Original subtitles

You can't just barge in here like...

What did I tell you two about talking to lawyers?

No, we didn't! We didn't!

You don't think I know what goes on in my town?

When I tell you not to do something...

Sit down!

Don't do it.

Now, get me the other hand.

Please don't. Please.

I swear, we didn't do anything. Please! We didn't do nothing.

The rich and powerful take what they want.

We steal it back for you.

Sometimes, bad guys make the best good guys.

We provide leverage!

Season 3 Episode 6 The Studio Job

- I'm sorry. I'm still a bit shook up. - That's all right.

- I got it. - That's all right.

Thank you.

So, your brother... Now, will he ever play again?

Doctors say he'll be lucky to move his fingers again.

Music was his life.

What Kirkwood did was more than wrong. It was...

It was cruel.

Now, this guy Kirkwood you said he has a reputation

for doing these kinds of things. So why would you work for him?

He owns a record label, Mr. Ford.

So?

Put it like this.

The day I was born, my mama said I looked at her, smiled,

and asked: "Which way to Music City?"

- He was your shot at stardom. - Right.

He hired us to write songs for other artists.

His more established artists.

It was good money, plus royalties. And we thought we'd hit the jackpot.

- But when it came time to pay... - He showed you the fine print.

Exactly. He charged us rent to park in his lot.

He charged us for the pens we used.

He owns our publishing.

So the only difference between Kirkwood and the majors

is that the majors use lawyers to do their dirty work.

And our songs were good.

And they did well.

And before you knew it, he owed us hundreds of thousands in royalties.

- You ever confront him? - Instead of paying us,

he offered to record our own album in his studio. No charge.

And he said he was gonna get us a spot on "Saddles & Spurs".

- "Saddles &Spurs", what's that? - A big music festival in Memphis.

- All right. So, what happened? - When he heard the album,

he decided it was too good to waste on a couple of unknowns.

So he stole it!

The devil may have gone down to Georgia, Mr. Ford, but he lives in Memphis

Mitchell Kirkwood. Record producer and CEO of Kirkwood Records.

Now, here's a fun fact.

He started off his career as an artist. Does anybody remember this?

I say we take him down for that alone.

Critics agreed.

It's probably why he never released another single.

He took all the money he made and funneled it into his record company.

And judging by the number of lawsuits filed and dropped within days,

I'd sait's not his first time forcing somebody to settle out of court.

- Does he have a criminal record? - None.

He carved out a nice little kingdom in the country-music world.

He stole Kaye Lynn's music. He stole her money.

- He took over their publishing. - Yeah, but we're gonnget it back.

I understand how to steal money,

but how do you steal music?

It's called a digital master.

It's high-quality, multi-channel, studio-recorded, mixed, and engineered.

Price to produce: hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions.

Now, this building right here... Kirkwood records, Memphis, Tennessee.

Now, inside this building is a hidden safe

that contains these digital masters, one of which has Kaye Lynn's music on it.

- So it's a smash and grab. - Not exactly.

'Cause we have to make sure she gets back the money.

And a little extra for hospital bills.

Making sure that he can't come after them. That wouldn't hurt.

A fiddle game.

- Parker! - I don't know how to play the fiddle.

Actually we're not gonna play a fiddle. No. We're gonna sell one.

For a hell of a lot more than it's worth.

- Y'all have a good night. - Thank you very much.

Mr. Kirkwood!

Hello, Kelly.

Who is at my table?

- The computer said you canceled! - Does it look like I canceled?

- But the computer... - Go ahead.

Say it again.

Say something else about the computer.

I'll put a table together right away.

Kirkwood's on his way over.

Oliver, pour from my bottle. Make it a double.

Why don't you put it on my tab, there?

You're Mitch Kirkwood, aren't you?

Yes.

Parker, I'm on my way to the sound booth.

Let's see what our friend likes to listen to.

Most played: Brooks & Dunn.

I need tickets for Brooks & Dunn. You got that, Parker?

You're not supposed to be in here.

Tell me about it, buddy. Why are you here?

I work here.

Flippin' fantastical.

They call me on my night off And gone and double-book it.

Better call the main office. Find out what's going on here.

Please do, skipper. 'Cause if I got to work tonight,

then I need to find somebody to take this Brooks & Dunn ticket off my hands.

You know what? I am starting to remember something out having the night off.

Don't you think you should go on and double-check that, butter britches?

I definitely remember now.

Really?

Think you can find somebody to take this ticket off my hands?

I think I can find somebody.

Hot diggity dadgum. Let me...

Get you this...

Brooks & Dunn ticket, so...

Spick-and-span. There it goes, right there.

Yes, it is. I must have dropped it. Been there the whole time.

Whole time.

All right, thanks.

All right, you were right, man. Give me a t-shirt.

I'm not gonna lie to you.

Being rich?

That'll get you the chicks.

- Here you go, Mr. Kirkwood. - But you add to that, being famous?

I tell you...

I have the opportunity to turn down girls prettier than this damn near every day.

That's really something.

Now, why would you just stop at one song?

Same reason you manage musicians.

Why be the cow when you can be the farmer?

Tell me about this kid you got.

His name is Kenneth Crane. Right?

Now, a couple of years ago, we took his best song,

we put it on a demo tape, and we sent it out everywhere.

Two days ago, this european lady,

she offered $25,000 for the rights to that song.

$25,000?

Well, what did you say to that?

Well, that's the thing. I didn't know what to say to her.

You know? And she's sitting right over there waiting on an answer.

- Interesting. - Yeah.

Do you know her?

No. No. Not

Not really, but I tell you what I will do.

I will go over there for you...

Talk to her, see if I can't...

- Get her to show her hand. - That's amazing. You would do that?

Hell yes, I would do that.

Local boys got to stick together.

Let the fiddle games begin?

Yeah. I'm still a little unclear. Where, exactly, is this fiddle?

It just walked through the door.

- What are you looking at? - Don't!

- What's wrong? - Nothing's wrong. I'm fine.

I startled you.

You're a cat burglar. That's what you do.

- Yeah, since I was 10 years old. - Don't...

Really?

Maybe not, but this is the first time I've startled you.

- He's nervous, Parker. - I'm not nervous.

- I thought you said you could sing. - I can sing. I just... I didn't...

Realize there was gonna be this many people.

You are nervous.

Relax, man.

I told you. I got you. Say something.

- I don't speak on command, Hardison. - Perfect.

Now, I rigged my laptop to record your comm.

Now, this means that I can alter your pitch

from anywhere to make you sound like darth Eliot...

I don't speak on command, Hardison.

- To spencer smurf. - I don't speak on command, Hardison.

- Don't ever do the smurf thing again? - Right.

So, the software takes the frequency of your voice,

and it matches it to the key of the song,

then uses a fourier transform to correct the pitch

and sends the tuned audio out through the bar's speakers.

What does that mean?

That means that, for tonight, Eliot has perfect pitch.

You ever wonder how britney spears sounds so good on her tracks?

Well, this is it... except mine's is in real time, baby.

Who did you just refer to as "baby"?

It's like the universal term of "baby". How old are you?

All right.

- Where is he? - I'm sorry?

Beautiful girl like you couldn't possibly be sitting here all alone.

Where is he?

This must be that southern charm I've heard so much about.

Mitchell Kirkwood.

I seem to have stolen your table.

You must be a very important man. Should I know you?

They give one of these to just about anybody who happens to own the place.

I will let you make it up to me...

by allowing me to give you the nickel tour.

And I won't even charge you the nickel. Come on.

Virginia. Virginia Ellington. My things gonna be safe here?

At this table, they will.

Worcester studios. How may I direct your call?

Are you nervous?

That song... You're going out there to sing?

That's the only thing my brother and I have left

that Kirkwood hasn't stolen or destroyed, and...

- if I lose it... - You're not gonna lose it. All right?

We're gonna get you your money, we're gonna get you your music back.

I promise you.

How can you be so sure?

'cause this is what we do.

You still having trouble with that bridge?

No. I think...

Let me... Let me show you.

When you strum...

Just do this, all right?

So...

"G".

Right.

- You have "D". - "D".

Right.

- You got "G" again. - "G".

"A" minor.

- Now the "G". - "G". From the top.

- Good. That's right. - That's right.

How do you feel when you play?

I think...

I think I got it.

See, that's your problem.

You're thinking...

about how to play the song.

And I'm asking you:

"How do you feel when you play?"

You ever been in love?

Once.

How'd it end?

I made her a promise that if she ever needed men that I'd be there for her.

What's wrong with at?

Because I made the same promise to the United States government.

And I found out...

You can't make that promise to me than one person.

That feeling?

Right there?

Hold on to that, and you'll do just fine.

- All right. Here you go. - What is it with thicity and ribs?

- Why don't you try one and find out? - No. I couldn't. I just...

- Mr. Kirkwood. - Excuse me.

She's a record executive from England.

Okay, Hardison. How are we doing?

- Ready when Eliot is. - Tell me something.

Why would a star like k-gent send you all the way here from London

to sign an unknown unsigned country singer

and give him $25,000 for a song on a demo tape?

Congratulations, Mr. Kirkwood. You've impressed me.

- And I'm not easily impressed. - I didn't think you were.

- You gonna tell me how you did that? - I want you to tell me first.

Right now.

It's very simple.

Box of demos, lying around t studio, waiting to go to the rubbish.

K-gent picks one up. Who knows why?

Next thing we know, he's sampled one of the tracks on his new album.

And you came here to offer the kid $25,000

before he realized he had won the lottery.

Something like that.

Hi, I'm Kenneth Crane.

And I'm gonna sing a song...

I'm gonna sing a song I wrote about...

The road not traveled.

- Nate, something's wrong. - All right. What is it?

The system's not working. Something's wrong.

No, it's fine.

No, it's not fine. I'm looking at it. It is not correcting his voice.

That's because it doesn't need correcting.

You know who he sounds like.

Don't let the manager leave.

I think you and I need to talk.

How'd I...

How'd I do?

That was amazing!

Hang on.

Mr. Kirkwood wants to see you.

He knows where I am.

Or you know...

I could go to him.

Eliot, how soon can you get here?

- On our way, Nate. - You!

You lied to me.

This is for tomorrow night.

You offered, what?

$25,000?

I happen to know that you would pay half a million dollars for that song.

Fortunately for me, he doesn't know that.

Fortunately for you, his manager and I happen to go way back.

We did 4h together.

It's a cowboy thing.

Why don't you let me see if I can't nudge the deal along for you?

And what would you want, exactly?

I'll think of something.

You two work out together?

I'm just gonna leave my card and get going here.

Listen, I gotta go take care of my musician.

You know how artists get.

Sit down!

Nate, I'm on my way!

Get in here!

Who do you work for?

Forever 21! Don't hit me!

I'm not gonna... What are you doing here?

I just want your autograph.

Tried to leave, so I'd get a little rough.

They got into a fight, these guys.

Something about reps versus sets.

To be honest, I wasn't really paying attention.

That is how you run a fiddle game.

I don't even know how to begin to thank you.

And that's just 10% of it. Tomorrow, he's taking Eliot into the studio,

- we'll get you the other 90%. - And while Eliot's in the studio,

Parker will get into the safe and grab the masters.

Eliot's the fiddle!

What's she doing back there?

She's trying on her costume.

We sold Eliot to Kirkwood. I totally get this.

Supposed to be some hot shot producer. Works for k-gent.

And he came all this way just to produce one song?

I guess so.

Now, listen.

Anything he wants, you get.

Understand?

Anything.

Welcome to Kirkwood records.

I'm JC.

Anything you need, you just let me know.

First of all, my man, real quick, lose the attitude.

Second of all, yes, it's her. Breathe.

I'm okay.

If I could get you to fill out these visitor badges...

Did you just look her in the eyes?

I don't think I was.

Chill with the attitude!

Don't raise your voice! Did they not tell you nothing?

You know who you in front of? Think about it.

Iceland. Pop star. Figure it out.

Click it together. Bells and whistles. Give me something!

Bjor...

I'm so sorry. Are you okay?

Is the duck? Good. Woman, for real. Get up in here.

Mommy, real quick. I hope, for your sake,

that you was not about to say what I think you was about to say.

I don't think I was.

What I'm gonna need you to do is just roll up out of here, cuz,

'cause you messing up the aura. We was cool. We was vibing.

Great.

I'm gonna get going on that paperwork.

You do that. So I can start recording this hillbilly.

I crossed an ocean, a pond, and a creek to get here.

Eliot, you got an ETA?

Yeah. I'm almost there. But I think somebody's following me.

Do some Eliot-fu on 'em. What happened to...

"This is what I do"?

I don't think that's gonna work this time.

I been meaning to tell you, this Kenneth Crane?

He is blowing up on twitter.

He's got a fan page. It's a pretty good picture, too.

That's the problem. I can't have my picture out there like that.

Contrary to what y'all may believe,

I do not control everything that happens on the internet.

There's a price on my head in three different countries,

and I'm fairly certain a fatwa was issued!

You are so vain, man.

Boom. There. Fan site. No. But you know what?

When you get back, we gonna have us a serious conversation

about the difference between caution and paranoia.

When you've done the things I've done, there's no such thing as paranoia.

Seriously?

For breakfast?

What, did Kirkwood just walk in or something?

How'd he find us?

There's probably not a lot of five-star hotels in Memphis.

You should probably justact the part, ride this out,

be in character.

You should probably storm off about now.

I thought I'd givet another beat.

Okay, then.

Perfect.

The other man in Memphis I'd like to slap.

Just relax now, little filly.

I am perfectly aware that you went behind my back

to get the rights to that song. So let's just cut to the chase.

What do you want?

Mr. Crane arrived just a moment ago.

He's just setting up in his studio now.

- All right. Let the magic begin. - You're not joining them.

And risk being tainted?

By what?

Exactly.

Which way to the meditation temple?

You know, we do have a few rooms.

Just... Actually, right this way...

That way's great, too. That's perfect.

Parker's on the loose, but there are a lot of unfriendlies.

Which is exactly why we have cover stories.

How's Eliot?

He's good. He's about to record. So he took his comm out.

Too much clutter.

You ready, man?

All right.

Hold up, man. It's a little pitchy.

It's just a scosh.

A little pitchy.

Not enough clutter.

It's pitchy.

In that very same spot, right?

It's a little pitchy.

Hold up, man.

Hang on, man. Let me get into the song.

Did you practice your warbles? Just put a smooth it out. Like...

Water! Hurry!

How's it going, parker?

I don't think I'm being weird enough.

Somehow I doubt that.

Okay, sugar, I got your water.

This isn't from an iceberg!

I don't think we have that here.

Fine.

Just...

Bring me some champagne.

Listen to me, man. Say "pitchy" one more time.

Say "pitchy" one more time and see what happens.

I don't even think that word means what you think it means.

"Pitchy".

- Define it. - You define it.

I don't have to define it! I'm not saying it every five seconds!

I'm sorry. I can't...

I lost you. I can't hear you. I'm sorry...

Maybe the safe is off-site. I've looked everywhere.

Isn't the recording studio supposed to be soundproof?

Yeah, completely.

Here's the master from the Kenneth Crane session.

I don't understand.

You just paid $ 100,000 for the rights to that song,

and you're just gonna give them to me for free.

That's just about the lay of the land.

You must want something.

I would like you to forget that you ever heard the name "Kenneth Crane."

Why would I do that?

I'm thinking about getting back into the spotlight,

and I don't think there's anything that would jump-start a career any more

than having a song of yours sampled by a major rap superstar.

You're gonna steal Crane's song for yourself?

How are you gonna get him to go along with that?

I wasn't exactly gonna give him a choice in the matter.

I guess there is one more thing that you can do for me.

Stop asking questions.

Talk to me.

We have a little problem.

- What kind of problem? - The guy who's buying our fiddle?

He thinks he is the fiddle.

Yes, sir.

I'll take care of that first.

You're not done yet?

He's doing one for him.

I found it.

Let's see.

Got it.

This is that song Kirkwood did.

This is the original master. Why is the artist's name blacked out?

Come with me.

Try telling this guy that.

Get up.

So, this is the original recording of the song

that made Kirkwood famous.

And this is the recording he released to the video.

- It's not the same. - Which one is Kirkwood?

That's just it. Neither.

It's the same song, just with a pitch adjustment.

Then, who's singing the song?

I am matching a voice print right now.

Where's Eliot?

Got it. Boom.

Jesse Jenkins.

All right. That's why Kirkwood never recorded a second song.

He didn't record the first one.

Kirkwood paid him off?

I don't think so. Jenkins sued him.

Copyright infringement, harassment, fraud.

The whole nine, but... those charges weren't formally dropped.

- They went to court? - Not exactly.

Any other guesses?

Jenkins was killed. Circumstances were suspicious.

Kirkwood was implicated but never charged.

Dead on. How'd you know?

Because he is about to do the exact same thing to Eliot.

Let's go! Now!

All right. Good. I do love it when a plan comes together.

Yeah, but where's the tape?

I think I may have left her tape in the deck.

- Unbelievable! - Where are you going?

When they find Kaye Lynn's tape, they gonna want to ask her some questions.

We know they don't ask questions nicely, do they?

Damn it, Hardison!

You okay?

The festival director just called.

Kirkwood took my spot in the showcase.

He's gonna sing my brother's song.

And you told me you were gonna get our money and our songs back,

but all you did was lose the only thing I had left!

Come with me. Trust me. What's the plan?

Come back to the hotel.

We're rework the approach. Hit him hard in a couple of days.

Kirkwood's getting ready to sing this song

in front of the who's who of country music.

It's too late to stop him tonight.

No, I hacked into his truck's navigation system. He's on the move.

- It's game over. - Eliot,

if he plays that song in front of those A&R's,

- I'll lose it forever. - Eliot, it's too late.

Help don't help, but don't tell me it's too late!

Put that on.

Sometimes,

you don't get a second chance to get it right.

- Why not? - Rule of life.

But that's exactly what we do.

We change the rules.

Where's Kirkwood right about now?

We got three blocks, Jesse. Go on.

Go!

- I can't move. - Give me the CD.

All right, come on, girls! Get out of my...

I'm trying to get somewhere. Get out of here!

Eliot, I used your fans to stall Kirkwood.

I bought you like two minutes.

- We're here. - Is Kirkwood there?

I don't see him. Wait.

He just walked in.

Got it.

- All right. A few more minutes. - Eliot, I'm sorry.

We did everything we can.

Maybe not everything.

- Surprised to see me? - Why would you say that?

You tried to kill me.

Same way you killed Jesse Jenkins.

You're unstable, Kenneth.

And I'd really like to help you...

If you'd let me.

You think I'm gonna confess to a murder in a roomful of microphones?

If I was that stupid, I never would have gotten away with it.

Let's put an end to amateur night

and give a warm welcome to Mitchell Kirkwood!

How about it?

She's wonderful! Isn't she?

The same way you killed Jesse Jenkins.

You think I'm gonna confess to a murder In a roomful of microphones?

If I was that stupid, I wouldn't have gotten away with it.

You think I'm gonna confess to a murder In a roomful of microphones?

- If I was that stupid... - And you make fun of earbuds.

That was a...

That was a joke, ladies and gentlemen. Very funny joke. I'll be right back.

How about that? Give it up for her.

Let me explain something to you. Next time you hit somebody in the stomach

and you want 'em to stay down. You gotta hit him in the solar plexus!

See the difference?

Easy, buddy.

This is a number where you can reach me at.

All right. Just a sec.

There's a lot of A&R's who want to meet with me.

Thank you. For my brother, too.

For what? It was all you.

Thank you for keeping your promise.

Speaking of that...

That's yours. That's for your trip to Nashville.

You can come with me, you know.

You're a natural-born country star if I've ever seen one.

Maybe the next Johnny and June?

Some roads,

you start going down, you can't turn back, and...

I'm about 10 miles down one of those right now, so...

Excuse us. Kaye Lynn?

I sound like a bad country song.

I have some folks I'd like for you to meet.

We have so many ideas for you.

Ready?

How'd you take those two guys out by yourself?

- They got into a fight. - How'd you do it?

- Can't say it any plainer. - You're not gonna tell me.

And where were you when all this going on?

What? I was getting notes from Kaye Lynn on my performance.

- How were you? - No complaints.

Excuse me, sir?

All right. This is the last one, sweetie.

I just wanted to know what time it was.

Yeah, I know.

It's late. Go home. It's past your bedtime.