Original subtitles

- Previously on "Bel-Air"...

- Why is it every time I see you,

you bolt in the other direction?

- I know you got a lot of bad feelings

about basketball because of me.

I just want you to remember, you are a hell of a prospect.

- What's your list of schools?

- I'm thinking somewhere local, like UCLA or USC.

- So you're gonna need to turn in a FAFSA,

search for scholarships.

- Princeton all the way. I plan on acing my interview.

- We're just looking for more these days.

- This last summer, I OD'd in a pool.

Amira, no!

It was really scary.

- Damn, bitch, are you always this fucking helpful?

- Excuse me? - You should leave.

- Geoffrey's working with the syndicate from London again.

- What?

- They want to launder money through Legacy Heights.

- There's always consequences for disloyalty--you know this.

So I was forced to make a call

to some of my besties at the LAPD.

- We have an arrest warrant for Will Smith and Carlton Banks.

- I'm assigning you to a youth diversion program

called Promising Choices.

If you mess this up, next time, I won't be so nice.

[dramatic music]

[upbeat electronic music]

- * I want it all, I want it *

- Babe, I need you to drive this car

like your life depends on it, 'cause our lives literally do.

- Guys, I'm already over the speed limit!

- Hey, hey, your commitment to the rules of the road

right now is giving auntie vibes.

- Dude! - Oh, hell, no.

Those are fighting words.

That's big talk for someone with little pepperoni nipples.

[laughter] - Hey, hey, hey! Hey, hey.

Eyes forward. - Yo, yo, yo, yo, yo.

Make this light. Come on, come on.

- Everyone all buckled up? - Do it!

- Doesn't matter, 'cause bad girls don't give a fuck!

[engine revving] - Let's go!

- * Oh, yeah *

- * Yeah, it's like déjà vu, I see it all the time *

- * Oh, yeah, oh, yeah * - * Yeah *

- Okay, so I am emailing you

because I am interested in your basketball program,

and I would love the opportunity to contribute

to your great team.

- Try "illustrious team."

- College coaches don't care about fancy words,

just stats and facts.

- You could color it up a little, is all I'm saying.

- After taking a break for the summer to start a company,

I am back on the court for Bel-Air Academy,

averaging 25 points a game, 6.8 rebounds,

and 5 assists.

Uh, no, uh, 7 assists.

- 7 assists.

- I'm a very dedicated player,

and I am very efficient in scoring,

creating opportunities for my teammates,

and making an impact on both sides of the court.

All right, now you finish it out.

- I got you.

Thanks so much for your time,

and I look forward to hearing from you.

Warmly, Will Smith.

- Uh, uh, no, no. I'm not a "warmly" type of guy.

- Respectfully yours.

- Highlight reel attached? - Right there.

- Ship it.

[computer whooshes]

My guy.

I appreciate you helping me out with these college letters.

I only got a couple more months to get recruited.

- Hey, glad to have you on the court.

- Yeah, man.

Hooping's gonna get me into a good school,

but a D-I scholarship's gonna pay for it.

- You know my mom and dad would help.

- Well, my mom made it very clear she's not having it.

All right? She's right.

I can do this.

[phone buzzes]

- Oh, shit.

It's in.

[upbeat music]

* *

- [breathing heavily]

Damn, baby.

You make pregnancy look good.

- Oh, you don't look too bad yourself.

- Yeah? - Mm-hmm.

- Mwah. - [chuckles]

I'm off to class.

- Yeah? I'm glad you're getting out.

- Oh, yeah.

Well, between Neeman work and Regina stressing me

over the details of her painting,

I need a break. - Mm.

[sighs] All right, well, have a good day.

Hopefully you'll find a little community

and some, uh, pregnancy pals.

- Oh, I wish you wouldn't call it that, but, yeah.

Oh, and the girls are coming over later

for some pampering time.

Hmm? Hmm? - Uh-huh.

- [groans softly]

So today's the big day with Geoffrey.

- Mom! Dad!

The Princeton decision is in.

- [exhales deeply]

[intriguing music]

- All right, son, no matter what happens,

we're all proud of you, okay? Don't worry.

- I'll be back here recording, bro.

[Viv sighs] - Okay.

- You know, maybe I should actually do this alone.

- If you don't press the dang link!

- Okay. Okay.

[sighs]

Come on. - Is the Wi-Fi on?

- No, the Wi-Fi is fine. - Oh, my God.

It means I didn't get it.

- Shh. - It means I didn't get it.

- Positive, positive. - Okay. Okay.

[computer chimes]

- Yes! [all cheering]

- Yes!

Little bro at the top of the food chain.

Yes!

both: Princeton.

[beatboxing] Princeton, Princeton.

Princeton.

- Hey!

- Carlton, I'm so happy for you.

I know how bad you wanted this.

- Man, it's like a bear getting off my chest

after sitting on it for ten years.

- Hey, Ms. Frankie, I saw you in the stands.

- Nice dunk last night.

- Just wait till next week. - Okay.

- See? You boys are on the up.

Not gonna lie, it was looking a little bit, uh, tenuous?

both: Mm.

- Arrests, judges, license revoked.

- Uh, we just need to finish this Promising Choices program,

and then I'm back in the whip.

- Yeah, it starts today.

And then we're gonna get this shit expunged from our records

and tell our grandkids about how we overcame.

- Or just never speak of it ever again.

- Mm, probably that. - Yeah.

- It was tough this year, but you pulled off a miracle.

- Thanks to you, Ms. B. [both chuckle]

- I have a matter to discuss.

See me during your free period?

- Uh, yeah. Yeah, of course.

- Okay.

[dramatic music]

- What was that about?

- Uh, I'm sure it's nothing.

[chuckles]

* *

- [sighs]

- Oh, how'd your appointment go?

- The lactation consultant

told me not to pump for the first two weeks,

so all of the early feedings are on me.

- Oh, that's gonna be amazing for attachment, though.

- That's true. - You know what?

Trust me, just pump.

Get some sleep. You're gonna need the rest.

- Oh, that's why I got the Snoo.

- Oh, what's that?

- Um, it's a smart bassinet that warms and rocks the baby.

It has sounds and movement that mimic the womb.

- Girl, you know you can just swaddle him

and lay him on his stomach. - What?

- Yes. On his stomach. And he'll go right to sleep.

- Stomach. - [laughs]

- I know.

- Interesting.

- What decade is she living in?

[chatter continues]

- Viv?

- Erika. - [chuckles]

- Uh, wow.

How are you?

- Uh, very pregnant. [chuckles]

I mean, I always wanted kids.

Figured I'd stop delaying that dream.

Froze my eggs. Did IVF.

This one took. [chuckles]

- Congratulations. - Well, you too.

I heard about you and Phil.

I was gonna reach out, but--

- [sighs]

- So I've been coming to this class a lot.

A lot of young'uns in here trying to show off.

I mean, I'm trying to keep up, but...

[chuckles] Not so easy at our age.

- Mm. I know.

Uh, you know, I need to get going, but...

best of luck to you, on, uh, everything.

[mellow music]

* *

[indistinct chatter]

- Coach!

- Hey. Great workout today, Will.

- Oh, thank you.

You got some time to talk? - Yeah, what's up?

- So I heard USC may be looking for a point guard next season.

Top recruit just decommitted. - Okay.

- Well, you know, that's my first choice.

You know, their business school is, like, top ten.

I just can't get any response from a coach.

What should I do?

- Will, USC's highly competitive.

It's like we discussed.

It's gonna be a lot harder this late in the game.

I mean, you took the summer off, didn't get any looks.

- I know, but I've been in the gym getting shots up.

I mean, I sent out, like, 50 emails with my highlight reel.

- Listen...

you're doing exactly what you need to do on the court.

We just may need to get

a little more creative off the court.

I'll keep advocating for you on my end.

Just stay persistent, all right?

- All right. - All right. My man.

* *

[knock at door]

- Hey, Ms. Bassin. You wanted to see me?

- Yes, Carlton. Please come in and have a seat.

[door closes]

[sighs]

You remember Mr. Fuller from Princeton?

- Yeah, yeah, he did my interview.

- He called, excited about your acceptance.

He was moved by your story.

Said it's not every day you hear

about someone overdosing and nearly dying

in a swimming pool.

So imagine my surprise when I read Amira's story

about her experience

overdosing and almost dying in a swimming pool.

[sighs]

I am sympathetic to the pressure

you students are under,

but lying

and stealing someone else's story...

is unethical and unacceptable.

I'm very disappointed, Amira.

I expect an original essay this time.

* *

Anything you have to say?

* *

- Nope.

* *

[door slams]

[upbeat music]

- Hey, Amira?

Amira.

Amira, will you wait up?

I--hey. [breathing heavily]

You just didn't say anything in there,

so, um, I'm a little confused.

- This is my life, Carlton.

And you just swoop in and take it like it's nothing?

- It's not nothing.

I just--I just freaked out, all right?

And--and--and I said

what I thought he wanted to hear in the moment.

I-I was wrong.

- You know what? It's cool.

I see it now.

This is how you keep your big-man-on-campus status--

fooling everyone around you with these damn lies.

It's great to see that you've grown.

- Uh, wait, but, uh--

are you gonna say anything?

Please.

- I don't know what I'm gonna do.

[dramatic music]

* *

[indistinct chatter]

- Wait, wait. What about this guy--

Gavin White? - Let me see.

Hmm. What, you think he cute or something?

- Oh, yeah.

Look past the biceps and the nice chest and the nice smile.

- Thank you, thank you. - Read his bio.

- Oh.

Shit! He's from Philly.

Oh, I think you just found my in.

- Maybe my next boo.

- Well, then I'ma slide in his DMs for the both of us.

If I could just rap with him for a little bit,

I'm sure he'll put a good word in with me with the USC coach.

- Shoot your shot. - Can't miss.

I'll see you--mm--oh, yeah. - [mumbles]

- I'll see you later after this Promising Choices class.

- Good luck with that. - [flutters lips]

Come on, I got this.

* *

- Oh, thank you.

This is the longest I've gone without drinking or a manicure.

- Well, you know, you have been kind of busy creating life.

- Whoo! Thank you, thank you for treating us today, Viv.

I needed this.

And the masseuse had hands like--

like a lumberjack. [laughter]

- Girl, Manny is the real deal.

- Girl. - Ooh, ooh! Say less.

- Oh, and I miss my friends.

Oh, I so needed this.

- What we really need is some weed.

Pamela, with that fancy job that you have over at the DCC,

you couldn't bring one pre-roll?

- Officially, the Department of Cannabis Control

doesn't supply product.

Unofficially, I might have a little something-something

in my purse. - Ah! My girl!

- Oh, and thank you for helping Jazz with his dispensary idea.

He said your advice has really helped.

- Any friend of yours is a friend of mine.

I'm actually checking out his space later.

- Mm. - Okay, enough about friends.

Let's talk about enemies, okay?

So what I want to know more about is your run-in

with Ms. Erika.

- Girl, what is the chance?

- So this Erika is somebody we don't like?

- Correct. She is hella messy.

- 'Cause it seems like a pregnancy friend

that has something in common would be nice.

- Girl, please. She and Viv will never be friends, okay?

There is just too much bad history there.

- Hmm. - More bubbly?

- Ooh. [giggles]

- Ooh, how good was that rosé champagne at 1010 Wine?

- Ooh, girl!

And I was not mad at those Black Magic oysters either.

- Wait a minute--I've been wanting to try that spot.

Y'all went without me?

- I mean, since you can't really drink right now

or eat oysters, we--we just didn't want you

to feel left out.

- And not to rub it in your face,

but ever since my daughter left for college,

I been in these streets, girl.

Going out, sleeping in,

planning a girls' trip to Vegas.

- Ooh, say less! I am there.

- Well, that sounds fun.

- Shall we go in the back and have a little more fun?

- Ooh! Is that okay with you, Viv?

- Of course. Go ahead. Enjoy.

- Grab that bottle.

- Ooh. - Okay, so you're in-in.

- In, in, in.

- It's gonna be so much fun. - Yes, queen, yes!

[dramatic music]

* *

[indistinct chatter, upbeat hip-hop music playing]

* *

- Man.

Yeah, this is about to be wild.

- It looks like a regular classroom in Philly to me.

[chatter and music continue]

Carlton.

- What?

- iPad?

- Yo, this is serious, all right?

I have to pass this class,

or I can kiss Princeton goodbye.

- Oh, that's if Amira doesn't ruin it first.

- [groans] Don't remind me.

- We got this, all right?

Just a couple of workshops, a few teamwork exercises.

We good. It's easy money.

Light work.

- Y'all think this gonna be easy?

- Oh, yeah, just a few hours of picking up trash,

listening to some old retired guy

talking about making better choices--easy.

[all chuckle]

Hey, I'm Will. This is my cousin Carlton.

- Hey. - Leroy.

AKA Mr. Carter, your instructor.

Hey, get your ass in your seat, walking in my class late.

- Great.

- You, sit your bitch ass down.

All right, listen up.

Whatever you did to get here, I already know.

Shoplifting, trespassing,

identity theft,

vandalizing property.

Bash and Bash.

Everybody in here made mistakes.

The only thing I'm concerned with

is that you don't make another one.

You thought this shit was gonna be easy.

- Oh, no, sir, I-I actually didn't.

My friend might have, but I am really excited

for this opportunity. - I know that's right.

Sit your ass down. - Yes, sir.

- This is what I'm talking about.

See how you selling him out?

This leads me to my first lesson.

Brother's keeper.

Say it with me.

all: [halfheartedly] Brother's keep--

- Uh, uh, uh. At the same time.

all: My brother's keeper!

- Now, what that means is, the person you sitting next to,

that's your accountability partner.

Your partner fails, you fail.

You succeed, your partner fails,

you also fail.

Are we clear?

all: Yes, sir.

- And show up on time.

Late, that's a strike.

Three strikes, and your ass is out.

You follow the rules,

and you leave here better than you came.

If not, deal with the system.

It's your choice.

And I'm only gonna say this one time.

Don't make this a fucking reunion.

[dramatic music]

[Carlton sighs]

[indistinct shouting]

* *

- 50 million, 5 businesses.

We'll clean the cash slow through establishments

near the construction point.

They're all bleeding money.

We'll offer to help them recover,

even turn a profit by simply adding a cash infusion.

- Hmm.

And we control the financials so no one's the wiser.

- Exactly.

And if anything was to go left,

they'll all have plausible deniability.

They're protected.

- Things don't go left when I'm involved, Phil.

* *

Car washes. Perfect.

Nobody questions cash there.

We buy in, pump up the volume.

40 cars come through, but the books will say 100.

- Carlos is barely keeping the lights on.

We offer a lifeline,

and suddenly his business is thriving.

No one asks why.

* *

[pen scratching]

* *

- Laundromats.

No one counts how many loads go in.

We up the customer numbers on paper,

push through clean cash.

- Sandra thinks we're just investors.

We fix her machines, we move our money, everybody wins.

- Thank you.

- No knowledge, no liability.

- Parking lots.

Nobody knows how much cash comes in.

We beef up the numbers,

looks like we're running a gold mine.

- Harold owns two lots.

Just one steady income.

Double his take, he won't ask where it's coming from.

- I appreciate you, Mr. Banks.

- Four down. Just need one more.

- Mini-mart on Crenshaw.

Owner's coming by later today.

* *

Just helping the neighborhood.

* *

- Community service starts tonight.

Wear your shirts.

Be on time so you don't waste mine.

That includes you two, Bash and Bash.

Get the hell on out of here.

Here you go. You make sure you do your hair tonight.

- I guess that's our nickname now.

- Sounds like it's sticking.

- Still nothing from Amira.

- That's a good thing, right?

- I don't like not knowing her next move.

It's eerie. - Yeah, I feel you.

[cell phone chimes] Oh, shit.

Yo, Gavin just hit me back.

"'Sup, Philly. Got your message.

Having a kickback at the crib. Come through."

Yeah, I got to go.

I got to go. - To a party?

Absolutely not. You heard him.

We--we have to be back in a few hours.

- It's USC.

Yo, he can get me in good with the coach.

- Hey, if you want to throw your life away, be my guest.

But I'm not letting you drag me down with you.

- Look, you have Princeton, all right?

I need this.

Yo, I'm gonna be back on time, a'ight?

My Uber's coming. I'll see you later.

- Will!

Fuck my life, man.

[sighs] Wait for me.

Will!

[mellow music]

- I told Will I'd meet him here after his program.

- Oh, he's not back yet, but come on in.

We're over here in the kitchen.

- "We"?

Oh.

- Hey, Lisa. - Jackie's here.

- Yeah, she just stopped by to share the news

that she just got into Juilliard.

- Oh. Congrats.

- And Lisa's gonna be on the swim team at Howard.

Full ride.

- Oh, cool.

- Okay. That's it.

Have a seat.

* *

- * Shouldn't want y'all to *

- Cool spot. Great location, too.

- Yo, thank you for helping me navigate this, Ms. Gordon.

You know, I've been trying to set up a dispensary

for a long time,

but after my equity grant got denied,

I-I just didn't know where else to turn.

- Yeah, thousands of applications,

not enough funding.

But I'm on a mission to fix that.

Before legalization,

folks like us got arrested for doing the same thing

that's making billionaires today.

- Preach.

- But you, you got a business.

Built-in customer base?

You're already ahead of the game.

- Yeah, I thank my uncle Charlie for that every day.

- Capital is the biggest roadblock.

After the renovations, you still have licensing fees,

security, inventory,

other operating costs.

It looks like a quarter mill to start.

- Damn.

With no grant?

[scoffs]

I mean, I just don't have that lying around.

- What about an investor?

- Yo, who's gonna front me that type of bread?

What, 'cause I-I sell vinyls and I know good weed?

- We'll figure something out.

[Nate Rose's "Just Be"]

[door opens, bells jingle, door closes]

- * I'ma start right, got to bark right *

* I induce pain, I am Liu Kang *

* Mixed with Bruce Wayne... *

- Okay, remember, in and out super quick.

Find this guy, pull him to the side and make the connect,

and then we bounce.

- Relax, okay? We have time.

And you didn't have to come.

- Yo, our futures are connected now.

So, if you don't show up on time, that affects me.

- Okay, Carlton.

Jeez. [billiard balls clack]

- What does Gavin look like, anyway?

- Oh, shit. There he is.

- They be trippin' like they can get past me.

- Sometimes you got to bomb on them.

- Shit, ain't that the truth? Bombs away. Ha ha!

You feel me? What up, man? What up, what up, what up?

Yo, Gavin. What up, boul?

- Yeah. Who you?

- Uh, Will Smith.

Uh, we exchanged DMs.

I'm from West Philly.

- Yeah. Yeah, what's up, boy? You made it.

- Oh, yeah, man. Thanks for the invite.

You know, we actually used to hoop some

of the same places in Philly. - Oh, yeah?

- Yeah. - [laughs]

Where? - All over.

Uh, Strawberry Mansion, Sonny Hill league.

- Yeah, oh, shit. We got a real native.

- Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

- Pat's or Geno's?

- [scoffs] Pat's or Geno's. Trick question.

No, I actually prefer the papi store on 55th

for the adobo seasoning.

Or Ishkabibble's.

Either one.

- Yeah? Yeah, them jawns do smack.

Hey, West Philly in the building.

Hey, my boy. - Oh, my man.

- Yo, I mean, that jawn is crazy!

Um, uh, don't you have something that

you should be asking him right about now?

- Carlton, we're good. Bro, it's all good. Just chill.

- Yes, but we have a place that we have to be very soon.

- Hey, bro, got a curfew?

- No, I just said we got places to be.

- Nah, where your chaperone at, little man?

Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Hey, somebody left they kid here.

[laughter]

Yo, Will, how you let little bro stay up this late?

- This is actually my little cousin.

- Little? I'm older than you.

- Ain't it past his bedtime or some shit?

For real, come on.

- Uh, no, he's actually gonna take a nap in the car seat

on the ride home. [laughter]

- Damn. - Okay, so, look, man, look,

I'm trying to get on, man, you know?

Think you can introduce me to Coach Gruber?

- Hold up, nigga.

You think I'm just gonna put you on like that?

Shit, what I want to know is, nigga--what we want to know is,

Can you hang? That's the real question.

Come on.

Bro, you want some food, drinks, something?

- Watch this. Watch out, man.

- What you talking about, the coach?

- Yo, watch out, bro. Come on.

[indistinct chatter, billiard balls clack]

[all shout]

- I got no problem with Lisa.

- Same. We moved past all of that.

- Good,

because you both have so much in common.

You're talented, ambitious,

both navigating a world without your moms.

It's a heavy load.

Could be easier if you both shared it.

Sisterhood is so powerful.

Don't deprive yourself of a friend

who gets what you're going through

in a way nobody else does.

- I didn't realize your mom wasn't around.

- She's around...

just not around me.

I haven't seen her since middle school, so...

What about you?

- Um...

my mom passed a couple years ago.

Lupus.

- Sorry.

I'm sure that was really tough.

- Juilliard?

Congrats.

Like, that is pretty freaking incredible.

[chuckles] - Yeah, thank you.

I mean, so is getting a full ride to swim at Howard.

Really. - [laughs]

For the longest time, I did not think it was gonna pan out.

Like, all the sacrifices.

- The long hours. - And the injuries.

- Canceling plans... both: For practice.

- Jinx. - [scoffs]

[phone buzzes]

- Will's not gonna make it.

He's going to some USC athlete hangout to meet Gavin White.

- Oh, yeah. I know about that party.

My homeboy Xavi, he runs at USC.

He trained at Zenith.

[soft mischievous music]

- Your mini-mart is the cornerstone

of the neighborhood.

But you're--you're being squeezed, though, right?

Rent hikes, suppliers overcharging.

It's a real hustle just to break even.

- Every damn month.

- Yeah, well,

with Legacy Heights, we want to help--

fresh inventory, ads, bring in more customers.

- It's all there.

- I mean, sounds pretty good,

and I could really use the help.

- Your store does better. Everybody eats.

No risk to you.

It's a win-win.

- Here you go.

[paper rustling]

- That's not for me.

- W-why? W-w-why not?

- 'Cause suddenly I'm co-owning a business

that I built from the ground up.

[soft tense music]

* *

[chuckles] My answer is no.

* *

- Okay.

Uh, it's your call.

Well, if anything changes, we'll be around.

* *

[door closes]

* *

[indistinct shouting, vehicles beeping]

Maybe we expand the search another couple blocks.

- The further away from the building site,

the more questionable your investment looks.

Could stick with four businesses.

Plan still works. - Yeah, but slower.

No, I need this done, in and out.

- Or...

you can let me sort it out my way.

When I need someone to say yes, they say yes.

- No, Geoffrey.

We're not doing that.

- It's a means to an end, Phil.

You don't even have to be there.

* *

- C!

Carlton! Bro, come on, man.

Look, bro, I didn't--I wasn't trying to piss you off, bro.

I was just--it just came out.

- Sleeping in the car seat on the ride home

was just sitting there waiting to come out?

- I was just joking, okay?

I'm just trying to find a way to...

connect.

[indistinct chatter, party music playing]

Actually...

[video game gunfire] Hey, yo, Gavin?

How about a little one-on-one? all: Oh.

- Unless you think your skills can't match up.

- Keep moving.

[video game gunfire continues]

[crowd cheers]

- Best out of three.

I win, you tell Coach come check me out.

- And if I win...

you walk out of here like you ain't never stepped in.

- Ah.

[crowd cheering]

- Ah! Come on!

Come on, let's go.

[King George and the Fabulous Souls' "Baby I've Got It"]

- All right, let's do it.

- * Uh *

* Baby, I got it *

[crowd cheers]

* Look at me, baby *

* *

* You know my friends all told me one day *

- Now you see me. Now you don't.

Come on.

- * Look at me, baby *

[person chanting]

[crowd cheers]

- * Baby, I got it *

* Oh, yeah *

* Baby, I got it *

* Oh, yeah *

- Gummy bear.

* *

- Swoosh.

[crowd cheering wildly]

- Okay! Okay! Okay!

Okay!

Mmm.

That's good.

Gummy.

[clears throat]

[crowd groans]

[indistinct chatter]

- Same, my buddy. You feel me?

[laughter]

This type shit. Yeah, yeah.

Damn. Sorry, Philly.

Feel free to hang out or whatever.

[chuckles]

- Clock's ticking.

- I know. I know. You're ready to leave.

- No, no, no, I wish, but, um, something's come up.

[door closes]

Oh, shit. - Hey.

[party music playing, indistinct chatter]

[laughter]

- Uh, wow.

This is unexpected.

But tell me again, how did this, uh--

how did this happen exactly?

- Aunt Viv was amazing today,

and she really, you know, spoke some truth.

- Mm-hmm. - Yeah, she's the whole word.

- That's my Aunt Viv... - Yep.

- Always putting things together.

- Well, that's why I told Amira to meet us here,

because there's no reason

we all shouldn't be able to hang out.

- Of course, of course.

- That's right. And tonight we are celebrating.

- Tell him your good news.

- Your girl just got into the dance program at Juilliard!

- Wow! - Uh-huh.

- Congratulations.

- Thank you. - Wow.

- Jackie, honey, come over here.

- I'ma--I'ma be right back.

* *

- I don't know if I'm comfortable

with you looking this good at this party.

And smelling this good, too. - [giggles]

- Ooh, do we need to find a room upstairs or what?

- No, you need to focus.

How's it going with Gavin? - [sighs] Not good.

It's just really hard to keep his attention.

- Come on, damn.

- Okay, well, you know,

I'll be over there if you need me.

Don't mind me unless you need my help.

- No, no, no. You're good, you're good.

You deserve to celebrate. You all do.

- Okay.

- That's where I'm trying to get to.

- Okay. - See you later.

You look great.

- Hurry up. I really need to go.

- Hey, so I've been pretty on edge all night

about how this whole thing is gonna go down.

- Good.

- Okay, fine, fine. I'll come clean to Ms. Bassin.

I'll tell her it was all me. - Okay, stop it.

You are not gonna do that.

- What? I thought that was what you wanted!

- [sighs] Carlton, yes,

I was upset that you stole my story.

But what I'm not upset about is you getting what you deserve.

Princeton.

- Yeah, well, it feels terrible that I had to lie to get it.

- Look, I know the kind of pressure

that you put yourself under.

And you were trying to tell me at HoCo, and I blew you off.

- Yeah. Worst night of my life.

- Yeah, Lisa told me everything--

about the arrest and Promising Choices.

- Man, that girl can't hold shit.

- I'm just sorry that you didn't think you were enough

without my story.

You've worked insanely hard.

And that's why you got into Princeton.

And I'm not gonna let you mess up your future

because you told a lie.

It's not like I haven't lied before.

You do remember me having a dead sister

and going on to tell your family that I was grieving?

- True, true.

Uh, I guess we're even, then. - Oh, far from it.

Yeah, you still have to make it up to me.

- Make it up to you how?

* *

No, no.

Anything but that.

- Oh, yes, that.

Señor, you owe me.

Get ready. That's all I want. Bye!

[chuckles]

[Carlton sighs]

[hip-hop music]

- I think I found our fifth business.

[door bells jingle] All right, I'll call you later.

- Mr. Banks. [door closes]

- Hey, I was just in the neighborhood.

- Ah, what, some Legacy Heights business?

- [chuckles] Yeah, something like that.

I hear things at the dispensary are coming along...

slowly.

- That's one way to say it.

- Yeah, I got a call from Pamela Gordon.

Said you could really use an investor.

What if I helped?

- [chuckles]

Yeah. Yeah, Mr. Banks. Hell, yeah.

- Okay. All right.

Here's a little contract. I'll break it down to you.

Pretty straightforward.

[party music playing, indistinct chatter]

- Amira, please. Will and I need to go now.

I will literally do anything but this.

- No, I want what I asked for, Carlton.

A deal's a deal.

Come on, let's go. Let's see it.

I believe in you. [giggles]

- Amira... - Get to it.

[laughs] - What are you talking about?

- Everyone move out the way. Move, move.

[Sugarhill Gang's "Apache (Jump on It)"]

- Watch this.

- Oh, my goodness.

[crowd groaning]

- * Tonto *

* Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it *

[laughter]

- Why is he doing this? - Payback, baby.

- Your cuz cheesy as hell, boul.

[laughs]

- Yo, who is this dude?

- This is so cringe.

- * Jump on it, jump on it, jump on it *

* *

- What are you doing? - Amira made me.

Come on, man. - All right, fuck it.

* *

- Not the choreo!

[cheers and applause]

* *

- * Apache, jump on it, jump on it *

- Oh, my God.

* *

- Whoa, who is this dude?

- Qué caliente!

* *

- Yo, the crowd is feeling it!

* *

[cheers and applause]

- See, did I tell you, or did I tell you?

I told you it was gonna be entertaining.

- Good job, Carlton. - Hey.

- [laughing]

[music playing faintly]

[knock at door]

* *

- Ms. Gordon.

Wow. You look nice.

- Thank you. [door closes]

I'm headed to a fundraiser down the block.

But Phil caught me up.

I just wanted to drop by and say congratulations.

- Oh, thank you.

Um, also, I appreciate you

lobbing that call to Mr. Banks, for real.

- What can I say?

I love to see a young Black king win.

There's another thing I want to address,

if--if you're open.

- I'm open.

* *

- It's okay.

We're both adults.

Unless you're not into older women.

- Oh, no. No. [chuckles]

I'm into older women. [chuckles]

- Okay. [laughs] - Um...

aren't you Mrs. Banks' friend, though?

- What Mrs. Banks doesn't know...

I mean...

[P.R's "If I fall" playing]

- * And I'll do this *

* Unless you already thought through this *

* Before, ooh *

- * Yeah, I'm heating up *

* I suggest you check your temperature *

- Oh, hey, hey, we got to go, now.

- Bro, I know, bro. The Uber's not moving!

- But we drove. Go, go, go, go!

- Come on, let's go. - I'll text Amira.

- Yo, yo, yo, make this light. Come on, come on!

- Everyone all buckled up? - Do it.

- Doesn't matter, 'cause bad girls don't give a fuck!

[tires squealing] - Let's go!

- Yeah, that's my girl! Go!

- I love this new-bestie dynamic--it's so fun.

- I don't know. I think it's kind of cool.

- Shut up.

[car doors close] - * I want it *

- Go, go! [doors slam]

- Okay! Hurry!

- Yo. - Thank God.

[panting] Oh, okay.

Whoo!

Wait, no! - Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa!

- We were here on time!

- Asses in seats, not at the front door!

- Fuck!

[both breathing heavily]

- Fuck.

- Bro...

I'm sorry for letting Gavin and those guys clown you like that.

- It's okay.

[scoffs]

This college pressure makes us do some fucked-up shit.

- Yeah.

- I guess you made up for it, though.

Thanks for not leaving me up there alone.

- Yeah, you would have done the same thing for me.

- Ah, I'm not so sure about that.

[laughter]

[sighs]

- Hey.

One of us wins, we both win.

- I need to pass this...

or everything goes away.

- We shouldn't have gone to that party.

I know USC is a long shot, but...

after seeing you get Princeton

when everyone told you it was impossible...

Thought maybe I had a chance.

- Hey.

You'll land at the place that's right for you.

- [scoffs]

Yeah, but where is that?

- * If they wasn't fucking with you from the jump *

* Then fuck 'em now, tryna... *

- [giggles]

- * Kick 'em out... *

- Can I ask you something?

* *

Have you told your mom you got into Juilliard?

- [scoffs]

Please. She didn't even know I applied.

* *

She didn't think I could be a dancer.

* *

- Is that why you stuck with it--to prove her wrong?

- * Now they actin' like they know me, not even a tad *

* Fuckin' with the D-nee-nee, they don't really know her *

* Telling me I'm on CDs... *

- I would give anything...

to tell my mom that I got in.

* *

It's not too late for you.

* *

- * Tryin' to slide inside the frame *

* They see the flashes, kick 'em out *

- Bash, Bash!

What are y'all still doing here?

- Sir. Uh, Mr. Carter--

- This is how y'all gonna conduct y'allselves?

What do you want the world to get from your existence?

- Look, we're really sorry about--

- You know why they call this program Promising Choices?

[soft music]

Because y'all made a whole lot of unpromising ones

to get here.

But all it takes is one good choice

to turn that thing around.

* *

That choice might allow you to heal someone else...

[line trilling]

- Mommy.

* *

It's me.

* *

Um...

I have something to tell you.

- Or a choice to stop being weighed down

by a mindset that no longer serves you.

* *

And, yeah, sometimes you do make a choice

you aren't proud of.

- First drop from Dominique.

Spin City Laundromat, for Amodi Car Wash,

for both Florence parking lots.

* *

For Charlie's.

You sure about this?

- Things don't go left when you're involved, right?

* *

- But there's always time to correct your bad ones...

- I've always thought that...

success was about hard work.

But I've come to realize

it's more about understanding others,

knowing when someone needs

a moment of kindness, forgiveness...

because sometimes feeling seen

is the difference between being overlooked

and believing you belong.

That's it.

- Well, that's a damn good essay.

- I just wanted to give you some ideas.

- Hmm.

- It's yours, if you want it.

* *

- Because you can still atone.

* *

And your choice might help someone

without you even knowing it.

[phone ringing]

- What's cracking, boul? - Gavin. What's up, man?

- Hey, that was some real cool shit you did for your cousin.

That's how we do it in Philly. - You already know.

- And that's what this team is all about,

so I talked to Coach.

He's gonna come to one of your games.

I'm not sure when, but be ready.

- Man, I, um-- I appreciate this, bro.

Uh... [chuckles]

I guess I'll see you on the court, huh?

- A'ight type shit.

[line beeping]

- Yes!

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

[laughing]

Oh.

- And that choice might pay off in ways

you never even imagined.

- [sighs]

- So that's why

you motherfuckers need to show up on time next week.

- Wait, whoa, whoa, whoa. "Next week"?

- Yeah, like I said, it's three strikes.

Strike one, strike two.

- Thank you! Thank you, sir-- - Yes, sir, we promise--

- Shut up!

And be early.

- * Ee, ya, ya, ya, ya, ya *

* The Dogg Pound's in the house *

- * The bomb * [laughter]

- Yes! Yes!

Yes! - Whoo!

- * Now just throw your hands in the motherfuckin' air *

* And wave the motherfuckers like ya just don't care *

- * Yeah, roll up the dank and pour the drank *

* And watch your stank *

* Why? 'Cause Doggy's on the gank *

[upbeat music]

* *