Ambitions (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 4 - Reap What You Sew - full transcript
Stephanie and Evan join forces to pursue mutual self-interests. Titus undertakes a risky mission that could destroy his career.
- STEPHANIE: Previously,
on "Ambitions..."
- We have to cool it off.
- BELLA: Are you dumping me?
- Amara Hughes cheated
on Titus?
- TITUS: You can't even
say his name, can you?
- I can secure
Thelma's Place for you.
- Thelma's Place
is here to stay.
- We're talking allegations
of patronage, money laundering,
embezzlement...
- Titus works for me,
and he's loyal.
- If you say so.
- IRENE: What's on
your mind, sweetie?
- I am the last Carlisle
standing,
the only one who gave a damn
about our family's firm,
so why is Daddy
punishing me for it?
- Everyone knows
I'm an amazing designer.
Just ask your wife.
- What better way to get
back at me for Damian
than for you to take up
with Stephanie again?
[moaning] [gasping]
[gasping]
Damian.
[gasping]
- Mmm, you miss me.
- [sighs]
- [phone buzzing]
- Titus?
Titus?
Titus!
Where are you?
- [distant moaning]
[moaning]
- Titus!
Titus!
What are you doing?
- You've never been enough,
Amara.
He's always wanted me.
- You tried, but...
you could never really
compete with this.
- BOTH: [moaning]
- Get off!
Get off!
Get off! Get off!
Get off, get off!
- Amara. Amara!
- Get off!
- Wake up, baby.
You were having a nightmare.
- Titus.
- It's okay.
It's okay, it's okay,
I got you.
- ♪
♪
- I have been so looking forward
to meeting you, Mr. Collins.
- Call me Damian.
- Damian.
And I do appreciate you
seeing me at this late hour,
it's really the only
time I could spare.
- Hmm, can't imagine why
such a high-powered attorney
like you would put in
such an effort to meet me.
I've gotta say...
the photos I've seen of you
don't come close
to showing how enticing
you are.
- Stay focused, Damian.
I have done my research
and you are quite the prosecutor
here in Birmingham.
The meth ring investigation
and takedown late last year
is an amazing trophy
for any assistant US attorney.
Okay, I'll get straight
to the point.
Carlisle Perkins would use
an attorney with your...
skills and experience.
- I'd be flattered
by this little visitation
if I didn't do research
of my own.
- Really?
- I'm aware that you
went to college
with my ex colleague
Amara Hughes.
I know you and she pledged
the same sorority
and she just relocated
to Atlanta.
So why don't you
cut to the chase.
Why am I here?
- You're here because
you and Amara were lovers.
- [chuckles] Uh, colleagues.
Big difference.
- How about this?
I won't lie to you
if you don't lie to me.
- Amara and I worked together,
that's as far as it went.
- Okay. Lies, then.
- Look, lady.
I showed up because it's not
every day you get called
out of the blue
by Stephanie Lancaster.
But now that I can check
that off my list...
I'm finished here.
- Tell me about Lester Herndon.
Tell me you didn't plant
evidence and conspired
with city officials
to put an innocent man
behind bars,
all because you wanted
the woman he was with.
But, according to my
investigator,
threw her away after
you took up with Amara Hughes.
- I don't know what the hell
you're talking about.
- Here's the arrest report.
And some of the trial
transcripts.
The falsifications
are highlighted in yellow.
I have a damn good
investigator, Damian.
- Who the hell do you
think you are?
- I'm the woman that's going
to destroy your life
and never give you
another thought.
Your only value is
what you can do for me
in this moment,
but keep pissing me off
and I might turn you in.
Just because I can.
- What do you want?
- I need you back
in Amara's world.
- What if I'm not interested?
- Oh. [laughs]
You're interested.
You have until noon tomorrow
to get on board with me,
or I will blow up
your world.
And you'll never be able
to piece it back together again.
[laughs]
- Hunter, if this is about
the disagreements
I've been having with Lori--
- It's not.
She's my baby girl,
but she's a wild child,
I know that.
I need to talk to you
about something else.
Have a seat.
I understand the Carlisles
are gonna file
this class action soon.
They still refuse
to settle at a reasonable price?
- Well, they're refusing
to settle at any price.
We're gonna be okay, Hunter,
I've got this.
- Well, I need to be more
than just okay.
I'm not about to lose one more
cent to those thieving
ambulance chasers.
Mm-mm, not again.
So I've, uh, set a few things
in motion.
- Okay.
What are you talking about?
- Well, we need a judge
who's sympathetic
to big companies like ours
when this thing goes to trial.
We need Judge Alton Waites.
- Well, that means
Chief Judge Millsap
will have to sign Waites
to our trial.
- Yes.
And I hear that for the right
price, Millsap will give us
any judge we want.
- I'm not gonna bribe a judge.
- You're gonna do
what I tell you to do.
- You wanna know why
I accepted the job offer
at Purifoy?
Even under the shadow
of a pending class action?
- [laughs] Because I pay you
damn good money?
- 'Cause my mother was
in pain for years,
and it wasn't until Purifoy
created Limodol
that she was able to climb out
of bed and start living again.
It's an opioid, yes,
but for people like my mother,
it's a lifeline.
I don't want it cut off
from anyone who needs it.
So my passion and intelligent
litigation will win this case.
- [laughs] Now that is a story
I can get behind.
That touches my heart.
And strong litigation
is all well and good, Titus,
but here in Atlanta,
you get ahead with cash,
not rhetoric.
Now, you have an appointment
later today.
All you have to do
is close the deal.
- Hunter, I'll go see Millsap.
And I'll get Waites
assigned to our trial,
but I'll do it my way.
With logical reasoning
and strong argument
and nothing so sullied
as a bribe.
- I don't give a damn
how you do it,
just get Millsap
to give us Waites.
We're done.
- ♪
- He's still not answering?
- No.
How can I apologize
if he won't talk to me?
Ugh, come here.
Turn around.
Um...
Let's see...
Here, take this off,
I don't want you spilling
wine all over it.
- Stop stressing, I'm not gonna
spill anything on it,
and stop stressing about
what you and Roderick did.
Evan came here to dump you,
didn't he?
- I think I really hurt him.
- What about every time
he's really hurt you?
He won't even take you
on a date, for god's sake.
And don't even
get me started on Joaquin.
- It's complicated, Perla,
you wouldn't understand.
We love each other.
- I know he's important to you.
But you seriously need
to start thinking
about yourself first
and some man later.
He won't respond to you?
Redirect that energy.
Whatever happened to that store
you were telling me about?
- That's why we got into it.
Why do all the airport
concession spaces
have to go to chains?
And what's wrong with
Bella Tru becoming a chain?
- You know I'm with you 100%.
- I can see it, Perla.
Me on top of the fashion world.
Him on his way to
the governor's mansion...
We'd be the perfect couple.
He's not seeing
what's really at stake.
- That's because no matter
what you think,
he's never going
to leave his wife.
You have to start thinking
about what's best
for you and Joaquin.
Time's up, Bella,
forget the mayor.
Who else can get this airport
store started for you?
- Evan says there's steps
and procedures to follow.
- Steps and procedures keep
people like you from rising up.
Come on.
You're Bella Tru,
you don't play by the rules.
Use what you got.
Y no seas una pendeja.
- ♪
♪
- This is the best breakfast
scramble I think I've ever had,
Rondell, and coming
from where I come from,
that is saying a lot.
- Ooh, I hope you saved
some room for some of my pie.
Peach.
- Mmm.
- Made from scratch
right here in my kitchen.
Girl, it's good.
- Hmm, having the mayor
for a brother
must help out with business.
- [bell dings]
- RONDELL: [laughs]
Child, please.
I did better under
Kasim Reed.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- So you mean Evan doesn't,
like, invest in the restaurant?
- Amara.
Now, you seem like
good people.
So if you're coming over here
to kick it and get your grub on,
that's cool.
But if you're sniffing
for dirt on my brother...
- [bell dings]
- Ah.
Amara.
What a surprise.
- Just sampling the best
breakfast place in town.
- You never tire of sampling
things that belong to me,
do you?
- I didn't realize
that this restaurant
was called Stephanie's.
- RONDELL: It ain't.
None of this belongs
to any part of her,
no way, no how.
- Rondell.
Tell Senior I'll come back
later.
- I'm here.
- Oh.
May I speak with you
in private?
- No need.
I ain't selling.
Sorry you come all this way
for nothing.
I changed my mind.
Blame my kids.
- As in me and Evan.
Now run and tell that.
- Ah, well, Senior, um...
I will stop by later,
it'll give you more time
to think about this.
You never know what can happen
that might make you
change your mind.
We'll talk soon, Senior.
Everyone have a wonderful...
and productive day.
[chuckles]
- RONDELL: Bye, sister in law.
Don't be a stranger.
Come on back Tuesday for
our shrimp and grits special.
Make that pancake
into an apple bottom.
- [laughs]
- RONDELL: [laughing]
- SENIOR: [laughing]
- Thank you, Daddy.
- Oh, baby, don't thank me,
I just gotta do what's right
for all of us.
- Ooh, Lord.
- Rondell.
- Yes?
- Stephanie wants to buy
Thelma's Place?
- Girl, for a snake-in-the-grass
client of hers.
Wanna buy up the neighborhood
and build condos.
You see his signs
all up and down the street.
- Greg Peters Construction?
So why is he such a snake?
- Oh. [scoffs]
How much time you got?
- Certainly enough to have
a slice of that pie
you keep promising.
- Ooh! Now that--
- AMARA: [laughing]
- I might have a slice
with you, look at this.
- Oh, wow.
- Isn't she beautiful?
- Yes.
- Hey.
- MARVIN: Gotta
hand it to you, Evan,
you've gone through a lot
of trouble
for a deal we haven't made yet.
- Indeed, Marvin, consider
these 300 acres convenient
to everything.
Unobstructed views
of the Atlanta skyline.
It's perfect for your
manufacturing facilities.
- [phone alert]
- Excuse me.
Stephanie should be right up.
- That's great.
- How can you beat my city?
There's a reason Coca-Cola,
Home Depot and AT&T
are situated here,
no one can beat
our tax incentives or
the quality of life
for your 2600 employees.
Brother, consider this.
BetaNu Electric's entire
line of appliances
and electronics with a huge
"Made in America" stamp
right on it.
Back me up here, Marilyn.
- You're doing just fine.
- I know, Marvin,
whatever Atlanta needs to do
to convince you
this is the dream home
for your facilities,
we'll do it.
And instead of those trips
to China,
you two can visit Khalil
at Morehouse.
- Well, Khalil only call us
when he needs money.
- Ah. Same with us.
Trey and Carly think
we're their own personal ATM.
- Marilyn, there you are.
- Stephanie!
Seems like forever,
how are you?
- Can you imagine those two
beauties on the Spelman campus
at the same time?
- We're two lucky
brothers.
- What you talking about?
[laughs]
- You know what? Marvin and I
have an appointment right now,
but I would love to spend
time with you.
Can we get together later?
- I would love to.
- Okay. See you.
- [phone alert]
- Hey, you!
- Hey! [laughs]
- MARVIN: How are you?
- STEPHANIE: Oh, Marvin,
so nice to see you.
- [indistinct chatter]
- [car honking]
- Hey.
Got your text, what's up?
- So, I had breakfast
this morning at Thelma's Place.
Delicious.
- Is the mayor laundering money
through his sister's restaurant?
- No, nothing like that.
In fact, it looks like
Mayor Lancaster only goes
to his sister's restaurant
to eat.
What I found at Thelma's Place
is a hardworking single woman
who is just trying her best
to run an honest business.
- Okay, where's the fire?
- Stephanie Lancaster
was there trying to purchase
Thelma's Place
for her client, Greg Peters.
- Oh, Greg Peters.
I'm not surprised.
- So, is what I'm reading
about this guy correct?
- That every one of his building
projects has been fast tracked
since Lancaster took office?
- Rondell believes that he
sent someone to the restaurant
to scare her into selling.
Now, why would he think
he could threaten
the mayor's sister
and get away with it,
unless he feels like he owns
the mayor?
- Maybe he does.
- People who resist him
either end up hurt or dead.
But none of it tracks back
to him,
so why hasn't his name come up?
- Because he's in
the private sector.
Any investigation on him
would be by Atlanta PD.
- Unless...
he were, say, bribing
our fair mayor
into giving him
preferential treatment
on his projects.
- Hmm.
Let's assume that
and put him on our grid.
Here's a question.
If Stephanie Lancaster
is representing Peters,
and he's got the mayor
in his pocket,
she's got to be involved,
isn't she?
- Maybe I'll just ask her.
- [knocking on door]
- Come in.
- Thank you.
- So, uh, what brings
Purifoy's latest legal eagle
to my chambers?
- I promised Hunter
that I would have a conversation
with you regarding a few
hypothetical situations
that could arise surrounding
the pending class action
against Purifoy,
if you're willing.
- Please.
- TITUS: Thank you.
- So, I understand you come from
solo practice in Birmingham.
- Yes, that's correct.
- And now you're
a corporate crusader.
That's quite a turnaround.
- I aim to be on the side
of right, Judge.
I find that large corporations,
Big Pharma in particular,
they don't get a fair shake.
Side of right comes in all
shapes and sizes,
don't you think?
- Absolutely, son.
Couldn't agree more.
- Ambrose v The Dane
and Davidson Corporation,
Finney v Paxam Petroleum,
those were some fair
but unpopular decisions.
- And those were decisions
rendered by judge Waites.
- Yes, and he seems to hear
the merit of his cases,
not the verdicts from
the court of public opinion,
so I have great confidence,
hypothetically speaking,
in the integrity of our
proceedings
if Judge Waites
was on the bench.
- Hmm.
In all my days I've never
encountered a finer judge
than Waites.
And I can't argue with anyone
wanting him
to weigh the evidence.
[chuckles] Well.
I sure do appreciate
this little chat.
For being appropriate
and above board.
- Absolutely.
- You've done your due
diligence
trying to settle this thing.
- Yes, sir,
but they're determined
to take this--
- Eh...
Now, one...can't be
too careful.
My lake house has a nasty
opening in the roof.
Byproduct of a lightning
strike.
The insurance won't cover it
and my wife's been on a tear
about getting it sewn up
before end of season.
Perhaps if old Hunter knew
any quality roofers
who wouldn't mind patching
a few of those holes in my roof,
maybe Judge Waites might find
his way to your court room.
Hypothetically speaking.
- [phone ringing]
- [sighs]
If I get credit for bringing
BetaNu Electric to Atlanta,
we can write our ticket
anywhere.
- For once, we both agree.
- I just wish I could
read that son of a bitch.
- You need Marilyn.
- So, help me with her.
- [laughs]
- You want BetaNu Electric
here as much as I do.
I mean, they'd be your client.
You'd make a fortune.
- How can I be sure?
I wanted Thelma's Place,
but you got in my way
after I specifically
told you not to.
Do you have any idea
what a man like Greg Peters
will do to you after he learns
you crossed him?
He will cut you up
into little pieces
and I'll eat popcorn
while I watch.
- When BetaNu Electric
gets to Atlanta,
I'm dropping Greg Peters.
- Mm-mm. You're tied
to too many of his deals.
I don't know why
you can't accept that.
- Are you gonna go to Marilyn
or not?
- And say what?
- When have you
ever needed my advice
on how to manipulate
your friends?
Where are you going?
- I have somewhere to be.
Class action, remember?
- Right, the 900 jobs
you wanna take from my city
by bankrupting Purifoy
Pharmaceuticals.
- Well, BetaNu will more
than make up for that.
- [door opening]
[door closing]
- STEPHANIE: On behalf
of our plaintiffs,
I am pleased to announce
that Carlisle Perkins
has just filed a 500 million
dollar class action lawsuit
against Purifoy Pharmaceuticals.
- Half a billion dollars,
think you can win that much,
Mrs. Lancaster?
- No amount of money can make up
for the lives
that have been lost,
or the families that have been
decimated
by the Purifoys' actions.
We're sending a message.
The Purifoys knew
just how dangerous
Limodol was when they
rushed it to market.
- This isn't the first time
the Carlisles and Purifoys
have been at odds, is it?
- You're referring to
the massive judgment our firm
won against the Purifoys
a quarter of a century ago,
because of their...
leaky breast implants.
Oh, it's a shame the Purifoys
didn't learn from that.
- Is this a vendetta?
- Not at all.
- You lying bitch.
- As long as the Purifoys
continue to endanger the public,
my firm will be there,
I will be there.
To hold them accountable.
Thank you, thank you very much,
excuse me.
- Mr. Hughes!
- Mr. Hughes!
- Mr. Hughes, any response
for your opposing counsel?
- Purifoy Pharmaceuticals
has done no wrong
and this court case will
prove that to everyone.
It's all I have to say
at the present time, thank you.
- Good.
- [indistinct chatter]
- TITUS: Excuse me.
- [car honking]
- [car alarm beeping]
- NICK: Hey, boss,
how can I help you?
- I texted Damian Collins
and told him where to meet me.
- NICK: Okay.
- I haven't heard back yet.
It's way past his deadline,
so let's send the information
we have on him to--
Scratch that, Nick.
- NICK: Okay.
- DAMIAN: I may have bent
a few rules,
but I did everyone a favor
locking Herndon up.
If you knew the things
that animal has done,
you wouldn't be so quick
to judge me.
- Don't be maudlin,
it's not a good look.
- Last night you made me think
it was Amara you were after,
but I just saw your little
press conference.
So I'm thinking you just need
me to throw Titus off his game.
- This is not an exchange
of information.
You came between Titus
and Amara once,
I need you to aim yourself at
that marriage like a cannonball
and leave no trace behind.
When the dust settles,
you could end up with Amara.
I can tell she's still
very special to you.
You see? We both win.
- What we not gon' do
is let Greg Peters Construction
come and take our home!
This our neighborhood!
Our parents and grandparents
worked way too hard!
They ain't gon' come give us
$2 for our houses!
What?!
The Banks is not for sale!
- ALL: The Banks
is not for sale!
- [siren blaring]
- RONDELL: Eminent domain
leaves nothing but a stain!
- ALL:
The Banks is not for sale!
- They've been here all morning,
I need her gone.
- RONDELL: Say no
to gentrification!
Say no!
The Banks ain't for sale!
Say no to gentrification,
say no!
It ain't gonna happen!
- Y'all gotta move
this demonstration.
- The hell we do.
We out here in these streets
exercising our rights
to assemble and protest.
- Man here says this is
private property.
I've got orders
from my captain
to break this party up.
So come on now,
you're trespassing.
- Sister, you're gonna do this?
Really?
I know you, you're from
this neighborhood.
- Damn straight,
that's why I'm gonna
keep the peace
whenever I get the chance,
so disperse,
or I'm getting some backup here
to move y'all to the station.
- It's a city street!
I know he thinks he owns
everything, but he don't!
- You have ten seconds
to get
from in front of my property.
- And if you think you can
steal my mama's restaurant,
you got another thing coming!
- Officer, please remove
this garbage.
- ALL: [offended]
- Hear this?!
- Really? You're gonna
arrest the mayor's sister?
- I'm sorry, Miss,
I didn't know you were
related to Mayor Lancaster.
- Hmm.
- As long as they stay
on the sidewalk
and aren't blocking traffic,
they aren't breaking
any laws.
- PROTESTERS: [agreeing]
- That's right.
This man right here
is responsible
for hundreds of folks
losing their homes.
He don't care about the poor!
- MAN: That's right!
- He's a money-hungry swine!
- PROTESTERS: [agreeing]
- We got less than two months
to tell him
and his developer friends
to go to hell!
The Banks is not for sale!
- The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
- The countdown on you
has started.
- Tick, damn tock.
- That's right.
- Get off my face before
I forget
I was raised in a church.
The Banks is not for sale.
- The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
- Really, Evan?
Meeting in your car
in back alleys like gangsters?
What will you do?
Dump me in the river now?
- Don't be ridiculous.
I just don't trust you.
When did you take that picture?
- [sighs]
The night of the gala.
- There more?
- I have a few more.
- You haven't hurt me
enough, Bella?
- I'm sorry I hurt you.
I really am.
But you made me go there.
- I've done nothing
but protect you.
- Protect me?!
You were dumping me!
- I can never dump you.
We have a beautiful child
together.
I wish more of my life
was spent with you.
But you'd rather be
with this Roderick.
- You said you didn't
wanna see me anymore.
- I said temporarily.
We needed to cool it off
because right now it's not safe.
- Why?
- I can't tell you.
- You know, Evan,
I have wasted years
of my life with you.
I have to do what's best
for me and Joaquin.
You won't commit,
Roderick will.
- Yeah, well, he's an idiot.
If he's your choice, so be it.
- Won't you ask me what I plan
to do with the pictures?
Or tell me to get rid of them?
- [scoffs]
- I hear the business calls
you take in the other room.
You pull strings
for your friends,
you can do the same for me
and your son.
- You can't rise to fame
in the real world
like you did on Instagram.
The amount of followers you have
means nothing
when you go before
the concessions review board,
you can't just push "Like"
and they roll out
the red carpet for you.
- I deserve this chance,
I've earned it!
- Do I need to spell this
out for you?
You're not getting
the concession.
Don't make me save you
from yourself.
I can make your life
a living hell, too.
- Your threats are as empty
as your promises.
I'm going after what I want,
and there's nothing
you can do to stop me.
- Don't challenge me,
you'll lose.
- ♪
- [phone ringing]
- SECRETARY: Hello,
Carlisle Perkins,
how can I help you?
- [door opening]
- I pray you're not here
at the behest
of my infinitely irritating
sister in law.
- If you mean, do I want her
to feel safe
at her place of business, I do.
- What crap has she
been feeding you?
I'm done with this.
- Can we please go
somewhere privately and talk?
- No need.
- Fine, we'll do it here.
Greg Peters is using
intimidation tactics
to scare Rondell into selling.
- That is a ridiculous,
uncorroborated claim.
It's even more ridiculous
that you'd drag
your self-righteous ass
into my office
to confront me on it.
- I'm not here to confront you,
Stephanie,
I'm here to warn you
about Peters.
Every page I turn in his book
gets worse.
- And why are you turning pages?
Because Rondell Lancaster
asked you to?
You always were a sucker
for the dumb and the helpless.
- And you're deflecting
as usual.
Look, hear me or don't hear me,
I'm just giving you a heads up
for old times' sake.
Peters is on our radar.
- I'd like to say that
I appreciate the warning,
but what I'd most appreciate
right now
is you leaving my firm.
Roshanna?
- AMARA: Don't bother.
- WOMAN: Sign right here.
- Hey! It's my ambassador
of good fortune.
Get your ass in here.
I saw you on TV answering
those reporters' questions
with confidence and style.
I just knew you were headed
my way with good news.
I think that's it,
thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- So.
How much did Millsap
set us back?
- Nothing.
Because I couldn't go
through with it.
- You couldn't go through
with it?
What happened to all that
logical reasoning bullshit?
- Didn't work.
I will say that getting
a pat-down from a state judge
has to be one of the more
memorable moments
of my legal career.
- Hmm. I see.
So with hundreds of millions
of my dollars at stake,
you couldn't go through
with it.
- Bribing a judge
is not who I am, Hunter.
That's not who I'll ever be.
I'm not about to risk
my reputation, my career,
and my freedom for any
amount of money,
for you or anyone else.
I will tender my resignation
right here, right now,
if that's the kind of lawyer
you're looking for.
- I don't need your resignation,
Titus,
because you...you passed.
So relax.
- What?
- You passed.
You see, I was testing you.
See, you gotta understand
something, Titus,
I've been burned before.
My previous lawyer,
well, he wasn't exactly, uh...
burdened by scruples,
if you know what I mean.
Now, this was my way
of making sure that you got
the kind of integrity
that I'd demand
in my general counsel.
And I'm pleased to see
that you do.
Nice job.
We're good.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Hmm.
- [door opening]
- BELLA: [clears throat]
Where is everything?
[gasps] [crying]
[sniffles]
[crying]
You can't be serious.
- ROBOTIC FEMALE VOICE:
Your phone has been deactivated.
If this is an emergency,
please--
- Evan! [crying]
- [crickets chirping]
- Do you remember when
Lisa Davidson tried
that hand-stand at the Kappa
homecoming party?
- Will there be anything else,
Mrs. Lancaster?
- No, thank you, Constance.
- How could I forget?
She lost her balance
and fell right on top of poor
Linus Mackenzie.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- God, this is nice.
I'm having so much fun talking
about the old days with you.
- You know, Marilyn,
you and I could do this
all the time, if you convince
Marvin to move BetaNu Electric's
manufacturing facilities
to Atlanta.
- Steph.
- Atlanta is the perfect hub
for Marvin to take BetaNu
to the next level.
The tax incentives and cost
of living are unmatched.
- Marvin and I
have an agreement.
I leave BetaNu to him,
and he doesn't meddle
with my philanthropic efforts.
Speaking of which,
I'd love to get your input
on the Summit sessions.
- Of course, I've been meaning
to send over my notes
on this year's itinerary.
- No, it's fine,
I know how busy you are.
Juniper, she's been a godsend.
- [sighs] I'm sure she has.
I can't wait to hear sessions
like...
"Why the Confederacy
was misunderstood."
And a rousing icebreaker
game of Cow Patty Bingo.
- Okay, I know your two
families don't get along,
but Juniper's my friend.
Consider me Switzerland.
- You never did like
to pick sides, did you?
I guess that's why you didn't
cut Amara off.
- Oh, come on, Steph,
don't tell me you're still mad
at little Amara over Titus.
That was ages ago.
- Maybe if little Amara
wasn't back in Atlanta
and always in my face,
I'd be able to leave
the past buried.
Ooh, how's Khalil?
- He's well, although he hasn't
mentioned Carly lately.
Have you heard anything
on your end?
- Not a peep.
You and I are going to have
to ramp up
our matchmaking efforts
if we wanna throw
the wedding of the century.
- Cheers to that.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- [sighs]
- CARLY: [moaning]
Ugh, this feels so good.
This is better
than the Four Seasons.
- [sighs] Have you been
to Chateau Elan?
Ugh, their wine service
is out of this world.
- Chateau Elan is the best.
- My favorite has to be
Miraval.
- That's in Arizona, right?
I heard their waiting list
is mad crazy.
- I know the director.
- Mm, then we definitely
have to go.
I heard they offer
a healing class there
where you work with a horse
and it's supposed
to make your soul feel better.
Horses scare me but my acting
teacher says
facing one's fears is
the best thing an actor can do.
Hmm, I think that would be
so cool if we did that together.
Maybe we could go horseback
riding in the moonlight...
What do you think?
Whoa!
- LORI: How about
I give you a ride right now
and make sure your massage
has a happy ending.
- ♪
- [soft jazz music playing]
♪
- Hey, how did it go
with Marilyn?
- Exactly as expected.
- Ah, well,
she always does as you ask.
- Well, she didn't tonight,
so give it a rest.
- You just filed a half billion
dollar class action suit and...
this is how you celebrate?
- It's how I celebrate
Amara Hughes having the audacity
to barge into my office
to warn me about Greg Peters.
- [laughing] The DOJ has eyes
on Greg Peters?
- Amara has eyes on him.
And on your sister.
And she has eyes on you, too.
- Well, she questioned
a few of my cabinet members,
so what?
- And you didn't tell me?
- There's nothing for her
to find,
and even if there were,
my people are too smart.
- [laughs]
Now it makes sense why
Amara's getting all chummy
with Rondell.
- What?
- She was at Thelma's Place
when I went to give Senior
his check.
That crafty little bitch
is working your sister.
- To what end?
Rondell knows nothing
about any of my dealings.
- You don't know what
she knows.
But she needs to be handled.
She needs to know who Amara is.
If you don't--
- You're not going
anywhere near her.
I'll talk to her.
But I think we better come up
with a plan for Amara Hughes.
- [chuckles] It's already
in motion.
- [glasses clinking]
- [crickets chirping]
- ♪ Sometimes I get it
♪ Other times I don't know
what to do... ♪
♪ About this feeling
- I just don't know if
I should've taken this job.
- Class actions are a ton
of work.
- Yeah, well,
the work, I expected.
But Hunter's just not
who I thought he was.
- He's not a white, privileged
billionaire who thinks
every snap of his finger
should be recorded on a tablet
behind a burning bush?
- Top that off with that circus
Stephanie put on
and...I barely know
which way to turn.
- Well, you now, I actually
feel sorry for Stephanie.
- Baby, that's wasted energy
and you know it.
- You think moving here
was the right decision?
- [sighs]
For all my frustrations,
Purifoy pays damn well.
Deja's in an amazing
private school and together,
we got things we never could
afford before, so yeah,
yeah, we made
the right decision.
- That's the right answer.
[laughs]
- [laughs]
- [clears throat]
What do you think?
- Nice! What are they?
- These are a glamorous pair
of red bottoms
and they look great on me.
- Hmm, I'll bet.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- Oh...
Selling our souls
for an elite education,
fancy shoes and mo' money.
Look what we've become.
- Babe.
- Hmm?
- We are becoming those people.
- Yeah, I know. [laughs]
- TITUS: [laughing]
Join me in the shower,
and after that, put on those
expensive red bottom shoes.
- Just the shoes?
- Just the shoes.
- Mm, now that...
is an invitation.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm. [laughing]
- [knocking on door]
- Hi.
- Uh, who are you?
- Bella Tru.
Atlanta's fastest rising
fashion designer.
I'm here because you are
the city's procurement officer
and one of the people who
decides who receives
Hartsfield-Jackson airport
concessions.
- Come inside.
- This is my proposal.
- How did you get my address?
- The Internet's my second home.
I just made this amazing dress.
I'm the First Lady's go-to
designer.
I made this dress for her,
but it'll look better on you.
You'll find the style
and quality are on par
with any designer you can name.
- Do you have any idea how many
laws you're breaking right now?
- I'm desperate.
- It's illegal
for you to be here.
- It's not money.
Go ahead, feel the silk.
- That's not necessary.
I'm sure you mean well, Bella,
but I can't accept this.
- Go on, touch it,
you've never felt fabric
like this, I promise.
Wear it a few times.
Perhaps to the opening
of the new Bella Tru
at Hartsfield-Jackson.
I heard you're looking
for a local Atlanta business
to drive tourism into
the city,
why not choose one whose
artistry you already know?
And don't worry.
I...I was never here.
- [sighs]
- Who was that?
- Your mistress.
This can't happen again.
- I know, I'll take care of it.
In the meantime...
let's just get down
to the business at hand.
I need some stress release.
- ♪
- Now, assume the position.
- ♪
- EVAN: Next time,
on "Ambitions..."
- Carlisle Perkins will not
be representing me
on any of my future projects.
- Bring Peters back
into the fold,
or you are finished.
- Meet our newest
assistant US attorney.
- You can't be here.
- DAMIAN: You mean a lot to me.
- No one tells Marvin
how to run his company.
- You'll be destroyed,
Marilyn.
- You sure are enjoying this,
playing games with the lives
of innocent people.
- My life has been all
about you since the day we met.
- Why should I believe you?
- EVAN:
I'm the mayor of Atlanta.
This is my city.
- ♪
- ♪
- ♪
- [ding]
on "Ambitions..."
- We have to cool it off.
- BELLA: Are you dumping me?
- Amara Hughes cheated
on Titus?
- TITUS: You can't even
say his name, can you?
- I can secure
Thelma's Place for you.
- Thelma's Place
is here to stay.
- We're talking allegations
of patronage, money laundering,
embezzlement...
- Titus works for me,
and he's loyal.
- If you say so.
- IRENE: What's on
your mind, sweetie?
- I am the last Carlisle
standing,
the only one who gave a damn
about our family's firm,
so why is Daddy
punishing me for it?
- Everyone knows
I'm an amazing designer.
Just ask your wife.
- What better way to get
back at me for Damian
than for you to take up
with Stephanie again?
[moaning] [gasping]
[gasping]
Damian.
[gasping]
- Mmm, you miss me.
- [sighs]
- [phone buzzing]
- Titus?
Titus?
Titus!
Where are you?
- [distant moaning]
[moaning]
- Titus!
Titus!
What are you doing?
- You've never been enough,
Amara.
He's always wanted me.
- You tried, but...
you could never really
compete with this.
- BOTH: [moaning]
- Get off!
Get off!
Get off! Get off!
Get off, get off!
- Amara. Amara!
- Get off!
- Wake up, baby.
You were having a nightmare.
- Titus.
- It's okay.
It's okay, it's okay,
I got you.
- ♪
♪
- I have been so looking forward
to meeting you, Mr. Collins.
- Call me Damian.
- Damian.
And I do appreciate you
seeing me at this late hour,
it's really the only
time I could spare.
- Hmm, can't imagine why
such a high-powered attorney
like you would put in
such an effort to meet me.
I've gotta say...
the photos I've seen of you
don't come close
to showing how enticing
you are.
- Stay focused, Damian.
I have done my research
and you are quite the prosecutor
here in Birmingham.
The meth ring investigation
and takedown late last year
is an amazing trophy
for any assistant US attorney.
Okay, I'll get straight
to the point.
Carlisle Perkins would use
an attorney with your...
skills and experience.
- I'd be flattered
by this little visitation
if I didn't do research
of my own.
- Really?
- I'm aware that you
went to college
with my ex colleague
Amara Hughes.
I know you and she pledged
the same sorority
and she just relocated
to Atlanta.
So why don't you
cut to the chase.
Why am I here?
- You're here because
you and Amara were lovers.
- [chuckles] Uh, colleagues.
Big difference.
- How about this?
I won't lie to you
if you don't lie to me.
- Amara and I worked together,
that's as far as it went.
- Okay. Lies, then.
- Look, lady.
I showed up because it's not
every day you get called
out of the blue
by Stephanie Lancaster.
But now that I can check
that off my list...
I'm finished here.
- Tell me about Lester Herndon.
Tell me you didn't plant
evidence and conspired
with city officials
to put an innocent man
behind bars,
all because you wanted
the woman he was with.
But, according to my
investigator,
threw her away after
you took up with Amara Hughes.
- I don't know what the hell
you're talking about.
- Here's the arrest report.
And some of the trial
transcripts.
The falsifications
are highlighted in yellow.
I have a damn good
investigator, Damian.
- Who the hell do you
think you are?
- I'm the woman that's going
to destroy your life
and never give you
another thought.
Your only value is
what you can do for me
in this moment,
but keep pissing me off
and I might turn you in.
Just because I can.
- What do you want?
- I need you back
in Amara's world.
- What if I'm not interested?
- Oh. [laughs]
You're interested.
You have until noon tomorrow
to get on board with me,
or I will blow up
your world.
And you'll never be able
to piece it back together again.
[laughs]
- Hunter, if this is about
the disagreements
I've been having with Lori--
- It's not.
She's my baby girl,
but she's a wild child,
I know that.
I need to talk to you
about something else.
Have a seat.
I understand the Carlisles
are gonna file
this class action soon.
They still refuse
to settle at a reasonable price?
- Well, they're refusing
to settle at any price.
We're gonna be okay, Hunter,
I've got this.
- Well, I need to be more
than just okay.
I'm not about to lose one more
cent to those thieving
ambulance chasers.
Mm-mm, not again.
So I've, uh, set a few things
in motion.
- Okay.
What are you talking about?
- Well, we need a judge
who's sympathetic
to big companies like ours
when this thing goes to trial.
We need Judge Alton Waites.
- Well, that means
Chief Judge Millsap
will have to sign Waites
to our trial.
- Yes.
And I hear that for the right
price, Millsap will give us
any judge we want.
- I'm not gonna bribe a judge.
- You're gonna do
what I tell you to do.
- You wanna know why
I accepted the job offer
at Purifoy?
Even under the shadow
of a pending class action?
- [laughs] Because I pay you
damn good money?
- 'Cause my mother was
in pain for years,
and it wasn't until Purifoy
created Limodol
that she was able to climb out
of bed and start living again.
It's an opioid, yes,
but for people like my mother,
it's a lifeline.
I don't want it cut off
from anyone who needs it.
So my passion and intelligent
litigation will win this case.
- [laughs] Now that is a story
I can get behind.
That touches my heart.
And strong litigation
is all well and good, Titus,
but here in Atlanta,
you get ahead with cash,
not rhetoric.
Now, you have an appointment
later today.
All you have to do
is close the deal.
- Hunter, I'll go see Millsap.
And I'll get Waites
assigned to our trial,
but I'll do it my way.
With logical reasoning
and strong argument
and nothing so sullied
as a bribe.
- I don't give a damn
how you do it,
just get Millsap
to give us Waites.
We're done.
- ♪
- He's still not answering?
- No.
How can I apologize
if he won't talk to me?
Ugh, come here.
Turn around.
Um...
Let's see...
Here, take this off,
I don't want you spilling
wine all over it.
- Stop stressing, I'm not gonna
spill anything on it,
and stop stressing about
what you and Roderick did.
Evan came here to dump you,
didn't he?
- I think I really hurt him.
- What about every time
he's really hurt you?
He won't even take you
on a date, for god's sake.
And don't even
get me started on Joaquin.
- It's complicated, Perla,
you wouldn't understand.
We love each other.
- I know he's important to you.
But you seriously need
to start thinking
about yourself first
and some man later.
He won't respond to you?
Redirect that energy.
Whatever happened to that store
you were telling me about?
- That's why we got into it.
Why do all the airport
concession spaces
have to go to chains?
And what's wrong with
Bella Tru becoming a chain?
- You know I'm with you 100%.
- I can see it, Perla.
Me on top of the fashion world.
Him on his way to
the governor's mansion...
We'd be the perfect couple.
He's not seeing
what's really at stake.
- That's because no matter
what you think,
he's never going
to leave his wife.
You have to start thinking
about what's best
for you and Joaquin.
Time's up, Bella,
forget the mayor.
Who else can get this airport
store started for you?
- Evan says there's steps
and procedures to follow.
- Steps and procedures keep
people like you from rising up.
Come on.
You're Bella Tru,
you don't play by the rules.
Use what you got.
Y no seas una pendeja.
- ♪
♪
- This is the best breakfast
scramble I think I've ever had,
Rondell, and coming
from where I come from,
that is saying a lot.
- Ooh, I hope you saved
some room for some of my pie.
Peach.
- Mmm.
- Made from scratch
right here in my kitchen.
Girl, it's good.
- Hmm, having the mayor
for a brother
must help out with business.
- [bell dings]
- RONDELL: [laughs]
Child, please.
I did better under
Kasim Reed.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- So you mean Evan doesn't,
like, invest in the restaurant?
- Amara.
Now, you seem like
good people.
So if you're coming over here
to kick it and get your grub on,
that's cool.
But if you're sniffing
for dirt on my brother...
- [bell dings]
- Ah.
Amara.
What a surprise.
- Just sampling the best
breakfast place in town.
- You never tire of sampling
things that belong to me,
do you?
- I didn't realize
that this restaurant
was called Stephanie's.
- RONDELL: It ain't.
None of this belongs
to any part of her,
no way, no how.
- Rondell.
Tell Senior I'll come back
later.
- I'm here.
- Oh.
May I speak with you
in private?
- No need.
I ain't selling.
Sorry you come all this way
for nothing.
I changed my mind.
Blame my kids.
- As in me and Evan.
Now run and tell that.
- Ah, well, Senior, um...
I will stop by later,
it'll give you more time
to think about this.
You never know what can happen
that might make you
change your mind.
We'll talk soon, Senior.
Everyone have a wonderful...
and productive day.
[chuckles]
- RONDELL: Bye, sister in law.
Don't be a stranger.
Come on back Tuesday for
our shrimp and grits special.
Make that pancake
into an apple bottom.
- [laughs]
- RONDELL: [laughing]
- SENIOR: [laughing]
- Thank you, Daddy.
- Oh, baby, don't thank me,
I just gotta do what's right
for all of us.
- Ooh, Lord.
- Rondell.
- Yes?
- Stephanie wants to buy
Thelma's Place?
- Girl, for a snake-in-the-grass
client of hers.
Wanna buy up the neighborhood
and build condos.
You see his signs
all up and down the street.
- Greg Peters Construction?
So why is he such a snake?
- Oh. [scoffs]
How much time you got?
- Certainly enough to have
a slice of that pie
you keep promising.
- Ooh! Now that--
- AMARA: [laughing]
- I might have a slice
with you, look at this.
- Oh, wow.
- Isn't she beautiful?
- Yes.
- Hey.
- MARVIN: Gotta
hand it to you, Evan,
you've gone through a lot
of trouble
for a deal we haven't made yet.
- Indeed, Marvin, consider
these 300 acres convenient
to everything.
Unobstructed views
of the Atlanta skyline.
It's perfect for your
manufacturing facilities.
- [phone alert]
- Excuse me.
Stephanie should be right up.
- That's great.
- How can you beat my city?
There's a reason Coca-Cola,
Home Depot and AT&T
are situated here,
no one can beat
our tax incentives or
the quality of life
for your 2600 employees.
Brother, consider this.
BetaNu Electric's entire
line of appliances
and electronics with a huge
"Made in America" stamp
right on it.
Back me up here, Marilyn.
- You're doing just fine.
- I know, Marvin,
whatever Atlanta needs to do
to convince you
this is the dream home
for your facilities,
we'll do it.
And instead of those trips
to China,
you two can visit Khalil
at Morehouse.
- Well, Khalil only call us
when he needs money.
- Ah. Same with us.
Trey and Carly think
we're their own personal ATM.
- Marilyn, there you are.
- Stephanie!
Seems like forever,
how are you?
- Can you imagine those two
beauties on the Spelman campus
at the same time?
- We're two lucky
brothers.
- What you talking about?
[laughs]
- You know what? Marvin and I
have an appointment right now,
but I would love to spend
time with you.
Can we get together later?
- I would love to.
- Okay. See you.
- [phone alert]
- Hey, you!
- Hey! [laughs]
- MARVIN: How are you?
- STEPHANIE: Oh, Marvin,
so nice to see you.
- [indistinct chatter]
- [car honking]
- Hey.
Got your text, what's up?
- So, I had breakfast
this morning at Thelma's Place.
Delicious.
- Is the mayor laundering money
through his sister's restaurant?
- No, nothing like that.
In fact, it looks like
Mayor Lancaster only goes
to his sister's restaurant
to eat.
What I found at Thelma's Place
is a hardworking single woman
who is just trying her best
to run an honest business.
- Okay, where's the fire?
- Stephanie Lancaster
was there trying to purchase
Thelma's Place
for her client, Greg Peters.
- Oh, Greg Peters.
I'm not surprised.
- So, is what I'm reading
about this guy correct?
- That every one of his building
projects has been fast tracked
since Lancaster took office?
- Rondell believes that he
sent someone to the restaurant
to scare her into selling.
Now, why would he think
he could threaten
the mayor's sister
and get away with it,
unless he feels like he owns
the mayor?
- Maybe he does.
- People who resist him
either end up hurt or dead.
But none of it tracks back
to him,
so why hasn't his name come up?
- Because he's in
the private sector.
Any investigation on him
would be by Atlanta PD.
- Unless...
he were, say, bribing
our fair mayor
into giving him
preferential treatment
on his projects.
- Hmm.
Let's assume that
and put him on our grid.
Here's a question.
If Stephanie Lancaster
is representing Peters,
and he's got the mayor
in his pocket,
she's got to be involved,
isn't she?
- Maybe I'll just ask her.
- [knocking on door]
- Come in.
- Thank you.
- So, uh, what brings
Purifoy's latest legal eagle
to my chambers?
- I promised Hunter
that I would have a conversation
with you regarding a few
hypothetical situations
that could arise surrounding
the pending class action
against Purifoy,
if you're willing.
- Please.
- TITUS: Thank you.
- So, I understand you come from
solo practice in Birmingham.
- Yes, that's correct.
- And now you're
a corporate crusader.
That's quite a turnaround.
- I aim to be on the side
of right, Judge.
I find that large corporations,
Big Pharma in particular,
they don't get a fair shake.
Side of right comes in all
shapes and sizes,
don't you think?
- Absolutely, son.
Couldn't agree more.
- Ambrose v The Dane
and Davidson Corporation,
Finney v Paxam Petroleum,
those were some fair
but unpopular decisions.
- And those were decisions
rendered by judge Waites.
- Yes, and he seems to hear
the merit of his cases,
not the verdicts from
the court of public opinion,
so I have great confidence,
hypothetically speaking,
in the integrity of our
proceedings
if Judge Waites
was on the bench.
- Hmm.
In all my days I've never
encountered a finer judge
than Waites.
And I can't argue with anyone
wanting him
to weigh the evidence.
[chuckles] Well.
I sure do appreciate
this little chat.
For being appropriate
and above board.
- Absolutely.
- You've done your due
diligence
trying to settle this thing.
- Yes, sir,
but they're determined
to take this--
- Eh...
Now, one...can't be
too careful.
My lake house has a nasty
opening in the roof.
Byproduct of a lightning
strike.
The insurance won't cover it
and my wife's been on a tear
about getting it sewn up
before end of season.
Perhaps if old Hunter knew
any quality roofers
who wouldn't mind patching
a few of those holes in my roof,
maybe Judge Waites might find
his way to your court room.
Hypothetically speaking.
- [phone ringing]
- [sighs]
If I get credit for bringing
BetaNu Electric to Atlanta,
we can write our ticket
anywhere.
- For once, we both agree.
- I just wish I could
read that son of a bitch.
- You need Marilyn.
- So, help me with her.
- [laughs]
- You want BetaNu Electric
here as much as I do.
I mean, they'd be your client.
You'd make a fortune.
- How can I be sure?
I wanted Thelma's Place,
but you got in my way
after I specifically
told you not to.
Do you have any idea
what a man like Greg Peters
will do to you after he learns
you crossed him?
He will cut you up
into little pieces
and I'll eat popcorn
while I watch.
- When BetaNu Electric
gets to Atlanta,
I'm dropping Greg Peters.
- Mm-mm. You're tied
to too many of his deals.
I don't know why
you can't accept that.
- Are you gonna go to Marilyn
or not?
- And say what?
- When have you
ever needed my advice
on how to manipulate
your friends?
Where are you going?
- I have somewhere to be.
Class action, remember?
- Right, the 900 jobs
you wanna take from my city
by bankrupting Purifoy
Pharmaceuticals.
- Well, BetaNu will more
than make up for that.
- [door opening]
[door closing]
- STEPHANIE: On behalf
of our plaintiffs,
I am pleased to announce
that Carlisle Perkins
has just filed a 500 million
dollar class action lawsuit
against Purifoy Pharmaceuticals.
- Half a billion dollars,
think you can win that much,
Mrs. Lancaster?
- No amount of money can make up
for the lives
that have been lost,
or the families that have been
decimated
by the Purifoys' actions.
We're sending a message.
The Purifoys knew
just how dangerous
Limodol was when they
rushed it to market.
- This isn't the first time
the Carlisles and Purifoys
have been at odds, is it?
- You're referring to
the massive judgment our firm
won against the Purifoys
a quarter of a century ago,
because of their...
leaky breast implants.
Oh, it's a shame the Purifoys
didn't learn from that.
- Is this a vendetta?
- Not at all.
- You lying bitch.
- As long as the Purifoys
continue to endanger the public,
my firm will be there,
I will be there.
To hold them accountable.
Thank you, thank you very much,
excuse me.
- Mr. Hughes!
- Mr. Hughes!
- Mr. Hughes, any response
for your opposing counsel?
- Purifoy Pharmaceuticals
has done no wrong
and this court case will
prove that to everyone.
It's all I have to say
at the present time, thank you.
- Good.
- [indistinct chatter]
- TITUS: Excuse me.
- [car honking]
- [car alarm beeping]
- NICK: Hey, boss,
how can I help you?
- I texted Damian Collins
and told him where to meet me.
- NICK: Okay.
- I haven't heard back yet.
It's way past his deadline,
so let's send the information
we have on him to--
Scratch that, Nick.
- NICK: Okay.
- DAMIAN: I may have bent
a few rules,
but I did everyone a favor
locking Herndon up.
If you knew the things
that animal has done,
you wouldn't be so quick
to judge me.
- Don't be maudlin,
it's not a good look.
- Last night you made me think
it was Amara you were after,
but I just saw your little
press conference.
So I'm thinking you just need
me to throw Titus off his game.
- This is not an exchange
of information.
You came between Titus
and Amara once,
I need you to aim yourself at
that marriage like a cannonball
and leave no trace behind.
When the dust settles,
you could end up with Amara.
I can tell she's still
very special to you.
You see? We both win.
- What we not gon' do
is let Greg Peters Construction
come and take our home!
This our neighborhood!
Our parents and grandparents
worked way too hard!
They ain't gon' come give us
$2 for our houses!
What?!
The Banks is not for sale!
- ALL: The Banks
is not for sale!
- [siren blaring]
- RONDELL: Eminent domain
leaves nothing but a stain!
- ALL:
The Banks is not for sale!
- They've been here all morning,
I need her gone.
- RONDELL: Say no
to gentrification!
Say no!
The Banks ain't for sale!
Say no to gentrification,
say no!
It ain't gonna happen!
- Y'all gotta move
this demonstration.
- The hell we do.
We out here in these streets
exercising our rights
to assemble and protest.
- Man here says this is
private property.
I've got orders
from my captain
to break this party up.
So come on now,
you're trespassing.
- Sister, you're gonna do this?
Really?
I know you, you're from
this neighborhood.
- Damn straight,
that's why I'm gonna
keep the peace
whenever I get the chance,
so disperse,
or I'm getting some backup here
to move y'all to the station.
- It's a city street!
I know he thinks he owns
everything, but he don't!
- You have ten seconds
to get
from in front of my property.
- And if you think you can
steal my mama's restaurant,
you got another thing coming!
- Officer, please remove
this garbage.
- ALL: [offended]
- Hear this?!
- Really? You're gonna
arrest the mayor's sister?
- I'm sorry, Miss,
I didn't know you were
related to Mayor Lancaster.
- Hmm.
- As long as they stay
on the sidewalk
and aren't blocking traffic,
they aren't breaking
any laws.
- PROTESTERS: [agreeing]
- That's right.
This man right here
is responsible
for hundreds of folks
losing their homes.
He don't care about the poor!
- MAN: That's right!
- He's a money-hungry swine!
- PROTESTERS: [agreeing]
- We got less than two months
to tell him
and his developer friends
to go to hell!
The Banks is not for sale!
- The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
- The countdown on you
has started.
- Tick, damn tock.
- That's right.
- Get off my face before
I forget
I was raised in a church.
The Banks is not for sale.
- The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
The Banks is not for sale!
- Really, Evan?
Meeting in your car
in back alleys like gangsters?
What will you do?
Dump me in the river now?
- Don't be ridiculous.
I just don't trust you.
When did you take that picture?
- [sighs]
The night of the gala.
- There more?
- I have a few more.
- You haven't hurt me
enough, Bella?
- I'm sorry I hurt you.
I really am.
But you made me go there.
- I've done nothing
but protect you.
- Protect me?!
You were dumping me!
- I can never dump you.
We have a beautiful child
together.
I wish more of my life
was spent with you.
But you'd rather be
with this Roderick.
- You said you didn't
wanna see me anymore.
- I said temporarily.
We needed to cool it off
because right now it's not safe.
- Why?
- I can't tell you.
- You know, Evan,
I have wasted years
of my life with you.
I have to do what's best
for me and Joaquin.
You won't commit,
Roderick will.
- Yeah, well, he's an idiot.
If he's your choice, so be it.
- Won't you ask me what I plan
to do with the pictures?
Or tell me to get rid of them?
- [scoffs]
- I hear the business calls
you take in the other room.
You pull strings
for your friends,
you can do the same for me
and your son.
- You can't rise to fame
in the real world
like you did on Instagram.
The amount of followers you have
means nothing
when you go before
the concessions review board,
you can't just push "Like"
and they roll out
the red carpet for you.
- I deserve this chance,
I've earned it!
- Do I need to spell this
out for you?
You're not getting
the concession.
Don't make me save you
from yourself.
I can make your life
a living hell, too.
- Your threats are as empty
as your promises.
I'm going after what I want,
and there's nothing
you can do to stop me.
- Don't challenge me,
you'll lose.
- ♪
- [phone ringing]
- SECRETARY: Hello,
Carlisle Perkins,
how can I help you?
- [door opening]
- I pray you're not here
at the behest
of my infinitely irritating
sister in law.
- If you mean, do I want her
to feel safe
at her place of business, I do.
- What crap has she
been feeding you?
I'm done with this.
- Can we please go
somewhere privately and talk?
- No need.
- Fine, we'll do it here.
Greg Peters is using
intimidation tactics
to scare Rondell into selling.
- That is a ridiculous,
uncorroborated claim.
It's even more ridiculous
that you'd drag
your self-righteous ass
into my office
to confront me on it.
- I'm not here to confront you,
Stephanie,
I'm here to warn you
about Peters.
Every page I turn in his book
gets worse.
- And why are you turning pages?
Because Rondell Lancaster
asked you to?
You always were a sucker
for the dumb and the helpless.
- And you're deflecting
as usual.
Look, hear me or don't hear me,
I'm just giving you a heads up
for old times' sake.
Peters is on our radar.
- I'd like to say that
I appreciate the warning,
but what I'd most appreciate
right now
is you leaving my firm.
Roshanna?
- AMARA: Don't bother.
- WOMAN: Sign right here.
- Hey! It's my ambassador
of good fortune.
Get your ass in here.
I saw you on TV answering
those reporters' questions
with confidence and style.
I just knew you were headed
my way with good news.
I think that's it,
thank you very much.
- Thank you.
- So.
How much did Millsap
set us back?
- Nothing.
Because I couldn't go
through with it.
- You couldn't go through
with it?
What happened to all that
logical reasoning bullshit?
- Didn't work.
I will say that getting
a pat-down from a state judge
has to be one of the more
memorable moments
of my legal career.
- Hmm. I see.
So with hundreds of millions
of my dollars at stake,
you couldn't go through
with it.
- Bribing a judge
is not who I am, Hunter.
That's not who I'll ever be.
I'm not about to risk
my reputation, my career,
and my freedom for any
amount of money,
for you or anyone else.
I will tender my resignation
right here, right now,
if that's the kind of lawyer
you're looking for.
- I don't need your resignation,
Titus,
because you...you passed.
So relax.
- What?
- You passed.
You see, I was testing you.
See, you gotta understand
something, Titus,
I've been burned before.
My previous lawyer,
well, he wasn't exactly, uh...
burdened by scruples,
if you know what I mean.
Now, this was my way
of making sure that you got
the kind of integrity
that I'd demand
in my general counsel.
And I'm pleased to see
that you do.
Nice job.
We're good.
- Yeah.
Yeah.
- Hmm.
- [door opening]
- BELLA: [clears throat]
Where is everything?
[gasps] [crying]
[sniffles]
[crying]
You can't be serious.
- ROBOTIC FEMALE VOICE:
Your phone has been deactivated.
If this is an emergency,
please--
- Evan! [crying]
- [crickets chirping]
- Do you remember when
Lisa Davidson tried
that hand-stand at the Kappa
homecoming party?
- Will there be anything else,
Mrs. Lancaster?
- No, thank you, Constance.
- How could I forget?
She lost her balance
and fell right on top of poor
Linus Mackenzie.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- God, this is nice.
I'm having so much fun talking
about the old days with you.
- You know, Marilyn,
you and I could do this
all the time, if you convince
Marvin to move BetaNu Electric's
manufacturing facilities
to Atlanta.
- Steph.
- Atlanta is the perfect hub
for Marvin to take BetaNu
to the next level.
The tax incentives and cost
of living are unmatched.
- Marvin and I
have an agreement.
I leave BetaNu to him,
and he doesn't meddle
with my philanthropic efforts.
Speaking of which,
I'd love to get your input
on the Summit sessions.
- Of course, I've been meaning
to send over my notes
on this year's itinerary.
- No, it's fine,
I know how busy you are.
Juniper, she's been a godsend.
- [sighs] I'm sure she has.
I can't wait to hear sessions
like...
"Why the Confederacy
was misunderstood."
And a rousing icebreaker
game of Cow Patty Bingo.
- Okay, I know your two
families don't get along,
but Juniper's my friend.
Consider me Switzerland.
- You never did like
to pick sides, did you?
I guess that's why you didn't
cut Amara off.
- Oh, come on, Steph,
don't tell me you're still mad
at little Amara over Titus.
That was ages ago.
- Maybe if little Amara
wasn't back in Atlanta
and always in my face,
I'd be able to leave
the past buried.
Ooh, how's Khalil?
- He's well, although he hasn't
mentioned Carly lately.
Have you heard anything
on your end?
- Not a peep.
You and I are going to have
to ramp up
our matchmaking efforts
if we wanna throw
the wedding of the century.
- Cheers to that.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- [sighs]
- CARLY: [moaning]
Ugh, this feels so good.
This is better
than the Four Seasons.
- [sighs] Have you been
to Chateau Elan?
Ugh, their wine service
is out of this world.
- Chateau Elan is the best.
- My favorite has to be
Miraval.
- That's in Arizona, right?
I heard their waiting list
is mad crazy.
- I know the director.
- Mm, then we definitely
have to go.
I heard they offer
a healing class there
where you work with a horse
and it's supposed
to make your soul feel better.
Horses scare me but my acting
teacher says
facing one's fears is
the best thing an actor can do.
Hmm, I think that would be
so cool if we did that together.
Maybe we could go horseback
riding in the moonlight...
What do you think?
Whoa!
- LORI: How about
I give you a ride right now
and make sure your massage
has a happy ending.
- ♪
- [soft jazz music playing]
♪
- Hey, how did it go
with Marilyn?
- Exactly as expected.
- Ah, well,
she always does as you ask.
- Well, she didn't tonight,
so give it a rest.
- You just filed a half billion
dollar class action suit and...
this is how you celebrate?
- It's how I celebrate
Amara Hughes having the audacity
to barge into my office
to warn me about Greg Peters.
- [laughing] The DOJ has eyes
on Greg Peters?
- Amara has eyes on him.
And on your sister.
And she has eyes on you, too.
- Well, she questioned
a few of my cabinet members,
so what?
- And you didn't tell me?
- There's nothing for her
to find,
and even if there were,
my people are too smart.
- [laughs]
Now it makes sense why
Amara's getting all chummy
with Rondell.
- What?
- She was at Thelma's Place
when I went to give Senior
his check.
That crafty little bitch
is working your sister.
- To what end?
Rondell knows nothing
about any of my dealings.
- You don't know what
she knows.
But she needs to be handled.
She needs to know who Amara is.
If you don't--
- You're not going
anywhere near her.
I'll talk to her.
But I think we better come up
with a plan for Amara Hughes.
- [chuckles] It's already
in motion.
- [glasses clinking]
- [crickets chirping]
- ♪ Sometimes I get it
♪ Other times I don't know
what to do... ♪
♪ About this feeling
- I just don't know if
I should've taken this job.
- Class actions are a ton
of work.
- Yeah, well,
the work, I expected.
But Hunter's just not
who I thought he was.
- He's not a white, privileged
billionaire who thinks
every snap of his finger
should be recorded on a tablet
behind a burning bush?
- Top that off with that circus
Stephanie put on
and...I barely know
which way to turn.
- Well, you now, I actually
feel sorry for Stephanie.
- Baby, that's wasted energy
and you know it.
- You think moving here
was the right decision?
- [sighs]
For all my frustrations,
Purifoy pays damn well.
Deja's in an amazing
private school and together,
we got things we never could
afford before, so yeah,
yeah, we made
the right decision.
- That's the right answer.
[laughs]
- [laughs]
- [clears throat]
What do you think?
- Nice! What are they?
- These are a glamorous pair
of red bottoms
and they look great on me.
- Hmm, I'll bet.
- BOTH: [laughing]
- Oh...
Selling our souls
for an elite education,
fancy shoes and mo' money.
Look what we've become.
- Babe.
- Hmm?
- We are becoming those people.
- Yeah, I know. [laughs]
- TITUS: [laughing]
Join me in the shower,
and after that, put on those
expensive red bottom shoes.
- Just the shoes?
- Just the shoes.
- Mm, now that...
is an invitation.
- Mm-hmm.
- Mm-hmm. [laughing]
- [knocking on door]
- Hi.
- Uh, who are you?
- Bella Tru.
Atlanta's fastest rising
fashion designer.
I'm here because you are
the city's procurement officer
and one of the people who
decides who receives
Hartsfield-Jackson airport
concessions.
- Come inside.
- This is my proposal.
- How did you get my address?
- The Internet's my second home.
I just made this amazing dress.
I'm the First Lady's go-to
designer.
I made this dress for her,
but it'll look better on you.
You'll find the style
and quality are on par
with any designer you can name.
- Do you have any idea how many
laws you're breaking right now?
- I'm desperate.
- It's illegal
for you to be here.
- It's not money.
Go ahead, feel the silk.
- That's not necessary.
I'm sure you mean well, Bella,
but I can't accept this.
- Go on, touch it,
you've never felt fabric
like this, I promise.
Wear it a few times.
Perhaps to the opening
of the new Bella Tru
at Hartsfield-Jackson.
I heard you're looking
for a local Atlanta business
to drive tourism into
the city,
why not choose one whose
artistry you already know?
And don't worry.
I...I was never here.
- [sighs]
- Who was that?
- Your mistress.
This can't happen again.
- I know, I'll take care of it.
In the meantime...
let's just get down
to the business at hand.
I need some stress release.
- ♪
- Now, assume the position.
- ♪
- EVAN: Next time,
on "Ambitions..."
- Carlisle Perkins will not
be representing me
on any of my future projects.
- Bring Peters back
into the fold,
or you are finished.
- Meet our newest
assistant US attorney.
- You can't be here.
- DAMIAN: You mean a lot to me.
- No one tells Marvin
how to run his company.
- You'll be destroyed,
Marilyn.
- You sure are enjoying this,
playing games with the lives
of innocent people.
- My life has been all
about you since the day we met.
- Why should I believe you?
- EVAN:
I'm the mayor of Atlanta.
This is my city.
- ♪
- ♪
- ♪
- [ding]