Single Black Female (2022) Movie Script
0
Monica?
Monica?
Hey.
Hello?
A quarter for your thoughts?
A penny for your thoughts.
Don't sell yourself
cheap, honey.
I got you a gift.
That's sweet, Be.
A wind chime.
You remember what
your father would always say?
That it was the angel's way
of letting us know?
That everything
is gonna be okay.
Mm-hmm. You ready?
As ready as I'll ever be.
Let's go.
Our most basic instinct is not
for survival, but family.
My dad used to say that a lot,
but that was my dad, you know?
He had an inspirational quote
for just about everything.
If you don't like the road
you're walking,
pave another one.
And the classic, if you
want to see the rainbow...
You've got
to put up with the rain.
Yeah, you guys
definitely knew my dad.
In fact, if he were here,
I'm sure he'd know exactly
what to say
to make everyone feel better
right now.
I'm sorry.
Marcus Carey Harris,
of East Cleveland, Ohio,
was born on June 19th, 1961.
Slow down! This
ain't your momma house.
Get somewhere and sat down.
Hi.
Here you go.
Just how you like it.
Thanks.
Okay, correction, how
I like it and how you need it.
Thanks, I guess.
Look, babe, um,
what if we went upstairs
and had a little grief sex?
Andre, I just
buried my father.
Babe, I'm sorry.
Just trying to make you smile.
I know.
Okay. Sweet.
So, is there anything
I can do for my baby?
Actually, there is.
Why don't you be a dear,
Aunt Pearl and Nana Jo could
really use some consoling.
Sure, I can handle that,
Ms. Harris.
If you put your phone down,
I'm sure you can.
Honestly Monica,
I do not understand
what you see in him.
Really, Mom? Today?
I'm sorry, you're right, dear.
You're right, you're right.
I want to tell you,
you did a beautiful, beautiful
eulogy for your father.
Thank you.
- But...
- But what? Here we go.
What's up, Mom? What?
I just wish you had mentioned
all of the organizations
that he donated to.
Yeah, okay, well silly me
for rambling on
about his kind soul
instead of his deep pockets.
You know,
I can never satisfy you.
Monica, don't do this.
Don't do what?
Let you know how I feel
about you always letting me know
just how far I have
to go to make you proud?
That is not true.
That is not true.
Stuart, thank you
so much for coming.
Monica, you remember Stuart,
don't you?
Yep.
Well, if you'll excuse me.
Monica, we'll have this
conversation later?
- Looking forward to it, Mother.
- Okay.
Who is this daddy over there?
Think he's single?
- Bebe?
- Yeah?
That's my great uncle Marvin.
He's 73 years old.
Is he single?
We need to get you
on a dating site, babe.
No dating app for me.
Look at me,
I'm too proud for all that.
I eat catfish,
but I definitely ain't gonna be
catfished, okay?
I'm alone, and I don't
want to die alone.
You're not gonna die alone.
You have me.
So if anything, we'll
just die alone together.
You not dying alone.
You got Mr. Herpes commercial
over there,
and he ain't never leaving you.
Okay, first of all, it was
an erectile dysfunction
commercial, okay?
Leave my man alone.
Leave him alone now.
I hope I made him
happy and proud, you know?
He's dating the hottest TV
host in all of Houston,
he should be honored.
I'm not talking
about Andre, Bebe,
I'm talking about my dad.
You know he
was my staunchest supporter,
my biggest fan, I don't know,
I just...
now I just have her,
and you know how she is.
All she cares
about is appearances.
She loves you, it might
be in her own diva-Denise way.
Yeah, but even when
the host spot
opened up at Tea Time
and I told them
I was gonna go for it,
my dad was 100% in my corner,
and 100% sure I would
get it, you know?
But my mother,
she was figuring out how
to save face if I didn't.
But, that's
why you gotta do it.
You gotta do it for yourself,
you gotta do it for you father,
you gotta prove her wrong.
You got this,
and I want to be
right there cheering you on.
- That's sweet, Be.
- I know.
Bring it on in here, will you?
You're so crazy.
You know you're
gonna be okay, right?
- I know.
- I got you. Forever.
- Hey. You all good?
- Mm-hmm.
Yes, Andre, we good.
How's that little thing down
there hanging?
- Did she just?
- She did.
It's okay.
Don't worry about it.
- Gotta get your friend.
- I know.
Thank you for being here today,
I honestly can't thank you
enough. It means a lot.
You kidding me?
I wouldn't
have it any other way.
Now look, I know that I'm not
your mom's favorite,
but uh, I love you.
And I'm always
gonna be here for you.
- Always?
- Always.
Mmm, that's all that's left
of that one.
Where'd you hide the body?
- Ha ha.
- Really, Mrs. Fletcher?
It's 8 a.m.
Calm your tits, it's just a
little Peach Schnapps.
You know, I swear I'm gonna
come over there one day
and make you something other
than a liquid breakfast.
No, you not. I don't have
people in my house.
I hate company like I hate
people in my business.
Mrs. Fletcher,
your door!
Ooh!
Oh, yup,
I'm sure that's safe. Bye.
Bye.
This is probably a
good time to tell you
that Andre and I broke up.
What? When did this happen?
Where was I?
It happened
a few days after the funeral.
What happened?
Long story short, he cheated.
How'd you find out?
Girl, someone
DM'd me a picture
of him having sex in
Club Savoy's bathroom.
I'll have
to see it to believe it.
I'm not showing
you a picture, Be. No.
Sorry.
Your father, and now this?
Are you okay?
You know what, Be?
I actually am.
You know,
I woke up this morning,
and all I could think about was
what's next for me.
Okay.
Yeah, and hopefully
that's Tea Time.
But yeah, it's
time for me to chase my dreams
without any fears,
like my dad
would've wanted me to do.
Now, that's true tea.
Pinkie's out.
And as always, thank y'all for
tuning in to KQNB's Hey H-Town.
- Hey hey, y'all.
- Hey hey.
And we're out.
- Woo!
- Yes, oh, that felt so good.
Yes, she is back.
Mm-hmm.
Tell you what, it is so good
to have you back.
It was not the same without you.
- Oh, stop it.
- Seriously.
- Nice show, ladies.
- Thank you, Ms. Rochelle.
Thanks, Clark.
- Yeah!
- Oh my god!
Oh my god,
I'm so glad I didn't know Clark
was watching was watching us.
You're already
imagining yourself
spinning in her
host chair, aren't you?
What? No.
It's okay.
I've been doing it, too.
Her longevity, I mean...
The power to
call her own shots?
Yeah, I want
that kind of career.
I'm going for it,
and you should too.
But, let's just make a deal.
Okay, what?
Promise me that
whoever gets it,
we won't let it
affect our friendship.
Oh, absolutely.
- I gotta run.
- Okay, girl.
- So glad you're back.
- Yes.
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
let me help you with that.
Uh, okay, uh, you're new.
Actually, um, I worked
in the control room
for over a year, and then got
promoted to floor director
when Sam went
to early retirement.
AKA went back to rehab.
Well, his secret is safe
with me, I love Sam.
Alright.
It's your job.
Alright.
Gotcha.
- Thank you.
- You're all done.
Thank you.
- Oh, Eric.
- Eric.
- Eric Lawson.
- Eric Lawson, thank you.
It's my pleasure.
Excuse me.
Jeff, can we talk?
Of course.
Actually, I'd like
the host spot on Tea Time,
and I wanted your advice
on what I could do
to improve my chances.
Truth be told, if it
were solely up to me,
Tea Time would be yours,
hands down.
You work harder
than anyone here,
and your charisma's undeniable.
Monica, you're a star.
But, of course,
some people will
say the same about Elodie.
Well, Elodie's
a great choice, too.
See that? That humility?
That's gonna lose you the job.
You've gotta
be assertive, Monica.
Solo hosting your own show
is a big responsibility,
and you've got to
prove to the higher-ups
that you're up to the task,
that's my advice.
Show us what you're made of.
So, in other news, your
assistant, Nate, quit.
Wait, what?
When? Why?
I guess you can only be a
low-paid intern for so long,
but don't worry,
we scrambled and found somebody
to replace him.
Whoa, without my input?
I know, feel free to fire her
if you don't like her,
but I'm pretty sure you will.
Oh my god.
Let me introduce
you to her, come on.
Monica, this is Simone Hicks.
Simone, Monica Harris.
Hi.
Uh, sorry, hi.
It's nice to meet you.
Likewise.
Wow.
Side by side, you two actually
look a little alike.
Wow, that's such a compliment.
Let me show you
my office, just...
You really paid your dues.
Starting out as an intern,
giving your blood, sweat, and
tears to this station.
Even before you
became a TV host.
Nobody, not even Elodie Price,
can hold a candle to that.
I even know how you
like your ginger tea
with honey, and not sugar.
I did my research.
I'm sorry,
did I do something wrong?
No. No, it's not you.
Please, sit down.
Okay.
So, enough about all the
research you did on me,
tell me something
about you, Simone.
Oh, there's
not much to tell there.
Um, came here from Virginia a
couple of weeks ago.
Virginia? Big leap.
Yeah, I'm still
apartment hunting.
Well, welcome to H-Town.
I take it you don't have any
friends or family here?
Yeah, family.
Pretty distant, though.
I'm going to look for an
apartment later today.
Well good for you,
I hope that pans out.
Me too.
- Uh, is everything okay?
- Yup, just my cheating ex.
Sorry. You know what?
I think you should take
the rest of the day off.
Yeah, we can
start fresh tomorrow.
I'm all ready to start today.
That's okay.
I have some things I need to
handle anyway, so.
Tomorrow.
Alright, thank you Monica.
Okay.
Nice to meet you, Simone.
Monica?
Sometimes to see the rainbow,
you gotta put up
with a little rain, right?
I'll see you tomorrow.
Hey, I ain't
ever seen you before.
- First day.
- Well welcome, First Day.
I'm Eric Lawson,
the station's floor director.
I'm Simone Hicks,
Monica Harris' new assistant.
Oh, that's good to know.
Well, I'll see you around,
First Day.
See you around.
Hey.
- Yes, I know.
- I know!
Uh, yeah.
She came back today.
Of course she wants Tea Time.
No, I'm not worried about her.
The network loves me.
Babe, the gig
is as good as mine.
No, I would never
Tonya Harding her,
or would I?
Yeah.
Okay, yes. Okay, bye.
I love you.
You don't look like
no DoorDash.
Oh, no, I'm not.
I'm here
about the apartment vacancy.
Apartment vacancy?
The realtor
said that you were...
Do you see any signs out here?
Looking for a tenant?
Well I'm not. Somebody done
lied to you, little girl.
Go on now.
Please, ma'am, I really...
I really need a place to stay.
I ain't taking in no strays.
Please.
Maybe I can get you to
reconsider.
Peace offering,
and I can't stay long.
Hey Mom, I'm really busy,
what's up?
Listen. Look.
I know that sometimes
I can be a little hard on you.
A lot hard, and all the time.
With your father gone,
honey, it's just us.
It's just you and me,
and I know he would want us
to work on our relationship.
You know he would.
Come in.
I have the final rundown
for tomorrow's show.
Thank you very much.
- How are you?
- Hi!
Yes, you should meet my
mother, actually.
This is Denise Harris.
This is Eric,
he's our new floor director.
- Very nice to meet you.
- It's my pleasure.
Monica?
You are not thinking about a
workplace romance, are you?
I don't know what you're
talking about, Mom.
Mm-hmm, okay.
Don't know what
you're talking about.
I have a lot of work to do.
Uhhuh, I bet you do.
- I'll see you later, dear.
- Okay.
- Love you!
- Love you, too.
You got me waiting outside?
I can't even come upstairs?
Really, Monica?
So what, now you think I'm a
threat or something?
We're meeting here for your
safety, Andre.
Here's your stuff,
have a great life.
- Monica, look...
- What?
- Hear me out!
- What?
Go ahead, explain.
Explain how you made me believe
that you were really
in love with me,
just to turn around
and cheat on me
a day after my father's funeral.
Go ahead!
Despite what you saw in that
photo, that wasn't me.
Is that what we're doing?
All I remember
is drinking with the guys
at Carter's bachelor party,
and next thing I know, I just...
You fell inside another woman?
I guess. Sorta.
Oh my... I can't. I can't.
You know,
you're a much better actor
in those commercials.
You know that, right?
What? Come on, Monica,
don't play me like that.
Play you?
Don't play you?
Andre, you
played yourself, okay?
Matter of fact,
you don't deserve this.
This? You don't deserve!
Or me!
Come on, Monica!
Get the hell out of here, Andre.
- Simone?
- Monica?
What are you doing here?
Well, I live here.
This is the place I was
telling you about,
that I was going to look at.
Really?
That woman?
No, I just spoke
to her this morning,
and she was going on about how
she didn't like company
and hated people
in her business.
She never ceases
to surprise me, I swear.
Well, I guess she love money
and the two bottles of vodka
she asked me to get her earlier
more than she loves her privacy.
She said she was gonna
be gone for a few weeks,
pretty sure
she's going on a bender.
That doesn't surprise
me at all.
Uh, hey.
I'm actually going to grab
something to eat.
Did you want to join me?
Thanks, but no. I don't really
have much of an appetite.
What I could use
is a drink or ten.
I can always steal a bottle
from Mrs. Fletcher's cabinet?
I mean, the woman won't miss it,
it's like a liquor store
in there.
Mm-mm. Um, okay.
Under one condition,
you have to drink with me.
Misery loves company,
and drinking by yourself
is pathetic.
- Okay, okay, I will.
- Okay, alright.
I'll leave the door unlocked,
just come on up.
Okay.
Girl, you took
his T-shirt back?
I sure did, and I should've
did more than that.
What he put me through.
What would you have done?
Man, destroyed everything
and anything that he loved
until he didn't have a shred
of happiness left.
Okay.
- I'm just kidding!
- Oh.
I'm kidding!
I mean, what did
Ms. Michelle Obama say?
Okay, "When they go low... "
We get high.
Oh, she said, "go?"
"Go," high.
- Drink to that.
- Here we go.
- I'm not there yet.
- Neither am I.
But you know what?
I'm actually proud of myself
for leaving Andre.
It would've been easier to stay,
I could've just got my sis Bebe
to slash his tires,
break some windows, but...
You have a sister?
Oh, no, we're not real
sisters, but um,
we go way back, you know,
we've been friends since,
like, the fourth grade,
so she's family.
Like, yeah, that's my girl.
You're much prettier.
I recognize that man.
Uh, he was a mayor, right?
Before he got
term-limited out, mm-hmm.
Talk about friends
in high places.
That's my daddy, Simone.
He recently passed.
It's been, it's been a lot.
That explains the sad face.
I'm so sorry, Monica,
I didn't know.
It's okay.
Well, from what
I read about him,
he seemed like a great man.
He was.
Well, what was great
about him?
That's a good question.
My dad was, um...
He was kind.
He wasn't afraid to make,
like, hard decisions.
You know, no matter
who disagreed with him,
you know, he did what
was right all the time,
and he was just the perfect dad.
He was perfect.
- Hm. Hm.
- What?
Oh, it's just, you know,
in my life path,
I've found that
nobody is perfect.
He was. To me.
He was perfect,
and I don't know what
I'm gonna do without him.
Oh, oh Monica, okay.
I'm sorry.
I just don't know what I'm
supposed to do without him!
- I'm here.
- I'm here now.
Hey! How you feeling?
Like hell.
Well, not for long.
Here we go...
Now this,
all the hangover essentials
I thought you needed,
for work.
Work. Yup.
You didn't have to do
all of this, Simone.
Um, don't take this
the wrong way,
but how did you get into my
house this morning?
Oh, you're serious?
Oh, after a much needed
emotional release,
you begged me to stay.
Emotional release?
Like, I cried?
Like a baby.
I'm sorry
you had to witness that.
I'm just glad that I was
here in your time of need.
If you're looking for an early
pay raise, it's above me.
Okay, alright, I'm gonna head
back to Mrs. Fletcher's
so I can get dressed for work.
Uh, Simone?
Shirt.
Oh.
It's a little sweaty, sorry.
Mm-hmm.
Just chill for a second,
I'm gonna go, um...
I got you.
Okay...
Yes.
So, I'm getting rid of some
pieces, and I don't know,
maybe you can take them
off my hands.
Yeah!
Oh my god, this stuff
is so gorgeous.
Why do you want to
throw it away?
Sometimes you gotta
get rid of the old
to welcome in the new.
But yeah, it's all yours.
Okay.
Oh, this is beautiful.
Oh no, no, no, no, no,
that wasn't supposed to be
in that pile, I'm sorry.
Um, my dad, he...
he bought this for me.
He said it looked gorgeous
on my dark skin,
and I just, I don't know,
I could never part with it.
I'm sorry.
But, um...
This one, yes. This one here,
this is a good one.
Yeah, I think this will look
amazing on you.
Yeah. Uh, Monica, can I talk
to you about something?
Yeah.
Um, yesterday I overheard
Elodie Price
being pretty shady about you
and hosting Tea Time.
Wait, what did she say?
She was saying stuff like
you're not any competition,
and she would do anything
to get the show over you.
Uh, okay.
Thank you for telling me.
Of course.
I'm your assistant now.
I got your back, always.
Ooh, Mrs. Fletcher.
You stink.
There's a lot of stuff
in here...
What?
No way.
Wow.
"When they go low,
we go high."
Chapter two...
Uh, ma'am,
you're interrupting
my Becoming session.
Becoming what, girl?
Somebody who ain't texted
back their best friend?
No, my new assistant
got me Michelle Obama's
audio book, honey.
You got an assistant
that buy you gift?
Sound like my type of girl.
Right? She makes a mean
breakfast, too.
Come again?
Oh, right, I've been
meaning to tell you,
my new assistant
moved right next door,
in Mrs. Fletcher's house.
She came over, you know,
we kind of got to
talking and drinking,
and that's all
I really can remember,
but she was there
when I woke up, so.
So, your new assistant
spent the night at your house?
You don't think that's
a little bit too
work friendly, Monica?
She's my new assistant,
not my new best friend, Bebe.
I'm not worried about that,
that position been
filled for years.
I'm just trying to call you
because I got some tea
to tell you about
my dating adventures,
but I found someone I like.
Oh, really?
Yes, he's an engineer,
South Carolina University,
he's sexy, he's smart,
and he ain't no liar.
And I know, because I did a
background check on him.
Bebe, a background check?
Really? Girl, you're crazy.
I am crazy. That's me.
Do you think that's why I ain't
got me no man, though?
Oh no, no girl, of course not.
You know, I heard Monica
was a tough boss,
but making you stare
at her picture like that?
That's like a
whole 'nother level.
You look good in this blue,
by the way.
Oh, thank you,
it's a new dress.
Yeah, well that's
definitely your color.
Were you headed somewhere?
I'm actually kind of lost.
Monica's not here yet,
and I don't know where to go
get a good cup of coffee.
Well see, you're in luck,
because I'm in need
of a pick me up.
I'll show you where you can get
the best cup in the building,
so follow me.
Okay.
- Come on.
- Miss First Day.
- Andre?
- Please don't hang up!
Look, baby, I won't make
any more excuses,
but just know I...
baby, I didn't mean for
any of this to happen.
- Do not call me again.
- Monica!
Knock knock.
I got lunch.
Yeah? Well you can
come on in, then.
Alright. Where do you want it?
Right here's fine.
Here's your drink
that you ordered.
Well, look at you.
Girl, you look stunning.
You are wearing that dress.
- You like it?
- Yes.
Well, it's from
a private collection,
maybe you've heard
of it, Chez Monica.
Familiar.
Look, it is a long way,
and way nicer
than any thrift store
I been to back home.
What part of Virginia did you
grow up in, again?
Oh, well see,
I tell people Richmond,
but I'm really
from like a little pin dot
next to Richmond,
that nobody's ever heard of.
Okay, alright.
Born and raised?
Yeah, just me, my mom,
and my grandma, that's it.
What about your father?
Uh...
never met him.
I'm sorry
to hear that, Simone.
Oh no, don't be.
You can't really be sad
about somebody
you never met, right?
Daddy the tooth fairy.
- Oh.
- Oh my goodness.
Do you know
how much I was teased
and how many fights
I almost got into
for believing in make believe
for way too long?
Well, I hope you don't blame
your father for that.
He just wanted
to make you happy.
There's nothing wrong with
somebody caring about you
so much they want
to shield you from the truth.
Yeah, I guess so.
- This is so nice.
- Yeah, it is.
As a matter of fact,
I need some of that
shielding right now.
Why? What's the matter?
After smiling all up
in my face, Elodie,
I don't think she's the friend
I thought she was.
Simone overheard her talking
bad behind my back.
Simone?
Oh yeah, Simone,
she's my new assistant.
Yeah, the station finally
hired another sister.
- Oh, really?
- Yes, mm-hmm.
She's from some
backwater town in Virginia.
Oh, Virginia, oh.
Yes, and she dresses like a mom.
Oh my goodness,
I couldn't take it.
I had to give her
some of my old stuff.
Hey, H-Town.
Hey, H-Town.
Doesn't like...
if you do it like this...
Oh, like this.
This is Simone Hicks,
and you're watching Hey H-Town.
This is Simone Harris, and
you're watching Hey H-Town.
Monica, these are for you.
You brought me flowers?
Actually, I ran into
your ex downstairs,
and he begged me
to bring those to you.
"I know you don't believe me,
but I'm gonna prove it to you.
Love, Andre."
Wait.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, wait!
Those are some
beautiful flowers.
Yes, and if anyone else
would've given them to me,
I would've kept them.
Really?
- Really.
- Wait right there. Don't...
An exquisite bouquet
for an exquisite lady.
Exquisite?
Oh, you shouldn't have.
For me?
- You're too much.
- No card?
No card.
But, I do have a question.
Mm-hmm? Okay.
Would you go out with me?
Now how could I say no to a
guy with such great taste?
Thursday?
Thursday.
Thank you.
There you two are.
So, got somebody here
who wants to have
a word with you both.
Hi ladies.
I got this, Jeff.
I know you do.
I'm not naive enough to
believe that I have any say
in who's going to replace me,
but I wanted to have
a little face time
with the two women
who are vying to do so.
Well, you're irreplaceable,
Ms. Rochelle.
I like you.
Well, luckily for me,
when Monica was recently
out on vacation...
Vacation? I was grieving my
father's death.
The viewers got a taste
of how I would and could
carry a show on my own.
Tea Time with Elodie Price
has a distinct ring to it,
don't you agree?
No more distinct than
Tea Time with Monica Harris.
This feistiness between
the two of you,
it'll serve you well.
I wish both of you luck,
and may the best woman win.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Have you lost your mind?
What the hell was that, Elodie?
What happened to our promise?
Oh girl, that was
just some fun shade.
Friendly banter
between two friends.
Friendly banter?
You called me grieving my
father's death a vacation.
Please, it was just
a little dig, Monica.
Don't be so sensitive.
Only one of us is
going to get that job,
and we can't always play nice.
Yeah, obviously not.
You really need to toughen up.
You'll be better off
if you just admit
you don't have
what it takes to do the job.
Okay.
Okay.
The party is here!
I got me a bottle,
I got you a bottle.
I didn't get you a bottle.
I didn't know you were here.
Thought it was just us today.
Okay, well, you know Simone
is new to town
and she doesn't
have any friends,
so I figured she should join us,
alright? Right.
Monica said
that you wouldn't mind.
- Yeah.
- If you said that now, okay.
I'll take these.
Thank you.
- I heard so much about you.
- Likewise.
I am so happy
that the women in my life
are finally together.
That didn't sound right.
Ooh, alright guys.
The wine is almost gone,
who's thirsty?
Besides you?
Yeah. You know, Mon' said that
you were really funny.
Mon' said I was funny?
Alright, let's go outside.
So, what do you think
about the whole Elodie
situation?
What Elodie situation?
Okay, so Simone thinks
Elodie has it out
for me at work.
No, not thinks, knows.
No, I just think it's Elodie
being a little
overly ambitious, that's all.
I trust you.
I know you can handle
your own, keep it cute.
Hmm.
I mean, but isn't that the point
of having girlfriends?
So you don't have to handle
things on your own?
When exactly does
Ms. Fletcher come home?
You know, that is a good
question though,
where is Ms. Fletcher?
- Um, texted me today.
- Ms. Fletcher? Text you?
Yes. She said she was
extending her trip.
- Where?
- I don't know, Bebe.
I was taught to mind
my own business.
I find that when you get into
other people's business,
you get into some trouble.
And you know what I find?
That when people
run they mouth too much,
they cause trouble.
Or people who date their
friend's old ass uncles,
because they can't find love.
No she didn't.
Okay, alright,
it's time to wrap this up.
I think we've had
too much to drink.
Thank you.
Thank you, Simone.
We can wrap it up.
Alright.
Yeah, that's a good idea, bye.
We don't need that, either.
Good night, Monica,
see you tomorrow.
Goodnight. Goodnight.
Okay, I may have said something
about the older men,
but the love part
she made up on her own.
She has me now.
Hell no.
So wait, you think
Simone did this?
I don't think she did it,
I know she did it.
That lady's crazy, she ain't
working with a full deck.
Hm, interesting,
that's exactly
what they used to say
about you in high school.
No, I'm good crazy, you know?
She's crazy-crazy.
Big difference.
Well... huh.
I see who burned your face out.
- Who?
- You did.
Oh.
Okay. Strong possibility
I did that, okay?
Mm-hmm.
But being serious,
I don't trust her.
She's like creepy.
The way she looks at you...
- Be, you're overreacting.
- No, I'm not,
I know what I see.
Before you go
writing the girl off,
just give her a second chance,
before you sage
her out of our lives.
Alright. For you?
But if she kill me,
I'm killing you.
What is that?
Well, you was out of sage, so
I used Lawry's seasoning
because they said that
that was good on everything.
Do you like it?
Girl, move.
Smell good.
Good crazy.
Hey, what's going on?
Elodie was
attacked last night.
What? Is she okay?
- She's beat up pretty bad.
- Oh my god, that is terrible.
Um, do they know
who did this to her?
No, no, not yet.
The higher-ups
want to know how you feel
about flying solo today?
I think I can handle it.
She covered for me.
Whoa, no, hey, look at me,
look at me.
No, okay?
I'm gonna let them know they
need to air a rerun.
- Okay.
- Okay?
- Thank you.
- I'll be right back.
Monica, I just heard what
happened. I can't believe it.
- I know, it's awful.
- I know.
Oh my god.
Um, can I have everybody's
attention, please?
Can we all gather?
Thank you.
Look, I know that
we are all devastated
by what happened to our good
friend and colleague, Elodie.
And in light of the situation,
we will not be going live today.
This show is a family,
and I think...
no I know that I speak for Jeff
and the whole management team
when I say that we care about
everyone here's well being.
In this moment,
I ask that we take the time
to take care of ourselves,
and each other,
that person
on either side of you,
as we send out prayers
for Elodie's
full and quick recovery.
That's all. Thank you.
That was a boss lady move.
That was the
right thing to do, Simone.
I uh, I have an idea.
Might sound kind of crazy,
but I think it might
make you feel better.
What's that?
Shopping? For Clark's
going away party.
I know you
didn't like Elodie, Simone.
No, no, I didn't mean it,
I didn't mean it that way,
I just, I thought that
it was something positive and
optimistic for...
Simone? You're right.
It could be a nice distraction.
- Okay.
- Okay.
We can go get our purses
from the office.
Okay.
Good morning.
Okay, I see you.
Ms. First Day.
Look at you,
looking all camera ready.
Have a good one.
Bye.
Hey!
You're here early.
Yes, I'm gonna be carrying
the show on my own
until Elodie gets back, so.
Okay.
Simone? The smile, the glow.
Whoever is responsible for that
noticed all that sauce
you serving up.
Well yes, there
is a certain whoever,
and I'm feeling him,
and I think he's feeling me too,
so I'm gonna
ask him out tonight,
so I'm really nervous.
Okay, well, you gotta
give me the tea on that later.
Yeah, well, I'll
tell you tonight.
We're still on for drinks
for me to
pick your brain, right?
Oh my god. Simone,
I am so sorry, I double booked.
Rain check?
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
- Thank you.
Going out with Bebe, I assume?
No, Eric, actually.
- Eric? Eric from here?
- Yeah.
I know work relationship...
But I think
it'll be fine. It feels right.
Are you sure
you're ready for that?
Ready for what?
Dating.
I mean you yourself,
you said that you just got out
of a relationship, right?
I did,
but I believe
that's my shot to call, Simone.
Yeah, yeah, you're right,
I'm just looking out
for you, that's it.
And I appreciate that.
But you know, we grown women,
I got it.
Yeah.
Okay. Um, is there anything
else I can do for you?
Yes, actually.
I was hoping that you can
pick up my dry cleaning
when you get a chance?
And um, you can just put
the keys on the front table
when you're done.
- Sure.
- Thanks, Simone!
You're welcome.
- First Day.
- Hey.
Sup?
So, are you excited about your
date with Monica tonight?
- Uh...
- She told me.
Yeah, we tell each other
everything, we're close.
Like sisters.
If that's the case,
then yeah, I'm excited.
Yeah, I bet you are.
Yeah.
Hey, didn't I hear you tell
Wanda in accounting
that you like to keep it chill
on work nights?
You remember that, huh?
That's why Monica raves about
you as an assistant.
You good.
Yeah, I guess so.
Ooh! What are you doing?
I'm even better
at other things.
Yo, first...
And my name is Simone.
All done!
My signature.
Yes, you look beautiful.
So check this out,
I did some digging
on your girl, Simone.
- You Googled the girl?
- I Google everybody.
You should be Googling
everybody, too,
all these random people around,
you need to
tighten up your game.
So wait, my game is not tight
because I choose
to get to know people
before I judge them?
This girl's all
in your business,
you don't even know
the damn girl.
Is she on, like,
some Single White Female,
or in our case, Single Black
Female, type shit?
Jeff hired her.
And if he hired her,
I'm sure a background check
was done,
Simone is good people,
and I trust her.
- You trust Simone?
- Yes.
Just like you
trusted Andre, huh?
That didn't turn out too good
for you, did it?
Okay, you being extra
as hell right now,
and if I didn't know any better,
I would say you jealous.
No, I'm not, I'm not jealous,
but you know what you can do?
Do your own little lip stain.
Handle you,
handle your own life,
'cause I'm tired
of talking about it.
- You know what? Fine!
- Fine!
If you gonna be petty like
that, fine.
Okay, go!
I ain't got time for
you and your pettiness tonight.
It is...
that's why I gotta get better.
Gotta take a page
from your book.
If I could tell you how...
I make more money on social
media than I do films.
- No, seriously?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Sometimes, but sometimes
I take a selfie,
and I'm like, "What am I doing?
What am I gonna do with this?"
- You know, I gotta say...
- Mm-hmm.
When I first heard I'd be
working with a Black woman
on a daytime news show,
I was stoked as hell.
- Oh, really?
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, you know I gotta
represent.
That you did. Hands down,
you are my favorite host.
- Oh?
- Yeah, oh yeah.
Well, let's cheers to me being
your favorite host then.
I'll drink to that.
We can do that.
- Everything alright?
- Mm? Mm.
- Mm.
- Mm.
Not really.
Um, I got into a fight
with my best friend, Bebe,
before I got here,
so excuse me
if I'm a little thrown off.
Well, you want
to talk about it?
You know, you'd be surprised.
I'm not just a pretty face.
Really?
- These work.
- Do they?
Well, um, yeah, I don't know.
Come on.
Don't make me beg.
Okay, so she
has this theory about Simone.
- Theory?
- Mm-hmm.
She, um, thinks that
Simone is obsessed with me.
Yeah, mm-hmm.
You know what?
Let's not talk about
Bebe or Simone.
Okay.
Let me see what you got
out on this dance floor.
Oh, let's do that then.
Come on.
Let's see what you
got, let's dance.
Come on.
Come in.
Hey, uh, those
cameras work out there?
For the right price they do.
I was here on the 15th,
I'm looking for footage from
that night.
Come back tomorrow.
Oh man, yeah, we did have a lot.
I can go all night long.
Let's go.
Wow. That was, um...
I'm sorry, I normally like...
be going, but...
Oh no, it's okay.
It's okay.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
It felt like all night.
Simone?
What are you doing?
Um...
I'm sorry, I was trying not to
wake you up, I um...
I thought that
I left the keys earlier,
so I was coming
to bring them back.
Oh, okay, you can just leave
them on the table.
Okay.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Good morning, Eric.
Good morning, Simone.
You know,
I wanted to apologize
for what happened yesterday.
And I'm sorry if I made you
feel as if I...
- It's okay.
- Mm. Mm-hmm.
So, how was your date with
Monica last night?
And don't worry, she tells me
everything, remember?
That's right.
Everything went
well with Monica.
Good, good.
It's just, you know,
when it comes to Monica,
maybe you shouldn't...
You know, I shouldn't
be saying this, nevermind.
Just say it.
She just got out
of a long relationship
with a man
that she really loved.
Her feelings and her words
can't be trusted right now.
Did Monica
say something to you?
Assistant never tells.
But I will say this,
you know, if you're
gonna take advantage
of someone's vulnerability,
maybe you should
get your time up,
if you catch my drift.
I'm about to six-degree
Kevin Bacon this bitch.
I enjoyed last night.
Right.
Just a few more seconds.
- Hm, are you okay?
- I'm fine.
I just think that we should keep
things professional,
that's all.
You're all done.
Eric?
The hell just happened?
Serious?
"DH?"
Denise?
Monica!
Monica, open up!
Monica!
You?
Monica's not home.
Hello?
Hey Monica,
I was wondering if
I can come in late today?
Sure, is everything okay?
Actually, everything
is better than okay.
Remember that distant relative
I told you about?
They called?
Yeah, yeah, they called,
they want to meet today.
Wow, that's great Simone.
Yeah, definitely,
take the whole day.
I can't wait
to hear how all about it.
- Oh, you will.
- Alright, bye.
Okay, bye.
I am... I'm so glad that you
invited me here...
You know, I just wanted to be
certain it was really you.
I was really hoping that,
you know, you, me, Monica...
If you think that
I'm reaching out to you
to have some sort of reunion,
you are sorely mistaken.
So, you didn't invite me here
to make things right?
Hah!
I'm sorry.
Oh my goodness, little girl,
make things right?
Things were always right,
before you came along.
That being said,
here sweetheart.
$100,000?
This will take care of the
money that you spent
coming here, and the therapy
that you apparently need.
Take it, and
stay the hell away from Monica,
'cause if you don't,
I'm not gonna be so nice.
'Cause see, unlike
that whore that raised you,
I go hard for my baby.
Real hard.
Paycheck.
Hey ma'am, can
I get you a drink?
I got a message that you
wanted to see me?
Yeah.
Um, look,
I don't know what happened,
I thought we had
a good time the other night.
That's funny, that's
not what Simone told me.
What did Simone tell you?
She knew very specific details
about our night together.
Oh my god.
What?
She was there.
What are you doing here?
I thought I told you to leave.
You did.
Well you're not
getting any more money.
I don't want any.
But I am trying
to remember what happened
to the last person
who told me to leave.
Simone!
Simone!
Oh my god!
Oh my god.
You know what to do.
Bebe, call me
as soon as you can.
You were right about Simone.
I just, I still can't believe
Simone would do all this stuff.
It's just, it's too much.
That's some crazy stalker
stuff right there.
Where you at, anyway?
I'm in my office.
I don't know, I feel safer here.
I don't feel comfortable
leaving you with Simone.
- If you need me to pull up on...
- Hey, Monica.
- I gotta go.
- Simone is here.
You better beat her ass like
she stole from you.
Monica?
No. I'm gonna talk.
And you're gonna listen.
I welcomed you into my home.
I confided in you about how
painful
my breakup with Andre was.
And all this time,
you were the backstabbing bitch
who caused it? Hm?
Wait, what
are you talking about?
I got the DVD from
Mrs. Fletcher's house.
How did it get there,
Simone? Huh? How?
You know what?
It doesn't even matter.
You drugged Andre, and you sent
me all those sick photos?
- I didn't...
- Stop with the lies!
You can stop!
What are you? Are you
some kind of sick fan?
You get off on stuff
like this? Huh?
You know what? You're fired!
Monica, you should let
me explain.
Pack...
Who is it? Make it quick.
Uh, hello, Bebe,
this is Robin Gibbs.
You reached out to me about a
friend we have in common?
Yes. Simone Hicks.
I see you two are following each
other on Facebook.
Are you guys friends?
Could you tell me something?
Oh no, no, no.
Make no mistake,
we are not friends on Facebook
or anywhere else.
I have to go.
No, wait, no,
give me a minute.
I met Simone.
She's friends with
my best friend, Monica,
and something ain't right.
I just need you to help me
connect the dots.
You know how there's
that one really odd kid
in high school?
- It was Simone?
- She was the butt
of all these cruel and mean
jokes and pranks.
I mean, she
was bullied mercilessly.
Simone became obsessed with this
idea of moving to Texas
to go live with her father.
He would take care of her.
And get this,
in this fantasy world,
her father was the mayor of...
I think it was Houston?
I thought that
after they locked her up...
What did they
put her away for?
Killing her mom.
Simone killed her mother?
Simone's mother died in a fire
that police
suspected she started.
I mean, they didn't
have any proof,
so they put her
in a psychiatric hospital,
but I believe she did it.
Shit.
Hello?
Hey Be, let me call you back.
What the hell you
still doing here, Simone?
Let me explain, Monica.
Take it up with H.R., okay?
Get out of my way,
you're no longer my problem.
Problem?
I was a problem to you?
You know what?
Like mother, like daughter.
What? Move.
Move.
Night night, bitch.
Oh, look who's awake.
Should I get you
some ginger tea?
No?
So, you wouldn't let met
explain back in your office,
I didn't have sex
with Andre to hurt you.
I did it so you'd know that
he's not good enough for you.
And that idiot had
to show up to your apartment
with the DVD and...
I had no choice
but to take care of him.
Just like I took care
of Mrs. Fletcher.
And Elodie,
that backstabbing bitch.
Monica...
You've really
got to be more careful
about who you let in your life.
Monica, where are you?
Monica? Are you here?
Monica!
Monica!
God, I wanted a room like this
when I was growing up.
Nothing like mine,
let me tell you that.
But you can tell a lot about a
person from their room.
Oh, see, take this
picture for example.
See, this picture,
this tells me that you
came from a loving family,
parents that loved you.
Aw.
Aw, look at this.
See, this tells me
that you were
taught to love yourself,
and the skin that you're in.
Gross.
Come on. Monica, pick up.
Bye, Bebe.
- What?
- Why are you doing this?
Seriously?
You haven't figured it out?
Figured out what?
What is going on?
Damn, you really don't know.
You know, I would say,
"Let's ask your mother,"
but that bitch is dead to me.
Simone!
Ew! Ew!
I'm coming in.
What did you do to my mother?
Where is my mother?
Where is my mother, Simone?
Oh, god.
Relax!
- Mom!
- Alright, that's enough.
Mom!
No!
Yes.
That's enough of that.
Enough of that.
You know Monica, you know
what I can appreciate?
I can always appreciate
your family dynamic.
You guys would do
anything for each other.
Yeah, I never
had that growing up.
Nobody ever chooses me.
I blamed your mother,
I blame my mother,
but you know
who I blame the most?
Our father.
Sorry Bebe, Monica can't come
to the phone right now,
she's with family.
Simone! I swear,
if you touch her,
I'ma beat your ass.
You ain't gonna do shit!
'Cause if you were, you'd
already be here, BFF.
I got you. Chimes!
I really thought things
would be different
for us, Monica.
I thought his death
would bring us closer.
But if I can't have
my dream family in life,
then we'll all just
have to be together in death.
Why hello, Mrs. Fletcher.
I'll take that.
Formaldehyde.
Monica, what?
Simone, I didn't know.
I wish I would've known
we were sisters.
I would've chosen you
over everybody.
It's not too late.
I could still choose you.
- Really?
- Really.
Now, can you please tell me
about your mom and our father?
Because I don't know. I don't.
They met on his, uh, first
campaign. You were just born.
And they were
working together out in D.C.
My mother said
they only slept together once,
but that's all
it took to have me.
You know, they paid
her a lot of money
to keep me a secret.
Didn't they, Denise?
Didn't they, Denise?
On the anniversary of her death,
he called out of the blue,
said that he wanted to meet up.
I couldn't believe
I was finally meeting him.
And he was everything
I always imagined he'd be.
He was handsome, and nice,
and funny and smart.
The perfect dad.
Just like you said.
He said he was sorry about not
being there for me
when my mom died.
Wished he could
make it up to me.
I told him he could,
that we could be a family now.
And you know what he said?
Me coming into y'all's lives now
would be bad
for your reputation.
So when he wasn't looking,
I got payback.
He broke my heart,
so I stopped his.
You probably hate me now.
Simone, Simone,
no, I don't blame you.
We can fix this.
We can fix this
side by side, together.
Harris sisters.
Harris sisters?
Get my mom.
Baby, we gotta go, we gotta go!
We have to get out of here!
Monica, baby!
- Monica...
- Come on, Mom.
Y'all move, I'll handle her.
- Hurry up.
- Come on.
Bebe! I'm calling 911!
No!
Simone! Stop!
Enough!
Your crazy ass, Simone!
Simone!
Get off me, Simone!
I'm...
Simone...
This is for my dad!
You took him from me!
Oh, Monica!
Bebe...
Bebe, please...
Please don't do this, Bebe!
I know you were
only looking out for me.
I love you.
Yes, and Mom, too.
You ready, sweetheart?
I miss you, Daddy.
I'm gonna spend every day
living my dream now.
Please put your hands together
for the new host of Tea Time,
Ms. Monica Harris!
Hey, y'all!
Good afternoon.
Thank you, thank you for being
my first audience,
as host of Tea Time
with Monica Harris!
Before we get started,
I have to give a very special
shoutout to my girl,
sitting at home watching. Bebe...
- It's me!
- I love you girl,
get better.
Hey, girl!
Now, shall we spill some tea?
- She look good, right?
- She look good.
Monica?
Monica?
Hey.
Hello?
A quarter for your thoughts?
A penny for your thoughts.
Don't sell yourself
cheap, honey.
I got you a gift.
That's sweet, Be.
A wind chime.
You remember what
your father would always say?
That it was the angel's way
of letting us know?
That everything
is gonna be okay.
Mm-hmm. You ready?
As ready as I'll ever be.
Let's go.
Our most basic instinct is not
for survival, but family.
My dad used to say that a lot,
but that was my dad, you know?
He had an inspirational quote
for just about everything.
If you don't like the road
you're walking,
pave another one.
And the classic, if you
want to see the rainbow...
You've got
to put up with the rain.
Yeah, you guys
definitely knew my dad.
In fact, if he were here,
I'm sure he'd know exactly
what to say
to make everyone feel better
right now.
I'm sorry.
Marcus Carey Harris,
of East Cleveland, Ohio,
was born on June 19th, 1961.
Slow down! This
ain't your momma house.
Get somewhere and sat down.
Hi.
Here you go.
Just how you like it.
Thanks.
Okay, correction, how
I like it and how you need it.
Thanks, I guess.
Look, babe, um,
what if we went upstairs
and had a little grief sex?
Andre, I just
buried my father.
Babe, I'm sorry.
Just trying to make you smile.
I know.
Okay. Sweet.
So, is there anything
I can do for my baby?
Actually, there is.
Why don't you be a dear,
Aunt Pearl and Nana Jo could
really use some consoling.
Sure, I can handle that,
Ms. Harris.
If you put your phone down,
I'm sure you can.
Honestly Monica,
I do not understand
what you see in him.
Really, Mom? Today?
I'm sorry, you're right, dear.
You're right, you're right.
I want to tell you,
you did a beautiful, beautiful
eulogy for your father.
Thank you.
- But...
- But what? Here we go.
What's up, Mom? What?
I just wish you had mentioned
all of the organizations
that he donated to.
Yeah, okay, well silly me
for rambling on
about his kind soul
instead of his deep pockets.
You know,
I can never satisfy you.
Monica, don't do this.
Don't do what?
Let you know how I feel
about you always letting me know
just how far I have
to go to make you proud?
That is not true.
That is not true.
Stuart, thank you
so much for coming.
Monica, you remember Stuart,
don't you?
Yep.
Well, if you'll excuse me.
Monica, we'll have this
conversation later?
- Looking forward to it, Mother.
- Okay.
Who is this daddy over there?
Think he's single?
- Bebe?
- Yeah?
That's my great uncle Marvin.
He's 73 years old.
Is he single?
We need to get you
on a dating site, babe.
No dating app for me.
Look at me,
I'm too proud for all that.
I eat catfish,
but I definitely ain't gonna be
catfished, okay?
I'm alone, and I don't
want to die alone.
You're not gonna die alone.
You have me.
So if anything, we'll
just die alone together.
You not dying alone.
You got Mr. Herpes commercial
over there,
and he ain't never leaving you.
Okay, first of all, it was
an erectile dysfunction
commercial, okay?
Leave my man alone.
Leave him alone now.
I hope I made him
happy and proud, you know?
He's dating the hottest TV
host in all of Houston,
he should be honored.
I'm not talking
about Andre, Bebe,
I'm talking about my dad.
You know he
was my staunchest supporter,
my biggest fan, I don't know,
I just...
now I just have her,
and you know how she is.
All she cares
about is appearances.
She loves you, it might
be in her own diva-Denise way.
Yeah, but even when
the host spot
opened up at Tea Time
and I told them
I was gonna go for it,
my dad was 100% in my corner,
and 100% sure I would
get it, you know?
But my mother,
she was figuring out how
to save face if I didn't.
But, that's
why you gotta do it.
You gotta do it for yourself,
you gotta do it for you father,
you gotta prove her wrong.
You got this,
and I want to be
right there cheering you on.
- That's sweet, Be.
- I know.
Bring it on in here, will you?
You're so crazy.
You know you're
gonna be okay, right?
- I know.
- I got you. Forever.
- Hey. You all good?
- Mm-hmm.
Yes, Andre, we good.
How's that little thing down
there hanging?
- Did she just?
- She did.
It's okay.
Don't worry about it.
- Gotta get your friend.
- I know.
Thank you for being here today,
I honestly can't thank you
enough. It means a lot.
You kidding me?
I wouldn't
have it any other way.
Now look, I know that I'm not
your mom's favorite,
but uh, I love you.
And I'm always
gonna be here for you.
- Always?
- Always.
Mmm, that's all that's left
of that one.
Where'd you hide the body?
- Ha ha.
- Really, Mrs. Fletcher?
It's 8 a.m.
Calm your tits, it's just a
little Peach Schnapps.
You know, I swear I'm gonna
come over there one day
and make you something other
than a liquid breakfast.
No, you not. I don't have
people in my house.
I hate company like I hate
people in my business.
Mrs. Fletcher,
your door!
Ooh!
Oh, yup,
I'm sure that's safe. Bye.
Bye.
This is probably a
good time to tell you
that Andre and I broke up.
What? When did this happen?
Where was I?
It happened
a few days after the funeral.
What happened?
Long story short, he cheated.
How'd you find out?
Girl, someone
DM'd me a picture
of him having sex in
Club Savoy's bathroom.
I'll have
to see it to believe it.
I'm not showing
you a picture, Be. No.
Sorry.
Your father, and now this?
Are you okay?
You know what, Be?
I actually am.
You know,
I woke up this morning,
and all I could think about was
what's next for me.
Okay.
Yeah, and hopefully
that's Tea Time.
But yeah, it's
time for me to chase my dreams
without any fears,
like my dad
would've wanted me to do.
Now, that's true tea.
Pinkie's out.
And as always, thank y'all for
tuning in to KQNB's Hey H-Town.
- Hey hey, y'all.
- Hey hey.
And we're out.
- Woo!
- Yes, oh, that felt so good.
Yes, she is back.
Mm-hmm.
Tell you what, it is so good
to have you back.
It was not the same without you.
- Oh, stop it.
- Seriously.
- Nice show, ladies.
- Thank you, Ms. Rochelle.
Thanks, Clark.
- Yeah!
- Oh my god!
Oh my god,
I'm so glad I didn't know Clark
was watching was watching us.
You're already
imagining yourself
spinning in her
host chair, aren't you?
What? No.
It's okay.
I've been doing it, too.
Her longevity, I mean...
The power to
call her own shots?
Yeah, I want
that kind of career.
I'm going for it,
and you should too.
But, let's just make a deal.
Okay, what?
Promise me that
whoever gets it,
we won't let it
affect our friendship.
Oh, absolutely.
- I gotta run.
- Okay, girl.
- So glad you're back.
- Yes.
Hey, hey, hey, hey,
let me help you with that.
Uh, okay, uh, you're new.
Actually, um, I worked
in the control room
for over a year, and then got
promoted to floor director
when Sam went
to early retirement.
AKA went back to rehab.
Well, his secret is safe
with me, I love Sam.
Alright.
It's your job.
Alright.
Gotcha.
- Thank you.
- You're all done.
Thank you.
- Oh, Eric.
- Eric.
- Eric Lawson.
- Eric Lawson, thank you.
It's my pleasure.
Excuse me.
Jeff, can we talk?
Of course.
Actually, I'd like
the host spot on Tea Time,
and I wanted your advice
on what I could do
to improve my chances.
Truth be told, if it
were solely up to me,
Tea Time would be yours,
hands down.
You work harder
than anyone here,
and your charisma's undeniable.
Monica, you're a star.
But, of course,
some people will
say the same about Elodie.
Well, Elodie's
a great choice, too.
See that? That humility?
That's gonna lose you the job.
You've gotta
be assertive, Monica.
Solo hosting your own show
is a big responsibility,
and you've got to
prove to the higher-ups
that you're up to the task,
that's my advice.
Show us what you're made of.
So, in other news, your
assistant, Nate, quit.
Wait, what?
When? Why?
I guess you can only be a
low-paid intern for so long,
but don't worry,
we scrambled and found somebody
to replace him.
Whoa, without my input?
I know, feel free to fire her
if you don't like her,
but I'm pretty sure you will.
Oh my god.
Let me introduce
you to her, come on.
Monica, this is Simone Hicks.
Simone, Monica Harris.
Hi.
Uh, sorry, hi.
It's nice to meet you.
Likewise.
Wow.
Side by side, you two actually
look a little alike.
Wow, that's such a compliment.
Let me show you
my office, just...
You really paid your dues.
Starting out as an intern,
giving your blood, sweat, and
tears to this station.
Even before you
became a TV host.
Nobody, not even Elodie Price,
can hold a candle to that.
I even know how you
like your ginger tea
with honey, and not sugar.
I did my research.
I'm sorry,
did I do something wrong?
No. No, it's not you.
Please, sit down.
Okay.
So, enough about all the
research you did on me,
tell me something
about you, Simone.
Oh, there's
not much to tell there.
Um, came here from Virginia a
couple of weeks ago.
Virginia? Big leap.
Yeah, I'm still
apartment hunting.
Well, welcome to H-Town.
I take it you don't have any
friends or family here?
Yeah, family.
Pretty distant, though.
I'm going to look for an
apartment later today.
Well good for you,
I hope that pans out.
Me too.
- Uh, is everything okay?
- Yup, just my cheating ex.
Sorry. You know what?
I think you should take
the rest of the day off.
Yeah, we can
start fresh tomorrow.
I'm all ready to start today.
That's okay.
I have some things I need to
handle anyway, so.
Tomorrow.
Alright, thank you Monica.
Okay.
Nice to meet you, Simone.
Monica?
Sometimes to see the rainbow,
you gotta put up
with a little rain, right?
I'll see you tomorrow.
Hey, I ain't
ever seen you before.
- First day.
- Well welcome, First Day.
I'm Eric Lawson,
the station's floor director.
I'm Simone Hicks,
Monica Harris' new assistant.
Oh, that's good to know.
Well, I'll see you around,
First Day.
See you around.
Hey.
- Yes, I know.
- I know!
Uh, yeah.
She came back today.
Of course she wants Tea Time.
No, I'm not worried about her.
The network loves me.
Babe, the gig
is as good as mine.
No, I would never
Tonya Harding her,
or would I?
Yeah.
Okay, yes. Okay, bye.
I love you.
You don't look like
no DoorDash.
Oh, no, I'm not.
I'm here
about the apartment vacancy.
Apartment vacancy?
The realtor
said that you were...
Do you see any signs out here?
Looking for a tenant?
Well I'm not. Somebody done
lied to you, little girl.
Go on now.
Please, ma'am, I really...
I really need a place to stay.
I ain't taking in no strays.
Please.
Maybe I can get you to
reconsider.
Peace offering,
and I can't stay long.
Hey Mom, I'm really busy,
what's up?
Listen. Look.
I know that sometimes
I can be a little hard on you.
A lot hard, and all the time.
With your father gone,
honey, it's just us.
It's just you and me,
and I know he would want us
to work on our relationship.
You know he would.
Come in.
I have the final rundown
for tomorrow's show.
Thank you very much.
- How are you?
- Hi!
Yes, you should meet my
mother, actually.
This is Denise Harris.
This is Eric,
he's our new floor director.
- Very nice to meet you.
- It's my pleasure.
Monica?
You are not thinking about a
workplace romance, are you?
I don't know what you're
talking about, Mom.
Mm-hmm, okay.
Don't know what
you're talking about.
I have a lot of work to do.
Uhhuh, I bet you do.
- I'll see you later, dear.
- Okay.
- Love you!
- Love you, too.
You got me waiting outside?
I can't even come upstairs?
Really, Monica?
So what, now you think I'm a
threat or something?
We're meeting here for your
safety, Andre.
Here's your stuff,
have a great life.
- Monica, look...
- What?
- Hear me out!
- What?
Go ahead, explain.
Explain how you made me believe
that you were really
in love with me,
just to turn around
and cheat on me
a day after my father's funeral.
Go ahead!
Despite what you saw in that
photo, that wasn't me.
Is that what we're doing?
All I remember
is drinking with the guys
at Carter's bachelor party,
and next thing I know, I just...
You fell inside another woman?
I guess. Sorta.
Oh my... I can't. I can't.
You know,
you're a much better actor
in those commercials.
You know that, right?
What? Come on, Monica,
don't play me like that.
Play you?
Don't play you?
Andre, you
played yourself, okay?
Matter of fact,
you don't deserve this.
This? You don't deserve!
Or me!
Come on, Monica!
Get the hell out of here, Andre.
- Simone?
- Monica?
What are you doing here?
Well, I live here.
This is the place I was
telling you about,
that I was going to look at.
Really?
That woman?
No, I just spoke
to her this morning,
and she was going on about how
she didn't like company
and hated people
in her business.
She never ceases
to surprise me, I swear.
Well, I guess she love money
and the two bottles of vodka
she asked me to get her earlier
more than she loves her privacy.
She said she was gonna
be gone for a few weeks,
pretty sure
she's going on a bender.
That doesn't surprise
me at all.
Uh, hey.
I'm actually going to grab
something to eat.
Did you want to join me?
Thanks, but no. I don't really
have much of an appetite.
What I could use
is a drink or ten.
I can always steal a bottle
from Mrs. Fletcher's cabinet?
I mean, the woman won't miss it,
it's like a liquor store
in there.
Mm-mm. Um, okay.
Under one condition,
you have to drink with me.
Misery loves company,
and drinking by yourself
is pathetic.
- Okay, okay, I will.
- Okay, alright.
I'll leave the door unlocked,
just come on up.
Okay.
Girl, you took
his T-shirt back?
I sure did, and I should've
did more than that.
What he put me through.
What would you have done?
Man, destroyed everything
and anything that he loved
until he didn't have a shred
of happiness left.
Okay.
- I'm just kidding!
- Oh.
I'm kidding!
I mean, what did
Ms. Michelle Obama say?
Okay, "When they go low... "
We get high.
Oh, she said, "go?"
"Go," high.
- Drink to that.
- Here we go.
- I'm not there yet.
- Neither am I.
But you know what?
I'm actually proud of myself
for leaving Andre.
It would've been easier to stay,
I could've just got my sis Bebe
to slash his tires,
break some windows, but...
You have a sister?
Oh, no, we're not real
sisters, but um,
we go way back, you know,
we've been friends since,
like, the fourth grade,
so she's family.
Like, yeah, that's my girl.
You're much prettier.
I recognize that man.
Uh, he was a mayor, right?
Before he got
term-limited out, mm-hmm.
Talk about friends
in high places.
That's my daddy, Simone.
He recently passed.
It's been, it's been a lot.
That explains the sad face.
I'm so sorry, Monica,
I didn't know.
It's okay.
Well, from what
I read about him,
he seemed like a great man.
He was.
Well, what was great
about him?
That's a good question.
My dad was, um...
He was kind.
He wasn't afraid to make,
like, hard decisions.
You know, no matter
who disagreed with him,
you know, he did what
was right all the time,
and he was just the perfect dad.
He was perfect.
- Hm. Hm.
- What?
Oh, it's just, you know,
in my life path,
I've found that
nobody is perfect.
He was. To me.
He was perfect,
and I don't know what
I'm gonna do without him.
Oh, oh Monica, okay.
I'm sorry.
I just don't know what I'm
supposed to do without him!
- I'm here.
- I'm here now.
Hey! How you feeling?
Like hell.
Well, not for long.
Here we go...
Now this,
all the hangover essentials
I thought you needed,
for work.
Work. Yup.
You didn't have to do
all of this, Simone.
Um, don't take this
the wrong way,
but how did you get into my
house this morning?
Oh, you're serious?
Oh, after a much needed
emotional release,
you begged me to stay.
Emotional release?
Like, I cried?
Like a baby.
I'm sorry
you had to witness that.
I'm just glad that I was
here in your time of need.
If you're looking for an early
pay raise, it's above me.
Okay, alright, I'm gonna head
back to Mrs. Fletcher's
so I can get dressed for work.
Uh, Simone?
Shirt.
Oh.
It's a little sweaty, sorry.
Mm-hmm.
Just chill for a second,
I'm gonna go, um...
I got you.
Okay...
Yes.
So, I'm getting rid of some
pieces, and I don't know,
maybe you can take them
off my hands.
Yeah!
Oh my god, this stuff
is so gorgeous.
Why do you want to
throw it away?
Sometimes you gotta
get rid of the old
to welcome in the new.
But yeah, it's all yours.
Okay.
Oh, this is beautiful.
Oh no, no, no, no, no,
that wasn't supposed to be
in that pile, I'm sorry.
Um, my dad, he...
he bought this for me.
He said it looked gorgeous
on my dark skin,
and I just, I don't know,
I could never part with it.
I'm sorry.
But, um...
This one, yes. This one here,
this is a good one.
Yeah, I think this will look
amazing on you.
Yeah. Uh, Monica, can I talk
to you about something?
Yeah.
Um, yesterday I overheard
Elodie Price
being pretty shady about you
and hosting Tea Time.
Wait, what did she say?
She was saying stuff like
you're not any competition,
and she would do anything
to get the show over you.
Uh, okay.
Thank you for telling me.
Of course.
I'm your assistant now.
I got your back, always.
Ooh, Mrs. Fletcher.
You stink.
There's a lot of stuff
in here...
What?
No way.
Wow.
"When they go low,
we go high."
Chapter two...
Uh, ma'am,
you're interrupting
my Becoming session.
Becoming what, girl?
Somebody who ain't texted
back their best friend?
No, my new assistant
got me Michelle Obama's
audio book, honey.
You got an assistant
that buy you gift?
Sound like my type of girl.
Right? She makes a mean
breakfast, too.
Come again?
Oh, right, I've been
meaning to tell you,
my new assistant
moved right next door,
in Mrs. Fletcher's house.
She came over, you know,
we kind of got to
talking and drinking,
and that's all
I really can remember,
but she was there
when I woke up, so.
So, your new assistant
spent the night at your house?
You don't think that's
a little bit too
work friendly, Monica?
She's my new assistant,
not my new best friend, Bebe.
I'm not worried about that,
that position been
filled for years.
I'm just trying to call you
because I got some tea
to tell you about
my dating adventures,
but I found someone I like.
Oh, really?
Yes, he's an engineer,
South Carolina University,
he's sexy, he's smart,
and he ain't no liar.
And I know, because I did a
background check on him.
Bebe, a background check?
Really? Girl, you're crazy.
I am crazy. That's me.
Do you think that's why I ain't
got me no man, though?
Oh no, no girl, of course not.
You know, I heard Monica
was a tough boss,
but making you stare
at her picture like that?
That's like a
whole 'nother level.
You look good in this blue,
by the way.
Oh, thank you,
it's a new dress.
Yeah, well that's
definitely your color.
Were you headed somewhere?
I'm actually kind of lost.
Monica's not here yet,
and I don't know where to go
get a good cup of coffee.
Well see, you're in luck,
because I'm in need
of a pick me up.
I'll show you where you can get
the best cup in the building,
so follow me.
Okay.
- Come on.
- Miss First Day.
- Andre?
- Please don't hang up!
Look, baby, I won't make
any more excuses,
but just know I...
baby, I didn't mean for
any of this to happen.
- Do not call me again.
- Monica!
Knock knock.
I got lunch.
Yeah? Well you can
come on in, then.
Alright. Where do you want it?
Right here's fine.
Here's your drink
that you ordered.
Well, look at you.
Girl, you look stunning.
You are wearing that dress.
- You like it?
- Yes.
Well, it's from
a private collection,
maybe you've heard
of it, Chez Monica.
Familiar.
Look, it is a long way,
and way nicer
than any thrift store
I been to back home.
What part of Virginia did you
grow up in, again?
Oh, well see,
I tell people Richmond,
but I'm really
from like a little pin dot
next to Richmond,
that nobody's ever heard of.
Okay, alright.
Born and raised?
Yeah, just me, my mom,
and my grandma, that's it.
What about your father?
Uh...
never met him.
I'm sorry
to hear that, Simone.
Oh no, don't be.
You can't really be sad
about somebody
you never met, right?
Daddy the tooth fairy.
- Oh.
- Oh my goodness.
Do you know
how much I was teased
and how many fights
I almost got into
for believing in make believe
for way too long?
Well, I hope you don't blame
your father for that.
He just wanted
to make you happy.
There's nothing wrong with
somebody caring about you
so much they want
to shield you from the truth.
Yeah, I guess so.
- This is so nice.
- Yeah, it is.
As a matter of fact,
I need some of that
shielding right now.
Why? What's the matter?
After smiling all up
in my face, Elodie,
I don't think she's the friend
I thought she was.
Simone overheard her talking
bad behind my back.
Simone?
Oh yeah, Simone,
she's my new assistant.
Yeah, the station finally
hired another sister.
- Oh, really?
- Yes, mm-hmm.
She's from some
backwater town in Virginia.
Oh, Virginia, oh.
Yes, and she dresses like a mom.
Oh my goodness,
I couldn't take it.
I had to give her
some of my old stuff.
Hey, H-Town.
Hey, H-Town.
Doesn't like...
if you do it like this...
Oh, like this.
This is Simone Hicks,
and you're watching Hey H-Town.
This is Simone Harris, and
you're watching Hey H-Town.
Monica, these are for you.
You brought me flowers?
Actually, I ran into
your ex downstairs,
and he begged me
to bring those to you.
"I know you don't believe me,
but I'm gonna prove it to you.
Love, Andre."
Wait.
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, wait!
Those are some
beautiful flowers.
Yes, and if anyone else
would've given them to me,
I would've kept them.
Really?
- Really.
- Wait right there. Don't...
An exquisite bouquet
for an exquisite lady.
Exquisite?
Oh, you shouldn't have.
For me?
- You're too much.
- No card?
No card.
But, I do have a question.
Mm-hmm? Okay.
Would you go out with me?
Now how could I say no to a
guy with such great taste?
Thursday?
Thursday.
Thank you.
There you two are.
So, got somebody here
who wants to have
a word with you both.
Hi ladies.
I got this, Jeff.
I know you do.
I'm not naive enough to
believe that I have any say
in who's going to replace me,
but I wanted to have
a little face time
with the two women
who are vying to do so.
Well, you're irreplaceable,
Ms. Rochelle.
I like you.
Well, luckily for me,
when Monica was recently
out on vacation...
Vacation? I was grieving my
father's death.
The viewers got a taste
of how I would and could
carry a show on my own.
Tea Time with Elodie Price
has a distinct ring to it,
don't you agree?
No more distinct than
Tea Time with Monica Harris.
This feistiness between
the two of you,
it'll serve you well.
I wish both of you luck,
and may the best woman win.
- Thank you.
- Thank you.
Have you lost your mind?
What the hell was that, Elodie?
What happened to our promise?
Oh girl, that was
just some fun shade.
Friendly banter
between two friends.
Friendly banter?
You called me grieving my
father's death a vacation.
Please, it was just
a little dig, Monica.
Don't be so sensitive.
Only one of us is
going to get that job,
and we can't always play nice.
Yeah, obviously not.
You really need to toughen up.
You'll be better off
if you just admit
you don't have
what it takes to do the job.
Okay.
Okay.
The party is here!
I got me a bottle,
I got you a bottle.
I didn't get you a bottle.
I didn't know you were here.
Thought it was just us today.
Okay, well, you know Simone
is new to town
and she doesn't
have any friends,
so I figured she should join us,
alright? Right.
Monica said
that you wouldn't mind.
- Yeah.
- If you said that now, okay.
I'll take these.
Thank you.
- I heard so much about you.
- Likewise.
I am so happy
that the women in my life
are finally together.
That didn't sound right.
Ooh, alright guys.
The wine is almost gone,
who's thirsty?
Besides you?
Yeah. You know, Mon' said that
you were really funny.
Mon' said I was funny?
Alright, let's go outside.
So, what do you think
about the whole Elodie
situation?
What Elodie situation?
Okay, so Simone thinks
Elodie has it out
for me at work.
No, not thinks, knows.
No, I just think it's Elodie
being a little
overly ambitious, that's all.
I trust you.
I know you can handle
your own, keep it cute.
Hmm.
I mean, but isn't that the point
of having girlfriends?
So you don't have to handle
things on your own?
When exactly does
Ms. Fletcher come home?
You know, that is a good
question though,
where is Ms. Fletcher?
- Um, texted me today.
- Ms. Fletcher? Text you?
Yes. She said she was
extending her trip.
- Where?
- I don't know, Bebe.
I was taught to mind
my own business.
I find that when you get into
other people's business,
you get into some trouble.
And you know what I find?
That when people
run they mouth too much,
they cause trouble.
Or people who date their
friend's old ass uncles,
because they can't find love.
No she didn't.
Okay, alright,
it's time to wrap this up.
I think we've had
too much to drink.
Thank you.
Thank you, Simone.
We can wrap it up.
Alright.
Yeah, that's a good idea, bye.
We don't need that, either.
Good night, Monica,
see you tomorrow.
Goodnight. Goodnight.
Okay, I may have said something
about the older men,
but the love part
she made up on her own.
She has me now.
Hell no.
So wait, you think
Simone did this?
I don't think she did it,
I know she did it.
That lady's crazy, she ain't
working with a full deck.
Hm, interesting,
that's exactly
what they used to say
about you in high school.
No, I'm good crazy, you know?
She's crazy-crazy.
Big difference.
Well... huh.
I see who burned your face out.
- Who?
- You did.
Oh.
Okay. Strong possibility
I did that, okay?
Mm-hmm.
But being serious,
I don't trust her.
She's like creepy.
The way she looks at you...
- Be, you're overreacting.
- No, I'm not,
I know what I see.
Before you go
writing the girl off,
just give her a second chance,
before you sage
her out of our lives.
Alright. For you?
But if she kill me,
I'm killing you.
What is that?
Well, you was out of sage, so
I used Lawry's seasoning
because they said that
that was good on everything.
Do you like it?
Girl, move.
Smell good.
Good crazy.
Hey, what's going on?
Elodie was
attacked last night.
What? Is she okay?
- She's beat up pretty bad.
- Oh my god, that is terrible.
Um, do they know
who did this to her?
No, no, not yet.
The higher-ups
want to know how you feel
about flying solo today?
I think I can handle it.
She covered for me.
Whoa, no, hey, look at me,
look at me.
No, okay?
I'm gonna let them know they
need to air a rerun.
- Okay.
- Okay?
- Thank you.
- I'll be right back.
Monica, I just heard what
happened. I can't believe it.
- I know, it's awful.
- I know.
Oh my god.
Um, can I have everybody's
attention, please?
Can we all gather?
Thank you.
Look, I know that
we are all devastated
by what happened to our good
friend and colleague, Elodie.
And in light of the situation,
we will not be going live today.
This show is a family,
and I think...
no I know that I speak for Jeff
and the whole management team
when I say that we care about
everyone here's well being.
In this moment,
I ask that we take the time
to take care of ourselves,
and each other,
that person
on either side of you,
as we send out prayers
for Elodie's
full and quick recovery.
That's all. Thank you.
That was a boss lady move.
That was the
right thing to do, Simone.
I uh, I have an idea.
Might sound kind of crazy,
but I think it might
make you feel better.
What's that?
Shopping? For Clark's
going away party.
I know you
didn't like Elodie, Simone.
No, no, I didn't mean it,
I didn't mean it that way,
I just, I thought that
it was something positive and
optimistic for...
Simone? You're right.
It could be a nice distraction.
- Okay.
- Okay.
We can go get our purses
from the office.
Okay.
Good morning.
Okay, I see you.
Ms. First Day.
Look at you,
looking all camera ready.
Have a good one.
Bye.
Hey!
You're here early.
Yes, I'm gonna be carrying
the show on my own
until Elodie gets back, so.
Okay.
Simone? The smile, the glow.
Whoever is responsible for that
noticed all that sauce
you serving up.
Well yes, there
is a certain whoever,
and I'm feeling him,
and I think he's feeling me too,
so I'm gonna
ask him out tonight,
so I'm really nervous.
Okay, well, you gotta
give me the tea on that later.
Yeah, well, I'll
tell you tonight.
We're still on for drinks
for me to
pick your brain, right?
Oh my god. Simone,
I am so sorry, I double booked.
Rain check?
- Yeah, yeah, okay.
- Thank you.
Going out with Bebe, I assume?
No, Eric, actually.
- Eric? Eric from here?
- Yeah.
I know work relationship...
But I think
it'll be fine. It feels right.
Are you sure
you're ready for that?
Ready for what?
Dating.
I mean you yourself,
you said that you just got out
of a relationship, right?
I did,
but I believe
that's my shot to call, Simone.
Yeah, yeah, you're right,
I'm just looking out
for you, that's it.
And I appreciate that.
But you know, we grown women,
I got it.
Yeah.
Okay. Um, is there anything
else I can do for you?
Yes, actually.
I was hoping that you can
pick up my dry cleaning
when you get a chance?
And um, you can just put
the keys on the front table
when you're done.
- Sure.
- Thanks, Simone!
You're welcome.
- First Day.
- Hey.
Sup?
So, are you excited about your
date with Monica tonight?
- Uh...
- She told me.
Yeah, we tell each other
everything, we're close.
Like sisters.
If that's the case,
then yeah, I'm excited.
Yeah, I bet you are.
Yeah.
Hey, didn't I hear you tell
Wanda in accounting
that you like to keep it chill
on work nights?
You remember that, huh?
That's why Monica raves about
you as an assistant.
You good.
Yeah, I guess so.
Ooh! What are you doing?
I'm even better
at other things.
Yo, first...
And my name is Simone.
All done!
My signature.
Yes, you look beautiful.
So check this out,
I did some digging
on your girl, Simone.
- You Googled the girl?
- I Google everybody.
You should be Googling
everybody, too,
all these random people around,
you need to
tighten up your game.
So wait, my game is not tight
because I choose
to get to know people
before I judge them?
This girl's all
in your business,
you don't even know
the damn girl.
Is she on, like,
some Single White Female,
or in our case, Single Black
Female, type shit?
Jeff hired her.
And if he hired her,
I'm sure a background check
was done,
Simone is good people,
and I trust her.
- You trust Simone?
- Yes.
Just like you
trusted Andre, huh?
That didn't turn out too good
for you, did it?
Okay, you being extra
as hell right now,
and if I didn't know any better,
I would say you jealous.
No, I'm not, I'm not jealous,
but you know what you can do?
Do your own little lip stain.
Handle you,
handle your own life,
'cause I'm tired
of talking about it.
- You know what? Fine!
- Fine!
If you gonna be petty like
that, fine.
Okay, go!
I ain't got time for
you and your pettiness tonight.
It is...
that's why I gotta get better.
Gotta take a page
from your book.
If I could tell you how...
I make more money on social
media than I do films.
- No, seriously?
- Mm-hmm.
Yeah.
Sometimes, but sometimes
I take a selfie,
and I'm like, "What am I doing?
What am I gonna do with this?"
- You know, I gotta say...
- Mm-hmm.
When I first heard I'd be
working with a Black woman
on a daytime news show,
I was stoked as hell.
- Oh, really?
- Mm-hmm.
Oh, you know I gotta
represent.
That you did. Hands down,
you are my favorite host.
- Oh?
- Yeah, oh yeah.
Well, let's cheers to me being
your favorite host then.
I'll drink to that.
We can do that.
- Everything alright?
- Mm? Mm.
- Mm.
- Mm.
Not really.
Um, I got into a fight
with my best friend, Bebe,
before I got here,
so excuse me
if I'm a little thrown off.
Well, you want
to talk about it?
You know, you'd be surprised.
I'm not just a pretty face.
Really?
- These work.
- Do they?
Well, um, yeah, I don't know.
Come on.
Don't make me beg.
Okay, so she
has this theory about Simone.
- Theory?
- Mm-hmm.
She, um, thinks that
Simone is obsessed with me.
Yeah, mm-hmm.
You know what?
Let's not talk about
Bebe or Simone.
Okay.
Let me see what you got
out on this dance floor.
Oh, let's do that then.
Come on.
Let's see what you
got, let's dance.
Come on.
Come in.
Hey, uh, those
cameras work out there?
For the right price they do.
I was here on the 15th,
I'm looking for footage from
that night.
Come back tomorrow.
Oh man, yeah, we did have a lot.
I can go all night long.
Let's go.
Wow. That was, um...
I'm sorry, I normally like...
be going, but...
Oh no, it's okay.
It's okay.
Are you sure?
I'm sure.
It felt like all night.
Simone?
What are you doing?
Um...
I'm sorry, I was trying not to
wake you up, I um...
I thought that
I left the keys earlier,
so I was coming
to bring them back.
Oh, okay, you can just leave
them on the table.
Okay.
Goodnight.
Goodnight.
Good morning, Eric.
Good morning, Simone.
You know,
I wanted to apologize
for what happened yesterday.
And I'm sorry if I made you
feel as if I...
- It's okay.
- Mm. Mm-hmm.
So, how was your date with
Monica last night?
And don't worry, she tells me
everything, remember?
That's right.
Everything went
well with Monica.
Good, good.
It's just, you know,
when it comes to Monica,
maybe you shouldn't...
You know, I shouldn't
be saying this, nevermind.
Just say it.
She just got out
of a long relationship
with a man
that she really loved.
Her feelings and her words
can't be trusted right now.
Did Monica
say something to you?
Assistant never tells.
But I will say this,
you know, if you're
gonna take advantage
of someone's vulnerability,
maybe you should
get your time up,
if you catch my drift.
I'm about to six-degree
Kevin Bacon this bitch.
I enjoyed last night.
Right.
Just a few more seconds.
- Hm, are you okay?
- I'm fine.
I just think that we should keep
things professional,
that's all.
You're all done.
Eric?
The hell just happened?
Serious?
"DH?"
Denise?
Monica!
Monica, open up!
Monica!
You?
Monica's not home.
Hello?
Hey Monica,
I was wondering if
I can come in late today?
Sure, is everything okay?
Actually, everything
is better than okay.
Remember that distant relative
I told you about?
They called?
Yeah, yeah, they called,
they want to meet today.
Wow, that's great Simone.
Yeah, definitely,
take the whole day.
I can't wait
to hear how all about it.
- Oh, you will.
- Alright, bye.
Okay, bye.
I am... I'm so glad that you
invited me here...
You know, I just wanted to be
certain it was really you.
I was really hoping that,
you know, you, me, Monica...
If you think that
I'm reaching out to you
to have some sort of reunion,
you are sorely mistaken.
So, you didn't invite me here
to make things right?
Hah!
I'm sorry.
Oh my goodness, little girl,
make things right?
Things were always right,
before you came along.
That being said,
here sweetheart.
$100,000?
This will take care of the
money that you spent
coming here, and the therapy
that you apparently need.
Take it, and
stay the hell away from Monica,
'cause if you don't,
I'm not gonna be so nice.
'Cause see, unlike
that whore that raised you,
I go hard for my baby.
Real hard.
Paycheck.
Hey ma'am, can
I get you a drink?
I got a message that you
wanted to see me?
Yeah.
Um, look,
I don't know what happened,
I thought we had
a good time the other night.
That's funny, that's
not what Simone told me.
What did Simone tell you?
She knew very specific details
about our night together.
Oh my god.
What?
She was there.
What are you doing here?
I thought I told you to leave.
You did.
Well you're not
getting any more money.
I don't want any.
But I am trying
to remember what happened
to the last person
who told me to leave.
Simone!
Simone!
Oh my god!
Oh my god.
You know what to do.
Bebe, call me
as soon as you can.
You were right about Simone.
I just, I still can't believe
Simone would do all this stuff.
It's just, it's too much.
That's some crazy stalker
stuff right there.
Where you at, anyway?
I'm in my office.
I don't know, I feel safer here.
I don't feel comfortable
leaving you with Simone.
- If you need me to pull up on...
- Hey, Monica.
- I gotta go.
- Simone is here.
You better beat her ass like
she stole from you.
Monica?
No. I'm gonna talk.
And you're gonna listen.
I welcomed you into my home.
I confided in you about how
painful
my breakup with Andre was.
And all this time,
you were the backstabbing bitch
who caused it? Hm?
Wait, what
are you talking about?
I got the DVD from
Mrs. Fletcher's house.
How did it get there,
Simone? Huh? How?
You know what?
It doesn't even matter.
You drugged Andre, and you sent
me all those sick photos?
- I didn't...
- Stop with the lies!
You can stop!
What are you? Are you
some kind of sick fan?
You get off on stuff
like this? Huh?
You know what? You're fired!
Monica, you should let
me explain.
Pack...
Who is it? Make it quick.
Uh, hello, Bebe,
this is Robin Gibbs.
You reached out to me about a
friend we have in common?
Yes. Simone Hicks.
I see you two are following each
other on Facebook.
Are you guys friends?
Could you tell me something?
Oh no, no, no.
Make no mistake,
we are not friends on Facebook
or anywhere else.
I have to go.
No, wait, no,
give me a minute.
I met Simone.
She's friends with
my best friend, Monica,
and something ain't right.
I just need you to help me
connect the dots.
You know how there's
that one really odd kid
in high school?
- It was Simone?
- She was the butt
of all these cruel and mean
jokes and pranks.
I mean, she
was bullied mercilessly.
Simone became obsessed with this
idea of moving to Texas
to go live with her father.
He would take care of her.
And get this,
in this fantasy world,
her father was the mayor of...
I think it was Houston?
I thought that
after they locked her up...
What did they
put her away for?
Killing her mom.
Simone killed her mother?
Simone's mother died in a fire
that police
suspected she started.
I mean, they didn't
have any proof,
so they put her
in a psychiatric hospital,
but I believe she did it.
Shit.
Hello?
Hey Be, let me call you back.
What the hell you
still doing here, Simone?
Let me explain, Monica.
Take it up with H.R., okay?
Get out of my way,
you're no longer my problem.
Problem?
I was a problem to you?
You know what?
Like mother, like daughter.
What? Move.
Move.
Night night, bitch.
Oh, look who's awake.
Should I get you
some ginger tea?
No?
So, you wouldn't let met
explain back in your office,
I didn't have sex
with Andre to hurt you.
I did it so you'd know that
he's not good enough for you.
And that idiot had
to show up to your apartment
with the DVD and...
I had no choice
but to take care of him.
Just like I took care
of Mrs. Fletcher.
And Elodie,
that backstabbing bitch.
Monica...
You've really
got to be more careful
about who you let in your life.
Monica, where are you?
Monica? Are you here?
Monica!
Monica!
God, I wanted a room like this
when I was growing up.
Nothing like mine,
let me tell you that.
But you can tell a lot about a
person from their room.
Oh, see, take this
picture for example.
See, this picture,
this tells me that you
came from a loving family,
parents that loved you.
Aw.
Aw, look at this.
See, this tells me
that you were
taught to love yourself,
and the skin that you're in.
Gross.
Come on. Monica, pick up.
Bye, Bebe.
- What?
- Why are you doing this?
Seriously?
You haven't figured it out?
Figured out what?
What is going on?
Damn, you really don't know.
You know, I would say,
"Let's ask your mother,"
but that bitch is dead to me.
Simone!
Ew! Ew!
I'm coming in.
What did you do to my mother?
Where is my mother?
Where is my mother, Simone?
Oh, god.
Relax!
- Mom!
- Alright, that's enough.
Mom!
No!
Yes.
That's enough of that.
Enough of that.
You know Monica, you know
what I can appreciate?
I can always appreciate
your family dynamic.
You guys would do
anything for each other.
Yeah, I never
had that growing up.
Nobody ever chooses me.
I blamed your mother,
I blame my mother,
but you know
who I blame the most?
Our father.
Sorry Bebe, Monica can't come
to the phone right now,
she's with family.
Simone! I swear,
if you touch her,
I'ma beat your ass.
You ain't gonna do shit!
'Cause if you were, you'd
already be here, BFF.
I got you. Chimes!
I really thought things
would be different
for us, Monica.
I thought his death
would bring us closer.
But if I can't have
my dream family in life,
then we'll all just
have to be together in death.
Why hello, Mrs. Fletcher.
I'll take that.
Formaldehyde.
Monica, what?
Simone, I didn't know.
I wish I would've known
we were sisters.
I would've chosen you
over everybody.
It's not too late.
I could still choose you.
- Really?
- Really.
Now, can you please tell me
about your mom and our father?
Because I don't know. I don't.
They met on his, uh, first
campaign. You were just born.
And they were
working together out in D.C.
My mother said
they only slept together once,
but that's all
it took to have me.
You know, they paid
her a lot of money
to keep me a secret.
Didn't they, Denise?
Didn't they, Denise?
On the anniversary of her death,
he called out of the blue,
said that he wanted to meet up.
I couldn't believe
I was finally meeting him.
And he was everything
I always imagined he'd be.
He was handsome, and nice,
and funny and smart.
The perfect dad.
Just like you said.
He said he was sorry about not
being there for me
when my mom died.
Wished he could
make it up to me.
I told him he could,
that we could be a family now.
And you know what he said?
Me coming into y'all's lives now
would be bad
for your reputation.
So when he wasn't looking,
I got payback.
He broke my heart,
so I stopped his.
You probably hate me now.
Simone, Simone,
no, I don't blame you.
We can fix this.
We can fix this
side by side, together.
Harris sisters.
Harris sisters?
Get my mom.
Baby, we gotta go, we gotta go!
We have to get out of here!
Monica, baby!
- Monica...
- Come on, Mom.
Y'all move, I'll handle her.
- Hurry up.
- Come on.
Bebe! I'm calling 911!
No!
Simone! Stop!
Enough!
Your crazy ass, Simone!
Simone!
Get off me, Simone!
I'm...
Simone...
This is for my dad!
You took him from me!
Oh, Monica!
Bebe...
Bebe, please...
Please don't do this, Bebe!
I know you were
only looking out for me.
I love you.
Yes, and Mom, too.
You ready, sweetheart?
I miss you, Daddy.
I'm gonna spend every day
living my dream now.
Please put your hands together
for the new host of Tea Time,
Ms. Monica Harris!
Hey, y'all!
Good afternoon.
Thank you, thank you for being
my first audience,
as host of Tea Time
with Monica Harris!
Before we get started,
I have to give a very special
shoutout to my girl,
sitting at home watching. Bebe...
- It's me!
- I love you girl,
get better.
Hey, girl!
Now, shall we spill some tea?
- She look good, right?
- She look good.