Yeah, okay.
I'll get some waters over right away.
Uh It's good to see you up and on your feet, Lucious.
We're all pulling for you.
Thank you, Clem.
Thank you.
I think you hurt his feelings.
I just need to guide the conversation on these initial outings.
Is that what life is like, though? I mean, is it all planned and scheduled? No, of course not.
So, I'm just managing the pace.
Tell me that ain't a banger.
(music volume lowers) - It's too soft.
- Too soft? I remember you saying that about "Drip Drop," and that became your biggest hit.
My biggest pop hit.
The streets still go crazy for "Drip Drop," and you know that.
I could do another "Drip Drop" in my sleep.
But I need to go harder.
It ain't about hip-hop versus pop.
This is about you thinking that you can't top yourself.
Mmm.
(song stops) You know, when Anika was head of A&R, she never tried to analyze me.
She just supported my vision.
Keem, I'm not trying to kill your vibe.
Okay? I'm trying to let you know that if you make a pop record and it blows up, that's how you're gonna get the leverage to do whatever you want around here.
That's how this works.
You want me to top "Drip Drop"? I know your potential.
All right, whatever you want, Becky.
All right, then.
Let's show 'em we still got Lyons roaring up in here.
- Let's get it.
- You're gonna make something better than "Drip Drop," right? Give me something to dance to.
- Drip, drop, drip.
Right? - (laughs) Let's do it.
I trust you.
Hey, where you want to start, boss? No, not yet.
Not till I get this beat out my head.
One for me, before I make one for them.
Well, I think I need to go and find me a restroom.
You know where it is? Just right in the back.
Okay? (drum machine playing) CLEM: Come on, Willy, man, you got to pick up, pick up the pace, man.
Yeah, yeah, sorry, boss.
Hey.
Hey, Clem.
Oh, what you need, L? Do you have a way of getting in touch with Eddie? He probably won't answer his phone today.
His niece is getting married over at his country club.
You been there, right? The Vandeveer? - Vandeveer.
- Yeah.
Thanks, Clem.
CLEM: No problem.
Get the mic.
Let's get it.
HAKEEM: Hey, hey, I don't want to talk about your whereabouts I don't want to Hear the rumors that you hear about No.
So much paper, I take walks Around my bank account It's the only thing that I think about That paper route Uh, everybody want to be a don now But I'm the only one that really get it done now Tell my daddy take a good look at his son now - If you praying on my downfall - Dwight? You should shut up, trick Excuse me, can I get a key to the bathroom? I think there's something wrong with Dwight.
- Dwight? - Lucious.
H-He won't answer.
He ain't in there.
He left.
What do you mean he left? He can't leave.
He's a grown man, lady.
Shut up, trick Vandeveer.
Shut up, shut up Hoo! Shut up, trick.
DRIVER: I can't believe I got you in my cab.
I am the biggest Lucious Lyon fan there's ever been.
You don't even know, man.
You don't even know.
You might be right about that.
You and your music got me so much trim over the years.
I had a whole system.
Called it the "Lucious Lyon Triple Takedown.
" You take a lady to the club, get her out on the dance floor, sweating to your joint, "On the Grind.
" On the way home, get her loose with that "Make You Mine.
" And then, get her freaky in the bedroom with that "Hot Little Thing.
" Whoo! (chuckles) "Hot Little Thing.
" - (guests laughing) - MAN: And now, um, let's hear from our host, huh? And my little brother, Eddie Barker.
(applause) David, Claire, there's plenty of people in this room who'd like to offer you some sage advice about how to have a successful marriage.
(guests murmuring) But my advice to you is - don't listen to any of them.
- (guests laugh) Don't even listen to me.
'Cause everyone has, uh, some idea about how you should live your life and what you should be.
But this is your time, this is your path.
And if, on your journey, you experience struggle or pain, welcome it, 'cause struggles turn love into lasting love.
So let's do a toast to (sighs) to lasting love.
ALL: To lasting love.
(applause) - COOKIE: You lost him? - CLAUDIA: I know.
It's very bad.
And I want you to know nothing like this has ever happened to me before.
It's uh, he was giving me signs - and I miscalculated and - Please, please.
Shh! Shh.
Sit your nervous ass down.
You're making me nervous.
Porsha, get in here! - Cookie, all the media outlets on hold - Bump 'em.
We bumped 'em twice already.
Bump them again, Porsha.
Lucious ran off, we can't find him.
- You want me to call the cops? - Yes.
No! Do not! We don't need that kind of attention from the police, all right? Porsha, please get out.
Thank you.
Okay.
All right.
What triggered him, huh? What did he see, what did you say? - What? - We were at Clem's Joint.
And Clem was I don't know, he was talking about a music producer that he was there with all the time, uh - Eddie! Eddie Barker! - Yes! Porsha, get in here! Get in here, Porsha! Who you need me to bump? No, don't bump.
I just need you to get Eddie Barker on the phone.
I think that's where Lucious is.
I'm sure of it.
(scoffs) Uh, you know what? (snaps fingers) I have the number.
Looks like I'm doing everybody's job today.
If there's an address, I can just go over and get him.
No.
See, Lucious is with Eddie.
He's with family.
That's what's gonna get him back.
Don't know why I hired you.
I will ride for you For you with no destination I would die a thousand times.
For you With no hesitation You, you, you, hey You, you, you You, you, you I been looking for You, you, you Oh, you, you, you Hey You, you, you What the hell is this? Yeah.
Becky, baby, come on.
(laughs) What's good? Hey, Jamal.
(laughs) So, this sounds like a completely different song.
Yes, it is.
Yes, it is.
But listen, we just, I don't know, we were feeling something different, so we just stripped it all away and started from scratch.
All right.
Boy, get out here so we can talk about this.
JAMAL: "Boy, get out here"? Why you barking at me like you're my mama or something? Jamal, why would you construct an entirely different song? Why would I construct an entirely better song? I mean, it's dope.
And Warren loves it, I love it.
Jake's gonna love it.
What? The contracts are already signed on the other song.
What is this? WARREN: Becky, if you just listen to the song, you'll understand why Jamal is Warren, no disrespect, but please mind your damn business because this is about our business, all right? JAMAL: Whoa, Becky.
No disrespect, but you're forgetting that you are interim A&R.
Interim.
So I don't need to explain my music to you or anyone else.
You're really tripping right now.
You were the girl that changed my world (laughs) How that rehab going? You lit the fuse Taking it one step at a time.
EDDIE: Let me tell you.
There was no shortage of shorties back in the day with Lucious Lyon.
Even when you was broke as a joke.
Y'all remember the, um, Lucious Lyon Triple Takedown, right? You know, you get 'em hot and working with, um, "On the Grind," and then-then you get them, get them loose with "I'm-a Make You Mine.
" - Baby, I could make you mine - You mine.
(laughter) MAN: Come on.
That was my cut, man.
But then the killer was I get them freaky with - "Pretty Little Thing.
" - "Hot Little Thing.
" - "Hot Little Thing.
" - I love that.
Why don't you tell these gentlemen the story of the trunk? No, you tell them.
You tell it better than I do.
Before I was writing and producing hits, I was spinning records.
That's how I met Lucious.
I was the first one in New York to play his songs.
And there was this program director, yeah, with the high-top fade; it was turned the wrong way.
Guy wouldn't play a song unless you hit him off.
So, I'm telling Lu, "See, look, Lu, "got to give him some more paper.
"You know, don't be cheap.
Just get his attention.
This is your career.
" (laughing): And so Lucious, he goes down to the station, and he waits for the program director to come out and as soon as the program director comes out, bam.
- (laughing): Whoa.
- EDDIE: Hits him in the nose.
(laughing): He messed up his whole face.
Ah, man.
And then, he grabbed this clown by his Kid 'n Play hairdo (laughs) And he throws him into the trunk, closes the trunk.
He starts driving around the town, slamming on the brakes.
(yelling) Bam! The guy's like, "Oh!" - Bam.
- (high-pitched ringing) - (echoing laughter) - EDDIE (muffled): You can hear the guy screaming from his car.
- Whoa, whoa, man.
- (people gasping) You all right? Sorry, I don't know what happened.
Mrs.
Calhoun has been afraid to come forward with the particular details pertaining to her defense.
Why? Because she fears for her life.
From who? From who? Who? From the FBI, that's who.
Because no action was ever taken against Agent Cousins after he became obsessed with Lucious Lyon and then repeatedly, repeatedly stalked and assaulted his former wife.
Oh, have a gander.
I was caught in a nightmare and they did nothing to stop it.
Mr.
Rawlings, these photos have no bearing in the murder - of Agent Cousins.
- THIRSTY: "No bearings.
" (laughing): Okay.
So, what you're saying is "there needs no ghost come from the grave" to speak on this.
TARIQ: Are you scared of me? ANIKA: Tariq, please don't hurt me.
TARIQ: I been waiting all night for this.
ANIKA: Tariq, no.
Let me go! How do they say over at the FBI? "Lordy, I hope there's tapes.
" Well, there are and I have them.
He forced himself onto me.
He wanted me to run away with him, but I refused.
(sighs) He was so angry.
And-and he tried to kill me, so I No, no, it's okay.
Shh, shh, shh.
- It's okay.
- (cries) That's self-defense.
Self-defense.
Now, you do me a favor.
You take this to trial.
There'll be no conviction.
There's not a jury in the world that will find her guilty.
As a professional courtesy, attorney to attorney, I got to say, I would hate to be in your shoes right now, 'cause you look like you just stepped in (laughs) Well, you know.
(door closes) (playing "I Don't Want to Be Right" by Luther Ingram) If loving you is wrong I don't want to be right If being right means being without you I'd rather live a wrongdoing life Your mama and daddy say it's a shame It's a downright disgrace - (door opens) - As long as I got you By my side I don't care what your people say Your friends tell you it's no future In loving a married man If I can't see you when I want I'll see you when I can Come on, Cookie.
If loving you is wrong BOTH: I don't want to be right If loving you is wrong I don't want to be right I don't want to be right If it means being without you I don't want to be right If it means being without you.
Amazing.
You still got it.
- (laughs) - EDDIE: Hey.
- COOKIE: Good to see you.
- EDDIE: It's good to see you.
CLAUDIA: Excuse me.
Dwight.
We have dinner by the pool.
Eddie.
Thank you for everything today.
You're a really good friend.
I'll call you later, all right? Mm-hmm.
(sighs) He doesn't remember me, Cook.
Doesn't remember anything.
Oh, no.
It's just Lucious.
He-he forgets stuff, but it d-doesn't mean anything.
You know what, I-I've known him for half of his life.
And maybe you want to keep a lid on things, but you don't have to do that with me.
(sighs) He has a traumatic brain injury.
He can't remember anything.
Not even you? Only the family knows, so, please, Eddie, can you keep this between us? Of course.
How you holding up? You all right? Hey, we're good.
We're grinding.
Empire is making money, but Andre tells me not for long.
I mean, soon we're gonna have to start liquidating our assets and I don't know how long we can keep - Lucious's condition on the low.
- No, we're not, you Don't liquidate nothing.
This is just a rough patch.
What do our families do when, uh, a loved one is sick or dying? We step up.
Bring a cake.
- A pie.
(laughs) - (scoffs) - Casserole, baked ham.
- (laughs) You need to need to get those artists and they need to hold you up.
They need to support this.
Uh, with what? Food? With music.
That's what Lucious would want.
Music.
Thank you, Eddie.
(chuckles) COOKIE: Child, if it's gonna rain, move the event inside.
Okay? Don't be so slow.
Hey, let me call you back, Porsha.
Hello.
The hell are you doing going through my drawers? You ain't even supposed to be on this side of the house.
- I need your gun.
- For what? We have to put an end to that witch poisoning my Dwight with her spells.
Spells.
Woman Look, you gonna meet a real witch you go through my drawers again.
- Get yourself out of here.
- No one comes between us and our family.
If they do, we cut them down like I did that bastard Tariq.
What did you say? I put that bastard in the dirt and I sent that whore to prison for it.
I wouldn't think twice about bleeding that new witch to death.
Good night, Cookie.
TORY: Wan-Na Feel Ap-prec-i-ated Oh, oh Am I asking too much? I wanna feel (laughing): Jamal, Jamal.
You are a genius.
The changes you made to give Tory the vocals.
It's-it's perfect.
Thank you so much.
I love it.
I really hope that you like it.
Tory, let's go eat, talk music videos.
(song stops) Look, I understand the way you must feel right now.
So, you've had your best friend backstab you like that before? And take away something that's not theirs to take? Jamal, this is the song that he wanted.
I don't know what you want me to do.
- This is my job.
- Oh, your job? Pull some foolishness like this again, you won't have a job at my label.
This way, Ms.
Walker.
(door closes) Who are these people? Leah.
I think it's time for you to take a break.
We think you should get some rest.
- Okay? - CLAUDIA: We found a a lovely facility for you.
Uh, it's considered the best in the state and Dr.
Givens is gonna be handling your care from now on.
Did this witch put a hex on your tongue? Or are you going to sit there and let them lock me up? Answer me! We have an involuntary commitment contract.
COOKIE (whispers): It's okay.
I know there'll be an evaluation period.
I'm sorry, I know that this must be You go back to hell, bitch! Get off of her! Bitch! COOKIE: No, no, get her off.
(coughs) I know you're in there.
I know what you are.
You're a monster! From the day you were born, I tried to exorcise that evil in you, but it just got bigger and stronger.
(door closes) Hey.
I'm Detective Mitchell.
Las Vegas Metro.
This is Detective Lumley.
How you doing? Detective Pamela Rose.
I'm the NYPD liaison.
I'm just here to facilitate.
MITCHELL: We'll keep this short, Mr.
Lyon.
We've been unable to locate Giuliana Green.
We're wondering if you have any ideas as to where she might have fled.
Does she own any properties abroad? (sighs) Mr.
Lyon? No.
I don't, um, I don't know.
Any associates who might be hiding her? I never knew of any associates outside of her dealings with the casino operations.
I wish I could help you.
THIRSTY: Look, uh, this investigation is of the utmost importance to the Lyon's family, so, any way we can be helpful, give us a call.
- 24-7.
- MITCHELL: All right.
Thank you for your time, Mr.
Lyon.
Yeah, I'll-I'll walk you guys out.
I thought you had an eye on Giuliana.
The other night what was that? Are you trying to set me up? No, I didn't even know who you were.
I was just briefed on the investigation this morning.
So, it was a coincidence? May I ask you a question, Detective? Do you often have sex with strangers in bars? (chuckles) We didn't have sex because you couldn't get it up.
Huh.
COOKIE: How did things go with the boys? I'd like to think we're still making music up in this bitch.
So, Hakeem just delivered a really dope track, and I'll start the campaign around it - as soon as you sign off.
- Mm-hmm.
And Jamal is a different story.
What? So, we had very specific instructions and notes, and a deadline from the producer, but Jamal refused to make any changes, so I replaced his vocals with Tory's.
(sighs) I know.
I feel like dirt.
- Well, what did the producer think? - He loved it.
He threw in half a million for marketing, and he also agreed to finance the video.
Look, Becky, I know you love Jamal, and I know that was very hard to do.
But don't let your heart step on your ambition.
I need strong people around me now more than ever.
Porsha, get legal on the phone.
Have them remove "interim" from Becky's title.
Bump her salary 30% as well.
Uh, thank you, thank you.
Look, I will not let you down.
You better not.
COOKIE: Hello.
Thank you.
(cheers and applause) Thank you.
20 years ago, an Empire was born.
It may not have had thousands of employees or gold records or high-rises on both sides of the country, but there was always music and family and love.
ANDRE: Here comes our announcement.
While Lucious continues his sabbatical, we will honor his legacy with a bold new project that has his blessing.
Starting immediately, we will produce and release a new album for every year we have been in operation.
So, you do the math.
That's 20 new albums to be completed - by the end of the year we can do it.
- MAN: What? The Empire 20 For 20.
It's who we are, it's what we do, and it's worth fighting for.
Thank you.
- (cheers and applause) - REPORTER: Cookie, how do you expect to pull this feat off? REPORTER 2: Who's gonna be the first artist on the album? Can you tell us that? You ambush the sale, embarrass me in front of the board, and you lied.
You lied to me and everybody else in there.
Calm down, Andre, I did not lie.
You're gonna sit there and tell me that Pop gave you his blessing on this crazy-ass plan? The man doesn't even know his own damn name.
Andre, your father would want Empire to grow, to make more music, not be chopped up like a hoopty and sold for parts.
The success of one album pays for the creation and campaign of the next.
Now, how do you expect us to produce 20 albums with nothing coming in, Ma? We will make it happen.
You mean me! I'm the one that always has to find the money, always has to make the deal, always has to make it work.
Me, not you! Not Jamal, not Hakeem, not Pop me! Okay, I need you to calm down.
You see, I birthed and breastfed your ass into this world, so I deserve some respect.
Not only that, Andre, I'm your boss, okay? So the next time you want to barge in here and pop off, dust your résumé off, okay, because I know your father did not accept - that kind of insubordination.
- Insubordination And I won't either! Go home, Andre.
(chuckles): I see where this is going.
Go home.
I will talk to you in the morning about the 20 For 20 budget.
(bat drops) - Uh, can I get you anything, boss? - No! No.
Thank you, Porsha.
You know, you over there looking like a queen.
- How's that, Porsha? - Sitting on the throne all by yourself.
(Cookie sighs) (thunder rumbles) It's hard to trust people, you know? Kind of get used to being alone, and you feel like you're strong enough to do it all by yourself, but that's not true.
'Cause I do want somebody to believe in me, you know? I want to believe in someone else.
Jamal, I believe in you.
And I believe in this.
I will ride for you No destination But it don't mean nothin' if I don't got you Beside me You got me singin' love, love, love Tell me where you been all my life Come on, baby.
- 'Cause I been lookin' for - (piano plays) BOTH: You, you, you You, you, you You, you, you I been lookin' for - You, you, you - Oh - You, you, you - Eh You, you, you I been lookin' for Yeah I been lookin' for you Mm-hmm (thunder rumbles) If you call my phone I'll always answer People come and go I'll be there forever (exhales) 'Cause it don't mean nothin' If I don't got you beside me Now, said it don't mean nothin' If I don't got you to guide me Love, love, love Tell me where you been all my life Where you been all my life You got me sayin' love, love, love Tell me where you been all my life Oh - You - 'Cause I been lookin' for Hey, you, you, you I been looking' for you - You, you, you - I been lookin' for you You, you, you No, no - Hey - You, you, you - For you, you, you, you, you, you, you - You, you, you - You - You, you, you I been lookin' for You.
(thunder cracks loudly) (grunts) (panting) Dwight, what are you doing up? Are you okay? What are you doing? Are you g-going? You leaving? It's it's time for me to go.
I've made arrangements for someone else to come in.
Is this because I ran off the other day? - That had nothing to do with you.
- No, no.
- I was trying to figure out who I am.
- Dwight, Dwight.
This only works if there's trust.
And I can't do what I do best without complete trust.
And I don't think you trust me.
You're the only one that I do trust.
I'm sorry, Dwight.
(panting) You know, when I woke up in that hospital I didn't remember who I was.
But I looked up and I saw your face, and I felt safe.
Maybe for the first time in my life.
And I know if you leave I won't be safe again.
I'll be stuck in a world full of demons, and they're gonna turn me into a monster that I never wanted to be in the first place.
Please, please don't leave me.
Please.
(whispering): It's okay.
I'm not gonna go.
As y'all can see, I got lucky.
But I will never be the same.
We took Lucious out 'cause you said - we'd be running things.
- It's gonna happen.
(gagging) Anika Lyon? You're under arrest for the murder of Tariq Cousins.
It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out you're up to something.
CLAUDIA: He's redirecting his feelings and his desires onto me.
Lucious.
You're gonna remember me.
I'm Cookie Lyon, baby.
I'm unforgettable.
CLAUDIA: Dwight? We're all set.
Are you ready? Okay, um Maybe I should try doing it by myself, for once.
That's good.
That's really good.
I mean, it's an important first step.
Well, if you need me, I'll be close by.
(grunts) (exhales) (straining) LEAH: Mona Lisa (echoing): Mona Lisa Mona Lisa, men have named you You're so like the lady with the mystic No, no, no, no, what are you doing? - This is your son! - God told me Dwight needed my help! - (coughing) - CLAUDIA: No I know what I know, sister.
- Evilness is in him.
- Enough.
Evilness is in him! (panting) (door opens) Hello? Excuse me.
Excu what's going Can-can I help you? COOKIE: That's right, fellas, take it all to the west wing.
Cookie, what's going on? I- t's 11:00 at night.
- Oh, I know what time it is, sweetie, I'm moving in like I should've did when he came home from the hospital.
- See, this is my house.
- Hey, hey, hey, hey! You bust it, you buy it, and I know you can't afford it.
MAN: Sorry about that, ma'am.
- That's fine.
- Look, I-I know that you may not fully trust me, - but I want to assure you - No, no, no, no, no.
Let me assure you.
I understand that you got a job to do, okay? I hired you to do it.
That man is everything to me and my boys.
And we need him back I need him.
So I'm moving in to supervise.
Don't worry about it.
Come on! Right on around, you know where to go.
Be careful, those are very expensive.
Shh, shh, shh.
No, you shush.
You hurry up and fix my man, or we gonna have a problem.
That's right, fellas, keep going.
Keep going you drop my bag again, baby, that's your ass.
Know I'm okay I just wan-Na Y'all, this song is too good to just be playing at the end of the damn credits.
Everybody's gonna be walking out of the theater.
The hell they will; they gonna sit they asses down - and listen till the song is over.
- Hmm.
Yeah, Jamal, forget the ASAs.
You could win an Oscar for Best Original Song.
WARREN: That's right.
Move over, Celine Dion.
(laughter) Okay.
I am so glad that you finally buried the hatchet with Tory.
I mean, did I really have a choice? Calling me every second, talking about (high-pitched): "Come on, forgive Tory.
Forgive her, Jamal.
" - Okay, that kind of sounds like me.
- (chuckles) But I'm about to start using my powers of persuasion for a job, since I'm only A&R on an interim basis while Cookie looks for someone to replace me.
I don't know why you even stressing over that.
You know my mom.
You gonna get this A&R position, you're gonna help me with my new album it's all love songs.
Love? I wonder what inspired that decision.
You did.
(laughs) (both laugh) ANDRE: Empire XStream is already on track to surpass the competition.
And we have a list of telecommunication companies ready to partner with our artists' releases.
MAN: If you're looking to sell off parts of Empire XStream, Commonpoint Capital wants in.
You can expect a formal offer tomorrow.
- Thank you, sir.
Thank you very much.
- All right.
- All right, thank you.
- Absolutely.
But I'm in love with it I'm in love with you How you doing, Sam? - I'll have the usual.
- Sure.
Are you alone? Not anymore.
(laughs softly) What are you drinking? Whatever you're buying.
Ooh Give me a reason 'Cause I ain't going home - (laughs) - You don't want to start I ain't swinging low I'm just leaning.
(panting) Looks like it's not our night.
My doctor has me on new medication.
Well, tell him he just cost you the best piece of ass you would've ever had.
(claps hands) Okay.
Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind.
Philly.
Excellent.
How about this one? Liberty Bell is near Rittenhouse Square.
CLAUDIA: Excellent.
- COOKIE: Hey, Lucious.
- Hey.
COOKIE: How about we get some breakfast, huh? I want to get your thoughts on, um, us selling Empire XStream.
Andre got a great offer.
I don't have any thoughts on anything like that.
Cookie, Dwight and I are right in the middle of a session.
I can see that.
Uh Look.
You got to remember this one.
This is us, in Philly, where we started.
Is that a gun right there? Cookie, can you excuse us? Well, ask your doctor.
She got all the damn answers.
(sighs) (door opens) All rise.
Be seated.
MYRA: Good morning, Your Honor.
In light of the fact that my client has already spent five months in jail Counselor, is there anything you're about to say That'll make me forget that Ms.
Calhoun is accused of murdering a federal agent? Former agent, Your Honor.
Ms.
Calhoun is not a flight risk.
She wants to clear her name.
I'll take that as a no.
The trial's in six months.
Ms.
Calhoun will remain in custody until then.
No, Your Honor, please! I am innocent! With all due respect, Your Honor, I don't think my client's circumstances are being considered at all.
We would appreciate a chance to be heard.
Hakeem, go get Cookie.
- Tell her to see me now.
- What is she gonna do? Tell her I remember January 7, 2015.
Tell her I remember.
JAMAL: I will ride for you Without a destination I'd die a thousand times for you, yeah (music volume lowers) Guys, I love it.
It's amazing.
I'm on the red-eye to Paris tonight, and I'm taking it with me.
Oh, we can get it to you immediately - if you need - Yeah, no doubt.
Well, hang on, hang on, hang on, hang on.
I got a few tiny changes.
This is gonna be the main title theme song to the movie.
Uh, it's a hero's journey.
It needs to be epic.
Add a string section.
A whole orchestral thing.
Uh, lose the falsetto altogether, uh, and the piano in the middle; add more strings there, too.
Whoa, wait, wait, wait, uh (chuckles) Um, the orchestral thing sounds-sounds pretty cool, but if you if you take out the falsetto and the piano, y-you change the whole arrangement, you really change the whole song.
Which we can do before your flight tonight.
Perfect.
Can't wait.
Thanks.
BECKY: Oh, my God.
(door opens) Yo, man.
What's up, man? H-Have my back, Becky.
Have your b (laughs) Boy, you know I got your back.
But we have a client, and we have to do what he wants, right? We in this together.
Can you make this deadline tonight? All right, let's go get this Oscar.
Get it! COOKIE: All right, where is she? I have a company to run.
(door buzzes, opens) (Thirsty clears throat) - (Cookie scoffs) - Rough.
- Yeah, well, jail ain't for the weak.
- Legit.
(Cookie and Thirsty chuckle) - (clears throat) - (door closes) I see y'all got my message.
Yeah, I managed to crack your code, James Bond.
January 7, 2015.
That's when Bunkie died.
I think you mean killed.
- THIRSTY: Okay.
(clears throat) Okay.
- (sighs) Okay.
Look, you got our attention, we're here.
What do you want? To get the hell up out of here.
Okay, slow your roll, bitch.
For all we know, you did kill Tariq.
You been a snake since day one.
You want this snake to bite? We paid you $25 million to bounce and keep your mouth shut.
But here you are, still around, - still running your mouth, still in the way.
- Okay, okay.
Let's loosen, let's loosen the bra straps, all right? Let's just get to a resolution.
I can get you in front of the U.
S.
Attorney as early as this afternoon.
But to get you out of here - (door buzzes) - you're gonna have to play nice.
Shut up and do exactly what I say.
You okay with that? Nah, it doesn't look familiar at all.
Let's just give it some time.
This is one of your favorite places.
Look, this is the exact booth we're sitting in right now.
Just see if there's some tastes or smells that might trigger some memories.
CLEM: How y'all doing? We got a brick chicken special so good, you'll smack your own mama.
(chuckles) Lucious? Lyon? What's up, L? (laughs) Look at you, coming into my joint all incog-negro.
Boy, you know this is your home.
You gonna feed this woman? How you doing, lady? I'm Clem.
Well, Clem, nice to meet you.
I'm Claudia.
Yeah, you must be some kind of special to be up in here with L.
He only ever comes here with Eddie.
Eddie? Um, I don't know Eddie.
Eddie Barker.
Come on, you trying to tell me you don't know the great composer, arranger and super producer? (chuckles) You know, there was this one time, right after Lucious had won a Grammy, he and Eddie came up in here.
Both of 'em had, on both arms, two of the finest, big-boned sisters You know what, Clem, I think that we should move onto the menu, and we'll hold off on the old stories for now.
Yeah, okay.
I'll get some waters over right away.
Uh It's good to see you up and on your feet, Lucious.
We're all pulling for you.
Thank you, Clem.
Thank you.
I think you hurt his feelings.
I just need to guide the conversation on these initial outings.
Is that what life is like, though? I mean, is it all planned and scheduled? No, of course not.
So, I'm just managing the pace.
Tell me that ain't a banger.
(music volume lowers) - It's too soft.
- Too soft? I remember you saying that about "Drip Drop," and that became your biggest hit.
My biggest pop hit.
The streets still go crazy for "Drip Drop," and you know that.
I could do another "Drip Drop" in my sleep.
But I need to go harder.
It ain't about hip-hop versus pop.
This is about you thinking that you can't top yourself.
Mmm.
(song stops) You know, when Anika was head of A&R, she never tried to analyze me.
She just supported my vision.
Keem, I'm not trying to kill your vibe.
Okay? I'm trying to let you know that if you make a pop record and it blows up, that's how you're gonna get the leverage to do whatever you want around here.
That's how this works.
You want me to top "Drip Drop"? I know your potential.
All right, whatever you want, Becky.
All right, then.
Let's show 'em we still got Lyons roaring up in here.
- Let's get it.
- You're gonna make something better than "Drip Drop," right? Give me something to dance to.
- Drip, drop, drip.
Right? - (laughs) Let's do it.
I trust you.
Hey, where you want to start, boss? No, not yet.
Not till I get this beat out my head.
One for me, before I make one for them.
Well, I think I need to go and find me a restroom.
You know where it is? Just right in the back.
Okay? (drum machine playing) CLEM: Come on, Willy, man, you got to pick up, pick up the pace, man.
Yeah, yeah, sorry, boss.
Hey.
Hey, Clem.
Oh, what you need, L? Do you have a way of getting in touch with Eddie? He probably won't answer his phone today.
His niece is getting married over at his country club.
You been there, right? The Vandeveer? - Vandeveer.
- Yeah.
Thanks, Clem.
CLEM: No problem.
Get the mic.
Let's get it.
HAKEEM: Hey, hey, I don't want to talk about your whereabouts I don't want to Hear the rumors that you hear about No.
So much paper, I take walks Around my bank account It's the only thing that I think about That paper route Uh, everybody want to be a don now But I'm the only one that really get it done now Tell my daddy take a good look at his son now - If you praying on my downfall - Dwight? You should shut up, trick Excuse me, can I get a key to the bathroom? I think there's something wrong with Dwight.
- Dwight? - Lucious.
H-He won't answer.
He ain't in there.
He left.
What do you mean he left? He can't leave.
He's a grown man, lady.
Shut up, trick Vandeveer.
Shut up, shut up Hoo! Shut up, trick.
DRIVER: I can't believe I got you in my cab.
I am the biggest Lucious Lyon fan there's ever been.
You don't even know, man.
You don't even know.
You might be right about that.
You and your music got me so much trim over the years.
I had a whole system.
Called it the "Lucious Lyon Triple Takedown.
" You take a lady to the club, get her out on the dance floor, sweating to your joint, "On the Grind.
" On the way home, get her loose with that "Make You Mine.
" And then, get her freaky in the bedroom with that "Hot Little Thing.
" Whoo! (chuckles) "Hot Little Thing.
" - (guests laughing) - MAN: And now, um, let's hear from our host, huh? And my little brother, Eddie Barker.
(applause) David, Claire, there's plenty of people in this room who'd like to offer you some sage advice about how to have a successful marriage.
(guests murmuring) But my advice to you is - don't listen to any of them.
- (guests laugh) Don't even listen to me.
'Cause everyone has, uh, some idea about how you should live your life and what you should be.
But this is your time, this is your path.
And if, on your journey, you experience struggle or pain, welcome it, 'cause struggles turn love into lasting love.
So let's do a toast to (sighs) to lasting love.
ALL: To lasting love.
(applause) - COOKIE: You lost him? - CLAUDIA: I know.
It's very bad.
And I want you to know nothing like this has ever happened to me before.
It's uh, he was giving me signs - and I miscalculated and - Please, please.
Shh! Shh.
Sit your nervous ass down.
You're making me nervous.
Porsha, get in here! - Cookie, all the media outlets on hold - Bump 'em.
We bumped 'em twice already.
Bump them again, Porsha.
Lucious ran off, we can't find him.
- You want me to call the cops? - Yes.
No! Do not! We don't need that kind of attention from the police, all right? Porsha, please get out.
Thank you.
Okay.
All right.
What triggered him, huh? What did he see, what did you say? - What? - We were at Clem's Joint.
And Clem was I don't know, he was talking about a music producer that he was there with all the time, uh - Eddie! Eddie Barker! - Yes! Porsha, get in here! Get in here, Porsha! Who you need me to bump? No, don't bump.
I just need you to get Eddie Barker on the phone.
I think that's where Lucious is.
I'm sure of it.
(scoffs) Uh, you know what? (snaps fingers) I have the number.
Looks like I'm doing everybody's job today.
If there's an address, I can just go over and get him.
No.
See, Lucious is with Eddie.
He's with family.
That's what's gonna get him back.
Don't know why I hired you.
I will ride for you For you with no destination I would die a thousand times.
For you With no hesitation You, you, you, hey You, you, you You, you, you I been looking for You, you, you Oh, you, you, you Hey You, you, you What the hell is this? Yeah.
Becky, baby, come on.
(laughs) What's good? Hey, Jamal.
(laughs) So, this sounds like a completely different song.
Yes, it is.
Yes, it is.
But listen, we just, I don't know, we were feeling something different, so we just stripped it all away and started from scratch.
All right.
Boy, get out here so we can talk about this.
JAMAL: "Boy, get out here"? Why you barking at me like you're my mama or something? Jamal, why would you construct an entirely different song? Why would I construct an entirely better song? I mean, it's dope.
And Warren loves it, I love it.
Jake's gonna love it.
What? The contracts are already signed on the other song.
What is this? WARREN: Becky, if you just listen to the song, you'll understand why Jamal is Warren, no disrespect, but please mind your damn business because this is about our business, all right? JAMAL: Whoa, Becky.
No disrespect, but you're forgetting that you are interim A&R.
Interim.
So I don't need to explain my music to you or anyone else.
You're really tripping right now.
You were the girl that changed my world (laughs) How that rehab going? You lit the fuse Taking it one step at a time.
EDDIE: Let me tell you.
There was no shortage of shorties back in the day with Lucious Lyon.
Even when you was broke as a joke.
Y'all remember the, um, Lucious Lyon Triple Takedown, right? You know, you get 'em hot and working with, um, "On the Grind," and then-then you get them, get them loose with "I'm-a Make You Mine.
" - Baby, I could make you mine - You mine.
(laughter) MAN: Come on.
That was my cut, man.
But then the killer was I get them freaky with - "Pretty Little Thing.
" - "Hot Little Thing.
" - "Hot Little Thing.
" - I love that.
Why don't you tell these gentlemen the story of the trunk? No, you tell them.
You tell it better than I do.
Before I was writing and producing hits, I was spinning records.
That's how I met Lucious.
I was the first one in New York to play his songs.
And there was this program director, yeah, with the high-top fade; it was turned the wrong way.
Guy wouldn't play a song unless you hit him off.
So, I'm telling Lu, "See, look, Lu, "got to give him some more paper.
"You know, don't be cheap.
Just get his attention.
This is your career.
" (laughing): And so Lucious, he goes down to the station, and he waits for the program director to come out and as soon as the program director comes out, bam.
- (laughing): Whoa.
- EDDIE: Hits him in the nose.
(laughing): He messed up his whole face.
Ah, man.
And then, he grabbed this clown by his Kid 'n Play hairdo (laughs) And he throws him into the trunk, closes the trunk.
He starts driving around the town, slamming on the brakes.
(yelling) Bam! The guy's like, "Oh!" - Bam.
- (high-pitched ringing) - (echoing laughter) - EDDIE (muffled): You can hear the guy screaming from his car.
- Whoa, whoa, man.
- (people gasping) You all right? Sorry, I don't know what happened.
Mrs.
Calhoun has been afraid to come forward with the particular details pertaining to her defense.
Why? Because she fears for her life.
From who? From who? Who? From the FBI, that's who.
Because no action was ever taken against Agent Cousins after he became obsessed with Lucious Lyon and then repeatedly, repeatedly stalked and assaulted his former wife.
Oh, have a gander.
I was caught in a nightmare and they did nothing to stop it.
Mr.
Rawlings, these photos have no bearing in the murder - of Agent Cousins.
- THIRSTY: "No bearings.
" (laughing): Okay.
So, what you're saying is "there needs no ghost come from the grave" to speak on this.
TARIQ: Are you scared of me? ANIKA: Tariq, please don't hurt me.
TARIQ: I been waiting all night for this.
ANIKA: Tariq, no.
Let me go! How do they say over at the FBI? "Lordy, I hope there's tapes.
" Well, there are and I have them.
He forced himself onto me.
He wanted me to run away with him, but I refused.
(sighs) He was so angry.
And-and he tried to kill me, so I No, no, it's okay.
Shh, shh, shh.
- It's okay.
- (cries) That's self-defense.
Self-defense.
Now, you do me a favor.
You take this to trial.
There'll be no conviction.
There's not a jury in the world that will find her guilty.
As a professional courtesy, attorney to attorney, I got to say, I would hate to be in your shoes right now, 'cause you look like you just stepped in (laughs) Well, you know.
(door closes) (playing "I Don't Want to Be Right" by Luther Ingram) If loving you is wrong I don't want to be right If being right means being without you I'd rather live a wrongdoing life Your mama and daddy say it's a shame It's a downright disgrace - (door opens) - As long as I got you By my side I don't care what your people say Your friends tell you it's no future In loving a married man If I can't see you when I want I'll see you when I can Come on, Cookie.
If loving you is wrong BOTH: I don't want to be right If loving you is wrong I don't want to be right I don't want to be right If it means being without you I don't want to be right If it means being without you.
Amazing.
You still got it.
- (laughs) - EDDIE: Hey.
- COOKIE: Good to see you.
- EDDIE: It's good to see you.
CLAUDIA: Excuse me.
Dwight.
We have dinner by the pool.
Eddie.
Thank you for everything today.
You're a really good friend.
I'll call you later, all right? Mm-hmm.
(sighs) He doesn't remember me, Cook.
Doesn't remember anything.
Oh, no.
It's just Lucious.
He-he forgets stuff, but it d-doesn't mean anything.
You know what, I-I've known him for half of his life.
And maybe you want to keep a lid on things, but you don't have to do that with me.
(sighs) He has a traumatic brain injury.
He can't remember anything.
Not even you? Only the family knows, so, please, Eddie, can you keep this between us? Of course.
How you holding up? You all right? Hey, we're good.
We're grinding.
Empire is making money, but Andre tells me not for long.
I mean, soon we're gonna have to start liquidating our assets and I don't know how long we can keep - Lucious's condition on the low.
- No, we're not, you Don't liquidate nothing.
This is just a rough patch.
What do our families do when, uh, a loved one is sick or dying? We step up.
Bring a cake.
- A pie.
(laughs) - (scoffs) - Casserole, baked ham.
- (laughs) You need to need to get those artists and they need to hold you up.
They need to support this.
Uh, with what? Food? With music.
That's what Lucious would want.
Music.
Thank you, Eddie.
(chuckles) COOKIE: Child, if it's gonna rain, move the event inside.
Okay? Don't be so slow.
Hey, let me call you back, Porsha.
Hello.
The hell are you doing going through my drawers? You ain't even supposed to be on this side of the house.
- I need your gun.
- For what? We have to put an end to that witch poisoning my Dwight with her spells.
Spells.
Woman Look, you gonna meet a real witch you go through my drawers again.
- Get yourself out of here.
- No one comes between us and our family.
If they do, we cut them down like I did that bastard Tariq.
What did you say? I put that bastard in the dirt and I sent that whore to prison for it.
I wouldn't think twice about bleeding that new witch to death.
Good night, Cookie.
TORY: Wan-Na Feel Ap-prec-i-ated Oh, oh Am I asking too much? I wanna feel (laughing): Jamal, Jamal.
You are a genius.
The changes you made to give Tory the vocals.
It's-it's perfect.
Thank you so much.
I love it.
I really hope that you like it.
Tory, let's go eat, talk music videos.
(song stops) Look, I understand the way you must feel right now.
So, you've had your best friend backstab you like that before? And take away something that's not theirs to take? Jamal, this is the song that he wanted.
I don't know what you want me to do.
- This is my job.
- Oh, your job? Pull some foolishness like this again, you won't have a job at my label.
This way, Ms.
Walker.
(door closes) Who are these people? Leah.
I think it's time for you to take a break.
We think you should get some rest.
- Okay? - CLAUDIA: We found a a lovely facility for you.
Uh, it's considered the best in the state and Dr.
Givens is gonna be handling your care from now on.
Did this witch put a hex on your tongue? Or are you going to sit there and let them lock me up? Answer me! We have an involuntary commitment contract.
COOKIE (whispers): It's okay.
I know there'll be an evaluation period.
I'm sorry, I know that this must be You go back to hell, bitch! Get off of her! Bitch! COOKIE: No, no, get her off.
(coughs) I know you're in there.
I know what you are.
You're a monster! From the day you were born, I tried to exorcise that evil in you, but it just got bigger and stronger.
(door closes) Hey.
I'm Detective Mitchell.
Las Vegas Metro.
This is Detective Lumley.
How you doing? Detective Pamela Rose.
I'm the NYPD liaison.
I'm just here to facilitate.
MITCHELL: We'll keep this short, Mr.
Lyon.
We've been unable to locate Giuliana Green.
We're wondering if you have any ideas as to where she might have fled.
Does she own any properties abroad? (sighs) Mr.
Lyon? No.
I don't, um, I don't know.
Any associates who might be hiding her? I never knew of any associates outside of her dealings with the casino operations.
I wish I could help you.
THIRSTY: Look, uh, this investigation is of the utmost importance to the Lyon's family, so, any way we can be helpful, give us a call.
- 24-7.
- MITCHELL: All right.
Thank you for your time, Mr.
Lyon.
Yeah, I'll-I'll walk you guys out.
I thought you had an eye on Giuliana.
The other night what was that? Are you trying to set me up? No, I didn't even know who you were.
I was just briefed on the investigation this morning.
So, it was a coincidence? May I ask you a question, Detective? Do you often have sex with strangers in bars? (chuckles) We didn't have sex because you couldn't get it up.
Huh.
COOKIE: How did things go with the boys? I'd like to think we're still making music up in this bitch.
So, Hakeem just delivered a really dope track, and I'll start the campaign around it - as soon as you sign off.
- Mm-hmm.
And Jamal is a different story.
What? So, we had very specific instructions and notes, and a deadline from the producer, but Jamal refused to make any changes, so I replaced his vocals with Tory's.
(sighs) I know.
I feel like dirt.
- Well, what did the producer think? - He loved it.
He threw in half a million for marketing, and he also agreed to finance the video.
Look, Becky, I know you love Jamal, and I know that was very hard to do.
But don't let your heart step on your ambition.
I need strong people around me now more than ever.
Porsha, get legal on the phone.
Have them remove "interim" from Becky's title.
Bump her salary 30% as well.
Uh, thank you, thank you.
Look, I will not let you down.
You better not.
COOKIE: Hello.
Thank you.
(cheers and applause) Thank you.
20 years ago, an Empire was born.
It may not have had thousands of employees or gold records or high-rises on both sides of the country, but there was always music and family and love.
ANDRE: Here comes our announcement.
While Lucious continues his sabbatical, we will honor his legacy with a bold new project that has his blessing.
Starting immediately, we will produce and release a new album for every year we have been in operation.
So, you do the math.
That's 20 new albums to be completed - by the end of the year we can do it.
- MAN: What? The Empire 20 For 20.
It's who we are, it's what we do, and it's worth fighting for.
Thank you.
- (cheers and applause) - REPORTER: Cookie, how do you expect to pull this feat off? REPORTER 2: Who's gonna be the first artist on the album? Can you tell us that? You ambush the sale, embarrass me in front of the board, and you lied.
You lied to me and everybody else in there.
Calm down, Andre, I did not lie.
You're gonna sit there and tell me that Pop gave you his blessing on this crazy-ass plan? The man doesn't even know his own damn name.
Andre, your father would want Empire to grow, to make more music, not be chopped up like a hoopty and sold for parts.
The success of one album pays for the creation and campaign of the next.
Now, how do you expect us to produce 20 albums with nothing coming in, Ma? We will make it happen.
You mean me! I'm the one that always has to find the money, always has to make the deal, always has to make it work.
Me, not you! Not Jamal, not Hakeem, not Pop me! Okay, I need you to calm down.
You see, I birthed and breastfed your ass into this world, so I deserve some respect.
Not only that, Andre, I'm your boss, okay? So the next time you want to barge in here and pop off, dust your résumé off, okay, because I know your father did not accept - that kind of insubordination.
- Insubordination And I won't either! Go home, Andre.
(chuckles): I see where this is going.
Go home.
I will talk to you in the morning about the 20 For 20 budget.
(bat drops) - Uh, can I get you anything, boss? - No! No.
Thank you, Porsha.
You know, you over there looking like a queen.
- How's that, Porsha? - Sitting on the throne all by yourself.
(Cookie sighs) (thunder rumbles) It's hard to trust people, you know? Kind of get used to being alone, and you feel like you're strong enough to do it all by yourself, but that's not true.
'Cause I do want somebody to believe in me, you know? I want to believe in someone else.
Jamal, I believe in you.
And I believe in this.
I will ride for you No destination But it don't mean nothin' if I don't got you Beside me You got me singin' love, love, love Tell me where you been all my life Come on, baby.
- 'Cause I been lookin' for - (piano plays) BOTH: You, you, you You, you, you You, you, you I been lookin' for - You, you, you - Oh - You, you, you - Eh You, you, you I been lookin' for Yeah I been lookin' for you Mm-hmm (thunder rumbles) If you call my phone I'll always answer People come and go I'll be there forever (exhales) 'Cause it don't mean nothin' If I don't got you beside me Now, said it don't mean nothin' If I don't got you to guide me Love, love, love Tell me where you been all my life Where you been all my life You got me sayin' love, love, love Tell me where you been all my life Oh - You - 'Cause I been lookin' for Hey, you, you, you I been looking' for you - You, you, you - I been lookin' for you You, you, you No, no - Hey - You, you, you - For you, you, you, you, you, you, you - You, you, you - You - You, you, you I been lookin' for You.
(thunder cracks loudly) (grunts) (panting) Dwight, what are you doing up? Are you okay? What are you doing? Are you g-going? You leaving? It's it's time for me to go.
I've made arrangements for someone else to come in.
Is this because I ran off the other day? - That had nothing to do with you.
- No, no.
- I was trying to figure out who I am.
- Dwight, Dwight.
This only works if there's trust.
And I can't do what I do best without complete trust.
And I don't think you trust me.
You're the only one that I do trust.
I'm sorry, Dwight.
(panting) You know, when I woke up in that hospital I didn't remember who I was.
But I looked up and I saw your face, and I felt safe.
Maybe for the first time in my life.
And I know if you leave I won't be safe again.
I'll be stuck in a world full of demons, and they're gonna turn me into a monster that I never wanted to be in the first place.
Please, please don't leave me.
Please.
(whispering): It's okay.
I'm not gonna go.