Power Book II: Ghost (2020) s02e02 Episode Script

1
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]
[TARIQ] Previously on Ghost
- Yas!
- I was trying to make breakfast.
Really, little girl?
I'm going back to sleep.
She been drinking again, Yas?
She's getting worse, 'Riq.
How can I fix this?
Besides working the steps,
stay away from him as much as possible.
[WHITMAN] Professor Jabari
Reynolds from Stansfield.
- No.
- From your reaction,
it feels like there might be
something more between you.
In the past, there was.
- Not currently?
- No.
[TARIQ] Back in fucking business.
All right, we'll park this
at my parents' country house
until we figure out a plan
to move all this product.
- The 12th District.
- Sweeney's seat?
That guy's a Democratic legend. No.
Promise me when I bring
something back on Sweeney,
you'll bless my taking his seat.
I got a plan for us
to get out of the life.
I'm telling Zeke to sign up
for the draft this year.
It's time for you to go pro.
- I just don't know if it's gonna be
- Enough of this Carrie shit.
[MECCA] We got some
unfinished business. Kill him.
[CANE] I don't got shit
to prove to you, huh?
But that's who I motherfucking am.
Ain't nobody more vicious
or loyal than me.
Give me a shot. We need to talk,
okay? I got us a new connect.
Ma, don't walk away. Ma.
My number's in here.
If anything happens, use it.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
C'mon, Ma. Reach out.
[WHITMAN] This is
Detective Kevin Whitman.
NYPD. Who's this?
- Shit.
- Did you get that?
The phone pinged at Stansfield.
That's where we focus
this investigation,
and that's where
we find Reynolds' killer.
[JOE] They say this is
a big, rich town
I just come from the poorest part
Bright lights, city life
I gotta make it
this is where it goes down
I just happen to come up hard
Legal or illegal, baby
I gotta make it
[50 CENT] I never took
a straight path nowhere
Life's full of twists
and turns, bumps and bruises
I live, I learn
I'm from that city full of
yellow cabs and skyscrapers
It's hard to get a start
in these parts without paper
Homey, I grew up in hell
a block away from heaven
That corner every 15 minutes
they moving seven
Pure snow, bag it then watch it go
Occupational options
get some blow or some hos
Shoot the ball or the strap
learn to rap or to jack
Fuck it, man in the meantime
Go head and pump a pack
This my regal, royal flow
my James Bond bounce
That 007 that's 62 on my count
I'm an undercover liar
I lie under the covers
Look a bitch in the eyes
And tell her baby, I love ya
You're my inspiration
you're my motivation
You're the reason that I'm
moving with no hesitation
[JOE] They say this is
a big, rich town
Yeah, I just come
from the poorest part
Bright lights, city life
I gotta make it
this is where it goes down
Oh, yeah, yeah
I just happen to come up hard
Legal or illegal, baby
I gotta make it
[TASHA] Take off your shirt.
Ma?
[TASHA] Trust me.
Ma!
[SOBBING] Ma! Ma!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
You need mommy?
It's too late to be
scared now, little nigga.
Mommy gone. You sent her away, remember?
Nah
You supposed to be
on your man shit, right?
You know what you gotta do.
[TASHA] I can't leave you.
Grow the fuck up. Toss that shit.
[TASHA] I can't leave you.
No. Tariq, help.
[HEART POUNDING]
[POUNDING AT DOOR]
[PHONE BUZZES]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[OFFICER] NYPD. Open up.
[KNOCKING AT DOOR]
Tariq St. Patrick,
go and grab your shoes.
We need to bring you
down to the station.
Station? For what?
You'll find out when you get there.
These my two shits right here, pendejos.
Which one you think
I should fuck up first?
The fuck you need the Internet
to tell you that for?
What, you never heard of democracy?
[PHONE BUZZES]
Hey, yo, snap this shit.
Fuck outta here. I'm out.
- You out?
- Yeah.
[LIL' GUAP] Where you going?
Who was that?
[CANE] No one.
Simon. So glad you reached out.
Well, I have a small problem,
and I think you might be the solution.
Actually, ditto.
What do you know about
Congressman Rick Sweeney?
I'd like to make a run at his seat,
but I'm gonna need
some help with the DNC
That's nice, but I have another idea.
Stansfield is having a bit
of a publicity problem,
what with the recent murders and all,
and you coming on as an adjunct
could be a very good look for all sides.
You know, I really think
that uh, my efforts
No one is talking about you, Rashad.
You need headlines,
and this is a great one.
Plus, what better place to dig up
helpful dirt on Sweeney?
You know he's friends with the Westons,
who built the other half
of Stansfield's Campus.
And your colleagues.
Do me a favor and look up
the Canonical Studies Department.
[KEYBOARD CLACKING]
[TATE] Damn.
I really think you'll enjoy the view
from the classroom, Rashad.
[CHUCKLES]
Oh, Simon. You know me so well.
- Tariq.
- Yas.
What are you doing here?
What happened? Where's Grandma?
- [YASMINE] Back there.
- [SAXE] Thanks, Justine.
Listen, I'm gonna try and make it
less than a year next time, okay?
- The fuck are you doing here?
- Tariq. Hi.
Davis MacLean sent me.
We, uh, work together now.
Your grandmother got a DWI tonight,
and Davis asked me to come down
and grease the wheels a bit.
Everyone's okay.
She just hit a parked car.
But she's gonna be here a while.
Listen, I can I can get you
a few minutes with her
while they process the case.
Thanks.
I'll be back, okay? A few minutes.
Tariq, I-I-I wasn't drunk.
Big Mama, how could you do this
with Yasmine in the car?
I mean, don't you know what
could have happened to her?
It wasn't my fault.
Your sister was supposed
to have a sleepover.
I was supposed to have the night off.
Grandma, they are no nights off.
[ESTELLE] You're telling me!
I am 62 years old, and I am tired.
Do you know what I've been through?
First Raina, then your father,
now my daughter's gone.
Sometimes it gets to be too much.
I should be allowed to have
a drink or two if I want.
You're right, Grandma.
You're right. I'm sorry, okay?
[SAXE] Sorry to interrupt,
but uh, Yasmine's getting ready
to leave for a foster home
- if you
- [TARIQ] Wait, what?
- Foster care?
- No, no, she's coming with me.
I understand you wanting to do that,
but she's not allowed
to return to Estelle's
until after her court
appearance tomorrow,
and a college dorm isn't
acceptable accommodations.
[YASMINE] I don't wanna go with her.
I wanna go with you, Tariq.
[TARIQ] Listen, Yas, I know. I know.
I wish you can, but you can't right now.
No, please Tariq. Let me come with you.
I'll be good. I promise.
Yasmin, listen, you're always good.
All right? That's not the problem.
It's just for the night, though, okay?
Just go with the lady, Yas.
She's going to a really good home.
I've known the family for years.
I'm her family, all right?
Look, Yas, I'ma fix it, okay?
I promise. I promise.
Tariq.
[OSWIN BENJAMIN AND ALEX
ERVINGTON'S "MOVING DIFFERENT"]
[SINGER] I got problems
I need answers
I've got some friendships 'round me
Feel way more like cancers
Them same ones tell me
that I'm changing
Hey, man, you need to quit it
with that ninja appearance shit
you be doing.
Or maybe you need to be better aware
of your surroundings.
The last time I saw you,
you had a lot of questions.
Now it's my turn.
Who are you trying to impress?
The fuck you talking about?
That stunt at the hangar?
I mean, sure, you proved
you could fight.
Whatever.
That was foolish, risky.
Only if you don't know you'll win.
Been stamping out niggas
like that my whole life.
Been trained for it.
Hmm. By who?
[CANE] Shit, who you think?
Been in the game
since before I was born.
My brother and sister too.
Yeah, where are they?
They around, but my moms, man,
she been thinking she been
running things for too long.
She be forgetting how she got there.
[MECCA] Hmm.
And what about Lorenzo?
Your pops, he's in for life?
Damn, my guy. You want
a fucking book report?
Yeah.
My mom's been trying
to get him out for a minute,
but my pop's not coming home.
Hmm.
[CANE] As long as she's feeling herself,
got to make it on my own.
Yeah, well, at some point,
we all gotta forge our own path.
The most important thing is
knowing who your people are.
Blood, chosen family,
the only thing that matters
is who has got your back
when it's up against the fucking wall.
Facts. Gotta stay true
to the ones who got you there.
Mm-hmm. [SIGHS]
I'ma give you a trial run.
Yo, what the fuck is he doing here?
You told him you were coming?
I didn't tell him shit.
I swear he must have followed me here.
- [PHONE RINGS]
- Ah, fuck.
[MECCA] Yeah, send him up.
Oh, hell yeah. This shit lit as fuck.
Where y'all niggas at?
We over here on the 59th floor, baby
[CANE] Yo. Yo, yo, yo, yo. [HISSES]
Hey, man, put that shit down.
Why would you ever want a public record
of every place you've ever been?
Hmm?
Chef.
[INDISTINCT RAP MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, man, I ain't mean no disrespect.
Yo, Mecca, we just here
to get your product
out in these streets, you feel me?
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
[MECCA] What did I tell you
about being aware of your surroundings?
- [BONE CRACKS]
- [SCREAMING]
[MECCA] You know, there is
a power vacuum in New York
right now that I am trying to step into.
[SCREAMING]
But I need a real
organization to do that.
[LIL' GUAP] Stop! Stop! Stop!
This street clown is no good to me,
and neither are you if you don't know
what company to keep.
- [BONES CRACK]
- [SCREAMING]
[MECCA] I was wrong about you.
You're not ready for this shit.
Get the fuck out.
- [BONES CRACK]
- [SCREAMING]
Take this bitch and get
the fuck out of my house.
[LIL' GUAP] Oh, God. God.
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
C'mon man.
Yo, why the fuck is Saxe working here?
Look, I understand your hesitation,
given your history with him,
but Saxe brings a certain skill set
that can help all the clients
at this firm, including you.
[TAPPING AT GLASS]
Ah. Good news.
I got Estelle a DAT.
On a DWI? How'd you pull that off?
Fuck is DAT?
Desk appearance ticket.
That means instead of being
held in custody
waiting to see a judge,
she'll be sent home until her hearing
at a future date.
Great work, Saxe.
I promise you, Tariq,
this is the best possible
outcome in this situation.
Yeah, not so big
on your promises, you know?
[DAVIS] He's right. Tariq.
As much as I hate to say it,
even I couldn't have pulled that off.
Oh, sometimes you just need a white guy.
Thank you, though I
I do wanna point out
that I'm in the minority here,
so I think that counts
as a microaggression.
Uh, could you give us a second?
- Yeah.
- Yep.
- Door?
- Uh, yeah.
Thank you.
[TARIQ] I don't trust him.
A'ight, you don't know him
like I know him.
He's not doing this shit
out the goodness of his heart.
Okay, look, kid.
I'm gonna let you in on a secret.
Neither am I.
I mean, you pay, we play.
Okay. So I pay you.
You find my sister so I can
bring her home, simple as that.
Okay, I'm sorry, but that I can't do.
Yasmine stays in the system
at least until
your grandmother's hearing.
Unfortunately, I won't be much help
in the family court system.
Outside my reach.
For that, you're going
to need two things:
money and someone
with a lot of influence.
Caridad Milgram. Hey
there. I'm Rashad
Rashad Tate. I know.
That's your office,
but the police are still
using it for interviews.
Not exactly the welcome I was expecting.
If you don't mind me saying so,
your pictures don't do you justice.
You are absolutely stunning.
I do mind, and I'm not
your welcoming committee.
You're not even a literature professor.
Well, it's my understanding
that we'll be co-teaching
an ethics course.
[SCOFFS]
And you think you're
more qualified for that?
You know, I know what this is.
They think they can just swap out
one high-profile Black man for another,
and no one will notice.
Now, Caridad
It's Professor Milgram.
Duly noted.
You know, maybe it's best
you just observe
today's debate on altruism.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
Hannah Roth, Detective Kevin Whitman.
NYPD. Can I talk to you?
About what?
How do you know Caridad Milgram?
Why?
Well, I've gone through
her phone records,
and it looks like she calls you
multiple times a week.
I'm gonna ask you again.
What is your relationship?
Ma'am.
Ma'am, if you and Ms. Milgram
are involved
in some sort of criminal activity
Criminal activity? No, no, no, no.
It's nothing like that.
I'm her sponsor, okay?
And anything Carrie shares with me
is personal and confidential.
Legal privilege and
confidentiality protections
do not extend to 12-step meetings
and sponsor interactions, Ms. Roth.
Look, I can take you down
to a grand jury
and have you speak to them,
or you can answer
my questions right here.
Shall I go on?
Fine.
Tell me about her relationship
with Jabari Reynolds.
I just wanna thank y'all
for coming out today.
Like Coach said,
um, I'm grateful for the time
I got to play here at Stansfield.
- [FAN] Love you, Zeke!
- [CHEERING]
And I'm blessed to announce
that I will be entering
the NBA draft this year.
Have you hired an agent yet, Zeke?
I'm still looking at my options.
Does this choice have anything to do
with the off-court issues
that caused you to miss
the beginning of the season?
Not at all.
I put those issues behind me,
and I'm 100% focused on playing ball.
[FAN] Yes, he is!
Thank y'all.
[CHEERING AND CHATTER]
Plenty of time for that later.
Thank you.
Damn, you think I'm ready
for all this, Auntie?
You gotta be, because it's happening.
Don't forget you're a target now, Zeke.
Everybody and they mother
gonna want something from you
especially women.
Now remember, I'm the only one
with your best interest at heart.
Now, are you sure
all those off-the-court issues
are behind you?
[BRAYDEN] I don't wanna pledge Kappa!
Fuck. Fine, Trace, I'll be there.
Go get your gold fucking star from Dad.
Yeah, you're a fucking asshole.
I gotta go.
The fuck, bro. Where
the fuck were you, Tariq?
I was taking care of family shit.
You move the product?
Yeah, I moved it,
to my parents' garage uptown
in my trunk.
What the fuck did you just tell me, B?
What do you mean it's in your trunk
Chill out, bro, that place is, like,
more secure than the
fucking White House.
And what'd you expect me to do?
I made a fucking executive decision.
Listen, bro.
All right, my grandma, she caught a DWI.
All right, I had to take care of
some shit for my little sister,
so, you know, I've been having
a lot of important shit
to deal with, bro.
I'm sorry, 'Riq.
Look, I got a lot of shit going on,
so I'ma need you to
handle the product alone.
You trust me to do that?
Yeah, of course.
Be safe, a'ight?
Yeah, you too.
Window grills will run about 8,
but you may not have to do 'em all.
[MONET] You sure that's it?
'Cause we ain't trying
to cut no corners.
Do 'em all, plus extra, as best you got.
[DIANA] Ma, we don't need to
How soon can you get it done?
We're finishing up a big job in Astoria.
I'm not sure if I can pull any men.
Why don't you go look
at the windows in the back?
I think they need some new glass too.
Ma, the windows in the back are fine.
It's an investment.
The longer this bar is closed,
we can't wash our money.
If we make it worth his while
to turn it around,
we come out ahead.
Now, how you looking with them numbers?
Good.
I taught myself the program,
but I'd be even better
if I took accounting in school.
Since when you interested in math?
Oh, let me guess.
They got just the right class
up there at Stansfield.
Girl, you ain't slick
trying to get up there close to Tariq.
No, I just been thinking.
If I can get an MBA,
that'll help the whole family.
60% of NBA players go broke
within five years of joining the league.
People always robbing 'em.
But this way, I could do
Zeke's books when he goes pro.
Protect the money.
I get it,
but you way outta
your lane, little girl.
Ain't no way for a girl
like you to mix school
and the streets, at least not right now.
[SINGER] Oh
Can you stand the rain?
Can you stand the rain?
Can you stand the rain?
Will you be there, girl?
[MUSIC FADES]
Wait. Ma, you like love songs now?
What, that's 'cause your anniversary?
Yeah. Yep, 22 years.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYS]
Your father held me down
when nobody else did.
He had my back.
And I see you itching to get out there,
but when it's your time,
having a lover makes you weak,
but having a partner makes you strong.
Remember that.
Tariq ain't never gonna be that, D.
He's his own man.
[CLASS CHATTING]
[PHONE BUZZING]
All right, class, let's get started.
Some of you may recognize
City Councilman Rashad Tate
from his recent gubernatorial campaign.
Now he's my new co-teacher
for this course.
Uh, a politician's gonna
teach us about ethics?
Okay, welcome to the new world, y'all.
[TATE] The truth of the matter is
that my, uh, experience in government
has given me a unique perspective
on navigating tough ethical dilemmas
out there in the real world,
and I look forward to sharing
that with all of you.
You can also follow me on Twitter
Okay, last time, we discussed
how Thomas Hobbes denies the existence
of pure selflessness in Leviathan.
So now we throw it to you.
Is there any truly selfless act?
[ASHLEY] Come on.
Everyone knows that
even the good feeling
that comes from a selfless deed
is self-serving motivation.
Okay, but an act shouldn't
be written off as selfish
just because there's a small
element of self-benefit.
And plus, every good deed
doesn't feel good.
Think about a mother
risking her life for her child.
[LUIS] Kin selection.
Darwin said any organism's goal
is survival of its species.
Selflessness is just
a casualty of evolution.
That's cynical.
Then how do you explain
Jesus's ultimate selfless act
of dying for our sins?
All right, but Jesus is famous as fuck.
Nah, every good deed
has a selfish motive,
even if it's just the promise
of getting into heaven.
Interesting. So what
I'm understanding
If I may, Professor Milgram,
your question is flawed.
So-called selflessness is
an arbitrary moral standard,
when the reality is that it is possible
for all parties to gain
from any given interaction.
[BRUSHAUNDRIA]
That's what I'm talking 'bout.
If you scratch my back, I scratch yours.
Anything else is just a waste of time.
I like the way you think,
Ms. Carmichael.
I like the way I think too.
One, two, three, bring it up.
Just like that. Get up.
Yep. It's all right.
You got it.
You really think this is gonna help?
It got my jumper back when
I messed up my shoulder.
Your announcement
went well this morning.
You good?
[ZEKE] For sure, yeah.
I'm excited about going to the league.
Just, you know, there's some things
I'ma miss about Stansfield.
Some people.
Yeah, I feel you.
Some people I'ma miss
when we leave the city too.
But we'll all be safer with you away
from Tariq and CourseCorrect, so
That's 'Riq on CourseCorrect?
He's slick as a motherfucker.
That shit's on lock.
And what you talking about,
when you leave the city?
Auntie Monet ain't gonna
let y'all go anywhere.
[DRU] That's not what she's saying.
She had us all thinking
this whole NBA shit
was just her retirement plan,
but now it's her exit strategy
from the whole thing.
Wherever you get drafted,
she's gonna have us all follow.
Yo, Freaky Zekey! [LAUGHS]
Been following your career. Big fan.
I, uh, couldn't get to you
at the press conference,
but I would love to help you
navigate your options.
Give me a call.
[TENSE MUSIC]
[ZEKE] Thank you.
[RAY] Call me.
Tariq. What a surprise.
[TARIQ] You really believe
what you said?
You know, about both parties
being able to gain
from an interaction?
'Cause I could definitely use some help
from someone of your stature
with the family court system.
That's a high mountain to climb.
Yes. Yes, it is. So what do you need?
You know, what could I do for you?
Tariq, there's nothing
you can do for me
actually, you wouldn't happen to know
any Westons that go here, do you?
Hmm
In fact, I do.
Well, turns out that I'm feeling
mighty altruistic today, young brother.
So if you need my help,
here's what I need from you
Tariq St. Patrick?
Detective Kevin Whitman, NYPD.
Come with me.
[TATE] Detective?
Hey, man, you should, uh
you should go see about that.
Keep your head up, young brother.
[WHITMAN] Go ahead and have a seat.
Sorry about all this.
It's, uh, the only office available.
Tariq, do you know anything at all
about the murder of Jabari Reynolds?
No, sir. Someone say I did?
No.
I'm just speaking
with all of his students.
See if it yields anything.
Detective Santana said
you were in here with him
the day before his death.
Did you notice any odd behavior
by or around him then?
In all honesty, Detective,
I really just been,
you know, focused
on juggling my schoolwork,
my mother's case, so
haven't really been
focused on anything else.
You aware of any personal relationships
that Mr. Reynolds may have had?
Anything suspicious?
No.
How about faculty?
You ever notice any tension
between Mr. Reynolds
and the other professors?
Let's say, oh, Carrie Milgram?
Actually, yes.
Um, there was some rumors
about them, you know, being together.
There was this dinner
at the Baldwin's house.
I got there a little late,
and I'm not sure
if Lauren told you anything about this,
but, you know, those two,
they had a pretty,
pretty heated argument.
Thank you. That's very helpful.
[SINGER] Darling, in my dreams
I don't understand
Ooh, ooh
Feel it in your hands
There's some kind of magic
It's obvious to me
The way our bodies speak
We could take it deeper
[SINGER] We could take it deeper
[SINGER] I wanna feel your gravity
Wrap your arms around me
I wanna feel your gravity
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[SIGHS] Fuck.
Hold on.
What the fuck?
You were supposed to be here hours ago.
Yeah, I know. I'm sorry.
Things got a little
messed up, but oh.
[CHUCKLING] Oh, sorry.
Yo, that's what's up.
You know, you love to see it.
You know, I'm a queer ally.
If you two are open to it,
I'd love to ally myself
Um, Yoli, you wanna give us
a minute real quick?
Gotta get ready for practice anyway.
Bye.
Eyes front, Proud Boy.
Okay, look, Effie, I'm sorry, okay?
Tariq was dealing
with some family stuff
Miss me with the excuses.
Tariq is only worried about himself,
and you need to realize that
if we're gonna work together.
- Now go.
- Effie, it's not like
[TRACE] Skids, I need you to bring me
some supplies by the house.
I'm not on campus right now.
[TRACE] Well, where the fuck are you?
- It's rush week.
- [BRAYDEN] I gotta go, Trace.
- [TRACE] Skid
- I knew you'd change your mind.
[EFFIE] Shit's been stepped on.
Get back here, please. Now.
- [LINE BEEPS]
- Effie.
- Call Tariq.
- [LINE RINGING]
Fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck, fuck.
[TIRES SQUEALING]
[PHONE BUZZES]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
[CANE] I ain't been seeing Ramirez name
about this Jabari Reynolds shit yet.
You about tell me why?
I spoke to the cops, yo.
You nigga, what?
I spoke to the cops.
It's cool. It's cool, a'ight?
They talking to a lot of students.
Listen, though, they found they suspect,
and I know who it is.
Who is it?
It's the nigga's ex.
One of the professors.
Didn't I tell you this shit
wasn't gonna pull back on us?
Yeah, whatever, nigga. Shit ain't over.
So do whatever you gotta do
to make sure she takes
that fucking weight.
I already got a plan. We good.
Okay, then what's the plan?
[PHONE BUZZES]
[TARIQ] Shit.
Yo, I gotta go.
You gotta go nigga,
what's the fucking plan?
[SINGER] So I get up
Got rid of my fears, yo
Time to be a grown man
Ain't got time for tears, yo
Oh, God!
- [BOTH MOANING VIOLENTLY]
- Fuck you.
- Fuck you!
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
Trying to find a way
to bring us change
Try to find a way
- Try to find a way
- [BOTH MOANING]
[BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY]
Oh, God.
Oh, my God.
Gotta go.
- What?
- [JENNY] Yeah.
Wait, uh
[SIGHS]
How was your day?
He asks from the dark side.
[SAXE] Oh, c'mon.
Everyone has the right
to a criminal defense.
It's in the constitution.
I am a patriot.
You sold your soul to the devil, Saxe.
It's a lease, and he said
he's gonna give it back.
Oh, you'll love this.
Um, I caught the Jabari Reynold's case
at work, and you'll never believe
who the investigation's
prime suspect is.
Carrie Milgram.
- No way.
- Mm-hmm.
After she left the prosecutor's office,
she landed a teaching gig at Stansfield,
where she helped bring on
none other than
Reynolds. Wow. Spicy.
But she's not a murderer.
That's not what I'm hearing.
- Who's on it?
- [JENNY] Kevin Whitman.
And there was another familiar name
on his list of Reynolds advisees.
Tariq St. Patrick.
So if your client has any info
he'd like to share,
my door is always open.
Oh, motherfucker.
Fucking Tariq.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
What's up?
What up, D?
What are you doing here?
Um, I need a ride, to New Haven.
New Haven?
'Riq, that's two hours away,
maybe three with traffic.
Monet will kill me
if I'm gone that long.
Yeah, I know, but, I mean,
it's about the business
and the drugs that you packaged for me.
It's just a ride. C'mon, please?
[BRASH HIP-HOP PLAYS]
[EFFIE] No, because
you got me fucked up.
You know what, why don't we
just wait for 'Riq?
- Bitch, we got
- What the fuck is going on?
Your girl sold us some fake-ass coke
and said it was on you.
- Not me, per se.
- The fuck do you mean not you?
- You dropped that shit off.
- I don't care who it's on.
Someone better make it right
before my 15 ends,
- or I'm gonna fuck you
- Or you gonna what?
What the fuck you gonna do?
You not gonna do shit.
- Effie
- Brayden, shut up.
Yeah, shut up, Brayden.
I'm trying to make
a business transaction,
- and this bitch is selling me
- Yo, who you calling a bitch?
- fucking stupid!
- Hey, chill the fuck out!
Chill the fuck out!
[DISTANT SIRENS WAILING]
[ALL GRUNTING]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
[BRAYDEN] I swear to God,
that better be Tariq
motherfucking St. Patrick.
Finally, bro. Where the fuck you been?
Yo, what happened to him?
[EFFIE] Who's she?
Oh, Effie, this is Diana.
She works with us as well.
She drove me up here. Di, this is Effie.
Sup?
You his girl?
- Why are you asking?
- It's not like that.
Whatever. I don't care.
What I care about is,
this powdered fucking sugar
could have gotten me killed.
Where the fuck is the real shit?
Fuck are you talking about,
powdered sugar?
What is this?
Hey, I didn't touch shit.
We must have got it like that.
Excuse me?
Yo, we don't sell tainted shit.
Sounds like it wasn't a problem
'til it got to Effie.
[LAUGHS]
I already beat one bitch ass tonight.
- Who you calling a bitch?
- But I will beat your
- [BOTH SPEAKING AT ONCE]
- Yo, chill out.
Chill out. Chill the fuck out.
Doesn't fucking matter
whose fault it is.
Either way, we're fucked
if we don't get some product,
so we gotta figure some shit out.
He's right about that. What's the plan?
And who's gonna tell Monet?
Who's Monet?
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
Fuck.
[DRU] Yo, Ma's been looking for you.
The fuck you been?
I was hanging out with Tariq.
He got caught with fake product.
- Ours.
- [DRU] What?
[LAUGHS]
That motherfucker.
I know Rico did this shit.
I'm glad I shot his ass.
Well, kids, that's the game.
Guess we having cake for dessert.
For real?
That just happen?
[DIANA SCOFFS]
You shouldn't be here.
I know.
I came to apologize
What you said at the hospital,
that I only think about myself,
I felt that.
I wanna make it right. I wanna help you.
How?
Get in the car.
[GUNSHOT]
[GUNSHOT]
- [GUNSHOT]
- Shit!
Why would you bring me here
with a bum hand, man?
Because the family needs protection now,
and this is how I can help.
Come on.
Yo, y-you know I can't shoot lefty.
This ain't drawing, Dru.
It don't take fine fucking motor skills.
Now focus.
[GUNSHOT]
- Man
- It's all good. It's all good.
- [SIGHS]
- Try again.
[GUNSHOT]
[CHUCKLES]
[SOFT MUSIC PLAYS]
[GUNSHOTS]
- How's D?
- [DRU] She good.
Mom's bugging out though.
Rico ripped us off on our last supply.
You know what she did? Laughed.
- [SCOFFS]
- Shit. What you gon' do?
I don't know, but we need a new connect.
Quick.
I might be able to help out with that.
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
- Hey.
- Hey.
You look nice.
Thank you.
[ZEKE EXHALES]
Hey, um, congratulations on the draft.
That's really exciting.
Thank you. Yeah, yeah. It's wild.
Yeah, I I think we should
talk about some things.
Yeah, I know you thought
I-I should finish school first.
No, Zeke. I get it.
It's just, you know,
I I have to look out
for my family, you know?
People are watching everything I do now.
So there's all this pressure,
and I just
I don't wanna give you up,
but, like, uh,
I think it's best if we stopped
seeing each other.
I understand.
Good luck, Zeke.
Bye, Carrie.
[SOMBER MUSIC PLAYS]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
[POUNDING AT DOOR]
What was Zeke Cross doing here?
Excuse me, you can't
just barge in here, Kevin.
And why are you talking to my sponsor?
You moved the couch.
Is that what this is about?
What happened between us?
No, this is about the fact
that I already gave you an opportunity
to tell me the truth once,
and you didn't.
I'm gonna give you one more chance.
What was he doing here, and don't lie.
I'm not talking to you
without my lawyer.
Fine, don't talk. Shut up and listen.
You see, I know that up until recently,
you had some sort of
tumultuous sexual relationship
with Jabari Reynolds,
and you lied to me about the timeline.
Now, why would you do that, Carrie?
You worried that your ongoing
relationship with the victim
makes you the prime
suspect in his murder?
God, I didn't tell you
because I knew you'd draw
the wrong conclusion.
Where were you on the night
of Jabari Reynolds' murder?
- I didn't kill Jabari.
- Where were you?
I was here at home.
Alone? Really?
'Cause you and I both know
that's not an alibi.
Zeke was here, okay?
Cross.
You were home between the hours
of 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
with your student, Ezekiel Cross.
Yes.
Wow. I'll talk to him.
If you tell him
to corroborate your story,
I will get you disbarred
and I will lock you both up.
You know, in the meantime,
you really should have
your lawyer call me.
[DRU] So, Ma, it's a new connect.
Cane knows him.
He's gonna be our liaison.
I ain't fuckin' with nobody
that's down with Cane.
And it's real interesting
how you comin' in here
with his name out your mouth
after what he did.
You and I both know that
Cane isn't the only reason
I ended up in the hospital.
Now, I've forgiven him
for his part in it.
So, can you?
I'm sorry, I can't.
["CAN YOU STAND THE RAIN"
PLAYING FROM PASSING CAR]
[SINGER] Storms will come
This we know for sure
Can you stand the rain?
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Am I interrupting?
Not at all. What can I do for you?
Well, you know, you told me
I could come to you
whenever I needed help
or whenever I just wanted to talk.
And my little sister,
she was just put into the child
service system this week.
Oh, Tariq. I'm so sorry.
I mean, of-of course,
I'll-I'll help however I can.
- They won't
- Professor Milgram.
- You got a minute?
- I'm with a student.
Yeah, but I need to speak with you.
I'm sorry, Tariq. Just two minutes.
We need to talk about
this police presence
here on campus.
This couldn't wait?
No. They're using my office again.
It's not a good look.
[CARRIE] The police are
safeguarding our students.
I thought you said you were here to help
the next generation of young leaders.
[TATE] And I'll do that
by getting elected to Congress
and changing policy that will help them,
but, of course, that won't happen
if Stansfield's reputation
is in the toilet
along with my own.
I need to get back to work, Rashad.
You know, the detective
talked to Tariq yesterday.
You know what that was about?
[CARRIE] This has nothing
to do with Tariq.
He's been through a lot.
He's a good kid.
Don't interrupt me again.
Duly noted.
[CARRIE] Oh. Tariq, you okay?
Yes. I gotta go.
Can you believe it? Another year.
Yep, another year.
C'mon, baby. It's our anniversary.
Yeah, I know, and it's the same
old played out routine.
I'm even wearing the same
busted-ass lingerie.
'Cause it's my favorite.
Back on our wedding day,
I didn't think it was gonna
be like this, 'Renzo.
I need more.
It is what it is, Mo. You know that.
It's hard for me too.
I wish I could be
by your side every day.
But you can't.
I bought you all this shit,
and what do I get?
Air.
That's what I get every fucking day.
Air.
When Rico's out there
giving me fake shit,
you know what I got to help me?
Air.
[SIGHS]
Where's Cane's signature?
That's what I'm trying to tell you.
Cane is out. He killed Ramirez.
Ramirez? Is that what this is about?
This is not about no fucking Ramirez.
This is about your son
going against the family.
And now he's back all of a sudden
with some new fucking connect
out of nowhere.
Cane's got a new connect?
Fuck his connect.
How you gonna say you want more,
you can't even keep
this family together?
You killed Rico.
If Cane's offering product,
you need to take it, today.
[GUNFIRE]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Yo, why the fuck y'all think you can
just keep rolling up
on my shit like this?
- Take a walk.
- You bugging.
It's, like, 20 degrees outside.
Bye, y'all.
So Dru told me about your offer.
Yeah. You interested?
It depends.
Before we can discuss any of that,
I need to know I could trust you, Cane.
For starters, enough of this lyin' shit,
or your father ain't gonna be able
to protect your ass next time.
Don't you ever forget
who your family is.
You hear me? And Tariq is off limits.
You both in two different lanes,
and it needs to stay that way.
Now, are we good?
Yeah, we good.
A'ight. Get your things
and come on home.
[SIGHS] What do you want?
Look, if this is about your boy
Tariq, you can have him, okay?
I ain't with that sometime-y shit.
I already told him.
There's nothing going on
between me and Tariq.
This ain't about that at all.
This is about business.
I saw what you're doing.
Going to school and moving weight.
And I wanna do the same.
Can you teach me how?
[LAUGHS] Your mom got you on lock.
I don't think she gon' be
cool with that.
Well, she can't have an opinion
on something she don't know about.
It's not easy. I mean,
are you even smart?
[CHUCKLES] I'm smart enough.
Okay.
Well, if you're so smart,
then what happened to your product?
Who stepped on it?
My moms thinks it's our old connect,
but, um, I don't know.
- That don't make sense.
- Right.
Well, if you wanna figure it out,
you should think about it.
You know all the players, right?
Cui bono?
I don't speak Italian.
It's not Italian. It's Latin.
It means,
who had the most to gain
from fucking up your shit?
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]
[MECCA] You think I need this shit?
The last thing I need is more product.
This is bigger than bricks, man.
The people I jacked this from,
they need a new connect
right now, and they big.
A real organization like you wanted.
- You merk anyone to get it?
- [CANE] Nah.
I swiped that from some low-level cat.
He had it parked in some garage.
Found the nigga's address
on IG, like you said.
Replaced his bricks with sugar.
He never even knew.
Good plan. Smart.
[CANE] Now, I can get you a taste,
if you ready to let me in.
And who exactly would we be
going into business with?
Monet Tejada.
You stole from your own family.
Fuck no.
I created an opportunity for them
that they didn't even know they needed.
I helped them.
[HORNS HONKING]
[OFFICE PHONE RINGING]
- [SAXE] Knock, knock.
- [DAVIS CLEARS THROAT]
You mind?
Yeah. Yeah.
- You okay, Davis?
- [DAVIS] Yeah.
Couldn't be better. What's up?
I think your favorite collegiate client
might be mixed up in another murder.
Cha-ching. How do you know?
Um, you may not like this,
but I've been, uh, seeing
Jenny Sullivan.
Oh, my God. You're fucking the ops.
- It's not like that.
- It's like what?
I mean, yeah, I'm fucking her.
I'm fucking her, but anyway,
she's on that Stansfield murder,
Jabari Reynolds,
and apparently, Tariq was
one of his students.
Now, he's not a suspect yet,
but the lead they're following
sounds like total bullshit to me.
You know, uh, Caridad Milgram?
Used to be in the DA's office?
[TENSE MUSIC]
Carrie Milgram's their lead suspect?
Mm-hmm.
Keep me posted.
Anything you can get on Milgram
and whether or not
it's gonna back up on Tariq.
Whoo, I-I thought that you were
gonna have a problem
with my, uh, entanglement.
A problem? [CHUCKLES]
I mean, uh, you get inside, I get info.
Sounds like we both win.
Hmm?
Hey, I was about to head out,
and oh, you too.
Um, you wanna I don't
know, you wanna no.
Okay, I get it. I understand the vibes.
Not a problem.
Um, maybe some other time. Good night.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
[SINGER] Show me what you got
Got, got show me what you got
Got, got show me what you got
[ALL CHANTING AND CHEERING]
[TRACE] All right, you little bitches,
I hope you wore your diapers,
'cause shit's about to get real.
[LAUGHS]
Look at how much fun they're having.
This is so fucked up.
Hey, Skids, eyes forward.
Present ass!
All right, now, don't ask
what Kappa can do for you.
Ask what you can do for Kappa.
And for now, drop down
and give me some pushups.
Let's go.
C'mon.
Bring those little dicks to the ground.
Let's go.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC CONTINUES]
[CHANTING AND CHEERING]
- Hey, Tariq.
- Yo.
You never come to these types of things.
I mean, can you blame me?
Shit like that is the reason why.
You wanna get out of here?
Where we gonna go?
I know a spot.
Right behind you.
Dru, you barely eating.
Diana, give him some more beans.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
What's he doing here?
Cane finally decided to do
something for the family.
He got us a new connect.
[CANE] Sup, y'all?
Go ahead. Get yourself a plate.
[CANE] Yes, ma'am.
[CLATTERING AND SMASHING]
[DIANA] Whoa, y'all hear that?
I'll be back.
Yo, did you call Cane this morning
before he pitched you the connect,
or did he reach out to you?
Nah, he rolled up on me.
Damn, this is fire.
[LAUREN] Yep, this is
my favorite spot on campus.
How'd you find this?
It's a secret.
Nah, my brother picked the lock
when he was a student here.
Literally nobody knows about this spot.
[TARIQ] See? There's a selfless act.
You know, with everything
you've been through,
no one would blame you
for being cynical.
But you still think
people can be selfless.
I look at shit like this.
Sometimes life puts you in situations
with no possible good outcomes.
So you take the hit yourself
because you know
you can handle it way better
than the other person can.
Oh, well,
I guess I just haven't loved
somebody that much yet.
Yet? What you mean, yet?
[SINGER] It's nice to see you
[SOFT R&B MUSIC PLAYING]
Sometimes I wish I didn't need you
Know that you been thinking 'bout it
[PHONE BUZZING]
I-I'm sorry. I gotta take this.
I'm so sorry.
Yeah.
Just so you know, Monet was mad as fuck
about the bricks yesterday,
but I smoothed it over.
Look, 'Riq, we got more
product coming soon,
and you gonna need a place to stash it.
Somewhere safe.
A'ight, bet. I owe you.
I wanna apologize. I
[LAUREN] Tariq, you know what?
It's like every time
things get good with us,
you get real distracted.
- No, that's not the case at
- No, it's cool.
I'm gonna go.
Lauren, c'mon. Lauren.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
[DISTANT SIRENS WAILING]
Oh, get out of here.
Okay, Carrie, look, look.
Look, I-I know what you
think about me, all right?
I I just wanna make things up to you.
I hear you're in trouble.
- A murder?
- [SCOFFS]
I see you're not wearing your ring.
That's not why I'm here.
I just wanna help you, Carrie.
I don't want your help.
But you need it.
Don't Carrie, please.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYS]
[PHONE BUZZING]
[BOTH MOANING]
Yeah, baby.
Are you gonna buck like that
for the Bulls next year?
Or are you taking this to the Lakers?
- [MOANS]
- The Knicks could use a savior.
Shh, shh, shh.
[MOANS] Shh.
[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
Knicks are past saving.
But for real, where you wanna play?
[POUNDING AT DOOR]
Hey, go away. I'm busy.
[POUNDING AT DOOR]
- Ezekiel Cross.
- Excuse me. Rude.
You can shut the fuck up.
Put your pants on.
I'm taking you downtown
for some questions.
- What? Why?
- Don't worry about why.
Just get your shit.
Okay, you better not touch him.
I'm recording you.
Great. Come on. Let's go.
All right, let me just put my shoes on.
[WHITMAN] C'mon. Take
your shoes and everything.
- [ZEKE] Why?
- [RILEY] You better not lay
a hand on him.
[HORNS HONKING]
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYS]
You remembered our signal.
[MONET] Of course I did.
Who the fuck else is gonna be
sitting in front of my house
blasting New Edition like it's 1988?
Your dad used to get
so mad about those trash cans.
Still trying to figure out
how he never knew it was you.
So, uh, you still like
their raspberry swirl?
What are you doing here, Dante?
I needed to see you again, Monet.
I don't know what you thinkin',
but it's been too long.
Whatever you want with me,
it's too late.
All right.
Just in case you change your mind.
[MOBB DEEP'S "GET AWAY" PLAYING]
[SINGER] Sometimes I feel
I gotta get away
From these streets like a fiend for
But pullin' me back
it's real, got a [] goin'
'Cause no matter the drama,
the gossip
My heart is your hood
my dog [] I rock with
- Get away
- Before you get clapped
Put the tongue or two loose
Have everybody on the corner goin'
Holding they mouth shocked as []
I had to just air that boy out
And now there's blood on my Timbs
Snitches calling
1-800-Crime Stoppers
When they see me they like
'Cause they want
that thousand dollars
And not only that police will die
To catch a [] collar
- Get away
- And I'm outta here
Ain't no telling when I be back
Get rid of this, aye
dog, you know I flew
Hell out of dodge
but it 'bout this paper
Ain't no time to be
sitting behind bars
I got to get away but fuck that
Never let a coward
take me out my zone
If he tryin' to blow it go
With no remorse, kid
it's coldhearted
Queens cat grimy retarded, you know
- Get away
- But fuck that
Never let a coward
take me out my zone
If he trying to blow it go
With no remorse, kid
it's the coldhearted
Queens cat grimy retarded, you know
Get away