Greenleaf (2016) s03e12 Episode Script
Day of Reckoning
1 Previously on "Greenleaf" I don't trust you anymore.
What? I don't know how I'm gonna ever trust you again.
Bishop Greenleaf! One week before Mae's big day.
You ready? How do you prepare for such a thing? You're really makin' a lot of mistakes lately.
Who the hell is this? BASIE: Brother Greenleaf.
What happened with you and Tasha? One kiss.
One! Are you Darrell James' daughter? I am.
I'm sorry.
They won't listen.
Who won't listen?! - FBI.
- FBI? - Yes, ma'am.
Please step aside.
- You just stop right there.
We have a search-and-seizure warrant, ma'am.
Jacob transferred $200,000 of church funds into what turned out to be a personal account, and then you, Bishop Greenleaf so they think withdrew all those funds and used that to pay off the I.
R.
S.
I've called an emergency meeting of the Deacon board to discuss your removal.
- You came? - What do you want, Lionel? I want to talk about my daughter.
My father passed away this afternoon.
Anything I can do for you? Yeah.
Maybe Sit down for a minute.
Is Lionel my father? I don't know.
Wait.
Wait! Is Lionel my father or not? I told you I don't know.
Do you intend on using this against me? Do you? Because if you do, do it now.
Just scream it down the halls of the church.
Go on, Grace.
Do it and save me.
Just save me from mounting this circus in the shadow of the shame that your father's brought down on us all.
Please, please just do it now.
I would never do that, mama.
You know that.
Then, please Please, Grace I never want to speak about this again.
Please.
Oh, God Amen All right Amen Uh-huh, hmm Ooh-ooh, ooh Well Oh-ohh, ohh Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Amen, amen oh Yeah [DOG BARKING.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
Voicemail again.
- [ICE CLINKING.]
- Look.
Stop calling Basie and just call Tasha.
Look.
Don't you understand he has her phone?! Are you more worried about her or us? Which do you think, Kerissa? I don't know.
Well, why ask something like that? Because I don't know! Ever since you came home last night from seeing Basie But I haven't seen you like this since Zora got stung by that bee, and her throat closed up.
I'm worried about us, okay? - Us and Tasha.
- [SCOFFS.]
You know what? If you heard the way Basie was talking, you'd be worried, too.
Trust me.
I think it's mostly her.
And why would you say that? Because the one thing you haven't done since you came home last night is hug me and tell me we're not gonna lose our church or our home.
- All right.
- And Zora is gone! - Come here.
- And no.
Look at our life, Jacob.
It's ruined! Where you going? Basie and Tasha's.
You already said she couldn't help you, Jacob.
Look.
That's because he's telling her to say that.
And what if you change her mind? Then what? Huh? She loves you, Jacob.
Where does that leave me? Tasha is our only way out of this, if she tells her story to the FBI.
I gotta do something.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Oh, I wish you could have seen that old man's face.
I think he half believes he really did hit this.
I don't want to hear anymore.
Well, I guess you got a hearing problem because I ain't nearly done talkin' about it.
We got to get out of here.
Why? What's up, baby? Jacob's going to eventually come for his little side piece, right? What makes you think that? She's all that's between him and jail.
Come on.
Move your ass, Ro.
Well, I'm not going anywhere.
Yes, you are! Come on! No.
Your husband said get up! Ow! Don't be like that, Ro.
Look.
Why don't y'all just leave me here? I'm not gonna tell anyone.
I promise.
Here's the problem with that, Tash.
I don't trust you anymore.
It's sad.
Ro, do me a favor.
Pack her bag up and meet me at that motel by the raceway, and where's the money you said you were gonna give me - when we talked on the phone? - It's right here.
Where did that money come from? None of your damn business.
Is that the money Bishop gave you, the money you were supposed to invest for him?! Tash, when ro says it's none of your business, it's for your own damn good.
Now go pack your bags.
[SIGHS.]
Bas, you're gonna need to use that money for the bookies in Newport.
No, I ain't payin' nobody nothin'.
Look.
That was a part of the plan.
That's this is what we gonna live on, Ro me, Tasha, and you once we cross that old little border to Mexico.
How that sound, baby? I know I've been gone.
I get it.
I'm gonna buy us a car, clothes, a bottle or two.
I'll see you soon That place by the raceway.
We'll be there.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- Now go pack your bag unless you want me to do it.
[CLENCHING TEETH.]
Girl, get your ass over there! MAXINE: Have you talked to Grace yet? Well, yes.
I did.
Girl, I'm so proud of you.
She came to me with it, actually.
And how did she find out? Apparently, Lionel told his son.
So what's the good news? Are you feeling better now that it's out in the open? Oh, what if she tells James? What's that old sinner gonna do, stand outside with a clown-frown face and a sign that says, "she's as bad as me"? - [LAUGHING.]
- Ah, I don't think so.
Oh.
Oh, Maxine, I'm gonna miss you so much.
You're gonna be fine, Pastor.
[CELLPHONE RINGING.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
- Hello? - GRACE: Hey.
It's your, um, maybe half-sister.
Oh.
Hey.
- You got a second? - Yeah.
Everything okay? Yeah.
I was Wondering what you thought of the idea of Maybe taking a blood test Just to be sure.
Tell me where to be.
You haven't told Kevin, have you? No.
Good.
[SIGHS.]
So, um, later today? Whenever, wherever.
Thank you, Aaron.
I'll call you.
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
So who was that? Tasha.
Tasha! Tasha! ELLIOT: This isn't easy to say, but I think it's your best bet, given the fact that the U.
S.
attorney might be filing charges later this week.
And what charges specifically? Bank fraud, wire fraud.
And Jacob? The same, but you have a defense your son doesn't have, Bishop.
That's cold comfort, but tell me.
Cognitive dysfunction.
You mean I'd say I'm senile? There are cases where it's worked in the past.
How can I hope to run this church if I publicly claim that I'm mentally incompetent? Daddy, we're just trying to keep you out of jail.
What after this Sunday Your mother's little festival? Well, after that, Gigi, she's gone.
Now, I can't have these people thinking that I'm losing it.
The deacons are gunning after me as it is, but thank you, though.
Uh, if you two will excuse me, I have a baptism to perform, and you'll notice that I'm not carrying my book of prayer.
That's because I've got the whole service Up here.
You could go to jail, Bishop, for years.
That's a very real possibility.
Son My concern over this is keeping my church, not losing it to my ex-wife, and I'm I'm fairly certain I won't be going to jail.
[SCOFFS.]
How can you be so sure? The other night, Elliot and I'm I'm sure you'll scoff at this The Lord gave me a a vision into the last moment of my life.
Now, it it wasn't nothin' specific, but let's just say [CHUCKLES.]
it wasn't a prison.
What was it? Do you believe in visions? Now, be honest because God's listenin'.
I'm not sure.
Then I can't tell you Because you wouldn't believe me anyway.
- Elliot.
- Bishop.
[DOOR OPENS.]
So the only way to keep him out of jail is that we have to turn Tasha Skanks.
I don't see any other way.
Thanks for doing this, Aaron.
Of course.
It's better for all of us to know the truth, right? [LAUGHS.]
What's so funny? I just [SIGHS.]
Oh.
Just how rarely I hear that, considering I work at a church.
Such is life, huh? Yeah.
Speaking of which - You told Kevin.
- I had to.
He asked why we've been talking so much lately.
Will you at least wait to talk to Charity - until we know for sure? - Totally.
I just I want to be able to manage how my father finds out, if this is true.
- [CELLPHONE RINGING.]
- He won't tell a soul.
Oh.
Call me when you hear back? You'll be the first one I tell.
All right.
Thank you.
[RINGING CONTINUES.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
Jacob? Sorry.
I was in a meeting.
[SIGHS.]
I swear If we can hold onto this church through all this mess, it'll be a miracle.
Were you able to reach Tasha? No.
I haven't.
[SIGHS.]
I did go by her house this morning.
Nobody was there.
And from the looks of the place, nobody's coming back.
Isaiah.
I'm busy.
Come look at this tour promo I cut.
[SIGHS.]
Pipe down.
It's always about you.
Okay, so I used a bunch of old clips from your past shows, and then I was thinking we could play a tiny bit of "God step over it", but with the remix with lecrae And I think it'll make it pop, right? Who are you texting? Kamora? Nobody.
Gimme a sec.
It's your tour.
I shouldn't care about it more than you do.
All right.
Let's see.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS.]
Okay.
Great! Yeah.
Stick it up on the site, and, uh, babe, can you get started on my packin'? Yeah, I'm late.
I'm packing your clothes now? I mean, you know, just lay out a few options.
H-how you say? "Make it pop.
" [CHUCKLES.]
I want an official title.
My girl.
Doesn't get any more official than that.
A paid position.
I'm already doing like 10 jobs for you.
If you're not gonna let me go to Spelman or anywhere, let me get a job.
As what? I don't know, a videographer? Let your label pay me.
I'll talk to the label.
That's all I wanted.
Now start packin'! Yeah, I heard that's prime real estate for videographers' job description packin' your man.
- [TELEPHONE RINGS.]
- ROCHELLE: Hello? Hey, Rochelle.
It's Coralie Hunter.
Hey, girl.
How you doin'? My oldest just texted me the address of their foster home, Ro.
They want me to come get 'em.
Coralie, we've been through this.
All right? You just have to wait 'til after your court date, okay? If you take those kids without permission from the courts, you'll never see 'em again.
I'm not gonna wait for the trial.
Since when?! You promised me.
They're not safe where they are.
Uh, they don't give me details when they call, but I can tell it is it's not good.
I just want to get them out of there today and go, but I need money, and I I I can't ask Grace.
She doesn't understand.
Where are you? Home.
Stay right there.
[CAR DOOR OPENS.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
[SIGHS.]
MAN: Oh.
- Hey! - Bishop.
[LAUGHS.]
God is so good.
- All the time.
- All the time.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well, most of the time, anyway.
Philip Demars, huh? [CHUCKLES.]
Bishop Greenleaf, how you doing, sir? Hey.
Harmony and Hope Ministries, isn't it? [CHUCKLES.]
Very funny, Bishop.
Very funny.
So What brings you to Calvary? I invited him, James.
You remember.
Oh, yes.
Connie did mention it.
How is it over at H&H? Well, we have churches in over 100 countries now.
Mm.
Next stop, North Korea.
Well, fingers crossed.
Well, that's fantastic.
Just fantastic.
I'll leave you two to conspire.
Good seeing you, James.
And it was good to see you, too, Phil and It's still "Bishop", and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
If you ask me That's a church man who knows his days are numbered.
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
[SCOFFS.]
[SIGHS.]
Everything okay? Yeah, just Kerissa driving me crazy, man.
She thinks Tasha's in love with me.
Why would she think that? Because we kissed once.
You Jacob! What'd you hit me for?! Man, when are you gonna grow up? What do you mean, "grow up"? It's barely a kiss.
Barely a ki do you love her? Who? Tasha? No.
You still love Kerissa? After all these years? I guess.
I mean, are things the way they used to be? No.
But, I mean, you know How are things with you and Darius? Not great.
[SIGHS.]
Not even good, really.
That is the least of my problems.
Kerissa, though [SIGHS.]
I mean Yeah? I don't know.
I I I Sometimes I think You know, I wonder if we ever did break up, if anybody else would notice what she looks like when she When she sleeps, you know? [CHUCKLES.]
I can always feel, like, this little bone in her cheek, you know, when I kiss her good morning.
I feel that cheekbone Against mine, and, uh You know, I know she's It's her.
- She's in there.
- Mm-hmm.
[VEHICLE APPROACHES.]
Yo, you see this? Is that Tasha with her? I told you it would take a miracle.
Wait, no, no, no, wait.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[WHISPERING.]
Okay.
Let's go.
So, you're Rochelle's sister-in-law.
Yeah.
Thank you again for all your help with the kids and everything.
Oh, no worries.
I've been there.
Um, would you mind if I used your phone - for just a quick second? - Sure.
Tasha, let's not be rude now.
Whatever business you got, we can handle it later, - after we - [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
You expecting somebody? Don't you dare open that door! I'm sorry.
Jacob! After everything I've done for you?! Oh, this white folks' rules, for sure.
Grace told me what you've done to her father, to her family.
You believed her? I didn't entirely at first, but I do now.
- Tasha, let's go.
- No.
We're getting outta here! These folks ain't your family.
I am.
Let's go! You have been nothin' but trouble for me, Rochelle.
And what about Basie? What about him? The way he saved you, Tasha, lifted you up from the gutter I saved myself with God.
She belongs to Basie.
Well, she's with us now, Rochelle.
Okay.
All right.
Rot in hell.
GRACE: Hey.
Your kids are better off with somebody else.
Their mother is nothing but a lying, little, murdering bitch! Stop it, Rochelle! This is over! Let it go! At the end of the day you're nothing like me.
I know I'm a sinner deserving of hell, but you You think you're some damn Saint! - No, I don't.
- Oh, yes, you do.
You think you're on the right side 'cause that's what happens when you get all the money growing up.
It fools you into thinking you're all right, and you're not.
Let's see which one of us is sitting on the right side of God on that day.
I hope we both are.
- You whore! - What'd you call me? I know what you did in Phoenix.
[DOOR OPENS, SLAMS.]
We gonna call the feds or what? Are you okay to talk to the FBI tonight? Yeah.
And you'll make it clear my father and my brother had nothing to do with any of this.
Yes.
We're gonna let her get away? Jacob, I don't care about that.
I just care about you and Daddy.
Let it go.
[TIRES SCREECHING.]
[SIGHS.]
Can you give me a moment to talk to Coralie? All right.
Come on.
We'll wait in the car.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
You'll tell the FBI I helped you, right? - You promised you would.
- Of course I will.
When Ellie introduces it as evidence into your case, the jury's gonna know that you are a good person, and you are.
I don't feel like one right now.
You did the right thing but I'm not gonna rest until you are free and back with your kids for good.
[SIGHS.]
Thank you.
Tasha, I'm a married man.
I'm gonna be faithful to Kerissa from now on.
I know that.
Well, I hope this doesn't change anything.
Hope you'll still Help us clear this whole thing up.
Yeah.
Of of course.
Hey.
You ready to tell the truth? Yeah.
Let's do it.
Let's go.
Hey, you got my charger? Yeah, it's right here, and I put my cut for the promo in there.
Why you telling me? 'Cause I'm out.
I'm leaving.
Wait, wait.
What? We both leavin'.
No.
I'm going back to Memphis.
I mean, I've done what you asked me to do.
I've dealt with the side-chick crap.
I've been your assistant, videographer, editor, graphic designer, mama, maid.
I didn't ask you to do half of that stuff you run around doing.
Because I was bored.
So I'm boring now? That it? Well, guess what? You're pretty boring, too.
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout.
Bye.
Okay, see See, I never should have came back for your ungrateful ass.
Never should have messed with you in the first place.
Should have stuck it in your cousin like she wanted.
You ain't goin' nowhere.
- Isaiah, move.
- Make me.
Isaiah, I said move! [GRUNTS.]
Huh? Huh? - Get off of me! - Now what, huh? [GRUNTS.]
We're on live, Isaiah.
Now let everyone know you're gonna keep away from me while I walk out this door.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
May I? Well, make it quick.
I have to finish this sermon before tomorrow.
I just I just heard from Gigi.
She's with Tasha Skanks, talking with the FBI.
It looks like this is a hurdle we've cleared.
You must be relieved.
Well, I would be If I wasn't quite so aware of another, taller one ahead.
What did you do now, James? It's not me.
It's Connie.
She's talking with Philip Demars again about us joining Harmony and Hope.
I'll see that doesn't happen.
Have your day tomorrow and leave in a trail of glory.
If you stick around and try to fight me for this church, it'll send a message to the deacons that we're neither one of us fit to lead.
You seal my day tomorrow with a public announcement that I heretofore will be co-Pastor.
No.
I deserve that position as much as you do, James, more to be honest.
And that's why I won't do it! For months now, you've been beatin' me down with your holy superiority.
Well, I will not have my soul weighed by you.
That's a job for Saint Peter or Jesus.
You you are just another sinner.
I know that, James.
Tell me everything you did, and you tell me that it's no better or worse than what I did.
Say it! "Pride goeth before a fall.
" [UPBEAT PIANO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[LIGHT CHEERS.]
[TEMPO INCREASES.]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall continually be in my mind.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord.
Let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name today.
A change A change has come over Me He changed He changed My life My life And now I'm free-e-e-e-e [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
He changed My life complete And now I sit I sit at his feet To do what must be done I'll work and work Until he comes A wonderful change Has come over Me A wonderful Wonderful Change Has come over me oh, it's all over me Lord, you changed My life complete Change And now I sit Change I sit at his feet Whoo! He changed the way I walk The way I be-e-e-e-e-e-e-e Thank God Thank God I've got you Change I've been set free Ah-ah Ahhhhh A wonderful change So glad, so glad has come I'm gonna walk on in his glory Over me-e-e-e-e-e Yeah Yeah ooooooh Hallelujah [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
- Thank you, Lord! - Thank you! Thank you! All right, Charity.
I would like for Charity to do the honors.
Oh! Yes! Um Well, what can I say? Calvary, guests, I call her mama.
And I, starting today, am calling her Pastor Greenleaf.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Come on out here, Pastor Mae Greenleaf! Whooooo! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
Hey, it's me.
I just got the results.
Mnh-mnh.
I haven't opened them yet.
Can you come to the church? [MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[CAR DOOR CLOSES.]
Thanks for coming.
No worries.
Thanks.
Where to? [DISTANT CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Gigi.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Hey, Daddy.
How's it goin' in there? Mm.
If I had to answer with the impartiality of the journalist that I once was Extraordinarily.
- Hm.
- Mm.
Well [INHALES.]
Thank you.
For what, Daddy? [INHALES.]
I was foolish, and you loved me.
I put myself and this whole family in jeopardy, and You never stopped fighting to save us all and I thank you.
I love you, Daddy.
I know.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
[VOICE BREAKING.]
I know it.
I treasure you.
I have never felt so Humbled.
All you've done for me, my precious daughter [SNIFFLING.]
I thank you.
[SOBS.]
If there's one thing I could go back and change in the preaching that I heard as a girl, it would be what I heard about that dreaded day of reckonin'.
[SCATTERED APPROVAL.]
That dreaded day when the dead would rise up from the grave.
You remember, don't you? AUDIENCE: Yes! Yes, and every soul was gonna get what they deserved.
Yes! Yeah! Yes! Yeah! I mean, here I am A little, bitty, precious baby girl, and I just knew I had sinned.
I don't know must have been that chocolate-chip cookie I took out of the kitchen, but I knew That I had sinned.
If I could just go back and just put some small measure of tenderness in the hearts of those men who were preaching to me some small drop of wisdom in their minds so that they might have encouraged me.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Oh How I wished that they had filled me With the confidence That Jesus bought and paid for on that cross! Yes! So that on that day of that great reckoning, I really would have gotten all that I deserved, which is the undying love of my Lord! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
And we are going to replace all that fear with love.
[CHEERING.]
Love! Hey, you got a second? For what? Would you look at me, please? What? I love you.
- I know.
- No.
I mean it, kee.
I love you.
I was talking with Gigi last night, and And I realized I love you.
You realized it? Yeah.
Jacob.
If you just take this book up and read it, you cannot not know that God loves you.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Oh, it's all through this book, and if you read this book and you feel unloved, Satan has intervened.
Amen! Hallelujah! Ladies, you know in some of our troubled neighborhoods, every summer, we have that "take back the night.
" Well, sisters, let me tell you somethin'.
Today, you know what we doin'? We are going to take back the light.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[CHEERING FADES.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Just thought I'd come by to give you what God is too selfish to give.
- JAMES: Son, don't do this.
- You think I want to, old man? All I wanted was to shut you down, old man, teach you a lesson, but you got somethin', I don't know, Satan or somebody demons protecting you.
No, this is your fault.
The only way to stop you is to kill you dead.
- Son - I'm not your son, boy! We really don't Have to look.
We do.
I do.
[SIGHING.]
Gosh, I Guess I'm more like these people than I thought.
How so? [CHUCKLES.]
I'm always giving everyone such a hard time for not facing up to the truth, but I won't face this.
You know, it might not be what you think it is.
And if it is? I'm telling you this out of nothin' but love for you.
- Love? - Don't! - You killed my Daddy! - I didn't mean to do it! Now the truth is comin' out.
If you shoot me Mm-hmm.
it'll be two lives I've taken.
I'd have made you a murderer, and your life, what's left of it, will be over.
Get away! Get away! It's not just about me.
To see that light in my father's eyes that's been there since the day that I was born fade away, I hate that my mother has put us both in this position to lose so much all at once.
Grace, I mean it.
We really don't have to you've lost your church You lost your wife And now you've lost your soul.
Shut up.
All for what? To make me pay Mm-hmm.
to met out justice, the job you know full well is the Lord's alone? - No, you got to pay.
- You don't have to Not any more than you already have.
And I've got to tell you something about my sister right here.
Are we not so grateful to have Maxine Patterson in the house? Aren't we? Oh, she's been so supportive and so kind, and you know what she told me? She told me, "the truth will set you free.
" That's what I told you, Mae.
- Didn't you? - Yes, I did.
To have to live with those questions every day, Jacob [VOICE BREAKING.]
"Why am I not enough for him? What's wrong with me? Why would he even pick me if he didn't even really want me?" Kerissa, you are enough.
All right, there's nothing the matter with you, and you're all I want.
I know that now.
It's too late.
Please don't do this.
I don't have any choice.
I just want the pain to stop.
It has to end.
That's right.
Oh, my.
And if you really want to change everything you got to start with the truth.
Yes! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Start with the truth and walk in love and faith and the change will take care of itself.
I want a divorce, Jacob.
[DOOR UNLOCKING, OPENS.]
[SNIFFLING.]
All you are is a man With a broken heart and debts to pay.
If you pull that trigger, you'll spend the rest of your life behind bars.
No.
They not gonna catch me.
But you'll catch yourself! You'll look in that mirror and you'll see the thief that stole the joy of every moment of your life.
I see him every day.
Now, you give me that gun.
Don't come any closer.
- Give me the gun.
- I said, "don't come any closer.
" Give me the gun.
I said, "don't come any closer"! The day of reckoning Is today.
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING.]
The day of reckoning is today.
God's great day of reckoning is any day that you step out on faith, say, "thank you, Jesus," and take what's yours because the day of reckoning is Today.
You're a man of God, Basie.
Under all the pain and vengeful feelings, - you are a man of God.
- Mmmm.
No one could preach like you without knowing that God, God is God, without knowing what life is.
You know.
[SNIFFLING.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
Get ready to die, Bishop.
If you're the man you think you are, say hi to Jesus for me.
If you're what I know you are, you're gonna burn just like my Daddy.
What? I don't know how I'm gonna ever trust you again.
Bishop Greenleaf! One week before Mae's big day.
You ready? How do you prepare for such a thing? You're really makin' a lot of mistakes lately.
Who the hell is this? BASIE: Brother Greenleaf.
What happened with you and Tasha? One kiss.
One! Are you Darrell James' daughter? I am.
I'm sorry.
They won't listen.
Who won't listen?! - FBI.
- FBI? - Yes, ma'am.
Please step aside.
- You just stop right there.
We have a search-and-seizure warrant, ma'am.
Jacob transferred $200,000 of church funds into what turned out to be a personal account, and then you, Bishop Greenleaf so they think withdrew all those funds and used that to pay off the I.
R.
S.
I've called an emergency meeting of the Deacon board to discuss your removal.
- You came? - What do you want, Lionel? I want to talk about my daughter.
My father passed away this afternoon.
Anything I can do for you? Yeah.
Maybe Sit down for a minute.
Is Lionel my father? I don't know.
Wait.
Wait! Is Lionel my father or not? I told you I don't know.
Do you intend on using this against me? Do you? Because if you do, do it now.
Just scream it down the halls of the church.
Go on, Grace.
Do it and save me.
Just save me from mounting this circus in the shadow of the shame that your father's brought down on us all.
Please, please just do it now.
I would never do that, mama.
You know that.
Then, please Please, Grace I never want to speak about this again.
Please.
Oh, God Amen All right Amen Uh-huh, hmm Ooh-ooh, ooh Well Oh-ohh, ohh Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh Amen, amen oh Yeah [DOG BARKING.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
Voicemail again.
- [ICE CLINKING.]
- Look.
Stop calling Basie and just call Tasha.
Look.
Don't you understand he has her phone?! Are you more worried about her or us? Which do you think, Kerissa? I don't know.
Well, why ask something like that? Because I don't know! Ever since you came home last night from seeing Basie But I haven't seen you like this since Zora got stung by that bee, and her throat closed up.
I'm worried about us, okay? - Us and Tasha.
- [SCOFFS.]
You know what? If you heard the way Basie was talking, you'd be worried, too.
Trust me.
I think it's mostly her.
And why would you say that? Because the one thing you haven't done since you came home last night is hug me and tell me we're not gonna lose our church or our home.
- All right.
- And Zora is gone! - Come here.
- And no.
Look at our life, Jacob.
It's ruined! Where you going? Basie and Tasha's.
You already said she couldn't help you, Jacob.
Look.
That's because he's telling her to say that.
And what if you change her mind? Then what? Huh? She loves you, Jacob.
Where does that leave me? Tasha is our only way out of this, if she tells her story to the FBI.
I gotta do something.
[DOOR OPENS.]
Oh, I wish you could have seen that old man's face.
I think he half believes he really did hit this.
I don't want to hear anymore.
Well, I guess you got a hearing problem because I ain't nearly done talkin' about it.
We got to get out of here.
Why? What's up, baby? Jacob's going to eventually come for his little side piece, right? What makes you think that? She's all that's between him and jail.
Come on.
Move your ass, Ro.
Well, I'm not going anywhere.
Yes, you are! Come on! No.
Your husband said get up! Ow! Don't be like that, Ro.
Look.
Why don't y'all just leave me here? I'm not gonna tell anyone.
I promise.
Here's the problem with that, Tash.
I don't trust you anymore.
It's sad.
Ro, do me a favor.
Pack her bag up and meet me at that motel by the raceway, and where's the money you said you were gonna give me - when we talked on the phone? - It's right here.
Where did that money come from? None of your damn business.
Is that the money Bishop gave you, the money you were supposed to invest for him?! Tash, when ro says it's none of your business, it's for your own damn good.
Now go pack your bags.
[SIGHS.]
Bas, you're gonna need to use that money for the bookies in Newport.
No, I ain't payin' nobody nothin'.
Look.
That was a part of the plan.
That's this is what we gonna live on, Ro me, Tasha, and you once we cross that old little border to Mexico.
How that sound, baby? I know I've been gone.
I get it.
I'm gonna buy us a car, clothes, a bottle or two.
I'll see you soon That place by the raceway.
We'll be there.
- [DOOR CLOSES.]
- Now go pack your bag unless you want me to do it.
[CLENCHING TEETH.]
Girl, get your ass over there! MAXINE: Have you talked to Grace yet? Well, yes.
I did.
Girl, I'm so proud of you.
She came to me with it, actually.
And how did she find out? Apparently, Lionel told his son.
So what's the good news? Are you feeling better now that it's out in the open? Oh, what if she tells James? What's that old sinner gonna do, stand outside with a clown-frown face and a sign that says, "she's as bad as me"? - [LAUGHING.]
- Ah, I don't think so.
Oh.
Oh, Maxine, I'm gonna miss you so much.
You're gonna be fine, Pastor.
[CELLPHONE RINGING.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
- Hello? - GRACE: Hey.
It's your, um, maybe half-sister.
Oh.
Hey.
- You got a second? - Yeah.
Everything okay? Yeah.
I was Wondering what you thought of the idea of Maybe taking a blood test Just to be sure.
Tell me where to be.
You haven't told Kevin, have you? No.
Good.
[SIGHS.]
So, um, later today? Whenever, wherever.
Thank you, Aaron.
I'll call you.
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
So who was that? Tasha.
Tasha! Tasha! ELLIOT: This isn't easy to say, but I think it's your best bet, given the fact that the U.
S.
attorney might be filing charges later this week.
And what charges specifically? Bank fraud, wire fraud.
And Jacob? The same, but you have a defense your son doesn't have, Bishop.
That's cold comfort, but tell me.
Cognitive dysfunction.
You mean I'd say I'm senile? There are cases where it's worked in the past.
How can I hope to run this church if I publicly claim that I'm mentally incompetent? Daddy, we're just trying to keep you out of jail.
What after this Sunday Your mother's little festival? Well, after that, Gigi, she's gone.
Now, I can't have these people thinking that I'm losing it.
The deacons are gunning after me as it is, but thank you, though.
Uh, if you two will excuse me, I have a baptism to perform, and you'll notice that I'm not carrying my book of prayer.
That's because I've got the whole service Up here.
You could go to jail, Bishop, for years.
That's a very real possibility.
Son My concern over this is keeping my church, not losing it to my ex-wife, and I'm I'm fairly certain I won't be going to jail.
[SCOFFS.]
How can you be so sure? The other night, Elliot and I'm I'm sure you'll scoff at this The Lord gave me a a vision into the last moment of my life.
Now, it it wasn't nothin' specific, but let's just say [CHUCKLES.]
it wasn't a prison.
What was it? Do you believe in visions? Now, be honest because God's listenin'.
I'm not sure.
Then I can't tell you Because you wouldn't believe me anyway.
- Elliot.
- Bishop.
[DOOR OPENS.]
So the only way to keep him out of jail is that we have to turn Tasha Skanks.
I don't see any other way.
Thanks for doing this, Aaron.
Of course.
It's better for all of us to know the truth, right? [LAUGHS.]
What's so funny? I just [SIGHS.]
Oh.
Just how rarely I hear that, considering I work at a church.
Such is life, huh? Yeah.
Speaking of which - You told Kevin.
- I had to.
He asked why we've been talking so much lately.
Will you at least wait to talk to Charity - until we know for sure? - Totally.
I just I want to be able to manage how my father finds out, if this is true.
- [CELLPHONE RINGING.]
- He won't tell a soul.
Oh.
Call me when you hear back? You'll be the first one I tell.
All right.
Thank you.
[RINGING CONTINUES.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
Jacob? Sorry.
I was in a meeting.
[SIGHS.]
I swear If we can hold onto this church through all this mess, it'll be a miracle.
Were you able to reach Tasha? No.
I haven't.
[SIGHS.]
I did go by her house this morning.
Nobody was there.
And from the looks of the place, nobody's coming back.
Isaiah.
I'm busy.
Come look at this tour promo I cut.
[SIGHS.]
Pipe down.
It's always about you.
Okay, so I used a bunch of old clips from your past shows, and then I was thinking we could play a tiny bit of "God step over it", but with the remix with lecrae And I think it'll make it pop, right? Who are you texting? Kamora? Nobody.
Gimme a sec.
It's your tour.
I shouldn't care about it more than you do.
All right.
Let's see.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS.]
Okay.
Great! Yeah.
Stick it up on the site, and, uh, babe, can you get started on my packin'? Yeah, I'm late.
I'm packing your clothes now? I mean, you know, just lay out a few options.
H-how you say? "Make it pop.
" [CHUCKLES.]
I want an official title.
My girl.
Doesn't get any more official than that.
A paid position.
I'm already doing like 10 jobs for you.
If you're not gonna let me go to Spelman or anywhere, let me get a job.
As what? I don't know, a videographer? Let your label pay me.
I'll talk to the label.
That's all I wanted.
Now start packin'! Yeah, I heard that's prime real estate for videographers' job description packin' your man.
- [TELEPHONE RINGS.]
- ROCHELLE: Hello? Hey, Rochelle.
It's Coralie Hunter.
Hey, girl.
How you doin'? My oldest just texted me the address of their foster home, Ro.
They want me to come get 'em.
Coralie, we've been through this.
All right? You just have to wait 'til after your court date, okay? If you take those kids without permission from the courts, you'll never see 'em again.
I'm not gonna wait for the trial.
Since when?! You promised me.
They're not safe where they are.
Uh, they don't give me details when they call, but I can tell it is it's not good.
I just want to get them out of there today and go, but I need money, and I I I can't ask Grace.
She doesn't understand.
Where are you? Home.
Stay right there.
[CAR DOOR OPENS.]
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
[SIGHS.]
MAN: Oh.
- Hey! - Bishop.
[LAUGHS.]
God is so good.
- All the time.
- All the time.
[CHUCKLES.]
Well, most of the time, anyway.
Philip Demars, huh? [CHUCKLES.]
Bishop Greenleaf, how you doing, sir? Hey.
Harmony and Hope Ministries, isn't it? [CHUCKLES.]
Very funny, Bishop.
Very funny.
So What brings you to Calvary? I invited him, James.
You remember.
Oh, yes.
Connie did mention it.
How is it over at H&H? Well, we have churches in over 100 countries now.
Mm.
Next stop, North Korea.
Well, fingers crossed.
Well, that's fantastic.
Just fantastic.
I'll leave you two to conspire.
Good seeing you, James.
And it was good to see you, too, Phil and It's still "Bishop", and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
If you ask me That's a church man who knows his days are numbered.
[CELLPHONE BEEPS.]
[SCOFFS.]
[SIGHS.]
Everything okay? Yeah, just Kerissa driving me crazy, man.
She thinks Tasha's in love with me.
Why would she think that? Because we kissed once.
You Jacob! What'd you hit me for?! Man, when are you gonna grow up? What do you mean, "grow up"? It's barely a kiss.
Barely a ki do you love her? Who? Tasha? No.
You still love Kerissa? After all these years? I guess.
I mean, are things the way they used to be? No.
But, I mean, you know How are things with you and Darius? Not great.
[SIGHS.]
Not even good, really.
That is the least of my problems.
Kerissa, though [SIGHS.]
I mean Yeah? I don't know.
I I I Sometimes I think You know, I wonder if we ever did break up, if anybody else would notice what she looks like when she When she sleeps, you know? [CHUCKLES.]
I can always feel, like, this little bone in her cheek, you know, when I kiss her good morning.
I feel that cheekbone Against mine, and, uh You know, I know she's It's her.
- She's in there.
- Mm-hmm.
[VEHICLE APPROACHES.]
Yo, you see this? Is that Tasha with her? I told you it would take a miracle.
Wait, no, no, no, wait.
[EXHALES SHARPLY.]
[WHISPERING.]
Okay.
Let's go.
So, you're Rochelle's sister-in-law.
Yeah.
Thank you again for all your help with the kids and everything.
Oh, no worries.
I've been there.
Um, would you mind if I used your phone - for just a quick second? - Sure.
Tasha, let's not be rude now.
Whatever business you got, we can handle it later, - after we - [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
You expecting somebody? Don't you dare open that door! I'm sorry.
Jacob! After everything I've done for you?! Oh, this white folks' rules, for sure.
Grace told me what you've done to her father, to her family.
You believed her? I didn't entirely at first, but I do now.
- Tasha, let's go.
- No.
We're getting outta here! These folks ain't your family.
I am.
Let's go! You have been nothin' but trouble for me, Rochelle.
And what about Basie? What about him? The way he saved you, Tasha, lifted you up from the gutter I saved myself with God.
She belongs to Basie.
Well, she's with us now, Rochelle.
Okay.
All right.
Rot in hell.
GRACE: Hey.
Your kids are better off with somebody else.
Their mother is nothing but a lying, little, murdering bitch! Stop it, Rochelle! This is over! Let it go! At the end of the day you're nothing like me.
I know I'm a sinner deserving of hell, but you You think you're some damn Saint! - No, I don't.
- Oh, yes, you do.
You think you're on the right side 'cause that's what happens when you get all the money growing up.
It fools you into thinking you're all right, and you're not.
Let's see which one of us is sitting on the right side of God on that day.
I hope we both are.
- You whore! - What'd you call me? I know what you did in Phoenix.
[DOOR OPENS, SLAMS.]
We gonna call the feds or what? Are you okay to talk to the FBI tonight? Yeah.
And you'll make it clear my father and my brother had nothing to do with any of this.
Yes.
We're gonna let her get away? Jacob, I don't care about that.
I just care about you and Daddy.
Let it go.
[TIRES SCREECHING.]
[SIGHS.]
Can you give me a moment to talk to Coralie? All right.
Come on.
We'll wait in the car.
[DOOR OPENS, CLOSES.]
You'll tell the FBI I helped you, right? - You promised you would.
- Of course I will.
When Ellie introduces it as evidence into your case, the jury's gonna know that you are a good person, and you are.
I don't feel like one right now.
You did the right thing but I'm not gonna rest until you are free and back with your kids for good.
[SIGHS.]
Thank you.
Tasha, I'm a married man.
I'm gonna be faithful to Kerissa from now on.
I know that.
Well, I hope this doesn't change anything.
Hope you'll still Help us clear this whole thing up.
Yeah.
Of of course.
Hey.
You ready to tell the truth? Yeah.
Let's do it.
Let's go.
Hey, you got my charger? Yeah, it's right here, and I put my cut for the promo in there.
Why you telling me? 'Cause I'm out.
I'm leaving.
Wait, wait.
What? We both leavin'.
No.
I'm going back to Memphis.
I mean, I've done what you asked me to do.
I've dealt with the side-chick crap.
I've been your assistant, videographer, editor, graphic designer, mama, maid.
I didn't ask you to do half of that stuff you run around doing.
Because I was bored.
So I'm boring now? That it? Well, guess what? You're pretty boring, too.
You know what I'm talkin' 'bout.
Bye.
Okay, see See, I never should have came back for your ungrateful ass.
Never should have messed with you in the first place.
Should have stuck it in your cousin like she wanted.
You ain't goin' nowhere.
- Isaiah, move.
- Make me.
Isaiah, I said move! [GRUNTS.]
Huh? Huh? - Get off of me! - Now what, huh? [GRUNTS.]
We're on live, Isaiah.
Now let everyone know you're gonna keep away from me while I walk out this door.
[DOOR SLAMS.]
May I? Well, make it quick.
I have to finish this sermon before tomorrow.
I just I just heard from Gigi.
She's with Tasha Skanks, talking with the FBI.
It looks like this is a hurdle we've cleared.
You must be relieved.
Well, I would be If I wasn't quite so aware of another, taller one ahead.
What did you do now, James? It's not me.
It's Connie.
She's talking with Philip Demars again about us joining Harmony and Hope.
I'll see that doesn't happen.
Have your day tomorrow and leave in a trail of glory.
If you stick around and try to fight me for this church, it'll send a message to the deacons that we're neither one of us fit to lead.
You seal my day tomorrow with a public announcement that I heretofore will be co-Pastor.
No.
I deserve that position as much as you do, James, more to be honest.
And that's why I won't do it! For months now, you've been beatin' me down with your holy superiority.
Well, I will not have my soul weighed by you.
That's a job for Saint Peter or Jesus.
You you are just another sinner.
I know that, James.
Tell me everything you did, and you tell me that it's no better or worse than what I did.
Say it! "Pride goeth before a fall.
" [UPBEAT PIANO MUSIC PLAYS.]
[LIGHT CHEERS.]
[TEMPO INCREASES.]
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
I will bless the Lord at all times.
His praise shall continually be in my mind.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord.
Let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name today.
A change A change has come over Me He changed He changed My life My life And now I'm free-e-e-e-e [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
He changed My life complete And now I sit I sit at his feet To do what must be done I'll work and work Until he comes A wonderful change Has come over Me A wonderful Wonderful Change Has come over me oh, it's all over me Lord, you changed My life complete Change And now I sit Change I sit at his feet Whoo! He changed the way I walk The way I be-e-e-e-e-e-e-e Thank God Thank God I've got you Change I've been set free Ah-ah Ahhhhh A wonderful change So glad, so glad has come I'm gonna walk on in his glory Over me-e-e-e-e-e Yeah Yeah ooooooh Hallelujah [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
- Thank you, Lord! - Thank you! Thank you! All right, Charity.
I would like for Charity to do the honors.
Oh! Yes! Um Well, what can I say? Calvary, guests, I call her mama.
And I, starting today, am calling her Pastor Greenleaf.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Come on out here, Pastor Mae Greenleaf! Whooooo! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[CELLPHONE VIBRATES.]
Hey, it's me.
I just got the results.
Mnh-mnh.
I haven't opened them yet.
Can you come to the church? [MAN SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY ON P.
A.
.]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER.]
[CAR DOOR CLOSES.]
Thanks for coming.
No worries.
Thanks.
Where to? [DISTANT CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Gigi.
[CLEARS THROAT.]
Hey, Daddy.
How's it goin' in there? Mm.
If I had to answer with the impartiality of the journalist that I once was Extraordinarily.
- Hm.
- Mm.
Well [INHALES.]
Thank you.
For what, Daddy? [INHALES.]
I was foolish, and you loved me.
I put myself and this whole family in jeopardy, and You never stopped fighting to save us all and I thank you.
I love you, Daddy.
I know.
[INHALES SHARPLY.]
[VOICE BREAKING.]
I know it.
I treasure you.
I have never felt so Humbled.
All you've done for me, my precious daughter [SNIFFLING.]
I thank you.
[SOBS.]
If there's one thing I could go back and change in the preaching that I heard as a girl, it would be what I heard about that dreaded day of reckonin'.
[SCATTERED APPROVAL.]
That dreaded day when the dead would rise up from the grave.
You remember, don't you? AUDIENCE: Yes! Yes, and every soul was gonna get what they deserved.
Yes! Yeah! Yes! Yeah! I mean, here I am A little, bitty, precious baby girl, and I just knew I had sinned.
I don't know must have been that chocolate-chip cookie I took out of the kitchen, but I knew That I had sinned.
If I could just go back and just put some small measure of tenderness in the hearts of those men who were preaching to me some small drop of wisdom in their minds so that they might have encouraged me.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Oh How I wished that they had filled me With the confidence That Jesus bought and paid for on that cross! Yes! So that on that day of that great reckoning, I really would have gotten all that I deserved, which is the undying love of my Lord! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
And we are going to replace all that fear with love.
[CHEERING.]
Love! Hey, you got a second? For what? Would you look at me, please? What? I love you.
- I know.
- No.
I mean it, kee.
I love you.
I was talking with Gigi last night, and And I realized I love you.
You realized it? Yeah.
Jacob.
If you just take this book up and read it, you cannot not know that God loves you.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Oh, it's all through this book, and if you read this book and you feel unloved, Satan has intervened.
Amen! Hallelujah! Ladies, you know in some of our troubled neighborhoods, every summer, we have that "take back the night.
" Well, sisters, let me tell you somethin'.
Today, you know what we doin'? We are going to take back the light.
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
[CHEERING FADES.]
[DOOR OPENS.]
Just thought I'd come by to give you what God is too selfish to give.
- JAMES: Son, don't do this.
- You think I want to, old man? All I wanted was to shut you down, old man, teach you a lesson, but you got somethin', I don't know, Satan or somebody demons protecting you.
No, this is your fault.
The only way to stop you is to kill you dead.
- Son - I'm not your son, boy! We really don't Have to look.
We do.
I do.
[SIGHING.]
Gosh, I Guess I'm more like these people than I thought.
How so? [CHUCKLES.]
I'm always giving everyone such a hard time for not facing up to the truth, but I won't face this.
You know, it might not be what you think it is.
And if it is? I'm telling you this out of nothin' but love for you.
- Love? - Don't! - You killed my Daddy! - I didn't mean to do it! Now the truth is comin' out.
If you shoot me Mm-hmm.
it'll be two lives I've taken.
I'd have made you a murderer, and your life, what's left of it, will be over.
Get away! Get away! It's not just about me.
To see that light in my father's eyes that's been there since the day that I was born fade away, I hate that my mother has put us both in this position to lose so much all at once.
Grace, I mean it.
We really don't have to you've lost your church You lost your wife And now you've lost your soul.
Shut up.
All for what? To make me pay Mm-hmm.
to met out justice, the job you know full well is the Lord's alone? - No, you got to pay.
- You don't have to Not any more than you already have.
And I've got to tell you something about my sister right here.
Are we not so grateful to have Maxine Patterson in the house? Aren't we? Oh, she's been so supportive and so kind, and you know what she told me? She told me, "the truth will set you free.
" That's what I told you, Mae.
- Didn't you? - Yes, I did.
To have to live with those questions every day, Jacob [VOICE BREAKING.]
"Why am I not enough for him? What's wrong with me? Why would he even pick me if he didn't even really want me?" Kerissa, you are enough.
All right, there's nothing the matter with you, and you're all I want.
I know that now.
It's too late.
Please don't do this.
I don't have any choice.
I just want the pain to stop.
It has to end.
That's right.
Oh, my.
And if you really want to change everything you got to start with the truth.
Yes! [CHEERS AND APPLAUSE.]
Start with the truth and walk in love and faith and the change will take care of itself.
I want a divorce, Jacob.
[DOOR UNLOCKING, OPENS.]
[SNIFFLING.]
All you are is a man With a broken heart and debts to pay.
If you pull that trigger, you'll spend the rest of your life behind bars.
No.
They not gonna catch me.
But you'll catch yourself! You'll look in that mirror and you'll see the thief that stole the joy of every moment of your life.
I see him every day.
Now, you give me that gun.
Don't come any closer.
- Give me the gun.
- I said, "don't come any closer.
" Give me the gun.
I said, "don't come any closer"! The day of reckoning Is today.
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING.]
The day of reckoning is today.
God's great day of reckoning is any day that you step out on faith, say, "thank you, Jesus," and take what's yours because the day of reckoning is Today.
You're a man of God, Basie.
Under all the pain and vengeful feelings, - you are a man of God.
- Mmmm.
No one could preach like you without knowing that God, God is God, without knowing what life is.
You know.
[SNIFFLING.]
[BREATHING HEAVILY.]
Get ready to die, Bishop.
If you're the man you think you are, say hi to Jesus for me.
If you're what I know you are, you're gonna burn just like my Daddy.