Written by Antoinette Johnson

SCENE: HELICOPTER – MID-FLIGHT OVER NEW YORK – NIGHT

Antoinette, heels off, champagne glass in one hand, laptop glowing. The USB she stole from Cody and Huwart is transferring millions.

SCREEN TEXT:

> RLC Holdings Offshore Wallets: Transfer Complete – $14.3M Secured

ANTOINETTE (V.O.)
“While they were chasing ego… I downloaded my legacy.”

Frankie raises his glass to her from across the cabin.

FRANKIE
“You know they gon’ cry when they see them zeros gone.”

ANTOINETTE
(smiling cold)
“They better cry in silence. I left ‘em some dignity… barely.”

—

SCENE: OUTSIDE MOM’S BROWNSTONE – LATE NIGHT

The helicopter drops Antoinette off two blocks from her old stomping ground. She walks alone now, blending in—fur gone, hoodie up, a queen undercover in the city that raised her.

As she walks up to her mama’s stoop, something catches her eye.

A bouquet of black and red roses. A note in handwritten script:

> “Turn around, Queen. I never lost your scent.” — V

She freezes. Slowly turns.

Standing in the glow of the porch light—THE LYRICAL VIPER.

Caramel skin glistening under the moon. Bald head, trimmed beard. Built like a Greek god in an all-black fitted suit. His gold chain barely visible under his open collar.

His eyes? Fire and poetry.

ANTOINETTE
(stunned, breathless)
“Viper?”

LYRICAL VIPER
(smooth)
“Damn, ma… still making bank robberies look sexy.”

They stare for a beat, tension thick, memories flooding.

ANTOINETTE
“I thought you disappeared… off-grid, ghosted me.”

LYRICAL VIPER
“I never left you. I just had to get strong enough to protect you from everything. Now I’m back. And I want in—on you, your empire, and every war coming.”

He takes two steps forward. She doesn’t move.

LYRICAL VIPER (cont’d)
“I heard what you did in Dubai. You move like prophecy. And you always deserved a king who could see your next move before the board even shook.”

ANTOINETTE
(whispers)
“And you think that’s you?”

LYRICAL VIPER
“I know that’s me. Let me show you.”

He gently places his hand on her waist, pulls her in. Their lips meet—passion, hunger, history.

Behind them, the brownstone lights flicker. Even the city can’t take the heat.

ANTOINETTE (V.O.):
“They played checkers… He’s the only one who plays chess like me.”

—

FADE TO BLACK.

TO BE CONTINUED…