Step Up: High Water (2017) s01e05 Episode Script
Episode 5
1 Hey J.
You'll never guess what, I got a - Tal.
- Oh, hey, guys It's a little late for you guys to be up.
Oh, hell no.
The fuck? Nice.
Losing love Unrequited Was it truly love, Undecided Hard times, I'm broken Past lies, they leave you open I try, I'm hopeless at night No way of coping with this shredded heart Can I get reparations for the pain? Baby, I'm afraid Really, I'm afraid Of giving you what they all messed up My stress up took them pictures and I dressed up Looking blessed up Oh, my God! - I am so sorry, man.
- It's okay.
I'm sorry.
Easy.
Easy, cowboy.
I got it from here.
I'll pay for the dry cleaning and everything, man.
- I'm sorry.
- I got it.
I got it.
Here.
How 'bout you throw these away and we call it even, okay? - You sure? - Yeah.
I got to run so, I'll see you.
Okay.
Sorry.
Look, I know you may not be used to having a teenage girl in the house.
But you can't just walk in my room like that.
First of all, that ain't your room, Hot Pants.
That's my room.
Okay? And I'm glad I walked in when I did.
'Cause by the time Dondre's done with you, we'd be feeding three mouths.
Okay? So there's a new rule: - No Dondre.
- Stop acting like you're my dad! I might not be your dad, and I'm sorry he's not alive, but you know what? If he was alive, he'd be whoopi" Dondre's ass! You know what? Thank you for your input, but I've lived my whole life without a dad.
I don't need one now.
Reggie Somebody broke in here, went in my strong box, and took my money.
You wouldn't know anything about that, huh? Reg? Huh? Huh? Huh, Reggie? I can explain.
I'm I'm sorry.
I took the money.
Why the fuck would you take my money? It was for Kendra and the twins, I didn't Why the fuck would they need my money, Reggie? - Because they movin' to Ohio.
- What?! Look, they needed bus fare and Kendra needed rehab and the twins need a place to live.
Al, look.
I promise you I did ten years on that goddamned garbage truck.
Slangin' trash so I could open up a fucking restaurant.
You know that! Al, we needed it! We needed it.
I was rough on you when we tussled the other night.
But I want what's best for you, son.
We good? Yeah, I just I need a minute.
You just dropped some heavy shit on me.
You shot someone for Sage.
Rigo I know what's going on.
Sage is filling your head with nothing but bullshit.
Big promises and whatnot.
I'm your father.
I love you and I take care of the people I love.
Why are you telling me all this, dad? Your boy Sage Odom, with that little show at the Velvet City? What? Popping bottles, VIP treatment? And he can't even pay for his own damn tab, like he's some broke-ass motherfucker.
What? Are you kidding me? Sage got some scandalous shit going on and it's all over Twitter.
"At SageOfficial, Booty won't clap 'till you pay this bill.
#declined #BrokeAssBaller #SageOwesMeMoney".
Okay, so what? Your card got declined at Velvet City? I need to know this, because? Uh, yeah.
There's more.
Keep scrolling.
"At SageOfficial, Time to pay for that Cartier Tank.
At DiggyDoesDiamonds, #SageOwesMeMoney.
" Jesus.
Do you really owe all these people money, Sage? Forty percent of those are retweets and jokes, but #SageOwesMeMoney is starting to trend.
Yup.
So, we need to nip this in the bud now before it becomes a problem.
All right? Yes.
We have a solution.
All right.
I'm listening.
We drop my brand new single on SageOdomOfficial.
com, all right, with get this.
Live streaming performance.
Something more amazing than anybody's ever seen live streaming ever before.
Spike ticket sales, no more money problems.
Hashtag Sage Odom don't owe nobody shit no more.
That seems like a lot to pull off and also expensive.
- When do you plan on doing this? - Tomorrow.
Here at High Water.
I mean, we got the equipment.
We got the talent.
And I'm here to produce the live stream.
Then if we fold High Water into the optics, Sage giving the kids a performance opportunity will change the online narrative.
- Do you even have a single? - I'm gonna work with the kids myself.
Should be fun, they'll learn something.
And I just did the most amazing demo in Paris of the day.
Estelle, do you have that? I'm on it.
Downloading your sound files right now.
Well, I guess it wouldn't be Sage Odom if it wasn't done on a wing and a prayer.
But, uh, just be patient with the kids, okay? They're not used to your work flow.
Kids'll be fine.
Okay, so y'all know I'm going to New York to dance, but y'all know who I really hope to meet? That light-skinned chick.
You know, the ballerina with the badass arms.
Wait, but Misty? - Misty Copeland? - Yes! Quincy said she's gonna be at opening night of the show.
Hey, if I were Poppy, I'd be worried that Sage forgot about me while I was gone.
Word.
Yo, let's turn up today.
Maybe she'll keep her ass in New York.
Hey.
All right.
Everybody get your shit together.
We're doing something very special today.
You're going to be working with me.
I'm trying to put together something epic for my fans online.
We're going to debut my brand new single and you all get a sneak peek right here, right now.
Closing the door, only makes me stronger I took all your hate Turned it into fuel Keeping my head up here All right.
It's time to work.
Capital W.
We are doing a live-stream performance of this song tomorrow.
It will not be easy.
I will be a hard-ass.
Put your fucking phones away! It's time to work, yes? Phones off.
Come on, come on, come on.
Let's get in line.
Let's get in line.
Listen, one more thing, if anybody has any ideas, any creativity you wanna toss my way, don't be scared.
Let me hear it.
Greyhound! I need the shadow magic, yes? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Sure.
Yeah.
- All right, my man.
- Yo, we got you, Sage.
All right, everybody watch me! First sound watch, second time jump in.
We ready? Five, six, seven, and Sharp! Move, hot! Hot, hot, hot, hot! Keep my head up, yeah Okay, Rigo! Rigo, Rigo, Rigo.
Come here.
Come here.
I need you in this window right here.
- Aight, aight, aight.
- Behind him? One more time! Five, six, seven, and Sharp! Pull! Too much booty popping, I don't need all that.
I didn't ask for that.
This ain't twerking, God damn it.
Come on! Not bad.
Not good, but not bad.
Oh, all right! Hey, teamwork, yeah! y'all proud of yourselves? We ain't done yet.
All right? Celebrate when the show's over.
Yeah? And five, six, seven, and Sharp! Hey! Big hands! Everybody stop.
Everybody stop.
Everybody stop.
This is a professional fucking gig, y'all.
And it's happening tomorrow.
Can we please dance like we fucking danced before? Can we dance like this shit is for real, please? You need a break, clearly.
Take five.
Okay, so I will admit it was a pretty messed up way for you to find out about me and Dondre last night, and I'm sorry.
Janelle, I have simple rules that you gotta follow.
You gotta respect them.
At least until you leave here and go to college.
Well, speaking of respect, I spoke to Dondre and he would like to apologize to you.
Maybe over dinner tonight? But just whatever you do, please do not mention me going off to college.
I haven't had a chance to tell him yet.
So you want me to let the fox back into the hen house.
And you want me to cook.
Come one, please.
He feels really bad about what happened.
I bet he does! Blue balls is a motherfucker! Come on, I've done everything that you've asked since we got here.
I'm studying hard, I'm getting my GED.
I'm working at Wigs and Wangs and this is really, really important to me.
So will you please just let him come back and apologize? Okay, and I promise we will play by your rules.
All right.
But you gotta tell him to bring some desert because this ain't no soup kitchen.
- Okay.
- Okay? - Thank you.
- Yeah, whatever.
And change that shirt.
"Dondre wants some chicken.
" I need to cook for this motherfucker, too? Yo, this song is still wack.
- Shh.
- By the time this hits radio, I'mma be through, over it, and done to death.
I kinda like it.
You would like some wack ass shit.
I'm sorry, what was that? What was that? I ain't hear you.
Say it again.
Somebody had something to say.
Keep fucking this choreography up.
You wanna talk about wack? Who in here sold a million records? Anybody? Any world tours on any belts in here? I didn't fucking think so.
Stand you know what, stand back.
When I say sharp Whoo! This shit is a knife.
Not a fist, it's a knife! Whoo! Sharp! Cut me with that shit! You understand? When I say tight whoo! Tighten up! Pull that shit in! Do we understand each other? Do you understand? Am I talking to myself right now? Yes.
Get y'all asses in gear and give me something I can work with.
Here we go! Five, six, seven, and Tight! Tight, hey! One, two, three, four! Hey! Move! Not right now.
Not right now! Not right now! Stop! Stop, stop, stop, stop.
I'm bustin' my ass trying to get this shit to look like something.
This shit happens tomorrow! Any suggestion? Anybody got anything to say other than some fucking criticism? Anybody? You know what? It's cool.
Y'all ain't ready.
Y'all ain't did this before.
I have, so I'll figure it out.
But until I do, get comfortable.
'Cause nobody leaves this fucking room until this shit is right.
Go over the fucking routine.
Come on, guys, let's do this.
Five, six, seven, and Makes me stronger Makes me stronger - Only makes me stronger - Look, listen to this.
Listen, listen.
- Only makes me stronger - That right there.
You heard that? You heard that right there? - Only makes me stronger - This part.
That.
What the fuck what is that? What is that? A glitch? A glitch in the fucking mix? And and the hook.
The hook is completely wrong.
You know what, the kids are right.
This shit is wack.
This shit is completely fucking wack.
- It's just Twitter.
- It's not just Twitter.
All right, some of the hip hop blogs done picked up on it, too.
Yeah, and soon something else will come along and steal their attention.
I know that you get critical when you're not in a good place Can you stop administrating me for two seconds and offer me some actual fucking help, please? Do you want me to run choreo? I want you to stop asking me questions you already know the answer to You know what? Yeah, go run the choreo.
Push on with that.
Let me fix this.
Please just go do what you do so I can concentrate.
Thank you.
'Lette, you know when I yell at you, I'm not mad at you.
I know.
It's fine.
- Sage - Makes me stronger - Said it only makes me stronger - Sage.
Makes me stronger Said it only makes me stronger I know I should've - come to you for - Hmm? Excuse me? I said, I know I should've come to you first.
Hmm.
Before taking Janelle out and had this conversation.
But I just want you to know from the bottom of my heart I I apologize, and I hope I didn't Okay, think this is everything.
Are we ready to eat? Let's lay down some ground rules.
Number one, there ain't no horizontal boogie around here.
All feet on the floor, at all times.
Okay? Second, you come by here? You don't blow the horn, you knock on the door or ring the door bell like a gentleman.
This is a lady.
She deserves respect.
Respect.
Of course.
Hear you loud and clear, Al.
Uncle.
Al.
Sir.
Let me explain something to you.
I done been to the big house.
I'm sorry, do you mean jail? Yes.
Yeah, it was a weekend, you know.
Fourth of July barbecue, things got a little out of hand and we were playing bid whist.
There was some nudity involved but I don't want to go into details.
You ever heard of a Mississippi mudslide? - No, sir.
- Ha! All I'm saying is I ain't afraid to go back.
Feel me? A hundred percent.
Now pass the wings.
Absolutely.
You know, nobody makes them like you, Uncle Al.
Sir.
Hey, East.
So, uh, look, you know.
You've been at the auto shop a little longer than me, right? Boss kind of took a liking to you, you know what I'm saying? I was thinking maybe you could talk to him for me.
Put in a good word.
See about getting me some extra hours.
Look, I need to make some extra scratch, all right? I need to send some paper up to Kendra and the twins.
Oh man, I work there just like everybody else, man.
But I'mma see what I can do for you.
So big bruh, when you gonna start that chicken wing shop, man? You been talking about that bullshit forever.
Nah, nah, nah, nah.
Check it.
Al has got the perfect spot already picked out.
Check it out, check it out.
Yeah.
See? It's got the built-in kitchen and everything.
Had the perfect spot.
Guess someone else is taking over the lease.
What happened? Yeah, what happened? Not enough money, is all.
Look, man Your broke ass need to side hustle.
I run an all-cash business, Al.
You need me to give you some money, man? For some financing? Yo, Reggie, them baby Jordans ain't cheap.
We good.
Right, Reggie? Yeah, we good.
Y'all both be proud.
Proud and broke.
I'mma keep stacking up my paper.
And you're gonna keep giving me free chicken.
'Cause nothing or nobody stops me from getting what I want.
Hey, did you see this online? They're saying Sage is broke.
Oh, and the clap back on Twitter is high-larious.
Bruh.
Damn, girl.
Could you hold it right so I can read? Hey.
Can we talk? Yeah, what's up? About Davis.
Look, I know you two had beef but Yo, on the real? I don't even know why you was even fucking with that dude.
Matter of fact, I ain't seen Buddy around here since.
Probably scared his ass off.
Well, I think he's coming back.
And I thought that maybe you two could clear Hold on real quick.
Since we sitting round here doing nothing, let me clean out the rest of this closet real quick.
Excuse me.
Hey, yo, Greyhound.
Yo.
- Yo! - What? Why don't you use some of your little shadow magic, so we can get up out of here? I got a little honey dip I'm trying to see tonight.
Shit, ain't no honey.
Y'all know on Wednesdays he take his auntie to Bingo, right? Shut up, I'm serious.
All right? You must have some kind of magic.
You got Sage walking around here thinking you're some kind of damn genius and shit.
- Okay, cool it, Rigo! - Whatever, man.
I'm not trying to take over Sage's pet project.
All right, then quit taking up space then.
Don't nobody wanna stay locked up in this fucking room with you all night stinking up the joint.
And they got here smelling like desperation and burnt chicken wings.
What?! Yo, yo what? Beat your ass.
Yo, what's up? What? Always talking! Say something else, Rigo! - Hey.
Hey! - Get off me! The fuck is going on in here? Always talking! Always talking! We good! Excuse me? He just gonna go get some water real quick.
Dang, Miss Jones.
See you got your little shoulders out, serving up a little cute leggings.
Why you so casual, girl? Yes, Poppy.
Everyone get back to work, all right? Let's warm up.
Hey, Miss Jones.
Sage coming back? No.
You're gonna be working with me.
All right? Let's go.
You know, you spend a lot of time pushing people out of your way.
Why don't you try just being better? It's been a long time coming, but eventually I'm going to franchise them.
You know, like McDonalds.
Have a bunch of Wigs and Wangs every, you know Uh-huh.
Dondre, you should tell Al about your party business.
What? It's actually an amazing scene.
What Dondre does is truly creative.
Well, actually, it doesn't sound like business at all.
It sounds like an excuse to party.
No, no, it's for real.
And I'm bringing Janelle in as my partner.
You know, she helped with the last one.
We made mad money.
It was off the chain.
You should've saw it.
This is not gonna happen.
Hey, this is a bunch of foolishness.
No, it's just dancing, Al.
That's all.
Well, I suggest if you want to dance, you should dance between your GED class and Wigs and Wangs until you leave and go to that fancy college in Ohio.
See, she's going to, um college in Ohio.
So you're leaving? Oh, maybe.
Um, but it won't be till fall if I do.
Of course, she needs to work for me to make some money.
Real money to pay for her tuition.
Okay, not dancing in the street.
Flashdance money.
That's why you wanted to go into business with me.
So you can make some quick cash and then ghost? - No, I was gonna tell you.
- When? I just found out.
It's a partial scholarship.
I guess you're done, party boy.
No, no, no.
Dondre.
Dondre! Please wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait wait! Okay? Please just wait, okay? I didn't even think I was gonna get in.
Nobody in my family's ever even been to college.
It's a big deal.
Okay, I hear that.
But I How is this supposed to work? - I didn't think about that.
- Right.
Look, all I know is that me and you felt good.
Yeah, I was feeling it too.
You know? But maybe you should go do your big deal.
Dre.
Yeah, I think you have the wrong num No, I'm the I'm the director of social media.
No, I can't comment! Hey.
- Hey.
- Did did I hear that right? I spilled coffee on Sage's director of social media? Johnny-One.
And you're I'm I'm Tal.
Uh Sorry, I just I didn't know you were somebody, like, important.
Nah, you get a pass 'cause you have good taste in music.
I heard you listening to Xavier Omar in the cafe.
All right, yeah.
- It's good stuff.
- Yeah, yeah.
Shouldn't you be rehearsing? I got in a I got in a fight.
Kind of.
Sage asked me for for some creative ideas for the show and I completely froze.
Then this guy Rigo got all in my head, and he's he's such a Sorry, you man, you don't have time for this, you're like you know this is like high school bullshit and You're all, like, together and in charge and I don't know, like, you dress nice and you smell good and - You're smelling me now? - No, I don't mean it like No, I mean it's cool if you like a little Eau de Caffeine.
I guess.
How old are you? And how are you the director of anything? I'm not that much older than you.
- Exactly, I can see that.
- Yeah, yeah.
Uh, about two years ago, I ran this Sage Odom fan website.
I built this fan community from scratch.
I wrote the code myself and then one day, out of the blue, I get a DM from Sage himself asking me to run his social media, so - No shit.
- Yeah, I graduated high school six months early, took the job and Then my fan site became SageOdomOfficial.
com.
That's awesome.
But Sage Odom knows talent when he sees it.
Well yeah, clearly.
Yeah, that includes you, Tal.
You're a really great dancer.
Sage showed me your dance video.
Greyhounds aren't clumsy, Tal.
They're graceful, strong and they chase what they want.
Yo, this Johnny-One.
No no comment.
Yeah.
You're gonna have to call his PR office for that.
Two, three, four.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Okay.
Uh, Tal, jump in.
Five, six, seven, eight.
One, two, three, four, five, six Okay.
Yeah, nice.
That'll work.
You better get it, Miss Jones.
You didn't think I had it like that, did you? - I sure didn't.
- Okay, moving on.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Nice.
All right, all right.
Uh, well, listen, it's pretty obvious that we're gonna be here all night.
Sage is in the studio working on new music, so we will get there.
I promise.
In the meantime, thank you so much for hanging tough.
I'm going to go see Renata about getting us some food.
Everyone hungry? Yes! Okay, stay warm.
Yo, on the real? Sage should've let me get up in the studio and spit some hot bars over that wack-ass song.
- Really, dude? - Man, shut up.
Yo, never heard a song that was so damn boring Beats is wack and rhymes is corny Never gonna get love in these streets Unless you trying to put your kid to sleep Oh shit.
Sage.
My bad, y'all, I was just playing around.
It's late, we tired.
I'm just clownin', bro.
You know? Kind of like you been clownin' me today.
I clowned you today? - Yeah.
- Like singled you out specifically? I recall working with you personally, giving you my free time.
Where I'm from, that's called looking out for somebody.
Yeah, I mean, but I mean, right now, ain't you really just looking out for yourself? I mean, the internet been going hard at you all day and you might as well call it what it is, yo.
Publicity stunt.
Yup, tried out all the kids from the ghetto.
You know, and then you sell I'm going to stop you right there, Youngblood, before you get yourself hurt.
'Cause see, um, not that I give a fuck who your daddy is but the nigga not here to protect you.
- What? - Watch your mouth.
You gonna beat my ass or something right now, dawg? Huh? 'Cause we all know you couldn't be bothered to break a sweat in this bitch.
Ice is thin.
It's always that one dude that want to tap dance.
Always.
So that's what happened here, Rigo? Sage, we You wanna dance? Is that what's going on here? We all know you just using us to get your money right.
Just like you used my dad back in the day to keep your shoes clean.
- You know what? My fault.
- Ladies and gentlemen, I'mma need you all to assist me in giving your boy Rigo a big ol' round of applause.
Come on! Clap it up for the boy! He been working hard! Yes! Bravo.
Bravo.
That's your cue, Youngblood.
Exit, stage left.
Now.
- What? - Did I stutter? Exit or be exited.
Manually.
Layman's terms, get the fuck out.
You know what, matter of fact, let's make that a permanent thing.
Yeah, yeah.
You're not only done tonight, you're done at High Water period.
- Fuckin' serious? - Get the fuck out.
Sage, look, hold on.
Just listen, just hear me out.
Sage! Fuck! - East-O's gonna want an explanation.
- Fuck East-O, fuck Rigo.
I don't wanna hear either one of them names ever again in my fucking life.
We need to talk about Rigo.
You should not have done that.
Not without talking to me first.
Why? I'm doing everything else my fucking self.
The god damn song, the fucking choreography, the fucking live stream The way you're acting, you're gonna ruin this school all by yourself too.
You know what, I don't need this right now, okay? If you aren't trying to help me, I need you to get the fuck out of my face, okay? The only goddamn help you need is a reminder that the clock is ticking.
It's almost midnight.
That means in less than 12 hours, you promised the record label, the entire student body of High Water, the press, and millions of fans a live stream performance of your first single off a fucking album you haven't even written yet.
If you continue to do this No, you know what? If I let you do this you will fail.
Now just behind that door, there is talent that is accessible to you but you can't light it on fire.
Rigo had it coming.
Who's next? Me? The rest of the kids? Everyone? Focus, Sage.
You made a commitment.
Get it done.
You're right.
You're right.
What do you need, King? I was kind of hoping I could speak with Sage.
- Not a good time, brother.
- I know, it's just um You've been in here a minute, and I thought maybe I could help with the music? Can you get rid of him? 'Cause I need to focus, right? No, no, no.
You said you came back here to get inspired.
Get inspired.
Show me what you got.
Hey, check this out.
I can't believe Rigo's actually out.
- That man was not playing.
- Right? Ain't nobody safe.
Come on, get up.
We should run this.
- No.
- Get up! Ugh.
Look, if the gossip about Sage is true, then they about to cut the lights out any minute now.
Doesn't matter.
Collette said that Sage is going to be back so we should stay warm.
Then dance, boo-boo.
Ooh, I wish I had time to get gel tips before I go to New York.
Oh, what? You get a job in NYC, and suddenly you're too good for the ATL folk? ATL folk? You ain't from these streets.
Let me show you what's up, 'cause you think you know what you're doing around here.
You guys mind if I tag in? What, you lonely without your boy Rigo? Hey, it's never too late to make new friends.
Okay, we definitely ain't friends.
I don't know shit about this chick.
Well, I mean, you you both have Rigo in common.
Had Rigo in common.
It's fine.
Chill out, it's fine.
You won't see me sweat Man, I think we should be like - Ooh, that's cute.
- That was cool.
- Great.
- I'll go the other way.
That's kind of cool.
Maybe I'll go maybe I can go, like, forward.
All right, that's uh that's it.
Wait, wait, wait.
What's what's that? Is that, uh, a sample? Oh, uh, yeah, that's that's mine.
Something I've been working on.
Hmm.
I mean, I see where you're trying to go with it but it's coming across too throwback, too old school.
I need it to feel fresh, you know what I mean? I'mma keep it real with you, it's not really popping for me, man.
I get it, man.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Listen, I know everything is not a hit the first time.
You know, it takes a couple of tries to get all the way to that greatness but I know it's in there, you just gotta keep doing it.
You'll get there.
- You really think so? - Yeah.
Just gotta keep striving.
Yo, by the way, sorry if I was an asshole earlier, man.
You know it's kinda stressful situations going on.
You feel me.
- Yeah.
- Keep striving, bro.
I feel it in my chest Hopped up on nitro through my veins, when I take a breath What do you want? - Where the fuck is he? - What are you doing? No, no! Stop.
Move, god damn it.
No.
Don't fucking touch me! I'm not gonna let him disrespect my son! I said get your goddamn hands off me! If you wanna ruin Rigo's future 'cause of your own ego, don't let me stop you.
Otherwise, get the fuck out of my school.
You're right.
But don't even think this is the last time you're gonna see me.
I told you, we're done.
Sage coming back here fucked up your game just like it fucked up mine.
He's gonna leave you out for the garbage man.
And for good this time.
Well, then, I guess I'll be in the gutter.
Right next to the rest of the trash he threw out.
Now get the fuck out of my school.
All right.
Keep it easy, Collette.
If you want to find me, I'll be around.
You might not understand it now but what I did tonight for you was a favor.
You don't know what you're talking about! Listen, throwing those illegal street parties for cash, it just leads to trouble.
There's no future in it, it just leads to drugs.
I don't want you to go down the same path as your mother and father.
What have I ever done to make you think that I would go down that path? You don't even know me! - I know enough! - Oh, my Why are you being such a hard ass about this? Why do you even care? Because last time I was supposed to take care of family, it didn't go so well.
Where's your brother? I don't know, I swear, man.
Nobody steals from me.
Nobody! If I knew, I would tell you.
I swear.
I'm telling you, man, I don't know! I'mma tell you this, I'mma kill your brother, Reggie.
And I find you lying, I'mma pop a cap in your fat ass too! Hey Al, I'm sorry, okay? I saw a way to get you the money, you know what I'm saying? For the For the restaurant, so so, um Reggie you're gonna go in that room and you're gonna pack your shit and you're gonna leave here.
Reggie.
I don't want to see you ever again.
You understand me? You've done something I can't fix.
Listen, just just please.
Just listen to me, please? He came here and put a gun to my head.
When your father needed me the most, I chased him away.
Next thing I knew, he was dead.
I fucked up.
I fucked up and lost my only brother.
I'm not gonna let that happen with you and Tal.
I gotta make it right.
I I get it.
There's something that I want you to know, too.
I'm not my father.
I'm not my mom either.
After everything me and Tal have lived through, I'm never gonna let that happen to me.
I'm sorry.
From now on, I promise that I'm gonna live by your rules.
Every single one of them.
In return I just ask that you let me date who I want to date.
And treat them with respect too.
We'll work on it.
And one more thing.
I know that none of this was ever a part of your plan.
You probably wonder what the hell you're doing sometimes.
But if you really care this much about keeping me and Tal out of trouble You're already doing ten times better than any father we've ever known.
Thank you.
I feel it in my chest Hopped up on nitro through my veins When I take a breath it's like a hurricane Hundred mile winds full of Mary Jane I can make the world feel it when I bang I can move the planet like it ain't no thing Make enough to put the sun on the end of my chain And take Saturn's rings and rub 'em Yeah.
Yeah, right? You did it.
You did it.
We did it.
Thank you.
And no matter how far how far off I go.
I know you got me.
Yeah.
How's the knee? I know you was in there gettin' it.
Oh, no, it's fine.
It felt good to be back in the mix and everything, you know? We should show him.
We should just show him what we did.
- It was good.
- We were just messing around.
Come on, let's just do it.
Girl, let him go act crazy.
That's just how he do.
- Uh, S-Sage? - You need something, Greyhound? Yeah, um, we have, like, a little thing for the live stream.
It's like an idea.
Let's see it.
- Yeah? - Yeah, yeah.
So it was kind of, like, you just be there Dude, he looks crazy.
We gotta help him out.
- Wanna show him from the top? - We was just playing around.
Five, six, seven, eight It just you know, it'll be like the whole thing.
Just messing around.
This is y'all just messing around? - Yeah.
- God damn it, y'all supposed to be messing around like that hours ago! That shit was dope! Mr.
Fucking Greyhound brings the magic once again.
You, you you did this? We all did, um, we were just goofing off and I like this little trio here, this Something something right.
That's just this combination.
Be real interesting to see what happens if y'all continue chopping it up.
Listen, everybody! Everybody, come in, come in, come in.
Whoo, we have six hours and counting until we get into this live stream.
Listen, from the bottom of my heart, good damn work.
Everybody saw what happened there, yeah? - Yeah.
- Okay, so what we need to do now we need to get our ass back in this room, work on these new steps.
Let's go, let's go, let's go! Come on, come on, come one! Don't start goofing off.
Six hours, that's all we got left.
I said don't start goofing off.
Don't.
Prepare yourself for the world premiere of Sage Odom's hot new track, Big! Okay So you wanna talk big Y'all gonna realize how you starvin' Be in my crew, stompin' studio I feel it in my chest Hopped up on nitro through my veins When I take a breath, it's like a hurricane Hundred mile winds full of Mary Jane I can make the world feel it when I bang I can move the planet like it ain't no thang Big enough to put the sun on the end of my chain I take Saturn's rings and wear 'em like they rings And put stars on my wrists, yeah Best whips in the world every one of my cars on the list Best chicks in the world I ain't sayin' no names But I got a few stars on the list I flood the strip club, I part the green sea like a black Moses I'm on the top, babe, but it just don't get much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big - Y'all just talking - Talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than this, naw - I just don't get - Much bigger than this No If I don't know nothin' else one thing I know I go anywhere I want to go Sunshine in the wintertime big and bold For the summertime, I go find the snow One thing I know, I know about dough Even know about broke, been there before Was a long, long, long, long time ago I ain't never forget, but that ain't here no more Now it's European whips and Cuban cigars Shorty hella mean with a real nice figure Platinum, 45 solid gold trigger Like a hole in your nigga don't get much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than this Much bigger than this I fucked it all up! Yeah, best whips in the world Stop crying.
Pull yourself together.
best chicks in the world, I ain't sayin' no names But I gotta keep stars on the list I flood the strip club, I part the green sea like a black Moses You're on the top, babe But it just don't Konnichiwa Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than this Cut! We're clear.
That's a wrap! Awesome job, guys! Hey.
So Why'd you call? I need to talk to you.
Look, I thought High Water was my future.
But obviously, that didn't work out, so Now, I don't know what my future holds.
Maybe I'll go to college, maybe I won't.
I don't know.
What I do know is that when I saw my brother dance today, it made me feel so good.
Almost as good as as when I'm with you.
And I I understand if you don't feel the same way.
I do, but I I think we deserve another chance.
So it's up to you.
What do you say? - How's that? - That's perfect.
Yeah.
Not everything's a hit the first time.
Isn't that what you said? Yeah, 'cause it wasn't a hit.
Initially.
See, I had to turn it into a hit.
Now the label loves it, the fans love it, Three point five million fans, to be exact.
You should be happy.
Listen, I also told you that it was good, did I not? I just said it wasn't great, it just needed a little - a little fine tuning, that's all.
- Fine tuning? Yeah, I guess that's something to call it.
Fine tune my name right out of your mouth.
Come on, look.
I came here to say thank you.
For the collaboration, for the inspiration.
Listen, pay your dues.
Let me teach you a little something about this game.
You'll get your name out there, that's the easy part.
The important part is that they loved it.
That was you.
That was us! Man Welcome to the game.
Stay close to me because I am more than willing, not to mention able, to invest in your future.
I knew you were smart, that's why I like you.
That'll take you far.
My man.
Talk later.
Smile, you're a paid producer now.
- Hey, Tal.
- Hey.
I guess you got over whatever was holding you back.
It was impressive to watch.
Thanks, man.
Yeah, I, uh Well, I got some good advice.
And I just had to follow it through.
Chase what I want, so So where do you go now? Um, well, I'm based in the Bay Area, where I'm from but I go wherever Sage needs me, so, I go wherever or stay wherever if he doesn't.
Is there something worth sticking around for? Can I borrow your phone real quick? Yeah.
Text me, if you're sticking around.
For sure.
Good Evening - You're an idiot.
- I'm sorry, was that too fast? Yeah, that was too fast.
Hey.
Did you see it? Please tell me you saw it.
Are you kidding me? It was unbelievable! It was insane, it was - You - It was the best thing ever.
You were beyond, do you hear me? I'm so, so, so proud of you.
Look, I'm really sorry about yesterday.
I know that you really liked Dondre.
Just not trying to do that to you, it was not fair.
It it's cool.
All right, it's I'm okay.
You know, I never would've gone there if it wasn't special though, right? Yeah, I know.
Like, I know that.
And I kind of I kind of met someone today.
- Really? - Yeah, and he's like - Tal! - He's he's fine.
Are you serious? Oh, my God! And? He was at the school, at High Water.
He's a dancer? No, he's a social media guy.
Yeah, he's awesome.
He's so cool.
Well, when are you gonna see him again? I don't know, I just I don't know what he does, but he's really smart.
And uh, yeah he graduated high school early and He built Sage's fan base all by himself.
Reggie! Reg.
Look, man, uh "Get your restaurant, brother.
I never meant to steal your dreams.
" Shit.
Reggie.
You gave him your number? Hey.
Yeah I know, I'm not supposed to call.
I just wanted to hear my brother's voice.
Yeah.
I would never blow you off.
- Uh.
- Okay, that didn't come out right.
Next, on STEP UP: High Water.
I got to play with Kodie Shane.
Sage set the whole thing up.
You and Sage, what, y'all friends now? What's a J-Sette? J-Sette is life.
If Davis doesn't come forward soon, he could be in really big trouble.
See, this is your goal, to take it.
I feel like you should take it.
Made in Georgia.
You'll never guess what, I got a - Tal.
- Oh, hey, guys It's a little late for you guys to be up.
Oh, hell no.
The fuck? Nice.
Losing love Unrequited Was it truly love, Undecided Hard times, I'm broken Past lies, they leave you open I try, I'm hopeless at night No way of coping with this shredded heart Can I get reparations for the pain? Baby, I'm afraid Really, I'm afraid Of giving you what they all messed up My stress up took them pictures and I dressed up Looking blessed up Oh, my God! - I am so sorry, man.
- It's okay.
I'm sorry.
Easy.
Easy, cowboy.
I got it from here.
I'll pay for the dry cleaning and everything, man.
- I'm sorry.
- I got it.
I got it.
Here.
How 'bout you throw these away and we call it even, okay? - You sure? - Yeah.
I got to run so, I'll see you.
Okay.
Sorry.
Look, I know you may not be used to having a teenage girl in the house.
But you can't just walk in my room like that.
First of all, that ain't your room, Hot Pants.
That's my room.
Okay? And I'm glad I walked in when I did.
'Cause by the time Dondre's done with you, we'd be feeding three mouths.
Okay? So there's a new rule: - No Dondre.
- Stop acting like you're my dad! I might not be your dad, and I'm sorry he's not alive, but you know what? If he was alive, he'd be whoopi" Dondre's ass! You know what? Thank you for your input, but I've lived my whole life without a dad.
I don't need one now.
Reggie Somebody broke in here, went in my strong box, and took my money.
You wouldn't know anything about that, huh? Reg? Huh? Huh? Huh, Reggie? I can explain.
I'm I'm sorry.
I took the money.
Why the fuck would you take my money? It was for Kendra and the twins, I didn't Why the fuck would they need my money, Reggie? - Because they movin' to Ohio.
- What?! Look, they needed bus fare and Kendra needed rehab and the twins need a place to live.
Al, look.
I promise you I did ten years on that goddamned garbage truck.
Slangin' trash so I could open up a fucking restaurant.
You know that! Al, we needed it! We needed it.
I was rough on you when we tussled the other night.
But I want what's best for you, son.
We good? Yeah, I just I need a minute.
You just dropped some heavy shit on me.
You shot someone for Sage.
Rigo I know what's going on.
Sage is filling your head with nothing but bullshit.
Big promises and whatnot.
I'm your father.
I love you and I take care of the people I love.
Why are you telling me all this, dad? Your boy Sage Odom, with that little show at the Velvet City? What? Popping bottles, VIP treatment? And he can't even pay for his own damn tab, like he's some broke-ass motherfucker.
What? Are you kidding me? Sage got some scandalous shit going on and it's all over Twitter.
"At SageOfficial, Booty won't clap 'till you pay this bill.
#declined #BrokeAssBaller #SageOwesMeMoney".
Okay, so what? Your card got declined at Velvet City? I need to know this, because? Uh, yeah.
There's more.
Keep scrolling.
"At SageOfficial, Time to pay for that Cartier Tank.
At DiggyDoesDiamonds, #SageOwesMeMoney.
" Jesus.
Do you really owe all these people money, Sage? Forty percent of those are retweets and jokes, but #SageOwesMeMoney is starting to trend.
Yup.
So, we need to nip this in the bud now before it becomes a problem.
All right? Yes.
We have a solution.
All right.
I'm listening.
We drop my brand new single on SageOdomOfficial.
com, all right, with get this.
Live streaming performance.
Something more amazing than anybody's ever seen live streaming ever before.
Spike ticket sales, no more money problems.
Hashtag Sage Odom don't owe nobody shit no more.
That seems like a lot to pull off and also expensive.
- When do you plan on doing this? - Tomorrow.
Here at High Water.
I mean, we got the equipment.
We got the talent.
And I'm here to produce the live stream.
Then if we fold High Water into the optics, Sage giving the kids a performance opportunity will change the online narrative.
- Do you even have a single? - I'm gonna work with the kids myself.
Should be fun, they'll learn something.
And I just did the most amazing demo in Paris of the day.
Estelle, do you have that? I'm on it.
Downloading your sound files right now.
Well, I guess it wouldn't be Sage Odom if it wasn't done on a wing and a prayer.
But, uh, just be patient with the kids, okay? They're not used to your work flow.
Kids'll be fine.
Okay, so y'all know I'm going to New York to dance, but y'all know who I really hope to meet? That light-skinned chick.
You know, the ballerina with the badass arms.
Wait, but Misty? - Misty Copeland? - Yes! Quincy said she's gonna be at opening night of the show.
Hey, if I were Poppy, I'd be worried that Sage forgot about me while I was gone.
Word.
Yo, let's turn up today.
Maybe she'll keep her ass in New York.
Hey.
All right.
Everybody get your shit together.
We're doing something very special today.
You're going to be working with me.
I'm trying to put together something epic for my fans online.
We're going to debut my brand new single and you all get a sneak peek right here, right now.
Closing the door, only makes me stronger I took all your hate Turned it into fuel Keeping my head up here All right.
It's time to work.
Capital W.
We are doing a live-stream performance of this song tomorrow.
It will not be easy.
I will be a hard-ass.
Put your fucking phones away! It's time to work, yes? Phones off.
Come on, come on, come on.
Let's get in line.
Let's get in line.
Listen, one more thing, if anybody has any ideas, any creativity you wanna toss my way, don't be scared.
Let me hear it.
Greyhound! I need the shadow magic, yes? Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Sure.
Yeah.
- All right, my man.
- Yo, we got you, Sage.
All right, everybody watch me! First sound watch, second time jump in.
We ready? Five, six, seven, and Sharp! Move, hot! Hot, hot, hot, hot! Keep my head up, yeah Okay, Rigo! Rigo, Rigo, Rigo.
Come here.
Come here.
I need you in this window right here.
- Aight, aight, aight.
- Behind him? One more time! Five, six, seven, and Sharp! Pull! Too much booty popping, I don't need all that.
I didn't ask for that.
This ain't twerking, God damn it.
Come on! Not bad.
Not good, but not bad.
Oh, all right! Hey, teamwork, yeah! y'all proud of yourselves? We ain't done yet.
All right? Celebrate when the show's over.
Yeah? And five, six, seven, and Sharp! Hey! Big hands! Everybody stop.
Everybody stop.
Everybody stop.
This is a professional fucking gig, y'all.
And it's happening tomorrow.
Can we please dance like we fucking danced before? Can we dance like this shit is for real, please? You need a break, clearly.
Take five.
Okay, so I will admit it was a pretty messed up way for you to find out about me and Dondre last night, and I'm sorry.
Janelle, I have simple rules that you gotta follow.
You gotta respect them.
At least until you leave here and go to college.
Well, speaking of respect, I spoke to Dondre and he would like to apologize to you.
Maybe over dinner tonight? But just whatever you do, please do not mention me going off to college.
I haven't had a chance to tell him yet.
So you want me to let the fox back into the hen house.
And you want me to cook.
Come one, please.
He feels really bad about what happened.
I bet he does! Blue balls is a motherfucker! Come on, I've done everything that you've asked since we got here.
I'm studying hard, I'm getting my GED.
I'm working at Wigs and Wangs and this is really, really important to me.
So will you please just let him come back and apologize? Okay, and I promise we will play by your rules.
All right.
But you gotta tell him to bring some desert because this ain't no soup kitchen.
- Okay.
- Okay? - Thank you.
- Yeah, whatever.
And change that shirt.
"Dondre wants some chicken.
" I need to cook for this motherfucker, too? Yo, this song is still wack.
- Shh.
- By the time this hits radio, I'mma be through, over it, and done to death.
I kinda like it.
You would like some wack ass shit.
I'm sorry, what was that? What was that? I ain't hear you.
Say it again.
Somebody had something to say.
Keep fucking this choreography up.
You wanna talk about wack? Who in here sold a million records? Anybody? Any world tours on any belts in here? I didn't fucking think so.
Stand you know what, stand back.
When I say sharp Whoo! This shit is a knife.
Not a fist, it's a knife! Whoo! Sharp! Cut me with that shit! You understand? When I say tight whoo! Tighten up! Pull that shit in! Do we understand each other? Do you understand? Am I talking to myself right now? Yes.
Get y'all asses in gear and give me something I can work with.
Here we go! Five, six, seven, and Tight! Tight, hey! One, two, three, four! Hey! Move! Not right now.
Not right now! Not right now! Stop! Stop, stop, stop, stop.
I'm bustin' my ass trying to get this shit to look like something.
This shit happens tomorrow! Any suggestion? Anybody got anything to say other than some fucking criticism? Anybody? You know what? It's cool.
Y'all ain't ready.
Y'all ain't did this before.
I have, so I'll figure it out.
But until I do, get comfortable.
'Cause nobody leaves this fucking room until this shit is right.
Go over the fucking routine.
Come on, guys, let's do this.
Five, six, seven, and Makes me stronger Makes me stronger - Only makes me stronger - Look, listen to this.
Listen, listen.
- Only makes me stronger - That right there.
You heard that? You heard that right there? - Only makes me stronger - This part.
That.
What the fuck what is that? What is that? A glitch? A glitch in the fucking mix? And and the hook.
The hook is completely wrong.
You know what, the kids are right.
This shit is wack.
This shit is completely fucking wack.
- It's just Twitter.
- It's not just Twitter.
All right, some of the hip hop blogs done picked up on it, too.
Yeah, and soon something else will come along and steal their attention.
I know that you get critical when you're not in a good place Can you stop administrating me for two seconds and offer me some actual fucking help, please? Do you want me to run choreo? I want you to stop asking me questions you already know the answer to You know what? Yeah, go run the choreo.
Push on with that.
Let me fix this.
Please just go do what you do so I can concentrate.
Thank you.
'Lette, you know when I yell at you, I'm not mad at you.
I know.
It's fine.
- Sage - Makes me stronger - Said it only makes me stronger - Sage.
Makes me stronger Said it only makes me stronger I know I should've - come to you for - Hmm? Excuse me? I said, I know I should've come to you first.
Hmm.
Before taking Janelle out and had this conversation.
But I just want you to know from the bottom of my heart I I apologize, and I hope I didn't Okay, think this is everything.
Are we ready to eat? Let's lay down some ground rules.
Number one, there ain't no horizontal boogie around here.
All feet on the floor, at all times.
Okay? Second, you come by here? You don't blow the horn, you knock on the door or ring the door bell like a gentleman.
This is a lady.
She deserves respect.
Respect.
Of course.
Hear you loud and clear, Al.
Uncle.
Al.
Sir.
Let me explain something to you.
I done been to the big house.
I'm sorry, do you mean jail? Yes.
Yeah, it was a weekend, you know.
Fourth of July barbecue, things got a little out of hand and we were playing bid whist.
There was some nudity involved but I don't want to go into details.
You ever heard of a Mississippi mudslide? - No, sir.
- Ha! All I'm saying is I ain't afraid to go back.
Feel me? A hundred percent.
Now pass the wings.
Absolutely.
You know, nobody makes them like you, Uncle Al.
Sir.
Hey, East.
So, uh, look, you know.
You've been at the auto shop a little longer than me, right? Boss kind of took a liking to you, you know what I'm saying? I was thinking maybe you could talk to him for me.
Put in a good word.
See about getting me some extra hours.
Look, I need to make some extra scratch, all right? I need to send some paper up to Kendra and the twins.
Oh man, I work there just like everybody else, man.
But I'mma see what I can do for you.
So big bruh, when you gonna start that chicken wing shop, man? You been talking about that bullshit forever.
Nah, nah, nah, nah.
Check it.
Al has got the perfect spot already picked out.
Check it out, check it out.
Yeah.
See? It's got the built-in kitchen and everything.
Had the perfect spot.
Guess someone else is taking over the lease.
What happened? Yeah, what happened? Not enough money, is all.
Look, man Your broke ass need to side hustle.
I run an all-cash business, Al.
You need me to give you some money, man? For some financing? Yo, Reggie, them baby Jordans ain't cheap.
We good.
Right, Reggie? Yeah, we good.
Y'all both be proud.
Proud and broke.
I'mma keep stacking up my paper.
And you're gonna keep giving me free chicken.
'Cause nothing or nobody stops me from getting what I want.
Hey, did you see this online? They're saying Sage is broke.
Oh, and the clap back on Twitter is high-larious.
Bruh.
Damn, girl.
Could you hold it right so I can read? Hey.
Can we talk? Yeah, what's up? About Davis.
Look, I know you two had beef but Yo, on the real? I don't even know why you was even fucking with that dude.
Matter of fact, I ain't seen Buddy around here since.
Probably scared his ass off.
Well, I think he's coming back.
And I thought that maybe you two could clear Hold on real quick.
Since we sitting round here doing nothing, let me clean out the rest of this closet real quick.
Excuse me.
Hey, yo, Greyhound.
Yo.
- Yo! - What? Why don't you use some of your little shadow magic, so we can get up out of here? I got a little honey dip I'm trying to see tonight.
Shit, ain't no honey.
Y'all know on Wednesdays he take his auntie to Bingo, right? Shut up, I'm serious.
All right? You must have some kind of magic.
You got Sage walking around here thinking you're some kind of damn genius and shit.
- Okay, cool it, Rigo! - Whatever, man.
I'm not trying to take over Sage's pet project.
All right, then quit taking up space then.
Don't nobody wanna stay locked up in this fucking room with you all night stinking up the joint.
And they got here smelling like desperation and burnt chicken wings.
What?! Yo, yo what? Beat your ass.
Yo, what's up? What? Always talking! Say something else, Rigo! - Hey.
Hey! - Get off me! The fuck is going on in here? Always talking! Always talking! We good! Excuse me? He just gonna go get some water real quick.
Dang, Miss Jones.
See you got your little shoulders out, serving up a little cute leggings.
Why you so casual, girl? Yes, Poppy.
Everyone get back to work, all right? Let's warm up.
Hey, Miss Jones.
Sage coming back? No.
You're gonna be working with me.
All right? Let's go.
You know, you spend a lot of time pushing people out of your way.
Why don't you try just being better? It's been a long time coming, but eventually I'm going to franchise them.
You know, like McDonalds.
Have a bunch of Wigs and Wangs every, you know Uh-huh.
Dondre, you should tell Al about your party business.
What? It's actually an amazing scene.
What Dondre does is truly creative.
Well, actually, it doesn't sound like business at all.
It sounds like an excuse to party.
No, no, it's for real.
And I'm bringing Janelle in as my partner.
You know, she helped with the last one.
We made mad money.
It was off the chain.
You should've saw it.
This is not gonna happen.
Hey, this is a bunch of foolishness.
No, it's just dancing, Al.
That's all.
Well, I suggest if you want to dance, you should dance between your GED class and Wigs and Wangs until you leave and go to that fancy college in Ohio.
See, she's going to, um college in Ohio.
So you're leaving? Oh, maybe.
Um, but it won't be till fall if I do.
Of course, she needs to work for me to make some money.
Real money to pay for her tuition.
Okay, not dancing in the street.
Flashdance money.
That's why you wanted to go into business with me.
So you can make some quick cash and then ghost? - No, I was gonna tell you.
- When? I just found out.
It's a partial scholarship.
I guess you're done, party boy.
No, no, no.
Dondre.
Dondre! Please wait! Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait wait! Okay? Please just wait, okay? I didn't even think I was gonna get in.
Nobody in my family's ever even been to college.
It's a big deal.
Okay, I hear that.
But I How is this supposed to work? - I didn't think about that.
- Right.
Look, all I know is that me and you felt good.
Yeah, I was feeling it too.
You know? But maybe you should go do your big deal.
Dre.
Yeah, I think you have the wrong num No, I'm the I'm the director of social media.
No, I can't comment! Hey.
- Hey.
- Did did I hear that right? I spilled coffee on Sage's director of social media? Johnny-One.
And you're I'm I'm Tal.
Uh Sorry, I just I didn't know you were somebody, like, important.
Nah, you get a pass 'cause you have good taste in music.
I heard you listening to Xavier Omar in the cafe.
All right, yeah.
- It's good stuff.
- Yeah, yeah.
Shouldn't you be rehearsing? I got in a I got in a fight.
Kind of.
Sage asked me for for some creative ideas for the show and I completely froze.
Then this guy Rigo got all in my head, and he's he's such a Sorry, you man, you don't have time for this, you're like you know this is like high school bullshit and You're all, like, together and in charge and I don't know, like, you dress nice and you smell good and - You're smelling me now? - No, I don't mean it like No, I mean it's cool if you like a little Eau de Caffeine.
I guess.
How old are you? And how are you the director of anything? I'm not that much older than you.
- Exactly, I can see that.
- Yeah, yeah.
Uh, about two years ago, I ran this Sage Odom fan website.
I built this fan community from scratch.
I wrote the code myself and then one day, out of the blue, I get a DM from Sage himself asking me to run his social media, so - No shit.
- Yeah, I graduated high school six months early, took the job and Then my fan site became SageOdomOfficial.
com.
That's awesome.
But Sage Odom knows talent when he sees it.
Well yeah, clearly.
Yeah, that includes you, Tal.
You're a really great dancer.
Sage showed me your dance video.
Greyhounds aren't clumsy, Tal.
They're graceful, strong and they chase what they want.
Yo, this Johnny-One.
No no comment.
Yeah.
You're gonna have to call his PR office for that.
Two, three, four.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Okay.
Uh, Tal, jump in.
Five, six, seven, eight.
One, two, three, four, five, six Okay.
Yeah, nice.
That'll work.
You better get it, Miss Jones.
You didn't think I had it like that, did you? - I sure didn't.
- Okay, moving on.
Five, six, seven, eight.
Nice.
All right, all right.
Uh, well, listen, it's pretty obvious that we're gonna be here all night.
Sage is in the studio working on new music, so we will get there.
I promise.
In the meantime, thank you so much for hanging tough.
I'm going to go see Renata about getting us some food.
Everyone hungry? Yes! Okay, stay warm.
Yo, on the real? Sage should've let me get up in the studio and spit some hot bars over that wack-ass song.
- Really, dude? - Man, shut up.
Yo, never heard a song that was so damn boring Beats is wack and rhymes is corny Never gonna get love in these streets Unless you trying to put your kid to sleep Oh shit.
Sage.
My bad, y'all, I was just playing around.
It's late, we tired.
I'm just clownin', bro.
You know? Kind of like you been clownin' me today.
I clowned you today? - Yeah.
- Like singled you out specifically? I recall working with you personally, giving you my free time.
Where I'm from, that's called looking out for somebody.
Yeah, I mean, but I mean, right now, ain't you really just looking out for yourself? I mean, the internet been going hard at you all day and you might as well call it what it is, yo.
Publicity stunt.
Yup, tried out all the kids from the ghetto.
You know, and then you sell I'm going to stop you right there, Youngblood, before you get yourself hurt.
'Cause see, um, not that I give a fuck who your daddy is but the nigga not here to protect you.
- What? - Watch your mouth.
You gonna beat my ass or something right now, dawg? Huh? 'Cause we all know you couldn't be bothered to break a sweat in this bitch.
Ice is thin.
It's always that one dude that want to tap dance.
Always.
So that's what happened here, Rigo? Sage, we You wanna dance? Is that what's going on here? We all know you just using us to get your money right.
Just like you used my dad back in the day to keep your shoes clean.
- You know what? My fault.
- Ladies and gentlemen, I'mma need you all to assist me in giving your boy Rigo a big ol' round of applause.
Come on! Clap it up for the boy! He been working hard! Yes! Bravo.
Bravo.
That's your cue, Youngblood.
Exit, stage left.
Now.
- What? - Did I stutter? Exit or be exited.
Manually.
Layman's terms, get the fuck out.
You know what, matter of fact, let's make that a permanent thing.
Yeah, yeah.
You're not only done tonight, you're done at High Water period.
- Fuckin' serious? - Get the fuck out.
Sage, look, hold on.
Just listen, just hear me out.
Sage! Fuck! - East-O's gonna want an explanation.
- Fuck East-O, fuck Rigo.
I don't wanna hear either one of them names ever again in my fucking life.
We need to talk about Rigo.
You should not have done that.
Not without talking to me first.
Why? I'm doing everything else my fucking self.
The god damn song, the fucking choreography, the fucking live stream The way you're acting, you're gonna ruin this school all by yourself too.
You know what, I don't need this right now, okay? If you aren't trying to help me, I need you to get the fuck out of my face, okay? The only goddamn help you need is a reminder that the clock is ticking.
It's almost midnight.
That means in less than 12 hours, you promised the record label, the entire student body of High Water, the press, and millions of fans a live stream performance of your first single off a fucking album you haven't even written yet.
If you continue to do this No, you know what? If I let you do this you will fail.
Now just behind that door, there is talent that is accessible to you but you can't light it on fire.
Rigo had it coming.
Who's next? Me? The rest of the kids? Everyone? Focus, Sage.
You made a commitment.
Get it done.
You're right.
You're right.
What do you need, King? I was kind of hoping I could speak with Sage.
- Not a good time, brother.
- I know, it's just um You've been in here a minute, and I thought maybe I could help with the music? Can you get rid of him? 'Cause I need to focus, right? No, no, no.
You said you came back here to get inspired.
Get inspired.
Show me what you got.
Hey, check this out.
I can't believe Rigo's actually out.
- That man was not playing.
- Right? Ain't nobody safe.
Come on, get up.
We should run this.
- No.
- Get up! Ugh.
Look, if the gossip about Sage is true, then they about to cut the lights out any minute now.
Doesn't matter.
Collette said that Sage is going to be back so we should stay warm.
Then dance, boo-boo.
Ooh, I wish I had time to get gel tips before I go to New York.
Oh, what? You get a job in NYC, and suddenly you're too good for the ATL folk? ATL folk? You ain't from these streets.
Let me show you what's up, 'cause you think you know what you're doing around here.
You guys mind if I tag in? What, you lonely without your boy Rigo? Hey, it's never too late to make new friends.
Okay, we definitely ain't friends.
I don't know shit about this chick.
Well, I mean, you you both have Rigo in common.
Had Rigo in common.
It's fine.
Chill out, it's fine.
You won't see me sweat Man, I think we should be like - Ooh, that's cute.
- That was cool.
- Great.
- I'll go the other way.
That's kind of cool.
Maybe I'll go maybe I can go, like, forward.
All right, that's uh that's it.
Wait, wait, wait.
What's what's that? Is that, uh, a sample? Oh, uh, yeah, that's that's mine.
Something I've been working on.
Hmm.
I mean, I see where you're trying to go with it but it's coming across too throwback, too old school.
I need it to feel fresh, you know what I mean? I'mma keep it real with you, it's not really popping for me, man.
I get it, man.
Thanks for the opportunity.
Listen, I know everything is not a hit the first time.
You know, it takes a couple of tries to get all the way to that greatness but I know it's in there, you just gotta keep doing it.
You'll get there.
- You really think so? - Yeah.
Just gotta keep striving.
Yo, by the way, sorry if I was an asshole earlier, man.
You know it's kinda stressful situations going on.
You feel me.
- Yeah.
- Keep striving, bro.
I feel it in my chest Hopped up on nitro through my veins, when I take a breath What do you want? - Where the fuck is he? - What are you doing? No, no! Stop.
Move, god damn it.
No.
Don't fucking touch me! I'm not gonna let him disrespect my son! I said get your goddamn hands off me! If you wanna ruin Rigo's future 'cause of your own ego, don't let me stop you.
Otherwise, get the fuck out of my school.
You're right.
But don't even think this is the last time you're gonna see me.
I told you, we're done.
Sage coming back here fucked up your game just like it fucked up mine.
He's gonna leave you out for the garbage man.
And for good this time.
Well, then, I guess I'll be in the gutter.
Right next to the rest of the trash he threw out.
Now get the fuck out of my school.
All right.
Keep it easy, Collette.
If you want to find me, I'll be around.
You might not understand it now but what I did tonight for you was a favor.
You don't know what you're talking about! Listen, throwing those illegal street parties for cash, it just leads to trouble.
There's no future in it, it just leads to drugs.
I don't want you to go down the same path as your mother and father.
What have I ever done to make you think that I would go down that path? You don't even know me! - I know enough! - Oh, my Why are you being such a hard ass about this? Why do you even care? Because last time I was supposed to take care of family, it didn't go so well.
Where's your brother? I don't know, I swear, man.
Nobody steals from me.
Nobody! If I knew, I would tell you.
I swear.
I'm telling you, man, I don't know! I'mma tell you this, I'mma kill your brother, Reggie.
And I find you lying, I'mma pop a cap in your fat ass too! Hey Al, I'm sorry, okay? I saw a way to get you the money, you know what I'm saying? For the For the restaurant, so so, um Reggie you're gonna go in that room and you're gonna pack your shit and you're gonna leave here.
Reggie.
I don't want to see you ever again.
You understand me? You've done something I can't fix.
Listen, just just please.
Just listen to me, please? He came here and put a gun to my head.
When your father needed me the most, I chased him away.
Next thing I knew, he was dead.
I fucked up.
I fucked up and lost my only brother.
I'm not gonna let that happen with you and Tal.
I gotta make it right.
I I get it.
There's something that I want you to know, too.
I'm not my father.
I'm not my mom either.
After everything me and Tal have lived through, I'm never gonna let that happen to me.
I'm sorry.
From now on, I promise that I'm gonna live by your rules.
Every single one of them.
In return I just ask that you let me date who I want to date.
And treat them with respect too.
We'll work on it.
And one more thing.
I know that none of this was ever a part of your plan.
You probably wonder what the hell you're doing sometimes.
But if you really care this much about keeping me and Tal out of trouble You're already doing ten times better than any father we've ever known.
Thank you.
I feel it in my chest Hopped up on nitro through my veins When I take a breath it's like a hurricane Hundred mile winds full of Mary Jane I can make the world feel it when I bang I can move the planet like it ain't no thing Make enough to put the sun on the end of my chain And take Saturn's rings and rub 'em Yeah.
Yeah, right? You did it.
You did it.
We did it.
Thank you.
And no matter how far how far off I go.
I know you got me.
Yeah.
How's the knee? I know you was in there gettin' it.
Oh, no, it's fine.
It felt good to be back in the mix and everything, you know? We should show him.
We should just show him what we did.
- It was good.
- We were just messing around.
Come on, let's just do it.
Girl, let him go act crazy.
That's just how he do.
- Uh, S-Sage? - You need something, Greyhound? Yeah, um, we have, like, a little thing for the live stream.
It's like an idea.
Let's see it.
- Yeah? - Yeah, yeah.
So it was kind of, like, you just be there Dude, he looks crazy.
We gotta help him out.
- Wanna show him from the top? - We was just playing around.
Five, six, seven, eight It just you know, it'll be like the whole thing.
Just messing around.
This is y'all just messing around? - Yeah.
- God damn it, y'all supposed to be messing around like that hours ago! That shit was dope! Mr.
Fucking Greyhound brings the magic once again.
You, you you did this? We all did, um, we were just goofing off and I like this little trio here, this Something something right.
That's just this combination.
Be real interesting to see what happens if y'all continue chopping it up.
Listen, everybody! Everybody, come in, come in, come in.
Whoo, we have six hours and counting until we get into this live stream.
Listen, from the bottom of my heart, good damn work.
Everybody saw what happened there, yeah? - Yeah.
- Okay, so what we need to do now we need to get our ass back in this room, work on these new steps.
Let's go, let's go, let's go! Come on, come on, come one! Don't start goofing off.
Six hours, that's all we got left.
I said don't start goofing off.
Don't.
Prepare yourself for the world premiere of Sage Odom's hot new track, Big! Okay So you wanna talk big Y'all gonna realize how you starvin' Be in my crew, stompin' studio I feel it in my chest Hopped up on nitro through my veins When I take a breath, it's like a hurricane Hundred mile winds full of Mary Jane I can make the world feel it when I bang I can move the planet like it ain't no thang Big enough to put the sun on the end of my chain I take Saturn's rings and wear 'em like they rings And put stars on my wrists, yeah Best whips in the world every one of my cars on the list Best chicks in the world I ain't sayin' no names But I got a few stars on the list I flood the strip club, I part the green sea like a black Moses I'm on the top, babe, but it just don't get much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big - Y'all just talking - Talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than this, naw - I just don't get - Much bigger than this No If I don't know nothin' else one thing I know I go anywhere I want to go Sunshine in the wintertime big and bold For the summertime, I go find the snow One thing I know, I know about dough Even know about broke, been there before Was a long, long, long, long time ago I ain't never forget, but that ain't here no more Now it's European whips and Cuban cigars Shorty hella mean with a real nice figure Platinum, 45 solid gold trigger Like a hole in your nigga don't get much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than this Much bigger than this I fucked it all up! Yeah, best whips in the world Stop crying.
Pull yourself together.
best chicks in the world, I ain't sayin' no names But I gotta keep stars on the list I flood the strip club, I part the green sea like a black Moses You're on the top, babe But it just don't Konnichiwa Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than me Know y'all ain't talking big Y'all just talking Said it just don't get Much bigger than this, much bigger than this Cut! We're clear.
That's a wrap! Awesome job, guys! Hey.
So Why'd you call? I need to talk to you.
Look, I thought High Water was my future.
But obviously, that didn't work out, so Now, I don't know what my future holds.
Maybe I'll go to college, maybe I won't.
I don't know.
What I do know is that when I saw my brother dance today, it made me feel so good.
Almost as good as as when I'm with you.
And I I understand if you don't feel the same way.
I do, but I I think we deserve another chance.
So it's up to you.
What do you say? - How's that? - That's perfect.
Yeah.
Not everything's a hit the first time.
Isn't that what you said? Yeah, 'cause it wasn't a hit.
Initially.
See, I had to turn it into a hit.
Now the label loves it, the fans love it, Three point five million fans, to be exact.
You should be happy.
Listen, I also told you that it was good, did I not? I just said it wasn't great, it just needed a little - a little fine tuning, that's all.
- Fine tuning? Yeah, I guess that's something to call it.
Fine tune my name right out of your mouth.
Come on, look.
I came here to say thank you.
For the collaboration, for the inspiration.
Listen, pay your dues.
Let me teach you a little something about this game.
You'll get your name out there, that's the easy part.
The important part is that they loved it.
That was you.
That was us! Man Welcome to the game.
Stay close to me because I am more than willing, not to mention able, to invest in your future.
I knew you were smart, that's why I like you.
That'll take you far.
My man.
Talk later.
Smile, you're a paid producer now.
- Hey, Tal.
- Hey.
I guess you got over whatever was holding you back.
It was impressive to watch.
Thanks, man.
Yeah, I, uh Well, I got some good advice.
And I just had to follow it through.
Chase what I want, so So where do you go now? Um, well, I'm based in the Bay Area, where I'm from but I go wherever Sage needs me, so, I go wherever or stay wherever if he doesn't.
Is there something worth sticking around for? Can I borrow your phone real quick? Yeah.
Text me, if you're sticking around.
For sure.
Good Evening - You're an idiot.
- I'm sorry, was that too fast? Yeah, that was too fast.
Hey.
Did you see it? Please tell me you saw it.
Are you kidding me? It was unbelievable! It was insane, it was - You - It was the best thing ever.
You were beyond, do you hear me? I'm so, so, so proud of you.
Look, I'm really sorry about yesterday.
I know that you really liked Dondre.
Just not trying to do that to you, it was not fair.
It it's cool.
All right, it's I'm okay.
You know, I never would've gone there if it wasn't special though, right? Yeah, I know.
Like, I know that.
And I kind of I kind of met someone today.
- Really? - Yeah, and he's like - Tal! - He's he's fine.
Are you serious? Oh, my God! And? He was at the school, at High Water.
He's a dancer? No, he's a social media guy.
Yeah, he's awesome.
He's so cool.
Well, when are you gonna see him again? I don't know, I just I don't know what he does, but he's really smart.
And uh, yeah he graduated high school early and He built Sage's fan base all by himself.
Reggie! Reg.
Look, man, uh "Get your restaurant, brother.
I never meant to steal your dreams.
" Shit.
Reggie.
You gave him your number? Hey.
Yeah I know, I'm not supposed to call.
I just wanted to hear my brother's voice.
Yeah.
I would never blow you off.
- Uh.
- Okay, that didn't come out right.
Next, on STEP UP: High Water.
I got to play with Kodie Shane.
Sage set the whole thing up.
You and Sage, what, y'all friends now? What's a J-Sette? J-Sette is life.
If Davis doesn't come forward soon, he could be in really big trouble.
See, this is your goal, to take it.
I feel like you should take it.
Made in Georgia.