This is it. This is all you brought. Mama, don’t even waste your breath. Look at all the hours she spends here playing with Clay.

After everything we’ve done for you, this is what you have to show for it.

Maybe the Clay will start paying rent, too. Honestly, I don’t know why you keep encouraging her.

Because one day she’ll wake up and realize this nonsense isn’t a future. A future?

This a joke? A very expensive joke. You hear that, Rose? She’s hearing us. She’s just pretending not to.

Always stubborn. Always acting like she’s suffering more than everybody else. Jason. Sister, you look tired.

Are you sleeping properly? You called me four times before 6:00 in the morning.

Jason, what do you want? I need a small thing. My final year architecture project.

The materials alone, the 3D models, the presentation boards. You know how competitive my cohort is.

How much? 350,000 NRA. Say that number again, Rose. This is my career. This is my future.

If I don’t present something extraordinary, I won’t get the placement I’ve been working toward.

350 is nothing compared to what this degree will earn. 350,000 NRA is not nothing, especially not to me.

You just completed that hotel commission. I saw the amount Zara posted on the studio page.

Is a kill more important than your brother’s degree? That money is already allocated. Equipment repairs, new kiln elements, supplier payments.

I’ve been deferring for 2 months. So, your equipment is more important than my education.

Jason, I’ll transfer what I can by Friday. Not 350, maybe 180. The rest you have to find.

You are the best sister in the world. I mean that. I know you do.

You gave him the money. I’m going to give him what I can manage. Rose, it’s his final year.

It was also his final year last year when his laptop got stolen and the year before when he needed the study trip to Acra that somehow included a beach resort.

Austin, he’s my brother and you are my partner. I watch you work 16-hour days and I watch you give away the result of those days to people who never once asked how you are first.

When did Jason last call just to talk, not to ask for something, just to talk?

He called on my birthday. Did he? Or did he call the day after your birthday when Gloria reminded him?

My father worked two jobs for 15 years so that we would have options he never had.

When he died, he looked at me and said, “Rose, carry them gently. I can’t undo that instruction, Austin.

It lives in me.” I know, and I love you for it, but your father also said, “Gently, not until you break.”

I’m fine. You always say that, Rose, add another play setting. Your brother’s friend is coming.

Which friend? Kayla. Such a sweet girl. Very sharp. She’s doing her masters in finance.

Oh, Kayla. I see. When did this start? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone, Jason.

Jason, put that phone away. A few months. And you didn’t mention her? I’m mentioning her now.

Gloria, this house is beautiful. No wonder Jason talks about it so much. Come, come.

You are welcome. Sit anywhere you like. You must be Rose. I’ve heard so much about you.

Jason showed me the piece you made for that Abuja hotel. I literally stopped walking when I saw the photo.

I didn’t know Nigerian ceramics could look like that. Thank you. I was going to reach out.

A contact is opening a members club in Victoria Island. He’s looking for signature art installations.

A members club? That sounds interesting. It’s very high-end. I can connect you. That’s a significant commission.

If it’s the kind of space you’re describing, it is. I’ll send you his details this week.

I’d appreciate that. The cross contacted us again about the group exhibition. They want six pieces minimum.

Deadline is 10 weeks. Which cross? Dr. Fabian Cross. The cross gallery. He’s been following your page for a while and apparently saw the hotel commission write up in that architecture magazine.

He reached out through the formal channel this time. The Cross Gallery is Londonbased, Lagos based now.

He relocated 6 months ago. Opened a space in Ecoy. Rose, this is not a small thing.

The Cross Gallery has launched four artists who are now in international collections. It’s a big step.

You should do it. Ma, nobody asked you, Tyler. I know, but you should still do it.

The Abuja project is moving to the next phase. I need my lead structural engineer.

You know, I don’t trust anyone else on something this scale. Derek, we’ve been through this.

I have my own firm now. I can’t just I’m not asking you to close your firm.

I’m asking you to lead the structural consultation for 18 months. The contract value alone would change your entire financial position.

You know that it’s in Abuja. Yes. Rose is here. Her studio is here. Her life is here.

Has she ever considered expanding? Legos to Abuja isn’t the moon, Austin. It’s not about distance.

It’s about protecting what matters. She’s in the middle of the most important career moment she’s ever had.

A gallery curator is interested in her work. She’s potentially on the edge of something real.

This is not the moment I ask her to. I’m not asking her. I’m asking you think about it properly.

Don’t let sentiment make your professional decisions for you. Rose is not sentiment. I know that.

But the offer has a deadline, Austin. 3 weeks. There’s Jolof on the stove.

I ate. Derek offered me the Abuja contract. The one he’s been dangling for 2 years.

Yes. And I haven’t decided anything. I wanted to talk to you first. That’s why I’m telling you.

How long would you be in Abuja? 18 months, possibly 24. That’s not a short trip.

That’s a life rearrangement. I know. And Dr. Cross reached out today formally. Six pieces, 10 weeks, potential representation.

This is the first time in 5 years that my work might actually reach beyond this city.

And you want I said I haven’t decided. I said I wanted to talk to you.

You wouldn’t be telling me if some part of you wasn’t already leaning toward yes.

I’m not going to tell you no. It’s your career. But I need you to think about what 18 months of distance does to what we’re building.

I’m thinking about it. Good. Thank you for coming in person. The work I’ve seen in photographs doesn’t prepare you for what it communicates in a room.

I wanted to tell you that directly. You’re very kind. I liked your email.

It was clear and detailed. Most people aren’t that specific. I believe an artist’s time is valuable.

Please have a seat. Thank you, Dr. Cross. It’s a beautiful space. I want to be transparent with you.

The Cross Gallery is selective. We represent eight artists currently. Four are based in Nigeria.

When I take on someone new, it’s because I believe their work is already saying something important, and my job is simply to make sure the right people hear it.

Not to change their voice, but to amplify it. What specifically drew you to my work?

The Aluko piece. It’s a large ceramic artwork showing how cassava is turned into food.

At first, it looks like a cultural piece, but it’s really about the hardworking people behind the process.

That’s incredible. It highlights people society often overlooks without being too direct about it. That’s very difficult to do well.

Most people who’ve written about that piece described it as beautiful African art. The deadline for this exhibition is very tight.

It is. I’m not going to pretend it isn’t, but it’s a real opportunity. A collector from Berlin will be at the opening.

She has helped several artists grow their careers. I’m not telling you this to pressure you.

I just want you to know what’s possible if you say yes. If I work with your gallery, will I still be free to create what I want?

Yes. You will have complete creative freedom. I’ll give you an answer by end of week.

I look forward to it. And for what it’s worth, I’ve seen a great deal of ceramics work across three continents.

What you do is not common. Enjoy the rest of your day. Tell me everything from the beginning.

What did he look like? What did he say? How did the space feel? Start talking.

He’s serious. Genuinely serious about the work. He understood the Aluko piece in a way that even I was surprised by.

Rose, he’s good, Nina. His intentions seem clean and the terms fair. Better than fair, actually.

I’ll have someone look at the contract, but from what I’ve seen so far, it seems very fair to the artist.

So, you’re saying yes? I’m saying I’m very close to yes. I’ve worked for 4 years to make this happen.

I believe in your talent. Please don’t say no. Lina, I will physically stop you.

Austin might be going to Abuja. For how long? A year and a half, maybe 2 years.

Does he want to go? I think he wants the project. I think he wants to prove something to himself through it, which I understand.

I do. But but the timing feels wrong. I’m about to take the biggest creative risk of my life.

And the person who is supposed to be in the corner with me is thinking about leaving the room.

Have you told him that? I haven’t told him how I feel about it.

Rose, you need to tell him how you feel. I know. You don’t need to manage or try to be reasonable.

I know. Jason tells me you’re doing a big exhibition. I haven’t confirmed it yet, but it’s a possibility.

That’s wonderful. H you know, Kayla seems very serious about your brother. She came again last Tuesday.

Brought food. Ma, I need to ask you something. Ask? Do you know where Jason is getting money from?

For clothes. For going out. I gave him 180 for his project, but the things I’m seeing him wear are not from 180.

He has a small side business buying and selling electronics. Since when? A few months now.

What exactly are you suggesting about your brother? I’m not suggesting anything. I’m asking.

Jason is fine. He’s finding his feet. Not every young person has a readym made talent like yours.

Some people need a little more time, a little more support. I understand, Gloria. I’m just asking.

But how much support is he getting that I don’t know about? I gave him a small amount from my savings.

He said he needed it for a business opportunity. And I How much, Rose?

How much, Ma? 200,000. Ma, that’s your pension savings. He’s my son and I can give him whatever pleases me.

What exactly is this business? He explained it to me. I wrote down the name.

Mom, if you wrote down the name and you’re still not sure what it is, that’s not a business.

That’s a story. Rose, don’t talk about your brother. Like, I’m talking about your money, your security, the money papa walked his whole body to leave you.

He’s my child. Please let him be. I know he’s your child, but someone needs to look into what Jason is doing.

You are too hard on him. You have always been too hard on him.

No, we have been too soft on him. Where are you going to find Jason?

[laughter] Rose, what are you doing here? Outside now. Rose, wait. Let’s talk.

Where is mom’s 200,000 naira? What a yo. Don’t. We are past that. Where is the money?

I invested it. The returns are coming. It’s legitimate. Legitimate? Don’t lie to me. I was there the night papa died and he cried and asked me to take good care of you.

So, please don’t perform for me. Where did you put the money? I lost it.

How? A scheme. Kayla introduced me to a contact. She said, “Kayla, it looked real, Rose.

It had a website and presentations.” And it was an investment scam, and you put Gloria’s pension into it.

I was trying to make something happen for myself. I’m tired of needing things from people.

And in trying to get yourself out of asking for things, you took from the one person in this family with less than nothing to spare.

What about Kayla? Does she know? She introduced me to the contact. She said she was trying to help.

Or she was using you to get to Gloria’s money. Which of you brought the actual funds to this contact?

Go home. We’ll figure out what can be recovered. But go home, Jason. And for the first time in your life, sit with what you’ve done without running from it.

Rose, I need to tell you something too about Abuja. What about it? Derek moved the deadline.

He needs an answer by Friday. I’ve been offered the lead structural role, 18 months minimum.

The contract value alone would clear my firm’s debt and set us up for the next 5 years.

I see you came home already knowing what you want to do. I came home knowing I had to tell you first.

That’s not the same thing. I called Derek this morning. I said yes. When do you leave?

3 weeks. Rose, I know. I know why you said yes. I understand the numbers.

I have to go to Abuja. I will fix this. I promise you. Go.

Just go. I need you to be here. Where is Gloria’s 200,000 naira? Jason Rose, come on.

I’m in the middle of You are not in the middle of anything more important than this conversation.

Where is the money? I’m handling it. There’s a deal closing at the end of the month.

Which deal with Kayla’s contact? The same contact who already disappeared with mom’s money. You always do this.

You always come button to things that shouldn’t concern you. Do not make this about me, Jason.

I’m 24 years old. I don’t need you to come to my social life and stand at the door like Jason.

That’s mom’s livelihood. The money papa left her. I’m going to fix it. How?

With what? By when? I said I’m going to fix it. Rose doesn’t understand this world.

She makes pots, Kayla. She has never operated at the level we’re talking about.

She’s just too scared to face life. The new contact, the one in Port High Court.

Is it solid? It’s solid. Better than the last one. Higher return, shorter cycle.

Mom, I need something small just to bridge until the Port Hakod deal closes.

2 weeks maximum. Jason Rose said Rose is not my mother. You are my mother and I’m asking you, not her.

Papa would have believed in me. This is the last of what I have set aside.

I need you to understand that, Jason. This is the last two weeks. Two weeks.

Rose, I need some money. You know, the doctor asked me to rest my back pain.

At least 3 months. What about your pension contribution? I don’t have any left.

Please send the money immediately. Ma, I am in the middle of the biggest commission of my life.

Austin is in Abuja. I cannot. So, you’re saying you’ll leave your own mother to struggle?

I just need to know how much. 30,000 a month. Just until my back improves.

Sent. Rose. I’m looking at the studio accounts right now. I know you sent 30,000 to Gloria last week and 40,000 the week before to Jason for what is this for?

He said it was for his project. Rose, you have the Dr. Cross deadline in 7 weeks.

You need K elements. You need new clay stock. If you keep sending this money out, I’ll manage.

You always say that. It’s not a big deal, Nina. How are you, Rose? I’ve missed you and everyone.

I’m doing fine, Austin. Everyone is okay. Are you eating, sleeping? I’m fine. The project has hit a delay.

The client is reviewing the structural plans. It could push the first payment to six, maybe 8 weeks time.

It’s all right, Austin. I know. I’m sorry. Rose, how is the studio? How are the pieces coming?

They’re coming. Rose, I’m fine. Austin, just get paid and come home. Rose, I need your help.

I’m in trouble. Jason, I can’t. Please, Rose, just this once. No, I’m done rescuing you.

The Sangotto deal fell through. The contact disappeared with the funds. I told you. I need you to lend me something to replace it while I figure out.

No, Rose. No, Jason. I have nothing to lend. I am sending Gloria 30,000 every month.

I am running a studio on a budget that was already thin before Austin left.

The answer is no. You know what? You have become very selfish since you started doing all this gallery business.

This family made sacrifices for you too. Name one. Forget it. You are on your own.

Rose, I need the money before the end of the week this time. Not the fest of next month.

The electricity bill. Gloria. I’m in the middle of You are always in the middle of something.

Is this studio more important than your own family? Please lower your voice. Tyler is Let him hear.

Maybe someone will remind you what it means to take care of the people who raised you.

And the amount went up 40 this month. My water heater. Miss Okonquo, the opening has been moved forward.

Ingred Mueller is only available for a specific window. I need all eight pieces confirmed and ready for installation in 4 weeks.

4 weeks. I know it’s tighter than agreed. I am sorry for the pressure this creates.

Is it possible? Yes, it’s possible.