Original subtitles

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

What up?

First thing I'm going to do

is I'm gonna knock down this wall. Know what I'm saying?

Indoor Jacuzzi.

Your boy's gonna be taking baths in the living room! Ya heard?

NINE: I like where your head's at, but these offers aren't signed yet.

So maybe we should talk album roll out first.

Talk?

So I spoke to my people at Spotify

and they are willing to do a major push.

Nice! All right, cool. So when do we release?

Soon. But timing is everything.

Okay? A couple labels have already expressed interest.

We play this right, we could have a bidding war on our hands.

Oh, shit, [CHUCKLES]

just the kind of war I like. Know what I'm saying?

King! Hello?

Are you hearing this shit, dog? What's wrong with you?

Yeah, man, we finally made it, bro.

That's right, baby. Yeah!

Drink up!

Mmm-hmm.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

[BOTH CHUCKLING]

Oh! Wait, what's all this?

Uh...

Just, uh, some finishing touches for the party.

The party?

I thought you said you were done with those.

What if Sage finds out?

Don't worry about that.

It's just... I just need to do one more little party,

say goodbye to my city. Sage is out of town, it's the perfect time to do it.

Oh! Are you really that incapable of following a simple rule?

Come on, don't be like that. It's just one little party. Say goodbye.

Dre, I need you to take this tour seriously.

I do.

I wake up early, I learn the steps, I'm even surviving being Sage.

I just, I need this, you know?

I need to do my own thing sometimes.

[LAUGHS]

I need to enjoy this last bit of freedom.

Oh...

So, you're coming, right?

Fine.

I can't miss a Dondre party. You know that.

Yeah? I know.

Yeah. [LAUGHS]

TAL: Did you want to see me, Miss Jones?

Chocolate?

Sure. Thanks.

Mmm-hmm.

So how are you?

I'm okay. I'm good. I'm...

I'm grateful, you know?

I know I lost Sage's trust when I dropped Odalie...

Tal, stop. Okay? Odalie's rehabbing well.

When I ask how you're doing, I actually want to know.

Like, how are you handling the stress of the tour?

How are the other dancers treating you?

How's your home life?

Uh... [CHUCKLES SOFTLY]

To be honest,

the tour's kind of the best distraction right now.

Home's pretty complicated.

Oh, really? Why?

Well, I met my dad for the first time a few weeks ago.

Wow! What... What did you say? What did he say?

Nothing I didn't already know.

He said I was better off without him. And...

I don't plan on seeing him again, so it doesn't matter anyway.

Miss Jones, all I care about is getting my spot back on the tour.

Well, I have some really good news for you.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

All right! This looks fantastic!

Cut the music, please?

[MUSIC STOPS]

Really good work, guys.

Uh, I have an announcement to make.

I know you are all wondering where Sage is,

so close to our premiere date. He has...

He's in New York doing promo. I already filled them in.

Oh, good. Good for you, Zo. Thank you.

Um, as of today,

Sage has appointed me his creative director.

So from now on,

all major decisions need to go through me.

Congrats.

We have a rehearsal, so we're gonna get back to it.

Yes, and... Sure. And also.

Take it from the one.

Um, as of today, Tal is no longer on the sidelines, so...

Yay!

Find a good spot for him.

Will do.

Tal, sit your ass down.

Sit down that way.

We're gonna go from the top.

Zo! I'm sorry.

Maybe I wasn't clear. As of today, Tal is back in.

He's not sitting. He's not standing. He's dancing.

We've been in rehearsals for weeks. Formations are set.

He can get in the next number.

Tal, do you know this choreo?

Yes, ma'am.

No, he don't.

Great, looks like he can get in this number.

Sage made me the dance captain, so...

And he made me creative director. So put Tal back in the number,

or you can explain to Sage why we had to pull the entire number.

Got it, dance captain?

Awesome.

Okay, do what you guys need to do.

Get water, get yourselves right with God.

You got three and a half minutes.

What? Three and a half minutes?

Man, we've been working our ass off. We can't get a full five?

Right, thanks to Dondre, now you have three minutes.

Figure it out.

Oh, man.

It's like he goes out of his way to fuck with us.

[MUSIC PLAYING ON CELL PHONE]

Yeah, he's really starting to piss me off. It's been weeks,

and people are still on this "Poppin' Off" bullshit. Like, what the fuck...

Dre! Not looking at it doesn't mean it goes away.

I thought we put all this Rigo drama behind us?

I've been on my Michelle Obama when they go low vibe for weeks now.

The shit's not working, okay? I'm gonna make a response.

How about just giving Rigo less attention and focusing on us?

Fine.

Which one's this one?

That is, uh, pineapple bourbon.

Pineapple bourbon... Hmm.

Oh, my God! What?

Too much bourbon.

Uh-huh.

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

Are you gonna get that?

Hmm?

Are you gonna get that?

You expecting anybody?

No.

Well, then it must be somebody that wants me to give something

that I don't want to give.

[KNOCKING]

Like, uh, time, money, a fuck.

Oh. Don't worry, you look comfy. I'll get it.

[KNOCKING CONTINUES]

Coming!

WOMAN: Hi, I'm going door to door...

Hi.

...registering voters for our upcoming election.

No, I'm good. Thank you.

Voter suppression is a real issue in our community, sir. So why do you think that is?

Um...

Because the establishment is scared of what we can do

when we become organized, mobilized, and informed.

All right, Maxine Waters. Oh!

Hey.

Hi.

Um... Mmm! You didn't tell me we had a superstar at the door.

Hmm.

Listen, you want me to register to vote,

all you gotta do is give me your number and smile.

Uh... Oh... So...

Well, actually I'm registered as an Independent!

Independ... We don't like the establishment!

[SIGHS]

Don't say nothing.

Look, say something.

I mean...

Uh...

I mean, it's not every day you get a beautiful woman

just come up to your door like that.

I bet she was a Pisces too.

Look, Mr. Al. If you're trying to meet women,

why don't you just download Tinder?

[SCOFFS] Boy, are you crazy? I don't need no Tinder!

That's how you get in trouble on Dateline.

Which one is Tinder?

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

[MUSIC STOPS]

ZO: In the name of Aretha,

Whitney and Michael!

All Zo wanted was be dance captain and go on tour.

We can scrap a few counts and add a freestyle section.

Nobody's checking for your dusty-ass freestyle.

Respect the hierarchy and the steps. Thank you.

What if we...

Respect the hierarchy and the steps!

Look, I'll do better. Okay? I just... I just need some time.

At this rate and how you look,

I don't think I'm ever gonna leave Atlanta.

And I look too cute to be stuck in this second-rate-ass city.

And what the hell do you know about Atlanta?

You just a bougie-ass tourist stunting for the Gram.

Fall back, baby girl. 'Cause I've been to countries you only buy your weaves from.

Zo, don't get fucked up.

Hold on, hold on. He ain't even worth all that.

You do know flexing on folks ain't the way to motivate them to do better, right?

Matter fact, while I'm on the subject, I'm throwing a party tonight.

All y'all deserve to have a good time and see what Atlanta is really about.

And I'm the one to show y'all.

Me and my dusty-ass freestyle.

You invited too, Zo.

Sage has to understand that I was just trying to hustle as hard as he does.

Here we go. Read the highlighted section.

[SIGHS]

"All content or materials developed at High Water or on High Water equipment..."

"Become the property of High Water and its owner Sage Odom."

King, I am disappointed in you. Sage has done so much for you.

I'm sorry, okay? I'll take whatever punishment Sage decides to dish out,

but Miss Jones, I need that music back.

Not that simple.

Can I just speak with Sage?

No. And you are hereby expelled from High Water

and our community.

That's bullshit!

Keep your voice down. I wish you nothing but luck.

No! No, I'm not leaving here with nothing.

What am I supposed to tell Rigo? That album is all he has left.

We worked our whole lives at this. You telling me it's all gone?

Please, Miss Jones. I...

There has to be something I can do to make this right.

Just tell me what it is and I'll do it.

Bring Rigo here.

Maybe we could all work out something together.

Done.

Great.

Have a good day.

So Zo's supposed to be your mans, right?

No, I mean... I don't know. We don't really use labels.

Well, he sure don't have a problem with labels

when it comes to being dance captain.

Look, it's complicated. He's complicated.

Mmm-hmm.

He's an artist. He has to be honest about everything.

But you know that's a good thing. You need that.

No, it's not.

'Cause he mean as hell and I do not like his ass.

I don't know why you hang out.

He says he's temperamental.

A lot of people at the top are. Look at Sage.

Sage is fucking nuts.

Facts.

True.

But... You know, when I needed somebody,

he was actually there. So I think you just don't know him the way I do.

And I think if you got to know him outside of rehearsal, it would...

Outside of rehearsal?

Outside of rehearsal.

Let's go to Dondre's party!

Together like...

Yeah, together.

No. Mmm-mmm!

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it's my only day off today.

So I think I'm just gonna kick back and just...

You gonna leave me with Zo?

Hey, I'm serious. All right? It'll be fun.

Like a double date?

A double date? No! Are you crazy!

[LAUGHS]

Please, please, please.

Oh, my God!

Please, please, please.

Fine.

I will only put up with Zo's shenanigans for you.

Thank you. And you know, he's...

If...

You help me with something.

What?

I need your help making a response video.

Rigo done crossed a damn line. It's crazy.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

This song's actually pretty, uh...

Trash, right? Fucking terrible.

Yeah, terr... yeah.

Okay, I'm not gonna lie. I hate to say it, but I was gonna say catchy.

Catchy? You were supposed... Give my phone back!

You supposed to be my friend.

I'm telling you, he's the worst type of dude.

Right!

A fuck boy with catchy music.

Exactly.

♪ Poppy gonna be that bitch

♪ Fuck you very much

♪ I don't need your shit

♪ No, no

♪ I got all these hoes

♪ Thirsty for this thing

Okay.

Well, damn, Davis!

Oh, shit! You like... I got more for you then.

♪ You ho was a waste of time

♪ I dutch double it, Poppy

♪ Hope you crash your car

♪ Karma be your bitch

That was kinda mean.

However, you sound great! I didn't know you can sing!

No, I try. I dabble here and there.

[LAUGHING]

Guys, I...

I got an idea.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

What the hell do you mean my music is gone?

Man, you fucked up!

All I tried to do was help your ass make a classic album!

My beats are on that thing too!

Who's giving mics to an album they can't fucking listen to, King? Huh?

Okay. The lawyers said that we can try to fight it,

but with Sage's resources it could drag out in court for months.

Years maybe. And I've got deals waiting now.

Fuck!

Hey, man! Calm down! We'll figure this shit out!

We ain't gonna do shit if I can't trust you!

It wasn't my fault, Rigo!

Oh! I should have seen this shit coming!

Marquise tried to warn me you was gonna find a way to fuck this up!

Now he's locked up, and look where you fucking got us!

Hey! Look, King is not the enemy here. Okay?

We all sacrificed for this and we all got fucked.

We are in it together.

Together my ass!

Y'all fucked this up!

You know, you need to relax!

I don't need to do shit! Y'all need to get my music back!

Don't tell me what the fuck to do in my house, yo!

TAL: Okay, Davis, so remember, just like we practiced.

You're Rigo. Just be as obnoxious as possible.

Too easy. [GRUNTING]

Uh...

Why was I with him for so long?

Yes! Okay, but channel that feeling! All right? Channel that.

Fine.

All right. Uh, sorry...

Tal, chill! These are my homegirls. I told them to come help.

What's up, guys!

[ALL LAUGH]

Finally! Poppy wanna act like she's the only one who can dance.

So, you know Poppy from Velvet City?

No, I go to Morehouse.

I thought that was all guys.

[GIRLS LAUGHING]

Not the med school.

[SNICKERS QUIETLY]

Okay, but you can dance though, right?

Where you find him?

POPPY: It's okay.

He don't know. He's from Ohio.

He needs to go back.

We got this, we got this.

[ALL CHATTERING]

RIGO: Yo, you making any progress over there?

I say you go to Miss Jones and beg.

For my own shit?

Y'all got me all the way fucked up.

No, appeal to her as an artist. You know, with some dignity and shit.

It's not about art.

With the proper backing from a label,

with the right word of mouth and a big media push,

your debut would do incredible numbers.

Yeah, because I'm fucking dope.

It's about business.

We go to Collette and we make her an offer.

They give us back the beats and we give them a cut?

A cut of what? Yo, they didn't have shit to do with making that album.

Look, do you want your money and your music?

Then we play it smart. Because Sage is nothing if not a shrewd businessman.

[GROANS] He's late.

What? The African queen isn't even ready yet.

I'm worth the wait.

It's just this whole thing's funny

because Zo's a time tyrant at rehearsal.

I know, right?

He be like, "Mmm-mmm! Y'all got 45... No!

"Now thanks to Dondre, 43 seconds for a bathroom break.

"Boy, get up!"

"Is anyone breathing off beat? Did I tell you to exhale?"

[BOTH GASPING, LAUGHING]

Oh, my God. He's not that bad.

He is! Tal, he had the opportunity to get you dancing for Sage again,

and what did he do?

Nothing.

You deserve better, man.

But we promise to be cool tonight.

Thank you.

[HUMS, GIGGLES]

[BOTH LAUGH]

No, please, let's just go.

All right.

[R&B MUSIC PLAYING]

[PEOPLE LAUGHING]

♪ People wonder what thing we do

♪ Yeah, yeah

♪ Feel the magic inside of you

♪ Oh! You make it feel like...

[VOCALIZING]

♪ You make it feel like...

[MUSIC STOPS]

[REGGAE MUSIC PLAYS]

[GROANS, SIGHS]

There's no being sad at a Dondre function. It's bad for the brand.

I'm not sad.

Tal, come on, dance!

No, I'm good.

Ah! Uh! I know what we need.

Flags!

BOTH: Flags?

Flags!

Flags!

What I said from... I got some in the back.

Flags, right.

[LAUGHS]

You know, you guys are actually pretty cute together.

Oh, thanks!

It's annoying.

Trust me, I know exactly where you are.

The hot and the cold.

He can make you so mad.

But you still want to see him.

Because when it's good...

Oh! It's great.

What about when it's not good?

You waste a lot of time wishing the good would come back.

Hmm...

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

What the hell are you doing?

You need a candid shot for your Tinder profile.

Boy, I don't need that! I'm a P-I-M-P!

Okay, what year are you living in? Look, no, seriously.

Plenty of people meet off apps. It's not weird anymore.

But your obsession is.

You know what? Fine.

I'm over here trying to help you out. I don't need to be doing this.

Yeah.

[SIGHS]

Did you see that?

How long has it been?

Boy, you better stay out of grown folks' business.

Look, all I'm saying is I've been living here for a minute.

Okay? And I ain't seen one lady come in or out of this place.

Oh, I ain't seen nobody coming in for you neither!

You're kidding me, right? Odalie.

Odalie? You've met her several times.

Oh, you mean the white girl that came here looking like a lost Disney deer?

The one that Tal broke? Huh? She don't count.

Fine.

[SIGHS]

The night Prince died.

Wait, what?

The night that Prince died

was the last time I entertained a lady.

The last time...

I heard the doves cry.

Oh, all right, all right, that's enough. Come on.

Let's do this. We're gonna get this done.

Wait. Let me let you in on a little secret.

Mass mourning is a hell of an aphrodisiac.

Use that. Give me the tiger.

No, less tiger.

[CAMERA CLICKS]

That's the one.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

Flags.

Yes!

Flags.

Ohio, you gotta rep the motherland tonight.

What your man got for me and my genie.

These would have been sick for the video.

Video?

I mean to say, you killed that shit.

What shit you kill?

I mean, we were just messing around. It's actually pretty stupid.

I know I should have just left it alone like you said.

I shouldn't have done it.

But you did.

So... Don't you think we should watch it?

No! It's not even all that.

Besides, Tal, don't you gotta edit the video?

Yo!

[MUSIC STOPS]

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

[MAN SINGING]

♪ Why was I with you for so long?

♪ You lame, bro

You two.

♪ You thought you was doing something popping off?

♪ Bitch, I pop with that

♪ Okay, you went and dressed up like a thug

♪ Okay, you went and got your money up

♪ Okay, you froze your wrists up with some jewels

♪ Okay, but let me tell you what you won't do

♪ Get me back on your lap

♪ So you can keep popping off boy, I'm popping back

♪ Hey, hey

♪ Ain't gonna be no equal

♪ Hey, leave your ego

♪ Hey, see on that seven zeros

♪ Hey, you be like Murder, She Wrote

♪ Pop champagne on the yacht

♪ You running up streets I'm above it all

♪ Call the police I'm a criminal

♪ Reigning supreme I make up the law

♪ Nigga, get me back on your lap

♪ Got my girls squadded up with me on the tack

♪ You would not run my name in your mouth like that

♪ So you can keep popping off boy, I'm popping back

♪ Nigga

♪ Ain't gonna be no equal

♪ You can leave me on the seven zeros

♪ Playing with the man I'm popping back

♪ Give me that money She be that Murder, She Wrote

♪ She be that Murder, She Wrote

♪ Murder, She Wrote She be that Murder

♪ She be that Murder She be that Murder, She Wrote

♪ Ain't gonna be no equal

♪ You can leave your ego

♪ She like seven zeros

♪ She be that Murder

♪ She be that Murder, She Wrote

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

♪ I dare you to make one more song about me!

♪ Murder, She Wrote ♪

[POPPY LAUGHS]

[CHEERING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

I can't believe you just did that.

I told you.

It's my party, I do what I want.

You're not mad about the Rigo drama?

It's not about him. It's about you and you doing your thing.

I'm so glad we get to go on tour together.

[LAUGHS]

I just wish things worked out for Tal the way they did for us.

Yeah.

[BOTH LAUGHING]

UNCLE AL: Nope.

Nope. Nope.

Hell no!

Nope. No.

Mr. Al, don't you think you should take this a little bit more serious?

Boy, I know what I like. Just look. Look at her knees.

Anybody with knees like that...

Oh, yeah, she's bowlegged.

Mmm-hmm! See, they gotta be attractive, but not too sexy.

I want them to have a little crazy in their eye, but not too crazy

that they get you cut outside the Waffle House.

Okay, look, you're being way too picky about this.

Oh...

Oh!

Oh, Nichole!

Nichole.

Thirty, Delta Sigma Theta,

on track to be a partner at the law firm.

Mmm-hmm, salud.

Ha-ha! Yeah!

What happened?

She's gotta swipe right on you too.

That's bullshit.

That's bullshit.

NINE: Your tour is around the corner and you're unprepared.

Making a wise investment with guaranteed return is a smart choice.

We provide the marketing. All you have to do is give Rigo back his music,

and you will get a sizable piece of the hottest new commodity in Hip-Hop.

A commodity? Is that what wanna be, Rigo?

I thought you wanted to be an entertainer, an artist.

I'm all of that and more.

Well, not according to Nine.

See, look, this is exactly what she does.

She says she's going to shepherd and mold your career,

and then she ends up just putting you in a box.

Sage is just upset because the label didn't support his "vision".

He can't be so short-sighted.

Well, Sage isn't here. I am.

And I was talking to Rigo.

But I do admire, you know, the courage that it took the three of you

to walk in here making demands. It's really bold.

Look, we didn't mean anything by it.

We honestly just want to come to a solution.

I've heard from you, King, you've had your time.

Now I need to hear from Rigo.

Well, if you have nothing to say, then I will make my offer.

Sage and I are starting our own label.

If you sign with us and go on tour as the opener,

you can have all your music back.

Only caveat is no Nine.

And no King.

[SCOFFS]

I knew you were a bitch.

But I didn't think that you would be so vindictive

that you would torch someone else's career just to get back at me.

Well, this isn't about you. This is about Rigo and what's best for him.

Yeah, but what about me? I worked my ass off for Sage,

he could just toss me aside like that?

This is business. It's nothing personal.

Yeah.

Rigo, I need an answer.

[SCOFFS]

So all I gotta do is sign with you,

go on this tour with Sage.

And I just get all my music back?

Mmm-hmm. Yeah.

It's a really good deal, and frankly it's a huge, huge opportunity for you.

[SIGHS]

Fuck outta here. All right?

I would never work with that bum-ass Sage again.

Ever!

[LINE RINGING]

SAGE: Did you get him?

[SIGHS] No. No, he's not there yet.

I hope you're right about him, Collette. We need this tour to be a hit.

Yeah, I know, just give me some more time.

I promise I will get him there.

[CHEERING]

Atlanta, where you at?

[CHEERING]

All right now, all right. All right, all right, all right.

So I heard somebody called Atlanta second-rate today.

[BOOING]

No.

Forgive him, for he knows not who he fucks with.

Right? Anybody that's from this city or comes to this city

know that it's the greatest city in the world because Atlanta is for everybody.

[CHEERING]

That's why I throw these parties.

You know, to bring y'all all together. You feel me?

ALL: Yeah.

I got all the love in the world for this city, man.

But I'm here to say thank you to the city,

to all of you here with us tonight.

This is gonna be the last Dondre party for a minute.

[CROWD GROANING]

Don't worry, don't worry.

We'll be back! But this is the send off.

So let's celebrate one last time.

Can we do that?

[CHEERING]

[REGGAE MUSIC PLAYING]

[KNOCK ON DOOR]

[SIGHS]

I told you already, I'm not working with Sage.

All right, look.

I have to tell you something. And...

It's been weighing on me for a long time.

I just haven't known how to say it.

What?

I'm so sorry.

About what?

Your dad.

I loved him.

I did. We had a relationship.

And it was on and off, but it was real.

Why are you telling me all this?

Because Earnest and I shared so many things.

So many dreams for High Water, for each other, and for you.

I promised I'd do everything I could to help.

I mean, how do you think you ended up getting into High Water?

My talent?

Well, yeah, that's undeniable.

Sage sees that, but it was just this beef with your dad that was complicating everything.

So I fought for you.

I went to bat for you.

I guess that promise that I made and you

are all that I have left of him now.

I really don't know what you want me to say.

Say yes to my offer.

Look, signing with us is the only way I know how to guide you and keep you safe.

But Sage...

Fuck Sage. Seriously.

Fuck Sage and this decade-long beef.

Are you going to let him derail your career,

or are you gonna take the throne?

Look, if I do this, I'm gonna need King.

I can make that happen.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING]

DONDRE: Oh, yo!

Yo, yo! Yo, yo!

No, no. I can't.

Hey! Whoa!

Hey! Oh!

[DONDRE SHOUTS]

[SHOUTS]

Hey!

Hey! Oh, nice to see you, Zo!

Whoo!

Whoo!

Hey, hey, hey, hey!

Whoo!

Hey!

[MUSIC STOPS]

[CHEERING]

That bitch! This is not over.

We just have to sit Rigo down and come up with a new plan.

No. He's not going for that.

He wants to sign with Collette and go on tour.

Fine. Fuck him too then.

I say we pivot.

You are just as talented, if not more.

You produced the entire album, plus some of Sage's music.

We just position you as a star, and then no one will be able to deny you.

It'll be like J Dilla, Quincy Jones, and King.

I'm actually going with Rigo.

Is that a joke? Because it's not funny.

I'm serious. I'm going with Rigo.

He spoke with Collette and they worked shit out for me. I can't pass this up.

What about me?

You'll be fine.

Former star turned exec? You got connects.

You think it's that fucking easy? Jobs just fell in my lap

like I didn't work my ass off?

It's easier for you.

Look, I'm... I'm just some young black dude

in a chair chasing a dream with no safety net.

You have to understand what High Water means to us,

what Sage means to us, to the community.

It's everything we ever wanted because it's the only thing

that was in arm's reach.

And Collette's offer is good.

I'm sorry, but I can't gamble that away.

Think about the big picture!

What about us? We were supposed to build our own thing, from the ground up.

You have that luxury. I do not.

I have to think about what's real, what's tangible.

So that's it then? Decision made?

It doesn't have to be like that. We could still be together.

We just need to figure this out.

No.

We're over.

Nine.

Oh, and one last piece of advice.

Be careful. Because you just made a deal with the devil.

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

So, you were late as fuck,

but I guess you came at least.

I mean, between you texting me and Dondre blowing up my phone begging me to be here,

I figured I could make a little appearance.

Dondre texted you?

Yeah, he was going on and on and on about how we all gotta get along.

Not just for you, but for the good of the tour.

And as dance captain,

I recognize it's probably right.

Yeah, but Zo, you...

You know I didn't just invite you here as dance captain, right?

Tal you understand our situation is a little complicated.

Situa...

Let's not make this messy.

[SCOFFS] You mean like how you could have put me in the dance,

but chose not to? Was that too messy too?

You're still mad about that?

It was today! Yeah!

But you do understand that I have a responsibility

to keep the integrity of the dance?

You understand that, right?

Look, we did your thing, and it wasn't terrible.

But let's go! I got an after hours spot. A hidden speakeasy.

You know what? No, I'm actually... I'm pretty tired.

And plus, I gotta be ready for rehearsal tomorrow.

Dance comes first, right?

Right.

[SLOW MUSIC PLAYING]

MALE SINGER: ♪ Sorry if it's hard to catch my vibe, mmm

♪ I need a lover to trust, tell me you're on my side

♪ Are you down for the ride?

♪ It's not easy for someone to catch my eye

♪ But I've been waitin' for you for my whole damn life

♪ For my whole lifetime

♪ Don't be afraid to tell me if you ain't with it

♪ You ain't with it

♪ You've got some shit to say and I'm here to listen

♪ So baby, tell me here your love lies

♪ Waste the day and spend the night

♪ Underneath the sunrise

♪ Show me where your love lies

FEMALE SINGER: ♪ I've been so into your mystery...

Hey. Hey, we, uh... We keep missing each other, huh?

I, uh...

I miss you. I really do. Um...

There's been so much going on, I don't even know where to begin.

But I'm back... I'm back dancing on the tour.

And, well, I mean that's if Zo lets me...

Um...

So I guess now's as good a time to tell you as ever. Um...

There's this guy.

We don't know what it is. But, you know,

we haven't really been talking...

[CONTINUES SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY]

[SOFT MUSIC PLAYING]

Hey. What's that say?

[LAUGHS] What's that say?

What's that say?

Oh, shit, you got a match.

That's right! I told you my system works.

All right. All right, man.

[LAUGHS]

[VOCALIZES]

Congratulations, Prince.

I'm pretty sure you and her will make a beautiful couple.

Wake yo ass up, man. I got a date.

Her name is Jessica, she's a teacher,

and I'm about to be her favorite subject.

[LAUGHS] Congrats, man. Where you taking her?

Some bougie coffee shop.

Coffee? Yeah, coffee's not a date.

Wait a minute. What do you call two very attractive people

having a conversation over some fancy lattes?

A meeting.

Yeah, I'm tripping.

"Dear, Jessica. Coffee's nice, but I'm all the dark roast you need.

"How about dinner?"

Yeah, like... Yeah, like that.

Mmm-hmm!

I'm gonna sit here till she writes back.

You know what? It's time for me to get up anyway.

So I'm up.

No, no! I'm cool.

No, no, it's cool. Don't worry about it. I'm up, I'm up.

ZO: All right, guys, this tour's coming up

and we got no time, so let's get into formation.

Okay, I think it looks good.

Hey, Tal, it's looking kinda dope, right?

You see it?

Yeah. It looks great.

I thought so.

All right, here we go!

Five, six, seven, eight, and a one, two, and three...

Okay, why is nobody dancing?

What the hell is this?

I told you to put Tal back in.

Everybody, take two minutes and 20 seconds.

We're on borrowed time. Thank you.

Girl, you been on this Olivia Pope trip. But I am not your target.

And nothing over here needs to be handled.

Okay, listen, this is super simple.

You do what I say, or I will find someone who will.

Well, Sage Odom made me dance captain for a reason.

Which means I have a responsibility to make sure

this dance is perfect by the time he gets back in town.

So I can't just throw Tal in because Collette Jones wants

to put him back in the number. It doesn't work that way.

Pause, one second. Dondre, congratulations.

You're the new dance captain.

What?

Collette, what are you doing? You're not Sage. You cannot do stuff like that.

You're finally catching on. No, I'm not Sage. I'm Collette Jones.

If you want to go toe to toe with me, that's totally fine.

And it's your mistake to make, but fair warning.

Better people have tried and failed.

Dondre.

Yeah?

You think you can put Tal in this number?

Yes.

Look at that.

Right, okay, um... I guess our

two minute and 20 second break is over.

Tal, come on, you in this.

[SCOFFS]

On my count.

Five, six, seven, eight!

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]

[INDISTINCT CONVERSATION ON LAPTOP]

COLLETTE: [ON RECORDING] You know East-O, he holds on to shit.

Lets it eat away at him till it boils over.

SAGE: God as my witness, he still try to worm his way back in my shit,

that motherfucker gonna end up dead.

[REWINDING]

...tries to worm his way back in my shit, that motherfucker gonna end up dead.

[REWINDING]

...in my shit... ...back into my...

...that motherfucker... That motherfucker gonna end up dead.

That motherfucker gonna end up dead.

That motherfucker gonna end up dead.

[HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYS]