Beyond The Gates Transcript
Transcript provided by Suzanne and Thane
THIS STILL NEEDS SOME EDITING!
You want to go to a press conference on our wedding night? Darling, it’s not that I want to go. I– look, I cannot let Vernon Dupree spin a tale for the press that he all but owns. We’re married now. Who cares what Dani did? Let it go. Dani pulled a gun on us at our wedding, tried to humiliate us by making us bow before her. If she had snapped any further, we, we could’ve died. But we didn’t. They’re gonna spread around a bunch of cash and call in some favors to make sure she gets off. So what, Bill? Don’t you want to see them pay? I want to get under the covers with my new husband and have the honeymoon that he promised me. But we will have our honeymoon, baby, okay, I promise, but Dani robbed you of the wedding you dreamed of. Okay? It’s time for payback. I got to go. Not a chance, Bill Hamilton. United front, everyone. I’ll do all the talking. Naomi, where is Jacob? Uh, he got called into work. Sorry, Granddad. It’s a shame. A police officer in our ranks would speak volumes. I know, but Jacob and I just thought… It’s all right, sweetheart. With all of you behind me, the message is clear. The Duprees continue to be leaders in the community and above reproach. Not to throw cold water on your strategy, Granddad, but that’s a tough sell. Why? My congressional staff has clogged my inbox. With what? Apparently, clips from the live stream have gone viral on every platform. We caught that, too, with some shade and dragging mixed in. My grandparents Facebook group is shocked that a Dupree would cause such a scene, at a wedding no less. On Insta alone, over three million views. All right, everyone, devices away. I called this press conference to shut down all this chatter, not engage in it. Daddy, I can talk about what Dani did from a psychological perspective. I don’t want anyone calling my daughter crazy. That’s why I can help. I can tell the press it’s possible that a mentally healthy person can have a temporary break. I’m not sure how helpful that would be. Don’t you think me being a psychiatrist makes me the most credible messenger? Not only that, Dani’s my sister. My experiences with her makes it personal. When Dani messes up, I clean up. That’s our eternal dance, Daddy. Could be right. I’m gonna go let ’em in. Like mother, like daughter. Like I don’t already feel bad enough. How many times do I have to say it? I’m sorry I live streamed it, okay?
I didn’t mean to, but…
Okay. Please squabble later, you two. The press has arrived. Game faces, everyone. Thank you for coming out on such short notice. I realize many of you had kicked off your shoes and, uh, settled in for the evening. Sir, if I could just ask you a few quick questions… Is that Mrs. Cantor? Oh, so glad you came out. How’s the new baby? She is fine, but what I really want to know about… I’ll let you get right back to her. There’s been a lot of speculation about recent events concerning my family. Um, I’d like to give an accurate picture of what transpired here at this country club earlier today. The video is pretty clear, is it not? During the wedding of Bill Hamilton and Hayley Lawson, a gun belonging to my daughter Danielle inadvertently discharged. Not a crime, just an unfortunate accident in which no one was hurt. So if that’s the case, then why is she not here right now? I am here. I’m just running a little late. There is no way in the world that I would miss this press conference. You all deserve the truth. Oh, my first week nursing, and I deliver a baby in an elevator. I don’t even know how to process that.
It’s amazing.
Yeah, and instead of me actually being on the outside watching, taking quick pics, it was next-level real seeing everything. But you were so together, I would have thought you delivered babies on the regular. Nah, I was just following your lead, Ashley.
That new mom…
Her name is Alix. Yeah, Alix– she thought you’d done it a million times, and I was not about to give her a tip that I was shook. Okay, but don’t sell yourself short, Andre. The way you calmed me down when I was freaking out, I so needed that. And he never led onto Alix that it was my first week nursing or I never delivered a baby on my own. You were a great partner. As you can all see, my daughter Dani is here and just fine. This is lying low? What are you doing? Isn’t this presser about me?
Yes, but Daddy…
Well, then it would be suspicious if I weren’t here. You’re not the only one who can help this family. Dani, tell us why you’d bring a gun to a wedding. Our family’s high profile and our political activism makes us targets. We’ve had numerous death threats over the years. Danielle’s gun is legally registered and she has a concealed carry permit. We’ve all seen the footage. It’s very evident that your daughter intentionally pulled a gun on her ex-husband and his new wife. So how about you stop spinning the truth just to protect your family? I’ve been in those situations. They’re intense. Looks to me like you were both calm under pressure. Oh, honey, you have that so wrong.
Oh, man.
News flash. Is it Alix and the baby? What’s wrong? Nothing. The doctor said Alix is doing just great. And the baby? Little Ashley Andrea is doing perfect. Ashley Andrea? Aw. How cool is that?
Congratulations, namesake.
Same back at you. I love that she named the baby after you two. She’s always going to remember who helped deliver her precious little bundle of joy. Isn’t that wonderful? Okay. You do remember you married an attorney, right?
Yes.
Okay, so what do you think happens
if I don’t show up in court?
The opposing side wins. Yes, without so much as a blink from the judge. Okay, well, this isn’t a lawsuit. I’m your wife, not a client. I don’t care if that self-righteous family comes up with some ridiculous explanation for what happened. You and I know the truth. That’s enough. Not for me, it’s not. And it shouldn’t be for you either, Hayley. Look, if Vernon can blame me for what his daughter did and the press buys it, that directly affects my practice, my ability to land clients, provide for my wife. It affects how judges and juries see me. Oh, you mean your reputation? Yes, my reputation matters. And so does yours, by the way. I’m not that shallow. Okay, okay, hey, wait, wait, hey, hey, hey. That’s, that’s one of the many reasons I love you, baby. Okay? But I won’t have you labeled a home-wrecker when it was– it’s been Dani who’s been a one-woman wrecking ball ever since you and I fell in love. That’s why I need to go to this press conference. And I’m asking you not to. Look, I just married you, Bill. I know you love me, okay, and that’s part of why you need to confront them. But what about how I feel, huh? What does it say to our commitment if you will leave me on our wedding night to do damage control because of your ex? Please. Don’t leave me here alone. There is no spin. Yes, Dani deliberately took out a gun at a public gathering, an admitted lapse in judgment. Yes, someone could have been hurt. So, you’re saying she wasn’t attempting to shoot her ex-husband or the person that he left her for? It’s a ridiculous question. Now, Dani had no desire to shoot anyone. Why point the gun at the bride and groom, then? [scoffs] You all seem to have memorized the video frame by frame, so surely you must have noticed Dani shift the gun away from Bill and Hayley before firing. Yes, my daughter acknowledges her mistake despite being under horrific emotional strain. Dani, did you plan to kill them? That is preposterous, and before you make any more outrageous accusations against my daughter, there’s a few things I need you to know. There is a proper context through which to view this video. You all know our family has always remained private and circumspect, which is why the press never caught the slightest hint of the hell Bill Hamilton and Hayley Lawson put Danielle through. Exactly. Yep. Bill gaslit my daughter. He had an affair with Hayley right under her nose and then called her paranoid when she suspected. And Hayley embarked on a mission to become my granddaughter Naomi’s best friend and then proceeded to use that friendship to insinuate herself into her best friend’s father’s bed. She is hardly an innocent victim. Danielle crossed the line– we acknowledge that she did– but it was Bill Hamilton who pushed her over it. And if there are any consequences to be faced… So, what do you mean by consequences? That will be all. No more questions. I’d like to answer that.
Shanice: You go, girl. [Ashley chuckles] I need to go see Alix and thank her. I’ll go with you. After all, her name is Ashley Andrea. You want to come with us?
Shanice: I-I think maybe you should hold off for a little bit. The doctor just left, and Mama, Daddy, and baby are just settling in for a nap. Well, I should at least send Alix flowers or something. I mean, how do you thank somebody for something this huge? It’s a big deal. And you guys earned it. Yeah, I-I’ve never had somebody named after me before. Hope she’s not doomed to pick up my bad habits.
Hmm, and what are those again?
ASHLEY: It doesn’t matter. Whatever bad habits you have, you’re also this major photographer and somebody who doesn’t melt down in an emergency. Be cool for her to inherit all that. Listen to Ashley, man. You’re all right. Yeah, but compared to you, I’m a slouch. You fight fires, I take pics. You tackle emergencies every day. It makes my gig seem trifling. How about we say this? You are both pretty fine men with awesome qualities and one pretty lucky nurse. I am lucky. And exhausted. I should get you out of here. This first. WOMAN [over P.A.]: Nurse to the fifth floor lab. I would be a coward if I let my parents take the blame for what I did. I can’t. No, no, today I blazed past even my own guardrails, and I want to apologize. First to the staff, who must have been terrified when they saw that gun. I am so sorry. And to my family, who doesn’t deserve the shame that I heaped on them. Mom, Dad. I know I can’t apologize enough. You are the best parents. You’ve given me the moon since I knew how to point to it, and disappointing you is the worst punishment ever. No excuses. But I will admit… …this is a very low point in my life. And I hate that my daughter is blaming herself for it. Chelsea, baby, come here. You didn’t do anything wrong. There is no way you could have known what would happen.
Bill: Aw. I’m all choked up. Still in her wedding gown? Probably your dad’s idea. Uncle Bill– or used-to-be uncle– all about the optics. Beautifully played, Duprees, as always, but I’d like to add a little testimony of my own.
Just wait here, sweetheart.
Bill is about to ruin this, after Daddy orchestrated this presser beautifully. There’s not much we can do now. Seems we arrived just in the nick of time. And your spiel was very informative, by the way. It was news to me that our wedding was broadcast all over social media. And I’m pretty sure that your fun little live stream could be evidence of quite a few unlawful behaviors– disorderly conduct, making a terrorist threat, menacing, first-degree assault, discharging a firearm, reckless endangerment of the greater public. Shall I go on? My ex-wife is right about one thing, though. This is not my daughter’s fault. Chelsea, baby, you don’t have to feel one iota of guilt because I’m sure your mother pressured you to record the moment in order to humiliate me. She didn’t. Mom didn’t have anything to… Be that as it may… sadly, in spite of my ex-wife’s sob story, which makes her erratic and insane behavior sound like a one-off, this is not an isolated incident. Dani has been harassing Hayley and me for days now. She physically assaulted Hayley in front of witnesses, disfiguring her face right before our wedding. I should have had Dani arrested the moment I saw Hayley’s injuries, but Dani is the mother of my two children Naomi and Chelsea, and I wanted to respect them, respect the past that we all had together, but with that being said, I have run out of patience. Now let me be clear– this is not about me. I can handle whatever Dani Dupree dishes out. But I will not sit idly by while she bullies my wife. [Shanice clears throat] I would say “Get a room,” but all the ones here are for sick people, and you two are clearly very healthy. I’m so sorry. That was so unprofessional. I’m not gonna hold it against you since you delivered your first baby in an elevator, stuck, but don’t think every day’s gonna be that exciting. Some days you’ll deliver babies without being on an elevator with a world-class photographer. And I doubt you’ll have much reason to stop by the hospital. Well, actually, I am overdue for a checkup, so… Oh, please. Don’t act like you’re not plugged in around here. His aunt, Dr. Nicole Richardson, is on staff as a psychiatrist here, and his uncle, the renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Ted Richardson, works out of here, too, when he’s not at his ultrachic, private, exclusive practice. What? It pays to be informed. ANDRE: Yes, it does, Shanice, and, uh, thank you for reminding me that I have quite a few reasons to drop by more often.
Mm-hmm.
Mm-hmm. Oh, add these extra hours you worked before you leave. Yeah. Well, uh, I’m going to take a hike.
All right.
Thank you again, Andre. Tonight was unforgettable. Yeah. See you.
[reporters clamoring]
Mr. Hamilton… why here on your wedding night? I allowed you to grandstand at my gathering, but now it’s time for you to back off. REPORTER: You have gone viral. Your family is a viral sensation. REPORTER 2: How do you care about how this makes you look? REPORTER 1: Your ex shot someone? Should she go to jail? This press conference is over. Thank you, as always, for the courtesy you extend my family and allowing us to set the record straight. That was a trip. Yeah. What’s on your mind? Well, while you were playing dutiful grandson and I was playing dutiful spouse to said grandson, I kept thinking. About what? The conversation back at Vernon and Anita’s. It was weird. Why? Because when you said that you understood how rage could explode into acting out… Yeah? Well, your grandparents– they looked at each other like they were in some secret society or something. That just happens when you’ve been married for so long. You and I do the same thing. I guess. I know you two think I screwed up royally by showing up at this press conference. We think no such thing. Your face says otherwise.
It went perfectly fine.
Until Bill crashed it. I know I keep letting these things get out of hand, but I meant what I said about taking responsibility. Daddy… I want you to call the police. And is that everything?
Nicole: My mother made a voluntary statement. Now, if you’re planning on taking her in, you better have probable cause for an arrest since you have no warrant. You are her daughter. And an attorney-at-law. Officer Jenkins, is it? Yes. I really admire your professionalism here. I’ll be playing golf with the chief of police tomorrow. You know Chief Elon Hawthorne? We’re close friends, even have family ties. I’ll be sure to tell him all about how we were treated by the police this evening. Doesn’t sound like there’s anything here that’s chargeable. Uh, thank you for speaking with me. I’ll just head back to the station and write up the incident report, sir. Thank you. Good night. [sighs] They’re letting her off the hook. Thanks, Sissy. It’s always great having you at my back. I am glad this went your way. But, Dani, I think you should talk to somebody. Somebody professional, not in this family, objective. So I can have all my business smeared across social media? I can recommend somebody discreet. This whole family thinks I’m around the bend. You want to go at me, too, Teddy? Maybe suggest a facelift? Dani, stop. We love who you are. Strong, happy, authentic. We just want to see the real you again. Take a look at that. Oh, little Ashley is perfect.
She weighs seven pounds.
She’s a healthy one. You’re gonna follow that little girl’s entire childhood through her charts, aren’t you? I feel a real connection to her. I can’t explain it. And actually, Shanice, I was thinking, I’m still completely wired, so if you want me to put in another couple of hours, I could answer phones, I could stock supplies. Babe, you’ve already worked a full shift.
I know, but I’m on such a…
Uh, let me talk to you for a second, please. WOMAN [over P.A.]: Nurse to Pediatrics… Ashley, what you are going through now is the product of the adrenaline rush and hormones going through your body. It feels like a high, I know. Some shrinks call it a peak experience, but it’ll throw you off, and I want you to go home. Even if I’m not tired? You’re not tired now, but you will crash, and I don’t want it to happen on your shift. Fine, I will go home, I will get some rest… and I will be ready to report for a more normal day tomorrow. You’re planning on getting here early so you can see the baby before we release her, aren’t you? I don’t want to miss seeing her one more time. You ready to head out?
Yeah.
Thanks. Rest up. We’re gonna work you your next shift. You got it. Shanice is right. You need sleep. Mmm. Well, then you better come back to my place and tuck me in.
Oh. [chuckles]
[chuckles] You catch that hack trying to ambush Grandfather and Aunt Dani? The journalist? Yeah, he was good. He was stealth. He stuck around to get the real story. More like stuck around to get some dirt. If it was me, I wouldn’t have wasted time bantering about privilege. I would have gone straight to whether or not Vernon actually golfs with the police chief, figure out how close his ties to the cops really are. But you already know the answers to those questions because you’re family. Are you reminding me of that? It just seems like you’re enjoying our family woes just a little bit too much. I feel awful for what you guys are going through. Then what? I miss covering the news. Longing for the days gone by? Being there when a story broke was exciting. Now you have a new excitement– raising our teenagers. If you aren’t the picture of hypocrisy. I beg your pardon? Hmm. Takes a lot of stones to make a big speech about how your family always takes responsibility right before using all of your pull to make sure Dani suffers no actual consequences. You lost, Bill. Get over it. Must feel great being an ever-winning Dupree. Gaslighting the entire country into thinking you’re some living saint, when really you’re nothing more than another ruthless D.C. operator. I hope you and your new wife got what you were looking for by making this scene. Now you and Dani are even. But who’s counting, right? Enough is enough, Bill. It’s time for you to declare a ceasefire with Dani so we can all just move on. [laughs] Never thought I’d see Vernon Dupree coming to me hat in hand. This isn’t a request. I’m telling you, this tit for tat needs to end. Oh, on that much we can agree. In fact, I can say the same thing to Dani. Now, where the hell did she disappear to? [R&B music playing] Thank you. [clears throat] [Dani laughing] Why do you always have something to say? They had too much rosemary on the chicken.
I don’t mind rosemary.
I don’t mind it.
It’s just too much…
What did you want, chicken hot wings? Ah, whatever. [both laugh] [sighs] Boy, boy, boy. Why does it seem so empty in here all of a sudden, you know? I mean, it’s been years since Naomi lived here, and Chelsea’s always off somewhere modeling. Maybe it’s because you just walked your firstborn down the aisle and gave her away. [chuckles] Yeah, well…
Bill.
Hmm? What did you do? What? Why are you always so suspicious? Because I have good reason to be.
Don’t start, Dani.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no. There was something in that giving Naomi away.
I don’t know what you’re talking about.
[gasps]
You are outrageous.
I don’t know what you’re talking about. I thought, when the reverend didn’t say “Who gives this woman,” he forgot. You asked him to leave it out, didn’t you? I merely suggested that it’s barbaric for us to stand before witnesses and state that we’re prepared to hand over this beautiful, brilliant woman that we raised. That’s all.
So you built yourself a loophole.
So? Funny how you didn’t find it barbaric when my daddy was handing me over to you. Seeing Naomi take those vows, it just hit me, you know? You were younger than she is when we got married. Mm-hmm. Then I… …started thinking about all the demands I made of you. Wanting you to turn your back on modeling, focus on me and my career, and raising the girls on top of that. Man, I’ll tell you what. If Jacob were to ask Naomi for half the things I asked of you, they’d never find that boy’s body. Because in Bill Hamilton’s plan for his progeny, Naomi is to become president, followed immediately by her appointment to the Supreme Court. Yeah, you’re damn right.
She’s got that kind of promise.
She does. Yeah. You had that, too. You did. I’m sorry I was so dismissive of your dreams and accomplishments, baby. Those are my daughters, too.
Yeah.
And I wouldn’t take back one minute of being home with them. What about the rest of it, huh? All the other ways your sacrifices benefited me. Man, the first year of my practice, my client roster outmatched the top firms in D.C. It was you.
And my father.
No, baby, that was you. You made sure I was taken care of and seen in those spaces and known and applauded. And you tolerated things. All right, we said we weren’t gonna go there today. I know. I know. I just… Seeing Naomi today, it made me realize our little girls are all grown up. And you’re still Dani Dupree. You could walk away from me right now and still have a bigger and better life than the one that I’ve given you. Who are you, and what have you done with my husband? Bill… what fun would my life be if you weren’t in it? Well, let me pay you back. Okay? I promise this next chapter will be worth every runway you walked away from, every magazine cover you didn’t grace, and every spotlight that you let dim because you chose to be with us instead. You gave up a world that adored you to be with a family that needed you. And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to you that that’s the best decision you ever made, baby. Bill, if I could spend a lifetime with you looking at me like this… …like I am the only person who would ever or could ever be more essential to your happiness… I’d do it again and again. Even if I let you down? Baby, I let you down, too. The love was always there. Yeah. So… …do you promise to give me forever… again? I do. Do you? Beyond forever is how long I promise to love you, Dani. I promise. Cuz, you’ve got to give yourself a break. You didn’t do anything wrong. Except stream my mom in full-on crazy. You were just live streaming a family event like the good little influencer you are. What is wrong with me, Kat? Why didn’t I just shut the thing off when things went south? Because there was a gun. Maybe you got distracted. Listen… I shouldn’t have been so hard on you earlier. Anybody in your shoes would have been totally frozen. I’m ready to unplug everything,
be social media-free.
Hold up. With everything we’ve got going on, that’s taking it way too far. That’s all you care about? When you’re not down on yourself, you care about it, too. We’ve gone all out on this, Chels. You didn’t spend all those years building your brand just to tank it. Aunt Dani would tell you the same thing. Even if I get her arrested? That’s not gonna happen. But, yeah, even then. Because she doesn’t blame you for what happened. So stop blaming yourself. You know how I always have that little insecure voice in my head? I’m not sure how little it is. All through nursing school, it was there. “Am I smart enough? Am I capable enough? Can I actually hold other people’s lives in my hands?” But after tonight it’s gone, like, like it actually turned off. That’s great, babe. Never doubted you. I don’t know why you doubt you. You are my one-man pep squad. You got me here, you know that? You’ve got a lot of support, sweetie. True. You, my mom… …and good friends like Naomi and Andre. Oh, my God. I can’t believe I’m still wearing my wedding dress. Well, I’d be happy to help you out of it. Mm, I got into it. I’m sure I can get out of it alone. Oh, come on, babe. You got to give me a little credit, right? I mean, it was an unforgettable wedding day. Some might call it an adventure. Hmm. Fantasies about my wedding day? Nope. None involved getting shot at and crashing a press conference. I thought you wanted to go with me tonight, that you didn’t want to be alone? And I wasn’t. You made sure I was surrounded by Duprees. And we finally closed the chapter on Dani. That woman is a drama queen.
I just…
Oh, I know, I know. Ugh! She needs constant attention, I swear. But you know what? She’s not getting that from me anymore. You know why? Because from this moment on, it is all about you.
Oh.
Mmm. Mm-hmm. [“Teach Me” by Elijah Jamal featuring Audiomoe playing] I got your message when I was in my car. You told me to let myself in. I hate to disappoint you, but if you’re wanting to go out… Oh… I don’t. Baby, class is in sessionI’m ready for the lessonThen, ooh, I can’t waitYou’ve got all my attentionYeah, and I’m here to listenDo whatever you say.[groans] I better split. Before we even…? If we even, neither one of us will get any sleep, and I got an early shift tomorrow.
Stop it, sexy.
You know you can’t resist me. Nope. But don’t you want me to be awake enough to remember every delicious moment?
Oh, I’m sorry.
That settles it. Sleep. And next time I’m in this apartment, we will go all night long.
Mmm…
Mm-hmm. [yawns] You sure? That is just mean.
Okay, fine.
Love you. Love you, too. Missing out. Hey. I thought you were gonna meet me in bed. Yeah, I thought I would join you in the shower until I heard your phone on speaker while talking to Mike. Right, that was, um, that was about the wrongful death suit. The-the judge, he… Yeah. Okay, look, let me make it up to you. How? Nothing’s gone the way that I’ve planned. Well, I mean, we did manage to get married. That counts, doesn’t it?
It’s everything.
Yeah. And you said you have a wedding surprise for me. I’m dying to know what that is. Look, I… I’m all surprised out. I’m not a fighter like you, Bill. I can’t just jump in the ring one minute and then shake it off the next. I’m a nervous wreck. This is about Dani? Before the press conference, you said none of it mattered. Well, maybe having a gun drawn on me by your deranged ex has sunk in. Baby, Dani’s not a factor in our lives anymore. Yeah, for you maybe, but she’s living rent-free in my head now, and until I can shake this out… can you just be patient with me? Okay. What does that mean exactly? I don’t know. Slow, I guess. Bill, I need to take this slow. All right. Come here. Come on.
Where are we going?
To our beginning. Come on. Here. Okay. Okay, and now we hold hands. Come on. And what is this gonna prove? This is the hand I gave you today, and this is the hand you gave me. Hmm. And then you get lucky. I’m already lucky. Hey. You’re mine, Mrs. Hamilton. Can’t get luckier than that. Can I get you anything? You already got me more than I need for the moment. You’re that easy to please, huh? Maybe. Or maybe I want to know what made you text me tonight. You told me I was a one-night stand. Can’t a woman change her mind? Of course. Can a woman tell me why? What if I told you I nearly blew away my ex at his wedding? Oh, okay. Are-are you serious? Well, don’t worry. The only thing that got hurt were a few flower arrangements. You’re not lying, are you? Where have you been all day? Under a rock? Yeah, uh, something like that. Well, when you decide to join the rest of the world, there is a viral video of my escapades, in case you don’t want to miss it. So what are you doing? You hiding out? I don’t have to. My daddy solves all my problems. How does getting you off the hook from shooting up a wedding jibe with civil rights? Cops, my friend, cops. Daddy used to fear them. Now they fear Daddy. So, we’re celebrating? Or exorcising demons.
Maybe a bit of both.
Hmm. And nobody was hurt? Not physically. Your takeaway is… Don’t pack heat at weddings. I’m serious, Dani. I know. Listen, I’m glad you called me over… but on the real, I’m just a part of this whole attraction-to-danger thing that you have. You got to get this wild side under control. I know, I know. It is the straight and narrow for me from now on, like a proper Dupree woman. Hmm. Even if it kills me.
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