ALEX ANGEL BAILIFF BATISTA BOBBY CALVIN CARLOTTA CASSIE CHLOE CLUB_GOERS COTTON COYOTE CREW CREW_MEMBER DEREK DETECTIVE_MONTERO GIRL ICE_AGENT_1 JACKSON JUDGE MAN MAN_WITH_GUN MAURICE MEGAN MISS_BRUCE MOTHER NINA NOAH PEOPLE REBECCA SIMONE STAR XANDER



STAR
Last time on Star.
ICE AGENT 1
You are to be detained by U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
CARLOTTA
So I'mma get me some therapy. There's this retreat in Jamaica that Ayanna told me about.
STAR
Plenty of room for a kid, right? Jackson, I want all three of us here. 
DETECTIVE MONTERO
The Bankhead Crew is doing something out of that club. Find a way to get closer to the action.
DEREK
I just came to holler at you about getting a job. 
CASSIE
Come on by later and we'll set you up.
MIKE-MIKE
I might have a job for you. You're gonna have to be a quick learner around here.
SIMONE
When you told me that I should imagine kissing someone that I cared about, I thought about you.
NOAH
All right, whatever you need, bro, I-
MAN WITH GUN
Stay on the ground.
ALEX
I think Derek is cheating on me.
XANDER
I need you to run a little money through the club.
CASSIE
The cops been sniffing around Karma.
XANDER
I've been running drugs all up and down the coast. If you take the fall, I can get you out.
CASSIE
I'm here to turn myself in.
MAN

GIRL

MOTHER
Shh.
COYOTE

ANGEL
She's cold, man.
JACKSON
Baby, this is dope. It's gonna kill the charts. When's Tyga laying his verse down?
STAR
I don't know yet. As long as he puts his verse on it by the festival, I'm gonna debut it as a remix.
JACKSON
I figured you'd be really busy, so I took it upon myself... for the nursery, what do you think about sunny yellow?
STAR
I hate it.
JACKSON
Come on, baby.
STAR
I hate ‘em all.
JACKSON
You do not.
STAR
We're supposed to be doing the nursery together. What are you doing?
JACKSON
Well, I want to, but, like, I-I figured you'd be busy, so-
REBECCA
Jackson? Baby? Sorry, door was unlocked, I just came right in.
STAR
Oh.
REBECCA
Get over here!
STAR
Who is this woman?
REBECCA
Oh, baby! Ooh! Look at these muscles.
JACKSON
Stop. Star, Rebecca. Rebecca, Star. This is my mom.
REBECCA
Hi.
STAR
Hi.
REBECCA
I was gonna get a hotel room, but I just.
JACKSON
No. You can stay with us.
STAR
Oh.
REBECCA
Mm.
STAR
Oh. Okay.
ALEX
So, what do you think?
MISS BRUCE
I don't-It's not giving me "solo project." It's very Take 3, and you want a Alex Crane moment.
ALEX
No, but that's-that's what this is.
MISS BRUCE
No. You know music. Your father's a music legend.

ALEX
Look, I'm trying. But between this album and Maurice getting at me for this festival, It's just, it's a lot.
MISS BRUCE
Maurice? Well, girl, that's the wrong person to listen to. All he's trying to do is take Carlotta's job at Gravity Records. He is not to be trusted.
CARLOTTA
Well, I guess I'm just gonna have to take his shady ass out. Brrrat!
MISS BRUCE
Hey!
ALEX

COTTON
Somebody got their grove back.
CARLOTTA
Come on.
ALEX
So, how are you?
CARLOTTA
I'm better. I'm not perfect, but better is good enough for now.
MISS BRUCE
Yeah.
CARLOTTA
But what's this y'all talking about Maurice is at Gravity Records?
MISS BRUCE
That ain't nothing for you to be worried about.
COTTON
They had some drama go down at Karma.
CARLOTTA
Was Cassie there with him?
COTTON
She got arrested last week.
CARLOTTA
For what?
MISS BRUCE
Damn, Cotton.

COTTON
For money laundering, drugs. Hey, they got her locked up in County, but we just didn't want to worry you with it.
MISS BRUCE
Next time, why don't you just let your mama be better?
COTTON
She needed to know.
MISS BRUCE
Here you go, really, damping her spirit talking about Cassie.
COTTON
Welcome home.
MISS BRUCE
You're a real mess.
DEREK
Batista? What's going on?
BATISTA
Unfortunately, your services are no longer needed.
DEREK
What? You said if I got you close to the Bankhead Crew, you would help me find out which one of them hurt my grandma. Me and Montero have been busting our ass-
BATISTA
Maria was found murdered.
DEREK
What?
BATISTA
Two days ago. I'm sorry. She was a great cop, and an even better mother. Look, I know what this case means to you. The work that you've done as an informant, that led us to a major criminal organization at Karma.
DEREK
What about my grandma?
BATISTA
Derek, this case has gone from rape to murder to a money laundering ring. Now, I'm not asking you, I am telling you let law enforcement handle it from here.
NOAH

MAN WITH GUN
Shut the hell up.
NOAH
Okay, okay. Time out, time out, time out. Can we take a break?
MAURICE
Noah, Afro Rock Night at Karma is all about black unity and black excellence, but you look tired as hell. Kick it up a notch.
NOAH
I just need a minute.
MAURICE
We ain't got a minute. I booked you this press and this appearance so you could.
NOAH
Yeah, I, uh, get it, Maurice. Damn.
BOBBY
Hey, kid. We still on for lunch?

MAURICE
Actually, no, he's got press now, live with Chloe. You might have to do a rain check.
BOBBY
Even slaves had time to eat.
NOAH
Pop, come on.
MAURICE
Chloe, I got Noah for you.
CHLOE
Hey, what's up?
NOAH
Hey.
CHLOE
Have a seat. You ready?
CREW MEMBER
Quiet on the set!
NOAH
Yeah.
CREW MEMBER
Going live.
CHLOE
All right. Ready, guys?
CREW MEMBER
Camera rolling.
CHLOE
So, the Rhythm and Bells Fest has a lot of hype around it. I see you out here doing a lot of press for it.
NOAH

CHLOE
from MTV to Afro Rock. I respect your hustle. So, tell me about this new music you're gonna hit us with.
MAN WITH GUN
Shut the hell up, or I'll blow your head off.
CHLOE
You okay?
NOAH

CHLOE
Noah?
NOAH
I'm sorry. Um I'm not. You know, I'm-I'm not okay. Um, can we can we do this another time?
CHLOE
Yeah, sure. Just cut it.
BOBBY
Hey. Hey, what's wrong with you?
CREW

NOAH
I got robbed the other night, and, um, some dude ran up on me and put a gun to my head.
BOBBY
Wait, who the hell pulled a gun on you?
MAURICE
Listen, the police-
BOBBY
I am talking to my son!
MAURICE
Look, right now it's make or break for his career, and if you interrupt me again, we're gonna have a problem. Now, look, Noah, you take a sec, you man up and let's get this. Chloe, he's ready.
NOAH
Pop, I'm good. I'm good.
SIMONE
I'm just worried that this Black Ivy trailer won't be done before Rhythm and Bells.
MISS BRUCE
Baby, you got to blend that pattern, and you can't just sit that pad on her cheeks like that. You- Give us a minute, please. Thank you. I got a baby daddy, girl. I'll be back.
SIMONE
Okay.
SIMONE
Hello?
COYOTE
We have your husband, Angel Rivera, in America.
SIMONE
Excuse me? W-What are you talking about? My husband's in the Dominican Republic. Who are you?
ANGEL
Simone!
SIMONE
Angel? Angel, baby, are you okay?
ANGEL
Listen to me, okay? I don't have long. These smugglers brought me back into the States. Th-They say you got 24 hours to get $7,000 or else. He's gonna call back with instructions.
SIMONE
What are you talking about? Angel? Do you want me to call the police?
ANGEL
If you call somebody, he-he'll kill me. Not even Star, you hear me?
SIMONE
Angel, what are you talking about?
CASSIE
Oh. Chill. Damn. Welcome back, sis.
CARLOTTA
We gotta stop meeting in institutions like this. How you holding up?
CASSIE
Ain't nothing. I know what I gotta do.
CARLOTTA
You know I ain't stupid, right? I know you're covering up for Xander.
CASSIE
Because he loves me more than anybody else, and we're getting married. And he's bringing some lawyers down here, so I'm straight.
CARLOTTA
Mm-hmm. You know, when I was in Jamaica, I was thinking about you. I was thinking about the first time you met Xander's trifling ass. He was trying to get you to cut school one day, right? And then that one day turned into you dropping out of school so you can start helping him do his dirt. Do you remember?
CASSIE
Look, I don't need a walk down memory shame, a bitch already in jail.
CARLOTTA
Cass, he is killing you. He's killing every dream you ever hoped to have. I worked my whole life to try to keep that from happening to you.
CASSIE
Guard.
CARLOTTA
Don't let him kill my sister! Cass! Cassie!
ALEX
Man, I've been so stressed about this Take 3 album, I don't know what I'll do if Carlotta doesn't like it.
STAR
She's gonna love it. There's nothing not to like.
ALEX
Simone, are you okay?
SIMONE
Y-Yeah. I'm good. I'm just waiting for a call.
STAR
I don't know what to do about Jackson. We haven't even decorated the nursery yet, and now his mom is staying with us.
SIMONE
Oh, so y'all are doing parents now?
ALEX
Mm, okay, wifey.
STAR
Not by choice.
ALEX
So, how is she?
STAR
Blonde, loud, obnoxious.
ALEX
Oh, okay. So, you in 20 years? Got it.
SIMONE

CARLOTTA
Hey, sorry I'm late.
ALEX
It's okay.
SIMONE
Hey, Ms. C.
STAR
Ms. Carlotta.
ALEX
She's back!
CARLOTTA
I missed y'all.
STAR
Missed you. You look good.
CARLOTTA
Thank you.
ALEX
Okay, so what'd you think about our album? We feel like this'll be a really dope way to say goodbye to our fans.
CARLOTTA
Hold up, goodbye?
SIMONE
Ms. C, we talked about this.
ALEX
Yeah, we made a final decision.
STAR
Together.
CARLOTTA
All right, I listened to the album. And I think it's missing something. That defining song. And Gravity's not gonna release it until it's done, and I say it's not done.
SIMONE
Okay, Ms. C, I can't keep postponing Black Ivy  rehearsals.
STAR
Yo, I've been trying to finish this remix of "There for You" for weeks, and I can't if we-
ALEX
I still have to work on my set for the Rhythm and Bells.
CARLOTTA
Then I guess y'all better get back to work, then.
ALEX
You're serious?
CARLOTTA
Because unlike y'all, I still care.
STAR

BATISTA
You recognize this woman?
CASSIE
That's Tammy. She works at Karma. Is she a cop?
BATISTA
She was a cop. She was murdered. She discovered money was being laundered through the club. I'm sure you knew nothing about that, either.
CASSIE
Don't you got some unarmed black dude to go shoot? I ain't answering no more of your questions until my entire legal team walks through this piece.
BATISTA
You listen closely. You got a cop's blood on your hands.
CASSIE
I know what you're thinking, and I know what you're doing.
BATISTA
Now, you want to cooperate with me? I might cut you a deal. Maybe even get you home in time for BET After Dark.
CASSIE
Man, that show don't even come on no more, bitch.
BOBBY
I just don't like it. I mean, my son would rather talk to Maurice about his problems than me?
MISS BRUCE
Maybe he feels like it's a little late for you to be showing up to be the man in his life.
BOBBY
Maybe he don't think of me as a man at all.
MISS BRUCE
Please.
BOBBY
I'm just so grateful I got you.
MISS BRUCE
Really?
BOBBY
Yup.
MISS BRUCE
I can't tell.
BOBBY
What?
MISS BRUCE
I'm just saying, Bobby, if you're so grateful you got me, like, why do I still feel like a closet freak to you?
BOBBY
For real?
MISS BRUCE
Yeah. For real. Like, what are we doing, Bobby?
BOBBY
I mean, it ain't like I'm ashamed. It's that I-I don't know how Noah is gonna react, that's all. I-I don't want nothing else putting a-a distance between us.
MISS BRUCE
I think you're putting a distance between us.
BOBBY
Hey.
MISS BRUCE
You got to get it together. Tick, tock. Give me a kiss.
ALEX

NOAH
Yo. Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey. Whoa, whoa. What's good? What's good? You all right? You all right?
ALEX
I can't I can't breathe.
NOAH
Come on, come on, come on. Come on, calm down. Calm down. Come here, come here, come here, come here.
ALEX
I'm waiting, waiting on Star and Simone to finish this album. I'm trying to finish my own, so I.
NOAH
Alex, breathe, breathe.
ALEX
And I need it to be perfect and it's not perfect.
NOAH
Breathe.
ALEX
This festival's coming up.
NOAH
Come on, come on.

ALEX
I just broke up with Derek, and that was the only solid thing, and now it's gone. Maybe I'm the problem.
NOAH
Alex, come on.
ALEX
Maybe that's why me and you didn't work.
NOAH
Listen, come on. Alex, we both know that it was me. All right? Look, I never really said this, but I'm, but I’m sorry for everything that happened.
ALEX
Be honest with me, Noah.
NOAH
Okay, um, you have a wall. It's not easy being a black woman in, in this world. You gotta hold it all in.
ALEX
Never let ‘em see you cry.
NOAH
Yeah. Trust me, I understand. Being a black man it’s not easy.
ALEX
Yeah. I saw your interview with Chloe.
NOAH

ALEX
Are you okay?
NOAH
I'm good. I'm gonna make sure that never happens again. Nobody's ever gonna remember me like that. You good?
ALEX
Yeah.
NOAH
Look, I gotta--I gotta hit it to this Afro Rock thing at Karma a little later. You should come through.

ALEX
Maybe. You think you maybe have a little time to listen to my music?
NOAH
After all the times you helped me, I owe you.
ALEX
You do.
NOAH

SIMONE
Hello? I'll be there.
SIMONE
Thank you for the money.
NINA
I would've never let you do this by yourself.
SIMONE
Thank you. Where is he?
COYOTE

NINA

COYOTE
The price just went up.
SIMONE
Okay, let him out!
NINA
No, no, no. It's okay. I came prepared for this.
COYOTE

SIMONE
Angel. Angel.
ANGEL
I thought I'd never see you again.
SIMONE
Are you okay? Did they hurt you? Are you okay?
ANGEL
I got those divorce papers. I swore I'd do anything to get back to you.

SIMONE
You did that for me?
ANGEL
I love you, Simone Rivera.
SIMONE
I love you, too.
BAILIFF
All rise, court is now in session. Be seated.
CARLOTTA
Cass, I can get you a lawyer.
CASSIE
Why you bring our whole family into this?
CARLOTTA
Because if Xander comes up in here, he needs to know we got you. Not him. Don't look like he's about to show anyway. Does it?
CASSIE
What was that that you were saying? There's my baby with my lawyer now. Hi, baby.
XANDER
Hey, girl. How're you doing? You still look good.
CARLOTTA
Watch it, Xander. Brick's been itching to whoop your ass for the longest.
JUDGE
Cassandra Augustine Brown.
CASSIE
Your Honor.
JUDGE
You're being charged with four counts of money laundering and drug trafficking. How do you plead?
CASSIE
Not guilty.
JUDGE
You'll be held in the Fulton County jail until your trial date has been determined. Next case.
CARLOTTA
Cassie. You need to let me help you. I need you to make a choice now.
XANDER
Who? You and a bunch of goons? Look, come on, Cassie, I got the best lawyers in Atlanta. We'll get you out in no time, I promise.
CARLOTTA
Make a choice.
CASSIE
I am. Xander.
XANDER
I don't know how many times you two sisters are gonna have to learn I always win.
CARLOTTA
So my sister's the loser, huh?
XANDER
But that's your goal, isn't it? So that you can watch her drown in her own blood, then you can swoop in.
CARLOTTA
Oh, boy.
XANDER
and save the day like the evil, selfish bitch you are.
CARLOTTA
What'd you call me? I'm gonna send your ass to hell.
XANDER
I'll save you a seat.
ANGEL
Oh, my God. Man, this is amazing. Whoa! Are you kidding me right now?
SIMONE
I'm just so glad you finally get to eat.
ANGEL
I got fresh clothes, a shower. Your friend Nina hooked us up.
SIMONE
Well, actually, I wanted to talk to you about her, but. Oh, what is this?
ANGEL
When we got to the States, we had to make a detour 'cause we had to avoid ICE. They said they were gonna take us to a safe house, but, um, but then they were just asking for more money.
SIMONE
And you didn't have it.
ANGEL
No, of course I didn't have it.
SIMONE
So they did this to you? I'm so sorry.
REBECCA
Oh!
JACKSON
Oh. Mom, are you okay?
REBECCA
Yeah. I'm fine. I think someone slipped something in my Pinot Grigio.
STAR
Oh, they must've. It has nothing to do with the fact that you drank two bottles.
REBECCA
I like her.
JACKSON
So, Mom, what did you have to show us?
REBECCA
Ta-da!
STAR
What's this?
REBECCA
I'm gonna decorate your nursery.
STAR
No, you're not.
REBECCA
What?
STAR
You can't decorate my house.
REBECCA
Okay. I was just trying to help. I mean, I figured with your lifestyle.

STAR
What's my lifestyle?
REBECCA
Well, Jackson told me that you're not gonna be home much. I mean, I assume you'll be recording and partying, so I think I can handle decorating a nursery.
JACKSON
I sa-I said she'd be working.
REBECCA
Jackson told me about your mama.
JACKSON
Mom!
STAR
My mama? What are you trying to say?
REBECCA
Oh, I'm just telling it like it is, sweetie.
JACKSON
Mom.
STAR
You need to get her before I do.
REBECCA
Oh, you want to start with me, sugar?
JACKSON
Mom. Stop, please.
REBECCA
I got cousins who are white trash. I know your type.
JACKSON
Okay, that's enough. Mom, come on, we're going to bed.
REBECCA
What? I'm not doing anything wrong.
JACKSON
Mom, please don't do this.
REBECCA
Fine.
JACKSON
What are you-?
REBECCA
Fine.
JACKSON
What are you doing?
REBECCA
I'm just trying to help!
JACKSON
You're not helping! This doesn't help, it never did! Baby.
STAR
Oh, no.
JACKSON
Baby, I'm s-Please just-
STAR
No, no, no, no. No, I've done this before.
JACKSON
Baby.
STAR
We're not doing this.
BOBBY
Oh, boy. That better not be what I think it is.
NOAH
Man, chill out, Pop.
BOBBY
Hey, the cemetery is full of fools who got talked into carrying a gun.
NOAH
Ain't nobody talk me into anything.
BOBBY
Yeah, no, you're just being stupid all on your own.
NOAH
What am I supposed to do, Pop? Wait for another person to take a shot at me? A man ain't supposed to run from his problems, but what would you know about that?
BOBBY
What I know? I know you've been carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders ever since you was young, way too young, son. I know you're tired of feeling like you got to grow up faster, be stronger, work harder. But, yo, that's the black tax we gotta pay.
NOAH
I'm tired, Pop! I'm I'm tired, man.
BOBBY
No.
CLUB GOERS

NOAH

MEGAN
Noah!
MAURICE
Yo, yo. I'll be up in a minute.
BOBBY
Sorry, son. Thanks.
MAURICE
Yo, yo, yo.

BOBBY
Yo, I need a word with my son!
MAURICE
No, what you need to do is keep your hands off me.
BOBBY
Yo, you keep pushing Noah like this, he's gonna wind up back on that roof.
MAURICE
What the hell are you talking about?
BOBBY
You know what? I see you. I know what you're trying to do.
MAURICE
Look, Noah, you might want to talk some sense into your father before he gets himself hurt.
BOBBY
Get your-! No.
NOAH
Yo, wait, wait, wait. Come on, come on, come on, come on, come on, come on. Pop. I got it. Pop, go home already. Just go home, man. Please.
BOBBY
Yep.
STAR
Alex, we're gonna finish the Take 3 album. All right? Damn.
JACKSON
That sounded fun. Listen, I just wanted to apologize for the other night with my mom.
STAR
Well, she's not gonna disrespect me in my own house. What's the deal with her? She's crying and all over the place.

JACKSON
Listen, she's gone, okay? I told her to leave and she did. Can we please just drop it?
SIMONE
I really want to thank you for what you did for me and Angel today. Are you okay?
NINA
I just, uh. I saw how you and Angel looked at each other. There's so much love there.
SIMONE
Yeah. I mean, he moved heaven and earth just to make it back to me. You know, I still can't believe it.
NINA
I can. I think anyone would want a shot at something real with you. Simone, I gotta try. You're the first person that's seen me in a really long time. I mean, you mean a lot to me.
SIMONE
I care a lot about you, too, but-Angel, I can. You gotta go. Angel, I-
ANGEL
I see why you want a divorce.
SIMONE

MISS BRUCE
Maybe you should let the girls explore some of their own projects. C? You hear nothing I just said?
CARLOTTA
Sorry. I got a lot of, um, family stuff on my mind.
MISS BRUCE
They say therapy will do that to you. You've been doing the most, lately.
CARLOTTA
What, you coming at me, too?
MISS BRUCE
I ain't coming at you, but I'm just concerned.

CARLOTTA
Between Cassie and Take 3, I ain't took no time to think about my own damn life.
MISS BRUCE
Hmm.
CARLOTTA
There's still some things I'm trying to process from that trip.
MISS BRUCE
Cassie's a grown-ass woman. Let her make her own mistakes. Whatever bed Cassie makes for herself, she's gonna have to lay in.
CARLOTTA
Look, I just don't want to see nobody else get hurt.
MISS BRUCE
You can't control that, C. And I know you don't want to hear this, but Star, Simone and Alex are not babies anymore. They're artists. They're young women. You gave them their roots. Now you got to give them their wings.
CARLOTTA
So, who made you so wise?
MISS BRUCE
A fierce bitch with fierce wigs named Big C.
CARLOTTA

ALEX
I really needed this.

NOAH
Yeah, me, too. Work it. Do a spin, go. The spin.
ALEX
Oh, oh. Oh.
NOAH
Alex. Alex, I'm sorry. I-I got a good one now.
ALEX
Yeah. No, I'm I'm just still trying to figure everything out. Who I am, where I want to be and I'm-I'm s--I'm sorry.
NOAH
No, look, listen. We're good. All right? As much as we've both been through, I ain't got no place to judge.
PEOPLE

ALEX
Just look at everybody here, man. Being free and authentic and doing whatever they want to do. That's that's what I want to do, but I feel like I can't.
NOAH
You can. You hear me? You can.
JACKSON
Hey.
STAR
Hey. You realize, if anybody understands messed up relationships with their parents it's me, right? So, let it all out. Tell me. What's the deal?
JACKSON
It was hard for her raising me as a single parent. It was even harder because she's bipolar. Growing up, there were so many highs and lows. On any given day, I had no idea what I was gonna get.
STAR
I'm sorry. How come you didn't tell me about any of this before she came?
JACKSON
I guess you're not the only one that has problems opening up.
STAR
We're in this together.
DEREK
Yo, let me talk to you!
NOAH
Hey, hey.
NOAH

DEREK
We got guns now?
NOAH
Oh my God, man.
DEREK
Use it!
NOAH
No, listen, you can't be running up on me like that, man. I almost almost shot you, man.
DEREK
If you're 'bout it 'bout it, then be 'bout it 'bout it then, boy.
NOAH
All right, you done had a little bit too much to drink. Calm down, Derek.
DEREK
Every little chance you get, you start sniffing around my girl.
NOAH
Last I checked, she's not your girl. All right? And she kissed me, I didn't kiss her back. Nothing happened.
DEREK
I want to talk to her, and let her know whatever-
NOAH
Look, man, Alex needs some more time, man. You broke her heart. All right? Now take it from me, you don't want to make it no more worse that it already is.
CASSIE
You back twice in one day? I must be special.
CARLOTTA
I've been thinking a lot about when Mama told me I was gonna have a little sister. She said it "it's your job to protect her, no matter what may come her way." And I promised her I would protect you, no matter what came. You remember those, um, car rides that Daddy used to take me on, without you?
CASSIE
Yeah, you got to ride in the Caddy every Sunday.
CARLOTTA
He used to do things to me when we were alone. Things that weren't right. And I hated it, and I hated him. But it didn't matter. As long as he didn't touch you, it was okay. That was my cross to bear. Daddy never loved me more. He loved nobody. There was nothing but darkness in him. And I see that same darkness in Xander. But that ain't my monster to kill.
ANGEL
I freaked out. I'm sorry. I guess I just didn't think you were gonna move on so fast.
SIMONE
No, Angel, look, I'm sorry. You know, everything just happened so fast between us and, when I left the D.R., I realized I still had a lot of things I had to figure out, you know? What I wanted, who I wanted. And I realized that I only want to be with you. And I think that we have something really special, and I don't want to lose that. And I love you very much.
ANGEL
I love you, too. But you know that. You remember that song we were working on in the D.R.? I finished it. Here.
MISS BRUCE
What the hell? Don't nobody knock around this bitch no more? You know what kind of neighborhood this is.
ALEX
I just realized since I got here, I haven't even spent a day on my own.
MISS BRUCE
Well, you ran away from that fancy lifestyle of yours in New York. Came down here, got in a girl group, done got all boo’d up. You did all that before you even laid your head on a pillow in Atlanta.
ALEX
Haven't had time to figure out myself, I guess.
MISS BRUCE
Well, you better figure yourself out quick, fast, in a hurry, if you want any type of happiness. Trust me, I've been there. I ain't know if I was a him, her, a he, she.  But I know I ain't like living by nobody's rules, and so I made my own.
ALEX
I want to make my own rules, too.
MISS BRUCE
What if we, um why don't we go blonde?
BOBBY
Noah. Hey, son. I came to, uh, say-
NOAH
Can you get rid of this for me?
BOBBY
I can. Yeah.
NOAH
Look, I was on the edge, man, and-and I almost shot a kid I know. I don't want to kill nobody, Pop. I-I don't want that kind of power.
BOBBY
I-I know.
NOAH
Look, I'm sorry, man. I messed up. I wa-I was scared, man. I.
BOBBY
No. No, no. Hey, hey, yo. I-I ain't never gonna blame you for having no gun. That's on me, man. All those damn rules about, like, what it means to be a man, I put that on you. Yo, you remember that-that snot-nosed kid? What's--Ricky? Used to punk you in the playground. What did I tell you to do, right?
NOAH
You showed me a right hook and told me to go shut his ass up.
BOBBY
You know, I used to tell you real men, they don't sit next to each other in no movie theater.
NOAH
And they don't ride in the car listening to slow music, either.
BOBBY
Right, man. They don't laugh, they don't cry. They don't feel. Nah, man, that--Hey, look, look. That was all wrong. It was all wrong.
NOAH
Pop, you can only teach me what you know.
BOBBY
I'm sorry. All right?
NOAH
Yeah.
BOBBY
Let me get this out.
NOAH
Hey, um
BOBBY
What's up?
NOAH
You still got an ear for hits?
BOBBY
Last time I checked.
NOAH
'Cause I've been looking for one for some time now and, um as you can see, I'm in need of a manager.
BOBBY
So, is you asking me to be your manager?
NOAH
Man, only if you're saying yes.
BOBBY
Yeah! Yes! Me and you.
SIMONE
Oh, well, hello there, Ms. C. We're just putting the finishing touches on our album.
MISS BRUCE
It's a bop.
CARLOTTA
Oh, yeah, that's a hit.
SIMONE
Yes!
STAR

MISS BRUCE

CARLOTTA
Wow.
STAR
Can you believe we're finally finishing it?
ALEX
You did not make it easy for us, I'll tell you that.
CARLOTTA
I know I was hard on y'all, but it's not like you're just some artists at a label. Y'all are like my daughters, and it's kind of hard to watch you leave the nest. But as a good friend reminded me, you're grown-ass women, you can make your own choices. So just go out there and be great. You have my blessing.
ALEX
Who would've thought a couple girls that met on IG would make it this far?
STAR
I did.

SIMONE
Man, y'all heffas gonna make me cry, okay?
STAR
But you know what? We couldn't have done not one thing without you, Ms. Carlotta.
ALEX
You've been our ride-or-die since day one.
SIMONE
And you always will be, and we'll never forget that.
ALEX
You know what? I think this album is missing something.
CARLOTTA
Oh, no. What?
ALEX
Um You.
CARLOTTA
Me?
ALEX
Yes!
CARLOTTA
Come on. What?
ALEX
You gotta go in the booth and lay down a verse. You have to.
MISS BRUCE
Yes!
STAR
Before there was Take 3, there was Mixed Harmony.
ALEX
Boom.
CARLOTTA
I mean, I guess. If you really want a hit record, I could go in there, like, maybe.
ALEX
You know you want to.
MISS BRUCE
Yeah.
STAR

MISS BRUCE
Come on, slap your throat three times!
CARLOTTA
I'mma have to give them retirement rates.
MISS BRUCE

XANDER
Hey, sugar. How you holding up?
CASSIE
I'm tired X.
XANDER
I know. But do not let this case wear you down. You got this.
CASSIE
It ain't the case. Look, I've worked so hard. I've worked to matter, to be loved, and to be seen more than just the average bitch from the hood. In all the work I've put in just for you to love me, you know what I realized?
XANDER
Cassie, where are you going with this?
CASSIE
You don't deserve my love. And my sister is the only person that ever held me down, period.
XANDER
Baby. Now, you know that's not true.
CASSIE
Save that.
XANDER
You don't want to do this, Cass.
CASSIE
Well, I'm doing it. I'm not your baby no more. But I'mma see your ass outside, though.
XANDER
Yeah, you are just some average girl from the hood. We'll see if you make it out alive.
CARLOTTA

CALVIN
Is that my baby girl?
CARLOTTA
Daddy.
CALVIN
H-Hey, come on in. Come on.
CARLOTTA
Nah. I'mma stay here.
CALVIN
What's going on?
CARLOTTA
You remember when I was, uh, when I was little? You know, those Sundays you would take me for ice cream in the park?
CALVIN
Yes.
CASSIE
I felt like the most special little girl.
CALVIN
'Cause you are special.  You're my little girl.
CARLOTTA
You remember you would, um, scoop me up sometimes 'cause I'd be too tired to walk?
CALVIN
Yeah.
CARLOTTA
And you would carry me all the way home.
CALVIN
Well, that's my job. I'm your daddy.
CARLOTTA
 Yeah, you are my daddy. It was your job to carry me. I trusted you to carry me, and you took advantage of me. My innocence.
CALVIN
What?
CARLOTTA
You know I can never get that back.
CALVIN
Wait, what are you talking about?
CARLOTTA
What am I talking about?
CALVIN
Yes.
CARLOTTA
You know, I'm not gonna stay silent about this no more. I'm not holding this in no more. I'm not letting it hurt me no more. You broke my trust, but you didn't break my strength.
CALVIN
Oh, Lottie, you know-
CARLOTTA
You know what? I've been walking around with your sins on my back. You. So I'mma leave all of that right here with you. I hope you can carry that.
CALVIN
L-L-Lottie, I Lottie.
CARLOTTA