The Struggle

**The Struggle** is the tenth episode of the the sixth season of Snowfall. It is the sixtieth episode overall and the series finale.

Outline

With the only chance of reclaiming his fortune gone, Franklin finally snaps. Cissy faces a new reality.

## Summary

### Franklin

It is nightfall, and Franklin has arrived at a bar after failing to retrieve even a tiny piece of his fortune back from Teddy, courtesy of Cissy killing him in broad daylight. Completely distraught, Franklin approached the bar table and asked the bartender if he had a phone. The bartender pointed Franklin to the phone to the other side of the the room and Franklin walked over to it. He then contacted Veronique and told her that Cissy pulled a gun on Teddy and killed him. He heard Veronique over the situation as Franklin started banging on the pillar holding the phone, frustrated that the window to reclaiming his stolen fortune was closed, never to reopen again. Franklin then lost it over the fact that he was mere seconds away from getting the transfer and Cissy ruined it for him. Veronique then urged Franklin to calm down and return back to the stash house so they could discuss the next step. Moments after, Franklin sat at the bar table, still fixating on the fact that he was so close to reclaiming back some of his money and the bartender checked on him. The bartender then grabbed a shot glass and put it in front of Franklin, then poured him a shot of whiskey, stating it was on the house. Franklin just stared at the shot glass of whiskey and slowly picked it up, then moved it toward his lips as he took a sip of it, while the news on the television was issuing a report on Teddy's murder. Upon sipping the whiskey, something broke inside Franklin. Later on, the bar was packed and Franklin received a page. He responded to the page via payphone and Havemeyer was on the line, threatening to put Franklin away for the rest of his life. Franklin then tried to convince Stephen that he had no clue Cissy was going to kill Teddy. Havemeyer ignored Franklin and ordered him to bring Rubén to 355 Jameson Street, drop him off, and leave the area. Stephen then ordered Franklin to repeat the address, and Franklin complied. Stephen then told Franklin he had one hour and demanded he show up alone. The phone call ended.

### Rubén

Franklin returned back to the stash house and Veronique, worried sick, was surprised to see him. Franklin then approached Rubén and removed the gurney bag from his head. Rubén's vision became blurry after the bag was removed and Franklin told Veronique he needed to turn him over while Vee wanted to speak with him. Rubén urged Franklin to reconsider for the CIA couldn't be trusted. Franklin then returned back to the garage with a pistol while Rubén claimed the CIA would just waste Franklin once the deal was done. As Rubén was begging Franklin not to pursue this course of action, Franklin immediately knocked Rubén out cold with a pistol whip and began removing his restraints from the chair.

### Franklin

Franklin began driving down the street in the middle of the night with Rubén in back of the trunk. He could hear someone banging in the trunk of his car, indicating that Rubén was awake. As Franklin reached the drop point, Rubén was still banging, begging Franklin to reconsider turning him over to the CIA. Franklin then exited the vehicle and went to the trunk to remove Rubén, who was begging for dear life not to relinquished to the CIA. Franklin ignored Rubén's pleas as he threw him to the ground, closed the trunk, entered the driver seat, and drove off as Rubén screamed for dear life and Franklin watched in the side mirror, while driving, to see some guys approach Rubén and put their hands upon him. With the CIA off his back, that was one loose end Franklin needed to take care of as he drove away.

### Leon

The next morning, Franklin went to the Projects and Leon was in his office, discussing with Renny and Einstein about the situation in which they lost the plug and that they would need a new connection knowing that no one was willing to walk away from the game. Leon then told his advisers they would need a new connect, regardless of ethnicity, while urging his crew to prepare for more hardships. Franklin was escorted inside and Leon excused his crew. Leon then told Franklin that he found Cissy locked up in the downtown jail, and sent Roger Prentice to represent her but was turned away by her. He even told Franklin that he was denied visitations until after Cissy's arraignment. Franklin then interrupted Leon, claiming there was nothing they could do for Cissy. Franklin then told Leon that he needed another loan, but more than the 500k he still needed to reimburse. He then asked Leon how much money he still had stashed away and Leon stated there was still around 3 million stashed under his care. Franklin saw that was what he needed to fully fund the Downtown Property and attempted to convince Leon that he could borrow the 3 million to finish the property while offering him a stake in the ownership of the downtown project. Franklin then stated he would make Leon a partner. He then told Leon that within a few years after construction of the project is completed and cash would start flowing, he would give Leon the option to either get a quarterly income or refinance and be bought out for more that what Leon would invest. Leon then asked Franklin why he believed Cissy killed Teddy and put him in the position he was in. Franklin scoffed to the question and claimed that Cissy snapped. Leon disagreed as Franklin told him that she shot Teddy in broad daylight where there were a score of witnesses, including Teddy's handler, just as he was about to reclaimed half his fortune. Leon told Franklin that it was a sacrifice just to protect Franklin and the rest of the Family. Franklin was oblivious to Leon's comments and blew up, claiming he didn't feel safe, whatsoever. Leon then told Franklin it was obvious that Cissy didn't want Franklin to have that money, and would honor her sacrifice by denying him the loan. Franklin was beside himself to see Leon didn't have his back, reminding he how it was him who set him up for success, accusing Leon of letting him sink. Franklin then reminded Leon and his crew that they wouldn't be making money if it weren't for him, and Leon said the money was earned in blood, claiming he'd give it back given the chance. Franklin then demanded Leon to relinquish the money over and Leon refused. Desperate and with a gun in hand, Franklin then threatened Leon to either surrender the money or he'd take it by force. He was immediately surrounded by Leon's boys and then asked Leon if this was how he wanted this to end. Leon told him it wasn't the ending he wanted as Franklin exited the building.

### Franklin

After failing to get the loan from Leon, Franklin headed to the courthouse where Cissy was being arraigned. He entered the courtroom that was being preceded by Judge Vincent Boyd and was directed to an open seat by the bailiff. Upon being asked how she would plead, Cissy plead guilty, but that didn't end as raised her voice, claiming to kill a CIA officer who smuggled cocaine into their streets with the help of the U.S. Government, while her lawyer was attempting to sway judge for a recess, who was banging his gavel. As Cissy proclaimed that Teddy used to drug money to fund an illegal war, the judge banged his gavel demanding order in the court. Judge Boyd denied the defense a recess and warned Cissy to remain quiet while ordering the court recorder to only enter a plea of guilty. The judge then turned to the prosecutor on the terms of the bond and the prosecutor claimed that Cissy confessed to killing Teddy at the time of the arrested, claiming Cissy would be a danger to the community and be remanded. The judge then denied Cissy bail and ordered she remain in custody until the sentencing. He then banged the gavel, calling the next case. Franklin then exited the courtroom and was immediately spotted by Detective Stern, who chose to follow him. As Franklin was motioning to the exit, Stern attempted to stop him for questioning, as he heard from eye witnessed describing someone who matching Franklin's description at the scene of the crime. Franklin just moved onward and denied it, telling Stern that he heard Cissy confess. Franklin and Stern then entered the elevator and Stern stated there were severe burns discovered on Teddy's chest, wanting to know how that happened, as Franklin closed the elevator door, he made a sny comment to Stern that cooking rock was a dangerous business. Outside as Franklin was heading to his vehicle, Stern told Franklin that Cissy was throwing her life away by trying to expose the CIA. Franklin then told Stern that Cissy was insane and that no one would take her seriously. Stern then told Franklin that Irene Abe would have and Franklin reminded Stern that Irene was dead as he opened the front door of his car. Stern then slammed that door shut, and pointed out that as were Andre, Kevin, and Jerome. He then lashed out about a dead CIA officer and asked how many more would need to pay the price. Stern told Franklin he knew what kind of person he was, and Franklin suggested to Stern he should just pull out his gun and do something about it. Instead, Franklin jumped into his car and pulled out of his parking space, referring to Stern as a race traitor. He then rode off and gave Stern the middle finger as he drove away.

### Leon

Back in the PJ's, Leon was in his crib with Wanda, who asked if it was possible that Franklin would come after him after denying him the loan. Leon then told Wanda that Franklin wouldn't dare come at him in the Projects. Wanda then told Leon that without any funding from Cissy, the Edgewood Shelter would be shut down within a couple of weeks, leaving all the tenants without a roof over their head. Wanda then told Leon of her decision to return to Ghana as she had enough for the flight and would find her own path once there. Leon then approached his desk to pull out a stack of cash and Wanda told him that she didn't want his money but Leon stopped her, reminding Wanda that she was Leon's wife meaning the money was hers too. He agreed to help her get to Ghana to start over. Wanda's voice break as she realized Leon wasn't going to stop her from leaving and Leon couldn't bring himself to convince her otherwise.

### Franklin

Franklin has arrived at the LA County Jail and was being searched at the gate while the officer was waiving the metal detector around his body. The guard then directed Franklin to follow the yellow line. Franklin proceeded but as a prison bus was leaving the vicinity and proceeded to the visitation area. Inside the jail visitation area, Cissy was escorted by a guard to the visitation booth to see her son on the other side of the window. She sat down and grabbed the phone and Franklin asked how she was doing. Cissy remained silent and Franklin told her that he spoke with Roger, claiming he might still help her out, as long as she didn't enter a guilty plea for the murder. Franklin then urged her to request a new counsel and claim she wasn't in a good state of mind, claiming people would be it after the arraignment the prior day. Cissy was still silent as Franklin urged her not to shoot her mouth off the way she did and not to provoke them as she could wind up dead in prison. Franklin then asked Cissy why she did what she did. Cissy still remained quiet as Franklin stated that he was seconds away from claiming back half his fortune. He then snapped at Cissy for not waiting a little longer until the transfer was complete. Cissy immediately hung the phone up and left the booth to return back to her cell, knowing Franklin still hadn't gotten the message. Franklin was later back at Cissy's home going over some blueprints and there was a knock on the door. Franklin looked out the window on the door and concealed his pistol. He opened up the door to see Paul Davis and let him in the house. Paul apologized for showing up unannounced as he stated he went to the WSD office to find it closed. Franklin then asked what he needed and Paul said he wanted to discuss the offer. Franklin was confused and asked what offer. Paul then told Franklin about the offer to selling his stake on the Downtown Property. Franklin was immediately blindsided as Paul then asked about Cissy's situation. Franklin then told Paul that he was misinformed about the fact that Franklin was selling his stake, citing it wasn't true. Paul then told Franklin that he was informed by "his partner" about his interest in selling off the loft, and Franklin stated the information was inaccurate. Franklin then reopened the front door and sent Davis on his way. He then closed the door, realizing someone went behind his back.

### Veronique

Franklin returned to the stash house to find Veronique, who asked Franklin where he was, claiming to have been paging him. Franklin told Vee that he was confronted by Paul, and Vee admitted she was wanting to test the waters to see what the offer was should they sell. Franklin then told Vee he had no intention of selling the Downtown Property and Vee stated they needed the funds. Franklin then accused Veronique of going behind his back by going to his competition, making deals, and showing weakness. Veronique saw Franklin was serious and claimed it wouldn't happen again and Franklin stated he knew that as he told her of how he sold off all his properties in the South Central area just to fund the Downtown Property construction on Spring Street for as long as they could. He then sat at the table and laid his pistol on the very table. Vee was shocked to learn of Franklin's decision. Franklin told Vee that he made the deal with Cissy's old boss, Arnold Tulfowitz. Vee soon realized her mother was right and Franklin was unhinged as she claimed he threw away their future, and Franklin reminded her that he built this empire. Franklin then approached Vee, making it clear it was his empire to tear down at his pleasure. Franklin then asked Vee if she remembered what it was he said to her on the bluff in Malibu. Vee stated that Franklin wanted her loyalty. Franklin told her that wasn't it as he placed his hands around her neck and pulled her forward with a tight grip. Franklin then snapped at Vee, warning her never to go behind his back again. A distraught Veronique then told Franklin to take his hands off of her, and Franklin could now see that Vee wasn't on board with him anymore as he pulled his hands away. Franklin then grabbed his pistol and concealed it as he walked off.

### Leon

Back at the LA County Jail in the visitation area, Cissy was being visited by Leon, as she told Leon that she did what she had to do and would live with the decision. Leon then told Cissy that word got out in the hood and she was being praised for the mood she made. Cissy then asked if it was just the folks in the hood talking about it and Leon stated it was the case. Leon then told Cissy he would be the one to fund the shelter and wouldn't let Alton's legacy go to waste. Cissy was proud of Leon and asked about Wanda. Leon then told Cissy that Wanda couldn't take it in LA and went back to Ghana. Cissy then praised Leon for his good deed but hated the matter in which he was achieving it. Leon then told Cissy that he wasn't looking for advice, but wanted to see if he could help Cissy in any way. Cissy then told Leon that the only thing Leon could do was fly to Ghana and find his wife, find himself, and return once the time was right. She then told Leon that Franklin was lost and it a tragedy that would affect her for the rest of her life, while calling Leon one of her greatest surprised, stating she wouldn't want to see Leon fall down that rabbit hole. Leon just stared at her through that window and Cissy suggested not to look at her that way, urging him to write to her, as she was alone in that prison. Cissy broke a tear and urged Leon to go as she hung up the phone. She then returned back to her cell, leaving Leon with a heavy decision upon his heart.

### Franklin

Franklin was on the road with a bottle of whiskey in his hand. Prior to that event, Franklin had arrived at the Western Bank of California and met with his accountant, Phillip. Franklin then told Phil the plan of ripping out the entire foundation of the Downtown lot and repour the concrete. Franklin stated that he was filing a lawsuit but would need an increase in his credit on the construction loan and write a cashiers check to the concrete company for 129K just to speed things up. Phillip then asked Franklin if that was why Veronique was there earlier. Franklin was blindsided as Phillip told Franklin about her showing up to make a huge cash withdrawal, prompting Franklin to ask how much was taken out. Overtime, Franklin was reeling by Vee's betrayal as he learned from his accountant that a majority of the funds he deposited from the property sales were withdrawn. Phillip told Franklin that 800 grand was immediately removed by her. Franklin then told his account he would speak with Vee. Back to the streets, Franklin was chugging down the bottle of whiskey, reeling from the fact that once again, his account was wiped clean. Over to the events at the bank, it is revealed that the account that was cleaned out was use the pay the mortgage for the Spring Street lot in Downtown LA and Franklin verified it. Franklin then told Phillip he'd have it covered. Back to the road, Franklin finished off the bottle, still blindsided by the betrayal, knowing he had no way of funding his life's work. He then returned to the LA County Jail to visit his mother, who was escorted to the booth. She picked up the phone and Franklin, who was completely decimated, told her that Veronique stole everything from him and fled and had Top Notch searching for her. He then pointed out that it would take some time to find her as she was trained for this game but vowed to find her. Franklin then finally admitted he was in a dire situation, stating that all he had left was the family home and needed to sell it as he needed the cash, especially since he was the one who paid it off. Franklin then told his mother that he brought along some documents that she needed to sign to give Franklin the ownership. Cissy bowed her head, realizing that Franklin wasn't getting the message. As she remained silent, Franklin then broke it to Cissy that there was no way she was getting out of prison, as he urged her to sign the paperwork and give him some type of indication that she get him out of the hole he was in. Cissy then hung up the phone and Franklin then snapped at her for not speaking a word to her. Franklin then caused a scene in the visitation area, blaming Cissy for putting him in the position he was in and pounding on the window. The guards walked in to restrain Franklin as he continued blowing up in the area. As the prison guards were pulling a distraught Franklin out of the room, Franklin further snapped at Cissy, stating that Teddy should have killed her as well. Cissy then returned to her cell, proving that not only was her son lost, but whatever relationship they had before was completely gone. 3 months later, it is 1987 and Franklin was residing at his family home, now addicted to alcohol. He was on the phone with a loan officer from the bank and with his words slurry, he told the loan officer that accountant stated they'd extend his credit do to the value of the property. The loan officer told Franklin he understood what he was told but was unable to fulfill such a promise. Franklin then desperately begged the loan to give him a week to get the rest of the money and the loan officer denied his request, stating he had 2 days to deliver for them. Franklin grew increasingly frustrated as he ripped on the loan officer claiming he was out to screw him over. Franklin then calmed himself, stating he shouldn't have done that and as he was about to request more time, the loan officer hung up on him. Franklin literally snapped after the loan officer hung up on him and threw the phone at the sink, breaking some dishes in the process. He then knocked over a chair and took a deep breath for a moment. Franklin then received a page from his pager on the table. Franklin then checked his page. Franklin was later outside an apartment complex sitting next to his vehicle all shaky, hoping for good news. Top Notch then appeared with an envelop. Franklin then asked if Top Notch found Vee, and Top stated he hadn't. Franklin wasn't happy with the answer, especially knowing the baby was due 2 weeks prior. Franklin then asked if Top Notch checked the hospitals, and Top Notch told Franklin he wouldn't know where to start. Top Notch then told Franklin that he made his decision not to help him hunt down Veronique anymore. That didn't fly with Franklin as he demanded to know why, asking whether he was talking to Cissy or if Vee paid him off. Top Notch then told Franklin this was on his own volition and declared their business done. Franklin was infuriated as he asked Top Notch if that was why he dragged him to a secluded location just to quit. Top Notch stated that was half the reason, and then handed Franklin an envelop, claiming it was something Franklin was searching for. Franklin then opened the envelop, consisting of photos and files. A train began passing in the area as Top Notch walked off, leaving Franklin with information on where to find Peaches. Franklin later arrived in Monrovia to a house where Peaches was laying his head at. He checked the piece of paper to confirm the address, then scrunched it up, tossed it, and exited his car. Instead of approaching the front door, Franklin went around the side of the house, removed the pistol concealed in his pants, then ran around the back and hopped over the fence. He then hid his pistol behind his back and approached the back door. Franklin entered the house, keeping an eye out as he searched around. He went through the kitchen and the dining room, and as he crossed into the living room, he heard a cough and drew his gun in that direction. Franklin then spotted Peaches lying on the couch, completely high and with blood coming from his arm due to the injections. Peaches was still sane as he recognized Franklin standing in his living room. Franklin wasn't one for reunion as he learned of Peaches hiding out in Monrovia, California, after assuming it was Liberia. Franklin then praised Peaches for telling people about making the flight across the globe when all that time, he was in plain sight. Franklin then made the assumption that maybe Peaches was planning to run only but was stuck there because of his junkie ways. Infuriated from the betrayal, and the fact that he sold the Family out to Kane, Franklin then told Peaches it was $5 million he stole and demanded to know if Peaches still had some of it left. Still drugged up, Peaches said he did and had it in a safe in a room. Franklin then demanded Peaches to get off the couch and show him the safe as he whacked his leg. Peaches told Franklin to calm himself and as he fainted getting up, he drew a pistol on Franklin and opened fire, only to be shot up back onto the sofa by Franklin, who stumbled away after the shootout. Franklin then checked his body to see if Peaches had hit him but luckily for Franklin, Peaches missed. Franklin then saw that Peaches was dying, and removed the pistol from his hand, calling Peaches sloppy for the attempt. Franklin then entered a hallway looking for the safe and anyone who might still be around. He then kicked open the bathroom door, and there was nothing. He then entered another room, searching around and then opened the closet to find a large safe. Franklin was immediately surprised and excited, knowing if there was a decent amount of his fortune left, it would be behind a locked safe. He then attempted to open the safe but it was locked tight, and Franklin banged his head on it, knowing this could be the final obstacle for him. Desperate to get back even the tiniest bit of his fortune back, Franklin needed the combination to the safe, and began searching through drawers searching for clues. He searched every nook and cranny, determined to open the safe and threw around some papers, while downing some whiskey. Franklin began reaching a breaking point as his frustration elevated. He then looked over to Peaches, who was already dead and checked his body. Franklin searched Peaches wallet and assumed he found a clue. He then attempted to open the safe but no dice. Determined to open the safe, Franklin then called the company that made the safe, claiming it was his safe and it wasn't working for him and needed assistance. During that time, Franklin grabbed Peaches body and hid the corpse in the bathroom. He then made another call to get a locksmith over to the house and consumed more whiskey as he had one more hurdle to claiming back what was his. Franklin's hysteria began to show as he was determined to get the safe open. There was finally a knock at the door and Franklin opened it to see the locksmith who introduced himself as Miguel. Franklin invited him in and led Miguel to the safe in the room, while Miguel talked about helping a lady unlock her car. Franklin was still acting as the home owner as he showed Miguel the safe in the room. Franklin then asked Miguel if it was possible that he could bypass it and Miguel stated it was possible.

### Miguel

Miguel began drilling some holes in the safe and as Franklin was anxiously waiting for him to finish opened the safe, a junkie entered the room demanding to know who they were and what they were doing. Franklin then claimed he was helping Peaches get into his safe. The junkie then asked where Peaches was at and Franklin claimed he show him where Peaches was, but the junkie was hesitant as he told Franklin to stay back. Franklin continued to move toward the junkie as he ran out screaming for Peaches. Franklin then told Miguel to continue as he went after the junkie. As Miguel stood in the room, he heard gunshots and panicked, causing him to drop the drill. Fearing for his own life, Miguel checked the windows and attempted to bolt out the doorway, only to see Franklin enter. Franklin then told Miguel that he wasn't interested in hurting him, but wanted him to open the safe, then he'll be home free. Afraid of Franklin's next move, Miguel picked up his drill and continued drilling into the safe. There was a clank, indicating that Miguel finished. Franklin then told Miguel to stand back as he opened the safe, expecting to see a chuck of his stolen fortune sitting in the safe. Upon looking inside, Franklin realized that all his efforts to open the safe were for nothing, leaving him with no chance of ever completing his life's work on Spring Street. He then told Miguel to count the money and Miguel went to the safe to pull out the money, to find roughly around 12 grand inside, not evenly a percentage of the money Peaches robbed Franklin of. Franklin then laughed hysterically, knowing there was no way 12 G's would help Franklin in his situation. His laughter turned to frustration as Franklin lashed out, wondering how Peaches blew almost 5 million in less than a year. Franklin then cooled down and asked Miguel if 12K was a lot of money and Miguel couldn't answer. Fearing for his own life, Miguel told Franklin he had 3 kids and suggested he'd keep his mouth shut about everything. A tear broke down Franklin's face as he told Miguel to put it in his pocket. Miguel did just that and Franklin then asked for his name once more. Miguel then told Franklin his first name. Franklin then asked for the surname, and Miguel stated it was Flores. Franklin then told Miguel to take off. Assuming he was home free, Miguel exited the room, and as he walked into the living room. He was lit up with gunfire as he was shot multiple times in the back by Franklin. After Miguel was killed, Franklin leaned next to a wall and slid to the floor, knowing his efforts to finally getting out of the hole he was in was for nothing.

### Louie

Two years later, Tony Marino, still alive after the events of 1986, arrived at a stable in the Pacific Northwest with his new partner and met with the stable owners, Linda and Emmett. Tony presented Linda a photo of Louie, pointing out her alias of Carla Huggins and told the owners who she really was and what she was wanted for. In the stable, Louie was hiding, fearing she would be caught by the DEA and the possibility that the owners would turn her in. During that time, the stable owner acknowledged that she was there for a time. When the stable owner said that Louie moved on afterwards, Louie had a sigh of relief, knowing she was she was being protected. When Tony asked if Louie left any indication of where she was heading to, Emmett stated they didn't have that type of relationship. Linda then told Tony that they get hired hands all the time who come and go. Tony then requested for the owners to contact him should Louie ever appear again.

### Gustavo

Oso is now running his own luchador gym in Mexico and he was currently drilling 2 future luchadores in the ring. He then blew the whistle and gave everyone a ten minute break, suggesting they get some air. Gustavo then approached the children who were watching the scrimmage and gave them an advice about wrestling to enjoy themselves, though the sport was intense, but still fun. Oso exited the ring and told his worker, Bolo, he needed to make a phone call, and Bolo told Oso he didn't need permission to make a call, seeing how Gustavo owned the gym. Gustavo then approached the pay phone to call an automated hotline to find Xiamara left Oso a message. On the message, Xiamara stated that she and her family settled in North Carolina. Upon that the boys were doing fine, that brought peace to Oso. According to the message, Xiamara apologized for not reaching out earlier, especially fearing ire from her mother. The message ended with Xiamara, hoping that should Oso make it, they'd want to see him once more. A sigh of relief surpassed Oso as he hung up the phone.

### Epilogue

One year down the road, back in South Central, Leon has returned and as he was prepared to approach the Saint Family home. Someone with his homies on the street asked Leon who he was looking for. Leon then told the guys that he grew up there in the neighborhood. Leon then asked if anyone lived in the house. They told Leon there was someone living in the place, while mocking the tenant for the style of living. Leon then approached the house which was a pigsty on the outside. He approached the door, consisting of a foreclosure and lien notice, and knocked. Leon continued to bang on the door, requesting Franklin to open up. Inside was Franklin, whose mind was now oblivious to the world around him as he was taken the same drunken path his father took long ago. As Leon continued banging, Franklin opened the door, and rushed Leon in and locked the door, asking him if there was anyone out there watching the house. Leon then asked who would be watching the house and Franklin stated it would be folks from the city. As Franklin sat on his sofa, Leon stated he just saw the notices on the door. Franklin then got off the couch and was not making any sense to Leon about the issues he was facing. Franklin then told Leon they should take the back since no one was watching the alleyway. Franklin then asked Leon to hurry up as he approached the back door. They exited through the back door and Leon could see a mess in the backyard. As they were approaching the alleyway, Franklin asked Leon when he returned and Leon stated he just got there. Franklin then clamored about Leon heading to Ghana and back twice, suggesting a new nickname, Yo-Yo, claiming it was better that Lil' Lee. As they approached the alleyway, Franklin then asked Leon if he ever found what he was looking for and Leon stated he did. Franklin then told Leon whatever he was looking for, he wouldn't find in South Central. As they continued down the alley, Franklin snapped at a homeless woman for trying to take a dump behind his house and chased her off. Franklin then told Leon about 2 guys trying to rob him the year prior and showed him the scars on his torso, while claiming they got the blunt of it. He then spoke on how Cissy allowed Franklin to live in her home. While continuing down the alleyway, Franklin asked how Wanda was doing, whether she left him or went back to the pipe, while making a lewd gesture about her getting high. Leon then told Franklin that she was doing fine and getting into the music business. Franklin immediately laughed to that, claiming everyone needed to have a dream. Leon then stated that marriage wasn't easy and Franklin told Leon that what wasn't easy was Veronique running off, but managed to call him once, not revealing her location, but the fact that he had a son and would raise him properly. Franklin then told Leon that Vee advised him to take comfort in her decision while he stated how he wanted to see his first child. Leon continued with Franklin who was ripping on women, claiming to not understand them. Leon did find that humorous in a way. They then left the alleyway to stumble upon a filming location, in which Franklin in his drunken rant, called a bad business. As they walked down the street, Franklin yelled at the production crew, claiming they won't win any Oscars. During the walk, Leon told Franklin of how he started a free legal clinic, with LAPD on their massive crackdowns and public defenders on hold, stating that it was the first phase to freedom. Leon then told Franklin that it law that Congress passed in the wake of Len Bias's OD death was worse than he thought, calling it Jim Crow all over again. As they were approaching Cho's, Leon then told Franklin he came to see him since he could use an extra hand and told Franklin it would be nice if he would come by to help out. Franklin then asked Leon if he had $10 to spare. Knowing what Franklin had become, Leon helped out Franklin anyway and pulled out a $20 bill, in which Franklin was jumping with joy as he took it and ran into Cho's. As Franklin ran inside, Leon knew that the Franklin he once knew was no more. They later returned to the neighborhood and Franklin, with a bottle of whiskey in a brown bag, told Leon that he was being watched for a while and telling him of how he could hear them on the phone clicking. Franklin then clamored on of how random folks in cars were following him. Franklin then claimed the CIA was watching him as he told Leon he called them once, telling them to stay off his back or he'd blow the whistle. As they were approaching the house, they spotted deputies from the LA County Sheriffs Department outside the house as one of the deputies pulled a battering ram out of the trunk of the squad car. They observed as one of the deputies knocked on the door, claiming to have a warrant to seize the place. Leon saw this and told Franklin he couldn't let them take away his home. Franklin then stated how they took everything else from him. As the deputies were getting ready to breach the house, Leon suggested to Franklin that he could pay off the property taxes and clean up the area himself. Franklin then stopped Leon there, exclaiming how he was free of it all, in his own drunken way. Franklin then told Leon that he was the best friend he ever had and that he was proud of him as a tear fell from Franklin's reddened damaged eye and hit the pavement. Franklin then sipped from his bottle of whiskey and took off down the road. Leon broke into tears realizing that Franklin was in a rut that he could no longer pull himself from and called out Franklin's name. As Franklin was continuing down the road, Leon yelled out his name once more, but Franklin continued to move on. At that point there was nothing Leon could do for him anymore as Franklin chose to continue walking down the same street where it all started for him.

For John

## Cast

Main* Damson Idris as Franklin Saint
* Sergio Peris-Mencheta as Gustavo "El Oso" Zapata
* Michael Hyatt as Cissy Saint
* Angela Lewis as Louanne Saint
* Isaiah John as Leon Simmons
* Devyn A. Tyler as Veronique Turner
* Gail Bean as Wanda Bell
* Alejandro Edda as Rubén

Recurring* DeRay Davis as Peaches
* Steven Williams as Paul Davis
* Scott Subiono as Tony Marino
* Herve Clermont as Detective Stern
* Damien D. Smith as Top Notch
* Max Arciniega as Miguel Flores
* Linda Gehringer as Linda
* Kamron Alexander as Einstein
* Matthew Alan as Stephen Havemeyer
* Joey Marie Urbina as Xiamara
* Evan Allen-Gessesse as Renny
* Scarlett Dunbar as Sam
* John Pittman as Emmett
* Trent Mason as Chris
* Lance Avery Brown as Smokey
* William B. Simmons II as Bolo
* A.J. Tannen as Phillip
* Joseph Schwartz as Doper
* Van Epperson as Judge Vincent Boyd
* Scott Rosendall as Patron
* Marc Siciliani as Willie
* Daniel Edward Morra as Boss
* Matthew Downs as Deputy Carron
* Michael Cortez as Cissy's Lawyer
* Emma Jacobson-Sive as Prosecutor
* Javion Allen as Young John
* Jayden Robertson as Movie Kid
* Gerard Vernice as Jerry
* Mateo Lopez as Lousito

## Episode Deaths

* Peaches - Shot by Franklin Saint
* Miguel Flores - Shot by Franklin Saint

## Music

* *Burning Up* by **Donnell Pitman**
* *To Be Lonely* by **Country Comfort**
* *Running* by **Natasha England**
* *Candombé Triste* by **Miguel y el Comité**
* *Cooley High* by **Rodney and Joe Cooley**
* *Pride.* by **Kendrick Lamar**