Original subtitles

- Previously - You want to be a producer,

so why don't you produce a solution?

- How many black women get to produce a TV show?

What must I do to be on "Soul Train"?

- So what the hell is wrong with you, Don?

- How's it gonna look when I always say that

"Soul Train" is for us, by us?

- This is for you.

- ♪ Ooh, bop ♪

♪ ♪

- Not really that guy anymore.

- I want out, Mickey.

- It costs money to get clean.

- Run this package by this address.

- Well, Willie's gone, and I need you to step up.

on self-defense we h in every package.tion

- Ugh. Enough of this.

- Hai Karate.

- Grrreat!

- There you go. All right, now hold still.

- All right.

[upbeat music]

[sizzles] Ouch, Mama!

- Sorry. Sit still.

- I am sitting still.

- Good. Stop talking too.

You see my program on.

[all vocalizing]

♪ ♪

all: ♪ Dance to the music ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Dance to the music ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Dance to the music ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Dance to the music ♪

- Everybody, come on!

- ♪ All we need is a drummer ♪

♪ For people who only need a beat ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I'm gonna add a little guitar ♪

♪ And make it easy to move your feet ♪

[guitar solo]

♪ ♪

- ♪ I'm gonna add some bottom ♪

♪ So that the dancers just won't hide ♪

[bass solo]

♪ ♪

- ♪ You might like to hear my organ ♪

♪ I said ride, Sally, ride now ♪

[organ solo]

♪ ♪

Cynthia! - Yeah!

- Yeah! - What?

- ♪ If I could hear the horns blow ♪

♪ Cynthia on the throne ♪

♪ Yeah ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Listen to me ♪

[engine rumbling]

- So your people saying this is a ten?

- That's the temp. Ten or better.

I'd bet on better.

- On his worst day, how bad did it get?

- No-show at San Diego Sports Arena.

Trashed hotel rooms at the Parker.

Trashed venue in Philly.

No-show at Grant Park.

Riots, mayhem, cops.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

He's two people, Don.

Don't know which one will show up.

- Well, damn.

Where's Willie? We could use his muscle.

- Willie's out...

of the game.

- Oh, stand by. I think we got something.

[funky music]

♪ ♪

- ♪ Hey ♪

- Oh, wow.

- Jesus.

- No...

that's definitely not Jesus.

♪ ♪

- ♪ Ooh, ooh, ooh ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Ooh ♪

♪ ♪

- Don, Don.

What's happening, blood? - Sly.

- Come here.

Look at you looking all fit and trim.

What you on, that Jack LaLanne trip now, brother?

Just trying to keep it all together, brother.

That's all. - Right, right.

- So who's your friend?

- Oh, this right here is Black Sheba, baby.

Won her off some drunk sheik playing naked lawn darts

with some fine Playboy honeys

over there at Hef's crib last night.

You ever been to Hef's crib?

- No, I can't say that I've had the pleasure.

- Well, when you do,

make sure you hit that grotto, man.

Nothing but blonde babes and mermaids.

And the curtains always match the carpet.

Makes you want to put your hook up in everything.

- Anyways, look, man, I appreciate you being here,

and I can't wait to see you perform, all right?

- Oh, it's about to be a party, baby.

We about to turn this sucker out.

You dig what I'm saying? - I dig what you're saying.

All I'm asking is that you and the Family

don't turn it out too much.

You dig what I'm saying?

Respectfully.

- All gravy, baby. All gravy.

We'll try to keep it... maintained.

Cool?

- Cool. Thank you.

- I gotta get Black Sheba here back to the bus.

She gets a little testy when she hasn't been milked.

Catch y'all later, all right?

Come on, baby.

♪ ♪

- He knows that llama's a male, right?

What the hell he plan on milking?

♪ ♪

- Yes, I know that it's last minute,

and I apologize.

Yes.

It doesn't matter who's performing in their place.

I--I just can't have them on the show today.

I will make it up to them. I swear.

I promise. Okay, all right.

All right.

[grunts]

[knock on door]

Come in.

Good news only, please.

- Good news.

Run-through's done.

- That's all you got?

- I just ruined a pair of $100 riding boots

stepping in hot llama shit.

Yeah, that's all I got.

- Change of schedule. Scratching The Chi-Lites.

- You're scratching them.

Your boys from Chicago?

Y'all fall out or something? - No, nothing like that.

I'm just moving 'em to a different date.

That's all. - Okay.

Who you replacing them with?

- Who said that I was replacing them?

- Fine. Keep it to yourself.

I just work here.

- Take care of Mary Wilson.

Be sensitive.

Check on what she wants to talk about

or what she doesn't want to talk about.

- What does that mean?

- Just talk to her.

- Anything else?

- Well...

there's Sly. - No.

I am not crazy-sitting the afro circus, Don.

Uh-uh, no way.

Did you see the llama, Don?

The llama with the perm that's better than mine.

Sorry, I can't do it. Nope.

- You want to be a producer?

They do whatever is necessary, even if it's cleaning a toilet.

No job is too small or too dirty, Tessa.

- Then you do it, executive producer.

- How much to replace the boots?

100?

- Did I say 100? They cost 500.

- $500 boots? Tessa, are you out your--

- Llama.

- Deal.

- Sly Stone is something else. That was crazy.

- No, that was acid.

Acid or some other psychotropic mixture

that negro is messing around with.

- Really?

- You ever catch this black man

riding an alpaca bareback down Crenshaw,

you best believe my ass is on something.

[laughter]

[dramatic music]

♪ ♪

What's your agenda today?

You got plans, playboy?

I got this spot I'd like to take you to.

I think you might dig it.

- As long as it's not a landfill,

I am cool. [laughs]

- Hilarious.

Drive.

- He has a nice frame.

He reminds me of my boy when he was his age.

- Ah... [both speaking Italian]

[laughter]

- All finished, my friend.

- You a mannequin now?

Get down.

Looks good.

How does it feel?

- It feels good.

I ain't never...

It feels real good.

- It'll feel even better once Marcello puts his hands on it.

He's from Calabria.

Used to be a medic in the Italian army.

Knows his way around a stitch.

- How'd you learn Italian?

You speak it like a native.

At least that's what it sounded like.

We don't-- - Don't what?

Learn other languages, go to school,

get experiences outside of our little world?

Only because we're blocked, young blood.

I am invisible, understand,

only because people refuse to see me.

- You read "Invisible Man"?

- I'm not gonna insult you by wondering

how you recognized the quote.

- I didn't mean-- - Yeah, you did.

Guess I'm blowing your mind today, huh?

What surprises you more, the fact that I read

or that I know more than one language?

Don't assume the person you see is all he is.

You lived on the street for a while,

and I heard your mama gave it up

just to get the next hit.

What does that say about you?

- [sighs]

It's got nothing to do with me.

- Good.

Never let somebody put you in a box.

Boxes are for cold bodies and big hats,

but you gotta learn to walk that talk,

or else you'll never be nothing but small.

[speaking Italian]

"Assume nothing. Expect everything."

[mellow music]

♪ ♪

Now you look sharp.

♪ ♪

- Thanks, Gerald.

- Mary, forgive me for acting so fangirl.

It's just that I admire you so much.

- Really? Thanks.

- You are a Supreme.

There is no Motown without you. Fact.

And Don cannot wait to talk to you later.

- About that...

- Something wrong?

- Well, we won't have much to talk about

if these are the questions Don wants to ask.

I can't mention that name

or that one,

and I won't even think that one's name.

- But it's your life.

You can't talk about your own experiences?

- Not unless I want to get sued.

So no, thank you.

I just want to move on.

Next chapter. Leave the past in the past.

And that's exactly where I like to keep her.

- I get it.

So Don isn't much for small talk,

and if he happens to lead you down a road

that you do not wish to travel,

then redirect. - Okay.

- Maybe ask him some questions.

Like why his pants are always so damn tight.

Or why his afro grows and shrinks from week to week.

- I noticed that. - Mm-hmm.

- You know why? - Oh, I'm afraid to ask.

But he'll tell you. Let's have some fun.

- Great. Thanks, Tessa.

This show is about love, peace, and soul.

[upbeat music]

[both moaning] - [clears throat]

- Well, you've got the love part right.

Okay.

♪ ♪

- ♪ Ooh, dat, dat ♪

- You ain't got the good sense that God gave a slug.

What is the matter with you? - What's going on?

- The only thing you need to worry about

is staying away from the damn talent.

That goes for all of you. Come on.

- Stay away from the talent? We are the damn talent.

Tessa better recognize.

- Her mean ass is only looking out for number one.

That's probably why her husband left.

That, or she couldn't trick that hip in bed.

[laughter]

- Ignorant.

- What was that?

- I said that was ignorant,

but ignorant seems to be your speed, so...

- Little girl... - Don't call me little girl.

- Little girl.

You better get up off that high horse

before I knock you off of it.

- Okay, and you go back to being the bitch you've been

ever since the first day we met.

I can't believe my brother had feelings for you.

You're so not his type.

- You're right, Simone.

I wasn't Kendall's type.

And he wasn't mine.

But I never led him on, unlike you.

You haven't talked to your brother in over a year, right?

I know that, because I have.

You hurt him.

You and JT, pretending like you were all in on Encore

when obviously you weren't.

You never had any intention on following through.

- That's not true.

- Girl...

you ran off to New York to chase your dreams

and made him abandon his.

You're petty, and you're selfish,

and everyone else seems to know that except for you,

so that seems like the definition of ignorant.

[tense music]

♪ ♪

- Don's looking for you.

He's wondering why Sly and the Family Stone

aren't on stage yet,

and you should know he's yelling.

- Just tell him to breathe.

Mr. Stone.

Sly.

We need you on stage, Mr. Stone.

It's showtime.

[sighs]

See, now I'm gonna have to get ugly.

You know what?

I hope your pants are on, 'cause I'm coming in.

Look, I don't know what the hell y'all--

all: Amen.

[mellow music]

Oh, um...

- Hey, come on in.

Come on in and join us.

We just trying to get right with the Lord

before the big, old get-down.

♪ ♪

- We need you on stage. That's why I'm here.

- Can't go on right now.

I need my violinist.

Got held up in traffic.

- Well, I guess we're gonna have to wait, then.

I'll just be somewhere else.

[llama bleats]

- That's Black Sheba, baby.

- Okay.

I hate my life.

[engine rumbling]

- Can't thank you enough for today.

- Oh, sure you can.

I got a bag in my trunk NeeI was supposed to putd.

in my safe deposit box at the bank.

- I mean, I can drive you.

- I got other things to do, man,

like opening the club for business tonight.

You mind?

- Listen, I really don't want to do anything else sketchy.

I'm not made for this.

I'm not that guy.

- You don't know who you are yet.

Do you?

- Suppose not.

- And I wouldn't send a boy to do a man's job.

Now, take the bag, put it in my box,

and get your ass back here ready to work.

- Yes, sir. - All right.

Key to the box is in the ash tray.

Keep your eyes open and your head on a swivel.

Yep. Okay.

[mellow music]

♪ ♪

- You! You the violinist?

You're late.

Sly's in his dressing room.

Let him know you're here, and then get your ass on stage.

Now!

[funky music]

♪ ♪

Nice. Good, guys.

Keep it up.

Keep the energy up.

Okay, spread out. You all are clustering.

- George Johnson called four times.

- Thanks. - He says it's urgent.

Do you want me to get him on the phone?

- Did I ask you to?

- Good, good.

- Where's Sly?

I'm ready to shoot.

- Oh, he's in his dressing room,

having Bible study.

- What? - You heard me.

There's a pastor with the King James

and a prayer circle.

Plus, we were waiting on his violinist to get here.

- Does he have more than one?

His violinist is on stage right now.

Came in with Sly.

- Excuse me.

We have a situation in the parking lot.

- Look, my man,

you making this bigger than it has to be.

- Sir, I can't let you go any further.

- What is your problem, huh? - The hell's going on?

What happened with Sly?

- I was pushing him back to the bus

when toy cop here just stopped us.

This man is obviously in need of medical attention.

He looks...dead.

- He's not dead.

- Unconscious, maybe.

- Just let me get him back to the bus,

and everything will be cool.

- I'm calling an ambulance.

- Sly.

Come on, man. Stop messing around.

Sly.

Wake up, asshole!

- See, I told you. He's dead.

That means cops, press,

and I don't know, the whole damn world.

- I need you on that stage right now,

and if you continue to jerk me around,

I will drop-kick your ass so hard,

you won't have to pretend to be dead.

- I can't do too much without my case, Don.

- You'll get it back after the show.

♪ ♪

- What the hell just happened?

- None of your concern.

- It's going in my notes.

- You gonna make me fall. You gonna make me fall.

- Our people.

- Nope.

Your people.

- When it comes to music, Mr. Sly Stone

is in a class all his own,

with sounds you can feel deep in your bones.

This time, gang, give a round of applause

for Sly and the Family Stone.

[cheers and applause]

[R&B music]

♪ ♪

all: ♪ Lookin' at the devil ♪

♪ Grinnin' at his gun ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Fingers start shakin' ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I begin to run ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Bullets start chasin' ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I begin to stop ♪

♪ ♪

♪ We begin to wrastle ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I was on the top ♪

- ♪ I ♪

all: ♪ I want to thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

♪ ♪

- Got it cleared.

Push in three.

♪ ♪

One, you're a little hot. Reframe.

all: ♪ Stiff all in the collar ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Fluffy in the face ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Chit chat chatter tryin' ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Stuffy in the place ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Thank you for the party ♪

♪ ♪

♪ But I could never stay ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Many thangs on my mind ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Words in the way ♪

♪ ♪

♪ I want to thank you for letting me ♪

[camera shutter clicks]

♪ Be myself again ♪

♪ ♪

- ♪ Different strokes for different folks ♪

all: ♪ Thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Flamin' eyes of people fear ♪

♪ Burnin' into you ♪

♪ Many men are missin' much ♪

♪ Hatin' what they do ♪

♪ Youth and truth are makin' love ♪

♪ Dig it for a starter ♪

♪ Dyin' young is hard to take ♪

♪ Sellin' out is harder ♪

♪ Thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

- [vocalizing]

all: ♪ I want to thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

- [vocalizing] Come on.

all: ♪ Thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

- [vocalizing]

- You got the plates?

- Got it.

all: ♪ Again ♪

- [vocalizing]

all: ♪ I want to thank you for letting me ♪

♪ Be myself again ♪

♪ ♪

[cheers and applause]

- Sly.

You guys were amazing, brother.

[laughs]

I appreciate you coming through.

I mean that. - I appreciate that, Don.

I really do.

Now, I know you and I started off a little rocky.

We started off a little rough, but hey, that's me, baby.

You know, if it ain't rough, it ain't right, now.

- Hmm. Yeah, I hear you.

You know, I actually think that you sound better

without this violin.

- You could be right.

But how would you know?

[laughs]

Till next time, brother.

- Next time, brother.

- [laughing]

- Everything okay?

- Yeah. Sly is gone.

- Oh, I know he's gone.

I mean, is he and his llama about to be off this lot?

- [laughs] You're funny.

Hey, there is a delivery truck on the side of the stage.

Did you want me to-- - Oh.

It's here. - What's here?

- I'll be right back. Just handle everything.

All right, Tessa? - When do I not?

[scoffs] Handle things.

Like there's a lot to handle.

- Toilet's backed up again. Paper towels and chicken wings.

This has to stop.

- Either somebody's really hungry,

or we're have a serious rodent issue.

- Would you talk to wardrobe?

They keep giving me a size seven

knowing full well I wear a nine.

I can't help that my feet are big-boned.

- I don't know who, but someone keeps moving

my camera of its mark.

- That was me.

- Don't touch my stuff.

- Somebody told me that some of the dancers

are in a serious dice game back in one of the green rooms.

I just thought you should know.

- How much did you lose?

You all are killing me. You know that, right?

- [mutters]

- [chuckling]

That's a piano.

- Where would you like it?

- Bottom stage in the middle.

Be careful.

- That must be for Elton.

- George, when'd you fly in?

- Yesterday.

I was meeting with some potential distributors

for Afro Sheen who may want to jump on board later this year.

- That's great. - Oh, it is.

It went well. Very well.

But...

then I get a call from Chucky about the Chi-Lites.

Oh, you know, Don, the guys who gave us our start,

been down for us since day one.

Remember them?

- I remember. - Yeah, I thought you would.

So Chucky's asking me

why we're bumping them from the show.

Now, of course, I had no answer for him,

because, hell, I guess it never crossed your mind

to tell me what you're doing.

I mean, we're just partners, right?

So I decided to drop in and see for myself

who you replaced him with.

I mean, because for you to bump the men

who have been like brothers for us,

man, they'd just have to be special.

They have to be.

- And who told you that it was Elton John?

- Not you. And that's all that matters.

- Look, you're upset. I get it, all right?

And I apologize for not telling you about Elton.

- And what about the Soul Train Club?

You apologize for not telling me about that too?

What part of the term

"business partners" don't you understand?

What do you want me to say, George?'t know what to say.

- Say you haven't forgotten what this show is about,

what it represents, and who we made it for.

It's definitely not for some white boy

with questionable taste to shine across the pond.

"Soul Train" is supposed to be by us and for us.

It's a black thing, Don. Period.

- Not today.

[tense music]

♪ ♪

Not today.

[glam rock music]

♪ ♪

- ♪ Hey, kids, shake it loose together ♪

♪ The spotlight's hitting something ♪

♪ That's been known to change the weather ♪

♪ We'll kill the fatted calf tonight ♪

♪ So stick around ♪

♪ ♪

♪ You're gonna hear electric music ♪

♪ Solid walls of sound ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Say, Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet? ♪

♪ Ooh, but they're so spaced out ♪

♪ B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets ♪

♪ Oh, but they're weird and they're wonderful ♪

♪ Oh, Bennie, she's really keen ♪

♪ She's got electric boots, a mohair suit ♪

♪ You know I read it in a magazine ♪

♪ Oh-ho ♪

♪ B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Hey, kids, plug into the faithless ♪

♪ Maybe they're blinded ♪

♪ But Bennie makes them ageless ♪

♪ We shall survive ♪

♪ Let us take ourselves along ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Where we fight our parents out in the streets ♪

♪ To find who's right and who's wrong ♪

♪ Oh, Candy and Ronnie, have you seen them yet? ♪

♪ Oh, but they're so spaced out ♪

♪ B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets ♪

♪ Oh, but they're weird and they're wonderful ♪

♪ Oh, Bennie, she's really keen ♪

♪ She's got electric boots, a mohair suit ♪

♪ You know I read it in a magazine ♪

♪ Oh-ho ♪

♪ B-B-B-Bennie and the Jets ♪

♪ Bennie ♪

♪ Bennie and the Jets ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Bennie ♪

♪ Bennie ♪

♪ Bennie ♪

♪ Bennie and the Jets ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Bennie ♪

[cheers and applause]

- All right, gang, let's jump right in.

Now, Elton,

where did you get that suit, brother?

- Sears and Roebuck.

[laughter]

- It's been a pleasure.

I understand that you're a fan of the show.

- Well, since the beginning, it's the only thing

to look forward to on a tour,

aside from sports programs and American television.

I watch "Soul Train" every week.

The whole band watches with me.

It keeps us amused.

Latest fashions, dances. It's great.

- I appreciate that. Now, if you don't mind,

a couple of the "Soul Train" gang

would like to ask you a question or two.

Is that all right?

- Well, sure.

- Uh, yes, Elton,

I just wanted to ask where you got your glasses from.

You always have on some funky glasses.

- Well, actually, I got these from a little shop off Melrose.

The name escapes me at the moment,

but I just went in and asked for some big glasses,

and here they are.

[laughter]

- Hi, Elton. - Hi.

- I just have one quick question.

Have you always been a singer?

- Um, no, I didn't start singing

until about five or six years ago.

I used to be a pianist in a band,

and when first started professionally,

I had to back Patti LaBelle and Major Lance...

[soft music]

♪ ♪

- Now we're here with Mary Wilson,

the beautiful Mary Wilson.

Mary is the Supreme with the most seniority.

I'm so happy you said it that way, Don.

Usually, they say something else.

[both laughing]

- Mary, we're gonna get you a view

of the "Soul Train" line,

the famed "Soul Train" line.

But before we do, tell us,

what do you like to do for kicks?

- For kicks? I sing!

[laughter]

No, really, I swim, I--I like to bowl,

I play cards,

even though I'm not that good at that.

But what I'd really love to do more than anything...

- What's that?

- Well, you see, I had a dream

that I was going down the "Soul Train" line.

I'd really love to do that if that's okay.

- Really?

You want to go down the "Soul Train" line?

- Sure. Looks like fun.

Don't you think so?

- [laughs] Well, Mary, I wouldn't know.

- Oh, well, then you should come on down with me.

We'll have a blast. Get our freak on.

[cheers and applause]

- You want to go down the line.

Is that it? - I really do.

It's my dream. So what do you say?

- Dance with Mary.

Don't let her go down the line alone.

- [laughs]

- Come on, do it!

[crowd clamoring]

[R&B music]

- [vocalizing]

♪ Let me tell you now, uh-huh ♪

- [vocalizing]

- ♪ When I had you to myself ♪

♪ I didn't want you around ♪

♪ Those pretty faces always made you ♪

♪ stand out in a crowd ♪

♪ But someone picked you from the bunch ♪

♪ One glance was all it took ♪

♪ Now it's much too late for me ♪

♪ To take a second look ♪

♪ Oh, baby, give me one more chance ♪

- ♪ To show you that I love you ♪

- ♪ Won't you please let me ♪

♪ Oh, darlin', I was blind to let you go ♪

- ♪ Let you go, baby ♪

- ♪ But now since I see you in his arms ♪

- ♪ I want you back ♪ - ♪ Yes, I do now ♪

- ♪ I want you back ♪ - ♪ Ooh, ooh, baby ♪

- ♪ I want you back ♪ - ♪ Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah ♪

- ♪ I want you back ♪ - ♪ Na, na, na, na ♪

♪ Tryin' to live without your love ♪

♪ Is one long sleepless night ♪

♪ Let me show you, girl ♪

♪ That I know wrong from right ♪

[tense music]

- Guy's name is Rouse.

He's a problem we can't get rid of the usual way.

- What else is new?

Like Sisyphus up the hill.

- Who?

- Never mind.

♪ ♪

[bluesy music]

♪ ♪

[knocking at door]

- Hi.

And then she implied that we were the reason

that Encore broke up,

that we took Kendall for granted,

and that he felt abandoned when we left the group.

- I mean, I can see that.

- How can you say that? I didn't betray my brother.

- I mean, I can see why he would feel...

disappointed.

And with all the things I had going on in my life,

I wasn't in it.

Not like I wanted to be.

Not like he needed me to be.

Can't really speak for you, though.

- Nice.

I'm tired of getting blamed.

I'm not responsible for anyone else's happiness.

- I learned that a long time ago.

- Look, I didn't crush Kendall's dreams

because I chose to follow my own.

- Why do you even care?

It's her opinion.

Why is this bothering you so much?

- I feel like I just want to go back in time

and change things.

You know, make them right again.

Make things right with my father.

My brother.

You.

You been playing again?

- When I can.

we were working on before I left for New York?

Ta-da.

- You keep sheet music in your purse?

- Yeah.

A girl never knows when she might be inspired.

And I was thinking...

maybe we could finish writing it.

Maybe even start singing together again.

- Simone, I--

- Look, I'm not saying every day.

Just when you have time.

It'd be nice to finish something we started.

- Music isn't my life anymore.

It was at one time.

It was all I ever thought about,

what I ever wanted to do.

I don't know.

Things fade.

- Just 'cause things fade, JT, doesn't mean they just go away.

- It's getting late.

You should leave.

- Um, okay, just think about it.

The song.

[melancholy music]

♪ ♪

- Okay, that second time down the line,

I saw you do a little two-step stumble.

- I almost busted my ass. Hey, but I recovered, though.

Quick.

I made falling look sexy.

- Okay, I didn't say all that.

But today was a good day.

- Today was a long day.

It felt like it would never end.

- Still, you need to let this Don

out the house more often.

Happy Don.

- Happy Don? - Mm-hmm.

- Okay. I'll pass.

But happy Don still does owe you $200.

- Oh, no, happy Don owes me 800,

and doesn't want to see ticked-off Tessa

when she doesn't get her money.

[both laughing]

- Night, Tessa.

- Night.

[mellow music]

Thank you.

♪ ♪

[distant muttering]

- I had it.

- Jesus, Sly.

What the hell are you still doing here, man?

And please don't tell me that something is wrong.

- Hey, hey, Don, nah.

I just--I just lost something.

- Like what?

- My card, man.

I lost it between here and over there.

- Whoa, whoa, whoa, okay. Hey, hey.

Listen, brother, I think that you're drunk, all right?

- I'm not drunk. I'm not drunk.

Okay, okay, okay, maybe a little bit.

Maybe a little bit.

But is you gonna help me find my card, or what?

Or you can make me another one.

- Sly, man, I have no idea what you're talking about.

- To your casino, man.

To your casino.

At the Soul Train Club,

Gerald said I need one to get in.

So I'm feeling lucky.

- Gerald said?

- Yes.

Get on the ground and help me find my card.

Black Sheba can't feed herself.

Come on. Come on.

- ♪ Lady Luck and four leaf clovers ♪

- No more bets.

- ♪ Won't ease this hurt I feel all over ♪

- No more bets, okay?

♪ ♪

- ♪ My life was one special occasion ♪

♪ Till you leavin' left me this situation ♪

- [chuckles]

Hey, it's good to see you.

- You wore that dress for me tonight, huh?

- Maybe I did.

- ♪ Ever since you put me down ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Standin' on shaky ground ♪

♪ ♪

♪ Ever since you put me down ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ My car got repossessed this morning, yeah ♪

♪ Harder times I haven't seen in years ♪

♪ Girl, you better throw me a life preserver ♪

♪ Cause I'm about to drown in my own tears ♪

[vocalizing]

♪ Standing on shaky ground ♪

- ♪ The last hooray ♪

- ♪ Ever since you Put me down ♪

- Next time on "American Soul"...

- Yes, Flo dances on "Bandstand."

- The only reason that she is popular

is because of me, Tessa, because of "Soul Train."

- You have no contract for her,

you don't pay her, and now you want to fire her?

- Yes.

- What's the song you were singing?

Is it something new?

- Kind of. JT wrote it for me.

- And Aiya, have you seen her?

- I got slipped some information

on the foster family she's staying with.

- The casino has got to go.

- I'm trying to settle it.

- Either you kill it now, or Soul Train's name

comes off the club, off the building immediately.