Godfather of Harlem

What are we gonna do about Johnson interfering?

All we have to do is make sure

that Marshall Grant stays in our pocket.

Are you gonna tear down

the Apollo Theater to put this up?

I'm selling my property to Bumpy Johnson.

Welcome to Club St. Clair.

Monique!

How's Jerome? How old is he now?

Almost 18. Crazy how fast they grow.

He's always playing music now.

He's gon' be as good as Teddy was.

You got gambling, you got girls, who knows what else?

And cops, they give you a pass.

I'm just saying you can't say

that I don't experience prejudice, too.

You wanna complain? Go march the fuck on Washington.

Today, the Italian-American community stands proud...

- That's right. - Yes, sir.

...and determined to fight injustice.

- - Yeah!

The fuck is he doing?

Their determination has inspired us.

You want me to protect you?

Here's one problem. I don't trust you.

Bumpy Johnson's wife was in my shop today,

trying to pawn her valuable jewelry.

-I had to send her way downtown. -Where?

-Stop, thief! -

- Why'd you do it? -

-I don't wanna run no more. -You still want my protection?

Hell, I could sure use it.

Well, you're a damn mess. You know that?

But you got something.

- -Thank you.

Hey.

Hey, what's happening, man?

It's good to see you, man.

This place, man-- this place is great, man.

Bumpy.

Man, you put this club together, man. Thank you so much.

When I grew up, I wanted to be just like you.

Making Harlem look good. Thank you.

Thanks.

Kate, how you doing?

-Love the dress. -Isn't it darling?

Tom picked it up for me while he was in Paris.

Tom, stop making the rest of us look bad.

-How you feeling? -I'm healing all right.

How's the, uh, rake so far today?

Well, it'd be higher

if it weren't for that damn Johnny the Roach.

Motherfucker caught fire on a blackjack table.

All right.

Tell Marty to send over some top-shelf booze,

a couple of girls to cheer him on.

See what we can rake back from there.

I'm on it, Bumpy.

Look at that country suck-up motherfucker.

Oh... so you don't like Frank?

Bumpy wants me to work with him.

Yeah, I'll work with him all right.

But...

But...I'll bust that nigga's head wide open

if he even thinks about making the wrong move.

I'm serious, man.

You think, since that heart thing,

something's wrong with Bumpy's judgement?

Don't even think that.

How could I not think that?

Frank nearly killed Bumpy while he was laid out in the hospital.

Shh!

He didn't go in there to bring him flowers.

He went in there to put a bullet in his head.

And don't you forget.

Yeah, he tore you up a bit, too.

Well... the kid risked his life

for a second chance with Bumpy, so, uh...

...I can respect that.

You can suck up to him, too.

I don't trust that motherfucker for a hot second.

Let me get another one.

Hell of a set.

-Sit. -

To you.

To you, for giving me a place to play again.

Although my fingers are still a bit stiff.

Well, you couldn't tell.

No. This place,

it's amazing what you've built.

Just wish your big sister could have seen it.

She never would've believed it.

Well, that's right.

Yeah. I, uh...

I brought you something as a thank you.

Unnecessary.

No, it is.

Something that you gave Mabel long ago.

A book of poems.

You was always reading

and tryin' to get Mabel to share your love of poetry.

Claude McKay.

"If We Must Die."

"If we must die,

let it not be like hogs...

hunted and penned in an inglorious spot.

While round us bark the mad and hungry dogs,

making their mock at our accursed lot."

You got me.

-To you. -Mm-hmm. To you.

Good work, fellas.

Night.

Hey, you was right about Johnny Roach.

Motherfucker got drunk on his ass and lost all his dough.

Greed and booze are the perfect playmates

for a casino. -

- -We know you?

I'll blow your fucking head off.

Take your hand out slowly now...

I'm an officer of the court.

Ellsworth Johnson?

You've been served.

I see. Right.

Let me think about it and get back to you.

Well, what did the lawyers say?

Straub is suing me for the ownership of the St. Clair.

How can you be sued for something you own?

Declaring voidable conveyance.

-Which is? -Some legal BS,

claiming I didn't pay a fair price for the land.

He's trying to take control of what I built.

The land was in Marshall Grant's name.

It was all a scam so Straub could control the property.

And he's in with Colombo.

Ellsworth, if you lose the St. Clair,

the bank can call in the mortgage.

We lose everything:

Palmetto Chemical, this apartment, everything.

Well, what are you going to do?

I'm gonna catch up with the son of a bitch.

-I'll get him to back off. -Be careful, Ellsworth.

There are lawyers involved.

Everybody in New York knows Straub has a history

of suing people into oblivion.

Don't worry. I'll use all my charms.

Yeah.

-Private. -Sir.

Have you ever experienced any mental health issues,

such as depression or anxiety?

No, sir.

Do you have any religious or moral objections

to military service?

-No, sir. -Open your mouth, please.

Are you currently or have you ever been a member

of any political organizations?

No, sir.

We won't go, hell no!

We won't go, hell no! We won't go, hell no!