The character of Chicken (One of Hakeem's entourage) is played by AzMarie Livingston.

Back over at Empire, Jamal heads to his office. Becky was waiting for him in the waiting area along with Chicken; a.k.a. Hakeem's sidekick.

"Hey girl, wassup," asked Jamal, rhetorically. He knew that when Becky personally waits for him, there tends to be a flake out on business.

"Boy, you know how it is," said Becky. "Hakeem and Andre are going to be a little for our big meeting."

"Yeah, what else is new," said Jamal. "By the time this company tanks completely here they come accusing me."

"I told you, they shouldn't be trusted," said Becky. "Cause you don't know what they up to, because you can't watch them 24/7."

"I know," said Jamal desperately. "But they're my brothers we're blood for life."

"Well, there's gonna be bloodshed, when they stab you in the back," said Becky. "You might want to do something quick. Just saying."

"I'll take that into consideration," said Jamal, as he turns to chicken. "Can I help you?"

"Ay, bro," said chicken. "I was wondering if I can holler at you for a second."

"Just be mindful of your time honey," said Becky. "He has a meeting to attend to in 25."

"Oh, no worries man," said Cookie. "I won't keep him long, I promise."

"I'm all set," said Jamal to Becky. "I'll see you in a few."

Becky smiled and walks out to the hall. Jamal gestures Chicken to follow him to his office.

"Come on in," said Jamal, leading him to a chair in front of his desk. "Make yourself comfortable...well for only five minutes."

"It's all good," said Chicken. "Your office is way to fancy for me to take over."

Both Jamal and Chicken laughs briefly.

"So, what can I do for you?" asked Jamal, studying chicken like she was an open book.

"Okay, I know this is weird coming for me," Chicken continues. "But I really need some advice.

"Some advice," said Jamal. "On what?"

"On...having the courage to come out," Chicken, blurted out.

Jamal studied her for a second, then smiled.

"I see," said Jamal, taking his seat.

"You see, I wanted to come out for months," Chicken said serious. "But as always, I'm holding back."

"And why is that? asked Jamal. "If you don't mind me asking."

"Well," said Chicken. "It's for a lot of reasons. When I told my parents...they disowned me. "Now, I'm out here on the streets, sometimes bouncing from couch to couch."

Jamal nods to her knowingly.

"Trust me bro," said Chicken. "I don't wear my heart on my sleeve. The streets out there are not always safe, especially when your a lesbian."

"But what about Hakeem, and the rest of the crew," said Jamal. "Do they know about your current situation?"

"They know about me being homeless," said Chicken. "But they don't know the other stuff."

"Oh," said Jamal. "Well, I know stuff like this can be very tough to keep under the radar."

"Yeah," said Cookie. "But it gets even more complicated than that."

"What do you mean?" Jamal suddenly asks.

"The thing is bro, is that they think that I'm a man," said Chicken, with a chuckle.

"What?!" asked Jamal, in a little shock.

"I'm serious dude," said Chicken. "They don't suspect that I'm a female."

"Not even Hakeem?" asked Jamal. "Wait, why am I even surprised about that."

"Beats me," said Chicken. "But I see that it's obvious you knew."

"C'mon," Jamal jokes. "Every gay man in this world knows their lesbians."

"True that," said Chicken.

Jamal briefly figits with a pen that was on his desk.

"I kind of went through the same thing months ago," said Jamal. "Not only was I afraid of loosing my fans, but being more than an outcast than I originally was. But then I decided that I really didn't care what other people think."

"But Hakeem always said that you were fearless," said Chicken. "That you won't back down for nothing."

"But he doesn't know that being fearless is hard work," Jamal said confidently.

"You seem like a hard ass worker to me," Chicken chuckled.

"Thanks," said Jamal, with a smile. "Look, what's really important is that you know when the timing is right. It doesn't have to be today or tomorrow, or even next month. Just do what feels right for you."

"You make sound like it's that easy, dude," said Chicken. "I don't have much of a thick skin."

"Well, I'm gonna have to be honest with you kid," said Jamal boldly. "It's easier said than done, but don't worry you got some thick skin. Probably more than you imagine. All you have to do is to have confidence in yourself."

"Man, you're right," said Chicken. "Yo, how come you're not some doctor, or shrink or something?"

"Maybe that's not my life path bro," said Jamal.

"Shoot, if I was you, I would be out there helping people, and changing their lives than to be stuck here running a company with people that don't give a damn about you."

"Look, I know where you are coming from," said Jamal. "But this company is my parents dream, and it's up to me to try to keep it afloat."

"My heart go out to you man," said Chicken, as she gets up to leave.

"Hey," said Jamal, as Chicken turns to him. "I will keep you updated on some resources that will guide you though the community. You know like clinics and drop in centers, all the help you need bro."

"Good looks," said Chicken with a bright smile. The two of them do their little handshake. "Later man."

"Later," said Jamal.

Moments later after Jamal sits back in his chair and smiles to himself.

Back at the jail cell Lucious gave Ryan one of his meanest scowl. If only he wasn't behind bars. He would beat him into pulp within seconds.

"You!" Lucious, seaths. "It's was you all along."

"I would control your temper if I were you, ," said Ryan. "I wouldn't want you to have high blood pressure."

"I DON'T GIVE A DAMN!" boomed Lucious, as he bangs on the bars towards Ryan, who chuckles at him unafraid. "YOU SON OF A BITCH!"

"I'm really enjoying this dark side of yours," said Ryan slyly. "Especially those that love to stir around in their evil tirades."

Lucious bangs hard on the bars once more.

"Hey!" said a guard rushing over to where Lucious was, he took out his tazer. "Knock it off or I'll show you're punk ass what to scream about!"

"Looks like you got to what he says," said Ryan. "It would be a shame to see you get..Fried to death.

And if you're looking for me to blame, then you are wasting your time. Because if it was up to me, you wouldn't been able to make it to go to jail. You would be long dead."

The guard backs up a little bit. Lucious reflects for a minute, then smiles back at Ryan.

"And you're little narrow ass would be stuck in here instead," Lucious said. "And probably a bit more miserable than me."

"And what kind of fun would that be?" asked Ryan, rhetorically. "Besides that would be too easy, I like this scenario much better. I want to make sure that you suffer as much as you made me suffer."

"Me?" asked Lucious, trying to understand. "Wait hold up! What the hell are you talking about, man?"

Ryan then took out a picture from his wallet and hands it to Lucious, who reluctantly takes it. All of a sudden his eyes widens as he looks back at Ryan.

Lucious recognizes the guy in the picture right away. He was a black man, who looked like he was in his thirties, he had an afro and a beard. He was also wearing stylish clothing.

"Looks familiar doesn't it," asked Ryan, with an attitude.

"This man...I," Lucious was lost for words.

"Was my father!" Ryan almost boomed. "And you killed him...right in front of me."

Light tears start to fill Ryan's eyes as he swips the picture back from Lucious through the bars. Lucious briefly glances at Ryan and looks away.

"You two seem like you were close," Lucious said, a little softer.

"No kidding!" snapped Ryan. "He was my hero, he was the the only person that I ever looked up to. A true role model at heart. And you took him away from me!"

Lucious slowly shakes his head as a paces a little.

"Just tell me...How the hell do you sleep at night? I just don't understand."

"Look, it was nothing personal," said Lucious, clearly. "I had to do what I have to do to protect my family."

"That was no excuse!" said Ryan, seriously. "You should've used another approach to the situation!"

"There is no other approach when it comes to the streets, my brother!" exclaimed Lucious. "It's a dog eat dog world out there, either you kill and be killed!"

"Oh, that's such bullsh-," Ryan blurted.

"Or maybe you was so young to just learn the message," Lucious, tries to lesson the blow. "I'm sorry that I sound so nonchalant, but it is what it is! Maybe I'm wrong, but I can't go back in time to bring your father back. It's just done."

Ryan studied Lucious for a brief second and scoffs.

"Yeah, it is done," said Ryan. "And so are you. By the time the justice system is done with you, you will be one spineless soul."

"I wouldn't count on supporting that legal system, my brother," said Lucious, slyly. "Besides, I'm Lucious Lyon, I always get away with everything...Even murder."

Ryan smiles as he once again move closer to the bars.

"Not this time, partner," said Ryan. "I really don't see you getting out of here anytime soon."

"You better watch yourself, little fairy boy," sneered Lucious. "You're just sound tough because you're on the other side of these bars. Now, I advise you to smarten up and stay out of my way! You daddy would be proud."

Ryan briefly grinned and did a big scowl.

"If I were you, I would lay off the wise ass jokes," said Ryan. "Trust me, you really don't want to screw with me, I have a lot of connections outside this place. More than you imagine."

Lucious grunted like he was a doberman waiting for his meal.

"Now, if you excuse me," Ryan continues. "I'm got to get ready for my date tonight with Jamal."

"You stay the hell away from my son!" snapped Lucious. "Or I will hound your ass."

"Later Mr. Lyon," Ryan scoffed as he heads to where the guard is to let him out.

"You stay away from him!" scowled Lucious. "I'll kill you!"

"Hey! Shut your mouth punk!" said the guard.

The person in the jail cell sitting across from Lucious snickers. Lucious shot him a vicious stare.

"The hell you laughing at, bitch!" snapped Lucious.

Meanwhile, once again back at Empire, Jamal had just finished up his meeting and was heading to the break room. When he got there, Andre and Hakeem was waiting for him.

"Any word on how pops is doing?" asked Hakeem, almost nonchalantly.

"He's going to be fine," said Jamal. "He was calmed down a little bit over the past few hours. You know how stubborn he is. They said that his arraignment is on Monday."

"That is if he lasts long," said Andre smugly.

"I see you two still have differences with him now," said Jamal, eyeballing them both.

"Of course we do man!" said Hakeem. "He's dead to us."

"But I see you and dad have been joining forces a lot," said Andre, studying Jamal carefully. "Ever since you took over the company."

"Indeed we have," said Jamal.

"I got to say," said Andre. "I thought it was all a big joke, but looks like everything around here is turning out better than I thought. "I'm impressed."

"Why thank you," said Jamal. "It's about time that I got some respect from my two loyal brothers."

"You know we got your back, man," said Hakeem. "It's just that, I worked and fought so damn hard for this company you know...And to find out that I'm not going to have it. It's just rough."

"I know it is," said Jamal. "But really, you guys, I know how important this is for all of us. That's why I'm working hard to include you all in everything I do. We're family and I want to keep everything positive."

"Well, I got to give you credit on that," said Andre.

"Yeah, me too," said Hakeem.

"But we need to look at this in a logical way," said Andre. "We are already on dad's 'sh' list."

"He probably thinks that the both of us snitched on him," said Hakeem. "But we all know that it was mom all along."

"That was kind of devious of her," lied Jamal. "but the question is, how did she pull it off?"s

"You know mom's record is not squeeky clean," said Andre. I mean c'mon knowing the way she is, you couldn't tell me that she raises suspicion. She created part of this company too, she could've wanted revenge for dad kicking her out of Empire."

"Because she was with that Malcolm dude in the mountains," said Hakeem with a huff. "It certainly didn't take her long to move on."

"But they are not together," said Jamal.

"Or, they want us to think that they are not together," said Andre. "But teamed up to take dad down because she ran out of options."

"Yeah, I agree," said Hakeem.

Then Hakeem's phone beeped indicating that there is a text message. It was from Anika.

"Aww man," said Hakeem. "I forgot I have to be at this studio, uptown in Harlem."

"Duty calls with Anika?" Jamal said rhetorically.

"It's nothing personal, bro," said Hakeem, coming over and patting him on the back. "But it has to be done."

"My little bro's all grown up," said Jamal, side hugging him.

"You know it," said Hakeem, as he turns to Andre. "Now, are you still gonna drop me off? Or do I have to steal those keys while your back's turned?"

"If you really want your arms chopped off with my machete, then you be my guest," said Andre.

Jamal shaked his head as he and Andre do there little handshake.

"Later, Mr. Empire," said Andre. "Keep up the good work."

Then the two of them left the breakroom as Becky came in swiftly past them.

She sat at the table and pulled out a big bucket of fried chicken. Jamal goes to the fridge and takes out a drink. He goes back to lean on the counter

"Okay, did I just witnessed the three of you having a bonding moment?" asked Becky, taking a bite of chicken.

"Girl, I tell you," said Jamal. "I must be dreaming