Our Kind of People (TV Series)

Kiss It Up to God (2022)

Morris Chestnut: Raymond Dupont

Quotes 

• Raymond Dupont : You remember what we used to tell the twins when they were babies? They would drop a snack on the floor and they just sat there and they would cry and cry and cry and cry.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : Pick it up and "kiss it up to God."

  Raymond Dupont : That's right. If you pick up your mistake fast enough, you hold it up to the sky, all the bad will be undone.

• Teddy Franklin : Angela and I have made a deal that benefits both of us. As for Leah, we're holding a press conference this morning which is bound to lift her spirits. Franklin Holdings is announcing that we are back in the black.

  Raymond Dupont : Congratulations, Teddy.

  Teddy Franklin : Thank you. We're also announcing that Franklin Holdings has permanently acquired Darmon Foods.

  Raymond Dupont : You senile now, too, Teddy?

  Teddy Franklin : Clear enough to know it's a bad day to be Raymond Dupont. I've recently hired a private investigator to look into Jack's "accidental" death. Now, he informed me that Jack was seen giving the key card to his room The room where he was found dead To Leah. You put my daughter in the position where she was seeking comfort outside of her marriage, which is further proof that you are undeserving of her and unfit to step in as patriarch.

  Raymond Dupont : Right, I-I see, because the man who cheated on his wife and had an illegitimate child, who he's also running out of town - That man, he's fit.

  Teddy Franklin : Mm-hmm. I haven't, as of yet, spoken to the police, as you had the case closed so quickly, but my PI also told me that a few members saw you enter Jack's room the day of his death. Now, I'm sure the police would find that very interesting. And despite any previous misconceptions, I am taking back Mr. Harmon's shares. So, as I said, bad day to be Raymond Dupont.

• Leah Franklin-Dupont : Thanks for coming over and for coming to the funeral.

  Raymond Dupont : I wanted to be there for you, and I was hoping we could talk.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : Yeah, of course, but first, I have a surprise for you. Thank you, everyone, for making the time for this emergency meeting of the Graceties.

  Olivia Dupont : What is this?

  [SIGHS] 

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : The other day, I made an error in judgment when I cast a down vote for Angela Vaughn's membership. This summer, Angela has brought a fresh perspective to our group. I mean, from the very beginning, she showed her value when she saved our fashion show. I mean, many of our alumni are very impressed with her tenacity.

  Olivia Dupont : You called us all together for this? According to the bylaws, the only way to revisit a down vote is if the senior member of the chapter grants an exception. I am the senior member of the chapter.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : Which is why you are here so that we can discuss...

  Olivia Dupont : Madame President...

  Raymond Dupont : No, no, no, no. Come on, come on.

  Olivia Dupont : You keep spitting in the face of well-worn tradition Allowing girls to escort girls to the Cotillion. And now you're trying to shoehorn your candidate into the club to suit your own whims.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : This isn't about whims. It's about what's right.

  Olivia Dupont : Alright, a few of us have been talking, and we realize that you are understandably emotional. But we also realize that it is clearly affecting your leadership. If you don't think that you can uphold the rules of this chapter as its president, then perhaps you'd like to take a seat and hand over the biggest event of the summer to someone we can trust.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : Those rules are antiquated and you know it.

  Olivia Dupont : Your mother believed in those rules, and I am not going to dance on my friend Rose's grave and change them now.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : Keep my mother's name out of your mouth. Olivia, try me!... No, she she is. She is a spiteful old bitch.

  Raymond Dupont : This is your grief talking, okay? I've been there. I've lived it. You can throw this Ball in your sleep, and I'll help you. But right now, just chill and do what you do best.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : For those of you who are in doubt, let me make this very clear I will not be "taking a seat. " I'm the president of this chapter, and this Grand Illumination Ball's gonna be the best one ever For my mother, for her legacy. So dress to impress, ladies, because the bar just got real high. Meeting adjourned.

• Leah Franklin-Dupont : Now they're lying to each other? I mean, why does this keep happening?

  Raymond Dupont : Okay, Leah, I need you to listen to me and finally hear me, okay? This is your father's influence. Despite what we teach, our kids have learned to play chess and deal in the gray. He drills it into them like he's drilled it into you. This might cost a lot, but you're right. This dysfunction has to stop. The only way to beat my father is to take away the thing he values most His legacy. I just hope it's not too late to kiss our whole family up to God.

• Teddy Franklin : Why were you and Louis fighting? Because I know you signed a big real estate deal that summer in Edgartown that put "The Teddy Franklin" on the map. That deal was dirty, wasn't it? Were you undervaluing the properties of poor Black folks like you are now? Daddy, is that what he confronted you about?

  Teddy Franklin : Leah

  Raymond Dupont : All summer, you've gone through great lengths to secure your legacy by setting me up for the fall. That ends tonight.

  Leah Franklin-Dupont : Daddy, your behavior then and now is abysmal. And I am who I am, but your arrogance is setting a bad example for the kids. I mean, I see how it affects them. So I want you out of this house and Franklin Holdings tonight.