-Previously onThe Game... -Benji, why would I do this?
Streaming is the future, Tash,
and the future is now.
You just got clean.
You need me here.
Mi casa is still su casa, brother.
I packed my bags already. I made other arrangements.
That witness has Beau's hard drive,
with all the info.
It could send Beau to jail.
You would destroy Beau to prove a point.
I'll do whatever it takes to protect my child.
TEE TEE: I think he snuck off to see Shannon Dixon.
TASHA: The last time he saw that girl,
she put a spell on him, he quit football.
What if you pivoted to create a new league?
This would destroy the union.
This would destroy the owners.
That's you forging Daddy's signature.
If this video gets out,
you'll lose your fancy new job.
-Here's to the 828, y'all! -[cheering]
["Mission: Impossible" theme]
[humming theme]
Can't-- it's not working.
Can you stop humming? It's distracting me, stop.
Girl, is it distracting you 'cause I'm humming
or is it because you'd rather MacGyver the lock
than just... bribe the maid?
-You didn't. -[laughing]
Free chicken tenders at Club EndZone for life?
That's a good deal.
-See? -All right,
begin Project Find Xavier's Laptop.
-Yep. -Timer set for two minutes.
Got it.
Oh, my God.
This guy is still a super-freak.
I mean, he's probably still paranoid
and keeps all his videos on his laptop
and probably doesn't make copies.
I mean, a guy this cocky never changes.
Can you please not say the word "cocky"
-while holding that? -Does it bother you?
Oh, my gosh, nah.
Um, the laptop's not here.
[door opening]
XAVIER: Yeah. Let me know what you've got.
[humming]
-[beeping] -[clunk]
[alarm chiming]
[phone ringing]
Whaddup?
Okay, dope, yeah, no,
no, I'm on the way.
[door opening, closing]
It smells like used condoms and Fritos down there.
That was close.
Oh, my God.
-What? -What?
-Is that? -What? What is it?
Twizzlers?! He's gonna pay for this.
I mean, what kind of minibar...
doesn't have Peanut M&Ms?
He left the safe open!
Okay, so I didn't find the laptop...
but I found Xavier's kryptonite.
What is it? Hmm.
Xavier's a compulsive gambler.
Yeah, we can work with that.
-[knocking on door] -WOMAN: Housekeeping.
[door unlocking]
[theme music]
Ooh, Malik's businesses
are going down faster than a five-dollar ho.
Okay, we gotta get that
-under control. -Mm-hmm.
[clearing throat] You do realize
-this is my office. -And you do realize
that my deductible pays your rent,
so give it to me straight, Doc.
Am I going through the change?
That would explain her irritability
-and mood swings. -No. It's not menopause.
The cramps are from stress and constipation,
which you can alleviate by working less
and not on my exam table.
Oh... [laughing]
Stool softener.
You saying I'm full of shit?
I'm saying you should pay attention to your health.
Okay.
Okay, so look, I need you to gather
all of the heads of Malik's companies
-for a state of the union. -Got it.
I'll put it in after a meeting with the prosecutor
-from Missouri. -Yeah...
Sara needs to know not to cross a woman
-with a hard stool. -Maybe Dr. Gilmore's right.
I mean, maybe you should just slow down for a little bit.
Slow down? Girl, Tasha Mack got one speed.
Cash money fast. All right, let's go.
-WOMAN: Do not go in there! -Hey-hey!
-Gentlemen... -I said you can't go in.
Oh, don't worry, darling, this will be quick.
Malik Wright, what an unpleasant surprise.
We were just passing by, and we came bearing gifts.
You were passing by L.A.?
Okay-- we don't want your gifts, Malik,
because we don't want a new football league.
Chance, hear him out, it can work.
Unlike that tie.
Gentlemen, I present to you
the All World Football League.
[laughing] A-W-F-L.
Awful!
[laughter]
I don't need swag
to realize that this is an awful idea.
It's the All World Football League, gentlemen,
-because it's for all people. -That's right.
And it takes care of all its players, Chance.
We don't need a fantasy league, Malik.
What we need is a PR win.
GARRET: Do you really believe that the owners
care what the public thinks? Come on, Chance.
You might not have a sense of fashion,
but you do have common sense.
We're meeting here in Los Angeles.
The owners are meeting in Vegas.
Neither side is talking.
Would you like to know why?
Because Mr. Awful here keeps shooting from the hip
and dropping dead bodies everywhere he goes.
Well, let me make this simple for you guys.
If I get you your PR victory,
you hold a vote with the players on the new league.
And if you don't, you will resign as players' rep.
And let us do our job.
I'll take that action.
All right, guys, so, uh,
back to whatever it is you guys do up here
in this meeting.
[laughter]
This is really what they came up with.
Let's get back to work, fellas.
This is gonna put Beau Thatcher in jail.
-[laughing] -[clearing throat]
Tasha, Paxton,
Federal Prosecutor Shannon Dixon is here.
Ms. Dixon, I'm Paxton. We spoke on the phone.
-This is my client-- -Tasha Mack.
You're my whistleblower?
Oh... I'm gonna love this.
-Paxton, I need the room. -Tasha, I don't think--
-I need the room. -Paxton...
I'd go if I were you.
Ms. Mack hates not getting her way.
I'll take that. Thank you.
What the hell are you doing here?
Well...
I'm here as federal prosecutor
for the Eastern District of Missouri
to secure evidence and establish a chain of custody
for materials related to an ongoing
criminal investigation regarding Beau Thatcher.
And none of that seems coincidental?
I'm not the one who called the feds.
I called the feds, I didn't call
the woman who destroyed my son's life.
And nearly destroyed mine in the process.
-Like you give a damn. -Watch your tongue, girl.
Now, what happened with you and Malik,
that's on you. I did the right thing.
And from the looks of it, it worked out for everybody.
-So, you're welcome. -Well, if all is well,
then maybe I'll just drop by.
-Say hi before I leave. -The hell you will.
If you do... this stays with me.
Are you really holding federal evidence hostage?
I'm using the leverage I have.
The same old controlling, manipulative Tasha Mack.
-Fine, scout's honor. -You're gonna have to do
more than that. I need your word.
Promise me you will not see Malik.
I've kept my word 19 years, why would I stop now?
Good seeing you, Tasha.
Let's not wait two decades next time.
Excuse me.
All eyes on her.
I wanna know what she does and where she does it.
Yeah, thought I told you, Sara...
Sara comped me at the hotel
-for the trouble. -Oh, babe, you could just
stay with me till you find a place.
I would love to wake up next to you
-every morning. -That would be nice, babe.
-["car backing up" beeps] -But I'm good.
Besides, this is the best sleep I've gotten
-since the strike started. -[clunking]
-Oh, what-- -Uh, Brittany, I-I gotta roll.
I'll call you back, okay?
Hey! Hey, wait!
Wait, hey-hey, my man!
That's-- I-- I can get out of here now.
Just give me a...
[sighing]
Mm.
[beep]
RECEPTIONIST: Ms. Pitts, Xavier Mitchell
-is here to see you. -[sighing]
Send him in.
Xavier.
Congratulations again on winning the bid.
I hope your unscrupulous ass
-is proud. -I can assure you
that my ass is indeed feeling itself right now.
[laughing] Oh... are we sure
that's not just a diaper rash?
[laughing]
Now, um, I'm-a need you to destroy that video,
-and I need to watch you do it. -As soon as the contract
is signed and my first payment is made.
Hey, Brittany? I'm gonna miss
-that 2:00 meeting. -Oh, no worries.
Beau, Xavier, this is Beau Thatcher,
VP of Thatcher Group Casinos.
Beau, this is Xavier, our new alcohol supplier.
-Pleasure. -Indeed.
Um, bad news,
Denzel said he won't be able
to make the game, something about
-reshoots on his new film. -Damn.
Well, we'll be one player short for High Roller Night.
Are we talking poker?
Because I'm a pretty decent player myself.
BEAU: Really? Well, buy-in's 50 grand.
You cover that, you're in.
Well, then it sounds like we're playing poker.
That your phone?
-Thank you, Brittany. -No problem.
[chuckling]
Uh, great, so I will bring
the contract to the casino tonight.
So, either way, you'll leave a winner.
-[chuckling] -All right, I'll see you later.
See ya...
later.
Welcome to the first virtual summit
of Malik Wright Enterprises.
I am your CEO, Tasha Mack,
and I ain't gonna sugarcoat it, y'all.
Sales suck.
But there's a new captain here,
and I'm ready to turn this ship around.
Captain Mack, Malik's Weed Emporium
just got a batch of sativa blend.
Perfect for seasickness.
Uh, Tevin, that was a metaphor, go back on mute.
But save me an ounce of that sativa.
-Candy? -Respectfully, Tasha,
we're not the problem, Malik is.
As long as he's the face of this strike,
-business is gonna suffer. -You know what, Candy?
Mute you too. I will handle Malik's image.
He and I, we got a plan.
But facts don't lie. Even in the good times,
y'all sales were trash-- the bottom line is,
anybody who doesn't meet the new financial goals
is fired-- Mack out.
-Man. -[setting down remote]
This strike has been going on for weeks,
and nobody is talking; I'm gonna change that.
So I've invited the owners' council
-for a sit-down. -Sit-down?
We need to take the fight to them,
-not wait on bended knee. -Shh-shh-shh.
MALIK: Ultimately, I'm trying to make this
as easy as possible, all right?
So this is the very room that the owners are
scheduled to meet in, so I'm gonna wait right here
for a friendly face-to-face with them.
But Dallas owner Eugene Drake,
who's taken the Colonel's place
as council president, vows never to negotiate.
What makes you think he'll show?
MALIK: Because he's a smart man, and because it's in
everyone's best interest to make this happen.
And furthermore, I'm not leaving this damn room until he does.
So this is what, like, a sit-in?
Ah, exactly.
It's a peaceful sit-in.
Health care is a human right.
As a matter of fact, this is our Selma moment.
See, this right here, this is money.
Malik TV, ow.
We don't want Malik. We want you.
No, what you need is a Tasha Mack master class,
and here is lesson one-- always trust Tasha Mack.
I-I don't see how waiting for one man
to see another is content.
What? Look, America loves
a train wreck, and they also love an underdog.
And with this move, Malik just gave you both.
-Mm-hmm. -How many eyeballs you get
-on that channel? -Uh, live, 50K.
Okay, all right, look, if Malik doesn't average
at least a hundred thousand views,
I'll do Tasha Mack TV,
and if he does, Malik TV-- ow!--
just got a new home, baby.
-Damn. -Damn.
-Yeah? -I'm looking for Lula.
-Is she here? -LULA: Ask 'em if they got
-the extra mamba sauce. -It ain't the food, baby.
They're not coming.
She's indisposed and hungry,
-so just come back later. -Who the hell at my door?
-It's-it's me, Mama. -Jamie?
-It's me. -Good Lord.
It's my baby boy.
Come give Mama some sugar.
How you doin'? You a'ight?
[sobbing]
This is my famous football son.
Jamison Junior.
Jamie.
This Tyrone.
We been spending time together.
-How you doin', son? -Yeah, what's up?
Well, look, uh, while y'all "re-une,"
I'm-a step out and get some food.
Don't bring your ass back without my menthol.
Yeah, I know, I know.
Mom, when was the last time you cleaned this place?
Get Mama some water, baby.
-Yes, ma'am. -With some ice in it.
Good to see you, baby.
It's really good to see you, too.
Mm-hmm.
I'm glad you, uh...
I'm glad you moved out of that shelter.
I never liked that place.
It always smelled like cheese.
I like cheese, though.
Yes, you do.
I just moved out of my spot too.
Needed a place to crash for a few days,
a place where nobody cares who I am.
Or who I was.
That's one thing I can always say about you, Ma.
You never judge me.
[distant music]
How much is this asshole up?
Three hundred and twenty grand.
Okay. Let's do it.
I can win enough for the both of us.
I don't want you to get your pretty little hands dirty.
-What if I like it dirty? -Mr. Mitchell?
-A double tornado. -Thank you.
For the man destroying everything in his path.
Cheers to that.
Well, congrats on the hot streak.
-[laughing] -Thanks, Brit,
but I'm on to you.
[laughing] Excuse me?
Look, I might be a jerk, but I'm not stupid,
and you're not that smart.
My invite to this game, it was too easy.
You wanted me to lose so that you'd have leverage
-to get that video back. -Well, you can't blame me
-for trying. -Oh, but I can.
Bring me my contract now.
Your little charade is over.
Eight hours and still no owners.
I'll be back. Raquel needs some help.
Yeah, more like...
seven hours, 52 minutes, and 33 seconds,
but who the fuck is counting?
I am. And savoring every second.
Just thought I'd drop in from Los Angeles
and witness this fiasco in person.
Chance, why don't you chill, brother?
We're supposed to be on the same damn team.
But I thought Malik was only on Team Malik.
At least at the end of this,
I'll finally have you out of my hair.
[phone ringing]
Erika? Any news?
I still got eyes on Shannon.
-No movement yet. -Damn.
Malik's stream is down to 37,000.
Fuck. Hey.
Shit, looks like both our plans is failing.
Maybe, but not without a fight, baby.
-I got a plan. -Mack-Wright.
One-point-two million.
Cash me out.
-We good? -Very.
-Twizzler? -No.
XAVIER: [sighs] What a day, what a day.
Just a minute.
XAVIER: What, is something wrong?
As much as I hate to make your night any better,
your contract.
Thank you.
Excuse me, sir.
It appears you've been passing counterfeit chips.
That's insane. I've been sitting at that table for hours.
All these chips belong to your hotel.
Is that right? Come here.
You wanna search me? Okay.
[clearing throat]
Then how do you explain these?
That's bullshit. Those aren't mine.
I'm sure it's a mix-up. But hotel policy
-demands we investigate. -I didn't do anything.
Beau, is this really necessary? I mean, he's one of us.
Quick room search should clear this right up.
My laptop's not up there.
So you can go to hell.
-Okay, next order of business. -Eugene, I renew my objection.
What could it hurt to talk to the union?
-Oh, really? Excuse me. -I'm sorry, is there a problem?
Yes, there is a problem.
Oh... wow.
Isn't this cozy?
Excuse me for barging in,
but, uh, I need you all to tell America
why you won't meet with the union.
This is a private meeting, Ms. Mack.
Well, then why don't you just be man enough
to get on that elevator and go down and meet with Malik?
Nice try, but stunts like this,
they-they belong at Circus Circus.
And so do clowns.
You got that? Good.
I got your clown.
Hey, Brit. It's me.
Um, I've been apartment hunting.
No luck yet, so I'm-a just crash
at the hotel one more night.
I miss you, babe.
[clunk]
-Damn. -[snoring]
31,000 streams.
-[thud] -Damn.
Sorry, baby.
What-- where's Garret?
He gave up about an hour ago.
I guess it's just you and me like always, huh?
-[phone ringing] -Mm, what, girl?
BRITTANY: Shannon is here, in the casino.
You gotta get Malik out of here.
Okay, she ain't here because of him,
-she's here because of me. -Mom, wha...
Mom, where you going? No, come here-- not--
not you too! Damn it, Ma!
Hey, you two, come with me.
[sighing] You know,
a wise man once said a leader with no followers
is just a man out for a walk.
You're making us look like fools, Malik.
Oh! You're finally quitting, huh?
No, dawg.
-I'm just going for a walk. -Hmm.
You're wasting your time.
Oh, we have all the time in the world.
Found something.
That is not mine. The hell is that thing?
Are you kidding me right now? Do you even have
any idea who you're fucking with?!
-My lawyers-- -All right, all right.
Give us the room if you please.
-Yes, sir. -Yes, sir.
What the hell is going on here?
What's up, asshole?
-You set me up. -Me?
I'm not that smart.
But I did hear that counterfeiting casino chips
carries a penalty of six years in prison
and a hundred thousand dollar fine.
Per count.
You fucking bitch.
Oh, I bet you say that to all the girls, huh?
Now, Xavier, this all goes away
once you give Brittany what she wants.
[sighing]
You ate all that damn candy and didn't check the minibar?
That's a great fucking hiding spot.
It's a pleasure doing business with you.
Wonderful, now that that's all squared away,
the only matter we have left to discuss
is your little bill.
-This isn't over, ladies. -Oh, but your contract is.
-828 strikes again. -[squealing]
-828! -We strike again!
BOTH: 828, we strike again!
-Is the coast clear? -Yeah.
And thanks for being my Brad Pitt.
You ready for this Ocean's 11?
-Oh, God, get a room. -Shit, yeah.
We got one right here!
Paid in full.
Hey, um, I'm sorry, can we--
can we finish this?
Hey. Hey.
I'll be right back.
Mm-hmm.
If you hurry up, you might catch me in the tub.
[elevator chime]
Malik Wright.
It's not a sit-in if you're walking around.
And it's not a negotiation
if you're the only party at the table.
Sure about that?
No cameras, no reporters, just us.
Two men having a talk.
You got 12 floors, Malik.
I only need ten, same age as your daughter Megan
when she first fought leukemia.
And your point?
My point is this.
She had access to the best care,
and now she's about to graduate Yale,
and she's getting married in the spring.
See, if I didn't have the ability to care
for my illness, I may not be alive today.
I just think all players should have the same access
to health care that we do,
and I think that's worth talking about.
Well played, Malik.
Adding Megan, that was a nice touch.
But let me be clear.
You don't call the shots.
I do.
Players are not now
and never will be our equals,
do you understand?
We own y'all.
[beep]
Now, this is the penthouse, son.
And you're going down.
[elevator chime]
One day, you girls'll have to tell me
how y'all put that together so fast.
Oh, a lady never schemes and tells,
-at least not sober. -[laughing]
Seriously, though, I just wanna thank you both.
I couldn't have done this without you.
-It just means so much. -Besides it being
tons of fun, it was also a pleasure.
See, Xavier was on our slimeball most wanted list.
-[laughter] -I can imagine.
You know, the old me would just find this victory
so frickin' sweet.
But now it's just, like...
I really need to stop taking so many risks.
Well, my daddy used to say,
the bigger the risk,
the bigger the win, and oftentimes
the bigger the mistake, trust me, I've made my share.
Now, all you have to do is own up to it, and you move on.
And pray you never get caught, right?
-Amen. -Beauregard Thatcher.
We already got this situation handled.
-Wrong situation. Move. -You're under arrest
for illegal gambling and business fraud.
-What are you talking about? -You have the right
to remain silent. Anything you say can and will--
Are you kidding? Get those cameras outta my face.
You have the right to an attorney.
If you do not have one, one will be appointed for you.
Do you understand your rights as...
Promise made. Promise kept.
-Tasha Mack don't play. -No, she don't.
But you knew that, didn't you?
Guess I did.
Tell Malik I applaud his efforts
and he has my respect.
[dramatic music]
[Lula humming]
Oh, snap.
Angel biscuits.
Grits and smoked sausage?
My favorite pre-game meal. Thank you, Mama.
Boy, quit fussin' and sit down and eat.
Ah.
-Mmm. -How's it taste?
Like I'm ten years old again.
Like I'm... home, and I never wanna leave.
And you don't have to.
You can stay as long as you want.
So I guess you heard me last night.
No, I was out like a belly button.
But I know you wouldn't be here if life was good.
You wanna talk about it?
Things just aren't going how I planned, Ma.
Football. And life.
I'm hurtin', Ma.
And I don't know what to do about it.
Baby, you do what you always do.
You fight.
And when you get tired of fighting,
you let people who love you fight for you.
Yeah, but you ain't raised me to take no charity.
Ma, I don't-- I don't need saving.
Now, see, that's that pride talking.
The same pride your daddy had.
The same pride that made you a great football player
is the same pride that kept you
from leaving that girl when I begged you to.
Let it go, baby.
Or it's gonna ruin you.
Mm-mm-mm.
Something smells good.
Got your menthols.
Ah-ah, not till you give me my pills.
I ain't got your pills.
What the hell I look like, taking that shit?
Well, they gone, and if you ain't take 'em, then he did.
What? Man, I ain't take your stuff.
Now look, it's a blue bottle,
just... you know, empty your pockets.
-What're you even doing here? -I pay bills here.
You pay bills here? This is bills?
-You just visiting. -Right. Okay.
Lula, either he go, or I do.
Mama, tell him to leave.
Mama.
Baby...
come back later, okay?
He'll be gone.
I'll make us supper.
I'll make your favorite.
Sloppy joes.
I should've never came here.
Jamie?
Jamie? Jamie?
Baby, come on, Jamie?
[sighing]
What's with the pity party, boo-boo?
Ma, a leader with no followers
is like a fool walking a dog with no feet.
Hmm.
I don't think that's the right quote,
-but I get it. -Hmm.
And you're wrong, baby.
You are not walking alone.
[clicks tongue]
-600,000 viewers? -Mm-hmm.
And they all tuned in to Malik TV.
BOTH: Ow.
Wait, Ma, I don't understand.
Well, turns out, people like seeing
white folk get arrested. Who knew?
Now look, everything that you wanna say to the owners?
-Mm-hmm? -I want you to say it
to the fans, 'cause they're the ones
that really matter.
Mm.
Earlier today, I had a run-in
with the Dallas owner Eugene Drake,
and he opened my eyes to...
[scoffs] ...to a lot of things.
You know, the truth is,
from the moment I laid that helmet down,
I failed as a leader.
[sighing]
I'm the reason we're on strike.
And I'm the reason that the owners are winning.
I ignored the union, and I undermined
a great leader in Chance Worley.
And for that, y'all, I'm truly sorry.
I just pray that, in time,
my team and my fans...
you guys will forgive me.
[clicks tongue]
But... as of now?
This sit-in is officially over.
Malik Wright out.
Ow.
[knocking on door]
[sniffs]
Yo.
What's... What's up?
What's up with the watering can?
Oh, yeah, I'm, um...
I'm a plant dad.
And I'm nurturing my babies right now.
What's... What's going on?
Um...
I'm out of options, Smoke.
-[sighing] -I need a place to crash.
Look, Jay, I could be your roommate,
or your dealer, but I can't do both.
-[rattling] -I have pills.
I don't have a place to lay my head.
-Thank you. -Yep.
-Put that with that. -Ma, I got this--
-It should all go together. -No, but the folders--
It doesn't make sense to--
Don't put it up here, Mom, it's my--
-Baby, baby, baby. -Yes, what?
-Over your shoulder. -Oh.
You're wrong about a lot of things,
but not this. Going to the owners...
was never the answer.
If they don't want our business... fuck 'em.
We work with the people who deserve to work with us.
You got your vote, Malik,
but this AWFL league,
it better work.
I say let's get this on Malik TV.
-BOTH: Ow! -[laughter]
First order of business, tomorrow,
we get a name change, y'all.
Huh? Huh? [laughs]
And, fellas, from now on, baby,
whatever we do, we do that shit together.
[laughter]
-My man. -Hell yeah!
-Come on now. -Oh, Bobby,
now you wanna bring it in, huh?
Huh, Bobby?
[laughter, excited chatter]
[laughter]
Well, you look fierce and fabulous.
Okay, okay, ladies...
here's to our version
of Ocean's 8.
Sis, I think you mean Ocean's 828.
Look, I don't know what ocean it is,
I just know I couldn't have done this without y'all,
so here's to the 828, y'all!
[overlapping shouts and cheers]
[up-tempo music]
[music over dialogue]
[music continues]
[music over dialogue]
[music continues]
Hollywood ain't got shit on us!
Period!
Right? Say it.
[pool balls clacking]
Mmm...
Damn, this some good shit.
Uh-huh, that's that new "Sit-In" blend
-at Malik's Weed Emporium. -Mm-hmm.
And thanks to you, Ma, that's one of our top sellers.
Well, damn, I need a raise.
[laughter]
-Here. -Nah, I'm good.
But I betcha Sara needs a hit
after what happened with Beau.
But, see, that's the strange part.
She saw Beau go down, and she didn't even blink.
I think she playing you, Malik.
I think she wanted Beau to fall.
Oh, shit, speaking of playing,
you know you got that Make-a-Wish kid visit today.
Ah, yeah, today I make some dying kid's wish come true.
-[laughing] -Just hope he don't wanna
get laid for the first time.
-Oh. -Whoa, Mom, you okay?
-Huh? -Yeah, I'm fine,
it's just a female thing.
-Just give me a minute. -Okay.
All right.
I'm sorry, she threatened to indict me.
Sha-- Shannon?
Hey, Malik.
It's been a while.