5/9/2025 Kick Recap - "The Next Lesson"
Arush calls to meet Lang shortly, Lang returns to the Rooster's Rest. He gives Saab grief for planning a terrible event, and heads out to meet Arush. Arush tells Lang that Zeek and Jonah were scoping out the food stall expirations, so last night Zeek got the noodle shop booth. Arush asks Lang for a plan, open to Lang selling it back for a profit they can split. Lang returns to the Rest to catch up with CJ, but calls back instead. Saab tells Lang that Clark won a 3 leg parlay, they go over the details to confirm that it's true. Lang and CJ catch up about the North, CJ is ready for the next lesson.
Lang takes CJ up to the cliffs of the Nudist Camp and hears her read the first lesson book out loud. CJ hands over her single written truth: "I control my actions, emotions, and impulses". He jokes that it sounds like 3 truths, which she tries to elaborate on for clarity. CJ spent a lot of time observing, being non-reactive, and detailed the example of Hades breaking up as the perfect showcase of being separate from the drama. CJ thinks that everyone is always provoking each other, noticing it between different groups and people. She used her calmness as a defense, empowering her decisions going forward. Lang gives her the next lesson. CJ reads the book outloud, uncovering more history about Wu Buddha. This lesson is about infiltrating organizations without their notice, while taking on an entirely new identity (disguises). Lang steers her towards Nu Epsilon since they've experienced it a bit so far, and are looking to gain more information from the inside.
Lang and CJ return the lesson books to the Rest, heading to Cypress to join the crew. Clark calls to congratulate Lang on "North Noodles", Lang asks if there was money in the stall's bank account, but they have to check. Lang calls Zeek to check, but Zeek claims there wasn't any money in the stall. Lang and CJ join the North while they're running moonshine. They argue about Blade (Dante) working for them while he has memory issues. Bazim calls to get the food stall back, Lang considers the idea but would prefer to shop it around. Future calls, Lang entertains his perspective, surprised to hear Future so calmly. Clark calls to chat, Lang meets him in the water tower.
Clark gives Lang new information: Edgar tried to throw him under the bus to the Faceless, and that there will be a new transportation job for USB keys. Lang is interested to hear about Edgar and Clark's conflict, but doesn't express it much. Clark is confident that he'll be able to handle the job, referencing "Dark Stone" during their discussion. Lang thanks Clark for the help, alluding to their talk being quite valuable.
Lang joins the North who found a bank truck, following them up the Vinewood hills as another gang stalks them. They take the truck to Fort Zancudo, the shoot out begins, Lang goes down. The police and EMS arrive on scene, gathering the bodies and getting the details sorted out. Lang is taken to the hospital, after being helped on his feet the police release him. Lang calls CJ concerned with how she handled the fight, he explains that she should care a little more to give the impression that they're still in a gang. Before getting picked up, Lang passes by the cops in the hospital who still have Jonah for questioning. He asks them why they watch and wait for fights to end instead of preventing them, but leaves unhappy with their answers.
Lang and CJ stop by prison to talk to Saab, Saab crashes out about the group not listening to their commands during the fight. Jonah talks back, Lang makes Saab slap Jonah for the disrespect. Saab wants to plan better and communicate as a team next time. Lang and CJ drive around, they crash into a stranger and Lang threatens him. They spot someone that looks just like CJ, Lang calls Eliza to meet.
