[Luke's been thrown in solitary after Shades and Comanche are sent to rough him up]
RRackham
Well, you're a hell of a fighter, Lucas. You learn that in the military or during your police training? Hmm? How'd you like to live like a king using them fists of yours? We got some bad boys who's pretty good with their hands. And they making money in here. Good-ass money. I want you to get in on this. Believe it or not, it'll benefit both of us. And I get a little extra coin. And you... If you survive get to be your own man. Untouched, extra rations, maybe a conjugal or two, hmm? It's a good offer, convict.
Slavery was always a good offer to a master.
[to Dan] Hey, what was Mike Tyson like?
BFBobby Fish
[chuckles] I know you're sick of telling that story. He whooped Mitch Green fine, didn't he?
DDDapper Dan
Mike Tyson is a real nice guy.
Yeah, well there was beauty in that beast. You can't control what people say. Just be the best man that you can be. And always make sure they spell your name right.
There he is. Dishwasher Lazarus. You want your old job back? It costs to be a savior. Ask Jesus.
You started all this. This is me finishing it.
You want Harlem, it's expensive.
I don't want Harlem. I just want you to stop messing with it.
It's my home. You don't know a damn thing about it.
[eulogizing Pop] Henry Hunter was my mentor. An old friend. He taught me streets the hard way. I'll remember the sound of his fists, but that's how he got his name. Pop. But he changed, he evolved. See, Harlem could do that to you. Some people saw war-zone, Pop always saw pasture, a breeding ground for art history, for greatness. From Billy Strayhorn, Teddy Riley, Big L, ASAP Rocky, all those brothers, came from right here. All because of people like Pop. I believe that whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and that's how we have to look at Pop's death. They never caught the shooter, but I have faith that he is right in the depths of Hell. I miss Pop. I promise you with all my might, and even though we are being attacked on all sides by foreign interlopers, strangers with arcane abilities, I promise you I'll stay true to what we have right here. 'Cause that's what Pop would've wanted.
[eulogizing Pop] I asked Pop once why he didn't want people to curse in his shop and why we had to wear these ugly smocks. He said: these kids need to see a man go to work, every day, and be in the presence of men in uniform putting in work. I didn't want to walk in late, but I was trying to do what Pop always did, help those in need and protect them from the forces that would do them harm. At first, it was selfish, because my name was attached to it. Then it got bigger. If we try to protect only ourselves, without looking out for those people closest to us, then we lose. Pop never forgot his people. Where some people saw hard rock kids, he saw precious jewels. He reminded me that diamonds are formed by pressure, covered in dirt, but when you polish them, they shine. Pop saw the shine in everyone that walked in his barbershop, he cut their hair, he listened to their problems, and he made them feel better about the world, themselves. We have to strive on a daily basis to do the same for each other, and sometimes that's gonna mean standing up to a bully, especially if he calls himself a friend. I don't believe in Harlem. I believe in the people who make Harlem what it is.
[Luke listens to Trish Talk on his morning jog]
TWTrish Walker
If you're just joining us, this is Trish Talk and we are discussing the recent events that have the residents of Harlem confused, and some even frightened. Line one, Sophia, you're on the air.
SSophia
Luke Cage is turning the neighborhood upside down and giving it a good shake. Trust me, no one wants to see what falls out.
TTrish
Are you suggesting we turn a blind eye to the problems in our city?
SSophia
No, but I've seen the news. The man is so strong, he doesn't have to answer to anybody. Can you trust a person like that? Let the police do their job, that's what I say.
TTrish
Some would argue the boys in blue don't exactly have a sterling reputation these days.
SSophia
Oh yeah missy? Well the next time trouble comes bangin' at your door, maybe you should call Luke Cage instead of 911!
TTrish
You know what Sophia? I just might. Let's take another caller. Line two, hi Amir.
AAmir
Hey Trish, I want to respond to that lady, 'cause she's got it all wrong. I know Luke, comes into the fish shop, always treats my wife and me with respect. Last week, two kids started a fight, Luke took care of it and nobody got hurt.
TTrish
I think it's noteworthy that the only people I've spoken to who criticize are the ones who don't know him personally. So many others have merely read about him or saw him on the news and jumped to conclusions.
AAmir
Trish, Luke is good people, and he belongs right here in Harlem.
TTrish
And I think it's important for all of us to realize something. We're witnessing a massive shift in the boundaries of possibility, but what is scary to some, inspires hope in others. I for one would like to thank Luke Cage for all the work he's doing in Harlem. Those of us below 110th see the good work he's doing, and we hope he's doing well.
[Claire comes over to Luke and Bobby, who are dining at a table]
Oh, you probably don't remember me, do you? Your girlfriend had me take care of you when you were brought into the hospital. [Luke and Bobby have blank stares] In Hell's Kitchen?
[look of recognition] Hey. [pause] Hey.
[extends hand to Claire] Bobby. Bobby Fish.
[shakes Bobby's hand] I'm sorry. Claire. Very nice to meet you.
Claire, you... you are far too beautiful to ever apologize for anything. You remember that.
[While Misty and her lieutenant are staking out Scarfe's apartment, Perez receives a text from Cottonmouth]
LPLieutenant Perez
Oh, uh... the ex-wife. Took all my money and she still needs the dick.
Glad to see chivalry isn't dead.
Swiss cheese shirt, car bounces off of you, punching through steel and concrete. Just another day, right?
You're safe and your mum's van is insured. That's all that matters to me.
After all that, you can't say you're not special.
I'm still not sure what I am.
You know exactly who you are, and what you need to do.
[chuckles] Pop used to say the same thing you're saying to me. I did right by him. Cottonmouth's in jail, and I'm done.
There's things with your powers you haven't even tested. So many good things that you could still do. Maybe I could help.
Why don't we start by getting some coffee first?
I'm not sleeping with you.
Whoa! Did I say anything about that? Why can't coffee just be coffee?
Okay, you didn't even touch your coffee this morning, you drank the orange juice. You don't drink coffee.
[Luke fights his way into Domingo Colon's gym and finds himself targeted by two henchmen with guns]
I guess you guys haven't heard about me, have you?
DCDomingo Colon
Take him out!
[the henchmen empty their guns at him, but the bullets simply ricochet off and fly into the rest of the gym—leaving Luke still standing in a jacket riddled with bullet holes]
…I'm about sick of always having to buy new clothes.
What did your father say when he saw you?
Nothing. He doesn't know I'm alive. He wouldn't want to see me anyway. I'm his… shame. The last thing my father wanted to do was raise a black criminal. He did everything in his power to give me the kind of life so that wouldn't happen. And yet, I still went to jail.
He didn't see it that way. I tried to explain. I made calls. I sent letters, and he returned every last one of them.
Then why let your father's last memory of you be as a criminal? A dead criminal? I think he'd be very proud to know who you are now. [pause] Anyway, thank you.
I can't imagine there are that many people who know the saga of Luke Cage. It means a lot that you trust me.
I didn't come to Harlem to be a hero, Claire. I came because I needed time to figure shit out.
You're right. I can't keep running. But I want you to know what you're getting into. If Cottonmouth talks, or if anybody connects the dots that Luke Cage is Carl Lucas… I go back to Seagate.
You knew the risks and you did it anyway. That's what makes you a hero.
Maybe I should get a mask after all.
No. Too much in Harlem happens in the shadows. People fear what they can't see. And that's what makes you different. They see you. It makes them trust you.
