All American: Homecoming (2022–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Love and War - full transcript

SO?

6:52.
YES! YES. OH.

COME CHECK THIS OUT.

OPEN IT UP.

JUST A LITTLE
DRIP SO YOU CAN

LOOK AND FEEL YOUR
BEST ON THE COURT.

WOW, Y'ALL, THIS IS

MORE THAN I COULD
EVEN EVER IMAGINE.

CONGRATS AGAIN ON
OFFICIALLY MAKING THE SQUAD.

HEY.

THANK YOU, Y'ALL.



CAN'T BELIEVE WE LOST. AGAIN.

I MEAN, ONLY BY A RUN, BRO.

LOOK, AT LEAST WE DIDN'T GET OUR
ASSES WHOOPED, ALL RIGHT?

IT'S PROGRESS.

I DON'T
KNOW HOW MUCH MORE

LOSING I CAN TAKE.

ALL RIGHT,
CIRCLE UP, FELLAS.

ENOUGH WITH THE
POOR BODY LANGUAGE.

HEADS UP, NOW. I
JUST WANT TO SAY I'M

PROUD OF THE HARD WORK I
SAW OUT THERE TODAY, GUYS.

AND WE STILL HAVE TIME
TO TURN IT AROUND.

SO, KEEP THEM DAMN
HEADS UP, Y'ALL,

AND LET'S GET BACK
TO IT TOMORROW.

ALL RIGHT. COME ON.



PICK UP THE SPIRIT,
NOW. COME ON.

HEY, YO, COACH.
WHAT'S UP?

WE GOTTA DO SOMETHING
ABOUT THE TEAM MORALE

BEING IN THE DIRT LIKE THIS.

I MEAN, IT'S LIKE
EVERYBODY GIVING UP

BEFORE THE SEASON EVEN STARTS.

HEY, THAT'S PART OF STARTING
OVER, J.R., ALL RIGHT?

BUILDING A CHAMPIONSHIP
TEAM BACK UP

FROM THE GROUND IS GONNA
HURT A LITTLE. OR A LOT.

AND WE DO WHAT WE CAN
TO KEEP IT TO A LITTLE.

WHAT ABOUT A NEW IMAGE?

DISCONNECT FROM THE OLD TEAM,

ALL THE SCANDAL AND BAD VIBES.

MAYBE LIKE SOME NEW
UNIFORMS. FRESH EQUIPMENT.

THAT COULD HELP TURN THE
TEAM MOMENTUM BACK AROUND.

THIS BASEBALL PROGRAM
IS ALREADY ON THIN ICE.

NO WAY THEY'RE GONNA
GIVE US MORE MONEY.

WHAT ABOUT INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS?

COLLEGE ATHLETES,
THEY CAN RECEIVE

N.I.L. ENDORSEMENTS NOW.

WE CAN PULL IN OUR OWN MONEY.

I MEAN, EVERYBODY HAVING

A LITTLE PIECE OF THEIR
OWN CHANGE, COACH,

THAT CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

NO. DAMON, THE LAST
THING WE NEED RIGHT NOW

IS AN ALREADY FRAGILE TEAM

COMPETING WITH EACH
OTHER FOR ATTENTION, MAN.

ALL RIGHT?

YOU'RE GONNA MAKE SOME
CALLS ANYWAY, AREN'T YOU?

IT'S JUST A FEW OLD CONTACTS.

COACH SEEMED PRETTY
ADAMANT HE WASN'T WITH IT.

I'M JUST GONNA CHECK THE PULSE

TO SEE IF THEY'RE INTERESTED IN

A FEW POTENTIAL SPONSORSHIPS.

ALL RIGHT? I'll WORRY ABOUT.

THE COACH MARCUS PART LATER.

THE SPONSORSHIP
WOULDN'T JUST BE FOR ME.

IT'S ACTUALLY...

YES. MY MOM,
SHE'S... SHE'S FINE.

BUT I WAS CALLING
TO SEE IF YOU'D BE

INTERESTED IN CHECKING
OUT THE WHOLE TEAM.

WE'RE ALL LOOKING FOR
ENDORSEMENTS AND...

UH-HUH.

YEAH, THAT'S COOL. YOU
CAN CALL ME BACK. THANKS.

OK, SO, THE ONLY THINGS

THAT GET ME THAT STRESSED OUT

ARE SPORTS AND
FINANCIAL AID, SO,

WHAT WAS ON WITH IT?

UM... BOTH.

I'VE BEEN CALLING AROUND

TO A FEW OF MY CONTACTS

TO SEE IF THEY'D
BE INTERESTED IN

SPONSORING SOME OF THE GUYS, BUT

I AM STRIKING OUT.

IT'S LIKE EITHER THEY'RE NOT
INTERESTED IN HBCU SPORTS

OR THE ONES THAT ARE INTERESTED

DON'T WANT TO BE
TIED UP IN A TEAM

FRESH OFF OF A CHEATING SCANDAL.

I MEAN, I'M SURE YOU GUYS'LL
FIND SOMETHING EVENTUALLY.

YEAH.

OH, SNAP.

IT LOOKS LIKE ALL THE
SPONSORS FOUND YOU.

- OK.
- MISS FANCY. NICE BAG.

I MEAN, I HOPE SO.

THEY MADE ME SQUEEZE A
MILE IN UNDER 7 MINUTES

JUST TO GET IT.

- YOU SOUND EXCITED.
- NO. I AM.

- YOU SURE?
- I AM, BUT

YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST THIS IS

THE FIRST OF MANY STEPS.

I BARELY SQUEEZED
INTO THE TENTH SPOT

AND NOW I HAVE TO FOCUS ON

CLIMBING THE RANKS OF THE TEAM,

BECAUSE ONLY THE 6 TOP
GET TO COMPETE, SO...

WHOA, HEY, HEY.

YOU NEED TO RELAX, OK?

TAKE A DEEP BREATH.

YOU ARE A STEP FURTHER
THAN YOU WERE BEFORE.

YOU NEED TO STOP AND
ENJOY THIS MOMENT.

YOU'RE RIGHT.

MAYBE... I DON'T
KNOW. FOCUS ON BONDING

AND BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
WITH YOUR TEAMMATES.

I'M SORRY. YOU
TAKE A COUPLE WEEKS

TO GET TO KNOW YOUR TEAM AND

ALL OF A SUDDEN, YOU'RE
THE BONDING EXPERT. HMM.

I MEAN, YEAH,
SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

I'M A QUICK STUDY.

BOY, PLEASE.

NATE, I CANNOT
THANK YOU ENOUGH

FOR LETTING ME CRASH
HERE THESE COUPLE DAYS.

ALL GOOD.

NO SENSE IN STRESSING
TRYING TO COMMUTE

BACK AND FORTH FROM
YOUR AUNT AMARA'S

WHEN THERE'S PLENTY
OF SPACE HERE.

HELLO.
COULD Y'ALL AT LEAST

PRETEND NOT TO MAKE
UNDERCOVER ARRANGEMENTS

IN FRONT OF YOUR R.A.?

YOU GOT A LOT GOING ON.

ESPECIALLY SINCE MY GIRL

DONE OFFICIALLY MADE
THE TENNIS SQUAD.

YEAH, BUT I
DON'T THINK EVERYBODY'S

TOO HAPPY ABOUT IT.

I THOUGHT THEA AND
I HAD A NICE MOMENT

AFTER QUEEN OF THE
COURT, BUT NOW SHE'S

BACK TO BEING MAD THAT
I EVEN MADE THE TEAM.

GIRL, DUH. YOU'RE HER
BIGGEST COMPETITION.

SHE'S JUST TRYING
TO PSYCH YOU OUT.

FORGET HER. WHAT SHE GON' DO?

MAKE TENNIS A LIVING HELL.

SHE'S THE TEAM CAPTAIN
AND ALL THE GIRLS

FOLLOW HER LEAD. THAT
WIELDS THE POWER.

OK, WELL, IF THEA
STILL TRIPPING,

I CAN JUST THROW THIS
GIFT BAG IN THE TRASH.

OR AT HER HEAD.
WHICHEVER WORKS. MM.

WHAT? I MAKE GIFT BAGS
FOR ALL MY RESIDENTS

WHEN THEIR BIRTHDAYS
ARE COMING UP.

THEA'S BIRTHDAY'S
IN A COUPLE OF DAYS.

I NEED TO TALK TO YOU.

OK.

I THINK I JUST FIGURED OUT A WAY

TO BRING THEA AND I TOGETHER.

DON'T WORRY ABOUT
A SPONSORSHIP, BRO.

WE'LL FIGURE OUT ANOTHER WAY.

I DON'T HAVE NO
OTHER IDEAS, BRO.

THERE'S ALL TYPES OF WAYS

TO RAISE SOME EXTRA MONEY.

YEAH, LIKE WHAT?

I MEAN, GIVE A BROTHER A MINUTE.

WAIT, BRO. WHO'S THAT?

THAT'S ALDEN PEDERSON.

THE HEAD SPONSOR
FOR SPRINT FLEX.

WHAT? I THOUGHT YOU
SAID YOU STRUCK OUT.

YEAH. I DID. THAT MEANS

SOMEBODY ELSE IS RESPONSIBLE.

BRO, IS THAT YOUR MOM?

YEAH.

SHE BROUGHT THE SPONSOR?

I THOUGHT YOU SAID THAT
HELL WOULD FREEZE OVER

BEFORE SHE HELPED YOU
HERE AT BRINGSTON.

YEAH, I DID.

SO, WHAT,
YOU THOUGHT YOU WAS SLICK,

CALLING AROUND BEHIND MY BACK?

THOSE SPONSORS ARE MY CONTACTS.

YOU COULD'VE JUST
ASKED FOR MY HELP.

YEAH, WELL, I DIDN'T THINK
YOU'D WANT TO HELP, CONSIDERING

HOW MAD YOU GOT THAT I CHOSE

NOT TO ENTER THE DRAFT.

BABY, THAT'S WATER
UNDER THE BRIDGE.

IF THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO DO,

WE'RE GONNA DO IT RIGHT.

NO, NO, MA,

YOU CANNOT JUST COME
IN HERE STEAMROLLING...

I'M NOT STEAMROLLING.

THERE ARE PROTOCOLS,
AND I JUST...

I DON'T THINK COACH MARCUS IS

GONNA BE COOL WITH THIS.

I'M NOT.

I ALREADY EXPRESSED
TO YOU HOW I FELT

ABOUT THE SPONSOR
THING, AND YOU WENT

BEHIND MY BACK AND
CALLED YOUR MOM?

COACH, THAT'S NOT WHAT...

EXCUSE ME. HI.

COACH TURNER? DAMON
ACTUALLY DIDN'T CALL ME.

I HEARD ABOUT THE TEAM'S NEEDS

AND DECIDED TO COME HELP MYSELF.

LOOK, MS. SIMS,
WHATEVER THIS IS,

I DON'T WANT IT TO TURN INTO

A DOG AND PONY
SHOW AROUND DAMON.

OUR FOCUS IS THE TEAM

AND WHAT'S BEST FOR ALL OF THEM.

AGREED. WHICH IS WHY

PRESIDENT ALLEN
APPROVED ME COMING HERE

AND OFFERING MY SERVICES.

SO, IF YOU HAVE
ANY FURTHER ISSUES,

I SUGGEST YOU TAKE
THAT UP WITH HIM.

I HAVE WORK TO DO.

HEY, Y'ALL.

DID YOU GUYS KNOW
TOMORROW'S THEA'S BIRTHDAY?

YES. SIMONE: ARE WE GONNA

PLAN SOMETHING TOGETHER
FOR HER AS A TEAM?

THEA DOESN'T DO BIRTHDAYS.

EVERYONE DOES BIRTHDAYS.

IT'S LITERALLY
CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTH.

IF THEA WANTED HER
BIRTH CELEBRATED,

SHE WOULD TELL US,
BUT SHE DIDN'T,

SO, WE'RE NOT.

JUST LIKE WE DIDN'T LAST YEAR.

LET ME GUESS. THEY
DON'T HAVE PLANS?

NOPE.

WELL, THERE YOU GO.

I THINK THAT'S MORE
OF A REASON WHY

WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING.

MAYBE WE COULD THROW,
LIKE, A LITTLE PARTY.

I THINK YOU SHOULD
JUST LET IT GO.

SEE, THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

EVERYONE'S SO
INTIMIDATED BY THEA

THAT NO ONE ACTUALLY WANTS TO DO

ANYTHING NICE FOR HER.

OR SHE'S JUST A RAGING BITCH

AND THAT'S WHY.

I'M JUST THROWING OUT ALL
THE POSSIBILITIES HERE.

WELL, I STILL THINK
THAT WE SHOULD TRY.

EVEN THOUGH SHE'S
TOUGH ON THE SURFACE,

EVERYONE DESERVES TO HAVE
SOMEBODY SHOW UP FOR THEM.

A FEW TIMES IN PARTICULAR,

I'VE WRITTEN STORIES

THAT I KNEW WOULD
BE CONTROVERSIAL.

YES. NATE: WHAT MADE
YOU PUBLISH EVERY TIME?

I ASKED MYSELF IF IT'S THE TRUTH

AND IF IT COULD HELP SOMEBODY.

ALTHOUGH WE AS JOURNALISTS

MUST BEAR THE WEIGHT
OF THOSE CONSEQUENCES,

IT'S OUR JOB TO
HIGHLIGHT AND DELIVER

OBJECTIVE TRUTHS,
NO MATTER WHAT.

THAT TAKES A CERTAIN
STRENGTH OF CHARACTER.

HOW'D YOU DEVELOP THAT?

SEE, NOW YOU JUST
SHOWING OUT, DR. PAT.

I LEARNED IT IN THIS VERY CLASS

A FEW YEARS AGO.
THEY SHOULD RENAME IT

STRENGTH OF CHARACTER 101.

I KNOW THAT'S RIGHT.

ALL RIGHT, CLASS, THAT IS

ALL THE TIME WE HAVE.

PLEASE SHOW MY FORMER STUDENT

MR. RALPH WELLS SOME LOVE

FOR BLESSING US
WITH HIS TIME TODAY.

OK. I SEE YOU ALL OUT HERE

ON YOUR SOPHISTICATED,
GROWN MAN STATUS,

MR. "ATLANTA DAILY
NEWS" JOURNALIST.

OK. WHATEVER. YOU KNOW I'M STILL

SAME OLD RATCHET RALPH,

JUST WITH A LITTLE
CORPORATE TWIST.

UH, HEY, IF YOU'RE FREE,
WE SHOULD GRAB LUNCH.

MAYBE CATCH UP.

I WOULD ABSOLUTELY LOVE THAT,

BUT I HAVE OFFICE HOURS

AND ONE MORE CLASS LEFT TODAY,

AND ON TOP OF THAT, A
TON OF PAPERS TO GRADE.

UH, LISTEN, NO PRESSURE,
BUT MAYBE DINNER?

YOU KNOW, KEEP IT LOW-KEY.

TAKEOUT IN THE OFFICE.

I WILL EVEN HELP
YOU GRADE PAPERS.

OK. YOU KNOW WHAT?

SINCE YOU ARE GOING TO
HELP ME GRADE PAPERS,

LEAST I CAN DO IS COOK.

30?

I'M IN.
ALL RIGHT. HA!

YOU'VE REALLY
ESTABLISHED YOURSELF

A WHOLE NEW LIFE HERE.

HOW'S IT GOING?

THE GUYS ARE
BECOMING LIKE FAMILY.

ENROLLING HERE WAS
DEFINITELY THE RIGHT CALL.

WELL, I'M PROUD OF YOU. I AM.

AND I'M EXCITED FOR TOMORROW.

I SET UP A PRESENTATION
FOR THE TEAM.

WHEN OTHER SPONSORS
HEARD ABOUT ALDEN,

THEY DIDN'T WANT TO MISS
THE CHANCE TO CAPITALIZE ON

THE WHOLE HBCU THING, SO,

ALDEN, A FEW OTHERS,

AND SOME PRESS WILL BE HERE.

DANG, MA. YOU REALLY
GOING ALL OUT.

YEAH. THERE'S GONNA BE

A LOT OF ATTENTION ON THIS TEAM.

WHICH MAKES IT THE
PERFECT OPPORTUNITY

FOR SEVERAL PLAYERS TO REEL IN

PERSONAL ENDORSEMENTS.

HEY, D. YOU UP.

.

HOW YOU DOING, MS. SIMS?

J.R. WE KIND OF GOT OFF

TO A BAD START LAST TIME.

YEAH. NICE TO

SEE YOU AGAIN, J.R.

YOUR BOY'S A NATURAL.

I RAISED HIM TO BE.

TOOK A LOT OF WORK 'CAUSE
HE HAS A HARD HEAD...

HEY, DAMON?

SWITCH TO YOUR LEFT PROFILE.

IS THAT SCAR A TESTAMENT

OF HIS HARD-HEADEDNESS?

PROBABLY. I DON'T REMEMBER

EXACTLY WHEN HE GOT IT.

HE HAD IT SINCE HE WAS A BABY.

EXCUSE ME.

HEY.

SO, YOUR MOM PULLED UP ON HER

OLIVIA POPE ISH AND
SHE SAVED THE DAY. HMM?

UH, YEAH, SHE'S
BEEN REAL SUPPORTIVE

AND INVESTED IN THE TEAM.

SEEMS LIKE SHE'S
TURNING A NEW LEAF.

REALLY?

WOW, UM,

YOUR POKER FACE REALLY SUCKS.

DAMON, DO YOU REALLY
THINK YOUR MOM

CHANGED THAT QUICKLY?

YEAH. I MEAN,

MAYBE IT TOOK ME LEAVING HOME

AND MAKING MY OWN
CHOICES FOR HER

TO FINALLY ACCEPT IT.

YEAH, BUT TO BE FAIR,

IT WASN'T JUST ANY CHOICE.

YOU LITERALLY THREW A
WRENCH IN HER PLANS.

AND THERE'S NOTHING LIKE
GOING UP AGAINST A MOTHER

WHO HAS PLANS FOR
HER CHILD'S LIFE.

THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.

OK, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT,

YOU DON'T REALLY KNOW HER.

DAMON, OUR MOMS
AREN'T THAT DIFFERENT.

MY MOM AND I ARE AT ODDS BECAUSE

TINA HICKS REFUSES TO
ACCEPT MY DECISIONS.

YOU KNOW, I WAS SHARING
FOR YOU TO LISTEN,

NOT CRITICIZE MY MOM.

I STILL CAN'T BELIEVE

I'M DRINKING WITH
MY FORMER STUDENT.

WELL, TO BE FAIR,
I'M AN ADULT NOW.

WELL, RALPH, YOU
WERE ALWAYS AN ADULT.

BUT NOW I'M GROWN, GROWN.

I EVEN GOT THE BIG
BOY JOB TO PROVE IT.

HA!

SO, HOW ARE THINGS AT BRINGSTON?

FINE. YOU KNOW,
SAME OLD, SAME OLD.

YEAH, OK. I'M REALLY
SUPPOSED TO BELIEVE

THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE?

EXPOSING THAT BASEBALL SCANDAL

ROCKED A LOT OF BOATS.

WELL, THAT'S THE OTHER
REASON WHY I CAME BACK.

I HAVE A POTENTIAL
JOB OFFER FOR YOU.

BECAUSE LIKE YOU
ALWAYS TAUGHT US,

JOURNALISTS DON'T HAVE TO
TAKE THINGS LYING DOWN.

HMM.

THIS FOR A
PROGRAM OR SOMETHING?

IT'S JUST A LITTLE
BIRTHDAY THING

I'M DOING FOR A FRIEND.

I WAS PLANNING TO COME
IN HERE AND STUDY.

GO AHEAD. WOMAN:
KIND OF HARD TO DO THAT

WITH ALL OF THIS GOING ON.

WELL, YOU KNOW YOU CAN
STUDY IN YOUR ROOM.

YOU KNOW YOU CAN DO
ALL THIS IN YOUR ROOM.

OR NATHANIEL'S, OR
WHEREVER YOU LIVE.

OK. ONE OF THE GIRLS ON THE TEAM

TOLD ME THAT YOU
WERE THROWING ME

A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

WELL, DAMN. THERE
GOES THE SURPRISE.

CAN WE HELP YOU?

OK, WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO DO?

I'M TRYING TO DO SOMETHING
NICE FOR MY TEAMMATE.

WHAT IS THIS? SOME KIND OF WEIRD

"KEEP YOUR ENEMIES
CLOSE" STRATEGY?

HASN'T ANYONE EVER DONE
SOMETHING NICE FOR YOU

WITHOUT AN ULTERIOR MOTIVE?

YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MATTER,

BECAUSE NOW THAT YOU
TOLD EVERYONE ABOUT IT,

I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO SHOW UP

OR LOOK LIKE A COMPLETE BITCH.

THEA, IT'LL BE FUN. TRUST ME.

WHOLE TEAM WILL BE HERE.

AT THE VERY LEAST, JUST

LET US CELEBRATE YOU.

YEAH. FINE.

I'll BE THERE.

OH, EXCUSE
ME. PRESIDENT ALLEN.

HOW'S IT GOING, GENTLEMEN?

GOOD, GOOD, GOOD.

YOU WERE ACTUALLY ABOUT
TO BE MY NEXT STOP, SIR.

WHAT'S GOING ON?

MY MOTHER AND COACH MARCUS.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR
APPROVING HER INVOLVEMENT

IN THE SPONSORSHIP STUFF, BUT...

COACH MARCUS ISN'T
REALLY ON BOARD,

AND I'M TRYING TO
AVOID BLOODSHED HERE.

WOULD YOU MIND
GIVING US A MOMENT?

OH! UH, SURE. I'll, UM...

I'll GO START HELPING THE GUYS.

PREPARE FOR THE PRESENTATION.

ALL RIGHT.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR CONCERN.

MARCUS TURNER IS OLD SCHOOL.

YEAH. ZEKE:
BUT HE'LL COME AROUND

WHEN HE SEES THAT SOMETIMES

THE BEST THING FOR THE TEAM

IS FOR THE LIGHT TO BE ON
THE ONE SPECIAL PLAYER.

YOU STEPPING INTO THE
WORLD OF ENDORSEMENTS

WILL GIVE CREDIBILITY
AND PUBLICITY

TO THE WHOLE TEAM
AND THE UNIVERSITY.

IT'S NOT JUST ME, SIR.

MY MOM, SHE'S WORKING
ON, LIKE, SPONSORSHIPS

FOR, LIKE, ALL THE
STARTING PLAYERS.

IT'S A TEAM THING.

I THINK YOU MISUNDERSTOOD, SON.

CHECK THESE OUT. HMM.

YOUR VERY OWN LOGO.

AND JUST BE PREPARED.
WHEN THIS DROPS TONIGHT,

YOU ARE GONNA HAVE
A STORM OF SPONSORS

FLOODING YOUR INBOX.

NO NEED TO BE NERVOUS.

YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS.

I KNOW YOU'RE GONNA
MAKE YOUR TEAM

AND THE UNIVERSITY
PROUD TONIGHT.

THE FACE YOU'RE MAKING IS GIVING

"I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE."

CAN YOU AT LEAST PRETEND
TO BE SURPRISED, THEA?

YUP.

YES. OK.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

SEE, THIS IS WHY I DIDN'T

WANT TO HAVE A PARTY.

I KNEW NO ONE WOULD SHOW.

WHY DIDN'T Y'ALL TELL ME

NOBODY SHOWED UP?

KEISHA,
CAN I TALK TO YOU?

CAN IT WAIT?

I'M A LITTLE BUSY
RIGHT NOW, WILINDA.

I WANT TO FILE A
FORMAL COMPLAINT.

I KNOW SHE'S BEEN
STAYING HERE IN HIS ROOM,

AND HE DOESN'T HAVE
THE RIGHT TO RISK

THE SAFETY OF OTHER RESIDENTS

BY LETTING RANDOM PEOPLE
SHACK UP IN OUR DORMS,

USING UP OUR RESOURCES.

FIRST OF ALL, IT'S SHE.

SECONDLY, WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?

SIMONE. KEISHA: COME ON.

IF YOU WANNA FILE A COMPLAINT,
I HAVE THE PAPERWORK.

AFTER YOU.

WHY DO YOU LET HER
DISRESPECT YOU LIKE THAT?

SHE'S JUST TRYING TO STIR ME UP.

I KNOW WHO I AM.

IF I SAT AROUND HERE
AND TRIED TO CORRECT

EVERY PERSON THAT
MISGENDERED ME,

I'D PROBABLY RUN OUT OF AIR.

WELL, IT'S STILL NOT COOL.

AND SHE'S ACTING
LIKE A DAMN KAREN.

AND HONESTLY, IF YOU DON'T
HANDLE IT, THEN I WILL.

SIMONE, ENOUGH!

LET IT GO.

YOU NEED TO START
LISTENING TO PEOPLE

WHEN THEY TELL YOU
WHAT THEY WANT.

HAD YOU LISTENED TO THEA,

YOU WOULD'VE SAVED
HER THE EMBARRASSMENT

OF THIS... THIS
NONEXISTENT PARTY.

THE WHOLE
N.I.L. SPONSOR THING

STILL DOESN'T SIT RIGHT WITH ME.

I DON'T WANT MONEY
AND SPOTLIGHT RUINING

THE INTEGRITY OF OUR TEAM.

WE GOT ENOUGH OF A
STAIN TO GET RID OF.

I HEAR YOU. BUT TO BE FAIR,

IT'S ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY
FOR THESE ATHLETES TO BE

COMPENSATED FOR THEIR HARD WORK

AFTER BEING EXPLOITED
FOR DECADES.

TRUE. EXCEPT ALL PLAYERS
AREN'T CREATED EQUAL.

SO, WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOME

GET ENDORSEMENTS
AND OTHERS DON'T?

YOU WON'T KNOW UNTIL IT HAPPENS.

AND IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.

TIMES ARE CHANGING, MARCUS,

WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, SO,

JUST KEEP AN OPEN
MIND. S'ALL I'M SAYING.

SPEAKING OF CHANGING
TIMES AND OPEN MINDS,

I RECEIVED AN OFFER FOR

A FULL-TIME JOURNALIST POSITION

AT THE "ATLANTA DAILY NEWS."

CONGRATS. WOW.

SO, HOW ARE YOU GONNA
JUGGLE YOUR WORKLOAD

WITH YOUR CLASSES?

I WOULDN'T.

IT MEANS LEAVING BRINGSTON,

BUT CONSIDERING THE
WAY EVERYTHING'S GOING,

NOT SURE THERE'S MUCH
LEFT FOR ME HERE ANYWAY.

WAIT A MINUTE. WAIT.

WHAT?

I KNOW THIS IS
HARD, BUT AMARA...

THEY POSTPONED MY
TENURE HEARING.

SINCE WHEN?

FOUND OUT EARLIER THIS WEEK.

I HAVEN'T TOLD ANYONE,
BUT WE BOTH KNOW

THIS IS MORE FALLOUT FROM ME

BEING A WHISTLEBLOWER.

MARCUS, IF THEY'RE WILLING TO

GO AS FAR AS MESSING
WITH MY TENURE,

WHY AM I STAYING?

LOOK, AMARA, DON'T DO IT, OK?

THERE'S SO MUCH
LEFT FOR YOU HERE.

AT BRINGSTON.

HEY.

HEY. MARCUS: HEY, SIMONE.

HEY.

WE'LL TALK LATER.

THAT SEEMED
PRETTY TENSE.

DID YOU AND COACH
MARCUS USED TO DATE?

BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE GIVING VIBES.

SIMONE HICKS. NOW,
I'VE BEEN TELLING YOU

SINCE YOU WERE A TODDLER...

STAY OUT OF GROWN
FOLKS' BUSINESS.

SORRY. BEEN GETTING

A LOT OF THAT LATELY.

ARE YOU OK?

OK. NICE DEFLECT, AUNTIE.

BUT YOU CAN EITHER TELL
ME ABOUT COACH MARCUS NOW

OR I COULD JUST BUG YOU TO DEATH

IN FRONT OF EVERYONE
AT FAMILY DINNER.

FINE. YES, THE RUMORS ARE TRUE.

MAN, Y'ALL ARE NOSY!

SO, WHY'D Y'ALL BREAK UP?

WE HAD A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION.

SOMETHING DEEPLY
PERSONAL TO BOTH OF US.

I'll SEE YOU TONIGHT.

AND I APPRECIATE
WHAT DAMON DID...

WHO ELSE Y'ALL THINK
MIGHT BE THERE TONIGHT?

STEEL PACE. MEN: OOH!

AND THIS TEAM? MEN: HEY!

DRILL TEAM?

HEY, COACH.
YOU GOT A SEC?

ALL EARS. WHAT'S GOING ON, SON?

IT'S ABOUT THE, UM... AHEM.

SPONSOR PRESENTATION TONIGHT.

IT ISN'T FOR YOUR WHOLE TEAM.

IT'S JUST GONNA
BE FOCUSED ON ME.

WAIT, WHAT? DAMON:
PRESIDENT ALLEN, HE...

HE CONFIRMED IT EARLIER TODAY.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHY I

DIDN'T WANT YOUR MOM INVOLVED.

DAMN IT, DAMON!

I WISH YOU'D LISTENED
TO ME FROM THE GATE.

IF YOU THOUGHT THOSE
BROTHERS WAS GONNA BE

DISCOURAGED BEFORE, THIS

IS GONNA SHATTER
TEAM MORALE, SON.

COACH, I'M SORRY.
I GENUINELY WANTED

TO PUT THE GUYS ON AND
FOR ALL OF US TO WIN.

INSTEAD, MY MOM,
SHE LIED TO MY FACE.

I DON'T WANT THE
GUYS TO BE BLINDSIDED

WHEN THEY WALK
OUT THERE TONIGHT.

I KNOW IT'LL DESTROY THEM BUT...

WHAT SHOULD I DO?

BE HONEST, SON.

TALK TO YOUR TEAM, SON.

UH, GOOD EVENING. THANK
YOU ALL FOR COMING.

ACTUALLY... ONE SECOND.
COME ON UP HERE, FELLAS.

ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS
THAT I CHOSE BRINGSTON

WAS ITS RICH HISTORY,
ITS RESILIENCE,

ITS CULTURE.

SOMETHING NOTHING OR NO ONE

CAN EVER TAKE AWAY FROM IT.

NOW, WHILE OTHER ATHLETES

MIGHT BE CHASING A
BAG...

MY TEAMMATES AND I,
WE'RE CHASING OUR LEGACY.

WHILE THE LEGACY OF
BRINGSTON BASEBALL...

MAY BE TARNISHED...

BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU GUYS
THAT WE'RE HERE TO BRING IT BACK.

NOW, YOU ALL KNOW ME...

DAMON SIMS, STAR
PITCHER, MLB HOPEFUL.

BUT TONIGHT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ME.

IT'S ABOUT MY TEAMMATES.

THE MEN WHO ARE BRINGING
THAT LEGACY BACK

EVERY SINGLE DAY.

AND I WANT Y'ALL
TO GET TO KNOW 'EM.

SANTIAGO REYES.

I LOVE BEING AN ATHLETE,

BUT NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S DOPE

TO COMPETE AT AN ELITE LEVEL.

I'M THE OLDEST OF
6 KIDS, ALL BOYS,

WHO PRETTY MUCH COPY
EVERYTHING I DO.

SO, IT'S ABOUT
BEING A ROLE MODEL,

BOTH ON AND OFF THE FIELD,

FOR THEM AND EVERY
OTHER COLOMBIAN DREAMER

THAT I AM PROUD TO
CARRY ON MY SHOULDERS.

I'M POSSIBILITY.

COLE HIGGINS.
I'M REDEMPTION.

I LOST MY POPS JUNIOR
YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL.

DEPRESSION HIT.
MY GPA PLUMMETED.

NO COLLEGE WOULD ADMIT ME.

EXCEPT BRINGSTON.

BASEBALL KEPT ME
ALIVE AND BRINGSTON

GAVE ME A FRESH START.

I'M THE POSTER CHILD FOR LEGACY.

THIS TEAM IS A PART
OF MY DIRECT LINEAGE,

BUILT ON THE SHOULDERS
OF PLAYERS WHO ULTIMATELY

FORGED THEIR OWN PATH
THROUGH THE NEGRO LEAGUES,

DOWN TO MY GRANDFATHER
AND FATHER,

WHO BOTH PLAYED BASEBALL
HERE AT BRINGSTON.

I PLAY TO HONOR ALL
THOSE GREAT MEN.

I PLAY TO REMIND
THE NEXT GENERATION

THAT WE BELONG IN THIS SPORT.

AND I'M KEEPING THE LEGACY GOING

SO MY FUTURE SON, AND
YOUR SON, AND ANY SON,

CAN ONE DAY CONTINUE
THE TRADITION

AND PLAY BASEBALL
HERE AT BRINGSTON.

WELCOME TO BRINGSTON
UNIVERSITY.

I AM! PEOPLE: I AM!

I AM! PEOPLE: I AM!

BRILLIANT!
BRILLIANT!

BRILLIANT!
BRILLIANT!

I AM! PEOPLE: I AM!

I AM! PEOPLE: I AM!

A LEADER! PEOPLE: A LEADER!

A LEADER! PEOPLE: A LEADER!

I AM! PEOPLE: I AM!

BLACK EXCELLENCE!
BLACK EXCELLENCE!

WE ARE... PEOPLE: WE ARE...

BRINGSTON LIONS.
BRINGSTON LIONS.

AND CAN'T NOBODY
MESS WITH OUR PRIDE.

AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR
COMING. HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT.

I GOTTA BE HONEST. I
WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT.

IMPRESSED THE HELL OUTTA ME.

THANK YOU, SIR.

I'll BE IN TOUCH.

YO, I CAN'T BELIEVE
WE JUST DID THAT.

WE JUST LANDED
ONE OF THE BIGGEST

SPONSORS POSSIBLE, BRO.

NO, ACTUALLY, WE DIDN'T, BRO.

WHAT?

BRO, HE JUST SAID
HE'LL BE IN TOUCH.

YEAH, I'VE SEEN THIS
ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT

WHEN SOMEBODY SAYS,
"I'll BE IN TOUCH,".

THAT ACTUALLY MEANS
THAT THEY WON'T.

BUT I WAS THINKING,
LIKE, MAYBE WE CAN GO SHOPPING.

I'll CATCH YOU LATER.

INSTEAD OF LURKING AROUND
BOTHERING MY FRIENDS,

WHY DON'T YOU ADDRESS THE PERSON

YOU REALLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH?

I JUST DON'T RESPECT
CERTAIN PEOPLE

GETTING SPECIAL TREATMENT.

AND WHAT'S THAT
GOTTA DO WITH ME?

YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE
IN A SPECIAL ROOM

WITH ITS OWN BATHROOM,

WHILE THE REST OF
US HAVE TO SHARE

GROSS COMMUNAL ONES.

WILINDA, HONESTLY,

DO YOU REALLY WANNA
SHARE A BATHROOM WITH ME?

THE UNIVERSITY
ASSIGNED ME THIS ROOM

FOR THIS VERY REASON.

THE UNIVERSITY HAD
NOTHING TO DO WITH IT.

THAT ROOM IS SUPPOSED
TO BE FOR R.A.s.

THE ONLY REASON YOU
HAVE IT IS 'CAUSE

YOUR BESTIE KEISHA USED
HER R.A. PRIVILEGES

TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU GOT IT.

HOW IS THAT FAIR
JUST BECAUSE YOU

WANNA BE DIFFERENT?

I KNOW THE PRESENTATION
DIDN'T GO AS PLANNED.

BUT I'll SAVE THE SPEECH AND
GET STRAIGHT TO THE POINT.

AFTER SOME REFLECTING
OF MY OWN, I DECIDED TO

SEND THE TEAM VIDEO OUT
TO SOME LOCAL SPONSORS

HERE IN ATLANTA EARLIER TODAY.

SEVERAL LOCAL BUSINESSES WANT
TO SPONSOR MULTIPLE PLAYERS.

LET'S GO! DANG, COACH!

YOU REALLY CAME THROUGH.
WHAT CHANGED YOUR MIND?

THE LEADERSHIP I SAW
OUT THERE TONIGHT.

ALL AROUND. Y'ALL HAD
EACH OTHER'S BACKS

IN THE BEST WAY.

CHANGE IS SCARY, OK, I ADMIT.

BUT SOMETIMES, IT TAKES A LITTLE
CONVINCING AND PERSPECTIVE

TO REALIZE WHEN
IT'S FOR THE BETTER.

NOW, EVERYBODY MAY NOT HAVE
SECURED AN ENDORSEMENT YET,

BUT THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT
YOU ALL WON'T, ALL RIGHT?

THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING NOW.

AND UNTIL THEN, I GOT
ANOTHER SUGGESTION.

WHAT IF WE TAKE OUR
INDIVIDUAL ENDORSEMENTS

AND CREATE A TEAM FUND?

PAY FOR ALL THE NEW
EQUIPMENT THAT WE NEED

WITHOUT HAVING TO
WORRY ABOUT THE BUDGET.

THAT WAY, EVERYBODY WINS.

THAT'S UP TO THE TEAM.

VOTE BY A SHOW OF HANDS.

IT'S A DEAL.

PROUD OF YOU, MAN, PROUD OF YOU.

MAN, THAT WENT GREAT.

I'MMA SEE Y'ALL.
HEY, UH, CAN WE TALK?

WELL, I WAS ON MY WAY
TO GO FIND THEA, BUT

YEAH, UM, I WANTED TO TALK, TOO.

LOOK, I WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR

PROJECTING MY MOMMY
ISSUES ONTO YOU.

THAT'S JUST IT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO.

YOU WERE RIGHT. I GUESS I JUST

WANTED TO SEE THE
BEST IN HER, YOU KNOW?

BUT YOU CAN'T FORCE
SOMETHING TO BE TRUE.

NO, YOU CAN'T,

BUT YOUR INSTINCT ON
WANTING TO FIX THINGS

WITH YOUR MOM IS NOT WRONG,

AND I THINK YOU
STILL SHOULD BEFORE

SHE HEADS BACK TO CHICAGO.

YOU GOTTA MAKE HER
HEAR YOU, DAMON.

FOR SOME OF US, IT JUST
TAKES A COUPLE TRIES.

HEY.

LOOK, I WASN'T TRYING
TO RUIN YOUR BIRTHDAY.

I REALLY DID JUST
WANT TO CELEBRATE YOU

WITH YOUR FRIENDS.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN
ME WITH FRIENDS?

AND THE GIRLS FROM
THE TEAM DON'T COUNT.

THEY ONLY TOLERATE ME.

'CAUSE OF WHO I AM TO THE TEAM.

MY PARENTS PAID FOR THE DAMN

TENNIS FACILITY.

BUT IF THEY HAD THE
CHOICE, AS YOU SAW,

NONE OF THEM WOULD
ACTUALLY CHOOSE

TO HANG OUT WITH ME
OUTSIDE OF TENNIS.

WELL, MAYBE THEY
DIDN'T COME BECAUSE

THEY THOUGHT YOU WOULDN'T COME.

YOU KNOW WHAT?

I MESSED UP.

OK, I LOVE BIRTHDAYS.
WHEN IT'S MINE, I WANT

ALL THE BIRTHDAY SHENANIGANS.

PARTIES, BALLOONS,

IMPROMPTU DANCING AND SINGING.

AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

I TOOK OVER YOUR BIRTHDAY

AND GAVE YOU THE BIRTHDAY

THAT I WOULD'VE WANTED

INSTEAD OF JUST
LISTENING TO YOU.

THEA, I'M SORRY.

WELL, AT LEAST YOU TRIED.

THAT'S... COMMENDABLE.

WELL, THE DAY'S
NOT OVER YET, SO...

HOW DO YOU WANT TO CELEBRATE

THE REST OF YOUR SPECIAL DAY?

WELL, I AM KINDA HUNGRY.

WELL, I THINK I KNOW
THE PERFECT PLACE.

GREAT. ANOTHER
WRITTEN COMPLAINT.

I SPOKE TO SOME OF
THE OTHER RESIDENTS

AND COME TO FIND
OUT WILINDA HERE

HAS BEEN SNEAKING HER BOYFRIEND

IN AND OUT OF THE
DORMS AFTER HOURS.

NO, WAIT. THAT'S NOT
FACTUALLY ACCURATE.

YOU SURE ABOUT THAT?

I HAVE THEIR SIGNATURES
HERE AS WITNESSES.

HEY, WILINDA?

WE'RE GONNA BE FRIENDS ONE DAY.

IT'S A PROMISE.

SIMS. ALL RIGHT,
J.R., THAT'S YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS, COACH.

YOU DID IT.

NO. THEY DID IT, MAN.

I HEARD.

GOT WORD THE BASEBALL TEAM IS

BUZZING WITH
INTERESTED SPONSORS.

YOU KNOW UNDER GEORGIA LAW,

WE CAN REQUIRE THE
PLAYERS TO SHARE

UP TO 75% OF THEIR MONEY WITH

THE UNIVERSITY'S
ATHLETIC DEPARTMENT.

ZEKE, NO DISRESPECT,
BUT HELL NO.

MY BOYS SUCCESSFULLY
CIRCUMNAVIGATED

THAT DAMN COMMERCIAL
CIRCUS YOU AND KEENA SIMS

DRAGGED THEM INTO, AND
THAT WILL BE THE LAST TIME.

EXCUSE ME? MARCUS:
BRINGSTON IS GONNA LOSE

EVERY GREAT THING IT HAS
GOING FOR IT IF YOU DON'T STOP

SHUCKIN' AND JIVIN'
FOR THESE TRUSTEES

AND STAND UP FOR WHAT'S RIGHT.

YOU HAVE THE
AUDACITY TO INSINUATE

I'M A SELLOUT?

DO NOT GET TOO
COMFORTABLE, COACH.

OR ELSE WHAT? YOU'LL
SHUFFLE ME UP OUTTA HERE

LIKE Y'ALL TRYING
TO DO WITH AMARA?

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

WITHHOLDING HER TENURE.

WHAT? EVERYTHING IS ON PAUSE.

ALL THE PROFESSORS'
TENURE IS POSTPONED,

NOT JUST HERS.

ALL PROFESSORS?

WAIT A MINUTE. WHY?

WHAT'S GOING ON, ZEKE?

I DON'T OWE YOU AN EXPLANATION.

YOUR JOB, COACH, IS JUST THAT.

I SUGGEST YOU STAY IN YOUR LANE.

DON'T GET INVOLVED IN BUSINESS

YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT.

I CAN'T LIE.
I AM IMPRESSED.

YOU FIGURED OUT MY PLAN

AND YOU FLIPPED THE SCRIPT.

THAT SPEAKS TO A
STRONG BUSINESS MIND.

WHAT'S THE PROBLEM NOW?

THE PROBLEM IS THAT

I DON'T WANT A
RELATIONSHIP WITH...

ME AND MY MOM, WHERE WE
HAVE TO FLIP THE SCRIPT

AND FIGHT EACH
OTHER OVER BUSINESS.

DAMON, THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT.

I'M LISTENING.

I LOVE YOU, MA. YOU
KNOW THAT, RIGHT?

AND THAT'S WHY I GOTTA...

I GOTTA FIRE YOU AS
MY UNOFFICIAL MANAGER.

LOOK, MA, I AM AN ADULT NOW.

I'M IN COLLEGE.

AND MY BASEBALL CAREER
IS JUST THAT NOW...

IT IS MINE.

I WANT TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP

WHERE IT IS JUST US.

ME AND YOU. MOTHER AND SON.

NOTHING ELSE.

I NEED MY MOTHER.

I'M SORRY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHEN

THE LINES GOT BLURRED, BUT...

CLEARLY, THEY DID.

NOTHING, NOTHING

MAKES ME HAPPIER
THAN BEING YOUR MOM.

HEY. I LOVE YOU. I LOVE YOU

MORE THAN ANYTHING.

AND I DON'T WANNA LOSE YOU.

SO, WHATEVER YOU
WANT... I'll DO.

WHATEVER YOU WANT.

COME HERE.

HE SLIPPED AND
SAID ALL TENURE-TRACK

PROFESSORS' HEARING HAS BEEN

POSTPONED INDEFINITELY.

SO, YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

AMARA, THAT'S A GOOD THING.

IT MEANS YOU'RE
NOT BEING TARGETED.

AT LEAST NOT THIS TIME.

YEAH, I'M GLAD IT'S
NOT PERSONAL, BUT

I DON'T KNOW.

A UNIVERSITY WOULD
ONLY DO SOMETHING

THAT AGGRESSIVE FOR ONE REASON.

BRINGSTON MUST BE IN A LOT MORE

FINANCIAL TROUBLE THAN
WE INITIALLY THOUGHT.

HEY, AUNTIE.

HEY, BABY.

OH, HEY, THEA. WELCOME.

I'M GLAD YOU COULD MAKE IT.

OH, COME ON IN.

I'M GONNA MAKE A
OK.

WHAT'S GOIN' ON,
BABY? LOOKIN' GOOD...

HEY, RALPH.

THANK YOU FOR THE
JOB OPPORTUNITY,

BUT I'M GONNA RIDE THINGS
OUT HERE AT BRINGSTON.

I KNOW.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT A
FREELANCE FOR THE PUBLICATION?

I MAY HAVE A POTENTIAL STORY.

DAMN, SIS. ABOUT TIME.

I NEED TO TALK TO
YOU REAL QUICK.

YOU SOUND LIKE WILINDA NOW.

THIS IS SERIOUS.

LOOK. I APPRECIATE YOU
LOOKING OUT FOR ME,

BUT I DON'T NEED YOU
GOING BEHIND MY BACK

AND FIGHTING MY BATTLES.

WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?

WILINDA TOLD ME ABOUT
MY ROOM SITUATION.

OH. NATE:
HERE I WAS THINKING

THE UNIVERSITY WAS
BEING INCLUSIVE,

ONLY TO FIND OUT

YOU MADE IT ALL HAPPEN

SO I WOULDN'T HAVE TO
ENCOUNTER IGNORANCE

FROM THE DORMMATES IN
THE COMMUNAL BATHROOM.

I JUST WANTED YOU TO FEEL SAFE

AND COMFORTABLE.

I KNOW.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT, BUT

IN THE REAL WORLD,
I WON'T ALWAYS

HAVE MY, UM...

MY KEISHA SHIELD.

AND I NEED TO FIGHT
THESE BATTLES NOW

SO I CAN CREATE A
SPACE FOR MYSELF

IN THIS WORLD.

WHETHER IT'S OVER
MY RIGHT TO STAY

IN THE GIRLS' WING
OR THE BOYS' WING

OR WHATEVER.

THESE ARE THE BATTLES
I'M GONNA HAVE TO FIGHT

OUTSIDE OF BRINGSTON ONE DAY.

AND I JUST NEED TO BE PREPARED.

I'M SORRY.

AND I... I HEAR YOU.

NO MORE KEISHA SHIELD.

UNTIL YOU TELL ME YOU NEED
ME TO BEAT SOMEBODY'S ASS.

I LOVE YOU.

WOW. SO, YOU GUYS, LIKE,

SERIOUSLY DO THIS EVERY WEEK.

EVERY WEEK. THIS
IS WHAT GETS US THROUGH.

WHY ARE YOU LOOKING
AT THEM LIKE THAT?

HUH?

I'M JUST SAYING. YOU'RE
LOOKING LIKE YOU'RE

TRYING TO FIGURE SOMETHING OUT,

OR SOMEONE.

LOOK, I GOTTA TELL SOMEBODY,

'CAUSE I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE.

BUT THIS HAS TO STAY BETWEEN US.

OK.

AHEM.

LOOK, I KNOW THIS MIGHT
SOUND CRAZY, BUT...

I THINK DAMON MIGHT
BE MY BROTHER.

WAIT, WHAT? J.R.: YEAH.

LIKE HOW?

LOOK, WHEN I WAS
A TODDLER, I SWEAR

MY PARENTS HAD ANOTHER BABY,

AND THEN ONE DAY, THE
BABY WAS JUST GONE,

AND EVERYBODY ACTED
LIKE IT NEVER HAPPENED.

AND I WOULD'VE THOUGHT
I JUST MADE IT UP,

EXCEPT A COUPLE YEARS AGO,

I FOUND A PICTURE OF THAT BABY

IN A BIBLE THAT MY MOM GAVE ME,

AND THAT BABY LOOKED
A LOT LIKE DAMON,

RIGHT DOWN TO THE SCAR.

OH, MY GOD.

AND HIS BIRTH PARENTS
WENT TO BRINGSTON.

SO DID MINE.

OK, BUT,

SO DID OTHER PEOPLE.

I KNOW, BUT...

I MEAN, SO DID MY AUNT

AND COACH MARCUS.

AND THEY WERE A SERIOUS COUPLE

UNTIL SOMETHING SUPER PERSONAL

BROKE THEM UP.

WAIT. YOU DON'T THINK THAT...

THAT WHAT?

COACH MARCUS AND YOUR AUNT

ARE HIS BIRTH PARENTS?

SIMONE, THAT'S CRAZY.

WHAT, CRAZIER THAN
YOU THINKING HE'S

A BABY PHANTOM FROM YOUR PAST?

LOOK, I KNOW THIS
WHOLE THING IS WILD.

BUT MAYBE WE BOTH
JUST JUMPING TO

CRAZY CONCLUSIONS.

OR MAYBE ONE OF US
IS ACTUALLY RIGHT.

POLE DANCING IS
ABSOLUTELY A SPORT.

OK, THANK YOU.
PLEASE. TELL THEM.

YOU GOING HARD FOR POLE DANCERS

LIKE YOU'VE DONE IT BEFORE.

NO, I HAVEN'T, BUT...

TO BE HONEST, I'VE
ALWAYS, LIKE, WANTED TO.

GIRL, SAY LESS,

'CAUSE IF YOU FOR REAL, I HAVE

THE PERFECT CAP
FOR YOUR BIRTHDAY.