04x04 - Imaginary Players

[bunniefuu]

[Regina Harris]
Previously on Reasonable Doubt...

[Dr. Vernon Webb]
Jax, so you got shot, almost died.

How are you feeling about everything?

[Jax Stewart] I have never been
this close to failure before.

I have people depending on me.

I need to get back to my firm.

Eric, listen to me.
Brooke has declared w*r.

I know way more about you
and the sh*t that you've done

than you can even remember.

Bet she'll get what
she deserves soon enough.

[kidnapper] We have your wife.


We need to counteract the whispers
that you might have been involved in this.

Mr. Cropper, is the quote-unquote,

"utmost concern"
for your wife's safe return genuine?

Maybe this is a second chance.

I'm worried about Jax.

She might be pushing herself
too hard at work.

[kidnapper] [on phone] Your time is up.

-I swear to God, if you hurt her...
-[g*nsh*t on phone]

[kidnapper] Congratulations.
You k*lled her.

Brooke!

We don't know who's behind this,
but guess what?

We're going to find out.

My husband, Eric Cropper,
tried to f*cking k*ll me.

[♪ "I Don't f*ck With You"
by Big Sean playing]

[♪ Vocalizing]

[Eric Cropper] Brooke. Babe.

Holy sh*t, I can't believe it. Babe.

-Are you alright?
-Whoa, stop.

Hey, hey, hey, hey, what you doing?
I'm trying to check on my wife.

We have a few
additional questions for you.

I need you to come with me.

♪

♪ I don't f*ck with you ♪

I already told you.

I heard a big dude in a mask grab Brooke,
threw her in the back of the van.

I went and grabbed my g*n.

They drove off before I could catch 'em.

And no other details
about that night come to mind?

I felt a hand over my mouth
and someone grabbing me.

I tried my hardest to pull away from them,
but they forced me into the van.

Once I was inside the van,
they, uh, duct-taped over my mouth

and taped my eyes.

And what happened next?

I just remember overhearing them arguing
and getting frustrated

when Eric didn't send the first ransom.

One of them came in my face
and told me that Eric was the mastermind

behind the kidnapping
and the terms had changed.

Eric now wanted me dead
before they got their final payout.

And that-that was all I needed to hear.

And I knocked the g*n out
of his hand with my foot

and then I kicked him in the d*ck.

And as he was trying to get up,
I shot him.

And then I got the f*ck out of there.

I do kickboxing in Brentwood.

♪ You little stupid a*s b*tch ♪

sh*t. Do your job.

How about you round up
more suspects, right?

Lock 'em down till you get
some straight answers.

Make 'em talk. Do something.

That's how you would handle it, right?

Make people talk, lock 'em down.

We're here as a courtesy

and we're cooperating because my client

wants to get to the bottom of this
as badly as you do.

Do you know a Fabian Cruz?

Yeah, a former artist of mine.

One of the few disgruntled artists
whose album got shelved

because that sh*t just didn't hit.

Well, clearly he's holding a grudge.

He's one of two men
that kidnapped your wife.

Now, he's dead.

You know who the other person could be?

Why the f*ck would I know?

Now why are you so certain
that Mr. Cropper tried to k*ll you?

Eric took a $10 million
insurance policy out on me.

If I die, he gets the money,
he gets all of my shares to our company

and he gets sympathy press
to push his next big artist.

Look, I was already actively
fighting Brooke and winning.

So why would I suddenly
do something so public and messy

and actually f*cking stupid?

Well, right now, your divorce looks
a whole lot like motive.

Unless you can provide
concrete evidence suggesting otherwise,

my client is here as a victim,
not the suspect.

So this interview is over.

Alright, Mrs. Cropper.
So what do you wanna do next?

[reporters clamoring]

[Brooke Cropper]
Thank you all for being here today.

I am happy to be safe and sound,

but I must face a new devastation.

And that is the fact that
my husband, Eric Cropper,

may have orchestrated
my kidnapping and tried to k*ll me.

But here I am.

If I hadn't fought for my life,
I'd be... I'd be dead.

As I try to piece together
this turn of events,

there is still so much that I do not know.

But one thing that I do know
is that Eric Angelo Cropper

gets what Eric Angelo Cropper wants
no matter who gets hurt.

And as the person
who was harmed in this case...

I hope he burns in hell.

[camera shutters clicking]

[♪ Theme music playing]

♪ From La Brea to Slauson ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ The Sun, Central Ave Jazz ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ Where we at? ♪

♪ Hit the Maverick Flats ♪

♪ Leimert and right back to The Arc ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ We coastin' on the west
between sets and wealth ♪

♪ We toast the sunset in the Dons ♪

♪ Take flight into the night
under Cali stars ♪

♪ In a world on wheels, it's all us ♪

♪ It's the world we feel ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ From the Hills to Hollywood ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

♪ No doubt we all we got ♪

♪ Hold it down, Black and brown ♪

♪ In a city of dreams ♪

♪ It's all us ♪

So it's too early
to refill the prescription?

I see. Okay.

No, that's okay.
I just, I didn't, I didn't realize that.

Thank you.

[♪ Tense music playing]

[g*nsh*t echoes]

-[loud thud]
-What was that? What was that?

Hey, Daniel got a copy
of Brooke's press interview.

-You okay?
-[Jax groans]

Yeah, it's all good. Um...

Let's go watch the video.

Gets what Eric Angelo Cropper wants
no matter who gets hurt.

And as the person
who was harmed in this case,

I hope he burns in hell.

I mean, does anyone get the sense
that she is milking this?

Yeah, maybe.

I mean, I've been doing some digging
with my contact at the precinct

and it's, uh, not looking good.

Uh, the charges he's facing are not only

conspiracy, kidnapping,
and attempted m*rder,

but also felony as*ault
for the fingernail thing

that I can't think about
or I'm gonna vomit,

and also felony m*rder.

Okay, so the cops have found
a few pieces of evidence

that make it look like
Eric hired these hitmen.

The first is a payment
from one of his accounts to the kidnappers

a week before Brooke was kidnapped.

Okay, what are the other pieces?

Uh, we've got call logs
from his office line to Fabian

and one of the g*ns
from Eric's collection is missing.

It was recovered at the crime scene

and the b*ll*ts matched
the one that k*lled the kidnapper.

Eric never reported the g*n stolen, so...

I hate to say it,
but he does fit the profile.

But he also did seem visibly upset
when he thought she was dead.

Or that was a cover
to make you think that he was sad

when really he was out here kidnapping.

[Jax]
Okay. Let's not jump to conclusions, huh?

-[slams table]
-That's what cops do.

Plus, I still can't shake the feeling

that something about Brooke
feels off here.

I'm not buying it.

But before we all
fall down that rabbit hole,

let's make it clear to the DA
that Eric will fully cooperate

before another day's worth
of this nonstop news cycle.

Alright, I can head there if you like.
Or we can go together.

I can be good cop, you can be bad cop.

However, something tells me
you wanna be both.

Oh, you know me so well, Corey.

[♪ Upbeat music playing]

Oh, Mike.

Look at that,
just the person I came to see.

-No coffee, no donuts.
-Oh.

I feel like I'm losing your respect, Jax.

[scoffs] No, I just lost my Century City
corporate firm expense account.

But maybe if you help a sister out
with her first big client

as a brand-new entrepreneur,
the next time I come,

I'll bring you coffee and donuts.

Oh, you mean Eric Cropper?

Yeah, I'm not on that case anymore.

As of when?

[Regina] As of today.

Wait, what happened
to Monica Wilson's case?

I'm taking that one
and Regina will be working with Cropper.

Glad to hear we'll be
on the same team for once, Miguelito.

And I assume that you're here
to negotiate Mr. Cropper's arrest?

Well, you know what
they say about assumptions.

But, yes.

And that is my signal to leave.

Well, I admit this is
a pretty exciting turn of events.

It would've been an honor to work with you
on the Miss Wilson case,

but going against you is even better.

-[both laugh]
-Well, don't get too excited.

Your office tends to lose.

But I'll cut to the chase.

Given my client's stature, we'll need
to arrange for a private arrest.

Unmarked car let in through the back.

No cameras, no spectacle.

Well, that sounds like special treatment,

and given the nature of the crime,
isn't exactly appropriate.

Crime? [laughs]

I doubt you have enough
to even take this to trial, Regina.

I'm not at liberty
to discuss all of the evidence,

but if I was to choose
from the highlight reel,

it would be Brooke's former assistant

now working for Eric
being forced to testify.

-Why?
-[Jax] Hmm.

Because we have evidence
that your client paid her to lie,

which resulted in Brooke
being terminated from the company.

The email reads...

"I need to get rid of this b*tch
at any cost."

That's just how I talk!

I'm not talking about k*lling
or kidnapping.

I'm talking about
making a complaint to HR.

-So the HR complaint was real?
-Yes!

Maddie complained to me about
how Brooke was treating her

and I told her to make a case to HR.

Now, did I benefit from the sh*t?

You f*cking right.

But Maddie's issues with Brooke were real.

Fine.

What about the payment
to the kidnappers a week before?

I don't know nothing about no payments!

Somebody's setting me up.

And when I find out who,
I'm... I'm ending the m*therf*ckers.

-I'm telling you.
-[Jax] Okay, Eric, listen to me.

I understand that this is
a difficult situation for you,

but every single move
that you make from here on out

will be under scrutiny,
especially if you appear to be angry.

One misstep will give them the fuel
they need to add to the fire of the story

that you are a m*rder*r and a kidnapper.

This is my life, Jax.

Everything I've worked for.

Everything... I f*cking fought for.

I understand that,
which is why I need you to listen to me

and follow everything I'm saying.

Alright?

This is how it's going to go.

[♪ "Lose My Mind"
by Young Jeezy playing]

I negotiated no handcuffs,

but they're going to escort you
through the front door.

Your appearance will be pristine,
yet modest.

Nothing showy
or that can be read as arrogant.

It is imperative
that when they escort you,

you are cooperative and do not resist.

Wear an expression
that reads as humble yet innocent.

I know you may not want to,
but you must wear your wedding ring.

There will be paparazzi
and cameras there.

And wearing that ring symbolizes
a quiet, respectful love towards her.

You are innocent.

Therefore, walk in there
with your head up,

back straight, chest out.

Let's get him out of there fast
before he loses his f*cking mind.

♪ Thirty-six a thousand times,
I'm doing somersaults ♪

♪

-[Jax] Hey, baby.
-[Lewis] Hey.

How was your day?

[sighs deeply] Tiring.

But Eric's arrest did go smoothly.

His arraignment is tomorrow.

How was your day?

Uh, busy. [sighs]

I'm preparing for the Black Gaming
Developers Convention

this week in Atlanta.

[Jax sighs]

Are you okay?

When's your next dose?

Um... Well, actually,
I stopped taking them.

You know, it started
to affect my work, so...

But it's okay. I can...
Yeah, I can play through a little pain.

-Hmm. Are you sure?
-Mm-hmm.

Is that why you haven't
been sleeping well?

-Well...
-Look, I don't have to go if...

No, no, no.

You have been looking forward to this,
you are going.

I'm actually starting to
feel like myself again.

-That's great.
-Mm-hmm.

Well, that makes me feel
a little better about leaving.

Good.

I'm gonna go change, okay?
I'll be right back.

[Lewis chuckles softly]

[♪ Gentle music playing]

Hey.

Hi!

Our mom is driving me crazy.

On top of me trying
to manage his terrible twos

and make sure dinner is ready,
it's too much.

Too much? Tatiana, she's only
been here for two days.

Two days too long.

It's impossible to manage a marriage
and kids and Mom.

Maybe one day you'll understand.

Anyway, um, well,
I just got assigned a huge case,

and if I win, it could be
a game-changer for my career.

So I was wondering
if during the trial you could...

No, no, Reg. No, she cannot stay here.

Come on, you know her caretaker just quit.

Hi, Scott. Tatiana, I need more help.

I send you money every month.

Well, full-time help costs
thousands of dollars per month.

What you send barely covers the meds.

And that's where I'm gonna stop you.

You should be grateful I send anything,
especially after how she did us.

The foster care the... Nope.

No, I'm not going there.

I told you, I can't.

It's not every single day.

It's just gonna be
during the days of the trial...

I told you to put her in a home.

But you chose to
take on this burden, not me.

Because she's our mother.

She gave birth to us.

But trust me,
she is not a good mother.

Hi, Mom.

[Dorothy] I'm hungry.

And I need some real food.

Tatiana and her white husband
eat like they living off the land.

-Take me to El Pollo Loco, Regina.
-Yep.

-Good seeing you too, Dorothy.
-[Dorothy] Mm-hmm.

♪

[Regina]
Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, Mom.

Do not go down that staircase by yourself.

Mom!

Your Honor,
Eric Cropper is a public figure

with means and resources
to flee if he so chooses.

We request no bail.

Your Honor,
Mr. Cropper being a public figure

is exactly why he is not a flight risk.

He would not go unnoticed.

The prosecution has only provided
circumstantial evidence

to which Eric Cropper looks forward
to vindicating himself in court.

There is no history that would give reason

for the court to believe
that Mr. Cropper would flee.

However, the weight of these charges
do give the court pause

and all parties need to be
made aware of their severity.

I will grant bail
in the amount of 10 million.

♪

Baby money.

I'll see you soon.

[♪ Tense music playing]

Hey, so I know this isn't your style,

but it may make sense to consider a plea.

Well, my style is
whatever works best for my client.

[Jax sighs, scoffs]

And I don't think they have evidence
to win this case.

Plus, do you really think
Eric is gonna lay down like that?

For his life, I think he should.

But you are the only one
that can convince him.

Are you just bringing this up

because you're ready
for this case to be done?

I am bringing this up
because this is the first case

that your new firm is taking on

and it will set the tone
for how your business moves forward.

Now, look, I know Eric thinks
that he is untouchable,

but once this goes to trial,

all of his dirty laundry
will be aired out.

Hm.

And once you're under a public microscope,
everything changes.

Now you're battling
more than Brooke's accusation.

Every single shady thing
that Eric has ever done

will be dug up and on display
for social media to have a field day with.

Look, I know he may win in court,

but he could lose everything.

-Well, you're not wrong.
-[cell phone ringing]

Once he makes bail, we'll get a read.

Hey, what's up?

Just got word
from my contact at the precinct.

The cops filed
an emergency protective order

against Eric regarding Brooke.

What? Was it granted?

Sure was, just a few hours ago,

which means they feel the evidence proves

that Brooke had legitimate reasons
to fear for her life.

sh*t, they rarely file
on behalf of the victim.

This is bad.

Real bad.

Okay, we'll see you back at the office.

-What happened?
-Brooke was just granted

an emergency protective order
against Eric,

which was filed by the cops.

Uh, we may have to float
that plea sooner than later.

♪

[officer] Per the protective order,

you're to stay 100 yards
from Mrs. Cropper,

unless in her presence
during court-related hearings.

If you need to leave this property,

we've arranged with the help
of your house manager

a system with your security team
to ensure this system is maintained.

So I need permission
to walk across the lawn I paid for?

Yes, do you understand?

Yes.

I am here if you need anything,
Mr. Cropper, by text or phone.

Thank you, Alejandro. Appreciate you.

Alright.

So Brooke just cries
to anybody that'll listen

and I get kicked out of my own house?

How the f*ck did this happen?

Well, she went straight to the cops.

We had no idea until it was done.

We'll also need to go over
the protective order stipulations.

Violating them would jeopardize your case.

-[cell phone buzzes]
-Well, besides what the officer mentioned,

you are not to have
any communication with Brooke.

If you need to contact her,
we have ways to do that.

You are not allowed to harass,
threaten, or stalk her, okay?

At this point, I can't even
stand looking at her.

Damn, Desiree just broke
the protective order story.

-[Jax sighs]
-f*ck!

Alright. Eric, come here.
Listen to me, look.

If there's anything else
you need to tell me,

now is the time to speak up, alright?

I need you to be transparent with me.

And I need the same from you, Jax.

Are you good?

Look, I know you just got shot,
but I need you on your A-game.

This is my life we dealing with.

[Jax] I know that and I'm fine, okay?

It's just me settling back
into everything, alright?

And now, speaking of your life,
Corey brought up a plea deal.

I know what you're gonna say.

But it might not be a bad idea to find out

how strong of a case they think they have.

Fine, see what they say.

♪

[Jax]
Alright, he's down to talk plea deal.

Okay, good,
I'll go talk to the DA's office.

Great. In the meantime,
there's someone else I need to talk to.

♪

How much is Brooke paying you
to be her mouthpiece?

I'll double it to get you
to stop telling lies about Eric Cropper.

As much as I'd love to take your money,
Brooke isn't paying me.

-Then who is?
-And this is where we differ, Jax.

I don't need a direct deposit
to direct my morals.

I'm guided by truth and justice,
unlike you.

Please, Desiree, you are
guided by likes and comments,

so miss me with that bullshit.

Eric Cropper is a bad man.

He treats his artists like sh*t,
his wives like sh*t,

and he'd treat you like sh*t
if you weren't his personal legal goon.

That sounds like a list of
personal opinions, not crimes.

Which means you need
to focus on the truth.

Or else I will make sure
that your struggling news outlet

is hit with a libel suit so big

you'll be begging
to come work for me, and Eric.

You can say whatever you wanna say,

but dangling money or
fake-a*s consequences isn't going to work.

Save all these words
for the statements you'll have to make

after my story comes out,

because once it drops,
you'll be begging to work for me.

Please, not a chance in hell.

Well, with your client list,
you'll be there soon enough.

♪

Knock, knock.

[Regina] Corey Cash. This is a surprise.

I was actually expecting Jax

to come and discuss
Mr. Cropper's plea deal.

Yeah, well, she sent me, and trust me,
you're better off. I'm nicer.

[chuckles] I certainly hope so.

Listen, the truth is that Eric Cropper
isn't guilty of this kidnapping fiasco,

which means either way it's best for
the both of us to start discussing a plea.

Not interested.

I'm surprised you're not
jumping for joy at a plea bargain.

Did a little research on you, Regina.

You have a 92% plea rate.

What's the matter,
are you scared to cross the bar?

No, not at all.

I just don't believe
in wasting taxpayers' money

when the goal on my side
is to put criminals behind bars.

Lengthy trials with fickle juries,
no, thank you.

But if I have to get in the ring,
it's gonna be a TKO.

Now, would you have said that to Jax?

This isn't just a kidnapping.

There's also a body
since Fabian Cruz was k*lled at the scene.

So if you think that Mr. Cropper's
gonna get a slap on the wrist

and be floating on a boat in a month,
you're sadly mistaken.

And that, I would have said to Jax.

I understand, and I'm not delusional,

but if I go back to Eric
and I present him with a deal

that makes trial seem more appealing,

then your A-plus plea rating
goes down to a solid B.

Let me talk to my boss
and see what I can do.

You do that.

Good day.

[Jax] I called yesterday

and I was wondering if I could
refill my prescription for the...

[pharmacist] [on phone] Unfortunately,
you'll have to wait another two weeks

before we can fill your prescription.

Another two weeks? f*ck.

-[pharmacist] Excuse me?
-Uh, no.

Sorry, that was not for you.

It's not for you. Um...

-Thank you.
-[pharmacist] Have a good day.

[line beeps]

[sighs]

-[Corey Cash] Hey, baby.
-[Brandy Michaels] Mm.

How's the case going?

Things any better with Eric?

[sighs] Well, yes and no.

I actually don't think he did it,

but he's done enough things in his past
where he might have to pay for it anyway.

Well, I mean, from what you've told me,
I'm really suspicious of that guy.

Yeah, well, you and me both.

But Jax seems to be doing better.

-[Brandy] Mm-hmm.
-A lot better, actually.

So we are working on a deal for Eric.

So this should be over soon
then you and I

-can go back to Chicago, get married...
-Yeah?

-And live happily ever after.
-Happily ever after.

[both chuckle]

I love the sound of that.

Mm. Okay.

Well, I'm gonna go take a shower.

-Wait, unless you're hungry...
-No.

-Then I can wait.
-No, no, no, no, no.

You go take a shower and then you relax.

I have to head back to the office.

I might have to meet
with this deputy DA.

Depends on what this plea deal looks like.

Oh, man. Well, I hope
it doesn't take too long

because I was really looking forward

to some Hulu and hang,
if you know what I mean.

Mm. Well, I absolutely know what you mean.

-[both chuckle]
-This shouldn't take long.

I'm hoping she wraps it up soon.

She being?

Oh, Deputy DA Regina Harris.

Oh, a sister. Okay, cool.

But when I get back...

I am going to take off all of your clothes

and then I'm gonna do
that thing you like

with the "bzzz" and my tongue.

[Brandy sucks teeth]

-Okay, I hear you.
-[both chuckle]

Alright, I'll be back later, okay?

-Okay. Yeah.
-[Corey] Love you.

Love you.

Be careful.

-[Corey] Always.
-[door closes]

How's your recovery been going?

You feeling okay today?

[Jax] Hmm. [sighs]

I've been feeling frustrated

because doctors never listen

when Black women tell them
that we're in pain.

Well, no offense to you, Dr. Sally.

[chuckles]
None taken, but sadly, it's true.

And after tearing
my calf muscle in the clerb...

[Jax] Just actin' up.

-I still don't understand what happened.
-[Sally laughing]

I know, I know.

But, yeah, I had to tell the ER doctor,

this is not a sprain.

They still didn't listen to me,
and I'm a doctor.

Mm-hmm. So you get it.

And, I mean, I really feel like
I should have tried harder

to find a Black female doctor,

but then I realized
I already know one. [laughs]

[clears throat] So any chance
you could help me out with something?

Um...

So I have...
Well, I need a new prescription.

And my doctor, he didn't
give me anywhere near enough.

And this goes back to what I'm saying.

Doctors, they just don't listen.

Mm-hmm. I hear you, but, girl,
you know I can't do that.

A few years ago you asked me for Ambien.

I said no then,
so I'm saying I cannot do that.

I know, I know, I know.

And, Sally, look, listen.

You know I would not be asking you

if I wasn't seriously...

hurting.

Jax, I can lose my license,
and more than that,

it's against my ethical code as a doctor.

You put your whole house
at risk for Shanelle,

and now suddenly you have an ethical code?

Yeah, and it cost me my marriage

and that's why I would never cross a line
like that ever again.

I learned my lesson.

I'm-I'm sorry, okay?

It was a, it was a weird joke.

-Are you good?
-[Jax] Mm-hmm.

Yes, of course.

I'm just...

Yep. Mm-hmm.

-Okay, yep, I think that is enough wine.
-Oh.

Yeah, you need to be hydrating.

I'm gonna get you a bottle of water.

-Oh, I can get it.
-I got it, okay?

I need to move around
before my a*s gets big.

[sighs deeply]

[♪ Pensive music playing]

Hey, girl, I'm gonna head home, okay?

I didn't realize how late it was,

but I'm gonna call you later today, okay?

Love you.

Okay.

Bye!

[♪ Tense music playing]

[sighs]

[breathes deeply]

[engine starts]

[♪ Slow, jazzy music playing]

♪ Yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Ah, yeah ♪

-Corey, what are you doing?
-Twenty-five years without parole.

Is that the best you can do?
I can't sell that to Eric.

Tell him it's better than life.

The man's 50 years old.
Twenty-five years to him is life.

And why would he take this plea
when he can easily

just take his chances going to trial

and walk away
from all this stuff scot-free?

That's if he wins.

And that's a very big if.

When you lose and you will lose,

it's gonna be the fourth big case
your office takes the I on

and three of them
would have been against Jax.

And you know what?

No one's gonna remember the other three.

No, they're gonna remember this one.

The one where the Black woman lost.

Now do you really wanna
work twice as hard

only to fall four times as hard?

Fine.

Twenty years, no parole.

Fifteen with the possibility
of parole after ten years.

Fifteen, no parole, must do 90%
of the sentence, final offer.

Deal?

I want a drink.

[chuckles softly]

Let me get a, uh, Sable bourbon, neat.

Well, I wouldn't celebrate just yet.

I have to talk to my boss first.

Well, something tells me
you usually get what you want.

Hmm. How I wish that were true.

So, Corey...

what's your story?

Who is Corey Cash?

Who is Corey Cash?

Take a guess.

You don't want me to do that.

Ah, I'm a big boy, I can handle it.

Let's see.

Divorced, two older kids,

pleasant relationship with your ex-wife.

Although she's still in love with you,

even though she doesn't
have a chance in hell,

because you tend to date gorgeous,
minimally employed women

slightly older than your daughter,
you know, just out of principle.

And while you are in LA helping Jax out,

you are enjoying these LA streets

which have more of a Benetton range
of options than Chicago does.

Am I close?

Wow. Not even a little bit.

-Really?
-[Corey] Mm-hmm.

-Which part?
-All of it.

-[Regina] Mm.
-No kids, never been married.

I'm currently engaged
to an age-appropriate Black woman

who's a therapist,
AKA, a doctor who specializes

in work with domestic violence victims.

-Well, f*ck.
-[both laugh]

But, look, I wanna meet
whoever that dude is

'cause he sounds like a lot of fun.

Well, I am... surprised
and very impressed, Corey.

-Surprised, huh?
-[Regina] Mm-hmm.

And why is that?

You don't give off
I'm-in-a-relationship energy.

Hmm. Interesting.

Are you in a relationship?

No.

See, that's funny
because I was gonna say you give off,

I-have-someone-to-go-home-to energy.

Nope, very single.

I'm sorry, but that's, that's ridiculous

because you're smart,
you're funny, very attractive.

Like, very... attractive.

[♪ "Special Affair"
by The Internet playing]

Is that so?

It is so.

Any man would be lucky to have you.

And if I were single...

Which you're not.

-But I'm not.
-[Regina] Mm-hmm.

But if I were, this would be a date.

But it's not because you're not single.

I am not.

♪ Tryin' to act nice, girl,
your cover's blown ♪

♪ But you already knew that ♪

♪ You already knew that ♪

It's late.

I should go.

So should you.

I will have this plea deal on your desk

first thing in the morning,

but, um, you stay

and enjoy your drink...

on me.

♪ I bet this Patron ♪

♪

[♪ upbeat music playing]

[Lewis] So, yeah, it's, uh,
an amazing conference.

You get Black developers
from all around the world.

This year it's in Atlanta and next year
it's supposed to be in Singapore,

-but it's so inspiring.
-Uh, excuse me.

Excuse me. Are you Lewis Stewart?

-Yeah.
-Told you.

-I told you, this is him, man.
-[laughs] The man, he's the man.

This is the man
responsible for Autodrive 2.

Listen, you kept my kids
occupied for hours on end.

I... The-the way I see it, I owe you,
I owe you at least a beer.

Uh, bartender,
can he get another one on me?

Uh, I'm-I'm Austin Collins
by the way. Big fan.

-Hey. And I'm Webster DeMarco.
-Big fan.

Hey, dude,
such a clean design on that one.

Thank you.
Yeah, we worked real hard on that.

No, it shows.

So, uh, Lewis, what's next?

Oh, uh, after Ghetto Superstar,

I'm overseeing a whole line
in that universe.

Uh, floated the idea two years ago,

but wasn't given the leeway
till after Autodrive's success.

-Bureaucracy, right?
-Bureaucracy.

Man, you would think them juggernauts
would be a bit more open-minded,

but that is just not the case.

[exhales] Alright, so what do you guys do?

Uh, well, we just got cleared
for our second round of funding

with an augmented reality company.

-Yeah, yeah, yeah.
-Let's go.

We're gonna be making, uh,
games for smart glasses.

Very cool. That's very cool.

-You, uh, you familiar?
-I mean, come on, of course.

I mean, I've been getting the feeling
like that's the next stage for me.

Well, hey, you know,
maybe that next step isn't that far away.

You know? I mean, we're looking
for someone to fill our team

who has design know-how,
management skills,

but most importantly,
the vision to try new things.

We like your style, Lewis.

Come check out our shop in San Francisco.
You-you have a card?

-Uh, yeah, yeah, of course.
-Give him, give him the card.

And, I mean, I'm out of
the West Coast, too, I'm LA.

-Look at that. That's a short flight.
-That's a short flight.

You know what I mean?

Maybe I'll fly down and we can meet up.

You mind if we keep in touch?

-Absolutely not.
-Yeah?

-Please do.
-Hey, pleasure, man.

Absolutely, my pleasure.

-[Webster] Alright.
-Have a good night.

You too, thank you.

[♪ Upbeat music playing over speakers]

Huh.

[Jax] Hey, where are you going?

You said I could hang at Max's tonight.

And I'm picking up Naima
from a friend's house later, too.

[Jax] Okay.

I'm still not used to
you driving like this.

Alright. Well, you remember
what to do if you get pulled over, right?

[Spenser Stewart] Yes, Mom.

I take off my hat and glasses,
turn off the music,

and I put my hands on the steering wheel
where they can clearly see them.

And it's "yes, ma'am" or "sir."

That's right.

I wanna make sure you come back home
to me the same way you left me.

-You and me both.
-[Jax] Alright.

Well, I guess I'm here
by my lonesome tonight.

Since your dad is in Atlanta.

Sure you're gonna be okay by yourself?

You know, I can tell Max if you need me.

[Jax] No, no, don't be silly.

But one more thing before you go.

Your dad told me that...

the therapist said that you're not
sleeping in here sometimes.

Is that true?

That was supposed to
be between me and Dad.

So much for trust.

[Jax]
Of course, you can trust your father,

but I am his wife,

and the trust in our marriage comes first.

So what he knows, I know.
You can count on that.

Yeah, well, sleeping here
creeps me out since Ozzie.

I get it. I get it.

But, baby, you have to be able to sleep
in your own room, or at least try.

You know, we can't allow trauma
to hold us back from living our lives.

You've been through a lot.

How do you cope with everything?

Well, by facing it head-on.

-[Spenser] Hmm.
-[Jax] Hmm?

Running away from it,
it only makes it worse.

And sometimes you need to
be honest about what you need.

And other times you just have to

do what you can to forget and move on.

-I hear you.
-[Jax] Mm-hmm.

You know, I have an idea.

Why don't we give your room a makeover

and we'll move forward
by starting a new chapter.

How's that sound?

Alright.

-[Jax] Alright, baby.
-Sounds good.

-[Jax] Okay.
-I'll see you later.

Alright. Um...

But just remember that if you ever wanna
talk about anything, I'm here.

Okay?

-Thanks, Ma.
-Alright.

Are you sure you gonna be okay
here by yourself tonight?

-What you gonna do?
-Boy, don't be ridiculous.

Get out of here.

I kept myself busy for many years
before y'all came along, okay?

-I will be back before curfew.
-I know you will.

-[Spenser] Love you.
-Love you, too, baby.

-[door closes]
-[sighs] Love you, too.

[♪ "Function" by E-40 playing]

♪ League of Starz ♪

♪ Trend on the beat ♪

♪

-♪ We out here tryin' to function, b*tch ♪
-♪ Biatch! ♪

♪ You're f*ck' off my high,
get up out my mix ♪

♪ You're messin' up my vibe,
I'm tryin' to get some crevice ♪

♪ Put her in my ride,
take her to the Ritz ♪

♪ I'm toasted and sloppy,
off of broccoli, Bacardi ♪

♪ 151 out my body,
about that green like wasabi ♪

♪ Word candy, S-L-A-N-G ♪

♪ I'm think in 'bout
takin' a million-dollar insurance policy ♪

-♪ Out on my mouthpiece ♪
-♪ Biatch ♪

[exhales deeply]

♪ Hey, hey, hey ♪

[breathes deeply]

Ah. Hey, you're up.

[Brandy] Sure am.

Uh-oh. What happened?

[Brandy] What happened?

Corey, it's 12:36 in the morning.

I tried calling you.

Yeah, my phone was off.

I told you I was having drinks
with the deputy DA.

You told me you were meeting with her.

There's a difference.

But, you know, I'm glad to hear

that you weren't in an accident
or in the hospital

like I feared, you know, you were just out

having drinks with another woman,
cool, cool.

Brandy, Brandy, nothing happened, okay?

It was work.

I even ended up staying at the bar
way past when she left just to decompress.

[Corey chuckles]

You know, it's been a long f*cking day,

so it's real nice to come home,
get all wound up again.

[Brandy] I'm not trying to wind you up.

I'm trying to get you to understand
that you have to respect our relationship

-at all times.
-I do respect our relationship.

I told you nothing happened.

You act like I just went out there and had
sex with another woman or something.

Okay, respect isn't just about being
faithful physically and emotionally.

It's about not creating
suspicion and insecurities

because you fail to set boundaries
with other people,

particularly of the opposite sex.

Okay, so you have to approve everyone
I go out with before I go out with them?

If I went out with a male colleague
that you didn't know, just me and him,

and we were out for hours
until this time in the morning,

you mean to tell me
that you wouldn't be waiting up

to have this same conversation
just a little less calmly?

No. Because I'm not insecure.

Neither am I. I am just human.

Okay. I don't think this is the best time
to keep talking about this, so...

I am going to say I love you.

-Okay, Brandy, hold on.
-No. I...

I'm not mad.

[exhales] And I do trust you.

I just wish...

Corey, I wish that you would stop
being stuck in your own POV

and just take a moment to try
to understand mine from time to time.

That's all.

[♪ Gentle music playing]

Good night.

Fifteen, n*gga, what?

Considering the circumstances,
that's an incredible deal.

Ain't nothing incredible
about serving 15 years.

I might as well be serving life.

But it's not life.

And that's what you were facing
had Corey not negotiated this deal.

Corey?

I hired you, Jax.

I didn't ask Chocolate Mr. Clean
to go and negotiate for my life.

Okay, so that's what we're doing, huh?

Okay, stop insulting someone
who's sincerely trying to help you, Eric.

I'm not, I'm not. Look... [sighs]

I'm sorry. Alright?

It's just a lot going on.

How the f*ck did I get here?

I didn't do this sh*t, and taking the plea
is saying that I did and I...

Let's take it to trial.

I respect your decision,

but I want you to understand
the complete picture of trial.

Regina is a hell of a prosecutor
with a high win rate

and because of that,
she has a higher-than-average plea rate.

Eric, we go to trial,
there are no guarantees.

We've been to trial before, Jax.

Or have you forgotten?

Each time we beat that sh*t.

I thought you were a winner
and that's what I pay you to do. Win.

You are Jax Stewart, aren't you?

Or are you different now?

♪

[Jax] f*ck it.

Let's take it to trial.

[♪ Tense music playing]

[Regina] You can do this.

You can do this. Breathe.
[exhales]

I am not wrong
for asserting my boundaries.

[exhales] Breathe.

[Tatiana] I know you f*cking lying.
I told you already, I'm not...

[Regina] I heard you, Tatiana.

But you didn't hear me
so let me attempt to be more clear.

Our mom has two options.

Either a new around-the-clock caregiver

or you personally
keeping her until I'm off

for the duration of my trial.

The $100 you send a month
is no longer feasible

and I can't keep bearing the brunt

of caring for a woman
who's birthed another child.

Regina, I know that you're a lawyer
and you're used to convincing people

to get on your side,
but I said what I said.

I'm not keeping her here. End of story.

Why do you hate her so much?

Why do you still love her?

Well, someone has to.

Well, then I guess it's gonna be you.

I'll send you some more money if I can.

[♪ Tense music playing]

[door closes]

[sighs]

So, trial, huh?

I guess we couldn't discuss it first
or anything like that, right?

Okay, he wasn't gonna take the plea.

Oh, come on, man.
Maybe not, but the man played you, Jax.

[mimicking Eric] "Are you Jax Stewart?
Or you some punk, huh?"

-Huh?"
-That's not what he said.

And plus, he was right.

I mean, I was bending over
and letting Regina win

instead of fighting for him,
and for myself.

What do you mean?

[sighs]

Corey, I mean... I'm scared. Okay?

I'm scared that if I don't get a big win,

then I'm gonna be a big joke
to my old firm,

to the legal community, sh*t, to myself.

I stormed out of BHS and quit.

Then I opened up my own firm

and on day one of being here,
I get shot and almost died.

It's like some poetic karma or something.

Do you think you deserve that,
being shot by a pedophile?

No, I don't.

But if I can show everyone

that I'm still the baddest b*tch
in the courtroom,

then everyone will know that it wasn't
the BHS big three.

n*gga, it was just me.

I hear that. I really do. I hear it.

Well, I'm glad you understand that

because I need you
on this Eric Cropper trial.

It'll be big for both of us, Corey, okay?

We win this, we win this together.

So, Corey, tell me, what do you need
from me to make that happen?

[chuckles softly]

[sighs] I just have to
tell Brandy, that's all.

Tell or discuss?

What's the difference?

[chuckles]

I've been married for almost 20 years.

How?

Because my husband is a smart one.

He doesn't tell me anything.
We discuss it.

And if he feels strongly
about something that I don't wanna do,

then he guides me towards a decision
he wants me to make

with words, with flowers, with...

I think you get it.

I do.

So if you wanna stay here
on this Eric Cropper trial,

then you need to see her,
hear her, feel her.

That is how you keep your relationship.

[Jax chuckles softly]

Hey, where you headed?

Oh, to class, I'll see you tomorrow.

Oh, no, Crystal, wait.

Eric didn't take the plea,
so we're going to trial.

Oh, wo... Wow, that's exciting.

It is, but I'm gonna need your help
running The Stewart Firm.

Overseeing billing,
hiring new staff, all of it.

Now I know you have school,

but I'm gonna be too busy
once the trial starts, so I need you.

And I know I don't say it often enough,
but it's the truth.

So, please, can I count on you?

As always. I will, I will do what I can.

[Jax] That's my girl.

[Angela Simon]
Hey, baby. How was your day?

Well...

Jax wants me to take on
more responsibility at the office,

which basically means
I'll be running the business.

I mean, at least while
she's focusing on the trial.

Okay, well, what does that
mean about law school?

I think it means returning to the office

after class sometimes
and that is going to suck.

[sighs] You know,
in addition to making sure

she has everything
she needs for the trial,

I will service all the clients

and maintain the financials
for the day-to-day.

Okay, so that's more responsibility.

Will that come with more pay,
better title, anything?

No, but she says she needs me.

[♪ Slow pop song playing over speakers]

[Angela] Krystal.

Baby.

I love your willingness,

but I need you to start
speaking up for yourself.

You left a prestigious law firm
and you had a reputation.

-You had great pay, benefits.
-[chuckles softly]

When is that loyalty gonna be returned?

[Krystal sighs]

♪ Time goes to waste ♪

♪ When we're just trying to float ♪

[Corey] Oh, it smells good in here.

I know.

I think you'll like
the way these smell, too.

This is getting old, don't you think?

I mean, you mess up, you apologize,

I forgive you, you mess up again.

Not interested in a relationship
on wash, rinse, and repeat.

Yeah, me neither.

And I'm sorry.

Look, I don't even know
what to say, but...

I thought about what you said
about if the roles were switched

and... yeah,
I wouldn't like that sh*t one bit.

Listen, I don't want there to be
a double standard between us.

If we start doing that, then,

I am no better than the men
I fight against in court.

So we are equals.

You are my partner and I respect

and I value you
more than anyone else except God.

And I promise you,
I will never make you feel

the way you felt the other night.

Okay?

This case is going to trial.

And you wanna stay.

Yes, but I want you to stay here, too.

And what if that doesn't work for me?

Then I will get on a plane home
with you right now.

But if I stay, I need you here with me.

With this trial, it's impossible for me

to fly back and forth
to Chicago all the time.

So I have some people back at my office
that can hold it down

and I found out that you

could actually apply
for a temporary license

to do telehealth from here.

♪

Wow.

You really thought about this

and about how this could
work for me, didn't you?

What do they call that, growth?

[laughs]

Yes, baby, that is exactly what that is.

So, yes, I will stay.

[Corey] Mm.

-I love you. You know that, right?
-[Brandy] Mm-hmm.

And I also know that you owe me
a little bit of, um, buzz, buzz,

slap, slap time like you promised.

Oh, is that what you want?

[Brandy] Mm-hmm.

-Okay, well, if that's what you want...
-[Brandy] Yeah.

I'm just the brother
that's gonna give it to you.

-[Brandy laughing]
-Exactly how you want it.

-Exactly how I want it, right?
-[Brandy] Ohh.

-You better answer my prayers. Come on.
-[Corey laughs]

♪

[Lewis sighs]

[Jax] Mm.

[exhales]

Oof.

Oh, babe.

-[Jax groans]
-Hey.

-[Jax] Hey.
-[Lewis] Let me help.

[Jax groans, winces]

Ooh. Ooh.

-Okay. Hi.
-[chuckles] Hey.

[Jax chuckles]

-I missed you.
-Mm.

How was the convention?

I missed you, too.

-[Jax groans]
-Yeah.

It was alright,
nothing worth talking about.

-Yeah?
-Hmm.

I did talk to Spencer about his room.

Hmm. How'd that go?

-Hmm. Good, I think.
-Hmm.

I told him we would
cleanse his room a little bit,

give it a little refresh, you know?

Cleanse the energy in there.

Yeah. That sounds good.

And so far, you seem to be

doing okay without the pills, right?

Yeah. I mean, it's, it's
a little tough, but it's okay.

So don't worry.

Okay?

Superwoman, I swear.

[sighs] Alright, well, I am going to
unpack and sit my a*s down.

Okay.

[Lewis] Mm.

-I love you.
-I love you, too.

-I'm happy you're back.
-I'm happy to be back.

[Lewis sighs]

[♪ "Under the Influence"
by Chris Brown playing]

♪ Get up, get up ♪

♪ Kiddominant on the beat,
better run it back ♪

♪ f*ck' Robitussin ♪

[cell phone buzzes]

♪ I don't know why this sh*t
got me lazy right now, yeah ♪

♪ Can't do Percocets or Molly ♪

♪ I'm turnin' one, tryin' to live it up ♪

I've been working security
for Eric for eight years.

I gotta say this is the first time

he ever asked me for any party favors
through a lawyer.

Okay, well, these are not for fun, okay?

He needs these.

With all the attention
Eric's been receiving,

he can't be caught
getting these in his name.

But don't worry,
I will make sure that he gets them.

He needs to stay focused
during this trial.

Yeah.

♪ You don't know what you did, did to me ♪

♪ Your body lightweight, speaks to me ♪

♪ And you be like, "Baby, who cares?" ♪

♪ But I know you care ♪

♪ Bring it over to my place ♪

♪ You don't know what you did, did to me ♪

♪ Your body lightweight, speaks to me ♪

♪ I don't know what you did... ♪

I did everything for that man.

[speaker] We both have.

But he always seems to win...
no matter what.

Not anymore.

He's finally gonna get what he deserves.

And so are you.

♪ Let's Go Pro and make a video, yeah ♪

♪ Make you cry like a baby, yeah ♪

♪ Let's Go Pro and make a video ♪

♪ Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Baby, you can ♪

♪ Ride it, ooh, yeah ♪

♪ Bring it over to my place ♪

♪ And you be like, "Baby, who cares?" ♪

-♪ But I know you care ♪
-[Brooke moans]

♪ Bring it over to my place ♪

♪ You don't what you did ♪

[Eric] Who the f*ck is that?

♪

♪ Baby, you can ♪

♪ Ride it, ooh, yeah ♪

♪ And you be like, "Baby, who cares?" ♪

♪ But I know you care ♪

[♪ fanfare plays]