All language subtitles for She Taught Love 2024.eng

[♪ gentle music playing]

[speaker]
You already know.

You already know
what it is, nigga.

Gang shit for...

You al... you already know.
You already know.

[clicking tongue]
Ah, fuck.

You already know
what it is, nigga.

Gang shit for life.

For... for...

Alright, you al... you already know.
[snorting]

You already know...
[snorting]

...what it is.
[snorting]

You already know
what it is, nigga.

Gang shit for life.

[groaning]

This is so fuckin' stupid.
[chuckles]

You fuckin' idiot.

[inhaling sharply, sighing]

[people chattering]

That nigga look happy as fuck.
I bet he got it.

God dammit!

- Oh, my bad.
- [door opens]

[receptionist]
Jamal Ferguson?

- Right this way.
- Break a leg, king.

- [door closes]
- [muttering indistinctly]

[♪ "Blu Billy" by Smino playing]

♪ Lil' Monte on the beat,
you got it on repeat ♪

♪ Word out on the streets,
zero got the heat ♪

- [♪ song continues playing on stereo]
- ♪ Shit, unh ♪

- [singing along]
- ♪ I know hitters, I know dealers ♪

♪ I know girls that set up niggas,
I know preach... ♪

- [♪ music stops abruptly]
- [phone ringing]

You fuckin' up the music.
What's poppin'?

- [manager] [on phone] How'd it go?
- Slim, I know you're doing your job,

but you don't gotta worry
about me, alright?

- [manager] Ugh.
- Uh, it was some more hood shit, Laura.

[over phone]
I could've done that in my sleep.

- Frank...
- [Frank Cooper] I know, I know, I know.

It is what it is.

We play the game
until we control our destiny.

Correct.

Alright, I need you to know
that I'm working hard for you.

Yep, and nobody's questioned that.

[Laura Neil] Good.
I'll see you at the Guild party.

Yeah.
8:00, right?

[Laura] Yeah, correct.
And hey, just because I can't have you

being late for this,
I need you to know

that I'm gonna be outside by myself
in the cold waiting for you.

I know you would never
make a new mom wait.

[chuckles]
You know me too well. Mm.

- [Laura] See you at 8:00.
- Mm, yeah, see you at 8:00.

- [horn honking]
- Fuck you, man!

Goddamn, put your turn signal on.

[announcer on PA] Can I get a manager
to come to the front counter?

Can I get a manager to come
to the front counter?

[clicks tongue]
[quietly] Oh, well, hello.

[quietly humming]

Okay...

[indistinct PA announcement]

There she is.

My favorite runner in the world.

How many times we gonna keep
running into each other like this?

'Cause it's gettin' kinda crazy,
if you ask me.

- [bell dings]
- [clerk] Wheatgrass for Mali.

- Thanks, Martin.
- [Frank] Oh, shit, we got a name.

Mali, I like that.

Pretty sure you probably wanna know
what my name is, right?

It's Frank!

[♪ "masterpiece." by Iman Europe and
Kaelin Ellis playing through headphones]

[♪ turns the volume up]

♪ I am a masterpiece,
haven't mastered peace ♪

♪ Still I'm one of one,
still I'm at the peak ♪

♪ See, I'm still the front runner,
they after me ♪

♪ I make 'em say "unh,"
and gettin' money like Master P ♪

♪ Please pardon the confidence ♪

♪ My shit, I'm ready to pop it,
I had a few problems ♪

♪ That threw off the rhythm
for a minute ♪

♪ But I'm gon' always find the po... ♪

[♪ music stops abruptly]

[friend]
Oh, my God, Mali!

- Okay, where is he?
- Your office.

I tried to tell him
what you told me

about the Milwaukee offer
coming in last minute...

- Mm-hmm.
- ...and that everything was gonna be okay.

But he came in here screaming
at whoever would listen

- that he needs answers.
- Mm.

And honestly, I have my own clients,
but he said if you're not here,

he only talks to me,
and that he's not usually in the area,

- but since he's...
- Sorry, not usually in the area?

He was vacationing
with his family in Thailand.

He left them there, Mali.
His whole fucking family.

Thanks, Sammie,
I think I got this handled.

[Samantha sighs]

[door opens and closes]

[Mali Waters]
Morning, Deshawn.

Milwaukee offered me 31.5.

You told me our best offer
was the Miami offer at 29.5,

so I took it, Mali.

Why am I just now hearing
from everybody

that we left money on the table
with this Miami offer?

Milwaukee, Wisconsin?
The city you told me

they couldn't pay you enough
to get you there?

Yeah.
I was just talkin' shit.

- Okay.
- [scoffs] I can't afford

to be leaving money
on the table, Mali.

- Not now.
- I hear you.

And as your agent, I wouldn't want you
to do that, either.

Which is why Miami,
the city your wife and kids love,

the city you told me to do
whatever I can to get you there,

- is where you signed.
- Yeah, but the money...

Is all there.

See, Milwaukee, cold-ass Milwaukee,
has state income tax.

Sunny Miami has none.
Their initial offer came in at 26.5,

but your favorite agent worked overtime
to get them to raise it to 29.5,

because I knew the Milwaukee offer
was coming in at 31.5.

So, if I did my math correctly,
the money you think you're losing out on

is actually waiting for you
on South Beach.

Hm.

[laughing]

- That's why you my nigga.
- [both laughing]

Boy, now give me back my ball.

[Deshawn Bond]
Whoo! Ha-ha!

I can't believe
you left them in Thailand.

[♪ pensive music playing]

♪

[phone buzzing]

[buzzing continues]

- Hey, Dad.
- [on phone] It's Mom.

- I can't find my phone again.
- [Mali's dad] Tell her I said hey.

[Mom] Your dad says hi.
What's wrong?

Well, you know what's wrong.

[Mom] I haven't heard from you
in a couple of days.

[coughing]
I'm fine, Mom.

[Mom]
They overworking you?

Uh, I'm just regular busy.

[Mom] So, guess who bowled
a 250 last night?

- [Dad] 250, baby!
- [Mom] And refuses to shut up about it.

- That sounds awesome, Dad.
- [Mom] They asked him if they could...

- [Dad] Ha-ha, you know it, baby.
- [Mom] ...put his photo on the wall.

- It was so embarrassing.
- Yeah, it sounds like Dad.

[Mom]
Okay, Mal, what's going on?

I can hear something in your voice.
Another migraine?

No, Mom.
I'm fine.

It's just a headache, okay?
It's been a week, not a year.

[Mom] But you usually call
during the week.

So, when I don't hear from you, I worry.

- Mom, can I call you back?
- [Mom] Mal?

Yeah, I love you.
Tell Dad I love him too.

[Mom]
We love you too, sweetie.

[sighing]

[breathing heavily]

[♪ gentle, pensive music playing]

- [voicemail beeps]
- Hi, Mali, it's Dr. Klein

from St. Edward's Medical,
I got your message.

I think it'd be best
if you come in this week

and we talk about next steps in person.

A lot of options.
We'll figure this out.

[Frank] I don't care who you got it from,
Mom, it's still smoking.

[Frank's mom] [on phone]
No, this is way more healthier.

[Frank]
How you figure?

[Mom] I just saw this video on YouTube.
They said that...

[Frank] Stop that shit, Mom.
You know I don't trust the internet.

Other day, Justin sent me a video
that said I was dating Zoe Kravitz.

- [Mom] Ooh, I like Zoe!
- I like her too, Mom,

but I ain't never met her,
so your internet is a lie

and can't be trusted.

- [Mom] My son, the conspiracy theorist.
- [sighs] I get it from my Pops.

Mm-hmm.
Well, your dad would be proud

of how sharp you are tonight.

Oh, you know I stay
with them fire fits.

[chuckles]
You good, though?

I'm good, baby.
I just wanted to hear your voice.

Have fun tonight.

- [over phone] And tell Justin I said hey.
- How you know Justin here?

[Mom]
Boy, tell Justin I said hey.

- I love you, girl.
- [Mom] I love you.

[kiss smacks]

[sings]
♪ 'Cause I just wanna... ♪

Oof!
Boy look cleaner than a motherfucker.

- [TV playing]
- [Justin coughing]

[Frank]
Mom says, "Hi, Justin."

Ah, she's the best, man.

Oh, what you doin' tonight?

I'm trying to figure
that shit out now, bro.

Why don't you just let me come with you
to that little fancy party?

Ew, right.

The fuck, bro?
You a hater.

You remember what happened last time
I took you to one of these joints?

It's not my fault Keanu
was trying to start shit.

I told him we could go outside,
handle our business.

He ain't wanna do that.

Zen master Keanu Charles Reeves
started it?

Whatever, bro.

Yeah, give me that.

[sighs]
How do I look?

- Like you sell fragrances at Macy's.
- [Frank laughing]

Make sure you lock up when you leave.

Yeah, who said I'm leaving?

- Bye, nigga.
- Yeah, when you see John Wick there,

you tell that motherfucker
he can get it whenever.

[♪ hip-hop music playing]

Oh, yeah. Woo!
[muttering]

[sighs]

[♪ hip-hop music continues]

[car horn honking]

[Frank] Is that Laura,
the greatest manager in the world?

- Really, Frank?
- Nice to see you too.

Oh, alright.
Here.

Immediately.

Damn, it's that bad?

- You smell like Nick Nolte's beard.
- [Frank laughing]

- [people chattering]
- [♪ soft R&B music playing]

Okay, remember,
this a Guild thing,

so you're not gonna recognize
anybody's faces,

but you will know their work.

Hi, you with me?

- Yes, I'm sorry.
- Okay.

I'm sorry. Yes.

Barry, I don't think you've met
my client, Frank Cooper.

Frank, this is Barry, my favorite producer
in this entire town.

Barry Randle.
Great to meet you, Frank.

Pleasure to meet you.

I don't meet a lot of producers
who look like...

You?

Yeah, yeah.

Wanna know one of the biggest differences
between me and my counterparts?

I don't play golf
and I don't take vacations.

- [Laura] Mm-hmm.
- Hm.

I like this guy.
[laughing]

Frank has been going out
for some really interesting roles.

We're just... we're trying
to find the right one.

- Oh.
- You know how that is.

I do, mm-hmm.

Well, why don't you call the office
on Monday, set something up?

Bring Frank in and chat about
a couple things we have going on.

That would be great.
You're gonna love this kid.

- [Barry Randle] Mm.
- How could you not, right?

- [chuckles]
- [chuckles nervously] Yeah, okay.

- So good to see you.
- You too, Laura.

- Great to meet you, Frank.
- [Frank] You too.

See you on the course.

[bartender]
What can I get you, sir?

Can I get, um,
a whisky neat, please?

- [bartender] Sure.
- Thank you.

[Frank chuckles]

- Ah, thank you.
- [bartender] You're welcome.

[indistinct chatter]

Hey.
How are you?

- I'm good, how are you?
- Good.

I'd be, uh, I'd be better
if you'd let me buy you a drink.

You wanna buy me a drink
at an open bar?

- [Frank snickering]
- [laughing]

[Frank clearing throat]

[man] You wanna go outside,
have a smoke?

- [woman] What are we smoking?
- [man] Um, weed.

I'm sure I could find some.

You offered me weed
that you don't actually have?

[both laughing]

Uh, um... have a good evening.

Okay. Yeah.

Well, let me know
if you find any weed.

[all chuckle]

Wow, you are ice cold.

Let me guess.
Your... agent dragged you here.

- Publicist.
- Ugh, even better.

Mm-hmm.
[chuckles]

- What's your name?
- Frank.

Candice.
Nice to meet you.

- Nice to meet you, Candice.
- Yeah.

[sighs]
I hate these things.

- If you're hungry...
- Mm-hmm?

...I know a spot down the street,
stays open late,

and I was thinking about going.

And I just so happen to have
an extra seat in my car,

- if you wanted to roll.
- Oh.

Hm...

- [car horn honking]
- [dog barking]

[birds chirping]

[Candice lightly groans]

Leaving already?

Well, I was, and then I remembered
that I lived here, so...

- Oh, yeah.
- But since we are here,

I'm gonna go out there and make you
a bomb-ass breakfast.

- Hm, is that so?
- Oh yeah, mm-hmm.

So, just sit back, relax,
and prepare your taste buds for greatness.

Oh.

[refrigerator door opens]

[Frank]
Goddamn.

[shuts refrigerator door]

Unfortunately, we are short on supplies.

I'm gonna go to the store, but fear not,
for I shall return shortly.

[Candice]
M'kay.

Don't steal nothin', alright?

- Scout's honor.
- Oh, I like that.

[♪ soft music playing]

[rainfall patters]

[thunder rumbles]

[thundering continues]

[♪ music fades out]

[Samantha Miron] Ask them to move
the reservation to 8:00.

[assistant]
Can do.

- Gayle...
- [Mali] Mm.

...wants me to go to Portland now,
right after Minnesota.

I mean, I don't even have a day
to put myself back together.

Making you proud means so much to me,
but I'm not Jamal.

I should have been a florist.

What if I'm not ready
to step up like this?

Relax, Sam, breathe.
We'll let loose at the party.

- Have a drink or two or three.
- Fuck, don't even remind me

about the stupid party.

Everybody's talking about it like...
like we don't have work to do.

[sighs]
I'm gonna have to look through my phone,

see which one of my former losers
is available

so that nobody asks me why I'm alone.

[sighs]
Oh, gosh.

[thunder rumbles outside]

Gayle wants to see you.

- Did she say what for?
- Mm, I don't know.

Maybe to send you to Bosnia
because I can't actually

be everywhere in the world at once.

[slams notebook]

To Bosnia, it is.

[Samantha groaning]

[Gayle Nathanson]
She's still freaking out?

[Mali] Whatever's past freaking out,
that's where Sammie is.

- She's ready, though.
- [Gayle] Mm.

And if it doesn't work out, you can change
those retirement plans of yours.

[Gayle laughing]

There's not a single chance
of that happening.

- [Mali] Mm.
- The second I turn 56, I'm burning my car,

throwing all of my belongings
in the ocean,

getting on a boat
with a meathead of a man.

So, you better beat this thing,
or this agency's in trouble.

- You lie.
- Mm.

We've missed your energy
in the office, girl, big-time.

I missed being here too,
but it's been good.

Got to spend more time with my parents,
take some time for myself.

I didn't even realize
how shitty of a daughter I'd been.

- Don't say that, Mama.
- No, it's true.

Shitty daughter, shitty friend
to the few that I have left.

I didn't even realize
that I had been so consumed by work,

I forgot to live a life outside of it.

But you know what?
I am making up for it.

This whole situation's got me looking
at things differently.

- [♪ peppy music plays in store]
- [register beeping]

[indistinct chatter]

[Frank]
Oh, I gotta call you back.

That beautiful girl
I'm always talkin' about

is actually here right now.

Martin, ha!

Lemme get one
of them wheatgrasses too, boss man.

Shit!
I haven't seen you in a minute.

I was beginnin' to think
you forgot about me.

I just wish you had better game.

It's like you're right there
but can't bring it home.

- What you mean?
- All the corny-ass pick up lines,

the fake phone call.

[scoffs]
Oh no, that was a real phone call.

- It was... it was my mom, actually.
- [Mali] Right.

- Wanna call her back?
- [Mali] No, I'm good.

But you should call her,
tell her you tried,

but couldn't close the deal.

- [Martin] Mali.
- Thanks, Martin.

You know, your little attitude
makes me like you even more.

Should probably start being nice to me
if you want me to leave you alone.

What if I don't know how to be nice?

Well, then I might have to marry you.

[snickering]

[Frank]
Swing and a miss. [groaning]

- What are you up to tomorrow?
- What?

Did I stutter?
What are you doing tomorrow?

Uh, I don't know.
Maybe gonna go fishing with the homies.

You wanna go to this party with me?

- What party?
- Nigga, does it matter?

- A holiday work party.
- Oh shit, where you work at?

You gonna ask me a million questions,
or you in?

Oh, no, I'm in.
I'm, I'm down, yeah, let's do it.

- You got a phone?
- Yeah, yeah.

Uh, there it is.

Mali, yeah.
You probably thought I forgot.

- [Mali] Mm.
- I'm Frank Cooper.

- Why are you telling me your full name?
- I don't know.

It felt fucking weird
when I even said it, and, uh...

But I... you want me to, uh, pick you up,
or we could Uber together?

Oh no, meet me there, in case
you're a serial killer or something.

Okay.

Text me,
and I'll send you the details.

I will do that, ha.
About time, Mali.

Don't push it, Frank Cooper.

[♪ "Moonlight" by Apple
& The Three Oranges playing]

♪ Moonlight ♪

♪ Mm, what a night, baby,
what a night ♪

♪ Moonlight ♪

♪ You're so wonderful
and so sweet ♪

[Mali] Black man on time.
That's new.

[Frank]
Just trying some new shit, you know?

You look nice.

[Mali]
Thanks.

[people chattering]

[Frank] You know what's crazy
about being on time?

[♪ "Moonlight" continues playing]

♪ It's a warm night ♪

♪ I don't know,
it's just something... ♪

♪ Clear skies ♪

♪ ...that I get from just
being around you ♪

♪ And we don't need ♪

♪ It's a good feeling,
it's a nice feeling ♪

[elevator dings]

[♪ soft piano music playing at party]

[people chattering]

[Mali]
Hey. Hey, guys.

[Frank]
Oh, that's a great suit.

Alright, nice to meet you.

[indistinct chatter]

Bet they all drive really nice cars.

Oh, yeah. No kiddin'

- Probably more than my own house.
- Right?

So, is she staring at you?
The one behind you?

Uh, I am a beautiful Black man,
so I would not blame her if she is.

[Mali chuckles]

Do you know Denzel?

Not all Black people
know each other, Sam.

No, of course, I do.
He's my uncle.

- Are you serious?
- Yeah, yeah.

Get you an autograph
next time I see Uncle Denny.

St...
[chuckles]

Okay.

- I like this one, Mal.
- Oh, "this one"?

Oh, you were the last option, for sure.

- It's all good.
- [speaker] Sam!

Michael Jordan didn't even make
his high school team.

It was nice meeting you, Frank.

- You too, Sammie.
- Don't call her that.

You, um... wanna go check out the balcony?

So you can throw me off?

Well, kinda depends
how the conversation goes.

See what happens.

So, what do you all do here?

- We're an agency.
- Oh, that's what's up.

Like modeling or somethin'?

- Sports.
- You're a sports agent?

I know, hard to believe, right?

A badass woman running shit
in a male-dominated field.

- Oh, I didn't mean it like that.
- All good, you're not the first.

That's dope.
Um, do you rep anybody I would know?

I am not telling you my client list.

Damn.
Well, come on, nigga, just curious.

Be curious about something else.

Okay, um... favorite movie?

Star Wars.

Star Wars?
Really?

You don't strike me
as a Star Wars type.

What is the Star Wars type?

You know, I actually don't know.
But not you.

When I was little,
I wanted to be Princess Leia so bad.

Then I realized I looked
nothing like her.

So, one day, my dad and I
came up with our own.

- Your own?
- Sci-fi fantasy epic.

Are you serious?
[chuckles]

Dead-ass.

[Frank]
Alright, what's it called?

I don't know you well enough for that.

- Come on, tell me.
- Absolutely not.

Yo, if you don't tell me,
I'ma go in there,

I'ma dig through a desk,

I'ma find your whole client list,
I'ma call one of 'em...

It's called AstralNova.

- Aster Noah?
- AstralNova.

It's about Princess Nova
of the Sowah family.

She's the eldest daughter of King Chanwei
and Queen Mehkar,

rulers of the planet Nebweku.

Nova is the natural heir to the throne...
that is, until her brother Kiteme,

whom she had no idea existed,
returns from the Soglans

where he was banished to
for being a child out of wedlock.

So, he's on this warpath
of scorched Earth,

and him and his entire army
kill the Sowah family and Nova...

at least, that's what he thinks.

Rescued by the Thakco tribe
and taken to the planet Gozye,

Nova learns the true meaning of life,

and discovers her powers,
and sets a plan in motion

to avenge her family
and take her brother out.

Wow.
Y'all made that?

I mean, we stopped after book five.

- There's books?
- Comics, Frank. Keep up.

- [Frank] I am so lost.
- [speaker] I'm surprised you called me.

- I didn't really think that you liked me.
- [Samantha] Hi.

[laughing]
What?!

A broski I know?
I-I watched your show, man.

I saw... I wa...
your shit is so authentic, man.

You're genius, bro.

Uh, Mal-Mali, my aunt...
I don't know if Sam told you...

my aunt is also sick.

- And I'm so sorry this is happening.
- Let's go.

- I should have said... I'm s...
- Um, enjoy the night, guys.

- We'll, we'll see you later.
- Nice to meet you, bro.

Um... drunk white boys
at a party,

there's... there's nothing better, right?

[fake chuckle]
Tell me about it, "broski."

Oof.
Fuckin' hate that shit so much.

Wh-What is he talking about?
You sick or something?

Not trying to catch no cold, girl.

[chuckles]
You're good, you can't catch this.

- What do you got?
- An expiration date.

I'm sick.

A couple of years
if I'm lucky, they say.

But, who knows?

Man, so like, cancer or something?

You know people die of other shit
besides cancer.

Sorry.
Um...

It, it is cancer.

Sucks, for sure.

My, uh... my-my Pops
passed from cancer, actually.

Fuck.
How old were you?

I was 15.
That was my guy.

Uh... it came out of nowhere,

beat the shit out of him,
and then he was gone.

Did you get to say goodbye?

Um... I don't know, you know.

Just happened so quick,
you know?

I'll be trying to think about
the last thing I said to him,

but it's, uh...

it's fuckin' blurry as fuck.

When I was little,
I wanted to be an astrophysicist.

[clearing throat]
You wanted... astrophysicist?

I don't even know
what the fuck that is.

[Mali]
It's the study of the universe.

I mean, look at it.

It's so beautiful,
and there is so much of it.

No one can convince me
that what happens here

is the beginning and end of everything.

[♪ gentle pensive music playing]

When I was kid,
I wanted to be a zookeeper.

Frank Cooper, the zookeeper.

[Frank] That's got a
nice little ring to it, don't it?

- It kinda does.
- [Frank chuckles]

Hey, uh, are you hungry?

- What you thinking?
- How's tacos?

- I could fuck with some tacos.
- Let's go fuck some tacos up, girl.

- [distant train horn blows]
- [train tracks rattling]

[Mali] No, Seywo is the knight,
the one that Nova saves

from the planet Derum,
who eventually becomes prince.

Kiteme is her brother.

See, I knew that listening
was not your strong suit.

What'd you say?

- What was that?
- I don't know.

Just kinda went for it.
Was it... was it weird?

I mean, yeah,
I still had taco in my mouth.

- So, it was awkward.
- You did, you did.

And I... I think I got
some of your cilantro.

[chuckles]
You want some more?

Maybe swallow that bite, and...

I can show you one of my comics,
if you're interested.

- Me... me interested?
- Mm-hmm.

I mean, comics are, like, literally
my favorite thing in the world.

- [items falling]
- Oh, shit.

[Mali laughing]

[heavy breathing, kissing]

Is this okay?

I have cancer, not a broken back.

You're right.
Um... my bad. Uh, uh...

- You got like speakers or somethin'?
- Why?

You wanna play some music?

Yeah, you know,
set the mood a little bit.

Trying to make
a Love and Basketball moment in here?

Now, what do you know
about Love and Basketball?

Okay.
Music, it is.

[Frank sighs]

- [♪ "Spice" by Ravyn Lenae playing]
- Mm.

Oh, shit.

What the fuck is that?

It's a Calun,
Nova's weapon of choice.

Oh, you're really serious
about this shit. [chuckles]

Oh, you have no idea.

Ohh, come to me, Nova.

[♪ "Spice" continues playing]

♪ I'm your hand of spice ♪

♪ Take me up, shake, shake me up
until the mix is right ♪

♪

[birds chirping]

[♪ "Teach Me a New Language"
by Van Hunt playing]

♪

♪ No one can hold you ♪

♪ Like I ♪

♪ Like I do, ohh ♪

♪ No one else would, ah ♪

♪ Follow ♪

♪ Follow the clues ♪

♪ They see your ♪

♪ Bright colors ♪

♪ They hear your ♪

♪ Bells and whistles ♪

♪ What will they do when you ♪

♪ Strike a knife... ♪

[Mali]
I can't do this right now.

[Frank]
Don't say that.

I can't.
You're just not what I need.

[Frank] Baby, give me
another chance to get it right.

And why should I believe you?

[Frank] Because I love you,
and you are my world.

I've messed up a lot, I know.
But the one thing I got right was you.

Please, give me another chance.

That shit's weak, right?

I mean, it's pretty corny,
but it's a job.

And it's different.

- I don't know.
- You keep complaining

about not wanting to be another
drug dealer, or whatever the fuck.

This is something different,
and it's in space.

- You ever been to space?
- [chuckles] No, I haven't.

But I know someone
who loves that shit.

You're damn right.
So, you go in there, you kick ass,

and everything will happen
the way it's supposed to.

- You're actually right.
- I know I'm right.

- I'm always right.
- Oh, you are?

Yes. And when you get it,
I'd like my cut in cash.

- Your cut?
- Y-Yes.

How you figure that you get a cut?

Well, Laura gets 10%
and your girlfriend gets 15%.

- Fifteen fucking percent?!
- Did you not get the memo?

The state of California
passed the "Girlfriend Law."

Says that every actor has to give
their significant other 15%

if they help them run lines with them.

Nah.
You gotta be together, like, what, um,

seven years or some shit
for that to kick in?

Boy, I am 10 steps ahead of you.

Since the whole sick thing,
I made a couple of calls,

and it turns out that anything
past two months works out in that case.

Okay, I'm not good at math,
but let me do a little bit here.

- That's...
- It's too late, dummy.

Ow.
You really be in my business!

[laughing]
It's details, Frank.

- Shit doesn't get past me.
- Oh, it doesn't?

No, no, no.
[laughing]

Get off, dummy!

That's what you get
when you're in my shit. [sighs]

[Mali]
Whatever.

- You good?
- Mm. Yes, Dad, I'm fine.

[Mali sighs]

[Frank snorting]

You know you're too old
for that shit, right?

Aye-aye, Captain.

[groaning] [mimics]
"You're too old for that shit."

What are you, fuckin' 10, 11?

You know what'd be crazy, baby?
If I get this job,

- you'll get to actually send me to space.
- [shower running]

- 'Cause if they let a nigga like me...
- Oh, shit!

[Frank] What?!
What, what, what happened?

Oh. [laughing]

I forgot the Beyoncé tickets
go on sale this week.

No, you did not, alright?

It's literally all you talk about.

Don't fuckin' scare me like that.

[laughing]
I just love messing with you.

- It's easy.
- Yeah, you know, it's so funny to me

that Miss... [mimics] "I don't like
concerts, it's too many people"

[normal] ...can't wait to be stuffed
in a stadium like sardines.

But it's Beyoncé.

She could perform
at the bottom of the ocean

and I would still wanna go.

You act like you've never seen her before.
I'm just sayin'.

You like watching your teams play, right?

- Yeah.
- Mm-hmm.

Yeah, you always ask me for tickets,
which I'm happy to stop providing...

- Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, chill, chill, chill.
- Okay.

Alright?
I shall put it in my planner.

Thank you.

- Run and broke my fuckin' toe.
- You make it so easy.

- [phone buzzing]
- [water running]

[♪ pensive music playing]

Yo, what's up, Laura?

No, no, no, I'm here.
Everything's cool, alright? [chuckles]

I was actually calling to see
if you could do me a little favor.

[phone buzzing]

♪

[Mali]
No, Mom, I told you already.

I didn't see the doctor,
I just had some blood drawn.

No, he said he would call me
when he knows something.

- [phone buzzing]
- Just...

'Kay, Mom, I'm fine, okay?

Yeah, next week still works for us.

I'm excited.

Yeah, he is too.
Just, hold on.

Sam, don't cancel the dinner.
I'll be there.

Yes, I'm sure.
Okay.

- [phone buzzing]
- Hang on.

Mom, please stop, okay?
I'm fine!

I'll call you back.

Sam, do not cancel the dinner, okay?!

I'm heading home,
I'll be there soon.

Fuck.

[car beeping]

[whispering]
Fuck. Where are my keys?

Fuck!

[sighs deeply]

[plane flying overhead]

[♪ somber music playing]

[muffled voice speaking]

[automated voice] At the tone,
please record your message.

When you have finished recording,

you may hang up or press one
for more options.

- [voicemail beeps]
- [Mali's mom] [on phone] It's Mom.

Just calling to hear what the doctor said.

Call me when you get a chance.

- [voicemail beeps]
- [Mali's mom] Hey, Mal.

Just checking in.
Please call me back.

- [voicemail beeps]
- [Mali's dad] Hey, baby girl.

I just wanted to say I love you.

And can you please call your mom?
She's driving me nuts.

- [Mali's mom] Did she pick up?
- [voicemail beeps]

Mal, what's going on?
Call me back, please.

[sighs]

[♪ somber music fades out]

- [phone line ringing]
- [breathes deeply]

- [on phone] Hello?
- Hey, Mom.

Great news.

- [distant neighborhood kids playing]
- [dogs barking]

- [sips wine]
- [sets glass down]

I don't know if he liked red or white,
so I got him some, uh, tequila.

[Mali]
There's only one of you, Frank.

That, there is.

I see you started drinking
without me.

Ooh.
Wow, you could have just given me

the bottle with that pour.
[chuckles]

Are you trying to get me drunk tonight,
Miss Waters?

You good?

I told my folks I'm in remission.

[Frank] Huh.
Babe, why the fuck would you do that?

Because I wanna see them happy.

[scoffs]
How the fuck is that

supposed to make them happy?

It's gonna fuckin' destroy them
when they find...

Oh no, this is destroying them, Frank.

[Frank]
You don't think that I know that?

You haven't even done chemo yet.

How are they supposed
to believe that shit?

I mean, they know about all the stuff
I have been doing.

Eating good, taking supplements,

seeing all those homeopathic doctors
and shit.

I'm their miracle baby.
What's another miracle, Frank?

So, just so we're clear,
the first time that I meet your parents,

you want me to lie to them
about how you're doing?

- [Mali sighs]
- Do you hear yourself right now?

That is some stupid fuckin' shit, Mali.

It's not stupid shit, Frank.
They're miserable.

All those smiles that you see,
it's all fake.

I'm tired.

I'm tired of them asking me
how I'm doing every five minutes.

I'm tired of seeing my mom cry
every time I say goodbye to her.

I mean, do you like seeing your mom cry?

They have nothing else.
It's me, and that's it.

I want to see them happy again.

Real happy.
Not that fake shit.

I need it.
[sighs]

And I hate lying to my parents.

I hate that shit
more than anything else.

But I did it.

And I need you to do it too.

You're an actor, Frank.

Act for me tonight.

- [Mali's mom] They sold out that quick?
- I mean, it's the queen, Mom.

Mm. Oh well, I guess there is
always next time, right?

Mm. My connects run deep.
We're still going.

- I can't wait.
- My baby loves her some Beyoncé

the way this one here
loves his damn car.

For goodness sake,
he'd sleep in the garage

if I didn't make him come to bed.

- No, it's too cold.
- [laughter]

I, uh, I don't know much
about cars myself, sir.

[Mali's dad]
Yeah, well,

you gotta treat your woman
the way you treat a car, Frank.

You gotta respect it.
Nurture it.

Here he goes.
Please, someone stop him

before he starts showing us nudes
of a '65 Mustang.

- I do have them.
- [laughter]

This wine is so, so good.
Mm.

- Mom, you're drunk.
- No, baby, I'm just happy.

- Okay, maybe I'm a little tipsy.
- [Mali] Mm-hmm.

But that doesn't change the fact
that these last few months

have been...
they've been the worst, Mal.

When you called with the good news,

I almost knocked him out,
I was so excited.

[chuckles]

Seeing you sick was hell for us.

And your dad tries to be
the tough guy, but...

I could see it was killing him.

[thunder rumbles outside]

I could see it
in his eyes every day.

- [♪ soft piano music plays in restaurant]
- [people chattering]

You scared us, baby.

I know.

Oh, you know, I...
I actually just remembered,

I left... I left, uh, something in the car
that we need right now.

Um, I will be right back.
I'm so sorry.

I'm sorry.

Uh, I am going to go help him
so he don't get lost.

- Bye, Dad.
- Baby.

Hm, so they takin' wine
outside these days, huh?

Seems like it.

You know they're going
to watch the game.

- Yep.
- [chuckles]

- [rain pattering]
- [sports game playing on phone]

[Frank]
What type of play call is that?

[Mali's dad] Well, at least your team
is halfway decent.

[Frank]
I guess, yeah.

Hey, you know if you sip it,
you can actually taste it, right?

Mm.
I'm sorry, I'm just so happy.

Tell me about it.

My baby girl, man.

I couldn't believe the news
when I heard it this morning.

[thunder rumbling, rain continues]

How's work been?

It's a process, for sure.

I don't know how you do it.

Stand there in front of a bunch of people,
spilling your heart.

- Willpower.
- I hear that.

- Excited for tomorrow?
- Mm, are you kidding?

Ain't been to a Con in forever.
Can't wait.

Mrs. Waters is gonna have
her hands full babysitting y'all.

Yeah, she is. [chuckles]

I know how much
you wanted to be there,

being such a massive comic fan yourself,

but I know you already made plans
to watch the game.

Oh, yeah.
The only thing I love more than comics

is basketball.

It really does pain my heart
not to be able to be there, sir.

[both laugh]

What is it that y'all love so much
about space and fantasy stuff?

You know, honestly,
I used to not be into it myself.

- Really?
- Yeah.

Then, a roommate from college
forces me to go

- to a Star Wars with him.
- Hm.

I'm sitting in this packed theater
with all of these overexcited people

losing their minds at a space movie.

I'm laughing to myself.

Then, Billy Dee Williams
comes on the screen.

- Billy Dee?
- Yeah, Billy Dee.

Coolest man on planet Earth,
but now the coolest man in the galaxy.

So I started paying attention,
really getting into it.

Went back and saw the first movie,
and I was hooked.

- Mm.
- You know, cool Black people

weren't in space like that.
It was some groundbreaking shit.

I was so excited to introduce Mali to it.

She fell in love with it
just like I did.

But then, one day she comes up to me
and says,

"None of the girls
look like me, Daddy."

I remember thinking, I had Billy Dee,
my baby girl had nothing.

And that's when y'all
created Nova, I'm assuming?

She told you about that, huh?

[chuckles]
Yes, she did, sir.

I think I am almost caught up to speed.

You must be very special, son.
That's some sacred stuff.

I am honored.
[laughing]

[phone buzzing]

Uh, I think we should
probably go back in.

- Yeah, good call.
- Pretty sure they're on to us.

- Watch your head.
- Thanks.

[door opens and closes]

♪

[birds chirping]

[water pouring]

♪

- [voicemail beeps]
- [Mali] [on phone] Hey.

I just wanted to say thanks again
for last night.

My folks really loved you.

I didn't get a chance
to catch you before you left,

um, but I know that it was
really hard for you.

Look, I promise you,
it's really appreciated.

Anyway, I'll see you at Sam's tonight.

Please, don't be late.
It's a big night for her.

Okay, see you soon.

[♪ pensive music playing]

[basketball game playing on TV]

- Driving me to drink.
- Yeah, let's go.

- Mm.
- [sportscaster] [on TV] He hits it!

That's what the... see, that's
what the fuck I'm talkin' 'bout.

I told you he a beast, man.

- Stop fuckin' playing with me, bro.
- He's having an okay year.

Damn sure ain't worth all the fuckin'
draft picks we gave up on him.

Bro, it's his second year, Jus.
God dang, give him some time.

- [people chattering]
- Time, bro? I want a winner now!

- Bro, you just be negative for no reason.
- Shut up, bro.

- Fuck, man.
- He's a bust.

- Okay.
- [game continues playing on TV]

This fucking guy, man.
I don't...

- Look, get up...
- Hey, yo.

Yo, who,
who are all these people?

Why... Why are you whispering?
Stay out of my shit, bro.

I don't ask what you do.

Hm? What? Okay, alright.
[mutters to himself]

How's my girl Mal?

Uh, she's... yeah, she's great, yeah.

- Um...
- Hm.

You know, still with me, so I guess
I ain't fuck it all the way up.

Yeah, see, one day I'm gonna ask her
what she's doing with an idiot like you.

One of life's greatest mysteries,
ain't it? [chuckles]

[clears throat] It's crazy how cool she is
about the whole thing, you know?

Dealing with it better than me,
that's for damn sure.

Well, my boy, that's 'cause everybody
deals with shit better than you, Frank.

[Frank chuckles]

[snorting]

[phone buzzing]

[♪ pensive music continues]

[indistinct chatter]

[Mali sighs]

[vehicles rushing]

- [Frank] Hey.
- [speaker] How's it goin', man?

- Can I get a flick? I'm a huge fan, man.
- [Frank] Thank... Thank you.

[camera shutter snaps]

[speaker] I hate they killed you off
on the show too, man, that was bullshit.

[Frank] I mean, somebody had to go.

- [♪ muffled party music playing]
- [indistinct chatter]

[partygoer]
I didn't think it was gonna be this good.

You're the best.
I don't know how you do it.

[Mali] See you, Travis.
We'll close that deal.

[Travis] Thanks, Mali. [laughs]

[Frank] The fuck was that?

[party continues inside]

This big nigga at the door was trippin'.

Yo, who the fuck were you just
talking to right there?

- Nobody.
- Oh, okay. How are you, baby?

Mm-mm.

Oh.
[sniffling]

Alright, uh,
let's go ahead and do this party.

Come on, Frank, you are way too old
to be showing up to places like that.

Oh, my God, stop telling me
what the fuck I am, alright?

That shit is fuckin' annoying, alright?

- No, no, don't disrespect me.
- Disrespect...

I'm not the one who shows up
to auditions looking like Pablo Escobar.

Oh my gosh,
you're so fuckin' dramatic, alright?

- Have you lost your mind?
- Uh, this isn't even your shit, alright?

This is fuckin' Sam's shit.
Calm your little ass down, goddamn.

You know what?
Fuck you.

Fuck me?
Fuck you talking to like that, shorty?

Don't you ever touch me like that again.

[doorman]
Yo, everything alright?

Yes, everything is alright,
you big stupid nigga.

- Thanks for asking?
- What?

Everything is fine.
Thank you, Adrian.

- You lucky, little nigga.
- Whatever, fuckboy.

Go back to the door, check some IDs.

Get the fuck out of my face,
fuckin' idiot.

[Mali sighs]

I'm gonna go inside.
You should go home now.

Wow, so you're just gonna let me
drive home fucked up?

That's crazy.

You're a fucking asshole.

Okay, well, yeah, that tracks.

- [♪ party music continues]
- [people chattering]

[silence]

[Frank softly groans]

[distant dogs barking]

[Mali] Oh no, you're good.
This is where you leave me tonight.

Let me walk you to your door.

You can make sure I can get into my place
from right there.

- You're being so stupid.
- And you're an asshole.

Oh, I'm an asshole
because I wanted to know

who the fuck was touching my girl?

- The fuck outta here with that shit.
- Oh, you really are a selfish-ass nigga.

[Frank]
Oh, now I'm a selfish-ass nigga?

Do you know how hard it is to be
with someone who's about to fuckin' die?

I'm sorry to be such an inconvenience.

That's not what I'm saying.

What I'm saying is that
this whole situation,

it... it fucks with me.

You knew what you were
getting yourself into.

[Frank] Okay,
but that doesn't make it any easier.

- It's not about you, Frank!
- Am I not in this situation too? Huh?

- Huh?
- [phone buzzing]

[Mali scoffs]

[Mali]
Right on time.

"Right on time."
What the fuck is that supposed to mean?

Oh yeah, keep playing stupid, Frank.
You do that shit so well.

- What?
- You heard me.

You're so worried
about who's talking to me.

- Let's talk about you.
- What are you talking about?

[sighs] Have you slept with anyone else
since we've been together?

That's what I thought.

Yeah, I-I fucked someone.

You happy?
It was one chick,

and I... I didn't even think
that we were together when I did it.

- What's her name?
- "What's her name?"

Why do you wanna know her fuckin' name?
What's that gonna do?

What's her name, Frank?!

[Frank sighs]

Candice.

Excep...

You know what?
Since we're being so open to each other,

the guy that you saw me with earlier,
I have fucked him.

You fucked the guy...
wait, wait. Wait, what?!

[Mali] I don't think I stuttered,
but if you wanna hear it again,

I fucked him.

When the fuck did you do that stupid shit?

I don't know, Frank.
Maybe when you were fucking Candice,

or whoever your loose dick
was penetrating.

Honestly, it's none of your business.
Maybe we weren't even together then.

Know what, fuck you!

I'll have somebody else
do that for me tonight.

And get the fuck off my steps!

Fuck your dumbass steps, man!

- [banging]
- Fuck!

[dogs barking]

[♪ curious music playing]

[items clanging lightly]

- [clanging]
- [gasps] Oh.

[groans, exhales]

[clanging continues]

Yo, where's your phone charger?

[Justin Chaun] Yo.
Good morning, dumbass.

- Ugh. What time I get here about?
- Um...

You started knocking on my door
around 2:30. Yeah.

- 2:30, fuck.
- [Justin] Mm-hmm.

- My bad, son.
- Ah, it's all good, man.

Just lucky I didn't shoot your dumb ass.

- [Justin] Mm. Mm.
- Ahh.

[sighs]
I gotta call Mali, bro.

- I fucked up last...
- Oh, that's already taken care of.

What, did she...
Did she hit you?

[Justin] [laughing]
I mean, she's pissed off,

but she still cares about your ass.

[sighs]
Bro.

I'm gonna go over there, bro.

- Oh, well...
- I need to get my shit anyway.

...she also said to
give it a couple days.

- A couple days? Fuckin' serious, bro?
- Mm-hmm.

Frank... real talk, man,
she could have said fuck off,

so I'd take that couple days thing
as a victory.

Why don't you sit down and eat, man?

[Frank sighs]

"Thanks for breakfast."

I'm out, man.
Lock up on your way out.

[groaning]

[kids playing, chattering]

[♪ "True Colors" by Tiioki Plaza
& Sasha Camille playing]

♪ Mm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ I'm having bad dreams again ♪

♪ Mm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ Living nightmare,
when does it end? ♪

♪ Mm, mm-hmm ♪

♪ It's building inside of me ♪

[Frank]
Baby, I can be better.

♪ So jaded, can hardly see ♪

[Frank]
I love you, and you are my world.

♪ I heard you've been ducking... ♪

[Frank]
I messed up a lot, I know.

But please, please.

Just give me one more chance
to get it right.

Please.

♪ ...picked up broken pieces ♪

♪ Mm-hmm... ♪

- [♪ music stops abruptly]
- [applause]

- [Barry] Yes, yes.
- Thank you.

- That, that was... that was amazing.
- Thank you, I appreciate y'all.

[Barry]
Yeah... Um...

Oh, shit.
It's, uh... it's my allergies.

[sniffs]
Uh, thank y'all.

[door opens and closes]

- [birds chirping]
- [distant traffic noise]

- Hey, Frank.
- Barry.

Uh...
[slight chuckle]

I'm bettin' on you.

But I need to know
that you actually want to do this,

because I'm putting my neck on the line.

Oh no, this will be fun, man.
I get to go to space...

Yeah, no, Frank.

The studio has a couple of other actors
that they love for this role,

but you're my guy.

So, I am gonna go back in that room
and fight for you.

But I need to hear you tell me
that you wanna do this,

because what I won't do is fight
for someone who won't fight for me.

You feel me?

Yeah.
I got you.

Let's... let's fight.

[♪ "So You Can See Me"
by Gabriel da Rosa playing]

[phone line ringing]

[ringing continues]

[phone buzzing]

[phone line ringing]

[automated voice]
Your call has been forwarded

to an automatic voice message system.

At the tone, please record your message.
When you're finished recording...

[♪ "So You Can See Me"
instrumental continues]

[nurse]
Mali, they're ready for you.

[Mali]
Yes.

- [seagulls cawing]
- [waves crashing]

♪

[birds chirping]

[♪ music fades out]

[knocking]

[knocking]

[door unlocking]

Uh... got your hair done.
You...

Looks good. Uh...
really frames your face.

I wanted to do something different
with my hair before I lost it.

I... I love it, it's, uh...

Kinda have like
a Poetic Justice vibe.

Make a nigga feel like Tupac.

- What do you want?
- Okay.

Look, I'm sorry about the other night.

Been thinking about you nonstop,
which is weird,

'cause I don't do that shit.

I fucked up, alright?

I ain't shit, but you already know that,
of course.

But, uh... [sighs] I can be better.
I, I promise, alright?

I got a ton of shit to work on,
but I can't do it without you.

I am so sorry.
I will make it up to you, I promise.

What the fuck was that?

- What?
- That was so corny.

You're an actor.
That shit was weak.

I suck at apologies.
I'm gonna work on that too.

Anything is better than that.

Also, like...

done with this shit too.

How much coke was that?

Uh... a little less than an ounce,
I think.

An ounce?
Nigga, are you crazy?

I know. I...
As soon as I dumped it in,

I was thinking it was fuckin' stupid.
I can't actually...

- We could have sold it.
- Could have sold it?

What are you,
a fuckin' drug dealer or something?

I'm a businesswoman, Mr. Cooper.

Yeah.
That, you are.

[inhales]
[softly] Alright.

Dion, you're gonna have to leave now.

My stupid-ass boyfriend is back.

Oh, maybe I should be the actor,

because that was so much better
than your weak-ass performance.

- [Frank chuckles]
- You shaking like a tambourine.

- Ah, well, that nigga is lucky, you know?
- Mm-hmm.

'Cause I'd have bust his ass,
you know what I'm saying?

- Mm-hmm, yeah, right.
- Yeah, mm-hmm.

Stop playing with me.

It really was stupid
throwing away all that coke.

I mean, I appreciate the gesture,
but don't do dumb shit like that.

I literally felt a chill run down my spine
when I did it.

- Fuckin' dumb.
- [Mali chuckles]

Also, you could never be Tupac.

- Wow.
- Never.

Why you always hating on a nigga?

I mean, Tupac.
Did you really...

[♪ "Se Ti Dico" by Lita playing]

[♪ singing in Spanish]

[♪ song continues]

[bicycle bell rings]

♪

[♪ song continues playing
softly on speakers]

- [teeth brushing]
- [Frank] Yo.

[Laura] [on phone] Ask him which bag
the second bottle was in, okay?

- You good?
- [Laura] Hi. Sorry, yeah, no, I'm, uh...

Mark is sick and the nanny's out of town,

and I'm on office mom duty, I guess.

- Well, that sounds fun.
- [Laura] Mm-hmm.

Okay, we finally heard back from Barry,

and they fucking love you for this, man.

- [Frank] Sweet.
- We might be going to space!

[Laura laughs]

Until there's an offer,
it ain't real, Laura.

[Laura] I hear you, but I feel
really good about this one,

and I feel like we should just sort of try
to keep the positive energy flowing, okay?

[Frank]
Whatever you say, Deepak Chopra.

[chuckles]
Oh, um, I have more good news.

But just remind me really quick,
who is the best manager in the world?

- You got 'em?
- [Laura] Do I ever fail you?

Oh my God, she's gonna lose her shit.
Hold on, hold on.

[Laura] See, that's kind of the energy
I was looking for before.

- Yo, tell her, tell her, tell her.
- [Laura] Oh.

- Hi, Mali.
- Hey, Laura, how are you?

I'm good.
Um, as good as I can be,

having to deal with your boyfriend
every day.

Mm, tell me about it.

[Laura] Okay, wait, I have to go,
but really quick,

he did do something right.

He called me when you guys
got the tickets,

and I was able to score
some backstage passes.

Stop!

Now, I would totally understand
if you didn't want to take Frank.

I mean, what are you doing next month?

[Laura] Ugh,
if I didn't have this family, girl...

- Bye, Laura.
- [Laura] Okay, bye.

- We're going backstage?
- I mean, that's what she said, I don't...

[Mali exclaiming]

[Frank] But you gotta promise me
that you ain't gonna meet

some new nigga on your run, alright?

[Mali]
I mean, it's kind of my thing.

[Frank]
Yeah, yeah, well, you know what?

Let me call Laura back
and tell her that you don't...

- [Mali] Hm, you gonna try?
- Yeah, yeah.

[Mali]
Nuh-uh!

- [♪ romantic music playing]
- [wings fluttering]

[Justin] [on phone]
Bro, you bought some flowers though!

Nigga, I just made it back
to the bed this week.

I should've bought the whole damn shop.

[Justin] [laughs]
I'm glad it worked out for you.

Me too.
Alright, my nigga, in a minute.

[chuckles]

[speaker] Yo, you the little homie
from The Street, right?

- Yes, sir.
- Yo, my lady love that show, bro.

Think I can get a photo real quick?

No, I can't.
I gotta get to...

- Come on, real quick, real quick.
- No, my nigga, don't touch me.

Shit, fuck, goddamn.

Yo, that's some wack-ass shit.

- Whatever, nigga.
- What you say?

- Yo.
- [Candice] [on phone] Hey, stranger.

- Oh, stranger.
- To your right, man, move!

Oh, shit!
Slow the fuck down, nigga!

- [cyclist] Fuck you!
- [Candice] What happened?

Bike niggas out here driving
like Mad Max and shit, goddamn.

[Candice] Mm, well, look.
Tomorrow, you can make it up to me

for being MIA.

It's last minute,
but it's my premiere,

and suddenly, I'm date-less.

- Food, open bar, yada-yada.
- [Frank chuckles]

Food, open bar.
All of that sounds amazing.

- But I'm out the game...
- [speaker] Psst.

[grunting]

- [Candice] Frank?
- Bitch-ass nigga.

[grunting]
That's what you fuckin' get.

[Candice] Hello?
Frank, are you okay?

- [Mali whimpering]
- [machines beeping]

[whispering]
The fuck?

Oh, Frank.

[sighs]

[slight chuckle]

You just couldn't handle me
being the first to go, could you?

Such a Frank thing to do.

- Hey.
- Did she go in?

Yeah. Yeah.

Okay.
[panting]

Y'all was running?

[sighs]

I mean, I used to run marathons.
That's cool.

Y'all should hit me
next time you go for...

- I'm not giving you my number.
- Alright, that's cool.

I'll just get it from Frank.
He thinks we'd be a good...

Shut the fuck up.

[phone alarm lightly sounding]

[Mali moaning lightly]

- [yawning]
- [phone beeping]

[alarm turning off]

[sighs]

[phone buzzing]

[phone buzzing]

[Candice] [on phone]
Finally, you pick up.

You know, you could have just said
you didn't wanna go to the event.

You don't have to
fake your own death. [chuckles]

Frank?
You there?

Frank can't come to the phone right now,

but I'll be sure to let him know
that you called.

[Candice]
Oh, okay, I just...

[♪ somber music playing]

[groaning lightly]

[exhales deeply]

[sighs]

Fuck.

[Mali] The nurse asked
if you wanted a wheelchair.

I told her you'd never let me
wheel you out of here...

- Hey, Mal.
- What's up?

It wasn't anything.

I promise.
I'm done with that.

Okay, Frank.

[Frank]
I'm serious.

You believe me, right?

I believe you.
And even if I didn't,

I don't have the time or energy
to argue about it anymore.

- Mali, I need you to believe...
- I said I believe you, Frank.

Damn.
Keep saying it,

and I'm gonna start thinking otherwise.

Doesn't matter.

The time I got left, I gotta worry
about where I'm at and who I'm with.

And right now, I love both
of those things, so just drop it.

I'm gonna go bring the car around front.

[announcer on TV] ...a lot to be desired,
but I think the Miami game just tells you

- everything you need to know...
- [phone buzzing]

[Mali]
Hey, Mom.

[Mali's mom] [on phone]
How's Muhammad Ali doing?

- What?
- [Mom] You know.

Frank got in a fight.
Come on, Mal, keep up.

- Mom, you really are a...
- [Mom] A comedic genius?

- Thank you.
- He's good.

Watching the game.
He ate some food.

[Mom]
Back in his natural habitat, I see.

You know Frankie boy.

- [Mali's dad] Tell 'em I said hey, baby.
- [Mom] Your father says hi.

- Tell him I said hi.
- [Dad] Hey, baby girl.

[Mom]
Are y'all still going to the concert?

- Is he dead?
- [Mali's mom laughing]

- [Dad] Frank watching the game?
- [Mom] Yes, he's watching the game.

- Look, Mom, can I call you back?
- [Mom] Sure thing, sweetie.

[Mali groans]

[retching]

[continues retching]

[groaning]

[sighs]

[breathing heavily]

[breathes deeply]

[sobbing]
Fuck.

[TV continues playing in other room]

[Mali weeps]

[toilet flushing]

[water running]

[Mali spitting]

Hey, babe.
[kiss smacks]

Mm.
How's your mom?

She's good.
She's checking in on your dumb ass.

Ah, yeah, she's...
she's amazing.

I'm so fuckin' tired.

[Mali chuckles softly]

[TV softly playing]

[♪ gentle music playing]

[Mali]
Love you too, Mom.

[TV playing]

How much longer?

- Never rush a woman getting ready.
- [Frank chuckles]

I want you to know,

we really don't have to go.
I can just tell him...

[♪ gentle music continues]

[Frank and Mali chatting indistinctly]

[Frank]
I was really that nigga. [chuckles]

I keep telling you,
the injury of my hip is...

- [Mali] Mm.
- I'm supposed to be 6'8".

- Babe, it's what the doctor said.
- Wow.

What kind of contract
have they got me, huh?

- Six years, $800 million?
- No, five... [sucking teeth]

- The best I could have gotten you.
- 'Cause I was really...

- I would have tried my best.
- I... Wow.

- It would have been the most difficult...
- [Justin] Finally!

- Wow.
- [Justin] Mali Mal!

There he go,
the man, the myth, the legend himself.

Hey, hey, hey, what's up, man?
Good to see you.

Uh, hey, if anybody asks,
this is my house.

- Yeah, but whose house is this...
- Hey, da-da-da-da, I just told you.

My house. Just silent.
Enter and enjoy.

- Oh, okay.
- Why he have to say something?

- Now, the view is crazy.
- Come on, Mal, now forget him...

Oh, no, that's... that's your friend now.

[indistinct chatter]

- You're dressing him these days, huh?
- Uh...

Gayle!
That's Persian silk.

Please take your shoes off anyway.

Hey, yo, don't open
that bottle yet, bro!

We're saving that shit for later, bro!

- [people chattering]
- [♪ mellow music lightly playing]

- Hey! [laughing]
- Oh! Shit!

What's wrong with you?

Come here, let me show you something.

[Frank]
Little bathroom action.

I cannot believe
that we are out this late.

Yeah, I know.

I mean, actually, I can't believe
that you are out this late.

You make it sound like I'm the old one.

I'm just saying, you usually go to bed
at, like, 6:30.

Okay, but I'm the one
who was begging to come tonight.

- Which is crazy.
- [laughing] I know.

- Did you have a good time?
- You know, I think Justin should pay me

for how I started the party.

Yeah, I wanted to tell you
that this new version of you,

- kinda digging it.
- Ooh! Dig on, Frankie boy.

- Ohh.
- I need Mal.

- All yours.
- Mal?

- Ah, being summoned by the man.
- [Justin] Come with me.

It's very important that I dance
with you right now.

You're the only one who get it.

[chatter and laughter]

[Justin] No one else get it!

[♪ "Dive In" by Antonia Carrena
and Batundi playing]

[♪ song fades out]

[Mali singing lightly]

[Frank] Oh, yeah.
Keep on singing, baby.

- [Mali] You know you...
- [Frank] Oh, it's beautiful.

[both sigh]

[Mali groans]

[sighs]
I'm tipsy, I think.

[Frank sighs]

- I think you're right.
- [Mali chuckles]

Lightweight.
Here's some water.

[Mali groans]

- I like Maya.
- Yeah, Maya.

- She seemed cool.
- Mm.

She's pretty too.
I give you permission to date her.

Mm.
Well, she's in a relationship, so...

- She is?
- Yeah.

- Fuck.
- Mm-hmm.

Well, you can date someone like her.

[scoffs]
I can?

Yes, permission has been granted.

Thank you, Captain, but pretty sure
I'm good with the one I got.

[Mali]
Blah-blah-blah-blah.

[chuckles] When I peace out,
you should date someone like her.

I also like Carla.
She's pretty cool.

You need to find somebody
who has a good job.

Find somebody who's smart,
who can help you keep your shit together.

I also like tall girls for you.

Maybe like a model
with a business.

[Frank scoffs]

I'm serious, Frank.

You need to plan life
because I'm gonna go.

Okay, what you need to do, baby,
is go to bed.

Listen to me.

You need to be happy,
and all that good stuff.

Look at me.

Every day, you ask me what I need,
and what do I tell you?

- You don't need anything.
- Exactly.

Because I am like Beyoncé...
independent woman.

Except for tacos.
Oh, I always need tacos.

[exhales sharply]
I'm gonna ask you for what I really need.

And you can't say no,
or I'm gonna punch you in the neck.

[sighs]
When I go, promise me you'll be happy.

You better live life
and enjoy that shit.

Don't become a sad, lonely man
with a big-ass beard

listening to Frank Ocean in a tiny room.

It's not a good look, trust me.

If it was the other way around...

you best believe I would be living life
to the fullest.

Find me a tall, dark island man.

I mean, if you have any suggestions,
let me know.

Promise me, Frank.

Come on, Frank, you have to promise me.

Come on.

Frank, promise me.

Please.

Okay.

Okay.
Now, you get your present.

My present?

[gift wrap rustling]

- Wow.
- [Mali chuckles]

[Mali]
Exclusive shit right there.

[Frank]
I can't wait to read it.

Pay attention,
because you will be quizzed.

Y'all need some rest.
We got the queen tomorrow.

- Goodnight, dummy.
- [Frank chuckles]

Goodnight, loser.

- Oh, yes.
- Nice and warm.

- [Mali] Mm-hmm.
- [kiss smacks]

- [insects chirping]
- [plane flying overhead]

- [water running]
- [clapping hands]

Today is the day!

There is no time for sleep.

Do you think that Beyoncé's asleep?
Absolutely not.

It's time to get your ass up, girl,
and get in formation!

I learned all the songs this morning.
I'm so ready.

What do you want for breakfast, my lady?

Let me guess.
Tacos?

Oh, wake your sleepy-ass up.

Talk about I sleep too late.

Mm, mwah!

Come on.

Mali. Mali.

Mali? Mali?

Baby? Baby?

No, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Fuck!

Mali, don't do this shit to me.

Don't fuckin' do this to me,
don't fuck... fuck!

Wake up, wake up, wake up!

Don't do this to me,
don't do this to me.

[door opens and closes]

[car door opens]

Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up.
Wake up.

- [car door closes]
- [engine starting]

- [Mali's mom] What are you saying?
- [doctor] I'm... I'm sorry.

What is this?!
No, what is this?

[voices muffled]

[Frank] She don't deserve this.
[clearing throat]

[Frank's mom] [on phone]
I know, baby.

- [♪ somber music playing]
- [machines beeping]

[Frank]
I don't know what to do, Mom.

[Mom] [on phone]
Be there.

The biggest regret I have with your father
was all the worrying I did.

I missed so much
stressing over stuff that I...

it was out of my control.

Be there, Frank.
That's what you can do.

I don't know how you did it.

[Mom]
What other choice is there?

You're stronger than you know, son.

[choking up]

I love you, Mom.
Now, I should probably go back in.

[Mom]
I love you.

- God is all.
- God is all.

[Mali's mom]
God, I know you're in complete control.

[machines beeping]

Please take care of my baby.

[Mali sighs]

How you feeling, baby?

I'm sorry, Mom.

I know.

But I can't believe I didn't see it.

I taught you to be nothing less
than the strongest person

that walked into any room.

And you are.

But I don't think I taught you
how to lean on the people in your life

when you really need something.

I call you about all of my problems, Mom.

Yet here you are
laying in a hospital bed, Mal,

with a sickness you told us
you were recovering from.

I must have missed that call.

You gave me a lot,
but you didn't give me this.

You don't get to put this on yourself.

This right here,
it's a blip on the radar.

I'm gonna be good.

I know you are, baby.

So, let's hurry it up, okay?
[kissing hand]

[machines beeping]

[indistinct hospital chatter]

[Frank]
I appreciate you, man.

Yeah, I will.
Alright.

[whispering]
There we go.

Get you warm, girl.

- I'm sorry.
- [clicking tongue] Mm-hmm.

[sighs]

- Okay.
- [Mali chuckles]

- [phone playing video]
- It's, it's really shitty quality.

I had my homie record it for you, but...

[crowd cheering on video]

I know it's not like being there. It's...

It's perfect.

[chuckles]
He tried, didn't he?

[softly groans]
Come on.

He tried.

[machines beeping]

[Mali vomiting]

[Mali whimpers, continues retching]

[toilet flushing]

[Mali sniffles]

[sobbing]

[siren whooping]

[insects chirping]

[distant dogs barking]

Doc told us she wasn't in remission.

You already knew that though,
didn't you, Frank?

That makes two of us.

- How'd you know?
- She's my daughter, man.

- Did you tell Mrs. Waters?
- You crazy?

I haven't seen her
that happy in 20 years.

I'm sorry.

Some lies are worth it.

How you holding up?

Feel like I cry every other day.

I go in the garage, tell her I'm going
to work on the car, like I always do.

And I cry.

If only I had a garage.

She's a fighter, huh?

Feels like every fight she found, she won.

I remember the first time
a teacher spelled her name wrong.

I picked her up from school,
she hopped in the car,

screamed at the top of her lungs,
"Miss Nelson spelled my name wrong!"

I said, "It's okay, baby."
She... she cut me off.

"But it's not okay!
M-A-L-I, not M-O-L-L-Y!"

There she is, five years old,
doesn't even know how she got the name.

All she know is that Miss Nelson
spelled it wrong,

and she wasn't having it.

Only Child Syndrome.

Feels like she always got something
to prove.

[siren wailing in distance]

My Pops was a fighter, too.

Never met the man.

I feel like I know him
the more I get to know you.

I still see his face.

But the, um...

memories are starting to fade a little.

I have to listen to old voicemails
just to remember his voice now.

But my hands, I...
[chuckles]

I see his hands in mine now,
which is crazy, 'cause I...

I can't lose another fighter, sir.

[Mali's dad]
And you won't.

Mali don't know how to lose.

Something I wanna do for her, sir,
but I'm gonna need a little help.

[Mali's dad]
What's up?

[machine beeping]

[rapid knocking]

[Mali]
Somebody better get me good food.

What the hell?

[Frank]
Prince Seywo here.

There's no time.
We have an important mission.

- What is happening?
- Oh, that is fucking heavy.

It's time to save the galaxy, Princess.
Come on.

Oh my God, you're so stupid.

I can't believe you walked through
the whole hospital dressed like that.

[Frank]
Well, I'm not the only one.

- Come here.
- What does that mean?

- Okay.
- Okay, where are you taking me?

Oh, don't you worry.

[Mali laughing]

Oh my God.

Princess, shall we save Nebweku?

Yes, we shall.
[laughing]

[♪ "Chasing Shadows" by Santigold playing]

♪ 360, five left,
I'm counting it to the day ♪

♪ I'm thinking if I did everything I said
or if the year got the best of me ♪

♪ One thing about time,
it waits for nobody ♪

♪ You told me, isn't that what they say ♪

♪ Been batting against it
and gettin' nowhere ♪

♪ Just racing, got nothin'
to say to nobody ♪

♪ Little lady, you better get in line,
now I'm talkin' this to myself ♪

♪ Better get in on down with the program
don't sell your lot ♪

♪ For an old broke dream
they been sellin' you ♪

♪ Free fallin' like Tom Petty,
waitin' on this rodeo to haul ♪

♪ I break my own rules, steal my way home,
and guard the still there like a beast ♪

♪ We race the globe ♪

♪ The shakers and the fools ♪

♪ We trouble, you know ♪

♪ You'll find us where we fall,
we're chasing shadows ♪

- [♪ music stops abruptly]
- [machines beeping]

[nurse] [knocking]
It's 9 o'clock.

Oh. Thank you.

[Frank groans softly]

Your new nurse is here,
so I'm gonna go take a shower

and try to get a little bit of sleep.

But... I will be back.

And I'm gonna keep coming back, okay?

I need you to do me a favor.

I need you to, um...

I need you to live.

Okay?

I'm not good at this hospital thing.

Parking is terrible,
the food is shitty, and...

I just think we look better at home.

I've been thinking a lot lately

about who I was before you, and...

this version's a lot more digestible
to the masses.

I'm getting used to it, and I like it,

so I need you to stick around.

I don't think I ever told you
that I loved you,

and I'm sorry for that.

Honestly, I was just afraid
that you would leave me,

and I'm not built for that type of pain.

Not again.

I've been there,
and I fuckin' hate it.

But I do love you.

I'm fuckin' crazy about you.

And I'm damn sure not ready
to chase the memory of you.

I know you always tell me
that I'll be okay and it'll get better.

But for once, you're wrong.

So, for me, just... live, alright?

It's not enough for you
to just keep fighting.

I need you to live.

You're magic, girl.

The world...

The world needs you.

[kiss smacks]

- [retreating footsteps]
- [machines continue beeping]

[♪ organ music playing]

Wow, um...
[clearing throat]

I've had all week to think about this,
and, uh...

I still don't know what to say.

Everybody's been telling me what to think
and what to feel, but, um...

nobody can tell me
what I'm supposed to do now.

I've tried everything, and... nothing.

Nothing could take her off my mind.

I, um...

[sighs]
Fuck.

- What's the line?
- [director] That's a cut.

- [assistant director] Cutting!
- [bell rings]

- [crew member] Cutting.
- [people chattering]

Alright, everybody, that's lunch.

[sighs]
Thank you.

Thank you.

But honestly,
uh, it's actually a lot of fun.

I never thought I would be doing
somethin' like this,

but credit to my girl,
she got me into sci-fi,

so, uh, here we are.
[chuckles]

[interviewer] A girl?
Tell me more.

- I said too much, didn't I? Ugh.
- [interviewer] No, no, no.

I'm sure there are a lot of people
that would love to hear about the woman

who stole Frank Cooper's heart.

[chuckles]
Uh...

I'll keep the details to myself for now.

But, she's a real-life badass.

Um...
[clicks tongue]

she saved my life,
and, uh, I'm learning a lot from her

and becoming a better person
in the process, I hope. [chuckles]

[interviewer] Yeah, man.
That's beautiful.

What would you say is the biggest thing
you learned from her?

[chuckles]

[♪ light music playing]

[traffic rushing]

♪

Think I'm gonna buy
the seating on the car.

[Mali]
How'd it go, superstar?

- Oh. Mwah. It was light work.
- Mm.

How was your little study session,
Dr. Rocket Scientist?

[scoffs] They really should make
astrophysics just a bit harder.

Oh. You know, one day,
I'm gonna figure out

how you make everything look so easy.

No, you won't.
But I like that you try.

Mm. Do you now?

- Yeah.
- Okay, you talkin' spicy.

[Mali] One of my favorite top five things
I love about you.

[Frank] Top five?
What's the other four?

Your car.

[Mali laughing]

Your style.

You make us breakfast tacos.

[car starting]

[Mali continues indistinctly]

♪

[Frank laughing]

[♪ "There Must Be A God"
by India Shawn playing]

♪ There must be a God,
I'm not alone in this life ♪

♪ You are the answer
to the prayer I cried ♪

♪ Never believed before ♪

♪ But now I do ♪

♪ There must be a God,
I'm starting to see signs ♪

♪ Followed my heart,
it led me to your eyes ♪

♪ Never this deep before ♪

♪ Because of you ♪

♪ Heaven, oh, heaven,
heaven, oh, heaven ♪

♪ I feel you sending down blessings,
heaven, oh, heaven ♪

♪ You see, I've learned all my lessons,
changed my direction ♪

♪ Heaven, oh, heaven ♪

♪ There must be a God ♪

- ♪ Watching over me ♪
- ♪ Watching over me ♪

- ♪ I can finally see ♪
- ♪ I can finally see ♪

- ♪ Where my life could be ♪
- ♪ Where my life could be ♪

♪ There must be a God,
the words you say, so clear ♪

♪ When you say forever,
I believe you, dear ♪

♪ Never believed before ♪

- ♪ But now I do
- ♪ I do, I do, I do ♪

♪ Heaven, oh, heaven,
heaven, oh, heaven ♪

♪ I feel you sending down blessings,
heaven, oh, heaven ♪

♪ You see I've learned all my lessons,
changed my direction ♪

♪ Heaven, oh, heaven ♪

♪ There must be a God ♪

- ♪ Watching over me ♪
- ♪ Watching over me ♪

- ♪ I can finally see ♪
- ♪ I can finally see ♪

♪ Where my life could be ♪

♪ There must be a God ♪

- ♪ Watching over me ♪
- ♪ Watching over me ♪

- ♪ I can finally see ♪
- ♪ I can finally see ♪

- ♪ Where my life could be ♪
- ♪ Where my life could be ♪

♪ There must be a God,
I'm not alone in this life ♪

♪ You are the answer
to the prayer I cried ♪

♪ Never believed before ♪

♪ But now I do ♪

[♪ song ends]

[♪ light music playing]

♪

[♪ music fades out]