Step Up: High Water (2018–…): Season 1, Episode 1 - Pilot - full transcript

One, two, three, four, five,

six, seven, eight.

[upbeat music playing]

[singer] ♪ I feel like fire ♪

♪ I feel like rain ♪

♪ I can take you higher ♪

♪ But you got to earn it ♪

♪ Whoo, I'm lit,
don't mess with it ♪

♪ Whoo, stand back,
let me do my shit ♪

♪ Whoo, I'm lit,
don't mess with it ♪

♪ Whoo ♪



♪ Hands to the sky ♪

♪ Show me that you're mine ♪

♪ Hands to the sky ♪

♪ Show me that you're mine ♪

♪ And, baby, worship me ♪

♪ Worship me ♪

♪ And get it together ♪

♪ Make it feel good ♪

♪ Uh-huh, whoo ♪

♪ Patiently, quietly ♪

♪ Faithfully, worship me ♪

-[Janelle] Hey, Tal.
-Hey, what's up?

Let's go to Rey's.
I'm starving.

Move. Uh, but Mom's
coming to get us, I think.



No. Mom texted. She said
she's gonna be working late.

Again?

That's like the third time
this week.

Yeah, well, you know Mom.
Stashing up money

for our college fund
or whatever.

Speaking of college
application--

Don't, don't, Jay.
Don't, seriously.

-Don't what?
I'm just being helpful.
-Just don't.

-No, you're not
being helpful.
-Yes, I am.

-You're being bossy.
-I'm not.

As usual.

Seriously, I don't know
how they get so much bossy

in such a--
such a stunted body.

[Janelle] First of all,
you may be taller,

but I'm smarter,
not to mention older.

You're older
by two minutes, okay?

That's not even older,
that's just--

that's just eager.

-How was practice?
-I mean, good,

but obviously
not good enough.

I don't know why
Kerry keeps fighting me

on every damn move.

Oh, I don't know, maybe--

maybe it's 'cause
you're so fucking bossy.

Whatever.

And I am older.

Listen, the deadline
is next week, okay?

I applied for two scholarships,
dance and cheer.

You have to apply
for at least one.

[Tal] What? I'm not good enough
to get a dance scholarship.

[Janelle] You're just
too afraid to audition.

Well, you're gonna have
to get over it, okay?

Because we're going
to Ohio State,

then we're going to LA
to be dancers.

-That's the plan.
-[Tal] Whatever.

[Janelle]
I just don't understand

-your lack of ambition.
-We're just different.

You dance to perform,
I dance for me.

[Janelle] What do you mean?
I think that

-that is so selfish, Tal.
-How is that selfish?

I just think it is...

[indistinct radio chatter]

Oh, shit.

[Tal] Mom?

Mom, are you okay?
Are you okay?

-[man] Whoa. Whoa...
-[Janelle] What the hell

is happening here?

Your mother
has been arrested.

-Drug-related offense.
-Easy, ma'am.

No, no, no.
Mom, are you okay?

She's been sober
for 10 years.

Are you fucking kidding me?

-I'm sorry, baby.
-Are you kidding me?

How could you do this
to us?

How could you do this
to us again?

-I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry.
-[Janelle] No.

Sorry means nothing.
You are so selfish.

Let me go. Tal?

No. She's going away.

[Tal] Okay.

[cop] You guys wanna get
a couple of things

-overnight and come--
-Can you give us a damn minute?

Look at me. Look at me.

Look at me. All right?

We've been taking care
of each other our whole lives.

-Tal, look at her.
-[Tal] And it doesn't--

It doesn't matter.

Right, it's always
been just us.

In the womb, all the years
that she was using,

even the years
that she wasn't,

it's just us.

It always has been
and it always will be.

As long as we're together,

-we'll be all right.
-No, she's going away, Tal.

She is.

She probably is.

And we still have
each other, right?

We still have each other.

[sobs]

Let's get some stuff.

Do you remember
what he looks like?

He was weird.

He was all right.

When did he even
watch us?

We were like six.

He let me eat marshmallows
for breakfast

and taught you how to play
the sports book.

Yeah, well, at least
he's not in jail.

Uh...

-[Uncle Al] Hey.
-[Tal] Hey. Hey.

Welcome to Atlanta!

Whoa, you guys
have got so big, bruh.

Like-- it's like I used
to tell your daddy,

you guys looking
more and more

like the mailman every day.

That was funny.
Yeah? That was funny.

Let's roll.

[singer] ♪ Oh, all the time ♪

♪ I've been happy ♪

You guys all right?

Look, I know you've been
through a lot,

but you're gonna
like Atlanta.

It's a new start,
a fresh start.

There's a lot
of cool things here.

We got the MB Stadium,

this is home
of the would-have,

should-have,
could-have-been Dirty Bird,

but then motherfuckers
lost a 24-point lead.

How do you bust a 24 lead?

Anyway, Atlanta's home to many
world-famous institutions.

See? That's what I've been
trying to tell her.

But we don't live
by none of that shit.

What's up, Brad?

That's my homeboy
right there.

See, over here,
we got the shoe store,

we got the liquor store,

pawnshop, church.

Cellular store,
liquor store,

pawnshop, church.

Gun store, cellular store,
liquor store,

pawnshop, church.

The shoe store,
we got the liquor store...

See that over there?
Don't you ever end up

like them, them hookers.
That's Cindy and Sharon.

Don't ask me
how I know they name,

I just do.

-[woman] Al.
-[Uncle Al] Hey!

This is my place.

"Al's Wigs and Wangs?"

[Uncle Al] Voted Best
Lemon Pepper Wet Wing 2003

and 2007.

[Tal] "Wigs around back?"

Boy, you got to have
two revenue streams.

You never know when a white man
gonna take one from you.

[singer] ♪ Real ones never die,
real ones never die ♪

♪ You can't [indistinct] ♪

♪ Now now we meet eye to eye ♪

One other thing.

If you ever see that man
in that car in your vicinity,

change your vicinity.

I mean that.

You hear me?

Yeah.

-What?
-This ain't Ohio.

-Sorry.
-You find yourself

staring at someone,
it'll be the last thing
you'll ever see.

Get your ass in the car.

[Uncle Al grunting]

-A'ight.
-[Dorrie] Whoo!

What do we have here?

[Uncle Al]
This is my nephew, Tal,

and my niece, Janelle.

They're gonna be crashing
here for a while.

If she was related to you,

she'd be ugly.

Name's Dorrie. If you need
anything, holla at ya boy,

because, you know,
I run this town.

That's nice to know.

I forgot to tell you all,

we got little black
leprechauns around here.

Just step over them.

Quit looking
at my niece.

Haters, man.

Voila...

home.

Well, a little tour.
This is the living room.

This furniture's vintage,
so kind of watch it.

This is the dinette room/
sunroom, I guess.

Look, I know
you guys are here

under some
tough circumstances,

but we're family.

That's why I didn't let you go
to foster care.

I wish I could
have helped your father
and your mother more,

but I'm helping
you guys, okay?

I have a couple of rules.

Education is number one
in this house,

all right?

Number two, I don't like
idle minds.

So, when you're not
studying your books,

you'll be doing
a weekly shift at Wangs.

We have to work
at Al's Wigs and Wangs?

Yeah. And you can
thank me later

because jobs
are hard to come by.

Um, that's about it.

Let-- whoa!

One other thing.

No drugs.

Janelle, this is
your room.

I worked on it
for two weeks

to make it perfect
for a young lady.

I installed
that ceiling fan, hmm?

And this is yours,
pimpin', huh?

-Yeah, it's nice.
-[laughs]

Listen, I know a playa
when I see one, okay?

So, no ladies in here, huh?

I'm not gonna be raising
no babies, you know.

I will see-- well,
I'll see how you roll.

It's the jacket.

Look, make this room
your room.

Do whatever you want,

just don't touch my shit.

Hey, unpack,
get some rest,

because you got school
in the morning, all right?

Uh-hmm? High-five.

Maybe next time.

[singer] ♪ Ooh-wee ♪

♪ On the block, man,
they tell me to go ♪

He is out
of his goddamn mind.

Yeah. Well, we don't have
a choice, so...

How are we supposed to keep up
with our dancing,

and go to school, and work
at his greasy wing store?

This was not
the plan, Tal.

Well, in case
you didn't notice,

life doesn't give a shit
about the plan.

[singer] ♪ Take the Lords'
name in vain ♪

♪ Ain't no tears in my pain ♪

♪ From the block
to the boardroom ♪

♪ My dudes, man, we reign ♪

♪ We reign forever ♪

♪ The code is stick together ♪

♪ We mash even though
the forecast ♪

♪ Is stormy weather ♪

♪ It's nothing,
I mean a few rainy days ♪

♪ I mean,
it's how we was raised ♪

♪ Most succumb
to the pressure ♪

♪ But, yo,
it's how we was made ♪

♪ We're different,
we're gifted ♪

♪ Like the wheat
when it's sifted ♪

♪ Through the muck
and the mire there ♪

♪ Heads down and we lifted ♪

♪ Now my people is winning ♪

♪ I swear we got it honest ♪

♪ Grind hard
through the night ♪

♪ Same thing in the morning ♪

This motherfucker
look like

he got a Netflix password.

Hey, yo, what is it?

Lone wolf shooter.

[man] Hey,
what are you holding?

Your antichrist
manifesto?

Well, that would be
"anarchist," genius,

wouldn't it?

-You ain't shit, little bitch!
-All of you, stop.

[man] Yo, Marquis,
let's get out of here, man.

What kind of fool
are you?

-[hip-hop playing]
-[doorbell rings]

-[Dondre] Big Al!
-[Uncle Al] What's up, Dondre?

[indistinct chatter,
laughter]

[Dondre] Shit, I know
what she was talkin' 'bout.

[Uncle Al]
This is my nephew, Tal.

This is Dondre,
this is Dorrie's brother.

-They live next door.
-All right.

-Family from Ohio, right?
-Hey.

[Dondre] How ATL
treatin' you? Good?

Yeah.

Cool.

-Twelve straight up?
-Already know, baby.

[Uncle Al]
What you wanna drink?

Let me get a coke.

What kind of coke?

-Mountain Dew.
-Mountain Dew?

I got to go way in the back
for damn Mountain Dew.

Joseph, where you putti''
the Mountain Dew?

-[Joseph] Man, in the back!
-Coke? Mountain Dew?

Yeah, we, uh, call
everything a coke down here.

It's a Southern thing.

That makes total sense.

It's fucking different here.

It ain't so bad.

Plus, from what I hear was

it's kind of
tough in Ohio, too.

Well...

Come tonight.

I got a party business.

Music, dancing,
cold beverages,

the whole neighborhood
shows up.

Twenty bucks,
thirty VIP? I...

No, no, no. My treat.

VIP all the way.

Just ask for Dondre.

Cool.

Can I bring my sister?

Yeah. Sure thing.

Maybe we keep this
from the uncle,

all right, Ohio?

Cool.

Yo, big Al,
where my Mountain Dew at?

[Uncle Al] I got your
Mountain Dew right here.

-[singer] ♪ Pumpin' that... ♪
-[singer] ♪ Bass... ♪

What, I can't do
fun shit, too?

No, I'm excited.
I mean, you can do fun shit.

It's just since when do you
want to go to a party?

Since our hot neighbor
gave me a VIP pass.

This hot neighbor team Tal
or team Janelle?

He gave me the--
gave me the pass, right?

[singer] ♪ Nobody pray for me ♪

♪ It been a day for me ♪

♪ Way, yeah, yeah ♪

♪ Hey, I remember
syrup sandwiches ♪

♪ And crime allowances
finesse a nigga ♪

♪ With some counterfeits ♪

♪ But now I'm countin'
this parmesan ♪

♪ Where my accountant lives ♪

♪ In fact,
I'm downin' this ♪

♪ With my boo bae
tastes like Kool-Aid ♪

♪ For the analysts ♪

♪ Girl, I can buy yo' ass ♪

♪ The world
with my pay stub ♪

-♪ Ooh, that pussy good ♪
-[Dondre] Ohio!

Okay, look,
that's Dondre.

[Janelle]
That's Dondre?

♪ Pull up on your block,
then break it down ♪

-Hey, y'all real.
-That's our neighbor?

What's up, man?

Took you long enough!

Sorry, yeah,
we're late.

-You good?
-Yeah, I'm good.

Oh, this must be the sister.

-[Tal] Yeah.
-Nice to meet you.

Name is Dondre.

Glad y'all could make it.

[singer] ♪ My left stroke
just went viral ♪

I promised you
VIP, right?

-Yeah.
-VIP it is.

[singer] ♪ It's levels to it ♪

♪ You and I know, bitch ♪

♪ Be humble ♪

♪ Sit down ♪

♪ Be humble ♪

♪ Sit down ♪

♪ Be humble ♪

♪ Bitch, sit down ♪

-Are you from H-Dub?
-No, Ohio.

[Dondre] Yo, it's cool,
big dawg, they're with me.

-Yeah, we're good.
-Cool, cool.

[singer] ♪ Be humble ♪

♪ Sit down ♪

♪ Be humble ♪

♪ Bitch, sit down ♪

Hey, King.

Yo, what's up?

[glass shatters]

Listen, I got some
business to attend to.

Don't let anybody
throw you any shade,

especially these
H-dubbers.

They think
they run the place

like they some kind
of stars already.

All right?

-Okay.
-Okay.

You might wanna
take this off.

It's hot.

[chuckles]

What the hell's
an H-dubber?

I have no clue, but...

this party is crazy.

[indistinct shouting]

[Rigo] Yo, yo, yo, King,
give me the mic, baby,

let me rock out.

Listen, man,
under normal circumstances,

I'm down,
but it's a paying gig

and Dondre makes the rules

so you have to take it up
with him.

Yeah.

-[air horn blowing]
-Oh, shit.

Guess it's show time.

[upbeat music playing]

[indistinct singing]

[Rigo] Oh, shit, bro,
that's your beat?

Nigga, who else, bruh?

That shit's fire, bruh.

[indistinct singing]

[Rigo] Let's go.

[indistinct singing]

[Rigo] Let's go,
let's go, let's go!

[Rigo] Yeah.

All right.

That shit was tight, man.

Dondre done stepped
his shit up.

Yeah, I'm telling you,
man, everything we do

has to be bigger
and better.

Yeah, but we ain't gonna let
nobody sleep on us, you heard?

Yeah.

Ahh!

Yo, this year,

we're taking over
the world, man.

And shit, we already got
how we want it.

Just need to focus.

Yeah.

Focus.

I'll be right back.

-This is so cool.
-This is amazing.

Not no Ohio party.

[Rigo] Hey, what's up,
little mama?

-You want some?
-Oh, no, I'm okay.

Nah, you're more than okay.

Hey, come here, let me talk
to you real quick.

Hey, hold this real quick.

-What?
-Come on.

-I appreciate it.
-[Tal] Hey...

[singer] ♪ Tonight
is the perfect night ♪

♪ To show me your wild side ♪

♪ We party on the beachside ♪

♪ Under the moonlight ♪

♪ Show me where to put
my hands, girl ♪

♪ You know I love
when you dance ♪

♪ Show me how you dip
and wind ♪

♪ With so much control ♪

♪ You got me saying ♪

[singer] ♪ Oh ♪

[singer] ♪ Oh, baby ♪

♪ You got me praying ♪

[singer] ♪ Oh ♪

[singer] ♪ Please save me ♪

♪ Please, please ♪

[singer] ♪ Oh ♪

♪ Because you know
how to break me down ♪

♪ The way you drop it ♪

♪ I love it when you dip low ♪

-♪ Oh, how low can you go ♪
-Oh, hell no.

[singer]
♪ Love it when you dip so ♪

Oh, I see you making
new friends.

I mean I was just
having some fun.

Eh. You must be
confused, boo,

in here trying to dance
with my man.

Look, I don't know what the fuck
you think you're doing with him

-and that nonexistent ass...
-[Rigo] Yo, calm down, man.

Damn, why you always think
I'm doing something?

-Because you are.
-Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Don't you all got school
in the morning?

Yo, you need to bring
your ass to auditions

so you can fuck with us
this year.

[Rigo] Hey, yeah, man,

why don't you come on
over to High Water

and see why we
are better than you?

-Ooh.
-[Janelle] I'm sorry,

did you just say
High Water?

And what business
is it of yours?

Why is she even still here?

Sage Odom's High Water
is here?

They all go there.

He's talking about
High Water.

Sage Odom's school
is here, Tal.

-What?
-All right. Look, we got to go.

Dondre, thank you so much,
this was amazing.

Yeah, catch you later.

See you.

♪ Oh, how low can you go ♪

♪ Love it when you dip so low ♪

♪ And I'm yearning for more ♪

♪ Love it when your hips flow ♪

♪ So much more than you know ♪

[Fredricka] Sage Odom,

your school
is for low-income kids

in your old neighborhood,

but it's also sort of
an experiment, isn't it?

[Sage] High Water is...

emphatically not a school.

It's more of an immersive

apprenticeship program

where kids learn
what they need

in order
to hone their passion

and make it pay.

Art is not a pipe dream.

It's not expendable,
it's a commodity.

It's America's
most lucrative export.

Tal?

They're auditioning writers,

directors, performance artists,

singers, designers,
and this week,

they're auditioning dancers,
okay? We have to go.

I've never auditioned
for anything, okay?

-You know that.
-Don't you see it?

Maybe all this happened
for a reason.

You think there's
a good reason Mom relapsed

and went to jail
and we ended up here?

No, I'm not saying that.

-I'm saying...
-What?

Can't I just be excited
about something?

[Tal] J, these people are
the best of the best, all right?

They're practically
professionals. Let it go.

[Janelle] Look, I know
all of that, but you know me.

I at least have to try.

[Tal] Yeah, I know.

Good luck convincing Uncle Al.

Yeah, well,
even Uncle Al has to see

what an amazing opportunity
this is.

[sighs]

[gasps] Fuck.
Can't you knock?

Tal, get your ass dressed.

God.

No diploma? What good is it
if there's no diploma?

[Janelle] High Water
is pre-professional.

It prepares you to make
a living an artist.

[Uncle Al] The only thing
they can prepare you

making a living as an artist

is if you win the lotto.

So, I suggest you work
on your education.

We will see what college
we can get you into.

I don't wanna
go to college.

[Tal] Yeah. But you did apply
for a scholarship

at Ohio State, so...

But college is not gonna
get me where I wanna go.

High Water is.

It's the chance
I've been busting my ass

for my entire life.

I just need
your approval.

[chuckles] You familiar
with that show

Who Wants to Be
a Millionaire?

-Of course.
-My final answer is hell no.

You tell them people
get them a diploma,

then we talk.

[Tal] Please don't
do this.

[Janelle] Tal,
if I don't at least try,

I will hate myself
for the rest of my life.

Well, if Uncle Al
finds out

and we get split up,

I'll hate you
for the rest of your life.

-Tal...
-We had a plan.

This is the plan.
Don't you see?

We wanted to get to New York
to dance, to be famous.

Who is more famous
than Sage Odom?

Yeah, but Uncle Al
could really throw us out.

[Janelle] Uncle Al
is not gonna throw us out.

I only need his approval
if I get in,

and even you said it,

what are the odds of that?

Just cover for me
for one day.

Oh, come on, Janelle.

Stay away from the cute boy.

And if you see
the mean girl,

run like hell.

We get a call tonight
with Mom at 7:00,

so don't be late,
all right? I mean it.

Kill it.

Thank you.

[Greeter] Hi. Are you here
for the dance orientation?

Yes. Janelle Baker.

All right.

Janelle, it looks like
your online registration

-is complete.
-Uh-hmm.

So today we're gonna
have a tour of High Water,

followed by a showcase
from our current students.

Tomorrow, the audition
process begins.

For now, just step over there
with the applicants.

Okay. Thank you.

Sorry.

Oh, man.

This is insane.

Yeah. I know, right?

I'd kill to meet Sage Odom.

I mean, a chance to learn
from that dude?

That shit's crazy.

I'm Janelle.

-Davis.
-Hi. Odalie.

[Janelle]
Nice to meet you.

I just found out
about auditions yesterday.

Really? I've been rehearsing
for about a year.

I didn't mean to sound
like I'm freaking you out.

-It's okay.
-[man] Everyone,
please follow me.

Shit, my group's
leaving me.

I'll catch up with you guys
in a bit, all right?

Excuse me. I'm sorry.
Excuse me.

-I'm sorry...
-He's cute.

[laughs]

Good morning.

You must be my group.

Welcome to High Water.

Well, as you know,
we are not a traditional

"art school."

We don't have grades,
or diplomas.

Instead, we focus
on teaching you

everything that you will need

to succeed as an artist
in today's world.

Now, we accept artists
16 to 25.

Is there anyone here
who is under 18?

-I am.
-Yeah, me too.

Okay, well, I hope
that you're all aware

that if you don't already have
your high school diploma,

you're gonna need
to get it online

or pass the GED.

-Mm-hmm.
-[boy] Great.

Okay. Let's get started.

-[singer] ♪ Going up ♪
-[singer] ♪ Give me the mic ♪

♪ I've been gone for a minute ♪

[Collette]
The fashion department

is integral to every
other department here.

Designers learn the basics
of creating costumes

for all kinds of performances.

The videography program focuses

on direction and editing.

You will be relying
on the students

in this department
to help you create dance

and performance videos
to enhance your web presence.

Since all of you are applying
for the dance program,

you'll be spending
most of your time in here.

[singer] ♪ They're saying
[indistinct] anyway ♪

♪ And I'm going on
[indistinct] ♪

[Dorrie] Where's
that fine sister of yours?

[Tal] She's taking over
the world.

Cool picture.

Is it a dog?

Oh, yeah. It's a--
it's a greyhound.

Skinny thing.

Yeah, they're skinny
and weird.

And other dogs can sense it,
so they attack them.

You can't take a greyhound
to a dog park,

because other dogs
go after them.

That's some fucked-up shit.

Right? Yeah.

Speaking of fucked-up shit,

that guy, Marquise?
Don't mess with him.

Trust me, I know.

[Collette] Okay, everyone,

let's head
into the performance space.

Some current High Water students

are gonna show you
just how high

the bar's been set here.

Find a seat.

Go ahead.

[metal clanging]

[upbeat music playing]

[singer]
♪ Shut the [bleep] up ♪

♪ On your back, back,
back, back, back ♪

♪ Shut the fuck ♪

♪ What? ♪

♪ On your back ♪

♪ What? ♪

[upbeat music playing]

I met them
last night.

She does not
like me at all.

[singer] ♪ Shut the [bleep] up
on your... ♪

[upbeat music playing]

[singer] ♪ Shut the fuck ♪

♪ Shut the fuck ♪

♪ Shut the fuck ♪

[crowd cheering]

[Collette]
All right, all right.

Hello.

If you haven't met me yet,

I am Collette Jones,

and I am the head of High Water.

That great piece was created
by three of our students,

King, Rigo, and Poppy.

Here at High Water,

we believe in the value of gifts

and the power of hard work.

But most importantly,
we believe in collaboration.

Now, this isn't just
an institution

for dancing or singing,

creation,
or even performance.

High Water
is purposed to develop

and strengthen
your gifts in here,

so that you can be
an instrument

of change out there.

[cheers and applause]

Okay, any questions?

How often is Sage Odom here?

Do we ever get to perform
for him in person?

We get that
question a lot,

and while High Water
definitely is Sage's vision,

he is a very busy man

and so his time
is limited.

Next question?

[Sage]
I wouldn't necessarily say that.

[cheers and applause]

[Sage] I mean,
you do have a point

with my time being limited,
and I am a very busy man

but, you know, I can always
make time for a little...

[crowd cheering]

May I?

[clears throat]

Future of High Water,
make some noise.

[crowd cheering]

As of late, I've been doing
a lot of interviews

about High Water
and what we're doing here.

And it would seem
that they take every opportunity

to downplay
what is happening here.

Asking me questions like,

"Is this a vanity project?"

Mind you, when I say them,
I'm talking about that they,

the they that you're
thinking of right now, you.

They don't want you
to have art centers,

they don't want you
to have afterschool programs,

they wanna keep you stupid

by having bullshit music

and reality TV
in constant rotation.

These are the people
that keep asking me

this same question,
this same dumbass question,

"Sage Odom,
is this a vanity project?"

A question to which I,
in my most friendliest tone,

respond with, "Fuck no."

[laughter]

[Sage] No, this is not
a vanity a project.

What this is, is a mission,

to get the art
back to the people

through the actual artists.

[cheers and applause]

[Sage] So the answer
to the question,

"Will Sage Odom be around
this semester?"

You damn right
I'm-a be around this semester!

[crowd cheering]

[Sage] Now, the ones
that I find special,

students that I find special,

I will personally select you
to work with me.

-[crowd cheering]
-[Sage] Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

Hold on, hold on,
hold on, hold on.

Because see, the students
that I find lacking,

I will personally walk
your ass out that front door

and make sure
that you are not in the way

for someone
that deserves to be here.

Do we understand each other?

Do we understand
each other?

[cheers and applause]

Enough talk,
we got work to do.

I'll see you
this semester!

[crowd cheering]

Okay, so the fragrance
company call,

that needs to happen now,
or it's not happening.

-Got it.
-[Sage] Did they--

-did they call you?
-Hey. Hi.

-Hey.
-[Collette] Hi.

There she is.
God, you look amazing.

-How you've been?
-[Collette] Thank you.

-[Sage] Come here. Ahh!
-Thanks.

[Collette] Okay.

[Sage] Good to see you.

[Collette] Look, do you
wanna explain to me...

-Sage...
-...why you blew into town

and ambushed me on stage

and announced that
you were taking over?

Thank you.
Not taking over,

just a little spark,
that's all.

But we do have a lot
to talk about,

so I feel like
we should maybe...

-Okay, so when?
-[cell phone buzzing]

What are you
doing in town?

I'm gonna-- all right, I--okay,
I got to take this but, um,

uh, dinner tomorrow night,

10:00, my hotel. Yes?

Good.

[Collette] Thanks.

Whatever.

[sighs] Okay.

[man] Six buffalo dry,
six nuclear wet

-with blue cheese.
-[Tal] Six, six dry?

-Got it. Right, okay.
-Okay?

Straight legs. I don't fuck
with the flat parts, all right?

And I do want
the little leg part.

Okay, well, they're wings.

They'll be arm parts, right?

[man] You're getting
smart with me, man?

-What?
-You catching some type

-of attitude, dawg?
-No, man. I...

[man] Hey, where
your manager at, man?

-Bring your manager out here.
-Oh, man.

All right, I need
some real help

before I Yelp trash
this bitch.

[Uncle Al] What's up,
Straight-Leg Ray?
Go take out the trash.

[man] Doesn't make
no sense, man.

What can I get you right now?

The same thing
I get every time.

-Six buffalo dry.
-[Uncle Al] Right, right.

-Six nuclear wet.
-[Uncle Al] Right, straight up.

[Marquise]
What up, East-O?

[East-O]
So, Marquise, man,

I hear on the street
you pumping something
serious out here.

[Marquise] You already know
how we do it, right?

[East-O] Yeah, I see,
I see. I see.

You know, like,

people are telling me,
like, "East-O,

you need to put
this high school boy
down for a job."

And I'm thinking

you already worked
for me, right?

Yo, now, you got
your side hustle

and you didn't even
tell your boy?

How do you think
that makes me feel?

East, look.

[Marquise]
No, yo, East-- Aah!

[East-O] I'm talking
to you, motherfucker.

-[Marquise] Look, man.
-[East-O] Shut the fuck up.

You hear me
when I'm talking to you?

Ah, shit.

Huh?

Huh? Huh?

Huh? Huh? Huh?

[gasps]

Didn't I tell you

this is not Ohio?

You see something,

-you look the other way.
-Yes, sir.

[sighs] I got
one goddamn job,

that's keeping you alive.

One goddamn job.

-I'm sorry.
-Don't be sorry.

Be smart.

Okay.

I've been a parent
for 15 minutes.

I don't like this shit.

Be smarter, man.

[Davis] I still can't get
over Sage Odom.

[Janelle] I thought
I was gonna faint.

I mean, that dude
could be off doing whatever
the hell he wants.

Well, it's crazy
he even spends time

with people like us.

I mean, people
from his 'hood

who don't have anything.

[Janelle] That whole showcase
thing was next level.

-[Davis] Yeah.
-[Odalie] Yeah. We have to be

as good as every dancer
on that stage today.

What do you know?
It's The Mighty Hannibal.

You like the
old school stuff?

Yeah. My pops used to have
a sick vinyl collection.

He used to play records
every Sunday morning.

-Dope.
-It was kind of like church.

[Janelle]
That sounds like fun.

You should have us
over some time.

Maybe we'll get
the spirit.

[Davis]
Yeah, I would but, um,

we lost the records
in a move, so...

You know, I used to use
a lot of old music back home,

you know, when I
choreographed routines.

Wait, you choreographed?

What, like for a company?

Oh, no.
For, like, cheerleading.

Don't laugh.

[chuckles]

I know people don't look
at cheerleading

as dancing exactly, but...

No, I have mad respect.

I do.

I mean,
if you led your squad

that means you know
how it is to work.

Well, ladies, I got
to get going, okay?

-We got a big day tomorrow.
-Oh, yes.

-I'm gonna get a refill.
-Okay. Cool.

[singer]
♪ I'm not too sure of it ♪

♪ Don't wanna [indistinct] ♪

♪ Looking for [indistinct] ♪

So, tell me about Ohio.

[Janelle] Ohio.
Ohio is cold.

[Tal] Yes, of course,
Janelle will be here next time.

Yeah, she, uh,

she wanted to skip
orientation to talk to you,

but it was me
that wouldn't let her.

Yeah.

What the lawyer say?

That's--

It's fine. That's...

Oh, damn, there's
some fucking beeps, Mom.

I-- we're out
of time, all right?

But I love you, okay?
I mean, we both love you.

We both love you.

[singer]
♪ I hardly ever dream ♪

♪ It's been so long ♪

♪ It's much more vivid
than what I remember ♪

♪ Oh, Lord ♪

♪ I stand in a moment ♪

♪ Trying hard to hold on ♪

♪ Each second passes
to the past ♪

♪ And then it's all gone ♪

♪ Hey now, hey now,
here we go ♪

♪ Hey now, hey now,
here we go ♪

♪ Wait now, wait now,
there we go ♪

♪ Wait now, wait now,
there we go ♪

♪ To my millennium ♪

♪ Count to a thousand one ♪

♪ The hearts
that came and gone ♪

♪ Love, life, hate,
death is my millennium ♪

♪ And everything I've lost ♪

♪ I'll keep it close
in my millennium, millennium ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ My millennium, millennium ♪

♪ Hey now, hey now,
here we go ♪

♪ Hey now, hey now,
here we go ♪

♪ Wait now, wait now,
there we go ♪

♪ Wait now, wait now,
there we go ♪

♪ To my millennium ♪

♪ Count to a thousand one ♪

♪ The hearts
that came and gone ♪

♪ Love, life, hate,
death is my millennium ♪

♪ And everything I've lost ♪

♪ I'll keep it close
in my millennium, millennium ♪

♪ Oh, oh ♪

♪ My millennium, millennium ♪

♪ Oh, Lord ♪

[Janelle sighs]

Tal, you are not
gonna believe my day.

I've got to get
into this place!

The people are
so passionate and--

What's wrong with you?

You missed our call
with Mom.

Don't pretend you suddenly care,
because you don't.

Of course, I care.

-Why wouldn't--
-[Tal] And don't worry,

-I lied for you.
-[Janelle] You--

-Again.
-[Janelle] You did not have

to lie, I just forgot.

They're not
going easy, J.

She got three years,
no good behavior.

And it's that long
before she even gets

to go up for parole.

Have you even thought
about what it must be like

-for her in there?
-Of course I thought

about it, Tal.
She's our mother.

How could I
not think about it?

But we need to think
about me and you right now.

We're the ones here
taking care of us.

Look, you said
it yourself, okay?

Atlanta has a lot
of good things going

-if you would just come with me.
-Yeah, right. Yeah.

For you.

You know
what it has for me?

It has a shitty school,
it has a wing store,

and it has an uncle
who's keeping me quite literally

-in the fucking closet.
-[Janelle] And what?

I'm not allowed
to be hopeful
even just a little?

Why, because
you're miserable?

Well, you've always
been miserable.

No. No, you're
just not allowed

-to be that damn selfish.
-Excuse me?

It's not just
Mom's thing, you know.

[music playing in distance]

[male singer]
♪ In the middle of the dark ♪

♪ See your soul shine through ♪

[female singer] ♪ See your soul
shine through ♪

[male singer]
♪ Always been a rebel ♪

♪ Breaking all the rules ♪

[female singer]
♪ Breaking all the rules ♪

[male singer] ♪ Been preparing
for this moment ♪

♪ For all of your life ♪

[female singer]
♪ All of your life ♪

[male singer]
♪ Eh, put it on all the line ♪

♪ Got the world to lose ♪

[female singer]
♪ Got the world to lose ♪

[male singer]
♪ Got the world to lose ♪

♪ How do you ♪

♪ How do you bring
the best out of me? ♪

♪ How do you flow
so gracefully? ♪

♪ Don't wanna look away ♪

♪ You got me lost
in a standstill ♪

♪ What have you done? ♪

[female singer]
♪ What have you done? ♪

[male singer]
♪ What are you doing? ♪

[female singer]
♪ What are you doing? ♪

[male singer]
♪ Oh, what have you done? ♪

[female singer]
♪ What have you done? ♪

[male singer]
♪ What are you doing to me? ♪

♪ Ain't nothing like
a vision coming to life ♪

♪ That's more than valuable ♪

♪ Safe to say priceless ♪

♪ So priceless ♪

♪ How do you ♪

♪ How do you bring
the best out of me? ♪

♪ How do you flow
so gracefully? ♪

♪ Don't wanna look away ♪

♪ You got me lost
in a standstill ♪

[rapper] ♪ Uh, another day,
another dollar, no ♪

♪ More like another day,
another problem, yo ♪

♪ Homie, my pack is falling
down like some dominoes ♪

♪ Wondering on what time
[indistinct] ♪

♪ Filled up with dominoes ♪

♪ And the [indistinct] ♪

♪ But mentally I'm still
a G, friends can be deceiving ♪

-♪ I'm in the streets... ♪
-[DJ] Oh, shit,

the king of the A
is in the building!

[crowd cheering]

[DJ] Y'all know what it is
when Sage Odom in the building!

We turn it up
all night, baby!

-Let's go.
-[rapper] ♪ ...never violate ♪

♪ I just get to isolate
the streets ♪

♪ Because the chronic
ain't for cheap ♪

What's up, Sage?

♪ But that's not
the way to be, homie ♪

[East-O] Sage, brother.

How you gonna creep up
in my hood without a hello?

Big East-O.
What's the word, man?

-What's going on, man?
-[Sage] Good to see you, sir.

Yeah, man.
It's been a long time

since both of us
were sneaking

through
that back door, huh?

We was wild boys
back then.

-We were.
-Oh, yeah, man.

Hey, heard you're doing
good out there.

Big time, man.

-Grammys?
-Yeah, you know.

World tours and shit?

-It's crazy, it's crazy.
-Yeah, man.

What you been
up to though, man?

You know, same old.

Hey, remember
when we was kids, man,

and we made
that whack-ass track?

-Drop it, bop it.
-Drop it, bop it.

A lot has changed
since then, man.

A lot has changed.

Most definitely.

You became a big star

and forgot about us
little folk, huh?

Come on, man.
Don't do me like that.

I never forget
where I came from.

You know that.

Yo, I got these beats
you got to hear, man.

Will raise
your shit next level.

Okay, all right.

-All right. I'll check this.
-[East-O] No so fast though.

Let me get
your number.

Let's talk
some business.

-All right, all right.
-[East-O] Yeah.

Absolutely.
No problem, brother.

[radio playing indistinctly]

All right, I'll see you
at school, Tal.

I have a early
club meeting.

Oh, yeah?
What do you got?

Robotics club
or Youth for Christ crusade?

[chuckles] Bye.

Keeping busy.

Good girl.

[door closes]

[Rigo] Ready to do
your thing, Ms. Janelle?

You remembered my name?

[Rigo] Oh,
I asked around.

What, you nervous?

No, no,
just a bad morning.

Oh, good, 'cause I
could take one look at you

and tell you have absolutely
nothing to worry about.

And if you need
anything else around here,

just holler at me,
all right?

-My name's--
-Rigo.

I know.

Hmm! Looks and brains.

See? Told you.

Nothing to worry about.

Good luck.

[Boomer] All right,
listen up, let's go.

How you doing?
My name is Boomer.

I'm one of the dance coaches
here at High Water.

Welcome to part one
of our audition process.

Today, you'll be
observed by myself

and the rest
of the dance faculty.

At any point
you could be eliminated,

taking you out of contention.

Those still standing
at the end of this round

get to move on to the next.
Is that clear?

-[man] Yes, sir.
-[students] Yes.

All right, we call today

-the Suicide Squeeze.
-[Boomer] That's right.

[Electra] Dancers that survive

will continue on this week

to complete
the audition process.

-Are y'all ready?
-[students] Yes.

[Boomer] Let's back it up,
let's go, come on.

[applause]

[Boomer] All right,
here we go.

This first part,
it starts off

by going one,

two.

Yeah, next you do it,
pull out right away.

Five, six, seven, you hop.

One, two,

you got to hop
on your right foot.

Scoop, scoop.

Yeah, clean lines.
Five, six, seven, hop.

One, three, scoop, hop.

From here,
you're gonna drop.

Bop.

Pull your arms down.

Yeah. Turn around.

Step.

Give me some attitude
in this pop, boom.

Yeah. Strong.
Very nice. Here we go.

Five, six,

five, six, do it again.

Hop.

Hop. Scoop it.
Scoop, scoop.

Hop. Ha, ha.

Ta ta, pull,
seven, pop.

All right, you guys
ready to do this?

[crowd cheering]

This is where
it matters right now.

I'm gonna give
group one the floor.

[crowd cheering]

[Boomer] Let's go.

Bring that heat.

Music.

[upbeat music playing]

[Boomer] Come on.

[upbeat music playing]

You can go,
thanks for coming.

Thank you so much.
This is it, all right?

Group three,
let's get it.

Come on, group three.

[upbeat music playing]

No, thank you.
No, thank you.

You're safe,
you can go.

-Stay.
-Whoo!

-You made it through.
-Thank you.

[applause]

They are good.

Not as good as us.

[King] Don't even think
about getting

with that girl, man.

You know Poppy
can't handle that.

And when Poppy's unhappy,

it throws off
the whole vibe of the group.

Well, me and Poppy
broke up, so...

[King] I'm serious, man.

Do nothing
to help that chick.

We'll be fine, all right?

I just wanna play
with her a little bit.

Come on, Janelle,
you're killing me.

-[man] These are real, right?
-[man] Right.

That's real, though.
That's real.

It's my man.

[Doc] One more time
like that.

Five, six, seven, you go.

One and two and three,

four, five, six.

Hop, hop.

You can jump out.

On one,
clap your hands on two.

Guys, hold up, hold up.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Mr. Sage Odom.

[applause]

Well, here you are,

the final 40.

Now, after this round,
there will be half of you left.

[Sage] Okay.

What are we standing
around for?

Let's go.
Let's get it going.

-Let's go!
-Okay, guys.

All we got to do
is get through this next round

-and we got this, right?
-[Boomer] Hey.

Cut the chatter,
let's get to work.

[Electra]
All right, group one.

To the floor.
Let's see it.

[applause]

So what, you think
you know something?

No, man, I--

I don't know
anything, all right?

And I didn't--
I didn't see anything.

[Marquise]
It doesn't matter what you saw.

You ain't in the game,

you don't know shit,

you're not important.

You're just some insect.

Let's get this bitch.

[male singer]
♪ Let's get to business ♪

♪ No forgiveness,
I'm out for vengeance ♪

♪ My hunger vicious ♪

♪ When I finish,
I eat the dishes ♪

♪ I'm from the bottom ♪

♪ Overpowered
and underprivileged ♪

♪ So I came to run it

♪ And I ain't talking
physical fitness ♪

♪ Survive,
been from ashes to rising ♪

♪ And now it's time
that we establish who I am ♪

♪ I'm riding... ♪

Number 77,
thank you very much.

[male singer]
♪ To clash with the Titans ♪

♪ I'm ready for war ♪

♪ It's time to feel the force ♪

♪ Kicking in the door ♪

-♪ What you looking at? ♪
-Fuck.

[male singer]
♪ And now I'm ready for war ♪

♪ Because I want it all ♪

♪ And I want it more ♪

♪ I don't wanna talk now ♪

♪ I'm ready for war ♪

♪ It's time to feel the force ♪

-Oh, yeah.
-♪ Kicking in the door ♪

♪ You're looking at a boss ♪

♪ And now I'm ready for war ♪

♪ Because I want it all ♪

-♪ I'm ready for war ♪
-Number 62,

thank you very much.

[male singer]
♪ I'm ready for war ♪

[Sage] Thank you very much,
number 60.

[male singer] ♪ Now it's time
that we establish who I am ♪

♪ I'm riding,
I'm last to the fighting ♪

-Eighty-four, thank you.
-♪ Time for you to clash ♪

♪ With the Titans
I'm ready for war ♪

♪ It's time to feel the force ♪

♪ Kicking in the door ♪

♪ You looking at a boss
and now I'm ready for war ♪

-♪ Because I want it all ♪
-Fifty-three,

thank you very much.

[male singer]
♪ I don't wanna talk now ♪

♪ I'm ready for war ♪

♪ Time to feel the force ♪

♪ Kicking in the door ♪

♪ You looking at a boss
and now I'm ready for war ♪

[music fades]

All right, 53,
you're safe.

[Davis] Yes, yeah.

[Marquise]
Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.

I think the insect
just lost his shit.

Let's get him
the fuck out of here, man.

Come on, come on.

[heavy breathing]

-[Odalie] Oh, my God.
-[Janelle] We made it.

[Davis] We made it
to the next round.

I still can't believe there's
still two more rounds to go.

[Odalie] I know.
I got to head home though,

but I'll see
you guys tomorrow?

[Janelle] Okay.
You killed it.

-[Odalie] Thanks, you, too.
-[Janelle] See you tomorrow.

-[Odalie] Yes.
-All right, y'all...

-Big congrats, girl.
-Thank you.

Now that you're practically
official around here,

I'd like
to show you around.

[heavy breathing]

Look, I was just
standing here thinking

me and you could really shut
this place down next year.

[phone vibrates]

Please, please pick up.
Please pick up.

Please pick up.
Please pick up.

[Rigo] You need
to get that?

No, I would love for you
to show me around.

That's my dad
right there.

[engine revving]

-[Rigo] You want a ride?
-Um...

[heavy breathing]

Yeah, sure.

Come on.

[engine rumbling]

[sobbing]

This creativity, these kids,
this is where I need to be.

[Tal] Next on
Step Up: High Water...

-[Janelle] Who did this to you?
-[Tal] Doesn't matter.

Go get your dream.
One of us should have it.

Is Rico gonna be helping
all of us, or just you?

He was just
showing me some steps.

-I'm sure he was.
-Fuck you!

Your solo audition
is your moment of truth.

By the end of today,
the new class of High Water
will be chosen.

Music.

Made in Georgia.

♪ Diba-diba duh-dee-duh ♪