You're daydreaming about your skater boy again?
He keeps leaving me on 'read'.
Are you guys like official official?
Aren't you and Noko...
also a thing?
Lerato is really beautiful.
What does that mean?
Oh.
So fragile.
Noko is cool and fun to hang out with,
but he's not my type at all.
The billionaire baller is not your type?
I knew it.
You do fancy her.
You do know that her and Dawoud are dating, right?
They're not.
They've just been skating together.
That's what skaters do on dates.
So she cancelled your date?
She's a bit dodgy.
You sure that's not Gwyneth speaking?
Just be careful.
A cache of weapons found hidden
and smuggled in an animal transportation
has been seized.
Gundo is still rattled about the arrest,
and he's stopped having communication via phone.
And you want me to do what exactly?
Just place a little listening device in Gundo's house.
Trust me, your efforts have been noticed by the higher-ups.
Do you, girl.
Just don't hurt innocent people.
Hey.
Nelson...
make me a star!
If you don't want an education, then stay at home!
You are ruining your own futures!
The Honeycomb invites are dropping.
We have to be there.
Right, Mrs Masombuka has an announcement.
Good morning, students.
Good morning, Mrs Masombuka.
Exciting news.
We are putting on a play, and I'm looking for volunteers.
Pay attention!
I would like anyone interested to meet me in the music room
straight after school.
What's with all the Honeycomb stuff?
Honeycomb? Why?
Those two were talking about invites earlier.
Oh, my God. If that's true.
So what is it?
It's awesome.
A secret annual Red Light District party.
Ijemma hosts it.
She did it last year, and she's doing it again.
She doesn't hold back.
Wait. What are you doing back here, anyway?
Oh my God, are you?
- Are you here to support us? - Wow.
Wait. You're here to support us?
See, even Greta thinks it's weird.
No, she doesn't.
It's a little weird.
I told him about the honeycomb invites.
Obsessed.
Wait. The Honeycomb Hideout?
- I hope I get an invite. - Not you too?
It's a little...
exclusive.
I've never been invited.
Little chat time? Little chit chat?
This better not be more party bullshit.
Nobody's focused, of all the nights.
Both Juan and I are on the list!
So when is it?
Do you think Dawoud is going?
Of course he is.
What?
Have you spoken to him?
We speak every day.
He's a total catch.
Thanks for ruling yourself out.
So good to have him all to myself.
And after Honeycomb...
he'll be mine for good.
Wait, could you please...
Jesus, Ella!
What did she mean by that?
Well...
the party does have a bit of a reputation.
It's where people go to hook up or spend time with,
you know, their person.
He's not her person. He's my person.
Is he?
When does this happen?
- People fly out tomorrow. - Please help me.
I'll see what I can find out.
Freedom is coming tomorrow!
Get ready mama prepare for your freedom!
Freedom is coming tomorrow!
Freedom is coming!
God, you had such presence on stage, right?
You know, and the songs are just so, so beautifully interpreted.
You know, the performances, the set design.
It was...it was...
You should probably just,
you know, give up acting, and probably never sing again, right?
Thanks. That's so...
Wait what?
Earth to Ella. My name is Gabe Gadner. I'm your dad.
I'm so proud of you.
Well done.
- Amazing. - Well done, boy. Well done.
I'm going to say hi to some friends.
Okay. You're going to sign some autographs?
Hmm?
Awww. He did excellent.
You know, she's been avoiding me since this bullshit story came out.
One minute it's...
swords and cognacs and...
let's get you a meeting at number 10, and now look at her.
*** fairweather friends.
I'm proud of you. Come on.
Hmm?
You did great.
- Hi. - Ah, Mrs. Ratshevelani... how are you doing?
Oh please, please call me Esther.
Well done, well done.
I heard your granny flew all the way for this.
Hey, she must be so proud.
Thank you so much. Please excuse me.
Where are you going? We're not...
You have such a lovely daughter.
It was really great having her around.
In the country?
At my house, those two have been rehearsing well into the night, hey.
It really did pay off, didn't it?
Yeah, it sure did.
It was so good.
Greta?
Have you seen Dawoud?
Maybe he's still around.
It all makes sense now.
It turns out Gwyn is in charge of this guest list.
- But Ijemma... - Mm-mm.
Gwyn called in this favor.
So there's no point in asking Ijemma.
Gwyn did me dirty.
Everyone...
and I mean everyone will be getting an invitation...
Except me.
Ella is getting a omitticated.
And that's the only reason you got invited.
I can't believe this.
Look, Gwyn totally put me on.
Jesus, Gwyn is one evil ***.
Hmm.
I'm going.
How?
I...
I'll ask Noko.
Okay.
When Dawoud sees you arrive with Noko?
I know, I know.
Where's Gwyn?
Backstage.
Why?
I'm gonna go ask her.
Ella, what do you mean, you're gonna...?
She's such a sucker for pain.
You don't think she's actually going to do it?
People are losing their shit.
Guys, everyone's talking about it.
Yeah, I might need to shut off my phone.
People are literally begging me.
It's so embarrassing.
Oh. Um.
- Speaking of which. - Hi, Gwyn.
Would you mind?
Could we talk for a minute?
Sure.
Maybe just us, if that's okay.
- Come, Nazli. - What?
- I don't wanna miss this. - Just come.
So when you drag my name, it's for the whole school.
But you don't want anyone around when you apologise.
Smart.
No. I just wanted to...
To ask me about the Hideout, right?
You want me to put you on the list, but you don't want to apologize.
Piss off, Ella.
No, you're right.
- Listen... - Still listening.
I'm sorry for the whole Nazli thing.
I didn't mean to upset you or to make your life more difficult.
Yeah, but you did.
Yeah, I know.
And I'm sorry for that. I am.
How am I supposed to know that you mean it?
I do. I mean it. I'm sorry.
Oh, pathetic.
Sooner or later, everyone at this school learns
a very important lesson.
Don't *** with me.
Enjoy your midterm break.
***.
Fitzgerald!
Uncle Zuri?
Guilty.
You were fantastic tonight, hey?
You almost made me forget I was watching the shameless
commodification of true bravery.
Thanks, I think.
How you doing?
Well, I'm better now.
I envy you.
Ah!
Are you out of your mind, child?
And to think my blameless nephew
is consorting with a filthy American drug addict.
Have you spoken to him?
He hasn't said a single word to me tonight.
I had to figure it out.
You haven't seen him, have you?
He's probably left already, with Lerato.
Ah.
She's pretty.
You left him. He leaves me.
So much loss.
I didn't leave him.
I just...
I screwed up and now he won't even talk to me.
Why won't he talk to you?
I lied to him.
And now he's going to that stupid party with Lerato.
I wasn't invited.
And there's this girl who hates me and my dad is just...
Why does any of that even matter?
Do you think I was invited here?
I just showed up.
And you want to know why?
Because you're tired of Uncle Peter calling you a deadbeat?
No, smartass.
I came because I wanted to.
The question is not what you are allowed to do.
It's what you want to do.
You must close your eyes, take a deep breath and...
ask yourself.
What do I want?
I mean it.
Close your eyes.
Take a deep breath and listen.
From here, listen.
I wanna talk to Dawoud.
Tell him I'm sorry and...
You see?
Wasn't that simple?
Ella, come!
Gabe and Kwame are waiting in the car.
I got to go.
Run along.
Who was that?
Just a friend's uncle.
Hey, I need a favour.
There's this party that everyone's going to and...
I haven't technically been invited, but...
I really need to go.
Okay, if it's a party I'm sure it's...
It's in Mbombela, which is in...
Mpumalanga. Yeah.
Wait, is this a midterm party?
It's just...
there's this boy who thinks I'm into Noko because,
you know, obviously, we've been hanging out a lot, and...
now he's going to the party with another girl,
and I just really need to go.
Can't you just talk to this boy?
I tried.
He's not answering any of my calls.
Okay, I see that you are upset, but what do you want me to do?
You know, you have to ask.
It was helping you that got me into this mess.
Oh, Ella, I can't allow you to go to another province
without checking in with your father.
What do you want me to say?
Okay.
I'll...
- Fine. - Well, do you want me to help you ask him?
We both know what the answer is gonna be.
It's fine.
Oh no, friend!
Hey...
is that the famed theatre actor, Ella Gardner in my house?
Urgh.
Can you say anything?
Hey, do you want one of these?
Well, I want one.
Silence, child.
Now, midterm breaks. Are you two excited?
I can't contain my excitement.
My favourite streamer is hosting a challenge on his server,
perma death, first to get to the nether gets like 3 gifted.
But the first to defeat the Ender Dragon gets like 12 prime gifted!
What are these words that are coming out of your mouth?
I don't get them.
It's a free 12 months subscription.
I'm saving you money here.
What? I don't spend any money on these things.
It's called twitch. And yes, you do.
But not for much longer.
Because I will defeat...
- the Ender Dragon. - The Ender Dragon.
- Yeah, yeah. Okay. - You know it.
Whatever. Fine.
What about you, first born fruit of my loins?
Dad, gross.
Well?
Instead of going to the best party of my lifetime this weekend,
I'm gonna crash at Greta's for a day or two.
Exciting.
What, today?
Okay, so let me get this straight.
Greta is not going to the party tonight. Hmm?
Dad.
Greta? Invited to a party?
Okay, I see your point, but fine.
Why don't you spend some time with us today, huh?
We're making sourdough.
Oh, that thing you do when you don't wanna write.
- Wow. - Zing.
12 months subscription.
- Well, hey honey. - Hey.
That reminds me.
The very lovely Noko's Mommy seems really nice.
So?
I'm just saying, she seems really nice.
As does Noko.
I need to go get ready.
I think I figured out who our mystery boy is.
- Don't tease her. - Love.
Hello?
Exactly.
We're gonna run it through the database.
We're gonna get all the information that we need.
- Yeah, it's just - - Dianne, can I talk to you for a minute?
Sorry, Ella. I'm in the middle of something.
- So all we need to - - Just one thing. Quick.
Give me a second.
What?
When I was at Noko's house, I found a photo of Gundo and Wafula.
It wasn't an old photo.
They were wearing T-shirts, smiling.
It felt more like a family photo.
And?
And they looked like friends.
They looked like friends?
- Listen, I... - You're not listening.
If Gundo and Wafula are friends, then...
why would he be supporting Susuman?
You are basing this off of one photograph?
I have to take this.
Hey, sorry.
Yeah, no, I'm fine.
So you want me to message her parents?
No. Only if they ask a question.
If you don't know what to say,
just call me and we'll tell you what to type.
So why don't you take the phone with you?
Please Talknice.
What about R500?
What about it?
I don't have it at the moment,
but I'll give it to you as soon as I get back.
So Talknice...
you know how you like to entertain...
- when my parents aren't home? - I don't know what...
The jacuzzi, the steam room, the pool?
I don't have a problem with it, but my parents would.
Yeah, but I don't like lying to parents, Miss Greta.
Thanks, Talknice.
Even if it's for R500.
Honesty is very important.
The money is not the point.
Thank you, Talknice.
I'll give it to you as soon as possible.
Miss Greta, when is your flight? You need to get to the airport.
I called an Uber.
It's almost here.
You don't have any money on you?
The powerful USD, baby.
I've got 500 of them.
I'm gonna exchange it and then buy my ticket.
Do you have your travel documents?
Travel documents?
Yes, in South Africa, you need a passport
to exchange foreign currency.
What are you going to do?
Do you want me to stay and help?
There's no point in both of us missing our flights.
Good luck, Ella.
Um.
- Talknice. - Yes, Miss Ella.
Would you mind driving me somewhere?
Would you like to go home?
No, not home.
Because I can definitely take you home.
Maybe into the city.
I've got to pick something up.
Excuse me for a second.
Do you mind waiting?
No, no, not at all.
Talknice! Hey, wait!
Come in.
Ah, American girl.
I don't do refunds, hey?
So don't even try it.
What about these?
How much is that?
$500.
Where do you get them?
Does it matter?
So you came all this way by yourself?
With money.
What's to stop me from taking it, huh?
What will the headline read this time?
Maybe, 'Nigerian businessman stops American thief'.
- Nine to one. - What?
That's like half of what it's worth.
- The bank gives like... - Yes.
And if you rush, you can catch it before it closes.
15.
Don't be silly.
14?
Ten, that's it.
Come on, 14 at least.
13.
And next time it won't be that.
And one of those phones?
Thanks, Valentine.
I like this one.
You gonna make a very good businesswoman one day.
One more thing.
I need a cheap way to get to Mbombela.
Ah.
Sure.
I know a way.
Excuse me.
Sorry.
Excuse me.
- Greta. - Whoo.
Thank you.
Excuse me.
Could you please pointing towards Kolobe Lodge?
Apparently, it's near.
I'm sorry. I don't understand.
Could you point me in the right direction?
Hello.
Do you know where this is?
Thank you.
Good evening.
I'm sorry. I don't understand what you're saying.
- Hi. This is a private function. - I know.
And I was invited.
May I see your invitation?
My phone died and my driver...
It's not a problem. I just need your name.
Ella Gardner.
Ella Gardner, right.
Sorry, Miss Gardner. Your name is not on the list.
We're under strict rules and instructions.
I hope you understand though.
No, no, I understand.
Thanks.
My detail's just as strict.
Are you guys with a diplomatic or a private outfit?
We are private.
T. Nel Security.
Theunis Nel Security.
Thank you.
My guys will want to know.
They can be real sticklers.
Ma'am!
If you may.
Where have you been?
You look nice.
You don't.
Have you seen Dawoud?
More importantly, has he seen you?
Like that? Urgh.
Hurry up! Let's get you snatched.
Come on.
- Let's go. - Okay.
Okay.
Lock the door behind you and try to clean up.
- Ella, go. - Okay.
Jeez.
- Hey! - Hurry up!
Brian, how does the steam room work?
I'll be right there babes.
If he's not here, then where is he?
More importantly...
where are you?
Have fun tonight and forget about him.
Shall we?
- Oh, thank you. - Thank you.
So, this is what you meant?
Right?
No way!
Sorry, I didn't mean to say that out loud.
You look amazing.
Don't make it weird.
You just can't help yourself.
Ella!
Okay.
That was too much, like, way too much.
Yank! You made it.
Please tell me that's not going to stick.
Yeah, I thought I should stop saying that actually.
- Thank you. - Thank you
To?
- To beautiful women. - Oh, please, no.
We can do way better than that.
To Sarafina?
That's a good one.
To the commodification of struggle history.
Ouch.
Wait. To new friends.
Someone get me a tissue.
- Shut up. - Thank you.
Hey, to new friends.
To new friends!
Um. She's not even on the list. We should...
We should go tell...
What? The girl she's literally dancing and drinking with?
No way.
Don't be stupid.
Bottle of water please.
Thank you.
Shot shot shot!
No!
Shot shot shot shot!
No, don't you dare without us. Come, all together guys.
Bring yours.
So you're one and done?
A peace offering?
Hmm?
To new friends.
Come on, come on.
Another?
Yeah, okay.
Jesus.
I'm going to put that on my business card...
Ijemma Egbe,
helping virgins get laid since 2023.
This party, Ijemma...
it's pure magic.
Who needs family when you have all this?
Mm, here comes trouble.
Shot shot shot shot
Come on, take it, take it, take it.
To the best party in the world.
Mm. Delicious.
Can I talk for like a minute?
Or, am I going to have to follow you around all night?
Oh, I don't mean to get in the way.
Please don't apologise.
I have something to say, so I'm just going to say it.
I know I've been a bit extra with the whole persuing you thing,
and maybe I've been a bit weird,
But I like you a lot.
And I think we can become friends.
Like good friends.
So?
Friends?
Friends.
You know,
you're okay, Noko...
- considering your life. - My life?
Normal people don't live like this.
I have a pretty normal life.
Rhinos, helicopters.
There's nothing normal about it.
How many, say, Presidents do you think I've met?
I don't know that many Presidents.
You shouldn't know any.
Narnia is more believable than your existence.
Well, I do have a godfather who's also a President.
I guess that sounds a bit extra.
Which President?
Wafula.
The Kenyan President.
I don't believe you.
Call him right now.
You're nuts. You can't just call a president.
You're looking a little lit.
No, no, I'm good.
I just need a minute.
Hey, Ella.
You don't look so hot.
I'm fine.
Is that?
Is that who?
Drink some water.
You drink water.
Dawoud?
Dawoud? Hold up.
Dawoud?
You've been out for a minute.
You're safe now.
You always overdo it this much?
I'm actually glad I bumped into you.
I've been meaning to say a few things.
You've been meaning to say
What?
You just said now...
you've been meaning to say...
Oh, yes.
Not with Lerato.
Don't do that.
Not unless you love her.
Oh.
By all means, go for it.
Open the baby making-factory for all I care.
Lerato told me she gave you a hard time.
She was just ragging you.
But I actually think you have a better chance with her than I do.
It's my cheekbones.
You're really out of it.
How much have you had?
Three.
No wait. Two.
Two shots.
Just two shots?
And did you,
I don't know... take anything else?
Yeah, I took a bus.
And a long ass-walk, just so I could tell you I love you.
Okay.
I want you to stay here, okay?
I'm just gonns go call someone to come have a look at you.
Don't move.
Hey, you feeling okay?
What is with you?
What?
You've already messed things up with Dawoud once.
Now when he comes back and he sees you here...
what's he going to say?
Noko, wait!
Noko, please.
Leave me alone.
Hey!
Noko! Noko!
Whooo!
Yeah, she was here. She was right there.
I'll go look for her.
Check that side. I'll go this way.
Leave him alone!
Shit. Stop! Stop it!
Ella!
Greta, no!
- Ella's been kidnapped. - What?
I don't care what you do...
or how you go about it.
I just want my son home.
Um. I'm not sure.
Cops are all over this matter.
The bug in his study has come in handy.
He's made a few calls trying to keep the local authorities at bay.
So this isn't random at all.
Let's not assume the worst, Chief
comes.