Empire (2015–…): Season 6, Episode 8 - Do You Remember Me - full transcript

LUCIOUS: Previously on Empire...

KINGSLEY: You'll only beat
Lucious if you play dirty.

This is now a Lucious Lyon joint

and we will do it right.

COOKIE: I miss music.

Why don't you give me a music segment?

- Hi, Daddy.
- Hey, sweetheart. You good?

Isn't it funny how the people
we thought we left in the past

keep coming back to us?

I'm just finally seeing you
for who you really are,

and that ain't much.



(DRAMATIC HIP-HOP MUSIC)

- Why are you here?
- Can we talk?

(TENSE ORCHESTRAL MUSIC)

I know I got lost along the way,

but I'm here, same as you all...

and that should count for something.

So, what, you're down and played out?

You finally see the light?

Why the hell should we trust you?

Because nobody understands

how dangerous the Lyons are like I do.

We all were hurt by them, Warren.

The difference is, none of us
played house with that trash.

It's more than hurt.



They destroyed us.

♪ ♪

And they're alive and well...

♪ ♪

While...

some of us are...

♪ ♪

So what exactly is
Little Warren prepared to do?

I want what Aunt Diana wants...

♪ ♪

To make them pay...

♪ ♪

With blood.

♪ ♪

So I see you think
you got balls now, huh?

(GUNSHOT)

(GUNSHOTS)

♪ ♪

(EXPLOSION BOOMS)

(GLASS SHATTERING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ ♪

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

I'm so excited to kick off
our new musical segment,

The Hot Spot, where I get
to do what I do best,

and that's showcase
the hottest new artists

on their way to stardom.

I would like to introduce
Bossy Media's Lala.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

("EVEN" PLAYING)

♪ You ain't even like this ♪

- ♪ Look at you now ♪
- SINGER: ♪ Look at you now ♪

♪ Finna fall so hard for me ♪

♪ You're about to drop
your guard for me ♪

♪ 'Cause my body
is catching your eye ♪

♪ I see, boy, you can't lie ♪

♪ Fair trade for the both of us ♪

♪ Fair trade if we both give
the most of us ♪

♪ If you give love, I'm gon' give it ♪

♪ If you ain't, then I ain't with it ♪

♪ Give and take, baby,
that's the ticket ♪

♪ If it's real love, then it's even ♪

SINGER: ♪ It's real, real love ♪

LALA: ♪ Want a shot
'cause my frame so wicked ♪

- ♪ Level up to a ten ♪
- Girl, they are loving Lala.

She is making me look like a genius

for demanding this musical segment.

(GIGGLES) Thank you.

No, thank you, Cookie.

I support women promoting women,

but women who promote Bossy?

- Even better.
- Same. Also, hi.

This musical segment of yours
is genius, okay?

You about to be a whole
Oprah out here, girl.

Well, trust me, I'm just
getting started.

- Y'all better take notes.
- SINGER: ♪ On this ♪

♪ Better give me enough ♪
(HOLDING NOTE)

BOTH: ♪ If you give love,
I'm gon' give it ♪

She better sing.
Where did she get that from?

She didn't do that in rehearsal.

It slap, don't it?

COOKIE: More than that, though.

I... I've heard that before.

Actually, Lala has been getting

some fairy godmother magic
from Melody.

Backup on the right?
She's vocal coaching her.

- (CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
- LALA: ♪ Whoa-oh-oh ♪

Well, thank y'all again.

LALA: ♪ Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

- ♪ Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪
- ♪ Oh ♪

LALA: ♪ If it's real love,
then it's even ♪

♪ Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh ♪

♪ If it's real love, then it's even ♪

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

- BECKY: Wow, you hear that?
- GISELLE: Yeah.

Lala is now on the national radar.

Well, all that clapping need
to translate into actual money,

because if we want a real win,
we need an ASA nomination,

which means media rollout,
which means, ergo, money.

(CAR HORN HONKS)

I cannot remember the last time

that I spent the night with a woman

and all we did was talk.

(SOFT JAZZ MUSIC PLAYING OVER STEREO)

(LAUGHS) Is that a complaint?

(LAUGHS)

Not with you, it's not.

Okay, don't change the subject.

So now, you said your mom
tried to make you believe

that you were evil?

I'm a grown-ass man, but...

it was like this huge weight
had been lifted off of my soul

to know that my mother didn't think

that I was born a monster.

Wow.

Yeah.

You know, we're all blessed
with free will

to make our own choices.

I can't say I always make
the right ones with mine.

You know, I definitely won't
win Father of the Year award

for none of my boys, especially Andre.

Well, you supported Andre last night,

so you can make that your first step.

(LAUGHS)

Yes, indeed.

♪ ♪

(GRUNTS SOFTLY)

I am, um...

I'm really happy
that we got to catch up.

(CLEARS THROAT)

Yeah, we're... we're not done, right?

Look at what we got here.

Look at what we had here.

No, you got me. You see me, Yana.

Right.

That's why it's a shame

that I'm not in your life anymore,

but that's the choice that you made

when you decided to run off
with Uncle Ray's money

and leave me in that motel.

All right, I did that.

Look, all right.

Well, you don't leave
until tomorrow, right?

So all I gotta do

is stop in on this little
charity thing today,

and then after that, I'm all yours.

So why don't you and I
spend the day together?

Maybe?

- Fine.
- (CHUCKLES)

But I know what I want, Lucious.

I want to know you.

The real you.

(SOFT MUSIC)

Well, you got me, then.

EMCEE: All right, everybody,

let's keep those donations rolling in.

Next up, let's welcome
to the stage Prophetic.

- (CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)
- ("IT'S ALL LOVE" PLAYING)

♪ Money can't make me,
but I'm gon' make some ♪

♪ Search for something greater ♪

♪ I'm evolving like I'm a new me ♪

♪ Got a army right behind me
like it's a movement ♪

♪ I'm just trying to get the biscuit ♪

♪ I got a two-piece ♪

♪ It get rowdy,
I'ma start me a revolution ♪

♪ I don't know
what you think about me ♪

♪ All I know is,
the sauce ain't free ♪

♪ It's all love, the way we
dance, dance, dance, dance ♪

♪ It's all love, the way
we move, move, move, move ♪

♪ It don't matter
where you came from ♪

ANDRE: Brother's
even more gifted live.

I see why he's independent.

Why let anybody
mess with genius, right?

TERI: Be careful
not to lay it on too thick.

He's here to promote his cause
and not do business.

Look, I get it, babe, okay?

Guns took something from him

that no amount of money
could bring back.

But if he managed to build
a career from that tragedy,

I know I can convince him
that Empire's the one place

that genuinely gets him.

Not even Lucious
could make him see that,

and he tried more than once,
believe me.

Let's go sign your unsignable genius.

Let's.

PROPHETIC: ♪ It don't matter
where you came from ♪

♪ It's all love,
the way we do, do, do, do ♪

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

EMCEE: Andre Lyon, everybody.

ANDRE: Thank you.

My family has seen more
than its share of gun violence,

and this brother

lost his father

and his brother and his best friend.

Now, given our share of tragedy,

it's only right
that we follow his lead

in wiping the scourge of guns
from our streets.

The Empire family wants to help.

It is our honor to make a contribution

to an organization dedicated to...

bringing about a better,
safer world for all of us.

So on behalf of Empire,

I present this check for $10 million

to Guns Down, Fists Up.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

Congratulations, brother.

- (TERI LAUGHS)
- PROPHETIC: Wow.

You have saved many a black life

with this one, my good brother.

Thank you, Andre.

(APPLAUSE)

So now let us celebrate life,

and please, find your way
to donating even a dollar,

as no amount is too small

because no black life is too high.

SINGER: ♪ Hey, hey ♪

ANDRE: (CHUCKLES) Yes, sir.

After today,
Guns Down, Fists Up is gonna go

from indie to double platinum.

Indeed, my good brother.

I am grateful
beyond mere words for this.

Well, when I believe in something,

I do what it takes to make it real.

That's my operating principle
at Empire.

Listen, I... I understand
your hesitation

about signing with a label, okay?

I... I do, but you heard
me out there, man.

We're more than a label. We're family.

- A family.
- That's right.

Indeed. I get it.

♪ ♪

Let me not waste your time.

I've already respectfully
declined your father.

Repeatedly.

Again...

I appreciate what you did
out there, black man.

All of it.

Lucious' Empire
is not my Empire, okay?

I'm taking this company in an
entirely different direction.

Let me walk you through
what I have for you...

Brother, exchanging one Lyon
to another

does not matter to me.

I'm not signing to anybody

because I don't answer to anybody.

And we will respect
your autonomy, brother,

but you gotta see this thing

through the lens of your entire brand.

Imagine what the size
and weight of Empire could do

for your Guns Down, Fists Up program.

So your little donation
comes with invisible strings?

♪ ♪

I'll tell you what.

Keep that check.

We good.

♪ ♪

W-wait, I didn't mean that...

We are good, Andre.

♪ ♪

Peace, brother.

♪ ♪

Lucious.

(TENSE MUSIC)

Save the lecture, Pop.

Nah. About him?

He'd have been an asset,
but ain't the only one.

He would have been huge
for us right now, Pop.

You did a great thing
for a great cause,

and Empire has never been defined

by a single damn artist.

There will be other Prophetics.

♪ ♪

And for me,
I gotta take a personal day,

so I'm going to leave the keys
to the kingdom in your hands.

The keys?

I've been running Empire solo
for months now, Pop.

That came off wrong.

You've been holding it down,
and I'm sorry

if I didn't act like I appreciated it,

because I do.

Okay, I appreciate that.

I do. Thank you.

Just breathe, huh?

- Okay.
- (CHUCKLES)

(SIGHS)

KINGSLEY: Oh, come on.

You're not buying Dad's little
community theater performance,

are you?

♪ ♪

Oh, hey, there you are.

Where did you want to go
for lunch? (LAUGHS)

- Lunch?
- Did you forget?

We were talking next steps
with Philly Street.

Oh, well, look, Trace, we gon'
have to reschedule, okay?

(SCOFFS)

♪ ♪

Papa Bear is setting you up
for failure.

♪ ♪

And I'd be a fool to fall for it.

Mm. Now, the good thing
is that with Lucious away,

you and I can play.

We are going to need another go
at Prophetic.

Now, you tried the nice way.

How about we do it
the right way, little brother?

♪ ♪

I'm already ahead of you.

(SMOOTH HIP-HOP MUSIC PLAYING)

Oh, thank you so much.
You know, it's only been...

So anyway, Becky, let me...

BECKY: Yes?

Oh, I know that is not my soror!

- Oh, my...
- BOTH: (SQUEAL)

- Okay.
- (BOTH SQUEAL AND LAUGH)

Should have known.

Well, damn, you look good.

- It's been a long time.
- Yes.

Wow, so you guys, like,
went to college together?

- Hold on.
- (LAUGHS)

I smell a little vibe
of drama or something.

Did you guys hate each
other or like each other?

- Um...
- Depended on the day.

- Yeah.
- Oh.

We were roommates the first two years.

I studied all the seconds
of all the days,

and you got the good grades.

I cheated.

Are you serious?

Girl, no. No, I didn't.

Stop hating. (LAUGHS)

- Once a hater, always a hater.
- That's true about her.

- Oh, hey.
- She still is one.

But you are killing it.
I mean, you own Bossy now.

Yeah, we are.

- It's a lot of hard work.
- We're in a good place.

- GISELLE: It's hard work.
- Yeah.

But we are blessed to be killing it.

- Yes.
- I'm really proud of you.

I don't know. Is it weird to say that?

BECKY: No, it's not. Be proud of us.

Um, this has been weighing
on me all these years.

You know, um,

when I was really mean
to you back in the day,

spreading those rumors about you

when you took that semester off.

I'm so sorry, Giselle.

Uh, well, we were kids.

- And thank you.
- Uh, thanks.

(BOTH LAUGH)

- Ah, so what do you do, sis?
- Oh, I'm a day trader.

I stare at boring,
soul-crushing numbers 24-7.

EMCEE: If I could have your attention,

please welcome
Ms. Sarah Lawson to the stage.

- Oh, you're that Sarah Lawson.
- SARAH: Excuse me.

Oh, you're that Sarah Law...

Okay!

(APPLAUSE)

Gun violence is one of our nation's

biggest unanswered problems.

That's why I am so honored
to be here tonight

making my very own pledge
for $2 million.

(CHEERS AND APPLAUSE)

(LAUGHING) What?

Did you know your friend was rich?

(MELLOW MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Yes! "Skee whee!"

- Right? All of us.
- No. No.

I am so happy you could make it.

Anyone with a link to Lucious' past

makes for a valuable resource.

(LAUGHS) Um, tell me about the pages

Lucious had you leave out.

I thought that they added flavor,

but he felt that they
distracted from the story.

- Ah.
- That's what you get

when the protagonist is a producer.

(CHUCKLES) Yeah?

What other juicy flavors did
Lucious want you to leave out?

I'm not sure I should be

sharing script revisions with you.

I am one of Lucious' oldest friends,

and I am part owner of Empire.

I just want to make sure
your story is... accurate.

If you want me to tell Lucious
you wouldn't play ball,

no problem.

Uh, okay, then.

Uh, there is something

I'm trying to get to the bottom of.

There's an older rumor about
Philly Street getting robbed

right around the time
Lucious' star began to rise.

That's not exactly a smoking gun.

(TENSE MUSIC)

This is an old basement tape

of Shine freestyling
about the robbery.

It never came out.

♪ ♪

(LAUGHS) Wow,
you really do your research.

I mean, we just all thought

that nonsense was buried years ago.

(GROANS SOFTLY)
Can I borrow this tape?

And you'll let me read the pages too?

Just to see if it...
it sparks something

that could help you.

You'll tell Lucious
that I played ball?

Of course I will. (LAUGHS)

♪ ♪

You know, you are really talented.

(LAUGHS)

Okay.

♪ ♪

♪ If you ain't, then I ain't with it ♪

♪ Give or take, baby,
that's the ticket ♪

♪ If it's real love, then it's even ♪

- ♪ Want a shot 'cause ♪
- BOTH: ♪ My frame so wicked ♪

♪ Level up to a ten
when you bring it ♪

♪ Give or take, baby,
that's the ticket ♪

♪ If it's real love, then it's even ♪

Yes, that's good.

But don't drop off at the end, okay?

- Okay.
- Keep that vibrato strong

before you hit that final riff.

- Okay. Got you.
- Okay.

Lala, can I have a word
with your girl?

- Yeah.
- Yeah.

You sound amazing.

LALA: Thank you.

I'm Cookie.

I'm familiar.

So you're Lala's musical sensei, huh?

I don't know about all that,
but we working together, yeah.

That run she did on the Tea Talk,

did you teach her that?

If that's what she says, okay.

Can't stop thinking about it.

I mean, I know I heard it before.

I just couldn't place it.

You know, Cookie, a lot of people

do a lot of runs.

Yeah, but that run in particular.

Uh, only thing I could think of

is a... is a track a decade back

by a artist... Melvin Austin.

Had a song, "Calling You."

Yeah, well, it made sense, cause...

the run, the same voice.

♪ ♪

Melvin. That was you, wasn't it?

Melvin is a dead name.
Don't call me that.

Wait, I... I didn't mean to offend.

I'm sorry, I... I think
it's great that you...

(SIGHS)

You look amazing, Mel... Melody.

You know what?
All you Lyons are the same.

I want nothing to do with you.

You and your demon-ass
husband can go that way.

Excuse me.

♪ ♪

Lucious.

(SIGHS) All I know is,

it's about to be
a bunch of fake-ass Cookies

running around in these streets.

Oh, I wish separating was as easy

as getting rid of some clothes.

Yeah, you can't sort through
baggage of 30 years

in an afternoon, sis.

(SIGHS)

(CLOTHES THUD)

Things would be a lot easier

if the drama that is Lucious
didn't follow me everywhere.

What do you mean?

(SIGHS) There's this singer...

actually, she's a producer now,
and she's the real deal.

I know exactly what to do with her

so the world can see it, right?

But turns out, Tornado Lucious
wrecked her back in the day,

and so she doesn't want
to have anything to do with me.

You know more about
Lucious' wreckage than anyone.

And you know what else?

It's not like you
to give up that easily.

Talk to her.

(MELANCHOLY MUSIC)

- Is that your wedding ring?
- Yeah.

- Hand it over.
- Eh!

Cookie.

It's mine.

You ain't gon' do nothing
but pawn it anyway

with your greedy ass.

Or make some earrings.

I was gon' make it into toe rings.

- Oh!
- (BOTH LAUGH)

You crazy.

LUCIOUS: You asked me about my soul.

YANA: I did.

LUCIOUS: Well...

You can't see my soul

unless you come
into a place like this.

Now, my indie hustle might have

made me a ghetto superstar
in Philadelphia,

but it wasn't until I left Philly

and came to New York
and I discovered this place

that I found my real art.

And, Moishe... (LAUGHS)

Look what I brought you:
a lifetime customer.

- Lucious Lyon himself.
- LUCIOUS: How are you, bro?

- (LAUGHS)
- MOISHE: Yana?

Oh, my sweet.

How long has it been?

It's been forever. How are you?

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait.

How... how do you know
about this place?

Yes.

Oh, she practically lived here.

St. Mary's up the street.

I had chemo there for about a year.

Instead of dwelling on my illness,

I just used to write songs
about the people

and how they were fulfilled
through music,

- and here we are.
- (BOTH LAUGH)

It's good to see you doing well.

- Good to see you.
- And you too, my friend.

If you'll excuse me,

I have a violin lesson in the back.

- The place is yours.
- Thank you, brother.

See ya.

- (LAUGHS)
- Wow.

Surprise.

I always knew this place

had this kind of electric
attraction to it, you know?

Oh, my God, this place
inspired me so much.

I literally just got rid of all
the materialism in my life

and I just dedicated every day
to music.

Tell me...

(SOFT MUSIC)

What are the chances
that both you and I...

would be inspired
by this incredible place?

♪ ♪

Well, there's no such thing

as coincidence, Lucious.

You and I found this place

because you and I were destined
to find each other.

♪ ♪

(21 SAVAGE'S "A LOT")

SAVAGE: ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Ah, whoa, whoa, whoa, yeah ♪

- ♪ How much money you got? ♪
- ♪ Straight up ♪

- ♪ How much money you got? ♪
- ♪ Straight up ♪

- ♪ How much money you got? ♪
- ♪ A lot ♪

- ♪ How much money you got? ♪
- ♪ A lot ♪

- Give me one second, babe.
- Of course.

- Oh, my gosh, how are you?
- Hey.

- How's the service, brother?
- Hey.

I have to say, my good brother,
you know how to apologize.

Well, I appreciate that you
accepted the olive branch.

I should have kept charity
and business separate.

Bottom line, Prophetic: I respect you,

I respect your spirit,
and from here on out,

I remain strictly a fan.

SAVAGE: ♪ But I'm 21 for L ♪

You and your queen
won't be joining us?

Would if I could, brother,

but, uh, there's a Lyon prince
who's gonna be pretty upset

if his mom and dad get in
too late, right?

Anyway, you enjoy yourself, all right?

You already know.

- Anything they want, they get.
- Yes, sir.

- (WHISPERING INAUDIBLY)
- (LAUGHS)

(SLOW, MELLOW NOTES PLAYING)

Uh, Melody,
can I have a second, please?

I'm working.

Look, I had no right
to bring up the past

or make any assumptions about you,

and for that, I apologize.

Well, that's more than
I ever got from your husband.

I would never pretend to know
what my ex...

what that man did to you.

Hell, he threw my baby boy
in the trash can,

so I can only imagine.

I wish you the best, Melody.

You're really a true talent.

You know...

most people in this business
wouldn't apologize.

Well, I'm not most people.

You know, you're more
than just an artist.

You're a star, Melody,

and you deserve to shine bright.

Do I?

Because shine for somebody like me

means a life full of scrutiny,

mockery, prejudice, and death threats.

Yeah, you always gon'
have haters, honey.

(CHUCKLES)

But, uh...

what I can see is that
you've been living your truth.

But performing
is also a part of that truth.

It's who you are.

That's easy to say
from the sidelines, Cookie.

Close your eyes.

What?

Trust me. Close your eyes.

Come on.

Just imagine yourself
onstage with Lala.

And I mean, Lala is on fire,

and all that magic and energy...
you feel it?

Yeah, I do.

Well, how does it feel
to hear her do your run

and you sing background?

(STIRRING MUSIC)

All I need is one song.

One song to prove to you

that you belong on that stage.

There is this one song I wrote.

I was still on Empire, but...

Lucious never let me perform it.

♪ ♪

It was meant to be my...

Your debut?

My birth.

That's it. That's the song.

Let me hear it.

Come on.

YANA: ♪ Doo-doo-ooh ♪

♪ Oh ♪

♪ Whoa, whoa, whoa ♪

♪ You ain't been here from the jump ♪

♪ So don't try to finesse my life ♪

♪ Just say no more ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Just say no more ♪

♪ Maybe there will come a day ♪

♪ I can say that I forgive you ♪

♪ Once the pain all fades away ♪

♪ I won't wish that I never met you ♪

♪ But that day is not today ♪

♪ You ain't been here from the jump ♪

♪ So don't try to finesse my life ♪

♪ Just say no more ♪

♪ Just say no more ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

I swear, I could
listen to you sing forever.

Well, you only have tonight.

That's our deal.

All right, then let's
keep this date going.

Great. Where to next?

SAWEETIE: ♪ Hennessy on my lips ♪

♪ Take a little sip,
privacy on the door,

♪ I'ma make that grip ♪

♪ Grip, grip ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Rich, eight-figure, that's my type ♪

♪ That's my type, that's my type ♪

♪ Eight... big, that's good ♪

♪ Bad, I'ma ride it,
ride it all night ♪

MAN: Chastity!

Chastity!

Chastity!

Where the hell are you?

- Chastity!
- GUARD: Hey.

- (GRUNTS)
- (CROWD GASPS)

- MAN: Chastity!
- Oh, my God!

She's 15!

- What?
- Let's go, Chastity!

- CHASTITY: Dad, stop!
- Damn pedophile!

Stop it, Dad!

Chastity, let's go! Come on!

Oh, my God, Dad.

We're not... we're not done
with this, man!

You little pervert, this is not over!

SAWEETIE: ♪ From the... from the Bay ♪

♪ Goin' dumb on the D ♪

♪ ♪

I'm getting this.

LUCIOUS: (SIGHS)

This right here...

- This is it.
- Wow.

Now, keep in mind, I signed
my very first artist...

(DOOR CLICKS SHUT)

On a paper plate and a handshake.

What?

And then after that,

all these artists kept coming, and...

next thing you know,
I gain this reputation

as this hit maker,
and, um, the single man

became a global empire.

Wow.

Okay, and so...
so where does Cookie fit

into the whole story?

Well, back in the day, I mean,
she was my ride or die.

- Yeah?
- (CHUCKLES)

But then she got locked up

and, um...

I had to choose between
quitting or keep building,

and I just couldn't put
that hammer down, you know?

So now, is it true that she
went to prison for you?

We was both in the dope game
and she just got caught.

And you let her get caught?

Cookie gon' do what Cookie gon' do.

- Hmm.
- (SIGHS)

This place...

there's a... a spiritual energy.

It's very real here.

See, I knew you was gon' get it.

But there's also a heaviness here.

(PENSIVE MUSIC)

I don't know, I feel, like,
a dark, malevolent energy

manifested in these walls.

That's that yin and yang.

It's necessary for balance.

I was born into a dark world,

but from that darkness,

I managed to harness it...

and grow into this living light,

this beautiful light.

You know, you don't need dark
to have light.

That's a myth.

So without Empire,
I wouldn't have this light...

♪ ♪

Which is you.

♪ ♪

She told me she was 22.

My life is over.

I need you to trust me.

Take a breath.
It's being taken care of.

This whole situation is gonna go away.

But how did you...

(SUSPICIOUS MUSIC)

My God.

Thank you, Andre.

I don't know what to say.

It's what friends do.

All right? Have a drink.

♪ ♪

SHINE: ♪ Hit men and hustlers ♪

♪ Wrap around like tentacles ♪

♪ And just squeeze your life out ♪

♪ Can't even pay your light bills ♪

♪ Turn your lights out ♪
(LAUGHS)

♪ Mike Tyson, first round ♪

♪ Now take this L ♪

♪ Took a pistol to his head,
took all of his bread ♪

♪ Philly facedown in the street ♪

♪ Ain't that sweet? ♪

- ♪ And he did what I ♪
- (TAPE REWINDS)

♪ Now take this L ♪

♪ Took a pistol to his head,
took all of his bread ♪

♪ Philly facedown in the street ♪

♪ Ain't that sweet? ♪

♪ And he did what I said ♪

♪ That's why the brother ain't dead ♪

(TENSE MUSIC)

Lucious, you need
to call me back ASAP.

I have something
you need to hear... now.

♪ ♪

(NO AUDIBLE DIALOGUE)

♪ ♪

GISELLE: Hi, Sheila.

Girl, Sarah just sent me
a check for $100,000.

Okay, why is your college
frenemy sending you money?

Well, uh, I sent her $10,000
from our business account

because, uh, she had an IPO

and I wanted to test the waters.

And then bam.

She turned that into 100 Gs.

How dare you do that
without telling me?

You know that that... Wait.

100% return is not bad.

Bitch, it's 1,000%,

which is why...

I want to go all in for the 2 mil.

If we get in now, the two becomes ten

and we have all the money we need.

(LAUGHS) Yeah, I'm sure she told you

it was a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

and that you have to act now,

that she's a Nigerian prince...

Very funny.

Look, Sarah's not a scammer.

She's my friend,
and the check cleared.

- Bam.
- Okay.

Giselle, first of all,

I believe you called her
a frenemy, okay?

What if she's some financial catfisher

and you're about to get got?

- You gotta be careful.
- No, no.

You need to trust me on this.

This is the solve to all our problems.

(UNEASY MUSIC)

- Okay.
- Okay.

Fine, invest it.

But...

girl, I pray that you are right

and that my instincts are wrong,

but if they are not,
then Bossy is done.

♪ ♪

Okay.

♪ ♪

(DEVIOUS MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Oh, hi, sweetie.

♪ ♪

Spectacular performances. Thank you.

Oh, hey, I'm happy for the gig.

The legit ones are few
and far between these days.

Try telling my agent
that I can play 15

and he'd laugh you out of the room.

Ah. (LAUGHS)

Right this way. I'll show you out.

Thank you again.

♪ ♪

KINGSLEY:
A regular Machiavelli, truly.

(LAUGHS) That was a move
right out of Lucious' book.

Ah, no, brother.

Lucious would have
blackmailed Prophetic

and create an enemy.

♪ ♪

I signed a new artist
and made a friend.

One who owes me
for the rest of his life.

♪ ♪

(LAUGHING SOFTLY)

(LAUGHS)

♪ ♪

(OBJECTS SHUFFLING)

(ZIPPER SCRATCHES)

Oh, hell no.

You just gon' up and leave
like that, huh?

I have a few meetings

before my flight tonight.

Lucious, our time...

was magical.

I'm really grateful to you

for allowing me into your heart

and into your world.

But it's even more clear to me now

this is where you belong,

not me.

(MELANCHOLY MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Take care of yourself.

(SIGHS)

♪ ♪

(DOOR CLICKS SHUT)

♪ ♪

(CELL PHONE BUZZES)

♪ ♪

(SIGHS)

All right, Cook.

What's all this that you got me
rushing down here for?

COOKIE: Sit down, shut up, and listen.

Well, if it's gon' be like that,

then I'll just
get the hell out of here.

Look, let me reintroduce you

to someone you know very well.

Have a seat.

After you.

(BAND PLAYING MELODY'S "RIGHT HERE")

♪ Never felt like anyone else ♪

♪ I never did ♪

♪ Barely even felt like myself ♪

♪ But how could I know? ♪

♪ I was so low ♪

♪ And everything
just felt like a lie ♪

♪ But I couldn't tell
anybody else I was lying ♪

♪ Where could I go? ♪

♪ Out on my own? ♪

♪ The more that I kept running away ♪

LUCIOUS: Look, I don't care.

Just have him tell another joke.

I'm getting him now.

Hey, Mel, we're on in...

MELODY: ♪ I had to slow down ♪

This some weird-ass Halloween joke?

Lucious, I need to tell you something.

♪ Me ♪

♪ I was so lost, lost, lost ♪

♪ Until I found, found out ♪

♪ That I'm right here ♪

Wait, wait.
What... what are you doing, huh?

What... what are you doing?

My name is Melody.

♪ All those scars ♪

This is the face that I wear

and this is the body that I live in.

Tonight I'm gonna sing a new song,

one that addresses my transition.

Shut the hell up!

You're Melvin.

MELODY: ♪ Here ♪

♪ Felt like I was holding my breath ♪

♪ Uncomfortable ♪

♪ But now I can't be anything less ♪

♪ Than all of me ♪

Now, you need to get out
of that ridiculous costume.

- Get on that stage.
- No, I won't.

I poured $1.2 million

into Melvin, a man.

You signed the contract as Melvin.

You don't own me, Lucious.

No, I don't, but Empire does.

♪ Start loving myself ♪

♪ So lost, lost, lost ♪

You need to pay the $1.2 million back

with interest,

or you won't perform here

or on any damn stage.

Take the damn dress off,
put on your pants,

get out there as Melvin,
or it's a rifle in your ass.

♪ And underneath all those scars ♪

♪ I'm someone so beautiful, yeah ♪

Yes.

MELODY: ♪ And I am right here ♪

This is who I am.

This is who I am.

You know what?

Do what you gotta do.

I'm done.

♪ I'm standing right here ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ I'm still right here ♪

(HOLDING NOTE)

♪ ♪

COOKIE: Whoo!

(SOFT DRAMATIC MUSIC)

♪ ♪

Here's your ring.

That should cover
the $1.2 million for Melody.

♪ ♪

I made a terrible mistake...

many years ago.

I wasn't sensitive enough at the time

to see you for who you really are.

The song you sang was absolutely...

it was beautiful.

♪ ♪

And Cookie will be the right person

to help guide you along your journey.

Best of luck.

♪ ♪

(GIGGLES) That was amazing.

And it didn't work,
so just scrap the whole thing.

There she go!

- Let me call you back.
- There go my boo.

- Girl...
- What's going on, Becky?

Okay, you deserve all the love.

- What do you mean?
- All the hugs, all the praise.

I have been stalking our stock
all morning.

- We...
- Oh, no.

Are now $10 million richer.

Bitch, we did it!

- $10 million!
- Oh, my God.

I know!

Ten whole million dollars!

Girl, I should have never doubted you

or our best friend!

(STAMMERS) Becky, I've got
something I have to tell you.

- Also, just so you know...
- I...

I went and ahead and committed
to eight ASA nomination spots.

Eight of them, okay?
Are they ready for us?

♪ Are they even ready for us? ♪

- Oh...
- Happy tears, right?

I didn't invest the money.

(TENSE MUSIC)

I didn't invest the money.

♪ ♪

- Do not play with me.
- I'm not playing, Becky!

I... you brought up
all these valid concerns!

And you gave me the face, the finger!

- I...
- This finger?

Didn't want to let you down,

and so I didn't go through with it.

You don't wanna let me down,
so now's the time

when you chose to listen to me, right?

(SHRIEKING) Now?

(MELODY'S "RIGHT HERE" PLAYING)

MELODY: ♪ No, oh ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ Never felt like anyone else ♪

♪ I never did ♪

♪ Barely even felt like myself ♪

♪ But how could I know? ♪

♪ I was so low ♪

TERI: Are you gonna tell me
what we're doing here?

ANDRE: Well, um, I haven't been

completely honest with you
these past few days, Teri.

Andre, you're scaring me.

Close your eyes.

♪ ♪

Take a breath and trust me.

Close your eyes.

Uh-huh.

Sweet. Come on.

Yana. Yana!

- Lucious, what are you doing?
- No, what are you doing?

- All right.
- I got you.

- Okay.
- All right,

last step right here.

All right, I'm opening a door.

Okay, you're opening...

- We're gonna walk through it.
- (EXCLAIMS)

Lucious, listen, I had a great time,

but I have to go.

No, you don't have to go.

- I do.
- You can stay.

Open them.

♪ ♪

TERI: (GASPS)

I keep my promises.

I'm gonna give my wife
the wedding of her dreams.

I felt that energy at Empire, Lucious,

and if I'm being
completely honest with you,

it scared me.

♪ ♪

What in the world are you doing?

I am going to do this the right way.

♪ ♪

You gotta at least give us a try.

You gotta try.

You're the only light I see

in this darkness.

Teri, my light in the darkness...

Will you do me the honor
of being my wife?

(SNIFFLES)

(LAUGHS) Yes.

Yes.

I need the truth from you.

Do you hear me? The truth.

Always.

You want the truth?

The truth is, I need you.

I need you.

Okay.

♪ ♪

(BOTH LAUGH)

♪ ♪

Come on in.

(SIGHS)

You think Lucious is your hero?

Well, he's not.

He owes you... everything.

SHINE: ♪ Diplomats and generals ♪

And now we're gonna make him pay.

SHINE: ♪ And just squeeze
your life out ♪

♪ Can't even pay your light bills ♪

♪ Turn your lights out ♪
(LAUGHS)

♪ Mike Tyson, first round ♪

♪ Now take this L ♪

♪ Took a pistol to his head,
took all of his bread ♪

♪ Philly facedown in the street ♪

♪ Ain't that sweet? ♪

♪ And he did what I said ♪

♪ That's why
the brother ain't dead, yeah ♪

♪ With my Westside hustler ♪

♪ And that's how we hustle up ♪

♪ Wait for the right time ♪

♪ Hit you and it's all mine,
let me see your gang sign ♪

♪ Bang, bang ♪

♪ Let me see your gang sign,
bang, bang ♪