Pose (2018–…): Season 2, Episode 8 - Revelations - full transcript

PRAY TELL:
So, we got vitamin B,

niacin, magnesium,

calcium, zinc...

And this is vitamin D3,

which is really important
for people of color

living with HIV.

Can't I just take
a once-a-day multivitamin

and be done with it?

Not if you want to survive.

Ain't no more sitting
on the sidelines, baby.

And here are some Chinese herbs.



You want to brew this
into a tea

and drink it three times a day.

That'll take care of your mind.

-Your body will follow.
-Ooh.

That smells disgusting.

Yeah. * And they taste
like shit, too. *

(Pray Tell chuckling)

And don't ask me what's in 'em.
All I know,

it really helped me
bring my numbers back up

after I had that bad reaction
to the AZT.

How the hell am I supposed
to keep up

with all of this, Pray?

You'll get used to it.

I still haven't told anybody.



(scoffs)

No one's ever gonna
date me again.

Who's gonna love me?

I'm damaged goods.

Okay. No. No, no, no.

You can't think
about that right now.

-(exhales)
-Baby, you have to focus
on your health.

And you gotta tell Damon.

Like, with a quickness, baby.

I know you're scared,
but you owe that to him.

I know.

I will.

Would you pass me some
of that bok choy, please?

Mm, which one is that?

The green stuff.

(TV droning indistinctly)

You need to eat more vegetables.

Vegetables?

Me and Damon lived off of
Sprite and beef jerky.

-You can't do that no more.
-Why not?

My abs never looked better.

It's better for you
to be thick and healthy

than cute and withering away.

So you like 'em thick.

I like them alive.

They drummed you
right out of Hollywood.

Now you come crawling back
to Broadway.

-So, you see that lady
right there?
-Mm-hmm.

That part was supposed to be
played by Judy Garland.

But Judy Garland got fired for
being drunk in her trailer.

(both laugh)

Please, please tell me you know
who Judy Garland is.

Of course I know who she is.
I didn't know that, though.

How you know so much
about culture?

Movies and books were
all we had.

You guys have MTV and magazines
and all sorts of stuff.

I like that about you.

You're sophisticated.

WOMAN (on TV):
What the hell are you doing
in there?!

WOMAN 2:
Giving it a shampoo.
Good-bye, pussycat.

(cat mews)

RICKY:
Thank you for tonight.
I really needed this.

I don't know why
you're thanking me.

You paid for dinner.

(laughs)
Yeah, I did.

-I guess I should head out then.
-Yeah, it's getting late.

-But I'm glad we did this.
-Yeah, me, too.

It was fun.

You, uh, think it's okay
if I crash here?

-Why?
-It's the time of night

when Electra brings
her boyfriends home.

Shit gets weird.

(laughs)
Yeah, I got you.

Um, I'm gonna get you
a pillow and some sheets.

This sofa is not that comfy,
but it'll do.

Tomorrow's Saturday,
and it's my day off,

so I like to sleep in.

So please, kindly,

let yourself out quietly.

Sweet dreams.

(sighs)

What in God's name
are you doing?

Oh, you were right.
That couch is lumpy.

(chuckles) I figured you have
a big bed, so...

No, really, what are you...

what are you doing?

I think I have a thing for you.

(weak chuckle)

You're-- You're going through
a lot right now.

You're confused.

("Whip Appeal" by Babyface
playing)

*

* Whip me *

This ain't confused.

* Do it, do everything *

* Somebody told me *

* There'd be trouble at home *

* 'Cause we never talk a lot *

* When we spend time alone *

* And how are we
supposed to know *

* Know something is wrong? *

* Well, we've got a way
to communicate... *

I think I want you
to have me, too.

* It keeps a happy home *

* And no one *

* Does it like me *

* And no one but you *

* Has that kind
of whip appeal on me *

* Keep on whippin' on me *

* You whip it on me *

* Whip all your sweet,
sweet lovin' *

* On me. *

(door opens)

(footfalls approach)

PRAY TELL:
The category is...

Live...

Work...

Pose!

*

-Hey!
-Found it. Look.

No.

You like it?

They did a good job, right?

Yo, you look good as hell, girl.

-Aah, a really good job!
-I love it.

(chuckles)

Yo, I can't believe

that photographer ain't
tried nothing.

You sure he didn't ask for
no kinky shit after I left?

Nah, but it was
definitely awkward.

He was aggressive and cruel

in front of everybody.

But I only put up
with his abuse

because I was scared
that if I said anything,

that he would tell
everybody everything.

So I just kept my mouth shut.

He lucky Ms. Ford sent me home,

or I would have
kicked his ass again.

-Mm.
-What?

-You so cute
getting all riled up for me.
-Hey.

Cut it out.

-I got something for you
if you don't cut it out.
-I like you getting

-all riled up for me.
-If you don't cut it out...

(Angel laughs)

My knight in shining armor.

My baby.

I must have done something right
'cause he didn't say nothing.

Well, I'm happy.

It came out good.

I guess the campaign was
too important.

-Hmm.
-I love you.

I love you so much, Angel.

I bet you girls gonna
look back at these pictures

and talk about
the great beauty Angel

that broke through
the doors for 'em, watch.

Please.

I want to show you something.

What you trying to show me
that I ain't already seen?

Whose place is this?

-It's my guy Joaquin's.
-Hmm.

We was at work,
and he asked me

if I knew somebody
looking for a place.

Blanca can't fit
all of Evangelista in here.

Plus, this area's expensive.

It's $450 a month.

-It's mad cheap
for this neighborhood.
-Mm.

And it's getting
real fancy real quick.

With the lifestyle
you living, mama,

and the places you going,

you need to be living
in a place like this,

next to all them fancy people
you'll be working with.

You trying to get
a place together?

-On our own?
-No.

-It's not about me.
-Hmm.

I'll stay home with Blanca
if you want me to.

This will be yours.

You make your own money now.

And I need you to know
you can get this

if you want it for yourself.

You know, the last time
I had a place of my own,

a guy got it for me.

So I could be on retainer.

His little plaything. (chuckles)

Now I can get a place
of my own.

My own place.

You can see the piers from here.

That's where I used to...

where I used to pull tricks
with the girls.

Same piers I used to deal on.

(humming softly)

-Gotcha.
-Wh-what?

Oh.

(laughter)

What is all that?

Hi.

Hi, ladies.

What's with Golden Girls
realness at our booth?

They gave those old bats
our table

'cause you finally decide
to join us.

Please,

take your time.

You can't be late twice.

I was up late last night.
I'm having a slow morning.

-So slow you come in third
in a two-man race.
-Uh-huh.

Okay, are you hens just gonna
keep wasting time clucking,

or shall we proceed?

Yeah?

-Mm-hmm.
-Mm.

Hear ye, hear ye.

The bi-monthly meeting of the
masters of ceremonies council

is now in session.

Manhattan, updates.

Well, we used part of
the dues and donations

to pay for Candy's burial,

so we aren't gonna
be able to cover

the trophies for the next ball.

We all need to cover this.

All right. Come on.

-JACK: Oh, you're collecting it?
-Yeah.

I'll collect it.
I'll go get them.

-Thank you.
-CASTLE: That's all I got.

(clears throat)
All right.

Two dollars, bitch...

-Mm-hmm.
-...that said,

"We all need to cover it"?

We all need
to help in the way that we can.

-Oh, okay. Moving on.
-Thank you.

The children are loving Candy's
Sweet Refrain as a new category,

but now the butch queens
want to perform up in drags.

Perfect.

-Motion accepted.
-CASTLE: Just that fast?

You always have an opinion
about categories.

-Mm-hmm.
-That's not true.

JACK:
Bitch, please.
You've got opinions

-like these queens
got bleached assholes.
-Yeah.

Nobody want it,
they're always offering it out

-and you can keep it
to yourself.
-Are you in a rush?

You got a midmorning date
you running off to?

-No.
-Are you sure, sis?

(chuckles):
You are positively glowing.

I mean,
your face ain't even beat.

Uh, what have you done
with Pray Tell?

Well, you know, I've been
switching up my regime.

-Mm.
-You know, I got some
new creams and unguents

and lotions and potions
and stuff.

You know how that goes.

Okay, okay.

I have a confession to make,
and you heifers

better keep this shit
to yourselves.

I've taken a lover.

-Oh. (laughs)
-Finally.

Last person to ice
your cakes was Keenan.

-(laughs)
-MANHATTAN: Though,
why wouldn't you tell us

-you've in love?
-PRAY TELL: I'm not in love.

-I'm in lust.
-Is there a difference?

Yes. Yeah.
It's not, it's not romantic,

you know, but it's hot.

It's-it's passionate.

Every time I think about him,
I just start to sweat.

And, you know, he got them eyes,
them kind of eyes

that just pierce
right through your soul.

-Mm.
-Washboard abs
as hard as granite,

and a pair of the juiciest lips

that he absolutely knows
how to use.

For what, bitch? Finish.

I'm just happy. You know?

I haven't felt this way
in a long time.

I can't even believe
at this point in my life

I'm even saying
some shit like that.

-(chuckles)
-JACK: Ay, bendito.

I'm so happy for you--
Who is it?

MANHATTAN:
So nosey. But for real,

-who is it?
-Is it Ray Ray?

That queen with the Jheri curl
that works at Union Square café?

-(laughter)
-JACK: Ooh.
-No! Ew.

-Ugh...
-JACK: Girl. Ray Ray?

That bitch is so old,

she was a waiter
at the Last Supper, honey.

-CASTLE: Wow.
-Serving bread, fish,
water and wine.

-MANHATTAN: Oh, damn.
-CASTLE: Oh, all the things.
-Mm. Ugh.

JACK:
Y'all and this Ray Ray.

(sigh)
He's a younger man.

-Oh...
-CASTLE: Ooh!

-She's cradle-robbing.
-PRAY TELL: See,

that's why I didn't want
to tell you biddies nothing.

MANHATTAN:
You know how complicated

these young men are.
Always looking for a daddy

'cause they're
financially unstable

and scared of commitment.

Aren't you unemployed, bitch?

-Always.
-CASTLE: Ooh...

-Life is a journey.
-PRAY TELL: Oh, is it?

And one more thing.

So many of these young black
and brown men have a complex

when it comes to older men.

Most of their dad--
no, I would say

100% of their daddies hated them
for being faggots.

Beat them, threw them out.

So they turn to us for the love
and approval they were denied.

Well, I think it's great
you're dating someone younger.

(Pray Tell chuckles)

They also have less baggage.

Granted,
they can't afford to buy any.

(laughter)

-You are wrong, wrong, wrong.
-No. The only thing that matters

is whether or not
he is laying that pipe, sis.

-Ooh, the sex is fierce.
-(oohing)

Well, do you, then, girl.

Someone deserves
to have their back broke.

MANHATTAN:
Castle is right.

And don't ever be ashamed of
sharing your good news with us.

Own your choices.

CASTLE:
Mm-hmm.

It's Ricky.

-(gasping)
-What?!
-Oh, girl, no.

-He's an infant.
-He is a man.

-A young man.
-A very, very,

-very young man.
-Well, who else

am I supposed to date?

I spend all my time
at the balls.

-Someone your own age.
-You just said it was

a good thing that I was dating
somebody younger.

I lied to make you
feel better, whore.

(laughter)

Well, it's not gonna last.

As a matter of fact, it's
already over. I'm-I'm gonna,

-I'm gonna break it off.
-JACK: Why?

Because of these
Judy judgmental,

jealous jezebel bitches?

-Wasn't that a lot of Js?
-Ooh. Yeah. J...

JACK:
I mean, who cares if he's young?
I would rather

be a babysitter than a nurse.

Mm. Is he hung?

So tacky.
But if you want to answer,

I won't stop you. Yeah.

Last night, we went at it

from In Living Color
till 4:00 in the morning.

-Damn...
-Bitch.

My right thigh is cramping
just thinking about it.

-Ooh...
-But what is his status?

-He obviously knows about you.
-You know I ain't talking

about nobody's status.

Just suffice it to say,
we was... safe.

CASTLE:
What about Damon?

She gonna be pissed.

I didn't steal nobody's man.

He and Damon
were already broken up.

The person I'm really concerned
about is Blanca.

JACK:
Pray, no.
You're not Ricky's father.

You're not even in his house.

If you want to keep seeing him,
you should.

MANHATTAN:
I agree.

You deserve to be happy.

CASTLE:
But we know you.
You're gonna torture yourself

until you tell her.

So just do it.

* It feels good, whoo, yeah *

-* It feels good... *
-Uh, uh, uh, uh.

(laughs)

This is my jam.

* Yeah... *

I have missed
Evangelista dinners.

Well, you came at the right
time, because you know what?

We got Pizza Rolls.
(laughs)

Ah, wait a minute.

Pizza Rolls?

(sighs)

These are loaded
with preservatives.

Boy, we used to eat them
all the time.

You said that they were better
than filet mignon.

(English accent): Well, my
palate has become sophisticated.

-Oh.
-(laughs)

So, Miss Elektra
has finally let you eat.

-(regular accent): Sure not.
-Okay.

-Okay.
-(both laugh)

Uh, I ain't gonna lie,

I've missed being
an Evangelista.

* It feels good... *

Especially this past week.

* It feels good to know that
you want to be around... *

Where is everyone tonight?

Um, Angel and Lil Papi
are on a date,

Blanca is at the salons, and...

-so it's just us.
-Hmm.

* If the rhythm feels good
to you, baby *

-* Let me hear you say *
-* Oh, oh, baby *

* If the rhythm feels good
to you, baby *

(chuckles)

* Oh, baby... *

You know,
I knew this moment would come.

(sighs)

What moment?

I've done a lot of thinking,

and I've come to some clarity,
and so, yes.

I'll take you back.

* 'Cause you know
it feels good... *

-(chuckles)
-I don't want
to punish you anymore.

* It feels good... *

-Damon, um...
-Oh, no,
before you say anything,

just please promise me
that you'll be faithful.

Please.

* Having you around... *

I have something to tell you.

Oh, dear. Please don't tell me
you're dating somebody.

(music stops)

I tested positive.

(laughs)

Boy, what?

I have HIV.

I-I just don't understand.

We just got-got tested
and we both tested negative.

I-I know.
I got a call from Chris, um...

H-He was sick, and-and
he thought it was the flu,

but then he seroconverted, uh...

You told me y'all didn't sleep
together while we were together.

-I know. I fucked up.
-You lied to me.

-I'm sorry.
-You're sorry?

-That's what you got
to offer me?
-I know!

I need to grow up.

That's why I've been
spending time with Pray Tell.

Why did you go to Pray
before you come to me?

He's been teaching me things.

Teaching you what?

(quietly):
Um...

Did you tell him
that you was a liar? Hmm?

You know what, I don't want
to talk to you anymore.

(sniffles)

Just promise me
you'll get tested.

I'm not promising you shit!

I never meant to expose you.

I just hope that...

(sniffles)

...someday,
you can believe that.

Get out.

Get the fuck out!

(screams)

*

What are those moves?

She looks like a pigeon
with a busted foot.

(cheering, applause)

(speaking indistinctly)

(cheering, applause)

Yeah! Go Damon!

*

*

*

(cheering, whooping)

LIL PAPI:
That's my brother!

That's my brother!
That's my brother!

That's my brother!

(cheering and applause)

Right here.
One, two, three.

-(camera clicks)
-Happy graduation.

All right, all right,
come on, let's eat.

Daddy needs a drink.

-You want a drink?
-HELENA: Blanca.

Y'all go on on ahead,
I'll catch up.

I hope you weren't gonna run off
without saying goodbye.

I'm sorry.

I just didn't know
what to say to you.

What you did with Damon was...

I just thought that anything
I said wouldn't be good enough.

My gratitude for you is beyond,
you know?

You don't have to thank me.

I came to thank you.

I could be the greatest teacher
in the world,

but it doesn't matter if
the student doesn't show up.

You held a vision for him.

Like every good mother does.

Yeah, but... you guided his way.

You was patient with him
when he didn't deserve it.

(both chuckle)

And... what that boy did up
there today...

that was the most
beautiful thing that I ever saw

in my entire life.

You know, the best students
I ever have are the ones

who are imagining their legacy
every day.

They don't want to be good

or great.

They want to be legends.

They aren't afraid of dying.

They're afraid
of not leaving their mark.

Are you trying to say Damon
is trying to be one of them?

-(both chuckle)
-No, he's got a bright future,

but I'm talking about you.

I knew it the moment
you barged into my office

and gave me that speech
about your child.

Demanded that I give him
an audition on the spot.

I don't think
I will ever meet a mother

who believes in her children
the way you do.

Who'll fight for them like that.

It's been a delight
to teach Damon.

But it has been an honor
to know you.

(sighs)

You know we having a party
at our place.

You want to come? (chuckles)

(sighs)

-Another time?
-Yeah.

Uh, we running low on this wine.

Not tonight!
Not tonight!

BLANCA:
Listen, I...

-I can't even believe my baby
done graduated.
-(chuckles)

-Thank you.
-It--

It was a long road,
but you did it.

I'm so proud of you.

LIL PAPI:
Speech. Speech. Speech.

BOTH:
Speech! Speech! Speech!

-Speech! Speech! Speech!
-Okay! Okay!

Okay, all right, all right,
all right, all right, all right.

I, uh, thank you all

for throwing
this celebration for me.

I, uh,

I don't really feel
like I deserve it.

Course you do, baby.
Come on.

I mean, it's been a weird
couple of days.

You know, there's been
a whole lot of endings,

and maybe some new beginnings,

-but, you know...
-ANGEL: Yes.

-To new beginnings, honey.
-BLANCA: Uh, girl, could you

-let him finish his speech?
-ANGEL: I wasn't interrupting.

DAMON:
And, you know, I feel

a renewed purpose, you know?

With me finishing
my program, I...

I'm gonna start being selfish
and focus on me.

Mm. Start? (chuckles)

Well, I learned from the best.

You're welcome.

Darling Angel,
you know I'm cleansing

-the negativity out of my life.
-ANGEL (quietly): Very good.

You keep it up,
you might be next.

-Ooh.
-Mm.

BLANCA:
Okay, well, good for you.
Good for you.

Uh-- Let's not
carry around baggage.

-Mm-hm.
-LIL PAPI: Hey, yo, Damon.

What're you gonna do now that
you're done with school?

I mean, you know...

my degree is in dance, so,

dance is the obvious choice.

PRAY TELL:
As well it should be.

That final performance
was stunning.

Is there a future for a dancer?

Yeah, if the...

dancer works hard
and is talented.

Oh... damn.

So it'll be
a short-lived career.

(laughing)

No, you get it?

-Well, it's definitely a longer
shelf life than a model's.
-(quietly): Damon?

He's jealous because my face is
in every Duane Reade

-in the city.
-Hm.

People recognize me
when I go to Roy Rogers.

Mm-hmm, is it because
of Wet and Wild,

or is it because the piers?

Mamma mia, babulote.
Damon got jokes.

-So you're judging my survival?
-BLANCA: You know what?

This was a fun little party.

-Thank y'all for coming.
-Mm-hmm.

-DAMON: No. No-no-no-no.
Uh, not that.
-Sit down.

DAMON:
No. I mean,
you're degrading yourself

perfectly fine without my help.

-Well, fuck you, Damon.
-BLANCA: Angel, that's enough.

Uh, I think I'm the only guy
in New York that hasn't.

LIL PAPI:
Yo, bubba, ain't got to talk
to her like that.

No, it's all right, baby.

Let's see who has the last laugh

when I'm traveling the world
and on magazine covers,

and you're doing corny-ass,
stupid-ass tours...

-BLANCA: Angel, all right,
cut it out.
-...of a, of a one-hit wonder.

-Right?
-DAMON: I cannot wait
to see what kind...

-Enough!
-...of campaigns you book
with that cracked skin.

That's not
a natural glow, sweetie.

That's cocaine sweats.

BLANCA:
What are you talking about?

You doing drugs?

-No.
-She's lying.

-Angel, I want the truth.
-Why would I jeopardize

everything
I've worked so hard for?

What were you doing
in the bathroom

when I walked in on you
yesterday?

I was doing my makeup.

You know what? That is a serious
accusation, y'all.

-(quietly): Okay.
-Well, wh-what do you need more?

-I mean, we telling you
what we saw.
-Damon, there is no proof.

We're telling the truth!
That-that should be enough!

But it's not.
'Cause you a liar.

You've been caught
lying already.

-Remember? You was fucking Ricky
without a condom.
-Angel!

-You forgot that quick? Huh?
-Angel! You know what, Papi?

-Take her and go.
-You wasn't--

You wasn't using condoms?

Did you forget about that?

DAMON:
You are always
sticking up for her,

and I am sick of this shit,
okay?

BLANCA:
Damon, you need to calm down.

-No, I'm not gonna calm down!
-Who are you talking to?

This is bullshit, okay?

I am right behind you
all these years.

I just asked you to back me up,
that's it. That's it!

You're being
disrespectful, Damon.

When I want your opinion,
I'll ask for it.

Whenever shit hits the fan,

I'm the one behind your side.

I'm the one
that's holding you down,

-I'm showing up!
-Oh, and I haven't?

I didn't encourage you
to go to dance school?

Or start teaching down at the Y?

You're my mother. That's what
you're supposed to do!

Ever since you got
that nail salon,

you've been all about yourself.

-Now, who's the selfish
one now, huh?
-PRAY TELL: Okay!

Enough. You will not talk
to your mother like that.

Not in my presence.

You have no idea

the sacrifices
that have been made

so that you can
"aspire to greatness."

I can't wait for life
to hit you real hard,

so that you have to experience

how fucked up real life
really is.

I know how fucked up
the world is.

I was put out of my house
by my biological parents

and then my ex-boyfriend
decided to expose me to HIV.

What?

DAMON:
Yeah.

Ricky... is positive.

Well, did you get tested?

Oh, how's Ricky?

-Is he okay?
-Well, I don't know.

Ask Pray.

-You knew?
-PRAY TELL: Okay.

Okay, pump
the motherfucking brakes.

Ricky came to me.

And it's really shitty of you

to share his status
with everybody.

It's not your business!

You need to learn
some damn respect!

Agreed.
Who's raising these children?

I need some Remy Martin
for this shit.

Oh, you are one to talk about
some goddamn respect, Pray.

-Excuse me?
-Yeah.

Why don't you tell Blanca

why you didn't tell her
about Ricky's status, huh?

I didn't let her know
about his status

because it's not my business

-to tell!
-It's not because
you're fucking?

Whoo!

That's some new information.

This house is scandalous,
can you believe this?

You gonna believe him
if he denies it, too, huh? Huh?

No...

No, Pray would never do that.

You gonna believe this slut
over your son!

-PRAY TELL: I'm gonna
fuck you up!
-(Blanca shouting)

I'm gonna fuck you up!
Who's a slut?

Who's a fucking slut?

Pray Tell... Pray.

Is he telling the truth?

Yeah.

ELEKTRA:
Pray Tell,

house mothers and fathers

never sleep
with their children.

It's the number one rule
in ballroom.

-I'm not his father.
-But you're an elder!

He looks up to you
like a father.

All the boys in ballroom do.

It's complicated.
Just like life.

BLANCA:
Know what?
W-- You can get out.

Are you for real?

Yeah, I'm for real.

-Please leave.
-Okay.

You know what?

Just so we're clear;
I'm a grown-ass man.

Ricky is a grown-ass man!

Whatever.
Fuck y'all.

-Fuck you too, Pray.
-Yeah, remember that.

ELEKTRA:
Laying down when you should be
standing up.

Wake up!

* Stop what you're doin'
'cause I'm about to ruin... *

PRAY TELL:
Aw! Sookie sookie now!

Sookie sookie sookie now!

-(cheering)
-Shit, all right.

Yo, Papi baby!

-Judges, your score.
-* I'll drink a bottle
of Hennessey... *

Ten! Ten! Ten! Ten! Ten, bitch!

Give him a hand, way up high!

-Papi Evangelista. Give it up!
-(cheering continues)

Give it up!

PRAY TELL:
Don't be mad.

* Get up, come on and do... *

PRAY TELL:
All right, let him have it.

Let him have it.

All right, now my next category
is my favorite.

My favorite category.

Femme Queen Vogue!

-Come on. Come on, bitch.
-(crowd cheering)

Ah! Come on, Charisma.

Look, Ma, I got a trophy.

PRAY TELL:
That's how I like it, too.

Yeah, I see, baby. Congrats.

Why you here by yourself?
Where's Damon at?

Probably somewhere
twiddling his fingers

telling stories on people.

Mother, I know you mad at me.

* We only take... *

You believe him, don't you?

I don't know what
to believe anymore.

You says you wasn't
messing around

with that stuff,
so I'll let it go, baby.

PRAY TELL:
All right, come on, Florida.

We see you.

Fringing.

In all that neon, baby.

We see you. Work it out.

Work it out. (laughs)

I must have missed the memo that
we were having a family meeting.

-What y'all talking about?
-I got a trophy.

Oh, swirl it around
like a windmill.

Pop, pop. Pop-pop.

Pop. Pop!

-(crowd cheering)
-Oh, shit.

Here comes Silhouette
from the rear, baby.

Whirling,
swirling, swishing,

swirling like a windmill. Yes!

And the whip--
Whip it good, bitch. Whip it.

-Serving up twists...
-So have you told Mother

-the truth yet?
-BLANCA: She did.

And when's she moving out?

I ain't going nowhere.

-(laughing)
-PRAY TELL: Pop, pop.

Oh!

Yes!

DAMON:
Oh, I see.

Mother holds you
to a different standard.

Papi sells weed to get by,

and he's homeless instantly,
and...

But dear, old, darling

Miss Angel does hardcore,

lethal drugs
and she gets to stay.

-What is up with that?
-Damon, stop.

She said she didn't do it,
so let it be.

PRAY TELL:
Ten, ten, ten, ten,

-ten.
-You calling me a,
a liar, Mother?

PRAY TELL:
...time for the next category!

Butch Queen Vogue!

(crowd whistling, whooping)

Hmm.

Come on, Shadow.
From the rear.

Shadow from the rear.

-I got to go.
-Yeah, go.

* It takes two to make it
out of sight... *

PRAY TELL:
Oh, oh. Here comes Damon

from the rear.

Serving us, serving us
the banjee, oh!

He's giving you loins, baby.

Ooh, that face.
That face is mad.

That face is mad.
Hey, what's going on, honey?

Damon's like, "Get out of my
way, get out my way, bitch.

Get out my way."
Come on, Damon.

Work that shit out. Uh.

What? Push.

In the push. Get out the way.

Push, push, get out the way.

Move, move. Get out the-- wow!

Ow.

* I don't know, so let's go *

Yoga planting.
Holds himself up.

That core is strong, bitch.

That core is strong.

* It takes two to make it
out of sight *

* It takes two to make
a thing go right... *

You got to come on in here
with the goods, baby.

Giving us backstroke realness.

* 'Cause I'm gonna
keep you in step *

* I got an idea... *

PRAY TELL:
Oh. What?

What, you don't want it?

You don't want it.

You don't want it, queen.

You don't want it.
(laughing)

Okay, stop, stop.

Stop, bitch. Stop.

Come on up
and get these trophies.

All right. Cut the music,
cut the music.

This first score
goes to Chardonnay.

Chardonnay Pendavis,
what are your scores? Eight,

nine, eight, nine, eight.

All right.

For Shadow, baby.

-Wintour.
-We know where you from, bitch.

Shadow Wintour.

AUDIENCE MEMBER:
Let's go, Shadow!

Ten, nine, nine, ten,

ten-- You know.

There is room, honey.

There is room at the end.

Who's next?
Is it Damon Evangelista?

-CROWD: Evangelista.
-PRAY TELL: Oh.

That bitch said,
"Move out my way.

I got things to do." Oh, for

Damon Evangelista...

Ten, ten, ten,

ten, ten.

Ten, ten, ten,

across the motherfucking board.

Come on and get this trophy.

You earned it, you deserve it.

God bless you.
Give me a smile, bitch.

I know you didn't
roll your eyes at me.

Don't make me have to knock them
eyes out your head, bitch.

You ain't grown yet.

* Get busy, you ready now? *

* One, two... *

PRAY TELL:
Shit. I need a ciggie break.

Come on, Jack Mizrahi.

Take over for me
for a minute, baby.

Hi. Damon, right?

Yeah. (chuckles)

I saw you perform

and I had to introduce myself.
My name is Tori.

(inhales sharply)

I work closely
with Malcolm McLaren.

Can we talk?

(softly):
Oh...

Pray Tell, we need to have
a discussion.

I'm down from one pack
of cigarettes a day

to two a week; I don't want
to hear your mouth.

Do not be a mean queen,
you know what I'm talking about.

Okay.

Let me break it down for you.

You have different rules
for different people.

-What did you say?
-I said,

you have different rules
for different people.

Just like you rank and file
your children

-and treat them accordingly.
-I treat all

of my children the same.

-You are in denial.
-Pray Tell, I'm not

an unfair mother.
And I do not play favorites.

Angel.

She gets to do drugs and stay.

When other people
get kicked out.

-That is not true.
-(derisive laugh)

Damon sleeps with Ricky,

even though that's
against your rules

and now you're mad at me
for doing the same thing.

Will you stop
flapping your gums

for a minute and hear me out?

Damn, I'm-a give you the hard
truth, Pray Tell.

Straight up.
You are taking advantage

of someone who is in
a very vulnerable

-position right now.
-He... came on to me.

You of all people

should understand why
I didn't stop him.

I'm 45 years old, here's a man.

Who shows me kindness.

Who thinks I'm sexy.

That doesn't happen
to me every day.

You two are not equals.

That boy doesn't even know
who he is yet.

And on top of things,
he just found out

he's HIV positive.

His head is probably
on another planet right now.

I'm-a say this one more time.

Ricky's grown.

-And he's doing just fine.
-How is Ricky fine?

I've known about my status
for a whole two years

and I still don't know how to
navigate sex and relationships.

Maybe that's your problem.
You...

let your sex dry up
because of this virus

and now you're jealous
of me because

-I haven't done the same.
-Know what?

Fuck that, Pray.

You have no idea what it is like
to be a woman

living with HIV.
At least when you're gay,

y'all can live
in the same war zone.

Y'all can protect each other.

Straight men still think
that they can catch

this virus from a spoon.

They want nothing to do with me.

That's no excuse...

-for you to stop trying.
-Don't you dare

act like you know what
it's like to, to be me.

-You know what?
Get out of my face.
-Oh, so you own

-the motherfucking streets
of New York now?
-You damn--

You damn right. Come correct.

One last thing.

And I hope you hear me.

I never meant to hurt anyone.

(voice breaking):
Most of all, you.

(heavy sigh)

(distant laughter)

Oh, ow. Turn that off.

Turn that off, it's too bright.

(lock clicks)

Rough night?

Is that a question?

(Ricky grunting)

Uh...

you shouldn't be drinking.

Let me tell you something.
If you gon' spend time

in my house, you will not
tell me what to do.

Okay.

-You ain't the boss of me.
-Okay, okay.

Okay. Calm down.

I'm a black gay man...

who's dying...

of HIV.

I'm just trying to figure out

how to live when I...

Everybody in the world
wants me dead.

Hmm, the only person in
the world who understood that

was Blanca and I blew
that friendship up...

for a player...

who's gonna break my heart.

I didn't ask you to defend me.

Bullshit.

-Bullshit.
-Um...

okay.

Blanca was your mother
and you came to me.

Who do I go to now for support?

With my fears? Who? Who? Who?

Who... (sniffles)

Who's my mother now?

-(Pray Tell groaning)
-Come here.

(groans)

-(groans)
-You need to get up, okay?

Mm-hmm.

-Come on. One...
-(Pray groaning)

...two, three.
Oh, I got you.

Here we go.

Yeah. You made it.

-I really did.
-I told you...

-Mm-hmm.
-...you would make it.

Get these off.

-Feel better?
-Mm-hmm.

(Pray Tell sighs heavily)

Sleep this off and we'll talk
about it in the morning.

I know you.

You'll be gone.

And I'll be all alone.

Just like...

all the others.

(sighs)

(birds singing)

(groans)

Oh...

(groans)

Good morning.

I made you some coffee.

It'll help with that hangover
I'm sure you got.

I hope you hungry.
There's a lot of food here.

Some coffee.

Take a couple of these.

What?

(chuckles)

You're still here.

(sighs)

I'm so sorry I'm late.

-I got you your favorite.
-Ooh.

-Mmm, and they crispy, too.
-Mm-hmm.

How was your day?

-It was good.
-Yeah?

-Yeah, I'm good.
-Good.

I'm still on cloud nine
about Damon's graduation.

I can't believe one of our own
got a degree.

Everything is changing
for the better. (chuckles)

-Mother.
-Mm-hmm?

Everything coming up
ain't roses.

What are you talking about?

Me and Damon, Damon and Ricky,

you and Damon,
and now you and Pray Tell.

That's a lot of drama,

even for ballroom.

Hey, those are just bumps
in the road. Families fight.

It'll be okay, you'll see.

-I know how much
you love Pray Tell.
-Girl... (scoffs)

I got other things to
concentrate on than wondering

about what ballroom trade Pray
Tell is bringing in this week.

That's mad shady.

You know Pray Tell
not like that.

It's not our job to judge.

Hm, I guess you're right.

Mm-hmm.

-I was kind of hard on him.
-Yeah, you was.

And you wasn't
hard on me at all.

What?

Damon.

He wasn't lying.

See, I knew it. I knew it.

I thought that Papi
was good for you,

and he wasn't. He was
supposed to keep you focused,

and he pressured you
into doing drugs.

It's not-- That's not Papi.

Stop blaming everybody.
I did it.

I chose to do it.

You want to be mad at somebody,
be mad at me. Blame me.

You taught me to be a woman of
my word, a woman of integrity.

I broke the rules.

I have to accept
the consequences.

Go ahead.

Do it.

You have to.

Kick me out.

No. I'm not doing that.
You my only daughter.

I can't do that.

So what? Rules are rules.

I'm not gonna let you stop being
a good mother because of me.

(sighs)

Maybe it'll be easier
if you think about it

like a graduation. Right?

Like Damon.

-(scoffs)
-From a daughter in your house

to a woman on my own.

-Right?
-Yeah.

-Where you gonna go?
-You know, Papi?

He found the perfect place.

Right in the heart
of the Village.

We'll take care of each other,
just like you taught us.

-Hmm?
-Mm-hmm.

Maybe you come over
for Friday night dinners.

Yeah.

(kisses)

As much as I fought with y'all
about cleaning y'all room,

I'm glad to see you finally know
how to do it on your own.

(chuckles)

All right, look,

how long is the silent treatment
gonna last?

I saw Angel today.
She told me the truth.

Sorry I didn't believe you.
Mothers make mistakes, too.

I have some news.

Do you know, um,

-who Malcolm McLaren is?
-Uh...

That artist who does

-"Deep In Vogue"?
-Yeah.

There was a lady at the ball
that worked for him.

Said that he's about to start
his tour for his new album,

and... he wants me to join him.

Oh, my God.

-Damon, that is great.
-In Europe.

Europe?

Yeah. Said that we start
in a week.

-How long you gonna
be there for?
-I don't know.

A year. Maybe longer.

Wow.

My son the ambassador.

I am so proud of you,

and I am gonna miss you.

I don't... I don't think
I can do it.

(chuckles)

You know, I always knew
this day would come.

Where I would have to share you
with the world.

And to be quite honest,

I would keep you here forever
if I could,

but you got a talent
and the world needs to see that.

This is what you've spent

the last years working towards.

All the sacrifices you made
to get here.

You can't give up
on that dream now.

How many of us get the
opportunity to do what we love?

But I can't leave you.

I'll always be with you.

Right here.

(softly):
Bring it in.

(kisses)

DOMINATRIX:
Do you have an extra pair

of nipple clamps I can borrow?

What do I look like to you,
Rent-A-Center?

I still can't believe
you're making money off of

hurting people.

Life is pain.

In here, we all understand
that in order to enjoy it,

you have to embrace it.

But the pain I'm feeling
towards my children leaving,

I...

I don't know how I'm supposed to
embrace something like that.

If they don't grow strong enough
to rebel,

to reject you, to move away,

then you're not raising
men and women.

-You're creating parasites.
-So that's it?

I give them everything
and they're just gone?

There are always
more children to raise.

Not like these kids.

(chuckles)

(sighs) Listen.

I don't care if you're

a Connecticut white girl,
a Chinatown immigrant,

or one of us.

If you choose to be a mother,
you choose to shape the world.

Your children
will truly appreciate you

when you're dead.

Until then,

you want gratitude?
Get a puppy.

* I had it all *

* But I let it slip away... *

(sighs)

* Couldn't see
I treated you wrong... *

That's enough.

Mother has to go to work now.

* Now I wander around *

* Feeling down and cold... *

You'll be fine.

Jim, heel.

* Trying to believe
that you're gone *

* Love takes time *

* To heal when you're
hurting so much *

* Couldn't see
that I was blind *

* To let you go *

* I can't escape the pain *

* Inside *

* 'Cause love takes time *

* I don't want to be here *

* I don't want
to be here *

* Alone *

* Ooh *

* Losing my mind *

* From this hollow in my heart *

* Suddenly I'm so *

* Incomplete *

* Lord, I'm needing you now *

* Tell me how to stop the rain *

* Tears are falling down *

* Endlessly *

* Whoa *

* Love takes time *

* To heal when you're
hurting so much *

* Couldn't see
that I was blind *

* To let you go *

* I can't escape
the pain inside *

* 'Cause love takes time *

* I don't want to be there *

* I don't want
to be there alone... *

(crying)

* Oh. *

Captioned by
Media Access Group at WGBH