Reasonable Doubt (2022) s04e06 Episode Script
Show Me What You Got
1
[DANIEL KIM] Previously
on Reasonable Doubt
- Are you Lewis Stewart?
- Yeah.
- I'm Austin Kyles.
- And-And I'm Webster DeMarco.
So, what do you guys do?
We're gonna be making,
uh, games for smart glasses.
You mind if we keep in touch?
- I know about the pills, Jax.
- What pills?
[ERIC CROPPER] The
ones you asked Steve for.
You ain't gotta lie to kick it, Jax.
I'll talk to security
and make sure they get
you whatever you need.
Did you notice Jacqueline
acting strange the other night?
She kept sitting down,
and bouncing back up.
Have you kept track of
how many pills she takes every day?
Your mom told me that
she's worried about you.
She's worried that you have a problem.
[JAX STEWART] You talking
shit about me to my husband?
Because you told my husband
that I was a drug addict.
I'm looking into your eyes,
and you look just like your father.
And I'm not talking genetics.
I'm talking addiction.
Stay the fuck out of my life!
Yo, Jax, just heard from
my contact at the LAPD
that Devonte Reese
will be arrested soon.
Wait, please! [PANTS]
I wanna make a deal.
- [VIDEO RECORDING CHIMES]
- So, y'all ready?
Okay.
So, I go on here and talk
about Eric Cropper a lot
because he's not a good
man, to say the least.
However, do you know
what's worse than a bad man?
The person who defends him.
And her name is Jax
Stewart, and she is the
Worst ♪
- ["WORST BEHAVIOR" BY DRAKE PLAYING]
- Muhfucker never loved us ♪
Fucker never loved us ♪
You ain't know, now you know now ♪
Still at it, scrub J's
with a toothbrush ♪
Shit ♪
Niggas still playin' my old shit ♪
But your shit is like the
police askin' us questions ♪
Nigga, we don't know shit ♪
Flex ♪
Nigga, I'm just flexin' ♪
Look at you, look at
you, and look at you ♪
Ah, I'm glad that they chose us ♪
Command, it's a mission ♪
Tryna fight to the finish
just to see am I finished ♪
On my worst behavior, no? ♪
They used to never wanna hear us ♪
Remember? ♪
Hold up, hold my phone ♪
[BUZZING]
Muhfuckers never loved us ♪
Fucker never loved us ♪
Now you wanna roll one ♪
Muhfucker never loved us ♪
So everywhere we go now, full cup ♪
Always hated the boy,
but now the boy is the man ♪
Muhfucker, I done growed up ♪
You know ♪
You know ♪
[SONG FADES OUT]
Hey. Where are the kids?
Oh, with Mama Lu.
Uh, she wanted to make sure
she still had a relationship with them
since, apparently, she
doesn't have one with you.
When were you gonna tell me
you cut your mom out of your life?
[SCOFFS]
I mean, wh-what did
you expect me to say?
She accused me of being
a drug addict. [CHUCKLES]
I mean, I can think
of many other reasons
for her not to be in my life.
She better not show
up at my birthday party.
That's what I do know.
[LEWIS STEWART] Look, I know you're mad,
but I told you she was concerned,
which is understandable.
I mean, given everything that
Okay, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, wait.
Are you saying that you believe her?
I didn't say that.
Okay.
Okay.
[LEWIS] Jax.
- [JAX] Hmm?
- [TOILET FLUSHES]
Alright?
No more refills, okay?
Those were the last of 'em.
[LEWIS] Where are you going?
To get myself a drink.
Or do I need your
permission for that too?
[MISCHIEVOUS MUSIC PLAYING]
[SIGHS]
[INHALES SHARPLY]
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
From La Brea to Slauson ♪
It's all us ♪
The Sun, Central
Ave Jazz, it's all us ♪
Where we at, hit the Maverick Flats ♪
Lemeirt and right back to the ark ♪
It's all us ♪
We coastin' on the west
between sets and wealth ♪
We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪
Take flight into the
night under Cali stars ♪
In a world on wheels ♪
It's all us ♪
It's the world we feel ♪
It's all us ♪
From the Hills to Hollywood ♪
It's all us ♪
No doubt we all we got ♪
Hold it down, Black and brown ♪
In a city of dreams ♪
It's all us ♪
[DET. ANNIE ZHANG] Devonte
Reese, you're under arrest.
Wait! [PANTS]
I wanna make a deal.
[DANIEL] Since Devonte Reese's arrest,
half of the top 20
trending tags on socials
are about Eric's trial.
And the 21st is a
hashtag "side-eye-judge"
for a look that Judge Gibson
made during testimony last week.
[JAX] [CHUCKLES] Yeah,
he would love that.
He got new glasses the other day
after seeing his face everywhere.
[KRYSTAL WALTERS] Oh,
I can understand that.
I mean, People v. Cropper
is literally the biggest
trial LA has ever seen.
Well, figuratively.
It's not "literally" the biggest.
Uh, so, since Devonte pled guilty
to kidnapping and attempted murder,
do we think he'll testify?
Oh, he better not. Our
motion for a mistrial is Monday.
Well, why are we asking for a mistrial?
Because Reese is the one
who committed the crime,
so his trial should go first.
We believe the district
attorney moved too fast on Eric,
and this train needs to
be stopped with a mistrial.
Okay, but if-if Judge Gibson
denies the motion for mistrial,
can you still fight
against Reese testifying?
Yeah, well, that
depends on what he says.
- [CELL PHONE BUZZES]
- But, you know, that's tomorrow's problem.
Today
Everything good, CC?
Yeah, yeah, sorry.
Apparently, my father's
flying in late next week.
Wants to grab dinner.
Anyway, we need to worry about
these people coming out saying how
CROP Records cheats its
artists like Dark and Stormy,
Reese and Fabian Cruz's old R&B duo.
Because despite the jury instructions,
we all know
that jurors are influenced by what
they see and hear outside of courtroom.
[JAX] Mm-hmm, that's true.
Daniel, find out who from Eric's team
has broken their NDA and
is adding to this rumor mill.
'Til then, I'm gonna go talk to Eric.
Cool, I'll go with you.
No, no need. You stay here.
Deal with your, your father.
I'll let you know next steps on Star
after I speak with Eric, alone.
Okay, why is she hating on Poppa Cash?
Well, my father has a way of
rubbing people the wrong way.
You mean like Jax is doing right now?
It's giving pot and kettle.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
Hell no. Fuck no!
I'm not stepping down from CROP Records.
Just until this internet frenzy passes.
Your deal with Star
Music is on thin ice.
So, you need someone to lead
in the interim to improve optics.
What happened to loyalty?
Muthafuckas used to live by a code.
Look, we have no idea what
Devonte's gonna give prosecutors,
which is why we need
to secure this deal.
And Brooke, you find out who
she was going to see that night?
Not yet, but we're on it.
Look, Eric, I need you to focus.
Who do you want to lead in your absence?
Is it Tyger?
Yeah, maybe.
Smart choice.
I'll have Corey set a
meeting with the Star execs.
Fine. But if the judge
doesn't go for the mistrial
and Devonte testifies, we are fucked.
Why, what does he know?
[SIGHS] I did some
shit to him and Fabian
that I don't want people to know about.
- [JAX GROANS]
- Not illegal, um, some business type shit
that I'm just not trying
to have held against me.
But based on what that
motherfucker did to Brooke,
he definitely trying to take me down.
So, what? You saying
this nigga's in his feelings?
[SIGHS]
Then maybe you need to figure out a way
to make him feel better.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
What are you saying?
Nothing, Eric.
I've said nothing.
[SHANELLE TUCKER] Y'all
need to stop hating.
- I swear, I wish Autumn was here, right?
- I know.
- I know. Mm.
- [JAX LAUGHING]
Yeah, she and Kendall been
going through it with the baby, y'all.
[SALLY SIGHS]
Aria, she just she won't eat.
- She's crying through the night, you know?
- [JAX] Mmm.
Autumn said she had to take
a day off work just to sleep.
Oh, my God. I I didn't
realize it had gotten that bad.
You know, we should give
Autumn and Kendall a night off.
Send them to a hotel,
and then we could
take turns watching Aria.
- Ooh.
- [JAX] That's sweet.
Cute! I'm in.
Jax?
Well, I'm Y'all know I'm
in the middle of this trial,
so, I mean, I probably couldn't
do anything 'til next week.
Oh, girl, don't worry about it.
[JAX SIGHS]
Well, look, I I'll
figure it out, okay?
- Count me in, I'm in. [LAUGHS]
- [SALLY] Okay.
- I'll book the hotel.
- [SHANELLE] Go ahead.
[SALLY] Ooh! I'll get the
wine. I'm bringing the wine.
[SHANELLE] Yeah. We
need a triple king suite.
- [SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
- This is not really happening ♪
- Oh ♪
- [MUSIC FADES OUT]
[LEWIS] This place is cool.
And I don't make it to
this side of town very often.
I'm more of a Crenshaw, West
Side, South Bay kinda dude.
[CHUCKLES] Yeah, this
is Austin's favorite place.
Apologies again, he couldn't make it.
But, uh
we aim to please.
- [PATRONS CHATTERING]
- [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
Wow, this is, uh
This is quite the offer.
This is from both of us.
- But again, we aim to please.
- Aim to please.
And this is, uh Yeah,
this is, uh [CHUCKLES]
pleasing, for sure.
But [SIGHS]
I'd have to move up north,
and I, I am, am just not
in a position right now
to uproot my entire family.
Yeah, hey, look, I
get it. We're a startup.
All hands on deck until
we're up and running,
but eventually, you
choose your own schedule.
One of our key
investors is a billionaire
looking to leap into the
augmented reality space.
Given your experience and your talent
man, we really think that
you are the perfect person
to shepherd us into that space.
- For real?
- Look, you've worked
at Trista Vision for a long time.
My guess is
you're already making the maximum
they're willing to pay you,
which means that you are already
not getting paid what you are worth.
Listen, Lewis, could this
whole thing crash and burn?
Yeah.
That's the risk with any startup.
Well, maybe it doesn't crash and burn.
And then you go from
visiting a few wineries in Napa
to making enough to
own a few wineries instead.
[LEWIS] Hmm.
You know, I've always been
more of a, a whiskey guy, but, uh
I could be open to a good pinot.
- [PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS]
- [MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY]
[JAX] Your Honor, we respectfully submit
that our motion for a
mistrial should be granted
because another individual
has already been arrested,
charged, and pleaded
guilty to the very offense
for which my client is being charged.
If the district attorney
wishes to continue
to pursue charges against my client,
they must do so on
the basis of new charges
and new evidence arising from
this newly found information.
Your Honor, the People
wish to continue this trial.
We have proof that the defendant
and Mr. Reese collaborated
in orchestrating the crime
against Mrs. Cropper.
Mr. Reese's involvement does not
absolve the defendant of the offenses
with which he is being charged.
Having considered the arguments
presented by both parties,
I conclude that this
trial shall proceed,
and that the motion for a
mistrial is hereby denied.
Your Honor, that would be
fundamentally unfair to my client.
Counselor, the motion is denied.
- You just wanna be on the news.
- Jax, Jax
[COREY WHISPERING]
[SOFTLY] Come on, you
gotta be fucking kidding me.
[CELL DOOR BUZZES]
[EXHALES, SCOFFS]
My mama said I wouldn't
see the devil 'til after I died,
- and yet here you are.
- [DOOR SLAMS]
Is that who I am to you?
The devil?
Damn sure you're no angel.
How the fuck you get in here?
Cash, my nigga.
It buys access.
And no one will know I was
here 'cause it buys silence too.
You know I cut a deal, right?
Twenty to life means I gotta testify.
Yeah.
But you don't gotta say what they want.
You can say what I want.
Why?
You're not innocent.
[ERIC SIGHS]
Twenty to life.
That's a long stretch.
Even if you make a
few allies, it won't matter.
See, my money already lets
me walk through walls unseen.
The state of California ain't
doing shit to protect you now
and you ain't even testified.
So, you think they gonna
give a shit about you
after you take the stand?
Meanwhile
I'm just trying to keep you safe.
I'd hate for you to be beat so bad
you shit out your own teeth.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
What do you want me to say?
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[VOCALIZING]
Yeah, the song's off.
[VOCALIZING]
I got you, I got you.
- Gently, you send me ♪
- [SINGS IN SPANISH]
Hold on. Layla. Layla.
- What up, little bro?
- Oh. Yo, what's good?
How's it going?
[TYGER CROPPER] Um,
they're looking good.
- Definitely be ready for the show.
- [ERIC] Good, good.
Uh, listen I'ma need you to run CROP
until everything dies
down with this trial and shit.
- [MUSIC RESUMES]
- Okay, yeah, yeah. [CHUCKLES]
I got you. I won't let you down, bro.
- Better not fucking let me down.
- [CHUCKLES]
So, who you got coming tonight?
You got Nick Rydell?
You know he got the
YN's on lock right now.
Lili Pang?
Her TikTok and IG is breaking artists.
Come on, bro, you
gotta think about this shit.
Nigga, I ain't a virgin in this.
Yes, we've got journalists,
bloggers, influencers confirmed,
- so we're good.
- A'ight, a'ight, I hear ya.
But I still might stop
by, catch the show.
[GROANS, EXHALES]
I mean, if you come through,
you're gonna take over the show,
kill the vibe, steal her shine.
Our guests need to be thinking
about Layla's music, not your trial.
It's called innocent
'til proven guilty, nigga.
And last I checked, this
is still my record company.
Of course it is,
and, and I appreciate you
for trusting me to run it temporarily.
But I'm trying to follow
your number one rule.
Secure the bag.
- Secure the bag.
- Yeah.
- I'm glad you finally listened.
- [BOTH LAUGHING]
- Come on, man, I got you.
- A'ight, a'ight.
["LET 'EM KNOW" BY T.I. PLAYING]
- [CROWD CHATTERING]
- Woo, woo, woo ♪
Woo, woo, woo, woo ♪
[DESIREE GRANT] Day
six of the Cropper trial,
which continues after Judge
Gibson's shocking decision
to deny the defense's
motion for a mistrial.
We expect to hear more
expert testimony today,
but folks are chomping at the bit,
waiting to see what Devonte Reese
and Brooke Cropper have to say
when they each take
the stand later this week.
The People call
Ethan Tran.
I'm a rental agent at Wheels Up.
My name is Detective Adam Hart.
I'm an LAPD detective in the
Robbery-Homicide Division.
[REGINA HARRIS] I'm now
showing you People's Exhibit 1.
Do you recognize where
this video was taken?
Yes, this is security
footage from the kidnapping.
We used it to ID the
make and model of the van.
Plates were stolen, but
we caught a partial view
of a rental sticker, which
led us to Wheels Up.
[REGINA] I'm now showing
you what has been marked
as People's Exhibit 18.
Do you recognize this document?
It's a receipt for a gray van
rented by Devonte Reese.
He reserved and paid for it online
with a CROP Record corporate credit card
in Mr. Cropper's name.
And are you able to trace the locations
of your rental vehicles?
Usually, yes, but the GPS cut
out of the van shortly after rental.
[REGINA] Hmm.
So, were you able to find the van?
Yes. Mrs. Cropper received a
call that activated her location.
My team traced that call to
a storage facility in Torrance,
which is where the van and phone
were ditched before
they switched to a car
and drove the victim to a
warehouse in San Pedro.
So, Mr. Tran, you did
confirm with Mr. Cropper
that Mr. Reese was authorized
to use his corporate
credit card, correct?
- No.
- No?
So, Mr. Reese could have stolen
Mr. Cropper's credit
card in order to purchase
- the rental van?
- Objection, calls for speculation.
- [JUDGE GIBSON] Sustained.
- [COREY CASH] Withdrawn, Your Honor.
Detective Hart, were Cruz's and
Reese's fingerprints found in the van?
Yes.
Were my client's
fingerprints found in the van?
They were not.
Did you find any other
fingerprints in the van?
Yes. There were quite
a few prints in there.
It's a rental.
Did you test every single one of them?
We tested whatever prints
we determined to be viable.
So that's a no. Nothing further.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
- [CLIFF] Hey.
I had Lauren grab us a
lunch reservation at Spago.
Spago, huh?
[SIGHS, CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
You heard about my
dinner with Bandit Kings.
Hey, it's a small tech world,
and you're great at what you do.
So, I can afford Spago,
but I can't afford to lose you.
Thanks, Cliff.
But, uh-uh, it sounds like
you're ready to negotiate.
That depends.
What are they promising?
Uh, [CHUCKLES] uh, more than Spago.
Fuck.
You're killing me.
Look, I'd [SIGHS]
I'd like to stay here
and not have to figure
out how to make a job
that's 400 miles away work,
but until you can make time for me
to go to Spago every day and pay for it,
you might be looking at my
two weeks sooner than later.
Alright. [INHALES]
Let me see what I can do.
For real.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS]
[CELL PHONE BUZZES]
[SIGHS]
[DANIEL] Yo, boss.
So, I was thinking about
what you said in court today
about the untested
set of prints in the van,
and it hit me
I told you to find out
who violated their NDAs,
not play Ace Ventura.
Am I the only one who remembers
how to be competent in their work?
My idea might not be what you asked for,
but it may be what you need.
Because if I'm right,
it could be potentially
exculpatory for Eric.
I reread the forensic reports.
And while, yes, there were
many fingerprints in the van,
there was one set of
prints that were all over
right behind Fabian and Devonte's.
In addition, the same set of
prints were found at the warehouse,
but since there was
no match in the system,
they decided it just must have
been a case of cross contamination.
But I think that they
could actually belong to
A third kidnapper.
I should have our independent
forensic analyst look at them.
Yep.
[TEXT MESSAGE WHOOSHES]
Oh, and, um, maybe
instead of checking me,
you should check your emails.
I sent you the list of who
violated their NDAs this morning.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, where are those batteries you had?
What the hell are you doing?
I found this behind a box
of tampons in the bathroom.
I looked up the pills, and this is bad.
You should put them back.
- They're probably Mom's.
- Duh.
But why aren't they in a
normal prescription bottle?
- You know, I'm telling Dad.
- What? No.
Look, Naima, it's already
been too much going on,
with Grandma, Mom getting shot.
We finally good in this bitch.
Don't say anything.
- Alright?
- [DOOR CLOSES]
[JAX] Who's home? I brought Dulan's.
[SPENSER STEWART] Hey.
[SOFTLY] Better not say nothing.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[REGINA] The People call Devonte Reese.
Mr. Reese, it looks like there
was two smaller payments
and one larger one of $538,429.
Can you tell us who
these deposits were from?
They were from CROP
Records to Fabian and me.
And can you please tell the jury
what those payments were for?
I don't remember.
Mr. Reese, the largest payment
was on the day of the kidnapping,
which was less than six months ago,
but you don't remember that?
[SLOW, TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Are you scared of Mr. Cropper?
No.
Nothing further.
Mr. Reese, you claim
Mr. Cropper was a giving man.
Have you always felt that way about him?
No, there were times that I wasn't happy
with the way he handled
me and Fabian as artists.
But a few years back, I let it go.
[JAX] I see.
Your Honor, I'd like to
introduce Defense Exhibit 1.
Do you recognize that
exchange, Mr. Reese?
Yes.
These are texts between me
and Eric from a couple months ago.
Can you read that last
text to Mr. Cropper out loud?
"If you think I'm gonna go
on this fucking reunion tour
"to make money for
you after all the shit
"you've put me and Fab through,
"then you got me all the way fucked up.
"One day, you're gonna
learn that fucking with me
was the worst mistake you ever made."
[JURY MURMURING]
Doesn't sound like you let it go.
That sounds like someone
who came up with a
plan to punish Mr. Cropper
by kidnapping his wife.
- Is that correct?
- Objection, argumentative.
Sustained.
No further questions.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[REGINA] I know what you did.
What do you mean "you know what I did"?
I prepped Devonte.
I know his story inside out.
I know everything Eric did
to him throughout his career,
and he would not have gone rogue,
unless he was prompted or intimidated.
Regina, are you accusing me
- of witness tampering?
- [REGINA] Well, I don't know.
Isn't it ironic that this all occurs
after your motion was denied?
Witnesses switch things
up on the stand all the time.
That's not new.
Regina, your key
witness was ineffective.
- This isn't about me.
- [REGINA SIGHS]
But let this serve as a
reminder to be cautious
about who you trust and
who you make deals with,
as they may not always be reliable.
And
maybe keep your baseless
accusations to yourself.
[CHUCKLES]
See you in court.
[JAX SCOFFS]
Look, Regina must be hella desperate
to think I had anything to
do with Devonte changing up.
I mean, clearly, she
knows she's losing this case.
Maybe, but is it a possibility
that Eric threatened him?
No, and I would never
advise him to do such a thing.
If you say so.
I plan on asking him myself, though.
Well
Well, maybe, we should wait.
I mean, look, Eric's already
under a lot of pressure, right?
And Brooke is about to testify.
I mean, I don't wanna, I don't
wanna rattle him, you feel me?
Jax, I am not gonna get myself caught up
in a legal quagmire 'cause of this dude.
Okay, hear me out, alright?
I've known Eric for a long time,
and he is many things, but
I don't believe he would go this far.
- [ELEVATOR DINGS]
- Alright?
Let me handle it.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[JEREMIAH CASH] Glad
to catch up with you, son.
[COREY] Yeah, I'm glad too.
Brandy's sorry she couldn't make it,
but she had a conference
in New York this week.
Oh, next time.
You know, I just wanna say I
am loving Dr. Brandy for you.
- Really?
- Yeah.
You know, I'm happy
that you took my advice
and found someone you
could settle down with.
And I was hoping that you don't get
any second thoughts or distractions.
Well, I mean, Brandy, she's, you
know, she's patient, she's open.
I mean, she really makes me
feel like we're in a partnership
- Hmm.
- which I never had before her.
Now, of course, I still need to
be reminded to be a good boy.
I guess old habits
die hard, as you know.
- Is that old habit Jax?
- What?
Well, you know, I've
seen the way she moves.
Passionate, ambitious, gorgeous
Yo, yo, D-Dad. It's not like that.
Oh, now, son, you dropped everything.
You postponed your
wedding to come to LA.
Now, if it wasn't for Jax, then, uh,
who or what was it for?
Marriage is a big step, and
just have to make sure I'm ready.
I can see that you're afraid
of following in my footsteps.
And you should be.
But you're working so
hard to avoid my footsteps
that you didn't notice
that you walked straight
into a burning building.
- [PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
- My advice
is that you take Brandy
back to Chicago
- and you stay there.
- No, I can't do that.
I'm in the middle of
a big trial right now.
Hmm. Oh.
So, would you rather lose
the trial or lose Brandy?
Because if you keep
prioritizing one over the other,
you might lose both.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[JAX] Hey.
Hey.
Okay, so, look, I'm sorry
about the other night.
Okay? My mom has
just been driving me crazy
and I have been very stressed.
All good. I get it.
And
Okay.
- How was your day?
- Really good.
I, uh, got an offer from
a rival gaming company.
What? Today?
Well, I met with them a couple weeks ago
and didn't think anything
would come from it,
but [INHALES] now, Cliff
wants to negotiate a counter.
[JAX] Oh, baby, come
on. That is fantastic!
Look at you.
Kids, y'all hear your daddy over
here? Making big boss moves.
- Aye.
- [NAIMA STEWART] Congratulations, Dad.
- Yeah, that's what's up, man.
- Thank you, guys, thank you.
Look, I know you don't
like bigging yourself up,
but I'm telling you, make those
fools pay you what you're worth.
If not, bye, Felicia.
Oh, and you know this.
- Man.
- Man.
- Come here. Hey.
- [JAX LAUGHS]
- And I'll tell you what
- Hmm?
we gonna have a private
celebration, boss man, okay?
- [LEWIS] Oh, okay, is that right?
- [JAX] Mm-hmm.
- [LEWIS] I thought it was your birthday.
- I mean
You see? Everything's good.
- [JAX] You hungry?
- [LEWIS] I am.
- That looks delicious.
- [JAX] Alright, let me see.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SINGING IN SPANISH]
Nothing can keep me
from falling so deeply ♪
In your eyes ♪
Your eyes ♪
[SONG ENDS]
- [SPEAKER] Yeah.
- [TYGER] Whoo!
Yo, it sounds great.
Hey, we're close. We're
close. We're so close.
- Fuck.
- [ERIC] No, you're not.
The music is drowning her out.
Her voice is the star.
[TYGER] Everybody, take five. Yeah?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
E, what are you doing here?
Let me do the job you've given me.
Trust. I got this shit
under control, bro.
I trust that you believe you do,
but I don't have faith
that you actually do.
Which is why I had to come down here,
see this shit for myself,
you know, in person.
Because I'd hate to watch you waste
such a rare and
beautiful talent like Layla.
- You're fucking her, aren't you?
- Fucking her?
[ERIC LAUGHS]
Come on, man.
Abso-fucking-lutely.
But please tell me that's not
what you think this is about.
Okay, so, then what is it about?
Because, in case you forgot,
I'm the one that
discovered Layla, not you.
[ERIC SIGHS]
Remember your 13th birthday?
I was 18.
I'd just got a big check
from the record company.
And what did I do?
I threw you a Black bar mitzvah.
It'd only been a year
since we lost Mom and Dad,
so I planned a perfect celebration
for you to step into
this world as a man,
just like you watched damn near
most of your Westside classmates
do all year long.
You loved them fucking Lakers.
You big-ass Laker fan,
so I had the Laker girls come through.
It was grown-ass men jealous
of the man my little
brother was becoming.
[CHUCKLES]
That is
until the skills challenge.
There you were out there embarrassing me
for what must have been five minutes
before you ran to the bathroom
and threw up the coconut
shrimp and Shirley Temples
you had been chugging all night.
And here you are a grown-ass man.
And I keep waiting for someone
other than that
13-year-old boy to show up.
I let you produce a show
for a fine-ass Latina star
because I thought it'd be
an easy fucking layup for you.
But seeing you with Layla just told me
what I've always known
since that birthday.
Is that if I ever trusted
you with something again
you would just let me down.
Because you don't got it, bro.
And that's what this is about.
That is what the fuck this
has always been about.
Break's over.
We got a lot of shit to do.
Start by turning the sound down first.
And then, Daniel was like,
"Well, maybe instead of checking
me, you should check your email."
- [CHUCKLING]
- Bloop! Okay!
Krystal never told me you were bold.
Krystal talks about me at home?
- All the time. Uh
- Never.
She said you're smart, funny,
chatty, low-key annoying.
[DANIEL] O-M-G.
Krystal, I am all of those things!
I knew it! Thank you so much.
- I'm gonna give you a hug.
- You No, you sit down.
- You sit down right No, sit.
- Ohh!
- We are best friends.
- [KRYSTAL] No, we are not best friends.
- We're basically best friends.
- [KRYSTAL] Daniel, you a'ight.
You a'ight, baby.
Listen, the only reason I
invited you to date night
is 'cause you went all Bia Bia on Jax.
I mean, you deserve
a drink or two for that.
Hell, we both do.
I mean, between Jax sending emails
or 2:00 a.m. texts about the case
[DANIEL] And she doesn't
even react to my jokes anymore.
She just gives me a blank stare.
At least you roll your eyes and scoff.
[KRYSTAL] Yeah, exactly.
Do you think her behavior
could be from the shooting?
Like, trauma, or a
side effect of the coma,
or bad medication reaction?
[KRYSTAL] No. No, no, no.
- I think she's just being a bitch.
- Ooh. That part.
To trauma bonding.
[ANGELA CHUCKLES]
- To trauma bonding.
- [KRYSTAL] Mm.
- [ALL LAUGHING]
- Man.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[BOTH EXHALING]
[LEWIS] Mm, mm, mm.
[JAX CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[BOTH EXHALE]
[LEWIS] Mm.
Whew.
You know, I have to
get job offers more often
'cause you put your back in that.
- [TOILET FLUSHES]
- Literally. [CHUCKLES]
We both needed that.
- You're going out?
- No.
Just going back to the
office to do some work.
[SIGHS] Really? I mean, it's
the night before your birthday.
You act like I'm going
to the club or something.
Brooke is testifying
tomorrow, so I need to focus.
I mean, come on, Jax, it's late.
Way too late to be
working alone on Crenshaw.
Okay, there is 24-hour
security at that office.
Plus, I have Vesela during the day
and Steve at night, who are both armed,
sitting outside to make sure I'm safe.
I can't live my life in fear, Lewis.
You got shot in that office, Jax.
I apologize if I'm not
in love with the idea
of you being there so late.
I don't need the constant reminder
that I got shot, Lewis.
But that's-that's what you want, right?
To keep me scared,
so I'll come running home
to Daddy Lewis for safety.
[LEWIS] No.
What I want is for you to behave
like a fucking grown-up with kids
and not some legal vigilante
who thinks they're unstoppable.
You know what, I am unstoppable.
I'm a fucking extraordinary
machine of a human
who came home, cooked
dinner for this family,
fucked you and sucked you
dry, and somehow still manages
to keep my body
right and the bills paid,
yet I still gotta hear
your fucking mouth?
- My
- My job, that pays for most of this shit
- in this motherfucking house?
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay.
We still telling that story?
When it's my check that
keeps the lights on in this bitch,
check your motherfucking tone.
Now, I didn't ask you not to work.
I asked you to stay here and
listen to what the fuck I'm saying,
but, no, you're deciding to talk to me
like we haven't been
through a shit ton of therapy
to avoid arguments like this.
Look, are you fucking Eric?
Am
- Am What?
- Are you fucking him?
- No, nigga.
- Hmm.
Something's going on, Jax.
Your mom thinks it's drugs. I
think you're having an affair.
But in the meantime,
you have no explanation
for the way you've been acting.
I got fucking shot, Lewis!
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
So, like I said
I don't need the constant reminder
that I almost died.
I live that reminder every day.
Damn, have you ever stopped to
think that maybe that's what's wrong?
That maybe I'm tired of
having to defend myself
to everyone all the fucking time.
Hmm.
Yeah, this
this isn't who you are.
You're better than this, Jax.
No, this is exactly who I am.
A confident, bad bitch,
only child who does what I like to do
- when I fucking like to do it.
- Hmm.
Well, you can say whatever you want
but that's not the woman I married.
I'm still the same. You just
keep hoping I'll be different.
Yeah.
- But that's your problem, not mine.
- [LEWIS SIGHS]
- See you in the morning.
- Yeah.
- [SOFT CHUCKLE]
- [DOOR OPENS]
- Happy birthday.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
Mrs. Cropper, could you describe exactly
what happened on the night in question?
[BROOKE CROPPER] Yes.
I was leaving the house
to meet up with a friend
when suddenly a van
pulled in and blocked me.
A masked man jumped
out and grabbed me.
He put a cloth over my nose and mouth.
When I woke up, I was alone
in a room in a warehouse,
tied to a chair, still blindfolded.
I screamed for help.
I thought I was going to die.
Uh, but then the other
masked man told me
that they just wanted ransom from Eric.
So, we waited.
Did you recognize these masked men?
[BROOKE] No. No, I
was still blindfolded,
so I could only see shadows with masks
and they used a voice changer.
But the cops later told me that it was
Devonte Reese and Fabian Cruz.
I knew those guys.
They couldn't plan their way
out of a paper bag without help.
[REGINA] Did they hurt you?
When Eric missed the first ransom,
uh, one of the men held me down
while the other used
pliers to rip off my nail.
My doctor said it will
never heal correctly.
[JURY GROANS]
And when the police asked you
who was behind your kidnapping,
what did you say?
Eric.
One of the kidnappers told me
that it was Eric who wanted me dead,
and that they would get
their money either way.
And it made sense to
me once Eric warned me
that if I ever tried to divorce him,
he would make money off my demise.
When one of the guys
was planning to kill me,
I could tell he was hesitant,
so I convinced him
to let me see light one more time
and take the blindfold off.
And that allowed me to see him
and kick the shit out of
him so I could save myself.
[JURY MURMURS]
You are very brave, Mrs. Cropper.
I don't know how else to be.
[REGINA] Have you recently been in touch
with either Devonte or Fabian?
[BROOKE] Yes. I I contacted
them, but we never connected.
[REGINA] And what was to
be the nature of that call?
Eric has a habit of scamming
his artists out of their money.
So, I wanted them to
help support my claims
to Star Media that Eric was hiding debt
and was not fit to lead the company.
And how much money do you stand to gain
in the event of a divorce?
Since I am the brains of Aura
I could claim north of $300 million.
- Wow.
- [JURY MURMURS]
Nothing further.
[SLOW, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]
[JAX] Mrs. Cropper, we've established
that you slept your
way from an assistant
to a millionaire's wife,
and that you, allegedly,
helped found Aura.
You would describe yourself
as smart and ambitious, right?
- Not in the way that you're implying.
- Let's move on.
You admitted to calling both
Devonte and Fabian, yes?
Yes, but we never spoke.
I'd like to introduce
Defense Exhibits 2 and 3.
Exhibit 2 is from
Mr. Cruz's phone records.
Exhibit 3 belongs to Mr. Reese.
Now, Exhibit 2 confirms your testimony
that you did not connect with Mr. Cruz.
However, Exhibit 3 shows
a three-minute phone call
between you and Devonte Reese
the week of the kidnapping, right?
We didn't actually speak.
Maybe my phone just didn't hang up?
So, the three minutes you
connected with Devonte Reese
wasn't a conversation?
It was because you
forgot how to end a call?
Yes. I I don't know
how this could be.
Maybe there was a glitch.
A gl?
[JAX LAUGHS]
So, wait, you're supposed
to be smart enough
to help build a streaming empire,
but yet somehow too stupid to
understand how a phone works?
So, let me help you, Mrs. Cropper.
You admitted to calling
both Devonte and Fabian,
and the phone record
shows the conversation
between you and Devonte Reese, right?
Objection, badgering the witness.
[JAX] Your Honor, I'm not badgering.
I'm trying to get to the truth.
My client's life is at stake,
and we should know why the phone record
shows the conversation
that she denies happened.
Overruled.
Watch your tone, Ms. Stewart.
Witness may answer.
[BROOKE] I can't explain it.
- It must be a mistake of some sort.
- A mistake or a plan?
You also called Devonte Reese,
a man that could help you
put my client away for life,
leaving you to enjoy his millions
before taking off with the next
unlucky rich man in your path.
- Objection, argumentative.
- Mrs. Stewart.
Mrs. Cropper, we established
that you are a very ambitious woman
who's not above using
sex to get what she wants.
But this wouldn't be the first time
you use your body as a come-up
if your marriage to my
client is any example.
So, was Devonte Reese the only one
or did you break Fabian
off a piece as well?
Was that your payment to them too?
Objection, badgering.
I was not sleeping with
Devonte Reese or Fabian Cruz.
They kidnapped me.
They maimed me.
I thought I was going to die.
- Your Honor.
- [JUDGE GIBSON] Mrs. Stewart.
That's exactly what it was like.
So, save your tears for prison, Brooke!
- [REGINA] Objection, Your Honor.
- [GAVEL POUNDS]
[JUDGE GIBSON] Mrs.
Stewart, that's enough.
I agree.
Nothing further.
[REGINA] The People have nothing to add.
- [LAUGHING]
- Jax, listen to me.
- You did this shit!
- I know.
Look at what they saying.
- "Brooke set this whole thing up herself."
- See?
Hashtag "jealous diva".
Hashtag "bitch-set-herself-up".
- See, that's what I'm talking about!
- You understand I'm talk
- That's what I'm talking about.
- I told you.
- You did this.
- I told you.
Jax, hey, hey, Jax,
I need to talk to you.
A-Alone for a second, please.
[JAX] What's up?
Damn.
What was that in there?
What, I killed it in that courtroom,
and on my birthday, nigga, what?
Well, maybe to you,
but not to the jurors, Jax.
- [JAX GROANS]
- You came off unhinged.
There's a fine line between
being aggressive and being callous.
No, I was direct and on point.
No, no, you were so
focused on destroying her.
You didn't bother to
gauge the jury's reaction.
Jax, every last one of them,
they were squirming in their seats.
Okay, well, look, I'm
glad you had time to sit
and observe from the sidelines.
You know, you pretending
to be here for me
when, really, you just trying to
distract yourself from your own life.
Look, either grow some
balls or get the fuck on, Corey.
I mean, come on.
You told Eric to intimidate
Devonte, didn't you?
I didn't wanna believe
that, but that's what you did.
Say I did.
At least I laid it all on the
line for my client, right?
And at the end of the
day, that is my sworn duty.
What have you done to
help us win this trial, huh?
- [CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
- Tell me.
What have I done?
[COREY CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
You know what?
You wouldn't even have
a firm if it weren't for me.
Coming out here to save your ass
when you could barely save yourself.
Now you run around
here treating everybody
like they're your
servants who failed you
instead of employees who work for you,
who sacrifice for you.
But I guess you have
everything under control, right?
So, it's time for me
to go back to Chicago
before I end up going
to jail fucking with you
and this goof ass nigga.
Hope you enjoy the
rest of your birthday.
You know what? Go back
to Chicago then, Corey.
You gonna regret this. Watch.
Watch what I tell you.
[ERIC CLAPPING SLOWLY]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Fuck that legacy bred house negro.
It's new money over here.
Look at me, Jax.
What you did in there, chef's kiss.
You feel me? Fuck what he talking about.
Let's get out of here,
let's pop some bottles,
and let's turn this thing up
because it's somebody birthday. Hmm?
- It's somebody birthday.
- [LAUGHING]
It's your birthday ♪
[BOTH] It's your birthday ♪
- Huh ♪
- [BOTH] Bad bitch contest ♪
You in first place ♪
- [BOTH] Ah ♪
- You in first place ♪
[ERIC] Let's go, Jax!
- All we do is win around here.
- [JAX SCREECHING]
The fuck I'm talking about.
["PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS" BY
KID CUDI PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
- Fuck Brooke and Melina.
- [JAX LAUGHING]
Them trick ass, lying ass hoes.
They knew who I was
when they got with me
- Uh-huh.
- and now they in their feelings
crying like some little girls.
- Come on.
- Man, women can be so fucking stupid.
Except you.
- Except you.
- Mm-hmm.
'Cause you a real one.
You my nigga.
Nigga in a skirt.
- Ha! You gonna bring that back?
- [BOTH LAUGHING]
Yo, I love that. Come on.
Let's get this birthday popping.
- Let's. It's my birthday.
- [ERIC] Let's go. One for you.
- Uh-huh. One for me.
- Mm-hmm.
Here we go. You deserve this, Jax.
Deserve it, come on.
- happiness and I know ♪
- [JAX] Mmm.
I loved seeing Brooke
squirm on that stand.
You know what I'm
saying? Like, she was
- Ooh, you did that.
- [LAUGHS]
Did that.
- Mm.
- You alright?
You need a little pick-me-up?
Shit, you read my mind.
Well, you know I got it for you.
Hell, yeah.
Just a little somethin' right here.
Put your hand out
right there. Hey, uh
- Thank you.
- tell me the truth.
You was fucked up in court, weren't you?
- When you was going after Brooke.
- I was good.
I could be better, though.
Come on, OG.
- [JAX CHUCKLES]
- We go way back, alright?
Whatever this is, it's winning.
- [LAUGHING]
- Alright? And I'm cool with it.
But be careful.
I don't wanna catch you out on Slauson
sucking dick for cheeseburgers.
Not cheeseburgers, nigga. What?
If I knew Brooke was
gonna accuse me of murder,
I'd have I'd have murked her
and that bitch-ass nigga
Devonte a while ago.
[JAX] Look
you a lot of things, Eric,
but you definitely ain't no killer.
I'm on the pursuit of ♪
[BROOKE] Fuck Jax.
She's not a fucking lawyer.
She's a snake who should be disbarred.
We had a plan.
We had a goddamn plan,
and that bitch tripped me up
and she ruined everything and, fuck!
We cannot let him win.
We have to figure out
another way to take him down.
- We just
- Baby, baby, baby.
Baby, baby, breathe.
It's gonna be okay,
yeah? It's gonna be alright.
When are you gonna stop taking his shit
and stand up to him, Tyger?
When-When-When the
time is right, just be patient.
Trust me.
- Do you think he knows about us?
- No.
And I don't give a fuck
and neither should you.
Let me make you feel better.
Hmm?
Uh, no, stop. No.
You wanna make me feel better?
Make sure your brother
goes away to prison
for the rest of his life.
Okay, and how the fuck
do you expect me to do that?
You're a creative exec, right?
Get fucking creative.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[SIGHS]
Hey, I got your texts.
Is everything good?
Listen, I know the
party's in a few hours,
but I'm not going to be able to make it.
I'm headed back to Chicago to
handle some stuff with my firm.
Plus, to prioritize
my future wife as well.
Yeah, of course, family first.
Listen, but I didn't wanna leave
without coming to talk to you.
Remember when you
asked me to come to you
if I thought you should
be worried about Jax?
Well, you should be.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
You my nigga too.
[ERIC] Mm-hmm.
[JAX CHUCKLING]
[ERIC] We ride together.
[JAX CLEARS THROAT]
- Damn, I'm high.
- [ERIC] Mm-hmm.
What time is it?
- [CELL PHONE BUZZES]
- [ERIC] Mm.
Mm. Shit, it's my birthday party.
I gotta go. I gotta go.
My husband's gonna be pissed!
Oh. [CHUCKLING]
Uh-uhh.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Okay, I just need a minute.
I just need a minute.
[SIGHS]
[LIGHT, TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[JAX GRUNTS, GROANS]
[GROANS]
[ERIC] You are way
too fucked up to drive.
Steve will take you home.
[JAX] Okay.
- [STEVE] I got you.
- [JAX] [GROANS] I got it.
I'm good. I am good.
- You sure?
- I promise you I'm fine.
- Just fine.
- [CAR DOOR CLOSES]
Ooh, why are there so many steps?
Why are there so many steps?
Okay.
Okay.
[KEYS JANGLING]
Fuck!
[CHUCKLING]
Okay.
Fuck. 'Cause it's your birthday.
Surprise!
[SILENCE]
[LAUGHS] Damn, what kinda party is this?
[DOOR SLAMS]
[LEWIS] Jax.
Sit down.
[JAX] What is this?
- An intervention.
- [JAX SCOFFS]
You can't be serious, okay?
Jax sit down.
[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]
Now.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC FADES OUT]
[FANFARE PLAYING]
[DANIEL KIM] Previously
on Reasonable Doubt
- Are you Lewis Stewart?
- Yeah.
- I'm Austin Kyles.
- And-And I'm Webster DeMarco.
So, what do you guys do?
We're gonna be making,
uh, games for smart glasses.
You mind if we keep in touch?
- I know about the pills, Jax.
- What pills?
[ERIC CROPPER] The
ones you asked Steve for.
You ain't gotta lie to kick it, Jax.
I'll talk to security
and make sure they get
you whatever you need.
Did you notice Jacqueline
acting strange the other night?
She kept sitting down,
and bouncing back up.
Have you kept track of
how many pills she takes every day?
Your mom told me that
she's worried about you.
She's worried that you have a problem.
[JAX STEWART] You talking
shit about me to my husband?
Because you told my husband
that I was a drug addict.
I'm looking into your eyes,
and you look just like your father.
And I'm not talking genetics.
I'm talking addiction.
Stay the fuck out of my life!
Yo, Jax, just heard from
my contact at the LAPD
that Devonte Reese
will be arrested soon.
Wait, please! [PANTS]
I wanna make a deal.
- [VIDEO RECORDING CHIMES]
- So, y'all ready?
Okay.
So, I go on here and talk
about Eric Cropper a lot
because he's not a good
man, to say the least.
However, do you know
what's worse than a bad man?
The person who defends him.
And her name is Jax
Stewart, and she is the
Worst ♪
- ["WORST BEHAVIOR" BY DRAKE PLAYING]
- Muhfucker never loved us ♪
Fucker never loved us ♪
You ain't know, now you know now ♪
Still at it, scrub J's
with a toothbrush ♪
Shit ♪
Niggas still playin' my old shit ♪
But your shit is like the
police askin' us questions ♪
Nigga, we don't know shit ♪
Flex ♪
Nigga, I'm just flexin' ♪
Look at you, look at
you, and look at you ♪
Ah, I'm glad that they chose us ♪
Command, it's a mission ♪
Tryna fight to the finish
just to see am I finished ♪
On my worst behavior, no? ♪
They used to never wanna hear us ♪
Remember? ♪
Hold up, hold my phone ♪
[BUZZING]
Muhfuckers never loved us ♪
Fucker never loved us ♪
Now you wanna roll one ♪
Muhfucker never loved us ♪
So everywhere we go now, full cup ♪
Always hated the boy,
but now the boy is the man ♪
Muhfucker, I done growed up ♪
You know ♪
You know ♪
[SONG FADES OUT]
Hey. Where are the kids?
Oh, with Mama Lu.
Uh, she wanted to make sure
she still had a relationship with them
since, apparently, she
doesn't have one with you.
When were you gonna tell me
you cut your mom out of your life?
[SCOFFS]
I mean, wh-what did
you expect me to say?
She accused me of being
a drug addict. [CHUCKLES]
I mean, I can think
of many other reasons
for her not to be in my life.
She better not show
up at my birthday party.
That's what I do know.
[LEWIS STEWART] Look, I know you're mad,
but I told you she was concerned,
which is understandable.
I mean, given everything that
Okay, wait, wait,
wait, wait, wait, wait.
Are you saying that you believe her?
I didn't say that.
Okay.
Okay.
[LEWIS] Jax.
- [JAX] Hmm?
- [TOILET FLUSHES]
Alright?
No more refills, okay?
Those were the last of 'em.
[LEWIS] Where are you going?
To get myself a drink.
Or do I need your
permission for that too?
[MISCHIEVOUS MUSIC PLAYING]
[SIGHS]
[INHALES SHARPLY]
[EXHALES DEEPLY]
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
From La Brea to Slauson ♪
It's all us ♪
The Sun, Central
Ave Jazz, it's all us ♪
Where we at, hit the Maverick Flats ♪
Lemeirt and right back to the ark ♪
It's all us ♪
We coastin' on the west
between sets and wealth ♪
We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪
Take flight into the
night under Cali stars ♪
In a world on wheels ♪
It's all us ♪
It's the world we feel ♪
It's all us ♪
From the Hills to Hollywood ♪
It's all us ♪
No doubt we all we got ♪
Hold it down, Black and brown ♪
In a city of dreams ♪
It's all us ♪
[DET. ANNIE ZHANG] Devonte
Reese, you're under arrest.
Wait! [PANTS]
I wanna make a deal.
[DANIEL] Since Devonte Reese's arrest,
half of the top 20
trending tags on socials
are about Eric's trial.
And the 21st is a
hashtag "side-eye-judge"
for a look that Judge Gibson
made during testimony last week.
[JAX] [CHUCKLES] Yeah,
he would love that.
He got new glasses the other day
after seeing his face everywhere.
[KRYSTAL WALTERS] Oh,
I can understand that.
I mean, People v. Cropper
is literally the biggest
trial LA has ever seen.
Well, figuratively.
It's not "literally" the biggest.
Uh, so, since Devonte pled guilty
to kidnapping and attempted murder,
do we think he'll testify?
Oh, he better not. Our
motion for a mistrial is Monday.
Well, why are we asking for a mistrial?
Because Reese is the one
who committed the crime,
so his trial should go first.
We believe the district
attorney moved too fast on Eric,
and this train needs to
be stopped with a mistrial.
Okay, but if-if Judge Gibson
denies the motion for mistrial,
can you still fight
against Reese testifying?
Yeah, well, that
depends on what he says.
- [CELL PHONE BUZZES]
- But, you know, that's tomorrow's problem.
Today
Everything good, CC?
Yeah, yeah, sorry.
Apparently, my father's
flying in late next week.
Wants to grab dinner.
Anyway, we need to worry about
these people coming out saying how
CROP Records cheats its
artists like Dark and Stormy,
Reese and Fabian Cruz's old R&B duo.
Because despite the jury instructions,
we all know
that jurors are influenced by what
they see and hear outside of courtroom.
[JAX] Mm-hmm, that's true.
Daniel, find out who from Eric's team
has broken their NDA and
is adding to this rumor mill.
'Til then, I'm gonna go talk to Eric.
Cool, I'll go with you.
No, no need. You stay here.
Deal with your, your father.
I'll let you know next steps on Star
after I speak with Eric, alone.
Okay, why is she hating on Poppa Cash?
Well, my father has a way of
rubbing people the wrong way.
You mean like Jax is doing right now?
It's giving pot and kettle.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
Hell no. Fuck no!
I'm not stepping down from CROP Records.
Just until this internet frenzy passes.
Your deal with Star
Music is on thin ice.
So, you need someone to lead
in the interim to improve optics.
What happened to loyalty?
Muthafuckas used to live by a code.
Look, we have no idea what
Devonte's gonna give prosecutors,
which is why we need
to secure this deal.
And Brooke, you find out who
she was going to see that night?
Not yet, but we're on it.
Look, Eric, I need you to focus.
Who do you want to lead in your absence?
Is it Tyger?
Yeah, maybe.
Smart choice.
I'll have Corey set a
meeting with the Star execs.
Fine. But if the judge
doesn't go for the mistrial
and Devonte testifies, we are fucked.
Why, what does he know?
[SIGHS] I did some
shit to him and Fabian
that I don't want people to know about.
- [JAX GROANS]
- Not illegal, um, some business type shit
that I'm just not trying
to have held against me.
But based on what that
motherfucker did to Brooke,
he definitely trying to take me down.
So, what? You saying
this nigga's in his feelings?
[SIGHS]
Then maybe you need to figure out a way
to make him feel better.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
What are you saying?
Nothing, Eric.
I've said nothing.
[SHANELLE TUCKER] Y'all
need to stop hating.
- I swear, I wish Autumn was here, right?
- I know.
- I know. Mm.
- [JAX LAUGHING]
Yeah, she and Kendall been
going through it with the baby, y'all.
[SALLY SIGHS]
Aria, she just she won't eat.
- She's crying through the night, you know?
- [JAX] Mmm.
Autumn said she had to take
a day off work just to sleep.
Oh, my God. I I didn't
realize it had gotten that bad.
You know, we should give
Autumn and Kendall a night off.
Send them to a hotel,
and then we could
take turns watching Aria.
- Ooh.
- [JAX] That's sweet.
Cute! I'm in.
Jax?
Well, I'm Y'all know I'm
in the middle of this trial,
so, I mean, I probably couldn't
do anything 'til next week.
Oh, girl, don't worry about it.
[JAX SIGHS]
Well, look, I I'll
figure it out, okay?
- Count me in, I'm in. [LAUGHS]
- [SALLY] Okay.
- I'll book the hotel.
- [SHANELLE] Go ahead.
[SALLY] Ooh! I'll get the
wine. I'm bringing the wine.
[SHANELLE] Yeah. We
need a triple king suite.
- [SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]
- This is not really happening ♪
- Oh ♪
- [MUSIC FADES OUT]
[LEWIS] This place is cool.
And I don't make it to
this side of town very often.
I'm more of a Crenshaw, West
Side, South Bay kinda dude.
[CHUCKLES] Yeah, this
is Austin's favorite place.
Apologies again, he couldn't make it.
But, uh
we aim to please.
- [PATRONS CHATTERING]
- [UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
Wow, this is, uh
This is quite the offer.
This is from both of us.
- But again, we aim to please.
- Aim to please.
And this is, uh Yeah,
this is, uh [CHUCKLES]
pleasing, for sure.
But [SIGHS]
I'd have to move up north,
and I, I am, am just not
in a position right now
to uproot my entire family.
Yeah, hey, look, I
get it. We're a startup.
All hands on deck until
we're up and running,
but eventually, you
choose your own schedule.
One of our key
investors is a billionaire
looking to leap into the
augmented reality space.
Given your experience and your talent
man, we really think that
you are the perfect person
to shepherd us into that space.
- For real?
- Look, you've worked
at Trista Vision for a long time.
My guess is
you're already making the maximum
they're willing to pay you,
which means that you are already
not getting paid what you are worth.
Listen, Lewis, could this
whole thing crash and burn?
Yeah.
That's the risk with any startup.
Well, maybe it doesn't crash and burn.
And then you go from
visiting a few wineries in Napa
to making enough to
own a few wineries instead.
[LEWIS] Hmm.
You know, I've always been
more of a, a whiskey guy, but, uh
I could be open to a good pinot.
- [PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS]
- [MUSIC STOPS ABRUPTLY]
[JAX] Your Honor, we respectfully submit
that our motion for a
mistrial should be granted
because another individual
has already been arrested,
charged, and pleaded
guilty to the very offense
for which my client is being charged.
If the district attorney
wishes to continue
to pursue charges against my client,
they must do so on
the basis of new charges
and new evidence arising from
this newly found information.
Your Honor, the People
wish to continue this trial.
We have proof that the defendant
and Mr. Reese collaborated
in orchestrating the crime
against Mrs. Cropper.
Mr. Reese's involvement does not
absolve the defendant of the offenses
with which he is being charged.
Having considered the arguments
presented by both parties,
I conclude that this
trial shall proceed,
and that the motion for a
mistrial is hereby denied.
Your Honor, that would be
fundamentally unfair to my client.
Counselor, the motion is denied.
- You just wanna be on the news.
- Jax, Jax
[COREY WHISPERING]
[SOFTLY] Come on, you
gotta be fucking kidding me.
[CELL DOOR BUZZES]
[EXHALES, SCOFFS]
My mama said I wouldn't
see the devil 'til after I died,
- and yet here you are.
- [DOOR SLAMS]
Is that who I am to you?
The devil?
Damn sure you're no angel.
How the fuck you get in here?
Cash, my nigga.
It buys access.
And no one will know I was
here 'cause it buys silence too.
You know I cut a deal, right?
Twenty to life means I gotta testify.
Yeah.
But you don't gotta say what they want.
You can say what I want.
Why?
You're not innocent.
[ERIC SIGHS]
Twenty to life.
That's a long stretch.
Even if you make a
few allies, it won't matter.
See, my money already lets
me walk through walls unseen.
The state of California ain't
doing shit to protect you now
and you ain't even testified.
So, you think they gonna
give a shit about you
after you take the stand?
Meanwhile
I'm just trying to keep you safe.
I'd hate for you to be beat so bad
you shit out your own teeth.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
What do you want me to say?
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[VOCALIZING]
Yeah, the song's off.
[VOCALIZING]
I got you, I got you.
- Gently, you send me ♪
- [SINGS IN SPANISH]
Hold on. Layla. Layla.
- What up, little bro?
- Oh. Yo, what's good?
How's it going?
[TYGER CROPPER] Um,
they're looking good.
- Definitely be ready for the show.
- [ERIC] Good, good.
Uh, listen I'ma need you to run CROP
until everything dies
down with this trial and shit.
- [MUSIC RESUMES]
- Okay, yeah, yeah. [CHUCKLES]
I got you. I won't let you down, bro.
- Better not fucking let me down.
- [CHUCKLES]
So, who you got coming tonight?
You got Nick Rydell?
You know he got the
YN's on lock right now.
Lili Pang?
Her TikTok and IG is breaking artists.
Come on, bro, you
gotta think about this shit.
Nigga, I ain't a virgin in this.
Yes, we've got journalists,
bloggers, influencers confirmed,
- so we're good.
- A'ight, a'ight, I hear ya.
But I still might stop
by, catch the show.
[GROANS, EXHALES]
I mean, if you come through,
you're gonna take over the show,
kill the vibe, steal her shine.
Our guests need to be thinking
about Layla's music, not your trial.
It's called innocent
'til proven guilty, nigga.
And last I checked, this
is still my record company.
Of course it is,
and, and I appreciate you
for trusting me to run it temporarily.
But I'm trying to follow
your number one rule.
Secure the bag.
- Secure the bag.
- Yeah.
- I'm glad you finally listened.
- [BOTH LAUGHING]
- Come on, man, I got you.
- A'ight, a'ight.
["LET 'EM KNOW" BY T.I. PLAYING]
- [CROWD CHATTERING]
- Woo, woo, woo ♪
Woo, woo, woo, woo ♪
[DESIREE GRANT] Day
six of the Cropper trial,
which continues after Judge
Gibson's shocking decision
to deny the defense's
motion for a mistrial.
We expect to hear more
expert testimony today,
but folks are chomping at the bit,
waiting to see what Devonte Reese
and Brooke Cropper have to say
when they each take
the stand later this week.
The People call
Ethan Tran.
I'm a rental agent at Wheels Up.
My name is Detective Adam Hart.
I'm an LAPD detective in the
Robbery-Homicide Division.
[REGINA HARRIS] I'm now
showing you People's Exhibit 1.
Do you recognize where
this video was taken?
Yes, this is security
footage from the kidnapping.
We used it to ID the
make and model of the van.
Plates were stolen, but
we caught a partial view
of a rental sticker, which
led us to Wheels Up.
[REGINA] I'm now showing
you what has been marked
as People's Exhibit 18.
Do you recognize this document?
It's a receipt for a gray van
rented by Devonte Reese.
He reserved and paid for it online
with a CROP Record corporate credit card
in Mr. Cropper's name.
And are you able to trace the locations
of your rental vehicles?
Usually, yes, but the GPS cut
out of the van shortly after rental.
[REGINA] Hmm.
So, were you able to find the van?
Yes. Mrs. Cropper received a
call that activated her location.
My team traced that call to
a storage facility in Torrance,
which is where the van and phone
were ditched before
they switched to a car
and drove the victim to a
warehouse in San Pedro.
So, Mr. Tran, you did
confirm with Mr. Cropper
that Mr. Reese was authorized
to use his corporate
credit card, correct?
- No.
- No?
So, Mr. Reese could have stolen
Mr. Cropper's credit
card in order to purchase
- the rental van?
- Objection, calls for speculation.
- [JUDGE GIBSON] Sustained.
- [COREY CASH] Withdrawn, Your Honor.
Detective Hart, were Cruz's and
Reese's fingerprints found in the van?
Yes.
Were my client's
fingerprints found in the van?
They were not.
Did you find any other
fingerprints in the van?
Yes. There were quite
a few prints in there.
It's a rental.
Did you test every single one of them?
We tested whatever prints
we determined to be viable.
So that's a no. Nothing further.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR]
- [CLIFF] Hey.
I had Lauren grab us a
lunch reservation at Spago.
Spago, huh?
[SIGHS, CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
You heard about my
dinner with Bandit Kings.
Hey, it's a small tech world,
and you're great at what you do.
So, I can afford Spago,
but I can't afford to lose you.
Thanks, Cliff.
But, uh-uh, it sounds like
you're ready to negotiate.
That depends.
What are they promising?
Uh, [CHUCKLES] uh, more than Spago.
Fuck.
You're killing me.
Look, I'd [SIGHS]
I'd like to stay here
and not have to figure
out how to make a job
that's 400 miles away work,
but until you can make time for me
to go to Spago every day and pay for it,
you might be looking at my
two weeks sooner than later.
Alright. [INHALES]
Let me see what I can do.
For real.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYS]
[CELL PHONE BUZZES]
[SIGHS]
[DANIEL] Yo, boss.
So, I was thinking about
what you said in court today
about the untested
set of prints in the van,
and it hit me
I told you to find out
who violated their NDAs,
not play Ace Ventura.
Am I the only one who remembers
how to be competent in their work?
My idea might not be what you asked for,
but it may be what you need.
Because if I'm right,
it could be potentially
exculpatory for Eric.
I reread the forensic reports.
And while, yes, there were
many fingerprints in the van,
there was one set of
prints that were all over
right behind Fabian and Devonte's.
In addition, the same set of
prints were found at the warehouse,
but since there was
no match in the system,
they decided it just must have
been a case of cross contamination.
But I think that they
could actually belong to
A third kidnapper.
I should have our independent
forensic analyst look at them.
Yep.
[TEXT MESSAGE WHOOSHES]
Oh, and, um, maybe
instead of checking me,
you should check your emails.
I sent you the list of who
violated their NDAs this morning.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
Hey, where are those batteries you had?
What the hell are you doing?
I found this behind a box
of tampons in the bathroom.
I looked up the pills, and this is bad.
You should put them back.
- They're probably Mom's.
- Duh.
But why aren't they in a
normal prescription bottle?
- You know, I'm telling Dad.
- What? No.
Look, Naima, it's already
been too much going on,
with Grandma, Mom getting shot.
We finally good in this bitch.
Don't say anything.
- Alright?
- [DOOR CLOSES]
[JAX] Who's home? I brought Dulan's.
[SPENSER STEWART] Hey.
[SOFTLY] Better not say nothing.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[REGINA] The People call Devonte Reese.
Mr. Reese, it looks like there
was two smaller payments
and one larger one of $538,429.
Can you tell us who
these deposits were from?
They were from CROP
Records to Fabian and me.
And can you please tell the jury
what those payments were for?
I don't remember.
Mr. Reese, the largest payment
was on the day of the kidnapping,
which was less than six months ago,
but you don't remember that?
[SLOW, TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
Are you scared of Mr. Cropper?
No.
Nothing further.
Mr. Reese, you claim
Mr. Cropper was a giving man.
Have you always felt that way about him?
No, there were times that I wasn't happy
with the way he handled
me and Fabian as artists.
But a few years back, I let it go.
[JAX] I see.
Your Honor, I'd like to
introduce Defense Exhibit 1.
Do you recognize that
exchange, Mr. Reese?
Yes.
These are texts between me
and Eric from a couple months ago.
Can you read that last
text to Mr. Cropper out loud?
"If you think I'm gonna go
on this fucking reunion tour
"to make money for
you after all the shit
"you've put me and Fab through,
"then you got me all the way fucked up.
"One day, you're gonna
learn that fucking with me
was the worst mistake you ever made."
[JURY MURMURING]
Doesn't sound like you let it go.
That sounds like someone
who came up with a
plan to punish Mr. Cropper
by kidnapping his wife.
- Is that correct?
- Objection, argumentative.
Sustained.
No further questions.
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[REGINA] I know what you did.
What do you mean "you know what I did"?
I prepped Devonte.
I know his story inside out.
I know everything Eric did
to him throughout his career,
and he would not have gone rogue,
unless he was prompted or intimidated.
Regina, are you accusing me
- of witness tampering?
- [REGINA] Well, I don't know.
Isn't it ironic that this all occurs
after your motion was denied?
Witnesses switch things
up on the stand all the time.
That's not new.
Regina, your key
witness was ineffective.
- This isn't about me.
- [REGINA SIGHS]
But let this serve as a
reminder to be cautious
about who you trust and
who you make deals with,
as they may not always be reliable.
And
maybe keep your baseless
accusations to yourself.
[CHUCKLES]
See you in court.
[JAX SCOFFS]
Look, Regina must be hella desperate
to think I had anything to
do with Devonte changing up.
I mean, clearly, she
knows she's losing this case.
Maybe, but is it a possibility
that Eric threatened him?
No, and I would never
advise him to do such a thing.
If you say so.
I plan on asking him myself, though.
Well
Well, maybe, we should wait.
I mean, look, Eric's already
under a lot of pressure, right?
And Brooke is about to testify.
I mean, I don't wanna, I don't
wanna rattle him, you feel me?
Jax, I am not gonna get myself caught up
in a legal quagmire 'cause of this dude.
Okay, hear me out, alright?
I've known Eric for a long time,
and he is many things, but
I don't believe he would go this far.
- [ELEVATOR DINGS]
- Alright?
Let me handle it.
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
[JEREMIAH CASH] Glad
to catch up with you, son.
[COREY] Yeah, I'm glad too.
Brandy's sorry she couldn't make it,
but she had a conference
in New York this week.
Oh, next time.
You know, I just wanna say I
am loving Dr. Brandy for you.
- Really?
- Yeah.
You know, I'm happy
that you took my advice
and found someone you
could settle down with.
And I was hoping that you don't get
any second thoughts or distractions.
Well, I mean, Brandy, she's, you
know, she's patient, she's open.
I mean, she really makes me
feel like we're in a partnership
- Hmm.
- which I never had before her.
Now, of course, I still need to
be reminded to be a good boy.
I guess old habits
die hard, as you know.
- Is that old habit Jax?
- What?
Well, you know, I've
seen the way she moves.
Passionate, ambitious, gorgeous
Yo, yo, D-Dad. It's not like that.
Oh, now, son, you dropped everything.
You postponed your
wedding to come to LA.
Now, if it wasn't for Jax, then, uh,
who or what was it for?
Marriage is a big step, and
just have to make sure I'm ready.
I can see that you're afraid
of following in my footsteps.
And you should be.
But you're working so
hard to avoid my footsteps
that you didn't notice
that you walked straight
into a burning building.
- [PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
- My advice
is that you take Brandy
back to Chicago
- and you stay there.
- No, I can't do that.
I'm in the middle of
a big trial right now.
Hmm. Oh.
So, would you rather lose
the trial or lose Brandy?
Because if you keep
prioritizing one over the other,
you might lose both.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[JAX] Hey.
Hey.
Okay, so, look, I'm sorry
about the other night.
Okay? My mom has
just been driving me crazy
and I have been very stressed.
All good. I get it.
And
Okay.
- How was your day?
- Really good.
I, uh, got an offer from
a rival gaming company.
What? Today?
Well, I met with them a couple weeks ago
and didn't think anything
would come from it,
but [INHALES] now, Cliff
wants to negotiate a counter.
[JAX] Oh, baby, come
on. That is fantastic!
Look at you.
Kids, y'all hear your daddy over
here? Making big boss moves.
- Aye.
- [NAIMA STEWART] Congratulations, Dad.
- Yeah, that's what's up, man.
- Thank you, guys, thank you.
Look, I know you don't
like bigging yourself up,
but I'm telling you, make those
fools pay you what you're worth.
If not, bye, Felicia.
Oh, and you know this.
- Man.
- Man.
- Come here. Hey.
- [JAX LAUGHS]
- And I'll tell you what
- Hmm?
we gonna have a private
celebration, boss man, okay?
- [LEWIS] Oh, okay, is that right?
- [JAX] Mm-hmm.
- [LEWIS] I thought it was your birthday.
- I mean
You see? Everything's good.
- [JAX] You hungry?
- [LEWIS] I am.
- That looks delicious.
- [JAX] Alright, let me see.
[UPBEAT MUSIC PLAYING]
[SINGING IN SPANISH]
Nothing can keep me
from falling so deeply ♪
In your eyes ♪
Your eyes ♪
[SONG ENDS]
- [SPEAKER] Yeah.
- [TYGER] Whoo!
Yo, it sounds great.
Hey, we're close. We're
close. We're so close.
- Fuck.
- [ERIC] No, you're not.
The music is drowning her out.
Her voice is the star.
[TYGER] Everybody, take five. Yeah?
[INDISTINCT CHATTER]
E, what are you doing here?
Let me do the job you've given me.
Trust. I got this shit
under control, bro.
I trust that you believe you do,
but I don't have faith
that you actually do.
Which is why I had to come down here,
see this shit for myself,
you know, in person.
Because I'd hate to watch you waste
such a rare and
beautiful talent like Layla.
- You're fucking her, aren't you?
- Fucking her?
[ERIC LAUGHS]
Come on, man.
Abso-fucking-lutely.
But please tell me that's not
what you think this is about.
Okay, so, then what is it about?
Because, in case you forgot,
I'm the one that
discovered Layla, not you.
[ERIC SIGHS]
Remember your 13th birthday?
I was 18.
I'd just got a big check
from the record company.
And what did I do?
I threw you a Black bar mitzvah.
It'd only been a year
since we lost Mom and Dad,
so I planned a perfect celebration
for you to step into
this world as a man,
just like you watched damn near
most of your Westside classmates
do all year long.
You loved them fucking Lakers.
You big-ass Laker fan,
so I had the Laker girls come through.
It was grown-ass men jealous
of the man my little
brother was becoming.
[CHUCKLES]
That is
until the skills challenge.
There you were out there embarrassing me
for what must have been five minutes
before you ran to the bathroom
and threw up the coconut
shrimp and Shirley Temples
you had been chugging all night.
And here you are a grown-ass man.
And I keep waiting for someone
other than that
13-year-old boy to show up.
I let you produce a show
for a fine-ass Latina star
because I thought it'd be
an easy fucking layup for you.
But seeing you with Layla just told me
what I've always known
since that birthday.
Is that if I ever trusted
you with something again
you would just let me down.
Because you don't got it, bro.
And that's what this is about.
That is what the fuck this
has always been about.
Break's over.
We got a lot of shit to do.
Start by turning the sound down first.
And then, Daniel was like,
"Well, maybe instead of checking
me, you should check your email."
- [CHUCKLING]
- Bloop! Okay!
Krystal never told me you were bold.
Krystal talks about me at home?
- All the time. Uh
- Never.
She said you're smart, funny,
chatty, low-key annoying.
[DANIEL] O-M-G.
Krystal, I am all of those things!
I knew it! Thank you so much.
- I'm gonna give you a hug.
- You No, you sit down.
- You sit down right No, sit.
- Ohh!
- We are best friends.
- [KRYSTAL] No, we are not best friends.
- We're basically best friends.
- [KRYSTAL] Daniel, you a'ight.
You a'ight, baby.
Listen, the only reason I
invited you to date night
is 'cause you went all Bia Bia on Jax.
I mean, you deserve
a drink or two for that.
Hell, we both do.
I mean, between Jax sending emails
or 2:00 a.m. texts about the case
[DANIEL] And she doesn't
even react to my jokes anymore.
She just gives me a blank stare.
At least you roll your eyes and scoff.
[KRYSTAL] Yeah, exactly.
Do you think her behavior
could be from the shooting?
Like, trauma, or a
side effect of the coma,
or bad medication reaction?
[KRYSTAL] No. No, no, no.
- I think she's just being a bitch.
- Ooh. That part.
To trauma bonding.
[ANGELA CHUCKLES]
- To trauma bonding.
- [KRYSTAL] Mm.
- [ALL LAUGHING]
- Man.
[CRICKETS CHIRPING]
[BOTH EXHALING]
[LEWIS] Mm, mm, mm.
[JAX CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
[BOTH EXHALE]
[LEWIS] Mm.
Whew.
You know, I have to
get job offers more often
'cause you put your back in that.
- [TOILET FLUSHES]
- Literally. [CHUCKLES]
We both needed that.
- You're going out?
- No.
Just going back to the
office to do some work.
[SIGHS] Really? I mean, it's
the night before your birthday.
You act like I'm going
to the club or something.
Brooke is testifying
tomorrow, so I need to focus.
I mean, come on, Jax, it's late.
Way too late to be
working alone on Crenshaw.
Okay, there is 24-hour
security at that office.
Plus, I have Vesela during the day
and Steve at night, who are both armed,
sitting outside to make sure I'm safe.
I can't live my life in fear, Lewis.
You got shot in that office, Jax.
I apologize if I'm not
in love with the idea
of you being there so late.
I don't need the constant reminder
that I got shot, Lewis.
But that's-that's what you want, right?
To keep me scared,
so I'll come running home
to Daddy Lewis for safety.
[LEWIS] No.
What I want is for you to behave
like a fucking grown-up with kids
and not some legal vigilante
who thinks they're unstoppable.
You know what, I am unstoppable.
I'm a fucking extraordinary
machine of a human
who came home, cooked
dinner for this family,
fucked you and sucked you
dry, and somehow still manages
to keep my body
right and the bills paid,
yet I still gotta hear
your fucking mouth?
- My
- My job, that pays for most of this shit
- in this motherfucking house?
- Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay.
We still telling that story?
When it's my check that
keeps the lights on in this bitch,
check your motherfucking tone.
Now, I didn't ask you not to work.
I asked you to stay here and
listen to what the fuck I'm saying,
but, no, you're deciding to talk to me
like we haven't been
through a shit ton of therapy
to avoid arguments like this.
Look, are you fucking Eric?
Am
- Am What?
- Are you fucking him?
- No, nigga.
- Hmm.
Something's going on, Jax.
Your mom thinks it's drugs. I
think you're having an affair.
But in the meantime,
you have no explanation
for the way you've been acting.
I got fucking shot, Lewis!
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
So, like I said
I don't need the constant reminder
that I almost died.
I live that reminder every day.
Damn, have you ever stopped to
think that maybe that's what's wrong?
That maybe I'm tired of
having to defend myself
to everyone all the fucking time.
Hmm.
Yeah, this
this isn't who you are.
You're better than this, Jax.
No, this is exactly who I am.
A confident, bad bitch,
only child who does what I like to do
- when I fucking like to do it.
- Hmm.
Well, you can say whatever you want
but that's not the woman I married.
I'm still the same. You just
keep hoping I'll be different.
Yeah.
- But that's your problem, not mine.
- [LEWIS SIGHS]
- See you in the morning.
- Yeah.
- [SOFT CHUCKLE]
- [DOOR OPENS]
- Happy birthday.
- [DOOR CLOSES]
[PENSIVE MUSIC PLAYING]
[CROWD CHATTERING]
Mrs. Cropper, could you describe exactly
what happened on the night in question?
[BROOKE CROPPER] Yes.
I was leaving the house
to meet up with a friend
when suddenly a van
pulled in and blocked me.
A masked man jumped
out and grabbed me.
He put a cloth over my nose and mouth.
When I woke up, I was alone
in a room in a warehouse,
tied to a chair, still blindfolded.
I screamed for help.
I thought I was going to die.
Uh, but then the other
masked man told me
that they just wanted ransom from Eric.
So, we waited.
Did you recognize these masked men?
[BROOKE] No. No, I
was still blindfolded,
so I could only see shadows with masks
and they used a voice changer.
But the cops later told me that it was
Devonte Reese and Fabian Cruz.
I knew those guys.
They couldn't plan their way
out of a paper bag without help.
[REGINA] Did they hurt you?
When Eric missed the first ransom,
uh, one of the men held me down
while the other used
pliers to rip off my nail.
My doctor said it will
never heal correctly.
[JURY GROANS]
And when the police asked you
who was behind your kidnapping,
what did you say?
Eric.
One of the kidnappers told me
that it was Eric who wanted me dead,
and that they would get
their money either way.
And it made sense to
me once Eric warned me
that if I ever tried to divorce him,
he would make money off my demise.
When one of the guys
was planning to kill me,
I could tell he was hesitant,
so I convinced him
to let me see light one more time
and take the blindfold off.
And that allowed me to see him
and kick the shit out of
him so I could save myself.
[JURY MURMURS]
You are very brave, Mrs. Cropper.
I don't know how else to be.
[REGINA] Have you recently been in touch
with either Devonte or Fabian?
[BROOKE] Yes. I I contacted
them, but we never connected.
[REGINA] And what was to
be the nature of that call?
Eric has a habit of scamming
his artists out of their money.
So, I wanted them to
help support my claims
to Star Media that Eric was hiding debt
and was not fit to lead the company.
And how much money do you stand to gain
in the event of a divorce?
Since I am the brains of Aura
I could claim north of $300 million.
- Wow.
- [JURY MURMURS]
Nothing further.
[SLOW, SUSPENSEFUL MUSIC PLAYING]
[JAX] Mrs. Cropper, we've established
that you slept your
way from an assistant
to a millionaire's wife,
and that you, allegedly,
helped found Aura.
You would describe yourself
as smart and ambitious, right?
- Not in the way that you're implying.
- Let's move on.
You admitted to calling both
Devonte and Fabian, yes?
Yes, but we never spoke.
I'd like to introduce
Defense Exhibits 2 and 3.
Exhibit 2 is from
Mr. Cruz's phone records.
Exhibit 3 belongs to Mr. Reese.
Now, Exhibit 2 confirms your testimony
that you did not connect with Mr. Cruz.
However, Exhibit 3 shows
a three-minute phone call
between you and Devonte Reese
the week of the kidnapping, right?
We didn't actually speak.
Maybe my phone just didn't hang up?
So, the three minutes you
connected with Devonte Reese
wasn't a conversation?
It was because you
forgot how to end a call?
Yes. I I don't know
how this could be.
Maybe there was a glitch.
A gl?
[JAX LAUGHS]
So, wait, you're supposed
to be smart enough
to help build a streaming empire,
but yet somehow too stupid to
understand how a phone works?
So, let me help you, Mrs. Cropper.
You admitted to calling
both Devonte and Fabian,
and the phone record
shows the conversation
between you and Devonte Reese, right?
Objection, badgering the witness.
[JAX] Your Honor, I'm not badgering.
I'm trying to get to the truth.
My client's life is at stake,
and we should know why the phone record
shows the conversation
that she denies happened.
Overruled.
Watch your tone, Ms. Stewart.
Witness may answer.
[BROOKE] I can't explain it.
- It must be a mistake of some sort.
- A mistake or a plan?
You also called Devonte Reese,
a man that could help you
put my client away for life,
leaving you to enjoy his millions
before taking off with the next
unlucky rich man in your path.
- Objection, argumentative.
- Mrs. Stewart.
Mrs. Cropper, we established
that you are a very ambitious woman
who's not above using
sex to get what she wants.
But this wouldn't be the first time
you use your body as a come-up
if your marriage to my
client is any example.
So, was Devonte Reese the only one
or did you break Fabian
off a piece as well?
Was that your payment to them too?
Objection, badgering.
I was not sleeping with
Devonte Reese or Fabian Cruz.
They kidnapped me.
They maimed me.
I thought I was going to die.
- Your Honor.
- [JUDGE GIBSON] Mrs. Stewart.
That's exactly what it was like.
So, save your tears for prison, Brooke!
- [REGINA] Objection, Your Honor.
- [GAVEL POUNDS]
[JUDGE GIBSON] Mrs.
Stewart, that's enough.
I agree.
Nothing further.
[REGINA] The People have nothing to add.
- [LAUGHING]
- Jax, listen to me.
- You did this shit!
- I know.
Look at what they saying.
- "Brooke set this whole thing up herself."
- See?
Hashtag "jealous diva".
Hashtag "bitch-set-herself-up".
- See, that's what I'm talking about!
- You understand I'm talk
- That's what I'm talking about.
- I told you.
- You did this.
- I told you.
Jax, hey, hey, Jax,
I need to talk to you.
A-Alone for a second, please.
[JAX] What's up?
Damn.
What was that in there?
What, I killed it in that courtroom,
and on my birthday, nigga, what?
Well, maybe to you,
but not to the jurors, Jax.
- [JAX GROANS]
- You came off unhinged.
There's a fine line between
being aggressive and being callous.
No, I was direct and on point.
No, no, you were so
focused on destroying her.
You didn't bother to
gauge the jury's reaction.
Jax, every last one of them,
they were squirming in their seats.
Okay, well, look, I'm
glad you had time to sit
and observe from the sidelines.
You know, you pretending
to be here for me
when, really, you just trying to
distract yourself from your own life.
Look, either grow some
balls or get the fuck on, Corey.
I mean, come on.
You told Eric to intimidate
Devonte, didn't you?
I didn't wanna believe
that, but that's what you did.
Say I did.
At least I laid it all on the
line for my client, right?
And at the end of the
day, that is my sworn duty.
What have you done to
help us win this trial, huh?
- [CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
- Tell me.
What have I done?
[COREY CHUCKLES SOFTLY]
You know what?
You wouldn't even have
a firm if it weren't for me.
Coming out here to save your ass
when you could barely save yourself.
Now you run around
here treating everybody
like they're your
servants who failed you
instead of employees who work for you,
who sacrifice for you.
But I guess you have
everything under control, right?
So, it's time for me
to go back to Chicago
before I end up going
to jail fucking with you
and this goof ass nigga.
Hope you enjoy the
rest of your birthday.
You know what? Go back
to Chicago then, Corey.
You gonna regret this. Watch.
Watch what I tell you.
[ERIC CLAPPING SLOWLY]
[TIRES SCREECHING]
Fuck that legacy bred house negro.
It's new money over here.
Look at me, Jax.
What you did in there, chef's kiss.
You feel me? Fuck what he talking about.
Let's get out of here,
let's pop some bottles,
and let's turn this thing up
because it's somebody birthday. Hmm?
- It's somebody birthday.
- [LAUGHING]
It's your birthday ♪
[BOTH] It's your birthday ♪
- Huh ♪
- [BOTH] Bad bitch contest ♪
You in first place ♪
- [BOTH] Ah ♪
- You in first place ♪
[ERIC] Let's go, Jax!
- All we do is win around here.
- [JAX SCREECHING]
The fuck I'm talking about.
["PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS" BY
KID CUDI PLAYING OVER SPEAKERS]
- Fuck Brooke and Melina.
- [JAX LAUGHING]
Them trick ass, lying ass hoes.
They knew who I was
when they got with me
- Uh-huh.
- and now they in their feelings
crying like some little girls.
- Come on.
- Man, women can be so fucking stupid.
Except you.
- Except you.
- Mm-hmm.
'Cause you a real one.
You my nigga.
Nigga in a skirt.
- Ha! You gonna bring that back?
- [BOTH LAUGHING]
Yo, I love that. Come on.
Let's get this birthday popping.
- Let's. It's my birthday.
- [ERIC] Let's go. One for you.
- Uh-huh. One for me.
- Mm-hmm.
Here we go. You deserve this, Jax.
Deserve it, come on.
- happiness and I know ♪
- [JAX] Mmm.
I loved seeing Brooke
squirm on that stand.
You know what I'm
saying? Like, she was
- Ooh, you did that.
- [LAUGHS]
Did that.
- Mm.
- You alright?
You need a little pick-me-up?
Shit, you read my mind.
Well, you know I got it for you.
Hell, yeah.
Just a little somethin' right here.
Put your hand out
right there. Hey, uh
- Thank you.
- tell me the truth.
You was fucked up in court, weren't you?
- When you was going after Brooke.
- I was good.
I could be better, though.
Come on, OG.
- [JAX CHUCKLES]
- We go way back, alright?
Whatever this is, it's winning.
- [LAUGHING]
- Alright? And I'm cool with it.
But be careful.
I don't wanna catch you out on Slauson
sucking dick for cheeseburgers.
Not cheeseburgers, nigga. What?
If I knew Brooke was
gonna accuse me of murder,
I'd have I'd have murked her
and that bitch-ass nigga
Devonte a while ago.
[JAX] Look
you a lot of things, Eric,
but you definitely ain't no killer.
I'm on the pursuit of ♪
[BROOKE] Fuck Jax.
She's not a fucking lawyer.
She's a snake who should be disbarred.
We had a plan.
We had a goddamn plan,
and that bitch tripped me up
and she ruined everything and, fuck!
We cannot let him win.
We have to figure out
another way to take him down.
- We just
- Baby, baby, baby.
Baby, baby, breathe.
It's gonna be okay,
yeah? It's gonna be alright.
When are you gonna stop taking his shit
and stand up to him, Tyger?
When-When-When the
time is right, just be patient.
Trust me.
- Do you think he knows about us?
- No.
And I don't give a fuck
and neither should you.
Let me make you feel better.
Hmm?
Uh, no, stop. No.
You wanna make me feel better?
Make sure your brother
goes away to prison
for the rest of his life.
Okay, and how the fuck
do you expect me to do that?
You're a creative exec, right?
Get fucking creative.
[DRAMATIC MUSIC PLAYING]
[SIGHS]
Hey, I got your texts.
Is everything good?
Listen, I know the
party's in a few hours,
but I'm not going to be able to make it.
I'm headed back to Chicago to
handle some stuff with my firm.
Plus, to prioritize
my future wife as well.
Yeah, of course, family first.
Listen, but I didn't wanna leave
without coming to talk to you.
Remember when you
asked me to come to you
if I thought you should
be worried about Jax?
Well, you should be.
[TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
You my nigga too.
[ERIC] Mm-hmm.
[JAX CHUCKLING]
[ERIC] We ride together.
[JAX CLEARS THROAT]
- Damn, I'm high.
- [ERIC] Mm-hmm.
What time is it?
- [CELL PHONE BUZZES]
- [ERIC] Mm.
Mm. Shit, it's my birthday party.
I gotta go. I gotta go.
My husband's gonna be pissed!
Oh. [CHUCKLING]
Uh-uhh.
[BOTH LAUGH]
Okay, I just need a minute.
I just need a minute.
[SIGHS]
[LIGHT, TENSE MUSIC PLAYING]
[JAX GRUNTS, GROANS]
[GROANS]
[ERIC] You are way
too fucked up to drive.
Steve will take you home.
[JAX] Okay.
- [STEVE] I got you.
- [JAX] [GROANS] I got it.
I'm good. I am good.
- You sure?
- I promise you I'm fine.
- Just fine.
- [CAR DOOR CLOSES]
Ooh, why are there so many steps?
Why are there so many steps?
Okay.
Okay.
[KEYS JANGLING]
Fuck!
[CHUCKLING]
Okay.
Fuck. 'Cause it's your birthday.
Surprise!
[SILENCE]
[LAUGHS] Damn, what kinda party is this?
[DOOR SLAMS]
[LEWIS] Jax.
Sit down.
[JAX] What is this?
- An intervention.
- [JAX SCOFFS]
You can't be serious, okay?
Jax sit down.
[GENTLE MUSIC PLAYING]
Now.
[THEME MUSIC PLAYING]
[MUSIC CONTINUES]
[MUSIC FADES OUT]
[FANFARE PLAYING]