Pose (2018–…): Season 1, Episode 3 - Giving and Receiving - full transcript

An FX original series.

Snowfall.

Premieres
Thursday, July 19 on FX.

FX presents... Pose.

-* Christmas time is here *

-* Happiness and cheer *

* Fun for all
that children call... *

DAMON:
Oh, my God,

I want to show you something.

Oh. That is fine work,
my brother.

We used to do it all the time,
my mother and me.



I mean, Christmas was the only
time that I could be myself,

with all the fun colors
and clothes.

I played Melchior in the church
nativity play, and my mom

took me to Jo-Ann's
to buy fabric

for this big, gold robe
that I would wear in the show.

I mean, even my dad,

when I came out of my bedroom

to show him...

...he laughed.

I mean, any other day and
he would've taken off his belt.

Well, in this house,

you can be the king of Arabia

and wear golden robes
every day of the year.

All right, now, come on,
children. Gather around.



We got another tradition
starting this Christmas.

All of y'all get to ask
your mother for one thing

she can put under the tree
for y'all to open

-on Christmas morning.

Within reason, all right?

Don't go asking me
for no damn Subaru.

-I-I want...
-Uh-uh-uh. I want

python high-top sneakers

-with the snakeskin on it.
-Right, but you can't

yell it out like that,

-like we on The Price is Right.
-Mm-mmm.

You need to write a note
to your Mother Santa,

put it under the tree
so she can find.

-Angel.

Please write your note.

I told you I didn't want
anything for Christmas.

It's Christmas.

I mean, everybody
wants something, right?

When I was six years old,

my father took me with him
to the department store

to buy some Christmas presents.

I saw this one pair

of red pumps
with a four-inch heel.

I swear to God,

I had never seen anything quite
so beautiful in my entire life.

When no one was looking,

I took one,

snuck it home,

hidden underneath my coat.

-When we got to the apartment,

I tried running straight
to my room.

It slipped out
and fell onto the floor,

right in front of my mother
and my father.

I begged them to let me keep it.

My father s...

my father slapped me
across the face.

For stealing.

But more so
for what I chose to steal.

I mean, what kind of little boy

cries over a patent leather
red pump, right?

He treated me different
after that.

If she doesn't want a present,
can I have hers?

-No.
-Boy.

-Finish puttin' these corns
to poppin'.
-Why you... Look at this.

-Don't be clownin' my stuff,
all right?
-Yeah, but it look crazy.

-No, but it look good though.
-Finish the corn that pops,
honey.

Man, what you talking about?
You seen your beads?

-They look great.
-They look foo-foo.

PRAY TELL:
The category is...

Live...

Work...

Pose!

*

PRAY TELL:
The category is

Best Dressed High Class

in a Fur Coat.

(audience cheering,
disco music playing)

Mink, chinchilla.

Come on, butch queens.

I better see Bugs Bunny
on your goddamn back!

The temperature is
dropping here...

I don't know if
I'm ready for this.

I can't compete with them.

If you want to be in the house
of Evangelista,

you gotta compete.

Do it for us.

Ooh.

Giving us Ralph Lauren

in tails.

A little tail ain't never
hurt nobody, baby.

Judges, your scores, please.

Eight, seven, eight,

six and seven.

*

-Okay.
-Go.

*

PRAY TELL:
And what have we here?

Looking like a grape raccoon.

*

That fur better not
touch the ground.

Oh...
The lining.

The lining is the only thing to
touch the ground, my darling.

That is how it is done.

Ah, judges, your scores.

Ten, ten, ten, ten, ten.

Midnight Pimping.

Looky here.
Don't run into this one

in a dark alley, baby.

Yeah, there we have it.

Who's coming next?

PRAY TELL:
Oh, my.

And is this Billy Dee Williams
we have here... in lynx?

Serving us butch.

Serving us masculintity.

Go, Ricky!

PRAY TELL:
You love it. You long for it.

I'm having all of it.

Your scores, judges,
please, please.

Ten, ten, nine, ten, nine.

Whoo, Ricky!

First runner-up...

Mr. Billy Dee Williams
in the white lynx.

I commend you
on your ballroom debut.

*

All right, all right,
I know it's time

for all of y'all to collect
your trophies and go home,

But before you do,
house mothers and fathers,

sound the call
across the land

that our next event is gonna be
the biggest of the year--

The Snow Ball, right?

And I expect to see you
all there in your holiday best.

Good night.

The theme for our look
is Santa's Workshop,

and we'll be all dressed
as elves,

and you will be Mrs. Claus.

My festive theatrical child.

And Ricky's gonna help me,
if that's okay.

He doesn't need my permission.
I'm not his mother.

Well, since he has a trophy,

I'd like for you to consider
letting him join

the House of Evangelista.

Mm.

Tell me,
where'd you get the coat?

It was my grandmother's.

Don't bullshit me.
That offends me.

I mopped it,
from a coat check in midtown.

I just wanted to get a trophy,
so I-I borrowed it.

But I'm gonna take it back.

That's not what
Evangelista's about.

Let's get something straight.

I'm not running a halfway home.

We're a family, and
I'm building a legacy.

I'll admit,
you got something special,

but you're cocky.

Judges don't want arrogance,
they want confidence.

If you want to win grand prize,

we're gonna need to work
on your struts.

See, I told you
she'd let you in.

No, this is a trial run.

You better bring it
at the Snow Ball.

Okay.

I'm being a good person

by letting you in.

Which means I do not want you

distracting Damon
from his studies.

If you plan on living
under my roof,

I expect you to
keep him on track.

-I promise, Blanca.
-Good.

And you can call me Mother.

Cheers.

Cheers.

RICKY:
Cheers, Mother.

Ooh, I like the ring of that.

(indistinct announcement
on P.A.)

Costas.

Is this your lunch?

It must be Maryanne on duty.

She never brings it in.

It's Christmas.

I'm the prince.

Dance with me, Clara.

Tony, you need to
get back into bed.

-Get away!
-Oh!

You're ruining it.

Nurse! Nurse!

Nurse!

She didn't even give you a fork
to eat this fucking meal with.

-I'm not even hungry.
-Bullshit.

You have to eat something.

Get your strength back.

Don't look at me like that.

You have pneumonia.

I've seen people walk out
of this hospital

who were much worse than that.

We got Christmas plans, baby.

Go see the windows on Fifth,

take a carriage ride
through Central Park,

-go see The Nutcracker.

When did you get here?

What was I doing out of bed?

You were dancing.

You've always been
my most brilliant,

dedicated student.

You were dancing, my darling.

I can't believe I'm gonna spend
my last Christmas in here.

This is incredible.

I ain't never met anyone
who was a real genius,

but you have the gift.

You need to make a New Year's
resolution, Pray Tell.

Elevate your game.

Get your designs
on a real runway.

A happy man knows his place.

Who ever got anywhere
by knowing their place?

A man who knows his place
might as well be a dead man.

A resolution ain't nothing
without a friend

to kick your ass to make sure
you stick to it.

No point in me
fighting with you.

I know.

So shut up and finish pinning.

I'm gonna melt the Snow Ball
with this piece of finery.

Send Elektra limping
into the new year.

What you doing
for Christmas Day?

Nothing. I'll probably go
to the movies.

They have discount matinees.

Theater's all quiet and empty.

Well, what about that cute guy
you've been seeing

that works for the city?

He...

is at Roosevelt Hospital.

-Yeah.

You two was out dancing

at Escuelita's just last month.

Yes.

How bad?

Pneumonia.
We don't need

-to talk about this right now.

You think this is the first time
since I've been diagnosed

that I had to talk about
somebody dying of this plague?

Don't you dare treat me
as delicate.

The worst part is...

that I'm used to it by now.

You know how many boyfriends
I've seen go in there

over the last four years?

How are we supposed
to get invested in someone...

if they can be gone
a week later?

As if this life
wasn't hard enough.

Oh, my God...

Do your kids know
you're positive?

Now, what good would that do?

I'm trying to build something

that lasts beyond me.

And none of them are gonna
commit to what I need them to do

if they think I might
leave them tomorrow.

Not that I'm going anywhere.

And no way you are sitting
all alone in a movie theater

getting fat off popcorn
on Christmas.

-You're coming to supper,
at my house.

STAN: Would you close
your eyes for me?

ANGEL:
Okay...

Open 'em.

STAN:
We got, uh...

...all brand-new appliances.

Microwave, toaster.

We got, uh,
all new Formica countertops.

:
Dusty.

I got the, um...

...the TV and VCR,
they're on order.

T-That should be, uh,
arriving next week.

Over there.

This is so beautiful.

: Wow.

Oh, my God.

("Let's Wait Awhile"
by Janet Jackson playing)

* There's something
I want to tell you... *

I don't know what to say.

* There's something I think *

* That you should know... *

I feel so safe here.

Like nothing could ever hurt me.

Can you make me a promise?

On Christmas Day,

I know you have
your kids and stuff...

* Feeling much stronger *

* Then let's try to... *

...but if you could
just come at night,

even just for an hour.

For a glass of eggnog,

-or whatever.

It would really make this place
feel like a home to me.

Of course I will.

* Before we go too far... *

ANGEL:
Mm.

* I didn't really know *

* Not to let all
my feelings show *

* To save some for later *

* So our love can be greater *

* You said you would
always love me *

* Remember I said *

* The same thing, too *

* You don't have to be *

* Frightened with my love *

* Because I'll never
give up on you *

* Let's wait a while *

* Before it's too late *

* You know you can't rush love *

* Love *

* Let's wait a while *

* Before it's too late *

* Let's wait a while *

* Wait a while *

* Our love will be great *

* Let's wait a while *

* Before we go too far *

* Far... *

("A Pine Forest in Winter"
playing)

HELENA:
Wide legs!

Yes. Yes.

There you go.

Sorry to interrupt.

Ms. St. Rogers,
there's a call for you.

Uh, continue, everyone.

This is Helena.

Wait, when did he, uh...

This morning?

Uh, no, no, I don't have
his parent's information.

I'm not family.

Just his teacher.

-DAMON: Five, six, seven, eight.
-("Crush on You"
by The Jets playing)

One, two, three, four,
five, six, seven, eight.

Feeling, more feeling,
more feeling.

More feel...

Papi, that's not
what I choreographed.

You look like a gremlin.

-I ain't a dancer.
-Look, it's like this:

if you are going
to win at Snow Ball--

and we are all walking
as a house--

you have to do it like this,

because that's the way
to win, okay?

So just watch me.

Five, six, five,
six, seven, eight.

One, two, three, four, down.

Got it?

-Yeah.

Five, six, seven, eight.

Yes. That's great.

-Yes, that's great.

-Y-Yes, yes, yeah. Yeah.

Now you just got to learn
the other 50 moves.

-Okay. Okay.
-Okay, but that was good,
that was good.

We gonna be here all day.

You got it?

Oh, my God, I'm late.

Papi, ignore them,
you're doing great.

Keep practicing, okay?

Yo, Papi.

Shut up.

* You found out *

* I got a crush on you... *

HELENA:
Five, six, seven, eight.

Two, two, three, four, five,
six, seven, eight.

Three, two, three,
four, five, six,

seven, eight, four, two...
Get that leg higher.

Higher!

Stop.

Damon.

I-I'm sorry, I'm not...

Warmed up?

Warm-up was half an hour ago
when class started.

I'm-I'm sorry, I was coming

from all the way
uptown, and I just...

Marcus.

Where'd you come from for class?

-Crown Heights.
-Uh-huh. He was on time.

Why you got to call me out in
front of everybody like that?

I have two tools I use

to get students
to reach their potential.

Encouragement and shame.

Taking you to the ballet,
that was encouragement.

But that didn't work,
so now I'm moving on to shame.

I took a chance on you.

And I don't care if you think
you're the next Alvin Ailey,

you will never know if you don't
have any respect for me

or this place or yourself.

I love this place.

I mean, it's everything to me.

But weren't you the one
that told me to go out

into the world, a-and explore my
artistry and find my own voice?

Greatness comes from suffering.

From failing over and over
until you bleed and cry.

And then, finally, something
inside just cracks open.

I've got time.

Time is not your friend.

It's coming for you,
for all of us.

It shows no mercy
and it always wins,

and then you're gone, forgotten.

I'm really sorry, I-I...
I was getting ready for a ball,

-and I...

Is that the size
of your dreams now?

Get out of my class.

What?

Now.

Let's go from the top.

And... five, six, seven, eight.

I'm not kidding,
it's like a superpower I have.

I can tell
just by looking at you

how you groom your pubic hair.

Hmm?

Wasn't that an executive
council meeting?

Yeah. I, uh...
I had this idea

that if movies
or TV shows wanted

to shoot in any
of our properties,

that they should give the boss
a cameo.

And they thought
it was such a good idea,

I should tell it
directly to him.

Instead of taking it
to me first?

That's my lane, buddy.

Yeah, I-I didn't mean
any disrespect.

Nobody stopped you
from coming into that meeting.

Say, what are you up to
on Christmas, huh?

(indistinct chatter,
elevator bell dings)

WOMAN:
Elektra Abundance?

Come right with me.

(distant siren wailing,
clock ticking)

(knocking,
door squeaks open)

Good morning, Elektra.
I'm Dr. Gottfried.

Please have a seat.

I apologize for being vague
on the phone.

We're a new program
at the hospital,

and we have to operate
under the radar for now.

I'm a bit nervous. I haven't
been to the doctor since '79.

Well, that is a long time.

We should definitely
do some blood work.

I don't have the virus.

Well, that's good to hear,

but AIDS care
isn't my specialty.

I'm a urologist.

Our new program specializes

in holistic care,
something lacking

for transsexual patients.

It's the kind of practice
my mentor,

Dr. Peter Harris,
formalized in the '60s and '70s.

God rest his soul.

That man saved my life.

Anything he told me to do,
I did it.

Psychological evaluations,

hormone shots, electrolysis,
everything.

Dr. Harris helped me
find Elektra.

Well, we fought hard to keep
the clinic open after his death,

but the hospital was overwhelmed
with AIDS patients,

and it didn't help
that the board thought

what we did was unnatural
and unnecessary.

They wanted us to just go away,
and we did, for a bit,

but we are back,

and I am building
the foremost practice

and research center

for transsexual medicine
in the United States.

-Which is why I called you.

You were at the top
of Dr. Harris's wait list

for sexual reassignment surgery.

It's even noted
in his records

that he tried to call you
numerous times.

Why didn't you follow up
with him?

The list was long.

I didn't have the luxury
to sit around waiting.

I didn't resign.

I just hustled my ass off
dancing in glass boxes

to fulfill
my most immediate needs.

Show World?

I have other patients
employed there.

"Employed" makes it sound
like a profession.

It's a freak show.

Well, I have a space
reserved for you.

You are an ideal candidate.

And if your blood work and your
physical examination clear,

we could operate
in the new year.

How much does it all cost?

I will have my nurse go over
the details with you.

What is that?

A wreath.

I thought we'd bring a little
holiday spirit in here.

I tried to tell her a wreath
ain't gonna fix my mood.

Christmas ain't nothing
but a sad-ass reminder

of what we don't have.

Well, maybe we should do it up
this year.

Get a tree, some presents,
make it a Christmas to remember.

Maybe your daddy could
help us out this year?

How dare you?
I'm not some white girl

toting an unlimited American
Express card in my Gucci bag.

You girls never think about
how hard I work.

You never see my burden.

All you see are the jewels
and the furs

and you think I live
some high life.

But you don't know
that he counts

everything he gives to me,
every single cent,

every single goddamn gift.

And anything I manage
to steal away goes to Abundance:

the rent, the lights, the food.

We're grateful for all you do
for us, Mother.

Girls, I'm sorry.

Sometimes I get in a bad mood,

particularly
around the holidays.

But why should I take that
out on you?

You're stupid,
but not incapable.

Let's get going.

Mother has a plan
to deck these fucking halls.

*

* Christmas *

* The snow's coming down *

* Christmas... *

* I'm watching it fall *

-* Christmas *
-* Lots of people around *

* Christmas *

* Baby, please come home *

* Christmas *

* The church bells in town *

* Christmas *

* All ringing in song... *

* Christmas *

-* Full of happy sounds *
-Oh, God.

I'm so sorry.

* Baby, please come home *

ELEKTRA:
Now!

ELF:
Get off of him.

SALVATION ARMY SANTA:
She's taking the money!

ELF:
Hey, stop them!

-* Please, please, please *
-* Please, please, please *

-* Please, please *
-* Please, please *

-* Baby, please come home *
-* Christmas *

* Baby, please come home. *

CANDY:
Oh, my...

I ain't never seen this
much money all in one place.

That's why we hit the bucket
up on Madison.

Every dollar one of those rich,
Upper East Side bitches

put in that bucket is a gift
back to themselves.

Wipes away all the guilt
they feel

about spending all that money
on silliness

to put under their tree.

Wait, but isn't this money
supposed to go to, like,

-Uh-uh.

If we ain't charity,
then who is?

When is the last time

you had a present
under the Christmas tree?

Exactly.

My daddy used to buy me trucks
for Christmas

and I would just steal
my sister's Barbie dolls

and have Barbie riding around
in them trucks

-like a queen and some shit.
-Fuck Barbie.

They had Olympic Barbie,
Malibu Barbie, Doctor Barbie.

All kinds of Barbies, but they
only had one black Barbie,

Christie, and she was still
built like a white girl.

There is $2,300 here.

A Christmas miracle.

Thank you, Jesus.

We can get three trees now.

Trees? Girl, we can get wigs,
the human kind.

Girl, we can go to the spa.

Oh, my God, and get a massage.

-A back massage.
-Ooh.

Them red boots
we saw the other day,

them snakeskin boots.

-CANDY: Oh, those are
so cute, girl.
-Oh.

Those would look so good on me.

CANDY: Ooh, we could walk
the runway in those, girl.

-We would win the house down.
-They would look cute on me.

-Boots, girl.
-Mm. Mm-mm-mm-mm.

And we can go to Bloomingdale's
and not that cheap shit.

Oh, yes. Absolutely.

All of your Christmas dreams
will come true.

That's $2,300.

More than enough
for a deposit for my surgery.

You can sign me up.

BLANCA:
It's a different thing

to be a mother
who chooses her children.

We got to deal with our mistakes

and also the mistakes
of the mothers

who brought them
into this world.

We don't get the benefits
of a clean slate.

And I've seen a lot of mothers
in my world

use that as some sort of excuse
for bad behavior, but not me.

Once you're in my house,
you're my responsibility.

And Damon doesn't understand yet

that we don't got but so much
time in this world

and that the people out there
are gonna start

stealing pieces of his from him.

What's stealing from him
is his interest in those balls.

What we do here is work,

not the instant gratification
that comes from dressing up

and walking for a trophy.

Excuse me?

Miss Uptown Fancy
with your African jewels

and your sterling silver.

We can talk about Damon,
but what we're not gonna do

is sit here and look down
our noses at my world.

You have any idea
the work and struggle

that goes into
walking a category?

The point is I do understand,

which is why I'm saying Damon
doesn't have time for both.

And unless a mother
forces a child

to make the right choice,
he's gonna choose the work

that makes him feel good
right now.

So you're questioning
my parenting skills now.

There's a difference
between inspiration

and distraction.

Damon has more God-given talent
than most,

but not enough to succeed
without real commitment.

At the end of the semester,
I'm going to make cuts.

At this point,
Damon doesn't make it.

-DAMON: I'm home.

Uh-uh. These are for decorating
later. Sit down.

I went and talked
to your teacher this morning.

-She called.
-I'm sorry.

I should've told you,
but I thought I could get it

all figured out
before you even had to know.

Well, here's a subway pass
and a bus pass

so you can never use the excuse

that you had no money
for tokens

and you was late because
you had to walk to class.

You will not blow
this opportunity

while you are living
in my house.

I'm sorry, Mother. I know.

I already told Ricky

that I'm not gonna
be around as much.

I promise.
I'll be good from now on.

Oh, and no balls for a month
until you can prove to me

that you can keep your word.

Yeah, but not the Snow Ball,
right?

No balls means no balls.

What?

I told you how much Christmas
means to me.

It's my one time of the year and
you're taking that away from me?

The one thing that I care about.

Well, you know what, I'm going
no matter what you say.

You can't stop me from walking
if I want to.

No, but I can throw all
your shit out the window

and on the street if you do.

You want to fucking try me?!

I hate you for doing this to me!

Well, go and hate me
in your room.

Can I help you?

Yeah. I'm looking for something
for my wife.

My mommy!

What is her skin tone?

Different metals and gemstones
look best

with specific skin tones.

Never heard that before.

She's, uh, got brownish-reddish
hair, pale skin, brown eyes.

CLERK:
She has a cool skin tone.

You're gonna want
white gold or silver,

nothing yellow
and a bright stone. Now,

I have this really lovely
white gold bracelet

with twin rubies.

What do you think?

Think Mommy'd like that?

-Wrap it up for me.
-CLERK: Mm-hmm.

Hey, honey,
why don't you go play

in that little playground
out there?

I'll be out there
in one minute, okay?

:
Okay.

Thanks.

Uh...

What about somebody
with a darker skin tone,

like, Puerto Rican?

White gold is gonna
make her look ruddy.

You want yellow gold
with an earthy stone.

Like this yellow gold necklace,

with the orange
sapphire pendant.

* The angel voices... *

SALESMAN:
Between you and me?

I always say to spend more
on the gift for the goomah.

If your wife isn't happy,
she isn't gonna be calling

your house at 2:00
in the morning.

I don't know what
you're talking about.

Sure. I'll wrap it
in a separate box.

* When Christ was born *

* O night *

* O holy *

* Night *

* O night... *

* Divine... *

Merry Christmas.

I like to come into Jersey
to do my Christmas shopping.

The sales tax is two percent
lower here than in the city.

I was in the neighborhood,
I figured I would just stop by

and give you guys my gifts.

It's not wise to drink alone.

This place is so suburban.

I mean that as a compliment.

Any man who tells you he
wouldn't give it all up

and end up in his own version
of this place is lying to you.

I prefer a little more flash
in the decor.

At least four kids,
but the woman...

woman would be just like you.

All you playboys long
for family life,

but you couldn't stand it
once you got it.

When I was 25, maybe.

But now...

now, I get lonely.

Especially this time of year.

When does Stan get home?

Um, he's...

out Christmas shopping
with our daughter.

I'm used to not seeing him
around much these days.

You have him working
such crazy hours.

He's more married to you
than he is to me.

I don't think I've ever called
Stan into the city after hours.

Well, if you're not
calling him in, then who is?

Beats me.

I'm not the only one
he reports to.

You should ask him.

I get why he's working
so hard, though.

I mean, I was the same way,
at first.

Nothing feels better
than success.

You get addicted.

Problem is that you can't
control yourself.

You start caring more
about the next fix.

New suit, new car, new girl.

Instead of what's
really important: family.

But you can
understand that, right?

People need that ego hit
sometimes.

Even in the suburbs?

I mean, when was the last time

you had an experience
that was brand

Hmm?

One that was just for you?

Weird.

You've kissed all those
supermodels and beauty queens,

and you're still
not very good at it.

I'll do better next time.

There won't be a next time.

Whose Mercedes is out front?

MATT:
Stanley!

-Hey, baby.
-Welcome home.

AMANDA :
Mommy!

What are you doing here?

Playing Santa.

Dropping off presents
for you and the kids.

All the way out to Jersey?

Come sit on my lap.

Well, thanks for coming by, man.

I'll... I'll show you out.

Patty.

Thank you for the wine
and the chat.

Yep. Thanks, Matt.
Merry Christmas.

MATT: Heck of a woman
you got there, Stan.

Don't fuck it up.

Next time you want
to come to my house,

you call me first.

Merry Christmas, bud.

PATTY:
Let's go take a bath.

Patty.

What was all that about?

He told you. He was just
dropping off some presents.

PRAY TELL:
Are y'all ready?

Because the category is:

Stone Cold Face.

* Don't you give me... *

PRAY TELL:
Yes.

Here she comes.

Slender.

Tender.

For your gender.

Looking like
a red Virginia Slim.

Judges, your scores.

Nine, nine, nine, nine.

Thank you very much.

Next.

This is a face category,
not a fashion category.

If God hath given you

the eyebrows of Brooke Shields,

show the motherfuckers off!

Ah!

And the princess has arrived!

Yes.

Breathtaking.

This chilling angel has
clearly been resuscitated.

Uh-huh.

Judges, your scores?

Ten, ten, ten, ten.

Breathtaking scores for the
frostiest bitch in New York.

Grand prize, Miss Angel,
Evangelista.

-* And to all *
-PRAY TELL: You know it's yours.

-You know it's yours.
-* A good night... *

How did we do?

First runner up.

Not bad.

Yeah, we would've won
if you were there.

It tore up my guts
to keep it from you.

No, you were right.

You're a good mother.

I was sitting here in the dark

trying to remember when I found
out Santa Claus wasn't real.

No one ever told me
straight out.

It didn't come like a bullet,

it came like poison.

You know, the kind
that act real slow?

So you don't even know
it's there until you're dead.

My sister made sure to tell me
the second someone told her.

Came right into my room
and announced it.

"Santa ain't real."

I couldn't have been
more than four years old.

Did you believe her?

I mean, a hundred percent?

Nah.

I guess I didn't.

I want to go back there.

I mean, not back home

or to my parents, but...

...I want to go back
to when I could be innocent.

Or at least
remember when I lost it.

You don't know that
that feeling's not forever

until it's too late.

-* Chestnuts roasting
on an open fire *

* Jack Frost nipping
at your nose... *

-Morning, sleepyhead.

Mm

-Merry Christmas.
-Merry Christmas.

Are you hungry?
I made you breakfast.

Oh.

Christmas morning was always
special in my house.

Traditions are important to me.

We'll start our own, then.

Bam.

What is it?

You got to open it.

This is the one
that I was eyeing at The Wiz.

Wait, did you mop this?

No, I saved my coins.

You deserve it, and more.

* Ding, ding, ding,
ding, ding, ding. *

* And so, I'm offer... *

Mm.

Is this my Christmas present?

The first part.

Yeah.

* To kids from one to 92 *

* Although it's been said *

* Many times, many ways *

* Merry Christmas... *

I'm ready.

Wait, are you sure?

Ricky... I'm ready.

* Although it's been said *

* Many times, many ways... *

AMANDA:
How do we play?

STAN:
This is The Game of Life, baby.

You just, you spin the wheel.

Yeah, and you move it
through the board.

And then you, uh,
you get stuff on the way,

and wh-whoever
gets the most money

and-and gets married
and has the most kids

at the end of the game wins.

BOBBI: And if there isn't
a part of the game

where you pee
every time you sneeze

and every so-called friend
disappoints you,

-it's a fraud.
-Bobbi.

BOBBI:
A child should know the truth.

Mommy missed
one of her presents.

We got to give it to her.

Stay here, okay?

You missed one.

I'll do it later.

Come on, it's Christmas morning.

There are more presents
under that tree

than the past
three years combined.

You've been acting like this
the whole time.

What's up with you?

Matt told me about
never making you work late.

You've been lying to me.

What the hell
are you talking about?

I'm talking about you
being a cheating asshole.

I'm talking about you sticking
your dick in other women

and then coming home to me.

Who is she, huh?

She one of those
whore secretaries?

Come on, kids,
Mommy and Daddy need to talk.

Wouldn't be Christmas
without a fight.

You lost your mind?

This is your mother talking.

She's constantly
undermining you.

BOBBI:
Don't put this on me.

I never said a bad word
about you in my life.

-STAN: Stop.

Patty, stop.

Listen to me.

Matt isn't my only boss.

I report
to ten different people.

He's jealous of what
you and I have.

Your daughter told me
about the two presents.

You couldn't have waited

till you weren't with our kid to
buy your girlfriend a present?

I don't have a girlfriend.

Want me to prove it?

Merry Christmas.

Yes, I bought a bracelet
and a necklace.

And I felt like shit about
how much I've been working,

and I haven't been home
to help with the kids,

and so I bought you both.

I'm sorry. I'm just...

I'm not used to not having you
around all the time,

and it's just me and the kids

and all these thoughts
in my brain.

Yeah, I know, I know. It's okay.

It's okay.

We just got to make it through
the next couple years, okay?

You know what my favorite part
of Christmas is?

Your mom being here?

No.

No, and it's not the presents
or the decorations or the music.

It's...

it's just us together
as a family all day.

I love you.

I know, baby. I love you, too.

Merry Christmas.

("Santa Baby"
by Earth Kitt playing)

* Santa baby,
just slip a sable *

* Under the tree for me *

* Been an awful good girl *

* Santa baby *

* So hurry down
the chimney tonight *

* Santa baby *

* A '54 convertible, too *

* Light blue *

* I'll wait up for you... *

Oh, stop it.
You're flattering me.

Stop it.

Angel, you naughty,
naughty girl, you.

So naughty.

* Think of all the fellas
that I *

* Haven't kissed *

* Next year *

* I could be just as good *

* If you check off *

* My Christmas list. *

* Jingle bells,
jingle bells... *

Boy, what are you doing?
There's a reason it's wrapped.

Just tell me if Blanca's coming.

Put the present down, please.

You think this need more salt?

Don't ask me.

I ain't never cooked anything
besides a can of Chunky's.

Oh, well, what's wrong with you?

You still broken up
about your married white boy?

Get over it.
You here with your family now.

The men will come and go,
but we always here for you.

-* Making spirits bright *

* What fun it is
to ride and sing... *

BOTH:
The turkey!

Oh, shit! Shit, shit. Oh, shit.

-Open the window.

Hurry up, hurry.

* Jingle bells, jingle bells *

* Jingle all the way *

* Oh, what fun it is to ride *

* In a one-horse
open sleigh... *

What are we gonna eat now?

What y'all laughing at?

Oh, my...

I would order this platter.

BLANCA:
All right,

before y'all fingers get greasy,

let's open some of these gifts.

You ain't got to tell me twice.

DAMON:
Ooh.

Uh-huh.

For you, Ricky.

Damon.

-LIL PAPI: Aw, shit!
-Thank you.

I'm-a be stylin' and profilin'.

Look inside.

Gonna need some socks
for them feet.

Thank you.

Thank you.

I got you.

This one's for you.

Before I met you, everything
was in black and white.

And that kind of thinking
don't work in a gray world.

You taught me to appreciate life
and treasure every breath.

You adjusted my focus
and now I see in color.

I just hope you do that
for other people.

Yeah.

Angel, you...
you didn't open your present.

Mm-mmm. I told you
I didn't want anything.

Oh, girl, open it.

-Mm-mmm, not with that fork.

*

Lord Jesus, you got us
bawling like bitches

before we've even eaten.

What is wrong with you?

We all pitched in, Mother,
and got you this.

Now what is this?

Okay.

-It's a cute wrapper.

-I picked it out.
-Okay, you right.

So it's a heart 'cause
that's what you are to us.

Our heart.

Excuse me. Thank you.

LIL PAPI:
I love y'all.

But could we eat?

-Oh.
-Boy.

-Yes, please.
-Chin up, sweetheart.

Daddy's hungry, hungry.

-Pass the lo mein.
-Merry Christmas, y'all.

Merry Christmas.

*

Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH

MAN: I want to be on Broadway,
on television.

I was put out of my house
because I was gay.

You know, it's just really hard
when you want to be who you are.

And coming to New York
where everything is possible,
you know.

I'm here. I'm here. I'm here!

I've been growin'
the business.

You about to move
into the big leagues.

Never thought life
would be this good,

and it's worth
whatever's comin'.

Stop right there!
Freeze!

-Lucky me, man. Wait!

I always knew
you wasn't built for this!

Not too long ago,
you were happy with just
a few hundred dollars.

How we grow, huh?

ANNOUNCER: Snowfall.
Season premiere.

Thursday, July 19 on FX.