The Madness (2024) s01e01 Episode Script
Pilot
1
[bird cawing]
[bird tweeting]
[cawing continues]
[rapid pecking]
[bird cawing]
- [exhales]
- [bird tweets]
[exhales]
[breathing heavily]
[continues breathing heavily]
- [doorbell chimes]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [door shuts]
- [man exhales]
[keypad chimes]
[indistinct chatter over cop radio]
Uh
[exhales]
[grunts]
[exhales]
[man] Uh
- How you doing, officers?
- [cop 1] How you doing?
[exhales]
- [gunshot]
- [gasps]
[breathing shakily] Rough morning.
[tense music playing]
[men grunting]
[grunting continues]
[both breathing heavily]
[grunting continues]
[tense music continues]
[panting]
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
- Oh, hey, Renée.
- [Renée] Hey.
- So good to see you.
- Oh. [chuckles]
- [chuckles] How long's it been?
- [Renée] Uh, two years.
- That long?
- [Renée] And now you're hosting a show.
Guest hosting.
Donna's away on vacation,
and they're giving me a run at it.
Oh nice. Thank you so much.
It's like substitute teaching.
Guests can just throw shit at me.
So how's the nonprofit world?
Oh, it's still tilted away.
But if you miss it,
we're doing a fundraiser tomorrow
- if you wanna come by.
- [bell rings]
- I've gotta get back to Philly tonight.
- [director] We're going live.
- In five, four, three
- Maybe next time, okay?
Welcome back. I'm Muncie Daniels,
filling in for Donna Sweeney.
I'm being joined by Renée Taylor,
CEO of the nonprofit Let Us Not Forget.
Her new book, Shantytown Nation,
addresses the housing crisis
in our nation's biggest cities.
["Use Me" by Bill Withers playing]
[man] I'm telling you, man.
You did great tonight.
- No, shit got messy.
- [man] You got it back on track, though.
She didn't get to you, did she?
- Mm-mm. No, I'm good.
- [man] Okay.
Good, 'cause I talked
to my man at the network.
Oh yeah?
- [man] Right after.
- So?
[man] So, check it out. CNN, right?
Brass? They love the look.
They love the poise.
I told them, "No shit, Sherlock.
Now give my man his show."
- So they're gonna make an offer?
- It's looking real good.
[Muncie] Okay.
Just got to wait
to see what kind of money
Come on. It can't just be about money.
It's gotta be about the
- [man] What, the autonomy?
- Yeah.
If they offer you money and no autonomy,
what you what you gonna do?
You You gonna turn that down too?
That's why I'm writing a novel.
Nigga, you got a answer for everything?
[door unlocks]
- [siren wailing faintly]
- [soft music playing]
[Muncie] And I'd argue that we begin
platforming the problem,
which we're doing here today
- [Renée] Is that what we're doing?
- [Muncie] We're trying.
[Renée] As someone who respects
the work you did in this field
- I value your perspective.
- [Muncie] Thank you.
But for every person like you,
who stops doing the work,
- to go on TV and merely talk about it
- Ooh.
or lecture at an Ivy League, no offense,
or write the occasional essay
for Harper's,
it sends the message that it is okay
to let other people fight the fight.
- And I'm not trying for a "gotcha" moment.
- I think you might be. [chuckles]
I just want us all to be truthful
about the disconnects we abide.
Okay. Well, Renée, you can sit there
and call me disconnected all you want,
but I'm telling you,
there are one million people out there
watching right now.
And If I tell them
to put five bucks in the bucket,
that bucket's gonna buy
a lot of houses for people in need.
That said, remind me not to have you on
the next time I host. [laughs]
Thanks for joining us. I'm Muncie Daniels,
filling in for Donna Sweeney,
and that was Renée Taylor
and her book, Shantytown Nation
[sirens wailing faintly in the distance]
[soft music continues]
[pensive music playing]
[keys rattle]
[pensive music continues]
[doorbell rings]
- [Muncie] Hey.
- Hey.
- [Muncie] How you doing?
- Good.
- Sorry it took me so long. I just
- You're a busy man.
I'm just Yeah.
- You look good.
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, uh [chuckles]
Anyway, I I just thought I'd stop by
and speak to D since you've been asking.
Is he inside?
- Maybe wipe your feet?
- I always wipe my feet.
You're gonna watch me
- Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
- All right. Okay, watch me.
[chuckles softly]
Demetrius?
Yo, D.
[keys rattling]
[Demetrius] What's up, Dad?
- Yo.
- What's going on?
It wasn't mine.
Is that really what you're gonna go with?
Come on, now.
THC messes with your brain, son.
But the average brain
doesn't fully develop until the age of 25.
- If your argument is I shouldn't smoke
- My argument is don't argue with me.
All right? Sit down.
[Demetrius sighs]
[Muncie] Look, I can't stop you,
but at least hide that shit from your mom.
She don't need the headache.
I'm sorry.
[faint rattle]
[sighs]
She doing good these days?
Yeah.
She's great.
Good.
- Good.
- [dog barking in the distance]
All right, I should go.
- Love you.
- All right. Love you too.
- Be good.
- 'Ight.
[door opens]
["Excursions"
by A Tribe Called Quest playing]
- Never, ever, ever could we fake moves ♪
- Come on, come on ♪
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves ♪
Come on, come on ♪
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves ♪
Come on, come on ♪
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever ♪
["Excursions" continues faintly]
"Time!
Time is a ship on a merciless sea ♪
Drifiting toward an abyss
Of nothingness ♪
- ["Excursions" continues faintly]
- [critters chittering]
Time is an inanimate object
Praying and praying and praying ♪
For no justification for belief ♪
Time is dancing
Boogaloing-away all memories of past ♪
We gotta be a winner all the time ♪
Can't fall prey to a hip-hop crime ♪
With the dope raps and dope tracks
We move blocks ♪
From the fly girlies
To the hardest of the rocks ♪
["Excursions" continues faintly]
We on these excursions
So you must realize ♪
That continually, I pop my Zulu ♪
If you don't like it
Get off the Zulu ♪
[music halts]
[bird tweeting]
[bird cawing]
[crunching]
- [birds tweeting]
- [rapid pecking]
- [panting]
- [car approaching]
[continues panting]
[man] Hey, there.
You my new neighbor?
Uh, yeah, for a couple of weeks.
- Cool.
- Yeah.
I saw the Rover and thought maybe it was
some city boys looking to come raise hell.
Uh, no, no, it's just me.
You look familiar.
You on TV?
[exhales]
Sometimes.
Wait, CNN?
- Yeah.
- Oh man.
[laughs]
You got opinions.
Yeah, that's what they pay us for.
Well, damn!
A celebrity in our midst.
[chuckles] I'm trying to get away
from all that, you know?
I get it.
Believe me.
[smacks lips] Well,
if you need anything, just knock.
I'm pretty well stocked up, so
I appreciate that.
- Okay, then.
- Okay, then.
- Have a good one.
- You too.
[foot thuds]
[chuckles]
[cop 1 on TV] Fuck. Fuck.
[cop 2 on TV] Oh fuck.
- [cop 1 on TV] Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
- [cop 2 on TV] Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
[pan sizzles]
- [cop 2 on TV] Motherfucker.
- Best show ever.
[power clicks off]
[keyboard clicking]
[sighs]
[switch clicks]
Shit.
[switch clicking]
[sighs]
[bird tweeting]
[crickets chirping]
[bird cawing]
[footsteps continue]
- [faint hooting]
- [crickets chirping]
[lock squeaks]
[doors creak]
[door rattles]
[bird continues cawing]
[wind whooshing faintly]
[birds continue tweeting]
[rapid pecking]
[Muncie] Hello.
It's Muncie.
The TV guy.
From next door.
[steps creak]
[Muncie knocking]
You said if I needed anything?
[birds chirping]
Hello?
[sighs]
Fuck this.
[floorboards creak]
- [phone unlocks]
- [exhales sharply]
[uneasy music playing]
[bird chirps]
[bird continues cawing]
[Muncie] Hello?
[uneasy music intensifies]
[breathing shakily]
Fuck me.
[music softens]
[exhales shakily]
[Muncie gasps]
[tense music playing]
[gun cocks, fires]
- [bullet whizzes]
- [Muncie panting]
[guns continue firing]
[tense music continues]
[continues panting]
[guns continue firing]
[Muncie continues panting]
[Muncie exhales]
[Muncie yells]
[grunting]
[groans]
[breathing heavily]
[tense music continues]
[Muncie continues panting]
Fuck!
[exhales, yells]
[grunts]
[water bubbling]
[gasps, breathes deeply]
[exhales, spits]
[exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[continues breathing heavily]
[Muncie groaning]
[exhales]
[grunts, coughs]
[man 1] Hey, Ant.
You see anything over there?
[Ant] He's around here somewhere.
[man 1] I'm gonna go check
the ridge over there.
[Ant] Copy. Let me know.
[Muncie breathes shakily]
- [faint crunching]
- [tense music playing]
[Muncie exhales shakily]
[Muncie whimpering softly]
[frogs croaking]
[bushes rustle]
[Muncie breathing shakily]
[water bubbles, splashes faintly]
[frogs croaking]
[critters chittering]
[uneasy music playing]
[gunshots echo]
[Ant] Definitely around here.
[bushes rustle]
[tense music playing]
[music swells]
- [Ant] Hey!
- [both grunting]
[both yell]
[grunting continues]
[Muncie grunts]
[both yell]
[grunting continues]
[Ant grunting]
[Ant yells]
- [Muncie breathing heavily]
- [tense music continues]
[flesh squelches]
[Muncie breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[Ant gurgling]
[Muncie grunts]
[Ant groaning]
[grunts, breathing shakily]
[uneasy music playing]
[Muncie panting]
[continues breathing heavily]
[exhales]
[continues breathing heavily]
[music fades]
[faint thudding]
[rapid pecking]
[bird cawing]
[bird tweeting]
[wind whooshing]
[uneasy music playing]
[groans]
[grunts, exhales]
Fuck.
[breathing shakily]
[panting]
[exhales]
[Muncie] How you doing, officers?
[cop 1] How you doing?
[exhales] Rough morning.
Looks like it.
I was just about to call you.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Right.
Would you mind if I sit?
- [indistinct chatter]
- Oh, thank you.
[exhales]
[exhales] So, what's going on?
- [uneasy music playing]
- [breathing shakily]
[indistinct chatter over radio]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[cop 1] You know who owns this place?
I remember the Bozmans selling
about five years ago.
[cop 1] Huh.
[cop 2] Current owner's unlisted.
[cop 1 knocks] Hello, it's the police.
[cop 2] So, you sure it was the guy
you had spoken to earlier?
- [cop 1 continues knocking] Hello?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Let's go check out the sauna.
[uneasy music continues]
[birds tweeting]
[uneasy swell]
- [switch clicks]
- Well, the power's out.
[Muncie] That's why I came over
to borrow some propane.
- [cop 1] The cameras are probably out too.
- It's convenient.
These guys must have come back over here
after they chased me and cleaned it up.
And there was
a little hacksaw right there.
I saw a saw.
You saw a saw.
You think I'm making this up?
Well, as a writer,
you must have a pretty active imagination.
So you took off running.
You said that the assailants chased you.
Yeah.
[cop 1] And then you hid in a swamp.
Yeah.
[cop 1] Did you get a good look at 'em?
No.
They were wearing masks.
But [sighs]
one of the guys
called the other one, uh, Ant.
Ant?
Like the insect?
Yeah.
[cop 2] Hmm.
Then you were just able to get away?
Yes.
[cop 2] Somebody missing a watch?
Looks like a band for a G-Shock.
Type of shit my brother-in-law wears
to make himself feel tough.
We're not gonna end up
arresting you for this, are we?
[uneasy music playing]
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter over radio]
This your first time in the Poconos?
Yeah.
[cop 1] Welcome.
Lutz, you got anything
on those plates yet?
[Lutz inhales, smacks lips]
Truck's on a three-month lease
from a dealership in Bridgewater.
Leased to a Dick Silk.
[cop 1] That's gotta be fake.
Sounds like a porn name.
How about you take us over to your cabin?
[birds tweeting]
[bird caws]
Fuck.
This was not like this.
[Muncie exhales]
The hell is going on?
Maybe you ran something over.
[Muncie] Come on, man. This is slashed.
[Muncie sighs]
[cop 1] Okay, here's what's gonna happen.
We're gonna write this up.
We'll look into that watch strap,
and we'll ask that you remain accessible
in the following days, okay?
If we call, you answer.
I don't have a phone.
I lost it in the woods.
Well, I'll find a way to find you.
Point is,
I'm not sure what's going on here,
so I have to leave every option open
as to who did what when,
if indeed the deed got done.
Is there anything else
you're forgetting to tell me?
I saw a murder.
I got chased.
I went to the diner to call the cops.
The next day.
[sniffles] You waited till the next day.
[uneasy music plays]
So I'll look into Dick Silk
or whoever was staying at that house.
Meantime, I'll call you a tow truck.
- [doors shut]
- [engine turns over]
[engine accelerates]
[bird cawing]
- Told you there ain't no bars up here.
- Yeah. Thank you.
Yeah.
You should come down to the shop.
I'll do four for the price of three.
Uh, just this one.
[mechanic] You got a jealous wife?
You got a tracker down the rear well.
You're fucking kidding.
Someone loves you a bit too much.
Can you turn it off?
Easy-peasy.
Fuck.
All righty.
So one new Pirelli all-season.
Three hundred plus 60 for labor.
I'll get started.
[pensive music playing]
[pensive music building]
[pensive music continues]
- [keys rattle]
- [lock unlocks]
- [door opens, shuts]
- [Muncie sighs]
[exhales]
[exhales softly]
[uneasy music playing]
[music swells]
[uneasy music continues]
[sharp sting]
[cop 1] Is that the dude from Shawshank?
- No. That's Kofi Annan.
- [cop 1 chuckles]
I know, man. I'm just fucking with you.
So, break-in, right?
[cop 1] It seems one
of his photos is crooked.
Plus, the porch latch was broken.
Mount Poconos police say
they're still looking into "Dick Silk."
- [man 1] Dick Silk?
- Also running a check on you.
Pretty standard for when a crime
is reported that doesn't quite add up.
Also seems there's drug paraphernalia
in your cabin.
[Muncie] Bro, come on.
Weed.
I imagine they're wondering
if you actually saw what you say you did.
Okay, they just doing their thing, right?
Look, we're the ones
who reported the break-in here, all right?
We'll write it up
as a broken latch and a crooked photo.
Not sure it's a break-in just yet.
But if something's missing, call us,
and we'll add it to the report.
Thank you, gentlemen.
We'll be in touch if there's more.
- [faint indistinct chatter over radio]
- [sirens wailing in the distance]
[door shuts]
[man 1] They don't have much to go on.
What do you mean,
"They don't have much to go on"?
They wiped the crime scene,
left a watch strap, broke into my place,
put a tracker in my car.
For real?
Yeah, for real.
Put it in the back wheel well.
[man 1] Oh.
Muncie, I'm gonna have to ask you
to lay low, man.
Get yourself a hotel room somewhere
and get yourself a burner phone.
Pay cash for it. Really.
You think they're on my cards?
[man 1] I don't know.
You don't have any idea who that guy was?
Look, the firm has, like,
this Ritz account.
You just put a room on there,
and then we'll just pay them back later
[sputters] Wait.
That's your advice? Go to the Ritz?
- Can't stand with your dick in your hand.
- Nigga, my dick is not in my hand.
But you are reporting a murder
with no name and no body.
You got two police departments thinking
that you're fucking nuts right now.
They are gonna pin all this shit on you,
and anything else that happened
in that town that night.
All I'm saying is if you had a name,
it would be useful.
I'm gonna talk to my partners
and try to get some advice.
Yeah.
I saw a man get chopped up last night.
And now I feel like I'm walking around
with a bullseye on my back.
I know.
You know I got you.
[Muncie] I can't just sit here
doing nothing.
[man 1] Okay, but as your lawyer,
trying to fix this yourself
would be a mistake.
[Muncie] And as my friend?
[man 1] You figure out
who the fuck the guy at the cabin was,
and maybe the cops will start listening.
[pensive music playing]
[man 1] You think
the name on that card is his?
[Muncie] I've got no idea.
[tires screech]
[uneasy swell]
["I Lie to My Heart" by Andrea Litkei
& Ervin Litkei playing]
- You're in love with me ♪
- [indistinct chatter]
Tried to believe ♪
You're mine ♪
How are you today, sir?
Anything I can help you with?
I was actually wondering if Mark is in.
Mark Simon?
Uh, Mark is Mark's the owner.
- I see.
- [man] He's only in once a week, if that.
You know where I might find him?
And you are?
[Muncie] Oh, I'm sorry.
Our mutual friend Kenny Gravelot
recommended I talk to Mark
about putting together a man cave for me.
Kenny said Mark was gonna be out of town
for a spell.
He said something about
going up to the Poconos?
Uh, I'm sorry.
So what are you asking?
I was just wondering if Mark
was out in the Poconos this week or maybe
- [doorbell chimes]
- he hasn't gone out there yet.
I'm afraid I wouldn't
have that information.
- Oh.
- [doorbell chimes]
I'm sorry.
I don't mean to pry.
But surely I can help you
with your man cave.
["I Lie to My Heart" continues faintly]
You're absolutely right. [chuckles]
Hey, you know what?
You seem like
you're more my kind of guy anyway.
I know Mark likes the Flyers,
but I'm a fanatic.
[man] Well, you've got the right person.
My whole den's a shrine to those guys.
- I got hockey in the heart.
- Oh yeah.
Hockey's the goddamn best. [chuckles]
I told Mark
to get his sons to start playing.
- He didn't go for it?
- Well, the separation and everything.
Not sure how much control he'll have.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, he told me about that. Rough.
I mean, he gave Lucie the house,
which is fine,
but now she's asking
for full-time custody, so
[pensive music playing]
Lucie Simon, Pennsylvania address.
[birds tweeting]
[car approaching]
[pensive music continues]
[car door opens]
Excuse me.
Hi. I don't mean to disturb you, but I was
hoping I could ask you a quick question.
- Uh, who are you?
- [Muncie] I think I met your husband.
Mark Simon?
[Lucie] Tanner, take Blake inside.
[Muncie] We were neighbors.
Uh, very briefly.
Poconos, Monroe County.
Please, can you step back?
[door shuts]
I was just wondering
if you spoke to him recently.
Why?
There was an intrusion at his place.
I was staying next door,
and I went over to get help.
And then I saw him.
Hurt.
I went back this morning, and he was gone.
[voicemail] You've reached Mark Simon.
Leave a message.
If I don't call you, then you know why.
Who the fuck are you?
Uh
Is this his handwriting?
Does he wear a big watch? Black?
I think it's called a G-Shock.
I think you're fucking with me.
So it was him?
In the Poconos?
[faint thud]
I'm separated as well.
So I know how hard it can be on the kids.
Can you just [sighs]
tell me who would want to hurt him?
I think you know that answer.
I don't.
I just know that whoever hurt him,
they're after me too, and I
I need to be able to explain to the cops
who they are.
- You haven't told the cops yet?
- I have. I [sighs]
I'm worried about how it looks.
He's an asshole.
Which I think you already know.
And I'm not with him anymore in any way.
- [Muncie] My number.
- [car door shuts]
Just call me if you if you hear anything.
Or if he calls.
[man] Everything okay here?
How we doing?
We're doing great.
- You okay?
- [Lucie] Mmm.
Let me know if you hear anything.
[Muncie groans softly]
[inhales sharply] Ow.
[breathes shakily]
Sorry.
[man] Muncie Daniels, right?
Agent Quinones, FBI.
You got a few minutes to talk?
- About what?
- An incident at your Poconos rental?
Or next door, I should say.
Or both.
How about you sit somewhere else?
So, I'm working on a case
that possibly intersects
with what you reported
to the Poconos police.
So you know what happened?
I know that something happened
and that you were involved.
So I'm interested in your story.
To the degree it affects my case.
Do you know why the guy was there?
Do you?
That's what I was trying to find out.
You heard of a white supremacist group
called the Forge?
Yeah.
He was a member.
What?
Actually, it goes
a little deeper than that. [exhales]
- Did you ever read Brother14's newsletter?
- [keyboard clacking]
It's fucking brilliant.
You gotta be kidding me.
Five million subscribers.
Top dog white nationalist writer
in the country,
and you got to meet him face-to-face.
Keeps his identity as Brother14
under very tight wraps,
but I can assure you
- [Muncie sighs]
- that's him.
He's a cancerous fucking tumor
on the brain stem of the country.
Did you want him dead?
You've been vocal in the past
about the need to fight hate.
Folks could look at that and say,
"Hey, maybe Muncie Daniels
decided to take this fucker out."
Maybe the FBI did too,
and they needed someone to blame.
[chuckles] You watch too many movies.
- Let's go back to your BLM ties.
- I don't have BLM ties.
You've defended them on TV.
I defended the Browns,
but I ain't on their roster.
You once ran a nonprofit
that took on racist landlords.
What's that gotta do
with some white supremacist?
You dislike oppressive organizations.
[chuckles] Get the fuck out of here.
Black man finds himself alone in the woods
with a massively popular
identitarian influencer.
I don't like oppression,
but I'm not gonna chop it
into little pieces.
And you know what?
I'm sure that Nazi motherfucker
wasn't too crazy
about your Puerto Rican ass.
What makes you think I'm Puerto Rican?
I am. [chuckles]
And you're right.
Mr. Simon likely didn't love me either.
I'm gonna need your burner number.
Why do you think I have a burner?
'Cause your regular number's
going straight to voicemail.
And you're scared,
which you probably should be.
I'm scared all the time.
Look, if you did this,
it's got nothing to do with my case.
But if you didn't,
maybe we can help each other out.
You should see someone about that leg.
You've got pus on your pants.
[siren wailing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [siren continues wailing]
[indistinct chatter over speaker]
[baby crying]
[man coughs]
[uneasy music playing]
[scattered coughing]
[baby continues crying]
- [telephone ringing]
- [door shuts]
[phone whooshes]
Everyone and their mother love to bemoan
the conspiracy theory nation.
But how much of that
is just a convenient excuse to ignore
[indistinct chatter]
You're on TV, right?
Sometimes.
We're fans.
Sorta.
[man 2] Is it true?
- [speaker chimes]
- [nurse] Dr. Belmer, please report to
Is what true?
That you knew Brother14?
I don't know what you mean.
You haven't heard the rumors?
14's not well.
Look, man,
we're just wondering what you know.
How'd you find me?
[man 2] Remember?
You're famous.
I don't know shit.
- Would your family know?
- [dramatic swell]
[Muncie] Fuck!
- Elena? It's me.
- [tense music playing]
I need you and D be ready in ten minutes.
I'll tell you about it later.
- [siren wailing]
- [Muncie panting]
Mr. Daniels. I'm Laura Jennings.
I host a YouTube channel
called We Are The People.
- I'm not sure if you know of us.
- I do.
Well, I drove from New York
and was hoping we could talk.
This is not a good time.
About what happened last night.
- Uh
- [tense music continues]
There's a lot of talk flying around now,
but I know you didn't do it.
- Can you tell me what you know?
- You trying to help or get an exclusive?
Trust me. I can help.
Call me.
Please.
[car engine turns over]
- [tense music continues]
- [tires screech]
Elena! We need to go!
- Demetrius!
- [Demetrius] Yo.
Hey!
We need to go.
- [Demetrius] Where?
- Tell you in the car.
I was just about to beat this game.
Give me five minutes.
[Muncie] Hey, Demetrius!
What's going on?
- You didn't get my message?
- No.
Someone's threatening you. We need to go.
Wait, for real?
Yeah, for real.
I need you in the car now.
I'll tell you everything.
We just need to go.
Please.
You heard your dad.
Get your stuff, and get in the car.
[seatbelt clicks]
[Elena breathes deeply]
[lock chimes]
[Elena] Could be they planted rumors
once they realized who you were.
They couldn't kill you,
so maybe they got online.
[Muncie sighs] Or it was one of the cops
that were running his mouth.
But you brought them to the crime scene,
to where there was evidence.
- [Muncie sighs] I did.
- [Elena] So, it's gotta be whoever did it.
[Demetrius] Yo. Check this out.
[Elena] Who posted it?
[Demetrius] Anonymous board.
- Nothing on regular searches yet
- [Elena] You spoke to Kwesi?
- He thinks I should hide out at the Ritz.
- Oh, the Ritz? Okay!
- Excuse me?
- No, no.
I just I just heard
they got some good food
The hell were you doing walking
around this white man's yard?
He told me if I needed anything.
I'm gonna go hop in the shower, so
It's gonna be okay, Pops, all right?
[Elena] Call that journalist.
- You seen Laura Jennings online?
- No, but if she's saying she believes you
[Muncie] I'm telling you,
she's fucking nuts.
Look.
There is nasty stuff going on in America
that should scare us all to death.
I'm talking about the 12th-floor offices
of innocuous-looking towers,
where power-hungry men
stick their metaphorical meat sticks
into our ever-vulnerable head holes.
She's fucking nuts.
But you should call her.
Meet with her first thing.
And call the FBI guy too.
[Muncie sighs]
You should go to Nadia's, chill there,
till I can figure out what's up.
[exhales softly]
When you showed up just now,
I thought maybe you were finally
bringing by the divorce papers.
This better or worse?
- [line ringing]
- [Elena exhales deeply]
You've reached Laura Jennings.
Leave your name, number, and a message,
and I'll return your call.
[pensive music playing]
You've reached Laura Jennings.
Leave your name, number, and a message,
and I'll return your call.
[line ringing]
You've reached Laura Jennings.
Leave your name, number, and a message,
and I'll
[Muncie sighs]
[reporter 1] With the rise of gas prices,
a recent survey indicated locals
are less likely to travel
this coming summer.
More on that later. Back to you, Lewis.
[Lewis] And a local story
just now into our newsroom.
Provocateur journalist Laura Jennings
was hospitalized earlier this morning
with an apparent heart attack
in a Philadelphia hotel room.
Jennings has received national attention
in recent months
due to her firebrand style
of fringe journalism,
so we'll continue to cover this story
as it develops.
But for now, she remains in the ICU
in what doctors are calling
an extremely precarious state.
[reporter 1] And in traffic news
this morning, we have closures on
Makes you wanna go to the gym.
[reporter 1]
I-95 South Delaware Expressway.
Also, an accident near West Chester Pike
has delays on eastbound US 30 that runs
[tense music playing]
[Demetrius] Yo, Pops.
Yeah?
You can grab my Switch controller
from the car?
[van engine turns over]
[tires screech]
[tense music continues]
[dramatic swell]
[tense music continues]
[door shuts]
[tense music continues]
[music building]
[music halts]
["Don't Say Nuthin'" by The Roots playing]
Yeah! ♪
That all mighty amazin'
Ill, highly contagious ♪
Kamikaze South splash
Like a shot from a gauge ♪
Until your body sound clash
Head of the Class, Magna Cum Laude ♪
Beats bring the beast out me
Flagrant, foul, rowdy ♪
Reed pipe, but deep tight ♪
Disposition keep on flippin'
Keep 'em playing they position ♪
Keep making the people listen
What I spin, put 'em out on a limb ♪
Got tears, got blood, got sweat,
Leakin' out of the pen ♪
Y'all fake niggas not setting a trend
We never listen to them ♪
It's like tryin' to take a piss
In the wind ♪
My home team doin' visitors in,
Yo, don't test 'em ♪
They all standing close to the edge
So don't stress 'em ♪
Now who the type built to last?
It's no question, the Master ♪
Villain in Black
Wit no stets in my sound ♪
Hitting you hard from every direction ♪
Your head and your shoulder area
Your midsection, dawg! ♪
When the saint on the ground
With his 9 on line ♪
With the niggas who grind
Wit King Kong hittin' Thailand ♪
Yeah, give it here
And don't say nuthin' ♪
Just give it here
And don't say nuthin' ♪
When the team on set
With the guns that gon' clap ♪
Gettin' down on everything
Hmm, cut the check ♪
Give it here, and don't say nuthin' ♪
Give it here, and don't say nuthin' ♪
Yeah, Illadelph
Home of the original gun-clappaz ♪
Out on the wrong corner
Your shit'll get spun backwards ♪
You got the fool wanting the rules
Enter at risk ♪
Or your own nana'll keep a gat
Under the mattress
Shorties runnin' reckless
From Philly to Texas ♪
Surprisin' what niggas willin' to do
To get a necklace ♪
Some emotions felt better
Left unexpressed at times ♪
Niggas' crime record
Longer than a guest list ♪
Yes, I done seen things
You wouldn't believe ♪
Seen people reach levels
Thought they'd never achieve ♪
Silhouettes waiting in the wings
Ready to D ♪
Thirsty shiests
Who need at least a buck to breathe ♪
C'mon! Stick-up kids, they be ♪
[song fades]
[bird cawing]
[bird tweeting]
[cawing continues]
[rapid pecking]
[bird cawing]
- [exhales]
- [bird tweets]
[exhales]
[breathing heavily]
[continues breathing heavily]
- [doorbell chimes]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [door shuts]
- [man exhales]
[keypad chimes]
[indistinct chatter over cop radio]
Uh
[exhales]
[grunts]
[exhales]
[man] Uh
- How you doing, officers?
- [cop 1] How you doing?
[exhales]
- [gunshot]
- [gasps]
[breathing shakily] Rough morning.
[tense music playing]
[men grunting]
[grunting continues]
[both breathing heavily]
[grunting continues]
[tense music continues]
[panting]
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter]
- Oh, hey, Renée.
- [Renée] Hey.
- So good to see you.
- Oh. [chuckles]
- [chuckles] How long's it been?
- [Renée] Uh, two years.
- That long?
- [Renée] And now you're hosting a show.
Guest hosting.
Donna's away on vacation,
and they're giving me a run at it.
Oh nice. Thank you so much.
It's like substitute teaching.
Guests can just throw shit at me.
So how's the nonprofit world?
Oh, it's still tilted away.
But if you miss it,
we're doing a fundraiser tomorrow
- if you wanna come by.
- [bell rings]
- I've gotta get back to Philly tonight.
- [director] We're going live.
- In five, four, three
- Maybe next time, okay?
Welcome back. I'm Muncie Daniels,
filling in for Donna Sweeney.
I'm being joined by Renée Taylor,
CEO of the nonprofit Let Us Not Forget.
Her new book, Shantytown Nation,
addresses the housing crisis
in our nation's biggest cities.
["Use Me" by Bill Withers playing]
[man] I'm telling you, man.
You did great tonight.
- No, shit got messy.
- [man] You got it back on track, though.
She didn't get to you, did she?
- Mm-mm. No, I'm good.
- [man] Okay.
Good, 'cause I talked
to my man at the network.
Oh yeah?
- [man] Right after.
- So?
[man] So, check it out. CNN, right?
Brass? They love the look.
They love the poise.
I told them, "No shit, Sherlock.
Now give my man his show."
- So they're gonna make an offer?
- It's looking real good.
[Muncie] Okay.
Just got to wait
to see what kind of money
Come on. It can't just be about money.
It's gotta be about the
- [man] What, the autonomy?
- Yeah.
If they offer you money and no autonomy,
what you what you gonna do?
You You gonna turn that down too?
That's why I'm writing a novel.
Nigga, you got a answer for everything?
[door unlocks]
- [siren wailing faintly]
- [soft music playing]
[Muncie] And I'd argue that we begin
platforming the problem,
which we're doing here today
- [Renée] Is that what we're doing?
- [Muncie] We're trying.
[Renée] As someone who respects
the work you did in this field
- I value your perspective.
- [Muncie] Thank you.
But for every person like you,
who stops doing the work,
- to go on TV and merely talk about it
- Ooh.
or lecture at an Ivy League, no offense,
or write the occasional essay
for Harper's,
it sends the message that it is okay
to let other people fight the fight.
- And I'm not trying for a "gotcha" moment.
- I think you might be. [chuckles]
I just want us all to be truthful
about the disconnects we abide.
Okay. Well, Renée, you can sit there
and call me disconnected all you want,
but I'm telling you,
there are one million people out there
watching right now.
And If I tell them
to put five bucks in the bucket,
that bucket's gonna buy
a lot of houses for people in need.
That said, remind me not to have you on
the next time I host. [laughs]
Thanks for joining us. I'm Muncie Daniels,
filling in for Donna Sweeney,
and that was Renée Taylor
and her book, Shantytown Nation
[sirens wailing faintly in the distance]
[soft music continues]
[pensive music playing]
[keys rattle]
[pensive music continues]
[doorbell rings]
- [Muncie] Hey.
- Hey.
- [Muncie] How you doing?
- Good.
- Sorry it took me so long. I just
- You're a busy man.
I'm just Yeah.
- You look good.
- Mm-hmm.
Okay, uh [chuckles]
Anyway, I I just thought I'd stop by
and speak to D since you've been asking.
Is he inside?
- Maybe wipe your feet?
- I always wipe my feet.
You're gonna watch me
- Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
- All right. Okay, watch me.
[chuckles softly]
Demetrius?
Yo, D.
[keys rattling]
[Demetrius] What's up, Dad?
- Yo.
- What's going on?
It wasn't mine.
Is that really what you're gonna go with?
Come on, now.
THC messes with your brain, son.
But the average brain
doesn't fully develop until the age of 25.
- If your argument is I shouldn't smoke
- My argument is don't argue with me.
All right? Sit down.
[Demetrius sighs]
[Muncie] Look, I can't stop you,
but at least hide that shit from your mom.
She don't need the headache.
I'm sorry.
[faint rattle]
[sighs]
She doing good these days?
Yeah.
She's great.
Good.
- Good.
- [dog barking in the distance]
All right, I should go.
- Love you.
- All right. Love you too.
- Be good.
- 'Ight.
[door opens]
["Excursions"
by A Tribe Called Quest playing]
- Never, ever, ever could we fake moves ♪
- Come on, come on ♪
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves ♪
Come on, come on ♪
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever could we fake moves ♪
Come on, come on ♪
We gotta make moves
Never, ever, ever ♪
["Excursions" continues faintly]
"Time!
Time is a ship on a merciless sea ♪
Drifiting toward an abyss
Of nothingness ♪
- ["Excursions" continues faintly]
- [critters chittering]
Time is an inanimate object
Praying and praying and praying ♪
For no justification for belief ♪
Time is dancing
Boogaloing-away all memories of past ♪
We gotta be a winner all the time ♪
Can't fall prey to a hip-hop crime ♪
With the dope raps and dope tracks
We move blocks ♪
From the fly girlies
To the hardest of the rocks ♪
["Excursions" continues faintly]
We on these excursions
So you must realize ♪
That continually, I pop my Zulu ♪
If you don't like it
Get off the Zulu ♪
[music halts]
[bird tweeting]
[bird cawing]
[crunching]
- [birds tweeting]
- [rapid pecking]
- [panting]
- [car approaching]
[continues panting]
[man] Hey, there.
You my new neighbor?
Uh, yeah, for a couple of weeks.
- Cool.
- Yeah.
I saw the Rover and thought maybe it was
some city boys looking to come raise hell.
Uh, no, no, it's just me.
You look familiar.
You on TV?
[exhales]
Sometimes.
Wait, CNN?
- Yeah.
- Oh man.
[laughs]
You got opinions.
Yeah, that's what they pay us for.
Well, damn!
A celebrity in our midst.
[chuckles] I'm trying to get away
from all that, you know?
I get it.
Believe me.
[smacks lips] Well,
if you need anything, just knock.
I'm pretty well stocked up, so
I appreciate that.
- Okay, then.
- Okay, then.
- Have a good one.
- You too.
[foot thuds]
[chuckles]
[cop 1 on TV] Fuck. Fuck.
[cop 2 on TV] Oh fuck.
- [cop 1 on TV] Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
- [cop 2 on TV] Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
[pan sizzles]
- [cop 2 on TV] Motherfucker.
- Best show ever.
[power clicks off]
[keyboard clicking]
[sighs]
[switch clicks]
Shit.
[switch clicking]
[sighs]
[bird tweeting]
[crickets chirping]
[bird cawing]
[footsteps continue]
- [faint hooting]
- [crickets chirping]
[lock squeaks]
[doors creak]
[door rattles]
[bird continues cawing]
[wind whooshing faintly]
[birds continue tweeting]
[rapid pecking]
[Muncie] Hello.
It's Muncie.
The TV guy.
From next door.
[steps creak]
[Muncie knocking]
You said if I needed anything?
[birds chirping]
Hello?
[sighs]
Fuck this.
[floorboards creak]
- [phone unlocks]
- [exhales sharply]
[uneasy music playing]
[bird chirps]
[bird continues cawing]
[Muncie] Hello?
[uneasy music intensifies]
[breathing shakily]
Fuck me.
[music softens]
[exhales shakily]
[Muncie gasps]
[tense music playing]
[gun cocks, fires]
- [bullet whizzes]
- [Muncie panting]
[guns continue firing]
[tense music continues]
[continues panting]
[guns continue firing]
[Muncie continues panting]
[Muncie exhales]
[Muncie yells]
[grunting]
[groans]
[breathing heavily]
[tense music continues]
[Muncie continues panting]
Fuck!
[exhales, yells]
[grunts]
[water bubbling]
[gasps, breathes deeply]
[exhales, spits]
[exhales sharply]
[grunts]
[continues breathing heavily]
[Muncie groaning]
[exhales]
[grunts, coughs]
[man 1] Hey, Ant.
You see anything over there?
[Ant] He's around here somewhere.
[man 1] I'm gonna go check
the ridge over there.
[Ant] Copy. Let me know.
[Muncie breathes shakily]
- [faint crunching]
- [tense music playing]
[Muncie exhales shakily]
[Muncie whimpering softly]
[frogs croaking]
[bushes rustle]
[Muncie breathing shakily]
[water bubbles, splashes faintly]
[frogs croaking]
[critters chittering]
[uneasy music playing]
[gunshots echo]
[Ant] Definitely around here.
[bushes rustle]
[tense music playing]
[music swells]
- [Ant] Hey!
- [both grunting]
[both yell]
[grunting continues]
[Muncie grunts]
[both yell]
[grunting continues]
[Ant grunting]
[Ant yells]
- [Muncie breathing heavily]
- [tense music continues]
[flesh squelches]
[Muncie breathing heavily]
[grunts]
[Ant gurgling]
[Muncie grunts]
[Ant groaning]
[grunts, breathing shakily]
[uneasy music playing]
[Muncie panting]
[continues breathing heavily]
[exhales]
[continues breathing heavily]
[music fades]
[faint thudding]
[rapid pecking]
[bird cawing]
[bird tweeting]
[wind whooshing]
[uneasy music playing]
[groans]
[grunts, exhales]
Fuck.
[breathing shakily]
[panting]
[exhales]
[Muncie] How you doing, officers?
[cop 1] How you doing?
[exhales] Rough morning.
Looks like it.
I was just about to call you.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
Right.
Would you mind if I sit?
- [indistinct chatter]
- Oh, thank you.
[exhales]
[exhales] So, what's going on?
- [uneasy music playing]
- [breathing shakily]
[indistinct chatter over radio]
[indistinct chatter continues]
[cop 1] You know who owns this place?
I remember the Bozmans selling
about five years ago.
[cop 1] Huh.
[cop 2] Current owner's unlisted.
[cop 1 knocks] Hello, it's the police.
[cop 2] So, you sure it was the guy
you had spoken to earlier?
- [cop 1 continues knocking] Hello?
- Yeah.
Yeah.
Let's go check out the sauna.
[uneasy music continues]
[birds tweeting]
[uneasy swell]
- [switch clicks]
- Well, the power's out.
[Muncie] That's why I came over
to borrow some propane.
- [cop 1] The cameras are probably out too.
- It's convenient.
These guys must have come back over here
after they chased me and cleaned it up.
And there was
a little hacksaw right there.
I saw a saw.
You saw a saw.
You think I'm making this up?
Well, as a writer,
you must have a pretty active imagination.
So you took off running.
You said that the assailants chased you.
Yeah.
[cop 1] And then you hid in a swamp.
Yeah.
[cop 1] Did you get a good look at 'em?
No.
They were wearing masks.
But [sighs]
one of the guys
called the other one, uh, Ant.
Ant?
Like the insect?
Yeah.
[cop 2] Hmm.
Then you were just able to get away?
Yes.
[cop 2] Somebody missing a watch?
Looks like a band for a G-Shock.
Type of shit my brother-in-law wears
to make himself feel tough.
We're not gonna end up
arresting you for this, are we?
[uneasy music playing]
[music fades]
[indistinct chatter over radio]
This your first time in the Poconos?
Yeah.
[cop 1] Welcome.
Lutz, you got anything
on those plates yet?
[Lutz inhales, smacks lips]
Truck's on a three-month lease
from a dealership in Bridgewater.
Leased to a Dick Silk.
[cop 1] That's gotta be fake.
Sounds like a porn name.
How about you take us over to your cabin?
[birds tweeting]
[bird caws]
Fuck.
This was not like this.
[Muncie exhales]
The hell is going on?
Maybe you ran something over.
[Muncie] Come on, man. This is slashed.
[Muncie sighs]
[cop 1] Okay, here's what's gonna happen.
We're gonna write this up.
We'll look into that watch strap,
and we'll ask that you remain accessible
in the following days, okay?
If we call, you answer.
I don't have a phone.
I lost it in the woods.
Well, I'll find a way to find you.
Point is,
I'm not sure what's going on here,
so I have to leave every option open
as to who did what when,
if indeed the deed got done.
Is there anything else
you're forgetting to tell me?
I saw a murder.
I got chased.
I went to the diner to call the cops.
The next day.
[sniffles] You waited till the next day.
[uneasy music plays]
So I'll look into Dick Silk
or whoever was staying at that house.
Meantime, I'll call you a tow truck.
- [doors shut]
- [engine turns over]
[engine accelerates]
[bird cawing]
- Told you there ain't no bars up here.
- Yeah. Thank you.
Yeah.
You should come down to the shop.
I'll do four for the price of three.
Uh, just this one.
[mechanic] You got a jealous wife?
You got a tracker down the rear well.
You're fucking kidding.
Someone loves you a bit too much.
Can you turn it off?
Easy-peasy.
Fuck.
All righty.
So one new Pirelli all-season.
Three hundred plus 60 for labor.
I'll get started.
[pensive music playing]
[pensive music building]
[pensive music continues]
- [keys rattle]
- [lock unlocks]
- [door opens, shuts]
- [Muncie sighs]
[exhales]
[exhales softly]
[uneasy music playing]
[music swells]
[uneasy music continues]
[sharp sting]
[cop 1] Is that the dude from Shawshank?
- No. That's Kofi Annan.
- [cop 1 chuckles]
I know, man. I'm just fucking with you.
So, break-in, right?
[cop 1] It seems one
of his photos is crooked.
Plus, the porch latch was broken.
Mount Poconos police say
they're still looking into "Dick Silk."
- [man 1] Dick Silk?
- Also running a check on you.
Pretty standard for when a crime
is reported that doesn't quite add up.
Also seems there's drug paraphernalia
in your cabin.
[Muncie] Bro, come on.
Weed.
I imagine they're wondering
if you actually saw what you say you did.
Okay, they just doing their thing, right?
Look, we're the ones
who reported the break-in here, all right?
We'll write it up
as a broken latch and a crooked photo.
Not sure it's a break-in just yet.
But if something's missing, call us,
and we'll add it to the report.
Thank you, gentlemen.
We'll be in touch if there's more.
- [faint indistinct chatter over radio]
- [sirens wailing in the distance]
[door shuts]
[man 1] They don't have much to go on.
What do you mean,
"They don't have much to go on"?
They wiped the crime scene,
left a watch strap, broke into my place,
put a tracker in my car.
For real?
Yeah, for real.
Put it in the back wheel well.
[man 1] Oh.
Muncie, I'm gonna have to ask you
to lay low, man.
Get yourself a hotel room somewhere
and get yourself a burner phone.
Pay cash for it. Really.
You think they're on my cards?
[man 1] I don't know.
You don't have any idea who that guy was?
Look, the firm has, like,
this Ritz account.
You just put a room on there,
and then we'll just pay them back later
[sputters] Wait.
That's your advice? Go to the Ritz?
- Can't stand with your dick in your hand.
- Nigga, my dick is not in my hand.
But you are reporting a murder
with no name and no body.
You got two police departments thinking
that you're fucking nuts right now.
They are gonna pin all this shit on you,
and anything else that happened
in that town that night.
All I'm saying is if you had a name,
it would be useful.
I'm gonna talk to my partners
and try to get some advice.
Yeah.
I saw a man get chopped up last night.
And now I feel like I'm walking around
with a bullseye on my back.
I know.
You know I got you.
[Muncie] I can't just sit here
doing nothing.
[man 1] Okay, but as your lawyer,
trying to fix this yourself
would be a mistake.
[Muncie] And as my friend?
[man 1] You figure out
who the fuck the guy at the cabin was,
and maybe the cops will start listening.
[pensive music playing]
[man 1] You think
the name on that card is his?
[Muncie] I've got no idea.
[tires screech]
[uneasy swell]
["I Lie to My Heart" by Andrea Litkei
& Ervin Litkei playing]
- You're in love with me ♪
- [indistinct chatter]
Tried to believe ♪
You're mine ♪
How are you today, sir?
Anything I can help you with?
I was actually wondering if Mark is in.
Mark Simon?
Uh, Mark is Mark's the owner.
- I see.
- [man] He's only in once a week, if that.
You know where I might find him?
And you are?
[Muncie] Oh, I'm sorry.
Our mutual friend Kenny Gravelot
recommended I talk to Mark
about putting together a man cave for me.
Kenny said Mark was gonna be out of town
for a spell.
He said something about
going up to the Poconos?
Uh, I'm sorry.
So what are you asking?
I was just wondering if Mark
was out in the Poconos this week or maybe
- [doorbell chimes]
- he hasn't gone out there yet.
I'm afraid I wouldn't
have that information.
- Oh.
- [doorbell chimes]
I'm sorry.
I don't mean to pry.
But surely I can help you
with your man cave.
["I Lie to My Heart" continues faintly]
You're absolutely right. [chuckles]
Hey, you know what?
You seem like
you're more my kind of guy anyway.
I know Mark likes the Flyers,
but I'm a fanatic.
[man] Well, you've got the right person.
My whole den's a shrine to those guys.
- I got hockey in the heart.
- Oh yeah.
Hockey's the goddamn best. [chuckles]
I told Mark
to get his sons to start playing.
- He didn't go for it?
- Well, the separation and everything.
Not sure how much control he'll have.
Yeah, yeah.
Yeah, he told me about that. Rough.
I mean, he gave Lucie the house,
which is fine,
but now she's asking
for full-time custody, so
[pensive music playing]
Lucie Simon, Pennsylvania address.
[birds tweeting]
[car approaching]
[pensive music continues]
[car door opens]
Excuse me.
Hi. I don't mean to disturb you, but I was
hoping I could ask you a quick question.
- Uh, who are you?
- [Muncie] I think I met your husband.
Mark Simon?
[Lucie] Tanner, take Blake inside.
[Muncie] We were neighbors.
Uh, very briefly.
Poconos, Monroe County.
Please, can you step back?
[door shuts]
I was just wondering
if you spoke to him recently.
Why?
There was an intrusion at his place.
I was staying next door,
and I went over to get help.
And then I saw him.
Hurt.
I went back this morning, and he was gone.
[voicemail] You've reached Mark Simon.
Leave a message.
If I don't call you, then you know why.
Who the fuck are you?
Uh
Is this his handwriting?
Does he wear a big watch? Black?
I think it's called a G-Shock.
I think you're fucking with me.
So it was him?
In the Poconos?
[faint thud]
I'm separated as well.
So I know how hard it can be on the kids.
Can you just [sighs]
tell me who would want to hurt him?
I think you know that answer.
I don't.
I just know that whoever hurt him,
they're after me too, and I
I need to be able to explain to the cops
who they are.
- You haven't told the cops yet?
- I have. I [sighs]
I'm worried about how it looks.
He's an asshole.
Which I think you already know.
And I'm not with him anymore in any way.
- [Muncie] My number.
- [car door shuts]
Just call me if you if you hear anything.
Or if he calls.
[man] Everything okay here?
How we doing?
We're doing great.
- You okay?
- [Lucie] Mmm.
Let me know if you hear anything.
[Muncie groans softly]
[inhales sharply] Ow.
[breathes shakily]
Sorry.
[man] Muncie Daniels, right?
Agent Quinones, FBI.
You got a few minutes to talk?
- About what?
- An incident at your Poconos rental?
Or next door, I should say.
Or both.
How about you sit somewhere else?
So, I'm working on a case
that possibly intersects
with what you reported
to the Poconos police.
So you know what happened?
I know that something happened
and that you were involved.
So I'm interested in your story.
To the degree it affects my case.
Do you know why the guy was there?
Do you?
That's what I was trying to find out.
You heard of a white supremacist group
called the Forge?
Yeah.
He was a member.
What?
Actually, it goes
a little deeper than that. [exhales]
- Did you ever read Brother14's newsletter?
- [keyboard clacking]
It's fucking brilliant.
You gotta be kidding me.
Five million subscribers.
Top dog white nationalist writer
in the country,
and you got to meet him face-to-face.
Keeps his identity as Brother14
under very tight wraps,
but I can assure you
- [Muncie sighs]
- that's him.
He's a cancerous fucking tumor
on the brain stem of the country.
Did you want him dead?
You've been vocal in the past
about the need to fight hate.
Folks could look at that and say,
"Hey, maybe Muncie Daniels
decided to take this fucker out."
Maybe the FBI did too,
and they needed someone to blame.
[chuckles] You watch too many movies.
- Let's go back to your BLM ties.
- I don't have BLM ties.
You've defended them on TV.
I defended the Browns,
but I ain't on their roster.
You once ran a nonprofit
that took on racist landlords.
What's that gotta do
with some white supremacist?
You dislike oppressive organizations.
[chuckles] Get the fuck out of here.
Black man finds himself alone in the woods
with a massively popular
identitarian influencer.
I don't like oppression,
but I'm not gonna chop it
into little pieces.
And you know what?
I'm sure that Nazi motherfucker
wasn't too crazy
about your Puerto Rican ass.
What makes you think I'm Puerto Rican?
I am. [chuckles]
And you're right.
Mr. Simon likely didn't love me either.
I'm gonna need your burner number.
Why do you think I have a burner?
'Cause your regular number's
going straight to voicemail.
And you're scared,
which you probably should be.
I'm scared all the time.
Look, if you did this,
it's got nothing to do with my case.
But if you didn't,
maybe we can help each other out.
You should see someone about that leg.
You've got pus on your pants.
[siren wailing]
- [indistinct chatter]
- [siren continues wailing]
[indistinct chatter over speaker]
[baby crying]
[man coughs]
[uneasy music playing]
[scattered coughing]
[baby continues crying]
- [telephone ringing]
- [door shuts]
[phone whooshes]
Everyone and their mother love to bemoan
the conspiracy theory nation.
But how much of that
is just a convenient excuse to ignore
[indistinct chatter]
You're on TV, right?
Sometimes.
We're fans.
Sorta.
[man 2] Is it true?
- [speaker chimes]
- [nurse] Dr. Belmer, please report to
Is what true?
That you knew Brother14?
I don't know what you mean.
You haven't heard the rumors?
14's not well.
Look, man,
we're just wondering what you know.
How'd you find me?
[man 2] Remember?
You're famous.
I don't know shit.
- Would your family know?
- [dramatic swell]
[Muncie] Fuck!
- Elena? It's me.
- [tense music playing]
I need you and D be ready in ten minutes.
I'll tell you about it later.
- [siren wailing]
- [Muncie panting]
Mr. Daniels. I'm Laura Jennings.
I host a YouTube channel
called We Are The People.
- I'm not sure if you know of us.
- I do.
Well, I drove from New York
and was hoping we could talk.
This is not a good time.
About what happened last night.
- Uh
- [tense music continues]
There's a lot of talk flying around now,
but I know you didn't do it.
- Can you tell me what you know?
- You trying to help or get an exclusive?
Trust me. I can help.
Call me.
Please.
[car engine turns over]
- [tense music continues]
- [tires screech]
Elena! We need to go!
- Demetrius!
- [Demetrius] Yo.
Hey!
We need to go.
- [Demetrius] Where?
- Tell you in the car.
I was just about to beat this game.
Give me five minutes.
[Muncie] Hey, Demetrius!
What's going on?
- You didn't get my message?
- No.
Someone's threatening you. We need to go.
Wait, for real?
Yeah, for real.
I need you in the car now.
I'll tell you everything.
We just need to go.
Please.
You heard your dad.
Get your stuff, and get in the car.
[seatbelt clicks]
[Elena breathes deeply]
[lock chimes]
[Elena] Could be they planted rumors
once they realized who you were.
They couldn't kill you,
so maybe they got online.
[Muncie sighs] Or it was one of the cops
that were running his mouth.
But you brought them to the crime scene,
to where there was evidence.
- [Muncie sighs] I did.
- [Elena] So, it's gotta be whoever did it.
[Demetrius] Yo. Check this out.
[Elena] Who posted it?
[Demetrius] Anonymous board.
- Nothing on regular searches yet
- [Elena] You spoke to Kwesi?
- He thinks I should hide out at the Ritz.
- Oh, the Ritz? Okay!
- Excuse me?
- No, no.
I just I just heard
they got some good food
The hell were you doing walking
around this white man's yard?
He told me if I needed anything.
I'm gonna go hop in the shower, so
It's gonna be okay, Pops, all right?
[Elena] Call that journalist.
- You seen Laura Jennings online?
- No, but if she's saying she believes you
[Muncie] I'm telling you,
she's fucking nuts.
Look.
There is nasty stuff going on in America
that should scare us all to death.
I'm talking about the 12th-floor offices
of innocuous-looking towers,
where power-hungry men
stick their metaphorical meat sticks
into our ever-vulnerable head holes.
She's fucking nuts.
But you should call her.
Meet with her first thing.
And call the FBI guy too.
[Muncie sighs]
You should go to Nadia's, chill there,
till I can figure out what's up.
[exhales softly]
When you showed up just now,
I thought maybe you were finally
bringing by the divorce papers.
This better or worse?
- [line ringing]
- [Elena exhales deeply]
You've reached Laura Jennings.
Leave your name, number, and a message,
and I'll return your call.
[pensive music playing]
You've reached Laura Jennings.
Leave your name, number, and a message,
and I'll return your call.
[line ringing]
You've reached Laura Jennings.
Leave your name, number, and a message,
and I'll
[Muncie sighs]
[reporter 1] With the rise of gas prices,
a recent survey indicated locals
are less likely to travel
this coming summer.
More on that later. Back to you, Lewis.
[Lewis] And a local story
just now into our newsroom.
Provocateur journalist Laura Jennings
was hospitalized earlier this morning
with an apparent heart attack
in a Philadelphia hotel room.
Jennings has received national attention
in recent months
due to her firebrand style
of fringe journalism,
so we'll continue to cover this story
as it develops.
But for now, she remains in the ICU
in what doctors are calling
an extremely precarious state.
[reporter 1] And in traffic news
this morning, we have closures on
Makes you wanna go to the gym.
[reporter 1]
I-95 South Delaware Expressway.
Also, an accident near West Chester Pike
has delays on eastbound US 30 that runs
[tense music playing]
[Demetrius] Yo, Pops.
Yeah?
You can grab my Switch controller
from the car?
[van engine turns over]
[tires screech]
[tense music continues]
[dramatic swell]
[tense music continues]
[door shuts]
[tense music continues]
[music building]
[music halts]
["Don't Say Nuthin'" by The Roots playing]
Yeah! ♪
That all mighty amazin'
Ill, highly contagious ♪
Kamikaze South splash
Like a shot from a gauge ♪
Until your body sound clash
Head of the Class, Magna Cum Laude ♪
Beats bring the beast out me
Flagrant, foul, rowdy ♪
Reed pipe, but deep tight ♪
Disposition keep on flippin'
Keep 'em playing they position ♪
Keep making the people listen
What I spin, put 'em out on a limb ♪
Got tears, got blood, got sweat,
Leakin' out of the pen ♪
Y'all fake niggas not setting a trend
We never listen to them ♪
It's like tryin' to take a piss
In the wind ♪
My home team doin' visitors in,
Yo, don't test 'em ♪
They all standing close to the edge
So don't stress 'em ♪
Now who the type built to last?
It's no question, the Master ♪
Villain in Black
Wit no stets in my sound ♪
Hitting you hard from every direction ♪
Your head and your shoulder area
Your midsection, dawg! ♪
When the saint on the ground
With his 9 on line ♪
With the niggas who grind
Wit King Kong hittin' Thailand ♪
Yeah, give it here
And don't say nuthin' ♪
Just give it here
And don't say nuthin' ♪
When the team on set
With the guns that gon' clap ♪
Gettin' down on everything
Hmm, cut the check ♪
Give it here, and don't say nuthin' ♪
Give it here, and don't say nuthin' ♪
Yeah, Illadelph
Home of the original gun-clappaz ♪
Out on the wrong corner
Your shit'll get spun backwards ♪
You got the fool wanting the rules
Enter at risk ♪
Or your own nana'll keep a gat
Under the mattress
Shorties runnin' reckless
From Philly to Texas ♪
Surprisin' what niggas willin' to do
To get a necklace ♪
Some emotions felt better
Left unexpressed at times ♪
Niggas' crime record
Longer than a guest list ♪
Yes, I done seen things
You wouldn't believe ♪
Seen people reach levels
Thought they'd never achieve ♪
Silhouettes waiting in the wings
Ready to D ♪
Thirsty shiests
Who need at least a buck to breathe ♪
C'mon! Stick-up kids, they be ♪
[song fades]