Bel-Air (2022) s04e04 Episode Script
Brother's Keeper
1
Previously on "Bel-Air"
Why is it every time I see you,
you bolt in the other direction?
I know you got a lot of bad feelings
about basketball because of me.
I just want you to remember,
you are a hell of a prospect.
What's your list of schools?
I'm thinking somewhere local,
like UCLA or USC.
So you're gonna need
to turn in a FAFSA,
search for scholarships.
Princeton all the way.
I plan on acing my interview.
We're just looking
for more these days.
This last summer, I OD'd in a pool.
Amira, no!
It was really scary.
Damn, bitch, are you always
this fucking helpful?
- Excuse me?
- You should leave.
Geoffrey's working with the
syndicate from London again.
What?
They want to launder money
through Legacy Heights.
There's always consequences
for disloyalty you know this.
So I was forced to make a call
to some of my besties at the LAPD.
We have an arrest warrant for
Will Smith and Carlton Banks.
I'm assigning you
to a youth diversion program
called Promising Choices.
If you mess this up,
next time, I won't be so nice.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[UPBEAT ELECTRONIC MUSIC]
I want it all, I want it ♪
Babe, I need you to drive this car
like your life depends on it,
'cause our lives literally do.
Guys, I'm already
over the speed limit!
Hey, hey, your commitment
to the rules of the road
right now is giving auntie vibes.
- Dude!
- Oh, hell, no.
Those are fighting words.
That's big talk for someone
with little pepperoni nipples.
- [LAUGHTER]
- Hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey.
- Eyes forward.
- Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.
Make this light. Come on, come on.
- Everyone all buckled up?
- Do it!
Doesn't matter, 'cause
bad girls don't give a fuck!
- [ENGINE REVVING]
- Let's go!
Oh, yeah ♪
Yeah, it's like déjà vu,
I see it all the time ♪
- Oh, yeah, oh, yeah ♪
- Yeah ♪
Okay, so I am emailing you
because I am interested
in your basketball program,
and I would love
the opportunity to contribute
to your great team.
Try "illustrious team."
College coaches don't care
about fancy words,
just stats and facts.
You could color it up
a little, is all I'm saying.
After taking a break for
the summer to start a company,
I am back on the court
for Bel-Air Academy,
averaging 25 points a game,
6.8 rebounds,
and 5 assists.
Uh, no, uh, 7 assists.
7 assists.
I'm a very dedicated player,
and I am very efficient in scoring,
creating opportunities
for my teammates,
and making an impact
on both sides of the court.
All right, now you finish it out.
I got you.
Thanks so much for your time,
and I look forward
to hearing from you.
Warmly, Will Smith.
Uh, uh, no, no.
I'm not a "warmly" type of guy.
Respectfully yours.
- Highlight reel attached?
- Right there.
Ship it.
[COMPUTER WHOOSHES]
My guy.
I appreciate you helping me out
with these college letters.
I only got a couple more months
to get recruited.
Hey, glad to have you on the court.
Yeah, man.
Hooping's gonna get me
into a good school,
but a D-I scholarship's
gonna pay for it.
You know my mom and dad would help.
Well, my mom made it
very clear she's not having it.
All right? She's right.
I can do this.
[PHONE BUZZES]
Oh, shit.
It's in.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
♪
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Damn, baby.
You make pregnancy look good.
Oh, you don't look too bad yourself.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- Mwah.
- [CHUCKLES]
I'm off to class.
Yeah? I'm glad you're getting out.
Oh, yeah.
Well, between Neeman work
and Regina stressing me
over the details of her painting,
- I need a break.
- Mm.
[SIGHS] All right, well,
have a good day.
Hopefully you'll find
a little community
and some, uh, pregnancy pals.
Oh, I wish you wouldn't call
it that, but, yeah.
Oh, and the girls
are coming over later
for some pampering time.
- Hmm? Hmm?
- Uh-huh.
[GROANS SOFTLY]
So today's the big day with Geoffrey.
Mom! Dad!
The Princeton decision is in.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[INTRIGUING MUSIC]
All right, son,
no matter what happens,
we're all proud of you, okay?
Don't worry.
I'll be back here recording, bro.
- [VIV SIGHS]
- Okay.
You know, maybe I should
actually do this alone.
If you don't press the dang link!
Okay. Okay.
[SIGHS]
- Come on.
- Is the Wi-Fi on?
- No, the Wi-Fi is fine.
- Oh, my God.
It means I didn't get it.
- Shh.
- It means I didn't get it.
- Positive, positive.
- Okay. Okay.
[COMPUTER CHIMES]
- Yes!
- [ALL CHEERING]
Yes!
Little bro at the top
of the food chain.
Yes!
Both: Princeton.
[BEATBOXING] Princeton, Princeton.
Princeton.
Hey!
Carlton, I'm so happy for you.
I know how bad you wanted this.
Man, it's like a bear
getting off my chest
after sitting on it for ten years.
Hey, Ms. Frankie,
I saw you in the stands.
Nice dunk last night.
- Just wait till next week.
- Okay.
See? You boys are on the up.
Not gonna lie, it was looking
a little bit, uh, tenuous?
BOTH: Mm.
Arrests, judges, license revoked.
Uh, we just need to finish
this Promising Choices program,
and then I'm back in the whip.
Yeah, it starts today.
And then we're gonna get this
shit expunged from our records
and tell our grandkids
about how we overcame.
Or just never speak of it ever again.
- Mm, probably that.
- Yeah.
It was tough this year,
but you pulled off a miracle.
- Thanks to you, Ms. B.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]
I have a matter to discuss.
See me during your free period?
Uh, yeah. Yeah, of course.
Okay.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
What was that about?
Uh, I'm sure it's nothing.
[CHUCKLES]
♪
[SIGHS]
Oh, how'd your appointment go?
The lactation consultant
told me not to pump
for the first two weeks,
so all of the early feedings
are on me.
Oh, that's gonna be amazing
for attachment, though.
- That's true.
- You know what?
Trust me, just pump.
Get some sleep.
You're gonna need the rest.
Oh, that's why I got the Snoo.
Oh, what's that?
Um, it's a smart bassinet
that warms and rocks the baby.
It has sounds and movement
that mimic the womb.
Girl, you know
you can just swaddle him
- and lay him on his stomach.
- What?
Yes. On his stomach.
And he'll go right to sleep.
- Stomach.
- [LAUGHS]
I know.
Interesting.
What decade is she living in?
[CHATTER CONTINUES]
Viv?
- Erika.
- [CHUCKLES]
Uh, wow.
How are you?
Uh, very pregnant. [CHUCKLES]
I mean, I always wanted kids.
Figured I'd stop delaying that dream.
Froze my eggs. Did IVF.
This one took. [CHUCKLES]
- Congratulations.
- Well, you too.
I heard about you and Phil.
I was gonna reach out, but
[SIGHS]
So I've been coming
to this class a lot.
A lot of young'uns in here
trying to show off.
I mean, I'm trying to keep up, but
[CHUCKLES] Not so easy at our age.
Mm. I know.
Uh, you know, I need
to get going, but
best of luck to you,
on, uh, everything.
[MELLOW MUSIC]
♪
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Coach!
Hey. Great workout today, Will.
Oh, thank you.
- You got some time to talk?
- Yeah, what's up?
So I heard USC may be looking
for a point guard next season.
- Top recruit just decommitted.
- Okay.
Well, you know,
that's my first choice.
You know, their business school
is, like, top ten.
I just can't get any response
from a coach.
What should I do?
Will, USC's highly competitive.
It's like we discussed.
It's gonna be a lot harder
this late in the game.
I mean, you took the summer
off, didn't get any looks.
I know, but I've been
in the gym getting shots up.
I mean, I sent out, like, 50
emails with my highlight reel.
Listen
you're doing exactly what
you need to do on the court.
We just may need to get
a little more creative off the court.
I'll keep advocating
for you on my end.
Just stay persistent, all right?
- All right.
- All right. My man.
♪
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Hey, Ms. Bassin. You wanted to see me?
Yes, Carlton.
Please come in and have a seat.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SIGHS]
You remember Mr. Fuller
from Princeton?
Yeah, yeah, he did my interview.
He called,
excited about your acceptance.
He was moved by your story.
Said it's not every day you hear
about someone overdosing
and nearly dying
in a swimming pool.
So imagine my surprise
when I read Amira's story
about her experience
overdosing and almost dying
in a swimming pool.
[SIGHS]
I am sympathetic to the pressure
you students are under,
but lying
and stealing someone else's story
is unethical and unacceptable.
I'm very disappointed, Amira.
I expect an original essay this time.
♪
Anything you have to say?
♪
Nope.
♪
[DOOR SLAMS]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hey, Amira?
Amira.
Amira, will you wait up?
I hey. [BREATHING HEAVILY]
You just didn't say anything in there,
so, um, I'm a little confused.
This is my life, Carlton.
And you just swoop in
and take it like it's nothing?
It's not nothing.
I just I just freaked out,
all right?
And and and I said
what I thought he wanted
to hear in the moment.
I-I was wrong.
You know what? It's cool.
I see it now.
This is how you keep your
big-man-on-campus status
fooling everyone around you
with these damn lies.
It's great to see that you've grown.
Uh, wait, but, uh
are you gonna say anything?
Please.
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Wait, wait. What about this guy
- Gavin White?
- Let me see.
Hmm. What, you think
he cute or something?
Oh, yeah.
Look past the biceps and the
nice chest and the nice smile.
- Thank you, thank you.
- Read his bio.
Oh.
Shit! He's from Philly.
Oh, I think you just found my in.
Maybe my next boo.
Well, then I'ma slide
in his DMs for the both of us.
If I could just rap with him
for a little bit,
I'm sure he'll put a good word
in with me with the USC coach.
- Shoot your shot.
- Can't miss.
- I'll see you mm oh, yeah.
- [MUMBLES]
I'll see you later after
this Promising Choices class.
- Good luck with that.
- [FLUTTERS LIPS]
Come on, I got this.
♪
Oh, thank you.
This is the longest I've gone
without drinking or a manicure.
Well, you know, you have been
kind of busy creating life.
Whoo! Thank you, thank you
for treating us today, Viv.
I needed this.
And the masseuse had hands like
like a lumberjack. [LAUGHTER]
Girl, Manny is the real deal.
- Girl.
- Ooh, ooh! Say less.
Oh, and I miss my friends.
Oh, I so needed this.
What we really need is some weed.
Pamela, with that fancy job
that you have over at the DCC,
you couldn't bring one pre-roll?
Officially, the Department
of Cannabis Control
doesn't supply product.
Unofficially, I might have
a little something-something
- in my purse.
- Ah! My girl!
Oh, and thank you for helping
Jazz with his dispensary idea.
He said your advice has really helped.
Any friend of yours
is a friend of mine.
I'm actually checking out
his space later.
- Mm.
- Okay, enough about friends.
Let's talk about enemies, okay?
So what I want to know more
about is your run-in
with Ms. Erika.
Girl, what is the chance?
So this Erika is
somebody we don't like?
Correct. She is hella messy.
'Cause it seems like
a pregnancy friend
that has something
in common would be nice.
Girl, please. She and Viv
will never be friends, okay?
There is just
too much bad history there.
- Hmm.
- More bubbly?
Ooh. [GIGGLES]
Ooh, how good was that rosé
champagne at 1010 Wine?
Ooh, girl!
And I was not mad at those
Black Magic oysters either.
Wait a minute I've been
wanting to try that spot.
Y'all went without me?
I mean, since you can't
really drink right now
or eat oysters,
we we just didn't want you
to feel left out.
And not to rub it in your face,
but ever since my daughter
left for college,
I been in these streets, girl.
Going out, sleeping in,
planning a girls' trip to Vegas.
Ooh, say less! I am there.
Well, that sounds fun.
Shall we go in the back
and have a little more fun?
Ooh! Is that okay with you, Viv?
Of course. Go ahead. Enjoy.
Grab that bottle.
- Ooh.
- Okay, so you're in-in.
In, in, in.
- It's gonna be so much fun.
- Yes, queen, yes!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[INDISTINCT CHATTER,
UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
Man.
Yeah, this is about to be wild.
It looks like a regular
classroom in Philly to me.
[CHATTER AND MUSIC CONTINUE]
Carlton.
What?
iPad?
Yo, this is serious, all right?
I have to pass this class,
or I can kiss Princeton goodbye.
Oh, that's if Amira
doesn't ruin it first.
[GROANS] Don't remind me.
We got this, all right?
Just a couple of workshops,
a few teamwork exercises.
We good. It's easy money.
Light work.
Y'all think this gonna be easy?
Oh, yeah, just a few hours
of picking up trash,
listening to some old retired guy
talking about making
better choices easy.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
Hey, I'm Will.
This is my cousin Carlton.
- Hey.
- Leroy.
AKA Mr. Carter, your instructor.
Hey, get your ass in your seat,
walking in my class late.
Great.
You, sit your bitch ass down.
All right, listen up.
Whatever you did to get here,
I already know.
Shoplifting, trespassing,
identity theft,
vandalizing property.
Bash and Bash.
Everybody in here made mistakes.
The only thing I'm concerned with
is that you don't make another one.
You thought this shit
was gonna be easy.
Oh, no, sir, I-I actually didn't.
My friend might have,
but I am really excited
- for this opportunity.
- I know that's right.
- Sit your ass down.
- Yes, sir.
This is what I'm talking about.
See how you selling him out?
This leads me to my first lesson.
Brother's keeper.
Say it with me.
ALL: [HALFHEARTEDLY] Brother's keep
Uh, uh, uh. At the same time.
All: My brother's keeper!
Now, what that means is,
the person you sitting next to,
that's your accountability partner.
Your partner fails, you fail.
You succeed, your partner fails,
you also fail.
Are we clear?
All: Yes, sir.
And show up on time.
Late, that's a strike.
Three strikes, and your ass is out.
You follow the rules,
and you leave here
better than you came.
If not, deal with the system.
It's your choice.
And I'm only gonna say this one time.
Don't make this a fucking reunion.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CARLTON SIGHS]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
♪
50 million, 5 businesses.
We'll clean the cash slow
through establishments
near the construction point.
They're all bleeding money.
We'll offer to help them recover,
even turn a profit by simply
adding a cash infusion.
Hmm.
And we control the financials
so no one's the wiser.
Exactly.
And if anything was to go left,
they'll all have
plausible deniability.
They're protected.
Things don't go left
when I'm involved, Phil.
♪
Car washes. Perfect.
Nobody questions cash there.
We buy in, pump up the volume.
40 cars come through,
but the books will say 100.
Carlos is barely keeping
the lights on.
We offer a lifeline,
and suddenly his business is thriving.
No one asks why.
♪
[PEN SCRATCHING]
♪
Laundromats.
No one counts how many loads go in.
We up the customer numbers on paper,
push through clean cash.
Sandra thinks we're just investors.
We fix her machines, we move
our money, everybody wins.
Thank you.
No knowledge, no liability.
Parking lots.
Nobody knows how much cash comes in.
We beef up the numbers,
looks like we're running a gold mine.
Harold owns two lots.
Just one steady income.
Double his take, he won't ask
where it's coming from.
I appreciate you, Mr. Banks.
Four down. Just need one more.
Mini-mart on Crenshaw.
Owner's coming by later today.
♪
Just helping the neighborhood.
♪
Community service starts tonight.
Wear your shirts.
Be on time so you don't waste mine.
That includes you two, Bash and Bash.
Get the hell on out of here.
Here you go. You make sure
you do your hair tonight.
I guess that's our nickname now.
Sounds like it's sticking.
Still nothing from Amira.
That's a good thing, right?
I don't like
not knowing her next move.
- It's eerie.
- Yeah, I feel you.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES] Oh, shit.
Yo, Gavin just hit me back.
"'Sup, Philly. Got your message.
Having a kickback at the crib.
Come through."
Yeah, I got to go.
- I got to go.
- To a party?
Absolutely not. You heard him.
We we have to be back
in a few hours.
It's USC.
Yo, he can get me in good
with the coach.
Hey, if you want to throw
your life away, be my guest.
But I'm not letting you
drag me down with you.
Look, you have Princeton, all right?
I need this.
Yo, I'm gonna be back on time, a'ight?
My Uber's coming. I'll see you later.
Will!
Fuck my life, man.
[SIGHS] Wait for me.
Will!
[MELLOW MUSIC]
I told Will I'd meet him here
after his program.
Oh, he's not back yet, but come on in.
We're over here in the kitchen.
"We"?
Oh.
- Hey, Lisa.
- Jackie's here.
Yeah, she just stopped by
to share the news
that she just got into Juilliard.
Oh. Congrats.
And Lisa's gonna be
on the swim team at Howard.
Full ride.
Oh, cool.
Okay. That's it.
Have a seat.
♪
Shouldn't want y'all to ♪
Cool spot. Great location, too.
Yo, thank you for helping me
navigate this, Ms. Gordon.
You know, I've been trying
to set up a dispensary
for a long time,
but after my equity grant got denied,
I-I just didn't know
where else to turn.
Yeah, thousands of applications,
not enough funding.
But I'm on a mission to fix that.
Before legalization,
folks like us got arrested
for doing the same thing
that's making billionaires today.
Preach.
But you, you got a business.
Built-in customer base?
You're already ahead of the game.
Yeah, I thank my uncle
Charlie for that every day.
Capital is the biggest roadblock.
After the renovations,
you still have licensing fees,
security, inventory,
other operating costs.
It looks like a quarter mill to start.
Damn.
With no grant?
[SCOFFS]
I mean, I just don't have that
lying around.
What about an investor?
Yo, who's gonna front me
that type of bread?
What, 'cause I-I sell vinyls
and I know good weed?
We'll figure something out.
[NATE ROSE'S "JUST BE"]
[DOOR OPENS, BELLS JINGLE,
DOOR CLOSES]
I'ma start right,
got to bark right ♪
I induce pain, I am Liu Kang ♪
Mixed with Bruce Wayne ♪
Okay, remember,
in and out super quick.
Find this guy, pull him to
the side and make the connect,
and then we bounce.
Relax, okay? We have time.
And you didn't have to come.
Yo, our futures are connected now.
So, if you don't show up
on time, that affects me.
Okay, Carlton.
- Jeez.
- [BILLIARD BALLS CLACK]
What does Gavin look like, anyway?
Oh, shit. There he is.
They be trippin'
like they can get past me.
Sometimes you got to bomb on them.
Shit, ain't that the truth?
Bombs away. Ha ha!
You feel me? What up, man?
What up, what up, what up?
Yo, Gavin. What up, boul?
Yeah. Who you?
Uh, Will Smith.
Uh, we exchanged DMs.
I'm from West Philly.
Yeah. Yeah, what's up, boy?
You made it.
Oh, yeah, man. Thanks for the invite.
You know, we actually used
to hoop some
- of the same places in Philly.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
- [LAUGHS]
- Where?
- All over.
Uh, Strawberry Mansion,
Sonny Hill league.
Yeah, oh, shit. We got a real native.
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Pat's or Geno's?
[SCOFFS] Pat's or Geno's.
Trick question.
No, I actually prefer
the papi store on 55th
for the adobo seasoning.
Or Ishkabibble's.
Either one.
Yeah? Yeah, them jawns do smack.
Hey, West Philly in the building.
- Hey, my boy.
- Oh, my man.
Yo, I mean, that jawn is crazy!
Um, uh, don't you have something that
you should be asking him
right about now?
Carlton, we're good.
Bro, it's all good. Just chill.
Yes, but we have a place
that we have to be very soon.
Hey, bro, got a curfew?
No, I just said we got places to be.
Nah, where your
chaperone at, little man?
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, somebody left they kid here.
[LAUGHTER]
Yo, Will, how you let
little bro stay up this late?
This is actually my little cousin.
Little? I'm older than you.
Ain't it past his bedtime
or some shit?
For real, come on.
Uh, no, he's actually gonna
take a nap in the car seat
on the ride home. [LAUGHTER]
- Damn.
- Okay, so, look, man, look,
I'm trying to get on, man, you know?
Think you can introduce me
to Coach Gruber?
Hold up, nigga.
You think I'm just gonna
put you on like that?
Shit, what I want to know is,
nigga what we want to know is,
Can you hang?
That's the real question.
Come on.
Bro, you want some food,
drinks, something?
Watch this. Watch out, man.
What you talking about, the coach?
Yo, watch out, bro. Come on.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER,
BILLIARD BALLS CLACK]
[ALL SHOUT]
I got no problem with Lisa.
Same. We moved past all of that.
Good,
because you both have
so much in common.
You're talented, ambitious,
both navigating a world
without your moms.
It's a heavy load.
Could be easier if you both shared it.
Sisterhood is so powerful.
Don't deprive yourself of a friend
who gets what you're going through
in a way nobody else does.
I didn't realize
your mom wasn't around.
She's around
just not around me.
I haven't seen her
since middle school, so
What about you?
Um
my mom passed a couple years ago.
Lupus.
Sorry.
I'm sure that was really tough.
Juilliard?
Congrats.
Like, that is
pretty freaking incredible.
- [CHUCKLES]
- Yeah, thank you.
I mean, so is getting
a full ride to swim at Howard.
- Really.
- [LAUGHS]
For the longest time, I did not
think it was gonna pan out.
Like, all the sacrifices.
- The long hours.
- And the injuries.
Canceling plans BOTH: For practice.
- Jinx.
- [SCOFFS]
[PHONE BUZZES]
Will's not gonna make it.
He's going to some USC athlete
hangout to meet Gavin White.
Oh, yeah. I know about that party.
My homeboy Xavi, he runs at USC.
He trained at Zenith.
[SOFT MISCHIEVOUS MUSIC]
Your mini-mart is the cornerstone
of the neighborhood.
But you're you're being
squeezed, though, right?
Rent hikes, suppliers overcharging.
It's a real hustle just to break even.
Every damn month.
Yeah, well,
with Legacy Heights,
we want to help
fresh inventory, ads,
bring in more customers.
It's all there.
I mean, sounds pretty good,
and I could really use the help.
Your store does better.
Everybody eats.
No risk to you.
It's a win-win.
Here you go.
[PAPER RUSTLING]
That's not for me.
W-why? W-w-why not?
'Cause suddenly
I'm co-owning a business
that I built from the ground up.
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC]
♪
[CHUCKLES] My answer is no.
♪
Okay.
Uh, it's your call.
Well, if anything changes,
we'll be around.
♪
[DOOR CLOSES]
♪
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING,
VEHICLES BEEPING]
Maybe we expand the search
another couple blocks.
The further away
from the building site,
the more questionable
your investment looks.
Could stick with four businesses.
- Plan still works.
- Yeah, but slower.
No, I need this done, in and out.
Or
you can let me sort it out my way.
When I need someone
to say yes, they say yes.
No, Geoffrey.
We're not doing that.
It's a means to an end, Phil.
You don't even have to be there.
♪
C!
Carlton! Bro, come on, man.
Look, bro, I didn't I wasn't
trying to piss you off, bro.
I was just it just came out.
Sleeping in the car seat
on the ride home
was just sitting there
waiting to come out?
I was just joking, okay?
I'm just trying to find a way to
connect.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER,
PARTY MUSIC PLAYING]
Actually
- [VIDEO GAME GUNFIRE]
- Hey, yo, Gavin?
How about a little one-on-one?
ALL: Oh.
Unless you think your skills
can't match up.
Keep moving.
[VIDEO GAME GUNFIRE CONTINUES]
[CROWD CHEERS]
Best out of three.
I win, you tell Coach
come check me out.
And if I win
you walk out of here like
you ain't never stepped in.
Ah.
[CROWD CHEERING]
Ah! Come on!
Come on, let's go.
[KING GEORGE AND THE FABULOUS
SOULS' "BABY I'VE GOT IT"]
All right, let's do it.
Uh ♪
Baby, I got it ♪
[CROWD CHEERS]
Look at me, baby ♪
♪
You know my friends
all told me one day ♪
Now you see me. Now you don't.
Come on.
Look at me, baby ♪
[PERSON CHANTING]
[CROWD CHEERS]
Baby, I got it ♪
Oh, yeah ♪
Baby, I got it ♪
Oh, yeah ♪
Gummy bear.
♪
Swoosh.
[CROWD CHEERING WILDLY]
Okay! Okay! Okay!
Okay!
Mmm.
That's good.
Gummy.
[CLEARS THROAT]
[CROWD GROANS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Same, my buddy. You feel me?
[LAUGHTER]
This type shit. Yeah, yeah.
Damn. Sorry, Philly.
Feel free to hang out or whatever.
[CHUCKLES]
Clock's ticking.
I know. I know. You're ready to leave.
No, no, no, I wish,
but, um, something's come up.
[DOOR CLOSES]
- Oh, shit.
- Hey.
[PARTY MUSIC PLAYING,
INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[LAUGHTER]
Uh, wow.
This is unexpected.
But tell me again, how did this, uh
how did this happen exactly?
Aunt Viv was amazing today,
and she really,
you know, spoke some truth.
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah, she's the whole word.
- That's my Aunt Viv
- Yep.
Always putting things together.
Well, that's why I told Amira
to meet us here,
because there's no reason
we all shouldn't be able to hang out.
Of course, of course.
That's right.
And tonight we are celebrating.
Tell him your good news.
Your girl just got into
the dance program at Juilliard!
- Wow!
- Uh-huh.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- Wow.
Jackie, honey, come over here.
I'ma I'ma be right back.
♪
I don't know if I'm comfortable
with you looking this good
at this party.
- And smelling this good, too.
- [GIGGLES]
Ooh, do we need to find
a room upstairs or what?
No, you need to focus.
- How's it going with Gavin?
- [SIGHS] Not good.
It's just really hard
to keep his attention.
Come on, damn.
Okay, well, you know,
I'll be over there if you need me.
Don't mind me unless you need my help.
No, no, no. You're good, you're good.
You deserve to celebrate. You all do.
Okay.
That's where I'm trying to get to.
- Okay.
- See you later.
You look great.
Hurry up. I really need to go.
Hey, so I've been
pretty on edge all night
about how this whole thing
is gonna go down.
Good.
Okay, fine, fine.
I'll come clean to Ms. Bassin.
- I'll tell her it was all me.
- Okay, stop it.
You are not gonna do that.
What? I thought that was
what you wanted!
[SIGHS] Carlton, yes,
I was upset that you stole my story.
But what I'm not upset about is
you getting what you deserve.
Princeton.
Yeah, well, it feels terrible
that I had to lie to get it.
Look, I know the kind of pressure
that you put yourself under.
And you were trying to tell me
at HoCo, and I blew you off.
Yeah. Worst night of my life.
Yeah, Lisa told me everything
about the arrest
and Promising Choices.
Man, that girl can't hold shit.
I'm just sorry that you
didn't think you were enough
without my story.
You've worked insanely hard.
And that's why you got into Princeton.
And I'm not gonna let you
mess up your future
because you told a lie.
It's not like I haven't lied before.
You do remember me
having a dead sister
and going on to tell your
family that I was grieving?
True, true.
- Uh, I guess we're even, then.
- Oh, far from it.
Yeah, you still have
to make it up to me.
Make it up to you how?
♪
No, no.
Anything but that.
Oh, yes, that.
Señor, you owe me.
Get ready. That's all I want. Bye!
[CHUCKLES]
[CARLTON SIGHS]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC]
I think I found our fifth business.
[DOOR BELLS JINGLE]
All right, I'll call you later.
- Mr. Banks.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
Hey, I was just in the neighborhood.
Ah, what,
some Legacy Heights business?
[CHUCKLES] Yeah, something like that.
I hear things at the dispensary
are coming along
slowly.
That's one way to say it.
Yeah, I got a call from Pamela Gordon.
Said you could really use an investor.
What if I helped?
[CHUCKLES]
Yeah. Yeah, Mr. Banks. Hell, yeah.
Okay. All right.
Here's a little contract.
I'll break it down to you.
Pretty straightforward.
[PARTY MUSIC PLAYING,
INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Amira, please.
Will and I need to go now.
I will literally do anything but this.
No, I want what I asked for, Carlton.
A deal's a deal.
Come on, let's go. Let's see it.
I believe in you. [GIGGLES]
- Amira
- Get to it.
- [LAUGHS]
- What are you talking about?
Everyone move out the way. Move, move.
[SUGARHILL GANG'S
"APACHE (JUMP ON IT)"]
Watch this.
Oh, my goodness.
[CROWD GROANING]
Tonto ♪
Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it ♪
[LAUGHTER]
- Why is he doing this?
- Payback, baby.
Your cuz cheesy as hell, boul.
[LAUGHS]
Yo, who is this dude?
This is so cringe.
Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it ♪
♪
- What are you doing?
- Amira made me.
- Come on, man.
- All right, fuck it.
♪
Not the choreo!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
♪
Apache, jump on it, jump on it ♪
Oh, my God.
♪
Whoa, who is this dude?
Qué caliente!
♪
Yo, the crowd is feeling it!
♪
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
See, did I tell you,
or did I tell you?
I told you it was gonna
be entertaining.
- Good job, Carlton.
- Hey.
[LAUGHING]
[MUSIC PLAYING FAINTLY]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
♪
Ms. Gordon.
Wow. You look nice.
- Thank you.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
I'm headed to a fundraiser
down the block.
But Phil caught me up.
I just wanted to drop by
and say congratulations.
Oh, thank you.
Um, also, I appreciate you
lobbing that call
to Mr. Banks, for real.
What can I say?
I love to see a young Black king win.
There's another thing
I want to address,
if if you're open.
I'm open.
♪
It's okay.
We're both adults.
Unless you're not into older women.
Oh, no. No. [CHUCKLES]
I'm into older women. [CHUCKLES]
- Okay. [LAUGHS]
- Um
aren't you Mrs. Banks' friend, though?
What Mrs. Banks doesn't know
I mean
[P.R'S "IF I FALL" PLAYING]
And I'll do this ♪
Unless you already
thought through this ♪
Before, ooh ♪
Yeah, I'm heating up ♪
I suggest you check
your temperature ♪
Oh, hey, hey, we got to go, now.
Bro, I know, bro.
The Uber's not moving!
But we drove. Go, go, go, go!
- Come on, let's go.
- I'll text Amira.
Yo, yo, yo, make this light.
Come on, come on!
- Everyone all buckled up?
- Do it.
Doesn't matter, 'cause
bad girls don't give a fuck!
- [TIRES SQUEALING]
- Let's go!
Yeah, that's my girl! Go!
I love this new-bestie
dynamic it's so fun.
I don't know.
I think it's kind of cool.
Shut up.
- [CAR DOORS CLOSE]
- I want it ♪
- Go, go!
- [DOORS SLAM]
Okay! Hurry!
- Yo.
- Thank God.
[PANTING] Oh, okay.
Whoo!
- Wait, no!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
We were here on time!
Asses in seats, not at the front door!
Fuck!
[BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY]
Fuck.
Bro
I'm sorry for letting Gavin and
those guys clown you like that.
It's okay.
[SCOFFS]
This college pressure makes us
do some fucked-up shit.
Yeah.
I guess you made up for it, though.
Thanks for not leaving me
up there alone.
Yeah, you would have done
the same thing for me.
Ah, I'm not so sure about that.
[LAUGHTER]
[SIGHS]
Hey.
One of us wins, we both win.
I need to pass this
or everything goes away.
We shouldn't have gone to that party.
I know USC is a long shot, but
after seeing you get Princeton
when everyone told you
it was impossible
Thought maybe I had a chance.
Hey.
You'll land at the place
that's right for you.
[SCOFFS]
Yeah, but where is that?
If they wasn't fucking
with you from the jump ♪
Then fuck 'em now, tryna ♪
[GIGGLES]
Kick 'em out ♪
Can I ask you something?
♪
Have you told your mom
you got into Juilliard?
[SCOFFS]
Please.
She didn't even know I applied.
♪
She didn't think I could be a dancer.
♪
Is that why you stuck
with it to prove her wrong?
Now they actin' like
they know me, not even a tad ♪
Fuckin' with the D-nee-nee,
they don't really know her ♪
Telling me I'm on CDs ♪
I would give anything
to tell my mom that I got in.
♪
It's not too late for you.
♪
Tryin' to slide inside the frame ♪
They see the flashes, kick 'em out ♪
Bash, Bash!
What are y'all still doing here?
Sir. Uh, Mr. Carter
This is how y'all gonna
conduct y'allselves?
What do you want the world
to get from your existence?
Look, we're really sorry about
You know why they call
this program Promising Choices?
[SOFT MUSIC]
Because y'all made
a whole lot of unpromising ones
to get here.
But all it takes is one good choice
to turn that thing around.
♪
That choice might allow you
to heal someone else
[LINE TRILLING]
Mommy.
♪
It's me.
♪
Um
I have something to tell you.
Or a choice to stop being weighed down
by a mindset
that no longer serves you.
♪
And, yeah, sometimes
you do make a choice
you aren't proud of.
First drop from Dominique.
Spin City Laundromat,
for Amodi Car Wash,
for both Florence parking lots.
♪
For Charlie's.
You sure about this?
Things don't go left
when you're involved, right?
♪
But there's always time
to correct your bad ones
I've always thought that
success was about hard work.
But I've come to realize
it's more about understanding others,
knowing when someone needs
a moment of kindness, forgiveness
because sometimes feeling seen
is the difference between
being overlooked
and believing you belong.
That's it.
Well, that's a damn good essay.
I just wanted to give you some ideas.
Hmm.
It's yours, if you want it.
♪
Because you can still atone.
♪
And your choice might help someone
without you even knowing it.
[PHONE RINGING]
- What's cracking, boul?
- Gavin. What's up, man?
Hey, that was some real cool
shit you did for your cousin.
- That's how we do it in Philly.
- You already know.
And that's what
this team is all about,
so I talked to Coach.
He's gonna come to one of your games.
I'm not sure when, but be ready.
Man, I, um I appreciate this, bro.
Uh [CHUCKLES]
I guess I'll see you
on the court, huh?
A'ight type shit.
[LINE BEEPING]
Yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
[LAUGHING]
Oh.
And that choice might pay off in ways
you never even imagined.
[SIGHS]
So that's why
you motherfuckers need
to show up on time next week.
Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa. "Next week"?
Yeah, like I said, it's three strikes.
Strike one, strike two.
- Thank you! Thank you, sir
- Yes, sir, we promise
Shut up!
And be early.
Ee, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya ♪
The Dogg Pound's in the house ♪
- The bomb ♪
- [LAUGHTER]
Yes! Yes!
- Yes!
- Whoo!
Now just throw your hands
in the motherfuckin' air ♪
And wave the motherfuckers
like ya just don't care ♪
Yeah, roll up the dank
and pour the drank ♪
And watch your stank ♪
Why? 'Cause Doggy's on the gank ♪
sync & corrections awaqeded
♪
Previously on "Bel-Air"
Why is it every time I see you,
you bolt in the other direction?
I know you got a lot of bad feelings
about basketball because of me.
I just want you to remember,
you are a hell of a prospect.
What's your list of schools?
I'm thinking somewhere local,
like UCLA or USC.
So you're gonna need
to turn in a FAFSA,
search for scholarships.
Princeton all the way.
I plan on acing my interview.
We're just looking
for more these days.
This last summer, I OD'd in a pool.
Amira, no!
It was really scary.
Damn, bitch, are you always
this fucking helpful?
- Excuse me?
- You should leave.
Geoffrey's working with the
syndicate from London again.
What?
They want to launder money
through Legacy Heights.
There's always consequences
for disloyalty you know this.
So I was forced to make a call
to some of my besties at the LAPD.
We have an arrest warrant for
Will Smith and Carlton Banks.
I'm assigning you
to a youth diversion program
called Promising Choices.
If you mess this up,
next time, I won't be so nice.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[UPBEAT ELECTRONIC MUSIC]
I want it all, I want it ♪
Babe, I need you to drive this car
like your life depends on it,
'cause our lives literally do.
Guys, I'm already
over the speed limit!
Hey, hey, your commitment
to the rules of the road
right now is giving auntie vibes.
- Dude!
- Oh, hell, no.
Those are fighting words.
That's big talk for someone
with little pepperoni nipples.
- [LAUGHTER]
- Hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey.
- Eyes forward.
- Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.
Make this light. Come on, come on.
- Everyone all buckled up?
- Do it!
Doesn't matter, 'cause
bad girls don't give a fuck!
- [ENGINE REVVING]
- Let's go!
Oh, yeah ♪
Yeah, it's like déjà vu,
I see it all the time ♪
- Oh, yeah, oh, yeah ♪
- Yeah ♪
Okay, so I am emailing you
because I am interested
in your basketball program,
and I would love
the opportunity to contribute
to your great team.
Try "illustrious team."
College coaches don't care
about fancy words,
just stats and facts.
You could color it up
a little, is all I'm saying.
After taking a break for
the summer to start a company,
I am back on the court
for Bel-Air Academy,
averaging 25 points a game,
6.8 rebounds,
and 5 assists.
Uh, no, uh, 7 assists.
7 assists.
I'm a very dedicated player,
and I am very efficient in scoring,
creating opportunities
for my teammates,
and making an impact
on both sides of the court.
All right, now you finish it out.
I got you.
Thanks so much for your time,
and I look forward
to hearing from you.
Warmly, Will Smith.
Uh, uh, no, no.
I'm not a "warmly" type of guy.
Respectfully yours.
- Highlight reel attached?
- Right there.
Ship it.
[COMPUTER WHOOSHES]
My guy.
I appreciate you helping me out
with these college letters.
I only got a couple more months
to get recruited.
Hey, glad to have you on the court.
Yeah, man.
Hooping's gonna get me
into a good school,
but a D-I scholarship's
gonna pay for it.
You know my mom and dad would help.
Well, my mom made it
very clear she's not having it.
All right? She's right.
I can do this.
[PHONE BUZZES]
Oh, shit.
It's in.
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
♪
[BREATHING HEAVILY]
Damn, baby.
You make pregnancy look good.
Oh, you don't look too bad yourself.
- Yeah?
- Mm-hmm.
- Mwah.
- [CHUCKLES]
I'm off to class.
Yeah? I'm glad you're getting out.
Oh, yeah.
Well, between Neeman work
and Regina stressing me
over the details of her painting,
- I need a break.
- Mm.
[SIGHS] All right, well,
have a good day.
Hopefully you'll find
a little community
and some, uh, pregnancy pals.
Oh, I wish you wouldn't call
it that, but, yeah.
Oh, and the girls
are coming over later
for some pampering time.
- Hmm? Hmm?
- Uh-huh.
[GROANS SOFTLY]
So today's the big day with Geoffrey.
Mom! Dad!
The Princeton decision is in.
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[INTRIGUING MUSIC]
All right, son,
no matter what happens,
we're all proud of you, okay?
Don't worry.
I'll be back here recording, bro.
- [VIV SIGHS]
- Okay.
You know, maybe I should
actually do this alone.
If you don't press the dang link!
Okay. Okay.
[SIGHS]
- Come on.
- Is the Wi-Fi on?
- No, the Wi-Fi is fine.
- Oh, my God.
It means I didn't get it.
- Shh.
- It means I didn't get it.
- Positive, positive.
- Okay. Okay.
[COMPUTER CHIMES]
- Yes!
- [ALL CHEERING]
Yes!
Little bro at the top
of the food chain.
Yes!
Both: Princeton.
[BEATBOXING] Princeton, Princeton.
Princeton.
Hey!
Carlton, I'm so happy for you.
I know how bad you wanted this.
Man, it's like a bear
getting off my chest
after sitting on it for ten years.
Hey, Ms. Frankie,
I saw you in the stands.
Nice dunk last night.
- Just wait till next week.
- Okay.
See? You boys are on the up.
Not gonna lie, it was looking
a little bit, uh, tenuous?
BOTH: Mm.
Arrests, judges, license revoked.
Uh, we just need to finish
this Promising Choices program,
and then I'm back in the whip.
Yeah, it starts today.
And then we're gonna get this
shit expunged from our records
and tell our grandkids
about how we overcame.
Or just never speak of it ever again.
- Mm, probably that.
- Yeah.
It was tough this year,
but you pulled off a miracle.
- Thanks to you, Ms. B.
- [BOTH CHUCKLE]
I have a matter to discuss.
See me during your free period?
Uh, yeah. Yeah, of course.
Okay.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
What was that about?
Uh, I'm sure it's nothing.
[CHUCKLES]
♪
[SIGHS]
Oh, how'd your appointment go?
The lactation consultant
told me not to pump
for the first two weeks,
so all of the early feedings
are on me.
Oh, that's gonna be amazing
for attachment, though.
- That's true.
- You know what?
Trust me, just pump.
Get some sleep.
You're gonna need the rest.
Oh, that's why I got the Snoo.
Oh, what's that?
Um, it's a smart bassinet
that warms and rocks the baby.
It has sounds and movement
that mimic the womb.
Girl, you know
you can just swaddle him
- and lay him on his stomach.
- What?
Yes. On his stomach.
And he'll go right to sleep.
- Stomach.
- [LAUGHS]
I know.
Interesting.
What decade is she living in?
[CHATTER CONTINUES]
Viv?
- Erika.
- [CHUCKLES]
Uh, wow.
How are you?
Uh, very pregnant. [CHUCKLES]
I mean, I always wanted kids.
Figured I'd stop delaying that dream.
Froze my eggs. Did IVF.
This one took. [CHUCKLES]
- Congratulations.
- Well, you too.
I heard about you and Phil.
I was gonna reach out, but
[SIGHS]
So I've been coming
to this class a lot.
A lot of young'uns in here
trying to show off.
I mean, I'm trying to keep up, but
[CHUCKLES] Not so easy at our age.
Mm. I know.
Uh, you know, I need
to get going, but
best of luck to you,
on, uh, everything.
[MELLOW MUSIC]
♪
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Coach!
Hey. Great workout today, Will.
Oh, thank you.
- You got some time to talk?
- Yeah, what's up?
So I heard USC may be looking
for a point guard next season.
- Top recruit just decommitted.
- Okay.
Well, you know,
that's my first choice.
You know, their business school
is, like, top ten.
I just can't get any response
from a coach.
What should I do?
Will, USC's highly competitive.
It's like we discussed.
It's gonna be a lot harder
this late in the game.
I mean, you took the summer
off, didn't get any looks.
I know, but I've been
in the gym getting shots up.
I mean, I sent out, like, 50
emails with my highlight reel.
Listen
you're doing exactly what
you need to do on the court.
We just may need to get
a little more creative off the court.
I'll keep advocating
for you on my end.
Just stay persistent, all right?
- All right.
- All right. My man.
♪
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
Hey, Ms. Bassin. You wanted to see me?
Yes, Carlton.
Please come in and have a seat.
[DOOR CLOSES]
[SIGHS]
You remember Mr. Fuller
from Princeton?
Yeah, yeah, he did my interview.
He called,
excited about your acceptance.
He was moved by your story.
Said it's not every day you hear
about someone overdosing
and nearly dying
in a swimming pool.
So imagine my surprise
when I read Amira's story
about her experience
overdosing and almost dying
in a swimming pool.
[SIGHS]
I am sympathetic to the pressure
you students are under,
but lying
and stealing someone else's story
is unethical and unacceptable.
I'm very disappointed, Amira.
I expect an original essay this time.
♪
Anything you have to say?
♪
Nope.
♪
[DOOR SLAMS]
[UPBEAT MUSIC]
Hey, Amira?
Amira.
Amira, will you wait up?
I hey. [BREATHING HEAVILY]
You just didn't say anything in there,
so, um, I'm a little confused.
This is my life, Carlton.
And you just swoop in
and take it like it's nothing?
It's not nothing.
I just I just freaked out,
all right?
And and and I said
what I thought he wanted
to hear in the moment.
I-I was wrong.
You know what? It's cool.
I see it now.
This is how you keep your
big-man-on-campus status
fooling everyone around you
with these damn lies.
It's great to see that you've grown.
Uh, wait, but, uh
are you gonna say anything?
Please.
I don't know what I'm gonna do.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Wait, wait. What about this guy
- Gavin White?
- Let me see.
Hmm. What, you think
he cute or something?
Oh, yeah.
Look past the biceps and the
nice chest and the nice smile.
- Thank you, thank you.
- Read his bio.
Oh.
Shit! He's from Philly.
Oh, I think you just found my in.
Maybe my next boo.
Well, then I'ma slide
in his DMs for the both of us.
If I could just rap with him
for a little bit,
I'm sure he'll put a good word
in with me with the USC coach.
- Shoot your shot.
- Can't miss.
- I'll see you mm oh, yeah.
- [MUMBLES]
I'll see you later after
this Promising Choices class.
- Good luck with that.
- [FLUTTERS LIPS]
Come on, I got this.
♪
Oh, thank you.
This is the longest I've gone
without drinking or a manicure.
Well, you know, you have been
kind of busy creating life.
Whoo! Thank you, thank you
for treating us today, Viv.
I needed this.
And the masseuse had hands like
like a lumberjack. [LAUGHTER]
Girl, Manny is the real deal.
- Girl.
- Ooh, ooh! Say less.
Oh, and I miss my friends.
Oh, I so needed this.
What we really need is some weed.
Pamela, with that fancy job
that you have over at the DCC,
you couldn't bring one pre-roll?
Officially, the Department
of Cannabis Control
doesn't supply product.
Unofficially, I might have
a little something-something
- in my purse.
- Ah! My girl!
Oh, and thank you for helping
Jazz with his dispensary idea.
He said your advice has really helped.
Any friend of yours
is a friend of mine.
I'm actually checking out
his space later.
- Mm.
- Okay, enough about friends.
Let's talk about enemies, okay?
So what I want to know more
about is your run-in
with Ms. Erika.
Girl, what is the chance?
So this Erika is
somebody we don't like?
Correct. She is hella messy.
'Cause it seems like
a pregnancy friend
that has something
in common would be nice.
Girl, please. She and Viv
will never be friends, okay?
There is just
too much bad history there.
- Hmm.
- More bubbly?
Ooh. [GIGGLES]
Ooh, how good was that rosé
champagne at 1010 Wine?
Ooh, girl!
And I was not mad at those
Black Magic oysters either.
Wait a minute I've been
wanting to try that spot.
Y'all went without me?
I mean, since you can't
really drink right now
or eat oysters,
we we just didn't want you
to feel left out.
And not to rub it in your face,
but ever since my daughter
left for college,
I been in these streets, girl.
Going out, sleeping in,
planning a girls' trip to Vegas.
Ooh, say less! I am there.
Well, that sounds fun.
Shall we go in the back
and have a little more fun?
Ooh! Is that okay with you, Viv?
Of course. Go ahead. Enjoy.
Grab that bottle.
- Ooh.
- Okay, so you're in-in.
In, in, in.
- It's gonna be so much fun.
- Yes, queen, yes!
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
♪
[INDISTINCT CHATTER,
UPBEAT HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]
♪
Man.
Yeah, this is about to be wild.
It looks like a regular
classroom in Philly to me.
[CHATTER AND MUSIC CONTINUE]
Carlton.
What?
iPad?
Yo, this is serious, all right?
I have to pass this class,
or I can kiss Princeton goodbye.
Oh, that's if Amira
doesn't ruin it first.
[GROANS] Don't remind me.
We got this, all right?
Just a couple of workshops,
a few teamwork exercises.
We good. It's easy money.
Light work.
Y'all think this gonna be easy?
Oh, yeah, just a few hours
of picking up trash,
listening to some old retired guy
talking about making
better choices easy.
[ALL CHUCKLE]
Hey, I'm Will.
This is my cousin Carlton.
- Hey.
- Leroy.
AKA Mr. Carter, your instructor.
Hey, get your ass in your seat,
walking in my class late.
Great.
You, sit your bitch ass down.
All right, listen up.
Whatever you did to get here,
I already know.
Shoplifting, trespassing,
identity theft,
vandalizing property.
Bash and Bash.
Everybody in here made mistakes.
The only thing I'm concerned with
is that you don't make another one.
You thought this shit
was gonna be easy.
Oh, no, sir, I-I actually didn't.
My friend might have,
but I am really excited
- for this opportunity.
- I know that's right.
- Sit your ass down.
- Yes, sir.
This is what I'm talking about.
See how you selling him out?
This leads me to my first lesson.
Brother's keeper.
Say it with me.
ALL: [HALFHEARTEDLY] Brother's keep
Uh, uh, uh. At the same time.
All: My brother's keeper!
Now, what that means is,
the person you sitting next to,
that's your accountability partner.
Your partner fails, you fail.
You succeed, your partner fails,
you also fail.
Are we clear?
All: Yes, sir.
And show up on time.
Late, that's a strike.
Three strikes, and your ass is out.
You follow the rules,
and you leave here
better than you came.
If not, deal with the system.
It's your choice.
And I'm only gonna say this one time.
Don't make this a fucking reunion.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC]
[CARLTON SIGHS]
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING]
♪
50 million, 5 businesses.
We'll clean the cash slow
through establishments
near the construction point.
They're all bleeding money.
We'll offer to help them recover,
even turn a profit by simply
adding a cash infusion.
Hmm.
And we control the financials
so no one's the wiser.
Exactly.
And if anything was to go left,
they'll all have
plausible deniability.
They're protected.
Things don't go left
when I'm involved, Phil.
♪
Car washes. Perfect.
Nobody questions cash there.
We buy in, pump up the volume.
40 cars come through,
but the books will say 100.
Carlos is barely keeping
the lights on.
We offer a lifeline,
and suddenly his business is thriving.
No one asks why.
♪
[PEN SCRATCHING]
♪
Laundromats.
No one counts how many loads go in.
We up the customer numbers on paper,
push through clean cash.
Sandra thinks we're just investors.
We fix her machines, we move
our money, everybody wins.
Thank you.
No knowledge, no liability.
Parking lots.
Nobody knows how much cash comes in.
We beef up the numbers,
looks like we're running a gold mine.
Harold owns two lots.
Just one steady income.
Double his take, he won't ask
where it's coming from.
I appreciate you, Mr. Banks.
Four down. Just need one more.
Mini-mart on Crenshaw.
Owner's coming by later today.
♪
Just helping the neighborhood.
♪
Community service starts tonight.
Wear your shirts.
Be on time so you don't waste mine.
That includes you two, Bash and Bash.
Get the hell on out of here.
Here you go. You make sure
you do your hair tonight.
I guess that's our nickname now.
Sounds like it's sticking.
Still nothing from Amira.
That's a good thing, right?
I don't like
not knowing her next move.
- It's eerie.
- Yeah, I feel you.
[CELL PHONE CHIMES] Oh, shit.
Yo, Gavin just hit me back.
"'Sup, Philly. Got your message.
Having a kickback at the crib.
Come through."
Yeah, I got to go.
- I got to go.
- To a party?
Absolutely not. You heard him.
We we have to be back
in a few hours.
It's USC.
Yo, he can get me in good
with the coach.
Hey, if you want to throw
your life away, be my guest.
But I'm not letting you
drag me down with you.
Look, you have Princeton, all right?
I need this.
Yo, I'm gonna be back on time, a'ight?
My Uber's coming. I'll see you later.
Will!
Fuck my life, man.
[SIGHS] Wait for me.
Will!
[MELLOW MUSIC]
I told Will I'd meet him here
after his program.
Oh, he's not back yet, but come on in.
We're over here in the kitchen.
"We"?
Oh.
- Hey, Lisa.
- Jackie's here.
Yeah, she just stopped by
to share the news
that she just got into Juilliard.
Oh. Congrats.
And Lisa's gonna be
on the swim team at Howard.
Full ride.
Oh, cool.
Okay. That's it.
Have a seat.
♪
Shouldn't want y'all to ♪
Cool spot. Great location, too.
Yo, thank you for helping me
navigate this, Ms. Gordon.
You know, I've been trying
to set up a dispensary
for a long time,
but after my equity grant got denied,
I-I just didn't know
where else to turn.
Yeah, thousands of applications,
not enough funding.
But I'm on a mission to fix that.
Before legalization,
folks like us got arrested
for doing the same thing
that's making billionaires today.
Preach.
But you, you got a business.
Built-in customer base?
You're already ahead of the game.
Yeah, I thank my uncle
Charlie for that every day.
Capital is the biggest roadblock.
After the renovations,
you still have licensing fees,
security, inventory,
other operating costs.
It looks like a quarter mill to start.
Damn.
With no grant?
[SCOFFS]
I mean, I just don't have that
lying around.
What about an investor?
Yo, who's gonna front me
that type of bread?
What, 'cause I-I sell vinyls
and I know good weed?
We'll figure something out.
[NATE ROSE'S "JUST BE"]
[DOOR OPENS, BELLS JINGLE,
DOOR CLOSES]
I'ma start right,
got to bark right ♪
I induce pain, I am Liu Kang ♪
Mixed with Bruce Wayne ♪
Okay, remember,
in and out super quick.
Find this guy, pull him to
the side and make the connect,
and then we bounce.
Relax, okay? We have time.
And you didn't have to come.
Yo, our futures are connected now.
So, if you don't show up
on time, that affects me.
Okay, Carlton.
- Jeez.
- [BILLIARD BALLS CLACK]
What does Gavin look like, anyway?
Oh, shit. There he is.
They be trippin'
like they can get past me.
Sometimes you got to bomb on them.
Shit, ain't that the truth?
Bombs away. Ha ha!
You feel me? What up, man?
What up, what up, what up?
Yo, Gavin. What up, boul?
Yeah. Who you?
Uh, Will Smith.
Uh, we exchanged DMs.
I'm from West Philly.
Yeah. Yeah, what's up, boy?
You made it.
Oh, yeah, man. Thanks for the invite.
You know, we actually used
to hoop some
- of the same places in Philly.
- Oh, yeah?
- Yeah.
- [LAUGHS]
- Where?
- All over.
Uh, Strawberry Mansion,
Sonny Hill league.
Yeah, oh, shit. We got a real native.
Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.
Pat's or Geno's?
[SCOFFS] Pat's or Geno's.
Trick question.
No, I actually prefer
the papi store on 55th
for the adobo seasoning.
Or Ishkabibble's.
Either one.
Yeah? Yeah, them jawns do smack.
Hey, West Philly in the building.
- Hey, my boy.
- Oh, my man.
Yo, I mean, that jawn is crazy!
Um, uh, don't you have something that
you should be asking him
right about now?
Carlton, we're good.
Bro, it's all good. Just chill.
Yes, but we have a place
that we have to be very soon.
Hey, bro, got a curfew?
No, I just said we got places to be.
Nah, where your
chaperone at, little man?
Hey, hey, hey, hey.
Hey, somebody left they kid here.
[LAUGHTER]
Yo, Will, how you let
little bro stay up this late?
This is actually my little cousin.
Little? I'm older than you.
Ain't it past his bedtime
or some shit?
For real, come on.
Uh, no, he's actually gonna
take a nap in the car seat
on the ride home. [LAUGHTER]
- Damn.
- Okay, so, look, man, look,
I'm trying to get on, man, you know?
Think you can introduce me
to Coach Gruber?
Hold up, nigga.
You think I'm just gonna
put you on like that?
Shit, what I want to know is,
nigga what we want to know is,
Can you hang?
That's the real question.
Come on.
Bro, you want some food,
drinks, something?
Watch this. Watch out, man.
What you talking about, the coach?
Yo, watch out, bro. Come on.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER,
BILLIARD BALLS CLACK]
[ALL SHOUT]
I got no problem with Lisa.
Same. We moved past all of that.
Good,
because you both have
so much in common.
You're talented, ambitious,
both navigating a world
without your moms.
It's a heavy load.
Could be easier if you both shared it.
Sisterhood is so powerful.
Don't deprive yourself of a friend
who gets what you're going through
in a way nobody else does.
I didn't realize
your mom wasn't around.
She's around
just not around me.
I haven't seen her
since middle school, so
What about you?
Um
my mom passed a couple years ago.
Lupus.
Sorry.
I'm sure that was really tough.
Juilliard?
Congrats.
Like, that is
pretty freaking incredible.
- [CHUCKLES]
- Yeah, thank you.
I mean, so is getting
a full ride to swim at Howard.
- Really.
- [LAUGHS]
For the longest time, I did not
think it was gonna pan out.
Like, all the sacrifices.
- The long hours.
- And the injuries.
Canceling plans BOTH: For practice.
- Jinx.
- [SCOFFS]
[PHONE BUZZES]
Will's not gonna make it.
He's going to some USC athlete
hangout to meet Gavin White.
Oh, yeah. I know about that party.
My homeboy Xavi, he runs at USC.
He trained at Zenith.
[SOFT MISCHIEVOUS MUSIC]
Your mini-mart is the cornerstone
of the neighborhood.
But you're you're being
squeezed, though, right?
Rent hikes, suppliers overcharging.
It's a real hustle just to break even.
Every damn month.
Yeah, well,
with Legacy Heights,
we want to help
fresh inventory, ads,
bring in more customers.
It's all there.
I mean, sounds pretty good,
and I could really use the help.
Your store does better.
Everybody eats.
No risk to you.
It's a win-win.
Here you go.
[PAPER RUSTLING]
That's not for me.
W-why? W-w-why not?
'Cause suddenly
I'm co-owning a business
that I built from the ground up.
[SOFT TENSE MUSIC]
♪
[CHUCKLES] My answer is no.
♪
Okay.
Uh, it's your call.
Well, if anything changes,
we'll be around.
♪
[DOOR CLOSES]
♪
[INDISTINCT SHOUTING,
VEHICLES BEEPING]
Maybe we expand the search
another couple blocks.
The further away
from the building site,
the more questionable
your investment looks.
Could stick with four businesses.
- Plan still works.
- Yeah, but slower.
No, I need this done, in and out.
Or
you can let me sort it out my way.
When I need someone
to say yes, they say yes.
No, Geoffrey.
We're not doing that.
It's a means to an end, Phil.
You don't even have to be there.
♪
C!
Carlton! Bro, come on, man.
Look, bro, I didn't I wasn't
trying to piss you off, bro.
I was just it just came out.
Sleeping in the car seat
on the ride home
was just sitting there
waiting to come out?
I was just joking, okay?
I'm just trying to find a way to
connect.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER,
PARTY MUSIC PLAYING]
Actually
- [VIDEO GAME GUNFIRE]
- Hey, yo, Gavin?
How about a little one-on-one?
ALL: Oh.
Unless you think your skills
can't match up.
Keep moving.
[VIDEO GAME GUNFIRE CONTINUES]
[CROWD CHEERS]
Best out of three.
I win, you tell Coach
come check me out.
And if I win
you walk out of here like
you ain't never stepped in.
Ah.
[CROWD CHEERING]
Ah! Come on!
Come on, let's go.
[KING GEORGE AND THE FABULOUS
SOULS' "BABY I'VE GOT IT"]
All right, let's do it.
Uh ♪
Baby, I got it ♪
[CROWD CHEERS]
Look at me, baby ♪
♪
You know my friends
all told me one day ♪
Now you see me. Now you don't.
Come on.
Look at me, baby ♪
[PERSON CHANTING]
[CROWD CHEERS]
Baby, I got it ♪
Oh, yeah ♪
Baby, I got it ♪
Oh, yeah ♪
Gummy bear.
♪
Swoosh.
[CROWD CHEERING WILDLY]
Okay! Okay! Okay!
Okay!
Mmm.
That's good.
Gummy.
[CLEARS THROAT]
[CROWD GROANS]
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Same, my buddy. You feel me?
[LAUGHTER]
This type shit. Yeah, yeah.
Damn. Sorry, Philly.
Feel free to hang out or whatever.
[CHUCKLES]
Clock's ticking.
I know. I know. You're ready to leave.
No, no, no, I wish,
but, um, something's come up.
[DOOR CLOSES]
- Oh, shit.
- Hey.
[PARTY MUSIC PLAYING,
INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[LAUGHTER]
Uh, wow.
This is unexpected.
But tell me again, how did this, uh
how did this happen exactly?
Aunt Viv was amazing today,
and she really,
you know, spoke some truth.
- Mm-hmm.
- Yeah, she's the whole word.
- That's my Aunt Viv
- Yep.
Always putting things together.
Well, that's why I told Amira
to meet us here,
because there's no reason
we all shouldn't be able to hang out.
Of course, of course.
That's right.
And tonight we are celebrating.
Tell him your good news.
Your girl just got into
the dance program at Juilliard!
- Wow!
- Uh-huh.
Congratulations.
- Thank you.
- Wow.
Jackie, honey, come over here.
I'ma I'ma be right back.
♪
I don't know if I'm comfortable
with you looking this good
at this party.
- And smelling this good, too.
- [GIGGLES]
Ooh, do we need to find
a room upstairs or what?
No, you need to focus.
- How's it going with Gavin?
- [SIGHS] Not good.
It's just really hard
to keep his attention.
Come on, damn.
Okay, well, you know,
I'll be over there if you need me.
Don't mind me unless you need my help.
No, no, no. You're good, you're good.
You deserve to celebrate. You all do.
Okay.
That's where I'm trying to get to.
- Okay.
- See you later.
You look great.
Hurry up. I really need to go.
Hey, so I've been
pretty on edge all night
about how this whole thing
is gonna go down.
Good.
Okay, fine, fine.
I'll come clean to Ms. Bassin.
- I'll tell her it was all me.
- Okay, stop it.
You are not gonna do that.
What? I thought that was
what you wanted!
[SIGHS] Carlton, yes,
I was upset that you stole my story.
But what I'm not upset about is
you getting what you deserve.
Princeton.
Yeah, well, it feels terrible
that I had to lie to get it.
Look, I know the kind of pressure
that you put yourself under.
And you were trying to tell me
at HoCo, and I blew you off.
Yeah. Worst night of my life.
Yeah, Lisa told me everything
about the arrest
and Promising Choices.
Man, that girl can't hold shit.
I'm just sorry that you
didn't think you were enough
without my story.
You've worked insanely hard.
And that's why you got into Princeton.
And I'm not gonna let you
mess up your future
because you told a lie.
It's not like I haven't lied before.
You do remember me
having a dead sister
and going on to tell your
family that I was grieving?
True, true.
- Uh, I guess we're even, then.
- Oh, far from it.
Yeah, you still have
to make it up to me.
Make it up to you how?
♪
No, no.
Anything but that.
Oh, yes, that.
Señor, you owe me.
Get ready. That's all I want. Bye!
[CHUCKLES]
[CARLTON SIGHS]
[HIP-HOP MUSIC]
I think I found our fifth business.
[DOOR BELLS JINGLE]
All right, I'll call you later.
- Mr. Banks.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
Hey, I was just in the neighborhood.
Ah, what,
some Legacy Heights business?
[CHUCKLES] Yeah, something like that.
I hear things at the dispensary
are coming along
slowly.
That's one way to say it.
Yeah, I got a call from Pamela Gordon.
Said you could really use an investor.
What if I helped?
[CHUCKLES]
Yeah. Yeah, Mr. Banks. Hell, yeah.
Okay. All right.
Here's a little contract.
I'll break it down to you.
Pretty straightforward.
[PARTY MUSIC PLAYING,
INDISTINCT CHATTER]
Amira, please.
Will and I need to go now.
I will literally do anything but this.
No, I want what I asked for, Carlton.
A deal's a deal.
Come on, let's go. Let's see it.
I believe in you. [GIGGLES]
- Amira
- Get to it.
- [LAUGHS]
- What are you talking about?
Everyone move out the way. Move, move.
[SUGARHILL GANG'S
"APACHE (JUMP ON IT)"]
Watch this.
Oh, my goodness.
[CROWD GROANING]
Tonto ♪
Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it ♪
[LAUGHTER]
- Why is he doing this?
- Payback, baby.
Your cuz cheesy as hell, boul.
[LAUGHS]
Yo, who is this dude?
This is so cringe.
Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it ♪
♪
- What are you doing?
- Amira made me.
- Come on, man.
- All right, fuck it.
♪
Not the choreo!
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
♪
Apache, jump on it, jump on it ♪
Oh, my God.
♪
Whoa, who is this dude?
Qué caliente!
♪
Yo, the crowd is feeling it!
♪
[CHEERS AND APPLAUSE]
See, did I tell you,
or did I tell you?
I told you it was gonna
be entertaining.
- Good job, Carlton.
- Hey.
[LAUGHING]
[MUSIC PLAYING FAINTLY]
[KNOCK AT DOOR]
♪
Ms. Gordon.
Wow. You look nice.
- Thank you.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
I'm headed to a fundraiser
down the block.
But Phil caught me up.
I just wanted to drop by
and say congratulations.
Oh, thank you.
Um, also, I appreciate you
lobbing that call
to Mr. Banks, for real.
What can I say?
I love to see a young Black king win.
There's another thing
I want to address,
if if you're open.
I'm open.
♪
It's okay.
We're both adults.
Unless you're not into older women.
Oh, no. No. [CHUCKLES]
I'm into older women. [CHUCKLES]
- Okay. [LAUGHS]
- Um
aren't you Mrs. Banks' friend, though?
What Mrs. Banks doesn't know
I mean
[P.R'S "IF I FALL" PLAYING]
And I'll do this ♪
Unless you already
thought through this ♪
Before, ooh ♪
Yeah, I'm heating up ♪
I suggest you check
your temperature ♪
Oh, hey, hey, we got to go, now.
Bro, I know, bro.
The Uber's not moving!
But we drove. Go, go, go, go!
- Come on, let's go.
- I'll text Amira.
Yo, yo, yo, make this light.
Come on, come on!
- Everyone all buckled up?
- Do it.
Doesn't matter, 'cause
bad girls don't give a fuck!
- [TIRES SQUEALING]
- Let's go!
Yeah, that's my girl! Go!
I love this new-bestie
dynamic it's so fun.
I don't know.
I think it's kind of cool.
Shut up.
- [CAR DOORS CLOSE]
- I want it ♪
- Go, go!
- [DOORS SLAM]
Okay! Hurry!
- Yo.
- Thank God.
[PANTING] Oh, okay.
Whoo!
- Wait, no!
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!
We were here on time!
Asses in seats, not at the front door!
Fuck!
[BOTH BREATHING HEAVILY]
Fuck.
Bro
I'm sorry for letting Gavin and
those guys clown you like that.
It's okay.
[SCOFFS]
This college pressure makes us
do some fucked-up shit.
Yeah.
I guess you made up for it, though.
Thanks for not leaving me
up there alone.
Yeah, you would have done
the same thing for me.
Ah, I'm not so sure about that.
[LAUGHTER]
[SIGHS]
Hey.
One of us wins, we both win.
I need to pass this
or everything goes away.
We shouldn't have gone to that party.
I know USC is a long shot, but
after seeing you get Princeton
when everyone told you
it was impossible
Thought maybe I had a chance.
Hey.
You'll land at the place
that's right for you.
[SCOFFS]
Yeah, but where is that?
If they wasn't fucking
with you from the jump ♪
Then fuck 'em now, tryna ♪
[GIGGLES]
Kick 'em out ♪
Can I ask you something?
♪
Have you told your mom
you got into Juilliard?
[SCOFFS]
Please.
She didn't even know I applied.
♪
She didn't think I could be a dancer.
♪
Is that why you stuck
with it to prove her wrong?
Now they actin' like
they know me, not even a tad ♪
Fuckin' with the D-nee-nee,
they don't really know her ♪
Telling me I'm on CDs ♪
I would give anything
to tell my mom that I got in.
♪
It's not too late for you.
♪
Tryin' to slide inside the frame ♪
They see the flashes, kick 'em out ♪
Bash, Bash!
What are y'all still doing here?
Sir. Uh, Mr. Carter
This is how y'all gonna
conduct y'allselves?
What do you want the world
to get from your existence?
Look, we're really sorry about
You know why they call
this program Promising Choices?
[SOFT MUSIC]
Because y'all made
a whole lot of unpromising ones
to get here.
But all it takes is one good choice
to turn that thing around.
♪
That choice might allow you
to heal someone else
[LINE TRILLING]
Mommy.
♪
It's me.
♪
Um
I have something to tell you.
Or a choice to stop being weighed down
by a mindset
that no longer serves you.
♪
And, yeah, sometimes
you do make a choice
you aren't proud of.
First drop from Dominique.
Spin City Laundromat,
for Amodi Car Wash,
for both Florence parking lots.
♪
For Charlie's.
You sure about this?
Things don't go left
when you're involved, right?
♪
But there's always time
to correct your bad ones
I've always thought that
success was about hard work.
But I've come to realize
it's more about understanding others,
knowing when someone needs
a moment of kindness, forgiveness
because sometimes feeling seen
is the difference between
being overlooked
and believing you belong.
That's it.
Well, that's a damn good essay.
I just wanted to give you some ideas.
Hmm.
It's yours, if you want it.
♪
Because you can still atone.
♪
And your choice might help someone
without you even knowing it.
[PHONE RINGING]
- What's cracking, boul?
- Gavin. What's up, man?
Hey, that was some real cool
shit you did for your cousin.
- That's how we do it in Philly.
- You already know.
And that's what
this team is all about,
so I talked to Coach.
He's gonna come to one of your games.
I'm not sure when, but be ready.
Man, I, um I appreciate this, bro.
Uh [CHUCKLES]
I guess I'll see you
on the court, huh?
A'ight type shit.
[LINE BEEPING]
Yes!
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!
[LAUGHING]
Oh.
And that choice might pay off in ways
you never even imagined.
[SIGHS]
So that's why
you motherfuckers need
to show up on time next week.
Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa. "Next week"?
Yeah, like I said, it's three strikes.
Strike one, strike two.
- Thank you! Thank you, sir
- Yes, sir, we promise
Shut up!
And be early.
Ee, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya ♪
The Dogg Pound's in the house ♪
- The bomb ♪
- [LAUGHTER]
Yes! Yes!
- Yes!
- Whoo!
Now just throw your hands
in the motherfuckin' air ♪
And wave the motherfuckers
like ya just don't care ♪
Yeah, roll up the dank
and pour the drank ♪
And watch your stank ♪
Why? 'Cause Doggy's on the gank ♪
sync & corrections awaqeded
♪