Original subtitles

- Monica?

Monica?

Hey.

Hello?

A quarter for your thoughts?

- A penny for your thoughts.

- Don't sell yourself cheap, honey.

I got you a gift.

- That's sweet, Be.

- A wind chime.

- You remember what your father would always say?

That it was the angel's way of letting us know?

- That everything is gonna be okay.

- Mm-hmm. You ready?

- As ready as I'll ever be.

- Let's go.

- Our most basic instinct is not for survival, but family.

My dad used to say that a lot, but that was my dad, you know?

He had an inspirational quote for just about everything.

If you don't like the road you're walking,

pave another one.

And the classic, if you want to see the rainbow--

- EVERYONE: You've got to put up with the rain.

- Yeah, you guys definitely knew my dad.

In fact, if he were here,

I'm sure he'd know exactly what to say

to make everyone feel better right now.

- I'm sorry.

- Marcus Carey Harris, of East Cleveland, Ohio,

was born on June 19th, 1961.

- Slow down! This ain't your momma house.

Get somewhere and sat down.

- Hi.

- Here you go. Just how you like it.

- Thanks.

- Okay, correction, how I like it and how you need it.

- Thanks, I guess.

- Look, babe, um, what if we went upstairs

and had a little grief sex?

- Andre, I just buried my father.

- Babe, I'm sorry.

Just trying to make you smile.

- I know.

Okay. Sweet.

- So, is there anything I can do for my baby?

- Actually, there is. Why don't you be a dear,

Aunt Pearl and Nana Jo could really use some consoling.

- Sure, I can handle that, Ms. Harris.

- If you put your phone down, I'm sure you can.

Honestly Monica, I do not understand

what you see in him.

- Really, Mom? Today?

- I'm sorry, you're right, dear.

You're right, you're right.

I want to tell you,

you did a beautiful, beautiful eulogy for your father.

- Thank you.

- But-- - But what? Here we go.

What's up, Mom? What?

- I just wish you had mentioned

all of the organizations that he donated to.

- Yeah, okay, well silly me

for rambling on about his kind soul

instead of his deep pockets.

You know, I can never satisfy you.

- Monica, don't do this.

- Don't do what?

Let you know how I feel about you always letting me know

just how far I have to go to make you proud?

- That is not true. That is not true.

Stuart, thank you so much for coming.

Monica, you remember Stuart, don't you?

- Yep. Well, if you'll excuse me.

- Monica, we'll have this conversation later?

- Looking forward to it, Mother. - Okay.

- Who is this daddy over there?

Think he's single?

- Bebe? - Yeah?

- That's my great uncle Marvin.

He's 73 years old. - Is he single?

- We need to get you on a dating site, babe.

- No dating app for me.

Look at me, I'm too proud for all that.

I eat catfish,

but I definitely ain't gonna be catfished, okay?

I'm alone, and I don't want to die alone.

- You're not gonna die alone.

You have me.

So if anything, we'll just die alone together.

- You not dying alone.

You got Mr. Herpes commercial over there,

and he ain't never leaving you.

- Okay, first of all, it was

an erectile dysfunction commercial, okay?

Leave my man alone. Leave him alone now.

I hope I made him happy and proud, you know?

- He's dating the hottest TV host in all of Houston,

he should be honored.

- I'm not talking about Andre, Bebe,

I'm talking about my dad.

You know he was my staunchest supporter,

my biggest fan, I don't know, I just...

now I just have her, and you know how she is.

All she cares about is appearances.

- She loves you, it might be in her own diva-Denise way.

- Yeah, but even when the host spot

opened up at Tea Time and I told them

I was gonna go for it, my dad was 100% in my corner,

and 100% sure I would get it, you know?

But my mother,

she was figuring out how to save face if I didn't.

- But, that's why you gotta do it.

You gotta do it for yourself, you gotta do it for you father,

you gotta prove her wrong.

You got this,

and I want to be right there cheering you on.

- That's sweet, Be. - I know.

Bring it on in here, will you?

- You're so crazy.

- BEBE: You know you're gonna be okay, right?

- I know. - I got you. Forever.

- Hey. You all good? - MONICA: Mm-hmm.

- Yes, Andre, we good.

How's that little thing down there hanging?

- Did she just? - She did.

It's okay. Don't worry about it.

- Gotta get your friend. - I know.

Thank you for being here today,

I honestly can't thank you enough. It means a lot.

- You kidding me?

I wouldn't have it any other way.

Now look, I know that I'm not your mom's favorite,

but uh, I love you.

And I'm always gonna be here for you.

- Always? - Always.

- Mmm, that's all that's left of that one.

Where'd you hide the body?

- MONICA: Ha ha. Really, Mrs. Fletcher?

It's 8 a.m.

- Calm your tits, it's just a little Peach Schnapps.

- You know, I swear I'm gonna come over there one day

and make you something other than a liquid breakfast.

- No, you not. I don't have people in my house.

I hate company like I hate people in my business.

- MONICA: Mrs. Fletcher, your door!

- Ooh!

- Oh, yup, I'm sure that's safe. Bye.

- Bye.

- MONICA: This is probably a good time to tell you

that Andre and I broke up.

- What? When did this happen? Where was I?

- It happened a few days after the funeral.

- What happened?

- Long story short, he cheated.

- How'd you find out?

- Girl, someone DM'd me a picture

of him having sex in Club Savoy's bathroom.

- I'll have to see it to believe it.

- I'm not showing you a picture, Be. No.

- Sorry.

Your father, and now this? Are you okay?

- You know what, Be? I actually am.

You know, I woke up this morning,

and all I could think about was what's next for me.

- Okay.

- Yeah, and hopefully that's Tea Time.

But yeah, it's time for me to chase my dreams

without any fears,

like my dad would've wanted me to do.

- MONICA: Now, that's true tea.

- ELODIE PRICE: Pinkie's out.

- And as always, thank y'all for tuning in to KQNB's Hey H-Town.

- Hey hey, y'all. - Hey hey.

- DIRECTOR: And we're out.

- ELODIE: Woo! - Yes, oh, that felt so good.

- Yes, she is back.

- MONICA: Mm-hmm.

- Tell you what, it is so good to have you back.

It was not the same without you.

- Oh, stop it. - Seriously.

- Nice show, ladies. - Thank you, Ms. Rochelle.

- Thanks, Clark.

- MONICA: Yeah! - Oh my god!

- MONICA: Oh my god,

I'm so glad I didn't know Clark was watching was watching us.

- You're already imagining yourself

spinning in her host chair, aren't you?

- What? No.

- It's okay. I've been doing it, too.

- Her longevity, I mean--

- The power to call her own shots?

- Yeah, I want that kind of career.

- I'm going for it, and you should too.

But, let's just make a deal. - Okay, what?

- Promise me that whoever gets it,

we won't let it affect our friendship.

- Oh, absolutely.

- I gotta run. - Okay, girl.

- So glad you're back. - Yes.

- Hey, hey, hey, hey, let me help you with that.

- Uh, okay, uh, you're new.

- Actually, um, I worked in the control room

for over a year, and then got promoted to floor director

when Sam went to early retirement.

AKA went back to rehab.

- Well, his secret is safe with me, I love Sam.

- Alright.

- It's your job.

- Alright.

Gotcha.

- Thank you. - You're all done.

- Thank you.

- Oh, Eric. - Eric.

- Eric Lawson. - Eric Lawson, thank you.

- It's my pleasure.

- Excuse me. Jeff, can we talk?

- JEFF: Of course.

- Actually, I'd like the host spot on Tea Time,

and I wanted your advice on what I could do

to improve my chances.

- Truth be told, if it were solely up to me,

Tea Time would be yours, hands down.

You work harder than anyone here,

and your charisma's undeniable.

Monica, you're a star.

But, of course,

some people will say the same about Elodie.

- Well, Elodie's a great choice, too.

- See that? That humility?

That's gonna lose you the job.

You've gotta be assertive, Monica.

Solo hosting your own show is a big responsibility,

and you've got to prove to the higher-ups

that you're up to the task, that's my advice.

Show us what you're made of.

So, in other news, your assistant, Nate, quit.

- Wait, what? When? Why?

- I guess you can only be a low-paid intern for so long,

but don't worry,

we scrambled and found somebody to replace him.

- Whoa, without my input?

- I know, feel free to fire her if you don't like her,

but I'm pretty sure you will.

- MONICA: Oh my god.

- Let me introduce you to her, come on.

Monica, this is Simone Hicks.

Simone, Monica Harris.

- Hi.

- Uh, sorry, hi.

It's nice to meet you. - Likewise.

- Wow.

Side by side, you two actually look a little alike.

- Wow, that's such a compliment.

- Let me show you my office, just...

- SIMONE: You really paid your dues.

Starting out as an intern,

giving your blood, sweat, and tears to this station.

Even before you became a TV host.

Nobody, not even Elodie Price,

can hold a candle to that.

I even know how you like your ginger tea

with honey, and not sugar. I did my research.

I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?

- No. No, it's not you. Please, sit down.

- Okay.

- So, enough about all the research you did on me,

tell me something about you, Simone.

- Oh, there's not much to tell there.

Um, came here from Virginia a couple of weeks ago.

- Virginia? Big leap.

- Yeah, I'm still apartment hunting.

- Well, welcome to H-Town.

I take it you don't have any friends or family here?

- Yeah, family. Pretty distant, though.

I'm going to look for an apartment later today.

- Well good for you, I hope that pans out.

- Me too.

- Uh, is everything okay? - Yup, just my cheating ex.

Sorry. You know what?

I think you should take the rest of the day off.

Yeah, we can start fresh tomorrow.

- I'm all ready to start today.

- That's okay.

I have some things I need to handle anyway, so.

Tomorrow.

- Alright, thank you Monica.

- Okay. Nice to meet you, Simone.

- Monica?

Sometimes to see the rainbow,

you gotta put up with a little rain, right?

I'll see you tomorrow.

- ERIC: Hey, I ain't ever seen you before.

- First day. - Well welcome, First Day.

I'm Eric Lawson, the station's floor director.

- I'm Simone Hicks, Monica Harris' new assistant.

- Oh, that's good to know.

- Well, I'll see you around, First Day.

- See you around.

- Hey.

- ELODIE: Yes, I know. I know!

Uh, yeah. She came back today.

Of course she wants Tea Time.

No, I'm not worried about her.

The network loves me.

Babe, the gig is as good as mine.

No, I would never Tonya Harding her,

or would I?

Yeah.

Okay, yes. Okay, bye. I love you.

- You don't look like no DoorDash.

- Oh, no, I'm not.

I'm here about the apartment vacancy.

- Apartment vacancy?

- The realtor said that you were--

- Do you see any signs out here?

- Looking for a tenant?

- Well I'm not. Somebody done lied to you, little girl.

Go on now.

- Please, ma'am, I really...

I really need a place to stay.

- I ain't taking in no strays.

- Please.

Maybe I can get you to reconsider.

- Peace offering, and I can't stay long.

- Hey Mom, I'm really busy, what's up?

- Listen. Look.

I know that sometimes I can be a little hard on you.

- A lot hard, and all the time.

- With your father gone, honey, it's just us.

It's just you and me, and I know he would want us

to work on our relationship.

- You know he would.

- MONICA: Come in.

- ERIC: I have the final rundown for tomorrow's show.

- Thank you very much.

- How are you? - Hi!

- Yes, you should meet my mother, actually.

This is Denise Harris.

This is Eric, he's our new floor director.

- Very nice to meet you. - It's my pleasure.

- Monica?

You are not thinking about a workplace romance, are you?

- I don't know what you're talking about, Mom.

- Mm-hmm, okay.

- Don't know what you're talking about.

I have a lot of work to do. - Uh-huh, I bet you do.

- I'll see you later, dear. - Okay.

- Love you! - Love you, too.

- You got me waiting outside?

I can't even come upstairs? Really, Monica?

So what, now you think I'm a threat or something?

- We're meeting here for your safety, Andre.

Here's your stuff, have a great life.

- Monica, look-- - What?

- Hear me out! - What?

Go ahead, explain.

Explain how you made me believe

that you were really in love with me,

just to turn around and cheat on me

a day after my father's funeral. Go ahead!

- Despite what you saw in that photo, that wasn't me.

- Is that what we're doing?

- All I remember is drinking with the guys

at Carter's bachelor party, and next thing I know, I just...

- You fell inside another woman?

- I guess. Sorta.

- Oh my... I can't. I can't. You know,

you're a much better actor in those commercials.

You know that, right?

- What? Come on, Monica, don't play me like that.

- Play you? Don't play you?

Andre, you played yourself, okay?

Matter of fact, you don't deserve this.

This? You don't deserve! Or me!

- Come on, Monica!

- MONICA: Get the hell out of here, Andre.

- Simone? - Monica?

- BOTH: What are you doing here?

- Well, I live here.

- This is the place I was telling you about,

that I was going to look at.

- Really? That woman?

No, I just spoke to her this morning,

and she was going on about how she didn't like company

and hated people in her business.

She never ceases to surprise me, I swear.

- Well, I guess she love money and the two bottles of vodka

she asked me to get her earlier more than she loves her privacy.

She said she was gonna be gone for a few weeks,

pretty sure she's going on a bender.

- That doesn't surprise me at all.

- Uh, hey.

I'm actually going to grab something to eat.

Did you want to join me?

- Thanks, but no. I don't really have much of an appetite.

What I could use is a drink or ten.

- I can always steal a bottle from Mrs. Fletcher's cabinet?

I mean, the woman won't miss it,

it's like a liquor store in there.

- Mm-mm. Um, okay.

Under one condition, you have to drink with me.

Misery loves company,

and drinking by yourself is pathetic.

- Okay, okay, I will. - Okay, alright.

I'll leave the door unlocked, just come on up.

- Okay.

- Girl, you took his T-shirt back?

- I sure did, and I should've did more than that.

What he put me through. What would you have done?

- Man, destroyed everything and anything that he loved

until he didn't have a shred of happiness left.

- Okay.

- I'm just kidding! - Oh.

- I'm kidding!

I mean, what did Ms. Michelle Obama say?

Okay, "When they go low,--

- We get high. Oh, she said, "go?"

- "Go," high.

- MONICA: Drink to that. - SIMONE: Here we go.

- I'm not there yet. - Neither am I.

- But you know what?

I'm actually proud of myself for leaving Andre.

It would've been easier to stay,

I could've just got my sis Bebe to slash his tires,

break some windows, but...

- You have a sister?

- Oh, no, we're not real sisters, but um,

we go way back, you know,

we've been friends since, like, the fourth grade,

so she's family. Like, yeah, that's my girl.

- SIMONE: You're much prettier.

I recognize that man.

Uh, he was a mayor, right?

- Before he got term-limited out, mm-hmm.

- Talk about friends in high places.

- That's my daddy, Simone. He recently passed.

It's been, it's been a lot.

- That explains the sad face.

I'm so sorry, Monica, I didn't know.

- MONICA: It's okay.

- Well, from what I read about him,

he seemed like a great man.

- He was.

- Well, what was great about him?

- MONICA: That's a good question.

My dad was, um...

He was kind.

He wasn't afraid to make, like, hard decisions.

You know, no matter who disagreed with him,

you know, he did what was right all the time,

and he was just the perfect dad. He was perfect.

- Hm. Hm. - MONICA: What?

- Oh, it's just, you know, in my life path,

I've found that nobody is perfect.

- He was. To me.

He was perfect,

and I don't know what I'm gonna do without him.

- Oh, oh Monica, okay. I'm sorry.

- I just don't know what I'm supposed to do without him!

- SIMONE: I'm here. I'm here now.

- Hey! How you feeling?

- Like hell.

- Well, not for long. Here we go...

Now this,

all the hangover essentials I thought you needed,

for work.

- Work. Yup.

You didn't have to do all of this, Simone.

Um, don't take this the wrong way,

but how did you get into my house this morning?

- Oh, you're serious?

Oh, after a much needed emotional release,

you begged me to stay.

- Emotional release? Like, I cried?

- Like a baby.

- I'm sorry you had to witness that.

- I'm just glad that I was here in your time of need.

- If you're looking for an early pay raise, it's above me.

- Okay, alright, I'm gonna head back to Mrs. Fletcher's

so I can get dressed for work.

- Uh, Simone?

Shirt.

- Oh.

It's a little sweaty, sorry.

- Mm-hmm.

Just chill for a second, I'm gonna go, um...

I got you.

Okay...

Yes.

So, I'm getting rid of some pieces, and I don't know,

maybe you can take them off my hands.

- Yeah!

Oh my god, this stuff is so gorgeous.

Why do you want to throw it away?

- Sometimes you gotta get rid of the old

to welcome in the new.

But yeah, it's all yours.

- Okay.

Oh, this is beautiful.

- Oh no, no, no, no, no,

that wasn't supposed to be in that pile, I'm sorry.

Um, my dad, he... he bought this for me.

He said it looked gorgeous on my dark skin,

and I just, I don't know, I could never part with it.

I'm sorry. But, um...

This one, yes. This one here, this is a good one.

Yeah, I think this will look amazing on you.

- Yeah. Uh, Monica, can I talk to you about something?

- MONICA: Yeah.

- Um, yesterday I overheard Elodie Price

being pretty shady about you and hosting Tea Time.

- Wait, what did she say?

- She was saying stuff like you're not any competition,

and she would do anything to get the show over you.

- Uh, okay.

Thank you for telling me.

- Of course. I'm your assistant now.

I got your back, always.

- Ooh, Mrs. Fletcher. You stink.

There's a lot of stuff in here...

What?

No way.

Wow.

- "When they go low, we go high."

- MICHELLE OBAMA: Chapter two--

- Uh, ma'am,

you're interrupting my Becoming session.

- Becoming what, girl?

Somebody who ain't texted back their best friend?

- No, my new assistant

got me Michelle Obama's audio book, honey.

- You got an assistant that buy you gift?

Sound like my type of girl.

- Right? She makes a mean breakfast, too.

- BEBE: Come again?

- Oh, right, I've been meaning to tell you,

my new assistant moved right next door,

in Mrs. Fletcher's house.

She came over, you know,

we kind of got to talking and drinking,

and that's all I really can remember,

but she was there when I woke up, so.

- So, your new assistant spent the night at your house?

You don't think that's

a little bit too work friendly, Monica?

- She's my new assistant, not my new best friend, Bebe.

- I'm not worried about that,

that position been filled for years.

I'm just trying to call you because I got some tea

to tell you about my dating adventures,

but I found someone I like.

- Oh, really?

- Yes, he's an engineer, South Carolina University,

he's sexy, he's smart, and he ain't no liar.

And I know, because I did a background check on him.

- Bebe, a background check? Really? Girl, you're crazy.

- I am crazy. That's me.

Do you think that's why I ain't got me no man, though?

- Oh no, no girl, of course not.

- You know, I heard Monica was a tough boss,

but making you stare at her picture like that?

That's like a whole 'nother level.

You look good in this blue, by the way.

- Oh, thank you, it's a new dress.

- Yeah, well that's definitely your color.

Were you headed somewhere?

- I'm actually kind of lost.

Monica's not here yet,

and I don't know where to go get a good cup of coffee.

- Well see, you're in luck,

because I'm in need of a pick me up.

I'll show you where you can get the best cup in the building,

so follow me. - Okay.

- ERIC: Come on. Miss First Day.

- MONICA: Andre? - Please don't hang up!

Look, baby, I won't make any more excuses,

but just know I...

baby, I didn't mean for any of this to happen.

- Do not call me again. - ANDRE: Monica!

- Knock knock. I got lunch.

- Yeah? Well you can come on in, then.

- Alright. Where do you want it?

- Right here's fine.

- Here's your drink that you ordered.

- Well, look at you.

Girl, you look stunning. You are wearing that dress.

- You like it? - MONICA: Yes.

- Well, it's from a private collection,

maybe you've heard of it, Chez Monica.

- Familiar.

- Look, it is a long way,

and way nicer than any thrift store

I been to back home.

- What part of Virginia did you grow up in, again?

- Oh, well see, I tell people Richmond,

but I'm really from like a little pin dot

next to Richmond, that nobody's ever heard of.

- Okay, alright. Born and raised?

- Yeah, just me, my mom, and my grandma, that's it.

- What about your father?

- Uh... never met him.

- I'm sorry to hear that, Simone.

- Oh no, don't be.

You can't really be sad

about somebody you never met, right?

- MONICA: Daddy the tooth fairy.

- Oh. - Oh my goodness.

Do you know how much I was teased

and how many fights I almost got into

for believing in make believe for way too long?

- Well, I hope you don't blame your father for that.

He just wanted to make you happy.

There's nothing wrong with somebody caring about you

so much they want to shield you from the truth.

- Yeah, I guess so.

- This is so nice. - Yeah, it is.

As a matter of fact,

I need some of that shielding right now.

- Why? What's the matter?

- After smiling all up in my face, Elodie,

I don't think she's the friend I thought she was.

Simone overheard her talking bad behind my back.

- Simone?

- Oh yeah, Simone, she's my new assistant.

Yeah, the station finally hired another sister.

- Oh, really? - Yes, mm-hmm.

She's from some backwater town in Virginia.

- Oh, Virginia, oh.

- MONICA: Yes, and she dresses like a mom.

Oh my goodness, I couldn't take it.

I had to give her some of my old stuff.

- Hey, H-Town. Hey, H-Town.

Doesn't like... if you do it like this...

Oh, like this.

This is Simone Hicks, and you're watching Hey H-Town.

This is Simone Harris, and you're watching Hey H-Town.

- Monica, these are for you.

- You brought me flowers?

- Actually, I ran into your ex downstairs,

and he begged me to bring those to you.

- "I know you don't believe me,

but I'm gonna prove it to you. Love, Andre."

- Wait.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!

Those are some beautiful flowers.

- Yes, and if anyone else would've given them to me,

I would've kept them. - Really?

- Really. - Wait right there. Don't...

An exquisite bouquet for an exquisite lady.

- Exquisite?

Oh, you shouldn't have. For me?

- You're too much. - No card?

- No card. But, I do have a question.

- Mm-hmm? Okay.

- Would you go out with me?

- Now how could I say no to a guy with such great taste?

- Thursday?

- Thursday.

Thank you.

- There you two are.

So, got somebody here

who wants to have a word with you both.

- Hi ladies. I got this, Jeff.

- I know you do.

- I'm not naive enough to believe that I have any say

in who's going to replace me,

but I wanted to have a little face time

with the two women who are vying to do so.

- Well, you're irreplaceable, Ms. Rochelle.

- I like you.

- Well, luckily for me,

when Monica was recently out on vacation--

- Vacation? I was grieving my father's death.

- The viewers got a taste

of how I would and could carry a show on my own.

Tea Time with Elodie Price has a distinct ring to it,

don't you agree?

- No more distinct than Tea Time with Monica Harris.

- This feistiness between the two of you,

it'll serve you well.

I wish both of you luck, and may the best woman win.

- ELODIE: Thank you. - MONICA: Thank you.

Have you lost your mind?

What the hell was that, Elodie? What happened to our promise?

- Oh girl, that was just some fun shade.

Friendly banter between two friends.

- Friendly banter?

You called me grieving my father's death a vacation.

- Please, it was just a little dig, Monica.

Don't be so sensitive.

Only one of us is going to get that job,

and we can't always play nice.

- Yeah, obviously not.

- ELODIE: You really need to toughen up.

You'll be better off if you just admit

you don't have what it takes to do the job.

Okay.

- Okay.

- BEBE: The party is here!

I got me a bottle, I got you a bottle.

I didn't get you a bottle.

I didn't know you were here. Thought it was just us today.

- Okay, well, you know Simone is new to town

and she doesn't have any friends,

so I figured she should join us, alright? Right.

- Monica said that you wouldn't mind.

- MONICA: Yeah. - If you said that now, okay.

- I'll take these.

Thank you.

- I heard so much about you. - Likewise.

- I am so happy that the women in my life

are finally together.

That didn't sound right.

- Ooh, alright guys.

The wine is almost gone, who's thirsty?

- Besides you?

- Yeah. You know, Mon' said that you were really funny.

- Mon' said I was funny?

- MONICA: Alright, let's go outside.

- So, what do you think

about the whole Elodie situation?

- What Elodie situation?

- Okay, so Simone thinks

Elodie has it out for me at work.

- No, not thinks, knows.

- MONICA: No, I just think it's Elodie

being a little overly ambitious, that's all.

- I trust you.

I know you can handle your own, keep it cute.

- Hmm.

I mean, but isn't that the point of having girlfriends?

So you don't have to handle things on your own?

- When exactly does Ms. Fletcher come home?

- You know, that is a good question though,

where is Ms. Fletcher?

- Um, texted me today. - Ms. Fletcher? Text you?

- Yes. She said she was extending her trip.

- Where? - I don't know, Bebe.

I was taught to mind my own business.

I find that when you get into other people's business,

you get into some trouble.

- And you know what I find?

That when people run they mouth too much,

they cause trouble.

- Or people who date their friend's old ass uncles,

because they can't find love.

- No she didn't.

- MONICA: Okay, alright, it's time to wrap this up.

I think we've had too much to drink.

Thank you. Thank you, Simone.

We can wrap it up. - Alright.

- BEBE: Yeah, that's a good idea, bye.

- We don't need that, either.

- Good night, Monica, see you tomorrow.

- Goodnight. Goodnight.

Okay, I may have said something about the older men,

but the love part she made up on her own.

- SIMONE: She has me now.

- Hell no.

- So wait, you think Simone did this?

- I don't think she did it, I know she did it.

That lady's crazy, she ain't working with a full deck.

- Hm, interesting, that's exactly

what they used to say about you in high school.

- No, I'm good crazy, you know?

She's crazy-crazy. Big difference.

- Well... huh.

I see who burned your face out.

- Who? - You did.

- Oh.

Okay. Strong possibility I did that, okay?

- Mm-hmm.

- But being serious, I don't trust her.

She's like creepy. The way she looks at you--

- Be, you're overreacting. - No, I'm not,

I know what I see.

- Before you go writing the girl off,

just give her a second chance,

before you sage her out of our lives.

- Alright. For you?

But if she kill me, I'm killing you.

- What is that?

- Well, you was out of sage, so I used Lawry's seasoning

because they said that that was good on everything.

Do you like it?

- Girl, move.

- Smell good. Good crazy.

- MONICA: Hey, what's going on?

- Elodie was attacked last night.

- What? Is she okay?

- She's beat up pretty bad. - Oh my god, that is terrible.

Um, do they know who did this to her?

- No, no, not yet.

The higher-ups want to know how you feel

about flying solo today?

- I think I can handle it. She covered for me.

- Whoa, no, hey, look at me, look at me.

No, okay?

I'm gonna let them know they need to air a rerun.

- Okay. - Okay?

- Thank you. - I'll be right back.

- Monica, I just heard what happened. I can't believe it.

- I know, it's awful. - I know.

Oh my god.

- Um, can I have everybody's attention, please?

Can we all gather?

Thank you.

Look, I know that we are all devastated

by what happened to our good friend and colleague, Elodie.

And in light of the situation,

we will not be going live today.

This show is a family, and I think...

no I know that I speak for Jeff and the whole management team

when I say that we care about everyone here's well being.

In this moment, I ask that we take the time

to take care of ourselves, and each other,

that person on either side of you,

as we send out prayers

for Elodie's full and quick recovery.

That's all. Thank you.

- That was a boss lady move.

- That was the right thing to do, Simone.

- I uh, I have an idea.

Might sound kind of crazy,

but I think it might make you feel better.

- What's that?

- Shopping? For Clark's going away party.

- I know you didn't like Elodie, Simone.

- No, no, I didn't mean it, I didn't mean it that way,

I just, I thought that

it was something positive and optimistic for--

- Simone? You're right.

It could be a nice distraction.

- Okay. - Okay.

We can go get our purses from the office.

- Okay.

- Good morning.

- Okay, I see you. Ms. First Day.

Look at you, looking all camera ready.

Have a good one. - Bye.

- Hey! You're here early.

- Yes, I'm gonna be carrying the show on my own

until Elodie gets back, so.

Okay.

Simone? The smile, the glow.

Whoever is responsible for that

noticed all that sauce you serving up.

- Well yes, there is a certain whoever,

and I'm feeling him, and I think he's feeling me too,

so I'm gonna ask him out tonight,

so I'm really nervous.

- Okay, well, you gotta give me the tea on that later.

- Yeah, well, I'll tell you tonight.

We're still on for drinks

for me to pick your brain, right?

- Oh my god. Simone, I am so sorry, I double booked.

Rain check?

- Yeah, yeah, okay. - Thank you.

- Going out with Bebe, I assume?

- No, Eric, actually.

- Eric? Eric from here? - Yeah.

I know work relationship...

- MONICA: But I think it'll be fine. It feels right.

- Are you sure you're ready for that?

- Ready for what?

- Dating.

I mean you yourself,

you said that you just got out of a relationship, right?

- I did,

but I believe that's my shot to call, Simone.

- Yeah, yeah, you're right,

I'm just looking out for you, that's it.

- And I appreciate that.

But you know, we grown women, I got it.

Yeah.

- Okay. Um, is there anything else I can do for you?

- Yes, actually.

I was hoping that you can pick up my dry cleaning

when you get a chance?

And um, you can just put the keys on the front table

when you're done.

- Sure. - Thanks, Simone!

- You're welcome.

- First Day. - Hey.

- Sup?

- So, are you excited about your date with Monica tonight?

- Uh... - She told me.

Yeah, we tell each other everything, we're close.

Like sisters.

- If that's the case, then yeah, I'm excited.

- Yeah, I bet you are.

- Yeah.

- Hey, didn't I hear you tell Wanda in accounting

that you like to keep it chill on work nights?

- ERIC: You remember that, huh?

That's why Monica raves about you as an assistant.

You good.

- Yeah, I guess so.

- Ooh! What are you doing?

- I'm even better at other things.

- Yo, first...

- And my name is Simone.

- BEBE: All done!

- My signature.

- BEBE: Yes, you look beautiful.

So check this out,

I did some digging on your girl, Simone.

- You Googled the girl? - I Google everybody.

You should be Googling everybody, too,

all these random people around,

you need to tighten up your game.

- So wait, my game is not tight because I choose

to get to know people before I judge them?

- This girl's all in your business,

you don't even know the damn girl.

Is she on, like, some Single White Female,

or in our case, Single Black Female, type shit?

- Jeff hired her.

And if he hired her,

I'm sure a background check was done,

Simone is good people, and I trust her.

- You trust Simone? - Yes.

- Just like you trusted Andre, huh?

That didn't turn out too good for you, did it?

- Okay, you being extra as hell right now,

and if I didn't know any better, I would say you jealous.

- No, I'm not, I'm not jealous, but you know what you can do?

Do your own little lip stain.

Handle you, handle your own life,

'cause I'm tired of talking about it.

- You know what? Fine! - BEBE: Fine!

- If you gonna be petty like that, fine.

- BEBE: Okay, go!

- MONICA: I ain't got time for you and your pettiness tonight.

- MONICA: It is... that's why I gotta get better.

Gotta take a page from your book.

- ERIC: If I could tell you how...

I make more money on social media than I do films.

- No, seriously? - ERIC: Mm-hmm.

- Yeah.

Sometimes, but sometimes I take a selfie,

and I'm like, "What am I doing? What am I gonna do with this?"

- You know, I gotta say-- - Mm-hmm.

- When I first heard I'd be working with a Black woman

on a daytime news show, I was stoked as hell.

- Oh, really? - Mm-hmm.

- Oh, you know I gotta represent.

- That you did. Hands down, you are my favorite host.

- Oh? - Yeah, oh yeah.

- Well, let's cheers to me being your favorite host then.

I'll drink to that.

- We can do that.

- Everything alright? - Mm? Mm.

- Mm. - Mm.

Not really.

Um, I got into a fight with my best friend, Bebe,

before I got here,

so excuse me if I'm a little thrown off.

- Well, you want to talk about it?

You know, you'd be surprised.

I'm not just a pretty face. - Really?

- These work. - Do they?

Well, um, yeah, I don't know.

- Come on. Don't make me beg.

- Okay, so she has this theory about Simone.

- Theory? - Mm-hmm.

She, um, thinks that Simone is obsessed with me.

Yeah, mm-hmm.

- MONICA: You know what?

Let's not talk about Bebe or Simone.

- ERIC: Okay.

- Let me see what you got out on this dance floor.

- Oh, let's do that then. Come on.

- MONICA: Let's see what you got, let's dance.

Come on.

- Come in.

- Hey, uh, those cameras work out there?

- For the right price they do.

- ANDRE: I was here on the 15th,

I'm looking for footage from that night.

- Come back tomorrow.

- ERIC: Oh man, yeah, we did have a lot.

- ERIC: I can go all night long.

- MONICA: Let's go.

- Wow. That was, um...

I'm sorry, I normally like...

be going, but... - Oh no, it's okay.

It's okay. - Are you sure?

- I'm sure.

It felt like all night.

- Simone? What are you doing?

- Um...

I'm sorry, I was trying not to wake you up, I um...

I thought that I left the keys earlier,

so I was coming to bring them back.

- Oh, okay, you can just leave them on the table.

- Okay.

Goodnight. - Goodnight.

- Good morning, Eric.

- ERIC: Good morning, Simone.

- You know,

I wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday.

- And I'm sorry if I made you feel as if I...

- It's okay. - Mm. Mm-hmm.

- So, how was your date with Monica last night?

And don't worry, she tells me everything, remember?

- That's right.

Everything went well with Monica.

- Good, good.

It's just, you know, when it comes to Monica,

maybe you shouldn't...

You know, I shouldn't be saying this, nevermind.

- Just say it.

- She just got out of a long relationship

with a man that she really loved.

Her feelings and her words can't be trusted right now.

- Did Monica say something to you?

- Assistant never tells.

But I will say this,

you know, if you're gonna take advantage

of someone's vulnerability,

maybe you should get your time up,

if you catch my drift.

- I'm about to six-degree Kevin Bacon this bitch.

- I enjoyed last night.

- Right.

Just a few more seconds.

- Hm, are you okay? - I'm fine.

I just think that we should keep things professional,

that's all.

You're all done. - Eric?

The hell just happened?

- MONICA: Serious?

- "DH?" Denise?

- ANDRE: Monica!

- ANDRE: Monica, open up!

Monica!

You? - Monica's not home.

- Hello?

- SIMONE: Hey Monica,

I was wondering if I can come in late today?

- Sure, is everything okay?

- Actually, everything is better than okay.

Remember that distant relative I told you about?

- They called?

- Yeah, yeah, they called, they want to meet today.

- Wow, that's great Simone.

Yeah, definitely, take the whole day.

I can't wait to hear how all about it.

- SIMONE: Oh, you will. - Alright, bye.

- Okay, bye.

- I am... I'm so glad that you invited me here--

- You know, I just wanted to be certain it was really you.

- I was really hoping that, you know, you, me, Monica--

- If you think that I'm reaching out to you

to have some sort of reunion,

you are sorely mistaken.

- So, you didn't invite me here to make things right?

- Hah!

I'm sorry. Oh my goodness, little girl,

make things right?

Things were always right, before you came along.

That being said, here sweetheart.

- SIMONE: $100,000?

- This will take care of the money that you spent

coming here, and the therapy that you apparently need.

Take it, and stay the hell away from Monica,

'cause if you don't, I'm not gonna be so nice.

'Cause see, unlike that whore that raised you,

I go hard for my baby. Real hard.

Paycheck.

- Hey ma'am, can I get you a drink?

- I got a message that you wanted to see me?

- Yeah.

Um, look, I don't know what happened,

I thought we had a good time the other night.

- That's funny, that's not what Simone told me.

- What did Simone tell you?

- She knew very specific details about our night together.

- Oh my god.

- ERIC: What?

- She was there.

- What are you doing here? I thought I told you to leave.

- You did.

- Well you're not getting any more money.

- I don't want any.

But I am trying to remember what happened

to the last person who told me to leave.

- Simone!

- Simone!

- Oh my god!

- MONICA: Oh my god.

- VOICEMAIL: - BEBE: You know what to do.

- Bebe, call me as soon as you can.

You were right about Simone.

I just, I still can't believe Simone would do all this stuff.

It's just, it's too much.

- That's some crazy stalker stuff right there.

Where you at, anyway? - I'm in my office.

I don't know, I feel safer here.

- I don't feel comfortable leaving you with Simone.

If you need me to pull up on-- - SIMONE: Hey, Monica.

- MONICA: I gotta go. Simone is here.

- You better beat her ass like she stole from you.

- Monica?

- No. I'm gonna talk. And you're gonna listen.

I welcomed you into my home.

I confided in you about how painful

my breakup with Andre was.

And all this time, you were the backstabbing bitch

who caused it? Hm?

- Wait, what are you talking about?

- I got the DVD from Mrs. Fletcher's house.

How did it get there, Simone? Huh? How?

You know what? It doesn't even matter.

You drugged Andre, and you sent me all those sick photos?

- I didn't-- - Stop with the lies!

You can stop!

What are you? Are you some kind of sick fan?

You get off on stuff like this? Huh?

You know what? You're fired!

- SIMONE: Monica, you should let me explain.

- Pack--

- Who is it? Make it quick.

- Uh, hello, Bebe, this is Robin Gibbs.

You reached out to me about a friend we have in common?

- Yes. Simone Hicks.

I see you two are following each other on Facebook.

Are you guys friends? Could you tell me something?

- Oh no, no, no. Make no mistake,

we are not friends on Facebook or anywhere else.

I have to go. - No, wait, no,

give me a minute. I met Simone.

She's friends with my best friend, Monica,

and something ain't right.

I just need you to help me connect the dots.

- You know how there's that one really odd kid

in high school?

- It was Simone? - She was the butt

of all these cruel and mean jokes and pranks.

I mean, she was bullied mercilessly.

Simone became obsessed with this idea of moving to Texas

to go live with her father.

He would take care of her.

And get this, in this fantasy world,

her father was the mayor of...

I think it was Houston?

I thought that after they locked her up--

- What did they put her away for?

- ROBIN: Killing her mom.

- Simone killed her mother?

- Simone's mother died in a fire

that police suspected she started.

I mean, they didn't have any proof,

so they put her in a psychiatric hospital,

but I believe she did it.

- Shit.

- Hello?

- Hey Be, let me call you back.

- What the hell you still doing here, Simone?

- Let me explain, Monica.

- Take it up with H.R., okay?

Get out of my way, you're no longer my problem.

- Problem? I was a problem to you?

You know what? Like mother, like daughter.

- What? Move.

Move.

- Night night, bitch.

- Oh, look who's awake.

Should I get you some ginger tea?

No?

So, you wouldn't let met explain back in your office,

I didn't have sex with Andre to hurt you.

I did it so you'd know that he's not good enough for you.

And that idiot had to show up to your apartment

with the DVD and...

I had no choice but to take care of him.

- Just like I took care of Mrs. Fletcher.

- And Elodie, that backstabbing bitch.

Monica...

You've really got to be more careful

about who you let in your life.

- BEBE: Monica, where are you?

Monica? Are you here? Monica!

Monica!

- God, I wanted a room like this when I was growing up.

- Nothing like mine, let me tell you that.

But you can tell a lot about a person from their room.

Oh, see, take this picture for example.

See, this picture,

this tells me that you came from a loving family,

parents that loved you. Aw.

Aw, look at this. See, this tells me

that you were taught to love yourself,

and the skin that you're in.

Gross.

- Come on. Monica, pick up.

- SIMONE: Bye, Bebe.

- SIMONE: What? - Why are you doing this?

- Seriously? You haven't figured it out?

- Figured out what? What is going on?

- Damn, you really don't know.

You know, I would say, "Let's ask your mother,"

but that bitch is dead to me.

- Simone!

Ew! Ew! I'm coming in.

- What did you do to my mother?

Where is my mother? Where is my mother, Simone?

- Oh, god.

- Relax!

- Mom! - Alright, that's enough.

- MONICA: Mom!

No! - Yes.

That's enough of that. Enough of that.

You know Monica, you know what I can appreciate?

I can always appreciate your family dynamic.

You guys would do anything for each other.

Yeah, I never had that growing up.

Nobody ever chooses me.

I blamed your mother, I blame my mother,

but you know who I blame the most?

Our father.

- Sorry Bebe, Monica can't come to the phone right now,

she's with family.

- Simone! I swear, if you touch her,

I'ma beat your ass.

- SIMONE: You ain't gonna do shit!

'Cause if you were, you'd already be here, BFF.

- I got you. Chimes!

- I really thought things

would be different for us, Monica.

I thought his death would bring us closer.

But if I can't have my dream family in life,

then we'll all just have to be together in death.

Why hello, Mrs. Fletcher. I'll take that.

- Formaldehyde.

- Monica, what?

- Simone, I didn't know.

I wish I would've known we were sisters.

I would've chosen you over everybody.

It's not too late.

I could still choose you.

- Really? - Really.

Now, can you please tell me about your mom and our father?

Because I don't know. I don't.

- They met on his, uh, first campaign. You were just born.

And they were working together out in D.C.

My mother said they only slept together once,

but that's all it took to have me.

- SIMONE: You know, they paid her a lot of money

to keep me a secret.

Didn't they, Denise?

Didn't they, Denise?

On the anniversary of her death,

he called out of the blue,

said that he wanted to meet up.

I couldn't believe I was finally meeting him.

And he was everything I always imagined he'd be.

He was handsome, and nice, and funny and smart.

The perfect dad. Just like you said.

He said he was sorry about not being there for me

when my mom died.

Wished he could make it up to me.

I told him he could, that we could be a family now.

And you know what he said?

Me coming into y'all's lives now

would be bad for your reputation.

So when he wasn't looking, I got payback.

He broke my heart, so I stopped his.

You probably hate me now.

- MONICA: Simone, Simone, no, I don't blame you.

We can fix this.

We can fix this side by side, together.

Harris sisters.

- Harris sisters?

- MONICA: Get my mom.

- DENISE: Baby, we gotta go, we gotta go!

We have to get out of here! Monica, baby!

Monica... - MONICA: Come on, Mom.

- BEBE: Y'all move, I'll handle her.

- MONICA: Hurry up. Come on.

Bebe! I'm calling 911!

- BEBE: No!

Simone! Stop! Enough!

Your crazy ass, Simone! Simone!

Get off me, Simone!

- I'm--

- MONICA: Simone...

- MONICA: This is for my dad!

You took him from me!

- Oh, Monica!

- Bebe... Bebe, please...

Please don't do this, Bebe!

- I know you were only looking out for me.

I love you.

Yes, and Mom, too.

- You ready, sweetheart?

- MONICA: I miss you, Daddy.

I'm gonna spend every day living my dream now.

- MALE ANNOUNCER: Please put your hands together

for the new host of Tea Time,

Ms. Monica Harris!

- Hey, y'all! Good afternoon.

Thank you, thank you for being my first audience,

as host of Tea Time with Monica Harris!

- Before we get started,

I have to give a very special shoutout to my girl,

sitting at home watching. Bebe--

- It's me! - MONICA: I love you girl,

get better. - Hey, girl!

- Now, shall we spill some tea?

- She look good, right? - She look good.