I want to start my fucking private club!
And I want you to be my partner.
The goal is to only deal with a few high-level customers.
They buy the coke, they cook the rock theyselves.
All we gotta do is deliver and collect.
CISSY: We lost the property.
It's not one we wanted to lose.
ANDRE: Captain, this is something new.
It's called "rock."
And it's expanding beyond my neighborhood,
and moving up towards the Coliseum.
What are you suggesting?
You and me, we at war.
-Your men ready to roll, Sergeant? -Yes, sir, Lieutenant.
Let's go. Hook 'em and book 'em!
(overlapping shouting)
-(gun cocks) -Do not move!
-Get your hands off... -(screaming)
(overlapping shouting)
LOUIE: Fuck you!
You need to be thinking about how you're gonna handle Andre.
ALTON: I know how this feels.
How bad you must want to get back.
But you can't kill no cop.
I'm talking about the hell
that will be rained down upon black folks
if that happens.
-Franklin, please, just listen. -Get the fuck out of here
before I call her back.
REPORTER (over TV): ...mindset and why detectives
across several states were unable to share information
that might have prevented further...
So, where did you find this kid?
TEDDY: Through Avi.
Right, the arms dealer.
Yeah. But before that, he was buying product off me.
REPORTER 2 (over TV): LAPD Chief...
Hey, look, I know you have a job to do here.
I get that. But...
you have to protect my assets.
You can't share their names with the D.O.
And you think if you keep saying it over and over,
it will increase my chances of listening to you?
Because they won't.
What the hell?
SPOKESPERSON (over TV): ...executed four simultaneous
drug raids on various locations
in the South Central region.
These raids resulted in 14 arrests, as well as the seizure
of over 20 kilograms of cocaine, rock cocaine,
and a variety of high-caliber weapons,
including a submachine gun.
Jesus.
At this time, I'd like to turn it over to the officer
who led the raids, our own Sergeant Andre Wright.
Andre Wright?
Isn't that the arresting officer on Saint's murder charge?
ANDRE: ...37th Street Division.
These seizures are a huge victory in our ongoing fight
against dangerous weapons and drugs.
And we all need to stay vigilant, united...
-This a problem? -...and alert
in our fight against crime.
NEWSWOMAN (over TV): When we return...
*
* They call me Big Bad John *
Seriously, man, this is your victory.
You own this.
All right? So let's give it up, men.
-To Sergeant Wright! -(all cheer)
Mm!
Hey. Two shots of Cuervo, my man.
Oh, no, no, I'm good. Thank you.
Oh, the hell you are. You are taking a shot, Sergeant.
That is an order.
I outrank you.
(laughs) Not in these parts you don't.
Let's go!
* They call me Big Bad John... *
-Uh-- Hey! -Oh.
-Oh, shit. -(sighs)
I'm sorry, honey. Here.
-I got you-- Whoa! -Excuse me!
Easy, princess. I said I was sorry.
Yeah, you're a real gentleman.
ANDRE: Why don't you go outside, man?
-Have a smoke. -What the hell is your problem?
-Get some fresh air. -All right, all right, all right, all right.
Hey, I'm so sorry.
Your friend always act like that?
Uh, he had a few too many, but, uh,
we're here celebrating.
Yeah, I noticed.
Anyway, I'm really sorry.
(sighs) What are you celebrating?
You win a softball game or something?
(chuckles)
Yeah. Something like that.
I'm Sheila.
-Andre. -Mm.
You gonna buy me another drink or what?
-You're lying! -(laughing)
You're lying. 11 brothers and sisters?
Mm. Yep.
Seven girls, four boys. (chuckles)
Good lord. Oh, man.
I mean, I'm raising one, and I can barely handle it.
Hey, it made me strong.
I learned how to fend for myself.
Hey, be gentle with this one.
He's a delicate little flower.
-Get out of here, man! -Okay.
Let's go, boys!
Sorry about that.
You apologize for your friend a lot.
He's more of a coworker. Barely even like the guy.
-Hey, well, that makes two of us. -(chuckles)
Where did you come from?
I sure wish I could take you home.
Mm.
What?
Damn.
Look at this place.
You crooked or something?
(scoffs) What?
-How's a cop afford this? -Oh, well,
this is a-a splurge, believe me.
But it turns out,
these'll get you a nice discount.
(Sheila moans softly)
Why don't you get comfortable.
I'll make us a nightcap.
(knock on door)
WOMAN: Housekeeping.
(groans softly)
(door opens)
(door closes)
Oh, sorry. I'll-I'll come back.
What?
(door opens, closes)
(exhales)
(sighs heavily)
*
Mm. Give my love to Estelle.
SHEILA: I will.
-Call me when you land. -All right.
-Be good, baby girl. -I will.
Thank you.
You be good to her.
*
(engine turns off)
'Sup, Reed?
What's going on?
What's going on is your business all over the 5:00 news.
We met up right after that shit went down last week.
You didn't think that's worth mentioning?
I didn't want to trouble you with it.
Oh, that's very considerate of you, thank you.
They found a fucking Uzi on one of your guys.
That tends to get people's attention.
This the business we in, Reed.
I've come to learn that shit's just gonna happen.
You familiar with the Dade County shootout?
Few years ago, Miami.
Cubans, Colombians decided they were gonna
shoot it out midday in a crowded shopping center.
Now, the cops found an armored car disguised
as a party truck, assault weapons, ammunition
all over the parking lot.
And it changed everything because it brought
the federal government out in force.
That was the beginning of the end of the easy cocaine days
-in South Florida. -Yeah, but...
Come on, man, it was one Uzi.
You're overthinking this shit.
Am I?
Yeah.
You know the cop that led the raid, Sergeant Wright?
He's trying to get your case file unsealed.
Hmm.
He's from my neighborhood.
Known him my whole life.
Things have got a bit personal lately,
-but again, I'm handling it. -How?
Seems it might be better if you didn't know.
Look, you can be involved if you really want.
But it'd be better for everyone if you just trust me.
Huh?
Okay.
I'll be in touch soon about next week's drop.
Hey, Franklin?
Good luck.
(car door closes, engine starts)
LOUIE: Terrence in Gardena's good for ten.
FRANKLIN: All right.
Uh, Mookie said he can move about five a week,
maybe more, depending.
All right, cool.
So it's about 80 a week.
What about Inglewood?
What? Ain't nobody got no connects in Inglewood?
Ain't nothing going through no goddamn Inglewood...
without Skully.
Skully. (chuckles) And?
And we ain't got no connections with Skully.
Well, we kind of do.
-Shut up, nigga. -What?
-Nigga, we do. -What you talking about, Fatback?
Manboy.
His sister is Skully's baby mama. They stay in The Bottoms.
(Franklin chuckles)
Well, ain't that something.
Leon, I need you to link up with Manboy,
-go handle that shit. -Hell no.
Hey, that shit with Wanda's been dealt with.
Okay? I ain't asking you
to be that nigga's best friend, but this is business,
and I need you to handle this shit.
-All right? -All right.
FRANKLIN: Good.
All right, that's it for now. Let's make this money.
-Hey, nephew. -(indistinct chatter)
Hey, man. Let me talk to you for a minute.
Can it wait?
Got to go see my moms, man, already late.
Okay.
How you feeling?
Looks worse than it is.
Go on, man.
All right.
-I'm-a talk to you later. -Yeah.
Come in when you're done, Sergeant.
TODD: It's not a good look,
-Sergeant. -The only thing that makes sense
is that she drugged me.
So what do you know about this broad?
-You ever seen her before? -Can't say I have.
What kind of drugs were you two taking?
What? No, I wasn't taking drugs. I was drugged.
Right. Right, sorry.
(clears throat) But, unfortunately,
I'm gonna have to bump this up to I.A.
-(sighs) I.A.? For this? -Yeah, I'm afraid so.
My hands are kind of tied on this one.
If people see me making exceptions
for the big TV star,
I mean, how's that gonna look?
Mmm.
-Hold up. You're not eating? -I'm not hungry.
You worried about the raids?
The shit that happened with Jerome?
I don't want to talk about that.
You know, all I'm saying is we good.
You know, there's nothing that connects us.
What did I say?
All right.
Let's talk real estate, then.
Huh? You find out who outbid us on that property?
I did.
And you're not gonna believe it.
Where have you been? I called the department.
-Nobody knew where you were. -I'm sorry, I...
I'm fine. I was just with the guys.
-All night? -Yeah.
I had a few too many and didn't want to drive,
so I slept on Nix's couch.
Daddy, it's 1:00 in the afternoon.
You couldn't call me?
I know, and I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.
I thought something happened to you. If I had done
something like this, you would've lost your mind,
-had the whole department looking for me. -Because you're a child.
And I'm the man of the house, and I don't need to be
-interrogated in my own home. -Well, excuse me for worrying.
-(refrigerator opens) -A-Are you hungry?
(sighs)
You want me to fix you something to eat?
No. I just need to get some sleep.
(bottle opens)
Uh... You know you left your bag
sitting on top of the car.
Oh, shit.
(indistinct chatter in distance)
*
(car door closes, engine starts)
(indistinct chatter nearby)
You want to put your eyes back in your head?
(intercom beeps)
TULFOWITZ: Send them in.
Mr. Tulfowitz will see you now.
Thank you. (clears throat)
Well, there she is.
Hello, Cissy.
-(chuckles) -Hello, Arnold.
Franklin, good to see you, son.
Whoa.
It's been a while. (laughs)
Have a seat. Have a seat, please. Please, sit down.
(chuckles)
So...
to what do I owe the pleasure?
We want to talk to you about the property on South Avalon.
-Really? -Yeah.
We're hoping you might rescind your offer.
You two were hoping I might rescind my offer?
-Mm-hmm. -Why would I do that?
Money,
of course.
We'll make it worth your while.
You were the other bidder.
You were why I paid 40K
over asking. (chuckles)
Son of a bitch.
(laughs) And here I was thinking you were coming in
to beg for your old job back.
(laughs)
No. I work for myself now.
Well, good for you.
Look, we're willing to cut you a check for $50,000
-just to walk away. -50 grand, huh?
CISSY: Arnold,
we have a vested interest in the property.
We'd like to build up the community.
Provide decent housing for low income families.
Well, that's very commendable,
but if you want it so bad,
why didn't you just make a better offer?
We would have. It was a timing issue.
Timing, yeah. Timing's everything,
-isn't it? -Look, just name your price
and you can walk away with
a chunk of change for doing nothing.
Did you guys win the lottery
-or something? -(Franklin laughs)
Is there a-a rich uncle you didn't know about?
-Something like that. -Well, uh,
I wish I could help you, Cissy, I really do,
but this-this property, it-it means a lot to me, too.
You know, you're not the only ones who care
-about the black community. -CISSY: Yeah.
You're a real man of the people.
(scoffs) What's that supposed to mean?
I love the blacks, you know that.
Arnold,
I worked for you for a long time.
Long enough to know all about the payoffs
to Building & Safety, the asbestos,
the mold that you just painted over.
You know as well as I do, those buildings
are a lawsuit waiting to happen.
Well, sweetheart, if you know me so well,
then you know, uh,
I don't take too kindly to threats.
And I don't care how much money you've made snatching hubcaps,
or dealing smack,
or whatever it is that you people are involved with.
You will never make enough money
to muscle me out of a fucking deal!
Now get the fuck out of my office.
CISSY: Franklin.
-Think that'll do it? -Absolutely.
-I like his new wig. -(both laugh)
How many drinks did you have?
-I don't know. A few. -How often do you drink?
Not often.
Just special occasions, huh?
Whose decision was it to go to the hotel?
Mine.
VASQUEZ: Was there any money exchanged?
No, she wasn't a prostitute.
You sure about that?
Hey, there's no need for that.
Guys, this was a setup.
I was targeted. That woman, she drugged me.
The tox screen will prove it.
Targeted? By who?
I just said it, man, the woman.
Is there anybody else who might have reason to come after you?
I don't know. I lock up a lot of bad people.
Are you aware that you're named
in three active lawsuits against the department?
MCKAY: Property damage, excessive force.
VASQUEZ: One of them claims that you held a woman without cause
for 24 hours.
Says that she had to piss in a wastebasket
-while she was in your custody. -That was a mistake.
Some might call it a civil rights violation.
This is bullshit. I didn't do anything wrong.
Steve.
Are you gonna do something or are you just
-gonna sit there and watch? -Yes.
Can we please keep the questions limited
to the case at hand?
ANDRE: Damn. I'm a good cop.
Just ask anybody.
Sergeant Wright.
We're just trying to get a clear picture
of who you are.
Unfortunately, there seems to be
a pattern of questionable behavior here.
We need to take a look at that.
(suspension creaking)
(indistinct chatter)
Watch my motherfucking door, nigga.
Shit, you damn near need a horse to pull this bitch.
Bitch, you're a horse.
Fucking up my suspension.
This some bullshit.
(indistinct chatter)
Hey, look, I know you ain't trying to be here.
I need you to check yourself before we walk in there.
-Fuck you mean, check myself? -I mean,
you need to cheer the fuck up, nigga.
Your little pit bull shit ain't about to fly
-with Skully. -Yeah, all right.
You ain't hearing me. This nigga
is crazy; anything could set him off.
What you mean, crazy?
Like, I mean, like, real-life crazy, nigga.
Like, Bellevue.
This motherfucker shermed out.
Been getting wet since grade school.
So just be cool.
Act like you're at your mama's house.
-All right? -Yeah.
(indistinct chatter)
(dog barking)
(baby crying)
(glass breaks)
("Egypt, Egypt" by Egyptian Lover playing)
* Egypt *
* Egypt, Egypt *
MANBOY: Is Skully here?
He's expecting us.
* Egyptian Lover... *
Yo, Skull.
SKULLY: What's up?
Some little homies here.
Manboy.
-What's up, my brother? -What's happening?
Oh, shit, get your ass up in here.
MANBOY: Hey, that's the homie, Leon.
What's happening, little man?
MANBOY: Right there is Fatback.
What's happening, big dawg?
(Skully laughs)
Look at you, nigga. What, you been lifting?
-Little bit, little bit. -I can see, nigga.
Looking all swole and shit, man.
Have a seat.
-Have a seat. -All right.
Yeah.
So, uh...
I hear you niggas looking to move some weight, man.
Yeah, they got a real good connect.
-Best shit I've ever seen. -SKULLY: Yeah?
That's what I heard.
Streets is talking.
* Egypt, Egypt *
How much are we talking?
15 a key.
Goddamn. Y'all niggas doing it like that?
Yeah. We are.
Okay, well, we get it from the eses for nine.
But all that's stepped on. Our shit is pure.
* The Egyptian Lover *
* Sexy Senior, it's not just *
* A name, it's an adventure *
* I mix so fast, I scratch so sweet... *
Check this shit out.
* There's not another DJ *
* On earth who can compete *
* You know it *
* I want you *
* Egyptian Lover *
Mm-hmm.
For real?
Okay, okay.
Shit...
-Hey, y'all heard that? -MANBOY: Nigga, can't nobody
hear shit over this music.
Turn that shit down.
(music stops)
You ain't hear that shit?
What is it?
(shushes)
Shit.
(muffled grunting)
SKULLY: Didn't I tell you to shut the fuck up?
-(blows landing) -Shut your bitch-ass mouth!
-(clattering, blows landing) -Bitch, don't even breathe!
Do you understand me? Fuck your life!
(metallic clinking)
Punk-ass motherfucker. Shut up now.
Cut that shit back on.
* Total female population... *
(whoops) I love this shit!
-* I don't care about my reputation * -(grunting)
* Give me a freaky, kinky nation *
* With a total female population *
* I can deal with that situation *
* I don't care about my reputation *
* I'm the Egyptian Lover *
* Sexy Senior *
-That's my shit! -* It's not just a name *
* It's an adventure *
-(exhales) -* I mix so fast *
* I scratch so sweet... *
So how much weight we talking?
* Who can compete. *
HAVEMEYER: Any idea how your husband
got the kid's case tossed?
Ex-husband.
The DEA agent who witnessed the shooting
recanted her statement.
(sighs)
I got to hand it to him.
Teddy's doing a better job than I thought.
From where I'm standing, we're exposed
in a million different ways on this.
-MAN: Order up. -(bell dings)
Every one of his assets is totally disposable.
This black kid, the Israeli, the Mexicans.
Any of them ever go public, no one would ever believe 'em.
I guess Teddy's disposable, too, huh?
That's how he sold us on letting him
run with this thing in the first place.
So, how long...
before you know all the principals,
can start running them?
It's hard to say.
He still trusts you, right?
Yeah.
Yeah, he trusts me.
Motherfucker had a hostage chained up in the bathroom.
-And a grenade. -A grenade?
Yeah, nigga, a grenade sitting right there
on the fucking coffee table.
Well, what y'all looking at me for?
Told you he was crazy.
The cost to do business in Inglewood.
How much weight can he move?
Said he want 20 birds a week.
Hmm.
20 keys sound great till you the nigga tied up in the bathroom.
-You think you can handle him? -MANBOY: I can handle it.
Good.
Make it work.
MANBOY: Cool.
(chuckles)
Lee, got to get to my mom's.
Come on.
ANDRE: Melody, yo, open up.
Now, you know we don't do locked doors in this house.
Uh, just one second.
Pack your bags. You're leaving in two days.
Two days? What you mean? I thought we were driving?
(sighs) Change of plans, all right?
You're gonna be staying with your Aunt Bernice
-until the dorms open up. -But I don't even know her.
Well, this will be your opportunity to change that.
But why, Daddy? This don't make no sense.
Look, I don't want to argue, I don't want to argue.
I made a decision. Now, you best get your bags packed
and say your goodbyes.
*
(groaning softly)
(siren wailing in distance)
("No Tears" by The Psychedelic Furs playing)
* There's demonstrations *
* And demonstrations *
* Listen to the weathermen... *
(whistles)
* They're not saying anything *
* They're tripping flags for you *
* This crazy face for you *
* You don't have a point of view... *
You got a page.
* You don't have to say you do *
* No tears *
* No *
* Colors *
* Yeah. *
(line ringing)
Hello?
Cocaine never dropped, amigo.
TEDDY: Gustavo?
At the farm in Sinaloa, people waited all day.
-(speaks Spanish) -Okay.
Look, it's probably just a miscommunication.
Let me check with the Colombians.
I'll get back to you.
Orale.
All right.
What's up?
(synth pop playing)
* Call it interaction *
* Caused by human beings *
* And feel the extraction *
* Our minds in harmony... *
Ah, my friend. Please.
-Hola. -Join us.
Hello. Mind if we talk in private?
Really? Always business with you, brother?
Uh, sorry.
Okay.
Adiós, mamacita.
Thank you.
I love that. I love that.
(speaks Spanish)
(sniffing, grunting)
*
Where is Matt and the DEA girl?
Uh, we're not gonna be working together anymore.
That's too bad. I liked them.
(chuckles)
-Should I be worried, brother? -Oh, no.
-You have nothing to worry about. No. -Sure?
-I promise. -Okay.
Do you want a line?
-Oh, no, thank you. I'm good. -I insist.
-Really, I'm good. -Do the fucking line.
*
Okay.
(sniffing)
The other side.
Para emparejar, papi.
(sighs)
(sniffs)
(laughs)
Good, right?
Yeah.
(speaks Spanish)
(sniffs)
(laughing): Oh!
Ay!
(speaking Spanish)
(coughs)
-You like this place? -Sure.
Listen, we got to talk... about the drops.
My people in Mexico have been waiting.
It was supposed to arrive two days ago.
Where's my club?
-Sorry, what? -My club.
Sorry, our club.
Rigo and Reed's.
Oh, right. That's... no, I'm working on that.
I mean, is that why you're not making the drops?
I'll resume the drops when you get me my fucking club.
Uh... Okay, Jesus.
Rigo, listen, I'm, I'm working on it.
It's just gonna take me a little longer, you know?
I'm looking for the right place.
I already found it.
Helena's, on, on... on Temple Street?
-Helena's? -Where Jack Nicholson hangs out.
That's the fucking club I want.
Great, yeah. That's, you know, it's gonna be tough,
but that's-- yeah, I'll-I'll check on that.
In the meantime...
(sniffs)
...could you please start making the drops again?
No club, no cocaine, hermano.
*
Wait!
You okay?
(grunts)
Yeah.
You were talking in your sleep.
Oh, yeah?
(clears throat)
What'd I say?
You said "Wait."
Tulfowitz pulled out.
Got the call today.
The building's ours.
(laughs softly)
That's great.
Right?
Mm-hmm.
Come on, Mama.
That man treated you like a slave for 15 years.
Took advantage of good, honest people.
Shit, he sent men over here to mess us up,
and we took care of them.
You mean to tell me it don't feel great
to put that asshole in his place?
-Franklin... -Come on.
I mean, even just a little bit.
Just the tiniest bit great, huh?
-(laughs) -Boy, get out my face.
Mwah.
We did it.
You did it.
Later, Mama.
(door opens)
-How'd it go? -Not great. Not great.
Could've been, you know, could've been better, but
it's like... Here's the thing I realized.
These people, they don't want to listen to reason,
so you can't reason with them.
Like, I don't even know why I'm surprised.
What am I surprised about, even?
I should just be relieved that he didn't try
-to force me to do more cocaine. -You did cocaine?
Mm. I did cocaine.
I did cocaine.
I mean, I didn't want to, but he insisted, and I'm... like,
I'm sitting there, and I'm thinking, you know,
if-if that's what it's gonna take to get
the drops back on, then, yeah, I'll do the fucking cocaine.
-So the drops are back on? -No!
The-the drops are not back on, Julia, that's what I'm saying.
-Are you listening to me? -I'm listening to you.
Calm down. Jesus, take a breath.
(exhaling)
Sorry.
Okay.
I know that I said that I didn't want you
to meet with the Colombians, but I do think
-that I'm gonna need your help on this. -Sure.
I... That's what I'm here for.
What do you need?
(sunglasses clatter)
What do you know about nightclubs?
(siren wailing in distance)
-What's wrong? -My daddy acting crazy.
He's sending me to Spelman this weekend.
-How come? -I don't know.
-Well, ask him. -SHON-SHON: Hey, One Time!
The fuck you doing here, bitch?
-"Bitch"? -You know your daddy and the rest
of them pigs snatched up my cousin, fucked up his house.
-What you got to say about that? -EVA: Stop tripping,
Shon-Shon. You know she ain't got nothing
-to do with that. -The fuck she don't.
I'm gonna go.
-Hey, I'm talking to you! -Shon-Shon...
Don't walk away from me.
I ain't doing this with you, Shon-Shon.
-Yes, you is. -What?
-What the fuck? -Bitch!
(grunting, thuds)
You want one?
Nah, I'm good.
-Look... -Before you say anything,
I just want to say I appreciate you.
I know, a lot of people take a beating like that,
they want out the game.
I'm concerned about my shop, nephew.
I put a lot of money in that thing. I need it to work out.
You and Cissy, you got the real estate thing.
Louie got the club.
Jammin' Jeromes?
That's my shit.
Need to give it my full attention.
Can't be no old nigga
out here slinging rocks on the block, man.
Man, that's why I'm trying to get this wholesale thing going.
So we can make that money and never have to be on the street.
L.A. first, then we'll expand.
Detroit, New York, Chicago.
Making money and staying in the house.
Like them white motherfuckers do. Huh?
-We ain't no goddamn white motherfuckers. -Listen, Unc.
We close, so close, but we're not there yet.
And I need you in this with me.
All right?
I remember when you were selling dime bags of shake.
(laughs)
Yeah, that I got from you.
We gonna be all right.
I got you.
(train whistle blowing in distance)
(sighs) What's up, Sarge?
What are you doing out here?
Rat Squad go hard on you or what?
I'm suspended.
(exhales) Fucking Todd, that piece of shit.
I need you to do something for me, Nix.
Name it.
I'm gonna bury Franklin Saint.
About fucking time.
What are you thinking?
Can't plant evidence on him.
Kid's got somebody up high protecting him.
And everybody knows I'm gunning for him,
so we got to tread lightly.
I'm-a need you to find out where he lays his head.
He's not staying with his uncle or his mama anymore.
I can do that. Then what?
Then get your wife and kids out of town
for a couple of days, and we go to work.
*
Captioned by Media Access Group at WGBH
This is business. Let's make some money.
I will bring you all down, one... by... one.
FRANKLIN: Playin' a different game now.