American Soul

Previously on American Soul

- You sure that's the way you want to play it? -I'm sure

I'm quit Don.

We have plenty of time to start a family.

I want another shot. I want to dance.

- How old are you? - How old do you need me to be?

Old enough to sing that song at my club. I need an opening act.

This is Private Barker. He served with your dad.

- Your family will be protected. - Goodbye, Private Barker.

I got a producer friend, off Broadway.

You really think I'm that good?

Prove your worth or you ain't got none.

- I got your back, man. - If you walk out that door,

you are choosing Soul Train over this family!

We'll talk about this later.

All right, everybody, gather round.

- Gonna love it. - Come on, slowpoke.

- Come here, JT. - Come over here, man. Let's go.

- Chop, chop. - Open it, open it.

"Dear Mr. Cornelius, it is with great joy

"that we are officially extending

"our programming contract with your company.

"As such, I would like to congratulate you

"on the official pickup of Soul Train

for an additional two seasons."

I don't normally do this, but...

it's time to celebrate.

Well?

Pack a bag, baby. You're going on tour.

...Oh.

- Wow. - Oh, man!

- Any word from Don? - No.

And he disappeared after the announcement.

So what's the play?

Tape the show. Do what he would do.

- Terry, go wider on camera one. - Paco.

This is a really nice car, baby.

This is just the beginning, baby.

I'm gonna give you the world, Red.

I don't need the world, Don.

I got everything I need right here.

You're gonna love L.A., Red.

And I'm so glad you and the boys are here.

My family means everything to me.

And I'll never let that go.

You need to look out, Don.

I got this, baby.

- Don. Don. - Red, I got this.

...Don. Don, drive! Don!

Don! Don!

Don, hurry! Don!

Don. Don!

What are you doing out here?

You're two hours late. I had to shoot the first performance.

Come on. Ike's on a freaking rampage.

What?

Just wondering if you know what you're really in for

with this whole... "wife on tour" situation.

You mean like crazy schedules and long hours

and squeezing in time to see each other?

- Mm-hmm. - That sounds like every day.

You've lost enough time, okay?

Everything else can wait.

Not everything.

Don't just sit there. Open it.

I mean, I thought with the tour and everything...

Work and family isn't easy for anybody,

but it doesn't make me want it any less,

especially when I get to have that with you.

So, what do you think?

So this is where you hiding.

I turn my back for a second and you just go missing.

- There you are. Come on, Earl. We need you. - All right.

All right, give me a minute.

I need to know.

Know you haven't had much time

to think about it, but I can't stay here.

- I need to know if you're... - I'm going with you.

I'm with you,

whatever that means, wherever it takes us.

JT.

We can leave tonight, then. After the show.

- Tonight? - More time changes minds, Monie.

Then tonight it is.

They did the first set, but Ike wants certain things

- before he'll finish. - What things?

- Things you need to approve. - Is my travel set?

Still no word from Delores, but the presidential suite's booked.

Did she get her plane ticket?

It was hand-delivered last night.

And your flight is booked as well.

Oh, and, uh, Gerald's here.

All comfy and cozy in his new office.

You want an office, Brooks?

Gerald pays for himself. Get Coke like you promised.

Until then, shut up and do your job.

Is there anything else?

Yeah. There's a Dr. Howard here to see you.

- Put him in my office. - Already did.

Put the boots on and stop playing games!

...Hurry up! - Like we got all this time.

Put them boots on and stop playing. Ugh! Stop yelling.

Who the hell is it, knocking on the door?! - Ike.

It's Don.

This is how you treat your guests?

I am out of everything that matters.

I will be sure to correct that.

And I want some more of that Colombian cut you sent

by the hotel; that shit is nice.

Is there anything that I can get you, Mrs. Turner?

She got everything she need right here.

We good?

Never better.

Mm.

What the hell is you looking at?

Who told you to stop doing your makeup?

Guess you could say I'm VP of talent coordination.

Hey, uh,

yeah, all right, let me get back to you.

- Okay. Bye. - All right.

My, my, my.

Mm.

Look who done crossed over.

- What can I do for you, Herschel? - I'm just trying to figure out

why you keeping your new side-hustle a secret.

Look, I got a lot of work to do. Why don't you guys

meet me back at the club later? We'll talk.

Look here.

You said this new honey shit was gonna be a big hit.

I didn't believe it.

But I believe all this.

Yeah, no, no. This... this is off-limits, Herschel.

Really? Let me tell you something.

Everything you got is mine.

- And you're only alive because I allow it.

Look out now.

Wow. Mr. Soul Train himself.

Don Cornelius, Herschel Green.

Herschel and I work together.

Don't be so modest.

- I'm his boss. - Hmm.

It's good to meet you, Mr. Green.

Listen, I was just leaving, but I am sure

I'll be seeing a lot more of you.

Love, peace and... soul, baby.

Herschel Green? The mob boss?

- One and the same. - Why is he here?

Old friends, that's all.

This isn't gonna be a problem, is it, Gerald?

You got my word, Don.

Herschel won't be a problem.

Every time, it's the same thing.

I'm sitting in my new car, Delores is there.

She just moved to L.A. Then out of nowhere,

this train plows into us.

It's always the same dream, but I'm never asleep.

When I realize I'm woke, it's later.

Later?

Like I'm losing time... 15, 20 minutes a pop.

- And the headaches? - They come and go.

But it's worse when I'm stressed.

Is there anything that makes you feel normal?

Uh, sleep? Sex?

Only... this.

Wouldn't be my first choice.

Self-medication only lasts so long.

Then fix it. That's why I pay you.

There's nothing to fix, Don.

The tests confirm it, and I agree.

You're just starting to find out what most of us already know:

you're human.

We're adjusting. Yeah.

Record ain't even out and already famous.

I hear you have quite the following down at Dugan's.

Well, now that I have you both here,

I'd like to introduce you to.

Mr. Marshal Jones, producer extraordinaire.

- You're a music producer? - Theater. New York.

Off Broadway mostly, but we still turn a profit.

Marshal's mounting a new show and thinks

Simone is the missing ingredient.

- Have you forgotten my daughter is still in school, Mr. Haygood? - I have not.

The offer comes with full tuition to The Breelin Academy.

Ability without education is nothing, Ms. Clarke.

And what about living expenses?

Well, it's a paying production.

Simone will get a weekly salary.

Not enough to get rich, but more than enough to live off.

Thank you, gentlemen, for stopping by.

I need to speak with my daughter alone.

You ready?

Do I have a choice?

We all have a choice, brother.

So this is where we are.

Lying, sneaking out.

It's like I blinked,

and my baby became someone I don't recognize.

I'm sorry, Mama.

I'll talk to Professor Haygood,

just tell him to forget the whole thing.