1 00:00:01,292 --> 00:00:05,333 - How could Ma have had Bunny and still be so judgmental with me? 2 00:00:05,750 --> 00:00:07,708 BUNNY: Previously, on Black Cake... 3 00:00:07,708 --> 00:00:09,750 I'm not interested in Jimmy, okay? 4 00:00:09,750 --> 00:00:11,042 He's not my type either. 5 00:00:11,042 --> 00:00:12,042 - Then who is? 6 00:00:12,042 --> 00:00:13,458 Come on, tell me! 7 00:00:13,458 --> 00:00:16,125 - You! Okay? I like you. 8 00:00:16,125 --> 00:00:17,750 - You can't say that. 9 00:00:18,458 --> 00:00:20,375 Bunny, you know rumors can get people killed. 10 00:00:20,833 --> 00:00:23,625 ELEANOR: I'm now telling you a secret 11 00:00:23,625 --> 00:00:25,958 I couldn't bring myself to even share with your father. 12 00:00:26,500 --> 00:00:28,250 You have a sister. 13 00:00:28,250 --> 00:00:29,875 - There must be some kind of mistake. I'm not adopted. 14 00:00:29,875 --> 00:00:32,500 - Eleanor was your birth mother. 15 00:00:33,250 --> 00:00:36,208 She wasn't aware that she was adopted. BENNY: Jesus. 16 00:00:36,208 --> 00:00:38,833 To find out something like that over the phone. 17 00:00:38,833 --> 00:00:41,000 - Let's just finish the last recording. 18 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,583 - Your mother was very specific. She wanted us to wait until 19 00:00:43,583 --> 00:00:46,417 Mabel decided whether or not 20 00:00:46,417 --> 00:00:47,750 she wanted to join us. 21 00:00:48,250 --> 00:00:51,292 MABEL: Did it not occur to you that I might want to know? 22 00:00:51,292 --> 00:00:53,792 - We were trying to protect you. - From what? 23 00:00:54,125 --> 00:00:55,792 - Calm down, mate, everything's fine. 24 00:00:55,792 --> 00:00:57,750 - Was everything fine when you beat her so bad 25 00:00:57,750 --> 00:00:59,917 she couldn't even show her face at our dad's funeral? 26 00:00:59,917 --> 00:01:02,208 - Oh, you think you can just swoop in now like a hero? 27 00:01:02,500 --> 00:01:05,458 [Byron grunts] BENNY: Byron! Byron! Stop! 28 00:01:05,458 --> 00:01:07,583 Stop it, please! 29 00:01:07,583 --> 00:01:08,833 [grunting] 30 00:01:08,833 --> 00:01:10,792 BENNY [echoing]: Stop it, Byron! POLICE OFFICER [echoing]: Freeze! 31 00:01:10,792 --> 00:01:12,500 Put your hands where we can see them! 32 00:01:12,500 --> 00:01:14,625 Put your hands up, now! 33 00:01:24,833 --> 00:01:27,667 - Byron, my sweet boy, 34 00:01:29,958 --> 00:01:31,708 on the day you were born, 35 00:01:32,375 --> 00:01:35,250 your father took your tiny foot in his hand. 36 00:01:36,708 --> 00:01:40,583 He closed his fingers around it and just looked at me. 37 00:01:41,417 --> 00:01:43,958 There are no words for that kind of feeling. 38 00:01:46,667 --> 00:01:48,708 Yes, it was another child who made me a mother, 39 00:01:48,708 --> 00:01:52,292 but you, Byron... [chuckles] 40 00:01:53,250 --> 00:01:56,333 you were the first time I got to be a mother. 41 00:01:57,708 --> 00:01:58,875 I had life again. 42 00:02:03,458 --> 00:02:05,750 But even when we bury the truth, 43 00:02:07,333 --> 00:02:08,917 it still eats away at us. [Benny inaudible] 44 00:02:10,792 --> 00:02:13,917 - But I'm grateful now that I still have time 45 00:02:13,917 --> 00:02:17,042 to right some of the wrongs in my life 46 00:02:18,917 --> 00:02:20,500 before it's too late. 47 00:02:21,167 --> 00:02:25,750 Byron, I'm sorry you felt so much pressure to be perfect. 48 00:02:25,750 --> 00:02:29,042 I... taught you to bottle things up. 49 00:02:30,417 --> 00:02:32,125 But who can really do that? 50 00:02:32,625 --> 00:02:33,833 And for how long? 51 00:02:34,958 --> 00:02:39,292 And I'm sorry that you felt that the only way to have our approval 52 00:02:39,292 --> 00:02:41,458 was to do things our way, 53 00:02:41,458 --> 00:02:44,667 even when that meant leaving your sister out there on her own. 54 00:02:47,625 --> 00:02:50,583 Which brings me to you, Benedetta. 55 00:02:53,833 --> 00:02:55,333 When your father and I 56 00:02:57,000 --> 00:03:01,708 hesitated to embrace you as you were, you ran. 57 00:03:04,917 --> 00:03:09,792 You were willing to walk away in order to protect yourself. 58 00:03:16,875 --> 00:03:18,667 You remind me so much of her. 59 00:03:22,875 --> 00:03:24,042 Of Bunny. 60 00:03:25,917 --> 00:03:27,458 And, Benedetta, I-- 61 00:03:32,875 --> 00:03:35,875 [Eleanor breathes heavily] 62 00:03:42,000 --> 00:03:43,000 MR. MITCH: Eleanor? 63 00:03:44,000 --> 00:03:45,000 Are you all right? 64 00:03:45,292 --> 00:03:46,417 [Eleanor sighs] 65 00:03:46,875 --> 00:03:47,708 - Tell me. 66 00:03:49,167 --> 00:03:50,167 Please? 67 00:03:50,667 --> 00:03:52,042 - I can't get the words out. 68 00:03:53,750 --> 00:03:56,042 Yeah, I've already shared so many terrible things, 69 00:03:56,042 --> 00:03:57,458 things that happened to me. 70 00:03:58,958 --> 00:04:00,167 [sighs] 71 00:04:00,167 --> 00:04:03,958 I had no idea that this would be the hardest part to say out loud. 72 00:04:04,875 --> 00:04:05,708 - What is? 73 00:04:06,208 --> 00:04:08,292 - My choices as a mother. 74 00:04:10,667 --> 00:04:12,792 I've failed them in so many ways. 75 00:04:12,792 --> 00:04:16,083 - Eleanor, no, you are an incredible mother. 76 00:04:17,792 --> 00:04:20,250 Byron thinks the world of you. 77 00:04:20,250 --> 00:04:22,583 - [sighs] Because he's his father through and through. 78 00:04:23,583 --> 00:04:26,083 But even Bert didn't know everything about my past. 79 00:04:27,833 --> 00:04:30,375 It's a wonder you're still here after all I've told you. 80 00:04:30,375 --> 00:04:31,417 - Oh. 81 00:04:34,167 --> 00:04:36,042 Bert adored you. 82 00:04:36,875 --> 00:04:37,875 Years ago, 83 00:04:39,042 --> 00:04:40,333 before Regina died, 84 00:04:41,750 --> 00:04:45,333 Bert and I used to smoke cigars and boast 85 00:04:46,125 --> 00:04:49,000 [laughing] about our wives 86 00:04:49,875 --> 00:04:51,875 and what great pickers we had. 87 00:04:51,875 --> 00:04:53,875 [both laughing] 88 00:04:56,042 --> 00:04:59,167 Well, we'd seen so many of our friends' lives 89 00:04:59,167 --> 00:05:01,000 wrecked by divorce. 90 00:05:01,958 --> 00:05:03,000 Hm? 91 00:05:03,000 --> 00:05:04,708 But we hung in there. 92 00:05:05,125 --> 00:05:05,958 - Hm. 93 00:05:06,125 --> 00:05:08,792 - And we were proud of that. [slight chuckle] 94 00:05:10,000 --> 00:05:11,083 Two Black men 95 00:05:12,708 --> 00:05:14,083 living the dream, 96 00:05:14,875 --> 00:05:16,000 having it all. 97 00:05:18,083 --> 00:05:20,542 - We made it look so easy, didn't we? 98 00:05:20,542 --> 00:05:22,333 - Yes. 99 00:05:22,333 --> 00:05:24,708 But you and I both know that it wasn't. 100 00:05:25,750 --> 00:05:26,667 Hm? 101 00:05:27,542 --> 00:05:29,458 Even before we lost them. 102 00:05:31,292 --> 00:05:34,292 [Mr. Mitch sighs] 103 00:05:36,625 --> 00:05:37,625 Maybe 104 00:05:39,042 --> 00:05:41,208 admitting that you didn't get it all right, 105 00:05:42,625 --> 00:05:45,542 you know, maybe that's one way of being a better mother. 106 00:05:45,542 --> 00:05:48,583 - "I'm sorry" won't rewrite the past. 107 00:05:50,000 --> 00:05:52,125 MR. MITCH: And then tell your children what you learned from them 108 00:05:52,125 --> 00:05:53,417 by being their mother. 109 00:05:54,458 --> 00:05:56,542 Yeah, maybe that's what they need to hear most. 110 00:06:02,333 --> 00:06:03,750 [Eleanor breathes deeply] 111 00:06:10,208 --> 00:06:13,167 - I'm sorry things have turned out this way for us. 112 00:06:15,083 --> 00:06:16,125 - Sorry for...? 113 00:06:16,125 --> 00:06:17,458 - This stupid disease. 114 00:06:18,833 --> 00:06:19,958 MR. MITCH: Oh. 115 00:06:21,208 --> 00:06:23,208 Oh, no, mm-mm. 116 00:06:27,458 --> 00:06:29,792 [softly] Well, don't you dare apologize for that. 117 00:06:43,042 --> 00:06:44,125 [Eleanor sighs] 118 00:06:49,583 --> 00:06:50,542 [Mr. Mitch sighs] 119 00:06:54,333 --> 00:06:55,583 - Benedetta, 120 00:06:57,000 --> 00:06:58,875 my fearless, bold girl, 121 00:06:59,458 --> 00:07:01,000 you came home to your family, 122 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:03,750 simply wanting to be seen for who you were, 123 00:07:03,750 --> 00:07:07,875 and for some reason, I chose to look away. 124 00:07:10,333 --> 00:07:13,750 I was so ashamed when I realized after you left, 125 00:07:14,542 --> 00:07:17,250 that history was repeating itself. 126 00:07:18,833 --> 00:07:20,833 ♪ upbeat calypso rhythm music playing ♪ 127 00:07:21,583 --> 00:07:25,500 And that I'd made the same mistake twice. 128 00:07:26,542 --> 00:07:29,542 [people chattering] [ocean waves crashing] 129 00:07:29,542 --> 00:07:33,917 ♪ 130 00:07:48,958 --> 00:07:49,875 ELEANOR: Back then, 131 00:07:50,625 --> 00:07:55,083 I didn't realize I was telling Bunny to abandon herself, 132 00:07:55,833 --> 00:07:57,292 along with the truth, 133 00:07:58,083 --> 00:08:01,042 when I refused to acknowledge her feelings for me. 134 00:08:01,833 --> 00:08:02,833 COVEY: Gibbs! 135 00:08:02,833 --> 00:08:03,833 [Bunny scoffs] 136 00:08:05,250 --> 00:08:06,250 - You invited them? 137 00:08:07,917 --> 00:08:09,583 I told you I didn't want to do a double date. 138 00:08:09,583 --> 00:08:12,167 - It's not dating. It's dancing. 139 00:08:13,542 --> 00:08:15,042 - I don't wanna lead him on. 140 00:08:16,083 --> 00:08:17,625 - Don't look at it that way. 141 00:08:17,625 --> 00:08:19,875 Just... do what I do. 142 00:08:20,583 --> 00:08:23,333 You know, so no one gets the wrong idea. 143 00:08:25,375 --> 00:08:28,375 ♪ 144 00:08:45,583 --> 00:08:48,583 ♪ discordant music playing ♪ 145 00:09:17,833 --> 00:09:20,833 ♪ discordant music continues playing ♪ 146 00:09:33,875 --> 00:09:37,375 ELEANOR: It was always my intention to protect her. 147 00:09:38,208 --> 00:09:39,583 But I failed her, 148 00:09:40,250 --> 00:09:43,292 just like I failed you, Benedetta. 149 00:09:47,333 --> 00:09:49,000 When I left the island, 150 00:09:49,917 --> 00:09:53,375 Bunny had to fend for herself. 151 00:09:55,375 --> 00:09:59,667 I can't imagine how hard it must've been 152 00:10:00,875 --> 00:10:02,375 to keep hiding, 153 00:10:03,833 --> 00:10:07,583 to feel like there was no other way. 154 00:10:11,250 --> 00:10:12,500 Just like Bunny, 155 00:10:13,708 --> 00:10:16,042 you had to ask yourself, 156 00:10:16,042 --> 00:10:17,458 "What am I willing to do 157 00:10:18,417 --> 00:10:19,792 "to fit in, 158 00:10:19,792 --> 00:10:21,083 "to feel love, 159 00:10:22,500 --> 00:10:23,875 and to survive?" 160 00:10:28,583 --> 00:10:30,083 - You sure about this? 161 00:10:34,500 --> 00:10:35,667 [shaky breath] 162 00:10:36,292 --> 00:10:39,292 ♪ 163 00:10:43,458 --> 00:10:44,792 [Bunny inhales sharply] 164 00:10:51,875 --> 00:10:54,250 ELEANOR: You did what you had to do. 165 00:10:56,500 --> 00:11:00,833 And I hope you won't be afraid to make the same kind of choice again. 166 00:11:01,583 --> 00:11:03,000 To walk away. 167 00:11:03,542 --> 00:11:05,167 To refuse to hide. 168 00:11:06,583 --> 00:11:07,583 BENNY: I felt trapped. 169 00:11:09,625 --> 00:11:11,875 Steve made me feel like if I left, 170 00:11:12,750 --> 00:11:14,167 there was nowhere else I could go. 171 00:11:15,708 --> 00:11:16,708 And I believed him. 172 00:11:18,083 --> 00:11:21,125 - Tell me exactly when the physical violence took place. 173 00:11:21,125 --> 00:11:22,375 - Six years ago. 174 00:11:23,708 --> 00:11:24,792 My face was so beaten up, 175 00:11:24,792 --> 00:11:26,750 I couldn't even attend my father's funeral. 176 00:11:27,708 --> 00:11:29,250 - Oh, I'm sorry to hear that. 177 00:11:29,250 --> 00:11:30,083 - Yeah. 178 00:11:30,917 --> 00:11:31,917 So was my brother. 179 00:11:33,125 --> 00:11:34,625 I told him yesterday. 180 00:11:34,625 --> 00:11:35,750 That is why we're here. 181 00:11:35,750 --> 00:11:36,958 He's never been in trouble. 182 00:11:36,958 --> 00:11:38,958 He-- He was just trying to protect me. 183 00:11:38,958 --> 00:11:41,750 DETECTIVE: I understand, but there were eyewitnesses. 184 00:11:41,750 --> 00:11:43,875 He knocked your boyfriend around pretty good, 185 00:11:44,625 --> 00:11:46,667 and that is aggravated assault. 186 00:11:46,667 --> 00:11:48,917 - No, Byron cannot go down for this. 187 00:11:50,208 --> 00:11:51,292 How can I 188 00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:55,208 press charges against Steve? 189 00:11:55,208 --> 00:11:57,750 - The statute of limitations is five years. 190 00:11:58,458 --> 00:11:59,292 [Benny sighs] 191 00:11:59,292 --> 00:12:01,917 - Did the abuse continue after that first incident? 192 00:12:04,458 --> 00:12:05,292 - Yes. 193 00:12:05,292 --> 00:12:06,875 - Do you have any photographs? 194 00:12:08,083 --> 00:12:09,542 File any reports? 195 00:12:09,542 --> 00:12:11,625 Any documentation of this? 196 00:12:11,625 --> 00:12:13,458 - No, I didn't want anybody to know. 197 00:12:14,792 --> 00:12:17,375 DETECTIVE: Ms. Bennett, you stayed with him for six years. 198 00:12:17,375 --> 00:12:19,083 It'll be difficult to prove. 199 00:12:24,083 --> 00:12:25,833 [detective sighs, clears throat] 200 00:12:28,167 --> 00:12:30,875 If you were to file an emergency restraining order, 201 00:12:31,792 --> 00:12:34,875 he wouldn't be able to contact you for 72 hours. 202 00:12:34,875 --> 00:12:37,625 That would buy you time to seek a court hearing 203 00:12:37,625 --> 00:12:39,583 for a more permanent restraining order. 204 00:12:42,750 --> 00:12:44,458 - I'd have to face him in court, right? 205 00:12:44,458 --> 00:12:45,292 DETECTIVE: Mm-hmm. 206 00:12:45,833 --> 00:12:46,958 Do you wanna proceed? 207 00:12:49,042 --> 00:12:51,042 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 208 00:12:51,375 --> 00:12:52,792 [police radio chatter] 209 00:12:53,833 --> 00:12:54,833 - Right here. 210 00:12:56,000 --> 00:12:57,458 I'm gonna undo your cuffs. 211 00:13:00,958 --> 00:13:02,167 Put your right hand on your head. 212 00:13:05,083 --> 00:13:06,417 Put your left hand on your head. 213 00:13:08,292 --> 00:13:09,125 Turn and face me. 214 00:13:10,875 --> 00:13:13,250 ♪ 215 00:13:14,208 --> 00:13:16,292 Now, I need you to empty out your pockets. 216 00:13:16,292 --> 00:13:18,542 Place any personal belongings on the counter. 217 00:13:18,542 --> 00:13:21,542 If you have a belt, remove that and place it on the counter. 218 00:13:21,542 --> 00:13:23,125 You'll need to remove your watch as well. 219 00:13:23,125 --> 00:13:24,500 Undo your shoelaces. 220 00:13:24,500 --> 00:13:25,333 Place them on the counter. 221 00:13:25,333 --> 00:13:26,708 Hold out your right hand. 222 00:13:30,292 --> 00:13:31,125 Turn around. 223 00:13:32,958 --> 00:13:35,208 [scanner buzzing] 224 00:13:38,167 --> 00:13:40,375 [flashes booming] 225 00:13:41,458 --> 00:13:44,458 ♪ tense music continues playing ♪ 226 00:13:55,000 --> 00:13:57,750 [indistinct inmate chatter] 227 00:14:03,250 --> 00:14:04,250 OFFICER: Walk forward. 228 00:14:09,958 --> 00:14:11,125 Put your hand behind your head. 229 00:14:11,125 --> 00:14:13,167 [handcuffs crank] [Byron winces, exhales sharply] 230 00:14:15,208 --> 00:14:16,042 OFFICER: Other hand. 231 00:14:18,000 --> 00:14:19,000 Step into the cell. 232 00:14:24,500 --> 00:14:25,708 Turn around. 233 00:14:32,375 --> 00:14:33,375 Sit down. 234 00:14:42,083 --> 00:14:43,208 [cell door clanks shut] 235 00:14:49,125 --> 00:14:51,042 YOUNG BYRON: He called me a little bitch, so I pushed him. 236 00:14:51,042 --> 00:14:52,083 What was I supposed to do? 237 00:14:52,083 --> 00:14:53,333 BERT: You walk away. 238 00:14:54,125 --> 00:14:55,208 You tell a teacher. 239 00:14:55,208 --> 00:14:57,167 - Why? So she can ask me what I did to provoke him? 240 00:14:57,167 --> 00:14:58,708 - It doesn't matter, Byron. 241 00:15:00,792 --> 00:15:01,625 [Bert sighs] 242 00:15:01,625 --> 00:15:03,250 You can't afford to be angry, 243 00:15:04,125 --> 00:15:05,250 even if it's justified. 244 00:15:05,250 --> 00:15:06,667 - That makes no sense. 245 00:15:06,667 --> 00:15:08,208 You're a civil rights attorney. 246 00:15:08,208 --> 00:15:10,833 Your job is to stand up for people, but I can't stand up for myself? 247 00:15:10,833 --> 00:15:13,500 - The rules are different for you, for me, for all of us. 248 00:15:14,667 --> 00:15:16,208 It's not right, but it's reality. 249 00:15:16,208 --> 00:15:17,042 - It's bullshit! 250 00:15:17,042 --> 00:15:18,875 - You will watch your mouth in this house! 251 00:15:18,875 --> 00:15:19,792 ELEANOR: It is. 252 00:15:21,125 --> 00:15:22,958 It is bullshit. 253 00:15:23,958 --> 00:15:24,958 What else? 254 00:15:29,042 --> 00:15:30,167 - It's unfair. 255 00:15:30,167 --> 00:15:31,458 - What is? 256 00:15:31,458 --> 00:15:32,458 - Everything. 257 00:15:41,375 --> 00:15:42,375 - Tell us. 258 00:15:45,750 --> 00:15:47,833 - My curfew's earlier than all my friends'. 259 00:15:49,958 --> 00:15:52,750 That I go to a school where hardly anyone looks like me. 260 00:15:54,042 --> 00:15:56,417 That I can't drive one mile over the speed limit. 261 00:15:56,417 --> 00:15:58,500 I can't put my hands in my pockets. 262 00:15:58,500 --> 00:16:01,167 That people are surprised that I'm so articulate. 263 00:16:02,250 --> 00:16:03,875 Everyone else can do whatever the hell they want 264 00:16:03,875 --> 00:16:04,917 with no consequences, 265 00:16:04,917 --> 00:16:06,917 but I'm expected to be perfect. 266 00:16:06,917 --> 00:16:08,292 ELEANOR: Oh, my sweet Byron, 267 00:16:10,500 --> 00:16:12,833 that is so much to carry. 268 00:16:14,417 --> 00:16:17,500 I can't pretend that it's not. [sighs] 269 00:16:18,500 --> 00:16:22,750 But the world can be a scary place for Black boys. 270 00:16:27,917 --> 00:16:28,875 [Byron sniffles] 271 00:16:29,792 --> 00:16:31,375 - I know it seems unfair, 272 00:16:34,583 --> 00:16:38,375 but at the end of the day, we just want you to make it home, son. 273 00:16:41,875 --> 00:16:43,375 - You can let it out. 274 00:16:44,458 --> 00:16:46,583 Aw, let it all out... 275 00:16:46,583 --> 00:16:47,708 [Byron sniffling] 276 00:16:47,708 --> 00:16:51,917 - ...when you are here, at home, with us. 277 00:16:56,250 --> 00:16:57,583 But never out there. 278 00:16:59,333 --> 00:17:00,333 You understand? 279 00:17:01,708 --> 00:17:04,708 ♪ 280 00:17:06,667 --> 00:17:07,500 [Byron sniffles] 281 00:17:18,750 --> 00:17:21,750 ♪ somber music playing ♪ 282 00:17:25,333 --> 00:17:27,708 [inmates chattering] 283 00:17:34,125 --> 00:17:35,333 OFFICER: Bennett! 284 00:17:36,250 --> 00:17:37,542 [cell door alarm buzzes] 285 00:17:42,542 --> 00:17:43,542 OFFICER: Let's go. 286 00:17:48,292 --> 00:17:49,750 [cell door shuts] [handcuffs click] 287 00:17:57,417 --> 00:17:59,917 [indistinct chatter] 288 00:18:02,958 --> 00:18:03,792 BENNY: By! 289 00:18:04,958 --> 00:18:06,667 I'm so sorry. Are you okay? 290 00:18:06,667 --> 00:18:08,458 - Thank you, officers. Okay? 291 00:18:08,458 --> 00:18:09,625 Alright. 292 00:18:09,625 --> 00:18:11,292 Everything's been taken care of. 293 00:18:11,292 --> 00:18:12,958 Steve is dropping the charges. 294 00:18:13,458 --> 00:18:14,792 - Well, how'd that happen? 295 00:18:14,792 --> 00:18:17,333 OFFICER: Mr. Mitch? Can I trouble you for a moment please? 296 00:18:17,333 --> 00:18:18,458 - You didn't call him, did you? 297 00:18:18,458 --> 00:18:19,708 - No! 298 00:18:19,708 --> 00:18:22,208 But I think he's hoping I'll give him another chance, 299 00:18:22,208 --> 00:18:23,500 which I won't. 300 00:18:24,125 --> 00:18:25,875 I filed a temporary protective order. 301 00:18:26,667 --> 00:18:27,500 So this is done. 302 00:18:27,500 --> 00:18:29,042 It's behind you... [Byron sighs] 303 00:18:29,042 --> 00:18:30,208 - ...and that's what matters most. 304 00:18:31,792 --> 00:18:33,167 - I'm gonna talk to the prosecutor 305 00:18:33,167 --> 00:18:35,417 and make sure all the charges are dismissed properly. 306 00:18:36,833 --> 00:18:38,292 You go home, get some rest. 307 00:18:38,875 --> 00:18:42,083 - Come on. Let's get you outta here. 308 00:18:42,083 --> 00:18:44,042 [siren wailing] 309 00:18:44,792 --> 00:18:47,292 BENNY: Man, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have called you. 310 00:18:48,792 --> 00:18:49,917 BYRON: Stop. 311 00:18:49,917 --> 00:18:52,167 I'm supposed to be the person you call, okay? 312 00:18:57,250 --> 00:18:59,500 You know, Ma would've lost her shit if she saw me in there. 313 00:19:00,458 --> 00:19:01,875 - Wait, don't do that to yourself. 314 00:19:02,458 --> 00:19:04,292 Ma kept everything bottled up inside. 315 00:19:05,042 --> 00:19:07,875 Well, she had to record confessions just so she could die in peace. 316 00:19:07,875 --> 00:19:09,000 Is that what you want? 317 00:19:12,292 --> 00:19:14,417 [distant alarm wails] 318 00:19:14,417 --> 00:19:15,708 - I don't know what I want, Ben. 319 00:19:19,583 --> 00:19:22,292 - Well, I think Mom would've wanted us to be able to tell the truth. 320 00:19:23,208 --> 00:19:24,208 And if she were still here, 321 00:19:24,208 --> 00:19:27,167 I think she would've told both of us that we are allowed to be angry. 322 00:19:29,250 --> 00:19:30,250 Let's go home. 323 00:19:33,458 --> 00:19:34,292 Come on. 324 00:19:35,375 --> 00:19:38,083 - I'm supposed to speak on a diversity panel later on today. 325 00:19:39,875 --> 00:19:40,708 Me, 326 00:19:41,458 --> 00:19:44,750 their prized Black scientist showing up looking like I just got jumped. 327 00:19:44,750 --> 00:19:45,750 - Shit. 328 00:19:48,333 --> 00:19:49,667 That's not a good look. 329 00:19:49,667 --> 00:19:50,625 [Byron scoffs] 330 00:19:52,333 --> 00:19:53,417 [Byron wincing] 331 00:19:53,417 --> 00:19:56,917 BENNY: Uh, at least the eye gives you some street cred. 332 00:19:58,417 --> 00:19:59,583 Too soon? 333 00:19:59,583 --> 00:20:02,375 - You doing my makeup is your childhood dream come true. 334 00:20:02,917 --> 00:20:07,833 - Yeah, well, it isn't exactly my first rodeo, so... 335 00:20:08,417 --> 00:20:09,333 - I'm sorry, Ben. 336 00:20:10,000 --> 00:20:11,167 - It's okay. 337 00:20:11,167 --> 00:20:13,083 There's nothing wrong with a little levity. 338 00:20:14,667 --> 00:20:16,042 [Byron sighs] - I mean it. 339 00:20:16,667 --> 00:20:19,458 ♪ mellow pop music playing on speakers ♪ 340 00:20:20,583 --> 00:20:21,417 Take a look. 341 00:20:27,250 --> 00:20:28,083 - Yeah. 342 00:20:28,958 --> 00:20:29,958 That should do. 343 00:20:33,208 --> 00:20:35,750 If anyone notices, I'll just say I have pink eye. 344 00:20:35,750 --> 00:20:36,792 - Gross! 345 00:20:36,792 --> 00:20:38,125 Is that the best you can come up with? 346 00:20:38,125 --> 00:20:39,167 - Yes. 347 00:20:39,167 --> 00:20:41,417 - I'm serious! You are a public figure! 348 00:20:41,417 --> 00:20:42,667 They could cancel you. 349 00:20:42,667 --> 00:20:44,167 [laughs] 350 00:20:44,167 --> 00:20:46,083 - Wh-- What could be so funny? 351 00:20:46,083 --> 00:20:48,792 - The fact that internet discourse seems to run in the family. 352 00:20:48,792 --> 00:20:53,042 Turns out Mabel Martin was recently the subject of some internet controversy. 353 00:20:53,833 --> 00:20:55,792 - And you know that how? 354 00:20:55,792 --> 00:20:59,167 - I didn't contact her, I just-- I was curious. 355 00:21:00,000 --> 00:21:02,083 You might wanna take a look yourself. 356 00:21:02,083 --> 00:21:04,333 - I can't even think about her right now. 357 00:21:04,333 --> 00:21:06,042 I just got you back. 358 00:21:06,042 --> 00:21:10,083 And now Ma wants to invite this... stranger into our lives. 359 00:21:10,083 --> 00:21:13,042 - Yeah, well, you're right, you're right. We need to focus on each other. 360 00:21:16,000 --> 00:21:16,917 - And we will. 361 00:21:17,750 --> 00:21:18,917 Tonight. 362 00:21:18,917 --> 00:21:20,125 I'll cook dinner. 363 00:21:20,125 --> 00:21:21,417 - Yeah? - Mm-hmm! 364 00:21:22,125 --> 00:21:24,167 - Alright. Alright, look, I gotta go. 365 00:21:25,125 --> 00:21:26,375 Can't wait for dinner. - Mm-hmm. 366 00:21:26,375 --> 00:21:28,375 - Wish me luck. - Luck. 367 00:21:28,375 --> 00:21:30,375 BYRON: Eh... [Benny laughs] 368 00:21:32,250 --> 00:21:33,250 [sighs] 369 00:21:33,458 --> 00:21:35,042 [front door opens, shuts] 370 00:21:35,042 --> 00:21:38,042 ♪ 371 00:21:46,167 --> 00:21:48,167 [phone chimes] 372 00:21:56,708 --> 00:21:58,083 [sighs] 373 00:22:02,083 --> 00:22:05,083 ♪ 374 00:22:18,583 --> 00:22:19,417 [phone beeps] 375 00:22:23,625 --> 00:22:25,625 [deep breath] 376 00:22:28,542 --> 00:22:30,542 [indistinct chatter] 377 00:22:55,542 --> 00:22:56,542 [laughs] 378 00:23:35,167 --> 00:23:38,167 ♪ somber music playing ♪ 379 00:23:41,333 --> 00:23:42,625 [heavy breaths] 380 00:23:44,458 --> 00:23:45,958 [car approaching outside] 381 00:23:50,958 --> 00:23:53,667 [car door opens, closes] 382 00:23:54,500 --> 00:23:55,500 STEVE: Benny? 383 00:23:56,333 --> 00:23:57,958 [Benny exhales sharply] [receipts rustling] 384 00:24:01,292 --> 00:24:02,292 STEVE: Benny! 385 00:24:05,125 --> 00:24:06,125 [Benny sighs] 386 00:24:06,125 --> 00:24:07,542 - Benny! 387 00:24:10,458 --> 00:24:11,625 A restraining order? 388 00:24:12,750 --> 00:24:14,458 I mean, what the fuck, Benny? 389 00:24:14,458 --> 00:24:15,458 - Please leave. 390 00:24:15,458 --> 00:24:17,292 - I dropped the charges against your brother, 391 00:24:17,292 --> 00:24:18,542 and this is how you pay me back? 392 00:24:18,542 --> 00:24:20,667 - I don't wanna call the cops, but I will. 393 00:24:21,250 --> 00:24:23,458 And then you will be arrested, and your career will be over. 394 00:24:23,458 --> 00:24:24,458 Is that what you want? 395 00:24:24,458 --> 00:24:25,500 - I already said I was sorry. 396 00:24:25,500 --> 00:24:27,333 What more do you want from me? - Nothing! 397 00:24:27,333 --> 00:24:30,208 Steve, that is just it. I want nothing from you. 398 00:24:30,792 --> 00:24:31,792 It's over! 399 00:24:32,708 --> 00:24:34,500 I'm not gonna ask you again. Leave. 400 00:24:34,500 --> 00:24:35,333 - That's it? 401 00:24:36,417 --> 00:24:37,250 That's what you want? 402 00:24:37,833 --> 00:24:39,792 For me to just disappear, 403 00:24:39,792 --> 00:24:42,125 like we didn't spend six fucking years together! 404 00:24:42,125 --> 00:24:43,500 BENNY: Just go, please. 405 00:24:45,125 --> 00:24:46,417 I'm not doing this anymore. 406 00:24:46,917 --> 00:24:47,958 - You need me, Benny! 407 00:24:47,958 --> 00:24:49,292 - That is the thing. 408 00:24:49,833 --> 00:24:51,333 I don't. - Bullshit! 409 00:24:53,500 --> 00:24:56,208 I mean, what have you created this past year, huh? 410 00:24:57,500 --> 00:24:58,667 What have you painted, 411 00:24:59,583 --> 00:25:01,542 written, drawn, sculpted even, 412 00:25:03,042 --> 00:25:04,417 that was your own? 413 00:25:05,750 --> 00:25:08,750 ♪ 414 00:25:10,667 --> 00:25:11,667 And you know what? 415 00:25:12,625 --> 00:25:15,292 The gallery had already sent me an advance for the piece. 416 00:25:15,292 --> 00:25:16,208 - What? 417 00:25:16,958 --> 00:25:18,375 For our sculpture? STEVE: Yeah. 418 00:25:19,667 --> 00:25:21,417 The one you destroyed. 419 00:25:25,083 --> 00:25:28,000 So how are you gonna come up with $25,000 to pay it back, Benny? 420 00:25:29,208 --> 00:25:32,542 ♪ 421 00:25:36,083 --> 00:25:37,292 - That's not my problem. 422 00:25:39,125 --> 00:25:40,375 You'll figure it out. 423 00:25:41,625 --> 00:25:42,792 - You're a parasite. 424 00:25:44,708 --> 00:25:47,167 You had the opportunity to make something of yourself, 425 00:25:47,167 --> 00:25:48,500 and you blew it. 426 00:25:48,500 --> 00:25:50,042 You don't even know who you are! 427 00:25:53,125 --> 00:25:54,042 [Benny sighs] 428 00:25:57,375 --> 00:25:59,083 - At least with me, you were somebody! 429 00:26:00,333 --> 00:26:01,083 Benny! 430 00:26:01,750 --> 00:26:02,583 Benny! 431 00:26:02,583 --> 00:26:04,083 [gasping breaths] 432 00:26:06,250 --> 00:26:07,083 [applause] 433 00:26:07,083 --> 00:26:10,125 - Your organization has been at the forefront of these initiatives 434 00:26:10,125 --> 00:26:12,750 to increase equity in oceanic study. 435 00:26:12,750 --> 00:26:14,125 So my question is, 436 00:26:14,125 --> 00:26:17,833 what do you believe other organizations who are lagging in this area 437 00:26:17,833 --> 00:26:19,292 need to hear right now? 438 00:26:20,125 --> 00:26:20,958 [Marc clears throat] 439 00:26:21,542 --> 00:26:24,792 - Well, for one, they need to hear 440 00:26:24,792 --> 00:26:27,875 that the ocean doesn't belong to any one group of people. 441 00:26:28,708 --> 00:26:31,958 And protecting it and exploring it 442 00:26:31,958 --> 00:26:34,000 isn't the duty of just one group of people, 443 00:26:34,000 --> 00:26:35,833 it's a job for all of us. 444 00:26:35,833 --> 00:26:40,083 Scientists from underrepresented groups deserve to be a part of that, 445 00:26:40,750 --> 00:26:41,917 deserve to get funding, 446 00:26:42,500 --> 00:26:46,167 deserve to be represented in this field. 447 00:26:47,500 --> 00:26:49,500 [audience applauding] 448 00:26:53,667 --> 00:26:55,875 MARC: Take sea floor mapping, for example, 449 00:26:55,875 --> 00:26:57,792 led by Byron Bennett here. 450 00:26:57,792 --> 00:27:02,167 His team's research allows us to monitor and protect our underwater resources. 451 00:27:02,167 --> 00:27:04,333 And we're just so proud 452 00:27:04,333 --> 00:27:10,208 to have fostered the career of such a dynamic, passionate scientist. 453 00:27:11,042 --> 00:27:13,250 [chuckles] My God, look at that smile. 454 00:27:13,250 --> 00:27:15,792 [audience laughing, applauding] [camera shutter snapping] 455 00:27:19,542 --> 00:27:21,250 - At this time, we'd love to invite the audience 456 00:27:21,250 --> 00:27:22,500 to ask any questions. 457 00:27:23,250 --> 00:27:24,250 Yes, go ahead. 458 00:27:24,958 --> 00:27:27,500 - Byron, what example do you hope to be 459 00:27:27,500 --> 00:27:30,250 for the next generation of scientists in your field? 460 00:27:33,458 --> 00:27:38,250 - Well, I hope young people from marginalized communities 461 00:27:38,250 --> 00:27:39,750 see themselves in me, 462 00:27:39,750 --> 00:27:43,083 and realize that if it was possible for me, 463 00:27:43,083 --> 00:27:46,208 then it's possible for them. [camera shutter snapping] 464 00:27:46,792 --> 00:27:48,375 [audience applauding] 465 00:27:52,042 --> 00:27:54,208 - Yes, you at the back there. Yes, what's your question? 466 00:27:54,208 --> 00:27:56,125 - It's for Dr. Bennett, as well. 467 00:27:57,083 --> 00:27:59,125 What's it like being a trailblazer, 468 00:27:59,792 --> 00:28:02,208 to be the first Black man in your position 469 00:28:02,208 --> 00:28:05,000 at a big, prestigious institution such as yours? 470 00:28:08,667 --> 00:28:09,667 - Good question. 471 00:28:12,542 --> 00:28:15,792 Uh, I've been thinking a lot about that lately. 472 00:28:16,417 --> 00:28:18,208 I have an incredible life. 473 00:28:19,042 --> 00:28:23,167 I get to travel the world doing something that I love. 474 00:28:23,167 --> 00:28:27,042 And for that... I'm grateful. 475 00:28:28,542 --> 00:28:32,167 But there's more to this work than traveling and 476 00:28:33,750 --> 00:28:35,458 making appearances. 477 00:28:39,208 --> 00:28:40,667 The day-to-day can be 478 00:28:44,625 --> 00:28:46,125 traumatizing. 479 00:28:46,125 --> 00:28:48,125 [audience murmuring] 480 00:28:50,708 --> 00:28:51,708 - That's the truth. 481 00:28:53,000 --> 00:28:55,833 To be the only person in the room who looks like you, 482 00:28:56,667 --> 00:29:00,875 the only person forced to deal with the daily microaggressions 483 00:29:00,875 --> 00:29:02,292 that wear away at you. 484 00:29:02,292 --> 00:29:05,208 I mean, it's stressful, man, 485 00:29:06,792 --> 00:29:08,125 and lonely, 486 00:29:09,208 --> 00:29:11,375 and exhausting. 487 00:29:12,500 --> 00:29:14,167 [camera shutter snapping] 488 00:29:14,167 --> 00:29:16,500 - I'm tired of doing these panels, 489 00:29:17,000 --> 00:29:18,625 but I'm obligated to do them, 490 00:29:19,125 --> 00:29:20,708 'cause I'm the only one who can. 491 00:29:20,708 --> 00:29:22,500 Now for a long time, 492 00:29:22,500 --> 00:29:24,292 I pretended to be fine with it. 493 00:29:25,833 --> 00:29:26,833 Honestly, 494 00:29:28,458 --> 00:29:30,083 it makes me angry, 495 00:29:30,083 --> 00:29:32,750 and I'm learning to listen to that anger, 496 00:29:32,750 --> 00:29:34,292 because it tells you that 497 00:29:35,000 --> 00:29:40,750 even though all of these people are smiling in your face, 498 00:29:41,500 --> 00:29:43,750 something is very wrong here. 499 00:29:45,250 --> 00:29:47,750 - Well, those were some very powerful sentiments-- 500 00:29:47,750 --> 00:29:49,292 - I'm not finished. 501 00:29:49,292 --> 00:29:51,500 [audience murmuring] 502 00:29:53,542 --> 00:29:57,125 BYRON: That anger, you have to use it, right? 503 00:29:58,417 --> 00:30:01,917 But use it for good. 504 00:30:01,917 --> 00:30:05,542 Now, we have to create a space for this important, planet-saving work. 505 00:30:05,542 --> 00:30:07,750 A space where I don't have to be the only one. 506 00:30:08,250 --> 00:30:12,333 And that is gonna be a long, hard battle, 507 00:30:12,333 --> 00:30:17,000 because these institutions, they don't want to share power with you. 508 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:17,833 No. 509 00:30:19,042 --> 00:30:20,542 You'll have to fight for that. 510 00:30:20,542 --> 00:30:22,500 - [softly] Byron, why don't we open up the discussion? 511 00:30:23,833 --> 00:30:25,667 - When the people running these institutions 512 00:30:25,667 --> 00:30:28,708 picture their next CEO, chairman, director, 513 00:30:29,375 --> 00:30:31,917 they are not imagining my face. 514 00:30:33,042 --> 00:30:36,458 They imagine someone who looks like my colleague here, right? 515 00:30:38,583 --> 00:30:43,667 Now we, as people of color, don't occupy their imagination 516 00:30:43,667 --> 00:30:45,500 the way they occupy ours. 517 00:30:47,125 --> 00:30:48,458 So we have to fight 518 00:30:49,458 --> 00:30:51,250 to fix broken systems. 519 00:30:52,792 --> 00:30:54,500 And this is certainly one of them. 520 00:30:59,625 --> 00:31:02,625 [audience applauding] 521 00:31:32,625 --> 00:31:35,125 [phone vibrating] 522 00:31:48,542 --> 00:31:50,500 BYRON [on video]: When the people running these institutions 523 00:31:50,500 --> 00:31:53,875 picture their next CEO, chairman, director, 524 00:31:54,292 --> 00:31:57,042 they are not imagining someone with my face. 525 00:32:07,208 --> 00:32:08,083 [Byron sighs] 526 00:32:11,458 --> 00:32:14,458 [car engine rumbling] 527 00:32:14,458 --> 00:32:16,750 ♪ tense music playing ♪ 528 00:32:27,500 --> 00:32:29,583 [tapping on phone] 529 00:32:30,250 --> 00:32:32,208 [line ringing] 530 00:32:32,208 --> 00:32:35,083 BENNY [over voice mail]: This is Benny. Don't leave a message, just text. 531 00:32:49,625 --> 00:32:52,625 ♪ tense music continues ♪ 532 00:33:03,792 --> 00:33:06,417 ♪ Way Over My Head by Chi Duly and Love Taps plays loudly over speakers ♪ 533 00:33:06,417 --> 00:33:08,792 [food sizzling] 534 00:33:10,125 --> 00:33:14,375 - ♪ I wanna, I wanna, I want no space between us ♪ 535 00:33:14,375 --> 00:33:16,000 ♪ I know that, I know that... ♪ [front door opens] 536 00:33:16,000 --> 00:33:17,583 - Dinner in five, By! 537 00:33:18,250 --> 00:33:19,833 By, you want me to make you a drink? 538 00:33:20,500 --> 00:33:22,458 You're gonna need one when I show you what I found. 539 00:33:24,250 --> 00:33:25,542 - ♪ I wanna, I wanna... ♪ 540 00:33:25,542 --> 00:33:26,958 BENNY: How was your panel? 541 00:33:26,958 --> 00:33:28,458 Did you solve racism? 542 00:33:29,167 --> 00:33:33,333 - ♪ I wanna, I wanna, I want no space between us ♪ 543 00:33:33,750 --> 00:33:35,542 ♪ I know that, I know that, I know that they-- ♪ 544 00:33:35,542 --> 00:33:36,542 ♪ music stops ♪ 545 00:33:37,000 --> 00:33:38,000 [Byron clears throat] 546 00:33:38,542 --> 00:33:41,000 - Benny, this is Mabel Martin. 547 00:33:43,667 --> 00:33:44,667 - Hello. 548 00:33:48,750 --> 00:33:50,583 - Mabel, this is my sister, Benny. 549 00:33:52,458 --> 00:33:53,292 - Hi. 550 00:33:55,000 --> 00:33:55,833 - Hello. 551 00:33:56,875 --> 00:33:59,792 I'm sorry, it, uh, wasn't my intention to intrude. 552 00:33:59,792 --> 00:34:03,250 Your lawyer, Mr. Charles Mitch, he invited me to come out. 553 00:34:04,000 --> 00:34:05,833 He provided your mother's address. 554 00:34:05,833 --> 00:34:08,417 - Hey, yeah, I mean, it's okay. 555 00:34:08,417 --> 00:34:09,833 We're glad you're here. 556 00:34:10,250 --> 00:34:11,250 Right, Benny? 557 00:34:14,458 --> 00:34:17,083 - Admittedly, I wasn't sure I was ready to meet you both. 558 00:34:19,667 --> 00:34:22,500 I hoped once I arrived here, it'd become clearer to me. 559 00:34:23,417 --> 00:34:26,208 I jumped on a plane without thinking about it. 560 00:34:26,208 --> 00:34:28,208 - Oh, well. Um, are you hungry? 561 00:34:29,333 --> 00:34:31,375 - I should be, I haven't eaten in a day. 562 00:34:31,375 --> 00:34:32,458 - Alright, okay. 563 00:34:32,458 --> 00:34:36,125 Um, Ben, could you, uh, set the table for one more, please? 564 00:34:36,125 --> 00:34:37,667 Or two, actually. 565 00:34:37,667 --> 00:34:40,333 I guess we need to call Mr. Mitch so we could proceed. 566 00:34:43,958 --> 00:34:44,958 Ben? [Benny gasps] 567 00:34:45,917 --> 00:34:47,458 - Y-Yeah, gimme a sec. [slight chuckle] 568 00:34:50,208 --> 00:34:52,208 [dishes clattering] 569 00:34:54,417 --> 00:34:56,000 - I'm sorry, could I use your loo? 570 00:34:56,000 --> 00:34:57,250 - Yeah, of course. 571 00:34:57,250 --> 00:34:59,792 Just through here, second door on the left. 572 00:35:06,708 --> 00:35:08,250 [cutlery clattering] 573 00:35:08,250 --> 00:35:09,250 [Byron exhales sharply] 574 00:35:09,750 --> 00:35:10,792 BYRON: Yo. 575 00:35:33,958 --> 00:35:36,667 - Hey, sooner or later, you're gonna have to talk to her. 576 00:35:38,250 --> 00:35:41,125 ♪ soft folk-pop music playing ♪ 577 00:35:45,417 --> 00:35:48,625 - Your lawyer, Mr. Mitch, does he live far or...? 578 00:35:48,625 --> 00:35:50,875 - Oh, no. He should be here soon. 579 00:35:51,792 --> 00:35:52,792 - Oh, okay. 580 00:35:53,417 --> 00:35:54,250 Good. 581 00:35:59,417 --> 00:36:00,833 You are quite the cook. 582 00:36:03,292 --> 00:36:04,125 - I try. 583 00:36:05,042 --> 00:36:06,583 It's not like you, though. 584 00:36:06,583 --> 00:36:09,167 MABEL: Oh, no. No, the food is divine, really. 585 00:36:09,167 --> 00:36:12,208 I love za’atar on eggplant. It's a great combination. 586 00:36:14,625 --> 00:36:18,625 - I use a Syrian blend. It's a little heavier on the sumac. 587 00:36:18,625 --> 00:36:20,625 - Makes it red instead of green. 588 00:36:21,292 --> 00:36:22,458 Adds a bit of flair. 589 00:36:22,458 --> 00:36:23,292 [chuckles] 590 00:36:23,292 --> 00:36:24,917 No, it's gorgeous. 591 00:36:24,917 --> 00:36:27,583 It's always worth it to source the imported stuff. 592 00:36:27,583 --> 00:36:31,250 Experimenting with the same ingredient from different regions, it's very smart. 593 00:36:32,042 --> 00:36:33,583 Not everyone has that instinct. 594 00:36:34,417 --> 00:36:36,583 - Yeah, Byron can't tell the difference. 595 00:36:36,583 --> 00:36:38,500 [both women laughing] 596 00:36:38,500 --> 00:36:42,708 MABEL: Your style reminds me of a brilliant chef named Habiba Davis. [phone vibrating] 597 00:36:42,708 --> 00:36:45,292 MABEL: Do you know her? BENNY: Know her? [laughs] 598 00:36:45,292 --> 00:36:48,625 No. I do own a few of her books. 599 00:36:49,708 --> 00:36:51,583 I really admire her, actually. 600 00:36:53,250 --> 00:36:56,083 Wait, you don't know her know her, do you? 601 00:36:57,667 --> 00:37:00,750 - Well, our paths have crossed at a few events, 602 00:37:01,250 --> 00:37:03,083 but it's mostly been me embarrassing myself 603 00:37:03,083 --> 00:37:04,375 by fawning all over her. 604 00:37:04,375 --> 00:37:06,500 [both laughing] 605 00:37:10,958 --> 00:37:12,667 - Do you have a favorite cuisine? 606 00:37:12,667 --> 00:37:14,625 Or something that you like to cook for dinner? 607 00:37:16,042 --> 00:37:18,208 MABEL: Oh, goodness, um, 608 00:37:19,958 --> 00:37:22,125 I actually like breakfast for dinner. 609 00:37:22,792 --> 00:37:25,792 [laughs] That's a-- My dirty secret, I guess. 610 00:37:25,792 --> 00:37:28,250 [all politely chuckling] 611 00:37:36,042 --> 00:37:37,167 Is something wrong? 612 00:37:37,167 --> 00:37:39,000 - No, no. 613 00:37:39,000 --> 00:37:43,792 It's just... the way you tuck your hair behind your ear, 614 00:37:43,792 --> 00:37:46,833 just, um... reminds me of our mother. 615 00:37:46,833 --> 00:37:47,833 - It's totally Ma. 616 00:37:48,500 --> 00:37:49,500 BYRON: Your mother. 617 00:37:49,500 --> 00:37:50,750 Uh-- [sharp exhale] 618 00:37:50,750 --> 00:37:52,833 Our mother. Sorry. BENNY: Mm-hmm. 619 00:37:54,625 --> 00:37:55,625 - Your mum. 620 00:37:59,375 --> 00:38:01,250 [doorbell rings] - [clears throat] Oh. 621 00:38:02,708 --> 00:38:04,375 That should be Mr. Mitch. 622 00:38:11,167 --> 00:38:13,167 [keyboard clacking] 623 00:38:18,458 --> 00:38:21,292 - Um, may I ask, what happened to your eye? 624 00:38:24,042 --> 00:38:28,125 - Oh, Byron and my ex, they got into it. 625 00:38:28,875 --> 00:38:30,708 It wasn't pretty, obviously. [chuckles] 626 00:38:31,208 --> 00:38:36,375 But he was being an amazing brother, and he was looking out for me. 627 00:38:38,792 --> 00:38:39,792 You know, 628 00:38:41,125 --> 00:38:44,292 Byron is actually sort of internet famous, too. 629 00:38:44,292 --> 00:38:46,000 I mean, in the science world. 630 00:38:46,750 --> 00:38:47,958 - Oh, is that so? 631 00:38:47,958 --> 00:38:50,708 - Yeah, so he is under a lot of pressure. 632 00:38:50,708 --> 00:38:55,125 I mean, you get it, going through this whole Culinary Karen thing. 633 00:38:56,208 --> 00:38:58,125 - Oh, that, yeah. 634 00:38:59,917 --> 00:39:01,375 - But the funny thing is, 635 00:39:01,917 --> 00:39:05,583 you are actually Black and Chinese, 636 00:39:05,583 --> 00:39:10,000 so you can tell them all to fuck off now. [laughs] 637 00:39:12,167 --> 00:39:13,875 - Yeah. I suppose I am. 638 00:39:14,667 --> 00:39:16,000 Hasn't really sunk in yet. 639 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:17,958 - Of course, it hasn't. [slight chuckle] 640 00:39:17,958 --> 00:39:20,500 I mean, it's been like, what, 24 hours? 641 00:39:22,750 --> 00:39:23,750 - Yeah. 642 00:39:26,792 --> 00:39:28,125 But what else am I? 643 00:39:28,750 --> 00:39:31,917 I mean, clearly, we don't have the same father. 644 00:39:31,917 --> 00:39:35,542 Your mum, did she mention my birth father in the recordings? 645 00:39:38,375 --> 00:39:44,125 - Eleanor, actually, left you a separate recording, Mabel. 646 00:39:44,708 --> 00:39:46,958 One just for you that, hopefully, will answer 647 00:39:48,458 --> 00:39:50,125 most of your questions. 648 00:39:50,708 --> 00:39:53,250 But, uh, tonight, 649 00:39:53,875 --> 00:39:58,792 she wanted the three of you to listen to this last recording together. 650 00:39:59,875 --> 00:40:02,792 - Right. Well, respectfully, I'd appreciate if you tell me now, 651 00:40:02,792 --> 00:40:05,708 seeing as you... clearly, all know something. 652 00:40:07,250 --> 00:40:08,250 [Mr. Mitch clears throat] 653 00:40:13,583 --> 00:40:17,875 - Our mom lived in Scotland for a brief time many years ago. 654 00:40:18,708 --> 00:40:19,833 During her time there, 655 00:40:19,833 --> 00:40:23,000 she found work at a textile trading company. 656 00:40:23,625 --> 00:40:25,750 - Oh. So she met someone there? 657 00:40:27,167 --> 00:40:30,167 ♪ solemn music playing ♪ 658 00:40:32,542 --> 00:40:33,875 - She was assaulted 659 00:40:34,875 --> 00:40:37,875 by her employer around the time you were born. 660 00:40:41,375 --> 00:40:42,375 - Assaulted? 661 00:40:44,500 --> 00:40:45,375 That she was-- 662 00:40:50,958 --> 00:40:51,792 Right. 663 00:40:55,375 --> 00:40:56,208 [scoffs] 664 00:40:58,042 --> 00:40:59,750 Coming here was a mistake. 665 00:40:59,750 --> 00:41:01,375 I, I wasn't thinking clearly. 666 00:41:01,375 --> 00:41:03,083 Um, I don't-- I-- I don't wanna hear anything more. 667 00:41:03,083 --> 00:41:05,167 BYRON: We are not trying to be cruel. 668 00:41:05,167 --> 00:41:08,792 But our mother, she wanted us to listen to this together. 669 00:41:08,792 --> 00:41:11,583 - No, your mum wanted you to listen to this. 670 00:41:12,792 --> 00:41:15,125 I have no obligation to this person who raised you. 671 00:41:15,625 --> 00:41:16,750 I didn't know her. 672 00:41:16,750 --> 00:41:18,625 She was a stranger, as are you. 673 00:41:19,250 --> 00:41:21,500 Whatever's in the estate, I don't want anything. 674 00:41:21,500 --> 00:41:23,292 I'll forfeit whatever was designated to me. 675 00:41:26,375 --> 00:41:28,208 I am very sorry for your loss. 676 00:41:29,417 --> 00:41:31,333 You can listen to the rest of the recordings without me. 677 00:41:31,333 --> 00:41:33,042 I'm not coming back here. - Wait, Mabel, wait. 678 00:41:33,042 --> 00:41:34,042 - Look, 679 00:41:35,958 --> 00:41:37,917 I hope you find the answers you're looking for. 680 00:41:41,333 --> 00:41:42,333 [scoffs] 681 00:41:48,125 --> 00:41:49,125 [door slams shut] 682 00:41:51,958 --> 00:41:54,542 - Well, your mother hoped that things would go differently, 683 00:41:54,542 --> 00:41:56,167 but she knew, in all likelihood, 684 00:41:56,167 --> 00:41:58,292 it wouldn't go exactly according to her plan. 685 00:41:58,292 --> 00:42:02,792 So... if you both agree, we can move on without Mabel. 686 00:42:02,792 --> 00:42:06,000 And I can play the final recording if that's what you want. 687 00:42:06,000 --> 00:42:07,125 - Yes. BENNY: No. 688 00:42:08,500 --> 00:42:09,750 - What do you want us to do? 689 00:42:10,375 --> 00:42:11,708 Wait for her to come around? 690 00:42:11,708 --> 00:42:13,542 That could take days or years, Ben. 691 00:42:13,542 --> 00:42:17,667 - Wha-- Ma was dying and all she wanted was for us to know Mabel. 692 00:42:17,667 --> 00:42:19,750 - But Mabel doesn't want to know us. 693 00:42:19,750 --> 00:42:22,500 - Can't you see that she reacted that way because she's in pain? 694 00:42:23,417 --> 00:42:25,500 She didn't even know she was adopted, 695 00:42:25,500 --> 00:42:28,208 that her parents... weren't her parents. 696 00:42:28,208 --> 00:42:30,042 When I walked outta here on Thanksgiving, 697 00:42:30,042 --> 00:42:33,208 all I wanted was for somebody to come to me 698 00:42:33,208 --> 00:42:35,375 and dare me to stick around, 699 00:42:36,417 --> 00:42:37,833 and nobody did. 700 00:42:37,833 --> 00:42:40,208 I am not about to let the same thing happen to Mabel. 701 00:42:41,542 --> 00:42:42,958 - We tried, Ben. 702 00:42:44,375 --> 00:42:46,208 - We did not try hard enough. 703 00:42:47,042 --> 00:42:48,333 Ma didn't, either. 704 00:42:49,000 --> 00:42:51,583 I mean, she called and she wrote, but that wasn't enough. 705 00:42:52,208 --> 00:42:55,167 And Dad, he probably thought he had all the time in the world to fix things, 706 00:42:55,167 --> 00:42:57,750 but... he didn't do enough either. 707 00:43:07,417 --> 00:43:08,500 - What's that? 708 00:43:08,500 --> 00:43:12,542 - Receipts from cafes and shops across the street from my apartment. 709 00:43:14,167 --> 00:43:17,417 Did you know that he was driving up to Highland Park every month? 710 00:43:17,917 --> 00:43:19,000 - What-- Of course not. 711 00:43:19,958 --> 00:43:22,500 - Yeah, I guess Ma didn't either. 712 00:43:22,500 --> 00:43:24,583 I don't know when she found all this, but 713 00:43:26,292 --> 00:43:27,458 he was right there, By. 714 00:43:28,542 --> 00:43:31,000 He was across the street from me, 715 00:43:32,250 --> 00:43:34,250 [voice breaking] and he couldn't even knock on my door. 716 00:43:36,625 --> 00:43:38,292 I need to do this. 717 00:43:39,000 --> 00:43:42,417 And I need you to believe for a moment 718 00:43:42,417 --> 00:43:44,333 that maybe, just maybe, 719 00:43:45,875 --> 00:43:47,750 I can do one thing right on my own. 720 00:43:53,333 --> 00:43:54,333 - Fine. 721 00:43:55,250 --> 00:43:56,833 If you want to go after her 722 00:43:57,417 --> 00:43:58,875 and get your heart broken, 723 00:44:01,292 --> 00:44:02,125 go. 724 00:44:04,833 --> 00:44:05,833 - I'll be back. 725 00:44:14,833 --> 00:44:17,833 ♪ 726 00:44:27,708 --> 00:44:30,708 [waves crashing] 727 00:44:52,583 --> 00:44:53,583 [exhales] 728 00:45:00,333 --> 00:45:01,167 [slight wince] 729 00:45:08,542 --> 00:45:10,542 [shower running] 730 00:45:33,417 --> 00:45:36,167 ♪ 731 00:45:58,958 --> 00:46:00,750 - [grunts] Fuck! 732 00:46:00,750 --> 00:46:02,042 [knocking on door] 733 00:46:02,042 --> 00:46:03,042 - Um... 734 00:46:03,833 --> 00:46:05,542 All right, I'm coming. 735 00:46:27,917 --> 00:46:30,667 - Hi. - I'm sorry, you're wasting your time. 736 00:46:30,667 --> 00:46:32,583 I've already rescheduled my flight. BENNY: I understand. 737 00:46:32,583 --> 00:46:34,917 I just wanna have a conversation with you before you leave. 738 00:46:36,917 --> 00:46:39,958 I brought some food from a little hole-in-the-wall Jamaican joint. 739 00:46:39,958 --> 00:46:42,417 They got a B health inspection rating on the window. 740 00:46:43,375 --> 00:46:44,542 - With the folding tables 741 00:46:44,542 --> 00:46:46,125 and the plastic chairs that stick to your legs? 742 00:46:46,125 --> 00:46:48,500 - Yep. Kitchen run by a granny. 743 00:46:48,500 --> 00:46:49,625 I watched her make this. 744 00:46:49,625 --> 00:46:50,833 Doesn't get more authentic. 745 00:46:51,417 --> 00:46:53,417 Ackee and saltfish. 746 00:46:53,417 --> 00:46:56,083 - Breakfast for dinner. - Your favorite! 747 00:46:56,083 --> 00:46:57,792 - You know, it's really rather manipulative 748 00:46:57,792 --> 00:46:58,750 that you remembered that. 749 00:46:59,833 --> 00:47:00,833 - Shall we? 750 00:47:12,333 --> 00:47:13,167 Whoa. 751 00:47:15,750 --> 00:47:17,292 Sorry, I came on so strong. 752 00:47:18,375 --> 00:47:20,875 I can be... intense. 753 00:47:20,875 --> 00:47:22,000 [both chuckle] 754 00:47:23,750 --> 00:47:26,500 But... I do have something I wanna say to you. 755 00:47:29,708 --> 00:47:32,792 I always thought there was something wrong or off with my ma. 756 00:47:34,250 --> 00:47:36,208 I always thought that she was comparing me to Byron, 757 00:47:36,208 --> 00:47:37,833 but now it all makes sense, 758 00:47:38,375 --> 00:47:40,708 that you were the missing piece. 759 00:47:42,125 --> 00:47:43,208 She was grieving you. 760 00:47:48,458 --> 00:47:50,708 - I wish I knew what to do with that, Benny. 761 00:47:51,875 --> 00:47:53,042 Or how to feel. 762 00:47:54,333 --> 00:47:55,458 But I didn't know her. 763 00:47:56,542 --> 00:47:58,708 It doesn't mean to me what it means to you. 764 00:47:59,208 --> 00:48:03,167 It sounds like your mum's recordings are answering questions for you, 765 00:48:03,750 --> 00:48:05,542 but they're raising questions for me. 766 00:48:07,375 --> 00:48:09,125 My whole world has shifted. 767 00:48:09,750 --> 00:48:10,750 My identity. 768 00:48:12,000 --> 00:48:15,542 I haven't even begun to look back and ask myself how didn't I know? 769 00:48:15,542 --> 00:48:17,083 What did I miss? 770 00:48:17,083 --> 00:48:18,708 And I'm not ready to do that right now. 771 00:48:20,375 --> 00:48:22,750 And I'm afraid of what learning about my birth father 772 00:48:23,667 --> 00:48:24,667 will mean. 773 00:48:25,417 --> 00:48:26,417 Not just to me, 774 00:48:28,083 --> 00:48:29,167 but to my parents, 775 00:48:30,292 --> 00:48:31,458 and to my son. 776 00:48:32,125 --> 00:48:33,125 - Your son? 777 00:48:34,667 --> 00:48:35,500 - Gio. 778 00:48:36,000 --> 00:48:37,000 He's 16. 779 00:48:38,625 --> 00:48:39,625 He is 780 00:48:41,000 --> 00:48:42,792 beautiful, 781 00:48:42,792 --> 00:48:43,792 brazen, 782 00:48:45,000 --> 00:48:46,125 infuriating. 783 00:48:46,125 --> 00:48:48,625 [both chuckling] 784 00:48:48,625 --> 00:48:49,625 He's my world. 785 00:48:52,542 --> 00:48:55,125 And there's things that he doesn't know about his own father. 786 00:48:56,917 --> 00:48:58,333 Things I don't want him to learn. 787 00:48:59,542 --> 00:49:00,542 - Well, where is he? 788 00:49:01,458 --> 00:49:02,458 Your son's dad? 789 00:49:02,458 --> 00:49:04,042 - [clears throat] It-- It doesn't matter. 790 00:49:04,042 --> 00:49:05,625 I don't know why I'm dwelling on the past. 791 00:49:05,625 --> 00:49:06,792 Must be the gin talking. 792 00:49:07,708 --> 00:49:08,542 BENNY: Uh-- 793 00:49:08,875 --> 00:49:10,625 I don't wanna speak outta turn, Mabel, 794 00:49:10,625 --> 00:49:13,375 'cause this is absolutely none of my business, but 795 00:49:14,333 --> 00:49:15,708 I think you have to ask yourself, 796 00:49:15,708 --> 00:49:17,833 are you keeping things from Gio to protect him 797 00:49:18,750 --> 00:49:21,125 or because you're afraid of how he'll see you? 798 00:49:21,708 --> 00:49:22,542 - Both. 799 00:49:24,917 --> 00:49:28,333 And I am of the belief that some secrets are best left buried. 800 00:49:33,667 --> 00:49:34,958 - Can I ask you something? 801 00:49:36,208 --> 00:49:37,208 - Of course. 802 00:49:38,833 --> 00:49:41,917 - Do you remember speaking to an elderly woman with an island accent 803 00:49:41,917 --> 00:49:43,083 on the phone, ever? 804 00:49:45,000 --> 00:49:45,833 - No. 805 00:49:46,333 --> 00:49:47,333 I'm sorry, why? 806 00:49:48,042 --> 00:49:51,292 - [sighs] 'Cause Byron told me about these outgoing calls 807 00:49:51,292 --> 00:49:52,875 he found on Ma's cell. 808 00:49:54,208 --> 00:49:55,375 Calls she made to you. 809 00:49:56,000 --> 00:49:59,625 Maybe she called you under false pretenses or under a fake name, 810 00:49:59,625 --> 00:50:02,500 'cause... that was kind of her thing. 811 00:50:04,917 --> 00:50:05,750 - Actually, 812 00:50:06,542 --> 00:50:10,000 I have been getting some odd phone calls over the past year or so. 813 00:50:10,000 --> 00:50:11,417 The person would call, 814 00:50:11,917 --> 00:50:14,125 sit quietly for a while after I've answered, 815 00:50:14,125 --> 00:50:16,542 and then... just hang up. 816 00:50:18,125 --> 00:50:20,167 I've never thought anything of it, 817 00:50:21,333 --> 00:50:22,333 but it may have been her. 818 00:50:23,250 --> 00:50:25,750 - She must have started doing that after her diagnosis. 819 00:50:27,417 --> 00:50:28,417 [sighs] 820 00:50:30,292 --> 00:50:31,958 It's all so ironic. 821 00:50:33,000 --> 00:50:33,833 MABEL: What is? 822 00:50:35,292 --> 00:50:36,292 [Benny sighs] 823 00:50:37,208 --> 00:50:39,625 BENNY: I had a falling out with my dad before he died. 824 00:50:41,250 --> 00:50:43,792 And he never picked up the phone in two years. 825 00:50:43,792 --> 00:50:46,167 I mean, he wanted to, but he ran out of time. 826 00:50:47,458 --> 00:50:50,125 And I'll never know what he was so afraid to say. 827 00:50:53,375 --> 00:50:57,000 Aren't you curious what my mom wanted to tell you? 828 00:50:59,125 --> 00:51:01,292 - Of course, I'm curious. 829 00:51:01,292 --> 00:51:05,167 - Isn't it better to know what she wanted to say than wonder? 830 00:51:06,458 --> 00:51:08,083 I mean, maybe she could tell you something 831 00:51:08,083 --> 00:51:10,250 that you didn't even know you needed to hear. 832 00:51:10,833 --> 00:51:13,833 ♪ pensive music playing ♪ 833 00:51:22,333 --> 00:51:23,750 BYRON: Thank you for staying. 834 00:51:23,750 --> 00:51:24,750 MR. MITCH: Of course. 835 00:51:26,292 --> 00:51:27,292 You ready? 836 00:51:27,292 --> 00:51:28,292 BYRON: Yeah. 837 00:51:33,000 --> 00:51:34,000 - Sweet enough? 838 00:51:35,708 --> 00:51:36,708 - It's delicious. 839 00:51:38,875 --> 00:51:40,875 ♪ 840 00:51:52,417 --> 00:51:53,625 - [sighs] This is it. 841 00:51:54,917 --> 00:51:55,917 The last recording. 842 00:51:58,750 --> 00:51:59,750 You ready, brother? 843 00:52:02,625 --> 00:52:03,458 Mabel? 844 00:52:10,917 --> 00:52:12,250 - Alrighty then. 845 00:52:13,708 --> 00:52:14,625 Here we go. 846 00:52:15,958 --> 00:52:16,792 [clicks touchpad] 847 00:52:17,917 --> 00:52:19,083 ELEANOR [on recording]: B and B, 848 00:52:19,875 --> 00:52:22,375 I'm about to share something else with you, 849 00:52:23,333 --> 00:52:25,625 something I haven't before. 850 00:52:27,125 --> 00:52:28,208 But first, 851 00:52:28,958 --> 00:52:31,500 I want to say something to your sister, 852 00:52:33,083 --> 00:52:35,583 to Mabel Mathilda. 853 00:52:37,708 --> 00:52:38,708 Mabel, 854 00:52:40,083 --> 00:52:42,417 my firstborn, 855 00:52:44,125 --> 00:52:46,750 there is so much I want to tell you. 856 00:52:48,000 --> 00:52:49,000 But first, 857 00:52:50,708 --> 00:52:52,542 you were loved. 858 00:52:53,917 --> 00:52:55,542 The moment I held you, 859 00:52:55,542 --> 00:52:59,708 I knew I wanted to be your mother. 860 00:53:01,250 --> 00:53:02,583 But by that point, 861 00:53:03,583 --> 00:53:05,292 it was out of my control. 862 00:53:06,708 --> 00:53:10,083 By that point, it was too late. 863 00:53:11,667 --> 00:53:13,167 Because the truth is, 864 00:53:13,833 --> 00:53:16,833 I didn't choose to let you go. 865 00:53:19,792 --> 00:53:21,333 You were taken from me. 866 00:53:23,125 --> 00:53:26,125 ♪ somber music playing ♪ 867 00:53:38,208 --> 00:53:41,708 ♪ 868 00:54:24,625 --> 00:54:26,625 ♪ 869 00:54:47,125 --> 00:54:48,583 ♪ 870 00:55:21,292 --> 00:55:24,125 ♪ 871 00:55:24,125 --> 00:55:26,292 ♪ music fades out ♪