Ambitions (2019–…): Season 1, Episode 6 - What About Your Friends - full transcript

- STEPHANIE:
Previously, on "Ambitions..."

- NICK: Ms. Amara
is a naughty, naughty girl.

- She cheated on Titus?

- I'm not interested in you.
- LORI: If you say so.

- AMARA: What better way
to get back at me for Damian

than for you to take up
with Stephanie again.

- I'm not the one who cheated.

- You're not getting
the concession.

- [crying]

- MARILYN: Friends don't
do this to each other.

- If you don't give me
what I want,



you'll be destroyed, Marilyn.

- I'm the mayor of Atlanta.
Break him.

- RODERICK: [groaning]
- [punches]

- [phones ringing]

- This is silly, Amara,
I'm here to work,

that's...that's it.

- Great, go back to Birmingham
and we can both do our jobs.

- DAMIAN: Give it a chance,
you might like having me around.

I can lighten your load,
help you take down

Atlanta's shady mayor.

- Karen told you
about my case?!

- Broad strokes.
- Well, it doesn't concern you,

you're in narcotics.
- We're on the same team,

good guys vs. bad guys,
remember?



- You really wanna help me,
Damian?

Leave Atlanta
and forget you ever knew me.

- [sighs]

You may not believe me
right now,

but I mean you and Titus
no harm.

I hope in time we'll be able
to coexist as colleagues.

Nothing more.

- [phone ringing]

- Back for seconds?
Greedy girl.

- I see I was misguided
in assuming we could be mature

about our little indiscretion.

- Oh, is that how you're
referring to it?

It felt like hot, sweaty,
swirl sex to me.

- I'm not referring
to it at all.

Because it never happened.
- GREG: Mm-hmm.

So what brings you by, Steph?

- That's a rebranding strategy
for you and your company.

- Who says I need rebranding?

- [phone ringing]
- Public opinion

surrounding Greg Peters
Construction is mixed at best.

People think of you
as a thug in a suit.

- Ouch, that almost hurts.

- I'm going to need you
to keep your nose clean

if we're gonna secure
an airport concession.

Which means...

No funny business related
to English Rose.

When I'm finished,
Greg Peters will be seen

as the consummate
concessionaire.

I'll be in touch.

So you want more candy?

[moans]

I think you've had enough
chocolate for the week.

[panting]

- I have such a sweet tooth.
- [moans]

- And I'm still hungry.
- [moaning] [panting]

Lucky for you,
the buffet is open.

- ♪

- [moans]

- ♪

♪♪

- Oh, my god, Roderick!

- [groans]
- Come on.

What happened to you?

- He ain't tell you?

I figured he'd rush right over
to brag about how he stood there

and watched like a little bitch

when his two overpaid
mall cops roughed me up.

- Evan did this to you?
- Who else?

- You did call him out on TV,
you had to know he'd retaliate.

- I get the shit kicked
out of me

for sticking up for your ass
and that's your response?

I'm out.

- You need medical attention.

- I've taken worse hits
in the league.

- Someone should take
care of you.

Just to make sure you're okay.

- Someone like you?

- Someone exactly like me.
Stay. Please.

- Got your text, what's up?

- Karen, would you please
do me a favor

and don't insert Damian Collins
into my city hall investigation,

or any of my other cases,
for that matter?

I told you from the beginning,
I work solo.

- Am I missing something?
If so, you better clue me in.

- There was an incident
in Birmingham and--

- And it resulted in our
partnership yielding

amazing results.

- [chuckles] I gotta go.

I'll leave it to the two
of you to work this out.

I'm just glad to have you both.

- Tell me you weren't about
to ruin both of our careers.

You worked too hard to get to
this level in the DOJ, Amara.

Don't let our past destroy
your future.

- [sighs]

- ♪

- [humming]

- [bell dings]
- Damn, girl, you did that.

- That looks delicious.
- RONDELL: Hi, how are you?

Oh, I don't wanna get all this
on you, I just--

- Mmm.

- Alright now. [laughs]

You know what? You can--

Just 'cause you gave me
that one measly foot rub

don't mean
you gon' get some, okay?

- I have a surprise for you.
- RONDELL: Surprise, huh?

- Philanthropist Marilyn Barnes
hosts this annual gathering

for women, and this year,
it's in Atlanta.

It's four days of workshops,
panels, Q&As,

everyone that's anyone
will be at this thing,

you can make some real
connections

with the city's most
influential women.

- Man, what am I gonna do
at a place like that, huh?

You know, with all them
fake boujee folks

walking around with they nose
all up in the air, it's just--

It's not my crowd--
- Baby, baby, baby.

Those fake boujee folks
are power players.

Look, you wanna take
Neighbors Against Gentrification

to the next level, right?
- I mean, yes--

- This is the room to be in.

Unless you're scared
or something, I--

- Rondell ain't never scared,
okay?

It's just, do you really think
it's a good idea?

- I know this is.

You wanna save The Banks?

You need these women
on your side.

- [bell dings]

- ♪ You know, you know,
you know, you know, baby ♪

- Fine. Fine, I'll go.

- Yes.
- You gon' drive me? Huh?

- Thank you.
- [laughs]

You gon' do something.

- [crickets chirping]

- Did you see him
at work today?

- [sighs] Titus,
we've been over this.

Damian has nothing to do
with us.

- You know good and damn well
that's not true.

- It is unless you put him
front and center again.

- Oh, so it's my fault we got
this asshole to deal with.

- I'm not saying that.
- Get rid of him.

- How?!
- I don't care! Figure it out.

Damian Collins almost ruined us,
I'm not gonna stand by

and watch him do it again.

- That's not even a possibility,
you have to trust me.

- It's him I don't trust.
- What do you expect me to do?

I can't force him out
of the US Attorney's Office.

Karen transferred him in.

- Then you have to quit.
- You're joking, right?

- Am I laughing?
- I'm not quitting my job!

- So that's your choice?
To stay there with him?!

- I'm not gonna let Damian
cost me my entire career

that I have worked my ass off
to build

and I cannot even believe
that you would ask for that.

- All I know is he needs
to be out of our lives

one way or another,
and if you can't handle it,

I will.

- Titus.

If we let Damian
come between us again,

then he wins.

Is that what you want?

- I want you. All to myself.

- You got me.

- [chuckles] I appreciate it,
Syd, you know I've always been

a good friend of your station.

I know.

I know, I'm just as baffled
as you are,

I can't imagine
what came over Roderick.

It might be drugs.

Who knows.

But thank you
for handling this so quickly.

I'll see you at the club.

- [knocking at door]

- Uh, your appointment
is still waiting, Sir.

- [sighs] Thank you, Chloe.
Show him in.

- Don't appreciate being made
to wait this long,

I am a busy man.

- Your proposal has been
fast-tracked,

Greg Peters Construction has
been designated a preferred

Hartsfield-Jackson vendor now,
if that's all--

- I want the concession
guaranteed in writing.

- I can't promise you a highly
competitive city contract.

- Sure you can.
- EVAN: That would be illegal,

I could have you arrested
for even suggesting it.

- That a threat?

- Like the ones you keep
issuing my sister?

Tell you what.

I'll consider using
my influence to make sure

your bid for the concession
gets...extra attention,

as long as you agree to
walk away from Thelma's Place.

- That wasn't part of the deal.

- Whatever pact you made,
that was with my wife, not me.

It's no secret I'm pro
urban renewal.

Go ahead, break ground
on English Rose

with the existing property

you've already
acquired in The Banks,

just leave Thelma's Place
out of it.

- My investors want
the entire block.

- Looks like you're gonna need
to rethink your plans.

That is, if you wanna do
business in my airport.

- Wonder what your lovely wife
and her old man would make

of you deciding that now
is the time to grow a pair.

- You heard my terms, Peters.

You want my help getting
that concession?

Stop jacking with my family.

- [door opens]

- Gentlemen.

What am I walking in on, here?

- I was just explaining
to your client

how things get done
in my city.

- [laughs] Seems like I'm having
two different conversations

with you Lancasters.

I think you and the mister
better start comparing notes.

- Something you wanna tell me?

- ♪

- What the hell did you
promise that guy?

- I merely conveyed what
we discussed

regarding
the airport concession.

- The guy had the stones
to march in here

demanding a free concession
when he's still

refusing to back off Rondell.

- He needs that entire block
in The Banks for English Rose,

including Thelma's Place.

- You sound like his pet
parakeet.

- Hmm, well, perhaps I wouldn't
need to keep repeating myself

if you would finally get it
through your thick skull...

- As opposed to a bullet
from your gun.

- Oh.

How long are you gonna sing
that particular song, Evan?

I don't understand why
you're so conflicted about

revitalizing The Banks when you
of all people know the crime

and destitution that plagues
that neighborhood,

you grew up there.

- Well, it wasn't all bad.

I mean, yeah,
there were gangs,

and crack dens and prostitutes
on every corner,

but there was also our church,

where Momma
taught Sunday school,

and Luelene's Daycare.

Rondell and I went there
when Senior drove the MARTA bus

and Mama worked
at the restaurant.

Thelma's Place held that whole
neighborhood together.

Still does.

- You need to remember
the big picture.

With my help,
you are already getting

BetaNu Electric in Atlanta.

Imagine having both

Marvin Barnes
and Greg Peters

firmly in our corner.

[chuckles]
We'd be unstoppable.

Next stop...the Georgia
Governor's mansion.

- I can get to the governor's
mansion on my own,

without being permanently
beholden to that bitch-ass punk.

As soon as the concession
is awarded,

I'm done with Greg Peters.

Now, if you wanna stay
in bed with the devil...

...be my guest.

- [door opening]

- ♪ Used to travel around
the world... ♪

- So you and Roderick
broke up, Bella?

- [sighs] It just
wasn't working out.

- Did you see that vulgar
outburst he had about my husband

on his sports program.

- I am so sorry about that,
Stephanie.

I don't know what came over him.

- You are well rid of him,
Bella.

Maybe one day you'll find
a decent man.

- Here's hoping.

- STEPHANIE: [laughs]

- Mmm,
the summit sounds amazing.

The most powerful women
in Atlanta will be there.

Do you think you could
get me in?

- Oh. It's invite only.

Maybe next year.
Excuse me.

I want this tightened
in the hips.

How soon can you have it done?

- Um, let's see...

- AMARA:
So, out of nowhere,

Damian requests
to be transferred,

and he's reassigned to Atlanta
practically overnight?

No, no. [chuckles]

There's no problems,
I was just surprised to see him.

Yeah, uh, no,

there was no warning
on our end, either.

Let me know what else
you find out. Okay.

Good talking to you, Janine,
bye-bye.

- [knocking]

- Hey!
- Hey.

- What are you doing here
on a Saturday?

- Came to pick up a file.
What's your excuse?

- Trying to track down
Roderick Johnson.

- Sportscaster who went off
on the mayor.

- Yeah, gotta wonder what
Lancaster did.

Roderick risked his job
to put the mayor on blast.

- Well, I'll admit
it was odd, but not criminal.

Where are you going with it?

- Wherever it leads.

I remember seeing them friendly
at the Samuel Perkins gala.

So something turned
that relationship sour fast.

- So you think this Roderick
guy might have some solid dirt

on Lancaster.

- It's definitely
a possibility.

He got himself suspended
from his job at the TV station,

he's not at home, so...
I'm gonna stay on top of it,

and I'll keep you updated.

- Sounds good!

Oh, did you decide
if you're going

to Marilyn Barnes's event?

- Not my thing.
A bunch of Stephanie Lancasters

all under one roof...
- [laughs]

That's exactly
why you should go.

The chance to observe
Atlanta's ladies who lunch

in their natural habitat.

That group is so incestuous,
you might learn something

we could use.

Hmm.

- [doorbell ringing]

- CONSTANCE: Mrs. Barnes.

- Marilyn, what a nice surprise.

Sit down,
can I offer you something?

Water? Tea? Tequila?
I know how you like to party.

- I'm not thirsty.
- Hmm.

You must be swamped
with planning for the summit.

Any last-minute things
I can help you with?

That's what friends are for.

- Do you think you can
blackmail me

and get away with it?

- I would thank you
to lower your voice,

I wouldn't want the help
to hear your rantings,

besides, blackmail
is such a harsh word.

I prefer...encouraged.

- I came here to tell you
in person,

I don't want you at my summit.

- [laughs] Don't be ridiculous,
of course I'll be there.

Carly, too.

We wouldn't miss it.

- [chuckles] As usual,
you're only hearing

what you want to, Stephanie.

I'm rescinding
your invitation

to the Barnes Coalition
Power Women Summit.

I will also be formally asking
for your resignation

from the board of directors.

- You will do no such thing.

In fact, you will smile
and curtsy

when my daughter and I grace
your tired event

with our presence.

That is, of course,
unless you want sad,

cuckolded Marvin to know
about your nasty secret life.

- You may have the upper hand
right now, Stephanie,

but rest assured your day
is coming.

- [chuckles]

See you at the summit,
Marilyn.

- [door opens]

- Ta-tah.
- [door closes]

- ♪

- [cat o' nine tails crack]

- EVAN: [moans]

- DAPHNE: How does that feel?
- So good.

- ♪

- EVAN: Come on.
Hurry up, I don't have all day.

- DAPHNE: Okay.
Hold your horses.

I got a new toy.
[chuckles]

- [buzzing]

- ♪ I know what you want,
'cause I got it ♪

♪ You know what I need

- EVAN: [gasps]
- DAPHNE: Mmm. Like it?

- [panting]

Don't stop.

- You sure? I can turn up
the voltage.

[chuckles] Or this.

- Are you crazy?

- For you, I am.

Seems like your mind
is elsewhere,

you wanna talk about it?

- If I wanted to talk,
I'd go home to my wife.

- And if I wanna deal
with a bad attitude,

I'd go home to my husband.

- Maybe you should do that.
- I will.

- EVAN: Wait a minute.
Where are you going?

- [sighs]
- Daphne.

Get back here and untie me.

- Hmm.

- EVAN: [struggling]
[groaning]

[muffled] Daphne!

[growling]

- [soft jazz music playing]
- [laughter]

- Welcome.
- Davis.

- Yeah, of course.

- [indistinct chatter]
- Good to see you.

- Mrs. Carlisle? Hi!

Oh, I was hoping
we'd see each other.

Oh, Mrs. Carlisle,
I've long wanted to tell you

how much your kindness
meant to me

while I was at Spelman.

No, really, you always
made me feel

like part of the family.
- Oh.

- Do you remember that
wonderful Easter weekend

up at Lake Linear?

- How can I forget?

It wasn't long after you took up
with my Stephie's boyfriend.

Do give my best to Titus.

- WAITER:
Ladies? Would you like one?

- Ugh, like mother,
like daughter.

- Hey, doll.
- Hey! Hi!

- Am I glad to see
a friendly face.

- Right?
- How you liking the summit?

- The alcohol helps.
- Oh, sure you're right.

- [laughs]

- How are you, Stephanie?
- Devastated.

I thought that after
having to endure

your mindless chatter
on that panel earlier,

we'd be spared your presence
this evening.

- JUNIPER: Speaking of mindless,
I saw your mother earlier,

the old dear looks about ready
for the rest home,

bless her heart.

- I think you have my mother
mistaken for your husband.

- BOTH: [laughing]

- Okay, Mom, I think it's time
we go mingle.

- I'm gonna go find Grandma.
- You do that, dear.

- Here comes trouble.
- What?

- Rondell, I didn't know that
you were catering the summit.

- For your information,
I'm a guest.

- Really? Well, I suppose
the definition of "power woman"

has become a bit more...flexible
than it once was.

Hello, Amara.
- Stephanie.

- I didn't expect
to see you here,

I know how you nine-to-fivers

relish your weekends off.
[chuckles]

- Well, you know, Stephanie,
some women achieve power

based on merit, and others lie,
cheat and inherit

their way to the top.

- Funny you should mention
cheating. [laughs]

- MARILYN:
Everything okay, ladies?

- Ah, here we all are.

Sorority sisters together again,
just like old times.

Well, except for you, Rondell.

You never went to college,
did you?

- I was too busy working
so that I could put

your future husband through
college and law school.

But you know, being your
sister-in-law all these years

should net me an honorary PhD
in Bitchology.

- [chuckling]

- As much as I'd like to,
I can't take credit for that.

You've been
a bitch all your life.

Ladies.

- I can't stand her. I can't.
I can't stand her, I can't.

- BELLA: Hi, there, my name
is Bella Tru, I'm a designer.

I noticed several women
wearing my outfits

at the Barnes Coalition

Power Women Summit
cocktail party.

I would love to use some
of the pics you posted

on my Instagram,
please call me back

at your earliest convenience.

Your circulation will flow
better if you sit up.

- [groaning]

- [sighs]

- [groans]

You sure know a whole lot
about healing.

- Got into my fair share
of fights

growing up in The Banks.

- Too bad you still gotta
fight assholes like Lancaster.

Don't worry, baby,

he's gonna get exactly
what's coming to him.

Hand me your laptop.

While Ebony and Ivory
was kicking my guts in,

I recorded the whole thing
on my smart watch.

- EVAN: You really think you
can get away with talking shit

about me on your show?
[laughs]

Bitch, I'm the mayor
of Atlanta. Break him.

- RODERICK ON VIDEO: [groaning]
- [hitting sounds]

- What are you gonna do
with it?

- Play it on my show
when I get back to work.

Show the whole world who our
thug-in-chief really is.

- Roderick, I'm not sure
about this.

- That bastard
could've killed me.

And what about how
he treated you?

- I just think we need to be
smart about this.

I bet Evan would pay a shitload
to make this go away.

- I don't want his money,
I want him to feel

the same pain I'm feeling.

- He is a powerful man.

We have leverage.
We can get whatever we want.

- What I want is to take
Lancaster's crooked ass down.

[clears throat]

- LORI: Who would you rather?

That blonde over there,

or...that sexy curvy woman.

- That's my aunt.
- Oh.

- Ew.
- BOTH: [laughing]

- Hey, girls.

I find it so encouraging
that even with our two families

at odds, you two
can still manage to be civil.

We adults could learn
a thing or two from you.

- I should probably go.
Excuse me.

- You keep working
Stephanie Lancaster's brat.

Get as much intel out of her
as you can.

- Publicity for free?

Sure, I will give you a call.
Thank you.

- Think that'll help
save your neighborhood?

- You grew up in The Banks.

Samuel Perkins started
his law firm

right down the road
from Thelma's Place.

He cared about our neighborhood.

- [laughing]
You're inferring I don't.

- I don't see your foundation
stepping up.

Your daddy was a civil rights
hero, but you?

You stand by while
your husband and your daughter

help Greg Peters steal
from black and brown folk.

- My father was a noble,
virtuous man

who never had enough resources

to accomplish the lasting
changes he wanted to make.

Thanks to the success
Stephen has made

of Carlisle Perkins I achieve
more through our foundation

than my late father
ever imagined.

- I'm gonna figure out a way

to stop y'all
from taking The Banks.

Best believe that.

- No matter what it costs you?
- No matter what.

- Well, then.

Good luck.

- LORI AND CARLY: [moaning]
[kissing]

[moaning continues]

- Who are you and what
have you done

with my sweet, shy Carly?

- You bring out
the wild woman in me.

- [moaning]

- [gasps]

- I hope you aren't
as evasive with business

vying for city contracts
as you've been with me tonight.

- First Lady Lancaster,
were you looking for me?

- I know exactly why you've been
avoiding me all night, Daphne.

Don't worry.

Evan and I have an understanding
about these things.

- You do?
- [laughs]

The airport concession
you're working on

for my client, Greg Peters.

Let's talk some place
more private.

- [gasps]

- ALL: [gasp]
- My dress.

- Stephanie, I didn't see you,
there, I'm so sorry.

You know, if would be tragic
if you had to leave early

because of that awful stain.

- [moaning]

- LORI: Okay, come on.

Let's pick this up
at my place later.

- Tease. Come on.

- [giggling]

- [gasps] Mom.

- It's not what it looks like.

- Mrs. Lancaster,
just let me explain--

- I need a moment
with my daughter.

- But we were just--
- I won't ask again. Leave.

Carly, sweetheart.

I don't know if this is
some sort of phase

you are going through.
- This is not happening.

- Or if you're gay,
or bisexual, really,

it doesn't matter.
- It doesn't?

- No. Darling.

I don't care
if you like girls.

You just can't like that girl.

- We're in love.
- You don't understand

what those people
are capable of.

The Purifoys are just--
- It's not about

the Carlisles vs. the Purifoys,
mom, it's about me and Lori,

and how we feel
about each other.

- Carly.

We will talk about this
when we get home.

Now, fix your face
and join me back at the party.

We've got appearances
to keep up, do you understand?

That's my girl.

- Stephanie?
Excuse me.

Is everything alright?
- Perfectly fine, Mother.

- IRENE: What's going on,
Stephanie?

- I will fill you in later,
Mother. I promise.

- I've been trying to figure out
a night Hunter and I

can have you and Titus
over for dinner.

He's made such a great
impression over at Purifoy.

- [chuckles] Yes, well,
it's obvious

how much you appreciate Titus.

- Oh, I definitely do.

Is this your first year
at the summit?

- Uh, actually no.

I attended one when it was
held in Birmingham.

Marilyn and I
are sorority sisters.

- What a small world.

Marilyn and I became
fast friends

summering right next door
to each other in the Hamptons.

And oh, you should've seen
the look

on Stephanie Lancaster's face

when Marilyn gave me a seat
on her coalition's board.

Excuse me, um, Amara,
and do say hello

to that handsome
husband of yours for me.

- Sure thing.

- Girl, I have had enough
of these high sadity women

for today.
- Mm-hmm.

- Look, look.
- Yes.

- RONDELL: Yeah.

- Hey, any idea why Stephanie
just ran off?

- Well, probably doing
some of Greg Peters' dirty work.

I heard her early talking
to that white girl over there.

- AMARA: About Greg Peters?
- RONDELL: Mm-hmm.

Something about a concession
or something.

- STEPHANIE: Lori.
- [sighs]

- I'm going to say this
one time and one time only.

Stay the hell away
from my daughter.

- What's going on here?
- Your rode-hard spawn

has been taking advantage
of my Carly.

- How dare you talk about
my daughter like that.

- If the saddle fits.
- LORI: Mom, it's okay.

She's just pissed I've given
Carly more orgasms

in a few weeks than
Mayor Lancaster has given her

during their entire marriage.

- [laughs]

- ALL: [gasp]

- CARLY: Oh, my god! Mom!

- Ah.
- What is wrong with you?!

- Carly.
- I can't believe she hit me.

- You are gonna pay for that,
we're gonna press charges.

- Are you okay?
- Yeah.

- I'm sorry,
I don't know what came over me.

- You think that pitiful excuse
of an apology is gonna make up

for your actions?
- Mom, how could you?

- I think we should all
calm down.

Go to the bar, have a drink,
we could all use one.

- Are you insane?!
We're not gonna drink with you

after you just assaulted
my daughter!

- Mom.

Mrs. Lancaster is right.

Let's go have that drink.

- What's wrong now?
- I just got fired.

My agent called and left
a voice message saying

that my temporary leave
of absence is now permanent.

- I'm so sorry, baby.
Look, Atlanta is a huge market.

I'm sure you can take
"Dirty Birds Corner"

to another station.

- I ain't thinking about
that job, I'm pissed

because I won't be able
to expose Lancaster on the air.

Maybe I'll upload the video
to YouTube.

- Or...

maybe...

you'll do it my way.

- ♪

- You really think
this is our golden ticket?

- ♪

- One more.
- WAITER: Yes, ma'am.

- I really hope we can
get past this.

- Of course we can.

It was all just a big
misunderstanding.

Right, Mom?

- We need to say
our goodbyes to Marilyn.

- Oh, I guess that's my cue.
See you later.

- Later.

- Really?

- I'm gonna go use
the restroom before we leave.

Alone. I promise.

- ♪ Lovable

♪ My girl

♪ She's lovable

♪ She's lovable

♪ My...

♪ My girl

♪ She's so lovable

♪

♪ Mmm...

♪ Candy sweet

♪ And honey, too

♪ There's not another
quite, quite as sweet as you ♪

♪ I know, I know, I know,
I know I'll always love you ♪

- I needed this.

- ♪ So lovable

♪ Oh, oh, I know,
I know she's love... ♪

♪ Yes, she is, I know,
I know, I know ♪

♪ She's lovable

♪ She's so...lovable

- Joaquin. Hey, buddy.

Come say hey.

Joaquin?

Where's Joaquin?

- With Mommy.

- Your text said our son
needed me,

what are you up to now, Bella?

- I had to get you over here.

How could you do that
to Roderick?

- [laughs]
That's what this is about?

Your little boyfriend?

- His only crime was
loving me and my son.

- My son.

And I don't want that loser
anywhere near him.

- You don't call the shots
anymore.

Roderick has a video
of the beating you gave him.

- Impossible. My guys
took care of the cameras.

- You didn't take care
of his watch.

- You really think you could
get away with talking shit

about me on your show?
[laughs]

Bitch, I'm the mayor of Atlanta.
Break him.

- [punching]
- RODERICK: [groaning]

- We aren't afraid of you.

- [laughs] "We"? Ah.

Well, what do "we" want?

- $750,000.
And the airport concession.

- You forget what happened
the last time

you tried to blackmail me?

- I was alone then,
I'm not anymore.

And don't bother hacking
Roderick's cloud

or raiding his place
like you did to me.

We have backup drives.

- This is a scare tactic.

- You wanna bet your career
on that?

- I'm willing to bet yours.

You leak this...

How long until the investigation
leads back to you?

- It's a Me Too world, Evan.

I was a young and innocent
victim taken advantage of

by a powerful
and much older man.

- It's a dangerous game
you're playing, Bella.

- Yeah, and I'm playing
for keeps.

- [bell dings]

- Looking good, girl.
- Hey.

- You have fun?
- RONDELL: It was alright.

Forgot to finish
this inventory.

- You need me to stick around?
- [bell dings]

- Ye-- [chuckles]

That's alright, Keisha,

Mr. Hamilton
will keep me company.

- KEISHA: Okay.
- RONDELL: Have a good night.

- Good night.

- [bell dings]

- Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
So, how was the summit?

- It was fine.

I don't know whether
to kiss you or kill you

for making me to go
to that cocktail hour, though.

- I'd prefer the kiss.

- [chuckles]

[chuckles]

[groans]

- Come here.

- Can you believe that Stephanie
was up in there

trying to butter up
one of Evan's little flunkies

to get some kind of concession
at the airport?

- Really?
- RONDELL: Mm-hmm.

- Who was she talking to?
- Debeh--Daffy--Yaba-hubba-doo.

I don't know her name.
- Daphne Manning?

- That was her.

- [chuckles] Anything else
interesting happen?

- I gave Stephanie Senior,
also known as Irene Carlisle,

a piece of my mind.

Ooh, she makes me sick.

Prancing around like
she the queen of Sheba

when her funky ass
is from The Banks just like me.

- [laughs]
- I did learn one thing

from that old bat, though.
- And what's that?

- If you wanna beat a Carlisle,

you got to think
like a Carlisle.

- Mm-hmm.
- Ooh.

Squeeze that baby toe again.

Ooh.
Boy, you got them hands.

- Yeah.
- [laughs]

- AMARA: [laughs] Oh, man,
the tension in that room.

And in the center of it all,
the head viper in charge.

- Oh. Sounds like Stephanie
was in fighting form.

- She must have insulted
every woman that was there

at least once.

- Wow.
- Yeah.

I mean, it's no wonder
she doesn't have any friends.

- [laughs]
- [sighs]

Anyway, what's clear is
that the Lancasters,

Greg Peters, Daphne Manning,
English Rose,

somehow they're all connected
to my investigation.

But the question is, how?

- Well, something tells me
you're gonna find out.

- You got that right.
- BOTH: [laughing]

- You know your wife.
- Oh, I know my wife.

- [laughing]

- ♪

- STEPHANIE: Sweetheart,
I am sure that Lori Purifoy

has done an expert job
in making you think

she cares about you.

Those people are
master manipulators.

- [scoffs] Funny because
that's how some people

would describe you.

- You see?
It's already starting.

You've allowed that
Purifoy tramp to fill your head

with ideas about me.
[coughs] [clears throat]

We Carlisles have been
mistreated and maligned.

And murdered by Purifoys.

- Stop making this
about Aunt Tracy.

Lori has nothing to do
with her overdose.

- Honey, can't you see?
Hunter Purifoy is a mercenary,

narcissistic brute,

and his wife and daughter
are no better,

I don't want you anywhere
near that girl. [coughs]

- You're ordering me to stay
away from Lori

because of some
ancient feud?

- The Purifoys are as poisonous
as the drugs they produce.

- I'm an adult, Mom,

you can't stop me
from seeing Lori.

- I can as long as you live
under my roof.

- Then I won't live
under your roof.

- Carly.
[coughing]

Carly, Carly come back here.

[panting]

- EVAN: On the next
"Ambitions..."

- I'm here to make sure
you pay up.

Bella will be our go-between.

- We have a situation.
Steph!

- What brought you all this way
last night, pumpkin?

- I need to hear you say
you didn't do it.

- LORI: You don't believe me.

- AMARA: I have something to
tell you

and you're not gonna like it.
- I trust you.

- Daddy!

He's been having
pressure medicine.

He hasn't been taking it.

- Your daddy,
something's wrong!

- RONDELL:
What?! Something's wrong?!

- I'm looking for
Roderick Johnson.

- Your story's right
and well-rehearsed.

- It's the truth.

- EVAN: He knows more
than he's saying.

- ♪

- ♪

- ♪

- [ding]