Dietland (2018) s01e04 Episode Script
F... This
1 "Previously on Dietland" VERENA: Here is proof that I am for real.
I quit Y.
No, no, no.
You need to stay on your meds.
"Side effects include brain zaps" - What the hell is a brain zap? - Oh! MAN: Somebody in the Austin media family was murdered.
My name is Malleck Ferguson, and I deserve to die.
Are we safe? They're extremists targeting men.
My skin is so soft, hmm? It's very soft.
Plum is one who could go in the wrong direction.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- MAN #2: Open the door, Plum.
[BRITISH WOMAN.]
I really don't think that's necessary, darling.
(TAPPING ON WINDOW) [BOY.]
Hey, Mom! Listen, Tommy's about home, so I should dash, but She said what? (LAUGHS) Brilliant.
Oh, what a sow that woman is.
Well, swing round and get me then, if you're worried.
Half past? [PLUM.]
I used to think of British people as proper Jane Austen, Oxford, "God Save the Queen," right? One look at their daily papers, and all that went out the window.
Legit tittie pics.
As gross as our tabloids are, theirs are worse.
Well, they were, anyway, until Jennifer got to 'em.
[MAN ON TV.]
World Daily Media put out a statement a short time ago.
The allegedly all-female terrorist organization Jennifer claimed credit for the murder of Times senior content editor.
Thomas Gormely.
In seeking the release of Gormely's son, Primstead News has acquiesced to Jennifer's demands which included publishing the manifesto, as well as agreeing to replace the paper's.
Page Three displays of topless women with graphic depictions of men's buttocks and genitalia.
(CLEARS THROAT) The organization then made good on their promise and thankfully released young Paul Gormely unharmed.
[WOMAN ON TV.]
If you're going to categorize this as an act of terror against men, you should use the same designation for the way men have treated women for millennia.
[WOMAN 2.]
Jennifer's actions may have changed [CHERYL.]
Here in the United States, Jennifer has targeted Sound Media Group as well as Hold on.
We're just getting word that In breaking news, I'm told it's Austen Media's turn.
- (PHONE RINGING) - Eladio! (OTHER PHONES RINGING) You'd better check your email.
[CHERYL ON TV.]
We've also learned an ad hoc vigilante network is targeting all progressives named Jennifer.
Jennifer is a popular name, and if it's your name and you work at the ACLU or Planned Parenthood, you're probably getting death threats.
- It happened to our next guest - [CONNIE.]
This is crazy! I don't care if they are rapists murder is murder.
I care if they're rapists.
Honey, you're not a Jennifer sympathizer, are you? No! I just I'm not losing sleep over dead rapists.
- This whole thing is psycho.
- (PHONE BUZZING) [PLUM.]
Verena described her New Baptist Plan like a legit baptism.
She said if I took certain actions, it could be kind of a rebirth.
If a rebirth meant I'd finally fit into that dress, fine.
Have some cheesy eggs.
Your favorite.
Maybe when I was nine.
I'm gonna be late.
Oh, five minutes.
Eat your breakfast.
Mom, I can't.
Sorry.
I'm meeting people.
What people? Calliope House people? Who are these people? Do you really know what they want? You're not worried about some feminist group just handing you a check for $20,000? They're not just handing it to me.
Verena's not a terrorist.
There's no way.
Probably not, but she's not afraid to use tactics on you.
This is not about Jennifer.
This is about money.
Money I'll earn by letting a well-meaning rich lady poke around inside my psyche to make herself feel better.
- It's harmless.
- (PHONE BUZZES) Shit.
I have to go.
I'll be back for dinner.
(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES) [PLUM.]
Phase two of the New Baptist Plan was about to begin.
My guide? The one and only - Marlowe Buchanon.
- Go ahead, say it - I haven't changed a bit.
- (LAUGHTER, APPLAUSE) [PLUM.]
Formerly that girl from that dumb show.
And me.
Meeting my first-ever famous person didn't feel real, more like I'd walked into a show of my life.
OK, I've changed a little.
I'm older Aaah! My hair looks like a gray toothbrush.
Ah, my weight.
Whoo! It's up, it's down.
But other than that, iiiiit's Marlowe! A show starring an older hippie version of an American icon.
Oh, and my theme song's gone.
- [CROWD.]
Aww - Yeah.
Damn thing used to follow me every single time I would walk into a living room.
Oh, and I buried the lede: I'm no longer bangable.
Excuse me?! Well, I'm not.
Which is why I left show business or why show business left me.
We'll call it a draw.
I didn't know the reason, I just missed your show.
(BABY TALK) Well, I went away to Italy on hiatus, and lopped off 20 inches off my Marlowe! hairstyle.
And that was the real killer.
- Yeah.
Short hair.
- (CROWD GROANS) Shut up.
Nobody cares about what you think.
- There's no pleasing them.
- Mm.
OK, your next task.
Becoming bangable.
It is not easy or fun, but it is essential.
I should know.
I literally wrote the book on it.
I-I'm sorry, I don't understand.
I have to have sex with someone? I didn't sign up for that.
(LAUGHING) No, no, no.
It's not about literal banging, silly, and it sure as hell is not about what you want.
It's about what men want.
(CHEERS, APPLAUSE) (PHONE BUZZING) Read this.
It'll explain everything.
[PLUM.]
As surreal as meeting her was, Marlowe was real And she was right in front of me, asking me to step way out of my comfort zone.
Plum, this is homework.
Welcome to the next step in the New Baptist Plan.
You get to spend the next two days with me.
Woulda bought you something, but you know I hate shopping.
Hey.
No, no.
Private sector money now.
(LAUGHS) All right, I'll get the drive over to my guy.
You still looking for the same stuff? Scrubbed files? Yeah, suspect's name is Alicia Kettle.
It's probably nothing, just another employee that fits the profile.
- Got it.
How's the Austen gig? - (PHONE RINGING) Ah, bullshit job, but money's good.
Yeah? Christ.
OK.
Yeah.
- Is it Jennifer? - You don't want to know.
It'll just piss you off.
What, you afraid to tell me, I'm gonna lose it? I thought at least you knew me better than that.
Look, some chick Googled "sex offenders" and found Travis Wiman livin' in her building.
What are you talkin' about? He's at Rikers.
He got out on appeal.
Anyway, she just tried to blow his dick off.
She missed, unfortunately, but I gotta go arrest her.
Be good.
So how'd Wiman get out? A technicality, like always.
Right.
So what, now every scumbag I've ever put away is getting out saying I'm some vigilante cop? The deal was I resign and we put a lid on the story! I didn't say anything.
All right? You know that.
But there are no secrets anymore, not with screen grabs.
And you know, inmates and cops, they gossip like girls.
Look, I gotta head out.
You take care of yourself, Nicky.
I'll tell him it's a rush.
- (TV ON IN BACKGROUND) - (PHONE BUZZES) (BUZZING) Was that somebody special? You had somebody-special face.
- He's good-looking.
- Mm-hmm.
That's probably all it is.
Plum? The point of this Ah, short version Fully experiencing the steps to bangability, truly understanding them.
And pay attention You need to know what it takes and what it takes from you.
(BACKGROUND CHATTER) - (RIPS WAX) - Unhh! - (RIPS) - Ohh! (RIPS) [PLUM.]
I could tell they were talking about me.
She was probably warning Lilianna to stay alert or I'd eat them both.
(CONVERSING IN RUSSIAN) - (RIPS) - (PLUM GASPS) Which is worse, the insult or the injury? [KITTY.]
You're not making Daisy Chain eat this bullet.
What kind of message would it send my girls "When the going gets tough, give in to extremists"? "Take it in the ass"? I reinvented Daisy Chain.
I transformed Austen Media from the typeface up.
You want to print Jennifer's insane demands, do it in Men's Muscle.
- They call it a manifesto.
- Whatever.
You know what I call it? Your.
Problem.
[EXECUTIVE.]
They sent an English publisher's scalp to his wife in a bubble envelope.
[KITTY.]
What does that have to do with you? Were you a friend of his? Are you men or babies? Hmm? (ALL MUTTER) Scared widdle babies.
Daisy Chain's cover will be "Thirty Days to Sexy.
Products for Every Problem.
" End of discussion.
[ELADIO.]
Kitty Montgomery's office.
She wants to schedule a meeting with you for today.
Please return as soon as you get this.
Aren't you gonna call her back? I mean, it's not the cute boy, but still.
Not yet.
I need to be fortified.
- Carbs or protein? - Neither.
I feel dizzy.
I feel like I've been skinned.
You have, honey.
You're an animal without her fur.
And that's what dudes want in a bangable gal, they want the illusion of purity.
Yeah, but it's like they're making me pre-pubescent.
Bingo.
How many women have you done this to? Women do this to themselves every day.
I know, but how many have you taken through this New Baptist Plan? A very select few.
And it's Verena's plan, by the way.
I'm just doing my part.
So, why are you avoiding your boss? She asked me to write an article for publication.
Finally.
Plus size fashion.
But I wrote it when I was coming off of Y and I'm afraid it's a little ethereal.
Y's tough.
Yeah.
You sure it was even in English? Barely.
But I turned it in anyway.
Well, New Baptists face their fears, kid.
- (LINE OUT RINGING) - Kitty Montgomery's office.
- Hey, this is Plum.
- Come in and see Kitty at four.
- (CLICK) - I don't know if I'm available - You've been summoned.
- Yeah.
Kitty wants me in at four.
No.
Verena.
They want you back at the house.
(VERENA GASPS) - Feel different? - Just balder.
Oh, my.
Marlowe does like to throw our girls in the deep end.
Didn't you know what she was gonna make me do? Isn't that your plan? Um, I am the curator of the plan.
What does that even mean? It's a larger discussion.
Did you bring your dress? This is stupid.
I mean, I get it and it's stupid.
Get what, exactly? I really need to say it? You're all trying to get me to understand that becoming thin is becoming bangable, and becoming bangable is like a prison of its own.
Can I graduate now? Um, that's simplifying, but yeah, you're in the ballpark, smarty-pants.
Whatever.
As long as the check clears.
I'm getting my surgery.
(SIGHS) Well, that's up to you.
I'm not gonna try and convince you otherwise.
Besides, I'm too tired.
One hour of sleep last night.
What, are you coming off Y, too? Nope.
Bomb threat.
Nobody slept.
- Here? - Mm-hmm.
- Why? - Why not? It's a radical space for radical women.
People feel threatened by that.
What's so radical about it? Well, real change can't come from inside.
You gotta create a whole new system.
And that's Calliope House.
Did Verena tell you there was a bomb threat at Calliope last night? Yeah, again.
Taxi! Doesn't that seem weird? I mean, they seem harmless, but with everything going on, I can't help but wonder - if Jennifer and Calliope - Are connected? Verena'd get a kick out of that.
Well, don't tell her.
Well, it's not entirely crazy, but Verena and Calliope, there's no way they'd condone any kind of bloodshed.
And you'd know, right? Don't conflate feminism with violence.
It sound very uninformed.
Speaking of violence, how much more torture today? I have to see Kitty in four hours.
No worries.
Only two more appointments today.
- [MAN.]
Hmm.
- Is something wrong? I wouldn't say there's anything wrong, per se, but freezing and plumping help.
- Help what? - [MARLOWE.]
All women.
Even the young ones, because bangability is a goal for everyone.
OK.
You're numb, so this won't hurt.
Much.
(GASPS) Hmm.
You've lost some tissue in the nasal labial folds.
This will really balance out your features.
I think you're gonna love it.
If I live to find out.
Pretty hurts, but ugly hurts more.
Ow! [PLUM.]
So the pretty former sitcom star led me off to yet another torture session.
- Paul.
- Look what the gods dragged in! - Mwah.
Mwah.
- Paul, this is Plum.
(GASPS) Mwah.
Mwah.
We want to make her, um uh, what's the word? - Bangable.
- That's it.
The hair is gorgeous.
You have beautiful features.
The eyes and these lips Let's do some contouring.
You need to make your face looks slimmer.
Go to school Get a car Meet a girl Don't move too far Take a job But it's okay, it's for the kids - Good.
- Great.
You are going to turn heads, Plum.
Just what I need Even more attention.
Primer, moisturizer, four shadows, concealer, foundation, bronzer, brow pencil, lip pencil, lipstick, lip tint, lip gloss what else? Powder.
Brow gel.
Brushes, all right? Mm-hmm.
$1,016.
58.
Thank you.
Worth ever penny, right? Run along, hot stuff.
Don't you gotta go see your boss? Yeah.
(MUTTERS) (DOOR OPENS) What happened to you? I don't really Is this why I haven't been able to find you? You've been too busy tottering around town trying to get glam? I'm sorry, uh, I had a death in the family.
Oh.
Well, that's terrible.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
So, your article.
Way too wordy.
Riddled with typos.
But it's different.
In a good way.
I actually think there's a there there.
Thank you.
So much.
You're full of surprises, huh? Eladio will type up my notes, and if you can follow them, it'll be in next month's issue.
Really?(LAUGHS) I can't believe it.
I'm coming around to the specialized angle for my readers.
I know that some of my girls have weight problems.
At first, I didn't want to encourage them to be fat.
I mean, if you give them pretty clothes, where's the incentive to be healthy? But in the end, I feel it's nice to include everyone.
Got it.
Uh, well, I will clean it up How are my girls? What's on their minds? I bet they're talking about that serum we featured.
(LAUGHS) Uh, not yet.
Um, ghosting is a big thing.
There's less cutters Bulimia too, actually.
Um, some anxiety about Jennifer Well, that's to be expected.
Terrible.
Actually, most of them are in favor.
A fair number of the girls seem exhilarated.
Empowered, or something like that.
I guess they feel like they matter, somehow.
Like even if they don't fit in with their peers, they still matter anyway, you know? Interesting.
I thought so too.
Eladio? I need a cucumber spritz and some privacy.
[ELADIO.]
You got it.
No, no [CONNIE.]
Can you get extra copies for your cousins? Ooh, Tammy and Sue will freak out! Mom.
If Kitty thinks I took her notes well, it won't even be a full page.
It'll be in a box next to pictures of Kim Kardashian's ass.
You'll take her notes well.
You can have your own article.
Your words.
The whole world will see my radiant, brilliant girl.
Even without the makeup and heels.
Radiant, huh? That's what Charlotte called Wilbur.
Charlotte the spider from the book? You know that's not what I meant.
All I'm saying is that I wish you could focus on your accomplishments instead of trying to be something you're not.
- Mom.
- I'm not saying anything.
Leave some for the cake, why don't you? I'm trying to stop.
I need help.
Stop! Go brush your teeth so you don't want any more.
Oh! That's such a good trick.
I could write a book.
I just want you to be happy.
You know that.
(CAMERA CLICKS) (CLICKING) (CLICKS) (WATER SPLASHES) I'm making tea.
I already brushed.
It's OK.
It's all right.
It's not OK! What did they do to you? It's just bruising.
It's Botox and Restylane.
This is what it looks like.
No.
No, I thought maybe these people were helping, but this is creepy! Worse, it's cruel.
It's just bruising.
It's not cruel.
Do you know how many women do this? I don't care.
You're a young woman.
Why would they Verena Want to do this to you? - She's making a point.
- What, by mutilating you? You're beautiful.
I'm not beautiful.
I'm fat.
Slim does not mean beautiful.
You sure as shit can't be beautiful without it.
No.
No.
Uh-uh.
I have to do this.
It's fine.
I want to meet these people.
I'm not a child.
You have to trust me.
I want to, but this scares me, honey.
- I thought you understood.
- Where are you going? - I need a walk.
- (KEYS JINGLE) (DOOR CLOSES) (SIGHS) - Plum.
Plum! - Jesus! What are you doing?! - I'm sorry.
I needed to - What do you got against phones? Ooh.
A lot.
Especially now.
But I Whoa.
Whoa! Jesus, what happened to your face? Nothing.
It'll go away by Friday.
Did that cop do this to you? N Dominic? (CHUCKLES) You think Dominic roughed me up? Well, I don't know.
He's a man, isn't he? Nah, it's Verena's plan.
She sent me to a dermatologist.
Huh.
That was not part of her book.
What, do you got a new one for me now? "The Tyranny of Motherhood," maybe? Being one or having one? It's a joke.
Right.
Ha.
You are funny.
Like, consistently.
I Um, I wanted to see you before I Um, I'm leaving.
So good-bye.
Good-bye? Why, what's happening? You know, I I have to bounce for a while.
Maybe forever.
Can you be more specific? No.
Oh, uh, when Verena is finished with you, come find me.
Can you give me a clue? Please? Where are you going? You'll, um You'll figure it out.
This is about Jennifer.
Just be careful.
[PLUM.]
The body drops, the manifesto I didn't feel it yet, but it was working.
[CHERYL ON TV.]
Jennifer has inadvertently established a new kind of segregation among the sexes.
Well, maybe inadvertently.
I don't presume to know what these people want.
At this point, all we have are questions and theories.
Are they anarchists? Desperate housewives? Or could they be men posing as women? Next My own street, I don't feel safe.
It's outrageous.
I'm getting scared.
Oh, my God, I went running at midnight.
Never done that before in my life.
It's great.
You should be spinning.
Running's too hard on the face.
Eladio? Get what's-her-name to post an article about the aging effects running has on women over 35.
And where am I having lunch? [MARLOWE.]
"Naturally, supermodels' income surpass educators' and even many female executives' incomes.
"That's because supermodels hold the ultimate worth: bangability.
" [PLUM.]
This is not helping.
Well, maybe if you had done your homework, I wouldn't have to read it to you.
But you need to know this information.
- Do I? - Yeah.
It's an opinion, right? Dressed in an agenda? Couched in propaganda? You look great.
Those are hot.
I feel like the bones in my toes are actually fusing together right now.
You know, some women actually have their pinkie toes removed to make them fit better.
OK, well, that's crazy.
Crazier than getting your stomach stapled? We'll take 'em.
[MARLOWE.]
"We're told that desirability can be earned through hard work, "self-control, and dieting.
" (WHISPERS) Could you just lower your voice? (SHOUTING) "Women who shrink their bodies to the size of adolescents'" and ornament them withnormous breasts and crippling shoes "will be rewarded with every success.
" You know, I'm not doing this to get laid.
Then why do you want to be thin? Wanting to be attractive isn't oppression, OK? It's primal.
Women and men have been adorning themselves since the dawn of time.
We are not talking about landing a mate on the savanna, Plum.
What you want is society at large Excuse the pun To deem you bangable.
You want to have good looks to be considered a valuable commodity.
That's what you want OK, enough.
She's twelve years old.
- I'm sorry.
E-Excuse us.
- Oh, OK.
But it's all right for your baby to wear makeup and shorts tight enough where I can see her moose knuckle? - [MOTHER.]
Hey - Enough! Stop it! Do not go gently into that good night, darling.
You have choices.
(DOOR BUZZER) Yes? What the hell are you doing to my daughter? [CONNIE.]
What is this place? What do you want with my daughter? Milk or sugar? Calliope House is a healing space for damaged and abused women See, that's the trouble I have with you.
Plum isn't damaged and she was never abused.
- How do you know? - I'd know.
My child talks to me.
We have that kind of relationship.
I'm sorry if you didn't with your mom.
I didn't, but that has nothing to do with my relationship with Plum.
I'm trying to help her.
Look, I know that's your intention, but I don't think you really get it, what the Baptist Plan did to people.
- I really think I do.
- No.
There's no way you can understand how it felt to watch my baby spend all her money on your mother's shitty food.
I didn't stop it back then, but I'm smarter now.
My mother made me eat that food.
Her greatest fear was that I'd be fat.
And my father thought it would be a good life lesson if I earned the money to pay for it myself.
You didn't put that in the book.
Uhm-uhm.
I didn't want the story to be about me.
Or maybe you didn't want people to know you're crazy too.
If Plum wants to quit now, she can cash the check.
- Really? - Yeah.
Really.
All I am trying to do is help her see that happiness has nothing to do with how you look and how much you weigh.
Tell me something.
You're a beautiful woman Did everything go your way? (LAUGHS) Oh, yeah.
Yeah, it's been a picnic.
(VERENA LAUGHS) [WOMAN ON TV.]
We're here today to talk about the name on everyone's lips: Jennifer.
Our next guest is (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Put this on every women's cover.
Daisy Chain, Belle Appeal, Swag Rag The whole Kitty-caboodle.
- (GIGGLES) - short laugh) - But they're all been printed.
- So? "An all-female judicial division," presidential elections must only offer female candidates for the next 50 years.
" What is this? I just told you.
It's the cover.
Make it pop.
Maybe have a woman's hand holding it, or "Equal pay plus one-third for all women.
" Come on, Kitty, I get putting this on Daisy Chain, but I want the manifesto printed on every magazine in the catalogue.
Oh, and get Digital to feature it on all the websites.
Did Stanley sanction this? Stanley sanctioned me, Pablo.
Sorry, I know this is a little uncomfortable.
I'm OK.
- This is amazing.
- Isn't it? The secondary surgeries after you've lost the weight can be more challenging.
Most people your size can drop to a size 12 or a 14, which leaves a lot of loose skin where there used to be fat.
We remove the excess flesh in subsequent surgeries [PLUM.]
I was about to become Alicia, and I'd be perfect.
The abdominoplasty and mastopexy will leave significant, permanent scarring, and based on your family history, you're at risk for cheloidal scars as well.
But at least you'll be thin.
Oh, my God.
Have fun? Look what I have for your next task.
You ready? - Ta-da! - No, no, you said this was our last appointment.
Oh, for me it is.
But Verena's got the next step of the program all ready to go.
You just have to go on a few dates.
Should be a breeze.
- Dating.
- Mm-hmm.
No.
That's not happening.
What did you think the makeover was for? You see, my part was creating the pretty package, and the next part of the New Baptist Plan is presenting the pretty package.
You want to piss me off? Fine.
I'm pissed.
I get it.
I'll never be Angelina Jolie.
I won't even be Alicia.
- You are Alicia.
You're Alicia right now.
- No.
I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- I'm not.
- You are.
- I'm not.
And fine, I'll never be perfect, but I am not OK in this body, and I don't give a shit what you think about it.
The next step is dating.
You are wearing the dress.
Screw the money.
How are you gonna pay for it? I don't care.
I'll figure it out.
Plum, don't.
You are almost there.
I'm not doing this! (DOOR CLOSES) - Mom? - Honey.
This is your mom? Hi.
Marlowe.
- From the show? - What are you doing here? - Oh, just talking.
- Making sure we're not a cult.
Did she buy it? 'Cause I'm not convinced.
Tell me what you want to know.
- Stop trying to manipulate me! - Plum! I know you have been manipulated all your life.
But I am here to help you heal from having been told - since you were five years old how you should - I don't want to heal.
- Dress, think.
- I just want to lose weight.
Baby, think about what you just said.
We're trying to help you stop trying to conform to thextent that you undermine your potential to make a difference.
You conformed.
Look at you.
You're so pretty you have acolytes Fitting in can make some things easier, yes, but standing out the way you do shouldn't equal punishment.
Forget other people.
You punish yourself.
- So what? - So, you are angry at yourself.
- So what?! - It has to stop.
I think you know that, Plum.
(SIGHS) I just got the strangest call from Pablo.
Is there a problem? You understand that I can't allow you to do this.
It's a content decision outside of your jurisdiction, Jeff.
CFO's have jurisdiction over anything involving money.
My expertise The board hired me to calculate risk.
Stanley and the board agreed to print the manifesto in order to protect the men at Austen Media.
Technically, you're a member of that group.
Per my advice, they voted to publish it only on the Daisy Chain cover.
Your advice? Well, I was consulted privately, yes.
All due respect to your title.
I mean, you may enjoy splashing that hysterical screed all over Austen Media, but I won't sign off on a half-million dollar expenditure so you can feel relevant.
It's nothin' personal, honey.
It isn't personal, is it? No.
I see that now.
You're only doing your job.
And protecting me from my rash decision.
You've always been chivalrous that way.
Like when you insisted on wearing a condom when you screwed my second Or was it my third? assistant.
- I didn't You - Doubly thoughtful since she was only 20 and completely incapable of taking care of an illegitimate child, or for you pressuring her to have an abortion.
You know, I think you should tell your wife.
I bet she would thank you for protecting her from getting an ugly divorce.
Maybe even give you a half-decent roll in the hay.
I'm not like those men.
She Jenni, it was very consensual.
I'm not a predator.
And my marriage is very Complicated.
I know honey.
Aren't they all? Approve the expenditure.
And tell Pablo never to question my authority again or he'll be begging for a job at Avon.
[DOMINIC.]
This is last-meal good.
- Are you faking it? - Mmm.
I'm on death row, they go and ask me "What do you want?" I am sayin', "Bring me this cake.
" You know, I considered baking you a four-layer, but I hardly know you.
- Ah.
- Come on.
One bite.
No.
Come on.
I can't do cake.
Look at me.
I am lookin' at you.
I wanted to tell you, the other night when I called you I'd stopped taking these meds.
- I'm really embarrassed.
- Don't.
We're friends.
But you went above and beyond.
You brought me water, you You didn't have to do that.
You were going through something.
You know, um you made me touch your skin.
Oh, my God, I'm sorry.
I'm so, so sorry.
Don't be.
You were right.
It's soft.
I wanted to run something by you.
Do you think that it's possible that Jennifer is an offshoot of Calliope House? I feel like th What? I don't know, I feel like they're trying to trigger me.
Like, radicalize me.
It's possible.
They get bomb threats.
Did you know that? Yeah.
Yeah, I am aware of that.
And they're cruel.
Like, they put me through pain.
They They have plenty of money, the women are all crazy-devoted to Verena.
It's like a cult.
There's something going on there.
It's too much for me.
I'm walkin' away.
What if I asked you not to? I just said I think they're a cult and they're probably connected to Jennifer.
And I'm sayin' I think you're probably right.
Jennifer kills people.
You want me to hang out with them? You're already hangin' out with them.
That's why it'll work.
Why what'll work? What, are we gonna bust 'em? Maybe.
Finding a link? Look, if I thought you were really at risk, I wouldn't ask.
Jennifer's not interested in hurting women, right? Oh, well, that's comforting.
Not at all.
They're feminists, right? They limit their fire to bad guys.
Look, you help me crack this, think of the story you're gonna write.
You.
Not Kitty, you.
Think of the people that you'll help.
And I'm gonna be watching you.
There's no way I'm gonna let anything happen to you.
I promise.
Haven't you ever wanted to be a hero? - Thank you, Frank.
- Sorry, Ms.
Montgomery.
It's not a good time.
He's behind closed doors.
I know you're not grabbing my Saint Laurent.
(DISTANT BUZZING) (DRONE BUZZING) Shit, Stanley! - (DRONE POWERS DOWN) - You all right? Goddamnit! Ohh.
You struck my drone.
I don't see any blood.
Good.
If you had hit my face God forbid.
Not the moneymaker, not the moneymaker So, you're all wound up.
Do I need to fire somebody? You might.
But that's not what it's about.
This Jennifer thing.
Jennifer who? The organization.
Hmm.
Terrorists, you mean.
One man's terrorist is another woman's liberator, Stanley.
What the hell is that supposed to mean? It means this is a ground-floor, billion-dollar opportunity.
This is Apple stock in 1980.
What are you talking There's nothing to invest in, Kitty.
Have you been watching the news? Jennifer is getting to every woman on the planet.
They're tapping into something that you can't understand.
You need to let me take the tiller on this.
On what? J Just tell me what you want to do.
It's already done.
We're publishing the manifesto on the cover of every girls' and women's magazine in your catalogue.
Trust me.
They're gonna fly off the shelves.
I wondered what all those phone calls were about today.
This thing is going to be bigger than climate change.
We could make our bones, Stanley.
I made my bones, Kitty.
Fine.
Whatever you want.
We're not gonna fight this out? I don't feel like fighting, Kitty.
I just had a hot stone massage.
(DRONE EMITS SHORT MUSICAL PHRASE) You used to be a lion.
Maybe.
Is that why you stopped screwing me? I stopped screwing you long before you stopped fighting me.
- Who remembers? - I do.
Good night, Stanley.
At least now you know you don't have to worry about me anymore, huh? I think you're in good hands with Verena.
I do.
I hope they're getting through to you.
There's some egg salad in the fridge.
Thank you, Mama.
Oh I love you, honey.
(SNIFFLES) I love you too.
Are they getting through to you? I think so yeah.
Mmm.
(SIGHS) OK.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Be safe.
(SIGHS) [PLUM.]
Back then, nothing was getting through to me.
[WOMAN.]
Hello, Dr.
Burton's office.
Hi, this is Alicia Kettle.
I'm calling to put a deposit down on my surgery.
Because I didn't want to be the hero.
I still wanted to be the hero's girlfriend.
While I was hell-bent on finishing my personal revolution, Kitty was helping light the fuse of Jennifer's.
She may have been wrong about me, but she was right about them.
I quit Y.
No, no, no.
You need to stay on your meds.
"Side effects include brain zaps" - What the hell is a brain zap? - Oh! MAN: Somebody in the Austin media family was murdered.
My name is Malleck Ferguson, and I deserve to die.
Are we safe? They're extremists targeting men.
My skin is so soft, hmm? It's very soft.
Plum is one who could go in the wrong direction.
- [KNOCK ON DOOR.]
- MAN #2: Open the door, Plum.
[BRITISH WOMAN.]
I really don't think that's necessary, darling.
(TAPPING ON WINDOW) [BOY.]
Hey, Mom! Listen, Tommy's about home, so I should dash, but She said what? (LAUGHS) Brilliant.
Oh, what a sow that woman is.
Well, swing round and get me then, if you're worried.
Half past? [PLUM.]
I used to think of British people as proper Jane Austen, Oxford, "God Save the Queen," right? One look at their daily papers, and all that went out the window.
Legit tittie pics.
As gross as our tabloids are, theirs are worse.
Well, they were, anyway, until Jennifer got to 'em.
[MAN ON TV.]
World Daily Media put out a statement a short time ago.
The allegedly all-female terrorist organization Jennifer claimed credit for the murder of Times senior content editor.
Thomas Gormely.
In seeking the release of Gormely's son, Primstead News has acquiesced to Jennifer's demands which included publishing the manifesto, as well as agreeing to replace the paper's.
Page Three displays of topless women with graphic depictions of men's buttocks and genitalia.
(CLEARS THROAT) The organization then made good on their promise and thankfully released young Paul Gormely unharmed.
[WOMAN ON TV.]
If you're going to categorize this as an act of terror against men, you should use the same designation for the way men have treated women for millennia.
[WOMAN 2.]
Jennifer's actions may have changed [CHERYL.]
Here in the United States, Jennifer has targeted Sound Media Group as well as Hold on.
We're just getting word that In breaking news, I'm told it's Austen Media's turn.
- (PHONE RINGING) - Eladio! (OTHER PHONES RINGING) You'd better check your email.
[CHERYL ON TV.]
We've also learned an ad hoc vigilante network is targeting all progressives named Jennifer.
Jennifer is a popular name, and if it's your name and you work at the ACLU or Planned Parenthood, you're probably getting death threats.
- It happened to our next guest - [CONNIE.]
This is crazy! I don't care if they are rapists murder is murder.
I care if they're rapists.
Honey, you're not a Jennifer sympathizer, are you? No! I just I'm not losing sleep over dead rapists.
- This whole thing is psycho.
- (PHONE BUZZING) [PLUM.]
Verena described her New Baptist Plan like a legit baptism.
She said if I took certain actions, it could be kind of a rebirth.
If a rebirth meant I'd finally fit into that dress, fine.
Have some cheesy eggs.
Your favorite.
Maybe when I was nine.
I'm gonna be late.
Oh, five minutes.
Eat your breakfast.
Mom, I can't.
Sorry.
I'm meeting people.
What people? Calliope House people? Who are these people? Do you really know what they want? You're not worried about some feminist group just handing you a check for $20,000? They're not just handing it to me.
Verena's not a terrorist.
There's no way.
Probably not, but she's not afraid to use tactics on you.
This is not about Jennifer.
This is about money.
Money I'll earn by letting a well-meaning rich lady poke around inside my psyche to make herself feel better.
- It's harmless.
- (PHONE BUZZES) Shit.
I have to go.
I'll be back for dinner.
(DOOR OPENS, CLOSES) [PLUM.]
Phase two of the New Baptist Plan was about to begin.
My guide? The one and only - Marlowe Buchanon.
- Go ahead, say it - I haven't changed a bit.
- (LAUGHTER, APPLAUSE) [PLUM.]
Formerly that girl from that dumb show.
And me.
Meeting my first-ever famous person didn't feel real, more like I'd walked into a show of my life.
OK, I've changed a little.
I'm older Aaah! My hair looks like a gray toothbrush.
Ah, my weight.
Whoo! It's up, it's down.
But other than that, iiiiit's Marlowe! A show starring an older hippie version of an American icon.
Oh, and my theme song's gone.
- [CROWD.]
Aww - Yeah.
Damn thing used to follow me every single time I would walk into a living room.
Oh, and I buried the lede: I'm no longer bangable.
Excuse me?! Well, I'm not.
Which is why I left show business or why show business left me.
We'll call it a draw.
I didn't know the reason, I just missed your show.
(BABY TALK) Well, I went away to Italy on hiatus, and lopped off 20 inches off my Marlowe! hairstyle.
And that was the real killer.
- Yeah.
Short hair.
- (CROWD GROANS) Shut up.
Nobody cares about what you think.
- There's no pleasing them.
- Mm.
OK, your next task.
Becoming bangable.
It is not easy or fun, but it is essential.
I should know.
I literally wrote the book on it.
I-I'm sorry, I don't understand.
I have to have sex with someone? I didn't sign up for that.
(LAUGHING) No, no, no.
It's not about literal banging, silly, and it sure as hell is not about what you want.
It's about what men want.
(CHEERS, APPLAUSE) (PHONE BUZZING) Read this.
It'll explain everything.
[PLUM.]
As surreal as meeting her was, Marlowe was real And she was right in front of me, asking me to step way out of my comfort zone.
Plum, this is homework.
Welcome to the next step in the New Baptist Plan.
You get to spend the next two days with me.
Woulda bought you something, but you know I hate shopping.
Hey.
No, no.
Private sector money now.
(LAUGHS) All right, I'll get the drive over to my guy.
You still looking for the same stuff? Scrubbed files? Yeah, suspect's name is Alicia Kettle.
It's probably nothing, just another employee that fits the profile.
- Got it.
How's the Austen gig? - (PHONE RINGING) Ah, bullshit job, but money's good.
Yeah? Christ.
OK.
Yeah.
- Is it Jennifer? - You don't want to know.
It'll just piss you off.
What, you afraid to tell me, I'm gonna lose it? I thought at least you knew me better than that.
Look, some chick Googled "sex offenders" and found Travis Wiman livin' in her building.
What are you talkin' about? He's at Rikers.
He got out on appeal.
Anyway, she just tried to blow his dick off.
She missed, unfortunately, but I gotta go arrest her.
Be good.
So how'd Wiman get out? A technicality, like always.
Right.
So what, now every scumbag I've ever put away is getting out saying I'm some vigilante cop? The deal was I resign and we put a lid on the story! I didn't say anything.
All right? You know that.
But there are no secrets anymore, not with screen grabs.
And you know, inmates and cops, they gossip like girls.
Look, I gotta head out.
You take care of yourself, Nicky.
I'll tell him it's a rush.
- (TV ON IN BACKGROUND) - (PHONE BUZZES) (BUZZING) Was that somebody special? You had somebody-special face.
- He's good-looking.
- Mm-hmm.
That's probably all it is.
Plum? The point of this Ah, short version Fully experiencing the steps to bangability, truly understanding them.
And pay attention You need to know what it takes and what it takes from you.
(BACKGROUND CHATTER) - (RIPS WAX) - Unhh! - (RIPS) - Ohh! (RIPS) [PLUM.]
I could tell they were talking about me.
She was probably warning Lilianna to stay alert or I'd eat them both.
(CONVERSING IN RUSSIAN) - (RIPS) - (PLUM GASPS) Which is worse, the insult or the injury? [KITTY.]
You're not making Daisy Chain eat this bullet.
What kind of message would it send my girls "When the going gets tough, give in to extremists"? "Take it in the ass"? I reinvented Daisy Chain.
I transformed Austen Media from the typeface up.
You want to print Jennifer's insane demands, do it in Men's Muscle.
- They call it a manifesto.
- Whatever.
You know what I call it? Your.
Problem.
[EXECUTIVE.]
They sent an English publisher's scalp to his wife in a bubble envelope.
[KITTY.]
What does that have to do with you? Were you a friend of his? Are you men or babies? Hmm? (ALL MUTTER) Scared widdle babies.
Daisy Chain's cover will be "Thirty Days to Sexy.
Products for Every Problem.
" End of discussion.
[ELADIO.]
Kitty Montgomery's office.
She wants to schedule a meeting with you for today.
Please return as soon as you get this.
Aren't you gonna call her back? I mean, it's not the cute boy, but still.
Not yet.
I need to be fortified.
- Carbs or protein? - Neither.
I feel dizzy.
I feel like I've been skinned.
You have, honey.
You're an animal without her fur.
And that's what dudes want in a bangable gal, they want the illusion of purity.
Yeah, but it's like they're making me pre-pubescent.
Bingo.
How many women have you done this to? Women do this to themselves every day.
I know, but how many have you taken through this New Baptist Plan? A very select few.
And it's Verena's plan, by the way.
I'm just doing my part.
So, why are you avoiding your boss? She asked me to write an article for publication.
Finally.
Plus size fashion.
But I wrote it when I was coming off of Y and I'm afraid it's a little ethereal.
Y's tough.
Yeah.
You sure it was even in English? Barely.
But I turned it in anyway.
Well, New Baptists face their fears, kid.
- (LINE OUT RINGING) - Kitty Montgomery's office.
- Hey, this is Plum.
- Come in and see Kitty at four.
- (CLICK) - I don't know if I'm available - You've been summoned.
- Yeah.
Kitty wants me in at four.
No.
Verena.
They want you back at the house.
(VERENA GASPS) - Feel different? - Just balder.
Oh, my.
Marlowe does like to throw our girls in the deep end.
Didn't you know what she was gonna make me do? Isn't that your plan? Um, I am the curator of the plan.
What does that even mean? It's a larger discussion.
Did you bring your dress? This is stupid.
I mean, I get it and it's stupid.
Get what, exactly? I really need to say it? You're all trying to get me to understand that becoming thin is becoming bangable, and becoming bangable is like a prison of its own.
Can I graduate now? Um, that's simplifying, but yeah, you're in the ballpark, smarty-pants.
Whatever.
As long as the check clears.
I'm getting my surgery.
(SIGHS) Well, that's up to you.
I'm not gonna try and convince you otherwise.
Besides, I'm too tired.
One hour of sleep last night.
What, are you coming off Y, too? Nope.
Bomb threat.
Nobody slept.
- Here? - Mm-hmm.
- Why? - Why not? It's a radical space for radical women.
People feel threatened by that.
What's so radical about it? Well, real change can't come from inside.
You gotta create a whole new system.
And that's Calliope House.
Did Verena tell you there was a bomb threat at Calliope last night? Yeah, again.
Taxi! Doesn't that seem weird? I mean, they seem harmless, but with everything going on, I can't help but wonder - if Jennifer and Calliope - Are connected? Verena'd get a kick out of that.
Well, don't tell her.
Well, it's not entirely crazy, but Verena and Calliope, there's no way they'd condone any kind of bloodshed.
And you'd know, right? Don't conflate feminism with violence.
It sound very uninformed.
Speaking of violence, how much more torture today? I have to see Kitty in four hours.
No worries.
Only two more appointments today.
- [MAN.]
Hmm.
- Is something wrong? I wouldn't say there's anything wrong, per se, but freezing and plumping help.
- Help what? - [MARLOWE.]
All women.
Even the young ones, because bangability is a goal for everyone.
OK.
You're numb, so this won't hurt.
Much.
(GASPS) Hmm.
You've lost some tissue in the nasal labial folds.
This will really balance out your features.
I think you're gonna love it.
If I live to find out.
Pretty hurts, but ugly hurts more.
Ow! [PLUM.]
So the pretty former sitcom star led me off to yet another torture session.
- Paul.
- Look what the gods dragged in! - Mwah.
Mwah.
- Paul, this is Plum.
(GASPS) Mwah.
Mwah.
We want to make her, um uh, what's the word? - Bangable.
- That's it.
The hair is gorgeous.
You have beautiful features.
The eyes and these lips Let's do some contouring.
You need to make your face looks slimmer.
Go to school Get a car Meet a girl Don't move too far Take a job But it's okay, it's for the kids - Good.
- Great.
You are going to turn heads, Plum.
Just what I need Even more attention.
Primer, moisturizer, four shadows, concealer, foundation, bronzer, brow pencil, lip pencil, lipstick, lip tint, lip gloss what else? Powder.
Brow gel.
Brushes, all right? Mm-hmm.
$1,016.
58.
Thank you.
Worth ever penny, right? Run along, hot stuff.
Don't you gotta go see your boss? Yeah.
(MUTTERS) (DOOR OPENS) What happened to you? I don't really Is this why I haven't been able to find you? You've been too busy tottering around town trying to get glam? I'm sorry, uh, I had a death in the family.
Oh.
Well, that's terrible.
I'm sorry for your loss.
Thank you.
So, your article.
Way too wordy.
Riddled with typos.
But it's different.
In a good way.
I actually think there's a there there.
Thank you.
So much.
You're full of surprises, huh? Eladio will type up my notes, and if you can follow them, it'll be in next month's issue.
Really?(LAUGHS) I can't believe it.
I'm coming around to the specialized angle for my readers.
I know that some of my girls have weight problems.
At first, I didn't want to encourage them to be fat.
I mean, if you give them pretty clothes, where's the incentive to be healthy? But in the end, I feel it's nice to include everyone.
Got it.
Uh, well, I will clean it up How are my girls? What's on their minds? I bet they're talking about that serum we featured.
(LAUGHS) Uh, not yet.
Um, ghosting is a big thing.
There's less cutters Bulimia too, actually.
Um, some anxiety about Jennifer Well, that's to be expected.
Terrible.
Actually, most of them are in favor.
A fair number of the girls seem exhilarated.
Empowered, or something like that.
I guess they feel like they matter, somehow.
Like even if they don't fit in with their peers, they still matter anyway, you know? Interesting.
I thought so too.
Eladio? I need a cucumber spritz and some privacy.
[ELADIO.]
You got it.
No, no [CONNIE.]
Can you get extra copies for your cousins? Ooh, Tammy and Sue will freak out! Mom.
If Kitty thinks I took her notes well, it won't even be a full page.
It'll be in a box next to pictures of Kim Kardashian's ass.
You'll take her notes well.
You can have your own article.
Your words.
The whole world will see my radiant, brilliant girl.
Even without the makeup and heels.
Radiant, huh? That's what Charlotte called Wilbur.
Charlotte the spider from the book? You know that's not what I meant.
All I'm saying is that I wish you could focus on your accomplishments instead of trying to be something you're not.
- Mom.
- I'm not saying anything.
Leave some for the cake, why don't you? I'm trying to stop.
I need help.
Stop! Go brush your teeth so you don't want any more.
Oh! That's such a good trick.
I could write a book.
I just want you to be happy.
You know that.
(CAMERA CLICKS) (CLICKING) (CLICKS) (WATER SPLASHES) I'm making tea.
I already brushed.
It's OK.
It's all right.
It's not OK! What did they do to you? It's just bruising.
It's Botox and Restylane.
This is what it looks like.
No.
No, I thought maybe these people were helping, but this is creepy! Worse, it's cruel.
It's just bruising.
It's not cruel.
Do you know how many women do this? I don't care.
You're a young woman.
Why would they Verena Want to do this to you? - She's making a point.
- What, by mutilating you? You're beautiful.
I'm not beautiful.
I'm fat.
Slim does not mean beautiful.
You sure as shit can't be beautiful without it.
No.
No.
Uh-uh.
I have to do this.
It's fine.
I want to meet these people.
I'm not a child.
You have to trust me.
I want to, but this scares me, honey.
- I thought you understood.
- Where are you going? - I need a walk.
- (KEYS JINGLE) (DOOR CLOSES) (SIGHS) - Plum.
Plum! - Jesus! What are you doing?! - I'm sorry.
I needed to - What do you got against phones? Ooh.
A lot.
Especially now.
But I Whoa.
Whoa! Jesus, what happened to your face? Nothing.
It'll go away by Friday.
Did that cop do this to you? N Dominic? (CHUCKLES) You think Dominic roughed me up? Well, I don't know.
He's a man, isn't he? Nah, it's Verena's plan.
She sent me to a dermatologist.
Huh.
That was not part of her book.
What, do you got a new one for me now? "The Tyranny of Motherhood," maybe? Being one or having one? It's a joke.
Right.
Ha.
You are funny.
Like, consistently.
I Um, I wanted to see you before I Um, I'm leaving.
So good-bye.
Good-bye? Why, what's happening? You know, I I have to bounce for a while.
Maybe forever.
Can you be more specific? No.
Oh, uh, when Verena is finished with you, come find me.
Can you give me a clue? Please? Where are you going? You'll, um You'll figure it out.
This is about Jennifer.
Just be careful.
[PLUM.]
The body drops, the manifesto I didn't feel it yet, but it was working.
[CHERYL ON TV.]
Jennifer has inadvertently established a new kind of segregation among the sexes.
Well, maybe inadvertently.
I don't presume to know what these people want.
At this point, all we have are questions and theories.
Are they anarchists? Desperate housewives? Or could they be men posing as women? Next My own street, I don't feel safe.
It's outrageous.
I'm getting scared.
Oh, my God, I went running at midnight.
Never done that before in my life.
It's great.
You should be spinning.
Running's too hard on the face.
Eladio? Get what's-her-name to post an article about the aging effects running has on women over 35.
And where am I having lunch? [MARLOWE.]
"Naturally, supermodels' income surpass educators' and even many female executives' incomes.
"That's because supermodels hold the ultimate worth: bangability.
" [PLUM.]
This is not helping.
Well, maybe if you had done your homework, I wouldn't have to read it to you.
But you need to know this information.
- Do I? - Yeah.
It's an opinion, right? Dressed in an agenda? Couched in propaganda? You look great.
Those are hot.
I feel like the bones in my toes are actually fusing together right now.
You know, some women actually have their pinkie toes removed to make them fit better.
OK, well, that's crazy.
Crazier than getting your stomach stapled? We'll take 'em.
[MARLOWE.]
"We're told that desirability can be earned through hard work, "self-control, and dieting.
" (WHISPERS) Could you just lower your voice? (SHOUTING) "Women who shrink their bodies to the size of adolescents'" and ornament them withnormous breasts and crippling shoes "will be rewarded with every success.
" You know, I'm not doing this to get laid.
Then why do you want to be thin? Wanting to be attractive isn't oppression, OK? It's primal.
Women and men have been adorning themselves since the dawn of time.
We are not talking about landing a mate on the savanna, Plum.
What you want is society at large Excuse the pun To deem you bangable.
You want to have good looks to be considered a valuable commodity.
That's what you want OK, enough.
She's twelve years old.
- I'm sorry.
E-Excuse us.
- Oh, OK.
But it's all right for your baby to wear makeup and shorts tight enough where I can see her moose knuckle? - [MOTHER.]
Hey - Enough! Stop it! Do not go gently into that good night, darling.
You have choices.
(DOOR BUZZER) Yes? What the hell are you doing to my daughter? [CONNIE.]
What is this place? What do you want with my daughter? Milk or sugar? Calliope House is a healing space for damaged and abused women See, that's the trouble I have with you.
Plum isn't damaged and she was never abused.
- How do you know? - I'd know.
My child talks to me.
We have that kind of relationship.
I'm sorry if you didn't with your mom.
I didn't, but that has nothing to do with my relationship with Plum.
I'm trying to help her.
Look, I know that's your intention, but I don't think you really get it, what the Baptist Plan did to people.
- I really think I do.
- No.
There's no way you can understand how it felt to watch my baby spend all her money on your mother's shitty food.
I didn't stop it back then, but I'm smarter now.
My mother made me eat that food.
Her greatest fear was that I'd be fat.
And my father thought it would be a good life lesson if I earned the money to pay for it myself.
You didn't put that in the book.
Uhm-uhm.
I didn't want the story to be about me.
Or maybe you didn't want people to know you're crazy too.
If Plum wants to quit now, she can cash the check.
- Really? - Yeah.
Really.
All I am trying to do is help her see that happiness has nothing to do with how you look and how much you weigh.
Tell me something.
You're a beautiful woman Did everything go your way? (LAUGHS) Oh, yeah.
Yeah, it's been a picnic.
(VERENA LAUGHS) [WOMAN ON TV.]
We're here today to talk about the name on everyone's lips: Jennifer.
Our next guest is (INDISTINCT CHATTER) Put this on every women's cover.
Daisy Chain, Belle Appeal, Swag Rag The whole Kitty-caboodle.
- (GIGGLES) - short laugh) - But they're all been printed.
- So? "An all-female judicial division," presidential elections must only offer female candidates for the next 50 years.
" What is this? I just told you.
It's the cover.
Make it pop.
Maybe have a woman's hand holding it, or "Equal pay plus one-third for all women.
" Come on, Kitty, I get putting this on Daisy Chain, but I want the manifesto printed on every magazine in the catalogue.
Oh, and get Digital to feature it on all the websites.
Did Stanley sanction this? Stanley sanctioned me, Pablo.
Sorry, I know this is a little uncomfortable.
I'm OK.
- This is amazing.
- Isn't it? The secondary surgeries after you've lost the weight can be more challenging.
Most people your size can drop to a size 12 or a 14, which leaves a lot of loose skin where there used to be fat.
We remove the excess flesh in subsequent surgeries [PLUM.]
I was about to become Alicia, and I'd be perfect.
The abdominoplasty and mastopexy will leave significant, permanent scarring, and based on your family history, you're at risk for cheloidal scars as well.
But at least you'll be thin.
Oh, my God.
Have fun? Look what I have for your next task.
You ready? - Ta-da! - No, no, you said this was our last appointment.
Oh, for me it is.
But Verena's got the next step of the program all ready to go.
You just have to go on a few dates.
Should be a breeze.
- Dating.
- Mm-hmm.
No.
That's not happening.
What did you think the makeover was for? You see, my part was creating the pretty package, and the next part of the New Baptist Plan is presenting the pretty package.
You want to piss me off? Fine.
I'm pissed.
I get it.
I'll never be Angelina Jolie.
I won't even be Alicia.
- You are Alicia.
You're Alicia right now.
- No.
I'm not.
- Yes, you are.
- I'm not.
- You are.
- I'm not.
And fine, I'll never be perfect, but I am not OK in this body, and I don't give a shit what you think about it.
The next step is dating.
You are wearing the dress.
Screw the money.
How are you gonna pay for it? I don't care.
I'll figure it out.
Plum, don't.
You are almost there.
I'm not doing this! (DOOR CLOSES) - Mom? - Honey.
This is your mom? Hi.
Marlowe.
- From the show? - What are you doing here? - Oh, just talking.
- Making sure we're not a cult.
Did she buy it? 'Cause I'm not convinced.
Tell me what you want to know.
- Stop trying to manipulate me! - Plum! I know you have been manipulated all your life.
But I am here to help you heal from having been told - since you were five years old how you should - I don't want to heal.
- Dress, think.
- I just want to lose weight.
Baby, think about what you just said.
We're trying to help you stop trying to conform to thextent that you undermine your potential to make a difference.
You conformed.
Look at you.
You're so pretty you have acolytes Fitting in can make some things easier, yes, but standing out the way you do shouldn't equal punishment.
Forget other people.
You punish yourself.
- So what? - So, you are angry at yourself.
- So what?! - It has to stop.
I think you know that, Plum.
(SIGHS) I just got the strangest call from Pablo.
Is there a problem? You understand that I can't allow you to do this.
It's a content decision outside of your jurisdiction, Jeff.
CFO's have jurisdiction over anything involving money.
My expertise The board hired me to calculate risk.
Stanley and the board agreed to print the manifesto in order to protect the men at Austen Media.
Technically, you're a member of that group.
Per my advice, they voted to publish it only on the Daisy Chain cover.
Your advice? Well, I was consulted privately, yes.
All due respect to your title.
I mean, you may enjoy splashing that hysterical screed all over Austen Media, but I won't sign off on a half-million dollar expenditure so you can feel relevant.
It's nothin' personal, honey.
It isn't personal, is it? No.
I see that now.
You're only doing your job.
And protecting me from my rash decision.
You've always been chivalrous that way.
Like when you insisted on wearing a condom when you screwed my second Or was it my third? assistant.
- I didn't You - Doubly thoughtful since she was only 20 and completely incapable of taking care of an illegitimate child, or for you pressuring her to have an abortion.
You know, I think you should tell your wife.
I bet she would thank you for protecting her from getting an ugly divorce.
Maybe even give you a half-decent roll in the hay.
I'm not like those men.
She Jenni, it was very consensual.
I'm not a predator.
And my marriage is very Complicated.
I know honey.
Aren't they all? Approve the expenditure.
And tell Pablo never to question my authority again or he'll be begging for a job at Avon.
[DOMINIC.]
This is last-meal good.
- Are you faking it? - Mmm.
I'm on death row, they go and ask me "What do you want?" I am sayin', "Bring me this cake.
" You know, I considered baking you a four-layer, but I hardly know you.
- Ah.
- Come on.
One bite.
No.
Come on.
I can't do cake.
Look at me.
I am lookin' at you.
I wanted to tell you, the other night when I called you I'd stopped taking these meds.
- I'm really embarrassed.
- Don't.
We're friends.
But you went above and beyond.
You brought me water, you You didn't have to do that.
You were going through something.
You know, um you made me touch your skin.
Oh, my God, I'm sorry.
I'm so, so sorry.
Don't be.
You were right.
It's soft.
I wanted to run something by you.
Do you think that it's possible that Jennifer is an offshoot of Calliope House? I feel like th What? I don't know, I feel like they're trying to trigger me.
Like, radicalize me.
It's possible.
They get bomb threats.
Did you know that? Yeah.
Yeah, I am aware of that.
And they're cruel.
Like, they put me through pain.
They They have plenty of money, the women are all crazy-devoted to Verena.
It's like a cult.
There's something going on there.
It's too much for me.
I'm walkin' away.
What if I asked you not to? I just said I think they're a cult and they're probably connected to Jennifer.
And I'm sayin' I think you're probably right.
Jennifer kills people.
You want me to hang out with them? You're already hangin' out with them.
That's why it'll work.
Why what'll work? What, are we gonna bust 'em? Maybe.
Finding a link? Look, if I thought you were really at risk, I wouldn't ask.
Jennifer's not interested in hurting women, right? Oh, well, that's comforting.
Not at all.
They're feminists, right? They limit their fire to bad guys.
Look, you help me crack this, think of the story you're gonna write.
You.
Not Kitty, you.
Think of the people that you'll help.
And I'm gonna be watching you.
There's no way I'm gonna let anything happen to you.
I promise.
Haven't you ever wanted to be a hero? - Thank you, Frank.
- Sorry, Ms.
Montgomery.
It's not a good time.
He's behind closed doors.
I know you're not grabbing my Saint Laurent.
(DISTANT BUZZING) (DRONE BUZZING) Shit, Stanley! - (DRONE POWERS DOWN) - You all right? Goddamnit! Ohh.
You struck my drone.
I don't see any blood.
Good.
If you had hit my face God forbid.
Not the moneymaker, not the moneymaker So, you're all wound up.
Do I need to fire somebody? You might.
But that's not what it's about.
This Jennifer thing.
Jennifer who? The organization.
Hmm.
Terrorists, you mean.
One man's terrorist is another woman's liberator, Stanley.
What the hell is that supposed to mean? It means this is a ground-floor, billion-dollar opportunity.
This is Apple stock in 1980.
What are you talking There's nothing to invest in, Kitty.
Have you been watching the news? Jennifer is getting to every woman on the planet.
They're tapping into something that you can't understand.
You need to let me take the tiller on this.
On what? J Just tell me what you want to do.
It's already done.
We're publishing the manifesto on the cover of every girls' and women's magazine in your catalogue.
Trust me.
They're gonna fly off the shelves.
I wondered what all those phone calls were about today.
This thing is going to be bigger than climate change.
We could make our bones, Stanley.
I made my bones, Kitty.
Fine.
Whatever you want.
We're not gonna fight this out? I don't feel like fighting, Kitty.
I just had a hot stone massage.
(DRONE EMITS SHORT MUSICAL PHRASE) You used to be a lion.
Maybe.
Is that why you stopped screwing me? I stopped screwing you long before you stopped fighting me.
- Who remembers? - I do.
Good night, Stanley.
At least now you know you don't have to worry about me anymore, huh? I think you're in good hands with Verena.
I do.
I hope they're getting through to you.
There's some egg salad in the fridge.
Thank you, Mama.
Oh I love you, honey.
(SNIFFLES) I love you too.
Are they getting through to you? I think so yeah.
Mmm.
(SIGHS) OK.
- Bye.
- Bye.
Be safe.
(SIGHS) [PLUM.]
Back then, nothing was getting through to me.
[WOMAN.]
Hello, Dr.
Burton's office.
Hi, this is Alicia Kettle.
I'm calling to put a deposit down on my surgery.
Because I didn't want to be the hero.
I still wanted to be the hero's girlfriend.
While I was hell-bent on finishing my personal revolution, Kitty was helping light the fuse of Jennifer's.
She may have been wrong about me, but she was right about them.